Chapter X: Part 10

Your wiles (Sirra) and sophisticall expositions of your owne misdemeanours, with sundrie confirmations therein vsed, whereby to driue me from the verie suppose of that whereunto no one thing hath giuen more euident testimony, then the course and progression of your whole life, are either too newlie forged, to reape at my hands any sound credite, or the metall so light, as carieth in the weight thereof verie small substance. in my conceipt to be beleeued.

[Sidenote: _Insultatiō._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

Well haue you applied your wits (no doubt) and to especiall good purpose haue your studies bin framed, that can so cunninglie cōment as you haue done vpon so bad a text, but withdraw your measure betimes, and cease this ouerweening, least by continuing your selfe in a fools paradice, and where al things are naught, supposing nothing to be amisse, you do (as by your deserts you haue sundry times endeuored to lose a father) so in the end frame a desperate meane to lose your selfe, when you may neuer be recouered.

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

[Sidenote: _Parison._]

[Sidenote: _Synathrismus._]

[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote: _Orismus._]

[Sidenote: _Metonoia._]

The shame you haue of your mischiefe done, and guiltinesse of your owne conscience to come in my sight, togither with a knowne mislike that you haue receiued from mee, either to see or heare from you: you vse as a cloake, to couer the long pretext you haue made in defence of your euils, you haue well shewed that paper beareth no other hue but his owne, and the letters you imprint therupon, carrie but their proper colour. Though they falsifie a thousande actions, and bolster vp inumerable lies, it is not seene in their chaunge, but in a shamefast browe of him that were not past shame, the least of all these would quickelie bee deciphered. Is it not inough you haue done badlie touching your selfe, vnkindlie demeaned your selfe towardes your fathers friendes, vnthriftily consumed your time in some one or other badde companie, run at randon euerie way to your parents and your owne infamie, but that also in your behauiours, you will not onelie dare to denie it, but which is woorse, in your writing seeke to defende it. It fitteth not that I shoulde vse reasoning, neither meane I to contend with your cautels, but for fashions sake, or (if so you list) to beate that to your remembrance, whereof hitherto you abandon the notice, let me aske you this one question. In all your smooth passage and flourish made of your companie, their reputation, your ciuilitie, small play, my allowance, and your construction vpon the same, dooth it not drawe to this ende, that it was in an Inne, in a place filled with all vnthriftinesse, in a dicing Chamber, in a spectacle for all companies? Doth not the verie deliuerance of your owne fact condemne you, dooth not the verie sequell of his entrance, looking on, and plaie (whome you tearme to bee a base fellowe) impugne you? Dooth not your after quarrell and mischiefe done oppose it selfe agaynst you? What if all the information deliuered vnto mee in particular were not true? Is not the substaunce true? _Nature_ coueting recreation, is in him that will bee modestlie gouerned, to be measured as well by time and place, as by entertainment of companies, _Custome_ carrying with it selfe anie secrete insimulation of euill, is not to bee followed; _ciuilitie_ is not _ciuilitie_, when it shall bee repugnant to a right gouerned modestie: can that be agreeing to _Law_, which in effect is discordant from anie good order of law? Induce you my allowance, as a confirmed _sentence_ to your vaine opinions? Why, sirra, frequented I euer anie such play in Innes? Nay rather did I not euer mislike it, alwaies spake against it, and in euerie action condemne it? Stood not my conceit that being in the best part it might be, though young men stoode neuer so much on their light gaming, and little hinderance, it was rather an allurements and inurement to vnthriftines then a pastime of any gentlenes, when it was vsed in a Gentlemans house, which is by sundrie defences more tollerable, and not in an Inne, the verie publike intertainer of all kinds of societies.

[Sidenote: _Synathrismus._]

At your departing from mee, your iourney laie to S. you were to trauaile to my friendes house. In respect of the time, my reputation, your beeing, the place, and the companie, I furnished you with money, knowing that there, and with such persons, and in their seuerall pleasures you were to bee conformed to companies: Hereof gaue I euer allowance, the like whereof haue I deemed meetest for the expence and societie of anie Gentleman, thither shoulde you haue trauelled, so in the honest distribution of that allowed for your maintenaunce, you had both auoyded the present mischiefe, alreadie incurred, and preuented occasions, wherby manie times they are aduentured.

[Sidenote: _Sententia._]

[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]

[Sidenote: _Merismus._]

It is not inough, not to doe euill, but we ought also to resist the occasions of euill, what recreation I pray you, after trauell is more natural then rest? Who more subiect to casualties, then they that hazarde themselues to most companies? What _custome_ better, then to vse our Inne for repose, the onelie and sole intent whereunto it was prepared? Wherein is _ciuilitie_ more commended then in honest gouernment? What more lawfull for any man then laudablie to beare himselfe? Your demeanour is tyed to your own behauiour, and not to anothers inclinations, your actions well disposed, are not offensiue to what by others pleasures to bee continued: had you vsed the place as it serued for, who would haue beene discontented? Once it appeareth that euill is come of it, brawlings arise, men are hurt, slanders ensue, and infamy doth guerdon it.

[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]

[Sidenote: _Sententia._]

Touching the latter part of your Letter I say little, till I haue more deliberatelie of the circumstaunce considered. Some, hoping more of that you will bee, then I dare intende what you maie bee, haue manie wayes in this action perswaded mee. Where much hath beene ouerpassed, it is reason that something at length do beare shew to haue well deserued. Simplicitie in well doing, is farre more pleasing then a curious definition of well dooing. When I finde proofe of your amendement, I shall then wish to see you. Meane while, it shall behooue you to enter into your selfe, and more circumspectly to consider what most fittest beseemeth you, wherewith at this present my directions shall conclude. R. this, &c.

_An example of another Epistle Inuectiue, pleasantly written against
the humours and conditions of a vaineglorious person._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Epanodis._]

[Sidenote: _Liptote._]

Were the peeuishnes of my conceits correspondent to those vaineglorious humours of yours, I could before and sithence your exemplified discourse committed to my view, haue vpon occasion sufficient, deuised how and wherewith to haue preuented or answered your accustomed cauils. The first whereof not hauing performed, so could I willinglie also haue left the latter vndone by determined speech to haue beene accomplished, were it not that hauing prooued the arrogancie to bee in you, wherewith vniustly you charge me, I might by my ouerlong silence giue head to your follies, and whilest by an outragious well liking of your selfe you become ignorant of your owne mischiefs, you might vse a scope not necessarie therby more farther to abuse my sufferance, as heretofore you haue done a great many others by their common negligence.

[Sidenote: _Ironia._]

For auoyding whereof, I haue (as my leisure would induce mee) thought good to giue place to mine owne determination, & to serue your humour so farre forth as to answere your letter, not being stung, as you fondlie and vainlie imagine, with the venome thereof, nor galled with the opposed surmises of your munificence, wealth, credite, reputation, and I know not what besides, all which I do suppose either to be so skant, as no man can substantiallie discerne them, or otherwise that you would neuer so often as you do, without a surfeiting follie enduour to obtrude them.

[Sidenote: _Omiosis._]

[Sidenote: _Sarcasmus._]

The policies you vse with mee are nothing straunge, which because they are nowe growne so stale, bee euerie waie therefore the lesse currant. Howe like vnto a shamelesse woman, or some other base conceyted creature, you appeare in your wryting, let but the matter of your Letter testifie, if because you haue both manlie shape and countenaunce, you will admitte neither of these similitudes, you must bee either a childe, or a foole, and so weare a bable, or take a horne booke at your girdle, and get you to schoole againe.

[Sidenote: _Anthypophora._]

[Sidenote: _Schesis onomatō._]

[Sidenote: _Ironia._]

[Sidenote: _Insultatio._]

[Sidenote: _Meiosis._]

[Sidenote: _Merismus._]

[Sidenote: _Antiphrasis._]

[Sidenote: _Prosonomasia._]

[Sidenote: _Meiosis._]

[Sidenote: _Charientismus._]

[Sidenote: _Epitropis._]

[Sidenote: _Asteismus._]

You complaine that I haue done you iniurie, if I haue, why then doe you not content your selfe to pursue the reuengement thereof, either with manlike or lawfull extremitie? Whie take you for a refuge these cankred foolish vpbraidings, womanish encountrings, vnseemlie lyings, and childish threatnings. If we folow the rule you begin, we must straight waies bee children, and then I must wrangle why you stole away _Toms_ bread and butter, and you must threaten if I tell of that, you will then complaine of mee for eating vp the firmentie that was kept for the childs breakefast, or how I drunke vp my grandams ale and toste, or lick bread in the dripping panne, or some such like weightie causes. A soueraigne capacitie no doubt. Is this manner of dealing deriued I pray you from your Gentilitie, or had you it by education, or haue you won it with your wealth, or is it incident to your reputation? Bee these your incounters? A braue canuisado, indeede, when to deface an honest minde, you haue shot out all the venome of twentie yeares acquaintance that you haue stuffed togethers, and all not woorth a butterflie, then to tell to those that accompanie you, howe brauelie you haue touched mee, howe with your learned enditing to so manie read and shewed, you haue quencht mee, howe manie wayes behinde my backe, if you were so ill disposed you could kill mee, and for default of other matter forsooth, howe they laughed at mee to whome I haue spoke somewhat against you, and howe master B. found _Socrates_ in my Letter, and sent to seeke out your well reputed sconce to expound it, not without the credit of your owne worshipfoltie to be admitted to the sight hereof: If I should for carrying this insight, not say you were a great Clearke, your grauitie I knowe would condemne mee, and it would bee thought in your deeper studies, that my senses did faile me. But alas sir, what is it that I woulde denie you? It is not I, well I wot that haue abilitie, or if I had, woulde presume so far as to impugne you, what wold you more sir? I am come to your bow, and acknowledge your credit, your worshipful acquaintance, and all else you haue brought me to. But yet sir, after all these sporting deuises, hee is but a Nidcote, and that wise man can tell you, that will glory so much in such fruitles follies.

[Sidenote: _Metonoia._]

[Sidenote: _Anthypophora._]

[Sidenote: _Sarcasmus._]

But say I tis your vaine glory? No, not so, it is but a Thrasonicall exercise. There bee that affirme Gentilitie hath no deriuation, where is neither good nature, honesty, nor friendly condition. But what is that to you? A man may sit vnder a stall with credit, but to be laid on a stal, smelleth somwhat of beggership. Go to, I warrant him he is a proud fellow, and little of good maner knoweth, that so rudely wil dare to speake of your maistership.

[Sidenote: _Apostrophe._]

[Sidenote: _Charientismus._]

Yet nowe we be in, let vs goe to it by the weeke. In odde sooth I must tel you plainly, your occupations haue beene too manifolde to thriue by your honesty. But perchance the terme is quaint, and you will saie this matter of honesty is besides your profession? Alacke sir, though it be, you must pardon the writer, it was but a mistake in his penning, by ill noting your pedegree.

[Sidenote: _Irmus._]

[Sidenote: _Asteismus._]

Tush pedegree, pedegree, here is nothing with you in hande but twitting with pedegree. Cockes fish, these proude fellowes that haue nothing to liue vpō to see how malapert they be, if they had ability to take to as you haue, & wherwithal to beare vp their heads in yᵉ world as you do, such credit with honorable & worshipfull, who haue multiplied your praises for noted good parts, apparantly seen to be in you, what would then become of their doings? Very true sir, but will not this be sufficient to giue scope to the name of a gentleman? Faith sir, to be plaine with you, tis but as the wiser sort do hold opinion.

[Sidenote: _Orismus._]

[Sidenote: _Omoiteleton._]

[Sidenote: _Brachiologa._]

For in our beliefe it is saide, that a great deale better shewe doth it make to giue but one certaine & true demonstration of a gentleman, then to yeeld twenty brauados, and neuer come neare the true meaning of them, railing, lying, backbiting, slaundering, facing, vaunting, contemning, cogging, menacing, vpbraiding, taunting, and proudlie defacing other mens actions, desertes, qualities, behauiours, and vertues, are in right reckoning, in verie trueth but slender partes of a Gentleman.

[Sidenote: _Paramologia._]

[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]

[Sidenote: _Meiosis._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

[Sidenote: _Omiosis._]

[Sidenote: _Apostrophe._]

[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]

[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]

[Sidenote: _Epizeuxis._]

You wil say, I am too far bewitched to tell you of these things, you will raile at me, you will storme at me, you will not beleeue me: you will alleadge I am too different herein from all other opinions, your acquaintance doe like of you, praise you, and magnifie you, very true indeede, but they are but a fewe, and such also as doe it, haue intent but to laugh at you, you are but the anuile whereout they hammer their pastimes, they vse you but as an instrument to bee pliable to their turnes. In this as to _Will Sommers_, they yeelde to your rages, they sooth vp your passions, and cokes vp your humors. But vnto me, to whom such fashions are loathsome, and in whose cares those base purposes and surfetting demeanors of yours are most ridiculous and hateful, they are too intolerable.

[Sidenote: _Paradigma._]

[Sidenote: _Periphrasis._]

The Peacoke when hee spreadeth his tayle, is glorious of his beautie, but stooping downe to his feete, his feathers fall with the selfe sight immediately. Woulde you but abase your eyes vnto the lower part of your rising, you might then recognize your original, and seeing the simple obiect whereout your prosperity hath beene deriued, confesse that tenne such glorious plumes as you studie to haue aduanced, without they were better qualified coulde scarse make a shewe beseeming the lowest part of all that belongeth to a Gentleman.

[Sidenote: _Epanodis._]

[Sidenote: _Hysterō proteron._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

For my part it is not the shew you beare, but the pride wherewith you are caried that despiteth me, the qualities you haue, and not the malice you vtter, that discontenteth me: whether your opinion stand good or bad to me, it is not that I accompt of, as beeing such a one whose censure to my knowledge, neuer stoode in that degree to bee reckoned of. Onely doubting least ouerswolne with your humours, you should consume in your follies I haue written that I haue done, leauing the rest to your own correction, if at least you haue any wit at al whereby to amend them.

_An example of an other Epistle inuectiue, written in
cause of great desert against two
seueral parties._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

I am sorie it falleth vnto my lot among matters more serious, that I must at this present incomber my pen, and enforce my labours, about so needlesse a purpose, as to decipher a knaue whome the worlde knoweth alreadie by his colours, and a companion of his that will shortly giue proofe of his facultie by his far spreading titles. And yet the time hath bin when by their shadowes I could set them both to viewe, and hauing cunningly deciphered them, could laugh at the portraiture, imagining that there were more heades to carpe at their villanies then honest meaning to excuse their treacheries.

[Sidenote: _Sententia._]

It was not amisse said amongst the wise, that there cā be no friendship but amongst the good, and yet is society so common amongst men, that there is not the arrantest varlet in the world but he will find a companion, & why? because therein is a likelihood, which although it cannot turne to friendship, yet growing _ex similitudine morum_, I find no reason but that a coniunction may be of knaues as well as a separation of honest men sometimes.

[Sidenote: _Paralepsis._]

Leauing your yokefellowe M. whome I esteeme so base a fellow as comming out of the very Cell it selfe of all villanies, smelleth so strongly of the stench thereof, that he is not worthy to come within a mile of my paper, nor neare by a thousande Yeardes vnto the worst parte of my studie, I will speake two or three words vnto you maister F. which are his aduocate, and as it seemeth his second selfe, nay rather incorporated in his bowels, and become maklenezed, yea rather M. himselfe, for he hath taught you to handle his cause so cunninglie, that he neede not ioine with you to lie for himselfe, for you will lie for both, and surelie (not thinking you haue it by nature, _absit_) I iudge it rather yᵉ infection of him who hath so transmuted your disposition, that to boast, face, scold, and lie, and that without shame, credite, or honesty, you surpasse as I heare, why M. himself (of whom you are thought but the shadowe) cannot go beyond you. You haue deliuered forth in publique speaches, that I and my companions abused your Client with a false Lease, that we led him by degrees into a deceiptful marriage, that I wil come with my hat in mine hand to craue your Clients fauor, that you know me well, and thereupon demaunded whether I was not once master L. his man, and being answered yea, you paused, and then said, belike you knew me then.

[Sidenote: _Sarcasmus._]

Remembring that you are become a M. (whom alwaies I note for a shameles liyng knaue) I wonder the lesse at your impudencie, marie if you were an honest Gentleman, that did rather stande vppon your credit, thē vpon such base respects to get money, by bolstering whatsoeuer villanies you care not, I would then saie, _tota erras via_. But not shewing you such fauour, I must needes tell you in shorte conclusion (You lie.) And so much the rather because in the deliuerie thereof you make not a matter of information of it, but rather as it seemeth a thing of your owne knowledge.

[Sidenote: _Charientismus._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

And because the lie seemeth rather a word of course, then commonly of substance, without proofe added to manifest the certaintie, I further affirme that I will bring halfe a score, honester knowne then either you or your Client, to whome he hath confessed the contrarie himselfe, and made knowne the same most amplie vnto their owne vnderstanding, who by the iustifying thereof, will proue him a shamelesse lying knaue in his slaunders, and you a prating foolish dolt in the rash deliuery of the same vpon so sleight a grounde, to defame an honest man of more accompt then your selfe, and that without occasion. And because you take vpon you to know me so well, and are yet of opinion that I wil stoop to your Client, I must tel you therein your wisdom greatly mistaketh both my nature and condition, for that I can neuer bee so disparaged in conceipt, but that I coulde alwaies find an Asse by his braying, and scorne a rascall though he were neuer so full of vaunting.

My dwelling with Mayster L. continued euermore with reputation and credite sufficient euen to this present daie, I desire to be informed without pausing, what you canne say to impugne the same, and albeit I knowe a slaunderous mouth neuer wanteth whereof to gather, yet taking mee at that present state, you shall finde mee such in trueth as all your malice shall neuer bee able to disgrace me.

[Sidenote: _Asteismus._]

[Sidenote: _Emphasis._]

[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]

You saie I dare not walke abroade, that I cannot bee seene at Westminster as your Clyent is. It is indeede spoken like a Tinker, and sauouring somewhat of a Coblers stall, what betwixt choler and lying, your Client and you haue taken order, to speake nothing honestlie. And I woonder not of it, for you haue not so much as a sauour of honesty about you. Vile malicious deuourers of men, do you thinke it an easie thing, or matter of sleight purpose, so villainouslie to derogate a mans good name (then which to a generous minde nothing is more precious) or do you deeme all men of so base contempt as your selues, that they can willingly suffer all things to bee benefited by any thing? And when you haue shamefully vttered your lies in place of audience, dare not for your breeches stand to the lest word of smallest moment, that you let fall out of your ouerflowing venemous mouthes.

[Sidenote: _Aposiopesis._]

[Sidenote: _Synathrismus._]

But _de his taceo_, the best is, you are both well knowne, for the one of you, seeke all London for a cogging, brabling, boasting, rayling shamelesse and lying knaue, M. is the man, and hee shall doe it. He seeking all the towne ouer for a facing Aduocate, one that coulde handle the matter like himselfe, F. was the man: Yee are both well met together, continue your purpose, and see the ende, for you meane so, nay you will do it.

I vse not F as he vsed me, to brabble, and to lie of him to strangers.

But hauing drawne his portraiture, I send the first counterfeite to himselfe, that seeing it hee may shunne his lewdnesse, which yet lieth in secret, and if hee continue shall quickelie bee published, and that to his shame openlie.

I leaue you both as I found you, my paper and present matter for this time taking end. In apparant hast, hauing otherwise more weightilie to imploy my selfe, this last of Februarie, &c.

_Of Epistles Comminatorie. Cap. 6._

=This |Inuectiue| seemeth to haue béene ouer sharp in the matter, but not in the maner, for the occasions thereunto inducing might peraduenture merite that and greater. And howbeit both the termes and conueyance are somewhat hard, yet is it in such cases verie tolerable, when either the vilenesse of the action, or base demeanour of the partie doth require it. And in this point there is a great |Decorum| principallie to be obserued, to vse a bad person with termes correspondent to his behauior & qualitie, as in any other laudable purpose to entertaine another party according to his calling or dignitie. And as this title of |Inuectiue|, and that of |Exprobratorie| before going, are néerely affianced togither: so also is the next heereunto, which is called |Comminatorie|. The |Etimologie| or signification whereof, is by menaces to threaten. Insomuch as participating with a kinde of |Accusation| for iniuries committed, it expostulateth not, nor reasoneth of anie circumstance, obiection or qualitie, but protesting a due desert in the partie challenged, menaceth thereupon a speedie and answerable reuengement. This, of this title is the substance and propertie. And so will we procéed to the examples.=

_An example of an Epistle Comminatorie._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Prolepsis._]

[Sidenote: _Antanaclasis._]

[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]

Master D. I see well by some experience had of your dealings, that you haue small regarde of your honestie, or welfare, two things in mine opinion, whereof each one should bee charie. Your honestie, in respect that you keepe no promise: Your welfare, in that you neglect the oportunitie, for releasment of that, which in the ende must lie vpon your owne shoulders. But seeing your inconsideration is so great, and the like respect you carrie of your owne good growne to be slender, blame not other men that breake with you vpon desert, nor mislike at all their want of pittie, that haue no meane to pittie your selfe. For my part looke for it, and you shall surelie finde it, that I will prosecute all meanes possible to arrest you, and beeing so arrested, I will not bee moued with intreatie, prayer, or other submission to release you, till you haue payed the whole debt, charges and penaltie. And whereas you sent mee worde by my man, that you could not accustome your selfe, with one that trusted you to deale treacherouslie, I answere againe, that if you make it so nice to bring him foorth to bee arested for whome you are suretie: paie then the debt your selfe, and satisfie me, and that speedilie: for if you doe not I vow I will meet with you and that verie shortlie, when to your little content you shall perceyue that in so vsing mee, you haue dealt most vnaduisedlie. Thinke of it as you list, and deale with me accordinglie: and so to your best consideration of your owne safetie, I leaue you. This ninth of Iune, &c.

_An other example Comminatorie containing a greater
vehemencie in the deliuerie._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Periphrasis._]

[Sidenote: _Metaphora._]

[Sidenote: _Aporia._]

[Sidenote: _Emphasis._]

[Sidenote: _Metonoia._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote: _Ecphonesis._]

[Sidenote: _Aphorismus._]

[Sidenote: _Anthypophora._]

[Sidenote: _Epizeuxis._]

[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]

[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]

[Sidenote: _Periphrasis._]

[Sidenote: _Synecdoche._]

[Sidenote: _Pleonasmus._]

[Sidenote: _Polyptoton._]

[Sidenote: _Insultatio._]

[Sidenote: _Aposiopesis._]

[Sidenote: _Metaphora._]

Vngracious ofspring of hellish brood, whome heauens permit for a plague, and the earth nourisheth as a peculiar mischiefe, monster of mankinde, and deuourer of men, what maie I tearme thee? With what ill sounding titles maie I rayse my selfe vpon thee? Thou scorne of the worlde, and not scorne, but worldes foule disdaine, and enemie of all humaine condition, shall thy villanies scape foreuer vnpunished? Will the earth yet support thee, the cloudes shadow thee, or the aire breath on thee? What lawes be these, if at least wise such may be tearmed lawes, whereout so vile a wretch hath so manie euasions? But shalt thou longer liue to become the vexation and griefe of men? No, for I protest, though the Lawes doe faile thee, my selfe will not ouerslip thee, I, I am hee that will plague thee, thou shalt not scape me, I will be reuenged of thee. Thinke not thy iniuryes are so easie, that they are of all to be supported, for no sooner shall that partched withered carkasse of thine, sende foorth thy hatefull and abhorred lookes into anie publike shew, but mine eyes shall watch thee, and I will not leaue thee, till I haue prosequuted that which I haue intended towardes thee, most vnwoorthie as thou art to breath amongst men, which art hated and become lothsome euen in the verie bowels and thoughtes of men. Triumph then in thy mischiefes, and boast that thou hast vndone mee, and a number of others, whom with farre lesse despight thou hast forced to bende vnto thee. And when by due desert I shall haue payed what I haue promised thee, vaunt then (on Gods name) of thy winnings. For my part: but I will saie no more, let the ende trie all, liue wretchedlie, and die villainouslie, as thou hast deserued, whome heauens hencefoorth doe shunne, and the world denieth longer to looke vpon.

_Of Epistles deprecatorie. Cap. 7._

=The menaces of this last Epistle you may well déeme to haue issued from a hot enraged Spirit: of which though the stile bee vehement, yet vnto men alike humorous, the same may stand for a president. Such kinde of inuentions and men so affected with such estranged passions, are as we sée diuerslie found, wherof I thought good to giue foorth this example to bee considered, the waight neuerthelesse to bee measured as in the others before to the person and matter occurrent. And nowe will we to the last of all this state |Iudiciall|, which are the Epistles |Deprecatorie|. The title of these Epistles carrieth a name, accordant to the submissiue matter in them contayned, for their efficacies are onlie carried by entreatie, request of fauour, good opinion, allowance or pardon of anie iniurie or offence conceyued or committed. In good natures, it is a thing proper to weigh with themselues, howe much anie waies they stand charged, whether by respect of person, dutie, friendship or soueraigntie, accordinglie thereupon to frame their speeches or writings. Yet is not the matter hereof Supplicatorie, as growing by waie of petition. But rather an honest and gentle submission to the good liking, estimate or friendlie respect of such, vnto whome, or by whome we are either accused, tied, charged, or constrained, clearing, if it may be, or honestly otherwise mitigating or auoyding what sinisterly, or vpon some intended conceit, may be drawne to be against vs, and of the vse hereof to be spoken let this now be sufficient.=

_An example of an Epistle Deprecatorie, where the partie is
charged in good opinion._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Hypotyposis._]

When a Phisiognomer by chaunce (hauing beene famous in other places) came into the _forum_ of _Athens_, hee declared by the view of diuers mens faces the diuersitie of their conditions, whereupon (for better triall of his Arte) hee was demaunded what (_Prima facie_) he thought of _Socrates_, he answered, by his countenance, to be a man of verie euill condition. The people which knew the contrarie, growing thereby into great rage, were readie to driue him out of the _forum_. But _Socrates_ comming forth. Be not angrie (quoth he) for such a one might I haue beene, if by Philosophie I had not corrected my maners.

By this might bee inferred (right Woorshipfull) that at the first shewe, it is not good to giue rash iudgement of anie man, for the Phisiognomer beeing able to iudge what men might bee, was not able to say iustlie such they are: In like manner, your Worship hauing beene led by misreports, are able to say, thus it is spoken, but not so it is.

[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]

To my great griefe it is informed vnto mee, that by the sinister report of mine aduersaries, you thinke hardly of me. And so much the rather haue I cause to bee grieued, for that in the mouth of an ignorant person, I am not therby iudged of, but by the sentence and opinion of the wise, held a man badly demeaned, careles, and such a one as beareth small reputation.

[Sidenote: _Epanodis._]

Beleeue mee sir, and if it please you to take further notice of me, you shal find it true, that it is more euill vnto me to be adiudged loose of a wise man, then of a thousand base persons to be vtterly condemned, for that the one speaketh of skill, and the other of a bad conceipt, the first wishing all men to bee good, the other confessing no man to be sufficient, that is not possessed with euil.

My aduersaries haue brought many heauy informations vnto you tending in outward shew to my great disgrace, naming me as it pleaseth them, a man (as they thinke of themselues) indifferent for all purposes. But because I know you to bee wise, and thinke it a matter of no small accompt to be well thought of at your hands: I am therfore the more carefull to cleare my selfe, and do beseech you, that you will hold for firme what I do here set down: assuring your selfe, that whatsoeuer my aduersaries report of me, I doe make accompt what speeches passe from me: and those that I deliuer vpon credite, I will performe with trust.

This then I say for aunswere generall, to whatsoeuer they canne obiect, that if any parte of that in substaunce they haue deliuered vnto you for certaine bee true, I will loose the credite of a Gentleman, and bee regarded as I repute them: and besides, will repay whatsoeuer is to me paide, and release what nowe I haue in sute against them.

Besides, pleaseth it your Worship for my credit sake to haue the hearing of the cause, I will come face to face, and (though I knowe the one of them to haue a shamelesse countenance) of himselfe, yet let bring what counsell he will with himselfe, if I ouerthrowe not euery matter obiected, and proue my selfe an honest man, I will loose the debte and my credit too, which I accompt aboue all debts. Haue not I then had great cause (hauing beene as vnto you, so in diuers other places besides verie vniustlie railed at and defamed) to write vnto these persons, and inueigh against them for it? Behold my letter throughout, being well considered of, it shall bee euident that I had great cause, and that very manifold to do it: for my part I knowe not what others deeme, but touching my selfe, I had rather lose my life then my good name, then which vnto me nothing is of more regard, and I tell you sir, if F. or a better man then he maketh no more reckoning, but to defame me without a cause, he shal know and vnderstand that my credit is deare vnto me, and that to maintaine the contrarie he shall find a hard reckoning.

I spende not my time in making of Lybels, but to write in reproofe of him that abuseth mee, which I take so highlie in griefe, as namelie, they shoulde be so shamelesse to report that vnto your Worship which they cannot stande to, that I holde it a wretchednes therein to be silent, and a mischiefe for credit sake not to discouer a trueth.

[Sidenote: _Epilogus._]

Beseeching your worship of fauour and credite, to me and my rude lines, I humblie take my leaue, beeing alwaies ready to auouch what here I haue set down, wherof not failing I remaine

Your worships whensoeuer to
be commanded.

_An example of an Epistle Deprecatory, in cause
of wrong supposed to bee
committed._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Dicæologia._]

[Sidenote: _Silepsis._]

Sir, your Letters more troublesome to my conceipts, then sauoring (as I am credibly led to thinke) of that your woonted most noble disposition vnto mee, I haue receiued. With what supportation and vnaccustomed griefe I haue retained them, I refer to anie one (guiltlesse accused and suspended from so high fauours as formerly by your bountie hath been to me performed) simplie to be coniectured. Long was it ere I could satisfie my selfe by any accesse that might bee to proffer my selfe or these humble Letters vnto you: Yet neuerthelesse weighing howe farre different these newe occurrentes were from those your auncient fauours, I surmised with my selfe that the instigation proceeded soly from others, hardlie perchaunce bearing those graces wherein I stoode with you, and becomming thereupon my bitter enemies, the sinister deuise whereof, stood vpon me wholy to ouerthrow or impugne. For which hauing no other or better meane at this instant, then these my submissiue lines, I propose them vnto you, as solicitors of your former liking, confessing that if any waies I haue erred vnto you, as I will not vtterlie seclude my selfe from any errour, it was but as a young man, and rather by ignoraunce, then of malice anie waies to bee intended. And as touching any other obiection, let mee but craue pardon to haue accesse vnto your presence, and then iudge as you finde mee. Two waies are onelie left, my accusers to my face, or mine owne simplicitie to cleare me. This is all I require, and so much I hope you will not denie me. Wherewith resting in the due acknowledgement of that your former bounty, I humbly surcease. This fifteenth of Nouember.

_An example of an Epistle Deprecatory, pleasantly
written to answere a former
Letter._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

The long sweating paines wherein your good selfe (my verie good friend A) haue lately trauelled with your weatherbeaten barke, to aunswere my Letters, moueth mee (howe simply so euer) to reply a little to the same. Wherein, pardon first craued for so meane a wit, at a suddaine, to take vppon it, to encounter so selected a stile, wherewith your youthfull yeares are so replenished, I go to the matter.

Touching the iar you make of my formost writing, and late inciting you to the tediousnesse of your studying, which for the causes alleadged, your curtesie yet vouchsafeth to allow of, I, with so friendlie a prospect as may be to so respectiue a iudgement, do right curiously thanke you.

The compasse of your writing, according to the measure it beareth, being so much mystical, as that the grossenesse of my wit cannot well conceiue of, hauing drawne thereinto as it seemeth, the very quintessence of those well performed partes, that in your person are resiant, maketh me post off the answere, till by a more deepe consideration I may better conforme me vnto it. Wherein I must confesse in very deed, that all that may be within or without, ouer or vnder, or besides master B. you haue to the vttermost strained.

For the paines you haue taken, I must pray you pardon though I render you no profit. My forgetfulnesse also in prising the simple value I beare, with your worthines, & many other beautified parts of your gentlenes, you must also let slip, otherwise I am vndone with the griefe, and so I would sir, your worship did take it.

Nowe as touching the forgoing complaint you thrust in of your wants, I could hardly beleeue that in the action you beare you could so greatly be distressed. Neuerthelesse, for the little time I haue beene of your masterships acquaintance, I haue vnderstoode of some that weare a veluet suite with as small inheritance as your selfe, who haue vsed the matter as slenderlie as may be, by any great credit to bee accompted of.

[Sidenote: _Epilogus._]

Yet must you needes giue me leaue to be gone, for the tide tarieth no man, but if you find your selfe in the lurch before I returne againe, the best is, at my home comming you know where to find me. _Et sic valeas_, gentle friend _Topas_.

Of Epistles familiar. Chap. 8.

=With this pleasant direction I thinke meete at this present to conclude these last Letters Iudiciall, and therewith also the verie ende of all our Letters speciall, so tearmed by me as aforesaide, for the speciall matters and conueyance to them seuerallie appropriate. And nowe the next and last in turne, are those letters familiar, for the ordinarie causes and matters of handling in them likewise contained, so formerly named. Little informations néede here, more then the directions alreadie in the Chapters of the first Booke that haue beene deliuered, for their stile and methode. Seeing the common matter in them vsuallie frequented, challengeth no such districtnesse in propertie or conueiance, as was required in the others, only they for orders sake as the rest, are herein to be distinguished (the better to be found out & known by their partes) vnder their seuerall titles. The first whereof appeareth to bee |Narratory| and |Nunciatorie|, both alike in their vsage, consisting onelie in aduertisementes of affaires, from friende to friende, seruant to maister, or generallie to speake, from one person to an other, the examples whereof according to the seuerall properties do plentifullie ensue.=

_A Letter Nunciatorie from a sonne to his father or friends,
touching his being in seruice._

My humble dutie remembred, good father, vnto you and my mother: These are to aduertise you, that I am, I thanke God, in good health. As touching my placing heere with my maister, I doe like verie well of the trade, but I doe not thinke the seruice fit for me, as well for that it seemeth, that more for the money that shall bee giuen with mee, then for any desire to my good, hee is willing to haue mee. Besides, for ought that I can learne, my maister is verie backeward in the worlde, so that what minde soeuer you carrie to my placing here, I doubt it will turne to verie small purpose. Neuerthelesse, as my dutie is, I doe gladly submit my selfe to your pleasure, and am willing as becommeth me, to do in all things according to your will. And euen so with my heartie commendations to my Vnkle and Aunt, with my brothers and sisters, I leaue further to trouble you: desirous, if it may seeme good vnto you, that I may verie shortlie see you. From L. this thirteenth of Februarie, &c.

_A Letter Nunciatorie in another sort of the selfe
same matter._

Good father, hauing the oportunitie of this bearer, I thought good to certifie you of my present beeing, giuing you to vnderstande that I am, I thanke God and you, in good health, and verie well placed heere in London, where I am in hope to continue my heere beeing to some profitable purpose. My maister vseth mee in verie good sort, and I lacke nothing that appertaineth vnto such a one as my selfe. I trust you shall haue ioy of mee, and ere a fewe yeares passed, I doubt not but so to behaue my selfe, that I shall well deserue this good lyking that alreadie I haue of my Maister, and further credite also at his handes, and imployment about his businesse. I hope that you and my mother, and all our friendes in the Countrey are in good health. I pray you that you will write vnto my Maister as occasion serueth, and thanke him for his good vsage: and if you can to remember him with some conuenient token from the Countrey. Thus desiring your daylie blessings, and remembring my humble dutie to you and my mother, I take leaue, From L. this of, &c.

* * * * *

=These presidents as they are here vsed, may be applied to any the like purpose, of what qualitie soeuer the seruant be, or the seruice, whence the same is deliuered, there néedes but change of names, and contrarie applications, according to the being of the parties to be vsed, and this onelie forme to be obserued and continued. And so will we now to the other examples.=

_An Epistle Narratorie containing aduertisements from one
friend to another._

My good N. you shall vnderstande by this bearer what speeches I haue had in your behalfe, with Maister R. F. whome to tell you trueth, I found at the first time verie strange, but after wee had a while debated of the cause, and that I had enformed vnto him all those reasons, which stoode both for your benefite and his owne satisfaction, he was verie well contented. You haue much to thanke this Gentleman, who omitted no part of a friend to deliuer in your absence what he saw meetest to the purpose, and that in sooth with so deliberate and sound resolution, as my selfe for your sake must needes also thinke the better of him. I do refer the circumstance to both your leysures to be debated on. And as touching that you willed me to deale for, with your Vncle, it is, I see, to verie little profite, for that his suspicious humours are such, as will not with anie reason whatsoeuer be diuerted. I coulde tell you a Hystorie of that matter, but I leaue all to our next meeting. My brother S. desired mee heartilie to commend him vnto you, and so did your olde seruant D. You shall by the next Carrier either heare further of me, or else verie shortlie thereupon you may expect to see mee. And euen so with my heartiest commendations till then I bid you fare well, S. this fifteenth of August, &c.

_A Letter of aduertisement from a sonne to his father._

My humble duty remembred good father vnto you, and my mother. It maie please you to vnderstande, that vpon the receyte of your Letters sent mee by P. your man, I haue done your commaundement. And whereas you expected an aunswere by the carrier, for that P. went forwarde Westwardes in his iourney, I could not till this present write vnto you to anie effect. I haue receiued of Maister N. the twentie poundes which shoulde haue beene paied at Easter last, and for the continuation of my here beeing, I thinke it would turne you to some profite, so be it I may be furnished accordinglie. Wools are as yet at high rate, but I thinke shortlie they will fall, wherefore I haue not yet thought meete to laie out anie monie about them. The next weeke you shall receiue by C. the Carrier fortie poundes. And if it please you then to returne by him those parcels of wares that I last wrote vnto you of, they will now come in verie good time, respecting that the Faire at F. is nigh, and for ought I yet perceyue, they are like to bee well solde there. This is all I haue to write vnto you at this present, sauing my heartie desire of your health, and likewise of my mother, with all my brothers and sisters. It is here sayde, G. hath verie lewdlie demeaned himselfe in his maisters businesse, whereby maister L. is like to bee much indangered. Praying your daylie blessings vnto me, I humblie recommend you to the Almightie. From B. this thirtie of May.

=Accordant vnto this last Letter maie any seruant frame himselfe to aduertise his master of his affaires, altering onelie the names of directions, and the matter as occasion serueth. Neuerthelesse forsomuch as in causes of other accidents beyond the seas, both masters haue occasion to write vnto their seruants or factors, and likewise the seruant or factor to answer them againe, whereof perchance some examples in this methode might also be sought for. As néere as my little guesse in those causes will serue me, I wil set you down some directions. Noting by the way, that the infinit number of all occurrents are not herein to be satisfied, though to as many as bee néedfull examples are intended to bee giuen. Onely the learner must consider, that the true and proper intendment hereof, is but for an orderly conueiance of euery action to be prescribed, wherout one direction picked, must and may well serue for a number in that or the like degrée, vpon other occasions to be suted. Neuerthelesse, that as well in this, as the former booke, we haue omitted no trauell for the ease and better instruction of the studious to giue vnto them, of euery common or néedfull matter, as manie seuerall directions, as that the leading along of the same herein, may be wel iudged to be most plentifull. According whereunto, of these two last recited partes, wee will now sort you out some particular examples, of the first whereof from the maister to the seruant, you shall expect hereafter vnder the title Mandatorie, & of the second this example ensuing may be a president.=

_A Letter from a seruant or factor to his maister._

Sir, my humble dutie remembred vnto you, and my good Mistresse, you may please to vnderstand that I haue laden for your account in the good ship called the R of B. according to your remembrance sent vnto me for the same, by maister S. T. seuen Buts of Secke, which cost the first pennie seuenteene Duckats the Butte: marked with your accustomed marke in the margent. Moreouer, fiue Roues of Cochinelie, verie excellent good, and of fine colour: which cost after Duckats the Kintall. All which I hope by Gods grace shall safelie come vnto your hands, I send you also herein inclosed your bill of lading: I wrote formerlie vnto you for certaine commodities out of England by maister D. L. who came alongst in the Fleete of L. and is as I vnderstand, safely arriued from _Lyons_ againe. Here is at this present small newes worth the writing vnto you, wherefore, praying Almightie God for the health and prosperitie of you and all yours, I humbly take my leaue. From L. this of, &c.

_Your faithfull and readie seruant at command._

_Of Epistles Remuneratorie. Chap. 9._

=In the writing of this last Letter, there was shewed mee by the Printer, a booke called the |Marchants Auiso|, helping, and in mine opinion most fully & amplie suffizing to this instruction. And for as much as the conuieance of these letters, bee rather matters priuate to Merchantes aduenturers, then resting in publique for anie other vsers, I haue determined herein for that sorte, vnder this |Narratorie| or |Nunciatorie| title to laie downe my limits, referring the desirous of further direction, vnto the writer of that Booke, whose labour for that purpose, not without his speciall desert, cannot be by me or anie other to such end better furnished or deliuered, his tearmes being most currant to those kind of dealinges, and his methode also best answering vnto the true passages thereof. For which in supplement of the residue of the required examples yet vnfitted to this my |Secretorie|, I will proceed vnto the next title of these familiar letters, which appeare to be |Remuneratorie|. This title serueth to a |Remuneration| or thankfull acknowledgement of benefits receiued, and to such end is by the examples thereof to be imploied. And in so much as vnto euerie one well conditioned, or of good and liberall education, it is a thing pertinent, not to omit the respect of euerie benefit without some thankefull consideration, it shall behooue that according to the estate or qualitie of the partie, from whome we receiue the same, we do frame our letters of thankes, which to our betters, equalles and inferiours are in sundrie sortes to be deliuered, and according to the dignitie and worthinesse of euerie one, excelling or going before vs, are euer to be measured, and with the more or lesse submissiue and humble acknowledgment is alike to be caried. Neuerthelesse, that according to the efficacie of speech in each of them deliuered, the greatnesse and weightie respect of euerie good turne, is by the considerate and respectiue regarde thereof, the more amplie to be perceiued.=

_An example of an Epistle Remuneratorie
from an inferiour, to one far his better in
reputation and calling._

To recognize (Sir) in multitude of wordes, howe much charged I stande vnto your bounteous and euer curteous regard towards mee, were vnto your wisdome I knowe but friuolous, who better respecteth the inwarde seruice intended of anie one, (whereof I humblie beseech you on my parte to stande assured) then an outwarde behauiour, the validitie whereof maie manie waies bee doubted.

Yet neuerthelesse, in that the thoughts of men are only in word or action to bee deciphered, let it I beseech you stande with your good fauor that I may by these few lines confesse my selfe bound vnto you. And for the residue, when it shall seeme good vnto your Worship to command me, I will not haue life or abilitie that shall not be yours, in al that it may please you to vse me.

_A Letter remuneratory from a Gentlewo-
man of good sort to a noble man her
kinsman._

My good L. howe much I am bounde vnto your L. for multitude of fauours, and especially that it pleased you to thinke so well of me, as to write your fauourable letters in my behalfe: I can by no other waies expresse, then to continue your L. most humbly affectionate poore kinswoman, & wil for euer acknowledge it as of your great goodnes, beyond any merit of mine owne. And as my bounden duty is, no day shal passe me that I will not pray to God for your L. health and prosperitie, and the redoubling of your daies. Beseeching your L. to excuse this my boldnes, and to pardon me that in person I cannot do my humble duty, but by writing, my Lady making such haste away, as so much time wil not be permitted me. I most humbly therefore take my leaue of your L. From S. this eleuenth of Nouember.

_A Letter remuneratory from one
friend to another._