THE SECOND PART OF the English Secretorie.

Of Epistles Iudiciall. Chap 1.

S I haue already exampled vnto you all sortes of Epistles, contained vnder the two titles of Demonstratiue, and Deliberatiue: So by the order and disposition formerlie vsed, it behooueth (as nexte in course) I doe nowe come vnto the title Iudiciall. Why this title is so called, I haue in that other booke alreadie deliuered. So that nowe it may séeme fit, that herein as in the other twaine before going, we deliberate what order and places for the well handling and proper conueyance of Epistles, are principallie to be obserued.

You shall then vnderstand, that for so much as the efficacie of this title is wholie caried in cause of Accusation, Inuectiue, Charge, or defence, the matters whereof are wholie censured by lawe, by common reputation, by custome, by authoritie or by iudgement, the Rhetoricians, for the more excellent setting foorth of the Oratoriec partes hereof, haue vnto the generalitie of the same, allotted thrée states or principall heades, whereout by imitation, all our Epistles vnder this title are wholie to be caried. The first is called Coniecturall, that is, where a matter by coniecture onlie of time, place, estate, or condition of the person, or other likelihoodes to the same agréeing, may be supposed or enforced.

The second is Iuridicial, wherein not by coniecture, but by matter in action, sentence, lawe, or iudgemente, wee aggrauate the cause in question, in which remaineth the qualitie, circumstance, or greatnes to be decided, and howe vehementlie or slenderlie it hurteth or importeth.

The third is tearmed Legitima, which by Lawes, customes, common vsage, or allowance, defineth a thing to bee good or bad, tolerable or not to be suffered. Out of these heades ariseth the plentie of all our following diuisions, which also hereafter are in their places to be collected, the first whereof, containing matter of Accusation or Charge, may be saide to be Accusatorie, Expostulatorie, Exprobratorie, Comminatorie and Inuectiue. The Second, beeing Responsorie to either of these, may be saide to be Excusatorie, Purgatorie, Defensorie or Deprecatorie. The compasse aswell of the one as the other, either for matters accused, obiected, purged, excused, entreated for, or Defended, are simply or wholie included vnder all or one of these heads before remembred.

The efficacie of either of these, aswell for inforcementes, as for clearing or auoydance of anie matter do séeme to be drawne, per locos absolutes, places absolute, and locos assumptiuos, places assumptiue.

Loci absoluti are such, as containe in them enforcementes not to be auoided, whether it be in charge, matter inuectiue, or defence, for that they are collected of vnauoidable groundes, that is to say, of Nature, Lawe, Custome, Contract, common allowance, Righte, Lawfull and Good Sentence and Iudgement. These aswell to the state Iuridiciall, as to the other of legitima, are alike ordinarie and common, this onely difference, that in that of Iuridicial, they are all enforced to condemnation: in that of legitima, censured by their qualitie, vse or toleration.

Loci assumptiui, are only collections by coniecture, and not matter in certainty, but such as may be vrged by likelihoods yet greatly enforce to accusation, and serue alike to mitigate by defence or excusing, this to the state Coniecturall, and this of Juridiciall doe remaine alike common.

The parts and places Cōiectural, for the heaping of likelihoods, either to accuse, excuse, purge or defend, haue respect vnto the Wil, dispositiō, or ability of any one. The Wil is searched by the outward quality or condition of a man, by his readines, hate, affection, or mislike to a thing, Dispositiō, by the country or soil wherein one is borne, as if wee shoulde say at this presente of a forraine aduersarie, Hee is a Spaniard, how can hee beare good will to England? By his ofspring, as if we should saie, Being born, and bred of lewde parents, how can the issue be good. By his education, as thus, He was so looselie trained vp, and so vilelie inured, that there is no hope at all to be in him expected. By his studies, as to saie, Consider but the application of his whole manner of liuing, weigh his continuall practises, see but into his particular and ordinarie studies, and then tell mee what you may iustlie suppose of the residue of his beeing. And likewise by sundrie other circumstances. Abilitie is vrged by Oportunitie, by Time and Place, Aydes or Supportes, and the means of either of these, measured by the credite, affection, want, companie, conceit, or instabilitie of the person we goe about to accuse, excuse, purge or defend.

Thus haue I largelie deliuered vnto you, the sum and scope of what in speciall to be intended vnder this title, the vse and more particular shew whereof shall bee by their seuerall Epistles more amplie explaned vnto you. And howbeit I could here a little dwel by some continued discourse, in the commendable aduancement vnto you of the woorthinesse of this present part we haue now in hand of well writing, wherein not onelie these places alreadie remembred, but in a manner all other partes of the Deliberatiue and Demonstratiue kinde are most plentifullie accited: Yet will I but remember vnto you howe effectuallie by the well handling of anie the particulars therunto belonging, and howe farre more singularlie then in anie others, the excellencie of a good witte and a quicke, and fine inuention is most fullie deciphered, feeling that in the occurrents heereof, the writer is neuer tyed to anie one course in particular, but hath scope to wade into all things in generall.

For that by the verie order of these Epistles, hee shall sundrie times haue occasion to vse the partes Descriptorie, Laudatorie, Vituperatorie, Hortatorie, Swasorie, Disswasorie, Petitorie, Monitorie, Conciliatorie, Reprehensorie, and at many times diuers or the most part of them altogithers. Wherefore leauing any further respect hereof, vnto the ready conceite of such as thereunto may bee enabled, we will proceed vnto the rest.

The partes for Disposition required in these Epistles, are as in the others before going, that is to saie: Exordium, Narratiō, or Propositiō, Confirmatiō, Confutatiō, and Peroratiō.

The first of the distinctions vnder this part Iudiciall to be prosecuted, appeareth to be Accusatorie, which either simplie by coniectures, or by matter of knowne or verily supposed troth, as you haue before remembred, or both wayes at once, may bee conueyed. Whereof the first in sequence which I will deliuer vnto you for example, shall be in the state coniecturall, which being framed to be questionable betwéene a Merchant and his seruant, falleth out in sort following to be performed.

An example of an Epistle Accusatorie in the state Coniecturall, from a merchant to the father of his seruant.

SIr, you will perchaunce maruellExordium. to see the sudden accesse of these my letters vnto you, togither with the hastie repaire of my man, (such as heretofore hath not beene accustomed betweene you and me, sithence our formost acquaintance) but to stay that doubt, and to enforme you at large, what vrgent occasion I haue so to doe, it may please you with as little discontentment as may bee, to giue your selfe to the view of these Letters, and thereupon to censure on my behalfe the matter of the same accordinglie.

Your sonne sir,Narratiō. who nowe these three yeares passed to your good lyking hath continued in my seruice, and whome your selfe doe verie well knowe, that for the reputation of his parentes and friendes, I alwayes for the most part haue entertayned with especiall trust and regarde, beeing this last Summer returned out of Barbarie, with an aduenture in a shippe of mine owne, I did vpon great choyce, immediatelie after his account deliuered, place in the ouersight, disposition and rule of all my whole goodes, stocke, and Merchandise. And in expectation and assurance of his especiall and more then ordinarie care and good behauiour therein, did about September last (vppon a iourney which I had to the North partes with diuerse of my nearest friendes, whereby I was compelled to bee foorth by the space of two Monethes) commit vnto his like credites, the custodie of diuers summes of money alreadie receyued, as also the collection and further receyte of sundrie other paymentes of great waight, at the dayes and times wherein they were payable, by him to my vse to bee reserued and layde vp, sithence which, by what sinister humour I knowe not, nor by what vntoward conceit can I yet imagine, in the time of my absence, and a little before my returne homewards, hee is gone away, no man knoweth whither. Vpon the newes whereof being greatly aflighted, I haste to his counting house, search his bookes of receits and paiments, and there withall breake open his deske and coffers, in which after all reckoninges fullie perused and considered of, I find my selfe to bee backewards of diuers allowances, the certainty whereof I cannot yet determine, but the greatnesse by the likelihoode, is verie vehemently to be suspected, by reason that in this sort, without anie other occasion he is fled, and from so great a charge without knowledge of anie one about me, so suddenly departed.

What presumptions I haue, and those verie large, by such kinde of dealing, whereby I may iustly burthen him, you may heereby coniecture, as first his disposition, giuen (as sithence hath verie crediblie bin reported vnto me) to be verie prodigall, & of most excessiue expence, then the occasion offered by such immoderate confidence in him reposed: next, the vncontrolled rule hee bare throughout all my dealings: lastlie the time and secrecie of his departure, beeing thus hasted in mine absence, and here withall some such things which are missing, as whereof none were priuie but himselfe, and whereunto no accesse could bee without himselfe. Insomuch as the losse which I reckon of, and wherefro I can yet finde no release, by reason of this his vnknowne departure, cannot (for ought I hitherto perceiue) amount to so little as CC.li.

By some fewe that since his going away haue encountred with him, it appeareth, that not onelie he is well monied, but also of his iourneying Westward, whereby I am led to thinke his resort to be no way so likelie, as to you which are his father, or to some other his friends there about you. For which cause I haue directed these togither with my man, as well to referre vnto your consideration what hath passed, as also to pray that by your due search and examination of the action, both his person may be answered, and my suspition of him the better and more manifestly be cleared: and euen so recommending my selfe and cause to the furtherance of your good direction, I take my leaue. This of, &c.

THis letter hauing direction from the maister to the father, in seeming a Gentleman of some good account, we will according thereunto frame you an answer, which in this place according to the nature thereof may be tearmed Excusatorie. The conueiance of which, either lesseneth by vehement likelihoods the qualitie of the offence, or otherwise (though not clearlie auoydeth) yet by the naked truth or simplicitie of the action it selfe, maketh it seeme of farre more slender moment or importance, then before it might haue béene coniectured. And forasmuch as the father was a by partie to the wrong suggested, and onely in that it was his son, and the reformation of the thing opposed, might by him in some sort bee redressed or recompenced, wee will suppose herein the Letter in forme following by him to be answered, and the residue vnspoken of to be left to the purgation or defence of the other on whome the fault is charged, and to whome in particular, it belongeth to sée the same answered.

An example excusatorie returned to the effects of this coniectural epistle, from the father to whome the same was written.

MAister R. I haue receyued your Letter, to no small griefe (at the first) of my priuate conceyts, but sithence hauing examined the matter am somewhat deliuered of doubt, by the satisfaction that in search of the cause I haue alreadie receyued. My sonne (as you write) was here in the Countrey, at my brothers house, not farre from mine owne dwelling, and yet so newlie come thither, as he had reposed himselfe but one night ere the sight of your present Letters and messenger were arriued.

To the action wherewith you do charge him, I can say nothing more then that himselfe hath written, which agreeing with the formost speech, and first examination had by his Vncle, I must hold as yet vndetermined till I heare your further answer. For the coniectures you haue deliuered, whereby to induce that you are a greater looser by him then without further grounde I can hitherto imagine. I aunswere thus much, that the alteration were verie strange, and humour too sudden, to finde him now so lauish, whom before time your selfe haue commended to bee so frugall, and especiallie in whatsoeuer to his charge and gouernment hath by you beene committed.

To the residue I will be silent, because himselfe that first bredde the occasion appeareth meetest to answere it.

If I heare not from you before the middle of this tearme, my intent is by Gods grace to bee at London, where your apprentice and my sonne shall be in person forth comming vnto you. At which time if I find farther defects, or more equitie to charge him, contrarying to that which alreadie haue bin answered by him, he shal not be mine by anie his ill dealings to be vpholden, but yours as belongeth in any sort you like to chastise him. And euen so recommending my selfe heartilie vnto you, I do bid you farewell. This of, &c.

An example Purgatorie from the partie chalenged in answer of the Epistle accusatorie before remembred.

IT may please you sir, on Munday last, beeing the next day after my comming to my Vncles,Narratiō. he sending to T. to my fathers house to vnderstand his pleasure, worde was returned immediatelie, of a messenger and letters receyued from you, whereby it was my fathers pleasure to commaund me to his presence, and to require mine vncle to be there present also in companie.

At my comming thither, many things were laid forth as wel by your writing, as by the mouth of your man, how grieuouslie you were damaged both by diuers summes wherein you were short in reckoning, and other thinges by you missing, vppon my running away (as you tearme it)Prosonomasia. the muchnesse whereof was not so much enlarged by your letter, as the ouerlauish deliuerie of your man had to the great encrease of ill opinion in my father, with diuers vnbeseeming tearmes, augmented the same.

And nowithstanding I had in mine own conscience sufficientlie, and with sound appearing trueth to the viewe of others answered the occasion, yet forasmuch as neither seemed the same a full satisfaction to my father, nor a matter clearlye auoided towardes you, till in your plaine and certain notice, I had also confirmed the same, I was commaunded by him to write what I there affirmed, and accordinglie to aduertize you of the state of your busines, and inualidity of your coniectures, that by the verity thereof I might with more liking be reputed of, and himselfe haue lesse cause then he supposed whereat to be grieued.

To the matter of your letter, whereby I am accused, and in which you saie you are backward I knowe not in what, it appeareth that for the finding out of the certaintie or likelihoode thereof you entred vpon my desk and coffers, and searched my books of account and payments, which beeing so, if you were as circumspect in my behalfe, as you were in a rash surmize of your own harmes, you might haue assured yourselfe, for to haue found no one penie of any summe wanting at all, or where any was missing, either by exchange at your own appointment, or vpon other good occasions to haue also seene howe the same was bestowed, or where, or vpon what it was els where imploied.

For your better assurance wherein (if hitherto you vnderstande not so much) my boxe marked with this letter A. lying in the neather parte of my deske, will confirme the same. And least I might be deceiued in ought, before your comming, by the sinister practise of some such as had more enuie at my honest credite with you,Metonimia. than care of your good (whereof I mistake not at all, if I iudge this viper to be one) I not onelie reserued notes of euerie thing, caused one whome you will beleeue (though to what purpose I protest hee then knewe not) not onelie to tell euerie summe of money remaining in euerie bagge, and to see the same sealed vp, but also to set his hand to my notes, as witnesse to the same, so much I knowe I lefte, and of the residue the declaration of a trueth shall bee witnesse sufficient of mine owne fidelitie.

Finallie, touching the likelihood of my going awaie without knowledge, and that also in your absence, to bee a token of some waste or wrōg to you offered, which you value not to be so litle as CC. poūds, I trust sir (albeit the sum be great where little remaineth, and if also it were lesse, it were yet too much to bee lost) your selfe notwithstanding can tell verie well, that more then once I haue bin credited with ten times the value of that at your handes, when by great similitude, I could with more facilitie haue benefited my selfe to a farre greater value, if I had bin so disposed, then what herein to be accompted of, and (if so I had beene then also minded) coulde haue been therewith farther out of your reach then euer I yet entended. And where you suggest that it is sithence told you of my lauish expence, I can thereunto say nothing more then euerie one knoweth, that trulie will speake of me, and so you find not the hindrance in your owne accompte. I trust you will beare equallie what in others opinions maie bee construed of reasonablie.

My going away is apparant, I cannot denie it, wherein if happelie I haue done more then beseemeth, yet none so much as my selfe hath thereby beene wronged, for that such occasion hath by meanes thereof ensued, whereby my credite by sinister reports hath so greatly been hazarded, yet was not yᵉ same altogether done without cause, nor voide of honest excuse, for if either I had beene certaine of your so speedie returne, or had not had so presumptuous an intruder vppon the trust to mee committed (as at my comming to London I shall make more plaine vnto you) I had not done as I did. And this assure your selfe sir, that howe farre soeuer you imagine or are informed, that mine vncontrouled rule in your house stretched, if I might with performaunce of as honest trust haue discharged the same vnto you, as I alwaies had endeuoured, I neither had lefte your house or stocke, to haue depended vpon so harde supposed reckoning, nor lost you one houres commoditie of my seruices, as you nowe challenge me to haue done.

My endeuour towardes my self,Peroratiō. my fathers care, and your woonted good opinion, hath mooued mee in sort as you see, to giue items of those whome iustlie I am to complaine of, and to praie you that surceasing all other surmizes vppon our hastie comming to London you will more circumspectly in the meane time consider both of your dealings and my writing, which in as dutifull manner as beseemeth, eftsoons crauing at your handes, I doe (as euer I haue been) remaine, and take my leaue, &c.

Your seruant confirmed in all fidelity towards you, &c.

An example of an Epistle Accusatorie in the state Iuridiciall and Coniecturall.

INiurious R. iniurious I maie iustlie tearme thee,Exordium, Anadiplosis. whose long acquaintance with mee, and interchangeable good liking passing betweene vs, bredde yet so little respect in the waight of the same, as could not forwarne me of an euill so imminent, by meanes whereof I doubt and cannot forbeare to thinke, but that I am vtterly induced to the shipwracke of mine owne estate, and burthened with such infortunitie, as I shall neuer cease to remember.

But why (sencelesse as I am)Emphasis. make I doubt vnto thee of that, whereof both the condition, abilitie, disposition, and euerie accident and circumstance of the partie, whom I am forced to accuse, beareth so sound witnesse, as if men and Angels should goe about to countermaunde the same, not beeing able by a more certaine veritie in open shewe to impugne it, there is none I am sure would beleeue no anie one that in respect of the manifolde likelihoodes thereof,Metanoia. would almost so much as vouchsafe to hearken vnto it.

But if in the foremost deliuerie of these thou alreadie musest, and art desirous to be resolued what it is, wherein so questionles I deeme my selfe thus deepelie to be wronged: knowe then, that finding here at L. thy kinsman, thy vnhappie kinsman, wandering as a straunger,Epizeuxis. conuersant with badde fellowes,Merismus. threedbare in apparell, forsaken of his neerest kindred and friendes, readie to perish almost for want of foode, and so pennilesse, and therewithall estraunged from all good account, as beeing amongest other lewde persons, brought before a Iustice vppon suspition of his wretched liuing, my selfe beeing in presence, and taking vppon mee in hearing of his name, to bee knowing both of his parentes and Countrey,Irmus. had such credite with the Iustice, as hee foorthwith discharged him, wherewith not contented I did for thy sake,Merismus. and in regarde of thee alone, take him home to my lodging, apparelled him, saued his life, recouered againe his lost credite, and restored him: Were not these benefites, thinkest thou sufficient to binde an honest nature,Erotema. to thinke himselfe beholding to such a one? Happie had I then beene, if neuer more had I intermedled with him,Parison. neuer better regarded him, or at no time after giuen farther credite and liking vnto him. Alas, was it alone my chance among so manie that had cast him off,Ecphonesis. euen then to entertaine him, to relieue him,Auxesis. to reckon of him, nay rather beyond all reason (as thy selfe by the sequell wilt confesse) so farre foorth to dote of him, as nourishing my secrete mischiefe,Allegoria. as it were in mine owne lodging, vnder the shadowe of mine owne couert,Synonymia. yea in my verie bosome, I must lead him yet farther along, in the end to spoile me, and to meditate nothing so much, as my intended destruction?

Thou maruellest I know to heare thisParadoxon. (and strange & most strange it is I must confesse) but yet true, and if not in him true, then in no other true, by all likehoodes. But ere I farther report vnto thee, howe and by what accident encreased my griefe, let mee yet shew thee more what I did vnto him.Periphrasis. So ordered the vnluckie starres my cruel Fate, and in such (more then disordered maner) wrought the heauens against mee,Parenthesis. as albeit here at L. (for I must needes deliuer a truth vnto thee) he was greatly desirous and became an earnest suter, I shoulde euen at that time leaue him:Metaphora. yet pressed by mine one misfortune, and more then tolerable liking, nothing regarding, or so much as once remembring in what worse estate I might haue conceiued him,Hypotyposis. I bethought my selfe he was a Gentleman, bredde of good and vertuous parents worshipfullie allied. In their Countrey whilome well reputed, and if anie defect had before befallen him,Meiosis. I knewe hee was a yonger brother, and want of liuing and maintenance might impaire him, I had no sonne of mine owne, his learning and other qualities (not to bee despised) drewe more and more fancie vnto him: what should I say?Aporia. I rendred vnto him all account and preferment that lay in my possibilitie to procure him: and shortlie to conclude, into the Countrey (furnished in the best part according to his calling) I took him with me.

If I should say to thee,Asyndeton. that his demeanour, his attendaunce, his forwardnesse in all thinges to my noted liking, his outwarde shew in whatsoeuer action vnto mee seeming to bee pleasing,Liptote. did not of it selfe appeare to chalenge so much, I shoulde lie vnto thee. But what of that,Sententia. howe is falshoode couered, but by the daintiest glosse, where lurketh craft, if not in the shade of most simplicitie?Allegoria. Coulde the Syren deceyue, if shee had no song? Which way should men bee bewitched, if there were no meane of inchauntment? But did hee in the ende prooue such in deede,Anthypophora. as he seemed, or hereunto appertained? No, no. God knowes he failed much therein, yea, hee was too farre from it.Polyptoton. See then how much beyond my selfe I was, that beeing thus intreated to discharge my selfe of mine owne bane,Allegoria. would yet allure both Gods and men, to bring into my bosome the purport of mine owne secrete and vnknowne mischiefe.

Christmasse nowe drewe on, after that a good time we had remained in the Countrey,Metalepsis. alas that times ordained and sacred to holie purposes, should become ayders and furtherers to mens vile imaginations. In this time, whilest all mens mindes were busied and occupied in dauncing, banquetting and feasting, as vse and custome, and season of the yeare had of auncient times induced, whilest the Hall was full of all sortes of people,Synonymia. reuelling, playing, and occupyed in pastime, my daughter (O griefe to thinke on, and heauiest sound to remember)Emphasis. my onelie daughter was at bed-time missing: Search was made heere and there,Hypotyposis. inquisition of this partie and that, this way ranne one, that waie another, the house was troubled and filled with all hurlie burlie, onelie wading further into the matter, and her Chamber throughlie perused,Merismus. her apparell was missing, Chests broken vp, iewels bereaued, mine owne lodging spoyled, and in the ende, I sawe and found my selfe in what cruell sort that might be robbed.

Hereupon grew suspition,Climax. and of suspition arised matter of likelihood, and of likelihood at last, assured and most probable coniectures. One while this man was brought in suspect,Polyptoton. another while that partie chalenged, then he was misdeemed, and another againe culpable adiudged, but all in vaine. For hardly could my mind suppose, that hee to whom my thoughts were so sincerely tiedPeriphrasis. in all more then common affection, would so farre forth haue beene estraunged, as at any time to become weeting of my intended harmes,Auxesis. neuer a conspiratour, much lesse an executour. But wicked and vile conceited fraud, what cannot dissimulation,Emphasis. in cloake of sugred guile vnder thy title put forward. Prosopopœia.And yet might my ignoraunce herein verie well haue become excusable, for a seuen night before that time,Epizeuxis. that luckles time in which this action was concludedParenthesis. (for long before was it purposed) your kinsman by my allowance and good will had taken leaue, and seemed to be departed, to goe into N. to visite his friends, whose absence besides the little matter that euer in him I supposed to be hereunto sounding,Irmus. and euerie other circumstance conducing in all his common behauiours, not so much as in shewe to giue a shadowe of this or any such like pretence, could neuer haue induced mee to the least imagination at all, that hee of all others, would haue offered to be seene in anie such thing.

But if you will nowe aske mee what presumptionAnthypophora. I haue then to charge him more then another, in whome so little matter of suspition coulde before time bee conceyued, I will aunswere yee. The presumptions are, their conuersing together in one place, besides that, shee is by his directions at L. and placed at his finding, that his pretence of going away, was to depart into N. the deuise whereof appeareth nowe but a plaine colour, to haue procured this vnhappinesse. Of all which I am so surelie assertayned by the credible report of a Gentleman, so honest, and of reputation so sufficient, as whereof I need to make no question. For once they being togither, and in such sort as is deliuered,Expeditiō. argueth the circumstaunce of his going to N. to bee but a meere disguising, his intent eyther onelie to bee a meane with lesse suspition to compasse her, and so consequentlie to betraie her, the stocke whereupon they liue, to bee my wealth, and what from mee is robbed and vnkindlie bereaued, howe can it otherwise choose?Erotema. is not the matter plaine and euident? how else should he see her,Asyndeton. compasse her, receyue her, and in such sort entertaine her?

If these bee supposes, then what may bee serious,Epitropis. if such assured notes as these seeme trifles, what then can bee sayde to bee certaine? and yet long was it I must needes bewraie, ere my selfe could conceyue the similitude it bare of trueth,Epiphonema. so harde a matter it is where good opinion is once rooted, by the veritie it selfe, almost to driue out the same. But nowe sounding deeper into the action, I finde both will and abilitie in each poynt so furthering, as without I determined to winke still in mine owne blindnesse,Metaphora. I must renounce all fauourable conceyte, and vtterlie confesse the same to bee but an errour.

For hauing waded into euerie deepe conceite,Epanodis. and imagination of the accident, well weighing with my selfe also what maner a one the partie hath beene,Parison. how euill vnto mee sithence he hath likewise beene reported of, how vilelie before my receit of him hee was generally demeaned, with what base people and men of basest reckoning I found him accompanied: I do immediatelie condemne my selfe that was so sottish as to expect any other euent at his handes, then what hath alreadie succeeded, seeing where so manie euil dispositions haue bene before time abounding, it is not easily noted that from such a one any good at all coulde bee at anie season proceeding. But too late nowe to my no small griefe, doe I fall into this reckoning, which wisedome would before haue preuented, and more circumspectlie haue intended to.Anthypophora. For whence (if I trulie shoulde speake of the action) ensued this abilitie? Was it not the fauour and especiall liking wherewith I receyued him? Asyndeton.Howe could hee else haue presumed on it? Howe could he haue sought it? Howe could he haue done it? But not for this doe I accuse thee my R. as either accessarie,Meiosis. or fauourer of so badde and vnkinde a purpose, but for thou knowing his course of life, weeting of my well deeming, assured of his beeing with me, hauing reported vnto thee in what degree I did credite him, woulde notwithstanding not so much as tell mee of him,Conoratiō. nor suffer mee by thy gentle admonition so much as to surmize how I might bee deceiued by him.

Let I pray thee the sorrowfull demonstrationPeroratiō. of these my Letters bee a meane vnto thee,Synonymia. as thou louest mee, tenderest mee, and carest for me, to search out the truth, the state and circumstance of the thing, and yet (forlorne as I am) seeke I therein but mine owne sorrow, for neuer shall I like of him, care for her, or hardlie after this in any sort abide her. Yet for my minde desireth to be resolued (though euen in these verie wordes deliuering I doe not seeme to doubt) let me receyue the plentie thereof at large, bee it that the resolution be a confirmation of mine owne vnhappinesse, the force whereof beeing past remedie I must support as I can, and seeke as I may to endure the rest with patience.

A Letter defensorie answering by confutation all the obiections in this former Epistle surmized.

IT is sir,Exordium. accustomed that men in griefe of minde doe often speake diuers things, for which in respect of their sorow they seeme to deserue many wayes to be pardoned,Insinuatiō. according to which, your selfe hauing of late sustained some aduerse hap, do what by surmises, & what by misreports, seeme to be at oddes with your owne liking, and vpon a sodein to become enraged with your owne fancie. In the course of your whole letter viewing the wrong you haue sustained, & the extreame disquiet wherewith you are perplexed, I pittie your misfortune, and as a friende doe inwardlie grieue at that wherewith you are troubled, wishing that either I had abilitie to redresse the matter to your liking, or otherwise that my wordes were of weight to perswade you, that with the extremity thereof you would not so greatly be moued.

Touching my kinsman,Polyptoton. whome for my sake in such sort as you write you receiued, and to whome vpon the outward deserte of his behauiour you vouchsafed such entertainement, and vppon whose absence and departure (albeit with your good liking) you seeke to intrude the summe of all your vnhappinesse and misfortune. Hee is not indeede at this instant here in the countrey, but as I deeme and you haue informed, about London. Neuerthelesse for so much as it seemeth by your writing, and also by his thankful acknowledgement and deliuery, both vnto me and others, how much he hath stoode beholding vnto you, and that it standeth to bee parcel of a gentle mind, as wel to recognise a good turne, as to remoue by a louing censure an ill opinion, where the same rather of griefe then of malice is vniustlie conceiued (notwithstanding I may not so effectually speake to the purpose, as if himselfe were personally present) I will endeuour vpon mine owne knowledge as farre as I may, and so much as in truth I canne lawfully iustifie, hereby to satisfie you, and if it bee possible to expell those causelesse coniectures of him, that in such sort doe annoie you.

To the matter therefore wherewith you are grieued,Apostrophe. I thus much dare affirme vnto you in his behalfe, that in all your imaginations you haue greatly misconceiued, and the reasons leading me thereunto are these.

First, where your selfe doe confesse that the onely matter you haue in apparance inducing you to accuse him, is the credible report of a friende of yours,Answere to the cause of coniecture. that sawe him and your daughter at London, and a suppose thereby, that shee is at his disposition, and the theft of your goodes to them both an indifferent finding. I saie the validitie of all this is nothing,Procatalepsis. for omitting that by diuers casualties men and women at aduenture doe daily meete, experience whereof is in common vse amongst our selues, and euen then when we least do thinke of it, and most woulde woonder at it, the reason whereof I ouerpasse, because to the accident I am but a straunger, what reason haue you so resolutelie to thinke that the expenses whereon they remaine (so bee it they doe as you alleadge continue togethers) must onelie bee drawne out from that part of your lost substaunce, and so by consequence aggrauate a likelihoode of his stealing your daughter? I neede not I trust perswade you of his kindred, nor abilitie of his friendes, it resteth not in doubt, you knowe it: then vnderstande you sir, it may also bee as possible, that some one or other of them might at the length by some more gentle motion then before time tender his good. Whereof I need make no question, my selfe can assure you, for that an Aunt of his dying of late, left him possessions to three hundred poundes value, which beeing at his choise either to accept a diuision or money, it is like he hath the coine and let the lande goe, and therupon is the better enabled to do what is reported vnto you both for her and himselfe.

Hereupon you begin to call in reckoning his life, and I knowe not what late reportes and informations of his liuing, to coniecture thereupon his common disposition and ill vsage, with abilitie to doe you a displeasure,Erotema. performed by your owne countenance. Alas sir, why shuld you be so far led awry by these vncertainties? Know ye not that reportes are manie times slaunders? and that men for the most parte speake generallie when they find a man in any sort to be iniured particularlie?Dichologia. Hee is my kinsman I confesse, but not for that would I yet defende him in his treacheries, but for mine owne knowledge of him from the beginning, canne I witnesse the contrarie, I must tell you to conclude thereupon, you do him small equitie. What if hee fell into your notice by a little penurie?Anthipophora. Manie an innocent and good man by want hath beene driuen to ill companie, yet themselues vnknowing,Pleonasmus. and not weeting at all of their facultie, and so truelie may I herein deeme of him, gladlie in the meane time thanking you, and himselfe eftsoones confessing the weight hee then receiued of your curtesie.

And if we shall aunswere likelihoodes againe by coniectures, why may not (I pray ye) the carefull endeuor and diligent aduerting, your selfe doe confesse in all his continuance to haue remained in him towards your liking,Antithesis. be as well a testimony of his honest affection, and glad indeuor to recompence by any seruice your kindnes, as vpon his naked sole information, you would goe about to wrest it as a token of dissembled iniurie?Metonoia. Nay rather why may not the suppose thereof bee forcible to quench any other conceipt to the contrarie, seeing in the reuolution of the same, you also doe graunt, that in all his behauiour you neuer sawe so much as one suspect, whereby so farre as you are gone, in such sort to induce you? For my part if we shal studie to measure the conditions of men aright, I am of opinion that wee ought rather to credit the vse and practise daily seene before our eies, then by any misreport or vnseemely coniecture to giue scope vnto our owne imagination or a selfe willed fantasie.

Honest gratuity and dissembled trechery, seldom in my conceipt, do drawe in one line togethers,Anthithesis. thankefull I doe know him vnto you for any benefite,Dialysis. for I haue seene him more then once, and that most feruentlie to professe it, how he should halt with you by nature I finde not, as whereunto I neuer saw him addicted: besides, thus much can I yet say more to ascertaine you, that about the time mentioned in your Letter, hee came hither to visite vs, sithence which till within this fortnight he remained with vs. After about the receipt of his money, and for the conclusion of that agreement, hee was disposed to London. There what hath betided him I cannot rightlie enforme you, yet may the apparance hereof bee sufficient, by good reason to assure you, that beeing thus continued,Confutatiō. as I haue declared, hee coulde verie hardly and almost without possibilitie, haue beene so forwardes in the matter as hath beene suggested by you.

In respect of your ancient amity and acquaintance, I doe yet pray you, that you wil be recomforted of your griefes,Epilogus. opposing vnto your selfe this one assurance, that by some strange euent your daughter is happened to his knowledge, and this fixed hope that by beeing with him, she is retained to her best safegard, who as well in respect of the accompt he beareth vnto you, as of the curteous regard it is most like he carieth vnto her, hath vpon some vrgent businesse beene compelled to stay her, determining in some conueniuent time, I warrant you to your comforte and his credite and good opinion to be encreased, to returne her vnto you. Not being vnmindfull howe much I haue heretofore beene staied, both to thinke woorthilie of you, and to thanke you, I doe for the present bid you most hartile farewell. T. this of, &c.

Of Epistles Expostulatorie. Chap. 2.

WIth these expressed examples, I thinke good to conclude this passed title, and thenceforth to goe to the next, which is Expostulatory. This worde seemeth to haue his definition of reasoning, debating or arguing a cause, thereby to find the depth, weight, certaintie or qualitie of the same, and according thereunto to lessen, qualifie, or enforce the substance of griefe or mislike by such meanes conceiued. And albeit iniuries, mislikes and discontentments are ordinary to all men, yet do they for the most part, fall principallie to be receiued among friendes, among kindred, great acquaintance and familiars, by occasion whereof, this title in writing is but (as it were) the first matter of challenge, before anie vile reproch bee performed. And this also not where there is a resolute malice alreadie conceiued, but where men aduisedlie and consideratlie do deliberate of their and other mens actions according to reason to bee considered. By which aduisement being led, without anie hairebraine or brainsicke deuise or humor at all, they sometimes mildlie, and in curteous and louing tearmes according to the state of the writer, and the condition of those to whome he writeth, expostulate the iniurie, desirous rather that the trueth by circumstances might be knowne, then anie quarrelsome matter to bee obtruded. Otherwhiles more roughly and peremptorily they deale, and yet not vnfittinglie nor badlie. But if the effect of your writing be not determined in anie of these two sortes, but falleth otherwise to a manner of reproching of benefittes, or to an exclamation or bitter enforcement of euils, then may not the same bee said to be Expostulatory, but rather to bee exprobratorie, or inuectiue, of which both twaine hereafter shall be further declared. And as this kind of expostulating falleth most with persons of equalitie, for that it is scarse thought good maners, and sometimes helde perillous to dispute of offences with one far aboue vs in authoritie, and with our inferiour so to doe, it turneth more often to bee Reprehensorie then otherwise: yet is the force thereof manie times caried from an inferiour to his better, neuerthelesse with a kinde of aunswerable submission alwayes respectiue to the others reputation or greatnes. And so may a man with his inferiour also in good sort sometime expostulate an iniurie, wherin if he shall vouchsafe so to doe, the partie lesse in abilitie hath the more reason to recognize his courtesie: for a man of good sort and greatlie reputed of, to offer as it were an imparlance vnto his inferiour, whereby to argue with him a matter in suspence to bee noted an iniury, cannot be but much to be praised, and so adiudged in that betternesse, as to procéede of a most singular bountie. So be it he do it not by insultation, nor anie pricke of vainglorie, for so doing it looseth a great part of the vertue therein praysed, vnlesse the desert of the partie be such, as may well merite that or a greater euill to be tendered. By all these means as aforesaid may iniuries be expostulated, the vsage whereof as well in matter of accusation as defence, is indifferently to be carried, considering that onely by varietie of allegations and not otherwise those questionable causes are to be sifted. And so here out will we wade into their seuerall examples.

An example of an Epistle expostulatorie touching certaine iniuries betweene two friends.

MAister L. there passed if you doe call to minde,Narratiō. twixt you and mee certaine speeches of great secrecie, vehementlie concerning the state and good support of my brother. And for as much as I had then great suppose, both of your honest courtesie and great fidelitie (as I thought) sufficient to the matter then spoken of, I did (the extremitie of the cruell creditours requiring it) not sticke to reueale vnto you the conceiued maner and means how the same might be redressed. I do verie perfectly remember, that but to one other besides your selfe, I did communicate the cause, of whose rare and singular honestie I doe so much assure my selfe, that if hee should reueale the same, I could despaire for euer to find any man secret, or that with whatsoeuer matter of friendship might hereafter be credited. But to be briefe with you, the secret is discried, and therewithall so fully laide open, as the whole maner of the same in sort as it was determined by one of the parties whom it specially concerned, hath been to my brothers owne eares deliuered. The other partie to whome I reuealed it hath chaunged his lodging, and hitherto I haue not sent vnto him: whose approoued fidelitie for that it remaineth of no small record to my certaine knowledge, I will presume to verifie. It resteth then that I must needes expostulate with you touching the iniurie, of whome I haue more cause to doubt, being thereunto led not without manie and those verie absolute coniectures. For first it is generallie knowne, that you are verie needie, and to be plaine with you, there be those that will iustifie that by such meanes you do shift now and then verie cunninglie. It is master L. a verie base kinde of shift for a Gentleman in anie treacherous manner to deale with his friend so vnkindlie. And I can prooue besides, that sithence my trust reposed, you haue entred speciall conference with the partie. The time likewise dooth somewhat assure me, in which no one but your selfe coulde so suddenlie preuent mee. There want not to giue scope hereunto, the speeches also which the next day you deliuered mee after I had spoken with you, which was, you feared least my man ouerheard, and might possiblie descrie mee, whom your selfe knewe an houre before our conference, to haue beene discharged our companie. Againe, the person and place where he remaineth, enforce something, whereunto vnaccustomed you haue accesse, and therefore for some speciall policie. And notwithstanding all these vehement likelihoodes, yet will I not condemne you, till I see how you will confute mee. Albeit my censure hitherto passeth that verie hardlie you may answere it, without especiall note of infamie; which being so, the displeasure may returne such as I can tell you, will not be maistered verie easilie. The haste of the messenger forbiddeth me longer delay, by reason whereof, I am compelled to leaue you. B. this of. &c.

An answere defensorie vnto the effects of the same Epistle.

MAister H.Exordium. The manner of your writing seemeth vnto mee verye straunge, and the circumstaunce such, as I promise you, wherewith I was neuer acquainted. I am not a little greeuedLiptote. to thinke that you shoulde in that peremptorie sort you doe, attribute vnto mee the name of so base and vnfitte a dealing.Excusatiō. I would well you and your informer vnderstoode: that it is not my practise to vse that cunning, which you like to tearme by the name of shifting, neither (by whatsoeuer necessitie constrained) doe I inure my selfe vnto the same. It is an olde Prouerbe,Paræmia. Where the hedge is lowest, there euerie man is readie to goe ouer. The verifying whereof appeareth in you, who hauing no more certaintie then your meere imaginations to suspende mee, doe iniuriouslie obiect my necessitie, as beeing the onelie meane wherewith to disgrace me.Anthypophora. Whie, maister H. dooth it therefore followe because I want, that my minde must of force become maimed with such treacherie? You are deceyued, and they guesse much awrie, that in such hatefull manner doe go about to abuse mee.Erotema. What argument call you that, that for because you reuealed your counsell to vs two, and it liketh you to preferre by certaine allowaunce the others reputation and abilitie before mee, that therefore I haue deceyued you? Whie if you list to suppose a trueth on my side (as lawfullie you might doe) were there not as much reason that I for mine honestie, as hee for his brauerie shoulde as indifferentlie bee censured? But your probable coniectures you will saie doe entice you,Procatalepsis. the one whereof is the time wherein none coulde preuent you. Was not I pray you that other in Towne as well as I, though hee altered his lodging? And suppose that euerie daie wee were both heere since,Paramologia. may it bee vnpossible that another might endammage the matter as well as we? But I had speciall conference with the partie, and the place and person without that occasion, of no likelihoode by mee to bee frequented.Erotema. Had I conference? Is that a thing so maruellous? Am I so farre estraunged from honestie, that I may not haue speech with a man, but to worke my friend villanie? Alacke man, whie, I was neuer so fearefull of mine one keeping secretes,Charientismus. that I woulde haue denied it if you had asked mee, neither doe I much force if your owne eyes doe witnesse the cause when I next speake with you. In saying the place and person was before time by mee vnused, you speake iniuriouslie, for your owne selfe doe knowe, that both he and the rest, were to mee knowne before time, and that verie familiarlie. To conclude, I wish you to bee perswaded, that in rewarding mee with such conceytes as these, you shall doe mee but small courtesie, and ill requite my faythfulnesse by vpbrayding mee with my necessitie, that woulde haue endeuoured all meanes possible to pleasure you. And as touching anie infamie to me redounding herein, I woulde I could as well cleare all my offences to God-warde, as I can free my selfe of this suspition, and that with as great honestie, as others most maliciouslie haue sought to defame mee, and then no doubt my account should be a great deale lesse then it is, when euer the Almightie by his eternall summons should call me. In resolution whereof, I ende this answere. The of. &c.

A reply to the said answere Defensorie, wherein the matter of the Epistle is more firmlie maintained.

OF ancient time it hath often beene sayde,Exordium. that it is euill halting before a Cripple,Allegoria. faithfull dealing and flourishing glosing are two contraries. Among true friends indeede, and such as doe make more account of their credite and honestie,Antithesis. then of the base acquiring of a sleight commoditie, I doe confesse it is not of small moment to builde vpon the rock of their assurance, and to make reckoning of their word, to the vttermost, but where Gentilitie is not alonelie spotted, but in a manner couered and debased alreadie with vnhonestie, and men hold it for a Maxime to shrowd their lauish and euer emptied expence, by whatsoeuer kinde of lucre, bee it neuer so filthie, it is not necessarie that repose bee in such place stablished, least the vntimelie rooting thereof, doe make men banne their winnings, and lament the bitternesse of their losse, when too late they are out of hope, for euer to haue the same recouered.

It seemeth Maister L. by the continuance of your Letter, that the censure of my former direction, you haue passed ouer very sleightlie, conceiuing that by a number of od speeches (which in maner of a racket you haue vsed,Hypotyposis. to tosse my coniectures as tennis balles, being at your deeming not much materiall, whether by order of the game you returne them into the court, or banding them in the aire, suffer them to flie at all aduentures) you do yet suppose to haue wrought a masterie, and of whatsoeuer to bee saide agaynst you, to haue discharged your selfe verie soundlie. You must thinke M. L. I am no babie, neither do you deale with such a one, that notwithstanding in a plaine and honest vsage hee accordeth to all simplicitie, is yet of so meane conceyte but hee is able to vent your vttermost actions, deale you in the handling of the same neuer so cunningly.

The maner of your vsage,Commoratiō. being peraduēture deliuered in some place where you were lesse knowne, might make a flourish for your credit, and for the present, in one sort or other auaile you, but vnto me it is but matter to smile at, and occasion (to deale plainlie with you) the more to mislike you, who not contenting your selfe to haue dealte more vnfriendlie then befitteth, haue determined belike in your reasons to make me beleeue, that I haue offered you the iniurie, and when you haue stung mee to the quicke,Allegoria. perswade me that the violence of the mischiefe lighted vpon your owne body. But the course herein you take, is too far wide from the censure of any honest opinion.Erotema. What tell you me you were acquainted before time with the partie, and of I know not what businesse you had to do, which at the next sight you care not to shew mee? and then forsooth that the others ability and my suppose must bee preferred before you, in respecte of your necessitie? with such other friuolous repetitions without substance or honestie? and after that some Robin the deuil, or I wot not what spirit of the aire must besides impossibility be supposed to reueale the accident.Confutatiō. What vanity is this? what matter of reason therein, that as before I might not assure my selfe of your infidelity? to what end proceedeth al the other circumstances, vpon what conceipt doe they cleare you? Tush, tush, deceiue not your selfe, nor thinke you go so couertly but that men of discretion can and do daily see you.

Somwhat more thē you think I haue sithence heard how the world goeth with you, you thought it very much at the beginning I shoulde expostulate with you, but if I should stir you with this item that I can tell you where, when, and vpon what expectation you descried mee, you might thinke I did not then disguize with you.

I study not to capitulate your iniuries, as confessing my selfe also not to bee vnburdened with offences: But good I deeme it were M. L. that by some meanes you tooke notice of your owne infirmities. To aggrauate the wrong that you haue done me, I list not, and more then I intended haue I spoken vpon that you haue answered. Being vnwilling to toile my selfe, or trouble your conceiptes any further, I herewith conclude,

More sorie of your ill condition, then of the abuse you haue done me.

A second answere by the like reasons of the replie, in further defence of the partie.

AS auncientlie it hath beene accustomedExordium. (as in the prouerbe by you alleadged)Paræmia. Better it were for some to steale a horse, then for others to looke on. It is an easie matter to find a staffe to beate a dog, and to him that list to haue a bad conceipt,Allegoria. what honest excuse may be alleadged that can drawe him from it. Men that are opinionatiue, doe not for the most part measure thinges as they are, but commonlie as their mind leadeth them,Sententia. and generally to speake of many thinges that in particular are vnnumbred, what the cōceipt giueth in certainty to be adiudged, there is with diuers persons no question of good and bad afterwardes to be opposed. Among friends sundry occasions do happen that meerely for themselues are to bee supported, the least of which happening among strangers, would not without great discontentment be carried.

It is giuen to some to beare much,Prosonomasia. because they seeme to bee borne to it, and to laie their shoulders vnder euerie loade, because they are inured vnto it: yet all that carie loades are not Asses, not euerie one that supporteth a burden is forthwith a pack-horse. I knowe wel M. A. you are no babie, nor I thinke you do suppose me so sencelesse as to be a foole. I vse no rackets to your reasons, as vniustlie you conceiue of me, nor would I haue you imagine that bicause you think ill of me I must needs be guilty. I tell you againe as I told you before, you highly doe wrong me. And in this one more then any other, you most vnfriendly do abuse me.Erotema. Why do you so oftē inculcate vnto me, what other haue reported, and some say they haue seene in me? It is the truth I stand vpon, & not the malice of any one whatsoeuer, that so vilely misdeemeth me.

It is not my custome to winke at all thinges as I doe vnto you, so indifferently, but yet would I haue you conceiue howe much the iniury toucheth me. You argue against mee that it is not inough that I say it is not so, so say I vnto you, that you ought not to charge mee without you can proue it so. Because there resteth some matter wherby I am in good condition tyed vnto you, it is not seemely for your credit, nor fit for the honesty wherof you make profession, to lade me any whit the more with iniury. Make what large collection you list of my present state and necessity, I tell you, I deeme my selfe the same man that I was in greater prosperity.

My request is for the surcease of all this iarre, your opinion maie stande as you list, but giue mee conuenient time and accesse to cleare mee. To vrge me as you doe, maie but breede that which to neither of vs may returne pleasing, and which in the end I knowe will be to you most discontenting. It were good that with lesse resolution you did sway your opinions, so might you with smaller difficulty decerne, what with facility in fine you will of your selfe condiscend vnto. My selfe being as loth to disturbe you, as your self seeme wearied with the former toile doe herewith set my limits, who worse conceipted of your light beliefe then of the wrong you haue done me, do not withstanding continue,

Desirous of your reformed imagination, &c.

NOw after these double thwartinges on either part receiued in expostulating this iniury, (the like whereof by writing is sundrie times occasioned, and remaineth in this place onlie for varietie, to make shew how by well handeling, matters may on both sides be equally enforced or weakned) I will sort you forth two or three seuerall examples more, because of the necessary and often occurrence of this title, daily being accustomed in our writing. The first whereof shall be for matter of vnkindnesse: The second for breach of promise: The thirde from a meane Gentleman to a personage of great honour, wherby in cause of betternesse shall be exampled how iniuries may be expostulated or complained of, and these in sequence shall followe by their examples.

An example of an Epistle Expostulatory touching vnkindnesse receiued.

MAister G.Narratiō. I haue great maruell that remaining hitherto in town as you do, we can by no possibility heare of your being, but by such iangling messengers as you make currors for spite, whereby to abuse your friendes. In which the discurtesie is far more by the vnbeseeming courses & dealings therein vsed, then fitteth either your honestie or our friendship to be tolerated. I doubted not ere this time how apt you were to conceiue (euen for a verie toie) in the worst degree that might bee, of any one that behaueth himselfe neuer so well vnto you,Epiphonema. so ticklish are your humours, and so vnsteady your censures. And which is worst, it cannot with you rest in imagination alone, but in such odde kinde of reportes, and to such base persons you deliuer it, as it verelie seemeth, you little recke what discredit you offer a man in the same, the least whereof would make you storme to the gall, if a man should but ouerslip himselfe in giuing any manner of sound of you, tending to such effect as you proffer. Good God sir, are you and I of late become such straungers together, as that neither writing nor request may serue to haue accesse to your presence. Trust mee I am vnused to these deuises, nor fit they at all vnto my appetite. Either something or no body to me, but vnto such as more recke of your coynesse then I doe, you may be as you will, or as their fortunes may beare with you. For my part I am too vnapt to weld any such insupportable amity. If you can vse me as your vpright, honest, and well meaning friend, I am vnto you as firme as you woulde wish me, otherwise to encounter so many diuersities, of vnfrequented fancies, toyes, or mislikes, it aunswereth in no point vnto my propertie, which hauing thought good of meere well wishing to signifie vnto you by present writing, I leaue you to your best opinion, this of &c.

Yours in all good sort to be entertained, &c.

An example of an Epistle expostulatory for breach of promise.

MAster K. I haue abstayned hitherto to come or sende vnto you,Narratiō. partly weried with importunity, for that I thought two moneths being now passed, I might in this space haue found a season conuenient, wherein to haue ended with you. Hauing taken this cause in hand, I woulde (as in good reason it seemeth fit) you should determine with me vpon some conclusion, wheron resting assured, I might thenceforth know wherunto to trust, & neither waste labour in comming to so small purpose, nor hinder my certaine busines by the vnsteadie stay of your affaires, as alreadie I haue done. We haue talked manie times, and set downe certaine limits, marie to so slender effect, as I neither know when to demaund, nor you howe to satisfie. So that depending vpon shadowes, I haue passed my time with small benefite, and you haue gone forward to little purpose. I doe pray you therefore that hence-foorth such honest meaning maie assure vs, as alreadie betweene vs hath on either part beene performed, To delaie me thus with nifles, as I thinke it farre from a Gentleman, so do I suppose you not intend it, considering how many wayes thereby, I am and shall be hindred. This therfore may be the certaine meane to satisfie vs both,Epilogus. that you will (as on Friday last you promised) come and see the agreement betweene vs performed, whereof I pray you aduertise your full resolution by this bearer. And so I bid you heartily fare well, &c.

An example of an Epistle Expostulatorie from an inferiour Gentleman to his farre better in degree, authoritie and calling.

RIght Honourable,Exordium. though by the custome and common policie of this vnhappie worlde, I am better warranted with a personage of your greatnesse, to dissemble, then to deale plainlie, yet because I finde as well by Gods owne worde, as by the euent of mens practises, that such customes are neither pleasing to his Maiestie, nor alwayes profitable to such as vse them, I haue aduentured to manifest that by paper, which by words (albeit many times desirous) I neur had heart to vtter.

My purpose is to be plaine,Propositiō. and in honest and dutifull sort to expostulate with your L. wherein I finde my selfe greeued, and vpon what ground this my complaint is framed. I therfore most humblie beseech your L. for Gods sake and your owne, to pardon this presumption, and to admit me fauourable and indifferent construction, of what I shall here vnfolde vnto you by writing.

I exclaime of wrong passed, I vrge my miserie present, and I complaine of you to your selfe, and so doe make you iudge of all that shall be hereafter enformed.

Your L. did once knowe, and hath still some cause to remember, that of all such lande and liuings as my father at his death was possessed, one onelie poore farme fall to my share.

I my selfe doe knowe, and shall neuer easilie forget, that after the same was thrust into my handes, I neuer inioyed it without much vnquietnesse, quarrell and vexation, nor without the continuall malice and molestation of my vnnaturall Vncle, and such his associates, as by setting him on, vnderhande, did afterwardes finde meanes to fasten in the same.

This poore liuing (once in maner lost, afterwards recouered, and yet still fearefullie kept, the rather by meane of a newe trouble, moued vnto me by maister B.) I was in fine driuen to offer for a little, but to sell for lesse. Now here begins my iust cause of complaint. For vpon firme hope of your L. fauour towards me, and that you would according to your honourable promises haue done me an expected good: I was content to yeeld my interest for eleuen hundred and three score pounds, where sixteene hundred pounds had beene before offered by my kinsman, and so I then told you.

This offer of mine, your L. for the time accepted, yeelding with some difficultie to paie the odde eight score poundes, where I ought it. Howe be it afterwardes, hauing gotten the Lease into your hands, and beeing possessed of the bargaine, and none nowe daring to take the same from you, you quarrelled with the Lease as before you had done with the title, and made mee a fresh abatement of the odde eight score poundes, affirming it to bee no part of your charge to paie my debts.

To salue this mischiefe, and to saue my eight score poundes (your Lordship hauing reported the former bargaine to your most aduauntage) I laboured without auaile, to helpe your memorie therein. Protesting (and that most trulie) that vpon mine earnest and humble petition vnto your L. to leaue mee woorth a thousand pounds, and to paie my debts, and in regarde also of the great abatement of what I might haue had else where, your Lordshippe had condiscended in the former conference to discharge the same. And thereupon willed me, at my next returne to bring a note of my debts, with the names of my creditors.

This tale I well remember with more trueth then good successe vttred (speciallie the often touch of what my kinsman had offered me) did greatlie mislike you. Whereupon growing in heate (yet with some regard of honour) you swore that if anie other bought the same at my handes then your selfe, you would haue it for lesse then fiue hundred pounds, yea, for nothing, or else it should go hard. Marie keeping it my selfe, you said you would stand my friend: which hote or colde conclusion, I protest did so appale, as with feare of further losse, with griefe and discontentment I grewe sicke, and thereupon resolued to take what you would giue me.

Your Lordship hauing thus, what with countenaunce and choler dismayed mee, and finding by such peremptorinesse my sense to bee ouercome, you ranne on still with this wresting course, and vpon authoritie without cause or colour, cut me yet thirtie pound shorter. So as in place of one thousand sixe hundred pound offered mee by my kinsman in the Countrey, your Lordship gaue mee nine hundred and seuentie pound, leauing me out of this to pay a hundred and sixtie pound debt.

By these meanes (right Honourable) was I then halfe impouerished, and am now altogither vndone, hauing neither skill to vse that little you gaue, nor will to raise my selfe after my fall, which I thought impossible.

It was a wholsome caueat giuen mee by your Lordship, and a full resolution put downe by my selfe, rather to stoope and to liue somwhat sparing, then by anie prodigalitie to impaire my stock: but being neither Marchant, Artizan, Broker, nor Vsurer, nor hauing among manie debtors, scarce one good payer, I coulde hardly frame to doe what was aduised me, or be so much mine owne friend, as at first I had determined.

My state then brought thus lowe, my friends decayed and dead, my liuing sold for little, and the money spent, I resolued and stil doe with the rest to leaue my Countrey, as well to couer my want from mine enemies, as to seuer my selfe from so vnfortunate acquaintance.

Find time therefore I beseech your honour, before my going to examine these particulars, they containe I protest nothing but matter of truth. It is a high vertue and most commendable in a man of your state, to right your inferiour against your selfe, by this shall you winne him vnfainedlie to loue you, who now vpon iust cause can do no lesse, then thinke himselfe wronged by you.

And so my good L. this bill exibited into your chamber, not into any court, deliuered to your owne handes, and to no man els, I leaue to your honourable and best consideration, humblie once againe beseeching your L. to suspend your hardest conceit against mee, for expostulating my griefs, in repect my plainnes herein, passeth not without truth, nor any wrong enforced, but vpon iust occasion.

Of Epistles Exprobratorie. Chap. 4.

Rom matter Expostulatorie, wee will nowe turne our selues to the next title beeing Exprobratorie, vnder which is contained cause indeede of vehement and grieuous disdaine: chieflie touching offences that impugne a contrarie and laudable merite and desert. For which, howbeit in all ciuill vsages it be accounted vndecent, vncourteous, and vnbeséeming anie gentle condition, to reproch a man in time of mislike, with good offices or turnes, that before he hath receiued. So when contrarie to the honest affection vnto him bountifully tendred, a man shall either vngratefully refuse to recognize the same goodnes, or impudentlie, vnciuilly, or inhumainly go about to reward euil for good, and to enforce a most vniust vexation, where himselfe hath receyued most comfort. In such cases to vse this Exprobratory maner of writing, to signifie vnto yᵉ party so forgetfull of gentlenes, both what he hath receiued, and howe much he was charged by all waies, limits and means that may be enforced, of humanitie, pietie, or gentlenes, it shall not be amisse, and to such ende & no other is this Exprobratorie kind of Epistles to be vsed: Of which, some certaine examples are in this place to be deliuered.

An example of an epistle Exprobratorie touching ingra- titude receiued.

I Doe not maruell Narratiō.at your woonted and sundrie delayes in aunswering my requestes, nor that you breake so manie promises with your friendes for the gratifying of their courtesies: In that beeing thinges by nature annexed as they are to so seruile a condition, they seeme (as remedilesse) in all discreet iudgementes to bee borne withall. But that I wonder at, is, howe my selfe (knowing as I doe, and hauing so often tasted of that contemptible and harde disposition of yours towardes mee) should yet be so assotted,Merismus. as to straine my friendes, to spende my money, exercise my wits, yeelde my trauell, bende my care, and passe my credite, to relieue, vpholde, nourish and maintaine such a one, in bringing him from nought to ought, from the dunghill to the court, from woe to wealth, as hath neither honestie to regarde me,Synathrismus. wit to vse me, will to requite me, ciuilitie to respect mee, good nature to thanke me, nor any one sparke of endeuour whereby so much in good seeming to behaue himselfe towards me. Many occasions haue beene giuen mee before time by some other misprizers of my curtesie, but you of all others haue exceeded and do passe them all in vnhonestie.Commoratiō. That I shoulde bee occasioned thus to reproch you as I doe, is iwis vnto me no great contentment, but that at my handes who alwaies haue so manifoldlie deserued of you, you should so far forth challenge to be reproched, that certainly is it whereof you ought most to bee ashamed. Howe many wayes you haue wronged me,Liptote. and howe little cause hereafter I haue to entermedle or haue to doe with you,Metonoia. hauing so ingratefully, nay rather inhumanelie dealt with me, let the world iudge betweene you and me. Had I tried you in much, or in one halfe of that whereby in very dutie you are charged vnto me, it had beene somewhat to haue denied me:Synonymia. But in a matter so slender, so small valued, and but a trifle, to delay me, to stande with mee,Asyndeton. to breake promise with mee, and which is worst of all, most vnciuillie therewith to bearde me, that of all others is the most detested that may bee. Sorie I am, not that I haue knowne you, for the knowledge shall keepe mee from you, but that in nourishing of you, I forgot my selfe so much, as I coulde neuer till this present perceiue nor looke after you. Fare as you will for me, who euer hereafter desire neither to know nor see you. From B. this of, &c.

An Epistle exprobatory, more largely exampled.

ALbeit vnto a gentle minde there is nothing lesse proper,Exordium. then a reproching of benefittes: nor any thing more contrarying, then to bee touched with discurtesies: yet respecting the weight of the manifold wrongs done vnto me, & most iniurious deuises, wherein thou hast contrary to all lawes of nature, vertue, or honestie, gone about to abuse mee,Hyperbole. rewarding not euill, but worse then mischiefe it selfe, for good, and doing that which all men hate, and the most discreet doe abhorre in requitall of that which I chieflie deserued of thee, I hold my selfe neither to be touched in gentlenes, nor deemed at all in discurtesie,Allegoria. if to such a Camelion I giue his due colours, of so vile a viper doe bewray the feature, to so ingratefull a wretch doe blaze forth his picture, and of so vglie a beast do yeeld his due portraiture, to the ende that at least it may appeare vnto thy selfe, howe vnlike to that thou hast euer seemed vnto me,Antithesis. I haue nowe found thee, and how contrarying to that my selfe haue manifoldly bounde thee, thou hast now shewed thy selfe vnto me.

To the opening whereof let mee call to remembraunceMerismus. that beeing here a great while sithence a straunger, spoiled of that thou haddest, laden with sicknesse,Brachiologa. pursued of thy foes, burdensome to thy friends, subiect to a number of casualties, of death, pouertie, hatred, penurie,Asyndeton. griefe, trouble, and want, I tooke thee, I kept thee, I relieued thee, I prouided for thee, and that at such time as when forsaken of all others, thou wast onely compassed with extremitie, had not this one curtesie,Anthipophora. nay rather vnaccustomed kindnes, beene sufficient alone, wherewith to haue bound thee? Questionlesse it had, rested there at al any sparke of good condition within thee, yet had this been all that I had done for thee, happilie could I then haue contented my selfe, and haue thought that thou haddest therein alone dealt but ingratefullie.

Abhorrest thou notErotema. in the perusing hereof to thinke howe thou hast vsed mee?Commoratiō. Well knowest thou that on this hie point of curtesie, I stucke not alone with thee, for after a recouery by my meanes had, and restitutions of thine estate, vnto thy wonted possessions, health, freedome and libertie, I not only so setled thee, but beeing haled thy selfe (as it were) out of the Lions iawes,Asyndeton. I made thine aduersaries a praie vnto thee, I fauored thee, I loued thee, I esteemed thee when none would regard thee, when all men despised thee. Were not these benefits sufficient,Erotema. Aporia. Allegoria. to haue yoked any good or honest disposition vnto me? What Viper may I then terme thee? what monster or hellish imp that not onely hast not vouchsafed so much as to requite, but scornest in apparance so much as to beare a good opinion towardes me? Is it possible that man than a Serpent, or than the very Crocodile it selfe should become more malicious,Paradoxon. yet hast thou in far greater quantitie then these contained thy venome,Hyperbole. the Hydra was not answerable vnto thy propertie, the very Sauages themselues could not equall thee, thou art infine beyond all, and there are none beyond thee, for both men and beasts do abhor thy treachery.

What then auaileth that of such a one I haue merited so highlie?Erotema. Whereto serueth it to haue extended on him so greate and vnused bounty? The dog fawneth by kinde where he is loued, the Tyger by gentlenes is from his cruelty disturned,Sententia. the Lion wil not suffer a kindnes vnregarded. But thou (hatefull of all others) degenerating from all nature both of men and beasts weighest not of friendship, reiectest fauors,Pleonasmus. hatest all gentlenes, regardest no kindnes, contemnest merits, and kindlesse of all kinds,Polyptoton. or rather sequestred from any kinde, giuest thy selfe to rewarde the best deseruinges, with vnauoidable and most destestable villanies.

Had I not too much deserued as I haue done at thy handes,Epizeuxis. it might in some sort haue sufficed me.Anaphora. Had I by any known or pretended euill, euer pursued thee, had I meant at any time badly vnto thee, it might yet haue cōtented me, that forgetfull of al that before passed, thou shouldest in this hatefull manner haue dealt with mee. But hauing onely heaped on thy head a multitude of fauors,Merismus. receiued thee as I haue done with so sundrie curtesies, imbraced thee as thou knowest with infinite contentmentes, deliuered thee from death, and verie hellish tormentors,Antithesis. what kindnesse could be more, or what merite so ample? And contrariwise, what requitall so slender, what acknowledgement so bad, or what recompence so euill, then wherewith besides all course of iustice and equitie thou hast most vnnaturally acquited me?Epiphonema. One only comfort resteth, that of all honest minds thou art hated deseruedly, and out of all gentle company art excluded perpetually, wherin hauing the only solace vnto my grieued conceits, that for the present may be acquired, I liue in hope to see thee once againe to haue neede of mee, when according to thy demerits I shall thinke of thee, and in the meane while esteeme of thy fashions, as thou hast giuen me cause to accompt of them.

Of Letters inuectiue. Chap. 5.

O these Exprobratorie epistles, doth next follow the title inuectiue. A sharpe and bitter inueighing against the person, déedes, or behauiours of men, occupied altogether in condemning, disabling, and wresting, whatsoeuer maie bee collected to the reproofe, diminution, or impugning of anie one, and that by all maner of quips, tauntes, reproches, blames, imputations, or designmentes that maie bee of euils. And yet this not by a disordered, malicious or railing humour, vniustlie and without great and forcible cause to be pursued, but by a learned, discreete, lawfull, or reasonable toleration to be followed, which in all maner of directions is principallie to be required. The conueiance is as full of Art as anie others, that heretofore haue beene exampled vnto you, and as well for rife and quicke inuention, as orderlie disposition, enforcementes, and neate deliuerie, hath his speciall commendation.

An example of an Epistle Inuectiue of a father against his sonne.

THe sight of your letters,Exordium. and message receiued by your seruant haue (good Coosen) bred to mee in perusing and harkening vnto the same, no small matter of disquiet, not that your letters or messages for themselues are,Metonoia. or haue beene at anie time ill welcome to my hands, but in respect of him for whom they come, whom in truth I neuer recke if I heare of,Epiphonema. so filled haue I beene long since with the euils by him committed.Liptote. I am nothing ignorant that of loue and meere good will you beare to mee and mine, you framed your speeches vnto me, which with how much tediousnes I haue considered of, and with what willingnes I could haue omitted to answere them, no one can so wel giue testimony,Periphrasis. as the burthen of mine owne sorrow beareth witnes vnto me.

But for that I see you are ill conceyted at my heauinesse,Apostrophe. and of your owne good nature woulde gladlye finde meane to recouer that vnto mee,Noema. which my selfe am out of hope for euer to compasse, I am content, though ill pleasing to my remembraunce, and the rather also that by the extremitie of the euillesLiptote. your owne minde maie bee disswaded from anie further dealing in the cause, to shewe vnto you the good conditions of him you sue for, what manner a sonne hee hath alwayes beene vnto mee, what reason thereby I haue to commaunde him from mee, and howe farre wide you are, that in such sort as you declare, doe conceiue both of him, and of mee.

I neede not repeate heere vnto you,Paralepsis with what fatherlie care I haue brought him vppe to mannes estate, by what prouident foresight, I sought both with maintenaunce and conuenient place of credite, to continue him as a Gentleman, howe vnwilling I was to enter into the search of euerie small offence, but attributing the force thereof to his tyme of youth, was content to winke at that manie times, the sufferaunce whereof I doubted would turne to the ruine that it presentlie carrieth. I will but giue you an instaunce of the same, to the intent that as you shall knowe thereof, so may you in reuoluing the rest, consider the better howe vnkindlie, yea, more then vnnaturallye I maie saie, hee hath rewarded me, and therewith will come to the present estate wherein he now remaineth.

It is I iudge about three yeares sithence,Narratiō. to the intent to retaine him in some good order of life, I placed him with a right godlie and worshipfull Knight, Sir H. D. who for my sake both loued him, and I knowe tooke paines to the vttermost to reforme him, before that time I had placed him in an Inne of Courte, where with expences sufficient I kept him. In both of these places hee brought mee more then I will rehearse indebted, ranne himselfe on the rockes, durst not besides (for that priuilie hee had taken vp) to shewe his head.Merismus. Complaints were infinite against him, this man could not bee in quiet for him, that mans seruant hee misused, this partie hee deceyued, that other hee highlie wronged: what coulde I doe vnto these thinges, but as one desirous to reclaime him whom he knewe to be his owne (though with a resolute vow neuer to deale with him,) I then had cast him off, yet by intreatie of his friends, and his earnest submission I receiued him againe. Sithence which too much it is to be reuealed,Commoratiō. how stubbornlie euen in mine owne house, how iniuriously among mine owne people, he hath behaued himselfe, by reason whereof as compelled for the quiet of mine owne familie, I appoynted him to goe from hence into S. there to remaine with his Vncle. And because it was against a Christmasse, and that I woulde not dismisse him vnfurnished of that belonged vnto a Gentleman, (besides that, with a couple of good Geldings I horsed him and his man, and suted him of apparell, and what other needfull necessaries) I deliuered him twentie pounds in his purse. Hee was no sooner gone to D. beeing not past twentie myles from my house, but the verie same night hee loste all his money at dice, pawned his horses for twentie Nobles, and was faine of an honest friend of mine to borrow tenne poundes for his expences, and to redeeme his Geldings, one of my poore Tenants there refusing to supplie his wantes, hee fowlie beate, and if companie had not come in to the rescue, had like to haue slaine him.

Nay, what hath hee done more, but knowing that these his ill demeanours comming once to mine eares, I woulde neuer after repute of him, hee hath confederated with a wicked rascall that once was his man, who beeing the verye same night in his companie, the next day after came to my house and robbed me.

Are not these impieties (thinke you) verie straunge?Erotema. What Nature is in such a sonne, nay, where in him are those district lawes of Nature become, that commonlie enforceth in all other children, an awfull loue and reuerent regarde vnto their parents? Where is the feare of diuine and humane lawes,Prolepsis. the one threatning a sharpe scourge for such vndutifulnesse, and the other punishing by penall forfeytures and imprisonments, the manner of such detestable and disordered loosenesse. To what issue is the auncient right and laudable custome of our forefathers alreadie runne, that whilome by seuere directions compelled the runnagate vsage of their children to a more district imposition and farre estranged exaction then nowe vsed, of a most rare and singular obedience? Why is the common intendment earst in our predecessours tymes, of lawfull and good so accustomablie vsed, thus quite forworne, and in these our seasons (filled with all kind of carelesnes) so far forth disgraced? who is he that now recketh farther then his owne fantasie, or what sonne wil for any zeale or dutie once seeke to repell his owne appetite? Whither are ye gone yee iust and seuere iudges,Prosopopœia. by whose sentence and opinion definitiue sharpe and bitter tortures were laid downe vnto them, that durst presume by any outward shewe in the world, but once so much as to countermaund the authoritie of their fathers?

O times more iniurious then euill it selfe,Emphasis. by whose onely sufferance, mischiefe spreadeth her selfe so highly as it doth, into such manifold branches.Aporia. What would you haue me to say in these things? thinke you not that I haue alreadie receiued discontentment inough at such a ones hande? or would you wish me againe by returning him home weetinglie,Metaphora. to sucke vp mine owne misfortune, and by nourishing an expugnable wickednesse, to see a demonstration of mine owne sorrowe and destruction daylie before mine eyes? No, no, coosin, I haue (I hope) taken order sufficient for these thinges, his presence I am resolued shal no more disquiet mee, by hearing or remembrance of him, if no friend of mine doe otherwise vexe mee,Orismus. for needes a vexation must it bee, be it but the least suppose, to conceiue that I haue yet remayning vnto mee such a sonne. Take heede (good Coosen) that as hee hath deceyued a great manie others, but mee of all others most especiallie, he also doe not deceyue you. Driue him quicklie from your presence, and thinke that a greater plague can you not receyue into your familie, then a person so vile, and of all others demeaned so wickedlie.Peroratiō. This is all that I can delyuer you of my present opinion, but not the least of a thousande other accidents occasioning the same. Whereon I am determined fullie to repose my selfe. Sending in the meane time my heartiest commendations and earnest thankes for the indifferent care had of my being both to you and your bedfellow, this of, &c.

An answere purgatorie of the sonne touching matters Inuectiue of the former Epistle.

WEre it not sir that my presenceExordium. might more offend you then I wish, or by anie action of mine owne, woulde willinglie deserue, I had (emboldened by the equitie and right of my cause) in all humble reuerence and dutie, tendered my self vnto you, but vnderstanding howe greatly the malice of mine auncient enemies haue preuailed towards mee, and that without the verie pietie of your selfe, and equall regarde had to the due information of my cause, there is no place of fauour left vnto me, I choose as the meetest to abandon for a while the yeelding vnto you (by my accesse) of anie such annoyance, and in the meane time, to frame these humble lines, pacifiers of your more then ordinarie discontentments, that as true aduertisers of the course of that wherwith I am charged, they may plead pardon of your protested mislike, and winne vnto me (as I hope) that intertainment againe, from which hitherto by the vndeserued proceedings of mine aduersaries, I haue iniuriouslie beene detained.

And albeit there is no reason whie, in the measure of all your actions,Insinuatiō. I shoulde or ought to deeme, that you doe, or enterprise anie thing vnaduisedlie: yet for so much as the secret sting of malice is such, as is able to penetrate the wisest, and that where much is feared, the least matter inducing thereunto is made occasion to question of, I doe in as lowlie manner as I maie,Paresia. beseech that but with indifferencie you will see howe and in what sort I am wronged, and giuing credite to what hereby in mine owne defence alledged, you will censure the rest, as to the respect of your fatherlie pietie appertaineth.

The weight of that,Propositiō. for which as I vnderstande you are agreeued agaynst mee, is that heretofore you haue had suggested vnto you that I am verie vnthriftie,Anaphora. that I keepe lewde companie, that I consume all at dice, that I am a quarreller, and lastlie, that you surmize you were robbed by meane of mee, or by my assent, all which to confirme, mine aduersaries seeme to haue gathered vppon me great aduantage, in that notwithstanding, beeing often forewarned the contrarie, I sithence fell into companie, played at dice, brake a mans head, and that my man that robbed you, was the night before in my companie.

Much more euill commonlie carrieth the reporter,Sententia. in deliuering an ill suppose of a reasonable conceyted matter, then oftentimes dooth the action it selfe, in the most woorst degree of truth that can bee, beeing equallie considered of, for example, was it euer helde a thing insufferable for a Gentleman to frequent companie or to plaie at dice?Paramologia. May it not sometimes be iustifiable to breake a mans heade? is it a matter of preiudice that hee who once did mee seruice was seene in my company? Your selfe, sir, I knowe wil aunswere for me to all these, No. Then will not I, not only not deny but I did all these, but by your fauour, iustifie to their faces, that honestlie, lawfullie, without offence against you, or reasonable mislike of anie other, I haue and might againe at any time enter into the like vsage of all or any of these, as at that time I did, when they so complained of me.

The company whereof I am accused were such onely and none other as I found in mine Inne,Commoratiō. gentlemen ech to you wel known and of all men generallie well reputed, the plaie that I vsed was with them, the set by agreement not great, concluded vpon more to passe time, then whereof to make gaine.Hypotyposis. Hereunto commeth a bad fellowe out of the town accompanied with one of your tenaunts, who looking on a good while, craued at last hee might set, which being granted, a cast fell between him and me of a nūber to be decided, for his opinion he dared me a good time with twenty Nobles to my geldings, I accepted the wager, the boorde went with mee, your tenant excepted, who against all others stood against me, and hauing this wager in his custody would not deliuer it me. Words by such meanes multiplied, and they both arose against mee, whereupon forced to some impatience,Metonomia. my hand made way to my right, wherewith I quailed their resistance. Lo now sir,Epiphonema. the matter thus highly framed against me, lo here the losse, the pawning, the borrowing of money, and what killing and slaying against mee reported.Synonymia. See here I beseech you the vnthriftines, the misrule, the il company, and what else that malice could any waies deuise to ouerthrow me.

And yet if but truely in their verie supposes they shoulde haue dealte with me, what conceipt could they then haue found in all this to obiect against me?Erotema. Is it not a thing ordinary among Gentlemen when they meete together to solace themselues with some one or other reasonable pastime, in allowance whereof, no one is ordered by himselfe, but by common liking of the rest? Is it not a thing naturall to man, after wearisome trauels to vse vnto his minde some honest recreation? Is it not accordant to ciuilitie to entertaine times and occasions? Affoorded you not therefore the money you gaue mee, in companie well reputed, and in their honest exercises, moderatelie to maintaine mee? Agreeth not hereunto your onelie dailie conuersation, your entertainments, your continuall vse of companie applied in your owne behauiors, and in others commended before me?

What then may bee saide to condemne me?Anthypophora. the common name (perchaunce) of the plaie, carying with it a continuall surmize of inconuenience?Paramologia. I need not here lay vnto your wisdome for my defence, that as well therein, as in all other demeanors, there is vse which is allowed, and abuse, that in it selfe is insufferable. To commende the moderate vse hereof,Epanodis. I can induce nothing more then custome, and for the choise of the best obseruation, the company must cleare mee. Nowe in auoiding the enormities, the charge (if I misconceiue not) you gaue me, extended to the fellowship of the worst, in whose societie nothing is so common as ill vsage, and in whose pleasures, no one thing so ordinarie as vnthriftinesse, each of which occasioning that euill which I seeke to shunne, hath beene herein so far exempted, as I protest there resteth in veritie, no suspicion at all wherewith I may be charged.

But if nowe sir,Apostrophe. you will reason of your tenauntes hurte, what therein may bee obiected that shall not euery waie further mee: who is hee that by nature could bee so restrained, but by the verie instinct thereof, hee will rather kill if neede bee, then stande to be killed?Paradigma. Hath not the Soueraigne mother of all our earthlie beeing, armed euen the verie Beastes themselues to their owne defence? hath not the Lyon his clawes, the Bull his hornes, the Dogge his teeth, and the Boare his tuskes? Doe not the worthiest sort of mankinde also contemne to be misprized, and naturallie couet where they bee enforced, immediatlie to be reuenged? Allotteth not the lawe vnto euerie man his right?Erotema. Was it not by Conuention agreed, that the winner shoulde haue the wager? And did not the vniuersall sentence of the whole boord, adiudge it to me? What resteth any waies then to bee alleadged whereby in this action to accuse mee? Nay rather what is vnleft herein to condemne him,Polyptoton. that being your tenaunt, hauing his liuing of you and yours, beholding as hee is to all yours, woulde yet be so vile conceipted against any of yours, as not with ordinary speeches alone, but with vnfitting tearmes, with violent force woulde goe about to withstande me,Asyndeton. to hurt mee, yea desperatelie to confederate with another of my life and money to bereaue me.