A DECLARATION of al such Tropes, Figures or Schemes, as for excellencie and ornament in wri- ting, are speciallie vsed in this Methode.

Collected and explaned togithers, according to their applications, vsages, and properties.

By Angell Day:

Imprinted at London by P. S. for Cuthbert Burbie. 1599.

To the courteous Reader.

S in the two bookes before going (gentle Reader) my mind and purpose was to set foorth vnto the learner, how much the phrase of our daylie speech by well ordering and deliuerie is graced with Figures and other ornaments of Art, and to such end and purpose, haue I in the margent of euerie Epistle, directlie against the places where they are vsed, quoted them to be seen. I haue now for better supplement of the learners knowledge, determined in this place to make a collection of them all, remembring with my selfe, that vnto such as are vnexperienced in their particular applications, they shall be but of verie slender moment in their quotations, without also they may be instructed by example, how, where, and in what tearmes, wordes or cariage, they are vsed, and wherein, and by what conueyance their efficacies are explaned. For which cause, these briefe instructions following, conteining, as in the title before going, a demonstration of their true & seueral qualities, properties and natures, are to such ende deliuered: wherein my purpose is to omit nothing, which in my poore opinion may seeme vnto this deuised Methode anie wayes furthering. And howbeit my selfe in the writing of these collections, doe well consider the want I haue of other perfections, whereby to ornifie the matter hereof, with examples correspondent, yet shall it by such meanes appeare vnto all fauourers of science, what will and desire I haue to deserue with the best, confessing (as by due proofe I haue found) no speech to be accounted valuable or of weight, that is not graced with these parts. Thus hauing at large expostulated my true meaning herein, I commit the rest to your curteous censures, and my selfe to your good opinions.

Yours, A. D.

OF FIGVRES, TROPES, and Schemes.

Figure is a certaine meane whereby from a simple and ordinarie kinde of speaking, we growe into a more cunning and excellent deliuerie.

A Figure is diuided into Trope and Scheme.

A Trope is as much to say, as a variation of a worde or sentence from the proper & apt signification, vnto another neere vnto the same, sometimes for pleasure, and otherwhile for ornament sake, and there are tropes of words, and tropes of sentences.

A Scheme is a certaine new kinde of forme of writing & speaking, and for the excellencie thereof is called the ornament, light and colours of Rhetoricall spéech.

Betweene a Trope and a Scheme the difference is, that the Trope changeth the signification, as in these wordes Generation of Vipers, meaning thereby homicides of their owne issue or antecessors, as the Viper deuoureth her owne broode. The Scheme hath no change of signification, but retaineth the expresse meaning, as, Can so great anger be in heauenlie mindes? written of Iuno in the Aeneidos of Virgill, whereas anger is indéede onelie a humaine passion, yet without alteration is there allotted vnto the heauenlie Gods. And of some there is helde in them small difference, in so much as often times they runne into one anothers meaning.

The Tropes of wordes, are

MEtaphora, which is, when a worde from the proper or right signification is tanasferred to another neere vnto the meaning, as to saie: We see well, when wee meane wee vnderstande well, or to call them eaters or deuourers of men and houses, who vndo the poore, or extort from them their goods or liuings: or to saie, a homelie or rude speaker doth braie, which to do belongeth to an Asse, or to attribute vnto thinges the properties they haue not, as if we should say, the ground wanting wet, doth thirst for raine, or fruits in their growth do labour, or corne by the statelie length and weightie eare it carrieth, to bee proude, or by Emphasis, that by desire, men are enflamed, by anger kindled, fallen by errour: And lastlie, in prayse of mans ofspring, as to saie, the beautie of his stocke, or to call the place of renowne, the well or seate of glorie, also to say, the showers of speech, flouds of eloquence, onelie for ornament in writing, without anie other proper affinitie, attribution or likelihoode.

Synecdoche, when by one particular we vnderstand a number, as to saie, the braue English was conquerour, as much to saie, as Englishmen were victours, or when by a part wee vnderstande the whole, as to say, a blade for a sworde, a Hall for a house, or when by one thing we vnderstand another, as to say, the highest fall for the deepest fall, the toppe for the bottome, Neptunes reigne for the Sea: or when we put the matter whereof a thing is made, for the thing it selfe: as to saie, the loftie Pine did scowre the Seas, for the ship made of the Pine trée, or thus: With slashing Iron furious on his foes, hee rusht amaine, &c. for with slashing sworde: Likewise hee put spurres to his horse, for hee ranne his horse. They haue liued, that is, they are dead, they flourish, for they are rich, braue or happie.

Metonymia, or transnominatiō, the putting of one name for an other, as the inuenter for the thing inuented, so do we call corne by the name of Ceres, we put Bacchus for wine, Venus for lust, Vulcane for fire, Neptune for the sea, Mars for warre: likewise the continent for that which is contained, as if we should say, acceptable to the heauens, meaning to him that dwelleth in the heauens, a happie soyle, meaning happie people in the soile, hee drunke vp the whole cup before him, for the wine in the cup before him. In like maner when the cause efficient is vnderstood by the effect, as when we say, Pale death, sorrowfull dread, headlong rage, carelesse wine, vnshamefast night: wherein is shewed, that dread causeth sorowe, death palenes, wine carelesnes, and so of the rest. Further, when by her that holdes the Scepter, wee signifie the Queenes Maiestie, and likewise by mentioning the Sword, Magistracy.

Antonomasia, where to the person of anie one, wee giue an other name, then his owne proper, as in stead of Christ, to saie the Holie one of God, or The worlds Sauiour. Or of the Queenes Maiestie, to saie The Virgin Queene, The Royall Maide, with other like appropriations fitting so great an excellencie.

Onomatopœia, where to a thing not hauing a proper terme, wee faine or deuise a name, as to saie, the murmure of the waters, the roring of the cannon, clashing of armour, & such like: where neither murmur, roring nor clashing is by nature to these belonging.

Catachresis where wee accommodate a name to a thing that is not proper, as to saie, lend me your hand, or your aid, which tearme of lending is more proper to money, or things that are borrowed, and to say, mens powers are short, or their counsels long, when in neither of both there is anie such measure.

Metalepsis, or Transumptiō, when by a certaine number of degrees we go beyond that wee intend in troth, and haue meaning to speake of, as to saie: Accursed soile that bred my cause of woe, when we might as well crie out on the parties selfe that hath don the wo, & not to go so far off as to the soile that bred him, or as Penelope bewaling her husbandes ouerlong absence from her, exclaimed in her Epistle to Vlysses, on Paris that had raped Helena, wishing that he and all his fleet had perished, ere the rape had bin committed, intending that by that rape, the Grecians were drawn to the warres, and so the siege for tenne yeares space continued, and ten yeeres after that, her husband forced by many landes and seas to haue wandered. Of the originall cause whereof her iust complaint was deriued.

Tropes of sentences, are

ALlegoria, a kinde of inuerting or change of sence, as when we shew one thing in wordes & signifie another in meaning, a Trope most vsuall amongst vs euen in our common speaking, as when we saie, Bow the With while it is greene, meaning to correct children whilest they bee yong: or, There is no fire without smoake: meaning that there is no ill conceipt without occasion: or, I smell a Rat, that is, I know your meaning, for other applications you haue the same diuerslie quoted in our Epistles to bee seene in their margents.

Ænigma, a darke sentence, or as we ordinarilie say, a riddle, rather vsed in high and déepe mysteries, otherwise conueied sometime in pleasant fancies, then accustomed in other writings.

Parœmia, called amongst vs an Adage or common saying, as thus: Who so toucheth pitch shall bee defiled therewith: It earlie pricketh that wil be a thorn: many hands make light worke, &c.

Ironia, a scoffe or flout, as when wee saie, Alas good man, or to one that hath set debate or contention, you haue spun a faire thred: or to him that hath made a long speach to no purpose, you haue brought forth a mighty mole-hil, or to a lewd person, you are an honest man.

Sarcasmus, a bitter bob as wee saie, or enuious derision, as of one arraigned for fellonie, to twit him, that hee had like to haue knockt his head against the gallowes, or of one suffering for treason to saie, that it made him hop headlesse.

Asteismus, a smooth, as we call it, as when one tels a thing repugnant to the present matter or companie, to saie, I had as lieue he told me it snew, when neither the time of the yeare, or present weather admitteth it snowe. Or when one misseth of a number, to bid him take a sticke and tell it, or telling a lie, to bid him take the haire from his lips.

Antiphrasis, when a word scornefullie deliuered, is vnderstoode by his contrarie, as of a dwarfe, to saie in iest, what a gyant haue we here, or of him that telleth a matter ordinarie for strange, to saie, what a wonder telleth he, or to say, the man hath a sharpe wit, when we intend he hath a verie blunt capacitie, or of a blacke Moore woman, to saie, Will ye see a faire pigion.

Charientismus, as when we scoffe a man in his threatning mood to say, O good words, I pray you, or kill vs not at the first dash, or, Bite not my nose off I pray you, and such like.

Hyperbole, when for the manifestation of a thing vehement or exceeding, the wordes of our speach doe goe beyonde credite, as to saie, It woulde haue made a stonie hearte to weepe: hee wearied the heauens with his clamour: Shee was fairer then beautie herselfe, more cruell then Nero or Phaleris: Worse then the Deuill: Whiter then snowe: sighing without ceasing, and infinite such like.

Schemes Syntaxicall, are,

Clipsis, that is a defect of sence in a word or necessarie reason, aunswerable to the due construction, as when hauing spoken sufficientlie of a matter, we close vp the sentence with these wordes, But this for that let be, and now to the rest, where after let be, this worde (sufficient) seemeth to be wanting. Likewise, what might be more in the matter? for what might be more don or spoken in the matter. Also to saie, you are not to aunswere or compare with him, for you are not meete, sufficient, or able to answere or compare with him. Or otherwise to say, A man of so rare vertue, so deeplie to be ouerseene, for, is it true that a man of so rare vertue shoulde so deeply be ouerseene.

Aposiopesis, when by passing to another matter, we stop our spéech on a sudden, as it were in an interrupted or discontented mood, as to say, Are these the practises you take in hand? be these your deuises? hath your worthy courage endeuored so mighty effectes? But I will first tame your courses, and for the residue, I wil hold you in so bridled a meane, that my selfe will warrant you henceforth from any such like further proceedings. Or thus, Vngratefull creature, hast thou dealt wel with me in thus conspiring my ill that haue euer sought thy good? Wel, I wil saie no more, but for thee & thy complices I wil take order well inough to stay you. Or otherwise by way of a fearful rehearsall thus: What euill was there whereunto we were not subiect? But whie dwell I in circumstances? wee were the men allotted to that purpose.

Zeugma, when one or more clauses are concluded vnder one verbe, as to saie, His loosenesse ouercame all shame: his boldnesse, feare: his madnesse, reason: where all these clauses are concluded vnder this one verbe, Ouercame. Or thus: What auaileth it to shrine so much this vaine beauty, which either by long sicknesse, extremity of old age, infinite sorrowes and cares, or a thousand mishaps besides, is euery day in daunger or subiect to bee vtterlie crased: In which all the clauses before going are concluded in this one verbe is in danger, &c.

Syllepsis, when one verbe supplieth two clauses, one person two roomes, or one word serueth to manie sences, as thus: He runs for pleasure, I for feare: where this verbe run, serueth to both purposes: also thus: But scorning so to be reproued, and with a manly resolution by one stroke giuen, he acquited his shame, his credit, and his person, where this one worde acquite serueth to all clauses aforegoing and following.

Prolepsis, where some thing generallie first spoken, is afterwards drawne into partes, as thus: Let vs take vpon vs one selfe charge, I to direct abroad, you to order at home. Or otherwise: Men diuerslie do erre, some by an ignoraunt simplicitie, others by a most peruerse follie.

Pleonasmus, where with words seeming superfluous, we do increase our reasons, as thus: With these eares I heard him speake it: Or with mine eies I behelde him sorrowing, where we well knowe that without eares or eies, we cannot wel heare or see, yet carieth this kind of spéech, a vehemency in enforcing the matter so plainelie, or throughlie to be hard or séene.

Macrologia, where a clause is finallie added to the matter going before, in seeming more then néeded, as, Men of so high and excelling vertue, let them euer liue, and neuer die, here neuer die, seemeth superfluous, and yet notable wel adorneth the sentence.

Anastrophe, a preposterous inuersion of wordes, besides their common course, as when we say: for faults, no man liueth without, when order requireth we should saie: No man liueth without faults: Long when he had confusedly thus liued, for when he had long time thus confusedlie liued.

Hysteron proteron, where that which ought to be in the first place, is put in the second, as thus: After hee had giuen saile to the winde, and taken the Seas, for after he had taken the seas, and giuen saile to the wind. Also, That which of all others is most sacred and permanent, honoured, and euer shining vertue, chuse vnto your selues: for chuse vnto your selues honored and euer shining vertue, which of all others is most sacred and permanent: or, as commonly we say in our English spéech, Pull off my bootes and spurs.

Tmesis of Diacope, a diuision of a word compound into two parts, as, What might be soeuer vnto a man pleasing, that had he, for whatsoeuer might be, &c. Hither should he haue come to, when he finished his argument: for hitherto should he haue come, &c.

Parenthesis, an intercluding of a sentence in any reason commonlie set betweene two halfe circles, as thus: I am content (not in respect you deserue so much at my hands) onelie for pitie sake to hearken ynto you, the knowledge hereof is ordinarie, and therefore I néede speake the lesse of it.

Hypallage, when by change of propertie in application a thing is deliuered, as to saie, Darkesome wandring by the solitary night, for wandring solitarilie by the darkesome night, or the wicked wound thus giuen, for hauing thus wickedlie wounded him. The vse hereof in Poesie is most rife.

Hendiadis, when one thing of it selfe intire, is diuersly layde open, as to saie, On iron and bit he champt, for on the iron bitte hee champt: And part and pray we got, for part of the pray: Also by surge and sea we past, for by surging sea we past. This also is rather Poeticall then other wise in vse.

Asyndeton, when two or thrée clauses or more disioyned do follow one another, as to saie his house, his land, his purse, himselfe, his life, were all at his commaund. Or thus, he scapte, he ran, he rusht, and fled away. Or otherwise, thy fame, thy wealth, thy friends, thy kin, and all hast thou lost togithers.

Polysyndeton, when in like sort by many coniunctions sundrie words one following the other are vnited together, as thus, Both sworde and fire and dearth, three dreadfull scourges of the war were alwayes attendant vpon him. Or thus, with faith and troth and plighted heart, and loue he made him hers, &c.

Hirmos, where a continuance of speech is vsed, vntill the ende of the clause, as God in the beginning made heauen, earth, sea, firmament, sunne, moone, starres, and all things in them contained: where you see all these words, heauen, earth, &c. haue all one continuance vntill the last end of the sentence.

Epitheton, when for ornament sake we adde vnto a worde, or for mislike do attribute somewhat vnto the same, as when for ornament we say, Sweet beautie, precious loue, friendlie fortune: Or contrariwise in mislike, vnbrideled lust, filthie gaine, wicked guile, deceitfull fauour, fond fancie, &c.

class="antiqua"Periphrasis, when by circumlocution anie thing is expressed, as when we say, The Prince of Peripateticks, for Aristotle, the subuerter of Carthage and Numantia, for Scipio. A man studious of wisedome, for a Philosopher: A man diuerslie enriched, for one that is wealthie, &c.

Liptote, when by the lesse that is spoken, the more maie bee vnderstood, as thus: What auaileth it that thou dost not despise me, which is by the contrarie, that thou louest mee, the deliuerie thereof is singular by the negatiue, for that giueth grace to the Figure, as it discontenteth me not to heare of you, but it griueth me to heare ill of you. We are not so ignorant of things, but we can perceiue somewhat. That is in the one, it pleaseth mee well to heare of you, and in the other, we haue skill to discerne of things, and thereby can perceiue somewhat.

Paradiastole, when with a milde interpretation or spéech we colour others or our owne faults, as when we call a subtill person, wise: a bold fellow, couragious: a prodigall man liberall: a man furious or rash, valiant: a parasite, a companion: him that is proud, magnanimous, and such like.

Meosis, a maner of disabling, as when we saie, Alas sir, it is not in my power to doe it: or otherwise, little God wot could man doe in such a case.

Schemes Rhetoricall, are

ANaphora, or Repetitiō, where by rehearsall of one worde wee make sundrie beginnings, as to saie, Learning bringeth to knowledge, learning maketh wise, learning enableth to vertue, learning is the ornament of the minde, finallie, learning is the onelie substantiall proppe and guide of mans life, without which nothing in a manner can bee pleasant, nothing sauourie, nothing of value, &c. Or thus, hauing committed so great euils, couldest thou yet dare to come in open shewe of the worlde, couldest thou dare to shewe thy selfe in the face of men, couldest thou dare to bee seene of anie one, that hast thus generallie deserued to bee hated of all: Or otherwise thus, When death commeth to chalenge his due, what then shall auaile beautie, what youth, what riches, what strength? where then shall become thy landes, where thy reuenue, where thy possessions? who shall argue thy cause, who stande for thee, who plead for thee?

Epanalepsis, when with one selfe word, we doe both begin and finish a sentence, the vse hereof is méerelie appropriate to Poesie, Much asked he of Priams state, of Hector verie much.

Epizeuxis, or a redoubling of a word, by vehemencie to expresse a thing, as thus: Thou thou art he on whom I liue to be reuenged. He, he it was that wrought all my care. Thus, thus behooueth men of vertue and courage to doe.

Anadiplosis, when the last word of a comma or member of a sentence, is the beginner of another that followeth, as heauens witnes my fall, my fall more grieuous then may be well supported by common sorrow: or thus, Fie, too much vngratefull, vngratefull to mee of all others, that so much at thy hands haue deserued.

Antistrophe, where manie members are drawne to ende with one and the same worde, as, we haue our felicitie of vertue, our renowne of vertue, our hope and expectation of vertue. Or thus: men from their errours are reclaimed by loue, reclaimed by hope, reclaimed by feare.

Symploche, where sundrie members haue one selfe beginning and ending, as thus, If we shall debate of the times present, what is I pray you the cause of all these euils? money: what hath beene the decay of our estimate? money: what the ruine of our soules? money: what the torment of our conscience? money: what the meane of all ambitious aspirings, treacheries, and villanies? money: In fine, this cursed and wretched title of gaine is it that bewitcheth all ages and seasons, and that onelie by a seruile regarde and account giuen vnto money: Or otherwise thus in contempt. What sillie soule wast thou when I beganne first to like thee? nothing. What when I tooke thee? nothing. What before I cherished and regarded thee? nothing. And now that by me thou hast beene made somthing, thou esteemest me as nothing.

Ploche, when by an Emphasin, a worde is either in praise or disgrace, reiterated or repeated, as thus: Though Scipio were neuer so much terrified with the Carthaginians in Spaine, with the Numidians in Affricke, with aduersaries abroade, and with priuie enemies at home, yet ceased he not to be Scipio still, that is, sui similis, like vnto himselfe still.

Polyptoton or Traductiō, when one worde is often repeated by varietie of cases, as thus: Who hath in his life nothing so much pleasing as the verie life it selfe which he enioyth, it is impossible that his life with vertue should anie wayes be adorned: or by translating of one worde into diuers formes, as thus: What manhoode call you this, so vnmanlie to deale in those actions, that speciallie appertaineth to a man? Here is this word manhood translated into vnmanlie man.

Membrum, or Parison, when one or moe members doe followe in equall sentences, as thus: See now by one fault how manie mischiefs thou hast heaped to thy selfe, thou hast consumed thy patrimonie, grieued thy parents, estranged thy friends, defamed thy stocke, vndone thy kindred, and heaped mischiefe a thousand folde to thy selfe more then can be auoided: or thus with copulation: neither hast thou herein dealt discreetlie for thy selfe, nor respected thy frends, nor regarded thy being, nor studied of the euill, nor cared for the good that might happen, but leauing al at randon, thou hast done what in thee lieth to worke all our vndoing.

Omoioteliton, or similiter cadens, when words and sentences in one sort do finish togithers, as thus: Weeping, wailing, and her handes, wringing, she moued all men to pitie her. Or thus: Thou liuest maliciouslie, speakest hatefully, and vsest thy selfe cruelly. Or thus: Wee find it much better of wise men to be rebuked, then by filthie flatterie to be fondly deceyued.

Prosonomasia, pleasant kind of collusion in words, in significations diuers, only by changing, detracting, or adding a letter or sillable in a word, as to say, No doubt he is a foole wise man, for a full wise man, for a Doctor, a Doter, or otherwise, thou art no bewraier, but a betraier of mens counsels. Of one religious thou art become prodigious.

Antanaclasis, when we produce a word in a contrary signification to that it commonlie portendeth: as to saie, For my kindnesse you haue vsed me kindly, meaning indeede you haue vsed mee verie badly. And I can bee contented to pray with you though you pray not vppon me. Where this worde kindly is applied to the worser part, which of it selfe carieth as wee see a far other meaning: and likewise pray in one sence being to entreate, is in another sense intended here to spoile. And as another said to a rude fellow, you are too course to keepe course in our companie, here is course for rudenes, and course in another sense for good order.

Erotema or Interrogatiō, when by interrogation we sift out anie thing somtimes by demand, as to saie, But you sir, now frō whence I pray you, deriue you your fancie? by asseueration, as to saie: Haue you not in this action behaued your selfe excellent well? By commiseration, as to saie: Alas what grounde may holde mee, what lande or shore may possesse mee, circumuented as I am with so many euils? By vrging, as thus,What hadst thou to intermeddle in so bad a company? How long shall wee bee thus abused with so fained treachery? Art thou not ashamed seeing thy purposes thus reuealed? Perceiuest thou not thy driftes to bee all discouered? By indignation, as to saie, Shall I yet couer thy villanies being at thy handes thus hatefully misused? or thus, Wicked and peruerse kinde of people, howe long will you thus hatefully deale with your fauorers? By admiration, as to saie, Good Lord, who woulde haue thought so much loosenesse in so chaste a countenance! But what is it that this blind and sottish loue draweth not a man headlong into? And lastly, by doubting, as thus: What shall I say, or what further speeches may I vse to withdraw you from these euils? Or otherwise: Whither shall I turne me to speake vnto you, or what wordes may I vse whereby to withdraw you from these vanities?

Anthypophora or Subiectiō, when to a question asked by vs, we answere of our selues in our own reasonings, the maner whereof is accomplished three kinde of waies, as first when wee obiect vnto our selues that which to others might be obiected, and answere it againe. Secondlie, when we do (as it were) vrge those we speake vnto to answere vs, and so answering, do confute their sayinges. Thirdlie, when in a deliberatiue sort we propound diuers things, and refute them all one after another. Example of the first maie bee this. Is this a maner of discipline? Doe men in such sort deliuer their instructions? Had they for this cause the authoritie of tutors to them giuen, that in vanities and misliked pleasures, they who are committed vnto their charge, shoulde consume their youth vnder them? Beleeue me I am of a farre other opinion, neither do I thinke, that the reasonable time of young men, being now fittest of all others for anie vertuous impression, shoulde thus cautelouslie be deluded of that, whereunto both their parents and birth do commend them. Of the second, this: Nowe after al these proofes of the happie comming and acknowledgement of our true and onelie Messias: Let me speake vnto you againe, yee Iewes, enemies, and maligners of our sole and onelie God and Sauiour Christ Iesus, with what reasons strengthned doe you persist in your madnes? Stande ye vpon the Oracles of Prophets? Wee haue made plaine vnto you that they are wholie for vs. Looke ye after Moyses? It was only of our Christ, and none other that he that written. Waite ye on Types and Figures? They all in one do agree to bee in him fulfilled. Preferre you vnto vs miracles? Who could desire more then by him was shewed. Bring you against vs a number of consents? Alas you onely bring the smallest number, and lurking as it were in a corner, are the gainsayers of trueth itselfe, sith the whole world round about you doth witnes for vs. Doth the hope of any euent yet a little detaine you? Beholde your temple long since subuerted: your sacrifices quenched, your Citie rased, your people runnagate and dispersed, nor anie hope at all left vnto you to be relieued but by the clemencie of the Christians. Of the thirde, this. Tell mee I praie, what or wherein is it, that a worldlie man hath such meane to glorie in? wherein shoulde hee bee proude, or for what cause should he thus puffe vp himselfe in vanitie? Is it for his riches? they neuer make a man either happy or blessed, so farre off are they many times from anie such euent, as often wee do see that they are the verie cause of their owners destructions, they sundrie waies are meanes to inconueniences, and in our owne sight forsake their maisters in their life times, but seldome followe them for ought wee see to their graues. Is it for children? The keeping of them is then of riches far more vncertaine. Is it in respect of a wife, familie and other such like commodities? they are vexations, cares and griefes, nothing in them stable, nor such as may induce a man to any hoped tranquility, &c. There is also of this sort another example, by an immediate answere to euerie question, as thus: Wherfore then is the law? for transgressors, wherefore reward? for wel-doers. Or thus: Where is now their pride? vanished. Where are their boasts? deluded. Came they to aide vs? no, rather to suppresse vs. Came they to comfort vs? no, but to kill vs.

Antenagoge, when hauing spoken as it were in the dispraise or mislike of a thing, we goe about to helpe the same againe with a new colour to the matter: As to saie, It is a thing difficult to attain learning, but yet verie commodious. It is tedious to trauell for sundry knowledges, but vnto our liues it is a thing most necessary.

Ecphonesis or Exclamatiō, which hath signification of griefe or indignation of a thing, as of griefe thus, O cruell and lamentable times wherein wee liue, subiect as wee are to so manifolde miseries! Of indignation thus. O incredible boldnesse, or rather impudencie of a shamelesse creature: not fit to bee suffered. Neither is this manner speaking, alwaies framed by the Interiection O, but rather otherwise, as thus: Vnhappie man, made vnhappie by so great a misfortune, what vnkinde destiny droue him to so imminent a perill? Howe miserable and vncertaine is the state and condition of man, subiect to so many and so huge calamities? Or otherwise, What kind of people are you to rage in so vile a madnesse? Was euer seene a multitude so fierce, a company so carelesse, an assemblie so desperate? What inconsiderate dealing do you vse? I shame to see you, & grieue to behold you, &c.

Insultatiō, when iniuriously, or by a contumelious reproch we insult vpon a mans doings, as thus: Trudge on with thy mischiefs, proceed in these thy insatiable cruelties, and he that hath power ouer al, wil one day I hope correct thee. Or otherwise, Pursue I pray you your glorious enterprise, you haue, no doubt, very waightily begun, & we cannot but expect thereof a notable issue.

Aporia or Dubitatiō, when wee make staie or doubt howe to tearme a thing, or which waie to wade in a matter, as thus: What shoulde I say, was it anger or an inueterate malice that led him to this mischiefe? Shall I cal him cunning as cautelous, that procured it, and so well could shift himselfe of it? Or otherwise thus: May hee bee said to be beloued, or rather fortunate or blessed, to haue escaped such daungers? is it to bee tearmed clemencie or rather piety to vse one so miserable with great curtesie. Or thus: I am not well perswaded what course to take in these causes, shall I begin where others haue left? or of my selfe shall I renewe againe vnto you what you haue so often heard? &c.

Paradoxon, affined vnto that before, but with a kinde of maruelling or woondering thereunto added, as thus: Could it possibly bee thought that learning and place of good education might euer haue produced such monstrous effectes? Or otherwise: I haue great maruell that men so generous, should so quickly be diuerted from their honest purposes. Or thus: I woulde neuer haue beleeued that such graue and considerate counsels shoulde so easily haue beene subuerted.

Epitropis, when by proposing a cause, wee reason what should bee done therein, as thus: In times so troublesome and seasons so tempestious, giue now your aduise what is fit to bee done. If the case were your owne, what would you doe, what would you say therein, tell me I pray you, you that conuerse in these and such like actions, I herein appeale vnto your wisdomes, your owne consciences, shewe me but your mindes herein. And this figure is vsed in reasoning, when as to conclude a matter, and seeming loath to trouble the auditorie anie further in the same, we pretend to reserue a great part thereof, which we would refer to their iudgements.

Parresia, or libertie to speake, when by winning of curtesie to our spéech we séek to auoid any offence thereof, as thus. Pardon if I be tedious, the circumstance of the cause requireth it. If my speech seeme vehement, the matter occasioning the same is vrgent. If what I write seeme offensiue vnto you, you haue to mislike the ill disposition of such as inforce it, and not with me to be agreeued.

Apostrophe, or Auersio, when wee turne our speeches from one person or thing to another, as if one hauing spoken much of the vanitie of the worlde shoulde thereupon turne and saie vnto the worlde, O world, how sweete and pleasant are the shewes of those things which thou producest: but in taste, how full of too much bitternes? Or in speaking of the certaintie of death, and the little respect thereof had, to turne a mans speach to death it selfe and saie, O death, how bitter is thy remembrance to a man hauing peace and plenty in his riches, &c.

Prosopopœia when to things without life wee frame an action, spéech or person, fitting a man, as if we should saie of vertue, as of a liuing person, that her wayes were sweet, and replenished with all maner of delight, that she putteth her selfe foorth to the woorthiest to be receyued, and to the most honoured to be embraced. Or faine the ghosts from out their graues to prescribe good examples, or to rebuke the vices of men. Or our countrey to accuse vs of our negligent regard vnto it in these or suchlike speeches: Vnkind people and Citizens whom I haue ingendred in my bowels, nourished with my paps, fostered with my delights, why doe you thus vngratefullie not onelie abstaine to tender mee, but giue mee an open proy to my foes to suppresse mee: yea, which is most loathsome of all others, become proper murtherers and paracides of your owne parentage and familie, cruell destroyers of your owne patrimonie, and wretched renders and tearers of your mothers bowels, without all regard or pitie.

Synonymia, when we bring foorth many wordes together of one signification, or sounding all to one purpose, as to say, thou hast spoiled thy Countrey, destroied thy Citie, and turned the Commonweale topsie-turuie: all which do sort but to one purpose, for the expressing the hatefulnesse of the iniurie: or otherwise to say, What head hadst thou to deuise such a thing, where was thy wit when thou wentst about it, what became of thy minde in purposing the same, whither was thy discretion caried in the prosequution? Here is head, wit, minde and discretion, all sorting to one thing. Also, what desirest thou, what soughtest thou, what couldest thou wish or expect in the action. Here is desired, sought, wish and expect, being all to one meaning.

Auxesis or Incrementum, where by degrees we not onlie rise to the summe of euerie thing, but also sometimes go beyond, as to say, Hee first set vpon him with reproachfull wordes, after assayled him with his weapons, then wounded him, and lastlie did moste miserablie murther him. Here by degrees is passed to the last exigent. Now to the second. It is euill to reproch, wicked to slaunder, villanous vnwarilie to strike, detestable to murther. What shall I say to betray a man to all these. Here is nowvltra summum, beyond all that was spoken to the vttermost. The excellencie of this Figure is so much the more, by howe much euerie degrée is still inforced one aboue another, and goeth beyonde in comparison, as to say: golde, riches, honour, estate, treasure, kingdomes, life, and all he helde of no moment. Another kinde of recitall pertaineth also to this figure short in repetition, but for vehemencie wonderfull, as to say: Thou hast conspired the death of thy Prince, and in her the subuersion of a whole kingdome, what should I say thou hast conspired the death of thy Prince. As who would enforce that no one thing then that could be greater: Finallie, for inforcement of a thing, to say in reprehension of follies. If thou hadst done or spoken this in a priuate audience, among men of the ruder and meaner sort, among such as are lesse capable of skill then a great many others, thy fault could not haue beene hid: but to doe it before thy betters, in the presence of such as are adiudged both honorable and wise, in the hearing of those of great account of such as haue power to checke, and authoritie to compell thee, it was too peeuish.

Sinathrismus, a heaping of words diuersly signifying togithers, as to say, Hee was a man wholie malicious, exceedinglie proude, vtterlie arrogant, altogither subtill, by nature cruell, and in speeches contentious. Or otherwise thus: What should I tell thee further of his partes, how wise, how sober, how honest, howe courteous, howe friendly, how choicelie he liued.

Brachiologa, when in single wordes without anie coupling togethers, we procéed in a broken kind of deliuerie, and yet hasten forward as in the other: As to saie, loue, hate, Ielousie, frensie, furie, drew him from pitty.

Antithesis, or Contentiō, when we amplifie by contraries, as to say, Being in my power to vse as I listed, I cared for thee, and did not destroy thee. Thou wast charie vnto me whē no man regarded thee, and when my selfe also might haue despised thee. Or otherwise: If you doe that is good, you haue the rewarde of praise, if you prosecute badnesse, your merite is euill. Or thus: To thy enimyes and those that maligne thee, thou art placable: to thy friendes, inexorable. In coole matters thou art hotte: in the hottest causes, colde: Art thou called? Thou art gone. Thy absence required? we cannot be rid of thee.

Epanodis, carrieng a reference to the matter preceding, much like to the figureProlepsis, but that yᵉ figure Prolepsis, hath relation onelie to the matter, this to the matter and tearmes therein vsed, the difference whereof you maie see in some of mine epistles as the same is quoted in the margent where the figure is vsed.

Comparatiō, which taketh his increase of smaller matters, which if they may séeme great in all opinions, then that which we séeke to amplifie must of necessitie séeme greater, sometimes also by diminution of things great, to make the residue the greater, example of the first may bee that saying of Cicero of Catiline, in these wordes, Did the famous Scipio for a little ill gouernment of the common weale, cause Tiberius Gracchus priuatelie to bee made awaie: and shall wee preferre Catiline that goeth about to fill the whole worlde with his slaughters? Here is Catiline compared to Gracchus, the state of a common wealth to the whole worlde, a small sliding to an insufferable wasting, and a priuate man to the whole Senate. Or otherwise thus: Tell mee I praie thee, if one had giuen thee but a small summe of money to comfort thy neede withall, were it not humanitie to thanke him: If hee had giuen thee possessions to liue vppon, were it not honestie to requite him: If of a slaue hee made thee rich, shouldest thou not bee bounden vnto him? Howe much more then to him that hath not alonelie done all these, but farre more then these vnto thee, oughtest thou in the verie bondes of nature and courtesie to bee both thankefull and louing? Example of the seconde sort for diminution might bee this: What is it that you propose vnto mee these small matters of vnkindnesse, as that the man is ingratefull, that hee hath no good remembraunce of courtesies, that there is in him not so much as an acknowledgement, which is a thing farre from requitall, these I must confesse are iniuries to some, but vnto mee they are trifles, matters of no moment, things not to bee reckoned of: what say you to him that betrayeth his friend, seeketh his death that hath sought his life, worketh by all possible meanes his ouerthrow, his destruction and vndoing? And in this exaggeration of vices, so also might there bee the like of Vertues, as if one should exhort a man to Pietie, after hee had set foorth all the commodities thereof, as the tranquilitie of minde, peace of conscience, libertie of spirit, the communion with Saints, from a bonslaue of the diuell to become the childe of God, the comfort of the holie Ghost which the Prophet denieth may be by man conceyued: he might lastlie adde, what thinges then these in all the worlde could be greater, what more singular, what more happie, and yet if they be conferred vnto that blessed heritage of immortalitie, if to the life and ioyes to come, if to that heauenlie Ierusalem, which certainlie remaineth for all such as are endued with such a spirit: they are toies and things of no excellencie or moment.

Metonoia, when by a sudden restraint of spéech, wee giue grace or mislike to a person, or thing, as to saie, worthilie atchieued? nay rather honourablie attained, a man notable, we maie rather saie, singular: Ah cruell man, and no man neither, but a beast: Oh rare clemencie, or rather most admirable patience. Hee is no thiefe, but a rauener: no murtherer, but a tyrant.

Aphorismus, a Scheme, like vnto the other, but differing by a maner of reprehension, as to saie, What lawes bee these, if at least wise they may be termed lawes, which beare in them so vile customs, and not rather firebrands of the citie, and the plague of the whole common weale. Or otherwise: your counsellers, if such may be called counsellers, as draw vnto mischiefe, are vtterlie vnmeete to such kinde of assemblies.

Diminutiō, when we goe about to extenuate things difficult, to make them lesse in seeming, as to one that would shun learning, for the tediousnesse thereof in studie: We might shew, that besides the great necessitie thereof in the life of man, wee shall in attaining thereof, take no other nor more laboursome course, then others before vs haue done: that the way thereunto is verie plaine and easie, the labour (if anie be) sweet and pleasant. And whereas in all our ordinarie exercises of vanitie, there redoundeth for the most part in the ende but meere trauaile, and vnprofitable charge: in this the commoditie is as great as the delight, the gaine as ordinarie as the practise, wherein the studie is but the least part of a mans life, but the pleasure and commodity infinite. And like as in this, so in all other things, conducing to good and laudable exercises, the labour is still diminished, by proposing the worthines, pleasure, honour, profit, and so of euils commonlie, by mitigation of the fault.

Climax, or Gradatiō, when each member in a sentence ariseth from the other afore going, beginning with that which endeth the former, as to say, His industrie bred him vertue: his vertue, praise: his praise, renowne: his renowne, glorie: and his glorie enuie. Or thus: What hope haue we of good, if what men list, they may; and what they may they do, and what they doe they dare, and what they dare they prosecute, and what they prosecute, they are neuer ashamed of.

Antimetauole or Commutatiō, when a sentence by charge is inuerted to the contrarie, as thus, We must eat to liue, and not liue to eat: Not man for the Sabboth, but the Sabboth for man was ordained. They are happy whose wisdome is answerable to their fortune, and whose fortune answereth their wit.

Sinæciosis, when one contrary is attributed to another, or when two diuerse things are in one put together, as thus. The prodigal and couetous doe offende alike, for neither doe liue as they ought. Pleasure it selfe is sometimes a labour, and labour also is often a pleasure. To a couetous man is wanting as well that he hath, as that hee hath not.

Etiologia, a figure like vnto the other beforegoing, and much resembling to Orismus, which defineth a matter by sorting the same into a distinguishment: but this nowe telleth the cause or reason of that which is before auerred, and is as a confirmation thereunto giuen for the concluding of the same, you maie sée the examples as the figure is quoted in my Epistles.

Paralepsis, or Occupatiō, when in seeming to ouerpasse, omit, or let slip a thing, we then chiefly speake thereof, as thus: I will not here rehearse vnto you how slippery and transitorie this life is, howe much laden with cares, exposed to daungers, and attended with miseries, for we knowe it and feele it: But I will come to speake of the perdurable ioies of the other, &c. Or thus, for my part I haue no pleasure to laie open other mens errors, it is inough vnto me, that by themselues they are made apparant, and that the whole worlde may see them. I omit to report vnto you these and such like ordinary matters, which in comparison of that I will shew you are but trifles. I tell you not, or I talke not now of times past. It is not the matter wherein I am now occupied. His theft, his rapine, his spoile, and all his whole disorderlie course of life in those daies perpetrated, I nowe omit, and onely doe come to the times present. His counselling (I had almost said concealing) of good when time was, if it bee well noted, was it that procured our mischiefes, &c.

Procatalepsis orPræoccupatiō, when we doe anticipate vnto our selues that we know wil be obiected, as thus, what do you obiect vnto me the times passed, those seasons & ours are vtterly vnlike. But peraduenture you will say that these things are for children fit to bee considered, nay rather meetest of old men to be followed. You will happely say vnto me herein, that I am too light of credit: but I can tel you the proofe is extant, and fit to be beleeued.

Metastasis or Transitiō, when in briefe wordes we passe from one thing to another, as thus, You haue hearde by this what you ought to consider, heare now I pray you what you are bounde to remember. These things you will say are pleasant, but the rest yet vntold are far more delightfull. This already shewed vnto you seemeth to be tolerable, that which followes is no waies to be suffered. I haue now told you what was done in priuate, I will next shewe you what was handled in publike: these things he did at home, that which followeth was abroade in the fielde: whilst hee was a young man, hee did this I told you, but the vertues of his age were far more different. You haue vnderstood of maners, I will now speake vnto you of learning: I will not trouble you with many things further, only this one thing will I rehearse vnto you. But of these enough, we will now go to the rest. I haue somthing beene caried away with these motions, but we wil now go to the substance. But why stay we so long in trifles? I wil go to the head of the matter: what he promised I haue deliuered, what he performed you shall vnderstande: I haue thus shewed you how much he was charged vnto me, you shal now heare againe how gently he requited me.

Paramologia, where we graunt one or moe thinges meete to be marked or alleadged, and forthwith doe infer thereupon sufficient whereby to ouerthrow it, as thus: I deny not but I haue heretofore vsed you in causes secret, in matters weighty and of counsell, that I haue found you friendly, faithfull and ready: but what is all that to the purpose, when in a thing so important, and matter neerly concerning me, as whereon dependeth the safegard of my whole house and familie, I haue founde you in both negligent and vntrustie. Or otherwise thus: Be it, or suppose you haue omitted nothing in your owne person, of a friende to be performed, that you were no partaker with him of those euill counsels: that you abstained to accompany him in the execution of his mischiefes, yet are you not therfore cleared. For it is not sufficient for a man not to doe euill of himselfe, but that by to too much lenity he become not occasion of an others mischiefe.

Dichologia, when by a colour of mitigation wee defende our cause, as to saie: I fell, I confesse, but as a young man, I went astray, but as one willing to be reclaimed: I forsooke my friend indeede, but constrained by the lawes, I was a companion in their badnesse, but forced by threatning.

Orismus, definitiō, or finitiō, wherein we brieflie laie forth the true properties of euerie thing, by impugning the contrarie, as thus: Men cannot be said in vertue to exceed, for in vertue there is euer an excellency, but neuer an excesse, sith the excesse is onely appropriate vnto vices. This cannot be said to be care but couetousnesse, for care hath onely respect to necessary vses, but in couetousnes, there is neuer any reasonable suffizance.

Hypotyposis, when any thing is described in particular, or made knowne to the viewe, as thus: Shall I tell you what maner a one you haue preferred vnto mee, for his stature, a Dwarfe: for his person, a trunke: for his qualities a dog: for his countenance, a foxe: in behauiour a swine: in condition, an Ape: in sense, an Asse, and in vsage, a beast.

Merismus or Distributiō, when that as maie bee generallie spoken we distribute for amplification into parts: as if in generalitie we said: He hath consumed all his substance in riot: By distribution wee might amplifie thus: Whatsoeuer patrimony hee had from his father, what priuate inrichment by his deceased mother, what large assistance by friends, whereat the worlde neuer barked, what dowry soeuer by his wife, which no doubt was very great, all this hath he consumed by a most dissolute and wanton liuing: mony, plate, lands, wealth, possessions and all, are gone to the deuil, his cattel consumed, his houshold stuffe solde, his apparell spent, and the poore miser at this instant hath not left him a farthing.

Dialisis, a separation of one thing from another, both being absolued by a seuerall reason, in the nature of a Dilemma, as thus: When I haue preached vnto you all I may, if you bee well giuen it auaileth, if graceles, forth you wil not be moued. Or thus. What should I further set forth vnto you my good will, if you remember it, I haue said inough, if not, my words wil not prouoke you.

Dialogismus or Sermocinatiō, an imaginatiue speach, agréeing to the quality of the person it is framed of. Whether he be valiant cruell, young, old, or of what other condition, as if we shoulde saie of the times present. Were the ancient Apostles and olde Fathers of religion nowe liuing, which with great innocencie of life, and true pietie, shined in their seasons, and should but beholde the most corrupt and abhominable estate of our times, subiect as they bee to all kinde of euils, would they not thinke, you straight proclaime against vs the vniust name of Christians, and challenge vs for the great want we haue of the true profession thereof? Would they not rather cry out of vs that deluding ourselues onely with a vaine title or name of Christians, we do not so much as seeke in the meane time to followe any part thereof?

Epiphonema, or conclusion to a matter before shewed, as thus: Of so woonderfull force was his wisdome, which was able to compasse that in short time, which a number haue diuerslie sought for, and could neuer hetherto obtaine. Or thus: Such is the force of Nature which seldome wee doe see is euer chaunged by anie colours. Much haue they forsaken that haue cast all from themselues. It is commonlie the conclusion or making vp of a discourse or sentence by some pithie manner of speaking. As if a man shoulde inueigh against drunkennesse, hee might thus conclude, Hee nowe that thinketh it parcell of humanity, by thrusting on of many cuppes to driue his friend into drunkennesse, let him also thinke it kindnes, by a venemous confection giuen, to driue him into madnesse.

Expeditiō, or enumeratiō, when many reasons of auerment being numbred togethers, we make a confutation of them, each one in particular, as thus: The goods in question beeing alleadged to bee mine, it is requisite you prooue, either that you had them by chance, that you haue long held or enioied them, that you bought them with your money, or otherwise that by some gift you came to them, or lastly, in succession that you haue obtained them. That you had them by chance it cannot be, for they were not lost from my keeping. Long haue you not held them, for they were alwaies till this in mine owne possession. It is plaine you neuer bought them, for you paide mee no mony for them. By gift you could not haue them, for the right was in me to giue them. The succession must be void, for my selfe am yet liuing. It remaineth then if you keep them, that liuing you doe cast me out of mine own possession. This chiefly appertaineth to the Iudiciall Epistles in the state Coniecturall.

Cōmoratiō, when matters diuerslie enlarged, are yet staid vpon, and lastlie brought into one short conclusion, wherby the reasons are made more weightie, and of the greater efficacie, as thus. What will you make of this man, whom ye seeke in this maner to set free, you see he is a man prodigall of his owne fame, & a lier in waite for others credits, one full of guile, intemperate, railing, proude and ambitious, to his parents most wicked, ingratefull to his friends, hated of his owne kinsemen, stubborne to his superiours, insolent with his equals, to his inferiours cruell, and finallie to all persons whatsoeuer a creature most intolerable.

Sententia, A recitall of some graue matter by waie of a notable saying or sentence, either by common custome admitted, or by some authour deliuered, examples whereof are plentifullie to bee seene in my Epistles.

Exuscitatiō, A prouocation or stirring vp of others to the praise or mislike of a thing, as thus: What one is hee of so slender or contemptible a spirit amongst vs, or who of all our Nation woulde bee counted so enuious, as vpon so great and large a desert had by a man so woorthie, woulde not willinglie render vnto him all honour and due commendation? Likewise of the contrarie for dispraise. Doth it not abhorre you to heare and vnderstand of a rabble of so great and vnaccustomed lewdnesse, a man euerie way so vile, to goe thus freelie vnpunished? Surelie I doe thinke no honest minde but would be of this opinion, that of all creatures liuing hee were most worthie to be extirped.

Omiosis, The figure of resemblance or similitude, whereby wee resemble one thing to another, as thus: Like as they greatlie do offend, who going to a publike well, whence all a whole citie hath their water, do infect the same with a most deadly poison: Euen so do they most wickedly merit of the common weale, who deprauing the mind of a Prince, doe lade and frequent the same with most mischieuous counsels. Or thus: Is it seene that men at the blast or byting of a Viper, do shrinke, and forthwith do run for a medicine? How much more ought they thē, for the auoiding of a most horrible shame, yᵉ infamous sting wherof is far worse then all other poisons, to run to a remedie?

Icon, An image or artificiall description of that we meane to deliuer, as if in setting forth our most gratious Soueraigne, we shoulde saie, That Goddesse like adorned with high aspectes, or statelie grace and maiestie diuine. In Chariot deckt with Princelie ornaments shee issued foorth, &c. Or thus, laying out the dreadfulnes of warre, Fierce and vntamed warre with eyes sparkling as the flaming fire, whose face caried in it selfe a terrour to the lookers on, and his coūtenance was as it were a present death. His gesture was as the furious assault of a Lion, and his mouth as a deuouring pitte to swallow the bloud of multitudes. Armed hee was with fire, with famine, and with sword, crying reuengement on the world, and persecuting all nations with a ceaslesse dread.

Paradigma, a maner of exhorting or withdrawing by example, as to saie, the Elephants engender not, but in places most remote, and any that by chance do see them in that time they kill. How much more then behooueth that betweene those of reason, a shamefastnes be included in executing that action. Or thus. The nature of the Dolphin is not to suffer the yong ones of her kinde to straggle vndefenced, such care haue they of their frie: How much more beseeming is it, that our procreation which are men, should not be suffred to runne at random without either guide or controlment.

Pareonasis, or Digressio, a spéech beside the matter in present spoken on, as to saie, But heere let mee remember vnto you something of the deserts and eternized memorie of your worthie and most vertuous Parents. Or thus: giue me leaue a little to digresse from this purpose, to the ende that by laying out of something yet vnspoken of, I may the better wade into the rest.

FINIS.

Of the partes, place and Office of a Secretorie.

Onsidering howe many woorthie and excellent men, not onely in our present age, but in manie yeares before vs haue liued, none of all which (though questionlesse furnished with verie great abilitie) haue to my certaine knowledge, euer written ought in our English tongue, touching this title: It maie seeme questionable, how I the most disfurnished of manie others, and subiect thereby to the insight and correction of all others, durst take vppon mee to discourse thereupon, weighing with my selfe the subiect I take in hand, to be of speciall qualitie, and to none so much fitting as to those that bee greatest learned, best aduised, discreetest gouerned, and worthiest ruled, to treate vpon. Nor doe my selfe by such presumption of mine, déem the same to be of lesse moment then it is. Howbeit, as one tied by a former promise, in that my first edition of this present Methode of Epistles, haue nowe taken vpon me (as you see) to write thereupon.

Truth is, that as I am none of those that maie vaunt my selfe of any furniture sufficient to so speciall an end & purpose, yet haue I not bin in some time of the yeares I haue spent, altogither excluded from any fauour or tast therof at all. Neither haue I whollie spent the seasons I haue caried, so vainely, but that at one time or other I haue (not without some considerate aduerting) eyed the demeanours, issues, and dispositions of sundrie humors, by insight whereinto, and some proofe made of that which my selfe haue practised in place of seruice, I am bold in this onelie discourse, to aduenture the performance of that I haue promised.

In the discouerie whereof, my minde is not, nor shall be to prescribe vnto any one, but to deliuer what in mine owne opinion, I haue coniectured to be meetest in such a person. Wel regarding the number of those who enabled by farre better skill, or guided by experience, and their owne proper vertue, can both search and wade further therein, then my poore abilitie may anie waies looke into. For which my purpose is, and shall be in this present discourse, onlie to set forth vnto such, whose vnripened yeers, or want of decernment, haue not yet made them apt vnto so speciall a beeing, and qualitie: what in my plaine conceit, vnto the place and office of such a one, meete and fit to be a Secretorie, maie be thought most consonant and worthie.

To the accomplishment whereof, as the best and méetest induction to such a matter, it shall not bee to slender purpose, to speake first of the name thereof, and to sift out by what meane the partie seruing in such a place, had the originall title to be called a Secretorie. You shall then vnderstande, that as me séemeth, by speciall reason and iudgement, this name Secretorie, importing therein as it doth action of great consequence, doth beare in it matter of more circumstance, then by euerie one is considered, and by howe much the more honourable the place of attendance is, where such a one doth serue, by so much the more beseemeth the partie called vnto such seruice, be a man choice and of worthie estimate, habilitie and iudgement. So then am I not of opinion of the multitude, who holde that the praiseable endeuour or abilitie of well writing or ordering the pen, is the matter that maketh the Secretorie, (albeit the vse heereof is not the least part of manie other things incident to the same office) but that carying with it selfe a purpose of much weightier effect, the person therunto named was as a deriuatiue from that which containeth the chiefest title of credite, and place of greatest assurance that may be reposed, in respect of the affinitie they both haue of trust and fidelitie, each with the other, by great conceyte and discretion, tearmed to bee a Secretorie.

And albeit there happily maie be opinions some waies contrarying vnto this my present deliuerie, touching the originall of this title: yet standing directly assured that they all being laid togithers, must of necessitie conclude on the verie Secrecie, trust and regarde, speciallie imposed on him who beareth the same title: I will boldlie for this cause define, that in respect of such Secrecie, trust and assuraunce required at the handes of him who serueth in such place, the name was first giuen to be called a Secretorie, and that by the etymologie of the verie word it selfe, sounding in true coniecture, quasicustos, or conseruator secreti sibi commissi, a keeper or conseruer of the secret vnto him committed.

By this reason, we do call the most secrete place in the house, appropriate vnto our owne priuate studies, and wherein wee repose and deliberate by deepe consideration of all our waightiest affaires, a Closet, in true intendment and meaning, a place where our dealings of importance are shut vp, a roome proper and peculiar to our selues. And whereas into each other place of the house, it is ordinarie for euery néere attendant about vs to haue accesse: in this place we doe solitarie and alone shut vp our selues, of this we keepe the key our selues, and the vse thereof alone doe onelie appropriate vnto our selues.

And if we should run but into the nature of things secret, and consider by the name, what to such a matter is required, we shall find that of it owne selfe it chalengeth so much, wherby with three things most speciallie it is saide to be fortified, viz. with couertnes, that it be closelie kept from the eyes, eares or vnderstanding of others: Safetie, that securelie it be retained, and laid vp, both with choice respect and tendering: Assurance, that by no mistake, negligence, or defect of the partie hauing charge of such a secrete, it may turne to a preiudice.

Thus then by the concurrence of these, it appeareth that vnto euerie secrete there is required a Closet, and the proper vse of that Closet, is onelie for the couertnesse, saftie and assurance of the secrete: all which considered, let vs nowe see, if you will, what analogie or proportion they haue with our Secretorie.

It hath beene alreadie before alledged, that by the verie etimologie of the worde it selfe, both Name and Office in one, doe conclude vppon secrecie: If so, then in respect of the couertnes, safetie and assurance in him reposed, and not otherwise, the partie seruing in such place may be called a Secretorie. The Closet in euerie house, as it is a reposement of secrets, so is it onelie (as I saide before) at the owners, and no others commaundement: The Secretorie, as hee is a keeper and conseruer of secrets, so is hee by his Lorde or Maister, and by none other to bee directed. To a Closet, there belongeth properlie, a doore, a locke, and a key: to a Secretorie, there appertaineth incidentlie, Honestie, Care, and Fidelitie.

And forasmuch as by the concurrence of these twaine, both Name and Office doe seeme in vsage and account to be of so great waightinesse, and that our Secretorie, as wel in title, as place standeth by such declaration, ioyntlie tied vnto so district an obseruance: let vs now a little further enter into the function and place he beareth in such kinde of seruice, and consider that being in one condition a seruant, he is at the pleasure and appointment of another to be commanded: and being in a second respect as a Friend, he is charilie to haue in estimate, the state, honor, reputation and being of him whom he serueth.

Touching the first of these, in that he is (I meane) a Seruant, it is to be intended, that thereunto belongeth a Superiour, by whose absolute direction, his actions of seruice, are to bee ordered and commaunded. And notwithstanding the reputation, credite, and estate of beeing, to him giuen and allowed by his Lorde or Maister, hee is yet to consider, that the weight and summe thereof acrueth from his onelie fauor, countenance, and good opinion, and that by howe much the more, hee liberallie and of an honourable minde affoordeth vnto him the respectes thereof: by so much the more seriouslie ought hee by all possible endeuours of seruice and industrie, as farre forth as in him is, to studie to conserue and vpholde the same.

And herein seemeth it not fruitlesse to oppose vnto such a ones remembrance, some part of the considerations pertinent and annexed to the state of a seruant, and what dependancie in common reckoning resteth betwéene him, who beareth in his sway the authoritie and rule of a Maister, and the other, who in account that he is to be commanded, carieth a maner of subiection to that partie, who for the time of such seruice, is at his hands to bee reuerenced and obeyed.

In regard of which, wee are to see, that by the title and prerogatiue which euerie maister hath generallie ouer his seruant, there is a certaine linke of dutie, wherewith each one that serueth is strained to his obeysance. There is also by that very name of seruant a kind of fidelitie and trust required, more speciall then that betwéene the sonne and the father, and that of so great efficacy, as whereon (peraduenture) may rest not alonely this disposition of the goods, estate, & principall affairs, but also oftentimes yᵉ life, hazard or vndoing of the person of his said maister.

A Son cannot be saide to owe fidelitie to his parents, for which cause there is also no breach of trust on him to be imposed. If he deale contrarie to the condition of a son, the bond by which he is strained proceedeth of nature, and so are his actions accordinglie held for vnkind, or vnnaturall. But the seruant not linked by nature, is tied in trust, and by contrarying of such trust, or not performing thereof, is held treacherous or vnfaithfull. Besides, so great a predomination hath this name of fidelitie in the harts of a number, that many haue refused to commit themselues in times of hazard to their Children, but rather haue relied themselues wholie on the assurance of their seruants.

And howbeit, most certaine it is, that Nature woonderfullie swaieth manie times in her proper features, yet in this case hath she commonly lesse efficacie then in any others. For as a currant of water loseth his power in being turned backwarde, from his straightened course, but hath forcible passage in the waie that it holdeth: so is Nature in this action of parentes and children, which running forwards from issue to issue, hath mighty operation, but when it should be returned backwarde, hath seldome anie power at all.

Contrariwise, whether it be the honestie of the name that leadeth it, or the common reputation that each faithfull vsage carieth in the eares of good men, or a feruencie of affection, linked properlie to the place where anie trust is reposed, I will not now dispute vpon, but questionlesse, of so charie regarde hath fidelitie alwaies beene accounted, as immediatlie vpon the name of a seruant taken, it seemeth not alone to be vnto the selfe title appropriate, but it is in a manner by the proper allowance thereunto giuen, seuerelie exacted.

Now, albeit this kind of exaction and charge, seemeth in the deliuerie thereof to bee indéed verie great, yet when hee that serueth hath performed all that in such case is to be required: he cannot for this or that alledge, that hee hath effected anie more then whereunto by the verie loyalty of a seruant he was enioyned, nor can hee rightlie or properlie affirme, that by an extraordinarie respect more then he ought, he hath accomplished the same. For that in things whereunto a man is bounde, there can be no gratuitie opposed: but where a man aboue that hee is charged hath further endeuoured, or more worthilie attained, therein of troth, and not otherwise, shineth the greatest praise and glorie vnto him that maie be.

For this cause then doe I saie of our Secretorie, that as hee is in one degree in place of a seruant, so is he in another degrée in place of a friend. A seruant meanlie trained in some Mechanicall Science, sheweth fidelitie to his Maister, in an vpright dealing and disposition of his wares or goodes. Another in like sort hauing the receyte of his Maisters reuenewes, becommeth a faithfull dispenser in his accountes and reckonings. Some on the other side haue asmuch or the like fidelitie in keeping of counsels. Others againe by a termed zeale vnto their masters, haue in recognizing their fidelitie died willinglie for their fauours.

Of all these sortes of Fidelitie, the last as I am sure it hath lesse seeming of credence or supposition of troth in common beléeuing then anie of the others, so is it (you will grant mee,) the most assured and most moouing pittie, prayse and commendation, in all reckoning aboue anie of the others. And that such are and haue beene, I could recite vnto you sundrie remembrances, and one but of late yeares, that in verie sufficient knowledge fell out to be effected, and thus was the circumstance, as my vnderstanding could beare it.

When sir Iohn of Desmond in Ireland, some number of years passed, of a rebellious and cruell minde to the state there being, and principallie to her Maiesty, had solemnly conspired, and most tyrannously sworne the death and destruction of all English men in his Countrey, there happened one Henrie Dauill an English Gentleman to lie, at that verie bloudie pretended season, in the house of the saide Knight, and for two causes of him was thought entirelie to bee fauoured, the one in respect that hee was his Christian Gossip, as they there terme it (a linke strong inough to haue purchased fauour in that Countrey, had it not beene with a most bloudie tyrant) the other, in that hee was a Gentleman both courteous, bountifull and valiant.

This Maister Dauill had at that time onelie an Irish boy attendant vpon him, the time conspired for this murder was at midnight, when all men careleslie were sleeping. About the watch whereof, sir Iohn and his companie entring the Chamber of maister Dauill, wakened him from sléepe, opened the conspiracie, and willed him to prepare him to his lot, assuring him that were it not he had without exception vowed in his heart, and sworn the death of all English men, he could desirouslie, aswell for that he was his Christian Gossip, as for other loue he ought him, haue suffered his life, but all being appointed to die, he must go with the rest.

The boy hauing receiued into his eares the sound of his masters death, and therewith sundrie menacing strokes seeing readie to bee proffered, stirred (no question) by a most zealous Fidelitie, clasped on his masters breast, and with such slender resistance as hee coulde, did beare off the blowes, receyued vppon his owne bodie diuers and sundrie wounds, and doe what they could, no one could pull or remooue him from thence, till fretting rage kindeled in these mercilesse creatures, made them kill the Boy vppon his maister, and his Maister vnder the Boy, both at one instant togithers.

The memorie of this acte, as it is most pitifull in rehearsall, so will it of a number bee thought verie strange. If anie Fidelitie, haue by feruencie beene accounted off, this you will iudge of anie others ought chieflie to be embraced. But yet not this, nor anie of the residue of those partes of Fidelitie by mee alreadie deliuered are such, as in this place I hold meete to be pursued. For howbeit the seruice of our Secretorie is properlie by it selfe with all assurance to be caried, yet doe wee not place him in so meane a degree as that by corruption of coine, he might be held for distrusted nor on the other side would we haue him of iudgement so disfurnished, but that touching the difference of counsels, or tender of his life, he should make a decernment.

In this Boy voluntarilie as hee did, in the verie weakenesse of his yeares, to seeke by death his Maisters safegarde, was no doubt, a thing woorthie to bee admired. But in manifestation of so great loue, and testimonie of so loyall affection, had hee beene by yeares more enabled, it would haue beene thought verie fondlie of to haue done it, without thereby his Masters death might haue beene reuenged, or his life preserued: Els to what end is Fidelitie applied, or what vse at all in reckoning, remaineth there of it?

By discretion to discerne, by vertue to iudge, and by wisdome to resolue, how and which way the efficacie and assurance of all trust and fidelitie ought to be caried, is a thing meetest in all reputation principallie to be obserued. How can there otherwise appeare anie worthinesse, if affections sort to bee equall, or what distinguishment may there be of spirits when mens iudgementes are common.

George Castrioth, surnamed Scanderbeg, the terrour while hee liued, and onlie man able to confound the Turkish forces, during his infancie, hauing bin trained vp with Amurath father to Mahomet the second Emperour of the Turkes (for that in the conquest of Epirus by the same Amurath, the father of Scanderbeg being slaine, and his Signory subdued vnto the Turke, hee was then with others led awaie into Turky a captiue.) When hee arriued to manlie yeares, and serued with great fortune and valour the saide Amurath in his warres: it happened that being in one great battell as generall of the Turkish Armie against the Christians, and fighting against Hungarie, a remorse of conscience tooke him, in that hee being the sonne of a Christian Prince, professed in Christianitie, and vowed to God, should so wickedlie become the confusion of his brethren, and warre against Christ and his kingdome.

And albeit he was neuer vnfortunate in anie fight, and at that time likeliest of al other to attaine the victory, yet regarding the state and maner of the conquest, he faintinglie withdrew, & with great discouragement vnto his people, gaue power vnto the enemy to be at that time a conquerour. Which done, himselfe with a few chiefe and principall persons his associates, tooke themselues together in flight.

In this company, was a noble Gentleman, wise in behauiour, faithfull in counsell, and secret in trust, at that time Secretorie and of counsell to the great Turke. The place of their residence seruing well to the purpose, him Scanderbeg (being of the others assured) tooke onlie in hand to acquaint with his enterprize. And forasmuch as his credence with the saide Amurath was such, as in the repose of his troth, rested both Signet, and warrant sufficient, to put forwarde whatsoeuer direction or commaund in anie the Turkish signories, vpon paine of death to be obeyed, Scanderbeg declaring his wearisomnesse of captiuitie and seruage, desire to visite his kingdome, and liking after that to liue at liberty a christian, and therewithall howe often the Turke had promised to restore him, and yet still brake with him, enioyned the Secretorie to write letters of command in the Turkes name, to the Deputie or rulers of his fathers kingdome, that as their lawfull Prince and gouernour they shoulde then at that instant without more delaie receiue him, and thenceforth renounce and put from them their wonted charge and authoritie.

And albeit the power of Scanderbeg was in that place great, and the Secretorie nothing misdoubted at all his resolution, and therefore feared too much to contradict him in the same, knowing also that if he assented to that demaund, hauing yet libertie to depart, he might timely inough aduertize the Turk to the preuention: yet vsed he neuerthelesse so manie effectuall speeches as for the present he could, to disswade him: which not preuailing, hee assented at last for feare, and wrote as he required him.

The Letters orderlie signed and sealed, as to the importance belonged, Scanderbeg knowing the great wisedome, fidelitie and counsell of the Secretorie, thought it nowe a matter of no small worth, if by any facility he could win him also vnto his companie, to passe in the same iourny, or otherwise if he refused, then déemed he fit that he should not returne aliue, to carrie newes to the Turk of his determined iourney. And therefore first with as manie kinde entreaties and offers of all honour, fauour, estimate, and aduauncement that could be, he assailed him, he proposed also the expectation of his own fortune, valour, power and strength of the euerliuing God whom he serued, that was able to defende them, and all possible meanes that otherwise could bee deuised to mooue him. But none of these in fine preuailing, he lastlie set before his eies, that vpon such refusall, hee for his owne best assurance must be enforced to kill him.

Which maner of spéech, albeit mooued in the Secretorie diuers alterations, yet chose he as the most honestest part, no wayes to defraude the trust in him reposed, especiallie by assistance in his owne person thereunto giuen. And seeing he could by no meanes escape with life, aduised suddenlie rather to die in the handes of Scanderbeg for that he had alreadie done, then in so manifest an action of disloyaltie, to be found a principall actor of treason against his Lord and maister.

Great is the linke of Vertue whereby the mindes of men singular are manie wayes bound, neither falleth it out in those of weake spirite and capacitie to become partakers of the praise due vnto so high and honored excellencie. To men baselie conceyted, there is neither respect of troth, loue, honor, duty, or other matter whatsoeuer, whereby to drawe them from a sensuall appetite or carnall desire of their owne liuing, safetie and commoditie: But to those who are the sworne schollers of vertue, to whom true glory is of price, who solie haue in estimate to make choyce of things worthie: In these it sorteth to be a shame, what others reckon for laud: to them a preiudice, what many hold for gaine, they contemning by a sole vertue and discréete choice of the minde, what is besides or lesse then that which accordeth to the true honor and reputation of well deseruing, cannot content themselues to liue where their credite dieth, despise wealth, where honour is to be pursued, neglect reputation, where loyaltie is not entertained, and expect no fidelitie, where consequently the effects of an honest and woorthie mind, are not principallie to be caried.

As then, by what vse soeuer applied, I do in al things commend Fidelitie and Trust to be performed where by districtnesse it is chalenged: so nowe doe I in the carriage of this our Secretorie, sort him forth properlie from the residue by a difference, for where in persons of lesse conceite, and lower respect, some vsages are commendable, in him they are to bee presumed, as no wayes to bee doubted of: neither is it to be expected, that the mould of such a one should be so subiect to imperfections, as that in common & mean actions he should thinke to be praised: séeing that where any breach of those parts in men lower conceyted might be found, it woulde in them be helde as in comparison a thing no more then might be doubted, but in him would it turne to a most vituperable basenes with such intendments to be spotted.

And as I thus sequester him from the ordinarie vsage of what held to be liked, so doe I againe drawe in him a speciall choice, of things high, and worthie beseeming, aboue others (lesse considerate) in all things to bee carried, and wherein the summe of his fidelitie shall onelie be required. For seeing that by reason of the place wherein hee standeth of imployment, by reason of his supposed education, birth, qualitie, or other decernment, by reason of the waight, more then of common trust, in him diuersly imposed, he séemeth to be a man euerie way proportionate to a farre other end & purpose, then of euerie ordinarie attendant is commonlie required, it must néeds thē be of such a one coniectured, that by far greater skill & measure he be in euery of his actions demeaned, yᵉ with much greater modestie, care, respect, consideration and integritie he doe by such meanes temper all his outward and inward behauiours, and iudgements, as beeing himselfe in reputation a Gentleman, and conuersing among such as haue discretion to deeme of a Gentleman, hee may least of all be touched with anie thing, that lesseneth or il beséemeth anie part of that, which principallie may appertaine to a Gentleman.

And whereas in any other attendant it is a matter praise worthie, to be beautified or aduanced by some one or other speciall vertue or qualitie, in him it is of necessitie, who by how much the more néerer he is in frequentation of any honorable place or calling, by so much the more néedefull is it, that he be accordinglie furnished wherewith in séemelie and laudable sort, to enter and approch the same. And as in the seruice of euery one whatsoeuer, it is specially required, to be endued with all parts of dutifull attendance & loyaltie: so is it for him to excell, and bee different, because in his imployment, trust and otherwise, there is exacted at his hands a far greater scope and efficacie, then wherewith anie other seemeth to be charged by anie proportion or qualitie.

By this measure nowe of Fidelitie, trust or loyall credit of a seruant, in which place our Secretorie, as you see standeth bounden by the first degrée of his seruice, it maie secondlie be coniectured, in what respectiue estate, he ought for the residue of that which to his attendance appertaineth, bee accounted a Friend. The limits of Friendship (as it might bee obiected) are streight, and there can bee no Friend where an inequalitie remaineth. Twixt the partie commaunded and him that commaundeth, there is no societie, and therefore no Friendship where resteth a Superioritie. But I say and affirme, that if it bee true, that the summe of all Friendship taketh his originall of loue, and that the true demonstration of loue groweth by a simpathie of affections, of which affections Vertue is said to be the whole & simple ground, then may this simpathie of affectiōs so groūded on vertue as aforesaid, be turned into loue, notwithstanding yᵉ inequality of estate or condition whereby a man vertuouslie disposed, being seruant to such a one who is honourablie inclined, may in that place of seruice in which he continueth, be reputed in processe of time to become as a friend.

But if we shall goe to the true definition of friendship, you will then saie, that this friendshippe so called and reputed among men, as it is a simpathie of affections firmlie vnited togithers, so is it such a vniting, as wherein what the one coueteth, the other desireth, in respect whereof worlds and life, and all are not desirable, but despised, I would not here be taken, that of any sorts of people that run into all or a number of these like effects, without exception of qualitie, I intend, that they therfore were also to beare the name of friends, for so men vtterly vicious and lewdly giuen, consorting in wickednes, and other base exercises, in which each spendeth his life, or desperatlie dieth one for another, might be reputed as friends, I haue no such meaning, nor is my intent herein to so generall a purpose. But speaking of friendship, I only deale with such, whose actions and sincere desires haue in vertue highest preheminence, for these, not by aduenture, but by a deliberate counsell and choise regard speciallie had, of things valuable and worthy, do accomplish their effects by a most honourable purpose.

To this then I answer, that if the weight of friendship, so consisteth in a simpathie of affection, vniting of hearts, coueting anothers good, and despising all that maie be gained, in respect of the partie befriended: whie yet maie not our Secretorie as well as any other, merit neuerthelesse in this place of seruice at the handes of his L. or master, the name of a Friend? Why should he not therein aswell as anie other haue that power in him planted, whereby to become a Friend? Touching the equalitie of affections, though it is still laid down that therein ought to be no difference, & the commander and the commanded, do yet alwaies make a discordance: I maie neuerthelesse thus much deliuer thereof, that by all common likelihood it is assuredlie to be coniectured, that no one personage of estate, laieth choice vpon such a one to serue so néer about him, and to be in place of so great trust as appertaineth to a man of that reckoning, but ere he long haue vsed him, he bindeth vnto him at least some good part of his affection. For how can it otherwise be thought, but that our Secretorie being one euerie waie so waightilie to be imployed as he is, partaking as he doeth with so manie causes of importance, and vndiscouered secrets and counsels, standing as he must vpon so neere attendance, as hee that is almost (as occasion serueth) euerie minute of an houre to be vsed, but that to his L. or Master, he must of necessitie bee verie charie, and at the leastwise more particularlie then manie others, by a great deale to be beloued.

He then thus finding in so noble a place, so honourable an account, our Secretorie being as he ought to be, a man of vertue, and worth, cannot chose on yᵉ other side, but frame his vtmost thoughts correspondent in all things to those particular fauours, his conuersing, his neerenesse and attendance, turneth then to an affection, and this, heated by the dailie encrease of his Lord or maisters liking towardes him, groweth thence to a feruencie, and so each vertue kindled by the others Grace, maketh at last a coniunction, which by the multitude of fauors rising from the one, and a thankfull compensation alwayes procured in the other, groweth in the end to a simpathie vnseparable, and therby by all intendment concludeth a most perfect vniting.

Panutius, the faithfull Secretorie and counsellour to the great Emperour and Philosopher surnamed Aurelius, for the high wisdome, fidelitie, and counsell by him in all his seruices continued towards the Prince during his life time, and euen to the verie entrance of his graue, deserued before manie others, (secrete also in aduice to the said Emperour) to be termed and called by the name of a friend. Insomuch as he onelie daring to speake plainlie, what in others iudgements might séeme to be offensiue, & to perswade faithfullie, what he saw most agreeing to the present extremitie, made the Emperour pronounce himselfe fortunate, to haue nourished one so discreet in his Pallace, and most blessed of all, in that when each failed him in his dying, he onely was found assured vnto him, among all that were liuing.

In this friendlie knot of loue, and that of seruile commaund, remaineth a most notable difference, especiallie for this matter of trust and fidelitie, required in seruice, for, quem metuunt odiunt, whom men feare they hate: well may they for fashions sake please, but this sound kinde of affection is often far from their thought. And yet that there may bee an awed reuerence, aswel in loue as in feare, who doubteth it, yea and that rather far more assured and effectuall then the other. For where this grounded Loue by vertue once staieth confirmed, the humilitie and gentlenesse of the mind is it immediatlie that afterwards directeth the thoughtes, we then doe gladlie honour the more, by how much the willinger we desire to serue, and more firmlie obeie, by how much the more entirelie we stand to be fauored. This friendlie Fidelitie, not vrged or constrained by soueraign command, but of a zeale to weldoing voluntarily embraced; leadeth the reputation and estimate of our Secretory to be receiued as a friend.

As of Fidelity, besides Credit of counsell and riches, there are sundrie other branches, and diuers deserued partes that seriouslie may bee commended, so are there of Friendship. The association of both twaine, combineth and knitteth together all other perfections. Which granted, vndoubtedlie must the partie frequenting so great a place of seruice, proue then to be a person of right speciall commendation, of answerable vertue, nd of noted discretion. For that in doing seruice to his Lorde or maister, it séemeth a matter incident to his accompt, and to the better effecting the name of a friend, that in causes vrgent and néedfull, he be not vnpurueyed in his owne person, wherewith discreetlie, as occasion serueth, both to aduise & counsell (the very efficient matter wherin his enabled discretion may with greatest singularitie be performed) the assurance whereof, by credit of most memorable antiquities, hath not onlie framed that of loyall seruantes, such haue bin entertained as faithfull friendes, but also hath not beene slender occasion manie times, to the preuention of sundrie vehement and dangerous mischiefes.

To accompanie the troubles, miseries, calamities and infortunities of him to whom we are this waies, or that waies in our seruice linked or beholding, or to beare willinglie, and with a sufferable mind for his sake, whatsoeuer in declaration of our vertue seemeth to an honest disposition, to be either incident or appertaining, no man verely denieth, but that they are assured & notable demonstrations of a verie exquisite performance. But what of that? the propertie and excellencie of this vertue is not therefore alwaies in that one only sort to bee caried, neither with the greatest estimate and commendation that thereunto is appropriate, is the worthinesse hereof whollie to be commended.

To preuent mischiefs sometimes, and by a warie foresight and care had of the honor and reputation of our commander, to fence (if need be) the same by a politicke deuise, without preiudice, from any touch of disgrace or dishonour, to disswade or dehort faithfully, from things impeaching or offensiue to their estates or nobility to reueale the hurt they know not, or causes important wherunto they are nothing priuy, to counsaile deuoid of flatterie, and to oppose the good that least harmeth, and the euill that hath neerest remedy: these things as in their seueral considerations, they can as sufficientlie as anie others declare a man to be endued, both with rare knowledge, and right excellent vertue, so who doubteth, but that the most slender of them all, weigheth as déeply as any other in cause of Fidelity. And yet if anie more speciall liking in one thing then other be to be attributed, where comonly men do seem to haue generallie well deserued, then of necessitie must the same greatlie rather insue where euils most preiudicing are foreseene and auoided by politick wisdome, then where vnskilfullie they are entred into, carying in their bosomes, either extreame hazard or ineuitable vndoing.