Then knit the conclusion.
¶ An Oracion.
ISocrates did saie, that the roote of learnyng is was bit-
ter, but the fruictes were pleasaunt.
¶ The praise.
THis Oratour Isocrates, was an Athenian borne,
[Sidenote: Lusimachus[.]]
who florished in the time of Lusimachus the chief
gouernor of Athens: this Isocrates was brought
vp in all excelle[n]cie of learning, with the moste fa-
[Sidenote: Prodicus.
Gorgias Le-
ontinus.]
mous and excellent Oratour Prodicus, Gorgias Leontinus
indued him with all singularitie of learnyng and eloquence.
The eloque[n]ce of Isocrates was so famous, that Aristotle the
[Sidenote: Demosthe-
nes learned
eloquence of
Isocrates.]
chief Pholosopher, enuied his vertue & praise therin: Demo-
sthenes also, who emong the Grecians chieflie excelled, lear-
ned his eloquence, of the Oracions whiche Isocrates wrote,
to many mightie and puisaunt princes and kinges, do shewe
his wisedome, & copious eloque[n]ce, as to Demonicus the king
to Nicocles, Euagoras, against Philip the king of the Mace-
donia[n]s, by his wisedome and counsaill, the Senate and vni-
uersal state of Athens was ruled, & the commons and multi-
tude thereby in euery part florished: chieflie what counsaill,
what wisedome, what learnyng might bee required, in any
man of high fame and excellencie: that fame was aboundant[-]
ly in Isocrates, as in all his Oratio[n]s he is to be praised, so in
this sentence, his fame importeth like commendacion.
¶ The exposicion.
IN that he saieth, the roote of learnyng is bitter, and
the fruictes pleasaunt: he signifieth no excellent qua-
[Sidenote: All excellen-
cie with labor
is attained.]
litie or gift, vertue, arte or science can bee attained,
except paine, labour, diligence, doe plant and sette thesame:
[Fol. xvij.v]
but when that noble gift, either learnyng, or any excellente
qualitee, is lodged and reposed in vs, then we gather by pain-
full labours, greate profite, comforte, delectable pleasures,
wealth, glorie, riches, whiche be the fruictes of it.
¶ The cause.
AND seyng that of our owne nature, all men are en-
clined from their tender yeres and infancie, to the ex-
tirpacion of vertue, folowyng with all earnest studie
and gréedie, the free passage to vice, and specially children,
whose iudgementes and reason, are not of that strengthe, to
rule their weake mindes and bodies, therefore, in them chief-
lie, the roote of learning is bitter, because not onely many ye-
res thei runne their race, in studie of arte and science. With
care and paine also, with greuous chastisment and correccio[n],
thei are compelled by their teachers and Maisters, to appre-
hende thesame: the parentes no lesse dreaded, in the educacio[n]
of their children, in chastisement and correction, so that by all
[Sidenote: The roote of
learnyng bit-
ter.]
meanes, the foundacion and roote of all learnyng, in what
sort so euer it is, is at the firste vnpleasaunte, sower, and vn-
sauerie. To folowe the times and seasons, appoincted for the
same, is moste painfull, and in these painfull yeres: other
greate pleasures, as the frailtie of youth, and the imbecilitie
of nature iudgeth, dooeth passe by, but in miserable state is
[Sidenote: Who is a vn-
fortunate
childe.]
that childe, and vnfortunate, that passeth the flower of his
youth and tender yeres, instructed with no arte or Science,
whiche in tyme to come, shalbe the onelie staie, helpe, the pil-
ler to beare of the sore brent, necessitie, and calamities of life.
[Sidenote: Good educa-
cion the foun-
dacion of the
Romaine
Empire.]
Herein the noble Romaines, laied the sure foundacion of
their mightie dominion, in the descrite prouidente, and poli-
tike educacion of children: to whom the Grecians gaue, that
necessarie bulwarke and faundacion, to set vp all vertue, all
arte and science. In Grece no man was knowen, to liue in
that common wealth, but that his arte and science, gaue ma-
nifest probacion and testimonie, how and after what sorte he
liued. The Romaines in like sorte, the sworde and aucthori-
[Fol. xviij.r]
tie of the Magistrate, executyng thesame, did put forthe, and
draw to the attainment of learnyng, art or science, all youth
hauyng maturitie and ripenesse to it, and why, because that
in a common wealth, where the parentes are vndescrete and
foolishe, as in all common wealthes, there are not a fewe,
but many, thei not ponderyng the state of the tyme to come,
bringing vp their children without all ciuilitie, vnframed to
vertue, ignoraunt of all arte and science: the children of their
owne nature, vnbrideled, vntaught, wilfull, and heddie, doe
run with free passage to all wickednes, thei fall into al kinde
of follie, oppressed with all kinde of calamitie, miserie, and
[Sidenote: Euill educa-
cion bringeth
to ruine migh[-]
tie kingdoms[.]]
vnfortunate chaunces, whiche happen in this life. Nothyng
doeth soner pulle doune a kyngdome, or common wealthe,
then the euill and leude educacion of youth, to whom neither
substaunce, wealth, riches, nor possessions doe descende, from
their auncestours and parentes, who also of them selues wa[n]t
all art, science and meanes, to maintain them to liue, who of
them selues are not able to get relief, for onely by this mea-
nes, life is maintained, wealth and riches ar possessed to ma-
ny greate siegniories, landes, and ample possessions, left by
their parentes, and line of auncetours, haue by lacke of ver-
tuous educacion, been brought to naught, thei fell into ex-
treme miserie, pouertie, and wantyng learnyng, or wealth,
to maintaine their state and delicate life, thei haue robbed,
spoiled, murthered, to liue at their owne will. But then as
rotten, dedde, and putride members fro[m] the common wealth
thei are cutte of by the sworde, and aucthoritie of the Magi-
strate. What kyngdome was more mightie and strong, then
[Sidenote: Lydia.]
the kyngdome of Lidia, whiche by no other meanes was
brought to ruine and destruccion, but by idlenes: in that thei
were kepte from all vertuous exercise, from the studie of ar-
tes and sciences, so longe as thei meditated and liued in the
schoole of vertuous life: no nacion was hable to ouerthrowe
them, of them selues thei were prone and readie, to practise all
[Sidenote: Cyrus.]
excellencie. But Cyrus the kyng of Persians, by no other
[Fol. xviij.v]
meanes was able to bring them weaker. He toke from the[m] al
furtherance to artes, destroied all occupacio[n]s of vertue wher-
vpon by commaundeme[n]t aud terrour, wer driuen to practise
[Sidenote: The decay of
a kyngdome.]
the vaine and pestiferous practise, of Cardes and Dice. Har-
lottes then schooled them, and all vnhoneste pastyme nurte-
red them, Tauernes an quaffyng houses, was their accusto-
med and moste frequented vse of occupacion: by this meanes
their nobilitie and strengthe was decaied, and kyngdome
made thrall. Ill educacion or idlenes, is no small vice or euill
when so mightie a prince, hauyng so large dominions, who[m]
all the Easte serued and obaied. Whose regimente and go-
uernemente was so infinite, that as Zenophon saieth, tyme
[Sidenote: The mightie
dominions of
Cyrus.]
would rather want, then matter to speake of his mightie and
large gouernement, how many nacions, how diuerse people
and valiaunte nacions were in subieccion to hym. If this
mightie Prince, with all his power and populous nacions,
was not hable to giue the ouerthrowe, to the kyngdome of
[Sidenote: Euill educa-
cion.]
Lidia, but by ill educacion, not by marciall atte[m]ptes, sworde
or battaill: but by giuyng them scope and libertie, to dooe as
he would. No doubt but that Cyrus sawe, by the like exam-
ple of other kyngdomes, this onelie pollicie to bee a ruine
[Sidenote: Pithagoras.]
of that kyngdome. Pythagoras the famous and godlie Phi-
losopher, saued the kyngdome and people of Crotona, thei
leauyng all studie of arte, vertue and science. This people of
[Sidenote: Catona.]
Crotona, was ouercome of the people of Locrus, thei left all
exercise of vertue, neclectyng the feates of chiualrie, whervpo[n]
Pythagoras hauyng the profitable and godlie lawes of Ly-
curgus, which he brought from Lacedemonia: and the lawes
of Minos kyng of Creta, came to the people of Crotona, and
by his godlie teachyng and Philosophie, reuoked & brought
backe the people, giuen ouer to the neglectyng of all vertue,
declaryng to them the nobilitie and excellencie thereof, he li-
uely set foorthe the beastlinesse of vice. Pithagoras recited to
them, the fall and ruine of many regions, and mightie king-
domes, whiche tooke after those vices. Idlenes beyng forsa-
[Fol. xix.r]
ken, vertue embrased, and good occupacions practised, the
kyngdome and people grewe mightie.
[Sidenote: Lycurgus.]
Emong the godlie lawes of Lycurgus, Lycurgus omit-
ted not to ordaine Lawes, for the educacion of youthe: in the
whiche he cutte of all pamperyng of them, because in tender
yeres, in whose bodies pleasure harboreth, their vertue, sci-
ence, cunnyng rooteth not: labour, diligence, and industrie
[Sidenote: Uertue.
Uice.]
onelie rooteth vertue, and excellencie. Uices as vnprofitable
weedes, without labour, diligence and industrie growe vp,
and thereby infecteth the minde and bodie, poisoneth all the
mocions, incensed to vertue and singularitie. Who euer at-
tained cunnyng, in any excellent arte or science, where idle-
nes or pleasure helde the swaie. Philosophie sheweth, plea-
[Sidenote: Pleasure.
Idlenes.
Ignoraunce.]
sure to bée vnmete for any man of singularitie, for pleasure,
idlenes, and ignoraunce, are so linked together, that the pos-
session of the one, induceth the other. So many godlie monu-
me[n]tes of learning, had not remained to this posteritie of ours
and of all ages: if famous men in those ages and tymes, had
hu[n]ted after immoderate pleasure. Thindustrie of soche, who
left to the posteritie of all ages, the knowlege of Astronomie
is knowen: the monumentes of all learnyng of lawes, and
of all other woorkes of antiquitie, by vertue, noble, by indu-
strie, labour, and moderacion of life in studie, not by plea-
sure and wantones, was celebraied to all ages. The migh-
tie volumes of Philosophers, bothe in morall preceptes, and
in naturall causes, knewe not the delicate and dissolute life
of these our daies. Palingenius enueighyng against the pa[m]-
pered, and lasciuious life of man, vttereth a singulare sente[n]ce
_Qui facere et qui nosce, cupit quam plurima et altum,
In terris virtute aliqua sibi querere nomen:
Hunc vigilare opus est, nam non preclara geruntur,
Stertendo, et molles detrectat gloria plumas._
Who so coueteth to purchase fame by actes, or whose
minde hunteth for aboundaunte knowledge, or by vertue in
this life, to purchause good fame. He had not nede to slugge
[Fol. xix.v]
and slepe in his doynges: for good fame is not vpholded by
gaie Pecockes feathers. Of this, Demosthenes the famous
Oratour of Athens, vttereth a worthie saiyng to the Athe-
nians in his Epistle: if any will iudge Alexander the greate,
to be famous and happie, in that he had successe in all his do-
[Sidenote: Alexander
the great, co[m]-
mended for
diligence.]
ynges, let this be his cogitacion, that Alexander the greate,
alwaies did inure hymself to doe thynges, and manfullie to
assaie that he enterprised. The felicitie of his successe came
to hym not slepyng, or not cogitatyng thereof: Alexander the
greate now dedde, Fortune seketh with whom she maie ac-
companie, and associate her self.
Thusidides comparyng the Lacedemonians, and the A-
thenians together, shewed a rare moderacion, and tempera-
ture of life, to be in the Athenians: wherupon thei are moste
commended, and celebrated to the posteritie.
¶ The contrarie.
EUen as idlenes and a sluggishe life, is moste pleasant
to all soche, as neglecte vertuous exercises, and god-
lie life. So paine, labour, and studie, bestowed and
emploied, in the sekyng out of vertue, arte, or science is moste
pleasaunt to well affected mindes: for no godlie thyng can be
attained to, without diligence and labour.
¶ The similitude.
EUen as housbandmen, with labour and trauaile,
dooe labour in plantyng and tillyng the grounde,
before thei receiue any fruicte of thesame. Euen so
no vertue, arte, or science, or any other thyng of ex-
cellencie is attained, without diligence and labour bestowed
thereto.
¶ The example.
LEt Demosthenes, the famous Oratour of Athenes,
bee an example of diligence to vs, who to auoide all
let from studie, vsed a meanes to kepe hymself ther-
to: preuentyng also the industrie of artificers. Thesame De-
[Fol. xx.r]
mosthenes, wrote seuen tymes out the storie of Thusidides,
to learne thereby his eloquence and wisedome.
¶ The testimonie.
PLinie, Plato, and Aristotle, with many other mo, are
like examples for diligence to vs: who wrote vpon
vertue and learnyng like sentences.
¶ The conclusion.
THerefore, Isocrates dooeth pronounce worthelie, the
roote of learning and vertue to be bitter, and the fru-
tes pleasaunte.
¶ A Sentence.
THe Oracion, whiche must be made by a sente[n]ce
is in al partes like to _Chria_, the profitable exer-
cise, onelie that the Oracion made vpon a sen-
tence, as aucthours do saie: hath not alwaie the
name of the aucthour prefixed in the praise, a
small matter of difference, who so can make the one, is ex-
pert and exquisite in the other, aucthours doe define a sente[n]ce
in this maner. A sentence is an Oracion, in fewe woordes,
shewyng a godlie precept of life, exhorting or diswadyng: the
[Sidenote: _Gnome._]
Grekes dooe call godly preceptes, by the name of _Gnome_, or
_Gnomon_, whiche is asmoche to saie, a rule or square, to direct
any thyng by, for by them, the life of manne is framed to all
singularitie. Thei are diuers sortes of sentences, one exhor-
teth, an other diswadeth, some onely sheweth: there is a sen-
tence simple, compounde, profitable, true, & soche like. Frame
your Oracion vpon a sentence, as in the Oracion before.
{ 1. The praise of the aucthour.
{ 2. The exposicion of the sentence.
{ 3. A confirmacion in the strength of the cause.
{ 4. A conference, of the contrarie.
{ 5. A similitude.
{ 6. The example.
{ 7. The testimonie of aucthors, shewing y^e like.
{ 8. Then adde the conclusion.
[Fol. xx.v]
¶ An Oracion vpon a sentence.
¶ The sentence.
In a common wealthe or kyngdome, many kynges to
beare rule, is verie euill, let there be but one kyng.
¶ The praise of the aucthour.
HOmere, who of all the Poetes chiefly excelled, spake
this sentence in the persone of Ulisses, vpon the king
Agamemnon, kyng of Grece. This Homere intrea-
ting of all princely affaires, and greate enterprices of the
Grecians: and of the mightie warre againste the Troians,
emong whom soche discorde rose, that not onely the warre,
for lacke of vnitie and concorde, continued the space of tenne
yeres. But also moche blood shed, hauocke, and destruccion,
came vpon the Grecians, vttered this sente[n]ce. This Homere
for his learnyng and wisedome remaineth, intteled in many
monumentes of learnyng: with greate fame and commen-
[Sidenote: The praise of
Homere.]
dacion to all ages. What Region, Isle, or nacion is not, by
his inuencion set foorthe: who although he were blinde, his
minde sawe all wisedome, the states of all good kyngdomes
[Sidenote: The content
of Homers
bookes.]
and common wealthes. The verie liuely Image of a Prince
or gouernour, the faithfull and humble obedie[n]ce of a subiect,
toward the prince, the state of a capitaine, the vertue and no-
ble qualities, that are requisite, in soche a personage, be there
set forthe. The perfite state of a wiseman, and politike, is in-
treated of by hym. The Iustice, and equitie of a Prince, the
strength of the bodie, all heroicall vertues: also are set forthe
his eloquence and verse, floweth in soche sorte, with soche
pleasauntnes: so copious, so aboundaunt, so graue and sen-
tencious, that his singularitie therein excelleth, and passeth.
[Sidenote: Alexander.]
The mightie prince Alexander, in all his marciall enter-
prices, and great conquestes, did continually night by night,
[Sidenote: The Ilias
of Homere,
mete for prin-
ces to looke
vpon.]
reade somewhat of the Ilias of the Poete Homere, before he
slepte, and askyng for the booke, saied: giue me my pillowe.
Alexander as it semeth, learned many heroical vertues, poli-
cie, wisedome, & counsaill thereof, els he occupied in so migh-
[Fol. xxj.r]
tie and greate warres, would not emploied studie therein.
Iulius Cesar the Emperour, commendeth this Poete,
for his singularitie, his commendacion giueth, ample argu-
ment, in this singulare sentence, whiche preferreth a Monar-
chie aboue all states of common wealthes or kyngdome.
¶ The exposicion.
HOmere the Poete, signified by this one sentence, no
kyngdome or common wealthe can prospere, or flo-
rishe to continue, where many holde gouernement
as kynges. For, the mindes of many rulers and princes, doe
moste affecte a priuate wealthe, commoditie and glorie: and
where, many doe beare soche swaie and dominion, the com-
mon wealth can not be good. For, thei priuatly to theim sel-
ues, doe beare that regiment, and alwaie with the slaughter
of many, do seke to attain and clime, to the whole gouerme[n]t[.]
¶ The cause.
[Sidenote: The state of
many kinges
in one lande.]
MAny occasions dooe rise, whereby many princes, and
gouernours in a common wealth, be diuerslie affec-
ted, so that the gouernme[n]t of many, can not prosper.
For, bothe in quiete state, their counsailes must bee diuerse,
and vncertaine: and where thei so differ, the kyngdome stan-
deth in great ieopardy and daunger. Isocrates intreatyng of
[Sidenote: Athenes.]
a Monarchie, sheweth that the common wealth of Athenes,
whiche detested and refused, that forme and state, after the
ruine and fall of their citee: beyng vnder the thraldome of the
Lacedemonia[n]s, bothe in their externall chiualrie and feates,
bothe by sea and by lande, and also in regimente otherwise,
their citee grewe mightie, and state stedfast.
[Sidenote: Carthage in
a monarchie.]
The Carthagineans also, gouerned by one, had their go-
uernment stedfaste, and kyngdome roiall: who in puisaunte
actes, might compare with the noble Romaines. As the obe-
dience to one ruler and chief gouernour, sekyng a common
wealth, is in the hartes of the subiectes: feruent and maruei-
lous with loue embraced, so the Maiestie of hym is dreade,
[Fol. xxj.v]
with loue serued, and with sincere harte, and fidelitie obeied,
[Sidenote: The state of
many kinges
in one lande.]
his maners folowed, his lawes imitated. Many gouernours
bearyng regiment, as their maners be diuers, and fashion of
life: euen so the people bee like affected, to the diuersitie of di-
uers princes. And if we weigh the reuolucion of the heauens
and the marueiles of God therein, the maker of thesame, who
[Sidenote: A monarchie
in heauen.]
beyng one God, ruleth heauen and yearth, and all thynges
co[n]tained in thesame. The heauen also adorned with many a
[Sidenote: One Sunne[.]]
starre, and cleare light, haue but one Sunne to gouerne the[m]:
who being of a singulare vertue aboue the rest, by his vertue
and power, giueth vertue to the reste. Also in small thynges
[Sidenote: The Ante.
The Bee.]
the Ante and the Bee, who for prouidence and wisedome, ar
moche commended: haue as it were a common wealth, and a
king to gouerne the[m], so in all thinges as a confusion, the state
of many kings is abhorred in gouernme[n]t. After the death of
[Sidenote: Constancius[.]
Licinius[.]
Marabodius[.]]
Constantinus the greate, Constancius his sonne was made
Emperour, and Licinius with him, partaker in felowship of
the Empire. But forthwith, what blood was shed in Italie,
with all crueltie, vntill Constancius had slaine Licinius,
partaker of the Empire, and Marabodius was slaine also,
whom Licinius did associate with hym in the gouernment.
So moche princes and chief gouernours, doe hate equalitie,
[Sidenote: Pompey.
Cesar.
Marius.
Silla.]
or felowship in kingdomes. After thesame sort, in this migh-
tie Monarchie of Rome, diuerse haue attempted at one and
sondrie tymes, to beare the scepter and regiment therein, but
that mightie Monarchie, could not suffer but one gouernor.
The kyngdome of Thebes, was in miserable state, the twoo
sonnes of Oedipus, Eteocles, and Polunices: striuing bothe
[Sidenote: Assiria the
first monar-
chie.]
to be Monarche, and onely kyng. The kyngdome of Assiria,
whiche was the golden kyngdome, and the first Monarchie:
hauyng .36. kynges by succession, continued .1239. yeres, this
kyngdome for all nobilitie and roialnes excelled, and all in
a Monarchie. The kyngdome of the Medes, in a Monarchie
florished in wealthe and glorie and all felicitie: who in domi-
nion had gouernmente .300. lackyng .8. yeres. After that, the
[Fol. xxij.r]
[Sidenote: The monar-
chie of the
Medes.
The Persia[n].
Macedonia.]
monarchie of the Medes ceased, the Persia[n] people rose migh-
tie, bothe in people and Princes, and continued in that state
236 and 7 monethes. Macedonia rose from a base and meane
people, to beare the whole regiment, and power ouer all king[-]
domes. So God disposeth the state and seate of princes, ouer-
throwyng often tymes mightier kyngdomes at his will: the
continuaunce of this Monarchie was .157. and eight mone-
[Sidenote: Asia[.]
Siria[.]]
thes, ten kynges linealie descendyng. Asia and Siria, was
gouerned by one succedyng in a sole gouernement. Nicanor
gouerned Siria .32. yeres. In the other Antigonus raigned,
Demetrius Poliorchetes one yere, Antiochus Soter also, the
scepter of gouernment, left to the succession of an other, then
Antiochus Soter, ruled all Asia and Siria, hauyng .16. kin-
[Sidenote: Egipte in a
Monarchie[.]]
ges whiche in a monarchie, co[n]tinued 189 yeres. The Egipci-
ans, had famous, wise, and noble princes, whose kyngdome
and large dominion, in all felicitée prospered: whiche was in
the tyme of Ninus, the first king of the Assiria[n]s, who hauing
10. princes, one by one succedyng, Cleopatra their Quéene,
gouerning, stoode in a monarchie .288. This one thyng she-
weth, that kinde of gouernmente to bee roiall, and moste fa-
mous, not onely for the felicitée and glory therof: but also for
the permanent and stedfast state thereof. Aristotle and Plato
setteth forthe, thother formes of gouernme[n]t. But in all those,
no long co[n]tinuaunce of felicitee, nor of happy state can appere
[Sidenote: Tirannis[.]
Nero[.]
Domicianus[.]
Caligula.]
in them, as for the contrarie to a Monarchie, is tirannis, pe-
stiferous, and to be detested, where one man gouerneth to his
priuate gaine, pillyng and polyng his subiectes, murderyng
with all crueltie, neither Lawe nor reason, leadyng thereto:
but will bearyng regiment ouer lawe, Iustice and equitee,
whiche princes often tymes see not. How the wilfull rashe-
nes, or tirannicall minde doeth abase them, and make them,
though in vtter porte thesame princes, yet in verie déede, thei
[Sidenote: What doeth
beautifie the
throne of a
Prince[.]]
bee thrall and slaue to beastlie affeccion. Nothyng dooeth so
moche adorne and beautifie, the seate and throne of a prince,
as not onely to beare dominion, ouer mightie people and re-
[Fol. xxij.v]
[Sidenote: Aristocratia.]
gions, then to be lorde ouer hymself. The state of a fewe pée-
res or nobles, to holde the chief and whole gouernment, who
bothe in vertue, learnyng, and experience dooe excelle, is a
goodlie state of common wealth. But the profe of that com-
mon wealthe and ende sheweth, and the maner of Princes:
who, although thei be, of life godlie, wise, graue, expert and
politike. For, these vertues or ornamentes, ought to be repo-
sed in soche noble personages, thei doe marueilously chaunge
and alter: So honour and preeminente state, puffeth theim
vp, and blindeth theim, that euery one in the ende, seeketh to
climbe ouer all, as hed and gouernour. Shewe me one kinde
of this state, and forme of gouernmente, whiche either longe
prospered, or without bloodshed, and destruccion of the rest of
the nobles and peres, haue not caught the whole regimente.
Seyng that in all common wealthes and kingdomes, equa-
litée or felowshippe, will not be suffred in gouernmente: for,
it can not bee, that this forme of common wealthe maie bée
[Sidenote: The ende of
Aristocratia.]
good, as Aristotle and Plato sheweth: The ende of this go-
uernemente, fell euer to one, with a ruine of the kingdome
[Sidenote: Politcia.]
and people. The multitude to beare dominion, and though a
publike wealth bée sought for a tyme, moche lesse thei conti-
nue in any good state: for in the ende, their rule and gouerne-
ment, will be without rule, order, reason, modestie, and their
lawe must bee will. The other three states, are the refuse of
good common wealthes, not to bée tollerated in any region.
[Sidenote: Tirannis.]
The one of them is a tyraunte, to bée gouernour onely to his
owne glorie, with crueltie tormented his subiectes, onelie to
[Sidenote: Oligarthia.]
haue his will and lust, ouer all lawe, order, and reason. The
nobilitée rulyng to them selues, euery one for his owne time[.]
[Sidenote: Democratia.]
The third, the base and rude multitude, euery one for hym-
self, and at his will. This troublous state, all Regions and
common wealthes, haue felte in open sedicions and tumul-
tes, raised by theim, it is a plagued and pestiferous kinde of
gouernemente. The example of a good Monarchie, is of
greate force, to confounde the state of al other common weal-
[Fol. xxiij.r]
thes, and formes of Regimente.
[Sidenote: A monarchie
preferred of
the Persians[.]]
The nobilitée of Persia hauyng no kyng, linially des-
cendyng, to rule that mightie dominion of Persia, Cambises
beyng dedde, the vsurper murthered, thei tooke counsaill in
their assemble, what state of gouernment was beste, thei ha-
uyng the profe of a Monarchie: in their longe counsaill, thei
knewe the felicitie of that state, thei knewe as it seemed, the
perilous state of the other gouernmentes. If these noble and
peres had been ambicious, and that eche of them would haue
had felowshippe, or participacion in kyngdomes: thei would
not haue preferred a Monarchie aboue the reste. The anti-
quitie of that tyme sheweth, their personages, wisedome,
grauitie, and maiestie was soche, that eche one of theim was
mete for his vertues, to haue a whole kyngdome. If Aristo-
cratia would haue contented them, then was tyme and occa-
sion offered, no kyng remainyng to haue preferred that state.
[Sidenote: The duetie of
al noble peres[.]]
But thei as vpright nobles, sincere and faithfull, hauyng al-
together respecte to a publique wealthe: to a permanent state
and felicitie of kingdome, sought no participacion by priuate
wealthe, to dissolue this Monarchie. But thei beyng moste
godlie, eche were content to proue, whose chaunce might be,
to set vp againe that Monarchie. The kyngdome at the laste
[Sidenote: Darius.]
came to the handes of Darius, who was after kyng of the
Persians. This is a goodly example, to shewe the worthines
of a Monarchie, the Persian kingdome after many yeres de-
clinyng, from his power and state, not for any faulte of go-
[Sidenote: Kyngdomes
rise and fall.]
uernment, but God as he seeth tyme, raiseth vp kyngdomes
and plucketh them doune. Afterward Darius the kyng, not
able to make his parte good with Alexander the Greate: of-
fered to hym the greatest parte of his kyngdome, euen to the
flood of Euphrates, and offred his daughter to wife: Alexan-
der was content to take the offer of Darius, so that he would
bee seconde to hym, and not equall with hym in kyngdome.
[Sidenote: The answer
of Alexander
to Darius,
as co[n]cernyng
a monarchie.]
For, Alexander saied, that as the worlde can not bee gouer-
ned with twoo Sunnes, neither the worlde can suffer twoo
[Fol. xxiij.v]
mightie kingdomes: wherupon it is manifest, that no king-
dome will suffer equalitie or felowship, but that if the will &
minde of Princes might brust out, the state of all the worlde,
would bee in one mightie gouernours handes. For, alwaies
[Sidenote: Alexa[n]der the
great prefar-
red a Mo-
narchie.]
Princes dooe seke to a sole regimente. Alexander the greate
co[n]querour also, preferring for worthines a Monarchie, at the
tyme of his death, demaunded who[m] he would haue to succede
him in his mightie dominio[n]s, he by one signifiyng a Monar-
chie, saiyng: _Dignissimus_, that is to saie, the worthiest. After
[Sidenote: Alexanders
monarchie fel
by many kin-
ges.
Antipater.
Crates.
Meliagrus.
Perdiccas.
Ptolomeus.
Learcus.
Cassander.
Menander.
Leonatus.
Lusimacus.
Eumenes[.]
Seleucus.]
the death of Alexander, Antipater caught the gouernmente
of Macedonia and Grece, and Crates was Treasurer. Me-
leagrus and Perdiccas caught other of his dominions, then
Ptolemeus possessed Egipte, Africa and a parte of Arabia,
Learcus, Cassander, Mena[n]der, Leonatus, Lusimachus, Eu-
menes, Seleucus and manie other, who were for their wor-
thines in honor and estimacion with Alexander, caught in-
to their handes other partes of his dominions, euerie one se-
kyng for his time, his owne priuate glorie, dignitie, and ad-
uauncemente, but not a publike wealthe, and so in fine, am-
bicion broiled in their loftie stomackes, eche to attaine to o-
thers honor. Whereupon bloodshed, destruction of the peo-
ple and countries, the fall of these Princes ensued. So moche
kingdomes hate equalitie or felowship: let vs laie before our
[Sidenote: Fraunce.
Spaine.
Germanie.
Britaine.]
iyes, the kyngdomes nere at hand. Fraunce, from the tymes
of Faramundus vntill this daie haue stoode, and did florishe
in a Monarchie. The state of Spaine, from the tyme of the
firste kyng, vntill this daie, hath florished continually in a
Monarchie. The great seigniories of Germanie, by one suc-
cedyng in gouernment, haue been permanent in that good-
lie state. Our noble Isle of Britain from Brutus, hath stoode
by a Monarchie: onely in those daies, the state of gouernme[n]t
chaunged, at the commyng of Iulius Cesar, Emperour of
Rome. The lande beyng at diuision, and discorde, through
the diuersitie of diuerse kynges: so moche the state of diuerse
kynges in one lande, is to be expelled, or the gouernment of
[Fol. xxiiij.r]
the base multitude, to haue vniuersally power of dominion,
or the state of peres, to bee chief in regiment, no kyng lefte to
commaunde ouer the people, and nobles, or els there can not
be but discorde in thende, whiche pulleth doune moste migh-
tie Regions and dominions, so that the beste state, the moste
stedfaste and fortunate, is in all tymes, in all ages, in all la-
wes, and common wealthes, where one king sekyng the ad-
uauncement, wealthe, glorie, of hym and his people.
¶ The contrarie.
THat housholde or familie, can not be well gouerned,
where many and diuerse beareth gouernment, nec-
lectyng the state prosperous vniuersallie: for where
obedience is drawen to diuers and many, there can not bee
good gouernment, nor faithfull obedience. And so in a king-
dome where one chiefly gouerneth, and to a common wealth
there the hartes of the subiectes, be moste knitte to obaie.
¶ The similitude.
EUen as thei, whiche serue one maister, shall soneste
with labour please, and with fidelitie, accomplishe
his will and pleasure. For, the maners of many me[n]
be diuerse, and variable, so in a Monarchie, the state of one is
sone obaied, the minde and lawe of one Prince sone folowed,
his Maiestie dreaded and loued.
¶ The example.
LET the fower chief Monarchies of the Assirian, the
Persian, Grecian, and the Romaine, whiche haue
continued from the beginnyng mightie, moste hap-
pie, bee an example herein. If that state of gouernement, had
not been chiefe of all other, those mightie kyngdomes would
not haue preferred, that kinde of gouernment.
¶ The testimonie of auncient writers.
THerefore, Aristotle, Plato, and all the chief Philoso-
phers, intreatyng of the administracion of a common
wealthe: doe preferre before all states of gouernment
[Fol. xxiiij.v]
a Monarchie, bothe for the felicitie of it, and stedfaste state.
¶ The conclusion.
HOmere therefore deserueth greate commendacion,
for this one sentence, whiche preferreth a Monarchie
before all states.
¶ The destruccion.
THis exercise of _Rhetotike_, is called destruccion, or
subuersion, because it is in a oracion, a certain re-
prehension of any thyng declaimed, or dilated, in
the whiche by order of art, the declaimer shall pro-
cede to caste doune by force, and strengthe of reason, the con-
trarie induced.
In this exercise of _Rhetorike_, those proposicions are to be
subuerted, whiche are not manifeste true, neither it so repu-
gnaunt from reason, as that there can appere no holde, to in-
duce a probable reason to confounde thesame. But soche pro-
posicions are meete for this parte, as are probable in both si-
des, to induce probabilitie of argument, to reason therupon.
1. It shall behoue you firste, for the entryng of this matter,
to adde a reprehension there against those, whiche haue con-
firmed as a truthe, that, whiche you will confute.
2. In thesame place, adde the exposion, and meanyng of his
sentence.