_Ariobarzanes great steward to Artaxerxes king of Persia, goeth
about to exceede his soueraigne lord and maister in curtesie: where
in be conteyned many notable and pleasaunt chaunces, besides the
great patience and loyaltie naturally planted in the sayd
Ariobarzanes._
A question is mooued manye times among learned men and Gentlemen
addicted to the seruice of the Court, whether commendable deede,
or curteous and gentle fact done by the Gentleman or Courtier
towardes his soueraine Lord, ought to be called Liberalitie and
Curtesie, or rather Band and Dutie. Which question is not
proponed with out greate reason. For so muche as ech man doth
know, that a seruaunt do what he can for his Mayster, or lette
him imploy the vttermost of his endeuour, al the labor and
trauayle he bestoweth, all trouble and daunger which he
sustayneth, is to little, yea and the same his very bounden
duty. Haue wee not red of many, and knowne the lyke that to
gratifye their prince and mayster, haue into a thousande
daungers and like number of deaths, aduentured their own propre
liues? Marcus Antonius that notable oratour beying accused of
incest, and broughte to the iudgement seate, his accusers
required that his seruante should be called, for because he bare
the candel before his maister, when hee went to do the deede,
who seyng his mayster's life and death to depend vpon his
euidence, vtterly denied the facte: and notwithstanding that he
was whipped, racked, and suffered other cruel tormentes, would
rather haue loste his lyfe than accuse and betray his mayster.
I could alleage and bring forth in place, the example of
Mycithus, the seruaunt of one Anaxilaus Messenius, the fidelitye
of the seruauntes of Plotinus Plancus, the faythful mayden
called Pythias, that waited vpon Octauia, the chast Empresse and
wife of that monster Nero, with diuers other: but that I thinke
they be to the learned wel knowen, and of the vnlearned the
vertue of seruauntes fidelitye is greatly liked and commended:
but if the faythful seruaunt know that his desertes do gayne the
grace and fauoure of his mayster, what trauayles, what payns
ought he to suffer to mayntayne his reputation and to encrease
the fauour obtayned? for as the common prouerbe and wise sayinge
reporteth, that the vertve is no lesse to conserue Frendship
gotten, than the wisedome was great to get and win the same.
Other there be which do contrarily contend, and with very
stronge argumentes do force to proue that al which the seruant
doth besydes his duetye and beyond the obligation, wherein he is
bound to his mayster, is and ought to be termed, Liberality,
which is a matter to prouoke his patrone and mayster to deuyse
new benefytes for his seruaunte: and that at al tymes when a man
doth his duty and seruice appoynted by his mayster, executing
the same with all diligence and industry requisite therunto,
that then he deserueth to be rewarded. Which is not to be
discommended. For no true and honest seruant will refuse any
trauayle for commodity of his mayster, ne yet discrete and wyse
mayster will leaue the same vnrewarded according to that portion
of ability wherewith he is possessed: but leauinge questions and
disputacion aside procede we to that which this Nouel purposeth.
I say then that there was in the kyngdome of Persia, a kyng
called Artaxerxes, a man of most noble mynde, and of great
prowesse in armes. This was he that firste beynge a priuate man
of armes, not hauing as yet obtayned any degree in the fielde,
kylled Artabanus the last kinge of the Arsacides, whose
souldiour he was, and recouered the Persian kingdome, which was
then in the Macedonians subiection (by the death of Darius,
which was vanquished by Alexander the great) the space of 538
yeares. This noble gentleman hauing deliuered all Persia, and
created king, kept a princely court, wherin were many
magnificent factes and vertuous deedes exercised and done, and
hee himselfe moste noble in all affayres, besydes the tytles
which hee worthelye wanne in many bloudy battels, was estemed
throughout the east part of the worlde, to be the most liberal
and magnanimous prince that in any age euer raigned: in feastes
and bankets he was an other Lucullus, royally entertaining
strangers that repayred to his court. This king had a Senescall
or steward, named Ariobarzanes, whose office was, that when the
king made any pompous or publike feast, to mount vpon a whyte
Courser with a Mace of gold in his hand, and to ride before the
esquiers and Sewers for the king's own mouth, and those also
that bare the king's meat in vessel of gold couered with fine
napery, wrought and purled with most beautiful workemanship of
silke and gold. This office of Senescall was highly estemed and
commonly wont to be geuen to one of the chiefest Barons of the
Realm. Wherfore this Ariobarzanes besydes noble Linage and
incomparable ritches was the most curtious and liberal knight
that frequented the court whose immoderate expence was such, as
leuing the mean, wherin al vertu consisteth, by reason of
outrage which many times he vsed he fel into the vice of
prodigality, wherby he semed not only in curtious dedes to
compare with the king, but also contended to excel him. One day
the king for his recreation called for the chessebord, requiring
Ariobarzanes to kepe him company, which game in those dais among
the Persians was in greate vse, in such wise as a player at the
Chestes was no les commended then amonge vs in these dais an
excelent Oratour or famous learned man: yea and the verye same
game in common vse in the Court, and noble mens houses of oure
time, no doubt very commendable and meete to be practised by all
states and degrees. The king and Ariobarzanes being sette downe
at a table in the greate Hall of the Pallace, one right against
another, accompanied with a great number of noble personages and
Gentlemen lookinge vpon them, and marking their playe with
greate silence, they began to counter one another with the
Chesse-men. Ariobarzanes, whether it was that he played better
than the kinge, or whether the kinge took no heede to his game,
or what so euer the occasion was, hee coursed the king to such a
narow straight, as he could not auoid, but within two or three
draughtes, he must be forced to receiue the Checkemate: which
the king perceiuing, and considering the daunger of the Mate, by
and by there grew a greater colour in his face than was wont to
bee, and imagininge how hee mighte auoyde the mate, besides his
blushing he shaked his head, and fetched out diuers sighes,
whereby the standers by that marked the game, perceiued that hee
was dryuen to his shiftes. The Senescall espyinge the kinge's
demeanour, and seeing the honest shamefastenesse of the king,
would not suffer him to receiue such a foyle, but made a draught
by remouing his knighte backe, to open a way for the King to
passe, as not onely hee deliuered him from the daunger of the
Mate, but also lost one of his Rockes for lacke of taking hede:
whereupon the game rested equall. The King (who knew the good
nature and noble mynde of his seruaunt, by experience of the
same in other causes) fayning that hee had ouerseene the takinge
of hys rocke, gaue ouer the game, and rysing vp, sayd: "No more
Ariobarzanes, the game is yours, and I confesse my selfe
ouercome." The king thought that Ariobarzanes did not the same
so much for curtesie, as to bynde his soueraigne lorde and king
by benefit to recompence his subiecte's like behauiour, which he
did not very well like, and therfore would play no more.
Notwithstanding the king neither by signe or deede, ne yet in
talke, shewed any token of displesure for that curtesie done.
How be it, he would that Ariobarzanes in semblable act, shoulde
abstayne to shewe himselfe curteous or liberal, except it were
to his inferiours and equalles, because it is not conuenient for
a seruant to contend with his maister in those qualityes. Not
long after the kinge beyng at Persepolis (the principal citye of
Persia,) ordayned a notable day of hunting of diuers beastes of
that countrey breede: and when all thinges were in a readinesse
he with the most part of his Court repayred to the pastyme. When
they were come into the place, the king commaunded a woodde to
be set about with nettes and toiles, and appointed eche man
where he should stand in most conuenient place, and he himselfe
attended with the dogs and hornes to cause the beastes to issue
forth oute of their Caues. And beholde, they raysed a wyld
beast, which with greate swyftnesse leapte ouer the nettes and
ranne awaye with greate spede. The King seyng that strange
beast, purposed to pursue him to death: and makinge a signe to
certayne of his noble men which hee desired to keepe him
companye hee gaue the rayne and spurre to his horse, and
followinge the chace Ariobarzanes was one of those noble men
which pursued the game. It chaunced that day the kinge rode vpon
a horse, that was the swiftest runner in his stable, which hee
esteemed better then a thousande other, as wel for his velocity,
as for his readinesse in factes of armes. Thus following with
bridle at will, the flying rather then running beast, they wer
deuided far from their company, and by reason of the kinge's
spedines, none was able to followe him but Ariobarzanes, and
behind him one of his seruants vpon a good horse which alwaies
he vsed in hunting matters, which horse was counted the beste in
all the court. And thus following the chace with galloping spede
Ariobarzanes at length espyed the horse of his soueraigne lord
had lost his shooes before, and that the stones had surbated his
hoofes, wherupon the kyng was driven either to geue ouer the
chace or else to marre his horse: and neyther of these two
necessities but would haue greatly displeased the kinge, that
perceiued not his horse to be vnshod. The Senescall did no
sooner espye the same but sodainly dismounted from his owne,
caused his man to deliuer vnto him a hammer and nailes (which
for such like chaunces he always caried aboute him) and toke of
two shoes from the horse feete of his good horse, to set vpon
the kynge's not caring for his own rather then the king should
forgoe his pleasure: wherfore hallowing the kinge which was
earnestly bent vppon the chace, tolde him of the daunger wherein
his horse was for lacke of shoes. The kinge hearinge that
lighted from his horse, and seyng two shooes in Ariobarzanes
manne's hand, thinking that Ariobarzanes had brought them with
him, or that they were the shoes which fell from his owne,
taried stil vntil his horse was shod. But when he saw the
notable horse of his senescall vnshod before, then he thought
that to be the curtesie of Ariobarzanes, and so did let the
matter passe, studying by lyke meanes to requite him with
Curtesie, which forced himselfe to surmount in the same: and
when his horse was shod, he gaue the same to Ariobarzanes in
rewarde. And so the king chose rather to lose his pleasure of
hunting, then to suffer himselfe by his man to be excelled in
curtesie, wel noting the stoutnesse of Ariobarzanes mynde which
semed to haue a will to contend with his prince in factes
renoumed and liberal. The senescall thought it not conuenient to
refuse the gyft of his liege lord, but accepted the same with
like good will as before he shod his horse, still expectinge
occasion how he might surpas his master in curtesie and so to
bind him to requite the same againe. They had not taried there
long, but many of those that followed did ouertake them. And
then the king got vp vpon a spare horse and returned to the city
with all his company. Within few daies after the king by
proclamation sommoned a solemne and pompous iust and tryumph at
the tilt, to be done vpon the kalends of May next ensuing. The
reward appointed the victor and best Doer in the same was a
couragious and goodly curser with a brydle and byt of fine gold
rychly wrought, a saddle correspondent of passing great pryce,
the furniture and trappers for the brydle and saddle of like
cost and workmanship, the rayns wer twoo chaynes of golde very
artificially made, the barbe and couerture of the horse of cloth
of golde fringed round about with like gold, ouer which horse
was placed a fine sword the hiltes an chape wherof together with
the scabard wer curiously beset with Pearles and Precious stones
of Inestimable value. On the other syde was placed a very
beautiful and stronge Mace, verye cunninglye wrought with
damaskin. The Horse was placed in forme of triumph, and besydes
the same all the Armours and weapons meete for a Combatante
Knyghte, riche and fayre without comparison. The Placart was
marueylous and stronge, the Launce was guilte and bygge, as none
greatter in all the troupe of the chalengers and defendauntes.
And all those furnitures were appoynted to be geuen to him that
should do best that day. A greate assemblye of straungers
repayred to that solemne feast, as wel to doe deedes of Armes,
as to looke vpon that pompous tryumph. Of the kynge's Subiectes
there was neither knyghte nor baron, but in ryche and sumptuous
apparell appeared that day, amonges whom, of chiefest fame the
kynge's eldest sonne was the fyrst that gaue his name,
a Gentlemanne very valorous, and in deedes of armes of passing
valour brought vp from his very youth, and trayned in the fielde
and other warlyke exercises. The Senescall also caused his name
to be inrolled: the like didde other knyghtes as wel Persians as
other straungers: for that the proclamation was general, with
safeconducte for all forrayners, noble men or other that should
make their repayre. The king had elected three auncient Barons
to be Judges and Arbitratours of their deedes, sutch as in their
tyme for their owne personages had bene very valiant, and in
many enterprises well exercised, men of great discretion and
iudgement. Their stage was placed in the middes of the Listes,
to viewe and marke the Counterbuffes and blowes of the
Combatants. We nede not to remember, ne ought to forget the
number of ladies and gentlewomen assembled out of al partes to
behold and view this triumphe, and peraduenture eche knight that
ran that day was not without his amorous lady to note and behold
his actiuity and prowesse, euery of them wearing his ladie's
sleeue, gloue, or other token, according to the common custome
in such lyke cases. At the day and houre appoynted appeared all
the Combatantes in greate Tryumphe and Pompe, with rych
furnitures as wel vpon them selues as vpon their horse. The
triumphe begon and many Launces broken in good order, on either
sides Iudgement was geuen generally that the Senescall
Ariobarzanes had wonne the prise, and next vnto him the kinge's
sonne did passe them all, for that none of al the combatantes
hadde broken past V. staues, and the sayd yong Gentleman had in
the face of his aduersary broken in pieces IX. at the least. The
Senescall brought for the eleuen launces, which were
couragiously and houourably broken, by breaking of the last
staffe which was the twelfth he was iudged most worthy. The
condition wherof was, that euery combatant should runne twelue
courses with twelue launces, and he whiche should first breake
the same should without doubt or further controuersie obtayne
the reward. What pleasure and delight the king did conceiue to
see his sonne behaue him selfe so valiantly that day, I referre
to the iudgement of fathers, that haue children endued with like
actiuity. But yet it greued him that the Senescall had the
greater aduantage, and yet being a matter so wel knowen and
discerned by the Iudges, like a wyse man he discembled his
countenaunce. On the other syde, the yong Gentleman which did
combate before his amorous ladye was very sorrowful for that he
was voyde of hope of the chiefest honour. So that betwene the
father and the sonne, was one very thought and desire: but the
vertue and valor of the Senescall did cut of eythers greefe. Now
the tyme was come that the Senescall should runne with his last
staffe mounted vppon the horse which the king gaue him when he
was an huntyng, who knowing wel that the king was very desirous
that his son should excell all men, perceyued likewyse the
inflamed mynd of the yonge gentleman for the presence of his
lady to aspyre the honour, purposed to geue ouer the honour
atchieued by himselfe, to leaue it to the sonne and heir of his
lorde and mayster: and yet hee knewe ful wel that those his
curtesies pleased not the king, neuerthelesse he was determined
to perseuer in his opinion, not to bereue the king of his glory,
but onely to acquire fame and honour for him selfe. But fully
mynded that the honour of the tryumphe should be geuen to the
kynge's sonne, he welded the staffe within his reste, and when
he was ready to encounter (because it was he that shold come
agaynst him,) he let fal his launce out of his handes, and said:
"Farewel this curtesie of myne, sith it is no better taken." The
kinge's sonne gaue a gentle counterbuffe vpon the Placarde of
the Senescall, and brake his staffe in many pieces, which was
the X. course. Many heard the wordes that the senescall spake
when his staffe fell out of his handes, and the standers by well
perceiued that he was not minded to geue the laste blowe,
bicause the king's sonne might haue the honor of the triumph,
which he desyred so much. Then Ariobarzanes departed the listes:
and the Prince withoute any great resistance wan the prise and
victory. And so with sounde of diuerse instruments the prise
borne before him, he was throughout the citie honorably
conueyed, and among other, the senescall still waited vpon him
with mery countenance, greatly praising and exalting the
valiance of the yong Prince. The king which was a very wise man,
and many times hauing experience of the chiualry of his
Senescall at other Tourneis, Iustes, Barriers, and Battels, and
always finding him to be prudent, politike, and for his person
very valiant, knewe to well that the fall of his launce was not
by chaunce but of purpose, continued his opinion of his
Senescall's liberalitye and courage. And to say the trouth, such
was his exceding curtesie, as fewe may be found to imitate the
same. We daily se that many be liberall of Fortune's goods
inuestinge some with promotion, some with apparel, Gold and
Siluer, Iewels and other things of great value. We see also
noble men, bountifull to theyr seruaunts, not onely of mouable
thiugs, but also of Castels, Lands, and Cities: what shal we
speake of them, which will not sticke to sheade their owne
bloud, and many tymes to spende theire lyfe to do their frendes
good? Of those and such like examples, all recordes be full: but
a man that contemneth fame and glorye or is of his owne honour
liberal, is neuer founde. The victorious Captayne after the
bloudy battayle, giueth the spoyle of his ennemies to his
souldiours, rewardeth them with prisoners, departeth vnto them
the whole praye, but the glory and honor of the battel he
reserueth vnto himselfe. And as diuinely the father of Romaine
eloquence doth say, how that philosophers by recording the
glorious gestes and dedes of others, do seke after glory
themselues. The king was displeased with these noble dedes and
curtesie of his Senescall, because he thought it not mete or
decente that a Subiecte and seruant should compare with his lord
and mayster: and therfore did not bare him that louing and
chereful countenance which hee was wont to doe. And in the ende,
purposed to let him know, that he spent his brayns in very great
errour, if he thought to force his mayster to be bound or
beneficial vnto him, as herafter you shal perceiue. There was an
auncient and approued custome in Persia, that the kinges yerely
did solemnise an Anniuersarye of theyr Coronation with great
feast and tryumph, vpon which day all the Barons of the kyngdome
were bounde to repayre to the courte where the king by the space
of VIII. dayes with sumptuous bankets and other feastes kept
open house. Vpon the Anniuersary day of Artaxerxes' coronation,
when al thinges were disposed in order, the king desirous to
accomplish a certayne conceiued determination commaunded one of
his faythful chamberlaynes spedely to seeke out Ariobarzanes,
which he did, and telling him the kinge's message, sayde: "My
lorde Ariobarzanes, the king hath willed me to say vnto you,
that his pleasure is, that you in your own person euen forthwith
shal cary your white steede and Courser, the mace of gold, and
other ensignes due to the office of Senescal vnto Darius, your
mortal enemy, and in his maiestye's behalfe to say vnto him,
that the kynge hath geuen him that office, and hath clerely
dispossessed you thereof." Ariobarzanes hearing those heauy
newes, was like to dye for sorrowe, and the greatter was
his grief, because it was geuen to his greatest enemy.
Notwithstanding lyke a gentleman of noble stomacke, would not in
open appearaunce signifie the displeasure which hee conceiued
within, but with mery cheare and louing countenaunce answered
the chamberlayne: "Do my right humble commendations vnto the
king's maiesty, and say vnto him, that like as he is soueraine
lord of all this land, and I his faythful subiecte, euen so mine
office, my lyfe, landes and goods, be at his disposition, and
that willinglye I wil performe his hest." When he had spoken
those woordes hee rendred vp his office to Darius, who at diner
serued in the same. And when the king was set, Ariobarzanes with
comly countenance sate downe among the rest of the lords, which
sodenlye deposition and depriuation, did maruelously amaze the
whole assembly, euery man secretly speking their mind either in
praise or dispraise of the fact. The king all the dinner time,
did marke and note the countenance of Ariobarzanes, which was
pleasaunt and merie as it was wont to be, whereat the kinge did
greately maruell: and to attaine the ende of his purpose, hee
began with sharpe wordes in presence of the nobilitie to
disclose his discontented minde, and the grudge which he bare to
Ariobarzanes: on the other syde the king suborned diuers persons
diligently to espy what he saide and did. Ariobarzanes hearing
the king's sharpe wordes of rebuke, and stimulated by the
persuasion of diuers flatterers, which were hired for that
purpose, after he perceiued that his declared pacience, that his
modest talke and his long and faithful seruice, which he had
done to the king, his losse and hinderance sustained, the perill
of his life, which so many tymes he had suffred preuayled
nothing, at length vanquished with disdayne he brake the bridle
of pacience, and sorted out of the boundes of his wonted nature,
for that in place of honoure he receiued rebuke, and in stede of
reward was depryued of his office, began in a rage to complayne
on the king, terminge him to bee an vnkynd prince, which among
the Persians was estemed a worde of great offence to the
maiesty: wherefore faine he would haue departed the court, and
retired home to his countrey, which he could not doe without
speciall licence from the king, and yet to craue the same at his
handes, his heart would not serue him. Al these murmures and
complaintes which he secretly made, were tolde the king, and
therefore the king commaunded him one day, to be called beefore
him, vnto whome he sayd: "Ariobarzanes, youre grudging
complaintes and enuious quarels, whyche you brute behinde my
backe throughout my Courte, and your continuall rages
outragiously pronounced, through the very Windowes of my Palace
haue pierced mine eares, whereby I vnderstand that thing which
hardly I would haue beleued: but yet being a Prince aswell
inclined to fauoure and quiet hearinge of all causes, as to
credite of light reportes, would faine know of you the cause of
your complaints, and what hath moued you therevnto: for you be
not ignorant, that to murmure at the Persian king, or to terme
him to be vnkinde, is no lesse offence than to blaspheme the
Gods immortall, bicause by auncient Lawes and Decrees they be
honored and worshipped as Gods. And among all the penaltyes
conteyned in our lawes, the vyce of Ingratitude is moste
bytterlye corrected. But leauing to speake of the threates and
daungers of our lawes, I pray you to tell me wherin I haue
offended you: for albeit that I am a king, yet reason persuadeth
me, not to giue offence to anye man, which if I should doe (and
the Gods forbid the same) I ought rather to be termed a tyrante
than a Kinge." Ariobarzanes hearing the king speake so
reasonably, was abashed, but yet with stoute countenaunce he
feared not particularly to remember the woordes which he had
spoken of the king, and the cause wherefore he spake them. "Wel
(said the king) I perceiue that you blush not at the words, ne
yet feare to reherse the same vnto my face, wherby I do perceiue
and note in you a certayne kind of stoutenes which naturally
procedeth from the greatnes of your mynd. But yet wisdome would
that you should consider the reason and cause why I haue
depryued you from your office. Do you not know that it
appertaineth vnto me in all myne affaires and deedes to be
liberal, curtious, magnificent, and bounteous? Be not those the
virtues that make the fame of a Prince to glister among his
subiectes, as the Sunne beames doe vpon the circuit of the
world? Who oughte to rewarde wel doers and recompence ech wight
whiche for any trauell haue al the dayes of their lyfe, or els
in some perticuler seruice vsed their endeuor, or aduentured the
peril of their life, but I alone being your soueraygne Lord and
Prince? To the vertuous and obedient, to the Captayne and the
Souldiour, to the pollityke and to the learned and graue,
finally, to ech wel deseruing wight, I know how to vse the noble
princely vertues of curtesie and liberality. They be the comly
ensignes of a kynge. They be the onely ornaments of a prince.
They be my perticular vertues. And will you Ariobarzanes, being
a valiaunt Souldioure, a graue counsayler, and a pollityke
personage, goe about to dispossesse me of that which is myne?
Wil you whiche are my seruaunte and Subiecte of whome I make
greateste accompt and haue in dearest estimation, vpon whom I
did bestow the greatest dignity within the compas of my whole
Monarchie, grate benefite at my handes, by abusinge those
vertues whiche I aboue other do principally regard? You do much
abuse the credite which I repose in youre greate wisedome. For
hee in whome I thought to fynde most graue aduise, and deemed to
bee a receptacle of al good counsel, doth seeke to take vppon
him the personage of his Prince, and to vsurpe the kinglye
qualitie which belongeth only vnto him. Shal I be tyed by your
desertes, or bound by curteous deedes, or els be forced to
rendre recompence? No, no, so long as this imperiall crowne shal
rest on royal head, no subiect by any curteous deede of his,
shal straine vnwilling mynde, which mente it not before. Tel me
I beseech you what reward and gift, what honour and preferment
haue I euer bestowed vpon you, sithens my first arriual to this
victorious raigne, that euer you by due desert did bynde me
thereunto? Which if you did, then liberal I cannot be termed,
but a slauish Prince bound to do the same, by subiects merite.
High and mightie kinges doe rewarde and aduaunce their men,
hauing respect that their gift or benefite shal exceede deserte,
otherwise that preferment cannot bee termed liberal. The great
conquerour Alexander Magnus wan a great and notable Citie for
wealth and spoyle. For the principalitie and gouernment wherof
diuers of his noble men made sute, alleaging their paynful
seruice and bloudy woundes about the getting of the same. But
what did that worthy king? was he moued with the bloudshead of
his captaynes? was he styrred with the valiaunce of his men of
warre? was he prouoked with their earnest sutes? No trulye: But
calling vnto him a poore man, whome by chaunce he found there,
to him he gaue that riche and wealthy citie, and the gouernmente
thereof, that his magnificence and his liberalitie to a person
so pore and base, might receiue greatter fame and estimation:
and to declare that the conferred benefyte didde not proceede of
deserte or dutie, but of mere liberalitie, very curtesie, true
munificence and noble disposition, deriued from princely heart
and kinglye nature. Howbeit I speake not this that a faythful
seruaunt should be vnrewarded (a thing very requisite) but to
inferre and proue that reward should excell the merite and
seruice of the receiuer. Now then I say, that you going about by
large desert and manifold curtesie to binde mee to recompence
the same, you seeke thy next waye to cut of the meane whereby I
should be liberall. Do not you see that through your vnaduysed
curtesie I am preuented, and letted from myne accustomed
liberalitye, wherewith dayly I was wont to reward my kynde,
louing and loyal seruauntes, to whom if they deserued one talent
of golde, my manner was to geue them two or three: if a thousand
crownes by the yeare, to geue them V. Do you not know that when
they loked for most rewarde or preferment, the soner did I
honour and aduaunce them? Take heede then from henceforth
Ariobarzanes, that you liue with such prouidence and
circumspection as you may bee knowen to be a seruant, and I
reputed (as I am) for your souerayne Lord and mayster. All
Princes in myne opinion requyre two thinges of theire seruantes,
that is to say, fidelity and loue, which being hadd they care
for no more. Therefore he that list to contende with me in
curtesie, shal fynde in the ende that I make smale accompte of
him. And he that is my trusty and faithful seruant, diligente to
execute and do my commaundementes, faythful in my secret
affayres, and duetyfull in his vocation, shal truely witte and
most certaynlye feele that I am both curteous and liberall.
Which thou thy selfe shal wel perceiue, and be forced to
confesse that I am the same manne in dede, for curtesie and
liberalitye whom thou indeuorest to surmount." Then the king
held his peace. Ariobarzanes very reuerentlye made answear in
this manner: "Most noble and victorious Prince, wel
vnderstanding the conceiued grief of your inuincible mind
pleaseth youre sacred maiesty to geue mee leaue to answer for my
self, not to aggrauate or heap your wrath and displeasure (which
the Gods forbid) but to disclose my humble excuse before your
maiesty that the same poized with the equall balance of youre
rightful mind, my former attempts may nether seme presumptuous,
ne yet my wel meaning mind, well measured with iustice, ouerbold
or malapert. Most humbly then, prostrate vpon my knees I say
that I neuer went about, or else did think in mind to excede or
compare with your infinite and incomprehensible bounty, but
indeuored by al possible means to let your grace perceiue, and
the whole world to know that there is nothing in the world which
I regard so much as your good grace and fauour. And mighty Ioue
graunt that I do neuer fal into so great errour to presume for
to contend with the greatnes of your mynde: which fond desire if
my beastly mynd should apprehend, I myghte be lickned to the man
that goeth aboute to berieue and take away the clerenesse of the
Sun, or brightnesse of the splendant stars. But euer I did
thinke it to be my bounden duety not only of those fortunes
goods which by your princely meanes I do inioy to bee a
distributer and large giuer, but also bound for the profite and
aduauncement of your regal crowne and dignitye, and defence of
your most noble person, of mine owne life and bloud to be both
liberall and prodigall. And where your maiesty thinketh that I
haue laboured to compare in curtious dede or other liberall
behauiour, no deede that euer I did, or fact was euer
enterprised by me for other respect, but for to get and continue
your more ample fauour and daily to encrease your loue for that
it is the seruant's part with all his force and might to aspyre
the grace and fauoure of his soueraygne lorde. How beit (most
noble prince) before this tyme I did neuer beleue, nor hard
youre grace confesse, that magnanimity, gentlenes and curtesie,
were vertues worthy of blame and correction, as your maiesty
hath very manifestly done me to vnderstande by wordes seuere,
and taunting checkes, vnworthye for practise of such rare and
noble vertues. But how so euer it bee, whether lyfe or death
shal depend vpon this prayse worthy and honourable purpose,
I meane hereafter to yeld my dutye to my souerayne lord, and
then it may please him to terme my dedes courteous or liberal or
to thinke on my behauiour, what his owne princely mynde shal
deme and iudge." The king vpon those wordes rose vp and sayd:
"Ariobarzanes, now it is no tyme to continue in further
disputation of this argument, committing the determination and
iudgement herof, to the graue deliberation of my counsel who at
conuenient leasure aduisedly shal according to the Persian lawes
and customes conclud the same. And for this present time I say
vnto thee that I am disposed to accompt the accusation made
agaynste thee to be true, and confessed by thy self. In the mean
tyme thou shalt repayre into the country and come no more to the
court til I commaund thee." Ariobarzanes receiuinge this
answeare of his souerayne lorde departed, and to his great
contentation, went home into his countreye merye, for that he
should be absent out of the daylye sight of his enemies, yet not
wel pleased for that the king had remitted his cause to his
Councell. Neuerthelesse minded to abyde and suffer al Fortune,
he gaue him selfe to the pastime of huntinge of Deere, runninge
of the wylde Bore, and flying of the Hauke. This noble Gentleman
had two onlye daughters of his wife that was deceased, the most
beautiful Gentlewomen of the countrey, the eldest of which two
was peerelesse and without comparison, older than the other by
one yeare. The beauty of those fayre ladies was bruted
throughout the whole Region of Persia, to whome the greatest
Lordes and Barons of the countrey were great and importunate
suters. He was not in his countrey resiant the space of fower
monethes, which for salubritie of ayre was most holsome and
pleasaunt, full of lordlike liberties and Gentlemanlike
pastimes, aswel to bee done by the hound as folowed by the
spaniell, but one of the kinge's Haraulds sente from the Court,
appeared before him with message to this effecte, saying vnto
him: "My lord, Ariobarzanes, the kinge my souerayne Lord hath
commaunded you to send with me to the Court the fayrest of your
two daughters, for that the reporte of their famous beautie hath
made him hardlie to beleeue them to be such, as common bruite
would fayne doe him to vnderstand." Ariobarzanes not well able
to conceiue the meaning of the king's commaundiment, reuolued in
his mynde diuers thinges touching that demaund, and concludinge
vpon one which fel to his remembrance, determined to send his
younger daughter, which (as we haue sayde before) was not in
beautie comparable to her elder sister, whereupon hee caused the
mayden to be sent for, and sayde vnto her these wordes:
"Daughter, the king my maister and thy soueraigne Lord, hath by
his messanger commaunded me to sende vnto him the fayrest of my
daughters, but for a certaine reasonable respect which at thys
time I purpose not to disclose, my mynde is that thou shalt goe,
praying thee not to say but that thou thyselfe art of the twayne
the fayrest, the concealinge of whiche mine aduise wil breede
vnto thee (no doubt) thy great aduauncement, besides the profite
and promotion that shal accriue by that thy silence: and the
disclosing of the same may hap to engendre to thy deere father
his euerlasting hindrance, and perchaunce the depriuation of his
lyfe: but if so be the Kinge doe beget the with childe, in anye
wise keepe close the same: and when thou seest thy belly begin
to swell, that no longer it can be closely kept, then in
conuenient time, when thou seest the kinge merily disposed, thou
shalt tell the king that thy syster is far more beautifull than
thyselfe, and that thou art the yonger sister." The wise maiden
well vnderstanding her father's minde, and conceiuing the summe
of his intent, promised to performe his charge, and so with the
Haraulde and honorable traine, he caused his daughter to be
conueyed to the Court. An easie matter it was to deceiue the
king in the beauty of that maiden: for although the elder
daughter was the fairest, yet this Gentlewoman seemed so
peerelesse in the Courte, that without comparison she was the
most beautifull that was to be found either in Courte or
countrey: the behauiour and semblance of whiche two daughters
were so like, that hard it was to iudge whether of them was the
eldest: for their father had so kept them in, that seldome they
were seene within his house, or at no time marked when they
walked abroade. The wife of the king was dead the space of one
yeere before, for which cause he determined to mary the daughter
of Ariobarzanes, who although she was not of the royall bloud,
yet of birth she was right noble. When the kinge sawe this
Gentlewoman, he iudged hir to be the fairest that euer he saw or
heard of by report, whom in the presence of his noblemen he
solemnly did marry, and sent vnto her father to appoynct the
Dowry of his married Daughter out of hande, and to returne the
same by that messenger. When Ariobarzanes hearde tell of thys
vnhoped mariage, right ioyfull for that successe, sent vnto his
Daughter the Dowry which he had promised to geue to both his
Daughters. Many of the Court did maruell, that the kynge beinge
in aged yeares woulde mary so yongue a mayden, specially the
daughter of his Subiect, whom he had banished from the Courte.
Some praysed the kinge's Disposition for taking hir whom he
fansied: ech man speakynge his seuerall mynde accordynge to the
dyuers customes of men. Notwythstandinge there were diuers that
moued the kinge to that mariage, thereby to force him to
confesse, that by takinge of the goods of Ariobarzanes, he might
be called Courteous and Liberall. The mariage being solemnized
in very sumptuous and princely guise, Ariobarzanes sent to the
kinge the like Dowry which before he had sent him for mariage of
his daughter, with message to this effect: That for so mutch as
hee had Assigned to his Daughters two certayne Dowries to mary
them to their equal feeres, and seeinge that hee which was
without exception, was the husbande of the one, his duety was to
bestow vpon his grace a more greater gift, than to any other
which should haue bene his sonne in law: but the king would not
receiue the increase of his dowry, deeming himselfe wel
satisfied with the beauty and good condicions of his new spouse,
whom he entertayned and honored as Queene. In the meane time she
was with childe with a Sonne (as afterwardes in the birth it
appeered) which so wel as she coulde she kept close and secret,
but afterwardes perceiuinge her Belly to wax bigge, the
greatnesse whereof she was not able to hide, beinge vppon a time
with the kinge and in familiar disporte, she like a wise and
sobre lady induced matter of diuers argument, amonges which as
occasion serued, she disclosed to the king, that she was not the
fayrest of hir father's daughters, but hir elder sister more
beautifull than she. The king hearing that, was greatly offended
with Ariobarzanes, for that he had not accomplished his
commaundement: and albeit hee loued well his wife, yet to
attaine the effect of his desire, he called his Haraulde vnto
him, whom he had first sent to make request for his wyfe, and
with him returned agayne his new maried spouse vnto her father,
commaunding him to say these wordes: "That for so mutch as he
knew himselfe to be vanquished and ouercome by the king's
humanity, his grace did maruell, that in place of curtesie, he
would use such contumacy and disobedience, by sending vnto him,
not the fairest of his daughters, which he required, but sutch
as he himselfe liked to sende: a matter no doubt worthy to be
sharpely punished and reuenged: for which cause the kinge beinge
not a litle offended, had sent home his daughter agayne, and
willed hym to sende his eldest daughter, and that he had
returned the Dowry which he gaue with his yonger." Ariobarzanes
receyued his daughter and the dowry with willinge minde, and
sayd theese words to the Harauld: "Mine other daughter which the
king my Soueraygne Lord requireth, is not able presently to go
with thee, bycause in hir bed she lieth sicke, as thou mayst
manifestly perceiue if thou come into hir chamber: but say vnto
the king, that vppon my fayth and allegiaunce so soone as she is
recouered, I will sende hir to the court." The Haraulde seeing
the mayden lye sicke on her bed, weake and Impotent, not able to
trauel, returned to the king, and told him of the sicknesse of
the eldest Daughter of Ariobarzanes, wherewithall beinge
satisfied, he attended the successe of his desired sute: the
Gentlewoman no sooner beinge recouered, but the tyme of the
other's childbirth was come, which brought forth a goodly Boy:
both the Mother safely brought to Bed, and the childe strong and
lusty. Whych greatly contented and pleased Ariobarzanes, and the
greater grew his ioy thereof, for that hee sawe the Childe to be
like vnto the kinge his father: and by that time the yong
Gentlewoman was rysen from her childbed, the sister was
perfectly whole, and had recouered her former hiewe and beauty,
both which beinge richely apparelled, Ariobarzanes with an
honourable trayne, sent vnto the kinge, instructinge them first
what they ought to say and do. When they were arriued at the
courte, one of the pryuy chamber aduertised the king that
Ariobarzanes had not onely sent one of his daughters, but both
of them. The kynge hearinge and seeinge the liberalyty of
Ariobarzanes, accepted the same in gracious part, and determined
for that curtesie, to vse him with sutch princely liberality, as
he should be forced to confesse himselfe ouercome. And before
the messanger which had brought the yong gentlewoman did
departe, he caused to be called before him his only sonne called
Cyrus, vnto whom he sayd: "Bycause Cyrus the time of thy yeares
bee sutch, as meete they be to match the in Mariage, for hope I
haue to see some Progeny proceede of thee before I die, my minde
is that thou shalt mary this goodly Gentlewoman here, the syster
of my Wyfe.{"} To which hys father's hest, the yong gentleman
willingly assented. Then the kyng toke again his owne, and
ordayned a royall feast, for the mariage of his Sonne, which was
celebrated and done with great triumph and solemnity,
continuinge the space of 8 dayes. Ariobarzanes hearinge these
good newes, would not yet acknowledge himselfe to be ouercome,
and seeinge that his purpose was nowe brought to an extremity,
determined to send the little childe, a little before begotten
of hys daughter, to the kinge, which so resembled the kinge's
face and Countenaunce as was possible: and therefore caused a
cradle to bee made of the fairest Iuory that was to be gotten,
embossed and garnished with pure Golde, adorned and set wyth
most precious Stones and Iewels, wherein he caused the childe to
be placed, and couered wyth rich clothes of fynest gold and
silke, and together with the Nourice, accompanied with a pompous
trayne of Gentlemen, he sent him to the kinge, the very time
that the solemne mariage should be celebrated: and the kinge
beinge in his great Hall, which was hanged with maruellous rich
and costly Arras, attended vpon with a great numbre of his
Barons and noble men, hee that had the charge of the conduction
of the child, vpon his knees presented the same before him,
lyinge in the Cradle. The king and the Noblemen, meruelling what
that did meane expected what the Messenger would say, who
holding the Cradle by one of the Pomels, sayd these wordes:
"Most renoumed and victorious Prince, in the behalfe of
Ariobarzanes, my Lorde and your Subiect, most humbly I present
vnto your maiesty, with al Submission and reuerence, this gift:
and my sayd Lord doth rendre infinite thankes vnto your
highnesse, for the great curtesie it hath pleased you to vse, by
vouchsafinge to entertayne him into your alliaunce: for which
not to seeme vnmindfull, this present (and therewithall he
opened the Cradle) by mee hee hath sent vnto your maiesty." When
the Cradle was discouered, there apeared a goodly yong Chylde,
Smilinge and Laughing vpon his father, the ioyfullest sight that
euer his father sawe, and so like vnto him, as the halfe Moone
is lyke the proportion of the rest. Then euery of the Standers
by began to say his minde touchinge the resemblaunce of the
Chylde to hys Father, hardily protesting the same without doubt
to be his owne. The kyng could not be satisfied with the sight
of his child, by reason of the great delight he had to looke
vpon him, and of the generall opinion whych all men auouched
touchinge his lykenesse. The Chylde agayne vpon the common
reioyce made vpon hym, but specially of hys Father, wyth preaty
motions and sweete laughinges, representinge two smilinge pyttes
in his ruddy Cheekes, crowed many tymes vpon his father, toyinge
vp and downe hys tender handes: afterwardes the kynge behelde
the workmanship of that sumptuous cradle, and demaunded whereof
the substaunce was. Vnto whom the Messenger discribed the
Hystory and whole content of that incomparable Iewel: who
hearinge that discourse, caused the Queene to be called forth,
and by her was further certified of her father's noble
disposition, wyth exceeding contentation, and wonderfull
reioyce, he receyued the little Chylde, and confessed hym selfe
in maner vanquished: notwythstandinge seeming to be thus
surmounted, he thought if he did not surpasse this curtesy, his
noble and princely minde should be disgraced: wherefore he
determined to vse a kind of magnanimity, thereby eyther to
ouercome Ariobarzanes, or else hauinge apparant occasion
altogether to fall out and to conceyue a mortall malice agaynst
hym. The Kynge had a Daughter of the age of 21 yeares, a very
fayre and comely Lady (accordinge as her Royall education and
princely bringinge vp required) whom as yet he had not matched
in mariage, meaninge to bestowe her vppon some kynge or great
Monarch with a dowry of Ten hundred thousand Crownes, besides
the pryncely and great costly Apparell and Iewells whych her
owne mother lyinge vppon her death Bed did bequeathe her. The
kynge then purposinge to excell Ariobarzanes, mynded by
couplynge hym wyth hys Daughter, to make hym his sonne in lawe:
whych to a Lady of Royall Linage, appeareth some debacinge of
her noble bloud, to be matched with a man of inferiour byrth:
the lyke to a Man how honourable so euer he be cannot chaunce,
if he take a Wyfe of Degree neuer so Base: for if hee bee borne
of Noble and Gentle kynde, hee doth illustrate and aduaunce the
Woman whom he taketh, all be it shee were of the meanest trampe
of the popular sorte, and the Chyldren whych be borne of them by
the Father's meanes, shalbe Noble and of a gentle kynd: but a
woman, although shee be most Noble, if shee bee married to hir
inferiour, and that hir husbande bee not so Noble, the chyldren
that shall be borne of them shall not receiue the honour of the
mother's stock, but the state of the father's lotte, and so
shall be vnnoble. Sutch is the Reuerence and Authoritie of the
Sexe of man, wherevpon doeth ryse the comparyson of the wyfe,
which doth resemble the man vnto the Sunne, and the Woman to the
Moone. For wee see that the Moone of hir selfe doth not giue
light, ne yet can yelde any brightnesse to the darknesse of the
Night, if she did not pertake some shining of the Sun, who with
his liuely flames at times and places doth brighten the starres,
and maketh the moone to shine: euen so the woman dependeth of
the man, and of hym doth take hir nobility. The kyng therefore
thought the match not meete for Ariobarzanes to marry his
Daughter, and feared he should incurre some blemish of his
house: but for all respect and feare of shame, the emulation
whyche hee had to be victorious of his forced curtesie did
surpasse. Wherefore he sent for Ariobarzanes to come vnto the
Court: who vpon that commaundement came: and so soone as hee was
entered the palace, he repayred to do his reuerence vnto the
kinge, of whom he was welcomed with glad and ioyfull
entertaynement: and after they had a whyle debated of diuers
matters, the kyng sayd vnto him: "Ariobarzanes, for so mutch as
thou art without a wyfe, we minde to bestowe vpon thee a
Gentlewoman, which not onely wee well like and loue, but also is
sutch a one, as thou thy selfe shalt be well contented to take."
Ariobarzanes aunswered: That he was at his commaundement: and
that sutch choyse as pleased his maiesty, should very well
content and satisefie him. Then the kyng caused his daughter, in
riche vestures sumptuously attired to come before him, and there
openly in presence of the whole Court commaunded that
Ariobarzanes should marry her: which with seemely ceremonies
being consummate, Ariobarzanes shewed little ioy of the
parentage, and in apparance made as though he cared not for his
wyfe. The Nobles and Gentlemen of the Courte wondred to see the
straunge behauiour of the bridegroome, consideringe the great
humanity of their Prince towardes his Subject, by takinge him
for his Father, and Sonne in lawe: and greatly murmured to see
the obstinacy and rudenesse of Ariobarzanes, towards the kynge
and the Fayre newe maried Spouse, mutch blaminge and rebukinge
hys vnkinde demeanour. Ariobarzanes that day fared as though hee
were besides himselfe, voyde of ioy and mirth, where all the
rest of the Courte spent the tyme in sport and Triumph, the
Ladies and Noble women together with the kynge and Queene
themselues. dauncinge and maskinge, vntil the time of night did
force ech Wyghte to Retyre to their Chaumbers. Notwithstandinge
the kynge did marke the Gesture and Countenaunce of
Ariobarzanes, and after the Banket the Kynge in Solempne guise
and great Pompe caused hys Daughter to bee accompanyed wyth a
great Trayne to the Lodginge of Ariobarzanes, and to be caried
with hir, hir Pryncely Dowry, where Ariobarzanes very Honourably
receyued hys Wyfe, and at that Instant, in the presence of all
the Noblemen and Barons that wayted vpon the Bride, hee doubled
the Dowry receyued, and the same wyth the Ten hundred thousand
Crownes geuen hym by the kynge, hee sent back agayne. This
vnmeasured Liberality seemed passynge Straunge vnto the kynge,
and bredde in him sutch disdayne, as doubtful he was whether to
yelde, or to condemne him to perpetuall Banishment. The kynge
thought that the greatnesse of Ariobarzanes mynde was
Inuincible, and was not able paciently to suffer, that a subiect
in matters of curtesie and liberality, should still compare wyth
his king and maister: herewithal the king conceiuing malice,
could not tell what to say or do. An easy matter it was to
perceiue the rage and furie of the king, who was so sore
displeased, as he bare good looke and countenaunce to no man:
and bicause in those dayes the Persian kings were honored and
reuerenced as Gods, there was a lawe that when the king was
driuen into a furie, or had conceiued a iust displeasure, he
shoulde manifest vnto his Counsellers, the cause of his anger,
who afterwardes by mature diligence hauing examined the cause
and finding the kinge to be vniustly displeased should seke
meanes of his appeasing: but if they found his anger and
displeasure to be iustly grounded, the cause of the same,
according to the quality of the offence, little or great, they
should punish, eyther by banishment or capital death: the
sentence of whom should passe and be pronounced without appeale.
Howbeit Lawfull it was for the Kynge to mitigate the pronounced
sentence, eyther in al, or in part, and to diminish the payne,
or clearely to assoyle the party: whereby it euidently appeared,
that the Counsellers Sentence once determined, was very iustice,
and the kynge's wyll if he pardoned, was meere grace and mercy.
The kyng was constrayned by the statutes of his kyngdome to
disclose vnto his Counsell the cause of his displeasure, which
particularly he recited: the Counsellers when they heard the
reasons of the kynge, sent for Ariobarzanes, of whom by due
examination they gathered, that in diuers causes he had prouoked
the kynge's dyspleasure. Afterwards the Lords of the Counsell,
vpon the proposed question began to argue, by inuestigation and
search whereof, in the ende they iudged Ariobarzanes worthy to
loose hys head: for that he would not onely compare, but also go
about to ouertoppe him in thinges vndecent, and to shewe
himselfe discontented with the mariage of his daughter, and
vnthankfull of the benefites so curteously bestowed vpon him.
A custome was obserued amonge the Persians, that in euery acte
or enterprise, wherein the seruaunt endeuored to surpasse and
vanquish his lord and maister (albeit the attempt were
commendable and prayseworthy) for respect of want of duety, or
contempt to the royall maiesty, he should lose his best ioynt:
and for better confirmation of their iudgement, the Counsellers
alleaged a certayne diffinitiue sentence, regestred in their
Chronicles, whilom done by the kyngs of Persia. The cause was
this: one of the kyngs of that Region disposed to disporte with
certayne of his noble men abrode in the Fields, went a Hauking,
and with a Faucon to fly at diuers game. Within a while they
sprang a Hearon, and the Kynge commaunded that one of the
faulcons which was a notable swift and soaring Hauke, should be
cast of to the Hearon: which done, the hearon began to mount and
the faucon speedely pursued, and as the Hauke after many batings
and intercourses, was about to seaze vpon the hearon, he espied
an Egle: the stoute Hauke seeing the Egle, gaue ouer the
fearfull Hearon, and with swift flight flewe towardes the hardy
Egle, and fiercely attempted to seaze vpon her: but the Egle
very stoutly defended her selfe, that the Hauke was forced to
let goe hir holde. In the ende the good Hauke, with her sharpe
talendes, agayne seazed vpon the Egle's neck, and wyth her beake
strake her starke dead, wherewithall she fel downe amid the
company that wayted vpon the king. Al the Barons and Gentlemen
highly commended and praysed the Hauke, affirminge that a better
was not in the worlde, attributing vnto the same sutch prayse,
as they thought meete. The king for all the acclamations and
shoutes of the troupe, spake not a worde, but stoode musing with
himselfe, and did neyther prayse nor blame the Hauke. It was
very late in the eueninge, when the Faucon killed the Egle, and
therefore the kinge commaunded ech man to depart to the Citty.
The next day the king caused a Goldsmith to make an exceeding
fayre crowne of golde, apt and meete for the Falcon's head.
Afterwards when he saw time conuenient, he ordayned that in the
market place of the Citty, a Pearche should be erected, and
adorned with Tapestry, Arras, and other costly furnitures, sutch
as Prynces Palaces are bedecked withall. Thither with sound of
Trumpets hee caused the Faucon to be conueyed, where the kinge
commaunded one of his noble men to place the Crowne vpon his
head, for price of the excellent pray atchieued vpon the Egle.
Then he caused the hangman or common executioner of the Citty,
to take the Crowne from the Faucon's head, and with the
trenchant sword to cut it of. Vppon these contrary effectes the
beholders of this sight were amazed, and began diuersly to talk
thereof. The king which at a window stoode to behold this fact,
caused silence to be kept, and so opened his princely voice, as
he was wel heard speaking these words: "There ought (good
people) none of you all to Murmur and grudge at the present fact
executed upon the Faucon, bycause the same is done vppon good
reason and iust cause as by processe of my discourse you shall
well perceiue. I am persuaded that it is the office and duety of
euery magnanimous prince, to know the valor and difference
betweene vertue and vice, that all vertuous actes and worthy
attempts may be honoured, and the contrary chastised and
punished, otherwise he is not worthy of the name of a Kyng and
Prynce, but of a cruel and trayterous Tyrant: for as the prince
beareth the title by principality and chiefe, so ought his life
chiefly to excell other, whom he gouerneth and ruleth. The bare
title and dignity is not sufficient, if his conditions and
moderation be not to that supreme state equiualent. Full well I
knew and did consider to be in this dead Faucon a certayne
generosity and stoutnesse of minde, ioyned wyth a certayne
fierce actiuity and nimblenesse, for which I Crowned and
rewarded hir wyth thys golden Garland, bycause of the stoute
slaughter which she made vpon that myghty Egle, worthy for that
solemne guise. But when I considered how boldly and rashely she
assayled and killed the Egle, which is hir Queene and
Maystresse, I thought it a part of Iustice, that for hir bolde
and vncomely act, she shoulde suffer the payne due to hir
deserte: for vnlawful it is for the seruaunte, and vnduetiful
for the subiect, to imbrue his handes in the bloud of his
Soueraygne Lord. The Faulcon then hauinge slayne hir Queene, and
of all other Birdes the Soueraygne, who can with reason blame me
for cuttinge of the Faucon's head? Doubtlesse none, that hath
respect to the quiet state betweene the Prince and Subiect."
This example the Iudges alleaged against Ariobarzanes when they
pronounced sentence: and applyinge the same to him, ordeyned
that first Ariobarzanes, for his Magnanimity and liberal
curtesie should be Crowned wyth a Laurell Garland, for the
generosity of his minde and exceedinge curtesie, but for his
great emulation, earnest endeuour, and continuall dyuice to
contende wyth hys Prynce, and in Liberality to shew him selfe
superior, bysides the mutteringe speech vttered agaynst hym, his
head ought to be striken of. Ariobarzanes beinge aduertised of
thys seuere condemnation, hee purposed to sustayne the Venemous
Darte of Fortune, as hee had endured other bruntes of that
Enuious inconstant Lady, and in sutch maner behaued and directed
his Gestes, and Countenaunce, as no Sygne of Choler or Dyspayre
appeared in him, onely Pronouncinge thys Sentence with ioyfull
Cheare in the presence of many: "Glad I am that at length there
resteth in me so mutch to be liberall, as I employ my life and
bloud, to declare the same to my Soueraygne Lorde, which right
willingly I meane to do, that the World may know, how I had
rather lose my lyfe, than to faynt and geue ouer in mine
accustomed liberality." Then callinge a Notary vnto him, he made
his Wyll (for so it was lawfull by the Persian lawes) and to his
Wyfe, and Daughters hee increased their Dowries, and to his
kinsfolke and freendes he bequeathed diuers rich and bountifull
Legacies. To the kyng he gaue a great number of most precious
Iewels. To Cyrus the king's sonne, and his by mariage (besides a
great masse of money) he bequeathed all his Armure, and Weapons,
with all his instruments for the warres, and his whole stable of
horsse. Last of all he ordayned, that if (perhaps) his wyfe
should be found with chylde, and brought to Bed of a Sonne hee
should be his vniuersall heyre: but if a Woman chylde, to haue
the dowry that his other daughters had. The rest of his goods
and cattel he gaue indifferently to al III. equally to be
deuided. He prouided also, that all his seruantes accordinge to
their degree, should be rewarded. The day before he should be
put to death (according to the custome of Persia) his prayses
and valiaunt factes, as wel by Epitaphes fixed vpon poasts, as
by proclamation, were generally sounded throughout the Realme,
in such wise as ech wight iudged him to be the most liberall and
noble personage that was in all the Countrey, and in the borders
confininge vpon the same. And if there had not bene some enuious
persons nere the kyng, which studied and practised his
ouerthrow, al other would haue deemed him vnworthy of death.
Sutch is enuy of the maliciously disposed, that rather than they
would see their equals to be in better estimation with the
prynce than themselues, study and deuise all pollicy eyther by
flattery or false surmise to bringe them in discredite, or to
practise by false accusation, their vtter subuersion by Death or
Banishement. But whiles Ariobarzanes was disposinge his thinges
in order, his Wyfe and Daughters with his Friends and Cousins,
were affected with great sorrow day and night, complayning for
the heauy state of that noble Gentleman. The eight day being
come (for the lawe allowed that space to the condemned, for
disposition of their thynges) a Skaffolde was made by
commaundement of the king, in the middest of the Market place,
al couered with black cloth, and an other right ouer against the
same with Purple and Silk, where the kyng (if he list) in the
mids of the Iudges should sit and the inditement redde,
iudgement (by the kynge's owne mouth declared) should be
executed, or if it pleased him, discharge and assoyle the
condemned. And the kynge vnwillinge to be present, gaue to one
of the eldest iudges hys full power and authority. But yet
sorrowful that a Gentleman so noble and valiaunt, his father and
sonne in lawe, should finish his life with a death so horrible,
would needes that morninge be present himselfe at that
execution, as wel to see the continent and stoute ende of
Ariobarzanes, as also to take order for his deliuery. When the
time was come, Ariobarzanes by the Sergeante and Garde was
brought vnto the Skaffolde, and there Aparelled in rich
Vestures, the Laurel Crowne was set on his head, and so
continuinge for a certayne space, the garment and Crowne was
taken of agayne together with his other Apparell. The
executioner attendinge for commaundement to do his office, and
lifting vp his sworde to do the fact, the king desired to see
the countenaunce of Ariobarzanes, who neuer chaunged coloure for
all that terrour of death. The king seeing the great constancy
and inuincible mind of Ariobarzanes, spake aloud that all men
might heare hym, these wordes: "Thou knowest Ariobarzanes, that
it is not I, which haue wroughte thy condemnation, ne yet by
enuious desyre haue sought thy bloude, to brynge thee to thys
extremity, but it hath bene thy ill disordred life, and the
statutes of this Realme, which haue found thee guilty, and
thereupon sentence and death pronounced, and execution now ready
to be done, and the minister ready to aduaunce his arme, to play
the last acte of this Tragedy: and yet for that our holy lawes
doe geue liberty that I may assoyle and delyuer whom I list, and
them restore to their former state, if nowe thou wilt
acknowledge thy selfe vanquished and ouercome, and accepte thy
lyfe in gratefull part, I will pardon thee, and restore thee to
thyne offyces and promotions." Ariobarzanes, hearying these
wordes, kneeled downe wyth hys heade declyned, and expecting the
blow of the Sworde, lyfted vp himselfe, and turnynge his face to
the kinge, perceyuing his malice not so sore bent against hym as
the enuy and malice of his ennemies desired, he determined to
proue and vse the pitiful liberality and fauour of his
Soueraigne Lorde, that his Foes by his death might not Triumph,
ne yet attayne the thinge, for which so long they aspired.
Wherefore in reuerent wyse kneelinge before his maiesty, with a
stout and perfect voyce sayd these words: "Most vyctorious and
mercifull Soueraygne Lord, in equall worship and honour to the
immortall Gods, sith of thy abundant grace and mercy it hath
pleased thee to graunt me lyfe, I do most humbly accept the
same, which if I wyst should be prolonged in thy disgrace and
wrath, could not be pleasaunt vnto me, and therefore do confesse
my selfe in curtesie and liberality altogether surmounted and
ouercome. I most humbly then do geue thee thankes for
preseruation of my lyfe, hopinge hereafter to employ the
vttermost of myne endeuour for the benefite and honour of thy
Crowne and dignity, as readyly and without supplication made in
my behalfe, thou hast vouchesafed to restore the same: and sith
thy clemency hath reuiued me thyne humble vassall, I beseech thy
maiesty to giue me leaue to say my minde, trustinge thereby to
do thee to vnderstand the effect and cause of that my former
presumption." The kinge made signes that he should arise and
boldly speake the summe of his desire. When he stoode up,
silence was proclaymed, who then began to speake these wordes:
"Two things there be, (most sacred Prince) which doubtlesse do
Resemble the raging Waues of surginge Seas, and the mutability
of vnstable windes, and yet great is the folly of an infinite
numbre, which imploy their whole care and diligence to the
pursute thereof. These two thinges whereof I speake, and be so
deerely beloued of flattering Courtiers, are the grace and
fauour of their soueraygne lord, and the luringe loue of Amorous
Dames: whych two do so often beguyle the courtly gentleman, that
in ende, they engender nought else but repentance: and to begin
with the loue of Ladies, they, as by common experience is
proued, most commonly do recline to their Inferiours. It is
dayly seene by to mutch vnhappy proofe, that a yongue Gentleman
by Byrth noble, and otherwyse riche, vertuous, and indued with
many goodly gyfts, shall choose and worship one for his
soueraigne Lady and maistresse, and her shall serue and honour
with no lesse fayth and fidelity then is due to the immortall
Gods, and shal not sticke to employ for her loue and seruice all
the possible power and trauell he is able to do, and yet she in
dispite of all his humble endeuour, shall imbrace an other voide
of all vertue, makynge him possessor of that benefite, after
which the other seeketh, and shee not longe constant in that
minde, afterwards wil attend to the first Suter, but in sutch
mouable and disdaynfull sort, as the wandring starres (through
their natural instability) be moued to and fro, and him in the
ende will suffre to fall headlong into the bottomlesse pit of
dispayre: and to him that asketh hir the reason of this variety,
she maketh none other aunswere but that her pleasure is sutch,
and wilfull will to dally with her sutors: so that seldome times
a true and perfit louer can fasten his foote on certayne holde,
but that his life is tossed vp and downe like the whirling
blastes of inconstant windes. The like succedeth in the Courtes
of Kings and Princes, he which is in fauoure with his soueraigne
Lord in al mens eyes, so great and neare, as it seemeth the
Prince is disposed to resolue vpon nothing without his aduise
and counsell, when such fauored person shall employe his whole
care and industrie to maintaine and encrease the commenced grace
of his soueraigne Lord, behold, vpon the sodaine the minde and
vaine of his Lord is changed, and an other without desert, which
neuer carked to win good will, is taken in place, cherished as
though hee had serued him an hundred yeares before: and he that
was the first minion of the Courte in greatest grace and
estimation, is in a moment dispysed, and oute of all regarde: an
other within fewe dayes after, shall supplie the place of the
other twaine, verye dyligent and careful to serue a man trained
vp in courtly exercise, whose mindfull mind shall bee so caring
ouer his lord's affayers, as vpon the safegard and preseruation
of his owne life: but all his labour is employed in vayne: and
when the aged dayes of his expired life approch, for the least
displeasure he shalbe thrust out without reward for former
trauel, that right aptly the Common Prouerb may be applied: the
common Courtier's life is like a golden misery, and the
faithfull seruant an Asse perpetuall. I haue seene my selfe the
right wel learned man to sterue in Court for want of meate, and
a blockish beast voyde of vertue, for lust, and for merite,
aduaunced and made a Gentleman: but this may chaunce bicause hys
Lord is not disposed to vertue, nought esteeminge those that be
affected with good sciences, and that onely for lacke of
carefull trayninge vp in youthfull dayes, or else for that his
minde cannot frame with gentle spyrits, the closets of whose
breasts be charged and fraught with infinite loades of
learninge, and haue not bin noseled in trade of Courtes, ne yet
can vse due courtly speech, or with vnblushinge face can shuffle
themselues in presence of their betters, or commen with Ladies
of dame Venus toyes: or race of birth not mingled with the noble
or gentle Sire: for these causes perhaps that vertuous wighte
cannot attain the hap of fortune's giftes. Which person thoughe
in Court he be not esteemed, yet in schoolehouse of good arte he
is deemed famouse, and for his worthy skill right worthy to be
preferred aboue the heauens. In semblable wise, how oftentimes
and commonly is it seene that the man perchance which neuer thou
sawest before, so sone as he is seene of the, sodaynly he is
detested lyke a plague, and the more earnest he is to do the
seruice and pleasure, the greater is thy wrath bent towards him?
Contrarywise, som other vpon the first view shal so content and
please the, as if he require the bestowing of thy life, thou
hast no power to denie him, thou arte in loue with him, and let
him thwart thy mind and wil neuer so much, thou carest not for
it, all is well he doth: but that these varieties do proceede
from some certayn temprement of bloud within the body conformed
and moued by som inward celestial power, who doubteth? And
surely the foundation of these Courtly mutations, is the
pricking venomous Goade of pestiferous Enuye, whych continually
holdeth the fauour of Prynces in ballaunce, and in a moment
hoisteth vp him which was below, and poizeth downe agayne him
that was exalted: so that no plague or poison is more
pestiferous in Courts, than the hurtfull disease of Enuy: all
other vices with little paine and lesse labour may easily be
cured, and so pacified as they shall not hurt thee: but rooted
Enuy by any meanes is discharged, with no pollicye is expelled,
ne yet by any Drugge or medicine purged. Veryly wythout great
daunger, I know not which way the poynaunt bittes of Enuy can be
auoyded: the proude man in Courte, the arrogant and ambitious,
the lofty minded Foole, more eleuate and lustie than Pride it
selfe, if reverence bee done to him, if he be honoured, if place
be giuen to him, if hee be praysed and glorified aboue the
heauens, if thou humble thy selfe to him, by and by he will take
thee to be his frend, and wyll deeme thee to bee a curteous and
gentle companion. Let the lacyuious and wanton person giuen to
the pleasures and lust of women, fixing his mind on nothing else
but vpon fugitiue pleasures, if his loue bee not impeached, ne
yet his wanton toyes reproued, if he be praysed before his
Ladie, he will euer be thy friend: the couetous and gloutonous
carle, if first thou make hym quaffe a Medicine, and afterwardes
byd hym to thy table, the one and other disease is speedily
cured: but for the enuious person, what Phisicke can be sought
to purge his pestiferous humour? which if thou go about to heale
and cure, rather muste thou remedye the same by wasting the life
of him that is so possessed, than find causes of recouerie. And
who knoweth not (most sacred Prince) that in your Courte there
be some attached with that poisoned plague, who seeing me your
maiestie's humble vassall in greater fauoure with your grace
than they, my seruice more acceptable than theirs, my prowesse
and exercise in armes more worthy than theirs, my diligence more
industrious than theirs, my advise and counsell more auayleable
than theirs, all mine other deedes and doings in better
Estimation than theirs: they I say, dallied in the lap of the
cancred witch dame Enuy, by what meanes are they to be
recouered? by what meanes their infection purged? by what meanes
their mallice cured? If not to see me depriued of your grace,
expelled from your Court, and cast headlonge into the gulfe of
death extreme? If I should bribe them with great rewardes, if I
should honour them with humble reuerence, if I should exalt them
aboue the Skyes, if I should employ the vttermost of my power,
to do them seruice, all frustrate and cast away: they wil not
cease to bring me into perill, they will not spare to reduce me
to misery, they will not sticke to ymagin all deuyses for myne
anoyance, when they see al other remdyes impotent and vnable:
this is the poisoned plague which enuenometh all Princes
courtes: this is the mischiefe which destroyeth all kyngdomes:
this is the monster that deuoureth all vertuous enterpryses and
offendeth eche gentle spirite: this is the dim vale which so
ouershadoweth the clerenes of the eyes as the bright beams of
verity cannot be sene, and so obscureth the equity of iustice,
as right from falshode cannot be discerned: this is the manifest
cause that breadeth a thousand errors in the workes of men: and
to draw nere to the effecte of this my tedious talke, briefly,
there is no vice in the worlde that more outragiously corrupteth
Princes courtes, that more vnfrendly vntwineth frendship's band,
that more vnhappely subuerteth noble houses, then the poysone of
Enuy: for he that enclineth his eares to the enuious person, he
that attendeth to his malignant deuises, vnpossible it is for
him to do any dede that is eyther good or vertuous: but to
finishe and end for auoyding of wearines and not to stay your
maiesty from your waighty affayres, I say that the enuyous man
reioiceth not so much in his own good turnes nor gladdeth
himself so greatlye with his owne commodityes, as hee doth
insulte, and laugh at the discommodityes and hinderance of
others, at whose profite and gain he soroweth and lamenteth: and
to put out both the eyes of his companion, the enuious man
careth not to plucke out one of his own. These wordes (most
inuincible prince) I purposed to speake in the presence of your
maiesty, before your gard and courtlyke train, and in the
vniuersal hearing of all the people that ech wighte may
understand how I not of your maiestie's pretended malice, or
mine owne committed faulte, but through the venemous tongues of
the enuious fel into the lapse of your displeasure." This moste
true oration of Ariobarzanes greatly pleased the noble Prince,
and although he felt himself somwhat touched therwith, and
knowing it to bee certayn and true and that in tyme to come the
same mighte profite all sortes of people, hee greatlye praised
and exalted him in the presence of all the assembly. Wherefore
Ariobarzanes having recouered his lyfe confessed himselfe to bee
vanquished and ouercome by the king, who knowing the valoure and
fealty of that noble Gentleman, and louing him with harty
affection, caused him to come down from the mourning Scaffolde,
and to assend the place where he was himselfe, whom he imbraced
and kissed, in token that al displeasure was remitted: all his
auncient offices were restored to him agayne: and for his
further aduancement, he gaue him the Cittye of Passagarda where
was the olde monument of kinge Cyrus, and made him lieuetenaunt
generall of his realmes and dominions, commaundinge euery of his
subiects to obay him as himselfe. And so the kyng rested the
honourable father in law to Ariobarzanes, and his louinge sonne
by mariage crauing stil in al his enterpryses, his graue aduyse
and counsell: and there was neuer thing of any importance done,
but his liking or disliking was firste demaunded: Ariobarzanes
then returned into greater grace and fauour of his souerayne
lord than before, and for his singular vertue hauing disperced
and broken the aimes and malyce of all his enimies, if before he
were curteous and liberal after these so stoute aduentures, he
became more then princely in his dedes, and if sometymes he had
done one curteous act now he doubled the same. But sutch was his
Magnanimitye, so noble were his indeuors, tempred with such
measure and equanimity, as the whole worlde clerely might
deserne, that not to contend with his souerayne lorde but to
honour and serue him, therby to expresse the maiestye of his
Prince, he employed his goodes and liuing al which the kinge and
fortune had bountifully bestowed vppon him: who vntil his dying
day famously mayntayned himselfe in the good grace and fauour of
his prince, in such wyse as the kyng more clerely then the
shining Sunnebeames, knew Ariobarzanes to bee framed of nature
for a christalline mirrour of curtesie and liberalitye, and that
more easie it was to bereiue the fyre of heate, and the Sonne of
lighte then despoyle Ariobarzanes of his glorious dedes.
Wherfore he ceassed not continually to honour, exalt and enrych
him, that hee might vse the greater liberality, and to say the
treuth, althoughe these two vertues of curtesie and Liberality
be commendable in all persons, without the which a man truely is
not he whereof hee beareth the name yet very fitting and meete
for euerye ryche and welthie subiect, to beware how he doth
compare in those noble vertues with Princes and great men, which
beyng ryght noble and pereles vppon yearth canne abyde no
Comparisons.