OT often without marveile many a time and
often have I considered wyth my self
howe one errour should arise, the which
bicause it is generally seene in olde men, a man may beleave it is
proper and
naturall unto them: and that is, how (in
a maner) all of them commend the times
| An errour in age.
The cause of the errour. |
| Tyme of youth.
Senses of the body. The mind of olde age. |
| Thinges beloved that accumpanye pleasures.
Old mens opinion of Courtes. |
| Envie. Women wanton. Men Womanish. Aparaile. Contraries. Socrates. |
| One contrarie foloweth an other.
Better wittes now then in foretime. Thinges neither good nor badd. |
| Facions setby in the olde tyme.
The sayinge of olde men. Noble wittes in the Court of Urbin. |
Here not tariynge for Sir Friderickes answere, And what greate weight (I beseche ye) is it? said then Unico Aretino. Who is so foolishe that whan he can do a thinge, will not do it in a fit and due time?
Reasoninge in this wise about the matter, every man satte him downe in his wonted place and maner with very heedful expectacion of the propounded talke.
Then Sir Fridericke tourninge him to Unico: Doe you not think then, M. Unico (quoth he) that I am laden this night with a great and peinful burden, since I must declare in what sort, maner and time, the Courtier hath to practise hys good condicions and qualities, and to use those other thinges that are alreadie saide to be mete for him?
Me thynke it is no great matter, answered Unico: and I beleve a good judgement in the Courtyer is sufficient for al this, which the Count saide well yesterday nighte that he oughte to have: and in case it be so, without any other preceptes, I suppose he may practyse welynough the thynge that hee knoweth in due time and after a good sorte. The whiche to bring more particularly into rule were to harde a matter, and perhappes more then nedeth, for I know not who is so fonde to go about his fence, whan the rest be in their musicke: or to goe about the streetes daunsing the Morisco, though he could doe it never so well: or goinge aboute to comfort a mother that had buried her childe, to beginne to talke with her of pleasant matters and mery conceites. I beleve surely no gentleman will do this, onlesse he wer cleane out of his wittes.
Me think (M. Unico) quoth Sir
Friderick then, ye harpe
to muche uppon your extremities. For it happeneth otherwhile
a man is so fonde that he remembreth not himself so
easilye, and oversightes are not all alike. And it may be
that a man shall abstaine from a common foly which is to manifest, as
that is you speak of, to go daunce the Morisco
in the market place, and yet shal he not refraine from
praising himself out of purpose, from using a noysome
sawcinesse, from casting out otherwhile a worde thinking
Manye bent to finde faultes. Stoici. To set out one qualytie with another. Generall rules. Avoid curiositye.
to make men laughe, whiche for that it is spoken out of
time will appeare colde and without any grace, and these
oversightes often times are covered with a certaine veile
that suffereth a manne not to forget who doeth them,
onlesse he take no heed to them: and although for many
causes our sight descerneth but litle, yet for ambicions sake
it is darkened in especyall, for every man willingly setteth
forth himselfe in that he perswadeth himself he knoweth
whether this perswasion of his bee true or false. Therefore
the well behaving of a mannes selfe in this case (me think)
consisteth in a certein sidedome and judgement of choise,
and to knowe more and lesse what encreaseth or diminisheth
in thinges, to practise them in due time or out of season.
And for all the Courtyer be of so good a judgement that he
can discerne those differences, yet shall he the sooner compasse
that hee seketh, if his imagination be opened with
soem rule, and the wayes shewed him, and (as it were) the
places where he should ground himself upon, then yf he
should take him self onely to the generaltie. Fosomuche
as therefore the Count yesterday night entreated upon
Courtyership so copiously and in so good a maner, he hath
made me (truely) conceive no small feare and doubte that I
shall not so throughly satisfie this noble audience in the
matter that lieth upon me to discourse in, as he hath done
in that was his charge. Yet to make my self partener in
what I maye of his praise, and to be sure not to erre (at
the least in thys part) I will not contrarie him an any point.
Wherefor agreing to his opinions, and beside the reste, as
touchynge noblenes of birthe, wit and disposition of person
and grace of countenaunce, I say unto you that to gete hym
prayse worthely and a good estimation with all men, and
favour with suche great men as he shal attende upon, me
thinke it behouffull he have the understanding to frame all
hys life and to set foorth his good qualities generally in
company with al men without purchasing himself envy. The whiche howe
harde a matter it is of it selfe, a man
maye consider by the sildomenesse of suche as are seen to
attain to that point: because we are al the sort of us in
very dede more enclined of nature to dispraise faultes, then
to commende thinges well done. And a man would thinke
that many by a certain rooted malice, although they manifestly
descerne the goodnes, enforce themselves with al study
and diligence to finde in us either a faulte or at the leaste
To observe time.
the likenes of a fault. Therefore it behoveth oure Courtyer
in all his doinges to be charie and heedfull, and what so he
saith or doeth to accompany it with wisedome, and not onely
to set his delite to have in himself partes and excellent
qualities, but also to order the tenour of his life after suche
a trade, that the whole may be answerable unto these partes,
and see the selfe same to bee alwayes and in every thing
suche, that it disagree not from it selfe, but make one body
of all these good qualities, so that everye deede of his may
be compact and framed of al the vertues, as the Stoikes say
the duetie of a wiseman is: although not withstanding
alwaies one vertue is the principall, but all are so knit and
linked one to an other, that they tende to one ende, and all
may bee applyed and serve to every purpose. Therefore it
behoveth he have the understandynge to set them forth,
sometime to make the other the better knowen: as the
good peincters with a shadow make the lightes of high places
to appeere, and so with light make lowe the shadowes of
plaines, and meddle divers coulours together, so that
throughe that diversitie bothe the one and the other
are more sightly to behoulde, and the placing of the
figures contrarie the one to the other is a helpe to them
to doe the feate that the peincters mynde is to bring to
passe. So that lowlines is muche to be commended in a Gentleman that is
of prowesse and well seene in armes:
and as that fearcenesse seemeth the greater whan it is
accompanied with sobermoode, even so dooeth sobermood
encrease and shewe it selfe the more through fiercenesse.
Therefore little speaking, muche dooing, and not praising
a mannes owne selfe in commendable deedes, dissemblying
them after an honeste sorte, dooeth encrease both the
one vertue and the other in a person that can discreatly
use this trade: and the like is to be said in all the other
To set forthe good qualities.
good qualities. Therefore will I have our Courtyer in that
he doeth or saieth to use certaine general rules, the whiche
(in my minde) containe briefly asmuch as belongeth to me
to speake. And for the first and chief lette him avoid (as
the Count saide wel in that behalf yester night) above all
thinges curiositie. Afterwarde let him consider wel what
the thing is he doth or speaketh, the place wher it is done,
in presence of whom, in what time, the cause why he doeth
it, his age, his profession, the ende whereto it tendeth, and
the meanes that may bring him to it: and so let him apply
himselfe discreatly with these advertisementes to whatsoever
he mindeth to doe or speake.
Lowlinesse.
Circumstances.
After Syr Fridericke had thus saide, he seemed to staye a whyle.
Then said M. Morello of Ortona: Me thinke these your rules teache but litle. And I for my parte am as skilfull now as I was before you spake them, althoughe I remember I have harde them at other times also of friers with whom I have bene in confession, and I weene they terme them circumstances.
Then laughed Syr Fridericke and
said: If you doe well
beare in mynde, the Counte willed yesternighte that the
chief profession of the Courtyer should bee in armes, and
spake very largely in what sorte he shoulde do it, therefore
will we make no more rehearsall thereof: yet by our rule it
may be also understoode, that where the Courtyer is at a
skirmishe, or assault, or battaile upon the land, or in such
other places of enterprise, he ought to worke the matter
wisely in seperating himself from the multitude, and
take his notable and bould feates which he hath to do with
as litle company as he can, and in the sighte of noble men
that be of most estimation in the campe, and especially in
the presence and (if it wer possible) beefore the very eyes of
his king or greate parsonage he is in service withal: for in
dede it is mete to set forth to the shew thinges well done.
And I beleave even as it is an yll matter to seke a false
renoume, and in the thing he deserveth no praise at all, so
is it also an yll matter to defraude a mans self of his due
estimation, and not to seke that praise, which alone is the
true reward of vertuous enterprises. And I remember I
have knowen of them in my time for all they wer of
prowesse, yet in this point they have shewed themselves but
grossheaded, and put their life in as great hasard to go take
a flock of shiepe, as in being the formost to scale the walles
of a batred towne, the which our Courtyer wil not doe if
Praise to be sought for. Grosheaded persons. The cause to venture life is estimacion. Open showes. Readie in his armour. A horse well trimmed.
he beare in minde the cause that bryngeth him to the warre,
which ought to be onely his estimation. And if he happen moreover to be
one to shewe feates of Chivalrie in open
sightes at tilt, turney, or Joco di canne or in any other
exercise of the person, remembryng the place where he is,
and in the presence of whom, he shall provide before hand to be
in his armour no lesse handsome and sightly then sure, and
feede the eyes of the lookers on wyth all thinges that he shall
thinke may geve him a good grace, and shall do his best to
gete him a horse sett out with fair harneis and sightly trappinges,
and to have proper devyses, apt poesies, and wittie
inventions that maye drawe unto him the eyes of the lookers
on, as the Adamant stone doth yron. He shall never be
among the last that come furth into the listes to shewe
themselves, considering the people, and especially women
take muche more hede to the fyrste then to the last: because
the eyes and mindes that at the begynning are greedy of
that noveltye, note everye lyttle matter and printe it, afterward
by continuance they are not onely full, but weery of
it. Therefore was there a noble Stageplaier in olde tyme
that for this respecte would alwaies be the first to come
furth to playe his parte. In like maner also if our Courtier
do but talke of armes, he shal have an eie to the profession
of them he talketh withall and according to that frame
himselfe, and use one maner of talke with men, and an other
An example of the circumstances.
Wittye inventions.
Not of the last to come furth.
with women: and in case he will touche any thing sounding
to his own praise, he shall do it so dissemblinglye as it wer
at a chaunce and by the way and with the discretion and
warinesse that count Lewis shewed us yesterday. Do you
not nowe thinke (M. Morello) that our rules can teache
somewhat? Trowe you not that friende of ours I tould
you of a fewe dayes agoe had cleane forgotten with whom
he spake, and why? Whan to entertein a gentilwoman
whom he never saw before, at his first entring in talke with
her, he began to tell how many men he had slain and what
a hardie felow he was, and how he could play at twohand-sworde
and had never done untill he hadde taught her howe
to defende certeine strokes with a Pollaxe being armed and
how unarmed, and to shewe howe (in a mannes defence) to
lay hande uppon a dagger, so that the poore gentilwoman
stood upon thornes, and thought an houre a thousande yeare
till she were got from him, for feare least he would go nigh
to kil her as he had done those other. Into these errours
runne they that have not an eye to the circumstances whiche
you saye ye have heard of Friers. Therefore I say of the
exercises of the body, some there are that (in maner) are
never practised but in open shewe, as runninge at Tilt,
Barriers, Joco do Canne, and all the reste that depende
uppon Armes. Therefore whan oure Courtyer taketh any
Q. Roscius comoedus.
of these in hande, firste hee muste provide to bee so well in
order for Horse, Harneys, and other fournitures beelongynge
thereto, that he wante nothinge. And if he see not hym
selfe throughelye fournyshed in all poyntes, lette him not
meddle at all. For if he dooe not well, it can not bee scused
that it is not his profession. After thys, he oughte to have
a great consideration in presence of whom he sheweth himselfe,
and who be his matches. For it were not meete that
a Gentilman shoulde be present in person and a doer in such
a matter in the countrey, where the lookers on and the doers
were of a base sort.
Well provided for open showes.
Then saide the L. Gaspar Pallavicin: In our countrey of Lumbardy these matters are not passed uppon, for you shall see there yonge Gentilmen upon the holy dayes come daunce all the day long in the Sunne with them of the countrey, and passe the time with them in casting the barre, in wrastling, running and leaping. And I beleve it is not ill done. For no comparason is there made of noblenesse of birth, but of force and slight, in which thinges many times the men of the countrey are not a whit inferiour to Gentilmen, and it seemeth this familiar conversation conteineth in it a certein lovely freenesse.
This daunsing in the son,
answered Syr Fridericke, can
I in no case away withall: and I can not see what a man
shall gain by it. But whoso wyll wrastle, runne and leape
with men of the countrey, ought (in my judgement) to do
it after a sorte: to prove himselfe and (as they are wonte to
saye) for courtesie, not to trye maistry with them: and a
man ought (in a maner) to be assured to get the upper
hand, elles let him not meddle with al, for it is to ill a sight
and to foule a matter and without estimation to see a
Gentilman overcome by a Carter and especially in wrastling.
Play at tenise.
Therfore I beleve it is wel done to abstaine from it, at the
leastwise in the presence of many, because if he overcome,
his gaine is small, and his losse in being overcome very
great. Also they play at tenise (in maner) alwaies in open
sight, and this is one of the commune games which the
multitude with their presence muche set furth. I will have
oure Courtier therfore to do this and all the rest beside
handlyng his weapon, as a matter that is not his profession:
and not seeme to seeke or loke for any praise for it, nor be
acknowen that he bestoweth much study or time about it,
although he do it excellently well. Neither shall he be like
unto some that have a delite in musicke, and in speaking with
whom soever alwaies whan he maketh a pause in their talke,
begine in a voice as though they would sing. Other walking
in the stretes or in the churches, go alwayes daunsing.
Other meetyng in the market place or whersoever anye
friende, make a gesture as though they would play at fence,
or wrastle, according as their delite is.
How to practise feates with men of the
countrey.
The fond toyes of some.
Here, said the L. Cesar Gonzaga, we have in Roomé a yong Cardinal that doeth better then so, whiche feeling him self lusty of person leadeth as manye as come to visit him (though he never sawe them before) into a gardein, and is very instant uppon them to strippe themselves into their dublet to leape with him.
Syr Fridericke laughed,
afterwarde he proceaded on:
There be some other exercises that may be done both openly
and privately, as dauncyng: and in this I beleve the Courtier
ought to have a respecte, for yf he daunseth in the presence
of many and in a place ful of people, he must (in my mind)
keepe a certain dignitie, tempred notwithstanding with a
handsome and sightly sweetnesse of gestures, and for all he
feeleth himself very nimble and to have time and measure
at will, yet let him not enter into that swiftnesse of feete
and doubled footinges, that we see are very comely in oure
Barletta, and peradventure were unseemely for a Gentilman,
Daunsinge privatlye. To be in maske. Maner of disguising. Some set out them selves unadvisedly. Pricke song.
although privately in a chamber together as we be nowe, I
will not saye but he maye do both that, and also daunce
the morsico and braulles, yet not openlye onlesse he were
in a maske. And though it were so that all menne knewe
him, it skilleth not, for there is no way to that, if a man
will shewe himselfe in open sightes about such matters,
whether it be in armes, or out of armes. Because to be in
a maske bringeth with it a certaine libertie and lycence,
that a man may emong other thinges take uppon him the
fourme of that he hath best skill in, and use bente studye
and preciseness about the principall drift of the matter
wherin he will shewe himselfe, and a certaine Reckelesness
aboute that is not of importaunce, whiche augmenteth the
grace of the thinge, as it were to disguise a yonge man in
an olde mannes attire, but so that his garmentes be not a
hindraunce to him to shew his nimblenes of person. And
a man at armes in fourm of a wield shepehearde, or some
other suche kinde of disguisinge, but with an excellent
horse and wel trimmed for the purpose. Because the minde
of the lookers on runneth furthwith to imagine the thing
that is offered unto the eyes at the first shew, and whan
they behold afterward a farre greater matter to come of it
then they looked for under that attire, it deliteth them and
Daunsing.
they take pleasure at it. Therefore it were not meete in
such pastimes and open shewes, where they take up counterfaiting of
false visages, a prince should take upon him to
be like a prince in dede, because in so doing, the pleasure
that the lookers on receyve at the noveltye of the matter
should want a great deale, for it is no noveltie at all to any
man for a prince to bee a prince. And whan it is perceyved
that beside his beinge a prince, he wil also beare the shape
of a prince, he loseth the libertie to do all those thinges
that are out of the dignity of a prince. And in case there
should any contencion happen especially with weapon in
these pastimes, he might easily make men beleave that he
keepeth the persone of a prince because he will not be beaten
but spared of the rest: beside that, doing in sport the very
same he should do in good earnest whan neede required, it
woulde take away his authoritye in deede and would appeere
in lyke case to be play also. But in this point the prince
stripping himself of the person of a prince, and minglinge
himselfe equallye with his underlinges (yet in suche wise
that he maye bee knowen) with refusynge superioritye, lette
him chalenge a greater superioritie, namelye, to passe other
men, not in authoritie, but in vertue, and declare that his
prowes is not encresed by his being a prince. Therefore
The prince in maske not to take the shap of
a prince.
I saye that the Courtier ought in these open sightes of
armes to have the self same respect according to his degree.
But in vauting, wrastling, running and leaping, I am well
pleased he flee the multitude of people, or at least be
sene very sildome times. For there is nothing so excellent
in the world, that the ignorant people have not their fil of,
and smallye regard in often beholding it. The like judgement
I have in musike: but I would not our Courtier
should do as many do, that assone as they come to any
place, and also in the presence of great men with whom
they have no acquaintance at al, without much entreating
sett out themselves to shew asmuch as they know, yea and
many times that thei know not, so that a man would weene
they cam purposely to shew themselves for that, and that it
is their principall profession. Therfore let our Courtier
come to shewe his musike as a thing to passe the time
withall, and as he wer enforced to doe it, and not in the
presence of noble menne, nor of any great multitude. And
for all he be skilfull and doeth wel understand it, yet wil I
have him to dissemble the study and peines that a man
must needes take in all thinges that are well done. And
let him make semblante that he estemeth but litle in
In some exercises flee the multitude.
People have sone their fill.
himself that qualitie, but in doing it excellently wel make it
muche estemed of other menne.
How to shew musike.
Then saide the L. Gaspar Pallavicin: There are manye sortes of musike aswell in the brest, as upon instrumentes, therfore would I gladly learne whiche is the best, and at what time the Courtyer ought to practise it.
Me thinke, answered Sir
Friderick, pricksong is a faire
musicke, so it bee done upon the booke surely and after a
good sorte. But to sing to the lute is muche better, because
al the sweetenesse consisteth in one alone, and a manne is
muche more heedefull and understandeth better the feate
maner and the aer or veyne of it, whan the eares are not
busyed in hearynge any moe then one voyce: and beesyde
everye lyttle erroure is soone perceyved, whiche happeneth
not in syngynge wyth companye, for one beareth oute an
other. But syngynge to the Lute wyth the dyttie (me
thynke) is more pleasaunte then the reste, for it addeth to
the wordes suche a grace and strength, that it is a great
wonder. Also all instrumentes with freates are ful of
harmony, because the tunes of them are very perfect, and
Singinge with dittie. Instrumentes with freates. A sette of violes. Shalmes. Olde men. How olde men should practise musike.
with ease a manne may do many thinges upon them that fil
the minde with the sweetnesse of musike. And the musike
of a sette of Violes doth no lesse delite a man, for it is verie
sweete and artificiall. A mannes breste geveth a great
ornament and grace to all these instrumentes, in the which
I wil have it sufficient that our Courtyer have an understanding. Yet
the more counninger he is uppon them, the
better it is for him, without medlynge muche with the
instrumentes that Minerva and Alcibiades refused, because
it seemeth they are noisome. Nowe as touchyng the time
and season whan these sortes of musike are to be practised:
I beleave at all times whan a man is in familiar and loving
company, having nothing elles a doe. But especiallye they
are meete to bee practised in the presence of women, because
those sightes sweeten the mindes of the hearers, and make
them the more apte to bee perced with the pleasantnesse
of musike, and also they quicken the spirites of the verye
doers. I am well pleased (as I have saide) they flee the
multitude, and especially of the unnoble. But the seasoning
of the whole must bee discreation, because in effect it
To synge to the lute.
A mannes brest.
Dulcimers.
Harpe.
wer a matter unpossible to imagine all cases that fall. And
if the Courtyer be a righteous judge of himselfe, he shall
apply himselfe well inough to the tyme, and shall discerne
whan the hearers mindes are disposed to geve eare and
whan they are not. He shall knowe his age, for (to saie the
trueth) it were no meete matter, but an yll sight to see a
man of eny estimation being olde, horeheaded and toothlesse, full of
wrinckles, with a lute in his armes playing upon
it and singing in the middes of a company of women,
although he coulde doe it reanablye well. And that,
because suche songes conteine in them woordes of love, and
in olde men love is a thing to bee jested at: although
otherwhile he seemeth emonge other miracles of his to take
delite in spite of yeres to set a fier frosen herts.
Time to practise musike. Discreation.
Then answered the L. Julian: Doe you not barr poore olde men from this pleasure (Syr Fridericke), for in my time I have known men of yeeres have very perfect brestes and most nimble fingers for instrumentes, much more then some yong men.
I go not about, quoth Syr Fridericke, to barr olde men from this pleasure, but I wil barr you these Ladies from laughing at that folie. And in case olde men will sing to the lute, let them doe it secretly, and onely to ridde their mindes of those troublesome cares and grevous disquietinges that oure life is full of: and to taste of that excellency which I beleve Pythagoras and Socrates favoured in musike. And set case they exercise it not at all: for that thei have gotten a certain habit and custome of it, they shal savour it muche better in hearing, then he that hath no knowledge in it. For like as the armes of a smith that is weake in other thinges, because they are more exercised, be stronger then an other bodyes, that is sturdy, but not exercysed to worke with his armes: even so the eares that be exercised in musike do muche better and sooner descerne it, and with much more pleasure judge of it, then other, how good and quicke soever they be that have not bene practised in the varietie of pleasant musike: because those musical tunes perce not, but withoute leaving anye taste of themselves passe by the eares not accustomed to heare them although the very wilde beastes feele some delite in melodye. This is therfore the pleasure meete for olde men to take in musike. The self same I say of daunsing, for in dede these excercises oughte to bee lefte of before age constraineth us to leave them whether we will or no.
It is better then, aunswered here M. Morello, halfe chafed, to excepte all olde men and to saie that only yong men are to be called Courtiers.
| Olde men that will seme yonge against nature.
The nature of olde men. The nature of yong men. |
All the Ladies laughed, because thei knew these wordes touched M. Morello, and he seemed somwhat out of pacience at the matter.
Yet are there other enterteinments with women, saide immediatly Syr Fridericke, meete for olde men.
And what be these, quoth M. Morello, to tell fables?
And that to, answered Syr
Fridericke. But every age
(as you know) carieth with him his thoughtes, and hath some
peculiar vertue and some peculier vice. And old men for
al they are ordinarily wiser then yong men, more continent,
and of a better foresight, yet are they withall more lavish in
wordes, more greedie, harder to please, more fearfull, alwayes
chafyng in the house, sharpe to their children, and will have
every man wedded to their will. And contrarywise, yonge
men are hardy, easie to be entreated, but more apt to
brawling and chiding, waveringe and unstedfast, that love
and unlove all at a time: geven to all their delites, and
ennemies to them that tell them of their profit. But of all
the other ages, mans state is moste temperate, whiche hath
The behaviour of olde men. Sagenesse. Noble corrage in brute beastes. Behaviour in dailye conversation. So many men so many mindes.
nowe done with the curst prankes of youth, and not yet
growen to aunciety. These then that be placed (as it
were) in the extremities, it is behouffull for them to knowe
howe to correct the vices with reason, that nature hath
bredde in them. Therefore oughte olde men to take heede
of muche praising themselves, and of the other vices, that
we have said are proper to them, and suffre the wisdome
and knowledge to beare stroke in them that they have
gotten by long experience, and be (as it were) Oracles, to
the whiche everye man should haunt for cousaile, and have
a grace in utteringe that they knowe, applying it aptlye
to the purpose, accompanying with the grace of yeeres a
certaines temperate and meery pleasauntnesse. In this wyse
shall they be good Courtiers, and be well entertayned wyth menne and
women, and everye man will at all tymes be glad
of their companye, without syngynge or daunsynge: and
whan neede requireth they shall showe their prowesse in
matters of weighte. The verye same respecte and
judgemente shall yonge men have, not in keepyng the facion
of olde menne (for what is meete for the one, were not in all
poynctes so fitte for the other, and it is a commune sayinge,
To muche gravytee in yonge menne is an yll signe, but in
correctynge the natural vices in them. Therfore delite I
Mans state moste temperate.
in a yonge manne, and especiallye a man at armes, if he
have a certayne sagenesse in him and few woordes, and
somewhat demure, wythoute those busye gestures and
unquyete manners whyche we see so manye tymes in that age:
for they seeme to have a certayne gyfte above other yonge
menne. Beesyde that, thys mylde beehavyour conteyneth
in it a kynde of syghtelye fiersenesse, because it appeereth
to bee sturred, not of wrathe but of judgement, and rather
governed by reason then appetyte: and thys (in manner)
alwayes is knowen in al menne of stomacke, and we see
it lykewyse in brute beastes, that have a certayne noble
courage and stoutnesse above the reste: as the Lion and
the Egle, neither is it voide of reason, forsomuche as that
violente and sodeyne mocyon withoute woordes or other
token of coler whyche wyth all force bursteth oute together
at once (as it were the shott of a gunn) from quietnesse,
whyche is contrary to it, is muche more violente and
furious, then that whiche encreaseth by degrees and wexeth
hott by little and little. Therefore suche as goynge aboute
some enterpryse, are so full of woordes, that they leape and
skip and can not stande styll, it appeereth they be ravyshed
in those matters, and (as oure M. Peter Mount sayeth well)
they doe like children, that goinge in the nighte singe for
feare, as though that synginge of theirs shoulde make them
plucke up their spirites to be the boulder. Even as therfore
in a yonge man a quiet and ripe youthe is to be commended, because it
appeareth that lightnesse (whiche is the
peculiar vice of that age) is tempred and corrected: even
so in an olde man a grene and lively olde age is much to be
esteamed, because it appeareth that the force of the minde
The behaviour of yonge menne.
is so much, that it heateth and geveth a certein strength to
that feeble and colde age, and mainteineth it in that middle
state, which is the better part of our life. But in conclusion al these
good qualities shal not suffise oure Courtyer
to purchase him the general favour of great men, Gentlemen
and Ladies, yf he have not also a gentle and lovynge
behaviour in his daily conversation. And of this I beleve
verely it is a hrd matter to geve anye maner rule, for the
infinit and sundry matters that happen in practising one
with an other: forsomuch as emong al the men in the
world, there are not two to be found that in every point
agree in mind together. Therfore he that must be pliable
to be conversant with so many, oughte to guide himselfe
with hys own judgement. And knowing the difference of
one man and an other, every day alter facion and maner
accordyng to the disposition of them he is conversant
withall. And for my part I am not able in this behalf
to geve him other rules then the aforesaid, whiche oure
M. Morello learned of a child in confessing him self.
Lightnesse.
Here the L. Emilia laughed and said: You would rid your handes of peines taking (Syr Fridericke) but you shall not escape so, for it is youre parte to minister talke untill it be bed time.
And what if I have nothing to saye (madam)? Howe then? aunswered Sir Fridericke.
The L. Emilia said: We shall nowe trie your wit. And if al be true I have heard, there have bene men so wittie and eloquent, that thei have not wanted matter to make a booke in the praise of a flie, other in the praise of a quartaine fever, an other in the praise of bauldnes, doth not your hert serve you to finde oute omwhat to saie for one nyghte of Courting?
We have already, answered Syr
Fridericke, spoken asmuch as wil go nigh to make two bokes. But since
no
excuse shal serve me, I wil speak until you shal think I have fulfilled
though not my duety, yet my poure. I suppose
the conversation which the Courtier ought chiefly to be
pliable unto with al diligence to get him favour, is the very
same that he shal have with his prince. And although this
name of conversation bringeth with it a certain equalitie
that a man would not judge can reigne betweene the maister
and the servaunt, yet will we so terme it for this once. I
will have our Courtyer therfore (beside that he hath and
doeth daily geve men to understande that he is of the
To please his prince. Flatterers.
prowesse which we have said ought to be in him) to turne
al his thoughtes and force of minde to love, and (as it were)
to reverence the Prince he serveth above al other thinges,
and in his wil, maners and facions, to be altogether pliable
to please him.
Conversation with his prince.
Here without anye lenger staye, Peter of Naples saide: Of these, Courtyers noweadayes ye shall finde ynow, for (me thinke) in fewe wordes ye have peincted us out a joly flatterer.
You are farre deceived,
answered Sir Fridericke, for
flatteres love not their Lordes nor their frindes, the whiche
I saie unto you I will have principally in our Courtyer: and
to please him and to obey hys commaundementes whom he
serveth, may be done without flattery, for I meane the
commaundementes that are reasonble and honest, or suche as
of themselves are neyther good nor bad, as is gaming and
pastime, and geving himself more to some one exercise then
to an other. And to this will I have the Courtyer to frame
himselfe, though by nature he were not enclined to it: so
that whansoever his lorde looketh upon him, he may thinke
in his minde that he hath to talke with him of a matter
that he will be glad to heare. The which shal come to
passe if there bee a good judgement in him to understand
what pleaseth his prince and a wit and wisedom to know
how to applie it, and a bent wil to make him pleased with
the thing which perhappes by nature should displease him.
And havinge these principles, he shal never be sad before
his prince nor melancholy, nor so solein as many, that a
man would weene wer at debate with their Lordes, whiche
is truly an hateful matter. He shall not be yll tunged,
and especiallye againste his superiours, whiche happeneth
often times: for it appeereth that there is a storme in
courtes that carieth this condicion with it, that alwaies
Not yl tunged. The most made of worst reporters. Not saucye. No babbler. The imaginacyon of princes. He shall not presse into secret places. Greate men should make of their chamber men
of no greate estimation. The griefe of some for anger. The wye of some in a meane authoritye. Behaviour in receivynge promotion. Promotions not begged.
looke who receyveth most benifittes at his Lordes handes,
and promoted from very base degree to high astate, he is
evermore complaynynge and reporteth woorst of hym: which
is an uncomly thing, not onely for suche as these be, but
even for such as be yll handled in deede. Oure Courtier
shall use no fonde sausinesse. He shall be no carier about
of trifling newes. He shall not be overseene in speakinge
otherwhile woordes that may offende, where his entent was
to please. He shall not be stubborne and full of contencion,
as some busy bodyes that a man would weene had none other
delite but to vexe and stirr men like flyes, and take uppon
them to contrarie every man spitefullye without respect.
He shall be no babbler, not geven to lyghtenesse, no lyar,
no boaster, nor fonde flatterer, but sober, and keapinge hym
alwayes within his boundes, use continually, and especially
abrode, the reverence and respecte that beecommeth the
servaunte towarde the mayster. And shall not do, as many
that meetinge a Prince how great soever he be, yf they have
once spoken with him beefore, come towarde him with a
certaine smilynge and frindly countenaunce, as though they
would make of one their equall, or showe favour to an
inferiour of theirs. Very sildome or (in maner) never shall
he crave any thinge of his Lorde for himselfe, least the
lorde having respect to denie it him for him selfe, should
happen to graunte it him with dyspleasure, which is farr
worse. Againe in suinge for others, he shall discreatly
observe the times, and in his suite shall be for honest and
reasonable matters, and he shall so frame hys suite, in leavinge
oute those poinctes that he shall knowe wil trouble him,
and in making easie after a comely sort the lettes, that his
Lord wil evermore graunt it him: and though he denie it,
he shall not think to have offended him whom he ment not
to doe, for, because greate menne often times after thei
have denied request to one that hath suid to them with
great instance, thinke the person that laboured to them so
earnestly for it, was very greedy of it, and therefore in not
obtaining it, hath cause to beare him yll will that denied
him it, and upon this suspicion thei conceive an hatred
His behaviour in his princes presence.
No pratler of newes.
Not stubborne.
No lyar.
No boaster.
No flatterer.
The behaviour of some fonde persons toward great men.
against that person, and can never afterwarde brooke him
nor aforde him good countenance. He shall not covet to
presse into the chamber or other secrete places where his
Lord is withdrawen, onlesse he be bed, for all he be of great
authoritie with him: because great men often times whan
thei are privatly gotten alone, love a certain libertie to
speake and do what thei please, and therefore will not be
seene or herd of any person that may lightly deeme of
them, and reason willeth no lesse. Therefore suche as speake
against great menne for making of their chamber persons
of no great qualitie in other thinges but in knowing how to
attende about their person (me thinke) commit an errour:
because I can not see why they should not have the libertie
to refresh their mindes, whiche we oure selves would have to
refreshe ours. But in case the Courtyer that is inured with
weightie affaires, happen to bee afterwarde secretely in
chamber with him, he oughte to chaunge his coate and to
differr grave matters till an other time and place, and frame
himselfe to pleasante communicacion, and suche as his lorde
will bee willing to geve eare unto, least he hinder that good moode of
his. But herein and in al other thinges, let him have an especial
regard, that he be not cumbrous to him.
And let him rather looke to have favour and promotion
offred him, then crave it so openly in the face of the
worlde,
as manye dooe, that are so greedy of it, that a man would
weene the not obtaynynge it, greeveth them as muche as
the losse of lyfe: and yf they chaunce to enter into anye
displeasure, or elles see other in favoure, they are in suche
anguishe of mynde, that thei can by no meanes dissemble the
malice, and so make al men laugh them to scorne: and
many times thei are the cause that great men favour some
one, only to spite them withal. And afterward if thei
happen to enter in favour that passeth a meane, they are so
dronken in it, that thei know not what to do for joy: and
a man would wene that thei wist not what wer become of
their feete and handes, and (in a maner) are ready to cal
company to behoulde them and to rejoice with them, as a
matter they have not bene accustomed withal. Of this sort
Why he shall not sue for him selfe.
His sute for others.
I wil not have our Courtyer to be. I would have him
esteame favour and promotion, but for al that, not to love
it so much, that a man should thinke he could not live
without it. And whan he hath it, let him not shew himself
new or straunge in it: nor wonder at it whan it is offred
him: nor refuse it in such sort as some, that for very ignorance
receive it not, and so make men beleve that thei
acknowledge themselve unworthy of it. Yet ought a man
alwaies to humble himself somewhat under his degree, and
not receive favour and promocions so easilye as thei be
offred him, but refuse them modestlye, shewing he much
estemeth them and after such a sort, that he may geve him
an occasion that offreth them, to offer them with a great
deale more instance: because the more resistance a man
maketh in such maner to receive them, the more doeth he
seeme to the prince that geveth them to be estemed, and
that the benefite whiche he bestoweth is so muche the more,
as he that receiveth it seemeth to make of it, thinking
himself much honoured therby. And these are the true
and perfect promotions that make men esteamed of such as
se them abrode: because whan they are not craved, everye
man conjectureth they arrise of true vertue, and so muche
the more as they are accompanied with modestie.
Not to sue for promotions.
Then said the L. Cesar Gonzaga: Me thinke ye have this clause oute of the Gosspell where it is written: Whan thou art bed to a mariage, go and sit thee downe in the lowest rowme, that whan he commeth that bed thee, he may saie, Friende come higher, and so shal it be an honour for thee in the sight of the gestes.
Syr Fridericke laughed and
said: It were to great a
sacrilege to steale out of the Gospell. But you are better
learned in scripture than I was aware of: then he proceaded.
See into what daunger they fal sometime, that
To deserve favour.
rashly before a great manne entre into talke unrequired:
and manye times that Lorde to skorne them withall, maketh
no aunswere and tourneth his head to the other hand: and
in case he doeth make aunswewe, every man perceyveth it is
done full skornfullye. Therfore to purchase favour at great
mens handes, there is no better waye then to deserve it.
Neyther must a manne hope when he seeth an other in
favour with a Prince, for whatsoever matter, in folowinge
his steppes to come to the same, because every thing is not
fitt for every man. And ye shal finde otherwhile some one
that by nature is so readie in his meeye jestes, that what
ever he speaketh bringeth laughter with it, and a man
would weene that he were borne onlye for that: and if
another that hath a grave facion in him, of howe good a
witt so ever he be, attempt the like, it will be very colde
and without any grace, so that he will make a man abhorre
to heare him, and in effect will be like the asse, that to
counterfeyt the dogg would play with his maister. Therefore it is meete
eche man knowe himselfe and his own
disposicion, and applye himself thereto, and consider what
thynges are mete for him to folow, and what are not.
The rashnes of some.
Not to counterfait other mens doings.
Some ready in their jestes.
Before ye go anye farther, saide here M. Vincent Calmeta, if I have well marked, me thaught ye said right now, that the best way to purchase favour, is to deserve it: and the Courtier oughte rather to tarie till promotions bee offered him, then presumpciously to crave them. I feare me least this rule bee litle to purpose, and me thinke experience doeth us very manifestly to understande the contrarye: because noweadayes very fewe are in favoure with Princes but such as be malapert. And I wote well you can be a good witnesse of some, that perceivyng themselves in smal credite with their Princis, are come up only with presumption. As for such as come to promtion with modestie, I for my parte know none, and if I geve you respite to bethink your self, I beleve ye wil find out but fewe. And if you marke the French Court, which at this day is one of the nobleste in al Christendome, ye shal find that al such as are generally in favour there, have in them a certein malapertnesse, and that not onely one with an other, but with the king himselfe.
Do you not so say, answered Syr
Fridericke, for in
Fraunce there are very modest and courtious gentlemen.
Truth it is, that they use a certein libertie and familaritie
Spaniardes. Many Spaniardes be sawcye.
without ceremonies, which is proper and natural unto them,
and therefore it ought not to be termed malapertnesse.
For in that maner of theirs, although they laugh and jeste
at suche as be malapert, yet do they sett muche by them
that seeme to them to have any prowesse or modesty in
them.
The Frenche gentlemen without ceremonies.
Calmeta answered: Marke the Spaniardes that seme the very maisters of Courtly facions, and consider how many ye find that with women and great men are not moste malapert, and so muche woorse then the Frenchemen, in that at the fyrste showe they declare a certein modesty. And no doubt but they be wise in so doing, because (as I have said) the great men of our time do al favour suche as are of these condicions.
Then answered Syr Friderick: I
can not abide (M. Vincent)
that ye should defame in this wise the great men of
our time, because there be many notwithstanding that
love modesty: the which I do not say of it self is sufficient
to make a man estemed, but I saie unto you, whan it is
accompanied with great prowesse it maketh him muche
esteamed that hath it. And though of it self it lye styll,
the woorthye deedes speake at large, and are much more
to be wondred at, then if they were accompanied with
presumption or rashnes. I will not nowe denie but many
Spaniardes there be full of malapertnesse: but I saie unto
you, they that are best esteamed, for the moste part are
very modest. Agayne some other there be also so cold,
that they flee the companye of menne to out of measure, and
passe a certein degree of meane: so that they make men
deeme them either to fearfull or to high minded. And this
doe I in no case allowe, neyther would I have modestie so
drye and withered, that it shoulde become rudenesse. But let the
Courtier, whan it commeth to pourpose, be well
spoken, and in discourses uppon states, wise and expert:
and have such a judgement that he maye frame himselfe to
the manners of the countrey where ever he commeth. Then in lower
matters, let him bee pleasauntly disposed, and
reason well uppon everye matter, but in especiall tende
alwayes to goodnesse. no envious person, no caryar of an
yll tunge in his head: nor at anye tyme geven to seeke
prefarmente or promotion anye naughtie waye, not by the
meane of anye subtyll practise.
What modestie ought to be.
Then saide Calmeta: I wyll assure you all the other waies are much more doubtfull and harder to compasse, then is that you discommende: because now a dayes (to rehearse it againe) great menne love none but such as be of that condicion.
Do you not so say, answered
then Syr Fridericke, for
that were to plaine an argumente that the greate menne of
our time were all vitious and naughte, whiche is untrue, for
some there be that bee good. But if it fell to oure Courtyers
lott to serve one that wer vitious and wycked, assoone as he
knoweth it, let him forsake hym, least he taste of the bytter
peine that all good menne feele that serve the wicked.
What he must do in service with the wicked.
We must praie unto God, answered Calmeta, to helpe us to good, for whan wee are once with them, wee muste take them with all theyr faultes, for infinite respectes constraine a Gentleman after he is once entred into service with a Lorde, not to forsake him. But the yll lucke is in the begynnyng: and Courtyers in this case are not unlyke unluckye foules bread up in an yl vale.
Me thinke, quoth Syr Fridericke, duetye oughte to vayle beefore all other respectes, but yet so a gentleman forsake not his Lorde at the warre or in anye other adversitie, and bee thought to doe it to follwe Fortune, or because he wanted a meane to profitte by, at al other times I beleve he maye with good reason, and oughte to forsake that service, that among good men shall put hym to shame, for all men will imagine that he that serveth the good, is is good, and he that serveth the yll, is yll.
I woulde have you to clere me of one doubt that I have in my head, quoth the the L. Lodovicus Pius, namely, whether a gentleman be bound or no, while he is in his Princis service, to obey him in all thinges which he shal commaund, though they were dishonest and shamefull matters.
In dishoneste matters we are not bounde to obey any body, aunswered Syr Fridericke.
And what (replyed the L. Lodovicus Pius) if I be in service with a Prince who handleth me well, and hopeth that I will do any thing for him that may be done, and he happen to commaunde me to kyll a man, or any other like matter, ought I to refuse to do it?
| Whan a man may forsake his maister.
Howe and in what princis are to be obeied. Thinges otherwhile seeme good that be yll. |
Then aunswered the L. Gaspar Pallavicin: I beseche you let us heare you speake somwhat in this case, and teach us how we maie descerne thinges good in dede, from suche as appeeare good.
I pray you pardon me, quoth Syr Fridericke, I will not at this time enter into that: for there were to muche to be saide in it: but all is to be referred to your discretion.
Clere ye me at the least of another doubt, replied the L. Gaspar.
And what doubt is that? quoth Syr Fridericke.
This aunswered the L. Gaspar: I would know where I am charged by my maister in expresse wordes in an interprise or businesse what ever it be, what I have to do therein: if I, at the deede doynge thinkynge wyth my selfe in doynge it more or lesse, or otherwise then my commission, to bringe it more prosperouslye to passe and more for his profit that gave me that commission, whether ought I to govern my selfe accordinge to the first charge withoute passinge the boundes of the commission, or elles do the thinge that I judge to be best?
| Whether a man maie folow a part of his owne
mind in a commission.
T. Manlius Torq. caused his sonne to be slaine for fighting contrary to commaundement. Commaundementes of the superioure poures are to be obeyed. |
| What he that receiveth a charge ought to do.
The nature of the L. to be considered. The crueltye of Mutianus. |
| Conversacion with a mannes equalles.
Some felowship them selves alwayes with the best apparailed. Men that will seeme to be in favour. Of raiment and apparail. |
Then the L. Julian: Since ye have (quoth he) made mention of these that are so ready to felowshippe themselves with the wel apparailed, I would have you to shew us in what sorte the Courtier shoulde apparayle hymself, what kind of garment doeth beste become hym, and howe he shoulde fitte himselfe in all his garmentes aboute his bodye: beecause we see infinite varietie in it, and some are arayed after the Frenche facion, some after the Spanyshe attier, an other wyll seeme a Dutcheman. Neyther wante wee of them also that wil cloth themselves lyke Turkes: some weare beardes, other dooe not. Therefore it were a good deede in this varietie, to shewe howe a manne shoulde chouse oute the beste.
Syr Fridericke saide: In verye
deede I am not able to
geve anye certeyne rule about rayment, but that a man
should frame himselfe to the custome of the moste. And
since (as you saye) this custome is so variable, and Italians
are so desirous to take up other mennes facions, I beleave
every manne maye lawfullye apparaile himselfe at his
pleasure. But I knowe not by what destinye it commeth that
Italy hathe not, as it was wonte to have, a facion of attier
knowen to bee the Italian facion, for although the bringing
up of these new facions maketh the first to appeere very
grosse, yet were they peraventure a token of libertie, where
these have bene a pronosticate of bondage, the which (me thinke) now is
plainly ynough fulfilled. And as it is written,
when Darius the yere before he fought with Alexander had
altered his swerd he wore by his side, which was a Persian
blade, into the facion of Macedony, it was interpreted by
the Sothsayers, how this signified, that they into whose
facion Darius had altered the fourme of his Persian blade
should become rulers of Persia: even so where we have
Italy a prey to all nations. Frenchemen use long wastes. Blacke colour. Solemnitie of Spaniardes.
altered our Italian facions into straunge, me thinke, it signified,
that all they into whose facions oures wer chaunged,
should come in to overrunne us: the whiche hathe been to
true, for there is not nowe a nation lefte that hath not
made us their prey, so that there remaineth little behinde
to prey upon, and yet for all that cease they not to prey
still. But I wyll not enter into communication of sorowe:
therefor it shalbe wel to speake of the raiment of our
Courtyer, the whiche so it be not out of use, nor contrary
to his profession, in the rest (I thinke) it will do welynough,
so the wearer be satisfied withall. Truth it is, that I
woulde love it the better yf it were not extreme in anye
part, as the Frenchman is wont to bee sometyme over
longe, and the Dutchmanne overshorte, but as they are
bothe the one and the other amended and broughte into
better frame by the Italians. Moreover I will houlde
alwayes with it, yf it bee rather somewhat grave and
auncient, then garishe. Therefore me thinke a blacke
colour hath a better grace in garmentes then any
other, and though not throughly blacke, yet somwhat
darke, and this I meane for his ordinary apparaile. For
there is no doubt, but upon armour it is more meete to
have sightly and meery coulours, and also garmentes for
pleasure, cut, pompous and riche. Likewise in open showes
about triumphes, games, maskeries, and suche other matters,
because so appointed there is in them a certein livelinesse
and mirth, which in deede doeth well sette furth feates of
armes and pastimes. But in the rest I coulde wishe they
should declare the solemnitie that the Spanyshe nation
muche observeth, for outwarde matters manye times are a
token of the inwarde.
Caldæi.
Dutchmen short.
Grave apparaile.
Colours upon armour.
Then saide the L. Cesar Gonzage: I woulde not sticke muche at this, for so a gentleman be of woorthinesse in other matters, his garmentes neyther encrease nor minishe reputation.
Syr Friderick answered: Ye saie true. Yet whiche of us is there, that seeing a gentleman go with a garment upon his backe quartred with sundry coulours, or with so many points tyed together, and al about with lases and fringes set overthwart, will not count him a very disard or a commune jestar?
Neither disard, quoth M. Peter Bembo, nor jestar woulde a man count him, that had lived any while in Lumbardy, for there they all go so.
Why then, answered the Dutchesse smylyng, if they go all so, it ought not to bee objected to them for a vice, this kinde of attier being as comely and proper to them, as it is to the Venetians to weare their longe wyde sleeves, and to the Florentines, their hoodes.
I speake no more of Lumbardy,
quoth Syr Fridericke,
then of other places, for in every nation ye shall finde bothe
foolishe and wyse. But to speake that I thinke is most
requisite as touching apparaile, I will have the Courtier in
all his garmentes handsome and clenlye, and take a certain
delite in modest Precisenesse, but not for all that after a
womanish or lyghte maner, neither more in one point, then
in an other, as we see many so curious about their hear, that
they forget all the rest. Other delite to have their teeth
faire. Other in their beard. Other in buskines. Other
in cappes. Other in coyffes. And so it commeth to passe,
that those fewe thinges whiche they have clenly in them,
appeere borowed ware, and all the rest, whiche is most
fonde, is knowne to be their owne. But this trade wil I
have our Courtier to flee by my counsel, with an addition
also, that he ought to determine with himselfe what he will
appeere to be, and in suche sorte as he desireth to bee
esteamed so to apparaile himselfe, and make his garmentes
helpe him to be counted suche a one, even of them that
heare hym not speake, nor see him doe anye maner thyng.
Delites of men.
I thinke it not meete, quoth then the L. Pallavicin, neyther is it used emong honest menne to judge mennes conditions by their garmentes, and not by their woordes and deedes, for many a manne might be deceived: and this proverb arriseth not without cause: The habit maketh not the Monke.
I say not, answered Syr
Friderick, that menne shoulde
geve a resolute judgement by this alone, of mennes
conditions, and that they are not knowen by wordes and deedes,
more then by the garmentes. But I saie that the garment
Operations. Gozzuti, men in the mountaines with great
bottles of flesh under their chin, through the drinking of snow water.
is withall no small argument of the fansie of him that
weareth it, although otherwhile it appeere not true. And
not this alone, but all the behaviours, gestures, and maners,
beeside wordes and deedes, are a judgement of the inclination of him in
whome they are seene.
The garment judgeth the mynde.
And what thynges be those, aunswered the L. Gaspar, that you fynde we maye geve judgement upon, that are neyther woordes nor deedes.
Then said Syr Friderick: You
are to subtill a Logicien,
but to tell you as I meane, some Operations there are that
remayne after they are done, as buylding, writynge, and
suche other: some remayn not, as these that I meane now.
Therefore doe I not counte in this pourpose, goynge,
laughyng, lookyng, and suche matters to bee Operations,
and notwithstandyng outwardly doe geve many times a
knowledge of that is within. Tell me, dyd you not geve
your judgemente upon that friende of oures we communed
of this morning paste, to bee a foolishe and light person,
assoone as you sawe he wried his head and bowed his bodye,
and invited with a cheerful countenaunce the companye to
put of their cappes to him? So in like maner whan you
see one gase earnestely with his eyes abashed, lyke one that
had lytle witt: or that laugheth so fondly as do those dombe
menne, with the great wennes in theyr throte, that dwell in
the Mountaines of Bergamo, thoughe he neyther speake ne
doe anye thinge elles, will you not counte him a verye
foole? Ye may see then that these beehaviours, maners
and gestures, whiche I mynde not for this time to terme
Operations, are a great matter to make menne knowne.
But me thynke there is an other thyng that geveth and
dimynisheth muche reputation: namely, the choyse of
friendes, with whom a manne must have inwarde conversation.
For, undoubtedly reason wylleth that suche as are
coopled in streicte amitie and unseparable companye,
should be also alike in wyll, in mynde, in judgemente, and
inclination. So that who so is conversaunt wyth the
ignoraunt or wycked, he is also counted ignoraunt and
wucked. And contrariwise he that is conversaunt with the
good, wyse, and dyscreete, he is reckened suche a one. For
it seemeth by nature, that everye thing doeth willingly
felowshippe with his lyke. Therefore I beleave that a man
oughte to have a respect in the first beeginning of these
frendshippes, for of two neere friendes, who ever knoweth
the one, by and by he ymagineth the other to bee of the
same condition.
Choise of friendes.
Then aunswered M. Peter Bembo: To bee bounde in frenshyppe with suche agreemente of mynde as you speake of, me thynke in deede a manne ought to have great respect, not onely forgetting or leesing reputation, but because nowe adaies ye finde very fewe true friendes. Neyther doe I beleave that there any more in the world, those Pylades and Orestes, Theseus and Perithous, nor Scipio and La&elig;lius, but rather it happeneth dailye, I wote not by what destinye, that two friendes whiche many yeeres have lyved together with most hartie love, yet at the ende beguile one an other, in one maner or other, either for malice, or envye, or for lightnesse, or some other yll cause: and eche one imputeth the faulte to his felow, of that whiche perhappes both the one and the other deserveth. Therfore because it hath happened to me more then once to bee deceived of hym whom I loved beste, and of whom I hoped I was beloved above anye other person, I have thought with my selfe alone other while to bee well done, never to put a mannes trust in any person in the worlde, nor to geve himselfe so for a prey to friend how deere and loving so ever he wer, that without stoppe a manne shoulde make him partaker of all his thoughtes, as he woulde his owne selfe: because there are in our mindes so many dennes and corners, that it is unpossible for the witt of manne to knowe the disymulations that lye lurking in them. I beleave therefore that it is well done to love and awaie with one more then another, according to the desertes and honesty: but not for all that so to assure a mannes selfe, with this sweete bait of frendship, that afterwarde it shoulde be to late for us to repente.
Then Syr Fridericke: Truely
(quoth he) the losse
shoulde bee much more then the gain, if that high degree
of frindshippe shoulde bee taken from the felowshippe of
Frendshippe of two together.
manne, whiche (in mine opinion) ministreth unto us all
the goodnes conteined in our life: and therefore wyll I in
no case consente to you, that it is reasonable, but rather I
can finde in my heart to conclude, and that with moste
evident reasons, that without this perfect friendship, men
were much more unluckie, then all other livyng creatures.
And albeit some wicked and prophane taste of this holye
name of friendship, yet is it not for all that to be so rooted
oute of mennes mindes, and for the trespasse of the yll, to
deprive the good of so great a felicitie. And I beleave
verely for my parte, there is here emong us moe then one
couple of friends, whose love is indissoluble and without any
guile at all, and to endure untill death, with agreement
of will, no lesse then those menne of olde time, whom you
mentioned right nowe. And so is it alwaies, whan beside
the inclination that commeth from above, a man chouseth
him a friende lyke unto himselfe in conditions. And I
meane the whole to consist emong the good and vertuous
menne, because the friendship of the wicked, is no friendshippe.
I allowe well that this knott, which is so streicte,
knitt or binde no mo then two, elles were it in a hasarde:
for (as you knowe) three instrumentes of musike are hardlier
brought to agree together then two. I woulde have our
Courtier therefore to finde him oute an especiall and hartie
friende, if it were possible, of that sort we have spoken of.
Then according to their desertes and honesty, love, honour,
and observe all other menne, and alwaies do hys beste to
felowshippe himselfe with menne of estimation that are
noble and knowen to bee good, more then with the unnoble
and of small reputation, so he be also beloved and honoured
of them. And this shall come to passe if he be gentle,
lowely, freeharted, easie to be spoken to, and sweete in
company, humble and diligent to serve, and to have an eye to
Frendshippe necessarye for the lyfe of man.
his friendes profitt and estimation, as wel absente as present,
bearing with their naturall defaultes that are to be borne
withall, without breaking with them upon a small grounde,
and correcting in himselfe such as lovingly shall bee toulde
him, never prefarring himselfe before other menne in
seeking the highest and chiefe rowmes of estimation, neither in
doing as some that a manne would weene despised the
worlde, and with a noysome sharpnes will tell every manne
his duetie, and beside that they are full of contention in
avery trifling matter, and out of tyme, they comptroule
whatsoever they doe not themselves, and alwaies seeke cause
to complaine of their friendes, which is a most hatefull
thing.
A mans duetie towarde his friend.
Here whan Sir Friderick had made a stay, the L. Gaspar Pallavicin saide, I would have you to expresse somewhat more particularlye this conversation with friendes, then you doe, for in deede ye keepe your self to muche in the generall, and touch unto us thinges (as it were) by the waie.
How by the waye? aunswered Sir Fridericke. Woulde you have me to tell you also the verye woordes that a manne muste use? Suppose you not then we have sufficientlye communed of this?
I thynke yea, aunswered the L. Gaspar. Yet doe I desier to understand also some particular point of the maner of enterteinment emong menne and women, whiche (me thynke) is a verye necessary matter, consideryng the moste parte of a mans tyme is spent therein in Courtes, and if it were alwayes after one maner wyse, a manne would soone wexe weerye of it.
Me thynke, aunswered Syr Fridericke, we have geven the Courtier a knowledge in so many thynges, that he maye well varye his conversation and frame hymselfe accordynge to the inclination of them he accompanyeth hymself withall, presupposyng him to be a a good judgemente, and therewithall to guyde hymself. And according to the time otherwhile, have an eye to grave matters, and sometyme to pastimes and games.
And what games? quoth the L. Gaspar.
Syr Friderick aunswered: Lette us aske counsel of Frier Seraphin that daily inventeth newe.
| Dice and Cardes.
The play at Chestes. |
I thynke it none, quoth Syr Fridericke, onlesse a man apply it tomuch, and by reason of that, setteth aside other thynges more necessary, or elles for none other entent but to get money, and to beguile his felow, and in his losse, fume and take on so, that it might be thought a token of covetounesse.
The L. Gaspar answered: And what say you to the game at chestes?
It is truely an honest kynde of enterteynmente and wittie, quoth Syr Friderick. But me think it hath a fault, whiche is, that a man may be to couning at it, for who ever will be excellent in the playe of chestes, I beleave he must beestowe much tyme about it, and applie it with so much study, that a man may assoone learne some noble scyence, or compase any other matter of importaunce, and yet in the ende in beestowing all that laboure, he knoweth no more but a game. Therfore in this I beleave there happeneth a very rare thing, namely, that the meane is more commendable, then the excellency.
The L. Gaspar answered: There be many Spaniardes excellent at it, and in many other games, whiche for all that bestowe not muche studye upon it, nor yet lay aside the compassing of other matters.
| The meane knowledge is best in the play at
Chestes.
Spaniardes dissemble their study in the play at Chestes. |
| Some woorthy in deede, smally regarded of great men. |
| Ignoraunt men otherwhile in favour.. |
I can not see what this can
helpe, aunswered M. Bernard
Bibiena, for it hath sundry times happened unto me, and I
beleve to many moe, after I had grounded in my mynde by
reporte of manye menne of judgemente a matter to bee
of great perfection beefore I had seene it, whan I had
once seen it, it feinted muche, and I was muche deceived
in mine imagination, and this proceaded of nothyng elles,
Report deceiveth. The report of thinges that the eye is judge
of, may deceyve.
but of geving to muche credit to fame and reporte, and
of conceivinge in my minde so greate an opinion, that
measuring it afterwarde with the trueth, the effecte, thoughe
it were greate and excellente, yet in comparison of that I
had imagined of it, seemed very sclender unto me. Even
so (I feare me) maye also come to passe of the Courtyer.
Therefore I can not see howe it were well done to geve
these expectations, to sende that fame of a man
beefore: because oure mindes manye times facion and shape
thinges, whiche is unpossible afterwarde to aunswere to and
fulfill, and so doeth a man lose more then he gayneth by it.
Good opinion.
Here Sir Friderick saide:
Thinges that unto you and
many moe are lesse in effect than the fame is of them, are
for the most part of that sort, that the eye at the first sight
maie geve a judgemente of them. As if you have never
been at Naples or at Roome, whan you here men commune
of it, you imagine muche more of it, then perhappes you
find afterwarde in sight. But in the conditions of menne it
is not alike, because that you see outwardly is the least part.
Therefore in case the first daie you heare a gentlemanne
talke, ye perceive not the worthinesse in him that you had
beefore imagined, you doe not so soone lose the good
opinion of him, as you doe in the thinges wherein your eye
is by and by a judge. But you will looke from day to day,
to have him disclose some other hid vertue, kepinge notwithstanding
alwaies that stedfaste imprinting whiche you have,
risen by the woordes of so manye. And this man then
beeing (as I set case our Courtyer is) of so good qualities,
he will every houre strengthen you more and more, to geve
credence to that fame, for that with his doinges he shall
geve you a cause, and you will ever surmise somwhat more
to bee in him, then you see. And certeinly it can not bee
The first conceiving of a thing in ones minde. An example what reporte can doe.
denied, but these first imprintinges, have a very great force,
and a man ought to take muche heede to them. And that
you may understand of what weight they bee, I saie unto you, that I
have knowen in my dayes a gentleman, who
albeit he was of sufficient manerly beehaviour and modest
conditions and well seene in armes, yet was he not in any of
these qualities so ecsellente, but there were manie as good
and better. Notwithstandynge (as lucke served him) it
beefell that a gentlewoman entred most fervently in love
with him, and this love daily encreasing through declaration
that the yonge man made to agree with her in that beehalf,
and perceivinge no maner meane how they might come to
speake together, the gentlewoman provoked with to greate
passyon opened her desire to an other gentlewoman, by
whose meane she hoped upon some commodity, this woman
neyther in blood nor in beautie was a whitt inferiour to the
firste. Uppon this it came to passe that she, perceivynge
her talke so effectuallye of this yonge manne, whom she
never sawe, and knowinge howe that gentlewoman, whom
she wist well was most discreete and of a very good judgement, loved
him extreemelye, imagyned furthwith that he
was the fairest, the wisest, the discreetest, and finallie the
woorthiest manne to be beloved that was in the world: and
so without seeinge him fell so deepe in love with hym, that
she practised what she coulde to come by him, not for her
friend, but for her owne selfe, and to make him answerable
to her in love, the which she brought to passe without anye
greate a doe, for (to say the troth) she was a woman rather
to be sought upon then to seeke upon others. Nowe heare a
pretye chaunce. It happened no longe time after, that a
letter which this last gentlewoman writt unto her lover
came to the handes of another, that was a noble woman of
excellent qualities and singular beawtye, who beeinge (as
the most part of women are) inquisitive and greedie to
understande secretes and expecyallye of other women, opened
the letter, and in readinge it perceyved it was written with
an extreeme affection of love. And the sweete woordes full of fire that
the reade, firste moved her to take comapassyon
on that Gentlewoman (for she knew verie well from whom
the letter came and to whom it went) afterward they had
suche force, that skanning them in her minde, and
consideringe what maner a man this was like to be, that could bring
that woman into suche love, by and by she fell in love wyth
him, and that letter was more effectuall to woorke in thys
case, then peradventure it would have bene if it had bene
sent her from the yonge man himselfe. And as it chaunceth
sometime, poyson prepared in a dishe of meate for some
great man, killeth him that tasteth first of it, so thys poore
gentlewoman because she was to greedye, dranke of the
amourous poyson that was ordeyned for an other. What
shall I saye to you? The matter was verie open and spred so
abrode, that manie women beeside these, partlye in despite
of the other, and partly to do as the other did, bent all
their studie and diligence to enjoye his love, and for a season
played as children do at Chipchirie: and the wholl proceaded
of the first opinion which that woman conceyved that heard
him so prayed of an other.
Thinges in the judgement of the minde.
Nowe the L. Gaspar Pallavicin
answered here smilinge:
You to confirme your judgement with reason, alleage unto
me womens doinges, which for the most part are voide of al
reason. And in case you would tell all, this good felowe
thus favoured of so manie women was some doult, and a man in deede not
to be regarded, because the maner of them
is alwayes to cleave to the woorst, and like sheepe to do that
they see the first do, bee it well or yll: beeside that they be
so spiteful emong themselves, that if he had bene a monstrous creature
they would surelye have stolen him one from an other.
Womens dedes out of reason.
Here manie began and (in maner) all, to speake againste the L. Gaspar, but the Dutchesse made them all to houlde their peace. Afterward she said smilinge: If the yll which you speake of women were not so farr wide from the truth, that in speakinge it, it hurtheth and shameth rather the speaker than them, I would suffer you to be answered. But I will not have you, in speaking agaynste you wyth a number of reasons, forsake thys youre ill custome, because you may be sharplie punished for this offence of yours: which shall be with the ill opinion that all thei wil conceive of you that heare you talke in this wise.
Then aunswered Syr Fridericke:
Saye not, my L. Gaspar, that women are so voide of reason, though
somtime
they applie themselves to love, more through the judgemente
of others then their owne, for great men and many wyse
men doe often times the like. And it it be lawfull to tell
the troth, you your selfe and all we here ave many tymes,
and doe at this presente credit the opinion of others, more
then our owne. And that it is true, not long agoe there
were certein verses showed here, that bore the name of
Sanazarus, and were thought of every bodie very excellent,
Filthy talke. Good felowes. Ruffianlye pranckes.
and praised out of reason, afterwarde whan they wer
certeinly knowen to bee an other mannes doyng, they loste by
and by their reputation, and seemed worse then meane.
And where there was song in the Dutchesse presence, here a
certein Antheme, it never delited nor was reckened good,
until it was knowen to be the doing of Josquin de Pris.
But what token will you have more plainer of opinion?
Doe you not remember where you your selfe dranke of one
self wine, sometime ye said it was most perfect, and an other
time, without al taste? and that because you had been
perswaded they were two sortes, the one of the Coost of
Genua, and the other of this soile: and whan the errour
was opened, by no meanes you woulde beleave it: that false
opinion was grounded so stifly in your head, whiche arrose
notwithstanding of other mennes woordes. Therefore ought
the Courtier diligently to applie in the beeginning to geve
a good imprinting of himself, and consider what a harmefull
and deadly thing it is, to runne in the contrarie. And in
this daunger more then other menne doe they stande that
wil make profession to be pleasaunt and with this their
meerie facion purchase them a certeine libertie, that lawfully
they may saye and doe what commeth in their minde,
without thinking upon it. For suche men many times
enter into certein matters, which whan thei can not gete
out again, will afterwarde helpe them selves with raising
laughter, and it is done with so yll a grace that it will in no
wise frame, whereby they bring a very great lothsomenesse
upon as manie as see or heare them, and they remain very
colde and without any grace or countenance. Sometime
thinking thereby to bee subtill witted and ful of jestes, in
What opinion doeth.
the presence of honourable women, yea, and often times to
them themselves, they thrust out filthie and most dishonest
woordes: and the more they see them blush at it, the better
Courtiers they recken themselves, and styll they laugh at it,
and rejoyce emong themselves at thys goodlie vertue they
thinke thei have gotten them. But they practise this
beastlinesse for none other cause, but to bee counted good
felowes. This is the name alone whiche they deeme woorthie
praise, and whiche they bragg more of, then of anye thing
elles, and to gete it them, thei speak the foulest and
shamefullest villainies in the world. Many times they shoulder
one another downe the stayers, and hurle billettes and
brickes, one at an others head. They hurle handfulles of
dust in mens eyes. Thei cast horse and man into ditches,
or downe on the side of some hill. Then at table, potage,
sauce, gelies, and what ever commeth to hande, into the
face it goith. And afterwarde laughe: and whoso can doe
most of these trickes, he counteth himselfe the best and
galantest Courtyer, and supposeth that he hath wonne great
glorye. And in case otherwhile they gete a gentleman in
these their pleasaunt pastimes, that will not geve himselfe
to suche horseplay, they say by and by: He is to wise, we
shall have him a Counsellor, he is no good felowe. But I
will tell you a worse matter. Some there bee that contende
and laye wager, who can eate and drinke more unsaverye
and stincking thinges, and so abhorryng and contrary to
mans senses, that it is not possible to name them, without
very great lothsomenesse.
Men that counterfeit to be pleasant.
And what thinges be those? quoth the L. Lodovicus Pius.
Syr Friderick aunswered: Let the Marquesse Phebus tell you, for he hath often seen it in Fraunce, and peraventure felte it.
The Marquesse Phebus aunswered: I have seen none of these thinges done in Fraunce more then in Italy. But looke what good thinges the Italyans have in their garmentes, in feastinge, in bancketting, in feates of armes and in every other thinge that belongeth to a Courtier, they have it all of the Frenchmen.
I denie not, answered Syr
Friderick, but there are also
emong the Frenchmen verye honest and sober gentlemen,
Spaniardes agree wyth Italians in condicions. Frenche facions. To have sundry languages. Many places to be commended beeside the best.
Somtyme a mannes ignoraunce is to be
confessed. Men utter thinges to their shame many times.
and for my part I have knowen manye (without peraventure)
worthye all praise. But yet some there are of litle good
maner: and to speake generally (me thinke) the Spaniardes
agree more wyth Italyans, in condicions, the Frenchmen:
because (in my minde) the peculiar quiet gravitie of the
Spaniardes is more agreeable to oure nature then the
quicke livelinesse that is perceived in the French nation
almost in every gesture: which is not to be discommended
in them, but is rather a grace, for it is so naturall and
propre to them, that there is no maner affecting or curiositie
in it. There are many Italians that would faine counterfeit
their facion, and can do naught elles but shake the head in
speakinge, and make a legg with an yll grace, and when
they come oute of their doores into the Citie, goe so faste
that good footemen canne scant overtake them, and with
these maners they weene themselves good Frenchmen, and
to have of that libertye: whiche (ywisse) chaunseth verie
sildome savinge to suche as are brought up in Fraunce and
have learned that facion from their childhood. The like is
to be said in the knowleag of sundrie tunges, which I commend much in
oure Courtier, and expeciallye Spanish and
Frenche, because the entercourse of both the one nation and
the other is much haunted in Italy, and these two are more
agreable unto us then any of the rest, and those two Princes
for that they are verye mighty in war and most riall in
peace, have their Court alwaies fournished with valiant
gentlemen, whiche are disperesed throughout the world, and
againe we must needes practise with them. I wil not now
proceade to speake any more particularly of matters to well
knowen, as that oure Courtier ought not to professe to be a
glutton nor a dronkard, nor riotous and unordinate in any
il condicion, nor filthy and unclenly in his living, with
certaine rude and boysterous beehaviours that smell of the
plough and cart a thousand mile of, for he that is of that
sort, it is not only not to be hoped that he will make a good
Courtier, but he can be set to no better use then to kepe
sheepe. And to conclude, I saye that (to doe well) the
Courtier oughte to have a perfect understandinge in that
we have sayde is meete for him, so that every possible thinge
may be easye to him, and all men wonder at him, and he at
no manne: meaning notwithstanding in this poinct that
there be not a certaine loftye and unmanerlye stubburnnesse,
as some men have that showe themselves not to wonder at
the thinges which other men do, because they take upon
Italyans borow of the Frenchmen.
Gravitye. in Spaniardes.
Livelines in French men.
them that they can do them much better: and with their
silence do commend them as unworthy to be spoken of, and
wyll make a gesture (in a maner) as though none beeside
were (I will not say their equall, but) able to conceyve the
understanding of the profoundnes of their couning. Therfore ought the
Courtier to shonn these hateful maners, and
with gentlenesse and courtesie praise other mens good dedes:
and thoughe he perceyve himselfe excellent and farr above
others, yet showe that he esteameth not hymselfe for such a
one. But because these so full perfections are very sildome
founde in the nature of man, and perhappes never, yet ought
not a man that perceyveth himself in some part to want, to
lay aside his hope to come to a good passe, though he can
not reach to that perfect and high excellency which he
aspireth unto: because in every art there be manye other
places beeside the best, all praiseworthye: and he that
striveth to come by the highest, it is sildome sene that he
passeth not the meane. I will have our Courtier therfore,
if he find himself excellent in anie thinge beeside armes, to
sett out himselfe, and gete him estymatyon by it after an
honest sorte, and be so dyscreete and of so good a judgemente, that he
maye have the understandinge after a comelye
maner, and with good pourpose to allure men to heare or to
looke on that he supposeth himselfe to be excellente in:
making semblant alwaies to doe it, not for a bragge and
to shewe it for vainglory, but at a chaunce, and rather
praied by others, then commyng of his owne free will.
And in every thing that he hath to do or to speake, if it be
possible, lette him come alwaies provided and thinke on it
beefore hande, showyng notwithstanding, the whole to bee
done ex tempore, and at the first sight. As for the thinges
he hath but a meane skill in, let him touche them (as it
were) by the waie, without grounding muche upon them,
Some commende not thynges well done.
yet in such wise that a man may beleve he hath a great deale
more cunning therin, then he uttereth: as certein Poetes
sometime that harped upon verye subtill pointes of
Philosophie, or other sciences, and paraventure had small understanding
in the matter. And in that he knoweth himself
altogether ignoraunt in, I will never have him make any
profession at all, nor seeke to purchase him anye fame by
it: but rather whan occasion serveth, confesse to have no
understanding in it.
Howe a man should show his couning.
This, quoth Calmeta, would Nicholetto never have done, whiche being a verye excellent Philosopher, and no more skilfull in the lawe then in fleeing, whan a Governour of Padoa was mynded to geve him one of those Lectures in the lawe, he woulde never yelde at the perswasion of many Scholars, to deceyve the opinion whiche the governour had conceived of him, and confesse that he had no understanding in it: but saide styll that he was not in this point of Socrates opinion, for it is not a Phylosophers part to saye at anye tyme, that he hath no understanding.
I say not, aunswered Syr
Fridericke, that the Courtyer
should of hymself go say he hath no understandyng, without
it bee required of hym: for I allowe not this fondnesse to
accuse and debase himselfe. Againe I remember some otherwhyle
that in like sorte doe willingly disclose some matters, whiche although
they happened perhappes without any faulte
of theirs, yet bring they with them a shadowe of sclaunder,
as did a gentleman (whom you all know) which alwayes
whan he heard any mencion made of the battaile beeside
Parma agaynst kynge Charles, he woulde by and by declare
how he fled away, and a man would weene that he sawe
or understoode nothing elles in that journey. Afterward
talking of a certein famous just, he reheresed continuallie
howe he was overthrowen: and manye times also he seemed
in his talke to seeke how he might bringe into pourpose to
declare that upon a nyghte as he was goynge to speake
with a gentlewoman, he was well beaten wyth a cudgell.
Such triflyinge folyes I will not have our Courtier to speake
of. But me thinke whan occasion is offred to showe his
skill in a matter he is altogether ignoraunte in it is well
done to avoide it. Yf necessitie compell him, let him
rather confesse plainly his lack of understanding in it, then
hasard himself, and so shall he avoide a blame that manye
Men that take in hand thinges they have no
skill in.
deseve nowadayes, which I woote not through what
corrupte inward motion or judgement out of reason, do alwayes
take upon them to practise the thinge they know not, and
lay aside that they are skilfull in: and for a confirmation of
this, I know a very excellent musitien, which leaving his
musike a part hath whollye geven himselfe to versifiynge,
and thynketh himselfe a great clearke therin, but in deede
he maketh everye man to laugh him to skorne, and now
hath he also cleane lst his musike. An other, one of the
chieffest peincters in the world, neglectinge his art wherin
he was verie excellent, hath applied himselfe to learne
Pilosophye, wherein he hath such straunge conceites and
monstrous fansyes, that withall the peinctinge he hath he
can not peinct them. And such as these there be infinite.
Some there be that knowing themselves to have an
excellency in one thing, make their principall profession in an
other, in which not withstanding they are not ignoraunt, but
whan time serveth to show themselves in that they are
most skilfull in, they doe it alwayes verie perfectlye: and
otherwhile it commeth so to passe, that the companye perceivinge them
so couning in that which is not their pr
How he should doe in a matter he hath no
skil in.