certaine speeches of great secrecie, vehementlie concerning the state
and good support of my brother. And for as much as I had then great
suppose, both of your honest courtesie and great fidelitie (as I
thought) sufficient to the matter then spoken of, I did (the extremitie
of the cruell creditours requiring it) not sticke to reueale vnto you
the conceiued maner and means how the same might be redressed. I do
verie perfectly remember, that but to one other besides your selfe, I
did communicate the cause, of whose rare and singular honestie I doe
so much assure my selfe, that if hee should reueale the same, I could
despaire for euer to find any man secret, or that with whatsoeuer
matter of friendship might hereafter be credited. But to be briefe with
you, the secret is discried, and therewithall so fully laide open,
as the whole maner of the same in sort as it was determined by one
of the parties whom it specially concerned, hath been to my brothers
owne eares deliuered. The other partie to whome I reuealed it hath
chaunged his lodging, and hitherto I haue not sent vnto him: whose
approoued fidelitie for that it remaineth of no small record to my
certaine knowledge, I will presume to verifie. It resteth then that
I must needes expostulate with you touching the iniurie, of whome I
haue more cause to doubt, being thereunto led not without manie and
those verie absolute coniectures. For first it is generallie knowne,
that you are verie needie, and to be plaine with you, there be those
that will iustifie that by such meanes you do shift now and then verie
cunninglie. It is master L. a verie base kinde of shift for a Gentleman
in anie treacherous manner to deale with his friend so vnkindlie. And
I can prooue besides, that sithence my trust reposed, you haue entred
speciall conference with the partie. The time likewise dooth somewhat
assure me, in which no one but your selfe coulde so suddenlie preuent
mee. There want not to giue scope hereunto, the speeches also which
the next day you deliuered mee after I had spoken with you, which
was, you feared least my man ouerheard, and might possiblie descrie
mee, whom your selfe knewe an houre before our conference, to haue
beene discharged our companie. Againe, the person and place where he
remaineth, enforce something, whereunto vnaccustomed you haue accesse,
and therefore for some speciall policie. And notwithstanding all these
vehement likelihoodes, yet will I not condemne you, till I see how
you will confute mee. Albeit my censure hitherto passeth that verie
hardlie you may answere it, without especiall note of infamie; which
being so, the displeasure may returne such as I can tell you, will not
be maistered verie easilie. The haste of the messenger forbiddeth me
longer delay, by reason whereof, I am compelled to leaue you. B. this
of. &c.
_An answere defensorie vnto the effects of
the same Epistle._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Liptote._]
[Sidenote: _Excusatiō._]
[Sidenote: _Paræmia._]
[Sidenote: _Anthypophora._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Procatalepsis._]
[Sidenote: _Paramologia._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Charientismus._]
Maister H. The manner of your writing seemeth vnto mee verye straunge,
and the circumstaunce such, as I promise you, wherewith I was neuer
acquainted. I am not a little greeued to thinke that you shoulde
in that peremptorie sort you doe, attribute vnto mee the name of
so base and vnfitte a dealing. I would well you and your informer
vnderstoode: that it is not my practise to vse that cunning, which
you like to tearme by the name of shifting, neither (by whatsoeuer
necessitie constrained) doe I inure my selfe vnto the same. It is an
olde Prouerbe, _Where the hedge is lowest, there euerie man is readie
to goe ouer_. The verifying whereof appeareth in you, who hauing no
more certaintie then your meere imaginations to suspende mee, doe
iniuriouslie obiect my necessitie, as beeing the onelie meane wherewith
to disgrace me. Whie, maister H. dooth it therefore followe because I
want, that my minde must of force become maimed with such treacherie?
You are deceyued, and they guesse much awrie, that in such hatefull
manner doe go about to abuse mee. What argument call you that, that
for because you reuealed your counsell to vs two, and it liketh you
to preferre by certaine allowaunce the others reputation and abilitie
before mee, that therefore I haue deceyued you? Whie if you list to
suppose a trueth on my side (as lawfullie you might doe) were there
not as much reason that I for mine honestie, as hee for his brauerie
shoulde as indifferentlie bee censured? But your probable coniectures
you will saie doe entice you, the one whereof is the time wherein none
coulde preuent you. Was not I pray you that other in Towne as well
as I, though hee altered his lodging? And suppose that euerie daie
wee were both heere since, may it bee vnpossible that another might
endammage the matter as well as we? But I had speciall conference with
the partie, and the place and person without that occasion, of no
likelihoode by mee to bee frequented. Had I conference? Is that a thing
so maruellous? Am I so farre estraunged from honestie, that I may not
haue speech with a man, but to worke my friend villanie? Alacke man,
whie, I was neuer so fearefull of mine one keeping secretes, that I
woulde haue denied it if you had asked mee, neither doe I much force
if your owne eyes doe witnesse the cause when I next speake with you.
In saying the place and person was before time by mee vnused, you
speake iniuriouslie, for your owne selfe doe knowe, that both he and
the rest, were to mee knowne before time, and that verie familiarlie.
To conclude, I wish you to bee perswaded, that in rewarding mee with
such conceytes as these, you shall doe mee but small courtesie, and ill
requite my faythfulnesse by vpbrayding mee with my necessitie, that
woulde haue endeuoured all meanes possible to pleasure you. And as
touching anie infamie to me redounding herein, I woulde I could as well
cleare all my offences to God-warde, as I can free my selfe of this
suspition, and that with as great honestie, as others most maliciouslie
haue sought to defame mee, and then no doubt my account should be a
great deale lesse then it is, when euer the Almightie by his eternall
summons should call me. In resolution whereof, I ende this answere. The
of. &c.
_A reply to the said answere Defensorie, wherein the matter of the
Epistle is more firmlie maintained._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]
Of ancient time it hath often beene sayde, _that it is euill halting
before a Cripple_, faithfull dealing and flourishing glosing are two
contraries. Among true friends indeede, and such as doe make more
account of their credite and honestie, then of the base acquiring of
a sleight commoditie, I doe confesse it is not of small moment to
builde vpon the rock of their assurance, and to make reckoning of
their word, to the vttermost, but where Gentilitie is not alonelie
spotted, but in a manner couered and debased alreadie with vnhonestie,
and men hold it for a _Maxime_ to shrowd their lauish and euer emptied
expence, by whatsoeuer kinde of lucre, bee it neuer so filthie, it is
not necessarie that repose bee in such place stablished, least the
vntimelie rooting thereof, doe make men banne their winnings, and
lament the bitternesse of their losse, when too late they are out of
hope, for euer to haue the same recouered.
[Sidenote: _Hypotyposis._]
It seemeth Maister L. by the continuance of your Letter, that the
censure of my former direction, you haue passed ouer very sleightlie,
conceiuing that by a number of od speeches (which in maner of a racket
you haue vsed, to tosse my coniectures as tennis balles, being at your
deeming not much materiall, whether by order of the game you returne
them into the court, or banding them in the aire, suffer them to flie
at all aduentures) you do yet suppose to haue wrought a masterie, and
of whatsoeuer to bee saide agaynst you, to haue discharged your selfe
verie soundlie. You must thinke M. L. I am no babie, neither do you
deale with such a one, that notwithstanding in a plaine and honest
vsage hee accordeth to all simplicitie, is yet of so meane conceyte
but hee is able to vent your vttermost actions, deale you in the
handling of the same neuer so cunningly.
[Sidenote: _Commoratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Confutatiō._]
The maner of your vsage, being peraduēture deliuered in some place
where you were lesse knowne, might make a flourish for your credit,
and for the present, in one sort or other auaile you, but vnto me it
is but matter to smile at, and occasion (to deale plainlie with you)
the more to mislike you, who not contenting your selfe to haue dealte
more vnfriendlie then befitteth, haue determined belike in your reasons
to make me beleeue, that I haue offered you the iniurie, and when you
haue stung mee to the quicke, perswade me that the violence of the
mischiefe lighted vpon your owne body. But the course herein you take,
is too far wide from the censure of any honest opinion. What tell you
me you were acquainted before time with the partie, and of I know not
what businesse you had to do, which at the next sight you care not to
shew mee? and then forsooth that the others ability and my suppose must
bee preferred before you, in respecte of your necessitie? with such
other friuolous repetitions without substance or honestie? and after
that some _Robin_ the deuil, or I wot not what spirit of the aire must
besides impossibility be supposed to reueale the accident. What vanity
is this? what matter of reason therein, that as before I might not
assure my selfe of your infidelity? to what end proceedeth al the other
circumstances, vpon what conceipt doe they cleare you? Tush, tush,
deceiue not your selfe, nor thinke you go so couertly but that men of
discretion can and do daily see you.
Somwhat more thē you think I haue sithence heard how the world
goeth with you, you thought it very much at the beginning I shoulde
expostulate with you, but if I should stir you with this _item_ that I
can tell you where, when, and vpon what expectation you descried mee,
you might thinke I did not then disguize with you.
I study not to capitulate your iniuries, as confessing my selfe also
not to bee vnburdened with offences: But good I deeme it were M. L.
that by some meanes you tooke notice of your owne infirmities. To
aggrauate the wrong that you haue done me, I list not, and more then
I intended haue I spoken vpon that you haue answered. Being vnwilling
to toile my selfe, or trouble your conceiptes any further, I herewith
conclude,
_More sorie of your ill condition, then of the abuse you haue done me._
_A second answere by the like reasons of
the replie, in further defence of
the partie._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Paræmia._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Sententia._]
As auncientlie it hath beene accustomed (as in the prouerbe by you
alleadged) _Better it were for some to steale a horse, then for others
to looke on_. It is an easie matter to find a staffe to beate a dog,
and to him that list to haue a bad conceipt, what honest excuse may be
alleadged that can drawe him from it. Men that are opinionatiue, doe
not for the most part measure thinges as they are, but commonlie as
their mind leadeth them, and generally to speake of many thinges that
in particular are vnnumbred, what the cōceipt giueth in certainty to
be adiudged, there is with diuers persons no question of good and bad
afterwardes to be opposed. Among friends sundry occasions do happen
that meerely for themselues are to bee supported, the least of which
happening among strangers, would not without great discontentment be
carried.
[Sidenote: _Prosonomasia._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
It is giuen to some to beare much, because they seeme to bee borne to
it, and to laie their shoulders vnder euerie loade, because they are
inured vnto it: yet all that carie loades are not Asses, not euerie
one that supporteth a burden is forthwith a pack-horse. I knowe wel
M. A. you are no babie, nor I thinke you do suppose me so sencelesse
as to be a foole. I vse no rackets to your reasons, as vniustlie you
conceiue of me, nor would I haue you imagine that bicause you think ill
of me I must needs be guilty. I tell you againe as I told you before,
you highly doe wrong me. And in this one more then any other, you most
vnfriendly do abuse me. Why do you so oftē inculcate vnto me, what
other haue reported, and some say they haue seene in me? It is the
truth I stand vpon, & not the malice of any one whatsoeuer, that so
vilely misdeemeth me.
It is not my custome to winke at all thinges as I doe vnto you, so
indifferently, but yet would I haue you conceiue howe much the iniury
toucheth me. You argue against mee that it is not inough that I say it
is not so, so say I vnto you, that you ought not to charge mee without
you can proue it so. Because there resteth some matter wherby I am in
good condition tyed vnto you, it is not seemely for your credit, nor
fit for the honesty wherof you make profession, to lade me any whit the
more with iniury. Make what large collection you list of my present
state and necessity, I tell you, I deeme my selfe the same man that I
was in greater prosperity.
My request is for the surcease of all this iarre, your opinion maie
stande as you list, but giue mee conuenient time and accesse to cleare
mee. To vrge me as you doe, maie but breede that which to neither of
vs may returne pleasing, and which in the end I knowe will be to you
most discontenting. It were good that with lesse resolution you did
sway your opinions, so might you with smaller difficulty decerne, what
with facility in fine you will of your selfe condiscend vnto. My selfe
being as loth to disturbe you, as your self seeme wearied with the
former toile doe herewith set my limits, who worse conceipted of your
light beliefe then of the wrong you haue done me, do not withstanding
continue,
_Desirous of your reformed imagination_, &c.
=Now after these double thwartinges on either part receiued in
expostulating this iniury, (the like whereof by writing is sundrie
times occasioned, and remaineth in this place onlie for varietie, to
make shew how by well handeling, matters may on both sides be equally
enforced or weakned) I will sort you forth two or three seuerall
examples more, because of the necessary and often occurrence of this
title, daily being accustomed in our writing. The first whereof shall
be for matter of vnkindnesse: The second for breach of promise: The
thirde from a meane Gentleman to a personage of great honour, wherby in
cause of betternesse shall be exampled how iniuries may be expostulated
or complained of, and these in sequence shall followe by their
examples.=
_An example of an Epistle Expostulatory touching
vnkindnesse receiued._
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Epiphonema._]
Maister G. I haue great maruell that remaining hitherto in town as
you do, we can by no possibility heare of your being, but by such
iangling messengers as you make currors for spite, whereby to abuse
your friendes. In which the discurtesie is far more by the vnbeseeming
courses & dealings therein vsed, then fitteth either your honestie or
our friendship to be tolerated. I doubted not ere this time how apt
you were to conceiue (euen for a verie toie) in the worst degree that
might bee, of any one that behaueth himselfe neuer so well vnto you,
so ticklish are your humours, and so vnsteady your censures. And which
is worst, it cannot with you rest in imagination alone, but in such
odde kinde of reportes, and to such base persons you deliuer it, as
it verelie seemeth, you little recke what discredit you offer a man
in the same, the least whereof would make you storme to the gall, if
a man should but ouerslip himselfe in giuing any manner of sound of
you, tending to such effect as you proffer. Good God sir, are you and
I of late become such straungers together, as that neither writing
nor request may serue to haue accesse to your presence. Trust mee I
am vnused to these deuises, nor fit they at all vnto my appetite.
Either something or no body to me, but vnto such as more recke of your
coynesse then I doe, you may be as you will, or as their fortunes
may beare with you. For my part I am too vnapt to weld any such
insupportable amity. If you can vse me as your vpright, honest, and
well meaning friend, I am vnto you as firme as you woulde wish me,
otherwise to encounter so many diuersities, of vnfrequented fancies,
toyes, or mislikes, it aunswereth in no point vnto my propertie, which
hauing thought good of meere well wishing to signifie vnto you by
present writing, I leaue you to your best opinion, this of &c.
_Yours in all good sort to be entertained, &c._
_An example of an Epistle expostulatory for
breach of promise._
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Epilogus._]
Master K. I haue abstayned hitherto to come or sende vnto you, partly
weried with importunity, for that I thought two moneths being now
passed, I might in this space haue found a season conuenient, wherein
to haue ended with you. Hauing taken this cause in hand, I woulde (as
in good reason it seemeth fit) you should determine with me vpon some
conclusion, wheron resting assured, I might thenceforth know wherunto
to trust, & neither waste labour in comming to so small purpose, nor
hinder my certaine busines by the vnsteadie stay of your affaires,
as alreadie I haue done. We haue talked manie times, and set downe
certaine limits, marie to so slender effect, as I neither know when to
demaund, nor you howe to satisfie. So that depending vpon shadowes, I
haue passed my time with small benefite, and you haue gone forward to
little purpose. I doe pray you therefore that hence-foorth such honest
meaning maie assure vs, as alreadie betweene vs hath on either part
beene performed, To delaie me thus with nifles, as I thinke it farre
from a Gentleman, so do I suppose you not intend it, considering how
many wayes thereby, I am and shall be hindred. This therfore may be the
certaine meane to satisfie vs both, that you will (as on Friday last
you promised) come and see the agreement betweene vs performed, whereof
I pray you aduertise your full resolution by this bearer. And so I bid
you heartily fare well, &c.
_An example of an Epistle Expostulatorie from an inferiour Gentleman
to his farre better in degree, authoritie and calling._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
Right Honourable, though by the custome and common policie of this
vnhappie worlde, I am better warranted with a personage of your
greatnesse, to dissemble, then to deale plainlie, yet because I
finde as well by Gods owne worde, as by the euent of mens practises,
that such customes are neither pleasing to his Maiestie, nor alwayes
profitable to such as vse them, I haue aduentured to manifest that by
paper, which by words (albeit many times desirous) I neur had heart to
vtter.
[Sidenote: _Propositiō._]
My purpose is to be plaine, and in honest and dutifull sort to
expostulate with your L. wherein I finde my selfe greeued, and
vpon what ground this my complaint is framed. I therfore most
humblie beseech your L. for Gods sake and your owne, to pardon this
presumption, and to admit me fauourable and indifferent construction,
of what I shall here vnfolde vnto you by writing.
I exclaime of wrong passed, I vrge my miserie present, and I complaine
of you to your selfe, and so doe make you iudge of all that shall be
hereafter enformed.
Your L. did once knowe, and hath still some cause to remember, that of
all such lande and liuings as my father at his death was possessed,
one onelie poore farme fall to my share.
I my selfe doe knowe, and shall neuer easilie forget, that after
the same was thrust into my handes, I neuer inioyed it without much
vnquietnesse, quarrell and vexation, nor without the continuall malice
and molestation of my vnnaturall Vncle, and such his associates, as by
setting him on, vnderhande, did afterwardes finde meanes to fasten in
the same.
This poore liuing (once in maner lost, afterwards recouered, and yet
still fearefullie kept, the rather by meane of a newe trouble, moued
vnto me by maister B.) I was in fine driuen to offer for a little, but
to sell for lesse. Now here begins my iust cause of complaint. For vpon
firme hope of your L. fauour towards me, and that you would according
to your honourable promises haue done me an expected good: I was
content to yeeld my interest for eleuen hundred and three score pounds,
where sixteene hundred pounds had beene before offered by my kinsman,
and so I then told you.
This offer of mine, your L. for the time accepted, yeelding with some
difficultie to paie the odde eight score poundes, where I ought it.
Howe be it afterwardes, hauing gotten the Lease into your hands, and
beeing possessed of the bargaine, and none nowe daring to take the same
from you, you quarrelled with the Lease as before you had done with the
title, and made mee a fresh abatement of the odde eight score poundes,
affirming it to bee no part of your charge to paie my debts.
To salue this mischiefe, and to saue my eight score poundes (your
Lordship hauing reported the former bargaine to your most aduauntage)
I laboured without auaile, to helpe your memorie therein. Protesting
(and that most trulie) that vpon mine earnest and humble petition vnto
your L. to leaue mee woorth a thousand pounds, and to paie my debts,
and in regarde also of the great abatement of what I might haue had
else where, your Lordshippe had condiscended in the former conference
to discharge the same. And thereupon willed me, at my next returne to
bring a note of my debts, with the names of my creditors.
This tale I well remember with more trueth then good successe vttred
(speciallie the often touch of what my kinsman had offered me) did
greatlie mislike you. Whereupon growing in heate (yet with some regard
of honour) you swore that if anie other bought the same at my handes
then your selfe, you would haue it for lesse then fiue hundred pounds,
yea, for nothing, or else it should go hard. Marie keeping it my selfe,
you said you would stand my friend: which hote or colde conclusion, I
protest did so appale, as with feare of further losse, with griefe and
discontentment I grewe sicke, and thereupon resolued to take what you
would giue me.
Your Lordship hauing thus, what with countenaunce and choler dismayed
mee, and finding by such peremptorinesse my sense to bee ouercome,
you ranne on still with this wresting course, and vpon authoritie
without cause or colour, cut me yet thirtie pound shorter. So as in
place of one thousand sixe hundred pound offered mee by my kinsman in
the Countrey, your Lordship gaue mee nine hundred and seuentie pound,
leauing me out of this to pay a hundred and sixtie pound debt.
By these meanes (right Honourable) was I then halfe impouerished, and
am now altogither vndone, hauing neither skill to vse that little
you gaue, nor will to raise my selfe after my fall, which I thought
impossible.
It was a wholsome caueat giuen mee by your Lordship, and a full
resolution put downe by my selfe, rather to stoope and to liue somwhat
sparing, then by anie prodigalitie to impaire my stock: but being
neither Marchant, Artizan, Broker, nor Vsurer, nor hauing among manie
debtors, scarce one good payer, I coulde hardly frame to doe what
was aduised me, or be so much mine owne friend, as at first I had
determined.
My state then brought thus lowe, my friends decayed and dead, my liuing
sold for little, and the money spent, I resolued and stil doe with the
rest to leaue my Countrey, as well to couer my want from mine enemies,
as to seuer my selfe from so vnfortunate acquaintance.
Find time therefore I beseech your honour, before my going to examine
these particulars, they containe I protest nothing but matter of truth.
It is a high vertue and most commendable in a man of your state, to
right your inferiour against your selfe, by this shall you winne him
vnfainedlie to loue you, who now vpon iust cause can do no lesse, then
thinke himselfe wronged by you.
And so my good L. this bill exibited into your chamber, not into any
court, deliuered to your owne handes, and to no man els, I leaue to
your honourable and best consideration, humblie once againe beseeching
your L. to suspend your hardest conceit against mee, for expostulating
my griefs, in repect my plainnes herein, passeth not without truth, nor
any wrong enforced, but vpon iust occasion.
_Of Epistles Exprobratorie. Chap. 4._
=From matter |Expostulatorie|, wee will nowe turne our selues to the
next title beeing |Exprobratorie|, vnder which is contained cause
indeede of vehement and grieuous disdaine: chieflie touching offences
that impugne a contrarie and laudable merite and desert. For which,
howbeit in all ciuill vsages it be accounted vndecent, vncourteous,
and vnbeséeming anie gentle condition, to reproch a man in time of
mislike, with good offices or turnes, that before he hath receiued. So
when contrarie to the honest affection vnto him bountifully tendred,
a man shall either vngratefully refuse to recognize the same goodnes,
or impudentlie, vnciuilly, or inhumainly go about to reward euil for
good, and to enforce a most vniust vexation, where himselfe hath
receyued most comfort. In such cases to vse this _Exprobratory_ maner
of writing, to signifie vnto yᵉ party so forgetfull of gentlenes, both
what he hath receiued, and howe much he was charged by all waies,
limits and means that may be enforced, of humanitie, pietie, or
gentlenes, it shall not be amisse, and to such ende & no other is this
|Exprobratorie| kind of Epistles to be vsed: Of which, some certaine
examples are in this place to be deliuered.=
_An example of an epistle Exprobratorie touching ingra-
titude receiued._
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Merismus._]
[Sidenote: _Synathrismus._]
[Sidenote: _Commoratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Liptote._]
[Sidenote: _Metonoia._]
[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]
[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]