Gas.0003_SD

The Glaſſeof Gouernment. A tragicall Comedie ſo entituled, bycauſe thereinare handled aſwell the rewardes for Vertues, as alſo the puniſhmentfor Vices. Doneby George Gaſcoigne Eſquier.1575. Bleſſedare they that feare the Lorde, their children ſhalbe as the branchesof Oliue trees rounde about their table. Seenand allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queenesmaieſties Iniunctions. IMPRINTED at London for C. Barker

names of the Actors.

andPhilocalus

parents being nigh neyghbours.

aScholemaſter.

to Phylopæs.

to Phylocalus.

theMarkgraue.

theParaſyte.

theHarlot.

Auntto Lamia.

theRoyſter.

twoMeſſengers.

ſeruantto the Schoolemaſter.

ſeruantto Phylopæs.

ſeruantto Phylocalus.

fourgraue Burghers.

Comedie to be preſented as it were in Antwerpe.

Argument.

Tworiche Citizens of Andwerpe (beeing nighe neighboures, & hauingeche of them two ſonnes of like age) do place them togither with onegodly teacher. The ſcholemaſter doth briefly inſtruct them theirduetie towardes God, their Prince, their Parents, their cuntrie, andall magiſtrates in the ſame. The eldeſt being yong men of quickecapacitie, do (Parrotte like) very quickly learne the rules withoutbooke: the yonger beeing ſomewhat more dull of vnderſtanding, doyet engraue the ſame within their memories. The elder by allurementof Paraſites and lewde company, beginne to incline themſelues toconcupiſcence. The parents (to preuent it) ſende them all togitherto theVniuerſitieof 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, andtrauaile the worlde. That one is apprehended and executed for arobbery (euen in ſight of his brother) in the Palſgrauescourte: that other whipped and baniſhed Geneuaforfornication: notwithſtanding the earneſt ſute of his brother forhis pardon.

Thewhole Comedie a figure of the rewardes and puniſhmentes of vertuesand vices.

Prologue.

man hath minde to heare a worthie Ieſt,
Or ſeekes to feede hiseye with vayne delight:
That man is much vnmeete to be agueſt,
At ſuch a feaſte as I prepare this night.
Wholiſt laye out ſome pence in ſuch a Marte,
Bellſauage fayrewere fitteſt for his purſe,
I lyſt not ſo to misbeſtowemine arte,
I haue beſt wares, what neede I then ſhewewoorſe?
An Enterlude may make you laugh yourfill,
Italian toyesare full of pleaſaunt ſporte:
Playne ſpeache to vſe, ifwanton be your wyll,
You may be gone, wyde open ſtandes theporte.
But if you can contented be to heare,
In truediſcourſe howe hygh the vertuous clyme,
Howe low they fallwhich lyue withouten feare
Of God or man, and much miſpendetheyr tyme:
What ryght rewardes a truſtie ſeruauntearnes,
What ſubtile ſnares theſe Sycophantes can vſe,
Howeſoone the wiſe ſuch crooked guyles diſcernes,
Then ſtay awhyle: gyue eare vnto my Muſe.
A Comedie, I meane for topreſent,
No Terence phraſe:his tyme and myne are twaine:
The verſe that pleaſdea Romaine raſheintent,
Myght well offend the godly Preachers vayne.
Deformedſhewes were then eſteemed muche,
Reformed ſpeeche doth nowbecome vs beſt,
Mens wordes muſte weye and tryed be bytouche
Of Gods owne worde, wherein the truth doth reſt.
Contentyou then (my Lordes) with good intent,
Graue Citizens, youpeople greate and ſmall,
To ſee your ſelues in Glaſſe ofGouernement:
Beholde raſhe youth, which daungerouſly dothfall
On craggy rockes of ſorrowes nothing ſofte,
Whenſober wittes by Vertue clymes alofte.

worke is compiled vpon theſe ſentences following, ſet downe by meeC. B.

¹FeareGod, for he is iuſt.

LoueGod, for hee is mercifull.

Truſtein God, for he is faythfull.

²Obeythe King, for his aucthoritie is from aboue.

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

Louethe King, for he is thy protector.

³Aduenturethy life in defence and honor of thy cuntrie, for the quarrell isg∞d.

Benot vnthankfull to the ſoyle that hath nuriſhed thée, for it is adamnable thing.

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

⁴Reuerencethe miniſter of God, for his office ſake.

Louethe miniſter that preacheth the Goſpell, for it is the power of Godto ſaue thée.

Speakeg∞dof the miniſter, for the Goſpelles ſake.

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

Benot diſobedient to the magiſtrates, for they are the eies of theKing.

Louethe magiſtrates, for they are the bones & ſinowes of the Commonwealth.

⁶Honorthy parents, for God hath commaunded it.

Louethy parents, for they haue care ouer thée.

Beaſſiſting vnto thy parentes with any benefite that God hath induedthée, for it is thy duetie.

⁷Giueplace to thine elder, for it is thy prayſe.

Letnot a gray head paſſe by thée without a ſalutation.

Takecounſell of an elder, for his experience ſake.

⁸Beholie, for thou art the Temple of God.

Itis an horrible ſinne to pollute Gods Temple.

Thebuyers and ſellers were driuen out of the Temple with violence.

Comœdiam Gaſcoigni, carmen B. C.

noua, non vetus eſt, Angli comœdia Vatis,
  Christusadest, ſanctos nil niſi ſancta decent.
Græcia vaniloquosgenuit, turpesq́Poetas,
  Vix qui ſyncerè ſcriberet vnus erat.
Idvereor nostro ne poβit dicier æuo,
  Vana precor valeant,vera precor placeant.

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

Glaſſe of Gouernment.

primi Scæna prima.

PhylopaesandPhylocalvsParentes,FidvsſeruaunttoPhilopaes. theycomeintalkinge.

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

Phylocalus.Itwere not reaſon Phylopæsthat hauing ſo many yeares contineued ſo neare neighboures, hauingtraffiqued (in maner) one ſelfe ſame trade, hauing ſuſteyned likeaduentures, and being bleſſed with like ſucceſſes, we ſhouldnow in the ende of our time become any leſſe then entiere frendes:and as it is the nature and propertie of frendſhippe to ſéekealwaies for perpetuity, ſo let vs ſéeke to bring vp our Childrenin ſuch mutuall ſocietie in their youth, that in age they may noleſſe delight in theyr former felowship, then wée theyr parenteshaue taken comfort in our continuall cohabitation. It hath pleaſedAlmighty God to bleſſe vs both with competent wealth, and though wehaue atteyned therevnto by continuall payns and trauayle, riſing (asit were) from meane eſtate, vnto dignity, yet doe I thinke that itwere not amiſſe to bring vp our children with ſuch education asthey may excell in knowledge of liberall ſciences, for if we beingvnlearned haue by induſtrie heaped vp ſufficient ſtore, not onlyto ſerue our owne vſe, but further to prouide for our poſterity,then may they by learning aſpire vnto greater promotion, and buildegreater matters vppon a better foundation. Neither yet would I haueyou conceiue hereby that I am ambicious. But if I be not deceyued, Aldeſire of promotion (by vertue) isgodly and Lawfull, where as ambition is commonly neſtled in thebreſtes of the enuious.

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

Fidus.Althoughit becommeth not a ſeruaunt to come vnto his maſters counſellbefore he be called, yet for that I am no way ignoraunt of yourtender cares, which both of you haue alwaies had ouer your children,and alſo for that I do now perceiue the continuaunce of the ſame bythis your fatherly conference, I preſume to put my ſelfe forwardvpon a dutifull deſire to further ſo godly an enterpriſe. I am aſeruant, and ſhall ſometimes heare of thinges before my Maiſter,the which I ſpeake, becauſe I can preſently enforme you of ſuch aſch∞lemaiſteras you both do deſire to finde.

Phylocalus.Andwho is that, gentle fellowe Fidus?

Fidus.Sirhis name is Gnomaticus,he dwelleth inSaintAntlines, a man famous for his learning, of w∞nderfulltemperance, and highly eſtéemed for the diligenceandcarefull payne which he taketh with his Schollers.

Phylopæs.Thencan he not be long without entertainment, ſince now a dayes the g∞dwyne néedeth none Iuye garland, and more parentes there are thatlacke ſuch Sch∞lemaiſtersfor their children, then there are to befoundeſuch Sch∞lemayſterswhich ſéeke and lacke entertainment.

Fidus.Siryou haue reaſon, and therefore (if I were worthy to counſell you, Iwould entertain him with ſpéed, ſince he came but this other dayfrom the Lord of Barlemonteshouſe,whoſe children he hath in ſmall time made excellent Schollers, andnow hath diſpatched them to the Vniuerſitie of Doway.

Phylocalus.Doeſtthou know him Fidus?orcanſt thoutellwhere to finde him?

Fidus.YeaSir, and if it ſo pleaſe my Maiſter and you, I doubt not but tobring him hyther immediatly.

Phylocalus.SurelyPhylopæsyouſhall doe well to ſendforhim.

Phylopæs.Thereis no man more deſirous then I, andſinceit ſo lyketh you I am redy to diſpatch it, go thy waies Fidus,andtell Maiſter Gnomaticus,thatmy neighbour PhylocalusandI deſire to ſpeake with him, and make as muchhaſtas thou canſt.

Fidus.Itſhalbe done Sir.

Fidusdeparteth.

Phylopæs.Iam not the worſt furniſhed of a ſeruaunt with this g∞dfellow, for though his capacity be not great, yet do I finde himtruſtie, 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 findecontrary conditions, I am ſeldome out of the dores but at my returneI finde him playing with my Sonnes at ſome vain paſtimes.

Phylopæs.Bewareof him then, for ſuch a ſeruant were better payed double wages inyour traffique abrode, then allowed barley breade in your ſhoppe athome, ſince nothing is more perillous to ſeduce children or youngmen, then the conſorte and councell of a lewde ſeruaunt. But is notthis my Fiduswhich returneth ſo quickely? It is, and he bringeth with him a graueperſonage, I hope hée hath found Gnomaticusby the waye.

Fiduscommeth in with Gnomaticus and his ſeruant.

Actusprimi, Scena ſecunda.

Fidvs,Phylopaes,Phylocalvs,Gnomaticvs, andOnaticvs hisSeruaunt.

Fidus.Sirit is to be thought that Almighty God doth loue you, and meaneth tohelpe your holly deſire in the g∞deducation of your children, for it was my chaunce to méete MaiſterGnomaticusbythe way, who was going towardes the Bowrcetoharken of entertainement, and it is not like that he ſhould hauereturned from thence vnplaced, wherfore I would wiſh that you letnot ſlippe this happie occaſion.

Theyadreſſe their talke to the Schoolemaiſter.

Phylopæs.Sirwe haue ben ſo bolde as to ſend this bearer for you, the cauſehath procéeded of an earneſt deſire which this worthy man myneighbour and I haue to ſée our children placed with a vertuousenſtructer, and hearing great fame aſwell of your integritie, asalſo of the diligence you haue vſed with the Lord of BarlemontesChildren, we are deſirous to entreate you that you will take thelike paines with ours, all which ſhalbe recompenſed according toour own demaund: For as there is no iewell ſo deare vnto man, as theofſpring wherewith it pleaſeth God to bleſſe him, ſo is there nomoney ſo well ſpent as that which is giuen to a g∞dSch∞lemaiſter.

Phylocalus.Youſhal vnderſtand ſir that my neighbour here and I haue foureSonnes, of equall age and ſtature, the eldeſt excéedeth not twentyyeares, and the youngeſt is about ninetéene yeares olde, they haueben already entred in grammer at ſuch ſch∞lesas we haue héere in the City, and if, we be not abuſed by reportesthey haue ſhewed themſelues forward enough to take enſtructions:ſo that we are partely perſwaded to ſend them vnto somevniuerſity, and mine opinion is (as I lately declared vnto myneighbour here) that we ſhould do very wel yet to retain them awhile longer, vntill they may be perfectly enſtructed by ſome godlyteacher, the ſumme of their duty firſt towardes God, then to theirPrince, next to their parents, and conſequently aſwell towardes thebenefite of their countrey, as alſo how to behaue themſelues to allmagiſtrates, and officers in the ſame. In concluſion wherof theymay alſo learne what they are of themſelues, and how they may bemoſt acceptable both to God and man, and for that we haue hard veryg∞dreport of your ſkill and alſo of your zeale, we thought g∞dto require that (if you be not otherwiſe already entertained) youwould take ſome paynes to enſtructe them in theſe pointes, and theſame ſhalbe recompenſed and deſerued by meaſure of your ownecontentation, as my neighbour Phylopæshath before profered.

Gnomaticus.WorthyGentlemen I yéelde you moſte humble thankes for your curteousprofers, and I render infinite thankes vnto almighty God that my namehath ben ſo reported vnto you, truly I would be lothe to deſerueany leſſe, then the name of a faithful and diligent teacher, ſofarre forth as it hath pleaſed GOD to endue me with knowledge.Touching your proffer and requeſt, I do moſt willingly embrace theſame, confeſſing euen ſimply, that it was mine errand to ſéekeſuch entertainement, hauing of late diſpatched out of my handes,the ſonnes of the Lord of Barlemonttowardes the Vniuerſitie of Doway,andif the touch of your zeale be not contrary to the fame which is ſpredof your eſtates, I ſhall thinke my ſelfe wel occupied, in teachingor reading to the children of ſuch worthy men as you are.

Phylopæs.Wellthen ſir, we will be bold to ſend for the youngmen, to the end thatno time be loſt or deferred in beſtowing of them. Fidus,goyour waies to our houſes, and bring hether our Sonnes.

Fidus.Moſtewillingly ſir I ſhal accompliſh your commaundement.

Gnomati.Ifit pleaſe you ſir, my ſeruant ſhall aſiſt him.

Phylocalus.Itwill not be amiſſe to acquaint hym wyth them.

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

Onaticus.WellSir it ſhalbe done.

Actusprimi, Scænatertia.

Phylopaes,Phylocalvs,Gnomaticvs, Phylavtvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylotimvs,Fidvs,andOnaticvs.

Phylopæs.ITſhall nowe bée our partes to vnderſtand what ſtipend may contentyou for your paines

Gnomaticus.Sirin that reſpecte take you no care, but let me pray vnto almightyGod, that he giue me grace ſo to enſtruct your children, as you mayhereafter take comfort in my trauayle, that done, I can no wayesdoubt of your beneuolence, ſithens your inward deſire doth alreadymanyfeſtly appeare: and furthermore, I would be lothe to makebargaines in this reſpect, as men do at the market or in otherplaces, for graſing of Oxen or féeding of Cattle, eſpecially ſinceI haue to deale with ſuch worthy perſonages as you ſéeme and arereported to be.

Phylocalus.Well,yet Sir we would be glad to recompence you according to your ownedemaund, but in token of our ready will to pleaſe you, we ſhalldeſire you to take at my handes theſe twenty angels as an earneſtor pledge of our further meaninge, & as I am the firſt thatpreſume to open my purſe in this occaſion, ſo I beſéech theFather of Heauen that I may not be the laſt which may reioyce to ſéehis children proſper, thou knoweſt (O Lord) I meane not hereby myneighbours detriment, but alas, the ſhadow of a mans ſelfe is euerneareſt to him, and as I deſire to be the firſt that may heare oftheir well doinge, ſo yet if they hearken not diligently vnto yourenſtruction, but obſtinately reiect your precepts, then I deſireyou, and on Gods behalfe I charge you, that I may yet be the firſtthat ſhall thereof be aduertiſed: but behold where they come, theſetwo (I thanke the Father of Heauen,) are the tokens of his mercifullbleſſing towardes me, the Eldeſt is named Phyloſarchus,and this younger Phylotimus.

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

Phylautus.Siraccording to your commaundement expreſſed by FidusI am come hither to know your pleaſure, and haue by warrant of theſame commiſſion brought with me my Brother Phylomuſus.

Phyloſarchus.AndI in like maner Sir haue brought with me my Brother Phylotimusdeſiring to knowe your pleaſure, and being ready to obey yourcommaundement.

Gnomaticus.Surelytheſe young men giue none euill hope of their towardnes, and declareby their ſéemely geſture and modeſt boldneſſe to be both of g∞dcapacitie, and to haue bene well enſtructed hytherto in humanity.

TheFathers adreſſetheir talke to their children.

Phylocalus.Thecauſe that we haue ſent for you is to committe you vnto thegouernement of this godly man, whom we haue entreated to take payneswith you and to enſtruct you in some principall poyntes of neceſſarydoctrine, to the ende that after you haue ripely diſgeſted theſame, 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 Godsname (and by the authority which he hath giuen mée ouer you,) tohearken vnto him wyth all attentiueneſſe, and to obey him with allhumillity.

Phylopæs.Theſame charge that my neighbour Phylocalushath here giuen to his children, the ſame I do pronounce vnto you,and furthermore do charge you that you become gentle and curteouſeto each other, humble to your betters, and affable to your inferioursin all reſpectes.

Phylautus.SirI truſt we ſhall deſerue your fatherly fauour.

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

Phylotus,& Phylomuſus.Wehope alſo to immitate the g∞din all moral examples of vertuous behauiour.

Phylopæs.TheFather of Heauen bleſſe you with the bleſſing which it pleaſedhim to pronounce vnto Abraham,Iſaac,and Iacob.

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

Gnomaticus. Sirby Gods power I ſhall do my beſt diligence.

Fidus.Mylouely Gentlemen, GOD guide you by his grace, and though I be ſomwhatromoued from your dayly company, yet ſpare not to commaund myſeruice, if at any time it may ſtand you in ſtéede to vſe it.

Phylotus.Gramercygentle Fidus.

Actusprimi, Scena quarta.

Gnomaticvs,Phylavtvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylotimvs, andOnaticvs.

GnomaticusMYdearely beloued ſchollers, ſince it hath pleaſed your Parentes (asyou haue heard) to put mée in truſt with you for a time, it ſhallnot be amiſſe before I enter further in enſtruction, to knowe howfarre you haue already procéeded in learning, that therevpon I maythe better determine what trade or Methode ſhalbe moſt conuenientto 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 thegrammer, after that wée had read vnto vs the familiar comunicationscalled the ColloquiaofEraſmus,and next to that the offices of Cicero,that was our laſt exerciſe.

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

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

Gnomaticus.Andyou Phyloſarchus:howhaue you paſſed your time?

Phyloſarchus.Sir:my Brother and I haue alſo bene taught our grammer and to make averſe, 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. Surelyit ſéemeth you haue not hytherto loſt your time, and the order ofyour enſtruction hath bene ſuch, that you might preſently be ableto take further procéedinges in an Vniuerſity, ſo that it ſhouldbe (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, andwée will therevnto ioyne ſuch holeſome preceptes, as may become arule and Squire, wherby the reſt of your lyfe and actions may beguyded. For although Tullyinhis b∞keof dewtyes doth teach ſundry vertuouſe preceptes, and out ofTerencemayalſo be gathered many morall enſtructions amongſt the reſt of hiswanton diſcourſes, yet the true chriſtian muſt direct his ſteppesby the infallible rule of Gods w∞rd,from whence as from the hedde ſpring, he is to drawe the wholecourſe of his lyfe. I would not haue you thinke hereby that I doholde in contempt the b∞keswhich you haue redde heretofore, but wée will (by Gods grace) takein aſſiſtance ſuch and ſo many of them as may ſéeme conſonantto the holy ſcriptures, and ſo ioyning the one with the other, weſhalbe the better able to bring our worke vnto perfection. ⁹Sirhago you to my lodging, & cauſe (in the meane tyme) both bedding,and dyet to be prouided for theſe young men, that I may ſée themvſed according to my charge in euery reſpect.

Onaticus.WellSir it ſhalbe done with diligence.

Gnomaticus.Nowlet vs in the holy name of God begin, and he for his mercy geue megrace to vtter, and you to diſgeſt ſuch holeſome leſſons as maybe for the ſaluation of your ſoules, the comfort of your lyfe, andthe profitte of your Countrey.

   Youſhall well vnderſtand my well beloued ſchollers, that as God isthe author of all g∞dneſſe,ſo is it requiſite that in all traditions and Morall preceptes webegin firſte to conſider of him, to regard his maieſtie, andſearch the ſoueraigne poyntes of his Godhead. The HeathenPhiloſophers (although they had not the light to vnderſtand perfecttrueth) were yet all of them aſtonyed at the incomprehenſiblemaieſty and power of God, ſome of them thought the ayre to be God,ſome other the earth, ſome the infiniteneſſe of things, ſome onething, ſome another, whoſe opinions I ſhall paſſe ouer asthinges vnméete to be much thought of, but by the way, the opinionof Platoisnot vnworthy here to bee recited vnto you, who taught plainely thatgod was omnipotent, by whom the world was made, and al thingestherein created and brought vnto ſuch perfection as they be in.Xenophonaffirmedthat the true God was inuiſible, and that therefore we ought notenquire what or what maner of thing God is. AriſtotheStoicke, affirmed lykewyſe that God was incomprehenſible. Toconclude, Simonidesbeingdemaunded what God was, required one dayes reſpect to anſwer, andthen being again demaunded the ſame queſtion, he required two dayesreſpet, at the third apointment of his anſwere, he came &required thrée dayes, and being demaunded wherefore he did ſobreake his apointments, and require alwayes further time, heaunſwered, that the more déepely that he did conſider the matter,the more infinite he found it, and therefore remained alwaiesaſtonyed what to anſwere, and always craued further time. Truly toleaue y^eheathen opinions and to come vnto the very toucheſtone I thinke itnot amiſſe if we content our ſelues to thinke that God isomnipotent, and yet his power vnſearchable, and his g∞dnesvnſpeakable. And to be briefe, I wil deliuer vnto you the ſumme ofyour dutyes in foure Chapters, the firſt chapiter ſhalbe of God andhis miniſters, the ſecond of the King and his Officers, the thirdſhall conteyne the duties that you owe vnto your Countrey and theElders thereof, and laſtly you ſhalbe put in remembraunce of yourdutyes towardes your Parentes, and what you ought to be of yourſelues. In theſe foure chapters I truſt (by Gods help) to encludeas much as ſhalbe neceſſary for the perfect gouernment of a trueChriſtian.

Phylomus.Sirwée beſeech you that for as much as this order of teaching is bothvery compendious, & alſo much different from the lectures whichhaue bene redde vnto vs, you will therefore vouchſafe to ſtandſomwhat the more vppon euery point, to the end, that aſwell yourmeaning may be perſpicuous, as alſo that we may the better beareaway the ſame, and not onely learne it without the b∞ke,but alſo engraue it in our mindes.

Gnomaticus.Yourrequeſt is reaſonable, and it ſhalbe by mée as readyly graunted,as it hath bene by you neceſſarily required. Your firſt chapterand leſſon ſhall then be, that in all your actions you haue aneſpeciall eye and regard to almighty God, and in that conſiderationI commend vnto your memory, firſt God himſelfe, and ſecondarilyhis miniſters. As touching your duties vnto God him ſelf, althoughthey be infinite, yet ſhall we ſufficiently conteine them in thréeeſpeciall poynts to be perfourmed: that is to ſay, Feare,Loue, & Truſt.And firſt to begin with feare, it ſhalbe neceſſary and aboue allthinges your bounden duty, to feare God and his omnipoten power.Linusthatauncient Poet wryteth, that with God all thinges are eaſie to beaccompliſhed, and nothing is vnpoſſible. Tullyinhis Oration ProRoſcioamerinoſaith, that the commodityes which wée vſe, the light which weenioy, and the breath which we haue and drawe, are giuen and beſtowedvppon 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 diſpleaſurebeing prouoked, the greateſt part of his will is to him right eaſieto accompliſh: and if we haue our light, our lyfe, and allcommodities of his gift (as Ciceroaffirmeth) then is hée to be feared, leaſt with the facillity ofhis omnipotency he take away as faſt as he gaue, or turne light intodarknes, life into death, and commodities into diſcommodities. Imight recite you many heathen authorities, but it is moſt néedleſſe,ſince y^every word of God himſelf, is moſt plaine in this behalfe, and yet Ihaue here ſet downe theſe fewe, becauſe they are not repugnant toholy Scriptures. Wée finde written in the xx. chapter of Exodus,thatGod is a Ielous God, and doth viſit the ſinnes of the Fathers vpponthe children vnto the third and fourth generation. Fearehim then for he is moſt mightie. Againe:who ſhall defend me (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) vntill thine anger bepaſt? FeareGod then,ſince againſt his power no defence preuayleth. Again, both theheauens and the earth obay the voice of his mouth. Fearehim then for al thinges are ſubiect vnto his mighty power.

  Andyet with this feare you muſt alſo ioyne loue, for it is not withGod as it is with Princes of the worlde, which to make themſeluesfeared do become Tyrantes, but ¹⁰theg∞dnesof almighty God is ſuch, that he deſireth no leſſe to be loued,then he deſerueth to be feared, and though his might and power bevniuerſall, and therewithall his Ielouſie great, and hisdiſpleaſure ſ∞nprouoked, yet delighteth he not in the diſtruction of mankind, butrather that a ſinner ſhould turne from his wickednes and liue.Tullyinhis ſecond b∞kedelegibusſaith, that God being Lord of al things doth deſerue beſt ofmankind, bicauſe he beholdeth what euery man is, and with whatdeuotion he worſhippeth the Gods, and kéepeth an accompt aſwell ofthe g∞das the badde: whereby appeareth that the heathen confeſſed yet thatthe Gods were to be loued, bycauſe they cared for mankind, and trulythat opinion is neither contrary to Gods word, nor diſſonant tonaturall reaſon. For wée ſée by common experience that we louethem beſt of whom we are moſt fauoured, & haue receiuedgreateſt benefits. I meane hereby thoſe that rule their doinges byreaſon, 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 thatI did often tymes defend in Sch∞lesthis propoſition. Ingratitudo(tam verſus Deos immortales quam apud homines) peccatum maximum.Ingratitudeis the greateſt faulte that may be either towards god or man. Let vsconſider the g∞dnesof almighty God, who firſt created vs to his owne Image andſimilitude, indued vs with reaſon and knowledge, preſerued vs frominnumerable perilles, and prouided thinges neceſſary for ourſuſtentation, and to conſider more inwardly the excéeding louewhich he bare towardes mankinde, he ſpared not his onely begottenSonne, but gaue him (euen vnto the death of the croſſe) for ourredemption. Oh what minde were able to conceaue, or what tongue ableto vtter the loue and g∞dnesof almighty God towardes mankinde? And ſince his loue towardes vs,hath bene and yet doth continue infinite, our loue ſhould alſo beinfinite, 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 hehath ſhewed alwayes to mankind. In the firſt age when iniquitykindled his wrath to deſtroy the whole world, he yet vouchſafed topreſerue Noeand his family, Louehim thenſince he preſerueth the g∞d,though it be but for his mercyes ſake. When the people of Iſraellprouoked him at ſundry times, he did yet at euery ſubmiſſion ſtayhis hand from puniſhment, LoueGod thenſince he is ready to forgiue, and though he pronounceth his Ielouſiein the twentith of Exodusſaying, that he viſiteth the ſinns of the Fathers vppon thechildren, vnto the third and fourth generation, yet ther withal headdeth, that he ſheweth mercy vnto thouſandes in them that loue himand kéepe his commaundementes. Louehim then ſincehis mercy is ouer all his works. To conclude, when his vnſearchableMaieſtie by his diuine foreſight did perceyue, that by the veryſentence of the Lawe we ſt∞deall in ſtate of condemnation, he ſent down his owne and only Sonne,to be ſlaundered, buffeted, and crucified for our ſinnes, to theende that all which beléeue in him, ſhould not periſh but hauelfie euerlaſting. LoueGod then ſincemercyis aboundant with him, and he ſhall redéeme Iſraellfrom all his iniquities.

 Andhéere vnto this feare and loue you muſt ioyne a ſure truſt andconfidence.¹¹Thepromiſes of mortall men are often times vncertaine, and do fayle,but the promiſes of the Almighty are vnfallible. Forthe wordes of his mouth returne not voyd and without effect.Tullyin his offices doth vſe great arte in declaration what ſortes ofpromiſes are to be obſerued, and which may be broken. But thediuine prouidence and foreſight doth promiſe nothing but that whichhewill moſt aſſuredly performe. ¹²Whenhe promiſed vnto AbrahamthatSarahiswyfe ſhould beare him a childe, Saralaughedbycauſe ſhe was then foure ſcore & ten yeres olde, but thealmighty remembred his couenant. Truſtin him then forhis w∞rdsſhall neuer fayle. When he promiſed Moyſesto conduct his people through the deſertes, they began to doubt andmurmure, ſaying: would God that wehaddyed in the land of Ægyptor in this wilderneſſe &c.¹³andthe lord was angry, but yet remembring his promiſe, at the humblepetition of Moyſeshe perfourmed it. TruſtinGodtherefore,ſinceno diſpleaſure can make him alter his determination, he perfourmedhis holy promyſe in Iſmaell,¹⁴althoughwe read not that he praied vnto God therefore. I would not haue youthink hereby that I condemne or contemne prayer, ſince it is thevery meane to talke with God, but I meane thereby to proue, that Godis moſt iuſt and faithfull in all his promiſes, and by repeticionI ſay, FeareGod for he is mighty, loue God for he is mercifull, and truſt in Godfor he is faithfull & iuſt. Herewithallyou muſt alſo learne to performe duty towardes the ſeruaunts andminiſtersof God.¹⁵Foras you ſhall onely be ſaued by hym, and by cleauing to him in allyour actions, ſo yet are hys miniſters the meane & inſtrumentsof your ſaluation, and do (as it were) leade you by the hand throughthe waues of this world vnto eternall felicity, vnto whom you ſhallowe thrée ſeueral duties, that is to ſay,Audience,Reuerence, andLoue.The Children of Iſraellby harkening to Moyſes,and Aaron,were not only enſtructed and taught their dutyes, but were (as itwere) made at one with God when they had at any time purchaſed hisheauy diſpleaſure. ¹⁶Byharkningvnto PhylliptheApoſtle, the Enuchwasconuerted. By harkning vnto Peter,Corneliusy^ecaptain was confirmed & ſtrengthned in the faith. By harkningvnto PauleandSylas,Lidia,and the gaylour of Phylipposwerebaptiſed,¹⁷theholy ſcriptures are full of examples to proue this propoſition.¹⁸Harkenyou therfore vnto the miniſters of God, forthey are ſent to enſtruct you, ſo ſhall it alſo become you to dothem reuerence in al places, remembring that as he which ſent themis in all thinges to be honoured, ſo are they to be had in reuerencefor their office ſake. Such was the zeale of Corneliusthe Captaine, that he fell downe proſtrate at ¹⁹Petersféetewhen he entered into his houſe, the which though Peterrefuſedſaying that he was alſo mortall, yet did it ſignifie vnto vs, thatthe miniſters of God cannot bée t∞much reuerenced. The Prieſtes in the olde Teſtament were exemptfrom tributes and impoſitions, they were not conſtrained to go intothe battaile, they were prouided for ſuſtenance and all thingesconuenient, and the peoplewerecommaunded to do them reuerence. ²⁰Doyou likewiſe reuerence vnto Gods miniſters inal places, for it ſhal become you well. So ſhall you alſo louethem bycauſe they preach the goſpel of him which hath power to ſaueyou. If the ſenſual apetite of man be ſuch as engendreth affectiontowards the handmaide bicauſe ſhe is of familiar conuerſation withthe Miſtris: or bréedeth loue towards them which are in office withPrinces, bycauſe they may alſo procure vs fauour: how much moreought the mindes of men to be kindled with loue towardes theminiſters of God, which enſtructe vs diligently, miniſter vnto vspainfully, and pray for vs faithfully? yea how much are we bound toloue them,²¹whichbytheir holſome preceptes do make vs worthy (through Gods mercy) ofhis holy loue and fauour. To conclude this chapter, you ſhall feareGod forhis might, loue him for his mercyes, and truſt in him for he isfaithfull. You ſhall alſo harken vnto his miniſters bycauſe theyare ſent of God, you ſhall do them reuerence becauſe it becomethyou, and for their office ſake, and you ſhal loue them bycauſethey feede you with the breade of lyfe. Andthis I thinke ſufficient for explanation of this firſt chapter atthis time.

Onaticus.SirI haue done as you commaunded, and there is meate redy for yourdinner, if it pleaſe you that it be ſette on the table.

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

Phyloſarcus.Wefollowe when it pleaſeth you.

Theydepart.

Actusprimi, Scœna quinta.

Lamia,Eccho, Pandarina, andDick Droom.

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

Eccho.Indéed faire Lady Lamia,theyare 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, fyefye vpon ſuch tongues.

Lamia.Haha, by my troth Ecchowel ſaid, but by your leaue, let maſter miniſter tattle what hewill, for I will take my frendes preſent when it commeth, and ſhallI tell you? if I could haue bene contented to be ſo ſhutte vp fromſight and ſpéech of ſuch as like me, I might haue liued gallantlyand well prouided with my mother, who (though I ſay it) is a g∞dold Lady in Valentia,but when I ſawe that I muſt weare my g∞dapparell alwayes within d∞res,and that I muſt paſſe ouer my meales without company, I truſſedvp my Iewelles in a caſket, and (being accompanyed with my g∞dAunte here) I bad Valentiafarewell,for I had rather make hard ſhifte to liue at lyberty, then enioygreat riches in ſuch a kind of empriſonment.

Eccho.Ag∞dAunt in déede, I would I had ſuch an Vncle.

Pandarina.Contentyour ſelfe niece, it were now but folly to ſpend time in b∞teleſſecomplaints, nor to lament the thing which may not be remedied, youmuſt rather learne the way that may maintaine your eſtate, forbeauty will not alwayes laſt, and if you prouide not in youth, youmay be aſſured to begge in age, take example at me, I tell you Ithought my halfepeny g∞dſiluer within theſe few yeares paſt, and now no man eſtéemeth mevnleſſe it be for counſell.

Dicke.Counſellquoth you? mary ſir and g∞dcounſell is much worth now adayes.

Lamia.Ipray you Aunt ſince you are ſo g∞da councellour, giue me ſome aduiſe how to behaue my ſelfe.

Pandarina.Asfor 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 neueryet vntruſty to any of you both.

Dicke.WellLadyes, and if you l∞kewell vppon the matter, I think that I am as worthy as one to be ofcounſell, well I wot if any gentleman offer you the leaſt parte ofiniury, then Dickemuſtbe ſent for to ſweare out the matter, Dickemuſtbyde all brontes, and therfore it were not amiſſe that he were ofcounſel in all your conferences.

Lamia.Bymyne honeſty Aunt to confeſſe a troth, both theſe are our veryapproued fréendes, & therfore you may be bolde to ſpeake yourminde before them.

Pandarina.Wellcontent then, I will tell you mine opinion, you take not the way toliue, you are t∞much ſubiect to your paſſion, for if you chance to be acquaintedwith a gentleman that is in déed courtlike and of g∞ddeſertes, you become ſtraight way more deſirous of him, then he isof you, and ſo farre you dote vpon him, that you do not onlyſequeſter your ſelfe from all other company, but alſo you becomeſo franke harted, that you ſuffer him not to beſtow vpon you anymore then is neceſſary for preſent vſe, yea haſſilw∞d,I pray you learne theſe thrée pointes of me to gouerne your ſteppesby. Firſt Truſtnoman howfaire ſo euer he ſpeake, next Reiectnoman(that hath ought) how euil fauored ſo euer he be. ²²Andlaſtely Loueno man longerthen he geueth, ſince lyberall gyfts are the glewe of euerduringloue.

Eccho.Onoble Dame, why were not you mother of the maydes vnto the Quéene ofHungary?bythe fayth of a true Burgondyanyouhad wrong, for you well deſerued the place.

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

Lamia.WellAunt, I were worthy of great reprehenſion, if I would reiect thegood documents of ſuch a frende, and if I haue heretofore donecontrary, impute it to my youth, but be you ſure that hereafter Iwill endeuour my ſelfe to follow your precepts.

Eccho.AndI fayre Lady will ſtande you in ſome ſtead, to driue byrdes to theNet. If I be not much deceyued, I ſaw a froſty bearded ſcholemaſterinſtructing of four luſty young men erewhyle as we came in, but ifmy iudgement do not fayle me, I may chaunce to read ſome of themanother lecture.

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

Lamia.Heſpeaketh reaſon, let vs go Aunt, for it is not meete that euerydancer heare our muſike before the maſkers be ready.

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

Theydepart to their howſes.

Thefirst Chorus.

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

 Fewſee themſelues, but each man ſéeth his chylde,
Such care forthem, as care not for themſelfe,
We care for them, in youthwhen witte is wilde,
We care for them, in age to gather pelf:
Wecare for them, to kéepe them from the ſhelf
Of ſuch quickeſands, as we our ſelues firſt founde,
When headdy will, dydſett our ſhippes on grounde.

 Thecare which Chriſt dyd take to ſaue his ſheepe,
Hath benecompard, to fathers care on child,
And as the hen, her harmleschicks can keepe
From cruell kyte: ſo muſt the fatherſhylde
His youthfull Sonnes, that they be not beguylde.
Bywicked world, by fleſhly foule deſire,
Which ſerue thedeuill, with Fewell for his fire.

 Fyrſtparentes care, to bring their children forth,
To breede themthen, to bring them vp in youth,
To match them eke, with wightesof greateſt worth,
To ſee them taught, the truſty tracks oftrueth:
To barre exceſſe, from whence all ſin enſueth.
Andyet to geue, enough for common néede,
Leaſt lothſome lackemake vice for vertue breede.

 Letſhame of ſinne, thy Childrens bridle be,
And ſpurre themf∞rth,with bounty wyſely vſed:
That difference, each man may plainlyſée,
Twéene parentes care, and maiſters bodes abuſed:
SoTerencetaught,whoſe lore is not refuſed.
But yet where youth is prone tofollow ill,
There ſpare the ſpurre, and vſe the brydellſtill.

infinite, the cares of Parentes are.
Some care to ſaue theirchildren from myſhappe,
Some care for welth, and ſome forhonours care,
Whereby their Sonnes may ſitte in fortuneslappe:
Yet they which cram them ſo with worldly pappe,
Andneuer care, to geue them heauenly crommes,
Shall ſee themſterue, when happe of hunger comes.

Socrates:thatman which careth more
To leaue his chyld, much good and rych ofrent:
Then he forſeeth, to furniſh him with ſtore
Ofvertues welth, which neuer can be ſpent:
Shall make him lyke,the ſteed that ſtyll is pent
In ſtable cloſe: which may befayre in ſight.
But ſeldome ſerues, ſuch horſe in field tofight.

Xenophon,his fréendDanTully told,
Andſo do here, Phylopæsand his pheare
Phylocalus,that ſelfe ſame leſſon hold:
They rather loue to leaue theirſonnes in feare
Of God aboue: then wealth to wallowheare.
Which godly care, (O God) ſo deigne to bliſſe,
Thatmen may ſée how great thy glory is.

Actus primus.

ſecundi.Scœna prima.

Gnomaticvs,Phylavtvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, andPhylotimvs.

Gnomaticus.MY well beloued, as tyme is the greateſt treaſure which man mayhere on earth receiue, ſo let vs not leeſe time, but rather ſéekeſo to beſtowe the ſame, that profitte may thereof be gathered. Iwill 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 Godalmighty, ſo will I alſo conuey into thrée pointes, as much asſhalbe neceſſary for this tradition: for I feare leaſt I hauebene ouer longe in my firſt deuiſion, but I was drawne thervnto bythe requeſt which you made of your ſelues, and therefore beare withme.

Phylotus.Sirour deſire is ſuch, to beare away perfectly your enſtruction, thatyour prolixity ſéemeth vnto vs very compendious.

Gnomaticus.Wellthen to return vnto the matter, you ſhall performe vnto the Kingthrée eſpecial dutyes, that is to ſay: Honour,Obedience, andLoue.Hypodamus inhis b∞keof a common welth, ſaith that a kingdome is a thing compared to theimitation of gods power. Diotogenestheſcholler of Pytagorasinhis b∞keof gouernment, ſaith that a king repreſenteth the figure of Godamongſt men. Lykewiſe he ſayth, that as god excelleth the moſtperfect things of nature, ſo the king excelleth amongſt men andworldly matters: ſo that he is to bee honored as the lieutenant ofGod here vpon earth, both becauſe he hath power of commaundement,and chiefly becauſe he repreſenteth that heauenly King, who is kingof kinges, and aboue all Kynges to be honoured: Euen ſo is hee alſoto bee obayed in all ſeculer conſtitutions and pollitikeprouiſions. This obedience doth conſequently follow honoure, as theſhadow folowes the body, for whatſoeuer he be that gyueth vnto hisking that honor which to him apperteineth, will (no doubt) lykewiſeobay him with all humilitie. Eraſmusteachethin his Apothegmes,that obedience expelleth al ſedition & maynteyneth concorde: thewhich 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. Wherforeit ſhal be moſt conuenient that you obay the King, ſynce hisaucthoritie is from god, & as this obedience dependeth vpon thehonour wherewith ye ſhall reuerence the King as Gods lieutenant, ſomuſt you alſo ioyne therunto an vnfayned loue, for as almightye Godis to be loued becauſe hee is mercifull: ſo the King beeingapoynted by God muſte be loued bycauſe he is thy pretector heere onearth. Salamonſayth,that the kings indignation is the meſſenger of death, whereby Iwould frame myne argument from the contrarye, that hee is to beloued, leaſt his indignation being iuſtly kindled, thou bee notable to beare it. Next vnto the king we are to conſider theMagiſtrates which are appoynted for adminiſtration of iuſtice, andpollityke gouerment: theſe Magiſtrates muſt alſo bee honoured,obeyed, & loued: honored becauſe they are y^eſubſtituts of y^eking vnto whom all honour (on earth) apperteyneth, obeyed becauſetheyr office is appointed by the Kings aucthoritie, and loued becauſethey are the graue and expert perſonages, which deuiſe lawes andconſtitutions for continuaunce of peace and tranquillitie. Theapoſtle Paulein his xiii. chapter of his Epiſtle to the Romaines,teacheth playnely, that Rulers beare not the ſworde in vaine,ſaying: Leteuerie ſoule be ſubiect vnto the higher powers, for there is nopower but of God. Againe, the ruler (ſayth he) doth not beare theſworde in vayne.Wherefore you muſt néedes be ſubiect, not onelye for feare, butalſo for conſcience. And Sanct Peterin hys fyrſt Epiſtle and the ſeconde chapiter, doth ſufficientlieteach vs this point, ſaying: Submityour ſelfe vnto all manner ordinaunce of man for the Lordes ſake,whether it bee vnto the king as hauing the preheminence, or vnto therulers as vnto them that are ſent of him for the puniſhment ofeuill dooers, but for the laude of them that do well. Wherebyappeareth, that the magiſtrates are not onely to be feared, becauſethey punyſh offenders, but alſo to be loued becauſe they cheriſhthe verteous: and for concluſion of this poynt, if you deſire to begood men, then learne to performe duety towardes all magiſtrates. AsSophocles,wellſayde, itbecommeth a good man to haue due reſpect vnto all magiſtrates. Imight nowe take your Parentes in hande, for the next pointe of yourenſtruction but I will firſt touch the duety which you owe vntoyour countrye, and that is conteyned alſo in three eſpecialpointes: that is to ſaye, in Thankefulneſſe,Defence,and Proffit.And as ingratitude is the moſt heinous offence againſt God, ſohaue 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.Tullyinhis offices ſayth, that wee are not borne onely for our owneperticuler cauſe or profit, but parte (ſayth he) our cuntreychallengeth, parte our Parentes think due vnto them, and our friendesought lykewiſe to enioye ſome parte of our trauailes. There aredyuers Philoſophers, whiche maynteyne in argument that all cuntryesare frée for a noble mynde, and I agrée thereunto, but yet therebythey conclude not, that a noble minde by chuſing a new cuntrey toenhabit, maye lawfully forgett the cuntrey wherein hee was natiue.Zopirusiscondempned in all hiſtories, for the vnthankefulnes he vſed inbetraying his cuntrey. The truth of the Troyan hiſtorie accuſethAeneas,Antenor, &certeyne others, as moſt vnthankefull traytors to theyr cuntrey.Cilliconforbetraying of Miletus,Laſthenes fordeliuering of Olinthus,Nilo forſelling of Epirus,and Apolloniusforneglecting of his charge in Samos,are generally noted with the names of vnthankeful and vntruſtietraytors to theyr cuntreyes: ſo that you muſt alwayes remember tobecome thankefull to your cuntrey, and myndefull to maynteyne thehonor of the ſame, leaſt neglecting your dueties in that behalfe,you deſerue the oprobrious names of traytors, which are odius to Godand man. You muſte alſo ſpare no peril or trauaile to defende theſame, for your countrey challengeth not onely that you be thankfullvnto the ſoyle which hath bredde you, but furder alſo, that youdefende the ſtate, wherein you haue béene nouriſhed. Tully,in his Tuſculanesqueſtionsrecyteth one Laſcæna,who when he receiued tydings of his ſonnes death, whom he had ſentinto the warres in defence of hys countrey, anſwered: therefore didI beget him (quoth hee) that hee might be ſuch an one, as woulde notdoubt to dye for hys countrey. In his b∞keentytuled the dreame of Sipio,he affirmeth that there is a certaine place appointed and ordeined inheauen, for all ſuch as defende their countrey. Euripideswarneth that we ſhoulde neuer bee wearye in thoſe trauailes, whichtende to the reſtitution or defence of our countrey. Platoesopinionwas, that wee are more bound to defend our countrey, then our ownParents. 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 floriſheand 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 countrywith all gratitude, and to defende it with all thy power, ſo muſtthou 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 theSpartanesvntocyuillytie, by ſundrie holſome lawes and pollityke conſtitutions,and that they began to murmure, ſaying: that his lawes werevntollerable, hée feyned that he woulde go to Delphos,toconſulte with the God Apollo,whether his lawes were to be obſerued or not promiſing to abide hisſentence, & requiring no more of the Lacedemonianes,butto ſweare y^tthey would obſerue thoſe lawes vntill his retourne: which when theyhad ſolemly ſworne, t∞kehis iurney without entente to returne home againe, and ordeynedbefore his death, to be encloſed in a great cheeſt of Lead, and ſoto be throwen into the ſea, to the ende that hée neuer retourning,the Laucedemoniansmightbe bound by theyr othe to continue the exerciſe of his profitablelawes, ſuche care he had to become profitable vnto his countrey.CurtiustheRomayne,whenthere apeared a greate gulfe in the market place, whiche could by nomeanes be ſtopped, and anſwere was géeuen from the Oracle, that itwas onely to bee ſtopped by that which was of moſte worth vnto thecitye of Roome,he déeming that the cittie had nothing ſo precious, as ſtoute &valyant men, armed him ſelfe, and leapte into the Gulfe, whichſtopped immediatly: declaring thereby, howe lyght men ought toeſtéeme theire life, when as the ſame maye yelde profitte orcommoditie to theyr countrey. Menecius,theSonne of Cræon,refuſed not voluntary death, when he vnderſt∞dethat the ſame might redéeme the citye of Thebesfromvtter ſubuerſion. I might trouble you with infinite ſtories toproue this propoſition, but let theſe few ſuffice, and in yourcountrie haue allways eſpeciall reſpecte to the elders, to whom youmuſt alſo performe thrée ſeuerall deuties: that is, Reverence,Loue,andDefence.Lycurgus,ordeyned,that no young man ſhould paſſe by an elder without reuerencefyrſte doone vnto him, namelie if he were ſet, he roſe to doreuerence vnto the elders, and if they were alone, he was bound toproffer them the comfort of his company. Plato,inhis nynth dyalogue of lawes and conſtitucions doth thus propound: almen muſt grant (ſayth he) that age is much to be preferred beforeyouth, aſwell in the ſight of God, as alſo in the ſight of men,which will lyue orderly: for it is abhominable (ſayth he) that anolde man ſhoulde geue place vnto an young man, and the Gods themſelues do hate it, ſince youth ought with paciente mynde to beareeuen the ſtrypes of their elders. You ſhal alſo loue them, becauſeof them you may learne good preceptes, and of them you may be boldeto aſke councell: for as Euripides,inhis tragedy called Phæniſſæ,dothteache, prudence will not be gotten with fewe dayes seeking for, andthe apoſtles teach vs our deuty dyrectly in that behalf, whoordeyned amongſt them elders in euery congregation, to decyde allmatters in controuerſie, of whome they were reſolued of all doubtesin conſcience. It ſhal alſo becom you to defend the elders from alvyolence and outrage, ſince it is a thing as comly and comendable todefende the weake, as it is glorious and tryumphant to ouercome themightie: whereof I myght recite many famous examples out of theRomain hiſtories, but I will partlie include the ſame in thedueties which you owe vnto your Parentes, which are alſo, Honor,Loue,andReliefe.And of the firſt parte, although I might bring in ſundry worthyexamples, yet becauſe the caſe is of it ſelf familiar, I wil bebriefe, and vſe no other perſuation then the expreſſecommaundement of God, who biddeth you to honor your Father andMother, that your dayes maye bée long in the land which the Lordyour god hath giuen you. And Sainct Paule,inthe ſixt chapiter of his Epiſtle to the Epheſians,ſayth: Chyldren obay your Parents in the Lord, for that is right andwellpleaſing to the Lorde. As he teſtifieth in the thirde chapiterto the Coloſſianes,you ſhall loue them alſo becauſe you are engendred of their ownefleſhe & bloud, as alſo you may not forget your Mothers painesin bearing of you, you muſte alwaies meditate in your minde, fyrſtthe cares which they haue had to preſerue you from bodily perils inthe cradell, from daunger of dampnation by Godly education, fromnéede and hunger by adminiſtring things neceſſarie, and fromvtter deſtruction by vigillant foreſight & Godly care: alltheſe with infinit other things conſidered, you ſhall finde yourſelues bounden by manyfolde occaſions to loue your Parentes, and tobe aſſiſtant vnto them in the neceſſities of their age. For wellſayd that Poet, which affirmed that children were tenderly ſwadledin their cradels, to the ende they mighte ſuſteyne their agedParentes and ſupplie their wantes. Meruelous is the nature of theStorke, which féedeth the damme in age, of whom it ſelfe receiuednouriture béeing young in the neaſt. Tullyinhis b∞keof the anſwers of ſothſayers ſayth, that nature in the beginninghath made an accord betwéene vs and our Parents, ſo that it weredamnable not to cheriſh them. And to conclude, ther is nothing thatcan worſe become a comon welth, then to ſée y^eyouth floriſh in proſperity which ſuffer their parents to periſhfor lack of any commodity. Now that I haue rehearſed vnto youaſmuche as I thinke requiſit, for the enſtruction of your dueties,fyrſt towardes god, and his miniſters, next to the Kyng and hisMagiſtrates, thirdely to your countrey and the Elders thereof andlaſtly towardes your Parentes: it ſhall not be amiſſe that youremenber of your ſelfe how you are the Temple of God, kéepe yourſelues holy therefore in your conuerſation, and vndefiled, for ifour ſauiour Chriſt did rigorouſly rebuke and expell the buyers &ſellers out of the outward Temple, how muche more will hée puniſhethem which pollute and defile the inwarde Temple of their bodies, andgeue ouer their delight to concupiſcence and vanities? thus may youfor breuitie remember that you.

FeareGod becauſe he is mightie,
2LoueGod becauſe he is mercifull,
3Truſt in God becauſe he is iuſt.

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

Honorthe King becauſe he is Gods lieutenant,
2Obayhim becauſe his power is from aboue,
3Louehim becauſe he is thy protector.

Honorhys Magiſtrates becauſe they repreſent his perſon,
2Obaythem becauſe they haue their aucthoritie from him,
3Louethem becauſe they mainteine peace.

Bethankefull to thy countrey that hath bredde thee,
2Defendeit becauſe thou art borne to that ende, and
3Profytteit becauſe thou ſhalt thereby gayne honour.

Reuerencethy elders for their grey heares,
2Louethem becauſe they councell thee and
3Defendthem becauſe they are feeble.

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

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

goeth out

ſecundi, Scænaſecunda.

Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylotimvs,and Onaticvs.

Phylautus.AHſirha, I ſée wel the olde prouerbe is true, which ſaith: ſo manymen ſo many mindes, this order of teaching is farre contrary to allother y^teuer I haue heard, & ſhal I tell you? it hath in it neither headnor f∞te.

Phylomuſus.Trulybrother it hath in it great reaſon & vertue, and though it be aty^efirſt vnpleaſant in compariſon to TerencesCommediesand ſuch like, yet ought we to haue g∞dregarde therunto, ſince it teacheth in effect the ſumme of ourduties.

Phylotimus.Yea, and that very compendiouſly.

Phyloſarchus.SurelyI am of Phylautusopinion,for who is ignorant that God is to be feared aboue all things? or whoknoweth not that the Kinge is appointed of God to rule here on earth?

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

Phyloſarchus.Yes,and more to, for ſome parentes are neuer contented what dutie ſoeuerthe childe performeth, they forget what they once were themſelues:But to the purpoſe, I l∞kedfor ſome excellent matter at this newe Sch∞lemaſtershandes, if this be all that he can ſay to vs, I would for my partthat we were in ſome Vniuerſitie, for here we ſhall but l∞ſeour time, I haue (in effect) all this geare without b∞kealready.

AndI lacke not much of it.

commeth in.

Onaticus.Wellſayd young gentlemen, it is a g∞dhearing when young men are ſo toward, and much eaſe is it for theteacher when he findeth ſcollers of quicke capacity.

Philotimus.SurelyI am not yet ſo forwarde, neither can I vaunt that eyther I haue itwithout b∞ke,or do ſufficiently beare away the ſame in ſuch order as I woulde.

Phylomuſus.Formy parte, I beſéech God that I may with all my whole vnderſtandingbee 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 mylyfe I maye make it a glaſſe wherein I may beholde my duetie:wherefore Phylotimus,(ifyou ſo thinke g∞d,you and I will go aparte, and medytate the ſame to our ſelues, tothe end we may be the perfecter therein when our enſtructer ſhallexamine vs.

Phylotimus.Contented,let vs go where you will.

Theygo apart.

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

Phylautus.Euenſo would I, for at the Vniuerſitie we ſhould heare other manner ofteaching: There be lectures daily read of all the liberall ſciences,of all languages, and of all morall diſcourſes. Furthermore, at theVniuerſitie we ſhould haue choyſe company of gallant younggentlemen, with whom we might acquaint our ſelues, and paſſe ſometimes in recreation: yea, ſhall I tell you? if a man liſt to playthe g∞dfellow and be mery ſometymes, hée ſhall not want there (as I haueheard) that wyll accompanie him.

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

Phylautus.Ithinke vnto Doway,for that is néereſt.

Phyloſarchus.Haueyou béene in Dowayatany time?

Phylautus.Noſurely, but I haue harde it prayſed for a proper citie, and welrepleniſhed with curteous people and fayre women.

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

Phylautus.Whatis that Eccho?

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

Actusſecundi,Scænatertia.

Phylavtvs,Phylosarchvs, Eccho, Lamia, Dick Drom, andPandarina.

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

Pandarina.Eccho dothgeue you g∞dcouncell, kéepe your countenance.

Lamia.Asthough I were to learne that at theſe years.

Eccho.MaſterPhyloſarchus,Godſaue you.

Phyloſarchus.Andthée alſo gentle felow Eccho.whether walkeſt thou?

Eccho.HerebySir with this gentlewoman.

Phyloſarchus.AbideI pray thée, here is a young gentleman a friend of myne, whichdeſireth to bée acquaynted with thée.

Eccho.SirI am at your commandement and his alſo, I will be so bold as tokiſſe his hands, Dyckgothou on with theſe gentlewomen before, I will ouertake youimmediatly.

TheLadies paſſe by, with a reuerence to the gentlemen.

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

Eccho.Sirſhe is of Valentia,and hath preſently ſome buſineſſe in this citie with her Auntwhich accompanieth her.

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

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

Phyloſarchus.Truſtmée truely ſhe is a gallant wench, & but yong, that Fryer whichwould not caſt off his cowle to catch such a ſowle, ſhal neuer bemy confeſſor, but I pray thee deale playnly with me: might not aman entreat maſter Ecchotocarry her a preſent if néede were?

Eccho.Sirthere is neuer a gentleman in this citie, ſhall make Ecchoſtretcha ſtringe ſ∞nerthen your ſelfe, but of a very truth, hetherto I haue ſéene noſuch likelyh∞d,but Sir, you are a gallant yong man, me thinkes you myght do well towalke ſomtimes by her lodging, and geue her the Albade,orthe Bezolas manos,and by that meane you may acquaint your ſelfe with her: afterwardesif any thing may be furthered by Eccho,commaund him.

Philoſarchus.Gramerciegentle Eccho,butwhere aboutes is ſhe lodged?

Eccho.Notfarre from S. Myghels Sir, at a red houſe, I will take leaue of youfor this time, leaſt ſhe thinke me verie ſlacke in attendance.

Philoſarchus.Farewell friend Eccho.DidI not tell you what he was? there is not ſuch a felow in a worldagaine, ſurely it ſhall go hard but I will haue a fling at thisdamſell: but let vs goe in, for our companions are departed longſithens, and we ſhal perchance giue some cauſe of ſuſpecte, ifwe tarie long here.

Philautus.Gowe.

Actusſecundi,Scænaquarta.

Gnomaticvs,Onaticvs, Eccho.

Gnomaticus.Svrelytheſe yong men are not hitherto to be miſlyked, and I truſt in Godthey will proue toward ſcholers.

Onaticus.Yeaſyr out of dout, & eſpecially the two elder, but the other twoare nothing ſo quicke ſprited, I came by them earewhile, ſ∞neafter ye had done reading vnto them, and the two. eldeſt could euenthen (in maner) record without b∞keas much as you had taught them.

Gnomaticus. Yeabut what is that to the purpoſe? the quickeſt wits proue notalwayes beſt, for as they are readie to conceiue, ſo do theyquickly forget, & therewithall, the fineneſſe of theircapacitie doth carie ſuch oftentimes to delight in vanities, ſincemans nature is ſuch, that with eaſe it inclyneth to pleaſure, andvnwilling it is to indure pain or trauell, without the which novertue is obteyned.

Ecchocommeth in.

Eccho.Thisgeare goeth well, for whereas I was caſting with my ſelfe howe toentrap this yonker, he is falne into the nette of his owne accorde,and deſireth that of me whiche I was carefull howe to profercleanely vnto him. But is not this the old ſcholemaſter? euen theſame, 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.Doththis felow come to me thinkeſt thou?

Onaticus.Itmay be ſyr, but I know him not.

Eccho.Iwill ſalute him. God ſaue you maiſter ſcholemaiſter.

Gnomaticus.Welcomegentle brother.

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

Gnomaticus.SurelyI did not know that they were the Markgraues kinſemen, and they haueyet bene but verie ſmall time with me, but ſince it so pleaſethhim, I am content to graunt them libertie, and I will ſend them outvnto you preſently to go where it liketh him.

Gnomaticusgoeth in.

Eccho.Soſo, they are as much a kynne to the Markegraue, as Robyn Fletcherand the ſwéet R∞deof Cheſter, but yet this was a cleanely ſhifte vpon the ſodeyne,for by this meanes ſhal I take occaſion to bring this yonker andthe Ladie Lamiabetteracquainted, & much g∞ddo it him, for out of doubt ſhe shall be his, as long as his purſemaye be myne. But behold where they come altogither, now let mebeſtirre me and vſe my best wittes.

Actusſecundi,Scæna, quinta.

Philavtvs,Philosarchvs, Philomvsvs, Philotimvs, andEccho.

Philautus.IAm glad that we haue libertie this aftern∞neto take recreation, not for that I lacked time to meditate that whichhath bene read vnto vs, but bycauſe I take pleaſure in walkingabroad.

Philoſarchus.AndI hope by this meanes to haue further communication with my friendeEccho,and beholde where he is.

Philomuſus.Amongſtall that our inſtructer hath rehearſed vnto vs, there is nothingſticketh better in my remembrance, than that which he ſayde oftime: for ſurely as it is the greateſt treaſure which God hathgiuen vnto man, ſo ought he to be verie curious and warie how hebeſtoweth the ſame, wherefore PhilotimusIthinke we can not better do, than to ſpende ſome time by the way inmeditating & rehearſing theſe wholſome precepts, which ourinſtructer hath to vs deliuered, for I aſſure you, although hehath bene therein verie compendious and ſentencious, yet in myiudgement euery ſentence is ſuch as requireth a rype deliberation,and weightie conſideration of the ſame.

Philotimus.SurelyPhilomuſusIam of your opinion, and therefore let vs beſtowe the time therein,althoughe percaſe our brethren here will vſe this aftern∞nein ſome other exerciſe.

Philoſarchusbeckneth Eccho, Philomuſusand Philotimus go together.

Eccho.Sirit is vnto you that I addreſſe my ſelfe, for although I be not theredieſt man on liue to deale in ſuch affayres, yet ſuch is thegreat g∞dliking which I haue alwayes had in you, that ſince I ſpake with youearewhile, I haue not béen vnmindful of you, & ſurely I ſuppoſethat God doth fauour your deſires, for euen now when I departed fromyou, and as ſ∞neas I ouert∞kethe gentlewoman, I caſt in my braines how to pleaſure you, andmeaning to haue deuiſed ſome ſubtilty wherby the thing might bebrought into communication, the gentlewoman of her ſelfe proffredthe occaſion, for ſhee demaunded of me what yong gentlemen thoſewere with whom I ſtayed, I tolde her that ye were Sonnes to two ofthe welthieſt burghers in this citie, and be you ſure I left out nocommendation which might aduaunce you, whereat ſhe ſéemed to biteon the bridle, and commended you for your curteſies, in that yéeſaluted her ſo gently as ſhee paſſed by, but eſpecially ſheemarked you by ſundry thinges and geſtures, and coulde deſcribe youvnto me by your apparell. Short tale to make, I neuer ſaw her ſhewſo much lykelyhoode of affection, ſince I firſt ſaw her, as ſhéebewrayed preſently, and ſhall I tell you in your eare? if Ecchobeany better then a foole, ſhe hath a monethes minde vntoPhyloſarchus,wherfore play you now the wiſe man, & ſtrike the Iron whiles itis hot, ſhe returneth this way preſently, and thereupon I haueaduentured to come vnto your Sc∞lemaſter,to craue you a libertie in the name of the Markegraue, ſaying thatyou were his kynſemen, and this haue I done, to the ende that youmight take occaſion to ſalute her eftſ∞nesas ſhe returneth: and if you vſe the matter wiſely (as I know youcan) you may take oportunity alſo to talke with her, yea and toconduct her to her lodging.

Phyloſarchus.SurelieEcchothouſheweſt playnlie what good will thou beareſt me, but what ſhallwe do with the Markgraue?

Eccho.Tuſh,folow you your buſines now that you haue libertie, and let me alonewith that matter, if euer hereafter the thing come in queſtion, layall vppon me, and I will ſay, that I miſt∞keboth the Sc∞lemaſterand the Skollers vnto whom I was ſent.

Phyloſarchus.Wellfriend EcchoIknow not how to deſerue thy gentlenes, but in token of gratefullmind, holde, receiue theſe twentie gildres vntil I haue greaterabillity, and be ſure that if euer I liue to enherit Phylocalus,thenEcchoſhallnot be vnprouided for.

Eccho.Whatmeane you ſir? ſtay your purſe vntill another time, well if youwill néedes enforce me, I will neuer refuſe the curteſie of agentleman, but behold where the Ladie Lamiacommeth.Sir merecomandez,I will not be ſéene to talke with you, for I ſtale from her topleaſure you priuilie.

Ecchodeparteth.

Actusprimi, Scœna ſexta.

Philavtvs,Philosarchvs, Eccho, Lamia, Dyck Drom, andPandarina.

Phyloſarchus.OHmy friend Phylautus,behold here a péereleſſe péece, doth it not delight your eyes togaze vppon ſuch a ſhyning ſtarre? on myne honor ſhe hath a ſwéetface, & by al likelih∞dſhe is much to young to haue béen hetherto comonly abuſed, butwherfore am I abaſhed? I wil go and ſalute her. Fayr lady God ſaueyou, and ſend you that your hart moſt deſireth.

Lamia.Worthiegentleman, I thanke you moſt heartely for your g∞dwil, and if God hear your prayer, he ſhal do more than he did for mea g∞dwhyle, but it is no matter, when he hath taken his pleaſure ofpuniſhing, he will at laſt haue pitie on the p∞re.

Philoſarchus.Surelymyſtreſſe, it were great pitie that ſuch a one as you, ſhouldindure any puniſhment without great cauſe, and hardly can I thinkethat any heart is ſo hard as to ſéeyou ſorowfull, if remedie maye be therefore obteyned.

Lamia.Syr,I coulde be content that all men were of your mynde, but I findecurteſie verie colde nowe adayes, and many there be which woulderather depryue a p∞regentlewoman of her right, then rue vpon her piteous plyght: the g∞dking Amadisis dead long ſythens, whoſe Knightes vndert∞kealwayes the defence of Dames and Damſelles.

Shewhyneth.

Phylautus.Alaswhat ayleth the yong gentlewoman to complayne?

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

Philoſarchustaketh her by the hand to comfort her.

Phyloſarchus.Fayregentlewoman: although I haue hitherto had no great acquaintance withyou, yet if I might craue but to knowe the cauſe of your griefe, beyou ſure I woulde vſe my beſt indeuer to redreſſe it, andtherefore I coniure you by your curteſie, that you change youropinion, for all AmadisKnightes are not yet deade, onely bewray your griefe, and prayſethereafter as you finde.

Shebeginneth to tell a tale.

Lamia.SyrI haue not power to reiecte your curteſie, you ſhall vnderstandthen, that being.&c.

Pandarinainterrupteth her.

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

Phyloſarchus.WhyMiſtres, are you offended that ſhée ſhould herken vnto ſuch, asſéeke to reléeue her eſtate.

Pandarina.Siryou are a gentleman well nurtured, and you know this is no place totalke in, without diſcredyt.

Phyloſarchus.WellMiſtres, if it pleaſe you we will waite vppon you vnto yourlodging, and there you ſhall ſée what deſire I haue to comfortthis fayre Ladie.

Pandarina.Asfor that ſir at your pleaſure, I pray God ſende her g∞dfriendes in her right, for God knoweth ſhe hath neede of ſuch atthis preſent.

Theyfollow the ladies.

Theſecond Chorus.

behold, O mortall men behold,
Behold and ſée, how ſ∞nedeceipt is wrought:
How ſ∞nemens mindes, of harmefull thinges take hold,
How ſ∞nethe g∞d,corrupted is with nought.
Beholde the cares²⁶whereof our ſauiour ſpake,
As Mathewtelles,in thirtéenth chapter playne,
Such wicked means, malitious mencan make,
The frutfull ſeede, with worthles wéedes toſtayne.
Beholde the deuill, whoſe miniſters are preſt:
Toſtir an ore, in euery forward boate:
Beholde blynd youth, whichholdeth pleaſure beſt,
And ſkornes the payne, which mighttheir ſtate promote.
Great is the care, which grauest menendure,
To ſée their Sonnes, brought vp in Godly wiſe:
Andgreate the paines, which teachers put in vre,
To trade then²⁷ſtill, in verteous qualities:
But oh how great, is gréedieluſt in youth?
How much miſchiefe, it ſwalloweth vpvnſéene?
With reckles mind, it caſtes aſide all truth,
Andféedeth ſtill, on that which is vncléene.
Theſe paraſites,and bawdes haue quickly caught,
The careles byrds, who ſée nottheir deceyptes:
with ſuch vile wares, the worlde ſo full isfraught,
As fewe can ſcape, their ſubtilties and ſleights:
Yetmighty God, vouchſafe to guyde the reſt,
That they may ſhunthe bad, & ſew the beſt.

Actus ſecundi.

tertij, Scœna prima.

Droom alone.

Therethere there, this geare goeth round as it ſhuld go, theſe younggallants are caught without a net, & ſhall I tell you one thing?no man gladder then I, for as long as that chimney ſmoketh, I amſure I ſhall not go hungrie to bed. AnInheritrixquoth you? marie that ſhe is aMeritrixI warrant her, of great burdens, birthrightes I would ſay, no doubtof it, he that marieth her ſhalbe ſure of great ecclamation, andthat g∞dolde gentlewoman her Aunte. Why though the young woman had neuer agroat in the worlde, yet a man might be glad that coulde match hisSonne in ſuch an abhominable (honorable) ſtocke: theſe are Auntesof Antwerpe,which can make twentie mariages in one wéeke for their kinſwoman,²⁸O noble olde gyrles, I lyke them yet when they be wiſe, for it is anolde ſaying, one ſhrew is worth two ſhéep. Wel, let me l∞keabout me how I prate, and let me eſpie what is become of theirbrothers according to their commaundement, but are not theſe twothey which come debating of the matter in ſuch earneſt? it is euenthey, and wot you what? their brethren are otherwiſe occupied, butyet ſurely they argue as faſt as they, when God knoweth a ſmallentreatye might ſerue, but I will ſtep aſide and herken to theſeyonkers.

tertij, Scæna ſecunda.

phylotimvs, Dick.

PhylomuſusSvrelyPhylotimus,I wonder what is become of our brethren, I pray god they be notentiſed to ſome vanitie by ſome lewde companie.

Dick.Youmight haue geſſed twiſe & haue geſſed worſe, I beſhrewyour braynes for your buſie coniecture.

Phylotimus.Truelyit may be, but I truſt they will beare in mind the laſt preceptwhich your²⁹Maſter gaue vs, at y^eleaſt I would we had their companie, that we might meditat thematter together.

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

Phylotimus.Ifour enſtructor ſhuld examine vs, and finde them to ſéeke, itwould gréeue me aſmuch for my brother as if the fault were myneowne.

Phylomuſus.Surely and I would alſo be very ſorie if my brother ſhuld be foundſlack in his duetie, but in my iudgement we neede not to caſt theſedoubtes, for our brethren ſéemed vnto me to be very perfect andredy in the eſpecial poyntes of our enſtruction, and could (inmaner) make reherſall therof immediatly after we had receiued theſame.

Phylotimus.Yeamarie, but I wil tel you one thing I know by experience in mybrother, he wil as ſ∞neconceyue or beare away a thing as any that euer I ſawe, and ſurelyto confeſſe a trueth, he hath an excelent ready wit, but doubtleshe will ſometimes forget as faſt, as he learneth redily, and yetfor myne owne part, I would to God that my memorie were as capable ashis is, for then I would not doubt but to reteyne ſufficiently.

Phylomuſus.Itmay be that his minde is much geuen to other pleſures and delights,which do ſo continuallie poſſeſſe his brayns, as they ſuffernot any other conception to be emprinted in his memorie: for mybrother Phylautusdoth in a manner meditat nothing els but ſetting forth of him ſelfe,and in what ſoeuer he be occupied or conuerſaunt, yet ſhall youperceiue him to haue a ſinguler regard to his owne prayſe, thewhich doth ſometimes carrie him as farre beyond all reaſon, as hisdeſertes might ſéeme to aduaunce him.

Phylotimus.Tobee opinionate of him ſelfe is vitious, but ſurely I am ofopinnion, that it is commendable for a young man in all his actionsto regard his owne aduauncement, and with all to haue (reſonably) ag∞dopinion of him ſelfe, in exempting of ſuch thinges as hevndertaketh, for if he which coueteth in the latyne tung to beeloquent, ſhoulde ſo farre embaſe his thoughts as to conceiue thathe ſpake or wrot like olde DunsorScotus,ſurely(in my iudgement) it would bée verie hard for him to excell or tobecome a perfect Rethoritian,or if hee which employeth his time in the exerciſe of ryding, ſhouldimagine with himſelfe that he ſat not comely on his horſe backe,it would be long before hee ſhoulde become a gallant horſeman: forin all humaine actions we delight ſo much the more, and ſoonerattayne vnto theyr perfections, whenas wée thinke in our mindes thatin deede the exerciſe therof doth become vs: but behold now wher ourbrethren do come.

Actustertij Scæna tertia.

Philavtvs,Philosarcvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylotimvs andGnomaticvs.

Phylautus.Thiswas a proper meſſanger in déede, hée myght haue mocked othersthough he mocked not vs.

Philoſarchus.Oſyr you do him wrong, for it ſéemeth vnto me that the p∞refellow is as ſorie for it as we are miſcontented, and that herather faulted through ignorance, than of any ſet purpoſe, but l∞kewhere our brethren are. Brother wher haue you bin whileſt we were atthe Markgraues houſe?

Phylotimus.Truelybrother I walked on with my companion here, hoping that we ſhouldhaue followed you to the Markgraues houſe: and we were so earneſtin meditating ſuch matter as our inſtructer deliuered vnto vs, thatmiſtaking the way, & not marking which way you went, we wereconſtreyned to returne hether, and to attend your returne, to theende we might go altogither.

Phylomuſus.Andyou (brother) where haue you bene?

Phylautus.Wherehaue we bene quoth you? why we haue bene with that g∞dolde gentleman the Markgraue, vnto whome we were as welcome as waterinto the ſhip, the olde froward frowner would ſcarce vouchſafe toſpeak vnto vs, or to l∞kevpon vs, but he ſhall ſit vntill his héeles ake before I come athim againe.

Phylomuſus.Obrother, vſe reuerent ſpeach of him, principally bycauſe he is aMagiſtrate, and therwithal for his greye haires, for that is oneeſpeciall poynt of our maſters traditions.

Phylautus.Tuſhewhat tell you me of our maſters traditions? if a Magiſtrate, or anelder would challendge reuerence of a yong gentleman, it were g∞dreaſon alſo that they ſhould render affabilitie, and chearefullcountenance to all ſuch as preſent them ſelues before them withg∞dwill. When we came to him he knewe vs not, neyther would he knowe vsby any meanes, but with a grim countenance turned his backe, anddeſyred vs to goe ere we dranke: a Markgraue quoth you?

Phylotimus.Thatis ſtrange, that hauing ſent for vs, he would ſeeme to vſe ſuchenterteynment when we came.

Phyloſarchus.Iwill tell you brother, it ſéemeth vnto me that it was rather thefaulte of the meſſanger,³⁰andyet hee did but ignorantly miſtake it neyther: For he was (as itſhould ſéeme) ſent by the Markgraue, but he did eyther miſtakethe ſcholemaiſter, or the ſcholers, or both, and therevpon Ithinke that the Markgraue was partly offended.

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

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

Gnomaticus.Nowemy welbeloued, and what ſayth the honorable & reuerendeMarkgraue vnto you? or howe doth he like the maner of yourenſtruction? haue you recyted or declared any part thereof vnto himſince your going?

Phyloſarchus.Syrno, for it ſeemeth that the meſſanger did miſtake his errande,and was ſent to ſome other ſcholers, and not vnto vs.

Gnomaticus.Isit euen ſo? well then let vs not altogether loſe the goldentreaſure of the time: but tell me, haue you perfectly diſgeſtedand committed vnto memory the articles which I deliuered vnto you,for eſpeciall conſideration of your duetie?

Phyloſarchus.SyrI thinke that I can perfectly rehearſe them.

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

Philomuſus& Philotimus. Syrthis yong man and I do partly beare them in mynde, although not ſoperfectly 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 hereI deliuer the ſame vnto you, to be put in verſe euerie one byhimſelf and in ſundrie deuice, that you may therein take thegreater delight, for of all other Artes Poetriegiuethgreateſt aſſiſtaunce vnto memorie, ſince the verie terminationsand ceaſures doe (as it were) ſerue for places of memorie, andhelpe the mynde with delight to carie burthens, which elſe wouldſéeme more grieuous: and though it might percaſe ſéeme vnto you,that I do in maner ouerlode you with leſſons and enterpriſes, yetſhall you herein rather find comforte or recreation, than anyencomberance: let me nowe ſée who can ſhewe himſelfe thepleaſanteſt Poet, in handeling therof, and yet you muſt alſotherein obſerue decorum,for tryfling allegories or pleaſant fygures in ſerious cauſes arenot moſt comely. God guide you nowe and euer.

Gnomaticusgoeth out.

Actustertij, Scæna quarta.

Pylosarcvs,Phylavtvs, Phylotimvs, Phylomvsvs, Ambidexter.

Philoſarchus.OHthat I had now the vayne which Virgillhadin writing of a delectable verſe.

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

Phylotimus.AndI will alſo aſſay what I can do.

Phyloſarchus.Godbe with them, ſhall I tell you Phylautus,wherforeI deſired the excellencie of Virgil,incompounding of a verſe? not as they thinke God knoweth, to conuertour tedious traditions there into: for a ſmall grace in a verſe wilſerue for ſuch vnpleaſant matter, but it was to furniſh me witheloquence, for the better obteyning of this heauenly dame, whoſeremembrance is ſwéet vnto me, neyther yet am I able to expreſſeſuch prayſes as ſhe doth deſerue. Oh how it delighteth me tobehold in myne imagination the counterfeyt of her excellent face, methinkes the glimſing of her eyes haue in it a reflexion, farre morevehement than the beames of the Sunne it ſelfe, and the ſwéetneſſeof her heauenly breath, ſurpaſſeth the ſpiceries of Arabia.Ohthat I had ſkill to write ſome worthy matter in commendation of herrare perfections, ſurely I wil tell you Philautus,I doe both reioyce in your doings, and much wonder at yourinclination, I wonder bicauſe I can not perceyue that you are anything moued with affection of mynde towards her, and yet I reioycetherein, leaſt the ſame might haue become an hinderance to mydeſires, oh, howe only loue will admit no companion.

Phylautus.Phyloſarchus,youmay happely be deceyued in me, and therefore I would not wiſh youhereafter to affye your ſelfe in any man at the firſt acquaintance,but in déede to confeſſe a truth vnto you, although thisgentlewoman be beautifull, yet, haue I refreyned hitherto to becomeaffectionate on her, as well bycauſe I would therein giue place vntoyour deſire, as alſo bycauſe I haue not perceyued that euer ſhelent any glaunce or liking l∞ketowardes me, and as I can be content to loue where I finde my ſelfeeſtéemed, ſo be you ſure that I thinke my halfepeny as g∞dſiluer as another doth, and ſhe that ſéemeth not with gréedieeye to beholde me, it is verie likely that I wil not be ouerhaſtieto gaze at her. But to returne vnto the purpoſe, as you do noweearneſtly deſire to get victorie ouer her affection: ſo doe Ieuery day beſeeche of God, that our parentes may at laſt determineto ſende vs vnto ſome Vniuerſitie, that there the varietie of alldelightes maye yelde vnto each of vs his contentation.

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

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

Phyloſarchus.Andwhat are thoſe? tell me quickly I pray thée.

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

Phyloſarchus.Heis gone that way walking, I pray thée followe him, and make himpertaker of theſe newes.

Ambidextergoeth out.

Ohhowe much is Ambidexterdeceyuedin me at this preſent? No no, I can not ſo content my ſelfe toforget the ſwéete face of that worthy Lady Lamia,neithercan I euer hope to reioyce, vnleſſe I might be ſo happy, as toenioy the continuall ſight of her heauenly countenance, thevniuerſitie is in déede the place where I haue of long time benedeſirous to be placed, eſpecially for the varietie of delights andpleaſures which there are dayly exerciſed: but alas, what néedeththe riche man to become a théefe? or what néede I to wander vntothe vniuerſitie for to ſéeke paſtime and pleaſurs, when I mayeuen here in Antwerpwithoutfurther trauel, enioy the dayly comfort of ſuch conſolation? and ifI be not alſo much deceyued, ſhe loueth and lyketh me no leſſethan I deſire her, I pray you tell me Phylautus,do you not playnely perceyue that ſhe hath an affection towardes me?

Phylautus.SurelyPhyloſarchus,Idare not ſweare it, although in déede the frankneſſe of herentertaynement was much, but when I conſider that it was at theverie firſt ſight, it maketh me thinke that her curteſie iscommon, and may be quickly obteyned.

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

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

Actustertij, Scæna, quinta.

Philopaes,Phylocalvs, Fidvs, Gnomaticvs

Phylopæs.Svrelyneyghbor Phylocalus,I can not blame you though you be moued at theſe tidings, but inthings which come contrarie to expectation or deſire, the wiſedomeof men is beſt ſeen, & therefore I would aduiſe you toforecaſt in time howe you may preuent ſuch a miſchief, forgreateſt wounds are at the firſte more eaſily cured, than if theycontinue vntill ſome aboundance of humour or other accident doehinder the benefite of nature, and ſurely it grieueth me in maner asmuch, as if the like had bene found in myne own ſonne.

Phylocalus.Sohaue you great reaſon to ſay, for your ſonne Phylautuswasthere with him alſo, and though the Harlot ſéemed not to lendeliking vnto any but my ſonne, yet be you out of doubt that being inſuch companie, he ſhal hardly eſcape the ſnares of temptation.

Phylopæs.Well,howe ſo euer it be, we ſhall beſt doe to conſult with theirteacher herevpon, and beholde where he commeth. Syr we were about toſende for you, being aduertiſed that my neighbors ſonnePhyloſarchusdothhaunt a very diſhoneſt houſe in this towne, and my ſonnePhylautushathalſo ben there in company with him, the which giueth vs iuſtoccaſion to lament, & moſt glad we would be to deuiſe ſomecomfort in tyme, ſince the thing hath (as yet) bene of no longcontinuance. Wherefore we beſéech you to deale faithfully with vs,and to declare if you haue ſéene any ſuch behauiour, or likelyh∞din them, and furthermore to aduiſe vs, which way we might beſtredreſſe this miſhappe betimes.

Gnomaticus.Sirto declare of your ſonnes behauiour, trewly I haue neuer ſéene anything to miſſelyke of them, neyther could I euer perceiue that theywere ſlowe in apprehending myne enſtructions, but rather moreforward then their brethren, true it is that here came one to me inname of the Markgraue, ſaying that he was theyr kinſeman and verydeſirous to ſée them, wherevpon I did willingly giue them leaue,and when they came ther they ſay that the meſſenger miſſe t∞kethe matter, and ſhould haue gone to ſome other ſchollers. Butdoubtles my mind giueth me, that if they haue bene allured to anyeuill company, it hath bene by that ſame fellow which came to méeon that meſſage.

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

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

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

Gnomaticus.Surelymy harte did not greately like him at the firſt ſight, but ſincethinges done cannot be vndone, I lyke well that you ſhould(according to your owne deuiſe) prouide in time before they wadedéeper in ſuch enterpriſes, and to ſpeake mine opinion, you maydoe wel to ſend them vnto some Vniuerſity, before they haue furtheracquaintance or haunt in ſuch company, for whether it be loue, orluſt that hath infected them, there can be no preſenter remedy thento abſent them from the thinges which they deſire, and therewithallI promiſe you (not to flatter) they are already very ſufficientlyable for the Vniuerſity, and the enſtructions which I haue giuenthem, may ſerue rather for precepts of their perfect duty to God andman, then for any exerciſe of the liberall ſciences, wherein theyare ſo wel entred, and haue bene ſo throughly traded, as therelacketh nothing but conuenient place where they might procéede inLogike and ſuch lyke.

Phylopæs.Andme thinkes we might better doe to enfourme the Markgraue. Who vpponſuch meanes as we ſhall make, may baniſh the harlot with hertraine out of the City, and may alſo puniſh the paraſite for soentyſing the younge men.

Gnomaticus.Igraunt you that all this maye be done very well but then you are toconſider, 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 peraduenturewillingly amend: and great difference there is betwéene children andyoung men, for in childh∞deall puniſhment is terrible, but in floriſhing youth euerypuniſhment may not be vſed, but diſcretion muſt foreſée whatkynde of puniſhment wil moſt preuaile and beſt gayne reformationin the mind of the offender. Wherefore myne aduice ſhoud be that youſend them to ſome Vniuerſitie, and as neare as you can forſée toplace them with ſuch a Tutor as may alwaies haue an eye to theirexerciſes, and may haue eſpeciall care how they ſhall beſtowtheir vacant tymes. For idleneſſe is the cauſe of many euils inyouth, whereas beeing occupied or exerciſed in any thing that isverteous or commendable, they ſhall not haue ſo great occaſion tothinke of vanities.

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

Gnomaticus.Formine owne opinion I lyke Dowayverywell, bothe for that it is neare, and from thence you maye allwayeswithin ſhorte tyme be aduertiſed, and alſo becauſe I do knowevery learned and faythfull men there, and herewithall it is but alyttle Towne, and the Vniuerſytie but lately erected, wherby ther∞teof euill hath hetherto had leaſt ſkope, and exerciſe hath béene(and is) the more ſtreightly obſerued.

Phylopæs.Andcould you dyrect vs vnto any ſuch faithfull Tutor, that we myght bebolde to thinke our ſelues ſure of their well doing? and that theyſhould not be ſuffred to run at large about wanton toyes andlewdnes?

Gnomaticus.TruelyI can tell you of two or three which are both faythful and carefullof their charge, but to aſſure you in ſuch ſort as you requirewere verie hard to do, ſythens no Tutor can vſe ſuch vygilantinduſtrie, but that ſometimes he may be deceiued, neuertheleſſe Iknow them to be carefull.

Phylocalus.Wellfor my part I can be content to follow your aduiſe, & whatthinke you neighbour Phylopæs.

Phylopæs.Ido lykwiſe agrée to as much as hath beene ſayd.

Gnomaticus.Wellthen marke yet a little furder myne entent, I would thinke good thatthe yong men themſelues ſhould not knowe therof vntyll the Iorneywere prepared and they redye to depart, and my meaning is this, in ſodoing you ſhall antycypate all occaſions that they might haue toconferre with lewde company, who paraduenture would not ſpare tofollow and accompany them whereſoeuer they go.

Phylocalus.Sureliethat is well conſidered, and therefore neighbour. I pray you geueſtreight charge vnto your ſeruant leaſt he do bewray our ententherein.

Phylopæs.Sirhado you heare not one worde for your lyfe of that which we haue herecommuned together.

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

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

Phylopæs.Gowe where beſt liketh you.

Actustertij, Scæna Sexta.

Phylomvsvs,Phylotimvs,

Phylomuſus.WouldGod now that I could mete with Phylotimusthat vnto him I might recount what I haue done in the theame whichour Maſter gaue vs earwhile, for conference is comfortable vntoſchollers, were it no more but to vſe eache others aduiſe andopinion in ſuch thinges as they ſhall vndertake: and though incompiling of verſes, all company is comberſome, yet when the ſameare made and finiſhed, then is it a ſinguler comfort to haue acompanion with whom (as with thy ſelfe, (thou maiſt be bold toconfer for iudgement. And behold wher Phylotimuscommethin g∞dtime.

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

Phylomuſus.Héetelles the tale that I ſhould haue told.

Phylotimus.Ipray you giue eare a while, and I will reade vnto you what I hauedone therin.

Phylomuſus.Withright g∞dwill Phylotimus,reade them I pray you.

Phylomuſus.Giueeare then, but firſt I muſt thus much declare vnto you. I haue nomore but conueied in to verſe the verie briefe which our Maſterdeliuered vs in proſe, adding neither dilatations, allegories, norexamples: and thus it is.

God alwais whoſe might is moſt, & ioyn thy feare withloue
Since ouer all his worthy workes, his mercie ſtandesaboue:
In him thou mayſt likewiſe be bold, to put thy truſtalwaie,
Since he is iuſt and promyſe kéepes, his truth cannotdecay.

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

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

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 hisſword, & maintayn peace, and déeme ech doutfull caſe.

thankefull to the countrey ſoyle, wherein thou haſt béenebred,
Defend it alwaies to the death, therefore thy life isled:
And ſeeke by all thy ſkill and powre, to do ſuch deedestherin,
As may therto ſome profit yeld, ſo ſhalt thou honorwin.

elders for their hoarie heares, thou ſhalt do reuerence,
Andloue them ſince they councell thée, in euery g∞dpretence:
Defend them eke bicauſe they be, as féeble (fortheir might)
As ſtout and ſtrong in good aduice, againſt thefleſh to fight.

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

ſhalt thou beare thy ſelf alwaies, if y^uwilt proſper wel
And from thy ſelfe if thou deſire, allmiſchiefe to expell:
Thenkepethyſelfbothchaſt&cléen,indéed&ekeinthought,
Embracethe g∞d,& leaue y^ebad, for thou art dearely bought.
Thou art the Temple of theLord, which muſt be vndefilde,
More dere to him then Templesare, which mortal men do build.
And ſince he caſt from Templeonce, which was but lime & ſtone
The biers and the ſellersboth, & bad them thence be gon,
How much more then wil herequire, y^ty^uſhuldſt kepe thy ſelfe
Both cleane & pure from fylthyſin, much worſe then worldly pelf
Be holy then, & kepetheſe words, in mind both night & day
For ſo be ſure thatgod himſelf, thy ſtagring ſteppes wil ſtay.

quoth Philotimus.

ThushaueyounowſéenePhilomuſus,my ſimple ſkill in poetry, and I pray you tell me your opiniontherein.

Phylomuſus.SurelyPhylotimus.I like your verſes verie well, for they are compendious: and to beplayne with you, I haue lykewiſe framed a verſe or poeme vpon y^eſame matter, marieIhaueſomewhatmoredilatedandenlargedeuerie point, but ſuch as it is, I will likewiſe craue your opiniontherein.

Phylotimus.Withright g∞dwill: I pray you reade them.

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

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

with ſuch feare, we muſt him loue lykewiſe,
Synce he hathſtore, of mercyes in his hand:
And more delights, that Sinnersſhuld aryſe,
then ſtill to fall, and neuermore to ſtand.

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

Miniſters, and ſuch as prech his word,
Becauſe they be, fromhim (to teach vs) ſent:
³⁵Weſhuld to them, giue eare with one accord,
And learne theirlore, which leads vs to repent.

reuerence, to them ſhalbe but due,
As well becauſe, theiroffice ſo requires:
As there with all, becauſe there dothenſue,
A iuſt rewarde, to humble mennes deſires.

loue them eke, with faſt and faithfull loue,
Becauſe theyféed, thy ſoule with heauenlie bread:
Which cannot moulde, norfrom thy mouth remoue,
Vntill thou haue, thy fill there on yfed.

God the king, doth challeng ſecond place,
And him we muſt,both honor and obay:
³⁹Becauſehe hath, (from God aboue) his grace,
⁴⁰Andis viceroy,onearth to beare the ſway.

as with hart, we ſhall him honor yeld,
And muſt obay, what hecommaunds with feare:
⁴¹Soloue him eke, bicauſe he is our ſhield,
And doth protect, ourlife in quiet here.

duties do, to Magiſtrates belong,⁴²
Becauſethey beare, the ſworde, and repreſent⁴³
Theking him ſelfe, & righten euerie wrong,⁴⁴
Andmainteine peace, with all their whole entent.⁴⁵

the ſoyle, wherin we foſtred were,⁴⁶
Wemuſt alwaies, be thankeful children found:⁴⁷
Andin defence therof we muſt not feare,⁴⁸
Toventure life, as we by birth be bound.

to that ende, our life to vs was lent,
And therewith all, weought the ſame t’aduaunce,
And do ſuch déedes, as may bepertinent,⁴⁹
Toprofit it, and eke our ſelues enhance.

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

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

parents they, which brought vs vp in youth,⁵⁴
Musthonord be, ſince God commaundeth ſo:⁵⁵
Andſynce therby, a gratious gyfte enſewth,
Euen longe to lyue, inearth whereon we go.

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

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

he that thus, can well direct his wayes,
And kéepe himſefe,in chaſt and holy life:
Shall pleaſe the Lord, & ſhallprolong his days,
In quiet ſtate, protected ſtill fromſtryfe.
Be holie thus, and liue in g∞daccord,
⁵⁹Sincemen one earth, are Temples to the Lord

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

Phylotimus.SurelyPhylomuſusyourverſes do pleaſe mee much better then mine owne, and verie glad Iam that wée haue eche of vs ſo well accompliſhed our dueties,nothyng doubting but that our enſtructer will alſo like the ſameaccordingly: & now if you thinke g∞d,let vs go in and preſent the ſame, when ſoeuer hée shall thynkeg∞dto demaund it.

Phylomuſus.Withright g∞dwill, go you on & I wil follow.

Thethird Chorus.

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

prauncing ſtéede, can ſeldome hold his fleſh,
The hotteſtgreyhound leaues the courſe at length:
The fineſt Silkes, doſéeld continue freſhe,
The fatteſt men, may fayle ſometymesof ſtrength:
Such déepe deceiptes, in faire pretence arefounde,
That vices lurke, where vertue ſéemes t’abound.

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

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

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

héere,and Phyloſarchuseke,
Didſéeme at firſt, more forward then the reſt:
But come topr∞fe,and nowe they be to ſéeke,
Their brethren nowe, perfourmetheir duty beſt:
Thus g∞dfrom badde, appeares as day from night,
That one takes paine,that other loues delight.

Actus Tertij.

quarti, Scæna prima.

Phylocalvs, gnomaticvs.

Phylopæs.IHaue for my parte ſet al thinges in redyneſſe for my Sonnesdeparture, and if my neighbour haue done the lyke, they ſhalldeparte immediatly: but behold where he commeth, how now ſir? Whathaue you done or diſpatched?

Phylocalus.Althinges neceſſary for my Sonnes are in readyneſſe, and you, whathaue you done?

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

Gnomaticus.GentlemenI haue founde you both in g∞dhoure, and I would wiſh you to diſpatch the younge men your ſonneswith all conuenient ſpeede, for the thing which you ſuſpected isdoubtleſſe t∞true.

Phylocalus.Andhow knowe you?

Gnomaticus.Iwill tell you ſir, eare while aſſ∞neas I departed from you, I examined them al concerning a taſke whichI had giuen them, and that was to put in verſe a briefe memoriall ofthe chiefe poyntes wherein I did enſtruct them, and I found thatPhylomuſusandPhylotimus(whomI thought not ſo quicke of capacity as the other) had done the ſamevery well: on that other ſide, I founde PhylautusandPhyloſarchustohaue done there in nothing at all, and marueyling at their ſtraungeand vnaccuſtomed ſlackeneſſe, I ſearched them vppon ſuchſuſpicion as I had conceyued, and founde that Phyloſarchushadſpent the time in wryting of louing ſonets, and Phylautushadalſo made verſes in praiſe of Marſhiall feates and pollycies.

Phylocalus.OGod, and haue you not puniſhed them accordingly?

Gnomaticus.As for that ſir be you contented, there is time for all thinges, andpreſently in my iudgement you could deuiſe no puniſhment whichwould ſo much gréeue them as to departe from this Citie, hereafterI doubt not but to deuiſe the meanes that both they ſhalbe rebukedas appertaineth (though they be out of my handes) and the cauſers oftheſe miſchieues may alſo chaunce to heare thereof when theythinke it quite forgotten, but at thys point wée will hold no longerdiſcourſe therein, onely prepare for your Sonnes departure to theVniuerſity.

Phylopæs.Thechiefe thing wherevpon wée ſtay, hath bene both to vſe youraduiſe, and to deſire you that you will take paines to wryte yourletters vnto ſome faithful Tutor there, who may both rebuke them forthat which is paſt, and haue care to gouerne them better in tyme tocome.

Gnomaticus.Mineaduiſe you haue heard already, and touching the letters which yourequire, they are in maner ready, for I had ſo determined before yourequired me, and now if it pleaſe you to walke vnto my lodging, wéewill from thence diſpatch them before they heare any further newesof the matter.

Phylocalus.Gowe with g∞dwill.

Actusquarti, Scæna ſecunda.

Ecchoalone.

ITis a wonderous matter to ſée the force of loue, ſauing yourreuerence. I dare ſay the Lady Lamiaſinceſhe saw this young gentleman, could neuer ſléepe vntill her eyeswere ſhut, and therewithall ſhe taketh ſuch thought, that aſſoneas euer ſhée is laid ſhe falleth on ſnorting: and God knoweth,her chéekes are become as leane as a peſtill of porke, and her faceas pale as a carnation gilofloure. Fye fie, what meaneth ſhée? Willſhe caſt away her ſelfe on this faſhion for his ſake? Shebeareth but euill in remembraunce the g∞ddocumentes of that vertuous olde Lady her Aunte. I warrant you itwould be long before that Meſſalinawould dye for loue. Tuſh tuſh ſhall I tell you? It is folly toſtand meditating of theſe matters, euery man for him ſelfe and Ifor one, theſe yonkers ſhall pay for the roſt, and Ecchobyyour leaue will take part of the coſte, but behold where commethdoughty Dicke.Howe now Richardwhatnewes?

DickeDrom commeth in.

Actusquarti, Scæna tertia.

Dicke,Drom, Eccho.

Whatnewes? mary Phyloſarchushathſent a fat breſt of veale, a capon, a doſen of pigeons, a coupleof rabets, and a ſtoupe of wine vnto the lady Pandarinæshouſe,and promiſeth to be there at ſupper to talke more of the matterwhich you wot of.

Eccho.Andhath he ſent no more?

Dicke.Whyis not that well for a f∞teman?By our lady ſir, it doth me g∞dto thinke what cheare I wil make with the leauinges, and wotte youwhat? Be you ſure hée ſhall lacke no cleane trenchers, for aſſoneas he hath laide a g∞dmorſell before him, Dickewilbeat an inche with a cleane plate to proffer him.

Eccho.Wellſaid Dicke,andI trowe that I will ſkinke in his cuppes as faſt on the other ſide,but heare me Dicke,asfor theſe matters neyther of vs both will bee to ſeeke, but thereare other thinges to be remembred which are of more weightyconſideration.

Dicke.Andwhat I pray thee?

Eccho.Mariethou 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 whereinhe ſéemeth himſelf to take pleasure, extoll him ſtreight withpraiſe, and ſay that Brabanthath to fewe ſuch bl∞desas hee. Lykewiſe ſéeme to whet Lamiaforward, as though ſhee ſhewed not curteſie enough. Theſe and athouſand ſuch other knackes muſt be deuyſed and practiſed, tomake him come off, and whatſoeuer he giueth thee let vs ſharebetweene vs, for I promiſe thee Dickebythe faith of a true Burgondyane,I will be as true to thee as thy coate is to thy backe.

Dicke.Bythe maſſe Ecchoandthat is true enough, for it hath cleft ſo long to my ſhoulders,that a lowſe can not well clyme the clyffes thereof without apitchforke in her hand. But I truſt maiſter Phyloſarchusfees will be ſufficient to ſet both thée and me a floate, and makevs as braue as the beſt.

Eccho.Tuſhe,as for that matter, if he do not another ſhall: hee were wyſeenough that would leane altogether vnto one bough in theſe days, nono Dicke,beruled 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 fattecalues?

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

Eccho.Ha?mary it is the olde Phylopæsand his neighbour Phylocalus,whatis the matter trow we? let vs ſtand aſide and heare their talke awhile.

Dycke.Beſtof all, ſtand cloſe.

Actusquarti, Scæna quarta.

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

Phylopæs.Sincetyme is the greateſt treaſure which God lendeth vs, and yet he dothbut lend vs the ſame to the end that we ſhould well employe it, itſhalbe therefore the bounden duty of euery man ſo to beſtowe theſame, as may returne to moſt commodity and profitte. And ſinceyour enſtructer héere doth commend your towardnes much more, (Ifeare) then you deſerue, it ſéemeth that wée ſhould haue loſttime in longer deteyning you from the Vniuerſity, & therfore wehaue prepared (as you ſée) to ſend you thither, truſting that youwill there vſe ſuch diligence, as may be to the profit of yourCountrey and for your own aduancementes. The which to perfourme, Ibeſéech the Father of Heauen that he will alwayes giue you theſpirit of wiſedome, and powre his grace vppon you continually.

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

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

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

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

Gnomaticus.Mywelbeloued, ſince it pleaſeth your parentes thus to diſpoſe youriourney, I cannot otherwyſe doe but commend you to the tuition ofalmighty GOD, whom I beſéech nowe and euer to guide you by hisgrace, and I exhorte you for Gods ſake, that you beare well in mindethe preceptes which I haue giuen you, aſſuring my ſelfe thatruling your actions by that meaſure, you ſhalbe acceptable to GOD,pleaſing to the world, profitable to your ſelues, and comfortableto your parentes.

Phylomuſus,and Phylotimus. Sirit is no ſmall griefe vnto vs to depart from ſuch a louingenſtructer, but ſince it becommeth vs to obey our parentes, wecontend not contrary to their commaundementes, hoping by Gods graceſo to employ our tyme, and ſo to contynue in the tracke which youhaue trodden vnto vs, that you ſhall alwayes commend our diligenceand g∞dwill.

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

Ambidexter.Yeaſir all thinges are diſpatched.

Phylocalus.Thengo your wayes with them, and the Father of Heauen be their guide andyours now & euer.

Gnomaticus.Fellowmine, you muſt deliuer me this letter when you come to Dowayaccordingto the ſuperſcription thereof.

Ambidexter.Itſhalbe done ſir God willing.

Theyoungmen 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 aproſperous iourney, and well to beſtowe your time nowe and euer.

Phylautus,Phylomuſus, Phyloſarchus, Phylotimus and Fidus departe.

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

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

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

Theydepart.

Actusquarti, Scæna quinta.

EcchoandDyckDroom.

Eccho.FellowRychard,howlike you this geare?

Dick.Mariefriend Eccho,Ilyke it but a little.

Eccho.Andwhy I pray you?

Dyck.Whyquoth you? marie becauſe I am ſorie that ſuch a ſwéete morſellis plucked out of my mouth.

Eccho.AndI am glad that I ſhal féede my fill on ſuch a ſwéete morſell,for ſince there is now no remedie, but theſe younkers muſte néedsbee gone, God bee with them. DyckandEccho,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 onthe table, and to bee contented with their leauings after ſupper,whereas now wé wilbe ſo bold as to ſit downe with the reſt, ſincewe be (as thou well knoweſt) of houſholde with that g∞dgentlewoman, and by our Ladye, I was neuer ſo deintyly brought vpbut I could eat a hote Capon, aſwell and as ſauorly as a cold meſſeof porage, eſpeciallie where the bread & drinke is g∞d.

DyckAllthis I confeſſe alſo to be g∞d& ſound doctrine, but yet it greeueth me to thinke that wee haueloſt ſo g∞dcuſtomers which might haue continued ſuch banquits often times.

Eccho.TuſhDyckholdthy peace, if we haue not them, we ſhall haue others as g∞das they, thou mayſt bee ſure that as long as Lamiacontinueth bewtifull, ſhe ſhall neuer be without Sutors, and whenthe Crowes féete groweth vnder her eye, why then no more adoe butenſineuate thy ſelfe with ſuch another. Yea and in the meane timealſo, it ſhould be no bad councell, if a man had foure or fiue ſuchhauntes in ſtore, that euermore when one houſe is on ſweeping,another ſpytte may cry creake at the fire: ſtore is no ſtore⁶¹as the prouerbe ſaith, and now adayes the broker which hath but onebargaine in hand, may chaunce to weare a thred bare coate.

Dyck.Sayſtthou ſo Eccho?and I promyſe thée I had ſuch a lyking to this young man, that Iwas 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∞dlucke. Tuſh tuſh, Dowayisa pelting towne packed full of poore Skollers, who thinke a payre ofcaſt hoſen a greate reward, but Antwarpformy money. I tell yée trueth, there are not many townes in Europethatmainteyne more iollytie then Antwarpe,but behold where the Markgraue and his officers come. I wilbe gone, Ilike not the ſmell of them.

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

Theyrun a ſide.

Actusquarti, Scæna ſexta.

SevervstheMarkgrave,withthe officers.

Mvchis the mind of man deceiued, which thinketh that rulers &officers haue the merieſt liues, for although it ſéeme vnto ſomemen a ſwéete thing to commaunde, yet whoſoeuer compareth theburden of ſuch cares as are inſident vnto his office, vnto thelightnes of the pleaſure which commeth by commaundement, he ſhalfind, that much greater is the payne of that one, then the profit ofthat other. For what pleaſure redoundeth vnto an honeſt minde, topronounce ſentence of death vpon an offendor? or what profit ariſethby puniſhing of malefactors? but on that other ſide, what griefewanteth where a quiet mynde is encombred with gouernment? what howreof the day is exempt from toyle? in the morning the preaſe of Sutersat the chamber dore do breake the ſweeteſt ſleepe, the reſt ofthe foren∞neis lyttle enough for the ordynarie howres of courtes and decydyng ofcontentions, at diner you ſhall hardly dyſgeſt your meate withoutſome ſauce of complaynts or informations, wherin lykewyſe the reſtof the day muſt be occupied: and the night ſuffyzeth not toforecaſt what polityke conſtitucions are needful to be deuiſed orrenewed, for to meete with the dayly practiſes and inuentiones oflewde perſones: So that in fine thyne office will neither ſufferthee to ſléep, nor yeld thee contentment when thou art awake,neither geue thée leaue to eate in quiet, nor permit thee to followthine owne profitte when thou art faſting. I ſet a ſide to declarewhat trade of other priuat gaynes a man muſt omit when he is inaucthority: but well sayd the phyloſopher, which concluded that weare not borne onely for our ſelues, but parte our contrey alſo dothchalenge. Well goodfellowes, one of you ſhal go to Saincte Mighells,and there at a howſe with a red lattyce you ſhall finde an oldbaude called Pandarina,and a yong damſell called Lamia,take them both and carie them to the coupe, geuing charge that theybe ſafely kept vntill my further dyrection be known, and another ofyou ſhall ſéek out Ecchotheparaſite, al men know him wel enough, take him and bring him to mée.

Hedeparteth, as the Skoolemaſter cometh in.

Actusquarti, Scæna ſeptima.

Gnomaticvs,Nvntivs.

Gnomaticus.IFnone other thing were required in a faythfull enſtructor but onelythat he ſhould teach his ſchollers grammer or ſuch other ſciences,then with leſſer trauaile might wée attayne vnto perfection,ſythens Gammer⁶²and all the liberal Sciences are by traditions left vnto vs in ſuchſort, that without any greate difficultie the doubt thereof may bereſolued: but the Sch∞leMaſter which careth for none other thing but onely to make hisſchollers lerned, may in ſome reſpect be compared to thehorſecourſer, which onelie careth to féede his horſe fat, andneuer delighteth to ryde him, manage him, or make him handſome: andwhen ſuch palfryes come to iorneyng, they are comonly ſo prouanderproude, that they praunce at the fyrſt exceedingly, but being put toa long iourney or ſeruice, they melt their owne greace and are notable to endure trauaile. Euen ſo y^emindes of yong men, being onely trained in knowledge of artes, andneuer perſwaded in points of moral reformation, become often timesſo prowde & ſo headie, that they are caried rather away with avaine imagination of their owne excellency, then ſetled in y^ereſolutions which might prom∞tethem vnto dignitie: and wandring ſo in a vayne glorious oppinion oftheir owne wit, they do (as it were) founder and caſt them ſeluesin their own halter. Such haue ſundriephiloſophersbin in time paſt, who haue ſo far gone on pilgrimage in their ownepéeuiſh conceits, y^tthey haue not ſhamed, by a vaine ſhew of learning to defend ſuchpropoſitions, as ſéeme moſt rediculous & eſtranged fromreaſon.Anaxagorasdefendedthat ſnow was black and yet was accompted a philoſopher of greategrauitie & iudgement. Pherecydes,prognoſticated y^tan earthquake was at hand, becauſe he ſaw the water drawen out of afountayne, 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 theircomendable capacitie: wherupon alſo hath ſprong the damnableopinion of Atheyſts.For the mind of man is ſo heauenlie a thing and of ſuch rareexcellencie, that it alwaies worketh and can not be idle. And if withthe quicknes of conceyt it be tempred by a modeſt moderation, tohaue regard vnto vertue, and moralitie, then proueth it both g∞dly& godly: wheras if it run on hedlong, only led by naturalconſiderations of cauſes, it may proue admirable for ſome paſſingquallitie, but it ſeldome is ſéene commendable or allowed forperfection. The conſideration wherof hath often moued me rather toenſtruct youth by a preſcribed order out of gods own word, then tonuzzle them ouer déepely in philoſophicall opinions. And yet is themind of young men ſo prone and prompt to vanitie & delight, thatall proueth not as I would haue it. For example behold my lateſchollers, who forgetting their duetie and neclecting my precepts,are fallen into the ſnares which I leaſt of al miſtruſted: Butſurely to confeſſe a trueth, I iudge that it rather procéeded bythe entiſements of others, then by their own default. Oh howperillous is lewde company vnto youngmen? Well, I haue deuiſed yet ameane wherby both the Paraſites here may bee puniſhed, and theyoungmen may alſo be rebuked at Doway:Inſuch ſort, that their ſodain ſeperation may preuent all meanes toeſcape it, and yet that one being ignorant of that otherspuniſhment, ſhall neuer grudge or ſnuffe at the ſame. AndPhylopæswithhis neighbour Phylocaluspromiſedme eare while to put my deuiſe in execution, I long to heare whatmay be done therin, for ſtill I feare me leaſt the crafty Paraſiteſhould get knowledge thereof, and ſo both eſcape himself andfurther enfect ſome other with newe deuiſes. But who is this thatcommeth héere in ſuch haſte?

Nuntius.Goodlord what a world is this? Iuſtice quoth he? mary this is Iuſtycein deed of the new faſhion.

Gnomaticus.Andwhat Iuſtice good fellow I pray thée.

NuntiusNayenone at all Sir, but rather open wronge, an honeſt old gentlewomanwith her kinſwoman are commaunded to the coupe, onely becauſe theyſuffered an honeſt youngman (and Sonne to a welthy Burgher) toſuppe with them yeſternight, and a g∞dfellowe which is well knowen here in the City, and hath dwelt heretheſe ſeuen yeares paſt, is alſo caſt in priſon bicauſe heſerued them at ſupper, I haue ſeldome heard of ſuch rigor vſed,eſpecially ſince they proffer g∞dſuretyes to bée alwayes forth comming vntill their behauiour betryed.

Gnomaticus.Wellg∞dfellow ſpeake reuerently of the Magiſtrates, peraduenture there wasſome further matter therein then thou art aware of, but when was itdone?

Nuntius.Euennow ſir, I doe but come from thence.

Gnomaticus.Thisgeare hath bene pollitiquely vſed, and I will go ſée how it iscome to paſſe, for theſe are euen thoſe lewd companions whichſeduced my ſchollers. G∞dfellow gramercy for thy tydinges.

exit.

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

FinisActus Quarti.

Thefourth Chorus.

toiling man which tilles, his ground with greateſt paine,
Hathnot alway ſuch crops theron, as yéeld him greateſt gain.
Norhe the faireſt houſe, which laies thereon moſt coſt,
Sincemany chips of chance may fall, to proue ſuch labours loſt.
Invaine men build their fortes, with ſtone with lyme and ſand,
Vnleſſethe ſame be founded firſt, with Gods owne mighty hand.
ThoughPaulehimſelfdid plant, whoſe trauelles did not ceaſe,
And then Apollowatredeake, yet God did giue encreaſe:
The grace of God it is,whereon g∞dgyftes must growe,
And lacke of God his grace it is, which makesthem lye full lowe.
How often haue bene ſéene, both watch andward well kept,
And yet into the ſtrongeſt holdes, hathtreaſon lightly lept?
The héedieſt hen that is, the puttockeoft beguiles,
Such wolues do walke in wethers felles, y^tLambes miſtruſt no wiles.
The fox can preach ſomtimes, butthen beware the géeſe,
For ſeldome failes a théeuish hand,but that it takes a fléeſe.
The deuill hath many men, togather in his rentes,
And euery man hath ſundrie meanes, tobring vs to their bents.
Some puffe vs vp with pride, and ſomeſet men aloft ,
Whereby the moſt by princely pompe, forgetthemſelues full oft.
Some giue vs worldly g∞d,and ſome giue beauties grace,
That one bréedes care, y^tother luſt, which train vs to their trace.
In fine and toconclude, what minde of man deſires,
That ſame the deuil canſet to ſale, which ſtil maintains his fires
BeholdeGnomaticus,whichlearnedly had taught:
His ſchollers here ſuch g∞dpreceptes, as were with wiſedome fraught:
And therewithall didcare, to ſée them spend their time,
In exerciſe that mightbe g∞d,and cleane deuoide of crime.
But then behold ſelfe loue, andſparkes of filthy luſt,
Which made them ſtreight deſpiſehis wordes, & caſt them down in duſt.
And now beholde hecares, to cure it if he might,
But all t∞late the water comes, when houſe is burned quite.
Wherefore wholiſt to learne: Obstaprincipijs.
Sincevertue ſeldome can preuaile, where vice ſo r∞tedis.

Chori & Actus quarti.

quinti, Scæna prima.

Droom alone.

Nayif you play ſuch play fare well altogyther, of all weapons I can notabyde theſe ſiluer daggers, I, with a mace quoth you? I will notſtand one blowe with a mace, they haue caught my fellow Eccho,but I promiſe them they ſhall haue g∞dlucke if they catch me, you will ſay that I ought not ſo to leaueEcchoin the bryers, in deed we were ſworne brethren, but what for that? Iknow not now how I was aduiſed when I t∞kethat oth, but ſurely as I am now aduiſed my Brother ſhall dauncealone in priſon, it is no biding heere for me, but to be plaine Iwill trudge after theſe yonkers to Doway,and trye howe the ale taſteth in thoſe Coaſtes, for I like not thedrinke in Antwerpe,now a dayes it is vengeable bitter, this was a ſupper in déed, nomaruel though Ecchoand I were ſo glad of it, but we triumphed before the victory, forwhiles we were preparing the banquet, came in an officer and laidehold of the women and Ecchoall at once: that ſawe I, and to go. Whether nowe ſirha quod one ofthe ſargeantes to me? To buy oliues for my Miſtres quod I. Theknaue catchpole replied nothing but laughed, as who ſhould ſay, theSupper might be eaten without ſauſe well enough, but how madde am Ito 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 Fathersof theſe yonkers, adue my maiſters, and ſay you ſawe not me.

Actusquinti, Scæna ſecunda.

Philopaes,Phylocalvs, Nvntivs, Fidvs.

Evennow neighbour PhylocalusIfinde what it is to be a Father, a Father? Nay a carefull father, forI muſt confeſſe vnto you, that ſince the departure of my Sonnes Ihaue found no quiet in my thoughtes: one whyle I ſéeme to doubtleaſt they haue been diſtreſſed by the way, another whyle I ſéemeto doubt leaſt they be eftſ∞nesentiſed vnto vanities by euill company, and how much the more Ithink hereon, ſo much the more I am perplexed with dout. God for hismercy ſend vs comfortable newes, to recomfort my ſorowfull anddoubtfull harte.

Phylocalus.Trulyneighbour, and I am not altogither frée from ſuch imaginations, butwhiles I recomfort my ſelfe by the hope which I haue in thoſeletters that maiſter Gnomaticusdidwryte, I am ſtraight wayes tormented againe with another doute, thewhich is ſuch, that I may be aſhamed to vtter it conſidering mineowne folly.

Phylopæs.Oneighbour kéepe nothing from me for Gods ſake.

Phylocalus.I will tell you then, I condemne my ſelfe of exceeding folly, inthat I haue committed the cariage of thoſe letters to my ſeruauntAmbidexter,whoſedoubleneſſe I haue often tryed, and therefore my ſimplicity wasthe greater: and bicauſe he is not (long ſithens) retourned, myminde conceyueth ſome doubt of his fidellity.

Phylopæs.Truelyand not without cauſe, for he might haue retourned long ſithens. Owhat a dolte was I that I ſent not Fidus(here)with them alſo? Surely Phylocalusmymynde giueth me that he hath abuſed vs.

Nuntius.Letters,letters, letters.

Phylocalus.Whatcryeth this g∞dfellow?

Nuntius.Lettersfrom Dowaylettersfrom Doway.Hey

Phylopæs.Marythis ſéemeth to be some Carier which commeth from Doway.Commeſtthou from Dowayg∞dfellow?

Nuntius.Yeaſir doutleſſe.

Phylopæs.Andwhat letters haſt thou?

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

Phylopæs.Isthat the faſhion to write in a role a note of their names to whomthy letters are directed?

Nuntius.YeaSir that is a cuſtome which I and ſuch ignorant fellowes muſt vſe,for I cannot read my ſelfe, & to ſhew all my letters werefolly, but I do alwaies beare ſuch a role in my hand, wherin arewritten the names of thoſe vnto whom my letters (for that tyme) aredirected, & then when I ſhew it, euerie man can ſoone tellwhether I be for him or not.

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

Nuntius.Here it is Sir.

Phylocalus.Tobegin with all here is a letter for you neighbour, I truſt I ſhallalſo finde another for my ſelfe.

Phylopæs.Ohhow this comforteth my hart, thys letter commeth from my youngerSonne, I will breake it vp.

Hegoeth a ſide with it.

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

Hereadeth alſo.

Nuntius.Whoſhall pay me for the bringing of them?

Fidus.Staya while g∞dfellowe, thy paines ſhalbe conſidered well I warrant thée.

Nuntius.Yeabut I may not long tary, for I muſt go about and deliuer the reſtof theſe letters this night.

Fidus.Allthat maiſt thou doe well enough, they will not be long before theyhaue done, but I pray thée tell me, doeſt thou not knowe myMaiſters Sonnes?

Nuntius.Whatſhould I cal them by their names?

Fidus.The eldeſt is named Phylautus,andthe younger called Phylomuſus.

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

Fidus.Yesſurely he is but ſlender.

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

Phylopæs.What newes neighbour?

Phylocalus.G∞dand badde.

Phylopæs.Euenſo haue I in my letter, hold g∞dfellowe ther is a reward for bringing of theſe letters, &gramercy.

Nuntius.Ithanke you ſir, I retourne to Dowaywythin theſe two dayes, and if it pleaſe you to commaund me any thingthither I will repayre to your houſe.

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

Nuntiusexit.

OGod neighbour, how vnhappie were wée to ſend your lewd ſeruauntAmbidexterwithour Sonnes? My Sonne writeth vnto me that his brother Phylautus&your Sonne Phyloſarchusareſeldome from the Bordelles or Tauerns, and that Ambidexteristheir companion, and meaneth to tary there with them and to retournno more.

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

Phylopæs.Andmy Sonne Phylomuſusisentered 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 miſchiefis moſt eaſely cured and redreſſed in the beginning, ſo if youwill followe my counſell, we will immediatly diſpatch Fidusvntothem, who ſhall both apprehend Ambidexterandcauſe him to be punniſhed, and ſhall alſo ſtaye our two wandringSonnes and bring them home vnto vs.

Phylocalus.Ilike your councell well, and for the loue of God let it be put inexecution immediatly, for in ſuch caſes nothing is ſo requiſiteas expedition.

Phylopæs.HoldeFidustaketheſe twenty crownes, and get thée away with all ſpéede poſſible,take poſt horſes from place to place, and if they ſhould chaunceto be gone from Dowaybeforethou come, yet followe them, and neuer ceaſe vntill thou haue foundethem, and bring them home vnto vs.

Phylocalus.Fidus ſparefor no coſt, and holde thée there are twenty crownes more if néederequire.

Fidus.WellSir you ſhall ſée that no diligence ſhall want in me to recouerthem. Will it pleaſe you to commaund me any other ſeruice?

Phylopæs.No,but God ſend thée g∞dsucceſſe.

Fidusdeparteth.

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

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

Actusquinti, Scæna tertia.

Gnomaticvs,Philopaes, Phylocalvs.

Gnomaticus.Gentlemen,I haue ſought you round about the Town, this geare is in manerdiſpatched, Ecchoisapprehended with his traine and all.

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

Gnomaticus.Whyhaue you any cauſe of heauineſſe? Tell me I pray you Sir, whatmeane you to ſtand thus amaſed?

Phylocalus.Myneighbour and I haue receyued newes which are both ſorowful andcomfortable. Our two elder Sonnes (by the lewde aſſiſtance of myſeruaunt whom I ſent with them) do beſtowe their time verywantonly 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 byall lykelyh∞de,and they ſtay but for the comming of Ecchoandhis companyons.

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

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

Hedeliuereth him the letter.

Hownow neighbour? what muſe you? your wittes were g∞d(erewhile) vpon the ſodayne, plucke vp your ſpirits, you ſhall ſeeby Gods grace Fiduswillbring vs good newes.

Phylopæs.Oh neighbour I am not able to expreſſe the ſorowes which my heartconceiueth, alas the g∞dsof the world (although they be gotten with great trauaile, and keptwith great care) yet the loſſe of them doth neuer torment a wiſeman: ſince the ſame deuice or brayne that coulde contriue thegathering of them, is able againe to renew the like: but themiſgouernment of a mans children, or to ſée them caſt away bylacke of grace or for lacke of vigilant foreſight, that onely isvnto the wyſeſt mynde an vnmedicinable wounde. Oh that my harte isnot able to beare nor to abide the furious aſſaults of thismiſfortune.

Heſowneth.

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, byhis grace you ſhall haue no ſuch cauſe, your neighbour here hathcauſe of comfort: for I perceiue that his Sonne hath ſo well ſpenthis time, and ſo well profited at his booke, that he ſtandeth inelection to bee Secretarie vnto Palſegraue.⁶³

Phylocalus.Yeaand his Sonne Phylomuſusisalſo become a famous preacher, & meaneth ſhortly to go vntoGeneua.

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

Philocalus.Marywe haue diſpatched my neighbours ſeruant Fidustoſtay both them and Ambidexter,that the one may be puniſhed in example of all others, and that theother may alſo be brydled from their hedſtrong race which theymeane to run.

Gnomaticus.Ambidexter? Whywhat hath hée doone?

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

Gnomaticus.SurelyPhylocalusyouwere not well aduiſed to ſend ſuch a fellow with your Sonnes, Ipray god he haue deliuered my letters faythfullie, for I dyd yetneuer 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.SurelyI cannot tell, for I was ſo glad when I founde in his role, lettersto mee and my neighbour, that I ſought no furder for any other, butyou ſhall ſoone finde hym out if you aſke for the Carryer ofDoway.

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

Philocalus.Youſhall do well, and in meane tyme my neighbour and I will go vnto hishouſe, for I perceiue he is not well.

Actusquinti, Scæna quarta.

SevervstheMargravewithhis officers, andEccho.

Seuerus.Comeon 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 vppondiuers other for my lyuing) and they prayed me to ſuppe with them inpart of recompence for my trauaile.

Seuerus.Mary ſir your fare was g∞das I vnderſtand, and méete for much better perſonages then eytherof 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, Ineuer 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. Tellme how came you acquainted with Phyloſarchus?

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

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

Eccho.That cannot I tell, neyther do I knowe whether he ſhould haue binthere 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 tome? Had I any thing to do with his being there? or doth it followe ofneceſſity that béecauſe he was there once before, therfore heſhould haue béen there that night alſo?

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

Eccho.SirI will not confeſſe that which I knowe not, neither for you nor forneuer a man on liue. He might haue béene there for all mee, & hemight 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 takehim, and carrie him to the mill, and there let him be whipped euerieday thryſe, vntill he confeſſe the cyrcumſtances of al theſematters, wee may not ſuffer the Sonnes of honeſt and welthyBurghers to bée ſeduced by ſuch lewde fellowes, and they to ſkapeſkotfrée.

Actusquinti, Scæna quinta.

Gnomaticvs.alone.

OGod how a man may bee deceiued (at the firſt) in a youngman? thecapacitie of this Phyloſarcusandhys yokefellow Phylautuswas ſo quick and ſo ſufficient to receiue any charge, that a manwould haue beléeued them to haue béene two of the beſt andtowardeſt yongmen in thys citie, and yet behold how concupicence andvayne delight hath caried them to run another race. I haue receyuedletters here from my frind Maſter *** in Doway,who declareth vnto me thereby, that they are ſufficyently able toconceiue any tradicion or Science, but therwithall that they are ſogeuen ouer to pleaſures & light paſtimes, y^tit is in maner vnpoſſible to bridle their wandring deſires. Onthat other ſide he prayſeth the other two for the ſobreſt yongmen that euer came vnder his charge, & confirmeth in effectaſmuch as they had written for newes vnto their parentes, whereof Ihaue 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 theirmiſgouernment may become not onely a great grief to their parents,but alſo a hinderance to ſuch commendation as I might elſe hauegayned by the others: but thus wée may ſée, that in euery comfortthere may growe ſome diſquiet, and no herbe ſo cleane but may behindred by ſtinking wéeds that grow by it. Well I will go talkewith their parentes, and if they wilbe ruled by my councell, theyſhall giue them leaue a little to ſée the world, and to followeany exerciſe that be not repugnant vnto vertue, for vnto ſomewittes neyther correction, nor frendly admonition, nor any otherperſwaſion will ſerue, vntil their owne rodde haue beaten them,and then they proue oftentymes (though late) men of excellentqualities. But beholde where they come to diſcharge me of thistrauaile.

Actusquinti, Scæna ſexta.

Phylocalvs,Gnomaticvs, andPhylopaes.

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

Gnomaticus.Yeaſir I haue receiued letters from thence.

Phylocalus.Andwhat newes I pray you?

Gnomaticus.Euenthe ſame in effecte that you haue receyued.

Phylocalus.Whythen 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 thetowardeſt young men that euer came in that Vniuerſity, and that hehath great hope to ſée them in the end become famous through allthe 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 vntoconcupiſcence, therefore I wil tell you mine aduiſe. As ſ∞neas they come home, firſt rebuke them ſharpely for the miſſebeſtowing of their excellent wittes, and it ſhall not be amiſſeif you adde therevnto alſo ſome correction, that being done, Iwould wiſh you to put in their choyce what kinde of lyfe they willfollowe, ſo that it be vertuous, and not contrary to Gods worde, andlet them ſée the worlde a while: for ſuch fine wittes haue ſuchan vniuerſall deſire commonly, that they neuer proue ſtayed vntillthe blacke oxe hath troden on their toes.

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

Gnomaticus.Why doubt you of that?

Phylopæs.Becauſe my neighbours Sonne Phylotimuswrotevnto him that he much douted they would abandon the vniuerſity, andthat they taried but onely to heare from Ecchoandhis complices.

Gnomaticus.Yea, but Ecchoandthe reſt are ſafe enough for comming at them, and beholde wherecommeth the honourable Markgraue with his Officers, you were beſt togo vnto him, and to giue him thankes for hys greate care anddiligence.

Actusquinti, Scæna ſeptima.

Phylopaes,Severvs, Phylocalvs, Gnomaticvs.

Phylopæs.RightHonourable, we are bound to yéelde you humble and harty thanks, forthat (as we vnderſtand) you haue vſed great paine and diligence inapprehending of a lewde company, who haue (as wée ſée now) ſeducedour children, and made them to neglecte the holſome preceptes whichtheir faithfull enſtructer had giuen them.

Seuerus.Surely I haue done my beſt (in diſcharge of my duty) to apprehendthem, and I haue examined them alſo, but truly I can not findehitherto any pr∞feagainſt them, whereby they ought to be puniſhed: and though Ideſire (as much as you) to ſée them condingly corrected, yet without pr∞feof ſome offence I ſhould therin commit a wrong. True it is thatEcchoisknowen 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 Ihaue ſéene or knowen by her. Shée confeſſeth that PhyloſarchusandPhylautuswerethere one night at a banquet, and that Phyloſarchusſhould haue ſupped there the ſame night that they were taken, andwhen I aſke her to what end, ſhe anſwereth that he was a ſuter toher for mariage, and for witneſſe bringeth in her Aunt as g∞das her ſelfe, in the meane time I haue no pr∞feof euill wherwith to burthen her. And then maiſter Eccho(onthat other ſid) he ſtandeth as ſtiffe as may be, and ſaith thathe knoweth not whether Phyloſarchusſhouldhaue ſupped there or not, and for lack of pr∞feI am able to go no furder.

Phylocalus.YeaSir but doubtles that Ecchowasthe firſt cauſe of their acquayntaunce, for the firſt tyme that mySonne was there, was one aftern∞ne,at which tyme Ecchocameto their Sch∞leMaſter in your name, and craued liberty for them to come and ſpeakewyth you.

Seuerus.With me?

Gnomaticus.YeaSir doubtleſſe, and when I gaue them leaue to come vnto you, theyreturned (after two or thrée howers reſpyte) and ſayde that youknew them not when they came there, and that Ecchoſaidhe had miſtaken the Scholemaſter and the ſchollers.

Seuerus.Saydthey thus of me?

Gnomaticus.Yeatruely ſir.

Seuerus.Andſayd they that they had béen with me?

Gnomaticus.Sir I woulde bée lothe to ſay ſo if it were otherwiſe, andfurthermore 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 bythis meanes I haue good cauſe to puniſh Maſter Eccho,and I pray you Maſter Gnomaticusgowith me vnto him, and you ſhal heare what anſwer he is able to makevnto theſe matters.

Gnomaticus.Withright good will ſir I wil wayte vpon you. Worthy gentlemen, you ſhaldo wel to conſider in the meane time vpon that which I laſt toldeyou as myne oppinion.

Actusquinti, Scœnaoctaua.

Phylopaes,Phylocalvs.

Phylopæs.Theaduice which maſter Gnomaticushathgeuen vs, doth not miſlike mee altogether, but ſtill my minde ismore and more vexed with doubt, leaſt in the meane time (and beforeFiduscancome at them) they fall into ſome notable miſhap by theyrmiſgouernment.

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

Phylopæs.Truely it is in deede a great comfort that eyther of vs may take inour yonger Sonnes, but if wée haue loſt the elder (as I feare itmuch) what a corroſiue will that be vnto vs? Oh how I feele myfearefull harte panting in my reſtles breſt? the Father of heauenvoucheſafe to ſend mee ioyfull newes of Phylautus.Owretched Phylopaesthou are like vnto a couetous man, which hauing aboundance is yetneuer contented, thou art alreadie ſure of ſuch ofſpring as maygiue thee cauſe to reioyce, and yet thy minde is not ſatiſfied,vnleſſe all thinges might fall out vnto thine owne deſire, andthou maiſt be compared to the patient which crieth out before theChirurgions inſtrument do touch him, becauſe thou conceiueſt inthy imagynation, the dread which tormenteth all thy thoughts. Butalas why do I not prepare this wretched corpes of mine, to be apreſent 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 willdo ſo.

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

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

PhylocalusGo we, I will go to your houſe for companie.

Actusquinti, Scæna nona.

Severvs,Gnomaticvs, Fidvs. Ambidexter.

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

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

Fidus.Ohthat I coulde tell where to fynde my Maſter.

Gnomaticus.Itis Fidus,God graunt he bring good tidings.

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

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

Fidus.Omaſter GnomaticusIknowe no man whom I wuld rather haue preſently then you, O Sir I amvnhappy, for I am the meſſenger of the moſt wofull newes that euermy maſter receyued, for gods loue accompanie me vnto him that youmight 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, aſwellfor thy fidelitie, as alſo for the excéeding greate ſpéede whichthou haſt made, but I pray thée tell vs firſt (in the preſence ofthe right honorable Markegraue) the whole circumſtance & effectof theſe thy newes, which thou ſayeſt are ſo ſorowfull.

FidusSir ſince you will néedes haue it, my maſter hath loſt his eldeſtSonne, and Maſter Phylocalushathlittle better then loſt his alſo.

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

Fidus.Iwill 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,Noſir, but Phylomuſuswasſent by the whole conſent of the vniuerſity vnto the Palſgraue tobe his ſecretary, whereas he yet remaineth in g∞deſtimation, and Phylotimuswasgone vnto Geneua,moued with an earneſt zeale and ſpirit, and there he is in ſingulercommendation and much followed.

Gnomaticus.and what was become (the meane while) of PhylautusandPhyloſarchus?Theywere ſtill at Dowaywerethey not?

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

GnomaticusWhy then they taryed not for Eccho,asthe letters emported that they would haue done.

Fidus.O Sir they had aduertiſement that Ecchowasapprehended, and that haſtened their departure.

Gnomaticus.And by what meanes knew they of it?

Fidus.There was one DickeDroom acompanion of Ecchoes,which came vnto them and tolde them the whole diſcourſe, wherevpponthey fledde with him immediately.

Seuerus.Such a one was preſente in déede when Ecchowastaken, and becauſe mine officers knew him not, nor had anycommiſſion to ſearch for him, therefore they ſuffered him todeparte.

Fidus.Out vppon him, I would to God they had made him ſafe alſo, for hehath bin the caſting away of Phylautus.Phylautus,Phyloſarcus, Dick Droom withmy frend Ambidexterhere, went out of Dowaytogether,and bicauſe my maiſters charge was that I ſhould followe where ſoeuer they went, I followed as faſt as I could by enquiry, and within thrée or foure dayes iourney, I heard that Phyloſarcusbythe helpe of this g∞dcompanion Ambidexterhadgotten a fair minion forſ∞th,and ſtayed with her at Bruſſelles,fromwhence PhylautusandDyckeDroom departed,and t∞ketheir way togither vp towardes Germany,nowPhyloſarchusandhis cariage held their way (as it was ſaide) towards Fraunce.WhenI ſawe that they were ſo parted, and that I could not followe bothcompanies at once, I thought beſt to holde on my way towardes thePalſgraues Court, & hoped that by the way I might yet chance toheare of Phylautus,and in very déede I heard of ſuch a one at ſundrie places, and atlaſt I heard of him expreſſedly, for the day before I came to thePalſgraues Court, he was there executed for a robbery with DickeDroom,yeaeuen in ſight of his Brother, and notwithſtanding the fauour thathée is in there, ſuch ſeuere execution of iuſtice is thereadminiſtred.

Seuerus.It is a happy common wealth where Iuſtice may be miniſtred withſeueritie, and where no mediacions or ſutes may wreſt the ſentenceof the Lawe.

Fidus.When I had there receyued theſe heauy newes, I t∞keletters of diſpatch and aduertiſement from Philomuſustohis Father, & croſſed ouer the Countrey towards Geneua.Andlong before I came thether Phyloſarchushadbin there (for fornication) whipped openly thrée ſeuerall dayes inthe market, and was baniſhed the Towne with great infamie,notwithſtanding that his Brother Phylotimuswasan earneſt ſuter vnto the congregation for him. When I perceyuedthat none other iſſue could be had of my trauaile, I t∞keletters from Phylotimus,and ſought no further after Phyloſarchus,but thought my duty firſt to aduertiſe my maiſter of thecertainty, and by my way homewardes I ouert∞kethis g∞dfellowe Ambidexterinſuch aray as you ſée, and haue brought him with me to abide ſuchpuniſhment as the worthy Markgraue here and other magiſtrates ſhallthinke meete for him.

Ambidexter.Oh Sir be g∞dvnto 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 notbin through the helpe of thée and ſuch as thou art, ſuch lewdeſeruauntes as thou art, are the caſting away of many toward youngperſonages, and therefore ſince thy g∞dhappe hath retourned thée hether, thou ſhalt with the reſt ſerueas an example to all ſeruaunts. But thou canſt tell what is becomeof Phyloſarchus?

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

Seuerus.Well Maſter Gnomaticus,ſinceonley this fellow is recouered, I think méete to hold this courſeof iuſtice, he together with Maſter Ecchoſhallbee whyped aboute the Towne three ſeuerall market dayes, with papersdeclaring their faults ſet vpon their heds, and afterwards theyſhalbe baniſhed the Citie, vppon payne of death neuer to returne, &Miſtreſſe Lamiawithher Aunt ſhall likewyſe be ſet on the Cucking ſt∞lein publique thrée market daies, & then to be baniſhed the Townealſo.

Gnomaticus.Surely you haue well deuiſed, and I beſech you Sir vouchſafe toaſſiſt mee in comforting the wofull Parents PhylopæsandPhylocalus,whoI dare ſay will be ſo ſorowfull for theſe tidinges, that it ſhallbee harde to perſwade them to patience.

Seuerus.It is but a reaſonable requeſt, & I will moſte gladlyaccompany you, go we togethers, and thou Fidushaſtwell deſerued thy freedome, with a better turne for thy faythfullſeruice in this behalfe, and I wilbe a meane vnto thy Maiſter thatthou maiſt bee conſidered accordingly.

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

Finis.

Epilogus.

liue to learne, for ſo Sainct Paule doth teach,
and all thatis, is doone for our auaile:
Both good and bad, may be thewiſemans leach,
The g∞dmay ſerue, to make him beare like ſayle,
The bad to ſhun, thefaults wherin they fayle.
Good wyndes and bad, may ſerue inſundry ſorte,
To bring our barkes, into ſome pleaſant porte.

liſte to learne, what dilligence may do,
what humble minds, byſtudies may attayne,
Let him behold, theſe younger brethrentwo,
Whoſe wits at firſt, did ſéeme to bee but playne,
Yetas you ſee, at laſt they got with payne,
The golden fléeſe,of grace and cunning Skyll,
Before the reſt which folowedwanton will.

ſuch as brag, of quicke capacitie,
Or thinke the field, is w∞newithouten blowes,
Let them behold, the youthfull vanitie:
Ofth’elder twayne, whoſe fancies lightly choſe,
To ſéekedelight, in gariſh grounde that growes.
Yet had by hart, theirmaſters wordes in haſt:
But thinges ſone got, are loſtagaine as faſt.

pr∞fewhereof, behold how ſoone they fell,
From vertues path, totreade in vices tracks,

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

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

in meane while, their Brethren roſe as faſt,
Much like theſnaile, which clymes the Caſtle wall,
With eaſie ſteppes,when ſouldiers downe be caſt,
With furious force, and many ahedlong fall.
Aſſaultes are hotte, but yet if therewithall,
Some temperance, and polycye be vſed,
They winnethoſe fortes, which hotter heades refuſed.

meane but this: you ſée the younger twaine,
(Bycauſe they didin vertue take delight)
They clombe at laſt (and that withpleaſaunt paine,)
To honours Court, wherin their place waspight.
You ſée againe, their Brethren (by delight,
Infilthy luſt, ſelfe loue, and ſuch like mo)
Did fall as faſt,to ſhamefull death and wo.

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

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

IMPRINTEDAT London By H M for Chriſtopher Barker at the ſigne of theGraſſhopper in Paules Churchyarde, AnnoDomini. 1575.