Chapter VI: Part 6

My verie good L. I am enformed by this Gentl. the bearer hereof, that by meanes of one of your Chapleins, a motion hath beene made of his preferment vnto your L. seruice: and forsomuch as those his good friendes are not nowe in towne, who in respect of their account with your L. might stande him in verie good steade: vnderstanding his well-willing minde, and greate desire thereunto (for that I wish verie well vnto his aduauncement) I haue taken vpon me heereby to entreate (albeit I may not presume so farre, as to preferre a man vnto your L.) that it may yet please you vpon my speeches to haue the better liking of him. Assuring you that both by the credite of my La. F. who vppon verye good conceyte towardes him, wished his preferment, with her late deceased brother and last L. C. and also by the knowledge my selfe haue had of him, and others besides, whome your L. hath in speciall and chose regarde, he is one so sufficient, and euerie way so well furnished to doe seruice to anie honourable personage, as by tryall and proofe made of whose good parts and behauiour, your L. shall not reape occasion of ill conceit, to whome soeuer haue vndertaken to preferre him vnto you. And if it shall notwithstanding seeme farther conuenient vnto your L. to make stay of his acceptaunce, for some priuate causes hitherto vnsatisfied, I shall yet in his behalfe neuerthelesse become thus farre a suter vnto you, that this my recommendation may with your L. good fauour become a speedier meane the better (when it shall happen) to mooue your L. good lyking towardes him. For which I shall thinke my selfe, as in manie other occasions besides, vnto your honourable opinion most deepely beholden. In acknowledgement of which, and respect of my humble and dutifull regarde to the same, I doe nowe and euermore remaine your L. &c.

=These two examples |Commendatorie|, are concluded to one effect, the formost whereof with little alteration, may become a president for anie recommendation, whether it bee to fauour, friendship, choyce, or account, and not vnto seruice at all, for that herein is shewed, in what sort men for their vertues may be recommended. Now if there be anie other particular occasion in the person, besides these, inducing matter of good liking the same in place and stead of other, or togither with the other may be then alledged, and the course herein deliuered at all times indifferently to be obserued. And as these are from inferiour persons directed vnto their superiours: so will we sort out some others, that from Noblemen in like sort haue béene passed to their inferiours, examples whereof are in like maner hereunto annexed.=

_An Example Commendatorie, from a Noble man to his inferiour,
wherein one is recommended to an office._

After my verie heartie Commendations vnto you, where I am giuen to vnderstande, that you are in election, and it is also verie likelie you shall bee pricked by her Maiestie, high Sheriffe for this yeare, of the Countyes of Sussex and Surrey. This Gent. the bearer hereof, beeing one whom for manie respectes, I doe greatly fauour, and for his learning, skill, and honest vsage, haue long time vsed and reputed of, I haue thought good by these (if it so happen you shall this yeare bee named thereunto) to recommend to your good allowance to bee receyued as your vnder-sheriffe for that time, putting vnto you such good and reasonable securitie as appertaineth, for discharge of the sayde office. And hereby also to pray you, that the rather for my sake, and for the especiall choice and reckoning I haue made of him, you will nowe before hand make certaine acceptance of his skill, by refusall of whatsoeuer other that may bee recommended vnto you for the exercise of the same office, assuring you, for that I haue well knowne and prooued to be in him, you shall be so well furnished, as you would wish. And besides, in that you shall gratifie me herein, I will not faile in anie sort I may to requite you. And euen so I bid you heartily farewell.

=Heerein is the honour and nobilitie of the personage greatlie to bee respected who by so much the more his estate, countenance, or authoritie requireth it, by so much the lesse may it be considered, that in the inditing of these letters hee should with ouer large entreatie bee charged, but rather with fewer spéeches, and lesse circumstances to demaunde what hee purposeth. The conformitie whereof may bee gathered out of the examples ensuing, according whereunto, hee in whose fauour such kinde of Letters are to bee directed, (especiallie if the inuention beeing of his owne procurement bee brought to bee signed) ought to take heede that the regard of his honour and calling, in whose name the Letter passeth bee not by too great humilitie of tearmes in any sort misprised.=

_An Epistle commendatorie, from a noble man, in prefer-
ment of his seruant._

After my verie heartie commendations vnto you. This bearer hauing of long time serued mee faithfullie, and beeing nowe desirous to trauaile. I haue thought good heartilie to recommend vnto you. And forasmuch as by reason of your office of Lord Gouernour of V. it is likelie there are manie places of good preferment remayning in your gift, vppon your followers to bee bestowed, I doe most heartilie pray you, that you will not onelie for my sake bee contented to receyue him into your seruice, but that also in fauour thereof, you will in anie place of preferment about you, doe him that benefite and furtherance, as to one whom you wish throughlie well vnto, you woulde performe. Herein if my request may preuaile with you, I shall not onelie bee readie to thanke you, but in whatsoeuer cause you haue to vse mee, bee as willing to requite you. And so I doe bid you right heartily fare well. At the Court this day, &c.

An other example, wherein is recom-
_mended the cause and speedie
furtherance of Iustice._

After my heartie Commendations vnto your Lordship: where I haue beene informed by this bearer, beeing a poore Tenaunt of mine, of a certaine cause of his depending before you in her Maiesties Bench, and that after manie thwartings and euill practises of his aduersarie, the matter is nowe driuen to an issue, and tryall, from the benefite whereof by corruption of some kinde of persons, hee hath these three tearmes passed beene alreadie detayned, to his great hinderance, and almost vtter vndooing. I haue thought good vppon his humble suite to mooue your L. in his behalfe, and to pray you that at my instaunce you will at some conuenient leysure examine the state of his matter, and being informed thereof at large, doe him that speedie fauour in iustice and right, as hee may not anie longer time therein bee deferred, but that notwithstanding anie cauill or obiection thereunto hindering, hee may before this tearme passed in anie wise haue a tryall. In accomplishment whereof, besides that you shall greatlie satisfie mee in respect of the poore mans right, whereunto I wish great regard to be giuen, you shal also performe a deed so charitable, as whereby you shal perpetually bind him, his poore wife, and children continually to pray for you. And albeit I nothing doubt herein your great willingnes and voluntarie disposition to Iustice, yet that by reason of my request, the matter wich more diligence may be harkened vnto, I eftsoones pray, and therwithall hartilie doe bid your L. farewel, this of, &c.

=To all these examples |Commendatorie|, belongeth thrée especiall sortes of Letters |Responsorie|, in which is either flatly denied, absolutely allowed, or doubtfully accepted of, what by force of those |Epistles| are seuerally commended. Of either of these sutes I haue thought good to set downe some directions, the diuersitie whereof, at the choice of him that searcheth the same, may according to his present humor be either reiected or followed.=

_An example responsorie, wherein is denied
what in the foremost directions may
be recommended._

Pleaseth your good L. I receiued your fauorable Letters, and cōmendation giuen in the behalfe of M. L. with whom hauing had conference at large, I doe finde nothing lesse, then what by your L. was of him deliuered, and in truth it doth not a little discontent me, that as well in regard of your honourable and earnest demand made in his fauor, as also that many great and vrgent respects, I stand deeplie charged vnto you Lord. I cannot neuerthelesse herein perfourme what I woulde: For that (besides it is yet doubtfull whether I shall bee to the same place appointed by her Maiestie or no) if I bee chosen Sheriffe, I haue two yeares since giuen my worde and assured promise to my Lord of L. that I shall then accept of such a one to the exercise of the vnder Sherifwick as shall by him to mee bee preferred. According vnto which, standing nowe in election for this yeare as I doe, I am and euer sithence haue beene yearelie sollicited to the selfe same purpose. Whereof I thought it my duetie to aduertise your L. by these, most humblie crauing pardon of the same, in that I may not as I woulde, herein satisfie your vrgente and vehemente request. And so with my right humble duetie vnto your Lordshippe doe take leaue. This x. of Nouember.

Another Letter responsorie, where-
_in consent and allowance is
giuen to the matter re-
quired_.

My humble duetie remembred vnto your good Lord shippe. The Letters directed vnto mee from the same, together with the Gentleman in whose fauor they were assigned, I haue entertained. And so much the more welcome were they vnto mee, by howe much the more I repute my selfe honoured, in that it hath pleased your Lordshippe anie waies to require mee. Touching the partie recommended, your Lordshippe doubteth not I hope, but that of the least of yours, I woulde make especiall accounte, the effectes whereof you shall in this perceiue, in that for the regarde I beare vnto your Lordshippe I will both repute of, and fauour him. Besides what other aduauncement or prefermente his owne desertes, or my aide may anie waies bring vnto him, hee shall bee sure at all times to enioy it. Praying your Lordship in all other thinges as farre foorth to stande my gratious and fauourable good L. as herein I shall not faile to accomplish what to the vttermost may bee helde meete and conueniente. And thus beseeching the Almightie to haue your Lordshippe in his eternall protection, I doe in all humblenesse take my leaue, from R. this seuenth of August, &c.

The third Epistle responsorie, where-
_in is doubtfullie allowed or accep-
ted of, what to the same was
recommended_.

My singular and especiall good L. I haue vnderstoode by your last Letters, of a certaine fained and vntrue suggestion, deliuered by one of your L. tenantes, against the proceedinges to him supposed to bee tendred out of this Courte, according whereunto (albeit I was before time, not altogether vnacquainted with the clamourous condition of the partie) yet did I neuerthelesse, as by your Lordship was enioined, examine at large the circumstances of the cause, and for the better satisfaction of your Lordship, haue determined to set down vnto you the trueth of the same. This R. L. whom your Lordship tearmeth to bee a verie poore man, is not (as in simple shewe hee maketh himselfe apparantlie to bee) but is rather such a one as from whome (beeing narrowlie sifted) your Lordship might sooner drawe a hundred poundes of his money, then halfe an inch breadth of his honestie. The argument whereof in nothing so much appeareth as in this one action, wherin against a poore man indeede, hee hath verie iniuriously behaued him selfe, and hauing extorted from him this bonde nowe in suite (vppon some conclusion, though no good consideration at all) of the summe of one hundred pounde, goeth about vpon a nice quillet in the condition to prosecute the forfeiture of the same, which indeed by the direct wordes of the writing, is in lawe forfeited. For reliefe whereof his aduersarie complained in the Chauncerie, by reason of the prosecution of which bill, and notice particularlie thereof giuen to my Lorde Chancellor, the saide R. L. hauing diuers time agreede to comprimit the matter, and yet greedie as it seemeth to obtaine the forfeiture, stil crieth on for triall, whilest the matter is still in debating, for which cause the same hitherto hath onelie, and not otherwise been delaied. And for as much assithence your Lordshippes letters receiued, my selfe verie earnestlie haue trauelled to make some conscionable and quiet ende betweene them, yet wil the same in no wise on his parte bee assented vnto, by occasion whereof the extremitie of the lawe beeing verie like to proceed, hee is the nexte tearme without further delaie to obtaine a iudgemente, and so the poore man on the other side, to bee vtterlie vndone: I thought it not amisse in aduertising the substance hereof vnto your good Lordshippe to praie that in credite of what here deliuered, your Lordship woulde bee pleased to procure the saide R. L. to assent to some reasonable order. So doing, what in conscience the poore man is then able to pay, in respect of the other charges, and purchase of his owne negligences: I holde not too extreame to be out of the saide bond deducted, because in lawe hee was something charged, though in equitie otherwise hee ought to haue been clearelie acquited. Thus in discharge of my conscience herein, hauing so much deliuered vnto your good Lordship, I doe recommend you to the protection of the Almightie. London this thirteenth of Maie.

=Nowe after these Epistles, let vs enter into one strange |commendatorie| kinde, somewhat different from the order of the rest, béeing such as wherein the partie directing the same, beeing somewhat scant in deliuerie of ouer large & too credible spéeches, thought good to mittigate the force of the same by the verie partes of extremitie it self, wherein of a merry conceit, or some other pleasant humor, he appeareth verie vnwilling to flatter, in reciting the example whereof, because with many tedious precepts I haue now a good while wearied the reader, I may peraduenture occasion some matter of recreation, which by the single shewe therein gathered, appeareth in sort following to haue bene performed.=

_A Letter commendatorie pleasantly con-
ceited in preferring an vnprofi-
table seruant._

[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]

[Sidenote: _Hirmos._]

[Sidenote: _Ironia._]

[Sidenote: _Prosonomasia._]

Sir, I do send vnto your view the bearer hereof (a man shaped as you see, & as bold in condition as he appeareth in shew) whome by all the superfluities of summer ale, that hath wrought in his giddie brain, I haue bin requested to cōmend vnto you. And in as much as in putting so vnworthie a worthie in substance of so incredible allowance, it somthing behooueth I hide not the giftes which by great search in many a good hosterie, tauern, & alehouse, he hath by long trauell and drowsie experiēce ere this time gained, to his insupportable credēce. I shall not spare in some sort to signifie vnto you, what in regard of al these I am led to coniecture. Trueth is Sir, that hee is verie well studied in the mysterie of Malt-wormes, and for his peculiar skill in decerning the nappie taste by the nut-browne colour of Seller-ale in a frostie morning, hee is become a sworne brother of the rag-mans number, and thereby standeth enioyned neuer to weare furres or other lyning in the coldest winter, but onely the warmth of the good Ale, which inwardlie must hearten him: Besides Sir, if you haue occasion to credite him with a small parcell of money in dispatch of a iourney, do but say the worde that it shall once lie in his charge, and you may stand assured, that it shall be laide vp so safe, as any liquour in the worlde can safe conduct it from his bellie. Take no care for your kitchin, butterie or larder, for once a day hee loues to see all cleane before him. Little apparell wil serue him, for his leueries ensue weekly, out of the Bruers mesh-fat. His lodging hee reckes not, the Chimney floore, and Billets endes serue for a Featherbed and Coueringes. When you haue most neede of him, you shall alwayes bee sure to go without him: if you delight in a Pigs-nie, you maie by receyuing of him, be sure of a Hogshead. Great store of small lyking you happily may haue to him, wee knowe not what woonders the worlde may rende out, for nothing is impossible where all thinges may bee compassed. It may please you for recreations sake to looke vppon him, so you be not in case to surfeit, looke what ill lyking you conceiue, report backe againe I pray you in the inner facing of his chimney Casket, _Omnia sua secum portat_, hee is somewhat a foolosopher, for hee carries all his possessions about him, for _terram dedit filiis hominum_ he must needes then haue a large dwelling, I pray sir, giue him good wordes how ill-fauouredlie soeuer you fauour his acquaintance, for my part I request no remuneration for the preferment I haue tendred towards him.

[Sidenote: _Prosonomasia._]

[Sidenote: _Metanoia._]

Thus much, would I haue done, and more, long since to bee rid of him. His old maister beeing dead, it is necessarie some place to be pestred with him, hee makes great choyse of your housekeeping, if you can like to frame with him. Much more might bee deliuered in the condemnation of his woorthinesse, but that I leaue to rehearse it, and nowe sir for your owne appetite, I leaue to your contentment: Blame not me, but him that lead mee, and so foorth to an ende. Commend me, but not condemne me, for I shall once doe you a better turne, this is but the first, the next may be woorse (better) I woulde say. And so fare ye well, &c.

_Of Epistles Consolatorie. Chap. 17._

=Time is it now, I should leaue this last title of epistles, as hauing thereof spoken alreadie sufficiently, & giue my selfe to the deliuery of the next, which are |Consolatorie|, the effects whereof are to bee bestowed on such as are grieued, according to the weight or qualitie of the matter wherewith they are perplexed. And for that the life of man is circumuented with so manie, and so vnlooked causes of sorrowe and griefe, as it many waies néedeth to haue the remedy of comforts to be applied vnto it, yet the equality of al sorts of minds not such, as in one and the selfe same degree can accept and beare it: It shall therfore be meete and conuenient, that in deuising to yéelde this swéet and gentle remedie to anie troubled conceit, we doe so moderate the matter, as that in the Discouerie therof, we rather strike not to a far greater impatience or extremitie of vnmeasurable sorrow then before, vpon vntimely thrusting forward, or ignorant pursuit of the same, seeing that the mindes of some, are of so high & incomprehensible stoutnes, as they shun in themselues and account it a slauerie to be ouerwhelmed with woes. Others againe so rife and so abundant in teares, as the least shewe of repetition in them, induceth matter inough of continual mourning for which cause, we will sort these matters of comfort, into three seuerall orders. The first whereof shall be at choice, plainelie and simply as occasion serueth to comfort or perswade, measuring our common calamities by yᵉ rule of Iudges, séeing vnto a wise man, no one thing can returne cause of disquiet so much as the shrowd of filthinesse and ignominious shame, neither can hee be hurt of anie one without himselfe. These (the more sensible they are with whome we deale, and of greater capacitie) the more vehemently may we enforce by all sorts of forcible argumentes or examples. The second of these must by insinuation be entred into, as supposing a person of a high & statelie mind, and in a cause not common to be censured, the weightinesse of whose griefe suppressed by a kinde of vnconquered fortitude, we would goe about to comfort. We may not with these deale, as in a case of ordinarie griefe with the others, but rather by a more valuable meane, as who would say, it appearing to vs the inuincible valour wee see or holde to be resiant in their mindes, shunning to bee tainted with the least touch of sweltring griefe, wee doe offer our speeches or Letters to entertaine time with them, whose hearts wee knowe cannot yeelde to anie forcible sting thereof. And nowe considering the great validitie of their wisedome, and a minde in them so vnconquered by anie stormes of Fortune, as is apparant, wee can but encourage them stoutlie to beare, what others as weaklings doe lie groueling vnder. In which wee shall finde greater cause to reioyce by the woorthinesse of so goodlie a minde, then otherwise bee occasioned to grieue for their sorrowes. The thirde and last likewise must in another sort bee conueyed, as finding the passionate and perplexed conceytes of some, yet fresh bleeding vppon the heauie wounde of their sorrowes, wee maie not abruptlie enter with them, into the iust occasion they haue so to be distempered, but rather for the lenefying of their griefes (for in sorrowe also to bee accompanied breedeth often some comfort) séeme to take vppon vs one part of their euils, by declaration how grieuous for some especiall causes the same becommeth vnto vs, either for vertue or some other praiseable condition in the partie, by occasion whereof, wee doe euen participate, as it were, with the griefes of them wee goe about to succour. For commonlie it is giuen to vs to mislike such as dissent from our affections, and loue them againe, who make themselues partakers of our euilles. It auaileth also verie greatlie sometimes to extenuate or lessen the cause of the griefe, either by the incertaintie of thinges casuall, being in some respects subiect to frailtie, or by the hope of short continuaunce, or by the necessitie of the action which may not bee withstoode, or by some comfort or expectation left to mitigate the same. The reputation also of wisedome, grauitie, the opposition of permutation of times and seasons, the diminution of the occasion being nothing so great or vrgent as we deeme it, the indurance of the thing to be a meane vnto Vertue, and finallie, the common lot and condition of all men, subiected vniuersallie to mishappe, to sorrowe, griefe, sicknesse, disquiet, iniuries, wrongs, oppressions, and all kinde of euils, the generall recordation whereof, aboue manie things that may be opposed, swaieth commonly ouer the passions of the minde, by a déepe regarde of the vniuersalitie of the same, as that it soonest of all beateth downe, the weight of all kind of il sorrowes and conceiuings whatsoeuer. Herein the quick sentences and pithie sayings of philosophers, may also be a great spurring, and finallie, all possible arguments that maie be, wherby men are anie waies perswaded or led to forget their euils. In this place it is principallie to be obserued, that in ministring comfortable spéeches to the redresse of anie mishaps, wee doe not by preferring of toies and sporting deuises, séek to relieue them, for that albeit in times of pleasure, the humour of the partie might in some sort, be therewith greatlie delighted, yet in causes of such extremitie, all persons for the most part, verie hatefullie doe endure the putting forwardes thereof, as too much impertinent to the heauinesse wherewith by sorrowfull remembrances, their mindes are commonlie amated. But if the cause be light, then may it not be much amisse to vse some pleasaunt deliueraunce to such a one, especiallie whose appetite standeth anie thing towards the same, but this also in such louing, sweete, and gentle sort to bee done, as that true comforts may seeme to be mingled with those conceited pleasures. Neither may we in anie case seeke in vaunting sort, to thrust into their priuate view, the present tranquilitie and happinesse wherein our selues repose, the obiection whereof were too rusticall. For that as societie in miserie it selfe, lenedeth the force of the greatest griefes, so the opposition of anothers pleasure and freedome, is a corosiue or sting to the want of anie one that is sequestred from the same. All these obseruations in causes |Consolatorie| are greatlie to be regarded, whose vses being to be imploied according to their seuerall suppositions. I leaue to the discretion of the writer in what sort hee thinketh méete to haue their efficacies performed.=

_An example consolatorie of the first sort, wherein a Gentlewoman
is comforted of the death of her sonne._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Insinuatiō._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

[Sidenote: _Antipophora._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote: _Paradigma._]

[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]

[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]

Good Mistresse P. I am sorie that my selfe must become the vnluckie Messenger of mine owne infortunitie vnto you, and that in the fore fronte of my letter is planted such extreame griefe as I cannot but extreamelie bewaile, so often as I thinke of it. Neuerthelesse, knowing vnder what motions wee liue, and that aboue our reach ruleth one, vnder whose becke the mightiest doe stoope, and the greatest are made subiecte, I must as my selfe, so likewise perswade you, to tolerate all such chaunces whatsoeuer, as falling from such absolute direction, to alter anie one iote thereof is impossible, and to resist the same, fruitelesse and vtterlie vnauaileable. The care of my selfe (albeit manie doe knowe howe much I tendred that I sigh for) is not so much, seeing by reason I am led to be assured of yᵉ necessitie of our decaie, as the motherlie pitie I haue alwaies perswaded my selfe to bee in you, and that I nowe alreadie doe feare least forgetting the directe square of our certaine liuing, you will runne into such vntimelie sorrowes, as with manifolde teares will hardlie bee washed, and with innumberable sighes, will scarcelie bee wiped awaie. But what shall I rehearse vnto you a thinge so sudden and vnlooked for, as I protest by the heauenlie maker and ruler of all thinges, at the receipte of your last letters I neuer mistrusted or once looked for to haue happened? Your teares I see, euen nowe awaite what I will saie, and loe, your imaginations doe alreadie deeme the matter I must vtter. At least wise if I shoulde seeme further to dissemble the occasion of my griefe, (and by hiding the summe of all that may breede discontentmente) to conceale what nowe I am inforced to vnfolde vnto you, the discharged messenger returned vncompleate, woulde bewraie the effectes thereof before you. It is then your son, good M._P._ whose want I am inforced to tolerate, and whose presence you must now henceforth determin vtterlie to forbeare. Your last presage in commanding him to be seene liuing or dead, hath now returned his liuing to be discharged, & his earthlie coarse vnlooked for, to be couered with cinders. Had I thought it theē (as by the Almighty I least mistrusted it) & had you prepared to haue receiued him, as then before was required, you could not more sooner haue assured mee his returning, then I am able now to performe him, at your present sending. He is commaunded to another, that before did expecte him, hee is swallowed in the gulfe, that from the foremost howre of his birth did hetherto awaite him. Nowe if you will say hee was young and might haue liued, examples doe shewe that younger then hee haue died. If you will say, you loued him greatlie. God by your patience shall accepte him the more woorthilie. If you will say, you are sorie for it in that hee was vertuous: consider the worlde wherein hee liued, that might haue made him more vicious. Finallie, to answere euerie obiection that by you may bee affirmed, nothing herein can more fitlie bee auerred, then that in our life time wee see daylie before our eies to happen. Knowe yee not, that all thinges doe by little and a little growe into ripenesse, and foorthwith by degrees fall into rottennesse? Hath not God vnto euerie thing after their greatest perfection, included such certaine limites, that by and by they seeme to bee appropriate to their latest confusion? Is there anie thinge on earth so assured, that by vnstaied incertaintie is not continuallie guided? Among all fruites and blossomes on the ground, are there not some that are sooner then others, euen on their tenderest braunches, as it were alreadie ripened, and others againe that by long lying are made rotten and mellowed? Al flowers spring not at one instant, nor all blossoms with one sole blast are scattered. To man is appointed his certaine boundes, vnto which to bee attained, and beyonde the which not to passe, is alreadie limited. Your sonne as timelie fruite, so timelie ripened, and as fitte for his season was as timelie gathered. It was necessarie by nature hee shoulde bee perfected, and the perfection attained, by nature also he was consequentlie to bee depriued. Onelie that his sickenesse was naturall, and that in the continuance thereof hee wanted no attendaunce, the credite of others as well as my selfe can testifie. If _P_hysicke coulde haue saued him, if Syrrops, hot potions, or other necessaries woulde haue cured him, if teares and praiers might haue kepte him, you had yet in safetie receiued him. Hee is deade, hee is gone, wee must after him. Of his first sicknesse hee was whole, and perfectlie recouered, afterwardes from the Iaundise, though somewhat weakned, yet lastlie deliuered. But the inwarde moath that consumed him, would not suffer him to liue, which with extreame gripes assailed him, that beeing not able anie longer to continue, at the pleasure of God hee died. It is your parte therefore to bee nowe recomforted, and therein in with patience to referre your selfe to Gods determinate pleasure and iudgement, to which intent I haue taken in hand this mid nights labour, after the receipte of your letters, which were to bee returned the nexte morning earlie, by reason whereof I can no waie satisfie what you write for, neuerthelesse resting hereafter to my vttermost power to pleasure you, and recommending my selfe also to your woonted curtesie, I ende this fourteenth of Ianuarie, your carefull friend, &c.

_An Epistle consolatorie of the same, wherein one
is comforted in case of harde
extremitie._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]

[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]

[Sidenote: _Metanoia._]

[Sidenote: _Auxesis._]

[Sidenote: _Concessiō._]

[Sidenote: _Meiosis._]

[Sidenote: _Etiologia._]

[Sidenote: _Metaphora._]

[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]

Seeing the instabilitie of worldely chaunces is such, as permitteth no one thinge liuing to remaine stedfast, or in assured staie or certaine condition at all times to endure and continue: no maruaile then (good Sir) if your selfe beeing a mortall man, framed of the same earthlie substance and qualitie, incident to terrene frailtie, and natures imbecilitie, doe as other creatures alike participate the suddaine euils, and daielie alterations thereunto annexed: a proofe whereof resteth chiefelie in your present state and beeing, then which no one thing may induce a more serious aduertisemente, of the vile accompte and wretched contempte appropriat vnto your liuing. And albeit diuers are the calamities wherwith not onelie your selfe, but sundrie others your louing friendes carefull of your presente mishape, and grieued to see the vncouth and bitter chaunge whereinto you are hapned, are continuallie afflicted, in so much as there is not the stoniest and flintiest minde of all that euer haue knowne you (your desperate vowed enemies onelie excepted) but doe in some sorte or other, bewaile, and as it were grieue to see the vnacquainted yoke thereof, with such extremitie to be cast vpon you: I cannot yet but greatlie commende the inuincible _fortitude_ of your high and noble minde, who by howe much the more, the vehemencie of these sorrowes are to you vnknowne, and therefore the more vnused, doe not withstanding by so much the lesse permitte, the mightie power of them to rule or beare swaie ouer you, neglecting or (which is greater) despising the sharp pricking sting thereof, who by the deepe pearcing force of the same, is woonted to gall the remembraunce of manie others, and (as it were by a forcelesse contempte of such validities) not onelie not giue anie token or signe at all in their vttermost practises, but seeme rather to triumphe ouer the strength that thereby they had wrought, and by an aduised, sage and woonderfull modestie and discretion, plainelie to extinguish and put from you the furie of the same. Manifoldlie I must confesse, haue you hereby deserued and much more euill, by the wise and moderate entertainmente of these troubles, hath to your aduersaries beene tendred, who in nothing so much do rest vnsatisfied, as that in subduing your bodie, they cannot also yoke and bring vnder by whatsoeuer extremitie the courage, and statelie progression of your high and vnconquered minde. Wherein there is lefte in my opinion great cause of comforte euen in the verie greatest of your miserie vnto you, that in constant indurance thereof, you haue power to punish them, that woulde disturbe you, and that in the perplexed imaginations of their owne wicked and malicious enuie. Neither maie this that you sustaine bee rightlie tearmed miserie, or such a one as your selfe seeme to bee accompted miserable, whose minde in the verie captiuitie inflicted vppon this your bodie is thus freede, and accompanied with so ample and sweetened libertie: For these kinde of troubles as they are worldlie, so haue they power also vpon the worldlie partes of a man, and therein are cohibitions of such earthlie delighte, as fauouring more vnto the satisfaction of a sensuall appetite, then conducing to the excellencie of the inwarde minde, doe breede that ordinarie restrainte wherewith men mortallie conceited, are for the most parte troubled. But to the sweete imaginations of a pure and innocent minde, what is left wherewith to bee discontented, but onelie to haue committed anie thing vile, wretched, or otherwise ill beseeming the vertue and excellencie wherewith the inwarde partes thereof are throughlie indued. How manie waies then are lefte vnto you to reioyce, vnto whose eies the continuall thirst of _vertue_ it selfe hath long since laide open the momentarie pleasures of this worlde, the libertie whereof is vnto a woorthie conceite a meere seruage, in whose fickle and transitorie affections reposeth so slender assurance, and whose effecacies contemplate no other then vaine and foolish obiectes: seeing that you haue thereby so well perceiued howe much the instinct of a braue and delicate minde climbeth far aboue the reach of the body, with a pleasant and vncontroulled libertie. These things impugning I must needes say a corporall appetite) permit you not, for such losse of riches, possessions, children or friendes to become passionate, or ouercome with extreame greefe, albeit participating as we doe with such naturall causes, I doubt not but therewith you are sometimes touched, though at no time conuinced. For which cause as often as you happen to fall into the remembraunce of the same, suppose with your selfe that in time, the bitter sting may yet bee repulsed, and that the lotte that is fallen vnto you heerein, is no other but the common reward and hatefull disquiet of the worlde, wherein the most noble and worthie minds are commonlie the most vehementlie assaulted, and with deepest extremitie by such kinde of meanes pursued.

The recordation whereof, may returne vnto you one principall and great occasion of comfort, in that by distinction of your woorthinesse, though you bee partaker of common trouble, yet are you sequestred from the entertainment of a common opinion. It dooth not a little reioyce mee to see that with such impregnable stoutnesse you doe so farre foorth endeuour to resist your appetites, wherein (besides the expectation of that which is incident also to these alterations, a chaunge, I meane, and reuocation of woonted pleasures) you shall in the meane time giue greater glorie to your actions, in not appearing for anie worldlie estate, riches, or contentment to bee surprized in your imaginations. Praying the comfort of all comfortes to bestowe vppon you the deawe of his heauenlie grace in assistaunce of your extremities, I take my leaue, this of, &c.

_A consolatorie Epistle of the third sort, wherein a Gentlewoman
is comforted of the death of her husband slaine
in the warres._

[Sidenote: _Exordium._]

[Sidenote: _Metaphora._]

[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]

[Sidenote: _Paramologia._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]

[Sidenote: _Auxesis._]

[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]

[Sidenote: _Etiologia._]

[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]

[Sidenote: _Climax._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote:_Metaphora._]

[Sidenote: _Merismus._]

[Sidenote: _Dialisis._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]

[Sidenote: _Antipophora._]

[Sidenote: _Etiologia._]

[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]

Albeit my selfe (hauing receyued the sorrowfull newes of the vntimelie death of my dearest kinsman, and your deceased louing husband) was in the first hearing thereof so greatlie troubled, as by reason of the griefe then presentlie conceyued for the same, my selfe happilie might seeme to neede that comfort, which nowe I goe about to bestowe vpon others: Yet weighing in my minde the state wherein you stande, and beeing also informed with what great extremitie you haue entertayned the newes of his losse, I cannot but in respect of the great loue I ought to him, and remembraunce of the like care, wherewith hee principallie entertayned you, enforce my penne hereby to yeelde vnto you those comfortable speeches, by the veritie whereof my selfe in so great a storme of griefe, coulde hitherto as yet bee verie hardlie satisfied. It was deliuered vnto me by my brother F. B. that beeing nowe a Moneth or somewhat more passed, since by Letters out of H. the maner of your husbandes death was vnto you reported, you immediatelie vppon the reading of the Letters grewe into so great aboundance of teares, and to so woonderfull impatience, as hauing euer sithence continued the same, you will in no sort thereof bee recomforted. Assuredlie my good Coosen, I must needes conclude with your owne speeches, and the waight of your interchaungeable likinges, that there is great cause left vnto you to become sorrowfull, as hauing lost the chiefe and principall iewell of all your worldlie loue and liking, the fauoured Companion of all your pleasant and youthfull yeares, the entire comfort and solace of your present happinesse, and such a one, who aboue all worldes, or anie earthlie estimation at all, accounted, honoured, and entyrelie receyued and loued you: but that you haue so great and vrgent cause of extremitie to continue with so hard impacience as you doe, it befitteth not, it is vnnecessarie, yea it is in my iudgement of all others the most insufferable. For when it is not denied vnto you, that you haue cause to mourne, that it is fittest vnto the matter of your loue, to weepe ouer him, and bewaile him, it is then thereby intended that there must be a meane therein, that the force thereof must be limited, that the appearance beare shew of discretion. Doe we not all know I pray you, and are witnesses that he was a mortall man, that as our selues he was borne, vnder the selfe same condition, that hee must once die, that hee had his time set, beyond which hee might not passe, and that God who gaue him life thus long to liue with you, hath nowe called him againe from this earth to leaue you? Are we ignorant that Nature compelleth the wife for her husbande, the husbande for his wife, parents for their children, and kindred for their kinsfolke, to weepe and lament? But followeth it not also therewith that the losse and want of them beeing layde downe by an immooueable necessitie: wee can by no meanes afterwardes bee in hope to reclaime them? What great follie doe wee then commit in thus searching after the ghostes of our deceased friendes? Or what other thing doe wee therein performe, but yeeld a plaine demonstration, that our teares are to none other ende, but to bewaile them, because they were mortall? whome death could neuer haue shunned without they had beene immortall. Are wee not eftsoones put in minde by the common casualtie of all thinges, that there is nothing stable, that continuallie Kingdomes decay, Prouinces are shaken, Countryes destroyed, Cityes burned, townes wasted, people consumed, and that it remayneth a thing ordinarie with vs, daylie to bee conuersant in these euilles, the losse of all, or eyther of which, (if they may bee accounted euilles) why then doe we giue our selues by vnmeasurable griefe, to a perpetuall continuance and renouation of those euils. But you will heereunto alledge, that it is loue that enforceth you vnto the same, and that such is the continuall remembraunce you haue, as you cannot forget him. Alas, howe fruitlesse is this loue, and zealous remembrance in the deliuerance thereof? Howe farre sequestred is the vehemencie of the same, from the searched recompence? Why learne wee not rather of the wisest and woorthiest, how to mitigate the impacience of our owne imperfections? In whose precepts, examples, and counsels, if the immoderate vse or entertainment of anything bee forbidden, shall wee not then in this, aboue all others be chieflie reprehended, when wee enforce our selues by continuall Meditation of our losses to shedde so manie teares to no purpose? What if your Husbande had not nowe dyed at this instant, hee must, you know, haue dyed; hee could not alwayes haue liued. Yea, but hee died you say, vntimelie, what call you vntimelie I pray you? If in respect of the force preuayling vppon him, whereby he was slaine, you name it vntimelie: then doe I graunt vnto it: But if in regarde of the time of his life you affirme it, I denie that the same may then bee sayd vntimelie. _F_or why? hath not the eternall Creatour of all thinges ordered by his diuine wisedome each matter to passe his course in sort to himselfe best beseeming and most pleasing? howe can you then say that to bee vntimelie, which by his heauenlie moderation was so appoynted? Assure your selfe if hee had then beene at home with you, hee had also died, you could not haue preuented it, his houre was come, so was it determined, which way could he shun it.

[Sidenote: _Antipophora._]

[Sidenote: _Auxesis._]

[Sidenote: _Antipophora._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]

[Sidenote:_Brachiologia._]

[Sidenote: _Asindeton._]

[Sidenote: _Epiphonema._]

[Sidenote: _Paradigma._]

What then grieueth you in this action? Is it that hee was slaine? Consider with your selfe it was in his princes seruice, his death was thereby the more honourable, for in so doing, he died as a man, as a souldiour, as a Gentleman. Yea, but you shall neuer, you say, see him more? True in deed, but what of that? Is this death now greater then his absence before? Yes forsooth it is indeede, and whie? because you had hope then to see him againe, which by this means is taken away? verie well. You did then while he was liuing recomfort your selfe with hope, content your selfe nowe with necessitie, because it must needes be so, and you can no wayes amend it. Is not this an ende sufficient to determine all sorrowes? If you weepe, lament, crie out, and become grieued, requisite were it the same should returne to some ende, that all your care, sorrow, griefe, lamentation, or what els should not appeare fruitles, that the intendment and determination thereof shoulde be to some speciall purpose. See you then, herein is no supply, the effects are bereft, the end taken away. Be not then so fond, as to bedew that with your teares, wherunto belongeth neither redresse, nor mean of recouerie. Who is he that would be so mad, as to crie out vnto him of whom he might be assured neuer to obtaine remedie? by cunning art beasts we see, though they be most fierce, are tamed, a meane is found wherewith to breake the Marble, the Adamant howe hard soeuer it be, may by deuises be mollified: Onely death is of such force as no wayes can be conuinced.

[Sidenote: _Merismus._]

[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]

[Sidenote: _Procatalepsis._]

At the least wise, if neither of these argumentes might mooue you to suppresse your exceeding sorrowes, you must finally consider that wee are Christians, and by the benefite of this corporall death, doe make exchaunge for an vncorrupted life, that the withdrawing vs from this vile earthly bodie of Clay and filth, is a commutation to a sacred and heauenlie progression, and that wee haue nothing left vnto vs, in all the trauelles, cares, disquiets, and heauie turmoyles of this wearisome liuing whereof to reioyce vs, but the expectation wee haue of happines and euer flourishing gladnesse. Suppose the Ghost of your husbande were heere present to see you in all this extremitie, what thinke you woulde hee say? Howe much disordered imagine you woulde hee thinke you to bee in your affections?

[Sidenote: _Prosopopœia._]

[Sidenote: _Metanoia._]

[Sidenote: _Erotema._]

[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]

[Sidenote: _Paradigma._]

[Sidenote: _Parenthesis._]

[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]

And were it not that so manie coastes had seuered him both by lande and seas peraduenture wearied with your bitter out cries in the conceited image and shape of death, you might in apparance heare him, in these like speaches accusing and rebuking such your distemperate actions. And with breathing spirit to crie out vnto you saying, What is it you goe about? what meane you by teares to search out for a thing so irrecuperable. Whie torment you your youthful yeares, with such vnprofitable, or rather as I may call it, desperate kinde of mournings? whie with such vniust complaints accuse you Fortune, & so often doe appeale death, and destinie of so hainous trespasse? Is it for that you enuie my happie state, so soone transported from this vntowarde soile, to a more prosperous felicitie? thus credit mee, and in this sorte (were it possible he coulde speake to you) woulde hee accuse you, in which consideration, were there not iust cause thinke you (of such intemperance) whie you shoulde be greatlie ashamed? Beleeue mee good Cosin, there is neither profite or liking at all, of this bitter continuance reaped, you haue alreadie waded sufficientlie in your teares, you haue mourned for him in earnest loue as beseemed a wife, it is nowe high time you bee after all this comforted. Thinke that the greatest storme is by time at length ouerblowne, superfluitie of coales encreaseth rather heate then flame, the ardencie of affection, with vehemencie sufficient may be expressed, though not by extremitie enforced. What shuld I say vnto you? You may not as other foolish creatures, that are neither gouerned by wit, nor ordered by discretion, make your selfe a spectacle to the world, but rather with such temperance (for euen in this extremitie of sorrow, is also planted a rare patern of modestie) seek in such maner to demean your selfe, as the lookers on may rather pittie you, by insight of your greate discretion, then in this sorte to tormente your selfe by a needlesse supposition. Much more haue I considered with my self, whereby to satisfie my greeued imaginations, in which beeing recomforted, and reposed in my secrete thoughtes, I haue deemed it necessarie hereby to imparte the same vnto you, beseeching that as well in regarde of your selfe, as the little pleasure your friendes haue to behoulde you in this straunge kinde of perplexitie, you will enioy the fruites thereof with such sufficient contentment and satisfaction as verie heartilie I doe wish vnto you. And euen so tendring my selfe in all thinges to your curteous and gentle vsage, I doe heartily bid you farewell, S. this of &c.

=Touching these |Consolatorie Epistles|. It is to bee intended that ouer and besides the examples formerly deliuered, their vse is also in causes of banishment, losse of parentes, goods, or friends, in times of imprisonment, slander, persecution, sicknesse, in miserable olde age, or plagued by disobedience, in ill successe of mariages, in pouertie, and finally in whatsoeuer griefe of minde, trouble, or aduersitie. In each of all which is as I said before, vsed a great efficacie of perswasion for the mittigation of the same, by laying the troubles and vncertain state of the world, with innumerable euils annexed to the turning whéele thereof, the communitie of the mischiefe to all, who though not with the selfe same, yet in some sorte or other are alike disquieted, that the best way to expell the griefe thereof, is by meditation of our estates, the condition wherein we liue, the ineuitable force of that which is befallen vs, which because wee are worldlinges must néedes in like sorte betide vs, howe neare thereby wee may bee drawne in contempte of earthlie vanities, the inticing baites, whereof are enuenomed with so manie and sharpe poysons, that troubles are sent vnto vs from God, to call vs thereby home vnto him, that they are the scourges of our disobedience, that by such meanes wee are discerned to bee his children, that by pacient sufferance, and entertainment of our harmes, we do nearest approch vnto him, who beeing in humane shape on earth, conuersing with men, was persecuted, slaundered, tooke vpon him the most despised estate of pouertie, and by cruell death was constrained, that they who are cloyed with most aboundance, haue therefore the greater charge laide vppon their neckes, and that no one then they are nearest to destruction, the height of whose estate, oftentimes occasioneth their vntimely deaths: finally, that it were bootlesse to striue against their forces, in that we thereby seem ignorant of Gods pleasure and ordinance, who working all things vnto the best, knoweth perchaunce the punishment to be most fittest for vs, wherewith if we were not entangled, we might happilie forgette him, and become carelesse regarders of his high and mightie excellency. So and in such maner may we wade in these actions, whereof hauing now deliuered sufficient, wee will adde hereunto one example more, and therewith of this title conclude.=

_An Example consolatorie, pleasantly
written to one, who had buried
his olde wife._

The posting newes hitherwarde of the late decease of my good old mistris your wife, hath made me in the verie going away of mine ague fit, to strain my selfe to greet you by these letters. In the inditing wherof, I manie time praied in my thoughts, that I were as readilie deliuered of this my tertian feuer, as your selfe are in mine opinion deliuered by such meanes of a hateful and verie foule encombrance. I doubt not sir, but you doe nowe take the matter heauilie, being thereby dispossessed as you are of such an intollerable delight, as wherewith you were continually cloied by the nightlie embracements of so vnweldie a carcase. I haue, I must confesse, verie seldome known you for anie thing to mourne, neuerthelesse, if by such meanes you be happily constrained to change countenance, I haue prepared a golden boxe wherein I meane to consecrate all the teares you shed for that accident, to _Berecynthia_ the beldame of the Gods, as a relique of your great kindship and curtesie.