Three Prose Versions of the Secreta Secretorum, ed. by Robert Steele
Author: Unknown
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Corpus of Middle English Prose and VerseTitle:Three Prose Versions of the Secreta Secretorum

Editor:Robert Steele

Distributor:Early English Text Society Publisher: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co.

City:London

Date:1898

Series:Early English Text Society (Series). Extra series : 74: 1898

View Source Description and Table of Contents |View Full Header of the Electronic Edition

NOTE.

The present volume contains three versions of the Secreta Secretorum, the first from a shortened French source, the second from a Latin source. The third text, perhaps the only lengthy work known written in the English of the Pale early in the fifteenth century, is so important, linguistically and historically, that Dr. Furnivall wishes it to be in the hands of students as soon as possible. I have therefore postponed my Introduction and Notes. In the meantime some account of the originals may be found in my introduction to Lydgate and Burgh’s Secrees.

As the work is being issued I discover that the greater portion of this text is a direct translation of the French version made by Jofroi of Waterford.

R.S.

Page 1

THE SECRETE OF SECRETES.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

(MS. Reg. 18 A. vij. B.M.)

this is the book of the governaunce of kyngis and of Pryncis, callid the Secrete of Secretes, whiche that Aristotille made to kyng Alexandre forth, with the ordinance of the Chapitris in ordir: and a Prologe of a gret doctoure recomendyng Aristotille.

note.1

1 The epistille that Alexandre sent to Aristotille. … [ 4]

2 The answer of the same epistille. … … … [ 4]

3 The prologe of him that translatid ţis book into latyne. [4]

4 Of the largenes of a kyng. … … … … [ 7]

5 Of largenes and avarice of a kyng. … … … [8]

6 Of vertues and vicis, and doctrine of Aristotille. … [ 9]

7 Of entendement, which is vndirstondyng. … … [ 9]

8 Of the entencioun that longith to a kyng. … … [ 10]

9 Of yvelis that cometh of flesshely desires. … … [ 10]

10 Of wisdome and ordinaunce of a kyng. … … [11]

11 Of a kyngis goodnes and holynes. … … … [11]

12 Of the purveaunce of a kyng. … … … [12]

13 Of clothyng of a kyng. … … … … [12]

14 Of the countenaunce of a kyng. … … … [12]

15 Of the rightwisnes of a kyng. … … … [14]

16 Of worldly desires of a kyng. … … … [14]

17 Of the chastite of a kyng. … … … … [14]

18 Of the pleiyng of a kyng. … … … … [ 15]

19 Of the discrecioun of a kyng. … … … [15]

20 Of the reuerence of a kyng. … … … [16]

21 How a kyng shalle make sugetis. … … … [17]

22 Of the mercy of a kyng. … … … … [17]

23 Of the peynes and vengeaunce of god. … … [18]

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24 Of knowleche of the same peynes. … … … [18]

25 fforto kepe the feith. … … … … [18]

26 Of studies and scolis. … … … … [19]

27 Of kepyng of a kyng. … … … [ 20]

folio 1b

28 Of the difference of Astronomye. … … … [21]

29 Of kepyng of helthe. … … … … [21]

30 Of gouernaunce in seeknes. … … … [22]

31 In how many maners a man may kepe helthe. … [22]

32 Of dyuerse metis. … … … … … [23]

33 Of the stomak. … … … … … [23]

34 Signes to knowe the stomak. … … … [23]

35 A pistille of gret price. … … … … [23]

36 The maner of trauayle. … … … … [24]

37 Of abstinence. … … … … … [25]

38 Nought to drynke pure watir. … … … [25]

39 The maner forto slepe. … … … … [25]

40 Of kepyng of Custome. … … … … [26]

41 How a man owith to chaunge custome. … … [26]

42 Of foure tymes of the yere. … … … [27]

43 Of prime temps, what it is. … … … [27]

44 Of somer tyme. … … … … … [27]

45 Of hervest tyme. … … … … … [28]

46 Of wyntir tyme. … … … … … [29]

47 Of naturalle hete. … … … … … [29]

48 Of thing that fattith the body. … … … [29]

49 Of thing that leneth the body. … … … [30]

50 Of the first parti of the body. … … … [30]

51 Of the secund parti of the body. … … … [31]

52 Of the thridde parti of the body. … … … [31]

53 Of the fourthe parti of the body. … … … [31]

54 Of the maner of fisshis. … … … … [32]

55 Of nature of watris. note.2 … … … … [33]

56 Of nature of wyne. note.3 … … … … [33]

57 Of sowre Syrupe. … … … … … [33]

58 Of foure maner of rightwisnesse. … … [33]

folio 2a

59 Of a kyngis secretarie. … … … … [35]

60 Of a kyngis messangeres. … … … … [36]

61 Of governaunce of the peple. … … … [36]

62 Of ffisnomye of ffolke. … … … … [38]

Page 3

The Prologe of a gret doctour recomendyng Aristotille.

gOd almyghty kepe oure kyng and conferme his Rewme in the lawe of god, and make him regne in gladnes, in lovyng, and in worshipe of god. I that am servitoure of the kyng, haue put in execucioun his comaundement, and travaylid forto gete the book of good thewes to him; whiche is callid the secrete of secretis of the makyng of Aristotille, prince of philesofris, sone of Machomete of macedonye, which was sent to his discipille as in governaunce Alexandre the emperoure, sone of kyng Philip of Grece, the whiche Alexaundre had two Crownes. This book made this forseyd Aristotille in his gret age, whan he myght not travayle ne done the nedis that he had in charge of Alexandre. ffor Alexandre had made him governoure and maystir aboue alle othir, for the excellent witt ţat he had in clergie and sotille vndirstondyng, for euyr he was stodiyng in good and gracious thewes, charitabille, spirituelle and contemplatyf; and also he was so wys & meke, and lovyd resoun and rightwisnes; and euyr reportid trouthe and lewte. Therfore oold Philesofres seyne by him, that they haue founden in Greke bokis that god hath sent his excellent Aungille and seyde to him, “y shalle do the to be namyd thorugh alle the world more for Aungille than for man.” And witith welle that Aristotille made in his lyvyng many wondres, of the whiche folio 2b
some be right meruelous to telle; and in his diyng fille many mervelous thingis.

Wherfore a certeyne Religioun helde an opynyon that Aristotille was mountid vp to hevene in lyknes to a dowue of fyre. And as long as Aristotille lyvid, Alexandre bi his counselle helde alle londis vndir foote and conquerid alle lordshipes of the world, and thorugh alle londis went his fame and his renome.

Alle nacions were putt vndir his imperialite and comaundement, and specially they of perce and of Arabie, and no lond durste withstond him in word nor dede.

And Aristotille made many fayre Epistolis for the gret loue that he had to Alexandre, forto make him knowe alle secretis that bilongith any erthely man to knowe or vndirstond. And on of his Epistelis is here vndir writene, which he sent to Alexandre. ffor whan Alexandre had put hem of Perce in subieccioun, and the grettist men of Romaynes had in his prisone, he sent an Epistille to Aristotille in these wordes folowyng.

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The Epistille that Alexandre sent to Aristotille the gret clerke. Cam. primum.

o Doctoure of gret rightwisnes and nobille gouernour, we signifie to thi gret wisdom that we haue founden in the lond of Perce many men the which habound gretly in wisdome, resoun, and vndirstondyng, welle sotille and perceyvyng, and hope forto haue lordship aboue alle othir, and forto gete Rewmes. Wherfore we purpose to putt hem alle to deth. But only thou certifie vs bi thi lettres, as thou semest most spedfulle vnto vs, for therbi wolle we worche, and noon othir wise.

The answer of the same Epistille ayen to Alexandre. Capitulum ijm.

and thou mowe chaunge the eyre of the lond, and the watris, and the ordinaunce of Citees, than do as thou hast purposid, and ellis nought. But gouerne ţat folio 3a
pepille in goodnes, and enhaunce them in thi benygnyte. And if thou do thus, y truste in god, alle they shulle be ţi meeke subiectis, And obeye alle thi likyngis and comaundementis. And for the loue that they shalle haue to ţe, thou shalt regne on them pesibly with gret victory. And whan Alexandre had red this epistille, he did aftir the counselle of them of Perce, and found hem more lowly and obeyshaunt to him than any othir were.

The prologe of him that translatid this book into latyne. Cam. iijm.

Philip, interpretour and vndirstondere of alle langagis. y haue knowe no stede, ne place, ne temple where philesofres haue customyd to make or vnmake alle werkis and secretis, that y ne haue sought hem. Ne y haue herd told of no wise mane ţat had knowleche in scriptures of philesofris, that y ne haue visitid him vnto ţe tyme y come to the knowleche of the [temple of the] sone that made Esculapideos: there y fond a man solitarie, fulle of gret abstinence and right wijs in philosofie, to whom y lowid me diligently, And bisought him that he wold shewe me the scriptures of the knowleche of the sone, the which he yaf me with good wille. And wite ye welle y fond alle that, that y desirid, and alle that y went fore to the forseid place, and alle that that y so moche desirid. I retornyd home with gret ioye,

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and yeldid many gracis and worshipis to my makere. And sithen at the request of the nobille kyng Alexandre, in gret studie and moche laboure, y translatid this book, out of Greke into the langage of Caldee, and aftir into the tonge of Arabike, the which book made the right wijs Aristotille, that answerid euyr to alle the questiones of kyng Alexandre, as ye shalle se more pleynlier sewyng bi ordre.

folio 3b
rIght glorious sone and emperoure rightwis, god comfort the in the wey of trouthe and of vertues, and refrayne the from flesshely and bestly desires, and conferme thi Rewme to his seruice and his worshipe. Wite welle, dere sone, that y haue rescevyd thyn epistille reuerently and honourably as it to me bilongith, and y haue fully vndirstond the gret desire that thou hast that y were personally with the; and thou merveylist ţat y may holde me so long fro the, and also thou vndirtakist me gretly, and seist that me rekkith but litille of alle thi gret nede, and therfore y haue hastid me and ordeynyd me to make a book for the, the which shalle conteyne alle thi nedes, and it shalle fulfille myn absence and my defaut, and it shalle be rewle and doctrine ayens alle adversitees. But, dere sone, thou owist not repreue me ne put me in blame, for thou wost welle that ther is no thing that myght lette me to come to thee, but only as thou knowist welle that y may not bistere my silf, y am so gretly in age and febille of persone, not able to go ne to ride. And wite thou wel thou hast axid me, and so moch desirid to knowe of suche secretis, of whiche mannys thoughtis may not comprehende ne susteyne, how myght that eny hert of dedly man vndirstond that, ţat longith not to be knowe. But euermore bi right y am holde to answere to that that thou axist of me. And so be thou holde bi wisdom neuyr to axe me thing othir ţan is contenyd therin. ffor without dout thou shalt fynde ţerin alle thing worldly that is nedfulle or spedfulle to thyn estate. ffor god hath yevene suche grace to thee of vndirstondyng and subtilite of witt, and bi the doctryne that y haue oft tymes yove thee, that bi thy silf thou maist conceyve,
folio 4a
vndirstonde, and wite alle thingis that thou desirist or axist. ffor the desire of the wille that thou hast shalle opene the the wey to fynde thi purpos, with the myght of god. And wite thou welle that the cause wherfore y shewe my secretes figuratifly & derkly, and bi derke ensamplis: It is for y dowte me, that if this book come vnto the

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hondis of vntrewe men, and prowd, whiche were not worthi nor able forto knowe the secretis of god almyghti, for they are not worthi therto. And wite thou welle ţat y putt me in gret dowte and indignacioun of god, forto shewe thee his secretis, as he of his excellent goodnes hath shewid hem to me. And therfore and thou discouere hem vnto eny at eny tyme, wite welle that sone aftir thou shalt haue y-nowe of yville fortunes, and ţou shalt not eschewe the grete disesis that are hastily to come, fro the whiche god kepe the euermore, amen. And loke in alle thing that thou haue in mynde this profitabille techyng that y haue ordeynyd to the, and am in purpos forto expowne, and bi the leue of god thi nobille hert enforme, and ţat shalle be to the gret solace and myrroure of helthe. It bihovith, dere sone, ţat eche kyng haue two thingis to susteyne him and his Rewme, but he may not haue hem but he be stedfast in gouernaunce, so that alle tho that ben vndir his regne ben of oon obeyshaunce, and in on subieccioun of trewe ligeaunce vnto her liege kyng, for disobeyshaunce of subiectis is most enfleccioun and enfeblisshyng of euery lord. ffor if the subiectis regne, the lordis myght is litill or ellis nought, and y shalle shewe yow cause whi. The subiectis ben mevid in corage forto obeye her lord, and ţat is for two causis; the on cause is within, the othir cause without. The cause without
folio 4b
is whene the lord wisely dispendith his goodis and his ricchessis among his subiectis, And that he yeue yeftis largely to euery man aftir that he is worthi: and this is a gret poynt of wisdome, forto enforce him silf to haue the hertis of his subiectis thorugh good werkis. and this is the first degre and principalle foundacioun of his prosperite. And that he mayntene rightwisnes and even iustice, as welle to poore as to riche, and that his rightwisnes be medlid with pite and mercy. The cause within is, that his philesofris and grete wisemen of clergie be had in worshipe and high recomendacioun: ffor god hath recomendid to hem a part of his high science. And y recomende to the this science and secrete of wisdome, forthwith the othir that thou shalt fynde in dyuerse partis of this book, in the whiche thou shalt fynde high doctryne, for thou shalt fynde the cause fynalle of thi principalle purpos. ffor whan thou hast vndirstond the sothe of the significacions of the wordis, and ţe derknes of the examples, than shalt thou haue fully and perfitly alle that thou desirist. Thus pray y god, Page 7
rightwis and glorious kyng, that he enlumyne thi resoun and thyn vndirstondyng, so that thou may come and parceyve the secretis of this science, that thou may be therin myn heyr and myn only successoure, and that graunt the god, that his ricchesse enlargisshith and habundauntly yefith vnto lijf of wys men; And yefith grace to do [to those] ţat stodien forto knowe that is straunge and hard in kynde, for without specialle grace of god no thing may be doone vnto any good purpos.

Of the largenes of a kyng. Cam. 4m.

tHer are foure condiciones of kyngis. ther is a kyng that is large to him silf and large to his
folio 5a
sugetis. Ther is a kyng that is skars to him silf and large to his sugetis. Ther is a kyng that is larg to him silf, and skars to his sugetis. And ther is a kyng that is both skars to him silf, and to his sugetis also. Men of ytalie seyne, that ther is no vice in that kyng that is skars to him silf, and large to his sugetis. The Iew saith, that kyng is good that is skars to him silf and to his sugetis bothe. The parisien saith, that kyng that is large to him silf and to his sugetis bothe, he is not worthi to be in no preysyng, but werst of alle othir. And if he be skars to him silf and to his sugetis bothe, his Rewme may not stonde longe in prosperite but sone come to distruccioun. Than it nedith wisely to enquere of vertues and of vicis, what is largesse and what is skarsnes, and wherin stondith the erroure of largesse, and what disese cometh of skarsnes. It is clere thing, that ţe qualitees arne forto be reprovid, whan they aliene them from ther meene. And wite ye welle that it is hard thing forto kepe largesse, and light thing forto passe it. And it is a light thing a man to be skars or foole large. And if thou wille gete larges, biholde and considir thi power and thi ricches, and also the tyme of nede and the deservyngis of thi men.

And than owist thou forto yeue mesurably vnto hem that haue nede therto, and best haue deseruyd it, and he that yevith othir wise passith the rewle of largesse. ffor he that yevith his good to suche as be not worthi, [it] is but lost, and he ţat spendith his good out of mesure shalle sone be poore, and this makith her enemyes to haue maystrie ouyr hem. Than he that yevith his good in tyme of nede to suche as haue nede therto, and principally to suche as haue deservid
folio 5b
it, suche a kyng is large to him silf and

Page 8
to his sugetis bothe, and his rewme shalle stonde in gret prosperite, and his comaundementis shul be fulfillid. And he that dispendith the goodis of his Rewme out of ordir and discrecioun, and yevith suche as be not worthi, ne haue no nede ţerto, that kyng distroyeth his peple and the comoun good of the Rewme, and is not worthi forto regne, for he is fool large. The name of skarste is vnconvenient to a kyng, and yville bicometh to his royalle maieste. Than if a kyng wolle regne worshipfully, it bihouyth him neyţer to haue that on ne that othir of two vicis, skarste ne fool large. And this may not welle be doon without counselle. Therfore it nedith with gret diligence to haue an Inwijs man and a discrete to counselle, the which must be chosene among many othir, and suche a man must be commyttid to suche a charge bi the kyng and his wys counselle, forto governe the ricches of the Rewme as it owith best to be disposid, to the worshipe of god principally and worshipe of the kyng, and thus shalle thi Rewme stonde in gret prosperite.

Of largenes and skarsnes, and many oţir vertues. Capm. 5m.

kYng Alexandre, y telle the in certeyne that what kyng makith gretter dispences than the profites conteyne that longen to the crowne, he enclyneth him to fool largesse and nought to skarsnes. That kyng without dowt shalle sone be distroyed. And if he enclyne him to worshipfulle largesse, he shall haue perpetualle ioye of his Regne. And wite welle, dere sone, that y haue founde in techyngis and comaundementis of the gret doctour Hermogenes, that the grete souereyne clerte of vndirstondyng is plente of lawe, and konnyng is a signe of perfeccioun of a kyng, and ţat previth whan folio 6a
he withdrawith forto take the goodis and possessiones of his sugetis, for that hath ben the cause of distruccioun of many Remes. ffor kyngis that haue made so outrage dispenses, that the Rentis and profetis that longid to him myght not susteyne ne mayntene ther outrage dispenses, And forto mayntene it, they took the goodis and possessiones from her sugetis, for which cause the pepille cried to god, and god herde hem and sent on hem kyngis of vengeaunce. The pepille rebellid ayens hem and were distroyed of alle, and alle her name putt to nought.

And ne were the grace of glorious god, that susteneth and helpith the Innocent peple, alle shuld go to distruccioun and into the Page 9
domynacioun of Alienes for euyr. And ţerfore kepe the fro outrageous expenses and yeftis. And kepe euyr temperaunce in largete, and stodie not abowt derke prophecies, ne secretis that passith thi witt, ne neuer repreue thi yeftis with ayentakyng, for it longith not to the condicioun of a gentille kyng.

Of vicis and vertues, and of ţe doctrine of Aristotille. Cam. 6m.

tHe substaunce of alle vertues of a kyngis regne is forto yeue to good men, and to foryeue wrongis, and worshipe hem that owen to be worshipid, and to do reuerence to hem that are worthi, and to thynke on meke deth, and to kepe hem fro ouermoche speche, and to lete passe wrongis into a tyme, and forto feyne him that he kan not bere the foly of foolis. Dere sone, y haue told the and shalle teche the many thingis whiche thou shalt witholde in thyn hert, and y haue stedfast trust, that as long as thou gouernest the as it is rehersid, thou shalt euyr haue shynyng clernes and sufficient konnyng to thi governaunce alle the tyme of ţi lyf. And y shalle teche the the science of phisik abreggid, folio 6b
the which y had not purposid to haue spokene of, but for that science with the techyng that cometh therof, may suffice the in alle werkis in this world and in that othir.

Of entendement, that is vndirstondyng. Capm. 7m.

wIte thou welle, right dere sone, that vndirstondyng is cheef of the governaunce of man and helthe of thi sowle, and keper of vertues, and flemer of vicis, for vndirstondyng shewith vs what we owen to fleme, and what we owen to chese and folowe. It is the keye of vertues and roote of alle louabille goodnes and worshipe, and ţe first instrument therof is desire forto haue good renowne. ffor he that desirith to haue good renowne, shalle be ouir alle glorious and worshipfulle, and he that desirith it feynyngly and ypocritly, that is to say without deservyng, he shalle in the ende be confoundid by yville renowne as he is worthi. A kyng owith principally forto gete and haue good renowne, more for the governyng of his Rewme than for him silf.

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Of entencioun fynable of a kyng. Cam. 8m.

tHe bigynnyng of wisdoom and vndirstondyng is forto haue good renowne, bi the whiche remes and lordshipes are conquerid and getene. And if thou seke to conquere remes or lordshipes, and thou haue no good renowne, thou shalt fynde that the ende is and shalle be but envye. And envie is neuyr without lesyngis, the which is roote and mater of alle vicis. Envye engendrith yville spekyng, and of yville speche cometh hatrede: Hatrede engendrith vylenye, vylenye engendrith rankoure: Rankoure engendrith contrariete: Contrariete engendrith vnrightwisnes, vnrightwisnes engendrith batayle: Batayle yevith vp alle lawes and distroyeth citees, and is contrary to kynde and distroyeţ mannys body. And therfore, dere sone, bithynke the and
folio 7a
sett thi desire as thou maist haue good renowne, for of gret desire that thou shalt haue to haue good renowne, thou shalt drawe to the the trouthe of alle thing. And wite welle that trouthe is roote of alle thingis that owen to be bilouyd, and trouthe is matere of alle goodnes, for it is contrary to lesyngis, the which is roote and mater of all vicis. And vndirstonde that trouthe engendrith desire; desire engendrith Iustice. Iustice engendrith good feith.

Good feith engendrith largesse; largesse engendrith famulyarite, that is homelynes. ffamulyarite engendrith frendshipe. ffrendshipe engendrith counselle and helpe, and bi these thingis rehersid was alle the world ordeynyd and the lawes made, and they are accordyng to reson and to kynde; than semeth it welle that desire to haue good renowne, is long lastyng lyf and worshipfulle.

Of yvelys that cometh of bestly desires. Cam. 9m.

aLexandre, dere sone, leve bestly desires and flesshely, for they ben corruptible. fflesshely desires bowith the hert of mane to delitis, which are corrupcioun to the sowle, and it is bestialle without discreccioun. And he that ioyneth him to bodily corrupcioun, he corruptith the vndirstondyng of man. And wite welle ţat suche desires engendrith flesshely loue: And flesshely loue engendrith avarice: Auarice engendrith desiris of ricchesse: Desiris of ricchesse makith a man without shame: Man without shame is prowd and without feith: Man without feith drawith to thefte: Thefte bryngith a man to endles shame,

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and so cometh a man to kaytifnes and to fynalle distruccioun of his body.

Of the wysdome and ordinaunce of a kyng. Cam. 10m.

it is convenabille thing and rightfulle Iustice that good renowne of a kyng be in lovable konnyng and good manhode, and ţat shalle make his name folio 7b
sprede thorugh alle parties of his rewme; and that he haue parlement and wys counselle oft tymes; and so shalle he be preysid and worshipid and dowtid of his sugetis whan they here him speke and done his thingis wisely. ffor in suche wise may fully be knowene the wisdome or ellis the folie of a kyng. Whan he governyth him wisely ayens god, he is worthi to regne, and worthily to holde lordis estate. But he that settith his Rewme in servitute and yville customes, he ouyr passith the wey of trouthe, he settith at nought good lyvyng and goddis lawe: And he shalle at the ende be sett at nought of god and alle worldly good men.

Of a kyngis goodnes and holynes. Cam. 11m.

I Prey the foryete not ţe lernyng that wijs philesofres haue spoken of, and that they seyde that it is fittyng that the royalle maieste be governyd aftir the rightis and the lawes, nought bi feynt semyng but in dede doyng, so that eche mane se and knowe the goodnes of the kyng and that he dredith god, and that he wolle governe him aftir goddis plesaunce; than shalle the kyng be worshipid and dred whan men seyne that he dredith god. And if he feyne him good man and holy, and is yville to his sugetis, he shalle be sett at nought of god, and be diffamyd of alle men, and his doughti deedis shulle cese, and the worship of the crowne shalle fayle, for yville werke may not long be hidde. What may y sey ţe more, there is no tresoure ne othir thing in this world that is comperable to good renowne. And on that othir side, dere sone, it longith that thou do worshipe to clerkis and reuerence good men of Religioun, and avaunce wijs men that be of good lyvyng, and speke oft with hem, and axe folio 8a
hem questiones and dowtes of diuerse thingis, and also answere wisely to her axyngis, and lete alle thi Rewlis be goode. And worshipe euery man as he is worthi, nought aftir estate, but aftir hir goodnes, and so wold god.

Page 12

Of the purvyaunce of a kyng. Capitulum 12m.

it is nedfulle that the wijs kyng thinke oft of thingis that arne to come, so that he may wisely purveye and make contrary ordynaunce ayens hem, and ţat he may the more lightly bere and susteyne ţe contrarye aduersitees and aduentures; and also a kyng owith to be pitevous, and his yre and malice wisely to cover and refreyne, so that without good and discrete avisement he do nought that he thought to done in his male talent; and so may he knowe with resoun erroure, and with excellent discrecioun repelle it. ffor the most sovereyne vertu of wisdome that a kyng may haue it is governe him wisely, and nought do without discrecioun; and whan he saith a thing ţat is good and profitable to be done, lete him do it diligently wisely and gladly with discrecioun, and so shalle he be euyr obeyd and dred in loue-drede of alle his lieges, and that is an high signe ţat he is bilouyd of god.

Of clothyng of a kyng. Cam. 13m.

it is right welle semyng vnto a royalle maieste of a kyng, ţat he be royalle and excellent in his array, so that euyr he shewe him in riche and precious clothyng, and ţat his clothyng be of the most straunge cloth ţat may oughwhere be founde; and ţat is a gret prerogatif and an high dignyte ţat he surmounte alle othir lordis, and royallis of his rewme in his royalle array; and therby his dignyte shalle be the more worshipid, and his myt folio 8b
the more enhauncid, and the gretter reuerence to him shalle be yoven of alle men. And also it bicometh to a kyng to be a fayre and a swete spekere with amyable and gracious wordis, and specially in tyme of warres and batayles.

Of the countenaunce of a kyng. Cam. 14m.

dere sone Alexandre, it is a precious and an honurabille thing to a kyng forto kepe sylence and speke but litille but if it be nede, for it were bettir that the eeris of the peple were brennyng in desire to here the speche of her kyng than the pepille wofulle and wery in the listenyng of hir kyng, and the hertis envenymyd of his presence and his sight. And also a kyng owith not to shewe him ouer oftene to his peple, ne ouer oft haunte the company of his sugetis, and specially of chorlis

Page 13
and ruralle folke, for bi ouyr moche homelynes he shalle be the lasse honourid.

And ţerfore the Iewes had a fayre custome in the observaunce of her kyng, for they ordeynyd that her kyng shulde not shewe him openly to alle the peple but at on tyme of ţe yere, and than he shulde shewe him in the most royalle apparayle, and ţe barones and knyghtis of his Rewme shul ben abowt him alle in bright armoure, and the kyng most royally sett on a stede with his septre in his hond, and the Crowne on his hed, and on his body his cote Armure of his royalle armes, and alle ţe peple aftir and bifore him. Then speken they and tretene with the kyng of alle ţe nedis of the Rewme, and tellen of diuerse aventures that haue fallen in that yere bifore. In the whiche he and his counselle must ordeyne remedy and ordeyne governaunce, and there the kyng yevith grete and riche yeftis, and also foryevith men dyuerse trespacis that han deservid to be deed, and there they loke if it
folio 9a
be nede forto abregge grete chargis that the peple were wont to bere. And forto make ordinaunce of suche thingis as ben nedfulle and spedfulle for the comoun profit of the Rewme. And whan this emparlyng is doone, than risith on of the wisist lordis and reportith to the peple gret recomendacioun and preysyng of the kyng, and of ţe good governaunce, and done gret thankyng vnto god ţat hath sent so excellent a witt vnto the kyng of Iewes to gouerne hem in suche wise, and also they preyen god that they may be obeyshaunt to him that holdith hem in suche governaunce. And whan that this worthi lord hath ţus reportid and spokene, then alle the peple enforcith hem forto enhaunce the preysyng of ţe kyng, recomendyng his goode werkis, and preyen to god for him, and ţus thorugh alle ţe lond in Citees of name ţe good werkis of hir kyng are publisshid and comendid, and thus the children of her childrene ben taught and norisshid vnto love, worshipe, and reuerence and obeyshaunce of her kyng. And at that time are punysshid and Iustified alle tho that mysdone, so that alle tho ţat stonde in any wille forto forfete, they withdrawen hem and bicome good men; and also the kyng doth grace and allegeaunce to marchauntis of the tribute that they owe to the kyng, and maynteneth the marchaundise and ţe ricches diligently to be kept and diffendid, and ţat is ţe cause that the cuntre of Iewes is fulle of pepille, and of marchaundise, and of alle ricches, for of alle ţe partis of ţe world Page 14
marchauntis approchen to them, for in hem men fynde grete wynnyngis. And in ţat cuntre straungers riche and pore are sustenyd and holpene. Wherfore ţe tribute of ţat lond, and ţe rentis of the kyng ben euermore growyng folio 9b
and encresyng.

Of the rightwisnes of a kyng. Cam. 15m.

a kyng owith not to do no vyleny ne hyndryng to Marchauntis, but forto done hem right gret worshipe, for they go thorugh alle ţe world bi see and londe, and ţey wol report as they fynde, good or yville. And the kyng owith eythir bi him silf or bi his trewe depute to done even Iustice in yeldyng to every man that is his of right, and than shalle the worshipe and the ioye of the kyng encrese, and [he shall be] the more dowtid of his enemyes, and lyve and regne in prosperite and pees, and shall haue at his wille alle his desires.

Of worldly desires of a kyng. Cam. 16m.

alexandre, dere sone, desire nought worldly thingis that are passyng and corruptible, but thynke that thou must leve alle and go hens nakid. Caste than thi desiris vnto tho thingis that euer shulle laste, that is, the lijf of the world perdurable, where that euyr is myrthe and ioye without ende. leue ţe noughti lyf of bestis that euyr lyve in filthis; trowe not lightly alle that that men wille telle the, ne be nought ouyr hasty in yevyng mercy vnto them that thou hast conquered, and evir thynke afore of thingis that are possible to come.

Sett not thi desire to gretly in excesse of metis and drynkis, for it wolle norisshe the in slepe and slouthe, and stere the vnto lecherie, which is most destruccioun to mannys body.

Of ţe chastite of a kyng. Cam. 17m.

nobille emperoure, sett nought thyn hert in lecherie of women, for ţat is the lyf of swyne. Ioy and worshipe shalt thou noon haue, while thou governyst the aftir that lijf and aftir the lijf of vnresonable bestis. Dere sone, lecherie is destruccioun of body abreggyng of lijf and corrupcioun of vertues; Enemy to conscience, and makith a man oft femynyne.

folio 10a

In whiche is oft tyme found cowardnes, and ţat is the grettist poynt of repreef that may be vnto Chyvalrie.

Page 15

Of pleiying of a kyng. Capitulum 18m. note.4
it is semely to a kyng sumtyme with his pryncis lordis and othir that ben honest gentiles, forto delite him in honest pleyes and myrthis, and forto haue many dyverse mynstralcies in his audience, and dauncyng and syngyng, for whan the kynde of man is reioysid in myrthe of kyndely nature, the talent of man takith therof gret strengthe and corage in alle manhode. Than if thou delite the in suche myrthe, loke that it be doone in honeste and pryvy place, and whan thou art in ţi most myrthe kepe the wel from ouermoche drynke, but lete othir haue drynke at wille, and than shalle ţou here many pryvy thingis discoverid, than take to the tho that thou lovist best, that they may reporte to the an othir day of that men seyne and tellen in here dronkenshipe; Onys or twyes ayere suffisith to haue suche maner myrthis. And euyrmore loke that thou holde alle thi lordis in gret worshipe as they ben of estate, and diuerse tymys make them ete with the on aftir an oţir, and yeue hem rewardis of Iewellis or of riche clothyng after that they ben of estate and worthi; and loke ţat ther be no man of thi counselle ne famulier with the, but if he be rewardid with yeftis of thi largesse, for ellis makist thou not ther hertis toward the in trusty loue, nor savist not thyn estat.

Of discrecioun of a kyng. Cam. 19m.

dere sone, haue euyr thi countenaunce in sadnesse and vse not to laughe ouermoche, for bi ouermoche laughyng men that be wise chesen a foole, or ellis a man without sadnesse. And a kyng owith to do more folio 10b
worshipe to men of his counselle than to othir. And if any violence be done in thi court or in thi presence, lete it not skape vnpunysshid that othir mowe be ware. And regarde owith to be take in punysshyng, for sum mannys persone is more worthi than sum othir is, and sum tyme must be doon rigoure of lawe, and sum tyme it must be abreggid aftir that the persone be of estate. Itt is writen in the book of Macabeus that a kyng owith to be louyd and preysid, that is like to the Egle, which hath lordshipe aboue alle fowles, and noon to the owle, whiche that is suget and aferde of alle fowlis.

Page 16

And therfore if any man do violence in the presence of thi royalle maieste, thou must considir if it be don by pley to make othir forto laughe and be glad, or if it be don in dispite and reprefe of thi presence; for vnto the first longith correccioun, and to that othir longith nought but deth.

Of reuerence of a kyng. Cam. 20m.

alexandre, dere sone, the obeyshaunce of a kyng cometh thorugh foure thingis: for goodnes of ţe kyng, for gentilnes, and for worshipe that he vsith, and for reuerence that he doth to hem that are worthi. Dere sone, vse these condiciones, and thou shalt turne the coragis of thi sugetis at thyn owen desire; and loke that no wrongis ne Iniuries be doon to thi peple, that thou yeve hem no mater to speke ayens the, ne do neythir, for oft the voys of the peple doth harme, if it be in malicious wille, and wite thou welle that the wisdome of ţe kyng is the ioy of his dignyte, and of his reuerence, and is enhaunsyng of his rewme. Than reuerence and souereyne wisdome is aftir ţat love be in the hertis of his sugetis. It is founden in bookis that a kyng is among his sugetis as is the reyne in
folio 11a
erthe. And of alle creaturis lyvyng, for of reyne cometh first the wey that ledith marchauntis into alle londis, whiche marchaundise is helper to alle biggeris. And alle though in Reynes cometh some thondris and dissesoun wederis with lightenyng and othir tempestis, whereby man and beste is oft perrishid, and yet alle though suche accidentis ben yville, it makith men & women crye for fere, that wolde but litille thynke on god or on his myghti power, and so it makith folke forto thynk and considir that ţe Rayne cometh of goddis grace and of his endles mercy; and suche ensampil thou mayst take of the wynd ţat cometh also of the tresoure of goddis mercy, for bi the wynde men be mevid on the watir to alle londis to fecche and brynge thyngis that ben helpeliche to mannys kynde, and yet by the wyndis comen many perellis and lettyngis in watir and londe, and gret ricchesse is cast in the see, and by the wyndis are engendrid many corrupcions in the eyre, of whiche cometh many venemous pestilencis and othir diuerse diseses, and then folke pray god and requyren him that he take fro them tho diseses. Neuyrtheles god suffrith the planetis forto make and holde her cours in the rewle and ordir as he ordeynyd hem, for Page 17
the wisdome of god peysith euenly, and ordeyneth alle thingis forto serve to his creaturis, and that did he of his high goodnes benygnyte and mercy. And this same ensampille may thou fynde in wyntir and in somer, in whiche the souereyne wisdome of god hath ordeynyd the coldes and the hetis for the engendryng and encresyng of alle naturalle thingis, and evyr many diseses comen to mankynde bi gret rigoure of colde and also of hete. And ţus folio 11b
it farith, dere sone, sumtyme of a kyng whan he doth many greves and disesis to his sugetis, for than they beren it welle grevously ayens him and ayens hert; but whan the peple seene and knowene that bi the grace of god and good governaunce of ţe kyng that they arne in pees and welle governyd, they foryetene the yvelis and disesis above seide, and thanken glorious god that he hath purveyde hem so wijs a kyng in governaunce.

How a kyng shalle make Sugetis. Capitulum 21m.

i Prey the, dere sone, that thou oft enquere of ţe necessite of thi sugetis, and bi thi power thou helpe hem at her nede. Also thou must chese a man ţat is good and trewe, and that louyth god and rightwisnes, and kan the langage of thi sugetis, to whom thou commytte thi governaunce of thi sugetis, and that he governe hem pitously and in loue; and if thou do ţus, thou shalt plese thi creatoure, and he shalle kepe thi Rewme, and the gladnes of the sugetis is kept ţoru mercy of the kyng.

Of the mercy of a kyng. Cam. 22m.

dEre sone, y counselle the that thou gete gret purvyaunce of cornes and of alle othir vytaylis that the cuntre haue habundaunce therof, so that whan the tyme of derthe cometh thou maist with thi purveaunce and forsight helpe thi sugetis in her nede, and do crie and make knowe whan tyme is of thi vytaylis, and thi refresshyng thorugh thi Rewme in alle citees and borowes, that it may be fette of thi folke at nede, and this shalle be gret preysing to thi name, that so kanst ordeyne for the sauacioun of thi peple; than shalle ţi sugetis with gret corage done alle thi comaundementis with fre hert and good wille, than shalle thi deedis falle (falle) note.5
folio 12a
to gret prosperite, and

Page 18
euery man shalle merveyle of thi gret wisdome, and thus shalle thi wisdome be seen and knowe of alle men, and alle men shalle knowe and speke of thi forsight, and holde the gracious and worthi to ben a governour, and thus shalle ţou stonde in love and preysing, and euery man loth to do the offence.

Of peynes and vengeaunce of god. Capitulum 23m.

aLexandre, dere sone, among alle othir thingis kepe the wel fro shedyng of mennys blood, for that longith only to god, for he knowith ţe hertis of alle men, and wot what euery man is worthi to haue. Therfore take not vpon the goddis myght but if thou haddist his knowyng therwith. The doctour Hermogenes saith that he that slethe the creature that is like to god, alle the vertues of hevene cesse neuer of criyng to the maieste of god, saiyng, “lord, thi servaunt wolle be like to thee, takyng on him hasty and sodeyne vengeaunce,” and wite this wel that who so sleth any man without cause resonabille, god wol avenge the blood, for god saith him silf vnto the vertues of hevene, “lete be, lete be, for in me is the vengeaunce, and y shalle quyte it.” And wite ţou welle that the vertues of hevene leue neuer of criyng of vengeaunce for mannys deth, vnto the tyme that god hath herde hem and done his iustificacioun in vengeaunce doyng.

Of knowleche of ţe same peynes. Cam. 24m.

dEre sone, wite welle that y haue had knowleche of moche disese in my tyme, and therfore haue oft in memorie the dedis of thi forne fadris, and thynke how they haue lyvid, and so maist thou se and knowe bi many goode examplis how ţou shalt done in thi governaunce in tyme comyng of tho folio 12b
dedis that are passid; and loke thou haue no dispite, ne greue nought him that is lesse of myght than thou arte, for often it is sene that god encresith sympille men, and makith hem riche, and so cometh the pore man to power to quite that is done to him afore tyme, good othir yville.

fforto kepe ţe feith. Cam. 25m.

also kepe wel thi feith and thi word euermore, and alle thi hestis that thou hast made and false neuer thi tonge, for

Page 19
that bilongith to no man ţat coueytith to haue worshipe; it is a poynt ţat perteyneth only to folke that be feithles, Strumpetis and thefes; and alle that it vsith comen to yville ende, alle though it seme ţat it doth good for a tyme.

And what good cometh therof ţou maist vndirstonde in many weyes, for bi feith are citees and castellis holden, and gret worshipe vnto hem ţat so trewe are founden in here feith; and tho that are false of her feith bitraye her lord and hem silf bothe, and comen vnto a shamefulle deth, and that is her ende. Also bi feith and bi heste men kepe the comaundementis of god, and haue euer lastyng lijf for her rewarde; and tho that breken her feith, ther is no man kan deme hem iustly, but only god aboue. And vndirstonde ţat euery man hath two spiritis folowyng him, that on drawith him to yville and wikkidnes, and alle the yville he kan he drawith him to, and yet he is ţe same that shalle recorde and reherse alle his defautis at the day of dome in shame and shenshipe of him ţat haţ
wrought hem thorugh his entisement. This mater shuld make the aferd forto do any yville there as ţou myghtist do good; kepe the also fro sweryng, for ţou owist neuyr to swere, but if necessite axe it, as that he be highly requyrid therto.

ffor the destruccioun that was of ţe Assiryenes, it was bicause her kyng made many othis in disseyt
folio 13a
of the citees that were next to him, and brake allyaunce of his hestis ţat he had made vnto hem, and god sygh the falsnes of ţe kyng and his counselle, and wold suffir it no lenger, but made her sugetis put hem into thraldome: dere sone, do so, that thi goodnes, thi lewte and thi curtesie be knowen and kid alle abowt, and ţat shalle be kepyng of thi rentis and destruccioun of thyn enemyes.

Of studie and wijsdome. Capitulum 26m.

dere sone, loke that ther be stodies and skolys in thi Citees; and comaunde alle men that ţey sette her children vnto lettrure, and make hem be studyauntis in the nobille sciencis; and it longith to the to helpe and soccure alle that haue nede and haue no frendshipe, and thou must yeve sum prerogatif vnto studiaunt forto susteyne and helpe them in her stodiyng. And avaunce hem that are konnyng, be they pore or riche; preyse hem that are worthi, and worshipe hem that are worshipfulle;

Page 20
yeve thi yeftis often vnto them that are worthi, thus shalle ţou stere hem and excite hem to preyse the, and to cronycle alle ţi nobille dedis, the whiche owen perpetuelly to be in recomendyng.

Of the kepyng of a kyng. Capitulum 27m.

alexandre, dere sone, trust neuyr in women, in her werkis, in her service, ne in her company, ne dwelle thou nought with hem; and if ţou must nede haue company of sum woman, loke that thou preve hir welle and longe, and in deuerse wise, or thou trust to moche in her, for a man ţat is in the possessioun of a woman, he stondith as do iewelis in the hondis of a marchaunt, whiche that hath power to selle or to yeve tho Iewellis to whom him lust; right so doth folio 13b
a man that puttith him in the hondis and power of a woman, he puttith his lyf and his deth in gret aventure: ţou hast herd tolde that kyngis, dukis, and many othir worthi men haue ben dede thorugh venyme. Now the most violent venyme that any man kan deuyse or thynke is the yville wille of a woman, for ayens ţat venyme is no leche that kan make tryacle, ne ordeyne medicyne or remedy, but only to fle the dampnacioun of hem. And also truste thou neuyr in oon sool ffisiciane, ne take neuer medicyne [from] on allone, but if gret nede make it, but lete many ffisiciens come togidre, and lete hem trete of that mater, and as they alle accorde, so is best to truste, for it is well perilous whan the lyf of a man stondith in the wille of oo persone. And thynke also, dere sone, whan thou were in Inde how thou haddist ben disceyvid thorugh thyn owen lust ţat thou haddist to a maydene that was norisshyd with venyme, and had not y ben there and thorugh the craft that y knewe of phisnomye and of othir natures, thou haddist ben ded bi her; and therfore haue euyr abowt the good phisiciens and wise philesofris, that mowe telle the of suche accidentalle maters, and so maist thou kepe thyn helthe thorugh good governaunce; and thynke on thyn owen prosperite, the whiche is yovene vnto the of the excellent power of goddis maieste, and be suche in gouernaunce that ţou maist be glorified and magnyfied in the nombre of wijs men.

Page 21

Of the difference of Astronomye. Cam. 28m.

dEre sone, y prey the and it may be done, that ţou rise ne sitte, ete ne drynke, but if it be bi counselle of sum wijs mane that knowith the constellacions and ţe course of the planetis; and vndirstond that glorious god hath made no thing without cause, but alle thyng with
folio 14a
passyng resoun of his excellent and vnknowe science. The nobille Plato he stodied in the science of Astronomye, and fond and compassid foure qualitees and humoures contrarious, bi the which he had that nobille science and gret knowyng in alle thingis visible that god made. And haue noon affeccioun in folys ţat seyne the science of Astronomy is nought to stodie ynne for hardnes therof, trewly they wote nought what they mene, for god made no thyng visible that it ne is able and possible to mannys witt forto vndirstonde. He that is a parfit studiaunt in that science, he may knowe and se pereylis and disesis that are to come of werres, pestilencis, famyne and othir accidentalle thingis the whiche he may vndirstond and ordeyne remedye: thus maist thou se and knowe ţat it is good to konne ţe arte and the cours of the planetis, and if thou kanst fynde no remedy, it is good that thou prey hertily to god that he ordeyne remedy, for as he wol so it shalle be, and no thing may withstonde him. for what disese the planetis shewe in her worchyng good men mowe so preye vnto god, by orisones, bi fastyng, bi sacrifice, bi almes dede doyng, and penaunce for her synnys, that god wille turne, revolue, and reuoke alle that men dowte. Nowe to oure first mater and purpose, it is to wite, that Astronomye is dividid in foure parties, ţat is to wite, In the ordinaunce of the sterres; In disposicioun of ţe signes and ther alyenyng and mevyng fro ţe sonne; and this party is called Astronomye; that othir part is of qualitees, and also for to knowe the mevyng of ţe firmament, and the degrees of ţe risyng of ţe signes that are vndir the firmament of ţe mone, and this is the most worthi part of Astronomye, for ţerin is the cheef knowyng of ţat science.

folio 14b
and there are 100028 planetis that ben fixe and meve not, of the whiche we shulle speke aftirward more playnly.

Of the kepyng of helthe. Cam. 29m.

dEre sone, helthe is the most precious thing that longith to man, for it passith alle ricchesse, and alle helthe is [no] more Page 22
but this governaunce evenly conioynyd bi attemperaunce of humoures; and evir glorious god ordeyneth ţe world, and yevith many remedies to the attemperaunce, and shewid to his holy profetis the writyngis and sciencis of secretis, for in her writyng is founde alle thing comendable, and no reprefe ne foly as it is alday previd bi most wijs men; glorious god, worshipid he be in alle his werkis.

Amen.

Of governaunce in seeknes. Cam. 30m.

dEre sone, have in mynde that alle wijs men and naturalle philesofris seyne that man is made of foure elementis, and foure contrary humoures, the whiche haue euer nede to be susteynyd bi etyng and drynkyng, and ellis ţe substaunce shulde fayle, and if a man ete and drynke out of tyme or ouyr moche it makith him febille, and to falle into dyuerse seeknes and many othir inconvenientis, and if a man ete and drynke moderatly and temperatly he shalle fynde helthe to his lyf, strengthe to his body, and helthe of alle his lymes. The philesofres seyne that if a man trespace the god of nature in good lyvyng, be it in ouyr moche etyng or in ouyr moche drynkyng, in slepyng, wakyng, traveylyng or restyng, in letyng of blood or liyng, And he outrage in eny of these, he may not fayle of gret seeknes, wherof y shalle shewe my doctryne and remedie. These delicate men seyne that alle that men don is forto lyve, be it in etyng or drynkyng, in gaderyng of worldly ricches, or in flesshely lykyng, it is nought done but forto folio 15a
lyue and last long, and y sey but if he iustifie him with temperaunce as longith vnto lastyng of long lyf he shalle fayle or he be ware. And he that wille [not]

do ayens his owen wille, and refrayne him from ouirmoche etyng and drynkyng, but caste mele vpon mele, he is not abille to haue long lijf, for Ipocras kepte the observaunce of dyetyng forto lyve long, and enforcid him nought to ete and drynke. And also it is a grete helthe a man to be purgid at certeyne tymes in resonabil manere.

In how many maners a man may kepe helthe. Capitulum 31m i prey the, dere sone, that thou wille kepe in mynde this trewe and certeyn tretis, and knowe that helthe stondeth in two thingis; the first is, that he vse and kepe to ete and

Page 23
drynke suche as he hath ben norisshid in his youthe. The secund is, that he purge him of yville humoures and corrupcions that greve him.

Of dyuerse metys. Cam. 32m.

wHan the body is hoot and fulle of vapoures than are grete metis goode and profitabille, and that that shalle be diffied of that body shalle be of gret quantite, for the grete hete and vapoure of the body. And whan the body is smalle and drie, smale metis are goode and norisshaunt, and that that shalle be diffied of that body shalle be of litille quantite for the conditis that are strayte; and this is to take hede of, that a man vse metis and drynkis that longe to his complexioun, for and he be of hoot complexioun he shalle vse hoot metis temperatly, for and the hete euir growe and inflawme the body within bi surfete of ouyr stronge metis or drynkis, or bi any othir accident case, than contrary metis and drynkis are most helpeliche to his helthe; that is to sayne, colde metis and colde drynkis till that
folio 15b
he be ayen in his good estate.

Of the stomake. Capm. 33m.

whan the stomak is hoot and good, than alle metis arne good for them that arne hote and grete, for suche a stomak is like vnto a fire that brenneth thorugh gret habundaunce of woode; but whan the stomak is cold and febille, than is bettir esy metis and drynkis tille that he be stronger and in more hete.

Signes to knowe ţe stomak. Cam. 34m.

sIgnes of an yville stomak is yville digestioun, and that makith the body hevy and sluggy, and the visage bolnyd, and suche a man yeneth often, and hath sumtime disese in his eyen, and he rowtith moche in his slepe, and hath the mylte soure and bittir and fulle of stynkyng watir, and so is engendrid ventositees and swellyng of the wombe, and ţat makith noon appetite to ete; kepe the then, dere sone, from metis and drynkis that are contrary to the or thou maist not recover.

Of a pistille of gret price. Cam. 35m.

dEre sone, what is the cause that mannys bodie is corrupte? it is for dyuerse complexiones and humoures contrary that

Page 24
are in him, and therfore y purpose to make and write in this present Epistille thingis that shalle be necessary, the whiche y haue drawe out of ţe secretis of medicynes, for sum tyme come to a kyng diseses that are not honest no lechis to knowe; but the grettir nede were / and vndirstonde welle this lore, and thou shalt neuir haue nede to phisiciane outake the case of batayle. Alexandre, dere sone, whan thou risist fro slepe, goo a litille and that shalle strengthe ţi membris, and strecche hem evenly, than kembe ţi hed, for that dryuyth away the vapoure that cometh into thyn hed in slepyng, and dryvith hem fro ţe stomak.

folio 16a

In somer wasshe thyn hed with cold watir, and that shalle holde in the hete of ţe hed and cause appetit of mete, than do on honest clothyng, for the hert of man reioycith gretly in precious clothyng and honeste: ţan frete thi teeth with barke or with sum thing that is of drie and hoot complexioun and of bittir savoure, for ţat makith the teeth clene, and distroyeth the yville savoure of the mouthe, and also it makith the voyce clere, and yevith appetite to mete; than frote welle thyn heed, for it openyth the shettyngis of ţi brayne and comfortith the nekke, and makith the face clere, and amendith the blood, and lettith moche the horyng of the heere; than anoynt the with precious oynementis aftir that ţe sesoun askith, for good odoure is gret plesyng to mannys lijf and norisshyng to the hert, and whan the spirit hath take refeccioun in good odoures, the blood renneth the more gladlier in euery parti of the body. Take than of a tre that is callid aloes, and of Rubarbe the weight of iiij d., and it wille take awey the flewme of ţi mouthe and of thi stomak, and yevith hete to the body, and dryvith away ventosite, and makith good taste, and also that thou be oft tyme with the noblees, and wijs men of ţi Rewme, and haue emparlement with them of the nedis of thi Rewme, and mayntene alle goode customes.

Of the maner of travayle. Capitulum 36m
whan thyn houre of custome cometh that thi talent hath take the, haue a litille travayle or thou ete, in ridyng or goyng, or sum othir maner of laboure, and that helpith moche ţe body, and dryvith away alle ventositees, and makith the body more light and stronge, and alayeth the hete of ţe stomak, and folio 16b
wastith the yville humoures of thi body, and makith the flewme Page 25
of thi stomak forto descende; whan ţi mete is come afore the, ete first of that thou desirist most, with bred that is welle bake, and if ţou haue diuersite of metes, ete first of that that is most light to diffie and most digestable, for at the bottome of thi stomak is the most hete to make digestioun, for as moche as it is next the hete of the lyver, ţe which diffieth the mete bi sethyng in the stomak.

Of Abstinence. Cam. 37m.

whan thou etist be nought to hasty, but ete with leyser and good masticacioun, or thou take it downe alle though thou haue gret appetite, for and thou ete to sone or ouyr hastily, the yville humoures multiplien in the stomak, and the stomak is ouyr chargid, ţe body grevid, and ţe hert hurte, and that mete dwellith vndefied in ţe bottom of the stomak.

Nought to drynke pure watir. Cam. 38m.

also, loke that thou drynke not pure watir whan thou hast eten thi mete, but if ţou haue vsid it; for ţe cold watir put upon thi mete coldith thi stomak and quenchith the hete of ţi digestioun, and confoundith and grevith the body. and if ţou muste drynke watir for ţe grete hete of ţi body or of ţi stomak, take it attemperatly, and not ouirmoche attones ne to ofte.

Of the maner of slepyng. Capitulum 39m
whan thou hast take thi refeccioun ley the to slepe on a soft bed on thi right side ţe tyme of an houre, and than turne the and slepe on ţat oţir side as the thynketh good is, for the left side is cold, and hath nede to be chafid, and if ţou fele any disese in thi wombe or in thi stomak, lete hete an hoot cloth, folio 17a
and ley it on thi stomak, or ellis take a fayre yong mayde and lete hir slepe in thyn armes, and that is the best hete for it is naturelle. Traveylyng afore mete yevith hete to thi stomak, but aftir mete it doth harme, and slepe before mete is not good for it drieth ţe humiditees, but aftir mete it yevith norisshyng to the body, for whan a man slepith, than the kyndely hete drawith into the stomak alle that the which was spredde into alle the membris, and goth to the bottome of ţi stomak on the refeccioun, and makith good digestioun, for the vertu naturelle makith good reste. And some philesofres seyne Page 26
that the refeccioun at morowe is werse than is that at eve, for the etyng at morowe grevith the stomak, for the hete of the day spryngith, and therbi is the body more travaylid, and on ţat othir side a man chafith him silf with dyuerse bisynesse, in goyng, in spekyng, and othir occupacions that longith to man ţat cometh by the hete of ţe day, and enfeblisshith the naturelle hete within and doth harme to the stomak, and makith it of lesse myght to diffie that in him is, but at eve is alle contrary, for the body is more restid and lesse grevid of naturelle hete, and the hete of alle oţir membres are more at reste, than cometh ţe coldenes of ţe nyght, and alayeth the superfluitees of hete, and doth the stomak moche good, for than hath he nought but of nature.

Of kepyng of Custome. Capm. 40m.

tHou owist forto knowe that he that hath in custome forto ete twies a day, and he vse to ete but ones, it grevith him for that he vsith not his custome, for ţe stomak is out of his wone. ffor he ţat usith him to ete at a certeyne houre, and he bigynne
folio 17b
to chaunge that houre, he shall parceyve in short tyme ţat it doth him harme, for chaunging of custome chaungith nature.

How a man owith to chaunge Custome. Capm. 41m.

and necessite constrayne the to chaunge custome, thou muste done it wisely, that is to say, litille and litille, and thus with helpe of god shalle thi mutacioun be good; but be ware that thou ete no tyme, but ţou wite that thi stomak be voyde, and hath made digestion of his first mete, and this shalle thou knowe bi thyn appetite; and if thou ete and haue noon appetite, ţe hete of thi stomak shalle kele, and if ţou haue good appetite it shalle hete of nature and make good digestioun, and beware that thou ete anoon as thyn appetite is come, and ellis it shalle resceyue yville humoures, the whiche shalle turne ţi brayne, and disese thyn hed; for who ţat abitith ouyr longe aftir that his appetite is comen, his stomak enfeblisshith, and his mete profitith nought to his body; and if it falle so, ţat ţou maist haue no mete whan ţou hast appetit to eat, and thi stomak fille so by resceyvyng of yville humoures, than loke that ţou caste or thou ete, and sone aftir thou maist take thi refeccioun in sauf manere.

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Of foure tymes of the yere. Cam. 42m.

hEre mayst thou see the foure tymes of the yere, and her foure qualitees, and her prosperite and difference, and contrarietees. The foure tymes of the yere are devidid thus. In ver, In somer, In hervest, and in wyntir. Ver bigynneth whan ţe sonne entrith into the signe of ţe Ram, and dewrith foure skore dayes and xiij, and xviij howres, and the fourthe part of an houre, that is, from the xiij day of marche vnto the xiij daye of Iune. In veer the tyme is so hote, ţe wyndis risen,
folio 18a
the snowe meltith. Ryvers aforsen hem to renne and wexen hoote, the humydite of the erthe mountith into the croppe of alle growyng thingis, and makith trees and herbes to leve and flowre, ţe medis wexen grene, the sedis risen, and cornes wexen, and flouris taken coloure; fowlis clothen them alle newe and bigynne to synge, trees are fulle of leves and floures, and the erthe alle grene; bestis engendre, and alle thingis take myght, the lond is in beute clad with flouris of diuerse coloures, and alle growyng thingis are than in her bewte.

Of prime temps, what it is .I. ver. cam. 43m.

pRime temps, that is, veer, is hoot and moyste; in this time sterith mannys blood and spredith into alle the membris of ţe body, and the body makith it intemperate complexioun. In this tyme shulde chykenys be ete, and kydes and eggis, soure letuse ţat men calle carlokis, and getis mylke. In this tyme is best to be lete blood, for onys than is bettir than thre tymes an othir tyme; and it is good to travayle and to haue thi wombe soluble, and than it is good to swete, to bathe, and to goo, and to ete things that are laxatijf, for alle thing that amendith bi digestioun or by blood letyng it shalle sone retorne and amend in this prime temps .i. veer.

Of somer tyme, what it is. Capm. 44m.

sOmer bigynneth whan ţe sonne entrith into the signe of the Crabbe, and lastith iiijxx dayes and xij, and xviij howres, and the thridde part of an houre, that is, fro ţe xiij day of Iune vnto the xiij day of septembre; in ţis tyme are the dayes longe and ţe nyghtis shorte. In alle cuntrees growe the hetis, and wyndis Page 28
aslake, ţe see
folio 18b
softe, and the eyre clere and swete, cornes growen, and serpentis caste her venyme, the vertues of ţe body are strengthid, and the world is fulle of goodnes. the tyme of somer is hoot and drie, and in this tyme sterith the Colre, and it bihovith a man in this tyme to kepe him fro alle tho thingis that are hoot and drie of complexioun, for they stere colre, and kepe the fro ouyrmoche etyng and drynkyng, for therbi shalt ţou quenche ţi naturalle hete. In this tyme ete metis ţat arne of cold and moist complexioun, as welle mylke with vinegre as potage made with barly mele and ripe frute of soure savoure as pome Granate, and drynke litille wyne, and haunte no company of women; in this tyme lete no blood, but if greet necessite cause it; make no travayle but litille, and vse no bathes.

Of hervest, what it is. Capitulum 45m.

hErvest entrith whan the sonne entrith into the first degre of ţe signe of the balaunce, and durith .iijxx note.6 dayes and on, that is to say from the xiij day of septembre vnto the xiij day of Novembre. In ţat tyme are the dayes and the nyghtis evene, and aftir ţe nyght growith more, and the day lesse; the eyre wexith trobely, and ţe wyndis entren into the Region of Septentrione, tymes chaungen and Ryvers discresen, and wellis wexen litille, the erthe and the trees wexen drie, and the beute of ţe erthe and of ţe ground fadith, and birdes sechen hoot cuntrees. Wilde bestis drawen to Cavernes, and serpentis sechen the hoolis where they may assemble and kepe her lyvyng; for wyntir is like an oold bareyne woman fro whom youthe is depertid. This tyme of hervest is cold and drie, in whiche risith ţe black colre, than it bihovith to ete hot metes folio 19a
and drynkes, as chekenys, lambe, and oold wyne, and swete reysynges; and vse not moche goyng ne moche reste in liyng with women more than in somer, and kepe ţe fro bathes, but it be for nede, and if ţou wille do it, caste the to do it in the houre of none, for that is the hotist houre of ţe day, and in suche houres ţe superfluytees arisen and gaderen in mannys body. Also it is goode to purge ţe wombe for an yville that men calle Asmon and Asmaton, and for alle othir thingis ţat engendrith blak colre and refreyne ţe humoures.

Page 29

Of wyntir tyme, and what it is. Ca. 46m.

wYntir bigynneth whan the sonne entrith into the first degre of ţe signe that men callen Motoun, and dureth vjxx dayes, that is, from the xiij day of novembre vnto the xiij day of marche. In this tyme ţe nyghtis are longe, and ţe dayes shorte, the colde is gret, ţe wynde is sharpe, leves fallen, and alle thingis lesen her grennes for ţe more party. Alle bestis drawen to her resortes into diches and Caves of mounteynes for colde, ţe eyre and the tyme is blake; and ţe erthe as an oold woman broken with age and nere deed; wyntir is cold and moyste, and therfore it nedith to ete hoote metis, as chekenys, hennes, motoun, and othir hoot metes, and fatte ffiges, notes, and reed wyne, and be ware that thou be not laxatijf, and lete no blood, but it were the gretter nede, and enfebille not ţi stomak with excesse of mete ne of drynke. Ne companye thou nought moche with women, but it be attemperatly. And bathis are goode to be vsid in tyme of colde. ţe hete naturalle gederith togidre in the body, and there good digestioun is bettir in wyntir, and in ver than in hervest or in somer, ffor in hervest and in somer the wombe is colde, and ţat
folio 19b
tyme be the pores open, for hete of that tyme and nature spredith it through all parties of the body, and therfore the stomak hath litille part of ţe hete, and ţat lettith the digestioun and the humoures gaderen.

Of naturalle hete. Capitulum 47m.

alexandre, dere sone, aboue alle thingis kepe thi naturalle hete, for as long as naturalle hete is attemporat in thi body, thou shalt haue good hele and vndirstondyng. And vndirstonde ţat in two thingis and maners deyeth a man, that on maner is naturalle, as age ţat ouircometh man and distroyeth ţe body; that othir is bi accident maner, as bi seeknes take thorugh mysgouernaunce, or hurtyng of egge tole, and many othir happis of aventure.

Of thingis that fattith the body. Cam. 48m.

dEre sone, there are thingis that makith the body fatte and moyste, that is, reste and replevisshyng of dyuerse metis and swete drynkis, as wyn that is dowsett, mede, and mylke, and slepe aftir mete, soft liyng, and alle good odoures, bathes of

Page 30
fresshe watir; and if thou bathe the, dwelle not longe therin, for it wille make ţe more feble, and haue in thi bath thingis welle savouryng, and drynke no wyn but it be allayed with watir of a floure callid Alchymyng, and put of ţat watir in thi wyne for it is hoot of natur. And in somer vse ţe flouris of violett and malowe, and othir thingis of cold nature, and haue ones in ţe moneth a vomete, and namely in somer tyme for castyng clensith the body, and purgith it of yville humoures ţat are within the body; and though ther be litille humoures in the stomak yet it comfortith the naturalle hete, and whan thou hast welle caste, than fille him with humydite and good grennesse, and than ţi stomak is in good disposicioun
folio 20a
forto make digestioun. And if thou governe the thus, ţou shalt haue ioy in thyn hert and gladnes, good hele, resoun and good vndirstondyng, glorye and worship of thyn enemyes. Also sumtyme ţou must delyte the in pleyes, in biholdyng of fayre men and fayre women, and redyng delectable bookis, and in aray, and weryng of royalle clothyng after the tyme of the yere.

Of thingis that makith ţe body lene. Capm. 49m.

tHese thingis are they that makith ţe body lene. Excesse of mete and drynke, ouyr moche travayle, moche stondyng in the sonne, moche goyng, moche slepyng afore mete, moche wrath, moche fere, and bathyng in watris ţat be of Sulphure nature. Etyng of salt metes, drynkyng of oold wyn, ouirmoche to vse chambir worke. Ipocras seith that who so bathe him with fulle wombe shalle haue seeknes in the bowelis, and also he that lythe with women wombe fulle. And also he ţat etith oft tymes hoot fisshe, or that drynketh mylke and wyne medlid, is able forto be a lepre, ţus saith ypocras.

Of the first party of ţe body. Capitulum. 50m.

the body is divided in foure partes, the first party is the hed. Whan superfluytees assemblen into ţe hed and yville humoures, thou shalt fayle and knowe bi ţese signes, thyn eyen shalle be trobille, thi browes shalle wexe grete, thyn eyen betene, thi nose thrilles wexe strayte, ţan and thou fele this in the, take wormode, and do it in swete wyne, and lete it boyle with the Rote ţat is callid Pollygony, so that by boylyng the wyne Page 31
be half wastid, than put it in ţi mouthe and holde it longe, and wasshe welle ţi mouth therwith, and ete thi mete with ţe grayne of whijt mustard made into powdir, and it shalle profite
folio 20b
the, and if thou do not thus, thou shalt haue gret disese in thyn eyen and in thi brayne, and in many othir partis of thi body.

Of ţe secund parti of ţe body. Cam. 51m.

tHe breste is the secund parti of ţe body, and if seeknes come therin thus shalle thou knowe, ţi tunge shalle be pricchid, ţi mouth shalle be bittir, and ţe mouth of ţi stomak shalle be soure, and thi membres shalle ake, than it bihovith that thou ete but litille, than take a vomyte, and aftir ţi castyng, take sugir rosett with aloe, and mastyk and chewe alle harde, and than mayst thou ete a good soule aftir as thyn appetit takith the. And aftir mete take an electuarie that is callid dyonysion, and if thou do not thus ţi membres wolle ake, disese cometh in thi Reynes, and so folowith the axcesse and enpechyng of ţi tonge, ţe whiche wolle lette the to speke, and many othir seeknessis.

Of the thridde party of ţe body. Cam. 52.

the thridde parti of ţe body is ţe wombe, many yville humoures cometh therin.

And thus shalle thou knowe, thi wombe shalle swelle, and thou shalt ake of stiffenes ţat cometh therin, ţe knees wexe grete, and thou shalt go hevily and with disese. It bihovith the then to be purgid with sum light medicyne, as y haue seid aboue. And if ţou do it not ţou shalt haue akyng of thyn haunchis and of thi mylte, and in thi bak, and in thi ioyntis, and disese of ţe flixe, and disese of thi lyvir, and yville digestioun.

Of the fourthe party of ţe body. Cam. 53m.

the fourthe parti of ţe body be the Ballokis, where superfluytees and yville humoures engendren, and thus thou shalt knowe, thyn appetit shalle wexe cold, and ţou shalt wexe roynous on the ballokis, and on ţe share. Take than mugwede, folio 21a
the herbe with the Rote, and put it in good whijte wyne, and of that wyne drynke a litille euery day at morowe, with a litille watir or hony, and ete not ouyr moche. And if ţou do not thus, thou shalt haue disese in the bleddre, and thou shalt not

Page 32
mowe pisse, and also thi ballokis wolle ake, and in thi bowellis thou shalt be disesid, and also in thi lunges; and there may engendir the, the stone.

I haue redde that ther was a kyng, and [he] made a gret assemble of alle the beste phisiciens in Inde, and in Grece, and comaunded hem to make him such a medicyn so nobil and profitable that ther shulde nede noon othir helpe to mannys hele. The Grekis seiden that who so euyr dranke euery morowe twies his mouth fulle of hoot watir ţat it shulde make a man hoole, and ţat him shulde nede noon othir medicyne. The phisiciens of ynde seiden that who so ete the graynes of whijt mylle fastyng with watir cresses it profitith moche, or who so ete eche morowe of alibi Amei 7 dragmes, and of swete grapis and Reysynes, he shalle haue no dowte of flewme, and he shalle haue the bettir vndirstondyng, and he shalle haue no quarteyne, and who so etith notes or ffygis with leves of Rewe, that day him thar drede of no venyme. And euyr peyne the to kepe the naturalle hete of thi body, for the distruccioun of thi body cometh of two thingis and two causis, that on is naturelle and ţat othir is ayens kynde. The naturalle distruccioun is for the contrariete of complexioun of man, for whan age surmounteth, the body it must nedis noye. And that that is ayens kynde, it cometh of accident aduenture as by swerd, spere, ston, or any case that cometh of seeknes, by yville governaunce, and excesse of metis and
folio 21b
drynkes, for some metes are smale, and some metes are grete, and some are mene.

Smale metis engendren good and clere blood, as bred of good whete, Chekenys, Eggis, hennes. Grete metis ben goode for hoot men that travaylen, and namely aftir mete. The mene metis ben goode, for they engendren no swellyng, no superfluytees, noon yville humoures as kedis, lambis, and geldid shepe, for they are hote and moyste, alle though they ben harde whan they ben rostid and hoot in the wombe.

Of kyndis of ffisshis. Cam. 54m.

the fisshis that ben of thynne skyn, and norisshid in fresshe watir Rennyng is bettir and more holsome than any othir. Kepe the fro fische ţat is hard skynned, for ţat is werst, for it is norshyng of wynde, whiche is cause of moche disese.

Page 33

Of nature of watris, Of nature of wyne, Of soure Syrupe. Cam. 55, Cam. 56, Cam.

57. note.7
alexandre, dere sone, it is holsome to take sowre Syrepe fastyng for flewme and yville humors that habounde gretly, and that Syrepe is an excellent remedy ayens flewme. And y haue merveyle ţat man may deye ţat etith bred of good whete and fresshe, and drynketh clene wyne of grape attemperatly, and kepith him fro ouirmoche etyng and drynkyng and travayle, and if seeknes come to suche a man, it is nedfulle to worche wisely and do to him as to a dronken man. Wasshe him with hoot watir, and aftir sett him on a Rennyng Ryver, so that he haue grene leves of wylowe about him, and anoynte his stomak with an oynement that men calle Triasendale, and lete him haue savor of encence and othir good spicis among. And if a man wolde leve the drynkyng of wyne that hath folio 22a
euyr be norisshyd therin, he may not leve it attones, but litille and litille, and make him drynke of verious and watir, and thus may he kepe his helthe and his complexioun.

Of the forme and maner of rightwisnes. Cam. 58m.

dEre sone, rightwisnes may not ben ouyr preysid, for it is of ţe propir nature of glorious god, and it is made to sustene all Rewmes for helpe of his servauntis, and rightwisnes owith to kepe the royalle blood, and the richesse of the possessioun of sugetis, and governe hem in alle her nedes; and what lord doth thus, he is in that case like vnto god. Rightwisnes is forme and vndirstondyng, whiche god made and sent to his creaturis. and bi rightwisnes was ţe erthe bildid, and kyngis made to mayntene it, for it makith sugetis obeyshaunte, and prowde men meke, and savith the persones from harme, and therfore seyne men of ynde that Iustice of a good lord is bettir to ţe pepille than the habundaunce of goodis of the erthe, and bettir than the reyne that fallith from hevene. Onys it was founde writen in a stone of ţe tunge of Caldee, that a kyng and rightwisnes are bretheryn, and that ţe which on hath nede of an othir hath nede of ţe same, and ţat on may nought do without ţat othir. ffor alle kyngis were made to mayntene Iustice and rightwisnes, for it is the helthe of sugetis. Dere sone, whan

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ţou hast oughte to do be governyd bi counselle, for ţou art but on sool man, ne telle nought alle ţi thought of thyn owen cast to thi counselle, but here what eche man wolle say, and than maist ţou deme in thyn owen witt ţe best of hir witt, and of ţyn owen witt, and ţus shalt
folio 22b
thou be holden wijs and worhipfulle for thi governaunce. Shewe not thi thought vnto tyme thou performe thi wille of the which thou hast take thi counselle. But considir welle which persone counselid the beste, and haue him in cherte. And if he be a yong man ţat yevith the good counselle haue him not in dispite for his youthe, ffor it happith many a tyme and often ţat a man is borne in suche a constellacioun ţat good counselle is yeue to him of god. As it bifelle in a tyme in ţe cuntre of ynde, ther was borne a child in an hous there as a wys man was herbrowid, whiche man fond by the planetis ţat that child ţat was borne in that constellacioun and signe shuld be wys, curteys, and of good counselle, and shulde be louyd of kyngis and grete lordis, and yet he wolde not telle it to his fadir, for he was but a poore wever. So it fell that whan this child was of age, they wold haue sett him to a craft, but for betyng or fayre speche that they kouthe do he wolde neuir lerne, and than they lete him do his owen wille, and than he yaf him alle to the science of Astronomye, and aboue alle thingis on erthe vnto the governaunce of a kyng. And at laste he was the governour of a kyng and of alle his rewme. Alle the contrary fille of a kyng of ynde ţat had two childrene; whan ţat on child was woxe the kyng sett him to lerne science in the grettist vnyuersite of alle ynde, and had the beste maystir of ţat lond, and was taught most diligently, as it ought to a kyngis sone. And yet the gret wille of ţe fadir, and the gret bisynes of the doctoure myght not festene no witt vpon him, ne he wold not enclyne his hert to no science. Wherfore ţe kyng in gret wrath lete assemble alle ţe philesofris of
folio 23a
his lond to wite wheron it was long, and they seide he was borne in suche a constellacioun that he had noon othir grace. And therfore, dere sone, dispise neuir a man of poore birthe, ne of litille havyng, ne bi his persone, and thou se in him science and good counselle, for god wolle yeve his grace as him likith, and shewe his myght as welle in poore as in riche. A wijs man of mede wrote to his son on this wise, “Dere sone, in euery nede take counselle to thee, for thou art but oo man as on othir is, on that othir Page 35
side y amonisshe thee, that thou ne make oo soole man thi leef tenaunte forto yeve him thi power, for he myght with a cawtele distroye thee, and alle thi Rewme. Truste nevyr in him ţat settith alle his bisynesse to make tresoure and gadir money, for he wolle serve the nought for love, but for gaderyng of gold, and suche men wolle slouthe thi worshipe, and suche men mowe welle be liknyd to helle, for helle hath no grounde. And the more a man growith in ricches, the hyer encresith his covetise in good. And wite it welle that suche officers abowt a lord or a kyng are but distroyers of his worshipe in many casis, for it myght happe that for covetise he shuld bitraye the or consent vnto thi deth. Therfore, dere sone, thou shalt loue that creature that is in office with the, and bisieth him to save thi worship, for ţat is the grettist tokene of loue.” God made man, dere sone, creature resonable, and he made neuyr in beste oţir than is founden in man. ffor a man is hardy as a lyone, fferd as an hare, skars as an hound, harde and sharpe as Ravene or Crowe. Meek as a turtille, dispitous as lyonesse, chaste as a dowve. Malicious and angry as a ffoxe, lowe as a lambe, light as a Goot, and lijk to a Got in many condiciones, hevy and slowe as a bere, precious and dere
folio 23b
as an Olyfaunt, ffool and rude as an asse. Rebelle as a litille kyng, obeyshaunt as a pecok, gret speker without profit. Profitable as a bee, vnbounden as a boore, strong as a bole. Smytyng bihynde as a mule. Resonabille and chast as aungille, lecherous as swyne, ffowle as an Owle. ffayrist of alle creaturis, and shortly to say that ther is no condicioun in best, ne in planet of heuene, ne in erthe that it ne is founden in man, and therfore the philesofre callith man the litille world.

Of ţe secretary of a kyng. Capm. 59m.

dEre sone, it bihovith the to haue a secrete man to yefe attendaunce to thi privat writyngis, and to conceyve thyn entendement, and he must be a fayre speker, and on that kan comprehende thi wille in dewe ordir, and enditt fayre langage; for as a fayre Robe is worshipfulle to a kyng, so is fayre endityngis, emblisshyng of his maieste of lettris vndir his seele. And also he owith to be a man of good feith and trewe, and wijs to knowe thyn entendement, and take souereynly hede of ţi worshipe, and ţat no man be so prive with him, forto se ţe lettris of thi secret, and loke ţat alle officers be welle rewardid Page 36
for her bisynesse, eche man in his degre, and enhaunce hem so in avauncementis, to whom euery man hath hool hert to, and doth thee dewe and trewe service, for in trewe servauntis is alle the glorie and high worshipe of thi lijf and thi distinccioun.

Of a kyngis messangeris. Capm. 60m.

dEre sone, messangeres shewen the wisdome of hem that senden hem, and a messangere is the eye, the ere, and the tunge of the lord; than it bihovith a messangere to ben the most sufficient and cherfulle speker, wijs, honourable and lele, and that he loue ţi note.8
folio 24a
worship and thyn honure, and hate alle thi dishonoure, vnto suche on discouer thi counselle, and in case thou may not fynde such on, enquere the on that wolle trewly bere thi lettris, and kan report an answer. And if thou fynde thi messangere be couetous forto take yeftis of them that they are sent to, truste not in hem, but refuse hem for euyr. And make neuir thi messangere of man that is dronkelew, for bi him shalle be seid and tolde alle that he knowith. And also make not thi messangere of no gret officer, ne lete noon suche go fro the, for that myght be distruccioun of the and thyne and of thi rewme also. And if thou myght perceyve that ţi messangeres did to the any tresoun thorugh takyng of gret mede, deme thou than as the thynkith they are worthi, for trewly y kan not.

Of governaunce of the peple. Capitulum 61m.

dEre sone, the peple and thi sugetis is the hous of thi memorie, and ţi tresore by the whiche thi reme is conformyd, thi sugetis are thi gardyne, in the whiche are many trees, beryng diuerse frutes, on these trees are many braunchis, beryng frutis and sedis, and multiplien in many maners, and diffence and durabille tresoure of ţi rewme. It nedith the than ţat thi sugetis be welle governyd, and thou to haue in hert alle that is profitable vnto hem, and that no vylenye ne extorcion be done vnto hem, and that they be gouernyd aftir ţe maners and oold customes of her cuntrees, and yofe hem such officers that entende not to ther distruccioun, but forto governe hem welle and iustly, and ţat tho officers be of good condiciones, wijs, lele, and pacient, and if he be contrary, Page 37
the sugetis that first were goode shulle wexen rebelle to hem and the bothe, folio 24b
supposyng that it be mayntenaunce. On that othir side loke that thi Iustices be wijs and Iuste men, for ţat is thi worshipe and ende of thi name, and perpetuelle fame to thi Rewme. And that thi Iuges haue trewe notories, so that thi Iuges be not corrupte with false covetise and yeftis as they ben oft tymes.

And, dere sone, y amonysshe the that thou vse chyvalrie in dedis of armes, bi good governaunce and good counselle and trewe. And avie not him ţat puttith him into batayle, for envye or foly or covetise, ne presumpcioun. And haue no dispite of a good man of armys though he be poore, for often tymes it happith a poor man to doo as good a dede of armes or feete of werre as a lord. Norshe alle men with comfortable wordis and goodly, and bihote hem yeftis and worshipe, and loke thou lakke no thyng that is nedefulle vnto armes. And whan thou sest thyn enemy Renne, Renne nought on him sodeynly vnavisid, and loke thou haue goode waytes and aspies in thyn oste. And euyrmore, and thou mowe, logge nere a mounteyne or an hille, for the valey wantith nothir watir ne woode, and haue euyrmore plente of vytayles, and aboue alle ţingis haue plente of trompis and trumpetis, and othir dyuerse mynstrelsies, for ţat makith gret vertu in mannys corage, and gretly discomfortith enemyes, and puttith hem to divisioun and drede, and be not alwey armed in on armes, but in dyverse. And loke thou be welle stuffid of good Archers and Arblasteres, and sett in good governaunce and ordinaunce, some to renne, and some to stonde and abide batayle. And whan thou entrist to fighte comforte thi meyne with fayre wordis, and that shalle yeve hem hert and hardynesse forto abide in batayle, and folio 25a
euyr kepe the wel from tresoun. And euyr be wel purveyde of good horse and wel rennyng, so that nede were that thorugh tresoun or any othir adventure it nedid thee to fle, than thou maist bi thi swyft horse save thyn owen persone. And if ţou see thyn enemyes fle, chase hem nought to hastily, but holde thi folke togidere on ţe best maner thou kanst, for oft tyme in chasyng of enemyes a man is disseyvid and deed. And if ţou assayle castelle or towne, loke that thou haue Engynes and Gonnes gret plente to breke the wallis and the yatis, and good crafty mynoures, and by any wey that thou mayst bireve hem her water, for that is the most confusioun in any holde. And if thou Page 38
maiste not reve hem her watir, loke that thou ordeyne forto envenyme it, and haue to the two or three of that othir side, forto telle the her castis and her counselle. And if thou mayst haue thi purpos othirwise than bi batayle, y rede thee take it, or ellis do thi worste vnto thyn enemyes, and on alle wise worche by counselle.

Of ffysnomye of folke. Capitulum 62m.

amonge alle othir thingis caste the to knowe the mervelous science of ffysnomye, for therbi thou shalt knowe the natures and the condiciones of alle folke. And this science fonde a gret clerke that hight, ffysnomyas, the which serchid the qualitees and the natures of alle folke. In the tyme of this ffysnomyas reynyd the nobille and excellent doctoure ypocras. And for this ffisonomyas bare such a name of wisdome the disciplis of ypocras portreweden the liknes of her maystir, and bare it vnto fisnomyas, and bade him “Iuge the nature of him that that figure was lijk to”; and than he seide, “that man that is lijk to this figure, or ţat ţis figure
folio 25b
is lijk to, is lecherous, and baratous, and boystous”; than they that had brought this figure to him, they seidene, “O fole, this is the figure of wijs ypocras, the best man and the wisist that lyvith.” Than seide phisnomyas, “I knowe welle this is the figure of wijs ypocras, and y haue seid and Iugid the sothe theron, but of his wijsdome and resoun he refreyneth him silff from these vicis that nature shewith in him.” These disciples come home to her maystir, and tolde him of her doyng; than seide ypocras, “y haue herde tolde moche of the wijsdome of phisnomyas, but it is previd in doyng now, so that y shalle holde him euir a passyng wijs man; for trewly he hath iugid ţe trouthe.” Therfore y haue writen to thee, dere sone, the rewlys abreggid of this science of ffisnomye, in whiche ţou shalt fynde greet loore. And thou se a man that is of febille coloure, fle his companye, for he is lecherous, and enclyned to many yvelis. And thou se a man that is glad laughyng, and whan he lokith on the is dredy and ashamyd, and his visage wexith reed and sigheth, and the teeres fallen in his eyene whan thou blamyst him, wite welle that he doutith and lovith moche thi persone. And kepe the welle from him ţat hath not alle his [membirs]

fulfilled of byrthe, or is markid in the visage, and from alle tho that are of yville forme and

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shappe. The beste forme is in mene men that haue the eyen and the heere blak, the visage rounde, coloure whijt, reed, and browne medlid togidere, these haue hool hert and trewe, they that haue the hed meene, not to litille ne to moche, and speken litille but if it be nede, and the voyce swete, suche complexioun is good, and suche men take nere the. And the heer be fulle and softe, that man is deboner … … … … … … … note.9
folio 26a
coloure, bitwix whijt and reed, with soft heere and playne, and eyen menely grete and rounde, ţe heed wel made of good mesure, good nekke and sufficient longe, and hath not the leggis ne the knees ouyr flesshy, ţe shuldris a litille goyng downeward, the palmes, ţe fyngris sufficient longe and nought ouyr grete, and laugheth litille, and skorneth no man, and hath laughyng visage and glad, this man is good in alle nature. Dere sone, it is not lefulle to Iuge of oon signe in a man. But thou muste considir alle ţe signes in him, and than take hede on the signes that most habounde in man, and deme ţe beste most naturalle party.

This is the tretys that Aristotille made to Kyng Alexandre, callid Secreta secretorum of gouirnaunce of Kyngis in worshipe, wijsdome, and gret helthe, of whiche lougher men in degre mowe lerne gret and bihoueful doctryne.

Page [40]

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THE GOVERNANCE OF LORDSCHIPES.

MS. Lambeth 501.

A 15th Century Translation of the Secreta Secretorum.

(Soon after 1400.)

[Epistle dedicatory.]

folio 1a

To his lord most heg and in worschippynge of Cristes religioun most noble Guy sothely of Valence of ţe Citee of Tripol glorious Bisshop, Phelip ţe lest of his clerks hym and trew seruice of deuocioun recomendys. As mikel as ţe mone ys more shinynge ţan ţe oţer sterrys, and as ţe bem of ţe sonne ys moor brygt ţan ţe ligt of the mone, As mekyl ţe clernesse of oure wyt & ţe depnesse of oure conynge passys all men ţat now er on any syde ţe see, as wel Barbarys as Latyns yn litterure. No-ţer ys non of hool mynde ţat may stryf aeyn ţis sentence, ffor where ţe Gyuer of graces, fro whom all goodis passys fort, to ilke man his goodis deles, It semys he has gyuen to ţe oon ţe gyftes of graces & of conynge, ffor yn ţe er founden all ţe graces of halowes, ţe clennesse of Noe, ţe strent of abraham, ţe fait of ysaak, ţe longe lastynge of Iacob, ţe sofferynge of Moyse, ţe stabilnesse of Iosue, ţe deuocioun of hely, ţe perfeccioun of helise, ţe Benignite of dauid, ţe wit of Salamon, ţe pacience of Iob, ţe chastite of daniel, ţe ffaconde of ysae, ţe perseuerance of Ieremi with all oţer vertu of halowes yn ţi halynes most fully dwelles; it yn all fre conynges ţou ys best lettridd, yn decretals of haly chirche & lawes wysest, In diuinite & moralite beste taugt. Wherfore worthy ys ţat oure swetnesse haue ţe booke of thys werke, yn ţe whilk some profitable ţinges neg of all sciences ys contend. When y was with ow at Antyoche, and ţis precious margarite of Philosophye ffouden, it likyd to oure lordschip ţat it were translatyd out of ţe tonge of arabye yn to latyn.

Sothely y coueytynge mekly to bowe to oure biddynge & to oure wyl as y am holdyn to serue, ţys booke ţat latyns wantyd and ys founden with fewe arabyes I haue translatyd with greet trauaille ynto opyn vnderstandynge of latyn out of ţe langage of araby, to oure hegnesse and

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worschipe som tyme expounande letter of letter, and som tyme vndirstandynge of vndirstondynge, ffor other maner of spekynge ys with arabys & oţer with Latyns.

folio 1b
ţe wilke booke Aristotel ţe wyseste Prynce of Philosofers made at ţe askynge of kynge Alexander his disciple ţat askyd of him ţat he sholde come to him or elles ţat he sholde shewe to him ţe preuyte of diuers craftes, ţat ys to say ţe sterynge of wirkynges and power of sternes in astronomy, ţe craft of alkenamy in kynde, and ţe craft of kennynge kyndes & of wirkynge eschauntement in [piromancye] note.10 & gewmatry, ţe whilke Aristotel for elde eldand, and heuynes of body mygt nougt goo, and yf all he hadde purposyd in all manere to hide ţe preuytes of ţes craftes forsayd, Noţeles he durste nougt ne sholde nougt aeyn say ţe wyl and ţe askynge of swylke a lord. He willand in party to make asset to ţe Emperour; & in party ţe preuytes of ţe craftes to hide, he made ţis booke, spekand by tokyns & ensamples, & lyke spekyngges techand outward by lettre philosofre techinge falland to lordlynes of lordes, to hele of body to be kepyd, & to profyt ţat may nought be nombred of kennynge of heuenly bodis to be had. Inward he shewys to ţe marg by toknys & preuyly to Alexander ţe principal purpos ţat he askyd him wit greet praiere, departand ţis booke yn distinccons or bokes, ten of the whilke ylkon yn hym contentys, Chapytrys, and partyes termynd.

And I yn ţe begynnynge of ţys booke haues gedird to gedyr & wretyn ţe bigynnynge of ţe bokes and all ţe Chapitres of the titles, so ţat ţat ys askyd may mor redily be founden yn certeyns tetlys. GOODLY ffader, ţys werke y haue translatid to oure glorye and worschipe ţat ţe mynde of me with ow more fast dwelle, and my deuocioun to oure seruice mekly shewe hym, prayand deuoutly, ţat yn ţys weke is founden profitable & acceptable, be hit assigned to his gyft ţat gaf me grace to translate it, and to Aristotyl ţat made it; And if ţer be ougt founden nougt rigt or nougt conable sette, be it attornyd to myn vnconynge & vnwyt mor ţan to my malyce.

folio 2a

And ouer oure ffaconde ţat I wele knowe in enterpretacioun in wordes and yn properte of abundaunce of blisful spekynge do to amende ţat ys to amende, ţe mercy of god safe & hale longe kepe ow to ţe glorye & worschipe of criste and Cristyn men, & after greet leng of tyme he make ow blysfully to come to euer lastynge ioye.

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THE CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK. note.11

Cap. 1. Of aforspekynge of louynge of Aristotel … … [47]

Cap. 2. Of a Epistyl fro Alexander to Aristotel…. … [48]

Cap. 3. [The answer of the same] … … … [48]

Cap. 4. Of aforspekynge of ţe translatour of ţis booke … [48]

Cap. 5. Of Aristotel epistel to Alexander … … [49]

note.12 Cap. 6. Of kynges & ţer maners yn largesse & aueryce … [51]

Cap. 7. Of largesse and oţer vertue. [Of ţe evels ţat comes of ffole largesse]

… … … [52]

Cap. 8. Of teching of Aristotel yn vertue and vices … [53]

Cap. 9. Of ţe endly entente ţat kynges awe to haue … [53]

Cap. 10. Of euels ţat seuen flesshly apetit… … … [54]

note.13 Cap. 11. Of ţe wyt of a kynge … … … … [54]

Cap. 12. Of ţe religiouste of a kynge … … … [55]

Cap. 13. Of his purueyance & his slegte … … … [55]

Cap. 14. Of ţe costome of a kynge. note.14 [Of ornament cleţinge of kynge.]

… … … … [55]

Cap. 15. Of ţe contynance of a kynge. [To eschewe mekyl Spekynge] … … …

… [56]

Cap. 16. Of ţe rygt of a kynge … … … … [57]

Cap. 17. Of his fynale entente … … … … [57]

Cap. 18. Of ţe chastite of a kynge … … … … [58]

Cap. 19. Of ţe solace of a kynge … … … … [58]

Cap. 20. [Of the descrecioun of a kynge] … … … [58]

Cap. 21. [Of obedyence] … … … … … [59]

Cap. 22. Of ţe similitude of a kynge … … … [59]

Cap. 23. Of ţe socour and ţe help of a kynge … … [60]

Cap. 24. [Of ţe purueyance of a kynge] … … … [61]

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Cap. 25. Of ţe mercy of a kynge … … … … [61]

Cap. 26. [To kepe fayth and othes sworne] … … [62]

Cap. 27. Of his kepynge … … … … … [62]

Cap. 28. Of auancement of study yn his londe … … [63]

Cap. 29. Of ţe kepynge of his Body [from women] … [63]

Cap. 30. [Of trysting noght only yn oon leche] … … [64]

folio 2b

Cap. 31. Of ţe sigt of oures in Astronomy … … [64]

Cap. 32. Of ţe profyt to kepe hele … … … [66]

Cap. 33. [Of ţe composition of man of foure humours] … [66]

Cap. 34. Of kepynge of helthe … … … … [67]

Cap. 35. [Of ţe tokens of ţe stomak] … … … [68]

Cap. 36. Of maners to kepe helthe … … … [69]

Cap. 37. Of kepynge of helt and manere of lyuynge … [69]

Cap. 38. [Of contynance afore mete] … … … [70]

Cap. 39. Of manere of slepynge … … … … [71]

Cap. 40. [Of slepynge aftyr mete] … … … … [71]

Cap. 41. Of kepynge of costome … … … … [72]

Cap. 42. [To eschewe Engrutynge] … … … [72]

Cap. 43. Of ţe ffoure tymes of ţe ere; Of ţer qualite and diuersite; Of veir … … … [72]

Cap. 44. Of Somer … … … … … … [73]

Cap. 45. Of Heruest … … … … … [74]

Cap. 46. Of Wynter … … … … … [74]

Cap. 47. [Thynges that fattith the body] … … … [75]

Cap. 48. [Thynges ţat feblys and dryes ţe Body] … [76]

Cap. 49. [The Reule of Ypocraas] … … … … [76]

Cap. 50. Of knowynge of ffoure principaly Membrys; Of ţe euyle of ţe heued and ţe remedy … [76]

Cap. 51. Of ţe euyle of ţe brest and ţe remedy … … [77]

Cap. 52. Of ţe euyle of ţe pryue membrys & ţe remedy … [77]

Cap. 53. [Opynyounns of dyuers ffesisyens] … … [77]

Cap. 54. [Of ţe kepyng of kyndly hete] … … … [78]

Cap. 55. Of knowynge of Metys … … … … [78]

Cap. 56. [Of ffisshes] … … … … … [78]

Cap. 57. Of knowynge of waters … … … … [79]

Cap. 58. Of knowynge of alle manere of wynes … … [79]

Cap. 59. [Of ţe euelys ţat folwyn to mekyll of wyn] … [80]

Cap. 60. [Of venegre, and ţe beste medicyn for dronkenesse] … … … …

… [81]

Cap. 61. Of thinges ţat strynghes ţe body … … [82]

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Cap. 62. Of thinges ţat wastys & enfeblys ţe body …

Cap. 63. Of Bathes; Of ordinance of stuynge … … [82]

Cap. 64. [Techyng to lyf hool withoute leche] … … [83]

Cap. 65. [Of ţe greet medicyne] … … … … [84]

Cap. 66. Of makynge of hony to medecyns … … [84]

Cap. 67. Of ţe ffrste medecyne … … … … [84]

Cap. 68. Of ţe secounde … … … … … [85]

Cap. 69. Of ţe ţridde … … … … … [85]

Cap. 70.Off ţe ferthe … … … … … note.15

Cap. 71. Of ţe ffyft … … … … … note.16

Cap. 72. ţe sext … … … … … … note.17

Cap. 73. ţe seuend … … … … … … note.18

Cap. 74. ţe egt … … … … … … note.19

Cap. 75. Of ţe greet medecyne, last and fynale … … note.20

Cap. 76. Of latyng of blood, and of oures ţerto … … [85]

Cap. 77. [Off takynge of medicyn laxatyue] … … [86]

Cap. 78. [Of doctryne of tokenynges] … … … [86]

Cap. 79. Off propertes of herbes and stones … … [87]

Cap. 80. [Off ţe stoon, ţe Eye of Philosophers.] … … [87]

Cap. 81. Off ţe Oppynyoun of Hermogenes … … [88]

Cap. 82. [Off ţe vertu of precious stoones] … … [89]

Cap. 83. [Off ţinges vegetable] … … … … [89]

Cap. 84. [Off ţe trees ţat hauyn kyndly vertu] … … [91]

note.21 Cap. 85. Off right … … … … … … [92]

Cap. 86. [Off ţe makyng of ţinges in order] … … [94]

Cap. 87. [Off ţe steryng of heuens] … … … [95]

Cap. 88. Knowynge of Sawle. … … … … [96]

note.22 Cap. 89. [Off ţe makyng of man] … … … … [97]

Cap. 90. [Of sight]. Off ţe V wyttes … … … [97]

Cap. 91. [Off harkenyng] … … … … … [97]

Cap. 92. [Off tastynge] … … … … … [97]

Cap. 93. [Off touch] … … … … … [98]

Cap. 94. [Off werkyng of wyttes] … … … … [98]

Cap. 95. [Off perfeccioun of ffyue wyttes] … … [98]

Cap. 96. [Off conseillers] … … … … … [98]

Cap. 97. [Off byholding engenderures] … … … [99]

Cap. 98. [To dyspys noght lytyll stature] … … … [100]

Cap. 99. [How ţe kyng awe to ask conseyll] … … [101]

Cap. 100. [Off putting vpberers in ţe kyngs stede] … [101]

Cap. 101. Off Prudence to assaye a Conseller … … [102]

Page 46

Cap. 102. ffyuetene Vertue off a good Conseiller … [103]

Cap. 103. [ţat man ys ţe lesse werld] … … … [104]

Cap. 104. [Noght to haue trist yn man ţat trowys noght ţy lawe] … … …

… … [104]

note.23 Cap. 105. To chese a Qweynte Scryueyn and Pryue … [106]

note.24 Cap. 106. To teche a Messagere … … … … [107]

note.25 Cap. 107. To gouerne ţy self … … … … [108]

Cap. 108. [Of expendours] … … … … … [108]

note.26 Cap. 109. Off lederes off ostes and here ordinaunce … [108]

Cap. 110. [Of the horn of battle] … … … … [109]

note.27 Cap. 111. Off auenture off Bataylles … … … [110]

note.28 Cap. 112. Knowynge by diuers tokenynges … … [112]

Cap. 113. [Off colour] … … … … … [114]

Cap. 114. [Off byholdyng] … … … … [114]

Cap. 115. [Off ţe mysauentrous] … … … … [114]

Cap. 116. [Off attemprance] … … … … [114]

Cap. 117. Of heer of men … … … … … [114]

Cap. 118. Of eghen … … … … … [115]

Cap. 119. Of browes … … … … … [115]

Cap. 120. Of nees … … … … … … [115]

Cap. 121. Of face. Of mouth … … … … [115]

Cap. 122. Of ţe temples … … … … … [116]

Cap. 123. [Of ţe eeres] … … … … … [116]

Cap. 124. Of voyces … … … … … [116]

Cap. 125. Of Mouynge of body … … … … [116]

Cap. 126. Of ţe Throte … … … … … [116]

Cap. 127. Of ţe wombe. Of ţe sholders … … … [116]

Cap. 128. Of ţe armes … … … … … [117]

Cap. 129. Of ţe palmes of ţe hondes … … … [117]

Cap. 130. Of knees, Of ţe soles of ţe feet … … [117]

Cap. 131. Of ţe paas of men, & manere of goynge … [117]

Cap. 132. [Of ţe tokenynges of good kynde] … … [117]

Cap. 133. [Of oon wytnesse in Iugement] … … [118]

Page 47

Cap. 1. [Of aforspekynge of louynge of Aristotel.]

folio 3a

God almyty kepe oure kynge to ioye of his ligeys, and make fast his kyngdome to defende ţe lawe of god, and make hym dwellynge to enhye ţe worschipe & louynge of gode men. I oure seruant to ţe comandement ţat e enioynyd me haues put myn entent to enserche ţe book of maners of gouernance of lordschipes, ţat is sayd preuyte of preuyte or consaill of consailles, ţe whilke ţe Prynce of Philosophers Aristotel, ţe sone of Nichomake of Macidoyne, made and wrate to his disciple ţe greete Emperour Alexander, ţe sone of Phelippe kynge of grece, ţe whilke Alexander two hornes ys sayde to haue had. Ţys book mad Aristotel yn his elde, & in his wayknesse of bodely vertue ţat he mygt nougt goo, no to vse &
gefe entent to ţe kynges nedes; ffor Alexander had mad him cheefe gouernour of his londes, and set him byfore oţer als hym ţat he had chosen & mekyl louyd, ffor he was a man of greet conseyle & letterure, & of persand vndirstandynge, and yn trew stody wakand, and yn gracious maners & spiritualy conynges, and yn charitables contemplacions descreet and meke; wharfore many of ţe philosophers hold hym als of ţe nombre of prophetes, And men fyndes wretyn yn old writynge of Gregeis ţat souerayn god sent his Angel to hym sayand, “I sall name ţe bettir Angel ţan man.” Many ar ţe takenyngys of hym and greet meruailles & straunge wirkynges ţat longe wer to me by ordre to telle. Bot of his dede er diuers oppynyons, for oon sect ţat er namyd ypatetiks affermes ţat he steig to ţe emperien heuene yn ţe semynge of fir. Als longe als he leuyd was Alexander valiant by kepynge of his hale counseil, folowand his biddyngys; and for ţat he conquerd Citee, and hadde victory of all kyngdomes, and of all ţe world he oon hadde chefe gouernaunce, Whare fore ţe name of his renoun spredde hym ţourg alle londys of ţe ffoure partyes of ţe world, so ţat alle naciouns putte hem vndir his empir and

Page 48
comandement, Arabies & Perseis, so ţat no man ne dorste in sawe no yn dede aeyn-stond his lordschipe. He made many morales epistels to Aristotel folio 3b
of greet delyt to haue his secree fynal, of ţe whilke ţys ys oon part. Alexander sente to his techere Aristotel whanne he hadde ouercomen ţe Perseis in ţys ffourme.

Cap. 2. [Of a Epistyl fro Alexander to Aristotel.]

“O Noble doctour, gouernour of rigt, y do to vnderstonde to oure conynge ţat y haue foundyn yn ţe lond of Perse a ffolk ţat is abundand of resoun and of persand vnderstondynge, & ţay stody to haue lordschipe of oţer, wharfore we purpos to slaa ţam alle; ţat ţat semys to ow yn ţys matere e sende vs by oure letters.”

Cap. 3. [The answer of the same.]

And Aristotel answerd yn ţis manere. “If ţou may chaunge ţe eir and ţe watir of ţat lond, and also ţe ordinance of Citee, do ţy purpos, and elleys gouerne hem wyt goodnesse, And vnderstonde hem wyt debonertee, and yf ţou so doo, be ţou seker with ţe helpe of god ţay all shall be subgit to ţy likynges & biddynges, and be loue ţou shall reigne vp-on hem pesabely wit victorye.” Ţis Epistel ressayued, Alexander did after his consaill & ţey of Perse were most obeisaunt to hym of alle Naciouns.

Cap. 4. [Of aforspekynge of ţe translatour of ţis booke.]

Howe this Book was ffirst ffounden.

Iohan ţat translatyd ţis book Patrik sone ful wys, & leel enterpretour of langages sayd, “I haue nogt left vnsogt no stede no temple whare Philosophers vsyd to wryte & ţaire pryue wirkynges to make, no no wys man ţat y trowd ţat vnderstood ţe wrytynge of Philosophie, ţat y ne sogt hym, to ţe tyme ţat y cam to ţe Oracle of ţe sone ţat Esculapides mad for hym, where y fand oon solitarye man abstinente ful wys of Philosophie, and of greet conynge, to whom y mekyd me, and yn als mekel as y coude I seruyd and ful deuoutly y requerd hym ţat he wolde shewe me ţe secrete wretyn yn ţat oracle; and he willand did hyt, And omonge oţer doynges ţe werke desird I ffand ţere, and greet trauaylle and longe tyme folio 4a

I trauayled and

Page 49
hadde hit; & wit ioye y wente hoome eldand to oure creatour gret ţankynges in many maneres; And at ţe requeste of oon worthy kyng y trauaillyd, studyd, and translatyd hit out of ţe langage of grew yn to Calden & out Calden to ţe langage of arabye; And yn ţe bigyunyge y fand ţis book of wys Aristotyl, and translatyd hit; In the whilke book he answers to ţe request of Alexander yn ţys fourme.

Cap. 5. Ţe Epistle of Aristotel to Alexander.

sOune most glorious, most rigtful Emperour, god make ţe fast in way of knowynge and felynge of ţreut & vertues, & restreyn yn ţe bestials apetites, & ţi wyte ligten to his seruice and his worschipe, I haue ressayuid to worschipe ţat fallys ţerto, And fully y haue vnderstonde how greet desir & e haue of my persone ţat y were with ow; e meruaille how y may absteyne me fro ow, And chalangys me ţat y haue no ţougt of oure besynes, wharefore y haue besyed me &
hastyd me for ţat cause to make a wrytynge to owre heignes, & it shal be a balaunce to all oure werkys dressand rigt myn absence fulfilland, And it shal be a certeyn reule to ow to what e wille as y sholde shewe ow if y were present with ow; e sholde nogt haue chalangid me sithen e woot and sholde wete, ţat I leue nogt to to come to oure most cleer worschippynge for dispyt, But ţat heuynesse of age and feblenesse of body hauys so vmbylappyd me, ţat ţey make me heuy and nogt able to goo; And ouer ţat ţat e equere and coueytis to wete, it is swilk a secre ţat vnnethis mannys brest may it vnderstonde, how may it ţanne be wrete in dedly skyns? To ţat ţat fallis to ow to enquere, and ys leful to me to trete me byhoues and of dette ys holden to answere, Als e of dette of discrecioun is
folio 4b
ys holdyn to enquere no more of me of ţis secret ţan y deliuere ow yn ţis book, ffor yf e besely study it, rede hit, and fully vnderstond vt ţat is content ţer ynne, I trowe with outen doute ţat non obstacle shal be by twen ow and ţat ţat e desire, ffor god hauys geuyn to ţe so mekyl grace of vnderstondynge and rigtful wyt in letterure of sciences be my techinge byfore tagt ţat by oure seluyn e mowe comprend & by fygurs vnderstonde all ţat e aske to be tagt of, ffor ţe desir of oure brynnand wyl shal opyn a way to gete oure purpos, & shall lede ow to ţe ende desiryd by ţe graunt of oure lord.

Page 50

Ţe cause ys ţat y will shewe to ow ţis secree by liknes spekand to ow by ensamples, signifiances, and tokenynges; ffor y doute mekyl ţat ţis book come nougt to ţe hondes of vntrew men and ynto power of proude men, And so shulde ţis laste good and secree of lordschipes to swilk come ţat souereyn god iugys vnworthi & enemys, And so y shulde be a trespasour to goddys grace, and breker of heuenly secree & of ţe pryue shewynge. And ţarefore vndir coniurisoun of goddis Iugement y haue discouerd to ow ţis sacrament after ţe manere ţat it ys shewyd to me, And wete wel ţat he ţat secreet discouers & shewys preuyte, myshappe shal sone sewe him, wherfore if e do it ţe same comynges e folio 5a
shal lightly ryn in. But god fro all euelys, and swilke wirkes, & fro all vnhoneste by his mercy kepe ow, And after all swylke oţer ţinges brynge to oure mynde ţat sauand techinge ţat y ofte sithes was wont to shewe to ow, and oure noble saule to enfourme, and ţat shal be oure solas and mirrour of hele.

note.29 Sustentement of kynges.

It most nede be of force ţat ilk a kyng haue two helpes to susteyn his kyngdome, ţe oon ys strengt of men to defende him and make his kyngdome stalworth, and ţat may he nogt but whenne he is gouernour in rigt and lord yn his subgit, and ţat his subgit of oon accord obeisse hem to his lordschipe. As for inobedience of subgit is ţe mygt of lord put vndir and mad feble, & subget regnys, I haue shewyd cause ţat subgit sholde be steryd to ţaire lord to be obeisaunt, ţe cause ys double, on ynward a-noţer outward; ţe outward y haue declared before, ţat ys to say ţat ţou despend ţy good and Rychesse wysly, & make ţy largesse after ţe desert of ilk oon. And it byhoues ţat kynges haue a-noţer queyntise, but ţerof y shal make mencioun after yn ţe chapitre of riches & helpes; ţe seconde ţinge is to drawe ţe wil of his subgit to wirkynge, and ţat awe to go before yn ţe firste degree, And ţe seconde helpe awe to haue two causes, oon ynward and a-noţer, outward, and ţat ynward ys ţat kynges awe helde and do rigt of poscessiouns, riches & purches ţat rigt heir be maad ţerof, and trewe successours. note.30 A cause ys foreyn ţat ys to say sparand ţe riches of subgit.

Page 51

And ţe inward cause ys ţe secree of olde Philosopheres and of rigtful men ţat glorious god before chose and his knowynge gaf hem, And if y gif ow ţis secree with oţer ţinges ţat e shall fynde yn dyuers titles of ţis book yn ţe whilk e shal fynde greet Philosophie and conynge, ffor with Inne ys foundyn ţe fynal cause of oure entent and oure purpos, principal & fynal, when e haue fully ţe vnderstondynges of ţe sentences, and of ţe ensamples, ţanne shal e pursewe fully & perfitely oure purpos desiryd. God ţat ys most wys & glorious, he ligt oure resoun, and make cleer oure vnderstondynge to persayue ţe sacrament of ţis science ţat e mowe se ţer in. Ţe toţer ys ţat he make his riches to abounde largely in the soules of wyse men, & gif graces to vnderstondant & studiaunt, to whom no ţinge ys inpossible, and with oute whom no possessioun is possible.

Book I

Cap. 6. Of maners of kynges.

note.31 Kynges er ffoure, large to him and large to subgit, and kynge auers to hym and auers to subgit, And kynge auers to hym and large to subgit, And kyng large to hym & auers to subgit. Ţe ytailes sayen it ys no vice to a kynge if he be auers to hym seluen, so ţat he be large to folio 5b
his subgit. Ţe Indyes sayen ţe same of a kynge ţat ys auers to hym seluyn, and to his subgit good; ţe perseyens affermen aeyn ţat a kynge is nogt wort ţat ys nogt large to hym seluyn.

Of largesse and Auarice.

Ws byhoues now sotely enquere of ţes vertues and vices, and for to shewe what ys largesse & what auarice, and what errour ys yn largesse, & what euyl suys withdrawynge of largesse. ffor opyn ţinge ys ţat qualytes er to be despysed whenne ţey disacord fro ţeir mein; And we woot wel ţat ţe kepynge of largesse ys rigt herd, and his brekynge rigt ligt. If ţow wylt gete ţe vertu of largesse, behold ţy power, ţe tyme of mester, and ţe desertes of men, And ţanne shalt ţow after ţy pouere with mesure gif ţy godes to ţeym that hauys myster and er worthy. He ţat oţer wyse gyues, synnes, and trespasys ţe rule of largesse; ffor he ţat gyues his good to hem ţat hauys no myster, he purchases no louynge ţerof, And whanne ţay er gyuen to vnworthy ţay er louyd; And he ţat spendys his good Page 52
ouyr mesure shal sone come to ţe better riuale of note.32 pouert, and he ys likynd to hym ţat geuys victorye to his enemys vpon him. He ţat gyues of his godes in tyme of nede to nedful men, swylk a kynge ys large to him and to his subgit, and he shal reigne in prosperite, and his comaundemente shal be holdyn.

Olde men louyn swylk a kynge, and he ys sayd vertuous, large and attempre. And he ţat geuys ţe giftys of his kyngdome out of ordre to vnworthy and to hem ţat has non nede, he is a wastour of his goodys, & distruour of his kyngdome and vnmygty to reigne, & he ys callyd a prodegaleous man ţat is ffole large; ffor his forseynge ys farre fro his reygnynge. But certys ţe name of oon Auers mys fallys to a kynge, and mys semys to his real mageste; ţerfore if a kynge haue ţe oon or ţe oţer vice, ţat ys to say aueryce or folio 6a
folee largesse, if him self can nogt conseill hym, It aweţ to be purueyd to him with greet besynesse a trew discret man chosen, to whom he may trowe to ordeyne ţe besynesse of his godys, and his richesse to gouerne.

Cap. 7. Of ţe euels ţat comes of ffole largesse.

Alexander, y say stedfastly to ţe, what kyng ţat wille continue giftys yn surfaytes ouer ţat his kyngdom wyl suffyse to hym, That kynge with outen doute shal be destroyed. Ouer ţat y say to ţe ţat y neuer sesyd to say to ţy heignes, ţat for to eschewe Auerice and ffole largesse is ioye of kynges and longe lastynge of kyngdomes, and ţat ys namly whanne kynges withholdys hem &
withdrawes her hondys frome ţe goodys and poscessicuns of her subgit, wher of it ys founden in ţe book of ţe greet doctour Hermogenes, ţat souerayn and verray goodnes, nobeley, and vnderstondynge, & fulfyllyng of lawe & tokenynge of perfeccioun are yn a kynge ţat withdrawys hym from ţe siluer and poscessiouns of his subgit. What was ţe cause ţat ţe distruccion of ţe kyngdom of Ingelond.

note.33 Whenne ţat ţe superfluyte of despens ouer passyd ţe rente of citee, &
ţer rentys falliţ hem despense, ţo ţe kynge extendyd his hondys to oţer menys goodys and rentys, and ţe subgit for ţe wronge cried to hye god and glorious, and sente hem an hote wende, and torment hem stalworthly, and ţe poeple dressyd hem aeyn hem, and ţer names for euer dyd out of ţe lond. And but yf glorious god had so ordeyned, ţis lond hadde

Page 53
vtterly ben destruyd. And wete ţat richesse er ţe lastynge of saule bestfull & a party ţerof, and ţe saule may nogt last yf ţat cause be destruyd; wherfore man awe gretly eschewe ouerdoynge and ouerabundance of despens, And ţat largesse be attemprance be getyn, & ţat foly and ouerdoon gyftys be eschewyd.

Cap. 8. [Of teching of Aristotel yn vertue and vices.]

folio 6b

Ţe maners and ţe goodis sustinance of vertues er to guerdon olde trauailles, to reles wrongys, honurable men to worschippe, to helpe simple men, to vpbere ţe defautes of Innocent, to faire speke to hem of gretys, to restreyne ţe tonge, to suffre wronge ffor a tyme, to leue and flee foly. yt y lere ţe ţat y was wont to lere ţe and sawe yn ţy brest, And y trist ţat ţis techinge shall be yn all ţy wayes and werkys surtee and sufficiante to ţy gouernaille alle ţe tymes of ţy lyf. I shal say ţe trewly ţe conynge of Philosophye abreggyd, And yf y hadde neuer sayd to ţe but ţis folowand techinge, it sholde suffise to ţe in alle ţy werkys touchand ţis werld & ţe oţer.

Cap. 9. [Of ţe endly entente ţat kynges awe to haue.]

Of vndirstondynge.

Wete ţou ţat vndirstondyng ys heued of gouernance, hele of saule, keper of vertue, Mirrour of vices; ffor we byholde yn hit ţat ţat ys to flee, and we knowe by it ţat ţat ys to be chosen. It ys growyng of vertu & rote of alle goodes loueables & worschipfull, And ţe firste teching of vndirstondynge is couetyng of good lose, ffor he ţat couetys trewly good lose he shall haue good name and glorious. And he ţat coueytis yt fayntly, by shame he shal be confoundyd.

Of goode lose.

Goode lose ys principaly by hym self to be coueyted, ffor kyngdome awe nogt to be coueyted bot for good lose, And ţerfore bigynny of wyt and vndirstondynge ys desir of good lose ţat ys purchasyd by good gouernance and to wele lorde; and ţerfore if gouernance or lordschipe for oţer cause be coueyted, it ys no purchas of no good lose, but of enuye. Enuye engendres lesynge, ţat ys rote of alle euelys, & ys matir of vices. Lesynges engendrys detraccioun; detraccioun engenders haatredyn; haatredyn engendrys wronges; wronges engendrys vnreuerence; Page 54
vnreuerence engendyrs Ire; Ire engendrys aeinstryuynge; aeinstryuyng engendrys enmyte; enmyte bataill; bataill destroys lawys and sitee, and ţat ys aeyn rigt and kynde, and ţat ţat disaccordys to kynd destruys alle wirkynges. Stody and loue, desir of good lose in treuthe & sotfastnesse, ţat ys rote of alle ţynges loueables & Moder of alle goodis, ffor it ys folio 7a
contrarie to lesynge, And desir of rigt engendrys rigt; rigt engendris Trist; trist engendrys largesse; largesse engendrys ffamiliarite, ţat ys trew seruice; trew seruice engendrys frendschipe; ffrendschipe engendrys conseil and helpe; by ţes ţinges ys al ţe werld stablissyd, and lawes set to men; ţes accordes to resoun and kynde, wherfore it semes ţat desir to gouerne fore good lose ys good ţinge and lastynge.

Cap. 10. [Of euels ţat seuen flesshly apetit.]

To eschewe fflessly delytes.

Alexander, bowe ţy wyl fro bestials delices, fro fflessly appetit makes ţe corages of men lyk to ţe willys of bestys, wyth outyn resoun and discrecioun; and hit destruys the body, & makys heuy ţy wyttes and ţyn vnderstondynge. It ys to knowe ţat flessly delyces engendrys flescly loue, and flessly loue Aueryce; Aueryce desir of richesse; desyr of richesse dredys no shame; to drede nogt shame makys foly takynge; ffoly takynge makys vntreuthe; vntrewthe theft; theft repreef, wherof comes cheitifty and takyng, ţat brynges a man to shame and his distruccioun.

BOOK II.

Cap. 11. [Of ţe wyt of a kynge.]

Of vertues ţat kynges awe to haue.

First and principaly it is nedful to a kynge, ţat touchand his owen persoun, ţat good lose of his name sprede of his lowable wyt, and ţat he wysly conten hym with his folk, and ţerof he shal be louyd and worschipyd, and he shal be doutyd whanne ţey seen hym in wyt eloquent and yn his werkys wysly doand. And a man may ligtly knowe, and by tokenynges perseyue whether wyt or no wyt be yn a kynge lordand; ffor what kynge ţat puttys his kyngdom vndirlout to ţe lawes of god, he reignes rigtfully and worschipfully to his lordschype. And he ţat Page 55
puttys his lawe in seruage and vndirlout yn his kyngdom and empir, he is a trespasour to treuth and despisour of his awene lawe; And he ţat dispyses his lawe of alle men, he shal be dispysed and dampnyd in lawe.

Cap. 12. [Of ţe religiouste of a kynge.]

yt y say als wys Philosophers and spekers of ţe mygts of god sayen, ţat first soueraynly it fallys to a kynge ţat he attempre hym wit trewe stablement & lawes nogt in fenyd semynge but in opyn shewynge of dede, ţat alle ţe folk wete ţat he doutys god mygtful, and ţat
folio 7b
he ys subgyt to ţe heg mygt of god; ffor ţanne men was wont to worschippe and doute a kynge whenne ţey se hym worschippe and doute god; and if he oonly shew hym semand religious, and yn his werkys be an euyl doere, And euyll wirkynges may nogt hyd hem, but if folk wete hem, he shal be refusyd of god and of ţe folk despysed, his dedys shall be dyfamed, and his empir lessyd, and ţe hegt of his glorie and mageste shal be with outen worschipe. And ouer ţat ţer is no pryce ne no tresour ţat may aeyn bye his good fame. Ouer alle ţinges it fallys to a kynge to worschipe trew men, to fortbere religious men, wys men to enhye and ofte sithes speke wyt, to stirre doutablys questions, honestly to aske hem, and discretly answore hem; ţe most wys and most noble most to worschippe aftir her states.

Cap. 13. [Of his purueyance and his sleghte.]

and yt ys nedfull to a kynge to ţynk on auentures to come, and so ordeyne ţat he suffre more ligtly aduersytes. Also it fals him to be pytous, & namly restreyne hym fro inordinat sterynges, and he do nogt yn dede with outen deliberacioun, and ţat he sone and resonably knowe his errour and wysly repele hit, ffor it ys souerayn wyt yn a kynge to wel gouerne hym seluyn. Whanne a kynge sees any good or profit to doo, with discrecion do he hit nogt ouer latly ne ouer hastly, ţat he be nogt sen hastyf ne slowe.

Cap. 14. Of ornement cleţinge of a kynge.

It mekyl byhoues and semes to a kynges dignite worschypefully be cled, and euyr more yn fayr apparell to apper & passe oţer in fayrhede; ţerfore a kynge sholde vse cleţynge and

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ornement dere, fayre, and straunge, ffor it semes to a kynges prorogatyue to passe oţer, so ţat his dignite ţerby be maad fairer, and his mygt be nougt empeyred, and ţat due reuerence be olden to hym. It semes a kyng to haue fair faconde, and ţat he be fair spekand, and ţat he haue a cleer voyce ţat mekyl profytes yn tyme of Bataill.

Cap. 15. [Of ţe contynance of a kynge.]

To eschewe mekyl Spekynge.

folio 8a

Alexander, fayr ţing and worschipful ys to a kyng ţat he withdrawe hym fro mekyl spekynge but whenne nede askys, ffor it semys bettir ţat ţe eres of ţe folk be thristy to ţe wordes of ţe kyng ţanne ţay be fillyd of his talys, ffor whanne ţe eres and ţe sawles er so fillyd, ţey here nougt blegtly ţe kyng. It semes also a kyng ţat he haunte nogt mekyl ţe company of his subgit, & namly of vnhonest persouns, ffor ouer mekyl familiarite among ţe poepyl brynges in despyt and contempt of worschipe, and ţerfore ţay of Inde hauen a ful fayr costome yn disposisioun and ordynance of hir kyng and kyngdome; ffor ţey haue ordeyned ţat hir kyng onys yn ţe eer appere yn his real apparel byfore his poeple sittand on a stede enourned of his armes, and he nobley armed, & his comune poeple shall be maad to remue aferre from him, and his noble Barouns neg and aboute hym alle; And ţanne ys it costome ţat he spede greet nedys, and to shewe diuers ţinges ţat ar fallyn, and do besynesse and entent to ordeyne for the comyn profyt, ţat day he ys wont to geue gyftes, and ţey ţat ar lytel gylty to delyuere out of prisoun, and to allege his poeple of gret charges, and to do dyuers werkys of pytee; And at ţe sermon endyd ţe kyng shal sitte, and ţanne shal rise oon of his princes ţat ys next hym, ţat ys haldyn most wys and most best spekand of oţer, and he shal speke honour louynge and goodnesse of ţe kyng, eldand ţankynges to glorious god, ţat so wel haues enourned ţe kyngdome and ţe contree of Inde with so wys a kyng, ţat yn vnite and obedience haţ confermed and fastyd ţe louable poeple of Inde; And aftyr ţe louynges and praysynges of here kyng he shal turne hym to ţe poeple to prayse hem and loue hem, and remeue & recomend her gode maneres, and styr ţayre goode willes, and shew by ensamples and resouns of meknesse and of obedience to loue & reuerence of ţe kyng. And after ţat ţe Page 57
poeple shal afforce hem to enhye and loue ţe kyng and his goode dedes, to prayse and to pray for his lyf, and in cite and greet assemble hys wyt folio 8b
and his gode werkes telle, and ţerfore ţay lere ţaire children yn ţaire outhe and enfourmes hem to loue, honoure, obeisse, and doute ţe kynge. In ţys manere pryncipaly ys shewyd and grewys ţe gode name of a kynge boţe pryuely and openly.

And ţe forsayd kyng of Inde vsyd ţat tyme to ponysse mysdoers and trespasours, ţat ţe way of wrong be put away fro rigtwyse lyuyeres, And brekers of ţe lawes be chastysed. And also he vsys ţat tyme to alegge trowages and for to dispense wyt marchaunt, and for to reles party of rentys, and Marchaunt with alle here Marchaundise besely defende and helpe. And ţat ys ţe cause ţat Inde ys so ful of poeple, ffor ţedyr Marchaunt trauaille on alle sydes, and faire and wel er resceyued, and ţere wynnes ryche & pore Citeeyns and fforeyns, And ţerfore trowages and ţe kynges rentys encresys.

Cap. 16. [Of ţe ryght of a kynge.]

It ys gretly to eschewe to offende Marchaunt and do hem wronge, ffor ţay er berers of louynges and gode name of kynges and kyngdomes ţurg ţe world. It ys to elde to ilk man ţat his ys, ffor so er citee warmstoryd and rentys gyuen. So grewys kyngdomes, & glorye and worschipe to kynges; So dredys hem enemys, and er agayn standyd. So lyuys kynges peseabely and sekirly, and haue desir of her wylles.

Cap. 17. [Of his fynale entente.]

Ţat kynges be nogt coueytous ne cruell.

Alexander, coueyte nogt ţinges coruptibles & passant, ţat ţou most sone forsake.

But gete ţe stabyl richesse, a lyf ţat may nogt be chaungyd, a kyngdome ay lastand dilatable. Euer ordeyn ţi ţougtes in goodnesse; eld ţy seluyn glorious &
vygerous; ffleg ţe folowyng of bestys and lyouns, and hir fylthes. Be nogt cruel, but bonand to spare hem of whom ţou hauys victorye; ţink of auentures and cases to falle, ffor ţou woot nogt what day to-morwe sal falle ţe. Wille ţou nogt folowe ţy delyces yn etynge and drynkynge, in lichery ne longe slepynge.

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Cap. 18. [Of ţe chastite of a kynge.]

To eschewe licherye.

Worthy Emperour, bowe nogt ţe to ţe vse of women, ffor swylk a vse ys a properte to swyne. What ioye ys to ţe to vse ţe vyce of bestys ţat hauen no resoun, and folwyn her dedys? trowe me wyth outen drede, ţat lychery ys distruccioun of body, shortynge of lyf, corypcioun of vertue, trespas of ţe lawe; And hit engendrys women maners, and at ţe laste yt ledys man to ţat euyll ţat we haue be-fore sayd.

Cap. 19. [Of ţe solace of a kynge.]

Of Instrument of Menstralcye.

folio 9a

Hit fals to emperiale magestee to haue with hym pryue men and trewe, with whom he mowe delyt hym wyt Instrument and maners of Organes whanne he ys ennoyed, ffor man sawle kyndly in swilke ţinges delytes, Wyttes restyn hem, Curiosyte vanysshes away, and al ţe body ressayues stryngt. Whenne ţou wylt delyte ţe with swylk ţynges, at ţe moste dwelle yn swylk lyf ţre dayes or ffoure after ţou sees hit profyt, and euermore wyt ţe beste and most honestely, and ţat yt be pryue.

And whenne ţou ert yn swylke solaces, wythdrawe ţe fro mekyl drynkynge, and lat oţer drynkyn ţat wille, And feyne ţe as ţou were eschaufyd wyth wyn, ffor ţanne shalt ţou persayue many pryue ţynges, and here also, but do nogt ţat ofte but twyes or thryes yn ţe eer; and ţe awe to haue aboute ţe specyal meynee, ţat mowe telle ţe what er doon and sayd by ţi kyngdome. When ţou ert amonge ţy Barouns, worschippe ţe wyse and ţayme ţat ţou see ţat doon to be worschipped, and hold ylkon in his staat, And calle to ţe solace oon today, a-noţer to morwe. And after it fallys to ilke degree worschipe hem, and lat noon of ţi nobles be, but if he fele ţy worschipe and largesse yn ţe swetnesse of ţi mageste; and ţe nobleye of ţy free wyl shewe it to ylkoon.

Cap. 20. [Of the descrecioun of a kynge.]

Of reddour attempred.

It semes a kynge to haue discrescioun, and ţat he content hym and hold hym fro mekyl lagynge, ffor oft laghynge takys away reuerence and engendirs elde. Also ţou awe to wete ţat a man ys more holden to worschipe ţe kynge yn his court and yn his constory ţan yn oţer place, ffor ţare hymself awe of dette if Page 59
any doo wronge to do ponysshe hym after ţe qualyte of his persoun, so ţat oţer be war and lere and abstene hem to do wronge. It ys to punyss ţe most nobles on oţer wyse ţan oţer heig men, And oţer wyse hym ţat commes among ţe folk ţan oţer subgit, wharfore good ţinge ys to kepe reddour and folio 9b
continence togedre, ţat bytwyx ţe kyng and his subgit be distinccioun of persones, ffor it ys wretyn yn ţe book of Esculabicis ţat ţat kyng ys to be enheiged and loued ţat holdes ţe semblance of ţe Egle, ţat ys manisand & dred omange ţe foulys, & nogt he ţat ys lykned to oţer subgit ffowles. Ţarfore if any yn ţe presence of ţe real mageste takys on honde or profres to do wronge, it ys to se on what wyl he did hit, whethir to plese ţe kynge and to glade men, or in contempt and dishonour of ţe kynges dignite; after ţe firste manere him awe to be chastysed, and after ţe oţer manere to be ded.

Cap. 21. Of obedyence.

Alexander, obedience of lordschipe we vnderstonde in foure maners, ţat ys to say [in] religiousite, in ffrendschipe, in Curtasye, and reuerence. O Alexander, draw to ţe ţe good wylles of ţy subgit, and putte away ţaire vnrygtys and wronges. Gyf nogt matere to ţe people to mysspeke of ţe, ffor ţat ţe poeple may say, ţay may som tyme ligtly doo; ţerfore contene ţe so, ţat men may nogt say aeyn the. And ţerby ţou shalt eschewe here doinges. And ouer all ţynge wete ţat discrescioun of meknesse is ioye of dignite, reuerence of lordschipe and enhansynge of a kynge. It ys a souerayn wysdom ţat ţou make more ţy reuerence dwelle yn ţe hertys of ţy subgit ţan loue.

Cap. 22. Of lyknes of kynges.

Men redys ţat kynges ar yn kyngdomes as rayn yn erthe, ţat ys ţe grace of god, ţe benysoun of heuene, streng of ţe erţe and helpe to alle ţat leuyn; ffor by rayn ys way maad to merchant & helpe gyuen to biggers; And noţeles yn rayns fallys thondres & leuenynges, & ouer-drownynges ţurg flodes, and greet tempestes yn ţe see, and oţer many euelys comyn, ţurg whilk many leuand creatures ar perschyd. Noţeles ţes auentures disturbes nogt ţe poeple to loue god yn his mageste, byhaldand ţe tokenynges of his grace, & ţe gyftes of his mercy, ţat he folio 10a
by rayne what ţinge ţat is makys whik, dede ţinges reburgones, and Page 60
he geuys hys benysoun in alle vertu. And ţerfore ţe poeple louys hit, and forgetys alle ţe euelys byforepassyd. Also a kynge ys ensamplyd to ţe wyndes ţat heig god sendys out and ordeynes of ţe tresour of his mercy, by whom he sendys out moystures to make cornes to waxe, frutes of trees to come swete, and Esperite taken hir strynge, and water desired ys ressayued; and to hem ţat sailyn yn ţe see opnys way, and many oţer goodys folwys of ţe wyndes. And noţeles of wynd comys diuers perils and lettynges als wel yn ţe see as yn ţe land, and brynges ynward sorwys to mannys hertys. Richessys of men ţurg tempestys it losys and takys away. By ţe wyndes comes corrupcions of ţe eyr and norschigt dedly venyms, and many oţer vnacordand ţinges comes ţerof; wher fore foreyns creatures prays ţe mercy of her makere to take swylk euelys fro hem.

Noţeles he suffres ţe wyndes to lede and hold her cours ţat he hauys stabillyd hem; ffor he hauys ordeyned by his wyt alle ţinges yn euyn weigt and certeyn nombre and ordre, and he hauys stabelyd hem to seruyn his seruant, and ţat passys out of his greet mercy and of his goodnesse ţat may nogt be Nombred.

Ensample of ţe same of somer and wyntyr.

Ţis same lyknesse ys of wynter and somer ţat God hauys lastandly stabyled of cold and hete by his souerayne forsygt to engendrure and norshynge for lastynge of temporel ţynges and kyndly. If alle ţat vnaccordand and dedly perils commen of coold of ţe wynter and of hete of somer, yn ţe same manere it fals in a kynge of whom many goodnesses commen ofte sythes, ţat to his subgit dysplesys and heuys, and yt yt ys to hem greet profyt.

Cap. 23. [Of ţe socour and ţe help of a kynge.]

To helpe Meseyes.

folio 10b

Alexander, enquere of ţe dysese & enuye of ţe pouere and feble, and helpe hem yn here desease of ţy pitee; And puruey a man knawand ţaire langage, fair spekand, and louand rigt, ţat mowe take entent to hem on owre half, and loue hem and gouerne hem mercyably. Ţys ys a good obseruance of a kynge, and gladnesse to ţe poeple and plesaunce to oure makere.

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Cap. 24. Of ţe purueyance of a kynge.

Alexander, puruey ţe yn tresour of cornes and greynes profitable to be eten, ţat mowe suffyse in ţy land yn tyme of hunger and nede; So ţat whanne swilk a eer as it has costomed fallys, ţy mercyful purueyance may helpe ţy poeple and socour ţy nedfull Citee; ffor ţat tyme ţow awe opyn ţy garners and selers, & make opyn by ţy kyngdom whete and oţer manere of cornes; ţat ys a greet forwyt and a greet purueyaunce, ţe warmstore of ţe kyngdome, ţe hele of ţe poeple, and kepynge of Citee. Ţanne shal ţy comandement be wel keped, ţy dedes louyd, and ţy fayre purueyance be yn perpetuel mynde, ffor it helpys ţe poeple by ţy wys forsygt.

And ţanne shal alle men wete ţy forsygt of ţyn eyen, and by ţat ţay shal fully prayse ţy mygtes and pytee, and doon to write ţy heig Magestee.

Cap. 25. [Of ţe mercy of a kynge.]

To eschewe Manslagter.

Alexander, ofte y haue warnyd ţe, and it y warne ţe, ţat ţow kepe my techinge; for if ţow kepe hit, ţy purpos shal wel chefe, and ţy kyngdome be lastand, ţat ys to wete ţat ţou eschewe to sheede mannys blood, ffor ţat fallys al oonly to god ţat vndirstondys ţe priuytee of hertes and secret of ffolk. Tak nougt on ţe godys offyce, ffor it ys nogt gyuen to ţe to knowe his secrete; ţarfore eschewe ţou yn so mekyl as ţou may to sheede mannys blood. ffor as ţe noble doctour hermogenes wrytes, whanne ţat a creature slees a creature lyk to hym, ţe heig vertue of heuene cryen to goddys mageste and sayen, “lord, lord, ţy seruant wille be lyk to ţe;” And if he wyth wronge haue slayn hym, ţe he makere shall answere, “suffre ţat he sla, ffor he shall be slayn.

folio 11a

To me ys ţe vengaunce, and y shal elde hit;” and as ofte sithes ţe vertu of heuene shal represent ţe ţe det of hym ţat ys slayn, to vengance be takyn of hym ţat slow hym, ţat shal be oon of hem ţat shal dwelle yn euer-lastand payne.

To haue ensample of antecessours.

Alexander, yn alle peynes haue knowyng; many maners of euelys ţou hauys lered in assay, draw to ţy mynde ţe dedys of ţyn ancestres; ţou may ţer-out drawe goode ensamples, And alle ţynges passyd sal gyue ţe certeyn techynge of swylk ţynges command; dyspyse nogt a lesse man ţan ţi seluyn, ţat a man Page 62
ţat now ys of litel value and poure, to richesse and worschipe amountys, And ţanne ys of mor stryng and power to doo euyll.

Cap. 26. To kepe ffayt and othes sworne.

Kepe ţe ţat ţow breke nogt ţy fayt gyuyn no Alliance confermed, ffor it ffallis nogt but for vntrewe men and ligt women of body. Hold trewly ţy fayth hygt, ffor euer moor to all vntreuthe folwys euyl ende, And if al falle som tyme any good in alliance brokyn, Noţeles ţe kynde ţerof ys wyckyd in it seluyn and ţe maner of wykkyd men, And wete ţow wel ţurg trew affiance dwellys folk togedre, and ţerby ys inhabitacioun in citee, comunynge togedre of ffolke. Ţe lordschype of a kynge ys worschippyd ţerby, ţurg ţat er Castels holdyn, citee kepyd and kynges lordes. If ţou take away fayth, ţe folke tornys aeyn to hir olde staat, ţat ys to say to ţe lyknes of Bestys withouten resoun. O kynge, kepe ţe so trewly ţat ţou breke nogt ţy fayt gyuen ne oth ne oţer alliance, if al it greue ţe; wost ţou nogt what Heremogenes wytnessyt —“Two espirytes er ţat kepys ţe, oon on ţe rigt syde, anoţer on ţe left syde, ţat knowyn & representyn to ţy makere trewly euerylke ţinge ţat ţou doos.” Ţys sholde with drawe ţe & eueriche man fro alle vnhonest wirkynges. Who destreyns ţe to swere ofte? Ţou shold nogt swere but for greet mester; A kynge, but he were mekyl and ofte requeryd, he ne sholde nogt swere. Ne wost ţou nogt ţat yt myssemys ţi dignite folio 11b
and ţat ţou trespasys to ţy worschipe whanne ţou swerys; it ys to subgit and seruant to swere, but nogt to a kynge. If ţou aske me of ţe distruccioun of ţe kyngdomes of Ambayens & citee, I answere ţe for othys ţat hir kynges vsyd yn fraude and desceyt of ţe folk, and of neg Citee, brekand allyance stabyl ffor welfare and profyt of men, ffor wyckedly and vntrewly ţay brake here othes in disceyt of hir negburs, ţe rygwys euenhede of god almygty of godys Iustyse wolde suffre no lenger.

Cap. 27. [Of the kepynge of a kynge.]

Alexander, y wille ţat ţow wete yat yn ţe ordinance of a kyngdom & of a empire ţer ben techinges ful specyals and manerlys ţat falles to ţe to ţe gouernance of ţyn owyn meynee and of ţe commyn poeple, but ţay haue nogt hir stede here.

Noţeles y shal deliuere hem to ţe yn a certeyn stede of ţis book, Page 63

And ţay shal be helful techinges abbreggyd and gretly profytables, And yn her kepynge ţou shalt ressayue greet welfare ţurg ţe helpe of god. Repent ţe nogt of ţinges passyd, for ţat ys a propirte to feble women. Kepe apert manhode, mayntene curtasy, and vse goodnesse, ffor yn ţes ţinges a kyngdome ys defendyd and enemys destruyd.

Cap. 28. [Of auancement of study yn his londe.]

To fforţer studiant.

Ordeyne to ţe wel lettryd men, and stable studyes yn Citee of ţy kyngdome.

Byhote and comaunde ţy liege men ţat ţay make her sones lere sciences and letterure, and make hem to study in fre & nobles sciences, and ţy purueyance awe helpe hem in sustynance. Do some auantage of good to hem ţat profytabely studys, ţat ţou gyf ţerby ensample and manere to oţer scolers to study; here her requestys, ressayue her epistles, And take entent to loue hem ţat er to be louyd, and to reward hem ţat er to be rewardyd; ţer-by ţou shalt drawe to ţe lettryd men to enheye ţi louynge, and ţy dedys to make ay to laste in scripture.

Ţys manere ys to be praysyd, and ţys queyntyse ys to be louyd; yn ţis oon empyr shal be honured & a kyngdom worschippyd; yn ţys folio 12a
a court note.34 shal be ligtyd, and ers and reals dedys shal bettir come to a kynges mynde whon enhyed. Ţe kyngdom of grece, who maad opyn hir dedes to euerlaste ţurg alle ţe world? wyt-outyn doute ţe diligence of studiant dyd ţys, and ţe clen wyt of wyse men, ţat hooly loued sciences & folwyd hit, yn so mekyl ţat a mayden yn hir fadir hous knewe ţurg her greet study ţe cours of ţe ere and ţe monthys, and ţe cours of ţe planetys, and ţe cause of ţe abregynge of ţe day and ţe nyt, and ţe aeynturnynges of ţe planetys, ţe abreggement of ţe day serclys, ţe tokenyng of sterrys, ţe shewynges of ţinges ţat wer to come, and oţer ţynges wyth-outen nombre of tokenynges of ţinges to come.

Cap. 29. To tryste nogt in women.

Alexander, haue ţou neuer trist in wirkynges no in seruice of women, ne gyf ţou no credence to no wymmen, and yf ţe nedys of a woman, drawe to ţe to here ţat ţow trowys trewe, and ţat ţou demys good; ffor yf a woman reule ţy persone, ţou Page 64
ert als a ţinge ţat ys layd yn her bandoun, and ţy lyf ys al yn here hondys note.35 ; eschewe ţe dedly venyms of women ţat not note.36 of newe bygynnes to venym; kynde ţat ys, ţat gret multitude of kynges and of lordys er perschyd and deed byfore her tyme stablyd, ţurg drynkes of dedly venyms.

Cap. 30. Tryst noght only yn oon leche.

Alexander, yn a oonly leche trist ţou nogt, for her may harme, and ligtly he may order vndirtake to brynge manys deth to effect. If it may be, be ţay ten note.37
at ţe leste, & make hem alle to accorde too oon purpos. And yf ţow take a medecyne do it by ţe conseil of many; And haue a trew man ţat konnys ţe maners of spyces and ţaire qualitee. and whenne ţou hauys mester, gedir ţe by ţe consaill of
folio 12b
ţy leches yn certeyn wegt and mesure alle ţat nedys to ţe composicioun, and ţat he knowe to make it als it awe to be. Alexander, ţynk of ţe doynge of ţe Quene of Inde whenne she sente to ţe, by cause to haue ţy frendschipe, many presentes and noble gyftes, amonge ţe whilke a ful fair mayden was sent to ţe, ţat of her childhood drank and was norschyd with venyms, yn-so-mekyl ţat her kynde was turned to ţe kynde of serpentys; And but yf y moor besely by ţe craft magyk hadde persayued here, she by here assiduell and hoge lokynge yn ţe faces of men, hadde slayn hem : ţat ţy seluyn by assay preued. And certanly, but ţou hadde ben warnyd by me ţare-of, ţy seluyn hadde takyn deed, ţurg ţe hete of flescly kennynge wit here.

Cap. 31. Of ţe conseyl of Astronomye.

Alexander, kepe ţy most noble saule heg, and to angeles pereugale, ţat ys geuyn to ţe, nogt to be maad vnhonest by ţe, but to be enhyed and glorifyed, so ţat it be nogt of condicions and maners of foles, but of ţe wyse. O kynge debonure, if it mowe be, noţer ryse no syt, ete no drynk, no no-ţyng doo withouten ţe conseyl of a wys man in ţe craft of Astronomy. ffor wete certaynly ţat glorious god hauys maad no ţynge yn vayn, no ydell yn kyndes. But alle ţynges er maad yn certayn enchesoun and resoun, And by ţys way vnderstood oure wys doctour Plato ţe kyndes of partyes maad togedir of dyuers qualytes and colours and complexiouns in engendrure, by ţe

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lyknes of ţynges maad togedyr, and herby hadde he knowynge of sterrys and ţynges formed; and I pray ţe gyf no fayt to ţe sawys of vnwysmen ţat sayen ţat men mowe nogt come to science of ţe Planetys, ffor ţay wat nogt what ţay say; ffor noţyng ys hard to ţe power of vndirstondyng, ffor all ţynges mowe be knowe by ţe way of resoun. Ţere ben oţer, no lesse ţan fols, sayn ţat god haues purueyd and ordeyned alle ţynges at ţe ferste bygynynge, wherfore ţay say it profites nogt to knowe ţynges to come, sithen ţay nedys moste come. And ţerfore ţay say, what ys ţe science of ţe sterres worth? ţese er, as ţe firste er, in gret errour, wharfore y say if all some ţinges of force er to come, Noţeles if ţay be wyten byfore ţay
folio 13a
er moor ligtly suffred, moor wysly passand, and so in manere eschewed; ffor yn als mekyl als ţey ar forsey yn oure knowynge, we take hem mor discretly to passe withoutyn heuynesse and most harme. Als by ensample, whanne men trowyn wynter ţat it is cold, men ordeyns herbergage and cloţing, and warmstores of cole and woode, and of many oţer ţynges; And ţerfore whanne ţe wynter comes, ţay er nogt harmyd of ţe cold. And yn somer of ţe same maner ţurg cold metys and dyuers spyses ţay kepe hem fro ţe hete of somer; and yn ţe same maner, when men knowyn byfore eres of nede and hunger, ţurg kepynge and holdynge of whete and of oţer ţynges, men suffren ţe tyme mor ligtly. Wherfore yt ys mekyl wort to knowe ţingys before, ffor men mowe bettyr thole hem, and eschewe hem whenne ţey knowe hem to come. Wherfore men ogte wyt byse prayers bysek ţe hege destynour, ţat he by his mercy torne ţe euyls ţat er to come, and ţat he wille oţerwyse ordeyne, and for ţat men awe to praye to goddys pitee in orysouns, deuociouns, prayers, fastynge, seruices, and almesse, and oţer goode dedys, bysekand forgyfnesse of hir trespas, and be rependant of hir synnes, And so ţay shal mowe sothly trowe, ţat god almygty shal turne fro hem ţat ţat ţey drede.

Of ţe partyes of Astronomye departyd in two note.38 partyes.

Torne we to ţe word bygoon; It ys to wete ţat Astronomye ys departyd yn ţre partys, ţat ys to wete yn ordynance of ţe heuens and of ţe speres, and ţe disposicioun of ţe planetes and departynge of signes, and of ţair aloigenemen and of ţair

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sterynges. And of ţys party of Astronomye ys clepyd science. Ţe seconde partye ys of ţe qualyte & of ţe manere to knowe ţe sterynge of ţe firmament and ţe firste risynge or spryngynge of ţe signes opon ţinges able to falle byfore ţay abouyn ţe firmament of ţe moone. And ţis seconde partye ys clepyd Astrologie or science of Iugement. And ţe worthyeste partye of Astronomye ys ţe science of ţre ţinges, ţat ys to wete of speres, planetys, & signes. Wete also ţat stablyd planetys vnmooable ar a ţousand twenty and nyne, or thus Mýxxix, of whom in a party of ţys book I shall delyure to ţe ţe full mery teching.

Cap. 32. [Of ţe profyt to kepe hele.]

Of Medicynes.

folio 13b

Now first y wyl delyure to ţe techinge Medicynal, and conseilys ţat shal suffyce ţe in kepyng of hele, ţat ţow shalt nogt nede oţer leche, ffor kepyng of hele ys mor bettir and mor precious ţan any medicyne; and wete wel ţay er rigt needful to ţe gouernance of ţys werld. It ys to wete ţat no way ys to do by any ţynge, or any cause to be had, but by myt, And mygt ys nogt but by hele, and no hele ys but by equalyte of complexiouns, and non equalyte of complexiouns ys but by temperance of ţe humours; And glorious god has ordeyned maner and remedye for attemperance of ţe humours and kepyng of hele, and mo oţer ţynges to be getyn, and ţaym has opynly shewyd to haly profetys and seruant & rigtwys philosophers &
oţer rigtwys his chosen, ligtend with godys spryt of wyt. Of whom of philosophers ţe bigynynge of Philosophye hadden Indes, Grecys, Percys and Latyns, And in ţayre secret and writynges no fals ţynge ne repreuable ys founden, but of wys men apperoued and loued. But he ţat ys to hymself a cause of losse and perdicioun, mor ligtly he shal geue to oţer cause of perdicioun, ffor ţat we chese ţat we loue, and ţat we vndirstonde trewe. Noţeles with ţat, heig god hat most enligtend Gregeys amonge alle oţer philosophers to enserche sciences, and to perfitly knowe alle manere of Naturels ţinges; And ţarefore aftir hem we purpos to procede, god grantand.

Cap. 33. Of ţe [composition of man of] ffoure humours.

Ţe wyse philosophers accorden yn oon ţat man ys mad of dyuers elyment and of ffoure contrarious humours ţat euer

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hauyn myster to fode and drynke to be sustenyd by: and if a man want hem his substance fayles, And if he outragously vse hem or ouer scarsly, he may falle yn-to syknes, ffebylnes, and ynto oţer vnabilte. And if he vse hem attemperally and mesurly he shal fynde helpe of lyf, stryng of body, and hele of al his substance. Also ţay accorden ţat who so ouerpassys yn ful or voyd, yn slepynge or wakynge,
folio 14a
in rist or sterynge, in outpassynge or wytholdynge of ţe wombe, yn witholdynge of blood, or latynge ouer mekyl blood, he mowe nogt eschewe maladyes and heuynesse of siknesse; of alle swilke maters y shal determyn a couenable abregement, shewynge a certayn techynge of alle manere of syknes and ţe remedyes. Also ţay accordyn, ţat who so kepys hym fro superfluyte and also fro defaute, and holdes him yn euenhed and attemperance, ţat he shal haue good hele and longe lyfe. I haue founden no philosopher ţat disacordys to ţis sentence, ţat all delitable ţinges of ţys world, Ryches, delyces, or worschippes, ţat ţay ben alle for longlastynge of durabilyte: And ţarfore he ţat coueytes to leue and endure, putte his force to purchace ţe ţynges ţat accorden to durabilte and kepys ţe lyfe, And lette his owene wyl, ţat he putte nogt etynge abouyn etynge.

I haue herd of ypocraas, ţat he kepyd him so mekyll yn abstynence, ţat he hadde gret febylnesse of body; wharfore oon of his discyples sayde to hym, “ffair Mayster, yf ţow wolde wel ete, ţow shold noght haue so mekyl febylnesse of body.” And ypocraas answerde, “ffair sone, I will ete so ţat y leue, and nogt lyf ţat y ete; lyflode for lastynge ys to be had, and nogt durabilite for liflode.” I haue knowyn many ţat withdrew hem froo etynges of surfayt, and her appetit wit-drawand froo glotonye, lyuand mesurably by dyetes, And ţerfore hauyn ben elder of body, of bettir trauaillynge, of lenger lyf, of good appetyt, and of mor ligt sterynge; and ţat shewys wel yn lanternys, and yn men ţat trauaillen by desertys and longe wayes. And ţerfore yt ys oon opyn preue ţat abstynence fro mekyl etynge, and to clense a man of superfluytes, ys A souerayn medycyne.

Cap. 34. Off kepynge of hele.

folio 14b

Alexander, a certayn and trew techynge ys content yn medicyn ţat kepys hele, and ţat ys princypaly yn two ţinges; ţe firste ys ţat a man ete metes couenable to his elde, and yn ţe

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tyme acostomyd to his kynde; ţat ys to wete ţat he vse mete and drynke ţat he was costomed to [be] byfore norisshed by, & ţat has festnyd his substance. Ţe secunde ys ţat he clense hym of ţat ţat ys engendryd yn his body of surfaytes and of corumpyd humours. It ys to wete ţat mannys body, ţat ys takynge mete and drynke, continuely er dimunisshed and resoluyn aeyn, als wel ţe bodyes ţat ressayuen als ţe mete and ţe drynke ressayued; ffirst ţay ar resoluyd by kyndly hete, ţat makes drye ţe moystnes of ţe body, and is norisshed and fedde with ţe same moystnesse. Also by ţe hete of ţe sonne and dryenesse of ţe wynd, ţat makys drye ţe moystnesse of alle bodyly ţinges, & ţay er fed with moystnesse of bodely ţinges & of fflodes. Whenne a body is hoot & moyst, ţanne gret metys er good ţerto; ffor ţat ţat ys defyed & passys fro swylk a body ys of greet quantite and of greet substance for ţe grete hete of ţe body. And whenne a body ys ţicke and drye, softe metys and moyste er goode ţerto, ffor ţat ţat passys fro ţat body ys of lytel quantyte for his streyt issuys. Also it ys a certayn techinge for hele to be keped, ţat a man vse metys ţat accordyn to his complexioun and nature yn his hele, Als yf a man be of hote nature, ţanne hote metys atempred accorden to hym; And if he be of cold nature, ţanne colde attempred metys accordyn to hym; And oţer-wyse y say outerly of a moyst body and drye. Ţarfore yf hete be mad more wyt ouer mekyl hete, or by hote metys and stalworthe, or for oon oute hete ţat maystres and ouercomes, ţanne contrarious metys helpyn, ţat ys to say, colde metys. And whanne a stomake ys hoot, stalworthe, and good, ţanne profitys most grete metys and stalworthe, ffor swylke a stomake ys a gret ffyr, mygty to brenne grete trees; And whenne a stomake ys cold and feble, ţerto er best sotel metys and ligt, ffor ţat stomake ys lykned to a wayk & feble feer, ţat vnnethes may to-brenne rosels and smal chippys.

Cap. 35. [Of ţe tokenys of ţe stomak.]

Ţes er ţe tokenys of a good stomak —ligtnes of body, clernes of vnderstondynge, stirynge appetyt. Of oon euyl stomak and wayk, ţes er ţe tokenys; heuynesse of body, sleuthe, bolnynge of ţe vesage, ofte openynge of ţe mout, heuynesse of ţe eigen,
folio 15a
a foul and euyl belkynge, ţat ys to wete whenne it ys vnsauery, bitter, or watery, or stynkand; and ţerby er engendryd wyndes Page 69
and bolnyng of wombys, and appetyt ys lessys; And if ţes ţynges be in greet quantite, ţarof comes excercitaciouns, and ţat lettys ţe strechynge and ageynbowynge of ţe membres, ffilt of body, openynge of mout, and oţer euyles ţat er contrarye to hele of man & destrues nature. And ţerfore ţe awe kepe ţy seluyn fro alle swylk euelys, and fro ţe vncouenable ţinge afore sayd.

Cap. 36. [Of maners to kepe helthe.]

A lernyng to kepe hele.

For ţe body of man coruptible ressayues his corupcioun of contrariouste of complexiouns & humours ţat er yn him, I am auysed to wryte to ţe in ţis werk profitable ţinges and necessarye, of ţe conseils of ţe craft of medicyns ţat shal suffys to ţe, ffor It ys vnhonest ţat all maladyes of a kynge be shewyd to a leche; wharfore yf ţow wele byhold ţys techinge, and after ţis precious ordre lyue, ţou shalt haue no myster of leche, But it falle yn auentures of batailles, or oţer ţynges ţat a man mowe nogt eschewe.

Cap. 37. [Of kepynge of helth and maner of lyunge.]

Of contynance after slepe.

Alexander, whenne ţou risys fro slepe ţou salt goo a lytyl, & euenly streigt out ţy membres, and kembe ţy heued, ffor fort-strechynge of ţe membres makys stalworth ţe body, & kembyng of ţe heued latys out ţe smoke of ţe stomake ţat comes vp to hit yn tyme of slepyng. In somer, wass ţy feet wit cold water, ffor hit restrenys and holdys ţe hete yn ţe body, and it shal make desire to etynge.

After, clet ţe yn good cleţynge and ordeyn ţe yn good aparayll, ffor ţy wyl kyndely shal delyt yn ţe byholdynge and ffayrhed ţerof, And ţe vertu of ţy shynynge lyf shal be comfortyd and gladyd ţerby. After ţou shalt frote ţi tet and ţy gomes with ţe barke of oon hoote tree, and of drye kynde and of bitter sauour, for ţat helpys mekyl to clense ţe teth, & makys ţe mout moyst, and clensys ţe tonge, and claryfys ţe speche, and sterys desir of etynge. Aftir ţat stewe ţe with stewynge couenable to ţe tyme, for ţat mekyl ţrofytes. It opyns ţe closynges of ţe brayn, it makys ţe necke grettere & ţe armes fattere, ţe face and ţe sigt clerer, shaarpys ţe wittes, and kepys a man ţat he hore nogt sone.

After

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enoynt ţe with precious oynement wel sauorand, couenable to ţe tyme ţat ţou ert ynne,
folio 15b
ffor ţe sawle ys nogt withouten good sauour, and ilk-a swet sauour ys a fulfillynge to ţe sawle; And whenne ţe saule ys filled safe and delytable, ţanne ţe herte enioyes, and ţe blood for gladnesse rynnys yn ţe veynys. After ţou shalt take a-latred, ţat ys to say of ţe electuary of the tree of Aloes ţat ys foundyn yn bokes of medicynes, and after of exrohand, ţat ys reubard, foure peny wegt, ffor ţat ys mekyl wort, and withdrawys ţe fleume fro ţe mout of ţe stomake, it sterys hete to ţe body, and destroyes wyndes, and geuys good sauour.

After with ţy worthy and wyse men sytte and spek after ţe custome of kynges and worthymen ţat ţat ţe fallys and semys to speke.

Cap. 38. Of contynance afore mete.

Whenne ţou hauys wyl to ete, aftir ţe oure of ţy costome, vse a lytel trauaill yn ridynge, yn goynge, or som-ţinge doynge, ffor ţat helpys ţe body, it dryues out wyndys, comfortys ţe body and makys hit souple; yt kyndels hete of ţe stomake, hit constreyns ţe ioyntures, and makes ţe superfluous humours to melte, and it makys ţe fleume to falle yn-to ţe stomake, hoote and drye. Many metys be sette afore ţe, and after ţy desyr ete whilke ţe lykes with breed euenly raysed and perfitly thersyd. And take first ţo ţat ţe awe first to take, As if a man ressayue yn oon mete a potage nesshe and laxatyue to ţe wombe and anoţer holdand, If ţe nesshe be first take, hit shal make more ligt digestioun, And yf ţe holdynge be first etyn, and after ţe nesshe, bothe shal be wastyd. Also yf a man take many potages nesshe and laxatyfe, yt nedys ţat he take first a holdynge mete yn ţe ground of ţe stomake, ţat ys mor stalworthe and more hoot to defye, ffor ţat party ys moor fleshly and next to ţe lyure, ţurg whilk hete ţe metys sethyn. And in ţy etynge ţow shalt reule ţy hond, ţat ys to say, to leue etynge whenne ţy wyl and desir lastys yt to etynge; ffor of superfluyte of mete ţe stomak ys maad strayt, ţe body ys greued, and ţe wyl ys hurt, and ţe mete ţat dwellys yn ţe ground of ţe stomak ys heuy & noyous. Also witdrawe ţy wyl to drynke watir vpon ţy mete,
folio 16a
but ţou haue it of custome, ffor ţe drynke of cold water vpon mete makys cold ţe stomak, it slekyns defying, and shendys ţe mete, and yt engendrys greet impedyment yf mekyl be drunkyn, ffor ţer ys Page 71
no ţing mor noynge to ţe body; but yf ţou haue nede, for hete of ţe tyme or of ţe stomak, or of metys, to drynke water, tak but lytel, and leet it be wel cold.

Cap. 39. [Of manere of slepynge.]

Whanne ţou hast wel etyn, goo lye vpon a nesshe bed, and slepe atemprely, and reste an hour vpon ţy rigt syde, & after turne ţe vpon ţy left syde, and fulfylle ţy sleepe vpon ţat syde; ffor hit ys cold and nedit to be het. And yf ţou fele ţanne greuance yn ţy stomake or in ţy wombe, or any heuynesse, ţis ys ţanne ţe medicyne; ley vpon ţy wombe an hoot sherte and weyand, or ellys halfe to ţe a hoot mayden; if ţou fele a bitter balchinge yt is tokenyng of coldnesse of stomak, and ţe medicyn ys ţys, to drynke cler watir with a sope of vynegre, and spewe, ffor in-prisonynge of corupt mete yn ţe wombe ys a greet distruccioun of ţe body. And stirynge before ţe mete sterith ţe hete of ţe stomak, but after ţe mete ţat ys noyous, ffor ţe mete falleth doun er it be defyed in-to ţe ynnere partyes of ţe stomak, And ţeroffe growyn wyndes withinne lokyn, costyfnesses and oţer euelys.

Cap. 40. Of slepynge aftyr mete.

And wetith ţat slepyng byfore mete makyt a mannys body lene and dryes his moystures, but after mete if fillet him, stryngthes hym, and norschet hym. ffor whanne a man sleepet ţe herte restyt; and ţanne ţe kendly hete ys y-drawe ţerto and spredfort by al ţe body to ţe stomak & to ţe Innere partyes of ţe stomak; ţanne ys ţe stomak mad stalworthy to defye mete, And ţanne kendly vertu &
resonable askyt his reste, And ţerfore some philosophers seyen ţat mete at euen more profytet ţan of ţe mydday; ffor ţe mete folio 16b
of ţe mydday resceyuet ţe hete of ţe day, whanne ţe wyt werket and ţe wyl ys trauaylled, ffor ţo ţinges ţat hit hereth and spekyt, and for ţougtes and many oţer vnprofitable ţynges ţat assaylet ţe hetes and sterynges; And ţerfore yn ţe hour of ţe mydday ţe kendely hete spredet him out to ţe vttere partyes of ţe body, wherfore ţe stomak comeţ feble and losyt his strengthe to fully sethe ţe mete. But ţe soper at euyn ys al contrarye, ffor ţanne fallyt to ţe body reste of trauaille, and restynge to ţe wyttes, and ţanne comeţ ţe cold of ţe nygt, and euyth hete to ţe Inward of ţe stomak.

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Cap. 41. [Of kepynge of costome.]

Off ţe costome of etynge.

Wete ţou wel, ţat he ţat vsys him to ete twyes ţe day, and he holde him to oon meel, yn certeyn yt shal harme hym. And also yn ţe selue manere to hym ţat hauys vsyd to ete but oon meel, and he begynne to ete twyes; ffor he shal wante defyinge of stomak, and so his mete dwellys nougt defyed. And he ţat has vsyd to ete at oon certayn hour, and tarys his etynge to oon oţer hour, he shal take ţat profytes nogt to his kynde, and mekyll greuys his kynde, ffor costome ys ţe oţer kynde. And ţerfore if any nede make ţe chaunge ţy costom, do hit discretly and wisly, ţat it be lityl and litil, oon tyme chaungyd after anoţer, And so it shal be wel ţourg ţe helpe of god.

Cap. 42. To eschewe Engrutynge.

Kepe ţe wel ţat ţou ete nogt anoţer tyme, vnto ţou vnderstonde certanly ţy stomak voyde, ţat ys to wete, ţat it be clensyd of ţe ferste etynge, and ţat shalt ţow knowe by appetyt of etynge and by ţy spatill rennand to ţy mout; ffor he ţat takys mete wyt oute myster, he shal fynde hys kyndly hete right cold and engelyd, And whenne he takys his mete yn ţe tyme of aptyd, he shal fynde his kyndly hete hoot as fyr. And whenne ţou hauys apetyd of etynge, ete ţou sone; ffor but ţou ţanne ete soone, ţy stomak shal fille hym wit euyl humours ţat he drawys to hym of superfluytes of ţy body, and ţat shall trobbyl ţy brayn with euyll fumosyte, so ţat after whanne ţou shalt ete, ţy stomak ys but leukwarme, and ţy mete shal be lytel of profyt.

folio 17a

Cap. 43. [Of Veir.]

Off ţe ffoure seysouns of ţe ere.

Purpos ys in ţis stede shortly determyn ţe ffoure seysouns of ţe eer, and of ţe qualyte & quantyte, and of ţe properte of ilk oon seysoun, and of ţaire variance. ffour tymes er of ţe eer, ţat ţus er departyd. Veir bigynnes whenne ţe sonne entres yn to ţe toknynge of ţe sheepe, and it lastys xxiiij & ix dayes, xxiij houres & ţe ferthe part of oon hour, ţat ys fro ţe xe day of Marc out passand to ţe xxiiije day of Iuyn. In ţis tyme ţe day and ţe nygt ys of oon leng, ţe body of man waxis hard, ţe eyr waxys feyr, ţe wyndes blowyn, ţe snow resoluys, waters

Page 73
rynnen among hilles, wellys ouerfluen, moistures styen vp to ţe croppys of trees and to ţe heuedys of braunches, cornys bygynnes to grewe. Medwes waxen grene, ffloures waxen fayre and beres flourys: Trees er cled wit newe leuys, ţe erthe ys fair wyt spirynges: Bestes engendres, Pastours waxen, alle ţynges taken strynge, Bryddes syngen, ţe nygtyngale soun, and ţe erthe holy takys his worschippe and fairhede, and bycomes as a fair damoysele, a spouse semly digte of ryche ornements and dyuers colours, to be shewyd to men yn ţe feste of weddynge. Veyr ys hoot and moyst, and atempre, and ys lyke to ţe eyr, And ţerynne newys ţe blood, and spredys alle ţe membrys to profyt of him, ţat ys of euene complexioun, and ţerynne sholde men vsyn, ţat ys to say, henchekyns, surlens, eyren, but nogt ouer vj, nesshe to be suppyd, wylde letus ţat feldmen clepyn skarioles, and gotys mylk ţann drynke. No tyme ys bettir to latyng of blood, and vse stirynge of ţy body, lousynge of wombe, vse of bathynge and swetynge, drynkes of spices for digestioun, & to ressayue purgacioun ţanne er profitable, ffor ţat ţat wanys by dygestioun or bloodlate, ţat tyme by his moysture he restorys.

Cap. 44. Off Somer.

folio 17b

Somer begynnes ţanne whenne ţe sonne entrys yn to ţe firste tokenynge of ţe crabbe, and it lastys lxxij dayes, and xxiij houres and ţe ţrydde party of oon hour, ţat ys to wete fro ţe xxiije day of Iuyn to ţe xxiiijte day of Septembre; ţat tyme haueth longe dayes and shorte nytes; hete sprynges ţanne yn alle kyngdomes, ţe wyndes litel blowyn, ţe see ys paisyble, yn ţe heyr ys cleernesse, cornys waxen drye, Neddrys er born and etyn venym, ţe vertu of bodys er stalworthe, And so ţe world ys as a spouse of perfyt elde, wit hete wel colourd.

Somer tyme ys hoot and drye, and ţanne ţe rede colere ys steryd. Wherfore it nedys ţanne to abstene fro what ţing ys of hoot and drye complexioun, and to abstene to mekyll ete and drynke, and fro greet saule, ţat kendly hete faillet nogt. Ete in ţat tyme ţat ys cold and moyst complexioun, As veel wit venegre, and briddys ţat er clepyd Cucurbit, and ffatte chekyns, and potages of barly mele, and frutys of egre sauouryng, and egre appelys; vse lytel flesshly likyng, and with-holde ţe from latynge of blood, But yf gret myster aske it; sterynge of body, ne bathes vse but latly.

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Cap. 45. Off Heruest.

Heruest bygynnes whenne ţe sonne entrys ţe firste degree of ţe tokenynge of weighes, and it lastys lxxxviij dayes and houres xxijty, & thre xv of oon hour, ţat ys fro ţe xxiiijty day of septembre to ţe xxiij day of Nouembre. In ţis tyme ys also ţe day and ţe nygt euyne, and yn ţis tyme ţe nygt bygynnes to grewe and waxe lenger, and takys of ţe day; ţe heyr coldeth, ţe wyndes blawen out of ţe nort, ţe tymes er chaunged; fflodes decresys, fflodys waxen lytel, alle gren thynges faillen, ffrutys sesyn, and ţe erthe losys his beaute; Bryddes drawan toward hote kyngdomes, and alle Bestes drawyn to her resset, and neddrys to her holys; ţe Ampte getys liflode for wynter; ţanne ţe world ys lyk to a woman of full elde, nedand cloţing. Heruest ys cold and drye, yn whilk rysys ţe blak colere; and it nedys ţat
folio 18a
a man vse yn ţat seysoun hote ţinges a[nd moist as chekyns] lambren old wyn and swete raysyns; [And ţat a man kepe hym] fro alle ţynges ţat norsshe Mala[ncoly /

Steryng of body & fless-]lykyng more vse ţan yn so[mer. Bathes & purgacions, if nede] be, ţat tyme be doon, A[nd if a man nede to cast, be it in ţe]

mydouernone, or yn ţe [last houre of ţe day: ffor in ţo houres] superfluytes er ged[eryd togedre in a man. Purgacion of ţe] wombe awe to [be mad ţat tyme, by a symoun & aggrauacion,] and by alle ţi[nges ţat in-drawes malancoly & aeynletys]

humours.

Cap 46. Of Wynter.

W[ynter bygynnes when ţe sonne entres ţe first de-gree of Archer, & it lastes lxxix days & xxiijte houres. ţat [is, fro ţe xxiijte day of Nouembre, to ţe xxjte day of Marc.] In [ţat tyme ţe nyght lenghthys, ţe days shorten, Coldenes waxes] g[ret, ţe wyndes waxen scharp, ţe leues of ţe trees dryen & dyen: And for ţe more party all ţat was gren dyen & hardene as ston. ţe gretter party of Bestes for mykyl cold & moistnes [flee] to ţe wombe of ţe erth / and to holes of hylles; & [for] coldnes & water ţe heyr waxes dyrke, & ţe tymes blake. Bestes trembles, ţe vertu of ţe bodys waxis feble, and ţe world is as oon olde wyfe, a-cremet for eld, nakyd of cloţinge, neghand to ţe deth. Wyntyr is cold & moist, in ţe whylk it nedes man lyuyng to be bowit, ţat is to wyt, to torne aeyn to hote meites, & to hote maters, as puletys, & motoun, & fruturs, & rostyd mallerdes, &

Page 75
all maner hote pyment & hote potages, figes, & nottys, & good red wyn, & to vse good hote electuary, & to withdrawe hym fro solucion of wombe, & fro latyng of blod, bot if mistir aske it, & chaung ţe eir for eschaufynge; ţan shold noght a man eyte mykyl for febelyng of ţe stomak, Onoynt ţi body with good & hote onyment, & vse Bathes attempre. A man to styr & knowe hys wyfe, & to eyte mykyl, it is noght so noyant as in oon oţer tyme. ffor ţe gret cold gedrys togedre ţe kyndely het] note.39 es,
folio 18b
and entrys ţe Inner partyes of ţe [body: and ţarefore bettyr diges]tioun ys yn wynter and yn Veer, & in [Somer is ţe wombe cold: ffor] yn ţe tymes ţe lytel holes of ţe [body are opyn, & ţe kyndely hete] ys it out of ţe stomak, and [so ţe diffying is lettyd, & ţe humours] stiryd; ţerfore know ţes [ţinges, & God by thes shall susteyn ţe.

Alexander, ţis precious diet ţat I haue t]agt ţe, kepe [it wele vp-on all ţinges, with kyndely hete,] ffor als [long as atempre hete dwell in a man, hele las]tys, & long [tyme is kepyd. ffor in two maners a man waxes olde] & faylys: [ţe first kyndely, ţat oone due maner destrues & ouercomes k]ynde [of body with elde, & ţe oţer is accident, ţat comes of sekene]sse [& oţer euyl enchesouns.

Cap. 47. [Thynges that fattith & moistes the body.]

To Preserve Health.

THes fattyth & moistes ţe body, Rist, sture, ettyng of swete meites, & dryngkyng of swete mylke, & hote wynes & mad swete, & slepyng aftyr eityng vpon soft beddes & wele sauorand, in steydes & tymes couenable, & to entyr in-to Bathes of Swet watyr, & lytill dwellyng ţar-in; ffor long dwellyng in Bathes makys ţe body feble, And in ţe Bathes be sothen herbes wele sauorand, or oţer ţinges of good sauor, after ţe tyme: In wynter, alcitimum, or alloigne, ţat is ţe spyce of oon manere of floure of hote kynd: In somer, Rosys, violet, & what so is cold.

kastyng be vsyd in ilke moneth oonys at ţe lest, & most in somer: ffor out-kastyng wasshis ţe body, & clensis ţe stomake of roten & euyl humours, and if few humours ben in ţe stomake it shall be comfortyd & fulfyllid of moisture &
grece. And it is mykyl bettyr if a man haue with disposicion ioy, gladnes, Page 76
resoun, louyng, & worshippe, & ouer-comyng of enemyes, hope, & triste in his folke & haue delyt in playnge, & to]

folio 19a
byholde fair ffaces, to rede or here delytable bokes, to laug wit ffrendys, softe songes and delytables to here, In goode cloţes & riche of dyuers colours lettyd to be cled, and yn couenable tymes wyt goode oynement to be enoynted.

Cap. 48. Thynges ţat ffeblys and dryes ţe Body.

In ţe contrarye manere, ţes ţynges dryes and feblys ţe body; to ete litell and drynke mekyll; To trauaill besily, and stond yn ţe sonne; to goo ouer mesure, to slepe byfore mete vpon a hard bed; to ţynk mekyl, and to drede, and to entir yn bathis of vnclene water, and to drynke mekyl old wyn, and to ete salt metys; mekyll outpassynge out of ţe wombe; to lete blood and passe mesure ţerof; to haue euyl and drery ţougtes.

Cap. 49. The Reule off Ypocraas.

Who-so engrutyd of mete, or costyf of body, entrys Bathes, may sone renne yn euyl of fflank, and of his entrailles. Who-so, his wombe full, knowys a woman, ligtly he rynnys yn-to perlesy. And also it noyeth mekyl, to renne after mete, or ryde mekyll. Who-so etys mekyl togeder mylk and fflesc, ţay rynne yn lepre; Wyn & mylk on ţe same manere wirketh.

Cap. 50. [Of ţe euyle of ţe heued and ţe remedy.]

Off foure partyes of ţe Body.

Mannys body ys departyd in ffoure partyes; ţe firste partye ys ţe heued. And whenne superfluyte ouer mekyll surhabundys to ţe heued, ţou shalt persayue it by ţese tokyns, ţat ys to wete, derknesse of ţe eyghen, heuynesse of ţe browys, greet sterynge of ţe temples of ţe heued, dynnynge of ţe eres, stoppynge of ţe nosestrylles. Whenne any felys yn him ţes ţinges com, tak effoentim, ţat ys Eufrasy, with ţe rotys of Pulegye, ţat ys pulyol, and sethe hem yn swete wyn, to ţe half wastyd, and hold ilke morwe of ţis licour yn ţy mouth, tyl ţou fynde hele; And vse in his metys, mostard seed sothen, ţe weight of a peny, with ţe poudre dictamm, maad of twelf oynement, & ţat at his slepynge. And yf he leue &
dispyse ţis, he mowe drede perilous syknesse, ţat folio 19b
ys to wete corupcioun of sigt, werkynge of ţe brayn, and oţer many euelys, fro ţe whilk god defende ţe.

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Cap. 51. Off ţe Brest.

Brest ys ţe secunde partye; if superfluyte be gedryd note.40 ţereyn, ţes tokyns folwyn; ţe tonge ys maad heuy, ţe mout salt, and he felys his mete bitter in his brest, and werkyng of ţe koge; ţerfore hym byhoues ete lesse, and vse kastynge, and after ţe kastynge to take ugere roset, and chewe of ţe tree of Aloes, or som oţer perfyt aromatyke, after ţe takyng of ţe sugre Roset, with water of rosys, or perfyt wyn, or with a syrupe confortyf, and after ete with appetit; And after ţe etynge take ţe gretnesse of oon .. of electuarye Anisoun, ţat ys maad of ţe tree of Aloes, and Tansey. And he ţat doth nogt ţys, ligtly may renne yn Werkynge of his sydes, and Reynes, and many oţer euelys.

Cap. 52. Off ţe Ballokys.

The ballockys er ţe fferthe party of a manys body. Whenne superfluytes waxen in hem, ţes tokenynges sewen; ţe appetyt of etynge waxes feble, wit oţer eueles; he ţat felys ţat hauys mester to take ţe herbe ţat ys clepyd Ache, and Aueng, ţat y vnderstonde Auence, and of ţaire Rotys, and put ţe herbys and ţe Rotys yn whit wyn of good odour, and tak ilke morwe ţerof, so ţat yt be tempryd with water and hony, and withdrawe hym fro mekyll etynge. He ţat leuys ţys medicyn may drede werkynge of his genital and of ţe longys, and of peryl of ţe stoon.

Cap. 53. Opynyouns of dyuers ffesisyens.

Men redyn yn olde storys ţat a kynge [gathered together] alle ţe beste leches of Inde, and of Mede, and of Grece, And he enioyned hem to make a medicyn, ţat yf a man vsyd hit, he sholde fele hit so profitable to nede noon oţer. And oon old Gregeys of hem shewyd and sayde, ţat a mout-full of hoot water, ilk morwe twyes ressayued, sholde make a man so hool ţat he ne sholde haue no mester to non oţer medicyne. Onoţer of Mede affermyd mekyl profyt to vse greynes melyens fastyng, ţat er Gromell sedes; And y
folio 20a
say, ţat he, ţat so mekyl slepys, ţat he hauys no heuynesse yn his wombe, he shall nougt drede goutys; And he ţat vche day etys seuyn dragmes of pressyd rasynges of good swetnes, he shal nogt doute of no manere fleumatyke siknesses; By ţe whilk a Mannys memory ys amendyd, and his vnderstondynge enlightend; Page 78

And he ţat yn couenable tyme to his complexioun can purge his wombe, he shall nogt doute ţe ffeure quarteyn. And he ţat etys ffyges, with notes, and a fewe leuys of Rue, ţat day venom shall nogt dere hym.

Cap. 54. [Of ţe kepyng of kyndly hete.]

Souerayn kyng, study in alle ţe maners to kepe and witholde kyndly hete; ffor whenne hete and moysture ys attempre yn man, kyndly hete ys attempre and maade stalworthe, ffor hele stondys yn ţes two ţynges. It ys to wete yn ţis place, ţat corupcioun and distruccioun of body commyth yn two ţinges; On ys kyndly, ţe oţer ys aeyn kynde. Ţe kyndly comyt of repugnance of contrarious qualyte and contradiccioun, ţat ys to wete, whenne drynesse haues lordschipe of ţe body; corupcioun aeyn kynde commys of chaunce, as of bataille, or of hurtynge to a stoon, or any oţer auenterous caas, or of seeknesse, or of euyl conseyll.

Cap. 55. Off knowynge off Metys.

Of metys some er sotyl, some greet, and some menee; some sotyl metys engendre sotyl blood cleer and good, as whete, chykenes wel fed, and eyren. Greet metys er good to stalwort men and hoote, and trauelynge men in fastynge, and to men ţat vse to slepe after mete. Meene metys engendrys nogt bolnynges ne superfluytes, as lombe ffless, motoun and Capouns, and alle fflescys ţat er hote and moyst. But it fayls in ţes flesces, whenne ţey er rostyd, ffor ţerby ţay bycomes hard, hoot, and drye; But whenne swylk fleschis ar rostyd, be ţay sone etyn wit softe spyces, and ţanne er ţey profitable. Som flesc engendres malancoly, as boef, kyen, and greet fleschs drye and sharpe; but some of hem hauyn softe fflesc, ţat er
folio 20b
born and norsshyd yn moyst stedys, and wateri, and shadwy, And of hem ţe fless ys bettir and more helefull.

Cap. 56. Of fisshes.

In ţe selue manere, It ys to wete of ffisshes of lytyll substance, of thyn skyn, and of ligt chewyng, of waters ţat ebbyn and flowyn, as yn Ryuers, ţay er moor ligt and beter ţan ţay of ţe see or of oţer swete waters. But eschewe fisces ţat ben of greet quantyte, for ţay er wont to be venemous, ţo of hard skynes. Ţys sayinge suffyse ţe of ffysses, ffor yn ţe book Page 79
ţat y made of Potages and medicyns, ţou shalt fynde suffysant determinacioun of ţys matere.

Cap. 57. Off knowynge of Waters.

Hit ys to wete ţat watirs ben profytable as wel to bestys as to man; And ţenk how y taughte ţe suffyciently of waters, And y shewe yt ţe, ţat alle watrys, as wel swete as bytter, drawyn ţer first beynge of ţe see; And ţerof y maade ţe oon opyn shewynge. Now it ys to wete ţat most ligt and most heelfull watrys er ţo ţat er rynnand watres neg Citee, whenn ţe erthe ys clene withoute roche, and withoute reke, ţe water of ţat stede ys ligt, ful good, and to be praysed; And waters ţat spryngyn yn stony lond, and ys reky Abundandly, er heuy & noyant, yn ţe whilk er frosshyn, and serpentys, and oţer venym, And ţay ar vnhelfull, as ţes stondyng waters; ţe toknyng of goode waters er ligtnes, clernes, good colour, and good sauour, and whenne ţay will sone be hoot and sone cold: And yn swyc water kynde hath delyt. And yn ţe contrary manere, salt water, and bitter, and rekand, ar euyl, ffor ţay drye ţe wombe and corumpys it; hoote waters er heuy, ffor ţay stonde and may nogt stire, And ţarfore ţe sonne dwellys long yn hem, And ţerfore ţay engendre ţe blake colere, and ţey make [ţe] splen to waxe and ţe longys. Waters ţat of betyn to two londys er hote and vnhelfull, ffor ţey holde yn hem partys of ţe ert. Drynkyng of cold water fastynge, byfore mete, ys noyant ţe body, & slekyns ţe kendly hete of ţe stomake, And drynkyng ţerof after mete, makys hoot ţe body, and engendres fleume; And yf mekyll be dronkyn, it corumpys ţe mete yn ţe stomak. But noţeles ţe awe drynke cold folio 21a
water in somer, and hoot yn wynter, and nogt aeynward, ffor hoot water dronkyn in somer makys nesse and feblys ţe stomak, and destruys ţe appetit: And also cold water dronkyn yn wynter slekyns ţe naturell hete, and destruys ţe Instrument of ţe brest, & harmys ţe longys, and engendrys many oţer euelys.

Cap. 58. Off kynde of wyns.

Hit ys to wete of kynde of wynes, ţat ţat wyn whos grape growys in hellys aeyn ţe sonne, ys of moor drye kynde ţan ţat growys in playn and moyst valeyes, and stedys shadwyd; ţe firste wyns er gode to olde men and to hem ţat abounden in Page 80
humours of fflume, and ţey ennoye onge men and hoote men; And ţe olde man ţe ffleumatyke it hetys, and delyueres hem of ffumosyte greet and colde. And ţe redder wyn and thickere mor heuys ţe blood; But whenne it ys stalwort and of a strong tast, ţanne ys hit sayd ţe firste blood, and ţe firste norisshynge, And it hauys kynde of drynke and medicyne, and mekyll ressayuyd, mekyll harmys.

Whenne wyn of ţis kynde ys swete, it harmys ţe stomak, and it egendrys wyndes &
bolnynges. Ţe moste heelfull & ţe moste louable wyn to alle complexiouns ys it ţat grewys yn lond ţat spredys hym bytwen hellys & valeys, whos grape ys of a good swetnesse and of a perfyt tast, and of a sotyl eyre, ţat ys nogt cuttyd and gedryd or ţe force of ţe substaunce be fully sprongyn out, and ţe moystnesse of his stok sty vp to ţe crope and ţe braunches, whos colour ys gold, lyk ţat ys meen bytwen reed and alwe, ţe sauour sharpe and dilitable, & his leges pressed to ţe botme, and his partys sutyl and clere. Whenne ţou fyndest swylk wyn, tak ţarof attemprely, aftyr ţe elde of ţy body, and ţe qualyte of ţe tyme, for it comfortys ţe stomak, & afforcys ţy kendly hete, it helpys to difye, it kepys fro corupcioun, it ledys ţe mete, & sethis it yn-to ţe membrys, to hit be turned in-to substanciale and softe blood, And ţanne it wendys vp to ţe haterell with attempre hete, and holdys ţe heued sekyr fro vnhappy chauncys. Ouer ţat it gladys ţe herte, and makys ţe colour reed, and ţe tonge spedfull, and delyures a man
folio 21b
of euyl ţougtes and besynes, makys a man hardy; it sturrys appetyt, and dot many oţer goodys.

Cap. 59. [Of ţe euelys ţat folwyn to mekyll of wyn.]

But of wyn ţat ys takyn abundanly in greet quantyte, ţes euelys folwyn: ţe wytte waxis derk, it lettys ţe vnderstondynge, it troblys ţe brayn, and it makys wayk ţe vertu of ţe sawle, and kyndly vertu; it engendrys forgetynge, hit hurtys alle ţe fyue wyttes ţat sholde gouerne and dispose alle ţe wyrkynges of ţe body; it away-chasys appetyt, it makys feble alle ţe Ioyntures of ţe body, it engendrys bolnynge of membrys and blerynge of eyen, it kyndels ţe colere, it destruys ţe lyure, ffor it engrosys his blood, and it makys ţe herte-blood blake. And ţerof comys bolnynge, tremblyng, drede, hydousnesse, ouermekyll slepynge, sygtys of ffantasyes yn ţe sleepe, corupcioun

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of mannys colour, ffebylyng of his priue hernoys, distruccioun of his sede, abominacioun of ţe stomak, mysattemperance of ţe complexiouns; it norsshes gretnes of body, and ţat worst ys, it brynges yn lepre, and ţanne ys he of kynde venemous; and herfore it ys to eschewe to drynk to mekyll of wyn, ţat ys to wete, ouer mesure. Wete ţou ţat wyn folowys ţe kynde and ţe complexioun of Reubarb, ţat is ţe lyf to ţe lyuer, and it hauys noble profit, as it ys foundyn in bokes of medicyns. But somtyme ţis Reubarb is venomous, and inbrynges det to hem ţat takys hit ouer manere, and passys certeyn quantite and mesure. And wyn ys lyk ţe kynde of serpent, of ţe whilk Antidotum ys maad, And most hurtynges and harmes by ţe medicyns ţerof er put away, And it it ys knowyn, ţat it berys dedly venym yn it.

Cap. 60. [Of venegre, and ţe beste medicyn for dronkenesse.]

Alexander, no tyme be it noyous to ţe, at morwyn fastyng, to take a soupyng of venegre, but nogt yn Iuyn, whenne humours surhabunden, and ţe fleueme hauys lordschipe, for it ys helfull. And with ţat, ypocras ţe wyse commendyd merueillously good wyn, and sayd: “It ys meruail of a man how he may be syke or dye, whos mete ys
folio 22a
breed of good whete, and his drynkyng drynke of ţe good grape.” And flesc ys to be commendyd if it be vsyd attemprely. And how ţat syknesse grewys on hym ţat abstenys hym fro surfaytes of mete and drynke, and fro haunte of women & greet trauaill. It nedys to him ţat ys dronkyn of wyn by outrage takyn, ţat he [be]

wasshid wit hote water, and sitte by a Rennand Ryuere-syd, and ţat he haue weleyges and myrt, and with sandell confyt ennoynt his body, reekyd with reek of ensens, cold and wel sauorand; ţys ys ţe beste medicyn for dronkenesse. If any purpos hym al holy forsake wyn, he shal nogt vtterly abstene hym fro ţe vse of wyn, But lytyll and lytill froo a dragte of wyn to ţe quantyte of oon pressyd grape, and after ţat it be alayed wit water oon tyme moor ţat oon-oţer, to it come to clene water, ffor by ţis ordre complexioun of kynde ys kepyd froo greuous skynesse.

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Cap. 61. Thynges ţat strynghtes and makys fat ţe body.

It ys to wete ţat some ţing stryngys and fattys ţe body, some makys it megre and feble; some moystes, and some dryes ţe body; and some ţat geuys stryngthe and fayrheed, and some ţat engendryn sleuthe and lachesse. Ţay ţat geuyn strynghe ar ligt metys and softe, and accordand to ţe kynde, whenne ţay er at couenable tyme and at mestir takyn, as it ys forsayd; ţese fattys and moystes, Rest of body, gladnesse of wyl, lykynge companye, hote metys and moyste, drynkes of swete wyn, and ressayt of hony moyst, ţat ys gadryd and norsshyd in Caulegedel; And no ţinge ys so mekil wort ţerto, as to slepe on softe beddys after mete yn cold.

Cap. 63. [Of ordinance of stuynge.]

folio 22b

Bathes er on of ţe merueylles of ţys werld, ffor yt ys housyd after ţe ffoure tymes of ţe eer, ffor cold accordes to wynter, leukwarme to Veer, hoot to somer, drye to heruest. Greet wyt ys it to make ffoure dwellynges by ordre yn bathes, ţe firste be cold, ţe seconde leukwarme, ţe ţrydde hoot, ţe ferthe drye; And whenne a man entrys first yn-to ţe bathes, he sholde be a lytyl while yn ţe firste; and after yn ţe seconde, and ţere dwelle a lytil; And after yn-to ţe ţridde, & ţere dwell a lityll; And after in to ţe fert entre, & so doo in ţe selue manere. And whenne he wyl passe out, kepe he ţe self manere, makynge a litill dwellynge yn ilke chambret so ţat he passe nogt fro ouer greet hete to ouer greet cold, no fro ouer greet cold to ouer greet hete; and be ţe bathes biggyd [in note.41 ] heye stede and wyndy, & haue it ffurnays, gyffand fflammes, and hote water; And it ys to vse ţare-ynne odoures couenables to ţe tyme ţanne beand, ţat is to wete, to vse in Veer and in somer, treble or quatreblee, In heruest and yn wynter to vse double. After, him awe to sitte on setys wete wit water of Roses, and do wype hym with a fair towaille of lyn, onys and eft; And whenne al ţys ys doon, and he deliciously wasshyd, passe he sone to oţer houses, and vse ţe techinges and oynement folwand. If he be ouercome with hete, kembe his heued, and vse he oynement clensyd, couenable to ţe tyme; ffor yn Veer and in somer, he sholde vse oynement sesaryn, maad of sendall and emlege. In heruest and wynter, he sholde vse oynement

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maad of myrre, and of ţe iuwys of ţe herbe ţat ys clepyd bletes, and to caste vp-on his heued wrogt waters attempred; And after he sholde wasshe his body, and rubbe it with ţe self waters, to he be wel wasshyd and clene. After, enoynt his body of oynement couenables to ţe tyme, And after, passe he ţennes folio 23a
by ţe orde byfore taugt, and vse hit to ţe tyme he be allegyd. If he haue ţrist, drynke he a syrupe of roses, and ete electuary wit musk, and after, reche out his armes a lityll. And a litel ouer after take he his mete, ţat ys digt to him, with pees, and drynke good wyn attempred with water, after ţat he was costomyd to drynke; and take he nogt mekyll, but attemperly, and after smoke him wit ensens couenable to ţe tyme, and riste he yn a likyng bedde, and take of slepe a good party, ffor ţat shall profyte hym Mekyll. After, he shall contenu ţe remenant of ţe day in ioye and riste. Ţys is ţe ordre of hele & norsshyng of ţe body; And he ţat ys olde, or cold and moyst, dwelle nogt longe in ţe bathe.

Noţeles he shall sytte ţareyn, to his body be moyst of ţe bathe, and water be cast on hym ofte sithes attemperly, and all so sone as he wille. Hit ys nogt couenable for a ffleumatyk man to entre yn Bathes but fastynge, and ţat he enoynt hym with hote oynement. And he ţat ys of hote kynde, kepe ţe techynge byfore tagt.

Cap. 64. [Teching to lyf hool withoute leche.]

O Alexander, whenne ţou hauys vnderstond ţe teching ţat y haue geuyn to ţe, & in werke it fulfilled, It shall make ţe lyf hool al ţy lyfe withoute leche, by ţe helpe of god. It ys to wete ţat greuous syknesse ţat commen of hete or of peryodis, and of ţe cours of ţe mone, er kennyd whether ţey be sshort or long, or ellys by ţe tokenynges afore-goone, a man mowe knowe to what ende ţay shal come; And y haue trewly leryd ţe, and shortly shewyd ţe, diuysyouns and ţe knowynges of syknesse, Also yn watir ys a proued tokenyng in swylk ţinges. But ţe tokenynge byfore er moer profytable, mor sotfull and bettyr, Als y haue determynd to ţe yn ţe book of waters; And ţes tokenynges er suffysant to hym ţat holdys wel yn mynde ţe techinge of ţis book, And also as it ys continuyd [in the boke] ţat y made of maad medicyns, and of wrogt waters, and oynement confit, and Emplastres, aftyr ţe ordre and ţe craft of gregeys, of yndoys, & of hem of Perse, en whom none esperience

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was disceyuable. And
folio 23b
for-thy ţat ţes secrete were profytable, and were as hyde, and were so worthy, I aingyd ţat ţey sholde nogt be vnkennyd to ţy worthy mygtynesse, ffor it ys worthy and rigtfull ţat ţou knowe ţe greete medicyne, ţat ys a louynge ţat may nogt be thogt, and ys clepyd ţe tresour of Philosophers.

Cap. 65. [Of ţe greete medicyne.]

I neuere persayued, no y neuer sotly knewe who fonde it, But some sayn ţat Adam was fyndere ţeroffe, And some sayen ţat Esculapydes, and leche Hermogenes, and Hirsos, & Sonasties, & Vatileos, and ebreos, & Diorys, and Taranour, glorious Philosophers ţat er egte, to whom ys geuyn ţe knowynge of secrete of science, ţat were hyd to alle men. Thes er tho ţat out sogt, an[d] disputyd of ţinges ţat er ouer kynde, of full, of voyde, of endyd, of vnendyd, and accordandly, &
assemblyd togedir yn ţe confeccioun of ţis medicyn, ţat may nogt be hopyd, and ţay departyd it yn egt partyes. Noţeles, some affermyn ţat ennoc knew ţys secret by a uisioun, And ţay will say, ţat ţis Ennoc was ţe greet hermogenes, ţat ţe Gregeys praysen so mekyll, and louen, And ţay gyf hym ţe prys of alle science, secre and heuenly.

Cap. 66. [Of makynge of hony to medecyns.]

Off ţe Receytes off Medicynes.

Wyt ţe benisoun of god, take ţe iowse of ţe poume-garnet swete, xxv Rotes, and of ţe Iowse of swet appelys, x Rotes, And of ţe Iowse of clere Albamet, x Rotes, And all ţese ţynges be puttyd yn a vessell, so ţat it be to ţe half, and with discrecioun, of a softe fir witoute any reke, be ţay sothen; All ţe scome put away, to it be ţicke becomen, And ţis ys ţe precious hony wherof Medicynes er maad, And ţou shalt vse hit as it byfore ys sayd.

Cap. 67. [Of ţe ffirste medecyne.]

folio 24a

Take wit Goddys blyssynge and His helpe, of rede roses a Rote, and of violettys, ţe fferthe party of a Rote, and put all in x Rotes of swete water, And after, put in of water elcorenge, half a Rote, And of water Maafegys, ţe fferthe part of a Rote, And of water of lange de boef, a Rote; ţus alle ţes ţynges be gaddryd, and sothen wit oon vnce of Elegantria de bariofilo, And alle ţes ţinges shal be vpon ţe fyr all a nygt and a day, vnto all ţayre stryng be out passyd; And after be it put vpon

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a softe fyr, to ţe ţrydde party be lytild away, And ţanne late it clere, And after put ţer-ynne of ţe forsayd digtyd hony, thre Rotes, and sethe it so longe, to it be ţicke comen, And after put ţar-ynne a dragme and a half of good Muske, & a dragme of dambre, and ţre dragmes of ţe tree of aloes, tryed and moyst; ţys ys ţe firste medicyn, ore porcioun, And his effect is properly to comforte ţe brayn, ţe herte, and ţe stomak.

Cap. 68. [Of ţe secounde medecyne.]

Take of Merabole, galengan, Cabeli, ţe bark put away, a Rote, of ţe Meoule Carroble de babilone, ţe ferthe part of a Rote, & of goode lycoryse witouten ţe barke of alowe colour, Two vnces, and of greynes Meures, virocis sayd, yn her tyme, two vnces, And alle ţes ţinges be wel stampyd or brysyd, and put yn x Rotes of swete water, a day and a nygt, and sethe hem softly to ţe half, and after lat ţe sethinge be steryd and strenyd to it bycome cleer; And ţanne put ţar-yn after of ţe firste hony two Rotes, & lat it eft sethe to yt bycome ţykke, And after put yn of poudre of Mastyk, oon vnce, And of reubarbe, ţe ferthe part of a vnce, And ţis ys ţe seconde medicyn; and his properte ys, to make stalworthe ţe stomak, & destreyne & purge ţe euyl and rotyn humours ţat er in ţe stomak wit outen abhominacioun or violence, And with outen any hurtyng; And ouer ţat, it comfortys ţe brest, ţe hernys, and al ţe body.

Cap. 69. [Of ţe ţridde medecyne.]

Tak of Emlege, Rote & half, & delilege of Inde, half a Rote, folio 24b
and of darseim, cariele, and of kalengera, galengal, & of nottys muschet, oon vnce, And all ţys be put togedre, and stampyd nogt ouer small; And putte yn x arcul of swete water, and dwelle ţerinne a day and a nygt, and after sethe it softly wit a softe fyr vnto ţe half be wastyd, Aftyr be it mellyd & strenyd, to it be cleer; And ţanne make it vp wit thre Rotes of wrogt hony, and after boille it, to it be ţykke: ţys ys ţe ţrydde medicyne, his properte ys to efforce ţe pryue, and namly ţe pryncypales.

note.42

Cap. 76. Off takynge of Medicynes of Bloodlate.

Alexander, kepe ţe ţat ţou take no medicyn, no opyn no veyn, but of licence of ţe science of Astronomy, ffor ţe profyt of

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ţe science medicynable ys ţare-yn enhyed and praysed. If ţou wille late ţe blood, do it nogt to ţe newe mone encrece so mekyll ţat he part hym fro ţe sonne; And loke ţat ţe mone be nogt yn ţe tokenynges of ţe Bull or of ffises; And loke of ţe lokynge aeyn of ţe sonne to ţe mone vpstyand, And also in ţe Conniunctioun, whenne ţe mone ys yn ţe watery tokenynges. Loke also ţat ţe planet Mercurius be nogt in constellacioun vpstyand or to him contrary, And ţe self y say of Saturne; ţe moste profytable to opyn veyne, ys yn ţe laste half of ţe Monte of ţe Mone, So ţat ţe mone be lessnyd of his liggt, and ţat he be yn ţe tokenynge of ţe balance or of ţe scorpyoun: & whenne ţe nusant sterres loke nogt aeyn, ffor ţanne ys ţe mone yn clen staat, whenne it ys yn ţe secunde repreuable or noyant. In latynge of blood, nogt by openynge of veynes, but by scarificacioun of fflesc, whenne ţe mone ys grewyng yn ligt, and ţat noyant sterrys lokys nogt him to, but ţat it ys ynens Mercury, And ţat ţe mone be with Venus, or ellys ţat Venus or Mercury loke ţarto. Whenne ţe mone ys yn oon constellacioun vpstyand ţanne haues he mygt and lordschipe vp-on ţe self stede yn ţe body.

Cap. 77. [Off takynge of medicyn laxatyue.]

Whenne ţou wille take a medicyn laxatyue
folio 25a
be ţou certein ţat ţe mone be in ţe scorpioun, or in balaunce, or in fisses, but be-war ţat ţe mone be nogt neg saturne, ffor ţanne it makys ţe humours to engele, and ţe medicyn yn ţe body; And ay ţe more farre it ys fro Saturne, so mekyll it ys ţe better; And it ys nogt to doute, whenne it ys yn Mercury, And be ţe bygynyng of ţy werke after good constellacioun of ţe mone, & his remuynge fro nusant sterrys, and his prosperyte of his vpstiyng.

Cap. 78. [Of doctryne of tokenynges.]

And whenne ţou wyl gyf medicyn, wete ţou yn what tokenynge ţe sonne ys, and ţat may ţou kenne by ţe monet ţat ys present, if ţou besily beholde ţe tokenynges put yn ţe present spere and writen; ffor if it be yn tokenynge coleryk, It byhouys ţanne to make more scharpe ţe medicyn; And yn ţe tokenynge malencolien mekyll more. If it be yn tokenynge ffleumetyke, a lityll after ţe qualyte &
resoun of ţe tokenynge: whenne ţe sonne ys colurge O kynde of ţe wombe ys costyf or laxatyue; Ouer ţat it ys besily to loke whether ţe mone be in tokenynge coleryke,

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or fleumatyke, or malencolien; If bothe ţe ligthes in ţe coleryk tokenynge be sette or byholde it, a medicyn ţat ţat tyme gyuen shall lityll profyt a man or styrre, And if ţay be yn tokenynge malencolien, it shall make ţe takere rigt nogt solyble, or ellys ful litell; And yf ţe sonne and ţe mone bothe be yn tokenynge fleumatyk, ligtly ţe medicyn takere shal fort lede, And most whenne ţe mone ys yn waxynge; ffor as Plinius seit, “ţe mone waxynge, ţe humours of all ţe body waxen, And also al moyst ţynge & [harmful] & superfluite of egestioun; And whenne ţe mone wanys all ţes ţinges wanys.” ţes priuite of kynde ţat we haue compyled togedir, ilk-a man may knowe hem witouten doute, ţat wyl preue hem expertly yn hymself.

Cap. 79. Off propertes of herbes and stones.

folio 25b

We shhall determyn after by a short trete, of properte & vertu of herbes, and hir profit. We haue maad a cleer sheuynge yn oure oţer bokes, of properte of stones, and of vertu of herbes, and ţe kyndes of ţe planytes, But now it ys to say of planet, and of stones, als mekyll as sufficet to ţis present werk. But, alexander, ţe awe to wete rigt as yn ţe planetys er dyuers kyndes, and dyuers stryngthes, set of god, so yn stones er founden diuers spyces and vertu, of whem ţe fayrheed and profyt er of prys, ţat may nogt be hopyd to a kynges mageste: And namly and principaly, ţay seme to a kynges dyademe to be ahournyd by in fayrhede, of whilke fayrhede ţe sigt ys helpyd, and mannys corage delytys ţerynne, and ţe dignite maad fayr; And by ţaire vertu greuous siknesse of ţe body er aeyn-put, witouten whom medicyn lityll profytes, And ţarfore, leches vsen hem in medycynes, to caste out greuous syknesses. Gret and merueillous vertu ys gyuen of god, to planetes, and to stones, if all it be hyd en greet party to man. But we haue fully expounyd yn ţe bokes of planetes and of stones, ţaire propertee and her vertu.

Cap. 80. [Of ţe stoon, ţe Eye of Philosophers.]

O Alexander, now at ţe bygynnynge I wille delyure to ţe, most greet secreet of secreet, & ţe mygt of god helpe ţe to fulfyll ţe purpos, & to layne ţe secreet.

Tak ţanne ţe stoon hauynge soule, thriuynge, and fallynge to myn, that ys nogt a stoon, ne haues nogt kynde of stoon, But it ys lyk in manere to stoones of mynyd hilles, and of planet, and of ţinges hauynge Page 88
soule: And it ys foundyn yn ilke stede, and yn ilke tyme, and yn ilke man: and it may be turnyd to eueryche colour, and it holdys yn him alle ţe elyment, and it ys callyd ţe lesse world; And y shall nemyn ţe ţe nome as ţe comyn folk clepyt it, ţat ys ţe terme of ţe Eyrn, ţat ys to say ţe Eye of Philosophers. Now depart it yn ffoure partyes, & euery partye folio 26a
hauys oon kynde. After ordeyn it euenly in euyn porciouns, so ţat ţare be no diuisioun, no noon aeynfegtynge, ţanne shall ţou haue by ţe helpe of god ţi purpos. Ţys manere ys vniuersele, But y shall departe hit in specials wirkynges.

It ys partable in ffoure, and he hauys hym wel yn two maners wit outen corupcioun; ţanne whenne ţou hauys water of eyre, and eyre of fyre, and fyre of erthe, ţanne shalt ţou fully haue ţis craft. Ordeyne now ţanne ţe substance of ţe eyre by discrecioun, and ţe substance of ţe erthe by moysture and hete, to ţai assemble and ioyne togedre, and ţat ţay disacorde nogt, no nogt departe; And ţanne put to hem twoo vertu wirkand, water and fyre, And ţanne shall ţe werke be fulfyllyd, ffor if ţou leue ţe water aloon, it shal make whit, and if ţow ioynge to ffyre by ţe gyft of god it shal wel fare.

Cap. 81. Off ţe Oppynyoun of Hermogenes.

Oure ffader Hermogenes, ţat ys full fayr in Philosophie and wel faire Philosophiant, says, “Sotfastnesse hauys him so, ţat it ys no doute ţat ţinges by-neg answeres to ţinges abown, And ţinges abown to ţinges bynet. And ţe werkere of meruaylles ys oon god, ffro whem ilke merueylouse werk descendys, And so alle ţinges er maad of oon all-oon substance, of oon all-oon ordinance, whos ffadyr ys ţe sonne, and ţe mone ţe modyr, ţat baar hym yn ţe wombe consayued by ţe Ere, ţat ys ţe pryue erthe. Of ţys ys ţe fader of enchantement, ţe tresour of myracles, ţe geuer of vertu. Of fire ys maad ţe erthe, of suaille erthly ţinge, ffor delye ţinge ys more wort ţan greet, and ţynne more wort ţan ţycke, and ţat done wysly and discretly, ffor it assendys vp fro ţe erte to ţe heuen, and it fallys doun fro ţe heuen into ţe erthe, and ţare it slas ţe souerayn vertu, and foreyn. So ţanne ys lordschipe in fforeynte & soueraynte, and so shal ţou be lord heye and lawe, ffor wit ow ys
folio 26b
ţe lygt of ligtes, And ţerfore alle derknesse shal flee ow. Ţe souerayn vertu maynteignes alle ţinges, ffor it geues

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latnesse, and it makys swyftnesse, and ţat after ţe ordinance of ţe gret world shortys ţe werk,” And ţarfore hermogenes is callyd full feyr yn Philosophy.

Cap. 82. [Off ţe vertu of precious stoones.]

And [this stoon ys note.43 ] of ţe merueilles of ţe werld ţat with waters and wyndes fightes; ffor ţou see [it] vprys vpon waterys whenne ţay rynne with ţe wyndes, and it bygynnys yn ţe see sayd mediterreyne, whos properte ys ţys: —If ţou take ţis stoon and put it yn oon oţer stoon, and bere it with ţe, it may nogt be ţat any hoste mowe laste aeyn ţe, or aeynstande ţe, but it shall faill fallynge byfore ţe. And ţar er two precious stoones of merueillous vertu ţat er founden yn derk stedes, yn oon ys whit, ţe oţer Reed, ţat men fynden yn rynnand waters, of whom ţe wyrkynges er swylk; ţe whyt bygynnes to appere at ţe settynge of ţe sonne abown ţe waters, and it dwellys on hem to mydnygt, and ţanne it bygynnys to falle donward, And at ţe risyng of ţe sonne he comys to ţe ground.

Ţe rede wirkes all ţe contrary, ffor at ţe sonne risynge he bygynnes to shewe hym to ţe hour of mydday, and ţanne he ys fallynge to ţe doungate of ţe sonne.

And ţe propertes of ţes stoones er ţes: If ţou hynge of ţe rede ţe wegt of a moote vpon a hors of ţin host, alle ţe hors of ţyn ost shal nogt cesse to henny to ţou doo awey ţe stoon. And ţe white werkys al ţe contrary, ffor a hors shal neuer henny whore he dwellys. And ţer stones er mekyll wort in vsynge of wachis, and to ţe vse of ostys; And also ţes ar ţer properte; If two men stryuen togedir, put ţe whit stoon yn oon of here mouthes, or of ţe toţer, and if rigt falle to him he shall sone speke, if he haue nogt ţe rigt he shall be doume, to whilys ţe stoon ys yn his mouth. And ţe rede stoon wirkys all ţe contrary. Now y shal determyn ţe properte and vertu of stoones in eschauntement, and oţer ţinges y shal after trete.

Cap. 83. [Off ţinges vegetable.]

[O Alexander] ffor ţou hauys knowynge full by myn oţer tretys afore, where y haue tretyd ţe of ţe kyndes and secret of creatures, ţat ys of degree and ordinance of ţe planetys, and after ţe degrees and ordynaunce of folio 27a
science of myne, after ţaire

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beynge, and ţaire proper ffourme, ţat ţey ressayue after ţaire firste growyng, and ţe kynde of kyndes abown, ţat ys to wete ouercomand and lordschype purchesand in it; ouercomand in watery planetys Of nature, and of stoones of myne ouercomand ys ţe kynde of ţe erthe, ţanne ţe kynde of ţe planetys ressayues ţe kynde of out-spredyng of waterys, Als it-self ressayues water be outputtynge of wyndes yn his stede, And als water ys of dyuers lyknesse, ffor many lyknesse er in hit, so it fallys of planetys, ffor all lyknesse er founden ţerynne. And whenne water ys ouercomand in Planetys, and staunches nogt but by doun-shedyng, and as ţe wirkere of dissolucioun of waters ys with outen reles, oon ay-lastand wirkere in his heuen, ţat ys to say, Mercury; ffor withoutyn doute it ys sot, ţat eueryche planet ys gouernyd and ordeynyd yn accordance of his kynde; as ţou may see here, Saturn haldys ţe erthe, Mercury ţe water, Iubiter ţe eyr, ţe sonne ţe ffyre. And no disconuenyent ţing ys founden in wirkynge of ţe Planetes ţat ţay haue contynuell and ay lastyng, by ţe hyeste vertu & vniuersele, ţat ys aboven alle vertu of swylk wirkyng. But here ys no stede to shewe of so hard and streyt science, And noţeles y haue maad mencioun ţarof, ffor it ys necessary and profitable to ţe, ffor the tretee folwand in ţe whilk we sall determyn of singuleryte, And vndepartyng of some planetis vegetable: wherof ţe knowynge of swylk ţinges fallys to Philosophers, And ţe knowynge of wirkynges of naturele ţinges fallys to leches. And y will nogt, ţat it be hyd to owre knowynge, ţat what ţinge wantys ligt of ţe nombre of ţinges vegetable, ţat er to be sustenyd, Saturn gouernys hem, and to hym it ys apropird; And what ţing ţat florysshet and shynyt of ţinges vegetable, of Mercury is gouernyd, and to him attournyd. And what ţinge vegetable ţat florschys and makys fruyt, to ţe sonne ys apropird, and by hym gouernyd. After ordeyne and ioyne togeder ţese diuisiouns, and say all ţinge vegetable ţat berys fruyt and nogt florysshis, as porret and palm, ys assignyd to Saturn and to ţe sonne, And ilk ţinge florysshand ţat berys nogt fruyt ys attityld to Mercury, and to Mars. Also some ţinges folio 27b
vegetables or sustenables er by [cuttings], oţer by sedys, & withouten plantyng [grown]. Ţanne it shewys opynly by ţat ţat ys afore sayd, ţat euerylk kende of vegetabilite haues a propre ordre, ţat ys, complexioun, & it folwys ţe vertu of a planete, and ys assignyd and apropryd to hym, and som tyme apropred to his Page 91
felawe, and it ys atturnyd to ţe vertu of two planytes, or of moo after ţat it mowe ressayue, And ilke vertu helpys of his properte ţat ys assignyd to hym, ţat ys to wete ţat kyndly vertu ţat his kynde ordeynes, As in colour, in sauour, in odour, and in lyknes; And ţe kendly sowel gedyrs togedyr all ţes propertes, &
kyndly vertu ţat comen ţarof and folwys it, and makys it laste by as mekyll tyme, as ţei determyn hit of ţaire vertu, ffor ţar ys no wirkynge but it come of sterynge, no noon wirkynge witouten terme. And so ţou sall persayue oon kynde vegetable noyant, And anoţer kynde wyrkand hele, And some engendrys gladnesse and ioye, some loue & some hatredyn, and some vpberyng reuerence and honour, &
some vilte and despyt, some gyfnesse auysiouns of fantasye and falshede, & oţer certeyn and trewe auisiouns; some engendrys pruesse & stryng, and some sleuthe and febelnesse; some sauys ţe body fro dedly venyms, and some corumpys ţe body and brynges it to ţe det. And y shal make ţe a certeynesse vpon all ţes kyndes wit opyn argument and preuys.

Cap. 84. [Of ţe trees ţat hauyn kyndly vertu.]

Ţat portable kynde, ţat engendrys reuerence and honour, ys a tree whos leuys er lappyd togedir, his shape ys round, and his fruytes round, also his branches er moyst & [his odour most sweet]. he ţanne, ţat yn his name racys hit, and berys it with hym clanly, he shal purchace reuerence and honour. Ţare ys another tree, ţat bers longe leuys and moyst, ţat hauyn whit lynys yn hem; he ţat bers of ţe substance of ţat tree shal be enheyed. Also ţare ys a tree ţat hauys leuys folio 28a
of vygour, and his braunches spredyn hem on ţe erthe, and ys of good sauour; he ţat berys it wit hym shal be prowous and hardy. It is nogt good to stryue wit ţat man or figt, ffor euermore his aduersary shall falle afore hym, And he shal euer ouercome yn all his wirkynges. And of ţe kyndes of trees ys oon kynde ţat haues long leuys, and it losys hem or ţat he bere ffloures; and he haues three ffloures longe and rede, of delycat sauour; he ţat etys ţo ffloures, ioye and lagenge shal come to hym; and he ţat racys it vp by ţe rote, and etys ţe flour ţynkand of any woman persone, sho shall bycome brynnand yn his loue. Ţare ys anoţer herbe ţat ys clepyd androsinoun ţat grewys yn ţe lond of syn, & ys entrikyd; it hauys drye leuys and rigt lityll, and his seed Page 92
ys lityllb; and round, whit with-ynne. If ţou take seuen graynes of ţat seed, yn ţe name of any persone, and breke hem yn ţe vpsryngynge of lucyfer and venus, so ţat ţayre bemys touche hem, and gyf hem to hym to ete or drynke, ţe drede of ţe shal dwell yn his herte, And alle his lyf he shall obeysant to ţe. And of ţe kynde of plauntouns ys oon ţat engendrys langour, whos rote plauntyd, and ţe branches spredyn hem by oon arme, whos floures er whit, ouerpassant ţe leuys, but it berys nogt fruyt; his properte ys of Mars and Mercury, & his kynde of ffyre and eyr. He ţat berys ţis herbe with hym, he shall nogt be witouten langour to he caste it away. Anoţer ys of ţe maner of plantouns ţat ys helefull, whos seed er soone sawen, whos braunche ys quarre, whos leuys er round, and his flour of heuenly colour; his seed ys reed, his odour softe, of good effect; he ţat drynkys it, wit ţe sauour ţeroff he shall fele hele, and he shal be sauf of catarre, of Malencoly, of curiousite, of drede, of ffrenesye, and of many oţer syknes. Anoţer plantisoun ys sayd for collodioun folio 28b
ţat engendrys [hate and contempt]. Anoţer is Matifoun clepyd, and ţat ys of greet value to conquere loue and reuerence. O Alexander, y haue fully maad ţe tretee to ţe, ţat y behigt ţe, And y haue fully shewed ţe of playn solucioun. Be ţou euermore vertuous and glorious; God ţe susteyne, ţe dresse, and ţe kepe, ffor hys bounte ilk-a creature takyt.

Book III.

Cap. 85. Off Rigt.

Rigt ys a louable praysynge of propertes of ţe heye simple glorious, wharefore swilk oon shulde reygne ţat god hauys chosyn and stabyld on his seruant, to whom ţe nedes and gouernance vpon subgit fallys to, ţat awe to purueye and defende ţaire poscessiouns, richesse, and blood, and alle ţaire wirkynges als ţaire god, ffor yn ţat he ys lyk to god; And forţy it byhoues resemble and folwe ţe heigenesse yn all his werkys. God ys wys and conynge, his louynges and his name er glorious yn hym, And ţe gretnesse of his lordschipe ys gretter ţanne alle tongys suffissent to determyn; ţanne it ys to wete ţat contrary of his rigt ys vnrigt; In rigt dwellys ţe heuens, and er stablyd abouen ţe erthe; In rygt was ţe holy prophetys sent fort; Rigt ys ţe shappe of vnderstondynge ţat ţe heye god makyd, and ţare by note.44 alle creatures hauys dwellynge; ffor by Page 93
right ys ţe erthe byggyd, and kynges er stabyld, and note.45 [terrible] subgit er obeissant & tame, And all ţare-by is vnderstandant, and negys neg, ţat ţat ys remued of farre; ţarby sawles er sauyd and delyueryd of alle vyces, and of all corupciouns ynens ţayre gouernours; And ţerfore ţay of Inde sayen, ţe rigt of hym ţat reygnyt ys more profitable to subgit ţan plente of good tyme; And also ţai sayd ţat rigt of a lord ys
folio 29a
mor better ţan rayn wel norsshant. And it was founden wretyn yn a stoon yn ţe langage of Caldee ţat kynges and vnderstandynge er brether, and ţat ţe oon suffyce nogt wit-outyn ţe oţer, and ţat all ţinges al haly er termyned by rigt.

And vnderstandynge ys ţe inchesoun ţat puttys yn werk all hys beinges and werkes, ffor it ys his Makynge, It ys rigtwys Iuge: and by ţe consequent ţe beynge of rygt, ţat ys rote of [it, is] vnderstondyng, & it ys wirkand, and ţerto ledand; It ys his mygt, & wherby he wirkys; It is his entent, and it waytys science; It ys Iuge wirkand and withaldand ţat ţat vndoynge bycomes, and ressayues ţat ţat ledys to ryght, ffor it ys opyn ţinge ţat rigt ys double, ţat ys to wete opyn and hyd, opyn whanne he shewys hym yn dede wrogt. And a pesable rigt & mesuryd ys, to byholde vpon statys by ţe self vnderstondyng: and Iugement ressayues his hide name of hym. Certeynesse & confirmaciouns of saynges is yn ţe fait or trowynge of ţe Iuge wirkand his werkys. Wherfore it semys, as we byfore haue sayd, ţat a kynge holdys a resemlance in rigt to ţe simple hyest; And ţarfore it nedys ţat he be fast and stable, yn all his wirkynges propres &
comouns. He ţanne ţat bowys fro his awen riht & ţe comoun’s, In part he tynys ţe frendschipe of god, Iuge most he, & passys fro his wyl, & leuys faith, and suys ţe lawe aeyn perfeccioun of lordshipe; als it shal shewe by his werkys, he schall ryue ţe hert of his subgit, ţat ys to say, so as his werkys shewyn, his subgit shall fele hym at ţaire hertes. And rigtes er propre & comoun in dyuers degree; And in trespasyng of rigt er greet difference, and ţe names of rig ter relatyf, or aeynledynge to some ţinges sayd, & amendyng of wronge, and adressynge of stature, & shape of mesure; And it ys a name colectyf, or gederand togeder, byholdyng curtasye, and maners of larges, & wirkynge of goodnesse. And rigt is departyd
folio 29b
in diuisiouns, ffor oon rigt ys, ţat byholdys Iugement, Page 94
ţat ys to say domes, and ţat fallys to doomysmen. Anoţer rigt ys, ţat fallys to vche man to lede hymself by resoun yn alle ţinges ţat er bytwen him & his creatour; ţarfore make ţou rigt stable yn ţinges ţat er bytwen ţe & ţe poeple, ţat ys to wete, mesure of thewes, and setynges of tokenynges, of ţe whylk I geue ţe a full fayre shappe, to be praysed of ţe worthy knowynge of Philosophie by ensample. And y shall all holy [show thee by a form] al ţat ys in man ţat takyt on him gouernance of subgit, & shewe ţe, ţaire degrees and ţaire qualite, & ţe rotys ţat ţe moste haue of rigt in vche degree; ţarfore it ys departyd in two diuisiouns of cerculers and speres, And vche diuision is oon degree. Bygynne ţanne, of whether ţow wylt say, and it shall gif ţe ţat, ţat no ţinge ys moor precious, ţat ys to wete, ţe sercle of ţe firmament, and ţe ceyte of all ordinance, and of all gouernance, of ţinges bynete and abowen, to ţe kepynge of ţis world. Thaune ţinkyt me, ţat it ys ţus to begynne touchand ţe werld, and ţis ys ţe profyt of ţis booke, And ţis ys ţe lyknesse. Ţe world ys a gardyn, his cloţinge or his echynge ys dome, doomesmen er gounours knowynge ţe lawe; Lawe ys ţe kyng, dome ţat gouernys a kynge, kynge ys ţe Pastour of Barouns, Barounser soudeours, susteyned of hauynge; hauynge ys a auenture, gedryd of subgit; subgyt er seruant, ţat er vndyr-put by rygt. Rigt ys, ţat a man elde to vche man ţat his ys, [per se] note.46 it ys sayd, be it-seluyn, ffor yn it ys ţe hele of subgit.

Cap. 86. [Off ţe makyng of ţinges in order.]

And wete ţat it ys ţe firste ţinge ţat ţe glorious hyest maade, a simple substance spirytuell yn ţe ende of perfeccioun, yn spedynge of goodnesse, yn ţe whilk ţinge, vndirstandynge vpon all ţinges ys first namyd, And after of ţat substance [came another], lesse yn his degree, ţat ys clepyd ţe sawle; And of ţe saule commys anoţer substance, ţat ys clepyd ţe yle, before ţe mesurynge, ţat ys vndirstondyd, in lenge, in brede,
folio 30a
in hegnesse, yn depnesse, yn ţe whilk a body ys maad symple; and after, ţe body be, ffor ţe moste noble lyknesse ţat ouer passys all oţer lyknes, and ys most sothfast yn comparyson, And ţe moste [ancient, & it] note.47 dwellys yn a stede of ţe speres, and of ţe planetes. And ţe spere ţat enuirouns to ţe terme of Page 95
ţe spere of ţe mone, is most clene and most symple, and ţat ys ţe firste of ţe speres.

Cap. 87. [Off ţe steryng of heuens.]

And ţer ar nyne heuens, oon in erthe, ţe oţer amonge hem seluyn, ilk oon amonge oţer; ţe firste & ţe souerayne of ţe speres, is ţe spere couerant, and ţanne with-ynne ţat ţe spere of ţe sterrys; after ţat ţe spere of Saturne, and so to ţe spere of ţe mone, vnder whom ys ţe spere of ţe elemen, ţat er fyre, Eyre, water, and erthe. Ţe Erthe ţanne ys yn ţe myddyl stede of &;e oţer element, and it ys most thyk substance, a hool body & most thyk yn beynge; and ţes speres wer ordeyned, some yn oţer and oţer yn hem self, as it ys sayd, after ţe wit & ţe ordynance of god symple, most glorious; yn ordinance of meruaill, and of ffayrheede ahournyd; And ţes speres er steryd by sercles in ţaire partys, And ţe planetys, vpon ţe ffoure element aftyr ţaire body, nygt and day, wynter & somer, hoot and cold; & oon er mellyd in oţer, And ţe thyne tempred togedir with ţe thykke, and heuy wit ligt & hoote wit cold, and moyst with drye; And ţanne of hem ys maad by lengthe of tyme all maner of kynde of composisiouns ţat originals, minerals, vegitables, & bestyals. And originals er what ţyng ys engelyd yn ţe entrailles of ţe erthe, and yn ţe depnesse of ţe sees, & in Cauees of hilles, & in note.48 fumosite stoppyd & [from vapours] vpsteyinge, and moystures engelyd, and in concauacion of Cauernes, In whom ertly Eyre hauys most lordschipe, as gold, syluer, Bras, Iryn, leed, and tynne; and stones, Margarites, Corale, Tuty, and alany, and swylk lyk, to hem ţat er seene and knowyn, hauynge sawle. And all ţys manere of engendrynge stirres hem, and felys, and passys fro stede to stede by hem seluyn, as ţe strengthe of ţe Eyre hauys yn hem more
folio 30b
lordschipe. Ţe composision vegitable ţat is sustinable is mor noble ţan ţe originale, [and almaill ys moor noble ţan vegitable], And [man’s] sawle ys moor noble in composicion ţan all manere of almaill, And ffyre yn his properte hauys most lordschipe, and all ţinges accorden yn his composiscion ţat er founden yn symple eldys, and contrarious, ffor man ys maad of body ţyke, togedyr mesuryd, and of saule simple, and substance spirituell.

Page 96

Cap. 88. Knowynge of Sawle.

Now ţe nedys if ţow be knowynge vpon sciences and soth-fastnes of ţinges ţat er & be dwellynge, ţat first ţou begynne at ţe knawynge of ţyn owen sawle, ţat is nest to ţe and after to haue ţe science of oţer ţinges. Wete ţanne, ţat vche sawle is a spirituell stryngte, growynge of vnderstondyng at godys wylle, and it hauys two stryngthes rennynge togedre yn ţe body, rigt as ţe ligt of ţe sonne yn ţe partyes of ţe Eyre; oon of ţe stryngthes is a tokenynge, ţe oţer ys wirkand, ţat glorious god hauys inlightyd of vij strenges; of stryngthe attractyue, and retractyf, of stryngthe degestyf, and purgatyf, of strengthe nutrityf, and infirmatyf, and sustantyf. Ţe wirkynge of ţis last, (ţat ţe Auctour clepys vegetatyf, & I here strengt sustantyf),yn composicion of Mannys body, ys yn ţe receyte of ţe seed in ţe mari, And it lastys in his ordenyng seuen Monthys, and after ţat tyme fortward it ys mesurid of ţe hyest glorious souerayn, & so spedde, ţat god ţanne puttys ţerynne a leuyng saule & feling, fro ţat stede to hys outpassynge to hys dwellyng place, and he folwys a gouernance to ffoure eer fulfillyd. And after he geuys hym to resonable vertu, ţat ţe name sencibilite ledys him to, And ţanne he ressayues anoţer gouernance to xv eer fulfillyd, and ţanne he ressayues a stryngthe of vndirstandynge ţat ys renuciatyf of ffygures and semblance, & of temptacions sensibles, to ţe fulfyllynge of xiiij er, And ţanne comes to him a streng shewable, or Philosophable, ţat byholdys shappys vndirstandable, & ţanne he getys anoţer gouernance to ţe fulfilynge of xxx eer, And ţanne fallys to hym a reale willy vertu, and he ressayues anoţer gouernance to fulfillenn xl eer, and ţanne comes to him a lele sett vertu of originals, wharof he ressayues anoter gouernance ll ţe tyme
folio 31a
of his lyf. If ţe sawle be ţanne perfyt and fulfillyd byfore his departynge fro ţe body, it shall ţanne be ressayued of all sawly vertu, and ţerby be enhyed, to ţe heye perfeccion be ledde, And ţanne it purchasys anoţer gouernance, to it come to ţe sercle or to ţe firmament of vnderstondynge, whore it shall wel lyk; And if it be nogt wel perfyt ţe sawle shall plunche into ţe depnes of helle, and ţare he shall take a gouernance of kaytefnesse witţ-outyn hope of lykynge.

Page 97

Book IV.

Cap. 89. [Off ţe makyng of man.]

Whenne god ţe hieste made man, & made hym most noble of alle creatures, he comanded him, and defendyd hym, wherof he hauys failyng & mede, he hauys stabyld his body rigt as a Citee, and he hauys put vnderstondyng yn hym, as a kyng sette yn ţe moste noble and most souerayn stede of man, ţat ys yn ţe heued. And ouer ţat he hauys sette v. portours to gouerne it, and to presente to him what ţing ys myster to him, & whareby he mowe helpe hym, & to kepe him fro what ţing may be noyous to him. And he hauys no perfeccion ne dwellynge but by hem; And he hauys stabyld to vche of ţe v. portours, his wyt as his awen arbytour or Iuge, in whom he hauys auatage, and is disseuyrd fro oţer faytours, and hauys his owen propre maners, & some common to oţer. And of ţe gederynge & accordance of ţe Iugement, er ţe substance and ţe perfeccion of his werkys Engendryd.

Cap. 90. Off ţe V wyttes. [Of sight.]

Ţes v. pertours byfore-sayd er ţe v. wyttes, ţat dwellys yn ţe eighen, yn ţe eryn, yn ţe nese, yn ţe tonge, and yn ţe hondes. ţer ar x maners of ţe wyt of ţe eighen, ablenesse of sigt; ligt, and derknesse, colour, and body, lyknesse, setynge, remuynge, & negcomyng, sterynge, & rest.

Cap. 91. [Off harkenyng.]

Ţe sensibilite of ţe Eres er harkenyng of souns, and ţerof er two maners, of sawle, and nogt of sawle; soun of sawle ys double, oon resonable, fallyng to man spekyng, anoţer vnresonab as hyneyinge of hors, chaterynge of bryddes, and swylk lyk souns. Soun nogt of sawle ys a rappyngge togedre of stones, hewynge of wode, and swylk lyk, ţat hauen no lyf, as of ţe thoner, of tympans, and oţer Instrument; and wote ţat vche voys yn his ordre ys al hool whenne it ys stiryd yn ţe Eyre ţat berys it, & ţat self noble spiritalte stirrys ţerwit, so ţat part mellys nogt with part, to at ţe laste come to wyt and herynge, ţanne er ţey brougt togeder to a vertu ymagynary.

Cap. 92. [Off tastynge.]

folio 31b

Ţe sensibilyte of ţe tonge ys by way of tastynge & sauour, And ţarof er ix maneres; Swetnesse, bitternesse, saltnesse, &

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vnctousite, Egrenesse & vnsauournesse, ponticite, stipticite, & acuement.

Cap. 93. [Off touch.]

Ţe wyttys ţat er ţe hondes ys in atouchable & tastable stryng, and his cours ys yn hete, yn cold, and in sharpe ţing, and softe; And it ys content but bytwen two skynnes, ţe oon yn shewyng of ţe body, ţe oţer yn ţat, ţat it kepys to ţe flesc.

Cap. 94. Off werkyng of wyttes.]

Ţanne whenne any of ţes wittes er getyn ţat god geuys; of ţe rote of ţe harne, ţare growyn ligt thynne skynnes as arayne webbys, & ţey ar as a couerynge & a curtyn to ţe gouernour. And whenne ţat vche a wyt hauys in hym his represent, &
commys to ţo skynnes ţat er yn ţat substance of ţe harnes, ţanne gedirs togeder ţe folwynges of ţe sensibilite of man to a vertu ymaginatyf, ţat representys hem to vertu pensyfe, ţat ys yn myddes of ţe harnes to byholde hem, And ţanne it gedyrs hem togedre, & stodys yn ţaire ffygures & ensamples, and knowit what ţing in hem er helpynge, and what ţinge noyand, & what comys in wirkynge after ţe mesurynge of hem.

Cap. 95. [Off perfeccioun of ffyue wyttes.]

Ţanne ţe stabylnesse and ţe fullastyng of ţe body dwellys yn ţe v. wyttes afore-sayd: and ţe perfeccioun of all ţinges ar yn ffyue ţinges: ţe speres by whom ţe planetys sterys hem after her sercles er fyue; And maners of Bestes er fyue, ţat ys to wete, man, and volatille, ffyss of ţe water, ţat gooţ on ffoure feet, & ţat stirrys vpon wombe; And ffyue ţinges er, witouten whomm no plauntyd ţinge ţat growiţ on ţe erthe is perfyt, And er ţes fyue, stoke, braunches, leuys, fruytes, and rotys; And fyue tones er of Musyke, and if ţei ne were, no songe were accordant or perfyt. And ffyue dayes er most noble of all of ţe eer, In ţe laste ate of May.

Cap. 96. [Off conseillers.]

Be ţanne ţy porters and ţy conseillers ffyue, yn ţe doynge of all ţi werkys, and vche of hem be seueryd by hymself. Witholde ţanne ţi conseill and bigyn nog to say to ţy conseillers ţat ţat ţou hauys in herte, and say nogt to hem note.49

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ţat ţou wille amende hire conseill ffor ţanne ţay shall despyse ţe. Attempre ţanne yn ţy sawle ţaire wyl, as ţe brayne doiţ of ţat ţat commys to hym of wyt, And bowe fro ţaire conseill
folio 32a
in ţat, ţat ţey be contrarye to ţy wyl; And ţarfore Hermogenes sayde, whenne he was askyd, whether was better, ţe doom of hym ţat geuys conseill or askys conseill, And he answerde, “ţe dom of ţe Askand conseill ys a spye of ţe wyl,”

and ţis ys a sot word; ţarefore whenne ţou assemblys hem to gyf a conseil in ţy presence, mell nogt with hem anoţer conseill, But here whare-ynne ţay accorden togedir; If ţey answere ţe hastly & ţay acorde sone togedyr, arrest hem yn ţat and shewe hem ţe contrary, ţat ţayre ţougt be maad lenger & taryed to ţe laste ţynkynge of ţe conseill. Whenne ţou hauys persayued ţe rygtwysnesse of conseill yn here wordys, or ellys yn ţe wordes of any of hem, make it be holdyn hool, and shewe hem noht where-ynne ţy wyl ys sett to it be shewyd yn dede & in preue; And byholde sotilly who ledys most euyn to rigtwyse conseill, and ţat after ţe mesure of loue ţat he hauys to owe, and to ţe desyr of wre of owre welfare ressayue his conseill so noţeles ţat ţou sette nogt oon afore anoţer, But make hem oon yn gyftes & in degres, and yn all hit wyrkynges; ffor what ys moor distruccion of werkys of a kynge in leng of dayes & of tyme, ţan to shewe to some of his vpberers more worschipe ţan to ţe oţer? And it ys nogt inconuenient ţinge hole conseill of a onge man. And y say ţe, ţat Iugement folwys ţe body, ffor whenne a body ys feble, ţe Iugement ys feble.

Cap. 97. [Off byholding engenderures.]

Also, and it is to byholde, in some engenderures & lyu, ffor ofte-sithes he, ţat ys engendryd, ys disposed or ordeyned after ţe kynde of planetys ţat er yn his engendrure, And yf it fall by auenture, ţat ţe engenderours of ţe engendre lere hym any craft, ţe kynde of ţe ţinges abown shall drawe hym soueraynly to ţe craft ţat accordes to hem; ffor so it a byfell a semblable ţinge to some ţat assemblyd yn a toune, & herberd hem yn a webbe hous, to whom ţat nygt a child was born, And vpon his engendrure ţey took and ordeyned his planetys, and ţey fand him engendryd yn ţe planetys of Venus & Mars, yn ţe degre of Gemeals wit Balance, and he hadde no sterre vpsprongyn ţat was euyl no contrary; so his engendrure shewyd hem

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ţat ţe
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child sholde be wys, & curteys, of note.50 [swift] honde & of wys conseill, And ţat he sholde be wel belouyd of kynges. But ţai layned it to his ffader. Ţe child wax yn prosperite, And his fadyr and his modir pyned hem to lere hym som craft of here wyrkynges, But ţay mygte lere hym no-ţing at all; wharfore ţey bet him, and skowryd hym greuously, and at ţe laste ţai leet hym goo at his wille, And he ons put him to folk of disceplyne, and he gat sciences, & knew cours and tyme vpon heuenly ţinges, & maners and gouernaill of kynges, and after bycome a greet conseyller. All ţe contrary byfell of ţe merueyllous werkynges and ordinance of ţe planetys and her kyndes, ţat byfell to two sones of ţe kyng of Inde born on oon day to ţe comparison of ţe engendrynge; But it was laynyd to his ffadyr. And whenne ţe oon was waxyn, ţe kyng thott to do lere him vpon sciences, and sende hym ţourg Inde and oţer contree worschipfully, as it byfell to ţe sone of swylk a kyng. But it profyted nogt, ffor he mygte nogt bowe hys kynde but to ţe craft of fforgynge; Wharof ţe kyng was mekyll drobyld, and assemblyd all ţe wyse men of his kyngdom, and whanne ţey were alle aresonyd herof, ţay accordyd in oon, ţat kynde ledde so ţe chyld. So ofte sithes yn ţe self manere it fallys, as ofte it preuyd.

Cap. 98. [To dyspys noght lytyll stature.]

And ţarefore dyspys nogt lytyll stature of men whom ţou sees loue sciences, and er habundant yn wayes of wyt, & thewes, and eschewes ţe fylt of vyces. Loue swylk, and holde hem neg to ţe, whenne ţou persayues hem coragous yn swylk vertus, ffor swylk er customyd to be wel spekyng, wel tagt, curteys, and good storyers, knowyng of ţy predycessours. Sette none byfore no byhynde anoţer witouten conseyll, But drawe ţe company of hym to ţe, ţat louys treute, & ţat ţat fallys to a real magestee, ţat er fast of wyl, stabyld of herte, trewe to ţe, and rigtwys to ţy subgit; ffor wete ţou, ţat ţys conseill adressys ţy vpberers, and ordeynes ţy kyngdom, and ţey ţat er contrary to ţys, put hem away.

Put nogt byfore ţat sholde be byhynde, ne behynde ţat sholde be byfore, ne do no ţinge withoute ţe conseyll of Philosophye, ffor ffylosophers sayen ţat conseill is sigt note.51 of ţinges ţat er to come.

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Cap. 99. [How ţe kyng awe to ask conseyll.]

folio 33a

And it ys founden yn ţe wrytinges of Persyens, ţat oon of her kynges askyd conseyll of his vpberers of rigt a pryue ţyng, and it was shewyd to hem ţat he louyd mekyll, And he was answerd ţus of oon of hem: “It nedys nogt ţat a kyng aske conseyll of vs, of any of his pryue doynges, But ţat he aske seuerally of some his conseill, ffor yn pryue conseils er swyk ţinges shewed to oon, ţat byfore many or mo shold nogt be shewyd”; ţarfore y say, It nedys nogt ţat ţys be doon yn alle doynges, But it nedys be doon wit consideracion, and ţat ţay be callyd to ţy presence yn ţaire propertes, yn byndynge, & vnbyndynge, as byfore ys sayd. ffor oon olde ffhilosopher seit, ţat ţe wyt of a kynge ys helpyd by his vpberers, as ţe see waxis by ţe receyt of fflodes and waters; And ţat he may conquere many ţinges by queyntyse and conseill, ţat he sholde nogt haue by mygt of bataill. It is sent yn ţis wordes yn a Book of Mede to his sone: “Sone, greet myster ys to ţe, to haue conseill, ţat ys oon amonge men. Conseill ţanne wit hym ţat of mygt may deliuere ţe, & spare nogt ţyn enemy. But yn eueryche tyme ţat ţou mowe shewe ţy victorye yn hym, kepe ţe out of ţe mygt of ţy enemy.”

Cap. 100. [Off putting vpberers in ţe kyngs stede.]

And ţat ţe abundance of ţy wyt, in ţy hopynge, no ţe hynesse of ţy state disturbe ţe nogt in ţy self, But all dayes putte oţer conseill to ţyn, ffor some oţer conseill ys profitable, & embrace it yf ţe lyke it, and ţyn awen conseill dwelle ay to ţy self. And if it disacorde to ţy demynge, ţanne it ys to ţe to loke whether it be helpand and profytable, and after ţy deuys enbrace it, & if it be nogt profytable, leue it vterly. Besily and vnderstandandly y amonest ţe, and gyues ţe good conseill, ţat ţou putte nougt any of ţyne vpberers gouernour yn ţi stede, ffor ţanne mygt his conseill destrue & putte to meschef ţy kyngdom, & bot heg and lawg, & to gyf entent to his awen profyt, and to study on ţy vndoynge. If ţou fynde nogt ffyue vpberers ţat be lykynge to ţe yn ţe manere afore-sayd, Puruey ţe of thre worthy and no lesse, ffor greet good shal come ţareof, ţat ys to say of tho thre, ffor yf mor certeyn ţing nowere it sholde nogt be knowyn.

folio 33b
ţe firste ţing vpon whom alle ţinges dwellys is trinite, and by ffyue er ledde, & by seuen full maad,

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ffor seuen heuens er, and seuen planetys, & seuen dayes, and ţe cercuyt of ţe moone ys seuen, and dayes of drynkynge or of medicyn er seuen, & dayes Periodies er seuen, and many oţer ţinges bylonges to ţe nombre of seuen, ţat were longe to telle.

Cap. 101. note.52 Off Prudence to assaye a Conseller.

Oon ţinge ys wherby ţou mowe assay ţy conseiller; If ţou shewe ţat ţou hauys defaute of hauynge, And if he conseille ţe to lytelynge of ţi ţinges ţat ţou hauys in tresour, & he say ţat ţat nedys ţe, wete ţou ţat he puttys yn ţe no good lernynge. And if he lede ţe to take ţe hauynge of ţy subgit, ţat shal be a corupcion of ţy gouernance, And ţay shall hate ţe as dysmesure. And if he profre ţe ţat he hauys, and says, “ţis ys ţat y haue of ţy grace and of ţy lordschipe getyn, & here y offre it to ow,” and geuys ow yt; He ţis ys by rigt to be praysed, and worthy of greet prys, As he ţat chesys his confusion for ţy glorye.

Ţou shall assay ţy porteours in gyftes & rewardes, And him ţat ţou sees stout and prowd ouer mesure, trowe neuer good yn him, ţat ţinkes to gedyr mekyll hauynge, and to kepe tresour; haue neuer trist on him, ffor he seruys but for gold all-oon, And he latys hauynge ryn wit wyttes of men. And also he ys as a wele withouten grounde, and also yn him ys noţer terme ne ende; ffor ţe more hauyng ţat grewys on hym, ţe more ys his besynesse and his entent to gete more.

And swilk ţing ys vndoynge of a kyngdome by many skyls; ffor it mygte byfall ţat ţe loue and ţe brynnynge to his hauynge mygte cause ţy det, or to anoţer to whom he geuys his entent ţerto; And ţerfore it ys a nedfull ţinge ţat ţy porteour be nogt farre out of ţy presence, & bydde hym ţat he drawe nogt to oţer kynges, and ţat he rede hem no sende hem no letters ne tydinges; And if ţou persayue any swylk ţing yn him, remewe him witoute taryinge, ffor corages er swyft to euyl, &
ligtly bowen to contrarious willes. And loke ţat ţy porteours be couenable, &
ţat ţey loue ţy lyf, & be obedient to ţe, ffor ţis ys ţe ţinge ţat moost ledys subgit to loue ţe, & puttys his persone, & his goodes to ţi aboundon, &
plesaunce, & ţat haues ţe vertu & ţe maners ţat y shall neuen ţe.

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Cap. 102.

folio 34a
ffyuetene Vertue off a good Conseiller.

At ţe firste ţat he haue perfeccion of his membrys, ţat hym nedys to werkys ffor whom, & to whilk, he ys chosyn. On ţe oţer syde, ţat he be goodly to witholde, and willed to vnderstonde, ţat men sayen to hym; ţe ţridde, ţat he be of good mynde to holde ţat he herys, and ţat he be nogt foretfull; ţe fferthe, ţat he loke to, and be persayuant, whenne nede shal fall, as y afore haue sayd; ţe ffyfte, ţat he be curtays, and of fayr speche, and of swet tonge, acordant to ţe hert and ţe ţougt, and ţat he be of renable speche; ţe sext part, ţat he be knowynge yn all sciences, and namely in arsmetyk, ţat is ful sot and shewable; wharof of kynde ys drawyn ţe seuent part, &;at he be sothfast of wordes, and louyng treut, and fle lesynge, and ţat he be wel ordeyned, of softe maners, &
debonere, and tretable. Ţe viije part, ţat he be withouten ţe tecc of engrotury, and dronkynnesse, & leccherye, bowynge fro playes and delyces. Ţe ixe part, ţat he be of greet corage yn purpos, and louynge honurabilite. Ţe xe, ţat gold, and siluer, and all swylk accident ţinges of ţe world, be dispysable to hym, And ţat his purpos and his entent be nogt put in ţinges, ţat fallys to worthynesse and gouernaill, and ţat he euen deme neg & ferre. Ţe xje, ţat he deme and enbrace rigtwysse, and rigtwysnesse, and ţat he hate wronges & trespas, eldand to vche man ţat ys his, helpynge to hem ţat suffren disease and wronges, and ţat he remewe alle Iniurys, and ţat he make no difference in ţe persones, no in ţe degree of men ţat god hauys maad euen. Ţe xije, ţat he be of stalwort and lastyng purpos yn ţinges ţat he see to be doon, and hardy witouten drede and fayntnesse of corage. Ţe xiije, ţat he knowe alle ţe issues of ţi despens, and ţat no ţinge be hidde to hym ţat fallys to ţe kyngdome, and ţat ţe subgit pleyne hem nogt in ţat, ţat he mowe auaille, But in cas sufferable. Ţe xve, is ţat he be no Iangelour, no ouer mekyll lagenge,
folio 34b
ffor attemprance plesys mekyll ţe folk; But ţat he shewe hym curteys to men, &
debonerly tretand. Ţe laste, ţat he be of ţe nombre of hem ţat eschewen synnys and vyces, And ţat his court be opyn to all suruenant, and ţat he be entendant to enquere tidynges of all ţinges ţat mowe comforte subgit, & to adresse ţaire werkys, &

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do hem solas in aduersyte, and som tyme vpberand and sufferand ţaire symplenesse.

Cap. 103. [ţat man ys ţe lesse werld.]

Wete ţat god hauys maad no creature mor wys ţan man, and &;at he gedrys in no ţing ţat sawle hauys, ţat he gedyrs yn him, ffor ţou shall fynde yn no beste, costom no maner, ţat ţou ne shall fynde yn him, ffor man ys hardy as a lyon, dredful as a hare, large as a Cokke, auerous as hounde, hard and fell as a krowe, pytous as turtyll, malicious as lyons, pryue and hamely as douve, queynte & trecherous as ffox, symple and softe as lombe, swyft and stirrand as goote, wayk and sleutfull as Bere, Precious and dere as Elyfaunt, vyleyns and boystous as asse, rebell as a rambe, obedient and meke as Poo, ffoltisc as [ostrich], profitable as a Bee, and vnstable as Goot, Proud as Bole, sterrand as fyss, Resonable as Angelee, leccherous as swyn, euyltagt as Owle, Conable as hors, noyand as Mouse; & haly to speke, ţer ys no best, no thynge vegetable, no originale, no noumbrable, no heuene, no Planete, no tokenyng, no non oţer ţinge beynge, of alle ţinges ţat ere, ţat some properte of hem er founden in man.

Wherfore man ys callyd ţe lesse werld.

Cap. 104. [Noght to haue trist yn man ţat trowys noght ţy lawe.]

And neuer haue trist yn man ţat trowys nogt ţy lawe, ţat it fall nogt to ţe as it fille to twoo men ţat felawschipped hem to gedre in a way, of whom oon was oon enchauntere of ţe orient, ţe oţer a Iewe; ţe enchauntere rade on his Mule, ţat he hadde tagt at his likynge, ţat bar him whanne him mysteryd by ţe way; ţe Iew wente on foote, and hadde nother mete ne drynke, no oţer ţinge ţat hym neded, wit him; And as ţey wente spekynge togeder by ţe way, ţe Enchantere sayde to ţe Iew, “Whiche ys ţy fayth, and ţy lawe?” And he answerd hym, “I trowe ţat in heuen ys oon god, ţat y worschippe, and of him y holde folio 35a
goodnesse and thankynges to my sawle, and also to hem ţat er of my lawe, of my fayt, and of my byleue; and it ys lefull to me to shede ţe blood of him ţat acordys nogt to my lawe, and take fro him his hauyng, and all ţat fallys to him, wyf, ffader & Modre, and childryn. And

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ouer ţat, it ys holdyn to me a malyson if y holde hym fayt, or do him helpe, or any mercy, or if y spare him ougt. Now haue y shewyd ţe my ley and my fey; make me now certeyn of ţy ley and ţy fey.” And he answerd hym, “My fey, My byleue, and my ley, er ţes; I wyll first good to myself, and to ţe sones of my lynage, and y wille non euyl to any godys creature, no to hem ţat folwyn my ley, no to hem ţat dysacordys wit me, And y beleue, ţat euenheed & mercy er to be kepyd &
holden ynens vche man leuynge; no manere of wronge lykes me; And me ţynk if any euyl fall to any leuyng man, ţat ţat euele fallys to me, & troblys me, ffor y desire welfare, helt, stryngt, and goodnesse, all holely to come to note.53 vche man.” ţanne sayde ţe Iew, “What if any man do to ţe wronge, or wret ţe?” ţe Enchantere sayd, “I woot ţat god ys yn heuene rigtfull, good, and wys, to whom no ţinge ys hydde, ne no priue ţynge, ne no ţing layned, ţat rewardes ţe good after hir goodnesse, & ţe wyckyd and ţe trespassours after her trespas.” And ţe Iew sayde to him, “Why kepys ţou nogt ţy ley and ţy fey yn ţe werkes as ţou confermes?” “In what manere?” sayde ţe enchantere. And ţe Iew answerd & sayde, “y am a sone of ţy lynage, and ţou see me goon on foote hungry and wery, And ţou art on horsse, hool and wel at ese.” “ţat ys sot,” sayde ţe Enchantere, and ligtyd doun of his Mule, & opynd his male, and gaf him mete & drynke, and after he gart hym styrt vp and ryde, and after [ţe Iew] was byfore rydant, and straak ţe Mule with ţe spores, and hastyd hym to forsake his felaw, and he cryed after him and sayde, “abide me, I am neg shent of goynge.” And ţe Iewe sayde, “shewed I ţe nog my ley, and ţe manere ţerof? I will now also fulfylle hit.” And he peyned him to hasty ţe Mule, And ţe oţer folwynge after cryde and sayde, “O Iew, leue me nogt yn ţys desert, ţat lyouns deuoure me nogt, no ţat I dye for hunger and
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sorwfull threst, But do mercy to me, as y haue don to ţe.” ţe Iew wolde nogt loke aeyn, no gyf entent to his sawes, But he cesyd nogt, to he was passyd his sigt; And whenne ţe Enchantere was yn despayr of alle socours, he bythogte hym of ţe perfeccioun of his ley & of his fey, and of ţat ţat he sayde to ţe Iew, ţat in heuen was on god rigtfull Iuge, to whom in creatures no ţing ys hidde, ne no pryue ţing layned. He lyft vp his hondes to ţe Page 106
heuen, and sayde, “God ţat sauyst hem ţat tristyn yn ţy lawe, & shewys ţe holy yn ţy comandement, conferme my louynge in ţe, ynens ţis Iew”; after whenne he hadde sayd ţys, he wente nogt ferre yn ţe way; he fand ţe Iew, cast of his Mule, & bette, and his thee brokyn, and his nekke euyl hurt. And ţe Mule on ţe oţer syde stood on farre; and whenne he saw his meyster, by kynde techinge he com neg toward hym, and he styrt vpon him, and he lefte ţe Iew sorwand, and he departyd fro hym. But ţe Iew cryed after him, And sayde, “ffayr brother, for goddys sake, haue now mercy vpon me.” And ţe Enchantere bygan ţanne gretly to blame, & sayde him, ţat he leffyd him withouten mercy, and ţat he hadde greuously synned vpon him; And ţe Iew sayde to him, “repreue me nogt of ţing passyd, ffor y shewyd ţat ţat was my lawe & my fayt, yn whom y am norsyd, & my kennysmen and ancestres yn ţe self lawe dwellyd, And here y dwelle all to-ffrushyd, & y haue gret myster of pytee; haue mercy on me, for ţe obseruance of ţy lawe, ţat hauys geuyn to ţe victorye vpon me.” ţe Enchanter hadde eft vpon him pytee, & bare hym byfore hym to ţe stede ordeyned, and bytogt hym to his ffolk; but he dyed wit-ynne a short while, And ţe kyng of ţat Citee whanne he herde ţe doynges of ţat Enchanteour, he clepyd him afore him, and for his pityuous doynges, and for ţe goodnesse of his lawe, he ordeyned him oon of his Conseillers. Louynge be to god, of ţis ţing ys Ende.

Book V.

Cap. 105. To chese a Qweynte Scryueyn and Pryue.

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It ys nedfull to ţe, chese a sotell man, ţat hauyn most stalworth tokenyng, and most rechand argument, to shewe ţe quantyte of ţy hynes; ffor bytokenynge or enterpreteyson of wordes ys so as ţe esprit of word, and ţe endytynge ys ţe body, and ţe writynge ys ţe clethynge of wordys and spekynge. And rigt as ţe nedys be, a man stryngyd in substance, of fair beholdyng and of ornement, Al-so it fallys ţat ţou chese of wyse men & of Skreueyns, sweche ţat hauyn perfeccion of enournede eloquence, & of sotyll record; And rigt as ţe Skryueyn ys enterpretour of ţy wyl, and ys ordeyned for ţy conseilles and priuytee, So it nedys ţat he be of good ffayt, and of lele knowynge of ţy wyl, and in alle ţy wirkynges, And ţat he besye hym to ţy profyt and to ţy worschipe, as it semys.

And

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it nedys ţat he be qweynte and warre yn his werkys, and non entre and byholde hys pryue wrytynges. And it fallys ţat ţou mede his werkys, aftyr his seruyce ţat he doos to ţe, and ţat he laste curious yn ţy gouernaill, after ţe terme sett of ţy wyl. Put hym ţanne yn ţe degree of ţin auance, ffor his properte ys ţin, and his corupcion ţyn.

Book VI.

Cap. 106. To teche a Messagere.

Wete ouer all ţinges ţat ţe Messager, whedyr ţou sendys hym, shewys ţe wyt of ţe, ţat sendys hym, and he ys ţyn eghen, yn ţat ţat ţou seest nogt, and ţyn ere, yn ţat ţat ţou heryst nogt, and ţy tonge, where ţou art absent. Ţanne ţe nedys to chese ţe most worthy to sweche a seruyce, of hem ţat er in ţy presence, wys and willynge, honourablyte, vnderstondynge, lele, and eschewand oţer, fleand all velanye and blame. And if ţou fynde sweche oon, clepe hym to ţe, and speke with hym of ţinges ţat he knowys nogt of ţy wyl, And ţou shall sone persayue, if it be yn him ţat ţou enquerys, ffor all sone as ţinges ffonden he ys to be enhyed; And if he be nogt in ţis determinyng, at ţe leste be he to ţe trewe secretary, no ţinge addand, no letiland, in ţinges ţat ţou sendys hym, and ţat he kepe wel ţy comandement, & ţat he gyf good entent of ţat ţat he berys of answers ţat men makys hym. And if ţou
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fynde non swylke, be he noţeles a trew berere of ţy lettres to hem ţat ţou sendyst hem, bryngand and telland ţe answers aeyn. And if ţou persayue any of ţy Messagers corious, and besy to gete hauynge, and to geder hem yn ţe places ţat ţou sendys hym, Refuse hym vtterly. And also if ţou see any Messager dronkelew, for ţai er nogt sent to ţy profyt, ffor ţe Persiens whenne any Messager come to hem, bare oon of hem to drynkyn mekyll wyn; And if he dranke as surfete, ţanne wyste ţey wel ţat his lord was ţe lesse wys. And kepe ţe wel, ţat ţou sende nogt ţy gretest conseiller in ţy message, ne soffre him nogt ferre froo ţe, ffor ţat ys distruccion of a kyngdome. Now haue y shewyd to ţe qualyte, and ţe louynges and ţe repreuynges of Messagers, and ţaire ordinance, & how ţay er knowyn in vntreut & in good treut; ţanne, whenne a Messager ys nogt swyche, and castys hym to giftes and rewardes, & tretys wit ţe of ţinges ţat ţou hauys enIoyned hym, yn ţy gouernayll make him lesse.

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Book VII.

Cap. 107. To gouerne ţy self.

I trowe ţat ţou hauys now vnderstandyd, ţat ţy subgit er ţe hauynge of ţi hous and ţi tresour, wherof ţi kyngdom is confermed. Lekyn ţanne ţi subgit to oon orche-erd, ţat hauys diuers trees berynge fruyt, and haue nogt ţare-ynne sedes bryngynge fort wedes and netles, and florysshe nogt fort fruyt bryngand, ffor trees ţat hauyn yn hem many braunches and rotes, and ţe stoke vpsette, some of hem makys fruyt & seed couenable to multiplye ţaire kynde, whenne ţay er wel tylled and kepyd; ţanne, after ţe quantyte of ţy tresour is ţe lastyng and ţe defens, of ţy kyngdom and of ţy myt. Now it nedys ţanne ţat ţou gouerne hem wel, and ţat ţou gyf good entent to here nedys, so ţat ţou remowe fro hem all ţaire wronges. And be it neuer noyous to ţe, to geue entent to here statys, no to enquere whare-folio 37a
of ţey haue myster, ffor ţanne ţay shall haue oon purpos stabyld ynens ţe, ţat fallys nogt to distruccion, but to conuersacion, ţat ţou ert wel ordeyned, of maners enfourmed, lastyng, wys, and sufferand; and if ţou be nogt swyche, ţe hertys of ţi subgit sall be rebell to ţy gouernaill, and sall bycome corumpyd by sweche thogtes, ţat byfore wer clene.

Cap. 108. [Of expendours.]

And make nogt many expendours of ţin expensys to be maad, ffor ţare-by may come to ţe corupcion, ffor vche of hem wyll etyll to ouerpasse oţer in Corupcion of wyrkynges, & he shal peyne hym to shewe hym to be praysed and profytable to ţe, in oppressioun of ţy subgit, And so shall vche of ţy conseillers doo, ţat ouer-longe dwellys yn ţe office. And many er swyche ţat oon sayen, & oţer-wayes doon, and brynges many to here vndoynge, to may[n]gteyne hem & defende hem.

Book VIII.

Cap. 109. Off lederes off ostes and here ordinaunce.

Barouns er helpe and multiplication of ţe kyngdome, by hem ys ţe court honourd and gouerned, & ordeyned yn here degree. Goode ordinace is ţanne yn degree necessarys, and be nogt ţe kyndrede vnknowyn to ţe, whether ţey be neg or farre, in ţy ordinace yn ţaire nombre. And ţis ys ţe ordre necessary afore-sette &
seyd, nombre & brynge aeyn to a Nombre vndyr a Nombre; ţanne say I, ţat ffourfald ordynance

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ys necessary, ffor vche a stede in erthe ys ffour yn his dyfference, afore, byhynde, on ţe Rigt syde and on ţe left syde. And also ţe kyndes of ţe werld er ffoure, Est, West, Sout, & Nort ţe ferthe part of ţy kyngdome be yn gouernayll to vche a leedyr of ţin oste, and if ţou wyl moo, be ţay tene, ffor tene and foure er perfyt yn nombre, ffor yn ffourhede er oon, two, thre, and ffoure, and if ţou geder hem togedre ţey make tene; ţe nombre of ten ys ţe perfeccion of hem ţat enbracen ffourhede, & vmlappys it yn nombres; ffolwe ţanne vche comandour tene note.54 vicaires, & vche vicaire tene lederes, & vche ledere tene denys, & vche deyn ten men, ţanne er all ţes togedre a hundret thousand fegtyng men. And whenne ţou hauys myster of ţe seruyce of tene thousand men, ţou salt folio 37b
comande to assemble oon oste, & ţore ţou sall putte oon comandour & tene vicaries, and tene lederes come wit vche a vicayre, & wit vche a ledere tene dyens, and wit vche a dyen ten men; And ţes makyn in somme tene thowsand ffygtynge men. And yf ţou haue myster of a thowsand, Comande oon of ţe vicaires and come wit hym ten leddres, & with vche a leddre ten dyens, & wit vche dyen ten fygtyng men, and alle makys a thowsand note.55 ; and if ţe nede, comande to a dyen ten figtyng men, and come wit vche of hem ten figtynge men, so shall ţou spare ţy vitayle, & ţou shall allege ţi folk, and ţou shalt come to ţat ţat ţou desyres yn ţi purpos. And ţou shall allege ţy trauaill yn ţy heg men, ffor vche of hem shall gouerne tene vndyr hym yn his degree, and so shall ţaire wyrkyng be allegyd in hem. And be ţy comandour swyfte, & qweynte, & ordinant; And it nedys to ţe Barouns to haue a conyng man, wys, persayuand, lele, & preuyd in knygthoode, to take kepynge ţat ţay be nogt corumpyd of gyftes, And ţat he besily enquere ţaire ţinkynges; and whenne ţou persayues any swyche ţinge in any, remewe hem, and assemble hem, and shew hem ţat ţou haues ordeyned ţaire remouynge; and it nedys ţat ţou be tretable and curteys, And ţat ţou dyspise nogt oon for oţer.

[Cap. 110 Of the horn of battle.]

And it nedys ţat ţou haue wit ţe ţe, Instrument ţat Cenustinus made to ţe vse of ţe Hoste; and it ys a dispytous Instrument ţat outspredys it in many maners.

Whenne ţou

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nedys to vesyte ţy Contree and ţy kyngdome, and to assemble ţy heg men and ţyne ffygters in ţe self day; or soner, or in oţer manere, as ţe hoste shall haue myster; ţe sounde of ţe Instrument ys herd sextyl Mylee.

Book IX.

Cap. 111. Off auenture off Bataylles.

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Wille ţou nogt haunte batailles, and putte ţy lyf in auenture. ffolwe oft-sithes ţe conseill of ţe most best manered men of ţi court; And ocupye ţe nogt in ţinges ţat ţei ţat ere ouercomen, or blamed, costomes to ocupye hem, vpon vanite of Batailles. Ne assaye nogt, ne haunte nogt bataille yn ţy propre persone, And ţe gretteste with-holde toward ţe. Ne ocupy ţe nogt, no gyf entent to foltisch vndertakynges & hardynesse, ffor it ys a certeyn ţinge ţat kynge shal neuer assemble with kynge togedir, ţat ţe oon hauys hope to destruye ţe oţer, And ţat ys foundyn oft-sithes in kynde. Wete ţanne ţat enuy ys comynge & risyng, of ţe body, and ţe sawle, of twoo opposisiouns contrarys, and ţaire spryt ys hope &
tryst of victory on ţe oon syde & on ţe oţer. And whenne mys-hope of victory fallys, ţanne dyen and cesen batailles; And as longe durys bataill as lastynge to haue victory ys, on ţe oon syde or on ţe oţer. Be all ţy stryngt and ţyn entent, in lastyng and perseuerance, and in stabelynge and sustenance of hem ţat er of ţy lyn; and espyse nogt here persones, but speke faire to hem, and hete hem gyftes and worschippes, & elde ţy hetynges. Wende nogt in host witt oute haberion or quyrre, so ţat if ţyn enemy fynde ţe sodeynly, all ţi besynesse and purueyance be to kepe ţi-self, of armes, of kepers, of spyes, and of necessary wacche, nygt & day & all tymes. And sette nogt ţy herbegage, but yn stedes neg &
ioynant to hellys or to waters, and lede with ţe many vitaylles moo ţan ţou mysters, and make many rynnand, & oribles voyces, ffor sweche ţinges makyn stryng and vertu to hem ţat er wit ţe, and lastyng to her purpos, and drede shenshype to her enemys. & vse diuersyte of armes in ţi Barouns, some in quarels and arwys, and ordeyne ţe oţer in wenges, & ţe stoures all aboute; folio 38b
and whenne ţou ordeyns ţy wynges to figte, sende wit hem a shape, and toures of tree, In whom be armours of shotyng, sendand out brynnynge dart And if ţou fynde hem yn hem, slakand or failland, comforte here hertes and enfourme hem, &

ordeyne

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hem to perseuerance, as it ys afore sayd. Ordeyne ţy wenges, on ţe rigt syde of hem ţat stryken and assayllen, and of ţe left syde hem ţat shoten; And in ţe hert, or ellys in ţe myddes of ţi folk, hem ţat sendys out brennand brandouns, &
shotes hem out, & ţat maken soundes of orible voyces, and makyn diuers sterynges. And ţe stede ţat ţou figtys on wit ţy aduersers, be it semynge euer more seker, ffor ţarfore shal ţyn hoste peyne hem mekyll more to figt, &
stalworthly aeyn-stonde her enemys; eschewe tresoun, & namely whenne ţou see ţi aduersaries forsake ţe, & in ţat partye dresse ţy wenges to bataille, and ţare-wit putte to hem ţy presence ofte-sythes, ffor ţat ys a oriegenall of victory. Whare fore men were costomed to say ţat victory commes of noon, but if ţay be ouercomen of ffeyntise of herte. Ouer all ţinges, make many wacches, and assay ţy spyes wit howge soundes, ffor sweche er of ţe nombre of hem ţat surmounten and ouercomen. And oon cautele ys ţat brynges to purpos, & oon of ţe groundes of Batailles. And haue stedys determynd, appereld in some stede of ţe hoste, to socoure & kepe wel ţy men wit drynke and oţer necessaries; And haue many bestayle to bere warny stoor to castellys wher ţou shalt fygte, ţis er ollyfaunt, espontous bestes; And rigt swyft, as dromyders, yn whom ys hope of flygt at nede, and er as castels. And if ţou shall assayll castels, vse Instrument castyng stones, as Mangoles or Perreres, and make moo of hem after ţou hauys mester, and oţer Instrument perceaunt & lanceaunt, and arwes and dartys enuemynd. And if ţou mowe come to welle or stede where ţi enemys focchyn water to drynke, caste yn hem venyms, and so ţou salt make graues to hem.

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Kepe in all ţinges stabilnesse, ffor ţat ys a full louable ţing, And so ţou shall fulfylle ţy purpos. And folwe neuer moor hem ţat fleyen, no be nogt ouer-hasty yn ţi werkys. And if it mowe be, lat all ţi werkynges be treson and entrikynge to ţi aduersers. Kepe ţe wel yn ţe first bigynnynge & ţe endyng to ţe bataill of ţe folk, ffor ţe folk of Iewes er properly traytours & entrykours, &
ţey haue no shame. Ţe Persiens & ţe Turkeys, & ţe perseis, er rigt coraious men, and of gret vndertakynge; ţanne figt wit vche men yn ţe manere ţat ys couenable; And make nogt ţe lesse greet, no sette nogt byfore ţat ys byhynde, But all ţy werkys be ţai, in opyn & pryuee, yn ţe manere afore sayd, And after ţe qualyte or ţe

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ordinance of Astronomy, as y haue afore leryd ţe. Whenne ţou will attene to ţe stabylnesse of ţi purpos by ţe ordinance of heuenly vertu, Stable ţou ţe mountant, or ţe vpspryngand, yn ţe tokenynge of ţe Lyon; And see ţat ţe mone and his ledere be in his good state, & in goode stede vpstyand, And stable with ţe mountant, or ţe hous of ţe mountant, yn ţe house of Mar. And leue nogt ţe sigt of Marc witouten triplycite, And byhold, ţanne, all ţe werkynge wherof ţou wille haue ţe nature of ţe Planetys and here houses; And ordeyn ţe self planetys, and ţe tokenynges ţat er of ţe self nature, ffor ţat ys ţe chef; ţanne whenne ţou will wend, ordeyne mountant to ţe way, or ţe Cytee, or ţe stede whedyr ţou etyls, And ţe wirkynges ţat ţou etyls, and ynens ţat, ţat ys ţe moste lawnesse of ţe erthe; And loke ţat ţe mone be nogt wycked, no in eclyspe, no trouble, no vnder ţe beem of ţe sonne in ţe sext or twelf degree, or aeyn-goyng, ffor ţanne ţe mountant shewys victory and prosperite; ţe comyng shall be good, and namly whenne Mercurius shall be yn Middes of ţe heuene, it shal shewe spedynge of ţe werk & perfeccion. And whenne it shal be yn ţe seuen degree, mygtynesse of ţe werke, and gladnesse, & prosperyte, and it shall shewe fulfillynge of ţe purpos. And if it be abown ţe erthe, it shall bitakyn spedys of necessary ţinges, & prosperyte of auenture. And loke ţat ţe mone folio 39b
be nogt in ţe entree of ţe way, in ţe quarreure of ţe sonne, or els yn his contrary. If ţou fynde ţanne ţe vpspryngant or ţe mountant in his contrary or quarreure, torne aeyn suyftly to ţe gree, and ţe werk shal wel cheue; And if ţou wille vndertake bataill, ordeyne ţe house of ţe mone and ţe myddes of ţe heuen, & Mercury byholdant deuoutly & debonerly; And make Mercury yn ţe fferthe degree, & reparaill ţe mone, ffor in holdyng of wayes it ys ţe gretteste tokenyng vniuersele.

Book X.

Cap. 112. Knowynge by diuers tokenynges.

Among oţer ţinges ţat ţe nedys to knowe ţe konyng ţat ţe sawle folowys and knowys by noble tokenynges, whenne it ys drawyn fro dysirs and coueytis, And whenne it ys deliured of noysance, and ţis diuision ys knowyn by ţogts. ffor whenne [it]ys surmontant, and holdys lordschipe vpon ţe body, ţat greuys him, And a flawmyng vertu dwellys yn ţe hert, & he holdys him to ţe vertu of ţe sawle ţat ys yn ţe harnes; ţanne is ţe

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vnderstondyng helpyd, enhyed, and maad ligtyd, after mesure. Wharfore, if any aske ţe encheson of ţe clene vnderstondynge of prophetes, wharof ţai er approuyd and ligtned, and of ţaire trew diuisiouns of natureles meruailles, wete ţat it come to hem, abown all oţer ţinges, by ţe accordance of ţe sterres, ţat er clepyd ţe constellacion of engendrure, folowynge ţe vertu generatyue, so as ţe nedys to enquere ţe tokenynges & ţe folwynge with ţe ffayrhede of kynde, ţat ys to wete ţe science of phisonomy, ţat ys a ful greet science; And ţe olde philosophers vsyd it by longe werldes, & ţay made hem glorious in ţe enquerynge of fayrnesse of nature yn ţis science; Of whom ţe perfeccioun of ţe fore-sayd science ys euyn to a souerayn doctour of ţe olde philosophers, Philomen, Meistre of Phisonomy, ţat atretably folwyd of ţe composision of man ţe qualyte and ţe folio 40a
natures of his sawle; & he got yn ţe selue story, ffayre and straunge. Vpon ţis, wete ţat ţe discyples of wys ypocras peyntyd his ffigure in perchemyn, and brogt it to Philomen, and saide, “byholde ţys ffourme, and shewe vs ţe qualite of his complexion;” and he byholdyng ţe composicion and ţe ordinance of ţe ffygure & of ţe partyes, he lyknede ţe partyes and saide: “ţis man ys lycherous, deceyuant, and loufand lecherye.” And ţe disciples wolde haue slayn hym ţerfore, and sayde, “O foltisc man, ţis ys ţe ffygure of ţe most worthy & best man of ţis werld.”

Philomen ţanne apesyd hem, & chastisde, & sayde, “ţis ys ţe ffygure of wys ypocras; whare-tyll haue e askyd me ţerof? I haue shewyd ow aftyr my science, ţat y fele by ţe ffygure.” And after, whenne ţay come to ypocras and sayde him, what ţat ţey hadde done, and what Philomen sayde to hem, and his Iugement, Ypocras answerd hem, “Certaynly, he sayde al sot to ow, & he passyd nogt a lettre ţerof. Noţelees, sythen ţat y saw and vnderstood ţat ţey were fowle ţinges and dampnable, I makyd my sawle kynge vpon it self, and y witdrew me, &
ouercome my self, for to witholde my couetyse.” ţis is ţe louynge & ţe wyt of wys ypocras werkys, ffor Phisyke ys non oţer ţinge but abstinence & victory of couetable ţinges. Now y stable to ţe reules of ţis science of Phisonomy &
constituciouns suffyceant abbreggyd, ţat shal be greet profyt to ţe, and lerynge of nobleye of kynde, and in clennesse of ţy substance.

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Cap. 113. [Off colour.]

Wete ţanne forsothe ţat ţe modere marri ys rigt swyc to ţe seede ţat it conseyues, as ţe pot ţat ys resseyt of sethinge; ţanne if it shewe it whit with alowe colour & blew, It bytoknys ţat it ys to lytell sothyn, ţanne if sweche a diminucion byfall yn a creature, his kynde also shall be lessenyd to hym.

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ţanne kepe ţe fro a man ţat kyndly is alow and blew, ffor sweche er ligtly stirryd to vyces and licchery.

Cap. 114. [Off byholdyng.]

If ţou see a man oft-sithes byholdyng ţe, & if ţou byholde hym, and he be abayst and sighe, & teres shewe hem yn his eghen, Trowe of sweche oon ţat he louys ţe, and dredys ţe; And if he doo contrary, holde hym enuyous and despytous.

Cap. 115. [Off ţe mysauentrous.]

Also kepe ţe fro vche mysauentrous man, ţat ys lesnyd of any membre, and eschewe hym as enemy.

Cap. 116. [Off attemprance.]

Oon euenn creature and attempre, ţat acordys him to meen stature, wit blak eghen & heer, & rounde chere; of whit colour mengyd with Reed & brown, ţe body of rigt and euen stature, of a meene heued bytwen greet and lytill, latly spekyng but mystere be, and holdys him in a menee voys yn his spekynge: And ouer all, whenne nature bowys him to blaknes with alownes; ţanne ys ţe attemprance good, and ţis creacion be lykyng to ţe; hym haue ţou wit ţe. And y make to ţe oon enterpreteysoun by manere of departyng, And attempre ţou it by rigtwysnesse of vnderstondynge.

Cap. 117. [Of heer of men.]

Many heres and softe bytoknys pesabilyte, and coldnesse of ţe brayn. Greet multitude of heer vpon bothe ţe shuldres bytokyns ffoltynesse. Many heres in ţe brest or in ţe wombe bytokyns horibilyte & singularyte of kynde, & lessenyng of ţe resceyt, and loue of wronges. Reed colour ys tokenynge of vnwyt, & of greet Ire, and of awaytes; And blake heer shewen rigtwysnesse, and loue of rigt. And ţe menee colour bytwen ţes two colours, bytoknys loue of pees.

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Cap. 118. [Of eghen.]

And he ţat hauys greet egen ys enuyous & witouten shame, sleuthful, and vnobeyssant. He ţat hauys lityll eghen, lyk to heuenly colour, or blake, ys of sharpe vnderstondynge, curteys, and leel. He ţat hauys steepe-owt egen ys malicious & feloun. He ţat haues egen lyk to ţe egen folio 41a
of a asse, ys vnwytty, and of hard kynde. He ţat his egen steryn swyftly, and haues a sharpe sighte, sweche oon is trechour, thef, & vntrewe. If egen be Reed, he ţat hauys hem ys coraious, stalworth, and mygty. Ţe werste eyen aren ţat hauyn spottys, whit, or blak, or reed, on all sydes, ffor sweche a man ys werst of alle oţer, and most vicious.

Cap. 119. [Of browes.]

Browes ţat hauyn many heer bytoknys euyl manere of spekynge; And whenne ţay reche to ţe temples, he ys fowl ţat berys hem, And he ţat hauys his browes departyd yn leng and shortnesse, in mesure and er greet, sweche er of ligt vnderstondyng.

Cap. 120. [Of nees.]

A nose ţat ys ţynne bytoknys his lord ful Irous; and he ţat hauys a long nose rechinge to ţe mout, ys prow and hardy. And he ţat hauys a greet nose ys hastyf, And a nose ţat hauys nosesterles oft greuant, & harde openynge, is Irous. And whenne ţe oon syde of ţe nose yn ţe myddes bowes toward ţe heygte, his berer ys a Ianglere, and he a lyere. And he ţat in nose ys most euyn, ţat is yn meene long, of mene makynge yn ţe ende, and hauys nogt his nose-sterlys ouer greet.

Cap 121. [Of face.] Of mouth.

A full fface, witouten bolnyng, bytokyns a stryuer, a dyscordour, wrongys, and fowl. He ţat hauys a mene fface, in chekys, and templys, bowynge to Lennesse, ys sotfast, louynge, & vndyrstondyng, wys, and seruysable, wel ordeyned, &
engynous. He ţat hauys stalwort armes ys ffygter & hardy; And he ţat hauys greet lyppes ys ffoltysc, And ţat is rigt full of flesc in ţe vysage, ys vnwys, enuyous, and legere; And he ţat hauys a lene vysage, ys wys yn his werkys, & of sotyll vndirstondynge. And he ţat hauys a lityll fface, bowynge Page 116
toward alownesse, ys wycked, and euyl-techyd, deceyuant, and dronkelew. And he ţat hauys rigt a longe vysage, ys wrongwys.

Cap. 122. [Of ţe temples.]

And he ţat hauys bolnynge temples, and full chekys, ys ful Irous.

Cap. 123. [Of ţe eres.]

He ţat hauys rigt greet eres ys full ffoltysc, sauynge ţat he ys of good witoldynge, and of good mynde. And he ţat hauys rigt lytill eres folio 41b
he shall be foltysc, thef, and leccherous.

Cap. 124. [Of voyces.]

He ţat hauys a greet voys, and wel sownand, shal be a fygter, and wel-spekand; And he ţat hauys a meene voyce, noţer ouer greet, ne ouer small, ys wys, purueyant, sothfast, and rigtwys. He ţat ys hastyf yn wordys, namly if he haue a small voys, ys dronkelew, enuyous, and lyer; and if his voys be rigt greet, he ys Irous, note.56 [hasty], and of euyl nature. He ţat hauys a swete voys, shall be enuyous, & suspect, ffor fayrhede of voys shewys folye, and vnwyt, and greet wyll.

Cap. 125. [Of mouynge of body.]

He ţat ofte-sithes is steryd, and with spekyng sterys his hondes, he ys fowl, eloquent, and deceyuant; And he ţat witoldys him to sterre his hondes, ys perfyt of vnderstondynge, wel disposyd, and of hool conseill.

Cap. 126. [Of ţe Throte.]

He ţat hauys a longe necke, he shall be of good sound, but foltisc ys he; And he ţat hauys a short necke, ys queynte, and decyuant, engynous in euyl, & trechour; And he ţat hauys a greet necke, ys foltysc, and mekyll, etynge.

Cap. 127. [Of ţe wombe: of ţe sholders.]

He ţat hauys a greet wombe, ys vndiscreet, foltysc, proud, and leccherous.

Meenesse of wombe, with a streyt brest, bytokyns heyenesse of vnderstondyng, and of good conseill. Broodnesse of brest, and greetnesse of sholdres and bak, bytokyns prowesse, and hardynesse, wit witoldynge of wyt, and vndyrstondynge; And a thynne bake and wayk, bytoknys a

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man of discordant nature. Meenesse of brest and bak, & euenheed, ys good tokenyng, and preuyd. Vpraysyd shuldren bytoknys sharpe nature, and vntreuthe.

Cap. 128. [Of ţe armes.]

Whenne ţe armes rechyn so farre, ţat ţe hondes ateigne to ţe knees, bytoknys hardynesse, and prowesse, with largesse; And whenne ţay er short, it ys tokenynge of a man louynge discord, & lytill wys.

Cap. 129. [Of ţe palmes of ţe hondes.]

Whenne ţe palmes of ţe honde er longe, wit
folio 42a
longe ffyngers, it bytoknys his lord wel ordeynyd to many craftes, and wys yn wyrkynge, and it ys a tokenyng of good gouernance. Greet ffyngers and shorte, bytoknys folye.

Cap. 130. [Of knees, Of ţe soles of ţe feet.]

Greet feet and full of fflesch, er tokenyng of ffoly, and louynge of wronges; lytill feet and ligt, bytoknys hardnesse; And smale thees bytoknys ignorance, and ţaire gretnesse, hardynesse and strynthe. Brodnesse of thees and heles, bytoknys stryng of body; And mekyll flesc yn ţe knees, bytoknys febylnesse of vertu, and heuynesse.

Cap. 131. [Of ţe paas of men, & manere of goynge.]

He, ţat yn goynge, hauys his paas large and latly, welfare shall folwe him yn all his werkys; And he ţat makys short paas, ys hastyf, and suspecious, and nogt mygtfull yn ţe wirkynges of his euyll will.

Cap. 132. [Of ţe tokenynges of good kynde.]

Ţat man ys of good mynde, & wel dysposyd in kynde, ţat hauys ness flesc, &
moyst, and mene bytwen sharpe and softe, and ys nogt mekyll long, ne mekyll short, and ys whit, fallyng toward reednesse, softe yn lokynge, his heer full, and his eigen of meene gretnesse, fallynge to roundnesse, and his heued of euene mesure, and his nekke of euene gretnesse, wel dysposyd, and his sholdren bowen a lytill, witoute greet flesnes yn ţe knees, ţat hauys a cleer voys, bytwen greet and small attempred; longe palmes, longe ffyngers, to sutillyte fallyng, of lytill

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lagynge, and of lityll bourdyng, & of noon fantome; whos lokynge ys mellyd of gladnesse and auysement.

Cap. 133. [Of oon wytnesse in Iugement.]

Noţeles, it nedys nog ţat ţow be hastyf, by any oon of ţe tokenynges afore-sayd, in sentence or Iugement; But gedyr ţe wytnesse of alle togedyr, And whenne ţou shal fynde dyuers tokenynges & contrary, holde ţe all-dayes to ţe bettyr & more preuable party.

Heer endys ţe Treetys of ţe Secreet of Secreet off Aristotyll.

Qui scripcit carmen sit benedictus. Amen.

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THE GOUERNAUNCE OF PRYNCES

OR

PRYVETE OF PRYVETEIS.

Page [120]

Page 121

THE GOUERNAUNCE OF PRYNCES

TRANSLATED BY

JAMES YONGE

(1422).

Printed from MS. Rawl. B. 490.]

folio 28b

IN the Honoure of the Hey Trynyte, Fadyr, Sone, And Holy gooste, Almyghti god; oure lady Seynte mary, and al the holy hollowes of hewyn: To yow, nobyll and gracious lorde, Iamys de Botillere, Erle of Ormonde, lieutenaunt of oure lege lorde, kynge henry the fyfte in Irland, humbly recommendyth hym youre pouer Seruant, Iames yonge, to youre hey lordshipp: altymes desyrynge in cryste, yowre honoure and profite of body and Sowle, and wyth al myn herte the trynyte aforsayde beshechynge that he hit euer Encrese. Amen. Amen.

IN oone techynge acordyth, and in oone verite Shewyth, the moste wyse clerkes and Maysteris of renoune that haue beyn afor vs in al tymys, tretynge of prowes and worthynesse of Emperours, kynges, and al othyr gouernors of chyualry; that Chyuary is not only kepete, Sauyd, and mayntenyd by dedys of armes, but by wysdome and helpe of lawes, and of witte, and wysdome of vndyrstondynge. note.57

For Streynth and Powere, without witte and connynge, is but outrage and wodnys, And wysdome and connynge, wythout Streynth and Powere, Surly hym gidyth not. But whan with Streynth and Powere, hym compaynyth witte and connynge, and witte dressith Powere, in goodnys may the Prynce Play, and with good men Surly walke.

This apperyth by many olde stories, for the connynge and grete witte of Arystotle lytill hadd avaylid to kynge Alexandyr, wythout the Streynth of the brut of his Powere. And the olde Pryncis of Rome conquerid more al the worlde by connynge

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and Study of clergeable bokys than by assautes of battaill, othyr Streynth of Pepill. And therfor Tully the grette clerke Sayth, “than were wel gouernette Emperies and kyngdomes Whan kynges wer Phylosofors, and Philosofy regnyd.” The whyche thynge, nobil and gracious lorde aforSayde, haith Parcewid the Sotilte of youre witte, and the clernys of youre engyn, And note.58 therfore I-chargid Some good boke of gouernaunce of Prynces out of latyn othyr Frenche in-to youre modyr Englyshe tonge to translate. And for als moche as euer y hame bounde for youre gracious kyndly gentilnesse onto youre comaundement to obey, now y here translate to youre Souerayne nobilnes the boke of arystotle, Prynce of Phylosofors, of the gouernaunce of Prynces, the whyche boke is callid in Latyn Secreta secretorum: that is to Say, the Pryuete of Pryueteis, The wych boke he makyd to his dysciple Alexandre the grete Emperoure, conqueroure of al the worlde. This Aristotle was Alexandyres derlynge and welbelowid clerke, And therfor he made hym his maystyr and chyfe consailloure of his royalme. For arystotle was a man of grete consaill, Of Profounde lettrure, And Percewynge vndyrstondynge, and wel kowth the lawes; he was of hey nourtoure, wel prowed and I-lernyd of al Sciencis, Wyse, sotille, humbile, euer lowynge ryght and verite: And therfor many men helde hym approphete. And as y fynde writte, folio 29
hit is founde in olde bokis of the grecanys that god Sende His angill to Hym, Saynge, “radyr I sholde cale the an angill than a man.”

ARystotle Sende many Pystelis that men callyth nowe lettres of alexandre, of the Whyche this presente boke is oone, of the gouernaunce of kynges and Prynces. The cause that Arystotle makyd this Pystill Was this; Whan alexandyr hadd conqueride perse, for-thy that Some of the Pepyl ther weryn agaynys hym and dysobeiaunt, he Sende to arystotle this lettyr in this forme.

“To a nobyl Maystyr of ryght gouernoure, and of verite, Arystotle, Sendyth gretynge his disciple Alexandre. To thy discrescioun I do to vndyrstonde, that y haue founde in the londe of Perse appeple ful of Reyson and of hey vndyrstondynge and of Parcewynge engyn, the whych afor al otheres conveytyth dygnyte note.59 of lordshup, and therfor we Purposyth to destru ham Page 123
al. What the thynkyth vp this matyr do vs to witte by thy lettres.”

Wp whych matyer, Arystotle answerid in this maner.

“Yf ye may chaunge the eyre and the wateris of that londe, and ouer that the ordynaunce of the Citteis, fulfill ye youre Purpos. And yf no, than gouerne ye hame wyth good Woillaunce and bonerte, for yf ye So do, ye may haue hoppe wyth goddys helpe that al thay shal be to yow obeyaunt, and ye shall mow tham gouerne in good Pees.”

Whan alexandyr hadd rescewid this lettyr, he did arystotles consaille, Wherfor thay of Perse were morre obieiaunt to alexandre than any othyr Pepill. And for als moche, nobil lorde, that I desyrynge more outre your appryse, I writte to youre Excellence this boke, entremedelid wyth many good ensamplis of olde stories, And wyth the foure cardynale vertues, and dyuers othyr good matturis, and olde ensamplis and new.

Here begynnyth the Chapiteres and the tytles of this boke.

Fryst how and for whate cause this arystotle-is boke was makyd … Capitulum jm. [127]

Of the two thyngis Pryncipalle whych euery kynge behowyth to haue …

Capitulum. Secundum. [127]

Essamplis of olde stories, to proue the Same lesson trouthe … … Capitulum.

tercium. [128]

Of dyuersite of maners of kynges, whyche ben Preysyd and on-Preysid … …

… .Capitulum. quartum. [130]

Wherfor byth to Enchue folargesse and scarsite, and what longyth to franchise … … … … Capitulum. quintum. [131]

Whath awaylyth Sotilte of vndyrstondynge and connynge, and how thay byth y-know … … … Capitulum. Sextum. [134]

Of the two thyngis that makyth a kynge to haue good renoune … … Capitulum.

vijm. [135]

How a kynge sholde haue hym anente his Pepille … … … Capitulum. octauum.

[137]

How a kynge sholde hym haue anent hym-Selfe in vertues and clothynge Capitulum ixm. [138]

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Of the custume of Iues, and how a kynge sholde his subiectes and namely his marchaundys mayntene … … Capitulum. Dessimum. [139]

Of the Solace of a kynge … … Capitulum. xjm. [140]

That a kyng is lykenyd to reyne, wynde, vyntyr, a[n]d Somere … …

Capitulum. xijm. [141]

Of the Purveyaunce of a Kynge … Capitulum. xiijm. [142]

folio 29b

Of the mercy of a kynge … … Capitulum. xiiijm. [142]

Of the thynges wher-of a kynge shulde hym avyse, and feyth to kepe …

Capitulum. xvm. [143]

How a kynge shuld auaunce Prowid men of armys, and the study of clergi … …

… … Capitulum. xvjm. [144]

The prologe of the iiije. Cardynale vertues, declarynge the .iije. vertues of theologie, and foure maner of goodis … … … … Capitulum. xvijm. [145]

Of the foure cardynal vertues, whych ben ycallid pryncipal vertues …

Capitulum xviijm. [146]

Of the fryste cardynal vertu, whych is callit prudencia, in Englys, vysdome Capitulum xixm. [146]

That a man shulde surmount al bestis in vertues, and Speciali in two …

Capitulum. xxm. [147]

Of Prudencia, and connynge to mayntene and haue … … … Capitulum xxjm.

[148]

Of olde stories Proue the Same techynge of Prudencia Sothe… … Capitulum.

xxijm. [149]

Of the Parties of Prudencia … … Capitulum. xxiijm. [150]

folio 3a L

Of vndyrstondynge, whych is the Seconde Parte of this vertu Prudencia Capitulum. xxiiijm. [154]

Of the thyrde Partie of Prudencia, that is ycallid Purueyaunce … …

Capitulum xxvm. [155]

That Prudencia is moche to Preyse proueth dyuers reysonys … … Capitulum xxvjm. [156]

Of the Seconde vertu cardynal, that is ycallid in latyn, Iusticia… …

Capitulum. xxvijm. [159]

That a prince sholde not truste to his enemy in no tyme … … Capitulum.

xxviijm. [164]

Of the maner of correccion that a prince sholde haue agaynes his subiectes Capitulum xxixm. [167]

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Of the .iije. vertu cardynal, that is ycallid fortitudo, in Englys, streynthe … … … … Capitulum xxxm. [170]

Of olde stories to Show the condycionys and propreteis of the hardy …

Capitulum. xxxjm. [173]

Of the Pite and mercy that a kynge sholde haue … … … Capitulum. xxxijm.

[180]

Of the kynges tytles to the lande of Irland aftyr the cronycles … Capitulum xxxiijm. [184]

Of the .iiije. cardynale vertu, callit temporaunce … … … … Capitulum xxxiiijm. [186]

Of olde stories of the comendacioun of the vertu of temporaunce … …

Capitulum. xxxvm. [189]

Of the temporat loue that sholde be betwen a man and his wyfe … Capitulum xxxvjm. [191]

Of the comendacioun, and of the worke of Matrymony … … … Capitulum xxxvijm. note.60 [193]

Of the kepynge of body, aftyr the consayl of lechis … … … Capitulum xxxixm. [195]

That astronomye is necessary to the kepynge of mannys body … … Capitulum xlm. [195]

Of Stories and Ensamplis to proue that Oryson is Souerayne remedy in euery trybulacion … …Capitulum. xljm. [197]

That god haue not in dyspyte the oryson of Pagans … … … Capitulum xlijm.

[200]

Of dyuers ryght good and necessary nobilteis of the vertu of orison …

Capitulum xliijm. [203]

Of new Ensamplis that oryson is moch vaylant agaynys the Malice of note.61
ennemys … … … … Capitulum. xliiijm. [205]

Of the vertu of Iustice … … Capitulum xlvm. [207]

Of the gouernaunce of a man aftyr the .v. wittes … … … … Capitulum xlvjm. [208]

Of the maner of propyrteis of consailloures … … … … Capitulum. xlvijm.

[209]

folio 3b L

How a prynce shall assay his consaillores … … … … Capitulum xlviijm.

[210]

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Of the propyrteis and condycionys that a good consailloure and a frende shulde haue … … … Capitulum xlvixm[sic] [211]

folio 30

How a man Hath the condycionys of al maner of Bestis … … Capitulum. Lm.

[211]

Of Notaries, What condycionys thay sholde bene … … … Capitulum. Ljm.

[212]

Of Messagers, and what condicionys thay sholde ben … … … Capitulum.

Lijm. [212]

How that the subiectis ben the tresoure of Prynces … … … Capitulum.

Liijm. [213]

Of baronys, and whate of they Servith in the roialme … … … Capitulum.

Liiijm. [214]

That a kynge sholde not entyr in battail in his owyn propyr Persone …

Capitulum. Lvm. [215]

That Physnomie is a nessessary scyence to know the maneris of men …

Capitulum. Lvjm. [216]

Ensamplis to proue the same scyence sothe … … … … Capitulum. Lvijm.

[217]

That the Sowle sowyth the condycionys of the body … … … Capitulum.

Lviijm. [218]

That the scyence of Physnomy, and of the iiije. maneres of complexcions, and of al colours and lymmes of manys body, the tokenys of whate condycionys thay sholde bene, aftyr the same science … … … Capitulum. Lixm. [219]

Of that Same science of Physnomye, in a shortyr manere … … … Capitulum.

Lxm. [232]

Of the gouernaunce of helth of manys body aftyr Physike … … Capitulum.

Lxjm. [236]

Of the .iiije. elementis whych bene in the Worlde … … … Capitulum.

Lxijm. [236]

Of two Pryncipale thynges whych helth kepyth … … … … Capitulum Lxiijm.

[238]

Of the gouernaunce of the body of a man aftyr slepe … … … Capitulum.

Lxiiijm. [239]

Of the ryghtful houres of ettynge and drynkynge … … … Capitulum. Lxvm.

[240]

Of the gouernaunce of body aftyr mette Capitulum. Lxvjm. [242]

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Of the .iiij. parties of the yere aftyr har kyndes / fryste of the veere …

Capitulum. Lxvijm. [243]

Of Somyr, and of his condycionys … Capitulum Lxviijm. [244]

Of herust, and his condycionys … Capitulum Lxixm. [245]

Of Wyntyr, and his condycionys … Capitulum Lxxm. [245]

Of thynges that makyth a manys body faate, moysty, and wel dyssposid Capitulum Septuagessimum. primum Lxxjm. [247]

Of thynges that done the contrary … Capitulum Lxxijm. [248]

Expliciunt capitula Sequentis libri.

folio 30b

Fryst, How and for Whate cause this arystotiles boke Was makyd. Capitulum primum.

fOrto witte how this boke was makyd, ye shal vndyrstonde that aftyr Alexander had conquerit al the landis of Pers and Mede, he Passyd wyth his retenue towarde the londe of Inde to gete hit; and for that arystotille was than abydynge in Grece at scoolis, And alexander had grete nede with his wyse Consaille, and that he lowid hym so mych, He sende hym by lettyr to come to his Presence. And forwhy that arystotille ne myght not in good maner leue the scoolis, he wrote to Alexander in this forme,
folio 4bL

“O thou fulglorious note.62 Sonne, fulryghtful Emperoure, god the conferme in hooly verite and wyth vertue, and fro the wythdrawe al bestialle appetites, and thyn engyne allyght to the Service and honoure of god. Thyn Pistle I haue receuyd wyth dowe reuerence and honoure, and fully vndyrstonde what desyre thow hast to my presence. But for als moche as to the now I may not come, to the y sende now this epystle, in the whych thow mayste thy Selfe consaille, lyke as y wer wyth the. Forwhy the heynys of thyn Engyn lyghtly may Parcew the depnys of Sotilte, and a lytil remembrance of connynge, in many weyes of verite may be thy gide.”

Of the two thyngis pryncipalle the wyche behowyth a kynge to haue. Capitulum Secundum.

who so wold lordshup pesebly mayntene, and a roialme to gouerne aryght, tow thynges he moste haue. One is that he be wyse, suttyle, and remembrit that aftyr good lawes and ryghful wysely may and can to deme betwen al maner of folke, Page 128
and afor althynge euynly betwene grete men and Smale, ryche and Power, wythout goynge assyd owt of lawe. That othyr is force of Powere, wherthrogh he may his reme kepe, mayntene, and defende. This may he do by the fryst lyghtly. For who-So by witte and conynge doth ryght to euery man, wel as frende he owyth to be louyd of euery man, and as a ryghtful lorde to be dowtid and dredid. Onto Suche a prynce al men gladly obeyeth. This obeyaunce and force is not only by ryghtfulnes, but also by fredome and larges, And therfor a prynce owyth frely despende amonge his folke,
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and wysly eueryman rewarde aftyr his deserwynge. But whate myschefe folwyth of chynchry and folargesse, ye schal sene hit aftyr in this boke.

Here folwyth Ensamplis of olde stories to Prow the forsayde lasson Sothe.

[Capitulum. iijm.]

IN olde tyme in kyngis ther was wondyrful reddure of ryght to kepe wel the lawys, wherof tellyth the wyse clerke Valery, that kynge alente stabelid many good lawis in his Cite of locre. Of the whych this was oone, “That who so euer were atteyntid of Spowse-brige, he sholde lesse both his eighyn.” Aftyr hit befelle his owyn Sone to be founde in the Same Syne, and al the Cite atte the folio 31

Honour and reuerence of the fadyr, to the Sone relessid the Payne of the eighyn, note.63 But the kynge ne wolde nat Suffyr by his will. They of the Cite so Entierly praid and bosoght the kynge, that he grauntid oone of his Sones eghyne to be Sawid, But for-why he wolde not his law breke, Fryst he makyd his owyn eigh to be out-rasit, and Sethyn oone of his Sonnes, And So he mayntenyd his lawe, and relessit the duresse of the laue. So that wondyrfull euenys hym departid betwen the Pite of the fadyr, And the ryghfulnesse of the good Iuge. By this apperid wel, that by law he Iugid al otheres ryghtfully, that wold not spare his Sone. Of force of Powere hit apperid also, and hit is to witte, Force of Power is noght aftyr the nombre of pepill, but aftyr the myght of tham that in armes ben prouyd, and aftyr the good gouernance of the witti and wyse Prynce, wythout wyche nombre of pepil lytill is worth or noght. Of this We fyndyth i-write, that Xerses, kynge of Inde, that wolde batailli with the Pepil of grece, strongly gederid huge hostis of whych folio 5bL

no man couth tell

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the nombyr. Wherfor some of his men sayde that the Grecans wolde not abyde to hyr tythynges of the battalle, but fle at the fryste hyrynge of hit. Otheris sayde that the grecanys (or grekis, whych you semyth beste Englyshe) ne shold not be scomfite, forthy so few Pepill wolde not meld in battail, but a-noone thay wolde be al fallynge dovne, and take of the gastnys Of So grete an hoste.

Otheris Sayde that hit was to drede that thay sholde fynde the Cite of grece woyde, that the kynge sholde not fynde werre that he myght werre, othyr his Pouere Show. Otheris sayd that vnneth wolde Suffice to ar kynges hoste the largenesse of al Grece in lond, See ne hyre, for he had So hugy a meney that the grece See was to streyte to hame, And that the Plente of his bachelerie was so grete that al the campany of the londe wolde not Suffice har tentes and Paueillons to Piche, And lasse to fyght, or any assaut to make, And that the eyre myght not receue the Plente of har arowes an dartis. So hugely on Such maner thay losyngid the kynge of Wayneglory of the force of his hoste, that this losyngeris makyd hym ouersette the wysse consaille of Damazate, the Prowid wyse clerke, That to hym sayde, “The flostrynge of the losengers that the Plesyn, thow sholdyst gretly drede, for soth hit is, that nothynge that is to mych may be aryght gouernyd, and that thynge that a man may not gouerne hit may noght endure. Nothynge Erthely is noght so grete, that hit ne may Peryshe and faill.”

And aftyr hit befell that al that this good Clerke Damazates sayde betyde the kynge. For that grete hoste, for defaute of ryght Purveyaunce and wyse gouernaunce, was ouercome and scomfite of few Pepil, ordaynly gouernyd.

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But victori in battail Pryncipal is in god.

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That Shewyth wel the deddis of the nobylle victorius Erle, Syr Iamys, yowre gravnde-Syre, whych in al his tyme lechury hatid: And therfor god in al his tyme granted hym mervellous victori vp his enemys wyth fewe Pepill, Namly vp the morthes, of whyche he slew huge Pepill in the red more of athy, a litil afore the Sone goynge downe, stondynge the Sone mervelosly still till the slaght was done; And no Pitte in that more lettynge hors ne man in al the slaght tyme. And sethyn, atte astoffy, As syr Edwarde Perrers the good knygh[t] can tell, how youre Same graunde Syre wyth few Pepill Arthure Macmurgo wyth myche pepill to scomfite sette, and many hundretis of his men slew. That fredome Page 130
helpyth gouernaille, hit apperid in this ensampill. hit befell kynge Alexandre in a tyme that oone of his knyghtis for his Service askyd of hym a reward. And he that full was of fredome, and nedy men gladly wold hyre, and more gladly wolde auaunce, yaue hym a Cite ryche and grete. Than sayd the knyght, “lorde, So grete a yefte longyth not to my pouere estate.” To whom answerid Alexander, “I behote not what longyth to the to rescewe, but what semyth me to yeue:” For the whych fredome and many othyres, al men gladly kynge Alexander servid.

Of the dyuersyte of kynges of maneris wych ben Praside and vnPrayside.

Capitulum. iiijm.

IN fowre maners kynges ham demenyth. Some byth fre to ham-Selfe and to har subiectis, Otheris byth scars to ham-Selfe and to har sugettes. Of this two the ytaliance sayth, that in a kynge hit is noght reproue yf he be scarse to hym-Selfe. and large to his sugettes, But thay of Perse Sayth the contrary, that a kynge is noght worthe but yf he be large to hym-Selfe and to his sugettes. But amonge al othyrs, he is worste
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and moste reprovabill, that is large and fre to hym-Selfe, And scars and harde to his sugettes, For his roialme may not endure. For the forsayd thyngis hit behowyth to witte whate is Fraunchise. Fraunchise in Englyshe is callid frenys, or fredome. Nede hit is to witte how hit may be conquerid, I-had, and mayntenyd.

Also nede hit is to witte whate harmes dothe folargesse and scarcite. Wherfor hit Is to wytte, that hard is to knowe in al poyntis to holde the meene, and lyght is hit to faille; As to hit the marke hit is harde, and to faylle hit is lyght. And therefor the more Maystri hit is, to know and conquere fraunchis, that holdyth the meen wey, than folargyse or auarice, that bene of two boundys.

And therfor yf thow wolte largely lyue, and aftyr the vertu of Fraunches, thre thyngis thow moste beholde. The fryste, how moche thou mayste despende of thyn owyn propyr; The seconde take kepe in whate tyme hath yeftis most nede or defaute; the thyrde that ye can be viside, note.64 and see the Services and meritis of thy Subiectes.

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Thow shalte Vndyrstonde that thow mayste despende, that frely aftyr thy Power thow mayste yeue of thyne owyn. For yf

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thow Spendyst or yeveste othyr men goodes, thow Passyste Frauncesse, and out of Fredome thow walkyst. And who despendyth more than his Powere or his goodis strechyth, descende he moste in Powerte; And that is ayeyne the vertu of larges.

And his rule ouerPassyth. For-why who-so-euer folyche hym Mayntenyth in ouer-grete costis ouer his Pouer, and wythoute nede, he is a wastoure of his goodes, and destrueth his roialme whate he may: he is not wourthy to be a gouernoure. Suche is callid a folle-large, or a wastoure, folio 7L
that ouerPassyth Wysdome and Purveyaunce. Of the Seden thynge be wel avisid.

For yf thow wysely the gouerneste, and Spendyst thy goodis aftyr thy Pouere, than namely shalt thow can thy largesse to shewe to thy good Pepill, whan thow seyste ham nedfull and pouer. Than shalte thow be large to thy-Selfe and to thy Subiectis both; Than shalte thow fynde Frendis wythout Fayle, obeiance in al thynge; Than shall thy royalme endure and grow, in force of Power and richesse.

Suche a kynge men in olde tyme Preysid, Suche is callid wertu, large, and a good prynce. Of the thyrde thynge, bethynke the suttilly and vysely, that thow the can Parcewe of the Seruyces of the good dedis of the dyuersite of thy Pepill, whych to the bene profitabill, nedfull, and trew; And to ham yeue thow lyke har deserte, and to tho that nedfull byth, wel rewarde. For who-so yewyth hyme that neddyth noght and hath noght deservid, that yefte is loste, For hit Is not aftyr Fraunches and wertu. A ful thynge hit is to a kynge and vnsemely, to be harde and scarse, For noone Suche a man may loue, And wythout lowe a man may neuer duly and trewely Serwe, And therfor yf any kynge hym fellyth othyr scarse othyr folarge, yf he wolde do wel, he moste ordeyne some trewe men that may duly, als hit longyth to a kynge, his goodis to despende and ordeyn.

Wherfor byth to Enchu folargesse and scarcite. And whate longyth to Fraunchis.

Capitulum Vm.

o Alexandyr y do the to witte certeynly, that a kynge that more yewyth than his roialme may sustene, he shal anoone be destrued and broght to noght; And his royalme fail moste, And whoso hard is, or noght yewyth, he may not a roialme holde, And therfor wite thow well that the honnoure and glory of a kynges to enchu folargesse
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and scarsite, as two

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wickyd enemys to mayntene a roialme. Fraunchis and largesse auere, note.65
makyth longe a royalme to Endure and wel y-kepid. And one thynge y shall say, that may the moche avayle; That thow take not gladly the goodis of thy subiectis nethyr hare aueres. And therfor Sayth the ful wyse Philosofoure folio 32b

Hermogenes, That in a Kynge Hit is a Souerayne Bonyte, Sotylte and Vndyrstondynge, seurte of connynge, and of law, wyth Schewynge of Parfite vertue, Yf he Enchu to take and holde fro his subiectis har goodis and har Possessions, For that destrueth remes; wherfor al tho that So donne, dure they may not longe. And therfor Sayth the prophete, “vnryghtful men shal not lyue halfe har dayes.” And also, vnryghtuossnes disherityth kynges and Pryncis; And therfor sayth Salomon, “Kyngdomes bene translatid frame oone Pepill vnto anothyr for vnryghtuosnesse.” And therfor the prophet forbedyth wrongis and Sayth, “Ne wole ye cowete raveynes or wrongfull takynges.” The glose ther-vpon Sayth, “O
yee dampnabill lucres and wynnynges, that getyth money and lesyth conscience.”

Many pryncis and lordis for nede takyn goodis of the commyn pepill moche agayne har willis, And ham therwyth fro myschefe defendyth. Suche a kynge is tollerabill, as many men thynkyn, for the more myschefe to Enchu. But Sum Pryncis ther bene, that for thar owyn Synguler auauntage, as they wenyth, by coloure of har Pryncehode and coloured defense of the commyn Pepill, takyn atte har talent trew men goodis. Suche Prynces bene wors than Sathanas, lasse than thay amendis make. Now god of his endles goodnys euer graunt yow grace, extorcioun and fals covetyse to enchu; and that ye euer be wel ware that y naue no
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vayne glory of your good dedis, For than shall ye lesse the rewarde of god, For of euery good dede two goodis shal fall. One is godis rewarde to the doere of the dede, That othyr is glory and wyrchippe of god. Than he that glorieth hym-Selfe or auauntith of his good dedis, in that he berewyth the glories and the Vyrchippe of god, and therfor he shal lesse the rewarde that he sholde of god rescewe, As clerkes sayth. Vaynglorye is oone the moste Perueylosse synne that is, for hit comyth euer of good dedis, and many a man that holili lyuen, hauyn vaynglory of har good lyuene and good dedis, Peryschyth. And therfor entirly thynke and leue fully that al goodnes is, was, and euer shal be in god, throgh god, and of god, and So hit lyeth in no Page 133
manes Power to do good, Saue oonly by the Specialle grace of godis Sufferaunce, as cryst in the gospell of goodnes spekynge, Sayth, Sine me nichil potestis facere. / “Wythout me ye may nothynge do.” In anothyr Place he Saythe, Qui perseuerauerit vsque in finem, hic Saluus erit. “Who-so contynuyth into the Ende, he shal be sawid.” And therfor, gracious lorde, the good gracious gouernaunce that ye haue be-goone, do ye contynow, as ye desyryth to Saue youre honeste and al trew lege Pepill So Specialy Shall pray for you yf ye So do, and sette in youre bannere godis blessynge and har, ayeynnes whyche youre ennemys shall haue no Pouer to wythstonde.

Ensample to Prow this Sothe.

This wyrchipphul knyght Syr Stewyn Scrope, in kynge Richarde-is tyme and folio 33

Kynge Henry-is tyme the fourth Also, Hauynge the gouernaunce of Irlande, many extorcionys did, Lyuere takynge, lytill good Paynge, moche he traualit, lytille espolid in the Iryssh, enemys he had
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al the mene tyme. Atte the last the excellent lord, Thomas of lancastre, oure lege lorde is brodyr, that now is lyeutenant of Irland, makyd Stephyn his depute, Irland to governe. Whan he was depute makyt, the nobyll lady his wyffe into the lond y-hadd he wolde, But she awow to cryste makid; lasse than he on a boke Swere wolde, al trew men for his exspensis Pay and noone extorciouns doun, wold she neuer Into Irland in his company come. That othe he Sware. Into the londe he came, good Pament to al men he makyd, Grete grace to al gentil endaunger anent the kynge for lyfe and landis he grauntid. And therfor in his baner, trewe men blessynge he bare. The vertue of thes armes was so myche that in one day, the grete prowte Artoure Macmurg-is countrey, in yowre presence tendyr of age, he brente, many of his he Slow, the towne of Callan in Ossory y-wone, and yolde to Waltere Bourke rebelle to the kynge, note.66 he restoride O’kerolle in the Same towne wyth huge nombyr of enemys there-In, and wythoute he Slowe the Same Waltere, wyth a grete kerne dyscomfitid, al in oone day in youre presence aforsayde: good pees in leynstere that yere, and many othyr commendable dedis of armes he did elsware. Al this grace hym befelle that yere as y vndyrstond, For-thy that he al that yere noone extorcioun did. Now leue of this matier. And wryte y will aftyr

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the boke, the whych as afore is write, Sayth; That extorcion takynge by a kynge of his subiectis goodys, destrueth the roialme. And shewyth that to be Sothe in this manere / Whan the Myses and the exspensis of folargesse ouerPassyth the rentis reuenueth of the roialme and the receitis, than moste the kynge of his Peple har goodis take. Than doythe he
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harme in euery syde; harme to ham of whome he takyth, for he be-reuyth ham har lyvynge and hare Sustenaunce, And harme to hym that takyth and ravyschyth; for he that is vndone by fals extorcioun takynge, he cryeth to god almyghty, fadyr of mercy and of Pite: And he hyryth hym well and blestly, And in dyuers wyse Suche an extorcionere kynge destrueth; harre roialmes ham berewyth by werre or by defaute of heyrys, or by deth of Fadyr and Sonne, or by othyr ewill aduentures. To Fraunchyse in a kynge hit belongyth, that he be not enquerynge of the ryches of othyr men, nethyr of har pryuey Storis, Nethyr he sholde not his yeftis remembyr; But whan a man yaue hym oghte he sholde wel theron thynke. To the largesse and bounte of vertue in a kynge hit longyth to hym reward tho men that bare ham welle in the Service of hare auncestres, or in har owyn, thegh thay olde men be, and helpe may noght armes to bere: ther-as thay hath longe afor wel deseruyd in battaille and dyuers Stowres stowtly demenet ham-Selfe in grete yonge-man-hode. And thegh they haue not myght and streynthe armes to bere in har oldnysse, they hathe vertue and Streynth of consaill yprowide. Oone may yeue a stronge stroke in estoure; anothyr yewyth a vyse folio 33b
consail and Sauyth al a roialme, And So may noght do the Souleyn streyth of one man. To a vertues kynge hit appendyth lyghtly to relesse the wronge that is to hym done, honoure tho that honorabill byth, helpe nedy men, Consall tho that vnvyse byth, Socoure and defende tho that gyltles byth, Answere gladly the Pepill, and benurly wyth ham speke,
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Speke wysely and lytill, Fle fooly and euyl and company: Thes maner thynges a man may not do wythout wysdome and vndyrstondynge and lyght of connynge.

What aualyth Sotilte of vndyrstondynge and connynge and how thay byth y-know.

Capitulum vjm.

vNdyrstond alexander, that connynge and vndyrstondynge byth hed and begynnynge of al gouernaunce, hele of

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Sowle, and kepynge of vertues, vices to destrwe. For by witte and connynge of vndyrstondynge a man may well chese the goode and lewe the ewill, and hitte enchu. Vndyrstondynge is the begynnynge and will of al vertues, and rote of al goodnys. The desyre and willynge to good rennone is a signyfiance and a tokyne of connynge and vndyrstondynge, And who so weraly desyryth good rennoune he shall be renounet and Preysid; And he that hit will not desyre, he shall atte the latyr ende be shente. Therfor good rennoune is Souerantly to be desyrid, For gouernaunce of a roelme is not doyne at will Saue by good renoune.

Who-so covetyth a roialme or a lorchuppe to Purchase or wel wythoute loue of good rennoune, than moste he begyn wyth Pryde wyche is begynnynge of al wickydnys. For Pryde Engendryth envye, Envye Engendryth falshede, falshede Engendryth lesynge, lesynge engendryth detractacion, detractacioun engendryth hatredyn, hatredyn engendryth wronge and wrethe, Wronge and wreth engendryth vnreuerence, Vnreuerence engendryth enemyte, Enemyte engendryth dyscordis and werre,
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And were destrueth lawes and the royalme, and that is agaynys reysone and kynde.

Therfor desyre thow good renoune, For So mayste thow conquere humylite that destrueth Pryde; Humylite Engendryth lowe that destrueth envy and hatredyn; Loue engendryth Verite, that destrueth fal[s]hede lesynge and detractacion; Verite engendryth ryghtfulnes, That destrueth wronge and wrath and vnreuerence; Ryghtfulnesse engendryth frenshippe and destrueth enemyte; Frenshuppe engendryth consaille helpe and Pees. Aftyr this vertues was al the worlde ordaynyd, The lawes y-stabelid in the Pepill, and acordyth to reysone and to kynde.

Of two thynges that makyth a kynge to haue good renoune. Als hit folwyth in this nexte Capytre. Capitulum vijm.

fOr-alsmoche as a kynge Soueranly in foryne gouernance sholde desyre good renoune, and conquere hit in al that he may, two thynges he moste do and mayntene. Fryste is that he be abow al thyngis subiecte and obeyaunte to the laue of god and al his roielme, And aftyr that lawe hym gowerne and Sustene, For suche a Prynce worthy is to haue lordshupp. And he that godis lawe to his roialme makyth subiecte,
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ande ouermych ouerledyth Hit and emblemyshyth Whate He may, Page 136
and Hys Fraunches and estatues note.67 low makyth, In that he dothe to god ouer-grete veleny: he ouerPassyth al maner law, ryght, verite, [and] god hatyth, indespite hym foryethyth wherfor ryght is, that al the folio 10bL

Pepill of god hym haue lytill in honnoure. The Philosofors sayth, that assemely thynge hit is into the magiste of a kynge that he be subiecte and obeyaunte to the stabylnes of good lawes, and abow all thynge to godis lawe, noght in fals Papelardry of word or of dede, but in Suche shewynge and oppyne wyrchynge of good werkes, that al folke may oppynly Parcew that he doutyth gode, and that he is Subiecte to his myght. Than veraly hym shal drede his Pepill whan thay knoweth that he dreddyth gode and hym douly honouryth. But whan a kynge Shewyth al only in worde that he god dreddyth, and in his werkes dothe the contrary, fro god he shall be forcloside ande his Pepill hym Shall dyspyse, For evyll workys may noght be y-hyde anente the Pepill: for the wyche thynge lese he moste his lof, his roialme shall fall, the crovne of his honnoure and of his reuerence he moste faille. And aftyr there shall noone quylete of auere, ne no hepe of tresure that may make his roialme ayeyne come, ne his lordshuppe yf he haue hit loste agayne to wynne. This was prowide to be Sothe in kynge Richard the Seconde, somtyme oure kynge, that y wel knewe. This kynge weddyd the wourthy Anne, of almayne the Emperouris doghtyr. Noght longe ther-aftyr Pees he hadd of al royalmys crystyn, In heyeste Prosperite of al kynges he stode. Whan anne was cryste be-take, he weddyt Elyzabeth of Fraunce, ycallid kynges doghtyr, of nynore age. Than regnyde avoutry and lechurie in hym and his howse-maynage, that al the roialme thanne rumourt and lothit for that rousty Synne, For boldnys of this mariage, his hey allyaunce and his baronage. Thomas of Wodstoke, his owyn precious Vncle, at Calise he makyd to be Mvrderide, And rycharde the ryche ruly Erle of Arundelle
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atte londone, towre hille, his hede he makyd of-Smyte, and many othyr nobill lordis, in whom his wirchupp stode, full ille he be-ladde. Al this he didde for wrethe that this nobyll lordis hym roulide for the beste in his tendyr age.

Whyle he regnyd in this vnrule weneth thre yeere, Into the land of Irlande he arryuete, and lytill or noone esploit dit.

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Than the mene-whyle, Duke henry of lancastre that he hadd exilid, by Eeste England arryuede. Than lordis and comynes of the lande atte Pomfrete into his helpe in euery Syde by many thowsandis to hym gedderid. To weste Chestre he went; kynge Richarde out of Irlande into Walis arryuet, ther anoone spratlit al his ryche retenue, and at the Castelle of Flynt the Duke hym toke. To londyn he ladd hym, Parlement ther was sette, the Duke was coronyd kynge. But Richarde neuer aftyr that his kyngdome myght
folio 34b
reyose, Ande yette, hym to restore many a thowsande men loste hare lywes.

Therefore by this ensamplis and many more a man may see, that lasse than a kynge or any othyr gouernoure of a pepill dred god, and loue hym, and his lawe mayntene afor al thynge, he shall faade, and fall, and honoure forgo, in a shorte tyme. The seconde thynge is that makyth a kynge to haue good rennoune, that in spekynge he gouerne his tonge wysely, that he be not of many wordys, but that he be well avyside, reysonably to speke that he woll Schew, and Sethyn dyscretly and Sotily, and to effecte his Purpos to Say and Shewe. Ouer that hit behowyth that his dedis and his werkys accorde to his wordis, that he be not variant and Vnstabille. For Stablenys behowyth euery good prynce to haue that a man may witte where he shall be yfounde. If this two thyngis aforsayde be in a kynge wel mayntenyt, Of god he shall haue grace, And of his Pepill shal be wyrchippyd, ylowid, and ydreddyd.

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How a kynge shal haue hym anent his Pepille. Capitulum viijm.

tO a kynge hit appendyth to honoure tho that his lawes contreuyth, Haue in reuerence folke of Relygioun, Wyse men auaunce and dyscrete; wyth thes men he sholde gladly speke, and aske of dyuers nedis and thyngis, that goode byth to know and cun, Honystly and Swetly thyngis to Enquere, and vysilie ham to answere, The moste wyse and notabill of ham moste to honnoure, euery lyke his deserte. A kynge owyth to enserche the defaute and the nede of Pouere men and myssayse, and he owyth hame helpe and Socoure, and har dyssayse hastely releue.

And hit belongyth to the Pite that a kynge Sholde haue that he Purvey of men that can har langage, that goodly can wyth tham that neddy byth Speke, and that suche a

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Spekere be ryghtfull and Pitteuous, that may in his stid, helpe, confort, Socoure, and dresse.

How a kynge hym Shall haue anente hymself in vertues and in clothynge.

Capitulum ixm.

amonge al othyr thyngis and vertues a kynge sholde haue, He sholde be Purveyaunt and Pensyfe of thynges that may come aftyrwarde, and aftyr that ordayne his doynges, So that the adventures comynge aftyrward, he may the more lyghtly Supporte. a kynge sholde be Pyteous, Enchu wreth, and the mowrnynges of his corage to hyde and hele, that he be not y-holde hastly by lyght Shewynge of his wrethe, othyr vnwyse. If hit happe a kynge to do any thynge vnawyssely, he owyth hit repel vmbethoght avysely, and wyth reyson know his defaute. Full grete vertu and Souerayne vysdome of connynge is hit in a kynge that he can gouerne hym folio 12L
selfe aryght, And that he hym Selfe well demene. And whan a kynge shall do any thynge opynle, he shall not be ouer hastely ne ouer Slowe, that he be not holde hasty ne Slow. O alexander, desyre thow not the thynge that may not endure and anoone Passyth, and that thow most quykly forsake and leue, apparaill the to-geddyr richesse and tresure that may not rootte, the Perdurabill lyfe, the roialme wythout ende and yoy wythout doloure. Guy al thy thoghtis al tyme to do folio 35
well, And Shewe thy Selfe glorious and hardi; Fle the maneres of wylde bestis and wode that can not haue mercy, and the fiersnes of the lyoone, and abow al thynge the filthede of the Stynkynge fleshly lust of a Swyn. This is sayde in lyckenys. Thow shalt not be crwel as a beste without reyson that Pite can not haue, But be merciable anent ham of whom thou haste the maystri or lordshuppe.

Vmbethynke the of that, that may befall, Forwhy whate shal of aduenture to-morrow betyde thow knoweste noght. But gracious lorde how ye shall haue yow anent enemys rebelle, and thewis, aftyr in this boke ye shal fynde y-writte. Now yewe the not aftyr thy desyris, in mete, in drynke, in company of women, ne in ouer-longe Slepynges, as doth a Swyn. In vyue thyngis ye shal kepe yow fro lechurye whych ben prowid by this two versis: —
speche syght touchynge kyssynge laghynge Colloquium, Visus, contactus, basia, risus, Page 139

Sunt fomites veneris, hec fuge, saluus eris.

This byth the norchynges of lechurie; enchu ham, and thow shalte be sawid. What glory or what valure the may be-tyde, yf thow the accustumyst to the workys of bestis wythout reyson, Trow thow me wythout dute, that the foly company of women destrueth the body, sorthyth
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the lyuedayes, ondyth al vertues, ouerpassyth the lawys of god, And doghty men and hardy hit makyth lyke women, neshe and feynte, dedis of armys to done. Moche hit appendyth a kynge to be rychely and honestly y-clothyd ouer al otheris, that the heynesse of his dignyte may appere in his vesture, that men sette not the lasse by hym, but do hym du reuerence, and that his Pusaunce be not emblemyshit.

a kynge sholde be good of Speke and Softe in worde, enchu moche speche, and Speke but lytill, but yf he nede haue. For bettyr is that men desyre hym to hyre, than of his Speche men fulfillit be. For whan a man is trowbelit and nvit of many wordes, he hyryth wyth the lasse wille.

Of the costome of Iwes, and how a kynge shold his Subiectis and namely his marchaundis mayntene. Capitulum xm.

tO a kynge hit appendyth noght that he hym company ouermych wyth men that lytill bethe sette of, or dyshoneste Personys, For company mayntenyth anent ham that lytill byth of value, as folis and dyshonest lyueris, makyth the honnoure of lordshupp rebutte in dyspite. Therfor ther was a fayre custome amonge the Iues, for onys a yere the kynge sholde haue of his Pepill and his hoste a monstrison, and in ryche apparaille richely enarmet, sittynge on his stede, shuld shew hym to his Peple; the Pepill beneth hym, his Erlis, his nobill folke and his baronys hym aboute. Than Esploite he the grete nedis, Than wer Shewyd and note.68 tolde the dyuers aduentures that were the roialme betyde, the grete contencions and Enuyes and cures of the neddis of the roialme. Atte that day of custume he yaue grete yieftis, giltles men out of Pryson delyueret, relessit greuous dettis, and
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many othyr grete workys of Pite didde. Whan this were don than sholde the kynge go Sitte afore his Pepill, and than anone scholde stonde afor al the folke one of his consaillours that wer y-callide
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amonge ham costeers, that is to say sitteres bysydde, for thy sholde sitte in Page 140
euery syde of hym. Than the moste Vyseman of ham and beste of facunde, to wyrshippe of the kynge sholde yelde lowynges and thankynges to god, that wel thare kynge gouernyde and the roialme of Iude and that god the reame so enournet and endowet of so vyse a kynge and wytty, that the pepill of Iude into that tyme was to preyse in obeissaunce, accorde, stablit, and confermyd. Than aftyr that he had god commendid and preysid, and the kynge, he sholde Prise the Pepill tellynge hare good vertues and maneres, to conquere and haue har good will. Than he sholde ham amoneste by good ensamplis and reysonys to obey and honoure and humblie Serwe hare kynge, and trewely lowe; Therfor criet the pepill, har kynge and his good werkes with hey woyce commendid and Preisit, and preyet god that har kynges lyfe holde and kepe. Atte the Departynge they went by Citteis and lynagis, and Praysid har kynge and his workis. Thes Pepill taght har chyldryn to loue, honoure, obey, drede, and doute har kynge, and So encresid har renoun.

Atte that tyme the kynge was wonyd to deme the mysdoers wythoute mercy, to haue that thay shold no more do amysse, that otheres were therof chastisied. Atte that tyme the kynge wolde alleege truages, and relese to marchandis of har rentis, and ham in trouth defende and kepe. And therfor is Iude full of Pepill.

For thedyr comyth Merchandis of al landis, and ther byth wel rescewid and moche good wynnyth. Ther may wynne ryche and pouere Citeseyns and foreyns. And there encressyd the truages
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of the land and rentys. Wel Sholde men enchu to ennue or wronge do to Marchandis, For they Passyth fro londe to londe, and expaundyth the rennons of kynges and roialmes lyke as thay fyndyth. And ouer that there nys no roialme that nathe nede of some thyngis that byth in othyr landis, And tho thyngis byth cariet fro lande into lande by Marchandys, And therfor who so ille demyth Marchandys in his lordshupp, the goode and the Prowe of the pepill he dystrowbyth and gretly amenusyth. And therfor he nys noght worthy, a roialme or a lordshuppe to haue or mayntene.

Of the solace of a kynge. Capitulum Vndescimum.

tO the magiste of a kynge hit is auenaunt that he haue Some Pryue trew Pepill amonge whom he may glad hym, and aftyr nves and dyssesis haue dyuers Instrumentes of

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myrthe afor hym to oppyn his herte and conforte. For the Sowle of a man hath delyte in instrumentys of myrth, kyndely the wittes enorchyth, contencioun and dyssayse and heuynes of cure away-Puttyth, and al the body therof streynth takyth. And yf in such maner thow wilte the sporte Pley and Solace, hit Suffysyth thre or foure dayes aftyr thy Plesynge; That shal be priuely don and stilli. Wham thow shalt be in Suche Solace, drynke but lytill, make al otheris drynke att har talente, Feyne the to be dronke, And than folio 36
maystow many secrete thyngis to Parcew and Hyre. This owyth noght to be don, but twyes or threes by yere. Ouer that thow owyst to haue of thy maynye wyth the, that the may tell what that men sayth or doyth in thy Roialme. Ouer the tyme of Solace, hit appendyth to a kynge that he be of demure berrynge and fayre, And that he be not ouermoche laghynge, and of lyght contenaunce hym kepe, For ofte laghynge Puttyth away the reuerence of a prynce.

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This prouyth Sothe by this wers. Per multum risum, potes cognoscere Stultum.

Anglice. “By ofte laghynge thow mayste know a fole.”

That a kynge is lykenyd to reyne, wynde, wyntyr, and Somyr. Capitulum xijm.

alykenys is betwen a kynge and the reynne, wynde, wyntyr, and Somer. Fryste betwen a kynge and the reyne: For of reyne comyth ile and good; good for hit moystieth the herbis, trene, and gardynes, And aftyr hit makyth herbis to ryse, cornys, treis and rootes sprynge, blowe, and kerne, and lewis, flowris, and frutis to bere: And of this comyth moche othyr goodis. Of the Reyne also comyth many otheris mesaduentures and many harmes, As thondyr, laitynge, the ryuers and wateres makyth ouerPasse har boundys, bestis and Pepill peryschyth, whereof comyth moche harme. And thegh therof comyth so many harmys, yette men lewyth not therfore god to thanke that sendyth the reyne, of the wyche comyth full mych good to the land and to the Pepill. The seconde lyckenys is be-twen a kynge and the wynde. Of the wynde comyth good and ille: Good, for hit makyth cornes grow, and makyth frutes to ripe, hit makyth the reyne to fall, and makyth ham wey that Passyth the See, and many othyr goodis makyth the Wyndes. But ther-ayeynes dyuers Perillis and illis and destourbaunce fallyth, Page 142
throgh the wynde a-land and in the See. The Pepill in tempestes lesyth har goodes and har lyues, of the wynde comyth the corrupcion of the eire, Venymes ther-of be noryschyd, and othyr illis. And albe thes illis fallyth throgh wyndis, hit wer noght profitable to the pepill to be wythout the wynde. The thyrde lyckenes betwene a kynge, wyntyr and Somyr: For the coldis and the hetis of the Somer and the wyntyr helpyth to the Spryngynge and the bourgynge of naturall thyngis. Albe that of ham
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comyth many Perillis and illis. So is hit of a kynge as of the thre thynges. For by the good kyngis, is wel gouernet the roialme and duly mayntene, and many othyr goodis he dothe to the Pepill, And al he dothe many thyngis aftyr lawe and ryght whereof Some byth damagid, Some byth myslade, And albe that he do whereof somen byth myspayed, And he note.69 doth ham dysplesynge, men owyth not therefor to leue to do har Preyer to god, that he mayntene and Sustene har kynge to the profite of the realme, and to the good of the comyne; and god ther owyth to thanke, that So good a kynge to ham hath yewe.

Of the Purweyawnce of a kynge. Capitulum. xiijm.

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o Alexandre, bethynke the that thow be well y-storid of whete and of corne, and of euery maner of greyne that good is for lyuynge, throgh al thy realme, that yf derth fall thow mayste Socoure thy Pepill by thy Purveyaunce in har dyssayse sufferynge. In Suche a tyme thow shalt thy graunges and thy gerners opyn, thy Sillers disclose, that al thyn may felde the Fraunches of thy bounte, and Prayse the worthynes and dyscrecioun of thy wysdome. This grete witte and Purveyaunce confortyth the realme, Sawyth the Pepill, kepyth the Citteis, and makyth the kynge of his subiectis to be dreddid.

Of the mercy of a kynge. Capitulum xiiijm.

alexandyr, oftetymes y haue sayde the and consaillid, And ytte agayne y say and the amoneste, that the blode of a man gladly ne do noght Shede, for that longyth to god that knoweth the thoghtes and priueteis of hertis, wherof Sayth the vyse clerke Hermogynes; Whan a man sleyth anothyr the Vertues of hewyn Shal crye to god and Say, “Lorde, lorde, thy
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Servant wel be lyke the,” And yf the slaght be vnryghtfull, god Page 143
shal answere, “Who-So sleyth, he shal be slayne: the vengeaunce longyth to me, and y shal thereof vengeaunce take.” For the dethe of a man that giltles is Slawe Shal cry the vertues of hewyn, Into the tyme that vengeaunce thereof be take.

Of thre thyngis wherof a kynge or a prynce shulde hym a-vyse. And pryncipally of the thyrde, that a man sholde kepe fayth in his othes makynge for any thynge, &c. Capitulum xvm.

aLexandre, remembyr the of the dedis and werkis of thyne auncestres and to haue a papyr of al har actes and har lyues, for so shalte thow many good thynges Parcewe by the Ensamplis of har actis. Of the Seconde thynge be avysid, that thow haue not in dyspite men that fro riches byth falle into pouerte, For he that is now lowe by Pouerte, may by fortune be heyet and ryche y-makyd and relewid, And than he may nve and damage. The thyrde thynge foryete not in no maner; Neuyr breke thy feyth that thow haste yewe, ne allyaunce confermyd: For that appartenyth to vntrew men. And ouer that hit is to witte, that an evil ende followyth vntrowthe. And thegh hit happe that throgh a feyth y-broke any good befall atte that tyme, more harme therof shal fall in anothyr tyme, than that goode afor amounted by falsnes gotte. Ouer that he that feyth brekyth, Of falsnes and vntrowth he shal be Proclamyd and knowe.

Wytte thow, alexandyr, that by lewte and trowthe and feyth the Pepill byth vnyette, Citteis fulfillid, and mayntenyd lordshuppis. And yf feyth or lewte be forsake, than shall hit of the Pepill be and of lordshuppis folio 15bL

As of wylde bestis, amonge woche euery olt hym abow hym to whome he is prere.

For the whyche thynges, ful trewe Emperoure, kepe thy feyth, thyn vndyrtakynges, and thy Serementz In al Poyntes thegh thay nvous be, the whych thow haste take an hande. Witte thow, alexandre, that as Hermogenes seyth, that there byth two Spiritis abowte the; that oone is atte thy ryght hande that the kepyth, And that othyr in thy lyfte
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hande that the beholdyth. This Spyritte that al thy workys Seyth ande Parcewyth, yf thay be not good, he writyth ham and showyth ham to god that the makyd. This thynge ounly Sholde wythdrawe the, and make alle men enchu il workys. Therfor forswere thou noght

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thy-Selfe in no vyse, ne thy feyth breke. Therfor thow moste enchue to Swere gladdly, For a kynge sholde not swere, but yf hit were for a grete encheson, ffor a kynge that gladly wolde swere, dothe dyshonoure to his roialme, ffor that appendyth to subiectes and to Serwauntes, and noght to gentiles ne to nobles.

And know thow that the encheson of the destruccioun of the roialme of ambage and of the Cite. was be-cause that hare kynges weryn to moche costumabli to Swere flasly for whan hit befelle ham any serement othyr feyth to make, that one Parti begilid that othyr and brake har Serementes and hare cownauntes. And thay brake the lewted that Stablid was to Profite of mann hele. For the whyche thynge ham ne myght not longyr suffyr the fulle ryghtwysnesse of almyghty god.

How a kynge shulde auaunce prowyd men in armys, and the Study of clergi to hawe wyth hym. Capitulum. xvjm.

alexandyr, make thy bachyllers and thy yonglynges to be prowid in armes to yousty, and Serche and thay in al maner
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of assautes be enfourmyd for al maner of battaillis and of estowris. And many tymes do commande throgh thy roialme that al pepill hare chyldyr putte to scole, and make ham be taghte and study in hey scyencis and nobles that byth callid libral Sciencis, that is to Say fre scyencis, as gramer, arte, fisike, astronomye, and otheris: And thy Purveyaunce ham owyth to fynde har lywynge. To tho that wel Studyeth ye shall some auauncement yefe, So that otheres therof haue the bettyr wille to lernen. Hyre ham gladly in hare nedys, and auaunce ham that byth to rewarde. That shall make the of clerkis to be praysid and commendit: That shall make ham thy good workys, thy Fraunchis, and thy bounteez to writte; So that thy good rennone thy shall make euer to Endure. The estudy of clergi well mayntenyth, is the wyrchipp of the Empire, the beauute of the realme, the lyght of the lorshuppe, the remenbraunce of all goodys. For by wrytynge of bokis, the whyche makyth clerkys to be Studiers, thyngis that Passyd byth men may cun ayeyne, and in bokis a man may See ham oppynly. Throgh the whyche thynge was Enhawsid the realme of Grece, that makyth har renoun throw all the worlde to be know and So longe Endure. Certeynly that was throw the Clergy and Study that ther was so

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grete, and by the full wyse Philosofours that ther dwellid in har study. So myche was the Study in Grece mayntenyd, that the yonge damselis in har Fadyr howses cowthe the courses of the Sterres, and of the yers, the Encheyson and the dyuersite of Shorte daies and longe, of Shorte nyghtes and longe, the courses of planetes, the mesuris of the Serclis, the signyfiaunce of the Sterres anent thyngis that were to cum, and many othyr thyngis appertenynge and Shewynge of Sterris.

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note.70 The Prologe of the foure Cardinall Vertues, declaryng the folio 37b
vertues of theologi, and fowre manere of goodis. Capitulum xvijm.

nObyll and gracious lorde, atte the begynnynge of this presente to boke I Sayde that y wolde writte to youre excellence Of the iiije. cardynall Vertues, Vndyrstondynge that thegh be not writte in arystotle is boke aforsayde, thy byth writte in othyr good bokis of latyne, And thay byth no lasse profitable than the beste thynge in Aristotlis boke. But fryste vndyrstonde ye, as hooly writte Sayth, that ther byth thre Vertues pryncipalle of theologi or dyuynyte, ycallid in lateyne Fides, Spes, Caritas, In Englysch, Feyth, Hoppe, and Charite. Feyth is a belewynge of thyngis that oure bodeley eygh may not see, As the xije.

articlis of oure comyn “credo in Deum Patrem.” Hoppe is a ryghtfull tryste for a ryghtfull Werke, i-put be-twen wanhoppe and dysspayre, or prosompsion of goodis to come aftyr to be hadde, And of illis to come afftyr to be Enchued. Charite as the Maystyr of Sentence saythe, is “a loue, wyth the whyche god is lowid for hym-Selfe, And oure neghbore for god or in god.” Also as Seynte Austyne seyth, “Charite is the fulfillynge of law, And of a dyvyne Scripture or hooly writte,”

That is to say the perfite loue of oure god, and of oure neghbore. Than Sethyn that Charite is the fulfillynge of lawe and al dyvyn Scrypture, thegh a man haue al othyr vertues, without charite he may not be Sawid, and therfor, nobill lorde, Punys ye neuer mysdoere, newer noone enemy for noone hattrede ne for no covetyse of har goodis, Saue for lowe of Iustyce, and ryght duly ham Punysshe, lovynge by wey of charite hare Sowlis, And hatynge hare evill dedis, and so ye shall youre Charite kepe. And

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yf ye done the contrary, ye Passyth the boundis of good governance. The grete clerke Seneca Seyth, “If ţou wilt submyt or vndreset al thyngis to the, submyt thy-selfe to reysone.” Sothly, nobill lorde, many Pepill shall ye well gouerne, whyle that reyson gouernyth yow. And yf ye, as my hey tryste and prayer to god is, youre-Selfe gowerne aftyr this boke, and aftyr the iiijecardynale vertues that here lyke as y fynde writte in dyuers bokis folio 17L
declarid shal be, than shall ye doutles youre-Silfe gouerne by reysone, to godis wyrchupp and youris, and profite to al youres, to your wel-willynge ouer al.

Of the foure Cardynal vertues. Capitulum xviijm.

cArdynal vertues byth callid Pryncipale vertues: the fryst is callid in latyne Prudencia; the Secunde, Iusticia; the thyrde, Fortitudo; the fourthe is Temporancia. Thes byth callid in Frence, Visonge, or Purveyaunce, Dreiture, Coerance, and Temporaunce. Thes byth callid in Englyshe, Wysdome, Ryghtfulnes, Streynthe, and tempure. And for-alsmoche as lateyn is the moste stydfaste langage, Als ofte as in this presente wrytynge of translacion shall speche of the names of this foure vertues, I putte lateyn in the stydde of Englyshe: For a man may sette dyuers Englyshe for euery of ham.

Of the fryst vertue cardynal, that callit is, Prudencia. Capitulum xixm.

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atte the begynnynge of the declaracion of this vertu, Prudencia, vndyrstonde ye that there is foure maner of goodys, that is to witte, good of kynde, good of fortune, goode of science of clergi, and good of grace. Good of kynde is streynthe of body, fayrnesse, helthe, delyuernesse, and many otheres. Thes goodes byth comyn als good to willde bestis as to men. Goode of fortune is riches of golde, syluer, yowelis, and othyr worthely possessionys and richesis, and byth comyn als well to ewill men as to good, like as thay were to the blessid Iope and to the cursid Emperoure Nero, and many otheres Sethyn and in oure dayes. And therfor men sholde sette lytillie at this goodis of Fortune or of kynde, for thay be not werry goodys, for now thay byth, and now thay byth agone. And so hit is to Vndyrstonde, that goodes of kynde, and of fortune byth all goodis that appartenyth to Sustentacion, or anowrnement, othyr proteccion Page 147
and defence of body. Goodis of Science of clergi, byth bettyr than goodis of kynde or of Fortune, for
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they byth goodis of the Sowle, natheles thay makyth not the Sowle good of necessite, for good of Science is comyn to good men and to bade. The beste good of all is good of vertues and grace: vertue is not oonly a good, but it is also well a goodnesse, makynge good necessarly his possessoure: And therfor no man dute that vertues makyth the Sowle altherbeste.

That a man sholde surmonte al bestis in vertues and namely in two. Capitulum xxm.

hItte is to witte, that lyke as a man of al bestis that euer god makyd surmountyth in nobelesse of kynde, So he sholde ham surmounte in vertues, and namely in two, that byth two begynnyngis and hedis of al maner mankynde workis, that is to wyttynge, vndyrstondynge or reysone, and wille. And therfor euery vertu that is done by good vndyrstondynge or reyson is ycallid Prudencia; And euery vertu by the wyche a man doith any worke Duly and ryghtfully. hit is ycallid Iusticia, and appendyth to wille, for the Ryghtfulnes of workis or of dedis comyth and rysyth of Ryghtfulnesse of wille. But of this two goodis hit is to say of the goodnesse of reyson, and of the goodnesse of wille, and of har profiteis, a man is destourbet in two maners: In oone manere by the wickydnesse of Fleshly appetites, that is to witte by glotony and Lechurie, and for thes wyckydnes to refrayne, hit behowyth haue the vertu of temperance; In anothyr maner thay byth destroubid by the wickydnesse of corage, the whyche comyth of foreyne thynges, as drede that a man hath of Perelis, othyr of trauals, for the whyche is nedfull thynge to a man that he be Stabelid and confermyd by the Streyth of the vertue that gothe not out of the wey, ne ouerpassyth that that reysone yewyth; this vertue is callid Streynthe of corage or of herte, In latyn as aforsayde hit is callid Fortitudo. And as y-aforsayde thes bene the foure cardynall vertues, that is to witte Pryncipall vertues or Souerayns, For to ham byth remewid al that othyr vertues as to har cheffs. And thegh vertu appendyth to al men, namly hit appendyth to a kynge and to a prynce, folio 18L

and to al others that
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owyth any Pepile to gouerne ande redresse. Amonge thes vertues that we haue namyd aftyr ryght ordyr, Hit behowyth to begyn wyth Page 148

Prudencia, for by vndyrstondynge will is gouernet, for wille nothynge may not desyre, but yf by vndyrstondynge to hit by shewid. And therfor holldyth vndyrstondynge and reysone the forwarde. And for-als-moche as Prudencia is the Parfynesse of good, and the vertu of reyson as afor is sayde amonge the vertues afor towchyde of Prudence, hit is by ryght ordyr to begynne.

Of Prudencia and cunnynge to mayntene and haue. Capitulum xxjm.

pRudencia and Cvnnynge behowith a Prynce namly to haue, for thay byth profitabill to hym and to his Subiectis both. And therfor Plato the grete Philosofoure sayth That “than was the worlde y-blessyd whan wyse men regnyd and wyse kynges were.” Salamon sayth Multitudo sapientum sanitas est orbys terrarum.

That is to say, “The multytude of wys men, Is the helthe of al the worlde.”

Valery in his vije. boke, and boyce in his fryst boke, Sayth, that the nobill Clerke Senec called the worlde the gyldyn worlde, whan roialmes weryn gouernyd by wys men. Of this sayth Policrat in his vj. boke, that “iije. thynges makyd the romanys to conquere londe and ouercome Pepill, that Is to say, cunnynge, and wysdome y-prowyd of armes, and hey feyth and trouthe mayntenyd.” The Same clerke also saythe in his iiije boke, “I ne may not mynde me that the Emperours of Rome ne the dukes wer vnlettride while that hare lordshupp was well gouernyd in his streynth.” But y ne wote how, Sethyn that in prynces was extentid the lyght of letterure, is enfebelid the streynth of all chyualrye, of Pryncehode, and rialtee, as the rote y-kyde. But hit is no wondyr that ryaltee wythout wysdome and cvnnynge ne may not endure. For god that is Hym-Selfe connynge, Sayth
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in the Persone of cvnnynge, in the boke of Proverbis, “By me, ţat Is to say, cvnnynge, kynges regnyd.” Salamon in his boke of wysdome Sayth, “A wyse kynges is the Stabelynge of the Pepill.” And ther he Sayth agayn, “ye kynges of the Pepill, If ye delytyth in ryall Citees and in Septris, loue ye wysdome. that ye may regnyne longe tyme, Loue ye the lygh of cvnnynge for al the Pepill ye haue to gouerne. A wyse Iuge his Pepill shall Iuge, and har Prynce shall be Stabill: An onne-wyse kynge shall lese his pepill, and the Citteis enhabited shall be by the witte of an onne-wyse kynge Destrued.” Ouer al thynge the Page 149
wysdome of a kynge sholde his law gouerne aftyr the law of god, and the law of god haue and cvnnynge. Therof wrotte the Holy Prophete Moyses in the boke of Deutronomye; Aftyr that a kynge is sette in his heynesse of his roialme he sholde make the lawe of god be writte, and the Ensampill of the Prestis take; the whyche lawe he sholde al tymes wyth hym haue and rede, that he myst can dred god and doute, and the comandmentis and estatues of his lawe mayntene and kepe.

For manys lawes byth good alwey, Whan thay dyscordyth not from the laue of god.

By that hit
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apperyth that a kynge sholde be wyse that he be not ycallid an ape. As Seynt bernard Seyth “An ape Envyronyth the fole kynge, that sittyth in See, And therfor yf a prynce be vnletterid, he sholde aftyr the consaill of letterid men wyrche, and hym and his realme gouerne.” And therfor hit is writte in the boke of Deutronomye, That “a kynge sholde take ensampill of the law of Prestis,” that is to sey, of letterid men, as helemaund sayth.

Now here begynnyth olde stories to prowe the forsayde thechynge of Prudencia trowthe. Capitulum xx[jj]m.

fFOr cunnynge and Prudencia to haue and conquere, olde kynges folio 19L
weryn full couetouse, Pensifs, and desyrynge, and that apperyth well by this stories. In the thyrde boke of kynges we fyndyth y-writ, that oure lord apperid on a certayn nyght to kynge Salamon in slepynge and to hym sayde, “Aske thow that thow wylte, And I the hit yeue,” and Salamon sayde, “Thow hast makyd thy grete mysericord anent thy seruant Dauy my fadyr, But y ham but a lytill chylde that can not ly, and my issue y know not, and thy servant is Putte to gouerne thes full grete Pepill that thow hast chose. Graunt thow than to thy Servante an abill herte to witte, and wysdome that I may Iuge thy Pepill, and depart the good from the evill, for who myght Iuge or gouerne this thy Pepill that is so grete.” And hit Plesid god tha[t] Salamon Suche a thynge askyd. Than sayde god to Salamon, “For-why that thow haste Suche a thynge askyd, and thow ne hast not askyd longe lyfe, ne ricesse, ne the conqueste of thyn enemys, but thow hast askyd wysdome for to Iuge and deme ryghtfully, I make the aftyr thy Demaunde; and I graunt the a wyse herte and vndyrstondynge, in-so-mych that none afore the hath be y-lyke the, ne aftyre the shall come.

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Ouer that y shall the yewe that thow haste not askyd, that is to say, rychesse, nobelesse, and honnoure, ouer al the kynges that afore has bene, and yf thow my comandmentes kepyste, I shall yeue the longe lyfe.” Werby hit apperyth that Prudencia in a Prynce, vnto whyche Prudencia longyth witte and cvnnynge, as is aforsayde, hit Plesid myche god, Whan Salamon his desire to haue cunnynge was so myche. And therfor had this olde Pryncis wyth ham hare maistris, as Alexander, arystotle; Nero, Seneca; and Troiane, Plutark. Of this sayth Policrate in his vje boke, that when Alexander was borne, kynge Philippe that was his fadyr Sende to Arystotle a lettre in this forme, “Kynge folio 19bL

Philippe Sendyth gretynge to arystotle. Witte thou that a Sone is to me borne, but for-thy that he is borne in thy tyme, ffor I hoppe that he by thy techynge and enformacion he shall be to vs couenable and worthy to the gouernance of a realme.” Of this tellyth Policrat, that the Emperoure of Rome consaillid the Kynge of Fraunce, and hym amonestit, that he sholde make his chyldryn to lerne fre Sciencis of Clergi. For he sayth, that a kynge vnletterid, is lyke an hornyd asse.

Of the Parties of Prudencia. Capitulum vicessimum tercium.

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tVlly Sayth, and shewyth in the Secunde boke of retoryke, that Prudencia hath thre Parties, that is to witte, mynd, vndyrstonddynge, and Purveyaunce. Mynde by the whyche a man recordyth hym of thynges that byth Passid By vndyrstondynge a man avysyth hym of thynges that now byth; By Purveyaunce a man aymeth aftyr reyson thynges that byth to com. And aftyr the dyuersitee of aduentures a man hym storyth and Purveyeth. By mynde, a man sholde hym recorde of thynges that afore hath bene, ffor as this bene, wer thay in har tyme, and lyke as tho thynges that than weryn bene passid, So shall Passe that now byth. Therfor Sholde a man lytill cowete othyr desyre the heynesse, the honnoure, the yoy, or the gladnysse of this worlde. Anothyre lyfe behowyth vs Purchase, For this vs behowyth forsake and lewe. Than vmbethynke vs of the moste noble lordis as to worthely lorshuppe that afor this tymes weryn.

Whan the grete kynge alexander by conquest had gettyn the Emperie Of the worlde than he dyet, and he that all Pepill leuynge Demenyt, of othyr men dede into Erthe he was ladde.

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Than Sayde a clerke, “Moche is to dyspice the heynysse of the worlde, the realte of the Emperie and ţe honoure of richesse,
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for his Frendshupp is but wrathe of doloure, his gladnys rynnyth al-way into worse, all nys but as a floure in the felde.” O Alexandyr the myghty Emperoure, make we vs a merroure, For hym myght not Suffice the brede of the worlde, the nauy of the See, of all to be lorde, al the landys he conquerid fro grece into the este, Darry the grete kynge he slayne, al his pepill he did ouercome; but whan the dethe hym caste doun, hym Suffysid a lytill graue of ve foote. for his Pallis, for his halle, and for his roob; euery man of this take Ensampill. Whan alexandyr was dede, hym was made a graue of golde. To his enterment came many Philosofors, of the whych oone sayde, “tresure in his lyfe makyd alexandyre of golde, but now wythout any duris, makyth golde of hym tresure.”

Anothyr sayde, “yestyrday hym suffisid not al the worlde full of Precious stonys, ne no Palis of golde; to day hym Suffice a lytill bounde of two ellis othyr thre.”

The iije Philosofoure sayde, “yestyrday he hadd of all men the lordshuppe, to-day hauyn al men of hym the maystri.”

The fourth Sayde, “yestyrday he ladd his hostis vpon the Erthe, to day thay ledyth hym into the erthe.”

The ve sayde, “yestyrday he hadd erthe vndyr his fete, today he is of erthe oppressid.”

The vje sayde, “yestyrday he hadd frendys Speciall, but today he haue ham all y-lyke.”

Therfore hym sholde no man of heynys, of lordshuppe, of richesse, or of Powere to haue Pryde, for thay may not longe Endure. And ouer al that, god ne holde noght moche of Erthely heynysse, and So hit semyth well. For lordshupp and heynysse god yewyth to coursid men as well as to good men.

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But of the roialte and riches of goode men comyth goodnys, Ande of the lordshupp of Cursid men comyth many lostis and myschefis. That apperid well in Nero folio 20bL
to whom god grauntid of al the worlde the lordshuppe and the Empire of Rome. Of whoos magiste, felonye, and cruelte men fyndyth y-writte. Nero hadde the wyse Clerke Seneca to his mayster; This wourthy Clerke Seneca longe abode and hadde hoppe of grete reward for his trauaille and his good Service. To whom sayd Nero, “chese in whate tree thow wilte be on-hangid, for that Page 152
is the rewarde of thy trauaille.” And Seneca askyd hym in whate maner he hadd the deth I-deseruyd and Suche rewarde. Than makyd Nero a Sharpe Swerde to florysh ouer Seneca is hede. And Seneca that the deth dowtid, wriet the hede atte the tretyngis of the Swerde. Than sayde Nero, “Maystyr, why wryest thy hede for the Swerde?” Seneca answerid, “I ham a man and the drede of deth me nuyth:”

to whome sayd Nero, “I dowte the nowe als moche as a chylde and lyke as y a chylde, werre-ffor y may not lyue in ese, Whyle that thow lyueste.” Than sayde to hym Seneca, “Sethyn that y moste dy, graunt me that y may chese a maner of dethe.” Nero to hym sayde, “chese hastely the dethe, and tary thow not.” Than he makyd hym a bathe to be ordeynyd, and of bothe his armes in the bath to lette blode. So myche he bledd that in the bath he diet. Boyce in the boke of consolacioun seyth, that this Nero makyd his brodyr to be slayn, and his modyr he made be slayn and oppenyd, for that he wolde witte and See, how he was in the maris y-bore and fedde. And for-als-moche as the Feciciens and lechis hym reprouyd of the deth of his modyr, for hit was agaynes reyson and kynde, that the sone sholde do slee his modyr that grette doloure for hym sufferid and with grete trauaill hym norishid, Than sayde Nero, “make ye me with chylde, and ber a chylde that I may knowe how grete doloure and Payne hadd my modyr wyth me,” and the Ficiciens sayde,
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“That may not be, for hit is agaynys kynde.” Than sayde ham Nero, “If ye make me not wyth chylde, wyth cruel dethe I shall make you al dye.” Sethyn thay hym yaue pryuely a lytill toode in a drynke, and by crafte thay makyd hit grow in his bely, and his bely sawlte hit wax grete, that hit suffyre he ne myght, a thynge agaynes kynde; Wherfor he demyd that he was wyth chylde. And the lechis makyd hym Suche metis to het whyche makyd the litill toode grow accordynge to hys kynde, and to hym sayde, “Sethyn thow wilte concewyn and chylde bere, women mettis wyth chylde thow moste ette.” Hitte be-fell that throw the growynge of the toode, So grette was his doloure that longyr he myght not suffyre, and therfor he sayde to his lechis, “Haste ye the tyme of my chylde berrynge, for the doloure is to me so stronge, that wyth nede y may my breth wythdrawe.” Than thay yaue hym a drynke to caste owte,
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and he keste owte a toode strongly

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fowle and hydows. Nero behelde his chylde, and grysnesse therof hadd, and hym merwelid of Suche an shape; And the lechis hym sayde, “The shappe is suche, for-why thow woldyst not abyde the tyme of chylde-berrynge.” Sethyn he commaundid to kepe his chylde and welle to norryshe, and that hit were Enclosid in a vaut of stone. This Nero slowe seynte Petyr and Paule: ther-aftyr he hym bethoght and merveillid of the brandynge of Troy. And forwhy that he wolde witte how grete was the fyre-blaste therof, he makyd the Cite of Rome afyre to sette, and Sewyn dayes and Sewyn nyghtes to brente. On Passynge faire towre huge of heyght in the Cite afyre was. Nero of the fayrnys of the fire-blaas stifly hym reioiet. He was wonyd to fysshe wyth gildyn nettis. Whan thay of Rome Sawe this wodnys, and longyr thay myght not hit Suffyre, folio 21bL
thay assaylid the Tirande and hym oute of the Cite chasid and Pursuet, and whan he apercewid that scappe he ne myght, he raane to a stake and hym Stickyd throw the body, and so he dyet. Than he that the Emperoure of al the worlde hadd and lordshupp in his lyue, he nad noght aftyr his dethe so moche honoure, that any man wolde hym byrry, but he was lefte with wilde bestis and fleynge fowlis to be deuourid. Nero in ill tyme hym myght not Suffice the lordshupp of Solerne ther as the day dawyth, neythyr of galerne the baillie, ther as the nyght nyghtyth.

Aftyr all this glorie, hym befell the fowle dethe; al men hit haue in mynde, Of that there is noone resorte. Therfor hit apperyth well that god grauntyth the heynysse of honour herthely als wel to ewill men as to good men, And therfor sholde no mane hym Pryde of heynysse, or of richesse, of Empire, of roialte, of lordshupp, ne of erthely honoure, for abyde thay may not endure, but Sone shall Passe, and as flouris shall fade. And therfor sayth seynte Austyne in the boke of verray Innocence, “Ife of riches that floryshith of the genterie of thyn auncestris the auauntest, of beauute of body, of streynth, or of honouris that the Pepill the dothe, beholde thy-Selfe, that thow arte Erthe and into Erthe thow shalte wende. Remembyr the of tho men, that to-fore the haue bene in beaute of glorie, wher bene thay, that emyronnet were wyth grete Powere of Citeseyns, where bene the wyse legistres, that by witte ne myght not be surmountid? Wher ben thay that helde the grete festes and grete mangries makid? Where ben thay that noryssheth the

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grete horsyn of pryce? Where ben tho that ladd the grete hostes? Where ben the Weldy Werriours, the Dukes and the tyrauntes? Al thay byth into Powdyr and to askis turne, and in voyde
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wordis onely is hare memory makyd. Beholde hare graues! deme yf thou cannyst, who was serwaunt, who was lorde, who was riches and who was Pouer. Discerne yf thou canyste the Persone of the kynge fro the Person of the knawe, the stronge fro the febill, the fayre fro the fowle. Therfor remembyr the of thy kynde that thou Pryde the not; therof haue mynde, yf thow kepe thy Selfe.”

note.71 Now of vndyrstondynge, that is the Seconde Parte of this vertu Prudencia. Capitulum Vicessimum quartum.

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tHe Secunde Parte of Prudencia is vndyrstondynge, as y afore Sayde. By this vertu avysyth a man hym of thynges that nowe bene. Amonge al thynges that byth to vndyrstonde, oone Soueraynly nedyth, that a man know hym-Selfe. For in vayne othyr thynges hym Paynyth to know, that hym-Selfe wolde foryete.

Therfor, as seynte Ierome vs tellyth, in olde tymes whan the Pryncis of Rome retorned fro bataillis there as thay had victorie, the romanes makid thre maneres of honoures. The fryste was that al the pepill yede agaynes the Prynce with grete gladnys; The ije was that the Prysoneris and hostagis that were takyn in the battaille sholde follow the Pryncis chare on har fete, thare handis bounde behynde har backys; The iije was that the Prynce sholde be clothid in Iubiter thare godis cote, sittynge in a chare that iiije whyte horsyn drewe. But for-alsmoche as the romanys wolde that the Prynce for his honoure hym-Sylfe sholde not foryete, thre dyshonoures in the same day he moste Suffyre. The fryste was that ther as the Prynce, sate in his chare a bond-man and of fowle condycion to signifie that euery man of the Pepill sholde haue hope to come to glorie of a Prynce or of an empyre, by prosse and vasselage. The ije Dishonoure was that the bonde-man that wyth the Prynce Sate folio 22bL
buffetis and Strokis hym yaue Saynge in gru, Notisclotos, that is to Say, haue knowynge of thy-Selfe, and be not Prute of so hey vyrchipp; mynde thow how thow arte dedly. The thyrde

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dyshonoure was, that euery man myght wythoute Payne or reproue and myssayne the Prynce for that Iorney.

In this wyse Iulyus Cesar the forte werryor, whan he came agayn to Rome aftyr the conqueste of his enemys, many reprowis and Indyngnacionys of the Pepill recewid, of the whyche he neuer vengeaunce toke. Dauid the Profete sayth of men that in honoure byth and knowyth not ham-Selfe, Homo, cum in honore esset, non intellexit, etc, That is to say, “Whan a man was in honoure, he ne vndyrstode not, he is lykenyd to wylde bestis without reysone, as he is makyd alyke to ham.” Also Dauy Sayth, Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus, in quibus non est intellectus, etc, that is to say, “Ne be not as an horse and a mule, in whome is noone vndyrstondynge.”

Of the thyrde Partie of Prudencia that is callid Purveyaunce. Capitulum Vicessimum quintum.

the thyrde Partie of Prudencia is Purveyaunce, by the wyche a man hym avysyth of thyngis that byth to come. Thegh a man haue neuer so good fortune, hym nedyth of Purveyance; And the more ryche man be and manaunt, the more hym behowyth that he be vmbethoght. Therof Tullyus the wyse clerke tellyth in the boke of questions Of oone Denys the cruel tyraunt, kynge of the realme of Cezile, That oone of his frendis that callid was Damocles hym Sayde, “Moche hath god the endowet wyth grace, Rriche thow arte and manaunt grete lordshippes, Castelis, toures, Powere of Pepill, fayre horsyn, clothis of Sylke, and ryche kynne, no man is the ylyke.” And the kynge hym answerid, “Wylte thow my fortvne proue?”

“ye,” sayde that othyr gladly. Than the kynge folio 23L

ordaynyd that Damocles
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Where sette in a fayre bedde of golde, and made Sette afore hym a fayre tabille full of precious mettes, and makyd sette afore hym fayre yonge women stonde hym afore hym to Serwe. And whan he was in al this delitis, the kynge commaunded that men sholde hange ouer his hede and his neke a Swerde of stelle Sarpe, So that nothynge the Swerde helde, Saue oone hors-here. Than he that in the delytis satte behelde the Perill in whyche he was sette: for drede of dethe he foryate the delytes, so that no kepe he toke of the bede of golde, ne of the delycious mettis, ne of the fayre yonge women that hym Serwid. Than Sayde the kynge, “Suche is al

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my lyfe that thow So myche preysyste.” “I pray the,” sayd Damocles, “lette me Passe hens.” Al the day of oure lyfe in grete Perill we byth, for thre enemys ws werryth, dayes and nyghtes in vs hare assautes makynge; The worlde that vs drawyth to cowetyse; the fleshe vs chasyth to lecheri; the Deuyl vs assaylyth by Pryde and envy. Moche is he a fole and vncunnynge that in so cruel a battaill noght dreddyth ne helpe sechyth. Therefor Sayth Iope, that chyualrie is manys lyfe in erthe. While that we lywyth in manere of knyghtes we fyghtyth, For whan this lyfe an ende takyth, neuer aftyr chyualry shall be. And whos[o] altyme of hes dethe thynkyth, he shall of this enemys victorie haue; therfor Sayth Salamon, “Fayre Chylde, haue mynde that thow shalt dye, and neuer more thow shalt Syne.” the best worde that euer was founde is, that thow shalt dye.

That Prudencia is moche to Prayse, Prowyth well this reysones folwynge.

Capitulum vicessimum Sextum.

tVlly Spekynge of Prudencia in fayre maner he Sayth, “If that thow desyre Prudencia to haue, by reysoune thy lyfe thow shalt lede”: and al thynge aftyr har kynde, and not aftyr men Saynge thow shalte deme, for many thynges semyth good and byth not, And otheres semyth not good and byth good. Hit is not al golde that
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Shynyth as golde, Thou shalt not mych holde ne Preyse the goodys that sone moste Passe. The good that god haue yeuyn the, thow sholdyst not hit kepe as anothyr manes good, but as thyn owyn despende and vse hit. Ife thow prudencia haue embraset, thou shalt neuer be vnstabill; but aftyr that the tyme and the thyngis wolde aske thow howeste the dresse and a-wyse. So that atte euery nede that thou shalte do, thow mayste be abill, and acordynge. ffor that is not the honde y-meuet ne chaunged, that nowe in leynthe othyre in Palme hym streythyth, agayn into a wyste hym closyth. Hit is propyr to Prudencia, and to hit appendyth, to examyne and to Proue his consaille, and not by lyght credence to fall in erroure or falsnesse. Of thynge that is in dowtaunce, thou shalt not defyne, but into the tyme that thou thereof fully asserted be, thow shalte abyde. Ne yeue thow not lyghtly thy sentence, for hit is not al tymes sothe that Sothe semyth; Ofte tymes

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verite hath a vysage of lesynge, And ofte tymes a lesynge hath a coloure of verite, As he that is a frende oftymes he Shewyth drowpynge chere, And the losyngere and a dysceyuoure laghynge and a fayre folio 42
chere. If thow desyryste to be wyse and by Prudencia worche, vmbethynke the fro ferre of all that may befalle, that nothynge befall Sodaynly. Whoso is wyse he Seyth not, “I wende noght that this me sholde haue betyde,” but “wel wiste y that this myght me haue betyde, And therfor agaynys that y was Purveyed.” al thynge that thou shalte do, loke that hit be good to begynnen, And Sethyn what ende hit shall haue, thow moste bethynke, For wythout a good ende, lytill is worth a good begynnynge. Whoso wyse is and vmbethoght, he wille not begyle, ne begilid he nel not be. Swift thoghtes that lyke byth to Swevnes, ne rescewe thow not, for yf thou the in Suche thoghtes delyteste, Whan thou haste all ythoght, mowrnynge and wrothi thow
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shalte reme. lette thy thoght be stabill, certayne, and trewe, thy worde be not in vayne, but be hit of Solace othyr of Prowe. thow shalte Preyse and commende scarsly and seldewannes, but thou shalte blame more scarsly, more avysely, and more selde. He is to reprowe that ouermyche Preysyth and to ofte, as he that myspreysyth and blamyth ouer-meswre. Ouermyche to Preyse is suspecte of losengry; and ouermyche mespryce, of felony. Thou mayste hit vitnesse to verite, and not to Frendshupe: a frende is to lowe, and verite moche more. And therfore he is an onwyse man that audyence or Yeftis yewyth to Rymoris othyr any Suche losyngeris, for thay Praysith hare yeueris be thay neuer So vicious.

Who-so ham any good yewyth brekyth the statutis of kylkeny, and he is acursid by a xj bisschopis, as the same Statutes makyth mencion. Sodaynly no thynge be-hete, for whan thou haste be-hote, more shalte thou yeue. If thou wyse be of corage thou moste thynke of thre tymes, that is to witte, thyngis that now byth to ordeyne, thyngis to cume to Purvey, And tho that ben Passyd to remembyre.

Who-so nothynge thynkyth of thyngis y-passet, a sote and a fole he shall be callid. And whoso nothynge rekyth of that, that may falle, In sodayne myschefe he moste falle. And who-so rekyth not whate he dothe, Sone he shall come to evyll esplete. Remembyr the of thynges good and ewill that myght falle, that thou mayste adversite the bettyr Sustene, and prosperite the bettyr mayntene. Ne be not

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al tymys in traualle and in thoghtis, but in tymes in Ioy and Solace wythout Synne. And whan thou arte in reste, kepe the fro ydilnesse: For holy write sayth Ociositas inimica est anime, et radyx viciorum, That is to say, “Idylnysse is the enemy of the Sowle, and rote of vicis.” The wyse and the welgouerned manne, whan of grete
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cures he wille hym wythdarwe, Of ydylnesse ne of folye he nath not to do. To hym longyth nedes to Esplete, domes to meswre, Dures to relesse, wronges to redresse, Stryffes to allege; al that he owyth to do Sone he Parcewyth, he dreddyth to done amyse. His good dedis and workys wyhtout chydynge, Awantynge, or grete noyse-makynge, he fulfillyth: Suche byth the vyse manys gyse and his maneris. Lette not the autorie of the Seyere meve the; take no cure of the Seyere what Persone he is, but take kepe what menyth that he sayth “Many a pore man shewyth
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wysdome and reysone, And many a Prynce grete foly wythout reysone.” Ne haue no cure to Please al men, but good men, ne to be praysid of folis and Shrewis, but of good men and wyse. To dysplese il men and Shrewis, hit is grete honoure and Praysynge; and to be of ham Praysid, hit is blame and reprowe. Suche thynges thou owyste to Desyre that good men Desyrith and praysyth. Desyre not the thynge to the, wyche thou mayste not come to. Whan thou arte in prosperite, thynke vppon aduersite, and of were in tyme of Pees, for hit is to late whan thou art y-take. The wyse man may not be mystake, for he will aforhande be remembrid. To the Offyce of Prudencia appendyth the dedis of all othyr vertues redresse, To hit appendyth to show whate, whan, and how hit it is to done; To hit appendyth to Purvey that oure workys to god be acceptabill, profitable to vs, and not wrongefull to oure neghbors, that god be glorifiede in oure workis, and rewarde to vs be gette, and goode essampill to oure nehgbors be yeue. Also to the office of Prudencia appendyth aftyr trowthe Suppos, and not aftyr the oppynyon of dyuers Pepill. Also to the Office of Prudencia appendyth to be stabill, and not variable. Salamon Sayth, “An holy man in wysdome abidyth as the Sonne, And a foole chaungyth
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as the moone.” Also Prudencia dyshoneste in pryuyte also well as in oppyn placis enchueth. Also in prosperite, rathyr than in aduersite wysly dothe. And hit is to write that he that Synnyth dedly, Doth hym Selfe vij grete folies. Fryste he b[l]yndyth hym Selfe, for the boke of wysdome Sayth “The Page 159
malice of Synneris ham-Selfe blyndyth.” The ije is, that he byndyth hym-Selfe to the Deuyl, As Iob Sayth, Misit in rethe Pedem Suum, “He hath Putte his foote in the nette,” but as gregory Sayth, “he shall not, whan he will, drawe hit oute.”

The iije Is, that as a woode man hym-Selfe he Puttyht his haundis, yeuynge hym-Selfe a wounde vncurabill; For that Salamon Sayth, “By malice he hath his Sowle Slayne,” for Synne is the dethe of the Sowle, for hit departyth god from hym, the whych is his lyfe. The iije is, that he castyth his goodys a-way, For who-so doth a dedly Synne, al the goode dedys that euer he did he hath loste, Into the tyme that he into good lyfe turne. And also the good dedys that he doth in that synne, thay byth not veray good, for thay byth not to hym merytorye. The fyfte that he goth avay fro the makere of al thynge, For Osee, the holy prophete, Sayth, Ve eis quoniam recesserunt a me, “Wo to them, for-why thay haue lefte me.” The vje is that he to almyghty good presumyth were to make, the whyche were sone were endyth, yfe the mercy of god hit wolde suffre. The vije foly ys that he the yatis of Paradyse to hym-Selfe he S[t]oppyth, and the kyngedome of hewyn Sillyth for a lytill price, lyke as essaau didd, that for a lytill Potage solde the ryght of his herytaunce.

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Of the Seconde vertu cardynall that is ycallid in latyn Iusticia. In englysshe ryghtfulnesse othyre ryght. Capitulum vicessimum Septimum.

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tHe lawe of Emyle note.72 exponyth this vertu Iustica, in this maner in latyne: Iustica est constans et perfecta voluntas, Ius suum vnicuique tribuens, That is to Say, “Ryght is a stydfaste and a perfite wille, yewynge to euery man that to hym is ryghtful.” Saynte Austyne Sayth, that there byth two Parties of Iusticia, that is to witte, “leue harme, and do good.” Of this Sayth the Prophete, Declina a malo, et fac bonum, And cryst Sayth in the gospell, Primum querite regnum dei et iusticiam eius, that is to Say, “Fryste haske ye the kyngdome of god and his ryghtfulnesse”; And in anothyr Place he Sayth, Beati qui esuriunt et siciunt iusticiam, that is to say, “I-blyssyd be thay that hungeryth and thurstyth ryght.” Some clerke dyuydyth the vertu of Iusticia into ve Parties, Fryste into obedience, for the Suffrayne; In correccion for the Subiecte; Page 160

In equyte for Pere and pere; and in verite and [feyth, whych appertenyth to al men. Seneca dyscrewynge Iusticia sayth, Iusticia diuina lex est, et vinculum societatis humane, that is to say, “Ryght is the lawe of god, and a bonde of manys fellochippe.” For the lawe of god chargyth the forto do to thy neghbore, lyke as thow woldyst he sholde do to the. Ife thou the vertu of Iusticia desiriste, loue god, do profite to al men, and Dyssesse no man; and il men that nve wolde thou shalt lette, that thay shall not mow trew men to dysesse, chaste dystorube; and Punyshe mysdoeris, the whych appartenyth to the vertu Iusticia: he consentyth to wickyd men, that wickydnesse will not destru. In the boke of kynges the scripture vs tellyth, that helye the Prest was a full good man and an holy, But for-als-moche that he his Sonnes tha wickyd men were and lecherus, slackely reprowid and not chastid, by reddoure of the lawe, god ther-of toke grewos vengeaunce. For thar Syne they where slaynne in battaille and xxxti Mý.

wyth hame of godis Pepill, by assaute of mysbelewyne men; And the arke of god, of the whyche the Iues makyd so myche
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druerie, note.73 was rauyshid a-way. And therfor, when helye herde the newe thythynges, he felle out of the cheyre ther as he Sate; His neke was broke, and there he dyet. The good kynge Dauy the worthy hardy, the loset of force and of vertue, of witte and of bounte, of whom god Saythe, “I haue yfounde a man aftyr myn herte,” ffor-als-moche as he was ouer-tendyre of his chyldryne and ham chastyd not in har yonge age, he founde ham aftyr when they were full woxen Prowte, onreuli, fiers, and presumpteous; so that thay wolde haue regnyd lyvynge hare fadyr, And oone of ham that was callid absolon Pute hym out of the realme, and ouer-lay his fadyr Concubynes; And werre longe tyme Durid betwene the fadyr and the Sone, til god abbatid the wickyd presumpcion of the tyraunt, ffor he was slayne in battaill, and his men Discomfitd. That god punyshid hame that chastenet not hare subiectis,
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me-thynketh hit apperyth oft-tymes by dyuers Englyshes captaynys o Irland that haue bene and now byth, whos neclygence in non-Punyshynge of hare nacionys and Subiectes haue destrued ham-Selfe, har naciones, and har landis. The names of thes captaynys hit awaylyth nat, ne hit nedyth, and also hit were henyouse and Perelos to reherse. And so fore thay thre causis, I leue of that matiere, and also leste y sholde be shente in this

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parti, the Sothe forto telle, ffor Salamon in his proverbis Sayth, “Verite getyth hatredyn, and good Service gettyth Frendis.” And therefor Sayth the apostill in his Pistill that he wrote to the Galathis, iiijto “I ham,” he sayde, “makyd and enemy vnto you, tellynge to you the verite.” verite in this dayes is myssayd, Verite in this dayes is wyth-holde, bonde, and prisoner, folio 26bL
for vnneth, as Parisience sayth, is founde the man that hit wolde say. And therfor Sayth Senecka, a notabil worde fore Prynces and ryche men forto know, he sayth thus, “I shall show the what is hit that thynge that lackyth vnto ham that haue al richesis in Possession. I Sey that ham lackyth men that Sholde Say to ham the Verite, or the trouthe.” Verite in this dayes in euery Syde impugned, So that hit hath ofte-tymys necessite for to fall aftyr the worde of ysay, Saynge, Veritas cecidit in platea, that is to say, “Verite is fall in the Pament.”

Verite caste doune, whan any vnryghtly thynge is preferrid to trouthe, But verite that so now is despied and lytill Settyn of, in tyme comynge hit shall delyuer his louers, and condempne his enemys aftyr the worde of oure Sauyoure, Saynge, “ye shall knowe verite, and verite shall delyuer you.” Perisience Sayth, “As the false Peny hathe hym-Selfe vnto the trewe, So hath hym-Selfe the false man, vnto the trewe man.” Also he Sayth, “we Sholde do trouthe vnto al men.” And therefor Sayth seynte Austynne, “Euery man that lyeth doth ille and wickydly, for no man lyenge, in that that he lyeth, kepyth trouthe or feyth.” Salamon Sayth, “a lyynge man is hatfull vnto god ffor whan al tresure is tried, trouthe is the beste. Now leue I of this maner matire, and Speke ferthyre of chastesynge of ill men and tresspasoures. I Say that Gouernours of the Pepill sholdyn correcte ille men, whyle thay may not longe abyde, for a Poete Sayth, Qui non wlt dum quid, Postea forte nequibit, that is to say, “who so will not whan he may, he shal not when he wille”; The grete Poet Ouydie Sayth, Pryncipijs obsta, “Wytstonde the begynnynge,” ffor lyghtyre is a fressh wounde to hele, than a festrid. And whyle an hooke is a
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yonge Spyre, hit may be wonde into a wyth, but when hit is a wixen tree, an hundrid oxyn vnneth hit may bowe. Salamon sayth, Qui parsit virge odit filium, “who Sparith the yarde he hayth the chylde”; And whoso sparith the thefe, he sleyth the trew man. That a prynce Sholde execute the dynte of Swerde in his enemy,

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Specialy in fals Pepill, not ouersettynge the houre of fortune, Shewyth this stories Suynge. The fryste boke of kynges tellyth that folio 44
oure Lord god enoyntyd Saule Kynge vppon Israell, and Putte Hym in the way and Sayde, “go thou and Sle the Synners of Amaleth, And thow shalt agaynys ham fyght, tylle thay be dede.” Saule forthe wente, Agage the kynge of amalech into his prysoner he toke, the Pepill he slow, Saule his Pepill of the beste oxyn and Shepe Pray thay makedyn. Than came the hooly Prophete Samuel to kynge Saule and Sayde, “Why ne hardyst thou the voyce of oure lorde, but thou hast y-do ille in the syght of god; And for-als-moche as thou haste y-Putte of the worde of god, god hath caste the avay that thou shalt not be kynge of Israell”: and So was he onkynge makyd, and the holy Dauy anoyntyd kynge of Israell, lyuynge Saule: and merouer, for-als-moche as Saule fulfillid not the execucion of dynte of Swerde in amalich as he was chargid, he was ytraualid with the Deuyl. And the hondis of this holy prophet slowe the cursid kynge Agage. Also Dares a clerke that was att the Segee of the nobill Cite of Troy, and therof the stori-makere, tellyth and affermyth for sothe that atte the Seconde battaill betwen the Troians and the grecans, that aftyr Monestus the Duke of Athene hadd wondyd hectore, the kynges Sone of troy, Priames, in the Same day
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this nobill knyght hector Slow of the grecans more than a thowsande knyghtes.

Where-for the hoste of grecans he broght into so grete febilnes that none of ham had herte to defende, ne Agomenon har kynge powyr hym in battaill to Sette.

Therfor the troians vertuosly the grecans into hare tentis fleynge suyt, and as men that victorie hadde hare Shippes brente, hare golde, Syluyr, armure, and Iowell with ham thay tursid. This was the day that an ende was makyd of the battalle, the troians victors for ay myght haue be. But, O, how lyght cause blynde the troians eyen, and namely hector that the vndoynge of hym-Selfe and al hissyn myght haue enchued, for that day the troians so myghty were, that al the grecans that there agayns ham was, yslayne thay moght. Discression in none wys man is to Preyse the whyche whan he is in hey nede or in mortell perill yssette, And a good fortune hym befallyth, that of Suche nede or Peril he may Sudaynly delyuerid be, the grace that fortune hym yewyth nel rescewe. But as anone gracious man forsakyth the grace in oone houre, that neuer aftyr he shal Page 163
mow comyn to, So hit befell of the onsely hector in that day, in whyche of his enemys wyth grete wyrchippe he myght haue y-hadd the victory. whan al his enemys faste fro hym flowyn, than Aiax, the Sone of Thelamon the kynge, and hardy knyght, strongly in hector assaute makyd. But as thay in battaille atte that tyme togiddyr spake, hector hym well knew and that he his neye cosynne was; gladd he was that he his cosynne Aiaxe Sawe, his armes away he Putte, grete chere to hym
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he makyd, his Cosyn to Plese more entyerly. honestly hym he Prayed the fayre Cite of Troy wythin to See, and wyth his grete Perentele awhyle hym dysporte.

Than Aiax Hector louely Prayed, that yfe he so myche hym lowid as he Sayde, that he
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wolde make and Procure that the Troians for that day agayn the Grecans of battalle wolde cesse, and no more the chasce followe, but home to the Cite wende. Hector therto grantid, the trues weryn trumped vp for that day, The troians wyth grete doloure the battaill lefte, and home thay wente. This was so lyght a cause, that the troians that day of the entente of har victorie cessid: Vnto the whyche neuer aftyr thay ne myght not come, but in Sorte tyme aftyr, this hardy knyght Hector was Slayne, the Pepill al slayn and flemyd, and the excellent Cite of troy for aye Subuertid and destrued was. This Cite, as dares Sayth, was th[r]e dayes iornay in leythe, and also myche in brede; the wallis of hit weryn of marbill, in heght CC cubites, wyth many toures in grete heghte the wallis abow. Heuery hous of the Cite was marbill, LX cubitis in heghte; the Sigee of Troy durid ten yere. The fryst cause of al the werre, now shortely to telle, was this: — Pelleus, kynge of thesaly in grece, Sende an hardy and a bolde knyght, Iason, his brodyr sonne, with a fresshe felloshippe, into the Ile of Calcos to wyn the wethyr fleis of golde of Oetes the kynge. This Iason Saylynge thedreward landyd at Troy, hym and his men to refresshe, wittynge came to Lamedanton, the kynge of troy, of the fresshe array of Iason note.74 and his men. This kynge therof hawynge envy, sende Iason by message that he sholde his londe lewe wythout delay. Iason so did, and Sayde, “Gentrie folio 28bL
wolde that the kynge to estraungeris none harme doynge bettyr chere sholde make.

And Peraduenture, are this yere passe, y shall here lande, whedyr that he will or no”: and So he dide, the kynge he Slowe, Troy he brente, and the kynges doghtyr

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rauyshid. But Priames, son to lamedanton, and fadyr to Ector, restorid troy So excellently as I aforSayde, that hit sholde neuer haue be take, ne hadd traysone beyne note.75 begonne. And hit is to witte that Rome, Venys, Italy, Lumbardy, Fraunce, England, and many othyr Prowyncis weryn, and yette byth, inhabite for the moste Partie of the Pepill that Scapid out of this nobill Cite, the Newe Troy, whan hit was won.

Nobyll and gracious lorde, thes two stories afore-writtyn considerit, Sethyn god and oure kynge haue grauntid you Powere, do ye therof Execucion in opyn fals enemys, traytouris, and rebelle, trew men quelleris, whan thay fallyth Into youre handys, by the thow Sharpe eggis of youre Swerde, that is to witte by rygoure of lawe and dyntes delynge, hauynge in mynde that I Sayde afore of the Poet, “withstonde the begynnynge.” For as a Sparke of fyre risyth an huge fyre able a realme to brente, So rysyth of the roote of an fals enemy, appert traytoure, othyr rebellis, many wickid wedis sone growynge, that al trewe men in londe Sore greuyth. Therfor, whan thay fallyth into youre handis, Raase ham all out of rote, as the good gardyner dothe the nettylle. I know welle the roote of the nettille, One dough O’dynicis, fadyr of hym that now is, Of whom spronge the wedis that als myche in mi tyme haue destruede of the comyte of Kyldare as al Irys men of Irland aftyr. this nettle in Poynte was to haue be rasid out of roote,
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whan ye, gracious Lorde, the castell of Ley out of the fals nettle-is Handys wyrchiply wan. In the yere of oure lorde Ihesu cryste, Mý. CCCC xxti. And ye the same castell, to the lorde therof, the Erle of kyldare aforsayd, delyuerid. In the Same yere the Same fals nettles lyghtly agayn hit gotte.

That a prynce sholde not truste to his enemy. Capitulum Vicessimum octauum.

bErnard Sayth, Debilitas inimici non est Pax, Sed ad tempus treuga, that is to Say, “The febilnes of the enemy nys not a pees, but a truse for the tyme,” And yf thou trystis that thyn enemy thynkyth not the Same sotilte that thou thynkyste, thou Puttyste thy-Selfe in drede, and therfor Salamon Sayth, Non confidas inimico tuo in eternum, that is to say, “Tryste thou neuer to thyn enemy.” And touchynge this matiere y

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fynde write in this maner. Two men haue ben companyed in one way, that oone was an Philosofoure and feythfull man, that othyr was a man the whych was an Iewe.

The Philosofre rode vpon a mule that he hadd fosterid atte his owyn plesynge, and bare with hym al necessaries for a man that ride sholde; the Ieue went on his fete, and noothynge he had to ette ne noone othyre necessari. they talkid togiddyr, and the Philosofre to the Iwe Sayde, ” What is thy law and whate is thy feythe?” the Iue answerid, “I belewe that in hewyn is oone god whyche y honoure, and y will good to al men that accordyth with me in my feyth, and in my law, and my belewe, and good wolde to me. And who-so dyscordyth fro my lawe, hit is laweful to me hym to Sle, his mony take of hym, his wyfe and his chyldryn also, and abowe al tynge I ham acursid in my lawe, yf y kepe feyth and trouthe to hym, othyr hym helpe, or mercy do, or any folio 29bL
thynge hym Spare.” Aftyr thys Sayde the Iue to the Philosofre, “I haue now shewid the my law and my feyth, now shew thou thyne to me.” The Philosofre Sayde, “this is my feyth and my lawe. Fryst y desyre good to my-Selfe and to my chyldryne and to my cosynys, and y will none harme to noo creature of god Of my lawe ne of noone othyr. And y belewe that mercy and ryght is to be done to euery man lyvynge, and no wronge me Plesyth, and as me semyth yf harme is befall to any man, that hit me touchyth and nuyth. I desyre Prosperite, helth, Solase, felicite, and goodnesse to al men in Comune.” Than sayde the Iue, “And whate yf a man haue y-do the wronge or offence?” The Philosofre sayde, “I wonte that in hevyn is oon god, good, ryghtful, and wyse, and nothynge fro hym may be hydd, that rewardyth good men and il aftyr hare deserte.” The Iue answerid, “why kepist thou not thy lawe, And why confermyst thou not thy feyth in ded doynge?”

and he answerid, “how shal y hit do?” the Iue hym answerid, “See me here, a man a-foote, hungry, thursti, and for trauaille recreiet, and thou rydest thy-Selfe atte aise.” “Soth sayst thou,” quod the Philosofre, and anoone lyght doune of the mule, he opynyd his male, and yaue hym mette and drynke; And aftyr he sette hym on his Mule. Anoone aftyr the Iue Saw that he was wel ydressid, and that the mule was swyfte, he smote the mule wyth the sporis, the Philosofre behynde fere he lefte. And therefor he cried “alas, I ham folio 45b
confused.” The

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Iue a lytill the mule note.76 restyd, and Sayde, “I Sewyd the my lawe and his condicion, and y wille hit conferme.” Than hastly the mule forth he drowe; this Philosofre sayde, “Leue me not in this deserte to ben Slayne of lyons, othyr of othyr wylde bestis, or of
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hungre, myssayse, thurste, or Some othyr myschefe dey; but haue mercy of me as y hadde of the.” The Iue endeynyd not bakeward to beholde hym, he wolde not hyre, he stynte not, tille he out of his syght y-Passyd was. And whan the Philosofre was so in dyspayre wythout Socoure, he remembrid hym of his Perfeccion and his feyth, and of that that he hadd sayd to the Iue, that in hevyn was oone god ryghtfull Iuge, vnto whome nothynge may be conseylid ne hid: than he lyfte vpe his hede to god, and Sayd, “lord god, thou woste that y belew in the, and in thy lawe, and in thy commandmentes, I preyse the and magnifie the, And therfor conferme thyn honoure anent this Iue.” whan he hadd thus Sayde, he wente not fere thennes, ther-as he founde the Iue falle doune of the mule, that brake his thegh and his neke hurtdet, and the mule on his belly stondynge; and when the mule Sawe his lorde that hym nurchyd, he knew hym and agaynys hym wente. the Philosofre lepid vp the mule and departid fro the Iue, that ther In Peril of deth abode. The Iue cried, “a, fayre brodyr, haue mercy of me, for I dey. kepe thy lawe, for god hath graunte the victory.” Than he began more besilli the Philosofre to blame, “Thow synnest vickydly yf thou me leuyste without mercy.”

Than Sayde the Philosofre, “thou synneste cursly whan thou leftyste me wythout mercy.” the Iue answerid, “reproue me not of trespasis y-Paste, for y Sayde to the that Suche was my law, and my feyth in note.77 whych y was norshid in, and in whych y founde all myne auncestres ynorshid and myne eldryn therin contynue.”

Therfor, nobill and gracious lorde, consydyr ye that youre yrysshe enemys ne hare auncestres wyth-nede any of them was trewe to you or to youre fadyr, than ye
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were strongyr than thay, wytnysse on youre-Selfe, that arthure Mcmirg was no longyr trewe ne pees helde, than youre fadyr lyuet, for al the grete othis that he Sware. This Phylosofre aforsayde had mercy of the Iue, and makid hym ride behynde hym into the Place thereas he desyrid to be amonge his owyn Peple. Not longe aftyr the

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Iue died, And whan the kynge Of the Cite herde of this matiere, he sende for the Philosofre, and makyd hym his prywey consailloure, for that Piteouse worke and for the bounte of his lawe.

Of the manere correccion that a prynce sholde haue anent his Subiectis.

Capitulum vicessimum nonum.

hItte Is to witte that correccion sholde come of lowe, acordynge to holy writte, Ego quos amo arguo, et castigo. “I blame and chaste tho men that y loue.” But Sume prynces and Iuges wolde correcte tho men namely to whome thay haue Envy, whos correccion nys not but an enemyly persecucione. Isay the holy prophet Sayth, Egredietur virga de radice Iesse, that is to say, “A yarde shall out-Passe out of the roote of Jesse.” Iesse is noone more to say, but a brandynge, for of the brandynge of lowe the yarde of correccion shuld oute-Passe. Therefor
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ye shall not correcte youre Subiectes as an enemy, but as note.78 a brothyr. For correccion without mercy is a blyne wodnys, And lyke a blynd archere, whyche wenyth to smyte a dere, and hittyth a man, as lameth did, that Purposyd to shote a wilde beste and smote Cayme and hym killid. The lowe of Iusticia and ryghtfulnesse of Dome regnnyd in Prynces, that Paganes where in olde tyme, moche more than hit dothe now in oure crystyn Prynces. For as valery Saythe, A kynge that Cambises was callid founde that oone of his Iuges, that he folio 31L
hadde y-sette to Iuge his Pepill, yaue a fals Sentence, wherfor this kynge comandid that he were y-hillid, and did couere whyth his Skynne the Seete therin as he was woned to sitte whan that he was Iuge. And commandid that his Sonne, that Iuge was aftyr hym in the Same Cete, shulde Sitte and deme, that he mynde haue sholde of the Payne of his fadyr, wpon whos skynne he Sate. In this maner a newe Payne he founde, by the whyche fals Iuges queyntly he chastid. Arystotle preysyth the vertu of Iusticia, and Sayth, that hit is the moste faryste vertu of all vertues, more bryghtyr Shynynge than the day-sterre. And therfor wythout this vertu may no Prynce ryghtfully regne. For the Powere of a prynce that is not ryghtfull demenyt, ys lykenyd to a sharpe Swerde in a wodemanys honde. Al othyr vertues bene vayllaunt to tho men

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that ham hath, but the ryghtfulnesse of a prynce strechyth hym to al tho that Subiectes to hym byth. And therfor Sayde the Pepill of Iude, that the ryghtfulnesse of a prynce ys more profitabill to his subiectis, than Plente of mettes and drynkes. Helinaund, that stories of Romanys wrote, tellyth in his boke that Traiane the Emperoure of Rome leped vp to hors and redy was to go to battaill. there came forthe a widdowe and hym helde by the fote, and delfully hyr Playnyd, and with wepynges hym Prayed, that he wolde do hyr ryght, Of tho men that hyr Sone had Slaynne, whych was not but an Innocent, And Sayde, “Syre, thou arte Emperoure, and I haue Sufferid the cruell wronge.” the Emperoure answerid, “whan y come agayne, I shall do thyn asseth.” She sayde, “and whate yf hit happe that thou neuer agayne come?” “My successoure shall do the ryght.” She answerid, “whate
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shall hit availle the, the good that anothyre man thy Successoure shall do? Thou arte my Doctoure, and aftyr thy deservynge thow shalte mede rescewe: hit is wronge and dysceyte, noght pay the dette that is owynge. Thy successoure, to ham that wronge Sufferyth, for hym-Silfe he shall be bounde; Anothyr manys ryghtfulnes may not Saw the. Hit shall be honoure to thy Successoure, and well hit shall hym befall, yfe he may Sawe his owyne.” To this wordis the Emperoures herte, tendyr of Pite that he toke of hyre wordis, Anone he lyght doune of his hors, and Saate in Iugement, and anone he did to the widdowe fully ryght. And therfor the Romanes makyd to hym an ymage in myde the Strete, to Show how to the widdow he didde ryght, ar that he yede in werre vp fellons and enemys of the Empire. Anothyr tyme hit happid, that Traiane his Sonne rode an hors vndauntdid, that ouer-trade a weddowes Sone in the strete into the tyme that he died.

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She makyd Pleynte to the Emperoure, and thereof ryght askyd. He toke his owyn Sonne, and hym to the widdow yaue for his sone, that dede was, to do hyre wille wyth hym. Therefor hit was cried in the Sene of the Senatoures of Rome in audience of all the Pepill, “No man is more bessid than Cesar Augustus, ne noo man bettyr than Traiane.” Moche sholde oure crystyn Prynces reede and be ashamyd, whan thay doth no ryght to the Pepill, or slackely and Slowely hare wrongis amendyth, whan Iusticia, as well to Pouer as to ryche sholde be done frely, Delayeth for fawoure or for hate, or hit Page 169
for Penyes sylle and Sauyth gilti men, and dampnyth gylteles men. Tho men ben lykenyd to the Iues, the cruel
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fellons, the whyche Sauyd baraban the thefe and a man murderere, and crucifieddyn Ihesu, the verray Sauyoure. More deppyr in the turmentis of helle shall bene the ille Prynces, than the ill subiectes; And more the crystyn Prynces than the Pagan Pryncis, yf they do not ryght to al men. And yfe thay done welle thay shall haue more rewarde. Wherof hit is writtyn in the boke of wysdome, “to Smale Pepill mercy shall be grauntid, but the myghty men and stronge, more strongyr turmenty shall suffre.” Ther was an heremyte Sumtyme, that al tyme Prayed god that he wolde shewe hym of whate merite he was and in whate degre, Atte the laste a voyce frome hevyn hym answerid, “Of the Same merite thou art, tofor god, as gregory the Pope.” than Sayde the heremyte, “Alas, In ille tyme came I into this deserte, In ille tyme Saw y this hermytage, in myssaisse and defaute, in full grete Sufferaunce haue I be so many Ieris, and now ham I but y-like gregori the Pope, that hath So grette honoure and reuerence and riches. he hath so hey glorie and Pouer, that all the worlde to hym Enclynyth and Subiecte is.” whan this heremyte so hym demenet he fell neygh in dyspayre; the voyce of the angill hym Sayde, “Thow arte a fole dotdrat and ouer-trowes. how darryst thow make comparisone betwene gregory and thy-Selfe?

thou lowist more the catte that thou haste, than gregory al the worlde.” Bi this hit apperyth full well, that riches and heynesse of the worlde ne takyth away good vertues: But more byth to Prayse the grete lordis, that by witte and vertues ledyth and gouernyth the Pepill har Subiectes, than Power men that nothynge haue to gouer[n]e ne to mayntene
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but ham-Selfe. This gregory as the stoory tellyth, For-why that he hadd harde of Traian the Emperoure, that he was full of ryght, he was delfull that on so ryghtfull a prynce was Per[s]hid. And Prayed god bysely wyth entyere herte that yf hit hym Plesid, he sholde take this Emperoure out of hell, and hym to Sawe.

An angill to gregori Sayde, “atte this tyme god hath herde thy Prayere, Traian is sawid, But fro hens-forward bid thou no more Suche Prayeris.” A, lord god, moche louyst thou the vertu of Iusticia, whan for hit thow haddyst mercy of a pagane, And the blysse that neuer ende shall hawe in hewyn, for Iusticia to hym thou grauntyste.

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To the whyche blysee vs brynge Ihesu cryst, folio 47

Hevyn Kynge, Amen.

Here endyth the boke of Iusticia and begynnyth the thyrde vertu that is ycallid in latyn fortitudo. In Englysshe Streynth of herte, othyr boldenys, othyr manhode, othyr hardynesse. Capitulum tricessimum tHe thyrde cardynalle vertu ys ycallid fortitudo. Saynte tAustyn Sayth in libro de moralibus ecclesie, ffortitudo vero est amor facile omnia tollerans propter id quod amatur. that is to Say. “Fortitudo is a loue al thynge lyghtely Sufferynge, for that thynge that is y-lowid.” The [glose] vpon the gospell of Matheu Sayth, ffortitudo est firmitas animi contra molestias seculi, that is to say, “Fortitudo is a stidfastnes of the Soule, agaynes the grieuance note.79 or heuynesse of the worlde.” Tullyus in Secunda rethorica, Sayth, Fortitudo est considerata periculorum suscepcio et laborum perpessio, that is to Say, “Fortitudo is a considerids vndyrstondynge of Perill, and a sufferaunce of trauaill.” Also Tulli Say that, Fortitudo est magnarum rerum appeticio et humilium contempcio et cum racione humili
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tatis laborum perpessio, that is to Say, “Fortitudo is a desyre of grete thynges, and a despysynge of lowly thynges, and a sufferance of trauaille, wyth the Profite of reysonne.” By thys vertue Fortitudo, a man may Sustene without feyntyse of herte, trybulacions and adversitees and harde chaunces, And well berre his good fortunes wythout any Pryde. By this vertu Is the herte of a man I-Stabelid, in so myche that for no chaunce hit is not y-nued, but hym holdyth Stydfastly and Strongly in al adventures, good and ill, not chaungynge the herte. This vertue had heyly al this holy martires and wourthy men of armes that afor vs were. Tully Say that who-so hathe the vertu of Fortitudo, he shall lyue with grete treste, frely and wythout drede. Moche is hit grete to manes corage noght to fless, but stabilli Stonde, and the Ende of lyfe to yelde wythout drede. If thou haue this vertue Fortitude, thou shalte neuer say, that wronge ys done to the, but of thyne enemy thow shalt Say, he grewid me not, but he hadde wille to grewe. He that is wyse and hardy, he haue the vertue of Fortitudo proprely, and Sum men hym callyth a corageous man, or a manful man. Suche a corageous man, of noo man he shall Say ill in present ne in absente; Opynly he will take battaill, for deceit and trechuri appendyth to hym that Page 171
is feynte of herte. Than shall he be holde hardy and corageous, that desyryth not gret pereill, as doth the fole-hardy; ne ouermyche doutyth, as doyth the feynte coward. Arystotle, in the iiije; boke of Ethic, descreuyth the hardy in thys maner, “The hardy puttyth not hym-Selfe in perill by Smale thynges that lytill avalyth, For so done thes foolis, that So myche thay Preysyth thynges folio 33bL
that lytill wourthe bene, that thay Puttyth ham-Selfe in pereill of lyfe for ham. And that appartenyth to a feynte herte to lowe myche a thynge of lytill walue. But the hardy for a grete thynge and of grete Pryce gladdly hym Puttyth in Perill of lyfe, As for commune Profite of the Cite, Contrey, othyr a roialme, to sawe holy churche, to enhanse the vyrchippe of god; In Suche case Puttyth the hardy boldely his lyfe in Perill, And leuer hym Is to lyuen in honoure, than to lyue without
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vertue in dyshonoure.” So did the good Kynges, Pryncys, Erlys, Baronys, and Knyghtes that afor vs were; as did kynge Dauy, Sampson, Iudas Machabeus and his bretherin, Arthur, Charles of Fraunce, the good Prynce Edward, James youre graunt-sire, Maurice fitz Geraud, Robert Steuenes son, Reymond le grose, Ihon de curcy, and many otheres of the quenqueste of Irland. The hardy more gladly yeuyth than rescewyth, largely he rewardyth, Amonges hey men and lordes he contynueth hym heyly, Amonges mene Pepill menly, So that he may acorde to ham all. The hardy of few thynges hee hym entremyttyth, and takyth few nedys in hande, and they shall ben of grete nobelesse, and of grete renoune. For-why to entremytte of al thynges, appendyth to hym that hath a lowe herte, and lytill vertu. The hardy or the manfull in hidlynges he nendeynyth not anythynge to do, For he wille do nothynge where-for he sholde be reprowid. He will haue opyn frendis and opyn enemys, So that al men may know whyche ben both oone and othyr.

why, forto lowe pryuely or forto hate, appertenyth to Pouer men that dare noght to take an hand opynly. The hardy
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wille not leue that he takyth in hand for speche of the Pepill, For he hath more cure of verite, than of the oppynyon or ortrow of the Pepill, And therfor he is trew in dede and worde, And haue no will to ly, but yf hit be for myrthe and Play: he will haue no company but wyth his Frendes, why, forto Please al men, hit were ouermoche thraldome, but the hardy ne may hit endure. But thay that byth

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of lowe herte ben lowely to al men, and mervelyth of Smale thynges that thay hyryth. But the hardy wyse man mervelyth hym not but of thynge of grete value.

The hardy, of dysayses that he hath Sufferyth he wile haue no remembrance, for-why, he ne holdyth hym not y-lowet ne vndyrfote of the dyssayses whyche he hathe escapid. And for-why that he toke not to hevynesse the damagis that hym befell, but by vertue of stronge corage ham rescewyth lyghtly, he may not ham haue remembraunce, for a man lyghtly for-yewyth and Sone thay thynges that he lytill telle of. Anothyr maner hathe the manfull or the hardy that he Spekyth lytill, and thynkyth that beryth borthom, And also he haue no will to Speke of hym-Selfe, ne of none othyr moche: he haue no cure that he be y-praysid ne that otheris be blamyd, And therfor nethyr hym-Selfe ne otheres he praysyth, ne wil not say harme of his frendis ne of his enemys, but al that hym owyth to do, he hit doth without bobaunce wisely, and wythout feyntyse actifly. Anothyr condicion hath the manfull othyr the hardy, that neuer he Playnyth hym of defautes that he hath hadd, nethyr of mette, drynke, ne of othyr thynges necessaries, but Plente and defaute of al thynges he rescewyth evynly, so that no man may Percewe nethyr by worde ne by semblaunt, that he hath the herte y-changed fro ayse to mysayse, ne for scarcite, ne for Plente. And yf hit befall that he haue defaute of any thynge, he ne Prayeth gladly anothyr manes helpe, but yf the grete nede therto hym drywe, ffor hym folio 34bL
rechyth not moch, but of commyn Pees of the Pepill, Iustice, and ryghte, and the honoure of god aboue al thynge. More desyryth the hardy, honest thynges wythout wynnynges, than dyshoneste thynges wyth gret wynnynges, And therfor he desyrith more grete lordshuppe,
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othyr lytill rente, than a townshup of londe othyr a grete Some of catele to charlys appertenynge. To charlis appertenyth to Prayse moche, and to loue grete hepis of money of golde and Siluer, For-why, they haw lowe hertis and lytill, But to nobill Pepill of hey Parage and of grete vertue, longyth to loue chyualry, lordshup; to desyre Streynth, Doghtynesse, and ryghtfulnesse wythout queyntise. By kynde the hardy shal be of Slow mewynge, for he fyndyth but Seldome a thynge for the whyche he hym endeynyth to haste, And he sholde haue a stronge voyce and grete, and treely Speke, ffor that betokenyth Page 173
a stronge herte and a stabill. And therfor women, that by kynde bene more febelier than men, haue Smale voyces. And tho men, that by rancoure of herte chydyth hastely, thay haue not har Spyritis in thare Powere, But whoso hath the vertue of Fortitude, he ne deynyth not to chyde, And in Spekynge he haue not mestere to hafe [haste], for his Spirite is not by rancoure y-trowbelid.

Here begynnyth old stories to Shewe the condicionys and the propirteis of the hardy or the manfull. Capitulum Trycessimum Prymum.

Oche desyre thes olde Pryncis to Putte hare lyues in mbalaunce for comen Prowe of the Pepill, and they were so hardy, that in Suche a Poynte thay douted not the deth; for as Valery Sayth, and Seynte austynne hit rehersyth in the boke of the Cite of god, Codre, Sumtyme kynge of the Cite of Athenys, whan he had vndyrstonde by the Answere of his godys, are that he to a certayn battaille agaynes his enemys wente, that thay the victori sholde haue in battaill whos kynge or duke sholde be slayne in battaill, He onlasit his riche armes and roial array, note.80 and hym clothed in Pouer
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array, and wythout any drede he went al dysharmyd ayeynnes the hostis of his enemys, and by contencion ham taried, wherfore they hym Slewe anone. For leuer hym was deth to suffyr, that his men had the maystri, than lyue and See his men to bene ouercome. The Prynces in olde tyme ne were not covetous of golde ne Siluer, And therfor more gladly they yawyn than resceuet. Vegesce tellyth, that a nobil consailloure of Rome that Fabrice was callid, a wyse and a worthy man ţat lowid not yftis to rescewe, Answarid to an Ambassatoure of a fere Estraunge contre, that hym proferid a grete Some of golde, “Go,” Sayde he, “to thy contrey wyth thy golde, I haue no cure to resceue; Leuer is hit to me to comaunde tho that the golde haue, than thare good to haue.” Sypion, the nobill duke of Rome, whan he Saue well that haniball the kynge of Cartage, that is Souerayne Cite of affryke, had besiegid the Cite of Rome longe tyme, and So hugely slayne of the romanys that in oone day he dide fill thre bushelis of golde ryngis, that weryn of the Pryncis and of the wourthy men of

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the Same Scypion, than, this Scipion, wyth his Chiualrie Passid the See, and Came to Cartage and hit assiegid, wyth grete manhode he makyd stronge assautes and harde; The Pepill by Swerde and hungyr he Slow; thythyngis therof to Rome wente. Haniball the Sige forsoke, hastely to Cartage he wente, wyth Streynth he entried, by grete vertue the Cite restorid, he makyd engynes, he gederid grete hostis, the Cite defendid, He ordaynyd his shildrymes, steryn battaill he yaue, but atte the latyste Scipion hym ouercome. Than flow haniball throght al affrike into A Castelle,
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and Into Streynthis. Scipion hym chased as a grefhound dothe the Fox. Atte the latyr ende by wenym, that
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he dranke of his owyn will, he died, that he wolde not to be takyn or Slayne of the Romans. Than Scipion toke al affrike, and So hit makid Subiecte to Romanys, and Payedyn grete truage of golde and Siluer; he came agayn to Rome, hole and mery, and Sayde to the Romanes, “Fayre Sirres, affrike to yow haue y conquerid, And nothynge of the conqueste haue y rescewid Saue the Name.” As the tyme and the nedes askyd, the Princis in olde tyme they contynued ham, Some tyme as a lorde, anothyr tyme as a fellow, this wittnessyth Valery, that tellyth that kynge alexandyr lad in a tyme a grete hoste in full colde weddyr. atte evyn when he restid, he satte in oon hey sette by a fyre; he rewardid aboute, and Sawe an olde knygth quakynge for colde. Anoone he descendid fro the Seete, And toke the knygth in his armys, and Seete hym in the Sette by the fyre, there as he hym-Selfe Sate. And therfor hit was no merveill that men wolde so gladly Serwe Suche a lord, that bettyr lowid his knyght than his owyn dignite. Grete and hey dedys toke on ham Prynces in olde tyme, And Smale thynges thay lettyn to Smale men. Ensampill of this vs tellyth Orosie, that well couthe the Stories. Cyrus, the kynge of Pers, hym besied to conquere babilon, the grete stronge Cite; but he was moche y-lettyd by an hugy ryuer rennynge by the Cite wallis. In a day whan thay wolde assaute make, a knyght fryst by foole-hardynys hym-Selfe to the ryuer Sette. The course of the ryuer So stronge and So styfe rane, that the knyght and his hors rauyshith, doune hym bare, and dreynte. Cyrus, the hardy and manfull kynge, in grete wrathe Sayde, “So crowel wengeaunce of this ryuer shal y take, that a woman wyth chylde hit Shall mow Passe without Perill.” Than he did assembill workemen

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by thowsandis, and trenchyd and dalwe the growne, and departid the ryuer in CCC
and lx Parties, wherthrogh that al men Smale and grete hit myght Passe wythout folio 36L
any damage. than he toke the Cite, hit destrued, and the wallis therof he did down-caste into the fundemente. Hit was not y-holde proesse ne chyualry to assayle a man vnwarnyd, but olde men helde hit for cowardy. And therfore was alexandyr, the kynge Piames Sone of Troy, moche to blame, that in the tempill of apollyn by dysceyte and treyson slow achilles the worthy and doghty knyght. Holy writte reprowyth Ioab, Prynce of kynge Dauyes hoste, for that he had Slayn by trayson two prynces bettyr that he was, Abner and amasam. And therfore Salamon, kynge Dauyes Son, therof Vengeance toke, and makyd hym be Slayne, as the boke of kynges vs tellyth. Trouthe and verite, more than oppynyon or falsnesse, lowid olde Pryncis. Ensampill of that vs tellyth Valery, and Sayth that in olde tyme wher two frendys, that oone was callid Hamound, that othyr Phicia. On of this was take by Denys, the cruel Tyraunte, kynge of Cezillie, he woulde haue Slayn hym, he askyd of his dethe respite in-to the tyme that he had y-makyd his testament and dysposid his godys. The tyraunt hit grauntid vp that covnantte that he a plege for hym wolde Putte into a certyn day. He Putte In his frende for hym and went forthe. Many dayes Passyd, the terme neyghed, and he came not.

Euery man helde hym a fole that faste was, and sayde, folio 49

“folych Haste thow done, to Putte thy-Selfe in Hostage for thy frende. He will not agayne cvm, dey thow moste.” he answerid, “I kno well my frende, that he atte no tyme couaunt wold breke: well know I, and Sertayne I haue of reuenine.”

Whan the terme came, his frende repairet and hym presentid, And to the tyraunt Seyd, “see me here, lete my frende Passe, for y haue hym acquited.” Denys remembrid hym of So grete
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trouthe, frendshupe, and lewte, and foryaue his male talent, And prayet ham bothe to rescewe hym to ben thare fellowe. By losyngrie to Plese grete or Smale, hyt is contrary to the vertue, Fortitudo, and therfor the Phylosofers that were full of vertues, Leuer was to ham to Suffyr grete myssayse, than by losyngerie grete auere to gette. Als Valery tellyth, Dyogen the Philosofre. in a certayn day gederid wourtes to his mete, And therfor a losynger Aristipus to hym Sayde, that was with denys the tyraunt, “Diogen, thow sholdyst haue no mestere to ette Page 176
wortes, and thow woldist losenge kynge denys.” Dyogen answarid, “and thow woldiste ette Suche mette, thou Sholdyste neuer nede to losynge kynge denys.”

None hardy or manfull is not lyght of thoght, nethyr haue no mervelle that many pouer men mervelyth of. Of thes vs tellythe Valery, that in a certayn battaill descendyd an halte man, and therfore Some of the Same battail hym Scornyd. the halte man answerid, “I ne ham not maymet in handis ne in armes, thegh y be halte-footed: moche more bettyr I shall fyght, for y ne haue noo hope to fle.”

Of anothyr he tellyth vs, to whom his fellowe sayde, “So grete Plente thay of Pers haue of Arowes that the Sonne Vixith all durke, whan they begynnyth to sote; bettyr is to fle than so many Pepille to assaile.” That othyr as an hardy man answarid, “the Plente of arowes that thow spekyste of sholde vs Plese moche, ffor the weddyr is ful hote, And therefor moche the bettyr we shall fyght vndyr the shedow of the arowes.” Ouermych to thynke dissayse and aduersiteis that ben Passid, appertenyth not to hym that hardy is, for that shal make hym feynte. For yf kynge Alexander had moch thoght of tribulacionys and peynys that he Sufferid in Perse, he nade neuer be hardy to entyr in Inde. And yf Scipyon had ouermych chargid the damages of Rome, he had neuer ben hardy to entyr in affrike. Of the comendacion of Scipion we
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fyndyth y-writte, that als longe as he hadd to done, hym thoght that nothynge was done. Iulyus Cesar gladly foryaue the wronges that to hym was done, and by So mych the lordshupe of al men he gette. The hardy hath grete Sufferaunce, bonerte, Stabilnes, and verite, and therfor he chargyth not of preysynge ne of myspreysynge, for hit is a grete noun certayne of good renoune, that a man Putte hym of anothyr manys mouthe to be Praysid. For by Speche of the Pepille, a coward may be as Prowos as Ector of troi. Natheles, as is afore in this boke declarid, in foreyne gouernaunce a prynce sholde desyre and gete good renoune, by obeysaunce to god, and in Vyse gouernance of his speche to godis wirchippe and profite of the Pepille, and for no bobaunce as dyuers men dothe, whych yewyth yeftys to Rymoris whyche Praysythe
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Hym Beste that moste Ham yewyth. Eeuery Wyse man, as a poet Sayth, oftetymes sholde Enquere whate that the Pepill of hym spekyth, Sepius inquiras quid de te fama loquatur, that is to Say, “Enquere thow oftetymes what thynge is hit that fame Spekyth

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of the.” Kynge Alexander was callid of many a man that hym losengit, ‘Iupiter, the grete god’; but he wyste well that thay lied. And therof happid in a tyme that he assieget a Cite, his hoste makid therto assaute, The Cytteseynes ham defendid, Alexandyr was woundid in the thegh, but he wolde not departe fro the hoste, tille the assaute was fulfillid. aftyr, he lyght fro his hors and in Softe laghynge Sayde, “This wounde shewyth wel that I is not god, but a dedly man, for hit grewyth me sore.” Abow al thynge lowed Prynces in olde tyme the commyn prowe and the auctoricement of the Pepill, and therfor thay soght not riches ne tresures to har owyn prow, but for the commyn prowe, ne delycate folio 37bL
mettes ne drynkes thay soght not, but als lytill as thay myght; And more for othyr men than for ham-Selfe. And therfor as me-thynkyth the grete abstynence that oure Irys enemys Supportyth in mettes and drynkes, is moche the cause that thay in were often-tymes haue thare Purpos. For of a gouernoure of Rome tellyth Valery, that Marcus Curius was callid a man of grete witte, hardy and Chiualerous, and wel gouernede the Empire. to hym came messangers of a grete Cite, and hym founde Sittynge by a fyre vpon a lytill chaire, ettynge of a tren dysshe, and hym Prait, yf hit were his Plesynge endeynet to rescewe a grete Some of golde, that thay had broght hym for har lordis. This worthy lorde began to smothe lagh, and answarid, “Say ye to youre lordys that hedyr you sende, that Marcus Curius hath leuer to comaunde riche men than be ryche; witte ye that y shall not be corruptid by frendshup, enemyte, nethyr by golde, ne by Siluer.”

For as Valery Sayth, “euery good Emperoure loueth bettyr to be Powere in a ryche Empire, than be riche in a pouer Empire.” And Seynte Austyne Sayth, “that more is to playne that the Pouerte of the Empire of Rome is Perishit, than the riches: For whyle that the Prynces were Pouer the Pepill was riche, and when the Prynces were riche the Pepill was Pouer.” And therfor as vs tellyth Eutropias, in the Stories of Romanes, That constance the Emperoure in al his tyme desirid to make his Pepill riche, and more-ouer, the same clerke vs tellyth, that bettyr is that riches be in the handys of many men, than they in oone Place be enclosyd; for the richere that the Pepill be, In So myche thay may ham-Selfe the bettyr defende, and therto thay haue the bettyr talent. And who-so lytyll hath, the lasse talente hath;

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And therfor yf the
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Prynce Empoueryth the Pepill, he may haue the lasse truste that the Pepill will helpe hym wyth good will. All the entente of good Prynces that euer were, was to mayntene the prowe of the commyn pepill, for in that dede thay trysted the bettyr to be lyke oure lord
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god, Kyng of al Kynges, that al creaturis gouernyth aftyr Hare degre. Therfore by gret study the lawes weryn stabelid and mayntenyd, Marchaundises vsed, Dyuers moneis contreuet, and al that myght bene y-sayde that good was, al was Purveyet to the comyn Profite of the Pepill, and not to make riche the Prynces; that wittnessyth al bokis that tretyth of Empires or realmes. Tully askyth, “yf the Sone shall Spare the fadyr yf note.81 he do any thynge agaynes the commyn Profite of the Contre.” Therto he hym-selfe answarith, “That fryst the Sone shall pray the fadyr, that he wythdrawe hym, and yf he will not he shall trete hym, and aftyr yf nede be, he shal acuse hym, and more shall will that his fadyr be slayne, than the comyn Prowe of the contre and the Peese be distourbet.” Of grete abstynence were this olde Prynces, ffor at noone tyme he may be chyualryous, he that Is a glotoune. Of this we redyth in gestis of Romanys, that Cesar auguste, lorde of al the worlde was of grete abstynence; he nad noo cure delicate mettis, but helde hym appayed of commyn brede, and grete fleshis, and chese of the bugle, for he wolde not yeue ensampill of delytes to chyualrie.

Glorie, honoure, and noblesse, more desyryth prynces in olde tyme, than hepis of golde, Siluer, or precious stonys. Ensamples of thes ben grete plente, but Sortely to passe ouer, hit suffichyth that in the stories of Romanes we fyndyth y-writte, that oone forcible kynge of grete Pouer, assiget the Cite of Rome.

Cruel assautes therto makyd;
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Grete nombyr of Pepill he had Slayne, wherfor out of mesure he was dreddid and dowted. the Sinatouris of the Cite that hadd the Pepill to kepe aforsid har consaille, moche thay peynyd ham to contreue how thay myght ouercome the tyraunt, and the Sige a-way Putte tha longe tyme dured. Atte that tyme in a Pasture wythout the Cite was a kepere of Mulis, that Romanes callid a mulion.

this Mulion euery day behelde the hostis, he rewardid har battaille, he deuysed har armes, hare contenaunces, and hare outPassynges, herly and late, and Saw the kynge oftetymes goynge out of his tentis priueli to go to Page 179
sege; he knew hym well by Sertayn tokenys. The Mulion hym Sawe in a day by-cause of goynge to pryuely fer fro his men, thedyr besili he hastid; thes carle was stronge in armes, the kynge wyth grete streynth he caght, and hym trused hym before on his Mule. he hastid fast in his way, and neuer cessid tille he came to the Capitolle; ther as the Senatours weryn atte consaille, he smote atte the dore and askyd entre. The Po[r]terys haddyn of hym grete endeyne, there hym lefte, Vp thay went, his message thay did. the Senatours were grewid to be destowrbete for a carle. Atte the laste sayd on Senatoure, “we sholde not haue despite of the Carle, we know not whate thythynges he hath broght. For but he hadd sume grete message, he ne were not bolde to come hedyr.” And so by commyn assente the carle hadde entre. a fayre Presente he shewid, the kynge of barbrie he hame
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presentid, to done thar will Wyth Hym. The barbrions Had Har Kynge loste, hit was no wondyr thegh thay espaunted were; the Romanes ham armyd faste. The barbrions were encumberid, thay Soght har kynge, he myght folio 39L
not be founde, they turned har backys, but lytill ham a-vayillid; the Romanes ham Suet, they smote, they hewyn and Slowen, and home repairet wyth grete victorie; golde, siluer, precious stones, riche clothis, and grete nobeldi wyth ham bare into the cite; thay Slow the kynge, and So they makyd a good ende of the were. Aftyr this the Senatours bethoght whate rewarde sholde thay yewyn the Mulion; thay callid hym forth, Golde, Siluer, and othyr auauncement hym proferid, and hym askyd wherof he hym wolde be content for his good Service. He answarid as manfull and hardy man, that more lowid honoure than riches that Sone Passyth: “Of golde ne syluer I ne haue no cure, Graunt me oone thynge and that me Suffisyth. Do ye,” sayde he, “make an ymage of brasse of my lickenesse, and a coronet kynge ouercome by me.” thay did So, and Sette the ymage amyd the strete, that al pepill that ther went myght haue remembraunce of that victorie. Therfor aristotle Sayth, that “honoure is the moste hey thynge that a man haue in this worlde.” To the hardy hit appartenyth to be slow of mewynge, but whan he shal battail in honde take, he is so ferce that he dreddyth no man. In the stories of Romanes we redyth, that Tyberius the Emperoure of Rome in al his dedis was taryynge, and wythout ripe consaille nothynge he didd that bare burthyn, Page 180

For ouermyche hastynes nys not proesse. Thys Emperoure any officere that he had makyd with nethe he chaungyd but yf hit were for opyn falsnys. note.82 [added in margin in MS] This emperoure askyd in a day on of his pryue men, why he so did: he answarid and Sayde, that he So did for Prowe of the Pepill, and that he shewyth by this Ensampli. note.83 A man Somtyme was, that hadd many wondis, and lay nakyd in a wodd; the flyes thyke lay on hym that his blode soke. anothyr man Passyd by the way and Pite hadd on hym, and away the flies drowe. “Alas,” sayde the wondid man, “moche harme haste thow done to mee and greuet, ffor the flies that now haste away chassid thay
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ben full and haue ettyn y-nowe, and thes newely come me shale moche more Smertre assayle.” So is hit in the same manere of new officers, that like ben to newe hungri flies, and “therfor,” sayde he, “y wille not lyghtly chaunge ne remewe officers, ffor al tymes the latyste byth moste greuous, for they ben moste nedy, and leste Sparyth the Pepill.” To Speke wyth good Spirite and breth appartenyth to the hardy, for that tokenyth hardynesse of herte, grete takynge on, and Stowtesse. Spekynge of a lytill Spirite Signyfieth and Schewyth a feynte herte wythout boldenys. Now haue y Sewyd yowe the tokenes and propirteis of the hardy, the whyche arystotle vs techyth.

Of the Pite and mercy that a Prynce sholde haue. Capitulum xxxijm.

hItte is to witte that thegh mekenys is necessary to al men, hnamely hit is in Prynces. Therof hit is to witte that god
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ordeynet the fryste Prynce of His Pepill, Moysen the whyche was Hardy, a ful meke man abow al men that in Erthe wonned. In Matheu is gospel written, Ecce rex tuus venit tibi mansuetus, et lex eius vocabitur lex clemencie, that Is to Say, “See thy kynge comyth to the meke, and his law is callid the lawe of mekenesse.”

The lattyst boke of prouerbis Sayth, that in tokyn of mekenes, crystyne kynges and prelatis of holy churche byth ennoyntid. Seneca sayth, Nullum ex omnibus clemencia magis quam regem aut Pryncipem decet, that is to say, “No man of the Pepill mekenesse makyth faire othyr Semely, more than a kynge or a Prynce.” For mekenesse is the Seuerance and

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the difference betwene a kynge and tyraunt. And hit is to witte that the vertue of mekenesse kepyth the mene betwene Sparynge and vengeaunce, ffor Seneca Sayth, Tam omnibus ignoscere crudelitas est, quam nulli, Medium tenere debemus, that is to Say, “Hit Is cruwelte als welle to foryewen al men, as no man, therfor we sholde holde the mene wey.” He that is a gouernoure in tymes he shall Spare, and in tymes vengeaunse take. The vertue of Temporaunce, namely in a Prynce appartenyth to mekenesse, in vengeaunce-takynge of the wrongis that byth y-do to hym-Selfe. For lyke as hit befallyth not to a manful man to be liberall of anothyr manes goode, but forto be lyberall of his owyn, So Is the Prynce ycallid
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meke, noght in his Pepill lost-is for-yewynge, but in his owyn noght goynge owte of the vertue of Temporaunce. And therfor grete honoure, glorie, and Perpetuel virchippe, is to the Prynce, namely in redressynge by force of Pouer and lawe, the wronges that ben done to the comyn Pepill and his subiectes, by enemys, thewis, And othyr extorcioners. That a prynce sholde be Paciente and meke, Seneca Puttyth oone ensampill and tellyth, that the bee is a Passynge wrathfull beste and full of fyght, and for vengeaunce they lewyth thar Styngill in the wonde, but the kynge of bees Is wythout a styngill. this is a kyndely nobelesse of the vnreysonabill creature, yewynge essampill to al prynces and gouernores of the Pepill. Anothyr ensampill I fynde writte of the lyon, that thegh a man haue hym Sore hurte, and than he that hym hurte falle doun to the Erthe, as he wolde cry hym mercy, he wil hym not dyssayse in nothynge. Therfor Iulyus Cesar for-yawe lyghtely nothynge Saue the wronges that men did hym and yf any man hym myssayde, he hym answerid neuer, nethyr Vengeanse therof toke. We redyth of thys Emperoure that a man by ewill will hym callid, “Tyraunt”; and he answerid, “yf y were a tyraunte, thow sholdyst Say no more so;” and Sothe hit was, for he myght haue hym Slayne. The emperoure Teodosie makyd a statute and Sayde, “If any man myssay oure names, we wil not that therfor he be Punysshid; ffor yf that come of lyghtnesse, hit is to dyspise; and yf hit come of wodnesse, a man sholde therof Pite haue; And yf hit cvme of malice, hit is to be foryeue.” Seneca the good clerke tellyth, that the Citeseynes
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of athene Sende messagers to Philippe Kynge of Macedone. Whan thay hadd Page 182
done har message the kynge to ham Sayde bemurely, “Telle me ye whate thynge is, that y may done Plesynge the lordys that yow to me sende”? They to hym sayde, and speciali oone of them that was callid Tymokares, “If ye wolde make your-Selfe an-honged bene, hit wolde gretly ham plese.” whan folio 40bL
the kynges knyghtes hardyn that, anoone thay wolde hym haue hewyn in Smale Peces, ne hadd the kynge hym defendid. “lete of,” he sayde, “no man be So hardy to do hym any harme.” Than Sayde he to the messagere, “go thow to thy lordes that hedyr the Sende, and Sai tham in my behalfe, that thay bene more Prowte, and lasse ben to Prayse, tho that Suche message Sende, than thay that the message herde and no vengeaunce toke.” The Vise Poete Caton Sayth, Vtilius regno, meritis adquirere amicos, that is to say, “More profitable thynge is than a kyngedome, by good deservynge frendis to gette.” But So did not Dermot Mcmurg, Prynce of leynystere, whych is the ve parte of Irlande, For a gret Clerke, Richard Cambrensis that makyd the Story of the conqueste by kynge Henry the Seconde in Irland, tellyth that this Dermot in the begynnyge of his regnacioune, he was an oppressoure and an extorcionere of vertues men, and a crowel Tyraunt ontollerabill, vpon the grete lordis of his londe. Anothyr myschefe hym befell, O’rooryckes wyfe, kynge of Mythe, by hyr owyn assente, in abscence of hyr lorde, he rauysshed. And for-why that, for the more Partie al myschefe, witnessynge olde stories many, and newe also, the wiche by women began. This kynge O’rorike, mor for shame than for the hurte heyly grewid, wox al venomowsly wrothe. And therfor he gaderid many strangeris, that is to say, Rourike of Connaght, that tyme kynge of Irlande, whyth his Pepill and his owyn, Avengid to bene. Than the grete lordis of laynyster, Seynge har Prynce i-Putte to myschefe, and in euery Partie vmbesegid wyth enemys, olde wronges that he hadd done ham thay rehersid; thay rose al atte onys wyth his enemys, And So fortvne and his Pepill hym lefte atte ones. Than this Prynce Dermot, Seynge hym-Selfe on euery Side besieget, wythout helpe and fououre, and hugely ouersette with enemys, aftyr many Sore battaillis, to the laste remedy, he flow ouer the See into Normandy in the parties of Fraunce, to kynge henry the Seconde aforsayde, and hym besely besoght of Socoure. He was
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wirchiphully rescewid of the kynge, and hym his gouernaunce Page 183
tolde. Whan the kynge hadd herde the cause of his comynge, he rescewid of hym the bonde of Subieccioun, and fewtee, and hym toke his letteris of bienvoillaunce wher-by he broght Pouer of Englyss-men, Normanes, and Walschemen into laynystere, the whyche wyth that othyr fowre Parties of the londe by the Same kynge henry was for the more Partie I-conquerid. Thus did this Prynce Dermot hym-Selfe and al othyr Prynces of his Nacion in lond for euer encombre by oppressyon.

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And therfor Hit Is more Sure to euery Prynce to comaunde His Pepill well willynge to hym, than ewill willynge. this felit Nero and Damaciane, Emperoures of Rome; And so filit kynge Richard the Seconde and many mo afor and Sethyn.

This Clerke Cambrens tellyth in the Same story, Expedit subiectis Principi cuilibet pocius amari quam timeri, that Is to Say, “Hit Is Spedful to euery Prynce radyr to be ylowid, than to be dreddid,” of his subiectes, And hit is Spedphull to be ydreddyd, So that of loue radyr than of correccion that drede confortyth. For whate-euer man is y-lowid, hit semyth that he is dreddid. But euery Extorcioner Is hatid of the commyn Pepill, and he that hatid Is of the commyn Pepill, he shal be vnsocowrid whan he moste nede hath, lyke as Dermot the Prince was. I fynde In a Sermonde writte, that an extorcionere is wors than the deuyll. For the deuyll takyth in prei and turmentyth but corsyd men, And the extorcioner rubbyth and Preyeth good men and trew; And therfor the Deuil may Iustifye hym in rewarde of extorcioner, For the Deuyl may Say to god, “I haue turmentid oonly tho men that the haue hatid, but this extorcionere hath turmentid tho men that the lowid.” And So we may vndyrstonde that an extorcioner Is the deuyll-is angill, for thay ben sende Into this worlde to do ther that thynge the wyche the deuyll doth in helle, that Is to Say, to do turmentrie.

But for-alsmoche, gracious lorde, as I haue now her towchid of the conquest of Irland, I shall now declare yow in Partie as y fynde in croncles written, many titles of oure
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lege lorde the kynge of Englandes ryght to this land of Irland, agaynes t[h]e errourse and haynouse Irysmenes oppynyones, saynge that thay haue bettyr ryght.

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Of the Kynges titles to the land of Irland, aftyr the Cronyclis. Capitulum xxxiij.

fRyste atte the begynnynge, afor the comynge of Iryshemen into the londe, they weryn dwellynge in a syde of spayne whyche is callid basco. Of the whyche Basco, Bayon Is the chefe Cite, and basco a membyr of hit. And atte yryshmen comynge Into Irland, kynge Gurgonynce, Son to the nobill kynge Belynge, and kynge of Britane the more, whyche now Is callid England, was lorde of Bayon as oure kynge now Is. And therfor thay sholde be his men, and Irland his land. The Seconde tytle is this; Atte the Same tyme that Irysmen came out of basco in Sixti Shippes exilit, thay mete wyth kynge Gurgnynce vp the See at the Ile of Orcades, atte his comynge fro Denemarke with grete victorie. Than har Captaynes hyberus and herymon wenten to this kynge, and hym tolde the cause of har comynge, and hym Prayed with grete Instaunce, that he wolde graunt ham that thay myght enhabite Some lande in the weste. Atte the laste the kynge, by avyce of his consaille, graunted ham Irland to enhabite, and assygned ham gides for the See thedyrwarde. And
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therfor they Sholde ben our Kynges men. The thyrde title Is, As I haue afor declarid, that Dermot, Sumtyme Prynce of leynestere, in Normandy became lege man to kynge henry the Seconde, conqueroure of Irland. Wherthrogh he broght Pouer of Pepill aforsaydyn into the land, and mariet his eldyst doghtyr Eue at Watyrford to Syr Richard fiz Gilbert, Erle of Sragnylle in Walis, and hym graunted the reuersione of laynestere wyth Eue his doghtyr. Aftyr that the Erle graunted to his kynge henry, Deuelyn wyth two candredes nexte to Deuelyn, and al the havyn tounes of laynestre, to haue that othyr Parte in Pees, and folio 42L
the kynges good lordshup. And therfor Mcmurgh hath leste ryght to haue lordshup of al othyr Irys Captaynes; And oure kynge in especial haue good ryght to laynystre. Hitte Is to witte, that a Candrede in frens and in Irys, Is a Porcion of grovnde that may contene an hundrid villachis. In England Suche A Candrede is y-callit an hundret othyr a wepyn-tale. A wepyntaille Is as myche to Say as a takynge of wepen, ffor In olde tyme in England atte the fryst comynge of a newe lorde in-to an hundret, the tenantes of the Same hundrede Sholde delyuer to har lorde har wepyn as for har homage. The iiije Page 185
title of ryght that oure kynge hath to Irland Is, that Sethyn in the yere of Oure lorde Mý. C. and lxti, ij, the forsayd kynge henry landyd atte watyrforde, and there Came to hym Dermot, kynge of Corke, and of his owyn propyr wille became liege trybutarie for hym and for his kyngedome, and on this he makyd his Serement and yawe his hostagis to the kynge. Than the kynge rode to Casshell, and ther came to hym Doneuald, kynge of lymerike, and be-came lyege man as did the kynge of Corke. Than came to hym Duneualde, kynge of Ossori, and Mcsaghlyn, kynge of Ofaly, and al the Prynces of the Southe of Irland, and be-came lege men as Is aforsayd. Than wente kynge henry to Dyuelyne, and ther came O’kernel, kynge of Vriel, O’rorike kynge of Mythe, and Rothorike, kynge of al Irysmen of the londe, and of Connaght, with al the Princes and men of value of the lande, wythout-take the Pepill of Vllystere, and by-came lyeges and Subiectes tributarijs by grete othis for ham and hare kyngedomes and lordshuppes, to the forsayd kynge henry, and that by hare owyn good wille as hit semyth wel, for the cronycles makyth no mencion of no chyualry ne werre done by the kynge al the tyme that he in Irland was. The Ve title Is this, the Pope Adriane, for-as-moche as Irland
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Is an Ile, and hit and al othyr Iles cristiens to the ryght of Seynte Petyr and the churche o Rome appartenyth, he grantid the lordshupe of Irland to the forsayde kynge henry, to encresse therin crystyn feyth and holynesse, And to sette the Pepill of the londe in gouernaunce of good lawes and vertues, vices to enchu, This yfte and graunt of Pope Adriane, Pope Alexandyr his Successoure confermyd. this titles of ryght oppynly apperyth by the folio 53

Same Popis Bullys, the copyes of Whych Bene ryued ynow. Sethyn came note.84

Vyuyen, a legate fro the Pope, into Irland and assemblid atte deuelyne al the Clergi of the land atte a consaill, atte the whyche Consaill this legate declarid and affermyd to the clergy the kynges ryght to be good to Irlande, and comandid and also denunced al the Pepill of Irland on the Payne of cursynge, that no man sholde presume folyche to departe fro the liegeaunce and the fayth of the kynge of England. The Syxte title Is, that assemblid atte Ardmagh, the Clergi of al the land atte the tyme of the conqueste vp the comynge of Englyss-men, by the Same Consaill hit was decrewite and demet, that throght the Synne of the

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Pepill of the londe by the Sentence of god, the myschefis of the conquest ham befelle. The vije title Is, For atte the fryste comynge and beynge of kynge Richard the Seconde in Irland atte the Cite of Deuelyne, and othyr Places of the londe, there come to hym wyth hare owyn good-wille, O’nelle, Captayne of Iryshemen of Vluestere, O’bren of Thomon, O’conghoure of Connaght, Arthure Mcmurg, Captayne of Irysmen in laynystere, And al othyr grete Capitaynes of Irysmen of Irland, and became liege man to the Same kynge Richard, And to hym did homage liege, And for more
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grettyr Surte thay bounde ham in grete Somes by dyvers Instrumentes to Pay to the Popys Chamer, to trewely kepe and holde hare legeaunce in the fourme aforsayde. Therefor, fro the begynnynge to the End, good is oure kynges ryght to the lordshupe of Irland. And therfor hold thei ham still for shame, that therof the contrary Sayne.

Nowe here y an end makyth of the thyrde Cardynal vertue that ycallid in lateyn, Fortitudo, in Englys Streynthe, And trete of the iiije cardynal vertue, that Is in latyn callid Temporancia, Is myn entente god helpynge. Amen. Capitulum Tricessimum quartum.

tHe fourthe vertue Cardynal, Clerkes callyth Temporance, by the wiche a man kepyth and holdyth mesure in ettynge and drynkynge, and surfetyth not, as in women, and from al Surfetys hym kepyth in al his dedis and Syggynges. And therfor Tully Sayth, “If thou desyriste Temporance Put away euery Surfete, and restrayne thy desyres; Reward thow how myche kynde askyth, and not how mych couetyse desyryth.” Ife thou haste the vertue of Temporance, therto shalte thou comme, yf thou be Payet of thy-Selfe without couetyse of more to haue. For y-now he hath, that Is ap-Payet of that, that he i-richet Is, ffor more he will not desyre. And he that more couetyth, than he hath, he knowlechyth that he y-now haue not, And therfor to thy couetyse Sette thou the bridill, in ettynge and drynkynge be thou y-temperit, And aftyr that kynde askyth, put mesure. Bettyr Is lytill than to mych, but the mene alboth Surmountyth in bountee. Whan thou art in company, that thynge whych thou haste blamet, thou shalt not ette ne drynke.

To the Delytes whych now byth present, ouermoche thou shalt not the yeue, ne tho folio 43bL
that ben absente, thou

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shalt not gretely desyre. See that thou can lyue folio 53b

Of Lytill mette and Drynke. Drynke not for Delite, as doth the glotone, But for nede that thou haste; lette hungyre yeue the talent, and not Sause ne Saueure.

If thou be attempret by the vertu aforsayd, thou shalt enchu foule thynges ar that thay falle, ffor no man Sudaynly taken, may not well kepe hym-Selfe. And whoso will not enchu evil company, Sudaynly he shall fall in fowle thynges.

Beholde wel al the meuementis of the body and of Corage, that ther be not in ham no filthehede. Be neuer the more hardy to done amyse, be-cause that thou arte alone by thy-Selfe, and no man Seth the; ffor a man may for euyl dedys be shent, thegh othyr men See ham not done. Thow shalt not drede no man more than thy-Selfe, ffor Sumtyme euery man Is absent to the, but thou art al tymes presente to thy-Selfe, And al that thou doste Pryueli, god Seth hit opynli.

Foule and vnclene wordys thou shalt enchu, ffor hit is not fere fro the herte, that the mouthe Spekyth, and that that Is in the mouthe, Sone to the dede approcedyth. Thyn accusementes thou shalt medill euenly and menely wythout empeirement of dignyte, Play not to myche, ne lagh not moche, ffor Salomon Sayth, “laghynge Is alway in the mouthe of the fole,” and the fole enhawsyth his voyse whan he laghyth. The wys man wenethe he Softe laghyth. Ther is tyme of laghynge, tyme of wepynge, tyme of Speche, and tyme of beynge stille. In two causes sholde no wys man lagh, that Is to witte, in despite of anothyr man, ne for that myschefe anothyr Is betyde. Who-so laghyth when he sholde not, he Is holde
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dyshoneste; And who-so neuer laghes, he Is ouer estrange in company. Shewe thy witte, and greue no man; whan thou shalt Play, Of veleyny the nedyth to kepe.

Thou Shalte lagh wythout grynnynge, Speke wythout cry or noyse-makynge, Goo wythout Slouthe, Reste the wythout dyshoneste. Ouer al thynge thou shalte enchu and hate Parfitely losengerie in thy-Selfe and otheris, ffor losengerie destrueth euery vertu; the losengeoure shal Sayne to the, “god thankid, thou doste welle, and thou arte ful of vertues and of witte, riche, estable, stronge, worthy, hardy, Semely, and fayre of body, large of herte, wel despendynge, a nobill man and of grete Parage, well prowid in dedys of armes; so god me helpe, In al this land nys none thy Pere.” Who-so suche losengeris belewyth othyr trowyth, they shal falle in Pride

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and ouertrouth, wherthrogh thay shal Suche thynges take in hande, that neuer they shall mow well brynge to a good ende. Salamon Sayth, “the losengeoure whyth his mouthe begilyth his frende”; And therfor Caton Sayth, Plus alijs de te, quam tu tibi credere noli, that Is to say, “Belew thou not anothyr man of the, more than thy-Selfe.” Thou shalt wythstonde a losengeoure vtreli, that he be rebuked, and So Shalte thou done thyn owyn profite and his also, for So thou shalt not be dyscewid, and he shal not entremyt hym to discewe. Warnynge and amonestynge recewe thou gladly, and reprowynge wythout wrath or gurchynge. Ife a man reproueth the ryghtfully, thou houyste to cvne hym thanke, And yf he doth folio 54

Hit Wrongfully, hyt may be ţat he wende that he did ryghtfully. [added in margin in MS] And yf Hit be that he the reprowe Wrongfully, the trouth tell hym benurly, ffor ther nys no man but he Sumtyme mystake. Salamon Sayth, “A blessyd answere abbatyth wrethe, and an harde and a thawrtouer worde raysyth note.85

Stryfe and wodnesse. Reproue thou a vyse man, and he shall loue the; reproue a fole and he shal the hate.” Caton Sayth, Virtutem primam Puta compescere linguam.

Proximus est ille deo qui scit racione tacere, that Is to say, “Trow thou the Pryncipal vertue to refrayne thy tonge, For he Is negh to god that can be still by reyson.” And therfor hath kynde enuyronet a manes tonge wyth tethe and lippes as wyth two wallis, to Sygnyfie that no word Sholde out-Passe, but yf hit were triet wyth reyson. Kynde vs hath grauntid two eighen and two eeris, Saue but one tonge, vs to Show that more we sholde see and hyre, than Speke. Salamon Sayth, “Al that the fole thynkyth he Spekyth, but the vyse man abydyth the houre couenyable to Speke.” In Spekynge a poete consailyth vj Poyntes to beholde and kepe by this versis.Si Sapiens fore vis, Sex serua que tibi mando:

Quid loqueris, et vbi, de quo, cui, note.86 quomodo, quando.

that is to Say, “Ife thou wylt be wyse, Sixe thynges kepe whych y comande the: That Is to witte, what Is that, that thou Spekyste, whare, and of whome, to whome, whate manere, and in whate tyme.” Vices and ewil taichis thou shalt enchue and hate in thy-Selfe, but anothyr manes vices thou shalt not to Page 189
besy encherch, nethyr aspy, For Suche a man by reysone is to hate; whan the folio 45L
behowyth an note.87 ill doer to reproue, thou shalt hit not done ouersharpely, but in fayre manere. Reprowe was founde for amendement of hym that Is reprowid, But whan a man Is ouer-harde reprouet, he hatyth his reprowere, and So therof he is empeyrid and not amendyd. Therfor Sayt[h] Salamon, whose ouer-harde Snythyth the noos, he draueth blode, and therfor wyth benurtee and fayre chere thou Sholdyst reproue, and the trespace lyghtely foryewyn. whan a man Spekyth the wyth, fayrly hym hyre, And whath that his answere shall ben, gladely hit hym Sayne. And yf he thyn answere in dispite haue, neuer for that be thow ymeuet, ne chydynge make, ne thyn endyngnacion to hym Sayne. For hit is grete honoure to a man hym to wythdrawe fro chydynge. By this forsayde vertue of Temporance, of al Pepil thow shalte ben ylowid, yf thay that ben lowyr than thow, thow haue not in dispite. And to thyne Souerayns doste honnoure and reuerence, And to thy felowis due company. To Souerayns reuerence and honoure, to Subiectes helpe and Socoure, to fellowis company and douceoure, to al men be benure, to no man flatterynge; haue thou fewe Pryue men, be ryghtfull to al men, Slow to be wroth, Redy to mercy, In aduersite Stydfaste, In prosperite wel avysete and humble.

Thus myche haue y Sayde of this vertue Temporance for this tyme: Now here y write olde stories in comendacion of the Same vertue. Capitulum xxxm quintum.

aRystotle, Prynce of Philosofers, Sayth, that to the Vertu of temporance two thynges appertenyth, That Is to witte, Abstynence of mette folio 54b
and drynke, and chastite of Body:

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And therfor olde Vertues men thes two thynges thay kepedyn. this apperyth by this Story: Alexander the conqueroure So mych he myght endure abstynence, that oftetimes whan he was in trauaille, he askyd none othyr mette but brede only. A grete Clerke Vegece vs tellyth in his boke of Chyualrie, that hit appartenyth not to a good knyght to lowe ayse ne delytes of body. Alsmoch is abstynence auenaunt to a knyght and mesure, as to a monke. Valeri tellyth that women of Rome in olde tyme, Dranke no Wynne. For throgh glotony and dronkenesse Page 190
men fallyth oftetymes in lechurie, wyche Is contrary to chastitee and to chyualrie. And therfor as Valery tellyth, that Cornelyus Scipion whan he was sende by the Romanys in-to Spayne to make hit Subiecte to Rome, anone he comandid that no bordelle were founde in hare company, and therfor thow note.88
thousand women weren dryuen away from the hoste. Well wyste the wyse Prynce that loue of women and brandynge fylthed of lechurie nesshyth a manes herte and hym makyth lyke a womon, So that he lesyth his Streynth, and hardynesse, and manhode, and chyualrie. More accordyth to a lechurere a Styfe-stafe than a Swerde, and an hechil than an chelde or a boklere. And therfor Sayth Poetes in fable, that the welle of Salynace makyth men that therin ham bathyth chaunge in-to women, In sygnyfiaunce and tokyn, that tho men whych ham bathyth in the welle of lechurie lesyth Vertu and Valure, and becomyth feynte and cowardys, and febill as Women ben. The Same Clerke Valery vs tellyth of a nobil yonge man that was callid Spurina, that was so fayre of face, of body and fetares, folio 46L
that al Women Wer meuet and tempted of his grete beaute. This yonge man that well Parcewit, but he had not talent of foly, And therfore alsmoche as he wolde not be suspecte of foly ne yeue occasion ne encheyson of ille and Syne, he wondid al his face, and many wondys ther-In maked; Wherfor the beaute a-way wente and the Synne cesyd. The loset clerke Vegesce of kynge alexander tellyth, that aftyr a grete battaill y-don and grete Pray taken, A nobill damysell of grete beaute was presentid to the kynge. But he that al was yewyn to chiualry he nad no cure of lechurie, And therfor he endeynet not ons hyr to rewarde, but sende hyr to the Same Prynce that She afor was Spowsyd to. Whan this Prynce and his men Sawe this, they Preysyth moche the vertue and the grete leaute of alexander, And ther thay hym rescewid as kynge and lorde. Suche anothyr tale vs tellyth Valerye and Sayth, that atte that tyme whan Scipion had won and conquerid Cartage, as is in this boke afor-written, amonge al othyr hostagis a fayre mayde of grete Parage to hym was presentid. And whan this conqueroure had vndyrstonde that a gentill-man of the contrey had hyr trouthid, he note.89 makyd brynge afor hym hyr fadyr and hyr modyr and the gentill-man that hyr trouthyd, and to ham Saydyn, “This golde

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that ye haue broght to me for this damycelle raunsone, I hit yeue and graunt in free mariage to hyr and this gentil-man, note.90 that hir has trouthid,” Of this grette Ientrie alle men mervelith, And this nobille lord mor gladly for ay servid. By this Vertu Temporancia a man gouernyth hymself, and with the Vertu of Iustice othir men. But rathir and more
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Providabille ys to a man to gouern hymself than othir mene.

Now her is to wit of the temporat loue that shold be betwen A man and his wif, And how he shold know and us hir temporaly. Capitulum. xxxvi.

The loue and the dred of almyghty god, maker and fourmer of al thing, frust aboue al thing preferid, xije causes enduceth a man to loue his wif reissonnabli and tempora[t]li. The furste caus is for that holy writ so bidith: “Viri diligite vxores vestras Sicut et Christus dilexit ecclesiam et Semet ipsum tradidit pro ea”: That is to sey: “O ye men, loue your wywis as crist lowith holy church, And hymself yaw for hit.” Therfor a man shold loue the helth of his wif bodely and gostely; for why: criste diet for the helth of mannes Soull and remissioun of his Sin, And therfor a man shold merciably fforyew his wif repentaunt veraily hir trespace. Vppon this matier Seint Austeyn saith “Cur enim ad huc reputamus adulteros quos credimus penitencia esse sanatos.” That is to sey — “Why shold whe now hold men adulteours which whe trowith with repentaunce I-maked hole.” The Secound caus that shold enduce a man to loue his wif is, for hir body is the body of hir spous, And therfor he shold loue hir body as his owyn bodi, for the wif hath no pouer of hir owyn body. The iije caus ys that non of tham ys Sufficiant to bring forth fruyt alon of Ieneracioun. The iiije caus is that woman of manys Ribe was fourmyt; God wold not fourm woman of the Slyme as he dud man, but of manys fleshe and bon, that he shold loue hir as him Self; ffor holi writ saith, “whoso lowith his wif he lowith himself.” The ve caus is that a
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Man be-hettith woman loue when he Set the Ring on hir fynger, and at mas in presence of cristes body he doth kis hir. The Sixt caus is that they ar cossinis both of man and woman, for the vedlak louene euery ethir, And therfor hit is wonder sethyn So many for ham lowen othir that Page 192
thay hamself shold discord; ffor ofte tymys two realmes for on matremony is broght to on accord. The vije caus is that a wif leuith fadir modir and all hir kyn, and anheyrryth to hir spous, And therfor he doth ontreueli but yef he hir loue. The viije caus is that but yef they loue both othir thay shall be in gret myssais, for lik as a man ne restith not well vndir a dropping hous, namely in cold tym, So a man restith not with his wif yf contencion be tham betwen. The Philosofre saith, “Vxor est aut perpetuale refugium aut perhenne tormentum”: That is to sey, “A wif is a perpetuall refuyt, Othir an euerlesting tormenty.”

the ixe caus is that hit is hugeli pleasant to god, and man loue wedlak; for Salamon Saith, “In thre thingis my spirit is pleassit, that ben aprowid afor god and man; that is to sey the accord in brethereth, loue of negheboris, And man and his wif well togeddir assentyng.” The xe caus is that a wif is a solas to a man of godis yefte, And therfor Salamon saith, “Ve Soli”; That is to sey, “Woo to hym that is allon.” But he is not allon that livith in chastite, as oneste maidenys and widowis vnto the worshup of god. But a fornicatour is hold allon which is acursid of god, that whan he seth and covettith a woman fleshely, his dissolacion Radir ţan
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his consolacioun he seth; he seth the swerd with the which the dewill hym kittith and fro god hym departith. The xie caus that a wif is lik an ornement of an houshold; ffor Salamon saith, “Sicut sol oriens in mundo in altissimo dei, Sic mulieris bone species in ornamentis domus eius, et mulier diligens corona note.91 est viro sou”; that ys to sey, “As the son ryssing in the world in the heghest placis of god, So is the fairnys of the woman gode in the ornamentis of hir hous; And a lowing woman ys a croun to hir spous.” And Salamon, speking of fairnys, saith, “Sapiens non corporis sed anime respisit decorem.” That is to sey, “A wise man beholdith not the fairnys of the body but of the soull.” And a fole in flesly thyngis is ouertaken. The xije caus is that the sacrament of matremony is a dingnite ordeyned of god and in paradis afor that euer enny syn was wroght. And therfor crist in the gospell saith, “Quod deus coniunxit homo non separet”; That is to sey, “That thing which god has bound, no man depart.”

Of the loue that a vif shold haue to hir spous, A doctor tellith, ffurst euery woman shold loue and dred hir

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housbond so heyly that she shold troue no man fayrir, wisser, ne stronger than hir housbon; And thegh anny othir man fairer, wiesser, othir stronger wher than he, she shold not troue that.

Of the comendacioun and of the werk of matrimony. Capitulum xxxvijm.

HIt ys to wit that matremony ys to be commendid for many caussis, and in exspeciall at this tym for ve; fruste for the auctorite of almyghty god, ordyner of matremony;
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And for honor of the place that hit was maked In; ffor thereas Seint benet ordeyned the monken rull, and Seinte Austeyn chanoun Rull in erth, allmyty god that may not erre maked the Sacrement of matremony in paradis. Therfor yef he trespassith that breketh the rull of Seint benet, moche more hugely he tresspassith that matremony whiche god makyd breketh. The ije caus is that matremony ys to be comend is the oldennysse of hit, ffor this ordir ys not nyowely maket, but of oldennys hit passith all manner of orderis in erth, ffor hit was maked afor that euer man synnyt: the therd caus is ffor that god at Noes flod, whan all the world was dront, only he sawid the ordir of matremoney. In Noes ship he and his wif, har thre sonys and har wiffis sawid were, but all the lechurreris and concubynes were drond. The iiije caus is for criste Ihesus and his modir Seint Mari and his dessiplis by thare bodies presence —as Seint Iohn In his gospell telith —wirsshuppeden at the feste of wedlok, and there ettyn and dranken; but lechurris & concubyns may not sayn that euer criste or Seint mary his modir etten and dranken in enny of thar houssys, But rather the deuyll, of whom thay maked Sacrefiz of thare bodies. The ve caus is for that our lord Ihesus wold be born of oure lady Seint Mari in matremony. Morouer hit is to wit that the work of matremony may be ussit and don, as sarteyn tretis of wertius tellith, without anny
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Syn and meritori in thre cassis; ffrust whan hit is don ffor caus of cheldryn to ben concewid, and to the wirship of god to be brot fforth, with othir due sircumstancis accordyng to Reysoun: This is the principall caus and office of the werk of matrimony. The ije caus is whan that the work is don for remedy, that is to wit to enchu fornicasion. The iije caus is whan det is payed to the asker; vppon the which matier Seint Austeyn saith thus: Page 194

“Redde debitum coniugale nullus est criminis. In hoc causu mouet Iusticia.” That is to sey, “To pay wedlak dette hit is of no syn, rightfulnis meuyth in this caus the.” The iiije note.92 case Is whan a man asketh that worke to mak his wif, that she fal not in sin; as whan a man knowing his wif shamfaste and neuer to ask that dette, and he dredith of hir fallyng in Syn, he asketh that dette.

In this casse pite meuyth. But sothely yef a man use that work to fulfill his concupiscens ther is sin, othir while venyall syn and othir whill dedely syn; hit is veniall sine whan concupiscence is so ferforth subiecte to Reissoun, that he wold not know hir but yef she wer his wif; hit is dedly syn whan that concupiscens Is so vnmessurable that he wold knov hir thegh she wer not his wif.

Also hit is to wit that a worthy clerk, Iohn of Burghe, in a bok which he maked, that is calit in latteyn “pupilla occuli Sacerdotum,” tellith that a man is note bound to pay his wif the dette of wedlak in an holy place, ffor so as sum men saith the place myght be
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Polut. But yef a man and his vif were long tym in that place vyolenly enclossid, hit wer laffull to tham to do that ded. Also in hey festis & solempne dayys, in tymys of fasting and processiones a man and his wif shold not neghe togedir, for in such solempne tymys specyaly honnoure is to be don to god, And therfor Is to abstene fro leuefull thingys, that thyng which is asked may be getten the mor lyghtelier. Natheles, who so is askede, he owith hit to pay, but yef he may defer hit viesly and without pereill, but he shall not aske hit in the forsaiden tymmys. Therfor whoso asketh that ded in tho tymmys he syneth not, but whoso asketh I-styrryd with con[cu]piscens, but not for contempe of the tym othir holi churche consaill, Senneth venialy. And also in tym that a woman is with child, ef without pereill of the chill hit shall mowe be don, that ded I-asked owith to be payed, And also hit may be asked without dedly Syn; natheles yef hit shold torn to pereill of the child, nethir shold hit ben asked ne yewen. In which cas beste is that a man haue his wif lik his Suster, And do nat that charnell worke.

offe the foure cardinall wertues, by the which a man gidith hym rightfully in the wey of gode maners, ware that

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many pepill gon out of the wey into this tym I hau tretid; Now will I retourn to that place theras I left of the bok of gouernance of kingys and princys in this sam maner suante.

Off the keping of the body after the consaill of Lechis. Capitulum xxxviijm.

alexander, in exspeciall kep the fro venym and pusouns: well folio 49bL

Whe wot that many kingys and princys that myght not be ouercome with armys by wenym loste thar lywis, And othir whillis by ţe hand of that man in whom moste thay trustid, And namely by whemen, for loue of whemen blindith the vndirstanding of men, and ham makith ouer moch to truste of Wemen. Therfor thou shalt not trust in wemen ar that thou han ham approvid, ffor alsson that thou trust the in a woman thy lif is in hir handis. Alexander, well sholdiste thou remenber the ţat Sum tym the Quen of Inde the send fair yeftis and gret, Among which she send the a ful fair damsell, Of whos beaute thu wer anon I-caghte. But I, that present ther with the was, besili beheld that damsell, and hir contenaunce, & hir lokinge; And I apparcevid that she had frekelit eyen, and without sham fichit hir sight in men vesagis, by the which I vndirstod well that euery man that hir tuchid Anon shold be enfectid with wenyn without hop of lif, for she was of a child I-norshit with venym, And therfor she was all venym; And yef I had not varnyte the therof at the furste tuching she had shent the.

Therfor thou sholdiste haue with the in al tymmys gode lechis and fi[si]ciens; And thou shalt not truste the in on lech, for he myt the priuely don the harm, The lighter that he is alon. But manny lechis togedir wold not consent so lighteli to mys-don, ffor euery of tham shall dout othir; therfor of [lechis in]

Sciens and wiesdom beste I-provid and of the be beste fam, by thar consaill tak thou medesyne
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What the nedith.

That Astronomy is necessari to the keping of mannys body. Capitulum tricessimum Nonum.

aS galian the full wies leche Saith, and Isoder the gode clerk, hit witnessith that a man may not perfitely can the sciens and crafte of medessin but yef he be an astronomoure. And therfor thou shalt nothing don, and namly of that which Page 196
appertenyth to the kepping of thy body without consaill of astronomoure. Beleue not folis that sain that no man may cum to the Sciens of steris and planetis, ffor thay ben so fer fro vs, the which by ofte beholding, gret waking, and studi, the old philosofors
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note.93 that crafte Haue contreuet and Sertayn Rulys makyd of the mevynges of the Sterres. Morouer hit is not to beleue to folys that Sayne that god hath prouydet and ordeynet al that is to-comynge, And therfore hit nys non profyte to can aforhand that Is to cvm, and by this reyson, hit is not wourth the Science and Iugementes of the Sterrys. But I the Say, alexandyr, that the gloryous god hath so y-stabelid, that the elementes bene gouernyt by the S[t]erris and by the Planetes that We opynly Sene. The See mevyth and hym wyth-drawyth aftyr the mewynge and growynge and drecresynge of the mone, that hath maystri and lordshupe vpon the watyr and vpon al thynge that hath kynde of watyr. And therfor oystres and crabbes, the brayne and marrowe of al bestis wixen and decrescen aftyr the mone. And neuer the latyr hit is good to witte aforhande thynge that is to cvm by kynde of Sterres, for a man may the bettyr Purvey hym agaynes that is to cvm, yf he hit knowe afore, and be not Sodaynly ouertaken, as yf a man wyste that a ful colde wynde and wyntere were to cvme, yf he were wyse he wolde Purvey hym of hote clothis, wodde, and colle, and of folio 50bL
othyr thynges necessari, by the wych he myght escape wythout empeyrement the grevaunce of the wyntyr. In Somer a man Purveyeth hym of colde mettys, and drynkes attemperid, and of colde houses. And yf a man wyste derthe to cvm and grete hungyr, the bettyr he wolde Purvey hym of corne and othyr vitaille. And therfor hit Semyth well that tho men bene grete folis that Sayne that the Science and Iugementes of Serris is not profitable to cane, Sethen that therby a man may dyuers aduenturis the bettyr to vndyrstond aforhand, and enchu harmys by witte and Purveyaunce. But for-als-moche that the witte of a man ne Suffysyth without the helpe of god, the Sufferayne remedy agaynes al harmes Hit is, to Pray god almyghty that he for his grete mercy wolde turne harme Into good, for his Powere ys not makyd lasse, defuylet, ne destourbet, by the vertues of the Sterres. Therfor his mercy is to Pray by deuocion, orison, fastynge, Sacryfice, and by almes-dedys, that he haue mercy of oure Synnes. And yf we So done, we may Page 197
haue hoppe that of the harmes that we haue deserwid well, he will vs delyuere.

Herre begynnyth stories and ensamplis to proue that oryson is Souerayn remedy in euery trybulacion. Capitulum quadragessimum.

wHo-so will enserche the olde stories Sethyn the worlde wbegan, opynly he shall fynde that nothynge that man may done is of so grete vertu as is orisoun.

Abraham the nobil Patriarke, as the boke of genesi sayth, Prayet god for Sarra his wyfe for she was barayne and Passyd the age of chyld-berynge, folio 51L

And She concewyd ysaac. this Same ysaac had a wyfe barayne ycallid Rebecca, he Prayed god that he wolde yeue hym generacion, And She concewid Iacob, the holy and nobyl Patriarke: of this thre descendet Marie the ful blessid virgyne modyr of oure lorde Ihesu cryste. In the tyme of Moyses, the ledere and gouernoure of the Pepill of Israelle, we redyth, that a pepill ycallid amalech faghten agaynes Israell. Moyses ne wolde not entre into the battaill, but rerid his handys toward hevyn, and Prayet god wyth fyne herte that he wolde ham helpe. And hit befelle that
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Whyle that He hadd His Handis vprerid Israel ouercome Hare aduersaries, But whan he avelid his handis, Amalech ouercome Israel; and therfor two men Sustenyd the handis of Moyses, into the tyme that amalech was ouercome and Slayne: where-for we vndyrstondyth that oryson bettyr defendyth a man in bataill than a sshelde othyr a targe, and bestyr is in estoure than a sharpe Swerde of Stele. Iosue the Wourthy and wyse weryor, in his grete destresse by Oryson ouercame his enemys as we redyn in the bibill. whan this Iosue, Successoure of Moysen, had entrid the lande of behoste, and y-take the Cite of Gabaon, and grete goodis and riches goten, fywe kynges of the lande ham dressid agaynes Iosue; that is to Say, the kynge of lachis, the kynge of Ierusalem, the kynge of Ebrone, the kynge of Iermoth, the kynge of Eglon, wyth hare hostis. Iosue went agaynes ham, wyth his chyualry, and prayet god to be his helpe; God hym answarid, “Neuer doute thou ham, I shal the helpe, No man shal the wythstonde.” Iosue hardely ham assaylid, and god
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ham espaunted so hugely that thay ne durste tham defende, Anoone thay turned har backis; the childryn of Israel ham chaset wyth grete spede, hewedyn ham, and Slowen, and

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als many as scapedyn the Swerde of [Iosue] god keste ham dovne wyth grete Stonys of hawle that than felle throgh godis biddynge, to whom al thyng Servynne, as Sayth the holy Prophete Dauy. And moche Pepill more were dede by the haule, than by Swerde. Iosue doutid moche that the day hym faillid, that he myght ben fully avengid: by the grete treste that he had in god, comanded the Sone and the mone that thay Sholde not mewe tham fro that place ther as thay weryn atte that houre, into the tyme that he were avengitte of his enemys. God that hym grauntid, and the Sonne stode amyddis the firmament the space of one hole day, So that afor ne aftyr ther was noght had So longe a day, that vnethe any escapid of fywe hostis, And the v kynges weryn taken and hongid. Ezechie the good kynge of Ierusalem bettyr hym defendyd by Prayer than by Swerde, ffor as the boke of kynges vs tellyth, Senacherib kynge of assyriens destrued the Citteis of Iude and aftyr assieget Ierusalem, And fore-alsmoche as ther was had so gret Pouer that he vndyrstode not that any man myght hit wythstonde, he sende by thre messagers to kynge Ezechie that he were a fole yf he thoght hym to defende agaynes hym, for non kynge of othyr landys myght not hym wythstonde, and that neuer he shold hym treste of the helpe of his god, for noone god of al that weryn ther al-aboute in al regions ne myght folio 52L
not defende thar land agaynes the assiriens. This kynge Ezechie hym trested in god, and hym clothid in a sake, he Put hym-Selfe to Penaunce, and Prayet, he Sende to ysay the holy Prophet that he sholde Pray for hym and his roialme.

Alboth Prayet to god that makyd hevyn and erthe, in whos Powere al thynge was, that he wolde opynly Showe to al naciones that he aloone was god almyghty, And maystri yewyth to them that he will. Thar Prayer was not in wayne, for in oone nyght the angil of god came to the hoste of assiriens, and Slow of ham an hundrid and Sixti and xxti and ve Mý
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Whan that Saw Senacheribe, hit was no wondyr thegh He had no wille Longir to abide, and therfor he hastid hym faste till he came to the grete Cite of Nenuve, but he myght not so mych hym hast that myschanse nas atte his bake, for his both Sones hym Slow whan he honouret his god atte his tempill. Hit be-fell ther-aftyr That ezechie wax Seke to the dethe, And ysaye the Prophete came to hym, and to hym sayde, “Oure lorde sayth, that thou Shalt dey, and noght lyue.” The kynge Page 199
was sorowfull, and hym turned toward the walle, and tenderly weppet, and hym praiet of longyr lyfe. Ysaye his way wente, but hit was not longe aftyr that god to hym sayde, “Turne agayne to Ezechie the ledere of my Pepyll, and Say to hym in my behalfe; I haue hardyn thy Prayer, and Seyn thy terris, and I haue helit the and Sauet. The thyrde day thou shalte gonne to the tempill, and y graunte the xv yere more to lyue than thou sholdyst.” And therfor hit is to vndyrstonde that euery manes lyfe is y-markyd by kynde, how longe he folio 52bL
shal mow doure, and that terme may no man Passe: but by foly and evile kepynge, he may hit abregge. But god that Is abow al kynd, may alboth fulfill aftyr his owyn wille. And therfor Ezechie lyued more longyr by the grace of god, than kynde hym grauntet. Manasses the Sone of Ezechie was a ful cruwel tyraunt, he Slow ysaye the Prophete, that helid his fadyr and Sauet the realme, and the Pepille; he maked fals oratories to fals goddis and ham honouret; he fulfillit Ierusalem wyth Innocent blode, and beleuyd swenys and sorsrie, and hym yaue to euery ewil crafte. And Sortely to Sayne, he Surmountet in Shrewednnesse not only the kynges of Iuda and Israel that weryn afore hym and aftyr, but wyth that he passet in shrewetnesse and malice al the Paganesse and mysbelewynge men, and mysturnet al the tempill and hit makid like as hym-Selfe was. And therfor god that may not suffre vickidnesse aldaies endure, sende a tyraunt that othyr to chastyce, for the Prynces of assiriens came wyth full grete Powere, and conquerid the Cite of Ierusalem, and token Manasses the kynge and hym lad in cheynes to the Cite of babilon, and hym in preson sette. Than he hym bethoght of the grete noble that he demenyd in Ierusalem, ther as he was kynge y-cronet, and he became mournynge and Sorefull and hugely hym peyset that he had god so mych y-grewid, and mercy hym criet of his Synnes. And hym entierly Prayet that he wolde hym delyuer, and amendynge promysid yf he ayeyn myght to his realme covme.

In this wyse he knew god ayeyne in angwysche and in folio 53L
myssayse, whych he had foryetene whan he was in his goodnes, ouerwel atte ayse; God whych is note.94 ful of mercy and no man refusyth, haue he neuer so myche hym wrethyd, yf he will hym repente of his mysdedis and of Parfite herte mercy hym cry, he foryaue manasses his orribill Synnes, and hym agayn brot into Ierusalem, and the regalite hym yaue,

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And he cownant kepte: he be-came a good man, and destruet the auteris and oratories that he had edified to do his sacrifice to fals godes, and servid god in al his lyue wel and trewely, and diet aftyr he had regnyd lv yere.

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That god nath not in dispite the orisones of Paganes. Capitulum xljm.

of the grete Vertue of Preyer, note.95 that god Shewyth to tho whych the law of god kepedyn, and the ryght belewe couthe, thegh Some of tham wickid were into this tyme, I haue Sortely tolde you; but now wil y now Say more grettyr mervelis, and I Shall Shew you that god nath not in despite the orisones of Pagans, yf thay hym with good herte Pray. God Sente the prophete Ionas to the grete Cite of Nynyvee, wyche was a thre-dayen Iornay. “goo,” sayde he, “to the Cite of Nynyvee, and Say to hit, that afore this xl. dayes Passyd bene, the Cite shal be destruet.” Ionas entrid the Cite one-dayes Iornay, and prechit to tham of the Cite that Paganes weryn, al that god had Sayde to hym. They belewid anone the worde of god, and weryn Sorefull and repentant of thare Synnes, and thay fastid and tham clothid in Sackis, Smale and grete. of this Came tythynges to the kynge of the Cite, and he anoone arose fro his roial Siege, and Put of hym folio 53bL
his clothis and hym clothyd in Sake, and hym Sette in the powdyr, and makid cri throgh al the Cite that men and bestis sholde faste and clothid in Sakkes, and that euery man sholde turne from his Ille lyfe, and his wickidnesse. Whan god Saw that, he chaungid his Sentence and foryaue tham thar Synnes, for that they with Pure hertes hym mercy criden, thegh that thay Paganys weryn. Anothyr mervelous ensampill to proue the Same I Shall you telle. Whan alexandyr had conquerid Egipte, Perce, and Mede, he Passid toward the mountanes of Caspies; betwene whych mountes dwellit the tene lynagis of the Pepill of Israel fro the tyme of Salmanasar the grete kynge of assyriens, whych destruet al the lande of Samarie, and token the childryn of Israel, and tham translatid into his lande, as vs tellyth the boke of kynges. And hit was providet and ordaynet by the assiriens that the childryn of Israel were not hardy to passe the mountayns aforsayd wythout lewe. And therfor whan kynge alexandyr came to the mountayns, thes chyldryn of Israel askedyn lewe to gone out, Page 201
yf hit Plesit the kynge,’ for he was kynge at that tyme of that lande. Than the kynge enquerid wherfor the were y-ladd out of har land, and he vndyrstode by tham wych the verite knewen that for that thay weryn into that traldome, that thay ne helde not the lawe of god of hevyn wyche thay had rescewid by Moyses, and wyrsepedyn fals goddis whych maket weryn by mannes handis; And therfore the prophetis of god prophiseden of hare thraldome, and Sayden that thay sholde not folio 54L
come agayn of that exil. Whan alexandyr had that vndrestonde he answarid tham, that he wolde not yeuen tham noone lewe to goone out, but mor fastyr he wold tham enclos. Than he began to stope the issues betwene the mountayns; but aftyr he appercewid that the worke of man ne myght not to that suffice, he Prayet god that he wolde fulfill that worke. And anone this mountayns tham Ioynet togedyr so stydfaste that none of tham myght outgone by none engyne ne none othy[r] man to tham entre by no crafte. And therfor hit Is not mervell yf god folio 57
moch done for the oryson and Prayer of a crystyn good man of good Lyfe, whan he did So myche for Pagans and Synnyers.

Now gracious lord, to youre excellence here I write dyuers rygh good and necessary notabilitees of the vertu of Prayere, fryst in latyn and Sethyn in Englysh, aftyr dyuers moste autentike auctoritees of holy wryte. Capitulum Quadragessimum Secundum.

fRyste hit is to witte, that Prayer othyrwhyle is sadyn a good worke, on wych matyer Seynt Paule Sayth, Sine intermissione orate, that is to Say, “pray ye wythout any Styntynge.” vp this matiere the glose Sayth, Semper orrat qui bene agit, that Is to Say, “He prayeth al tymes that al tymes doth well.” Also the ryghtfull man neuer styntyth to Pray, but that he Stynte a ryghtfull man to be.

Whoso will fryste pray he moste consydyr his owyn fautes, tham amende, and than Pray; for Salamon Sayth in the thyrde boke of kynges, Templo edificato Si quis cognouerit Plagam cordis Sui, et extendit manus suas in domo hac, tu exaudies illum in celo, That is to Say, “The tempill y-bylid, who folio 54bL
so will know the wonde of his herte, And Pute vp his handis in this howse, thow thalt hyre hym in hevyn.” Also the glose Sayth, Oracio est cultus deo debitus, que comprehendit fidem, Spem, et caritatem, that is to Say, “Preyer is a wyrshupe owyn to god, the whych comprehendyth Page 202
feyth, hope, and charite.” And therfor Seynte Austyne Sayth, In fide, Spe, et charitate continuato desiderio Semper Oremus, that is to say, “In feyth, hope, and charite, wyth contynuel desyre Pray we altymes.” Seynt Matheu Sayth, Et nunc clamemus in celum, “Now cry we to hevyn.” Seynt Luke Sayth, Petite et dabitur wobis, querite et invenietis, Pulsate et apperietur Vobis, “Aske ye, And hit shal be yevyn to you; Seche ye, and ye shall fynde; knoke ye, and hit shal be oppenyd to you.” Vp this texte Saynte Austyn Say[th] thus, Non tantum hortaretur deus vt peteremus, nisi dare vellet, erubescat humana pigricia, Plus wlt ille dare, quam nos accipere; Plus wlt ille misereri, quam nos a miseria liberari.

“God ne volde not so mych amoneste, that we sholde aske, but yf he wolde yeue.

Manys Sleuth vix hie assamyd, for he will yew more than we will taken, he wil more haue mercy than we desyre be delyuerid of myssayse.” Seynt Iames Sayth, Si quis indiget Sapiencia Postulet eam a deo, et dabitur ei, “Whoso nedyth wysdome, aske hit of god and hit shall ben yeue to hym.” Isodyr Sayth, Qui vult oracionem suam volare ad dominum, faciat illi duas alas, Ieiunium et elemosinam, “Who-so will his Prayer flee to god, make to hit two wynges, fastynge and almes[de]de.

And hit Is to witte, that Prayer helyth Sekenys of folio 55L
body, as Salamon Sayth, Fili in tua paupertate ne despicias te ipsum, Set ora dominum et ipse curabit te, “O thou Sonne in thyn Sekenesse ne dispise not thy-Selfe, but Pray oure lorde, and he shal cure the.” Seynte Iames Sayth, Oracio fidei Sanabit infyrmum, “the Prayer of feyth shall hele the sekeman.”

Also Prayer longyth a mannys lyue, like as is aforsayde of kynge Ezechie. Also Prayer delyuerith a man fro Shame and Perill of deth, As hit did the good holy wyfe Susanna. Also Prayere delyueryth a man fro folio 57b
the Power of Wickyd Prynces, as hit did Baruc and many otheres: Also fro Prison as hit did Seynt Petyr; And fro wickyd wormes, as hit did Seynt Margaret, Saynt George and the kynges doghtere; And also Irland by Seynt Patrike-is Prayer is for ay delyuerit and clensit from al venemouse bestis: also the holy prophet Ionas by Prayer was delyuerid out of the whalis bely. Saynt Ierome Sayth, Ieiunio Sanantur Pestes corporis, oracione Pestes mentis, “Wyth fastynge is sawid the Sekenys of body, and wyth Prayere the Sekenesse of Sowle.” Also Prayer in bodely

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battaille ouercomyth and hath victori. This proueth the boke of exody, siggynge, Cum leuaret manus Moyses, Vincebat Israel, “Whan that Moyses vprerid his handis, Israel ouercome.” Of this Spekyth the boke of Iudyth, Memores estote Moysi Serui Dei, qui amalech non ferro pugnando Sed precibus sanctis deiecit, “Be ye myndful of Moyses the Servaunt of god, whych amalech noght fyghtynge with Iren, but wyth holy Prayer keste doune.” Vp this texte Sayth the glose, Plus folio 55bL
vnus sanctus proficit orando, quam innumeri Peccatores Preliando. Oracio Sancti celum Penetrat quomodo in terris hostes non vincat. Plus vetula vna adquirit de celo vna hora orando quam mille milites armati adquirant de terra longo tempore preliando. “More oone holy man profityth in Praynge, than out of Nombre of synnyers battaillynge. The prayer of the holy man thurlyth heuyn: why sholde not hit than enemys ouercome. More one olde woman gettyth of hevyn in oone houre Praynge, than a thowsand k[n]yghtes enarmet gettyth of londe in longe tyme battaillynge.” To Prow that Prayere hugely a-walyth agaynes the malice of enemys, dyuers good olde ensamplis abow in this boke y han writte; But for-als-moche as good newe ensamples sholde not ben vnremembrid for lerynge of tho that arne to come, Oone of tham now her y write.

Of dyuers ryght good and necessary nobilteis of the vertu of orison. Capitulum xliijm.

aftyr the Incarnacion of oure lorde Ihesu cryste, Mý. cccc axxijti note.96 yere, al the Clergi of deuelyn considerynge the grete myschefe of Irys enemys and rebell were in the land Surdynge in acte, that is to witte the brenys of Thomon, the bourkenys of Connaght and monstre, The morthes of leys, the Mcmahens vp the contrey of vriel, hit more depyr than euer afore brandynge, And O’neyle-boy, Grayfergowse and Vlnestre atte his owyn wille brandynge and wastynge, This clergy twyes in euery wike in oppyn processyon god Prayeden for the good esplaite of the forsayden oure kynge henry, than beynge in Fraunce, and for the forsayd Erle his lyeutenaunt of Irland, anent the malice of the forsayden enemys. Thys erle
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throgh the grace of god and dewout Prayere aforsayd, beynge wyth hym the hoste of deuelyn, alle note.97 the moste Inly streynthes, p[l]aases, and Page 204
tounes of leys, wyth moche of hare stode and har cornes, than and aftre eke he braunt and destruyet. And anoone aftyr he rebukid the forsayden breenys and bourkeyns wyth dyuers otheris,
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and Ham to Pees reformed. Aftyr that beynge in His company the Same Hoste of Deuelyn and many mo, this erle by Doundalke roode and by Mcgenons countre, and throgh o’haghuraghtes countree, into the moste Inli Streynthes of Mcmahons contre, thre nyghtes therin I-logid he was. his stronge newe castell, his townes, his fayre toures, and his stronge P[l]aases into the grownde brake, brande, and destrued, and many of his Pepill this Erle Slowe, and al the remenaunt were scomfited. The fourth day wyth his Pepill throw the mydstreynthes of Manus Mcmahons countrey Sauely wythout any fyght or Shote of any enemy to the toune of Arthyrde hit repayred. The nexte wyke aftyr that, al the moste stronge Pases of the Same Manus countre, wyth his cornes, this Erle did kutte, brant, and destruet; noone henemy ther Seyn forto wythstonde, ther as euer afore were wonnet to fyght with englys men. Aftyr this wythout delay this Erle into O’neel-boyes contrey wyth his retenue roode, gracious esploit ther god hym sende; fro trayson hym Sauyd; And this o’neel boy wyth al the grestis enemys of vlnestere vnto Pees refourmyd. Than to the towne of Drodath this Erle with all his retene Sauely repayrid, And there this Mcmahons with dyuers othyr enemys, fynes with hym makid, Pees forto haue. Al this forsaydyn hostynges, viages, and trauaill done and fulfillid weryn in lytill more space than thre Monthes by the grace of god, in whome Is al, and deuoute Prayer, without that that the kynge anny liege man loste. Also this Erle a litill afore the forsayd hostynge rode Thomon xl. dayes, the wyche is the moste Inly Streynth of Iryssh of al the land, and hit brante, and many men therin Slayne, And damagelees forto accompte fro thens repayrid, And dyuers othyr proesses did, in they yere that he lyeutenant was. For the whyche proesses this nobill erle shold nat vaynglory haue for foure causes: the fryste cause Is that the fryste Parte of the Profite of euery good worke, as Parisiens Sayth, is glorie appertenynge to oure lorde god, And therfor the apostil sayth, “Honoure and glorie bene they vnto you, oonly god.”

The ije cause Is, that the Seconde Parte of the Profite of euery good werke Is good ensampill, appertenynge vnto oure neghbore; And therfor cryste in the gospel of Matheu

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Sayth, “Youre lyght so lyght afore men that thay mowen See youre good workys.”

The iije cause is that the thyrde Parte of the Profite of a good worke Is a mede or rewarde appartenynge vnto hym that dooth good workys. And therfor he that Sechyth his owyn glori of good workes that he doth, he defraudyth god of his Parte of the profite, and therfor barnar vp this vers, Scuto circundabit te veritas eius, etc, Sayth, that vayn glorie Is an arow of the deuyll that Is to drede, fleynge lyghtly in thy lyfe-day, but hit makyth a full heuy and a full Soore wounde. The iiije cause why that this nobill erle sholde not haue vayne glory of this forsayde proesses is, the lytill thanke that he had of folio 57L
ham that hym shuldyn beste haue rewardid and commendid. And therfor this nobill erle may Sey that, that the appostill Sayde vnto thymothe, “know thou,” he Seyth, “that in the latyste dayes ther shullyn be Perillous tymes, And men Shullyn be lowynge ham-Selfe, couetous, Prowte, heygh, claundrynge, inobedyente, and vnkynde wyth-all.” Of vnkyndnes spekyth Seneca, and Sayth, “He is an onkynde man that denyeth hym to haue recevid a good dede: He Is vnkynde that feynyth: he is vnkynde that rewardyth not ne commendyth benefactis, but reportyth ille dedes:

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And He is moste vnkynde of all that foryetyth Benefactes.” But yet, wer Hit So that no man wolde rewarde ne thanke anothyr for benefactes, neuer-the-lasse shulde a man in any tyme cesse forto do al the good that he may. For the prophet biddyth, “Declyne thou fro harme and do good.” And also oure lorde god Sufferyth noon ille dede forto be vnpunyshyd, ne noon good ded vnrewardid. I declarid as hereafore Is writtyn, how that Prayere moche availlyth agaynes bodely enemys: Now hit is to witte that Prayere moche awaillyth agaynes gostely enemys. The grete Clerke Isodyr Sayth, Hoc est remedium eius qui viciorum temtamentis exestuat, vt quociens quolibet tangitur vicio, tociens se ad oracionem subdat, quia frequens oracio viciorum inpugnacionem extinguit, that is to Say, “This Is the remedi of hym whyche brandyth with temptacion of vices, that als often he is touchid wyth any wyce, so often-tymes Put hym-Selfe to Prayer; fore ofte Prayer quynchyth the Pryckynges of vices.” Also Prayer Puttyth a-way deuyll, as mathou in the gospell Sayth, Hoc genus demoniorum non eicitur, nisi per oracionem et Ieiunium.

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“This kynde of Deuelis his not Put out, but by Page 206

Prayer and fastynge.” Also Prayer turmentyth the deuyll: Also hit lightyth a man to the lowe of god: Also hit Puttyth away Syn: also hit confortyth a man in trybulacion: Also Prayer is good for tranquyllite and pees: of this y shal fynde many auctoriteis in holy writte. Saynte Gregory sayth, Magna virtus oracionis que, effusa in terra, in celo operatur.Anglice, “Moche is the vertue of Prayer, wych out-sayd in erthe, worchyth in hevyn.” The glose Sayth, Oracio velut quoddam Scutum ab ira dei protegit, that is to say, “Prayer defendyth the wrath of god as a shelde.” But who-so will that his Prayer be herde wyth god, kepe his commaundmentes; for Isodyr Sayth, Qui a preceptis dei auertitur manus, quod in oracione Postulat non meretur, nec impetrat ab illo domino bonum quod Poscitur, cuius legi non obedit: et Si id quod deus precepit facimus, id quod petimus sine dubio optinemus, That Is to Say, “He that is turned fro the commaundmentes of god, He deservyth not thynge whych he askyth in praier: nethyr he gettyth of that lorde the good whych he askyth, to whos law he noght obeyeth: And yf we donne that god comaundyth, that thynge whych we askyth wythout doute we shall gettyn.” Therfor Seynt Austyne Sayth, Citius exaudytur vna obediens oracio quam decem Milia contemptorum, that Is to Say, “Soner Is graciously hardyn oone Prayere of the obedient, than ten thowsante of oon rebelloure othyr an evill lyuere.” In tyme of Prayer a man sholde onely thynke in god, therfor Isodyr Sayth, Pura est oracio quam in suo tempore seculi non interueniunt cure: Longe autem a deo est animus, qui oracionibus cogitacionibus seculi fuerit occupatus, that Is to Say, “clene Is that Prayer whych in his tyme the curis of folio 58L
the worlde ne entremedelyth nat; ffer fro god is the Sowle, wych in Prayeres occupacions of the worlde Is occupied.” Therfore oure Prayer sholde benne sayde, havynge hooly oure hertes in god, for an holy abbote Achon Sayth, Diabolus enim nullum opus tantum conatur interumpere quantum oracionem deuotam, that Is to say, “the devill no worke is so besy to lette or destrube, as deuoute Prayer.” Also we sholde Pray god hauynge hope wythout any doute. For Seynt Bernard sayth, Indignus celesti benedictione esse conuincitur, qui deum querit dubio affectu, that is to say, “He ys conuictid to be onworthy the blessynge of god, that

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askyth god with dowtfull wille.” Also hit is to witte that we sholde Pray in euery Place, ffor in euery Place perilles,
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And in euery Place we nedyth the Helpe of god; But Isodyr Sayth, Specialiter Locus ydoneus orandi est secretus, that Is to say, “A Specialy behouabill Place of Prayynge is a pryue Place.” Also hit is to witte that in prayer is to be askyd in especial and atte the begynnynge, the blisse and the kyngdome of hewyn and the ryghtfulnes of the kyngdome, O this Seynt Matheu Sayth, Primum querite regnum dei, et iusticiam eius, et hec omnia adicientur vobis, that is to say, “Fryste aske ye the kyngdome of heuyn and the ryghtfulnes of hit, and al thes shal ben to you yeuen.” But god byddyth vs not that we sholde aske fryste temporal thynges; ffor temporal thynges bene owyt to this men, whych haue the ryghtfulnes of hewynly kyngdome.

Of the vertue of Iusticie othyr ryghtfulnesse. Capitulum xliiijm.

oF the vertu of Iustice afor in this boke Is largely Saydyn, but for-als-moche as Aristotle-is boke makyth
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mencion of Iustice, the best wordys that therin benne I shall here-to youre nobellese writte. Iustice Is a vertue that mych is to Preyse for hit is appropyrte of the glorious god. And therfor tho Pryncys and lordys whych har Subiectis by Iustice gouernyth, and thar nedys auaunceth, thare bodyes and Possessiones defendyth, they ben lyke to god the Souerayne gouernoure. God gouernyth al the worlde by witte and Iustice; And to tho two vertues ben contrary foly and wronge. And therfor Iustice of a kynge, othyr of a gouernoure, Is more profitable to subiectis, than Plente of riches; And a ryghtful lord bettyr than seysonable rayne. And hit is to witte, that hit was foundyn y-writte in oon stone, in langgage of galde that a kynge and vndyrstandynge bene two bretheryn, of wyche ethre hath nede to othyr; That oon ne suffice nat wythout that othyr. Iustice wyth ryghtfullnes is departid in two maners; that oone maner is whan the Iuge doth ryght to al men, smale and grete, aftyr the lawe, That othyr maner Is whan the Iuge hym holte ryghtfull as anent god; that he kepe hym fro synnes wych ben agayn the law of god; alboth this thynges owyth euery good Iuge to haue. By Iustice Is al the worlde y-gouernet, the worlde Is lyke a gardeyn of god, the

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wallis whych hit emyroneth bene ryghtfulnes: And the ryghtful Iuges is as a lord emyronet wyth lawe, and the lawe is a yarde by the wych a kynge gouerneth the roialme; And the kynge is an herde, whych is defendet by his barones; the baronys ben as soudyorus sustenyd by mony; money is fortune y-gaderid of Subiectis; Subiectis bene as Serwantis by Iustice y-gouernyd; folio 59L

And Iustice Is the helth of Subiectis.

Of the gouernaunce of man aftyr the v wittes. Capitulum Quadragessimum quintum.

gOd fourmyd man and hym makyd abow al bestis, and hym yaue hys comandmentis, and hym promysid rewarde aftyr his deseruynge, and yaue a body as a Cite to gouerne, and put therin vndyrstondynge as a kynge, and hit sette in the moste heyest Place of man, that Is, the hede, and to hym estabelit v messagers to fette and presente al that to hym Is necessarie, tho bene the v wittys; of the wych euery of ham hath his Propyr dome, and bene in Sartayn Places I-sette, in eighen, in the nose-thurlis, in tonge, in handys, and in eeris. By the eyghen know we ix.

thynges, that Is to witte; lyght, derknesse, coloure, body, shape, thynges neygh and ferre, meuynge, and restynge. By the eeris we haue knowlech of Sovne, wych is in two maneres; Soune
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Wych is callid voyce of man othyr of Beste, as speche of man, neynge of hors, syngynge of birdis: Anothyr Spice of vitte is callid Sowne of thynges that bene not quycke, as the Sowne of watyr, and brekynge of trees, thundyr, Harpynge, and othyr Instrumentes. By the noosthurles we haue knowlech of odeurs and stynches.

By the tonge we felen the dyuersite of Sauores, Swetnes and bittyrnesse, Saltnesse and egyrnesse, and othyr Saueoure. The taste is a commyn witte, Spraden throgh the body, but hit Shewyth hym most by the handys than any othyr lym of the body; by that witte we knowen hote, colde, dry, moyste, and othyr Suche thynges. Thes v wittes al that thay
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rescewyth of thynges that ben wythout, thay presentyth to the ymaginacion, and othyr more, they ben presentid to the vndyrstonddynge, that hath to deme al thynges.

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Of the manere of the propirtees of consaillours. Capitulum quadragessimum sextum.

like as the v wittes bene as v messagers, wyche Serwyth to the vndyrstondynge, so oweste thow, Alexander, to haue v messagers and v consaillours, and euery of tham shall be seuerall, for so shall they bene to the moste profitable. kepe with thy-Selfe thyn secreete, and tell hit not tham, that thou haste atte herte, And take kepe that thay Parcewe not that thou haste mestere of thar consaill, for than they wolde despice the. And therfore thou sholdyste fryste assaye thar wille and thar witte, And so thou mayste bettyr avise the, well sayne and done.

And therefor Sayth hermogynes, the Philosofre, that the Iugement of that man of whom consail is asskyd of, is more to Preyse than the Iugement of that man that consaill askyth, thegh he say bettyr and wisere, for he that hyryth the reysones of many men may lightyr well sayne, than he that erste Spake. And whan thou haste assemblid thy consaillours any consail to yewen, thou shalte not medle estraunge consaill to yewyn, that they be not destourbet; Sethyn shall thou hyre what they shall sayne, And yf they answere anone and accorde, thou shalt than agayns sigge and by Sum reysoun, Show the contrarye of that whyche that haue sayde, to make tham thynke and bene avysid more deppyr. Sethyn whan they haue all consaillet and thare reysones is i-shewet, thou shalt not show to whate folio 60L
thynge thy will moste enclineth, into the tyme that hit cum to the dede and to the proue, and thow shalt sutely and besely auise the, whych of ham beste consaill yewyth to the, and moste appartenynge to the moste Profitable Prosperite of thy gouernaunce. And Putte notte that oone more heyere than that othyr, nethyr in wordis ne in yeftis ne degrees of dygnyte, for as for that oftetymes comyth destruccion in roialmes. Noone grete thynge shalt thou done wythout consaill, for the Philosofre sayth, that consaill is the hegheste of thynges wych bene to come, and that the cunnynge note.98 and wysdome of the wyse kynge is encrescid by consaill of good consailloures, like as the See is encressit by the receit of freshe watyr and ryuers. And myche thou mayste conquere by wysdome of good consaill, moore than thou shalte Purchas by myght of men of armes. Noone harme may cvm of consaill, for yf a man yeuyth good consaill, thou mayste hit
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Su; And yf Hit Be vnprofitable,

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thou mayste Hit enchou. I yeue the full good consaill that thou make not kepere of thy reame only oone man, whan thou goste in anothyr Place; for throg his wickid consaill, myght the baronage be corrupted agaynes the. Oone othyr consaill I yeue the, that neuer thou spare thyn enemy dedly, but euery tyme that thou mayste, Show thy Victori ouer hym; And kepe the, that in no tyme he haue Powere on the, for in no manere thou shalt on hym tryste.

How thow shalte assay thy consaillours. Capitulum xlvijm.

oNe thynge by whych thou mayste assay thy consaillours folio 60bL
is, that thou shalt make ham vndyrstonde that thou haste nede to money; and yf thay Sayne to the that good is, that thou take of thy tresure, witte thou that thay maken of the lytill Price. And yf thay Sayne the, that thou take largely of the money of thy Subiectes, witte thou that thay hatyn the Out of mesure: for that is but corrupcion of thy realme. And yf thay Sayne to the, “Al that we haue, we haue hit Purchasid in youre lordshupe by youre grace,” thes arne to Prayse and worthy to commende, as thay whyche desyryth the honoure of thar lorde as hare owyn. In anothyr maner thou mayste assay thy consaillours. For in case that thay gladly rescewe yeftes and besyeth ham to gadyr tresure, neuer tryste thou to suche; ffor thay Servin the to Purchas golde, and har cowetyse neuer shall take ende; ffor the moore that mony growyth, the more couetyse encrescyth.

And euer suche may be lyghtely corrupted, and by auenture y-broght to that they wolde thy deth, by the entycement of tho wyche woldyn the harme, and hym yeuyth largely of harme. Therfor good hit Is that thay be not fere frome thy presence, and comande tham that thay haue not acquentaunce ne famulyarite to noone othyr kynge ne Prince, and that thay sende not letteris to tham ne yeftes of tham rescewe. And yf thou mayste suche thynge Percewe, redresse hit in haste, ffor men corages ben ful changeabill and lyghtely enclyneth to behostes. And he is moste Profitable of thy consaillours and moste worthy to be lowid, wyche lowyth thy lyfe and to the dethe obedience; And he that moste demeneth thy Subiectes to thy
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lowe, And he that abbaundeneth hym-Selfe and his goodis atte thy wille, And he that hath the vertues and the maners that y shall tell here-aftyr.

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Of the tokenesse and condycions that a good Consailloure and a frende sholde haue. Capitulum xlvi[i]jm.

aT the begynnynge, thy consailloure and thy frende [sholde haue] Perfitnesse of lymes, well to fulfill al thynges for wych he is chosyn. Sethyn he sholde haue good vndyrstondynge, and good will to vndyrstond that a man hym Sayth. Hit behowyth that he be of good mynde to remembyr that wyche he hath vndyrstonde, so that he foryet not. And that he be Parcewynge of that thynge wych berryth charge, and wyche noon, and that he bene corteyse, wel Spekynge, and eloquente wythout Ianlynge: he sholde be cvnnynge in dyuers sciences, he sholde bene Sothefaste in worde and dedd, and lowe throuth abowe al thynge, and hate lesynge. And he sholde bene Softe, bonere, and tretabill. Glotony, dronknesse and euery Surfete of ettynge and
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drynkynge, Lechurie, fule plaies, and foule delytes He shollde enchu. Aboue al t[h]ynges he sholde bene hardy, stabill of Purpos, and loue honoure and heynesse; golde, Siluer, and othyr erthely thynges, he sholde haue in dyspite: And nothynge he sholde holde moch of, Saue dignyte, honours, and lordshuppes. he sholde loue and haue in charite good men and ryghtfull, hate wronges, yeue euche man hesyn, helpe tho that nede haue, and whan he shall Iustificacion done, he sholde noone dyuersite of Persones make; for-why, god made al men y-lyke. he sholde bene of grete Perseueraunce in purpos folio 61bL
and in dede that he shall do, that he Pursu ham and fulfill ham wythout drede and couwardy. He sholde know the yssues of the exspensis of the realme, he sholde not be of lyght Semblant that he cvm not in despyte to the Pepill, neuer-the-lasse courteisly he sholde answere the Pepill, his courte sholde be opyn to al tho that thedyr comyth, and he sholde besely enquere and aspi al maner of tythynges: he sholde conforte the subiectes, amende har dedis, and ham Solace in aduersitees; In tymes suffyr har vncunnynge and thar Symplenesse.

How a man hath al condycions of bestis, Hit is to Witte. Capitulum xlixm.

wItte thow Alexandyr, that god the gloryous ne maket noght noone creature bodely more visyr than man. And a man may not fynde in no beste, custume ne thegh, wyche is noght in a man. For a man his hardy as a lyon, Feynte as an Page 212
hare, couetous as a dogge, hardy and fierse as an harte, Piteous as a turture, Malicious as a lyonesse, Pryue and tame as a culuere, Deceyuaunt and note.99
trechurus as a fox, Sympill and blesfull as a lambe, Swyfte and delyuer as a kyd, Tyraunt and Slow as a bere, precious and dere as an oliphaunt, lytill worth and dull as an asse, Prophitable as a bee, wancraunt and dyssolute as a goote, Ondauntit as a bulle, reysonabill as an angill, Lecherus as a swyne, malicious as a toode, Profitable as an hors, nuous as a mows. And Sortely to Say ther nys noone creature in the worlde, of wych a man nath Sum propirte: And therfor a man is callit the lytill worlde.

Of Notaries. Capitulum Lm.

ALexandyr, to chese the be-houeth, to writte thy Pryuyteis and priuey workys, wyse men of Parfite eloquence, and of good mynde. For that folio 62L
is a tokyn of a grete lorde, and a stronge argument to Shewe the heynesse of thy myght, and the Sotilte of thy knowleche. For the tokyn and vndyrstondynge of worde is as his Spirite, And the wordes yspokyn ben as a body, but the wrytynge ys as a couertoure of the worde [added in margin in MS] ; and afor al thynges that he be of good feyth hit nedyth. And that he know thy wille in al thynges, and that he wyllyth thy profite and honoure afor al thynges; he sholde be curteyse and Parceuynge in his dedis, And that no man entyr in sygh of thy Preveyteis of wrytynges. And yf thou mayste fynde hym Suche, Pay hym well for his Service, so that he hym holde apayed to do the bettyr.

Of messagers, and wych thay shold bene. Capitulum quynquagessimum Primum.

wItte thou, Alexandyr, that the messager shewyth the witte of that man that hym sendyth. And he is his eigh in that whych he seth not, And his eeris in that wych he heyryth not, And his
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tonge in his absence. And therfore the nedyth to chese the moost worthy that arne in thy presence, wyse, wyrchipphull, and commendabill, that hat[et]h euery manere of filthet and vyleny. And yf he may noght al haue thes condycionys, for hard hit is to fynde Suche, atte the leste he sholde be Pryue and trew, and nothynge he sholde amenuse, make lasse, ne

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aneche, of the messagis or nedis whych he Is sende for. And that he kepe thy commaundment, And that he be takynge hede to the answare that he hyryth, so that he tham can say agayn whan he comyth. And yf Suche ne may not be founde, atte leste he sholde be a trew berrere of letteres that bene sende, and agayn to be broght. Of thes thre messagers the fryste is mooste Profite, And the Seconde mooste Sertayn, And the thyrde lest Perelouse. And yf thou mayste Parcewe that any of tho messagers be y-temptid to geddyr mony folio 62bL
or Purchas of the placis wyche he is sende to, refuse hym atte al poyntes, for he goth not for thy prou. Ne sende not a dronkelewe messangere, ffor the Pepill of Pers bene y-wonet to afforce messangers to drynke good wyn, and yf the messager wix dronke, by that they knoweth that hare lordis ne byth not wyse. The grettyste of thy Pryue Consaillours thou shalt not make thy messager, nethyr he shal not be fere from thy presence, ffor that sholde bene empeyr note.100 ement of thy roialme. Al thy messagers thou sholdyst oftetymes Prowe, of what witte thay bene, and of what gouernaunce and of what maner. Thay that good bene and trewe, thou shalt ham wel rewarde, And yf any of ham bene founde that is fulli sette, yeftes to resceue, and to couetyse, and to dyscouere thy priuetyes, he sholde be Punyshid aftyr his deserte; but the mesure of the Punyscement I nel noght telle the.

How that the Subiectes bene the tresure of Prynces, and lyke a gardyn of dyuers tress growyn there-In. Capitulum Lijm.

wElle woste thou that thy Subiectis bene thy tresure, by whych thy roialme is confermyd. Thow shalt lewe well that thy subiectis bene lyke a gardyn, in wych bene dyuers maneres of trees, and thou shalt noght holde ham as londe berrynge thornes wythout frute. Whyle that thy Subiectis duryth in estate, shall dure the defense of thy realme and of thy Powere, And therfor the behouyth hame to gouerne wel, and fro wronges ham defende, and that thou ham helpe in al hare nedys. And therfor the nedyth to haue a Constabil that shal not bene a destruere of thy trees, but a kepere and a Sauere. He sholde be full of good maneres and vertues, wyse and Sufferynge; And of
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oone man make Suche a Suffreyn, ffor yf they were many, that Page 214
oone Sholde haue enuy to that othyr, that he sholde not ouerpasse hym, And therof myght many harmes cvme. Sum manere of baillifes bene that Shewyth ham trewe and profitabill to the kynge, And neuer-the-lasse they destrueth the Pepill, And euery of ham thynkyth in dyuers veyes by wych he may longe abyde in his office. And Such ther bene had, that oone thynge sayne, and anothyr thynkes done, and mayntenys and defendyth Sum evill dedis by hare yeftes: Of Suche hit is nedfull the to kepe.

Of barons, and wherof thay Serwyth in the roialme. Capitulum Liijm.

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tHe barons anecheth and multiplyeth the roialme; By ham Is the contre I-wyrshupped, the Empyre I-ordeynet in his degrees. And therfor thou sholdyste Put ham in certayn dignytees and Powere. Ful wel thou mayste ham ordeyne in forwe yf thou wylt, for foure differences bene chose that is to witte; afoor, behynde, on the ryght syde, and one the lyfte syde. And foure parties bene in the worlde; eeste, weste, north, and South. And therfore thou mayste ordeyne that in euery fourthe Partie of thy realme bene oone gouernoure. And yf thou seyste that they bene manyer; do thou that they bene ten, fore tene is a perfite nombyr, and hit contenyth note.101 in hym-Sylfe foure nombres, that is to witte, one and two, and thre and foure; the whyche yf they bene assemblet, makyth tene.

Therfor me sholde ordeyne that euery gouernoure had tene Vicaries in his hoste, and euery vicarie ten lederis in his whele, and euery ledere ten doiens, and euery doiens ten men: al thes assembled makid an hundrid thowsand fyghten men.

And whan thou haste mestere to the Service of ten thousand men, thou cal a gouernoure, and hym shal Serve ten vicaries, folio 63bL
and wyth euery vicarie shall cvm ten leders, and wyth euery ledere shal cvm ten doiens, and wyth euery doiens ten men, and that shal make the nombyr of ten thousande fyghtyn men. And so thou mayste vndyrstonde of manyer, othyr fewere.

By this ordynaunce and this accompte, thou maiste be y-lyghted of costagis, and thou shalt haue thy Purpos, and thou shalte lyght the trauaillis of thy baronage; and take hede that al thy captaynes bene chose men. Ful necessary hit is to barons that thay haue wyse notaries and discrete, trewe and welle Prowid in chiualrie, that can discrewe tho whyche ben worthy armes to Page 215
berre. Al knyghtes thou shalt wyrchippe, noone havynge in dyspite, Pouer ne ryche. And the behowyth to haue wyth the, the Instrumentes wych demesteus maket, for hit shal the awaill moche to assembill many Pepill Sodanly, in oone day or lasse fore grete nede. This Instrument may be herde Sixe myle fere.

That a kynge sholde not entyr in battail in his owyn Propyr Persone. Capiitulum Liiijm.

thow shalt noght vse bataill in thyn Propyr Person, ther-as ţou mayste hit enchu. holde al tymes wyth thy Selfe the beste and the grettyste of thy Powere.

Be-hete thou to knyghtes honours and rewardis, and kepe thy Promesis. Whan thy-Selfe moste go in hostes, go thou neuer disarmyd, for Sodeyn chaunchis; Haue good kepers, and good Spies, and good kepynge, namely be nyght. whan thou shalt make thyn hoste arreste and thy tentis Piche, Purvey the yf thou mayste, that thou be negh Sum montayne or watyr, and be well y-vitaillid; and Purvey more than thou vndyrstondyste that nede the shal. thou shalte haue many rynnynge engyns to make horribill Sownes to gasten thyn enemys. Thou sholdyst haue in battaill al manere of armes; Sum of the hoste shall stabill bene in oone Place, and otheris shal
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gone al aboute. Thoures of trees remeable thou shalt I-have folio 62
ouer al, and Knyghtes there-in wel armyd, archeris, abblastres, and Lanceouris of Dartes brandynge; and yf thou Seiste ham adrede othyr doutfull, conforte thou hare hertys by good confurtabill techynge. and thou shalt ordayne thy knyghtes in this manere, In the ryght hande of thyne enemys, the Swerde mene; In the lyfte hande, the Iusters wyth Speris; amyddys, tho that shall caste brondys of fyre brandynge, the Archeris and Criours wyth horribil voices, note.102 And al tymes yf thou mayste be, thou in the heiere Place of thyn enemys, and yf thou Seyst any bataill faille, socoure thou hit anoone. And whate Parte of thyn enemys that thou Seiste faille, anone haste thou the to that Parte. And ouer al thynge to haue victorie, moche worth is stablenys and abydynge. Of this matiere men Sayne comynly, and Soth hit Is, that oone man may not ouercome his enemys, but yf he haue radyr ouercome covardy. And thou Sholdyst haue many aspies, and busshemontes with oribles sownes, ffor that is the moste Pryncipall Page 216
queyntyse of bataile, victorie to haue. And thou shalt haue certayne Places I-ordeynyd by the hoste for drynkes and othyr necessaries. Olyfantes thou shalt haue, to bere castellis of trees, and knyghtes enarmed wyth-In, for they benne horribill hugely, and berryth grete hydoure. Dromydaries and Othyr Swyfte bestis shall ben in the hoste, ham to helpe that nede haue. And yf thou shalt fyght in a castelle thou shalt haue dartes and arowe envenymet, and yf thou mayste cvm to the watyr of whych thyn enemys drynkyth, envenyme thou hit. Ne be not to hasty in thy workes, fyght wyth euery Pepill in thar manere. In al thy workys take thou consaill of astronomyours, ffor by the Sterres bene gouernyd al erthely thynges, And the Sterrys makyth many mewyngys in the coragis of mene, and of that comyth discencion,
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bataillis, victories, and dyscomfites.

That Phisnomye Is a necessarie scyence to knowe the Maners of men. Capitulum Lvm.

oFte we haue afor sayde, that dyuers maneris of Pepill of consaillours, knyghtes, constables, Marchalis, Notaries, Messagers and otheris that shall kynges and Emperouris Serwe, shuldyne haue certayne condicions whych bene aforsayde. But for-als-moche as stronge is to fynde and know condycones and good vertues and maneris of Pepil wythout longe Prewe, hit is a ful couenabille and profitabill thynge to euery Prynce, that he cane the scyence of Physnomy, by wyche he may know by syght euery man of wych maneris and thewis he sholde be by kynde. And therefor hit is to witte as we haue aforsayde, al bodely thyngis be gouernyd and ordaynyd by the Planetes and Sterris. And therfor euery man, of the begynnynge of his berth, by the vertu of the Sterris wych than haue rewarde to hym, Is disposid dyuersly to vertues and to vices. But Soth hit is, that euery wyse man haue vertu and will; by whych he may kepe hym anent kynde, and vertues of [steris note.103 ] as Sayth Bug[usa]rus the Phil[osofre], in the begyn[nyng]

of the centiloge of tholomewe. This tellyth vs that boke, by Ensampill; Sumtyme two Philosofers astronomyours
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weryn Herbrowid in a weveris House. In that nyght was Borne to the wevere a Sone, And the astronomyours beheldyne the constellacions of hys bryth by thare castle, and foundyn that he sholde bene wyse and curteyse, Page 217
good of consaill and wel belowid of kynges, and that thynge thay hyddyn fro the fadyr. The chylde wox, and his fadyr and modyr wende that thay myght wel teche hym thare crafte, but for nothynge he hit myght lerne; for betynge, thretynge, ne fayrnesse, And therfor they lettyn hym y-wourthe. Sethyn this yonglynge Sette hym-Selfe to Scolis, note.104 and be-came a good clerke, and couth the courses of Sterris, and lawe and gouernaunce of realmes, and aftyr be-came a grete Sire in the realme. Anothyr tyme befell the contrary, of the kynges Sone of Inde. For the kynge wolde that he sholde can Philosophye and al Sciences, And therfore he sende throgh Inde and in othyr contreis, for Maistres his Sone to teche clergi, lyke as hit appendet to So grete a kynge. But that ne mygh not availle, for that he ne myght noght turne his corage to sciencis of clergi, but to honde-craftes. For the whyche thynge the kynge was ful sorefull and trowbelid, and he callid to hym al the wyse men of his roialme, and ham askid how that myght be. And al accordid, that kynde lad the chylde that to done, And oft-tymes hath Suche cases befallen.

Ensamples to Prow the forsayde thynge. Capitulum quinqu[a]gessimum Sextum.

tHe dysciplis of yPocras the wyse, depeyntid an ymage in Parcemyn allyke to Ipocras, and hit bare to Philomon, wyche was a maystyr of Phisnomye; and hym Saydyn, “Rewarde this figure and telle vs the qualyteis, the manerys, and the compleccion, of Suche a man as this figure Presentyth.” He behelde besely the figure, and al the makynge of the body, and Sayde, “Suche a man is lechelorus and disceyuous.” Whan that herde
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the disciplis, they wolde haue hym Slayne, and to hym Saydyn, “O thou foole, that is the fygure and the ymagynacione of the beste man of the worlde.”

Phylomom ham Peiset, and sayde, “who-so Is this ymage, that ye haue Shewid me?”

They sayden, “this ys the Semblaunt of the wyse ypocras.” “Wherfor,” Seyde he, “wolde ye aske me? I haue answarid you like as y felde by my Science.” Thay retourned agayn to har maystyr Ipocras, and hym tolde that whych Philomen saide of his dome. Ypocras ham Sayde, ” Sothely Is hit al that Philemon Sayth Noght for than, sethyn I-vndyr

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stondenge that, y toke kepe to thynges wych y was enclinet to, that they were fowle and reprouabill; I stabelid myn vndyrstondynge as a kynge ouer al my body, and y haue wythdrawe me fro al folies, and haue had victorie and maistri agayns al foole delytes.” This is the comendacion of ypocras the Philosofre; Philosophie is no more but loue of witte and cvnnynge, and abstynence of foly, and Victorie of foole wille.

Here is I-prowid that the Sowle Sueth the condycionys of the bodyes. Capitulum quinquagessimum Septimum.

cErtayne thynge hit is that the Sowle whyche Is the fourme of the body, sueth the kynde and the complexcion and the propyrteys of the body, for oftetymes we sene opynly that the coragis of men ham chaungyth aftyr the Pascionys of the bodyes, and that apperyth in
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Dronknesse, In amours, In frenesy, in Dreddys, in Soroufulnesse, in desires, and in delites. For in al this Passions of the body, the Sowle and the corage ham chaungyth. And kynde is so grete a fellowe betwen body and Sowle, that the Passyons of body chaungyth the sowle; and the Passions of Sowle, chaungyth folio 66L
the body. And that apperyth in the Passione of Dronknesse, whyche is bodely. For dronknesse makyth for-yetynge in the Sowle, by reyson that the grete smokkes gone vp to the brayn, and troubelyth the ymagynacion, whych Seruyth to the vndyrstondynge, and hym presentyth the lykkenesse of bodely thynges, and so puttyth away al the remembrance of thynges wych weryn afor-honde vndyrstonde, and destroubyth the knowlech of thynges that bene to vndyrstond. More-ouer the Sow[l]e is the begynnynge and cause of al the natural mevynges of the body, and neuer the latyr this vertue fro hym is takyn away by dronknesse, whyche is a passion of the body. For a dronken man whan he sholde gone in his ryght hande, he goyth in his lyfte hande. In the Same manere may we Showe the contrary, that is to witte, that the Passions of the Sowle makyth the body chaunge, and his meuynges to dyuers. And that may a man See opynly in wrath, in dred, in lowe.

For thes Passion makyth grete chaungynge to the body, as knowyth euery man that ham hath Prowid. And in mevynge hit apperyth also. As yf a man goo vpon a narrowe tree lyggynge in an hey Place, only by ymagynacion and thoght of fallynge, oftetymes he fallyth. And

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yf the Same tree were vpon erthe, here as drede ne perill were noght, he wolde neuer falle. More-ouer we sene that euery beest hath his propyr Sowle, and his Propyr body. Of thes Speces neuer faillyth, ne neuer was founde that any beeste had a body of oone spice, and a sowle of anothyr Spice. As hit may not be that oone beste haue the body of
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an harte, and a soule of a lyon. More-ouer we seen that knyghtis knowyth the goodnys of horsyn, and the hunteres the goodnesse of hundis, by hare Shappes and fauncundes. Of al thes thynges aforsayde, we may reysonably conclude that the company and the accorde be-twen the Sowle and the body is so grete and so myche confermyd and stabelid by kynde, that [in] the Passions of that oone, that other note.105 is Parcenere, or Partifelewe. And euery body hath a propyr sowle, And euery beste hath a propyr amanere and condicion in dyuers Spyces, as amonge horsyn that oone is lasse than that othyre, or in goynge or in coloure, and of othyr bestis in the same manere, as we haue aforsayde and shewid wythout doute, in manys Spice. O man is of oone maneres and condicion, and anothyr is of anothyr manere and condicion, in fygure and in face; and by othyr thynges that apperyth in the body, a man may deme the condicions and maneris whych he hath, othyr sholde haue by kynde. This Prouyth Aristotle at the begynnynge of his Phisnomye, y-translatid out of grue Into latyn.

Of the Science of Physnomye. Capitulum Lviijm.

pHysnomye is a science to deme the condycions or vertues and maneres of Pepill, aftyr the toknesse or syngnesse that apperyth in facione or makynge of body, and namely of visage and of the voyce and of the coloure. One lyght manere and general of Phisnomye is to deme vertues and maneris of man aftyr the conpleccion. Compleccions bene iiije for a man is sangyne, or flevmatike, or colerike, or malyncoly. And ryth vp thes foure folio 63b

complexcions of foure Humours
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of the body, whyche answaryth to the foure Elementes, And to the foure tymes of the yeere. The bloode Is hotte and moysti to the lyckenesse of the heiere; ffleme is colde and moysti aftyr the kynde of the watyr; Colre hoote and drye aftyr kynde of fyre; Malancoly colde and dry aftyr kynde of erthe. The sangyne by kynde sholde lowe Ioye laghynge, and company of women, and Page 220
moche Slepe and syngynge: he shal be hardy y-nowe, of good will and wythout malice: he shalbe flesshy, his complexcion shalbe lyght to hurte and to empeyre for his tendyrnesse, he shall haue a goode stomake, good dygescion, and good delyueraunce: and yf he be wovndid he shalbe sone be holde, he shall be fre and lyberall, of fayre semblaunt and dylyuer ynowe of body. The fleumatyke by kynde he sholde be slowe, sadde, ful stille, and Slowe of answere: febill of body, lyghtly falle in palsey; he shalbe grete and fatte, he shalle haue a febill stomake, febil dygestion, and good delyueraunce. And as touchynge maneres he shal be piteuouse, chaste, and lytill desyre company of women. The colerike by kynde he sholde be lene of body, his body is hote and drye, and he shalbe Sumwhat rogh; and lyght wrethe and lyght to Peyse; of sharpe witte, wyse and of good memorie, a grette entremyttere, fulle-large and foolehardy, delyuer of body, hasty of worde and of answere; he louyth hasty wengeaunce; Desyrous of company of women moore than hym nedyth. he sholde haue a stomake good y-nowe, namely in colde tyme. The Malencoly man sholde be lene of body and dry, he sholde haue
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good appetyde of mette, and comonely he Is a glotoun and good delyueraunce hathe of his belly. And as touchynge maneris, he sholde bene pensyfe and Slowe, and of stille wille, still and dredfull, and a smalle entremyttere. More latre Is he wourthe than a colerike man, but he holdyth longyr wreth; he is of sotille ymagynacion as of hand-werkys, And well arne wonyd the malencolik men to be Suttill werkmen. The sangyn men shulde bene ruddy of coloure. The flevmatike whyte and Pale, The colerike sholde haue yalowe coloure Sumwhate medelit with rede, The malencolike sholde be Sumwhate blake and pale.

Of whyte coloure.

wHite coloure Svmwhate medelite wyth rede in a man, tokenyth that he is hote of kynde, and of sangyne compleccion but rede coloure tokenyth complexcion wel temperit, yf Suche coloure be in al the body noght roghe. This sayth aristotle here sortely, but here-aftyr he will hit say mor opynly.

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Of Physnomye aftyr the here.

nesshe heere tokenyth a dredfulle, and harde here tokenyth hardy and stronge, and that apperyth in dyuers bestys. For an hare and a sheppe bene ful gastefull, and haue full nesshe here. And the lyone and a boore bene full stronge, and haue stronge here. Also in fowles, by kynde tho whyche haue harde federes bene stronge and corageous, as a cooke, And tho that haue nesshe pennes bene dredfull, as turtures bene and curlyours. So Is of dyuers Pepille aftyr the Place whyche thay dwellyth In. For thay that dwellyth towarde the northe, bene stronge and coragious, and haue harde here. And tho folio 68L
whyche dwellyth towarde the Sowthe, bene gastefull and haue nesshe here, as thay of Ethiopy. Plente of here aboute note.106 the wombe tokenyth a Iangloure and full of wordys, and thay bene lykenyd to birdys whyche haue Plente of federis in the wombe.

Of complexcioun of Flessh, ut sequitur.

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note.107
hArde flesshe throgh al the Body tokenyth a man of Lytill Vndyrstondynge, Suche bene the grete karlis massies, whyche bene of harde vndyrstondynge, but thay bene good to workes. Flesshe in tempure neshe, noght slake, tokenyth good vndyrstondynge; but if hit be ful nesshe and slake as women bene, tokenyth a chaungeabill man and variaunt: but yf suche flesshe be founde in a stronge man of body, hauynge stronge extremytee, ne tokenyth not that wych y aforsayde.

Of complexcione aftyr the mevynge.

slowe mewynge tokenyth a dulle and slowe vndyrstondynge, and quyke mevynge and delyuere, tokenyth good vndyrstondynge and hasty witte.

Of the complexcione o voyce als hit folwyth her nexste.

agrete voyce and wel y-harde, like a trompe, tokenyth an hardy man and bolde: a smale voyce and febille like a womanes voyce tokenyth a feynte man. And therfor the stronge beestis and hardy haue stronge voyces and hey, As lyones, bullis, and houndes; and kokkes whyche bene strongyr than othyr and more corageous, syngyth heyghere and more strongyr. Of the hare we seene the contrary.

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Of the coloureof the visage hit Is here to witte.

whan a man hath a visage y-like and of coloure as lye of fyre, he Is wrathfull, and by kynde
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he sholde be lyght to wrethe. The forsayde tokeness of figures and mevynges and likenesse of vissage byth moste certayn amonges al othyr tokenesse. And hit Is to witte to deme a man aftyr oone tokyn hit Is grete foly, but thou shalt rewarde al the tokenys, and yf many or al accordyth than mayste thou than moore Surely deme; and whate Parte the moste of syungnes and tokenys ham holdyth, holte the to that Parte.

The tokenesse of stronge Corage.

alevyn tokenys bene whych tokenyth Streynth and corageous. The fryste is harde heere; the seconde Is evyn stature of body; the iije grete stature of bonys and rybbes, and of handys and of fette; the iiije Is a large belly and to hym retreted; The v grete braons and massy; the vje a Synnevey neke and grete, and noght myche fatte; the vije Is a grete breste and brode, vprerid and Sumwhate fatte; the viije large haunges of good proporcion; the ixe eghyn grey or broune, y-lyke a camail here, that bene noght ouermoche opyn ne cloos; The xe broune coloure in al the body; The xje a sharpe straght farred, noght gretly lene ne al full, nethyr al frouncet.

The tokenesse of a dredful or a feynte man benex; fryste, als follwyth: NEsshe heere; the ije a man stowpynge. and noght vpryght; the iije whan the entraillis of the wombe gone vp abowe the nawle; the iiije Is yolow coloure in the face meddelite with palnesse; the v Is febill lokynge of the eg and closynge; The vje lytill extremytes; The vije Is longe hondes and smale; folio 69L

The viije smale reynes and febille; The ixe a man lyghtely agastnet; The xe is ouerlyghtely mevynge of coloure and semblante, and haue semblant to be Pensyfe, and full of thoghtes.

The tokenesse of good complexcioun.

tHe fryste tokyn of good complexcion Is temperid flesshe betwene nesshe and harde, and namely be-twen lene and fatte. The ije tokyn Is that a man be leene in the neke and in

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al the braones of the body. The iije Is that the visage be opyn and wel departid. The iiije Is
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note.108 that the Vysage Be opyn and well depertyd. The fourthe Is that the rybbis Bene wel departid or Seueret and wel taillet. The ve Is that a man haue quyke coloure. The vje Is that he haue a softe and a tendyr skynne. The vije Is that the bake ne be not flesshe. The viije Is that the heere ne be not ouer harde, ouer-charce, ne ouer blake. The ixe Is that he haue blake eighyn othyr broune, Sumwhate moiste.

The tokenys of ille complexcioun.

the fryste Is a man ouerchargid wyth flesshe aboute the neke and the leggis fro the kneys evile y-seueret. The ije a grete farret rounde as the draght of a cumpas. and fleshy. The iije yelow eighyn. The iiije grete chekes and fleshy: the ve fleshy reyns: the vje longe legges: the vije a fatte neke, and the visage fleshy and straght.

The tokenys to know shamels men.

fRyst opyn eighyn and glysinynge, and the eighliddes full of blode and grete and shorte; Hey vprerid shuldris; the body Sumwhate Stowpynge.

The tokenys of honest men.

the honeste and the shamefast man Is circumspecte and wyse in al his dedys, ruddy of colure as sanguyne, the visage is rounde, the breste Sumwhate vprerid, tarynge of speche, the voyceful
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and stronge, the eighyn stydfaste and Sumwhate broune, and not glysinynge ne ouer-oppyn ne ouerclose, and that his eighen ne cloose not to often-tymes. Tho thynges bene tokenyd by the eighen, othyr that a man Is dredful or vicyous.

The tokenys of the Corageous.

the tokenys of the coragious bene a grete forhede and flesshy and full, and he lokyth not ouer sharpe as doth woode men, ne ouer dedly as dothe the cowarde; Fayre of visage and wel disposid laat of mevynge, and Slow to take nedys but yf thay bene grete.

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The tokenys of the cowarde.

a Lytill vysage and leene, and frouncet, lytill eighyn dede lokynge, lytille of stature and lowe, and of febill mevynge; thes bene the tokenys of cowardy.

Of the tokenys of thralle.

oNsemely eighen and frouncet, the hede bowynge towarde the right syde, knelynge to euery man for noght, the mewynges of his haundys bene vnsemely, dishordeynyt, and his goynge also bene tokenys of the thralle.

The bittyr man.

The tokenys of the bittyr man; he hath the hede bowynge and Stowpynge as a man pensyfe and fulle of thoght, he is blake of coloure, a lene visage and frounset, noght rogh, and blake here smothe.

The angry man.

The angry man Is wonyt to be of straght body and corageous, that Is to witte, full of hotte Spyrit, and therfor he Is fulhardy, Sumwhate ruddy of coloure, Grete shuldres and large, grete extremyte note.109 and stronge, and noght moche rogh the breste, a semely chyne and accordynge to the visage, and liggyne here.

Who-so ne hym wrethyth whan he sholde, and theras he sholde, and agaynys tham ther as he sholde, he nys noght a man of
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ryght witte: thus fynde y writtyn, but me-thynkyth that suche wrathe sholde cvm charite, wronges to restrayne.

The benure man.

The condycions of the benure man Is shewid Pryncipaly by his lokynge, and comynly he Is flesshy and hath moiste fles, and he Is of meene stature and wel mesurid, and he hath Sumwhate lowe here and and Sumwhate scarse.

Of the smale herte.

The tokenys of a lowe herte bene lytill visage, lytill eighen, and lytill othyr lymes of the body; and lene y-flesshide.

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The chyderis.

The chyderis bene wonyd to haue the oer-lippe grete and lollynge ouer the emyste folio 65

Lyppe, of coloure Sumdell rede Hare Visage.

The tokenesse of the Pyteous and merciabil man.

pyteous and merciabill man tokenyth whitte coloure, and cleene, the eighen redy to wepe, gladly they lowyn pyteous stories and newe, and ham Puttyth in mynde, and whan thay hyryn Pyteous stories lyghtely thay wepyth, And namely aftyr wyne.

they bene Parcewynge wythout malice, thy lowyn women, and ofte they gettyth doghteris. In prouerbis hit Is sayde, that the Piteous man hath iije vertues, that Is to witte, wysdome, drede and honeste, and the tyraunt or the cruell man, the contrary.

The Lechurere.

The lechure oftetymes Is whyte of coloure, the heere rogh, grete, and blake; rogh temples, fatte heyghen, and rollynge Swyftly in syght like a wode man; of suche lokynge bene bestis in ruthe.

The slepere.

The slepere oft-tymes haue grete hedis, grette nekkis, and thay arne Sumwhate fatte of body and fleshy, and rogh al aboute the wombe.

The myndefulleman.

Of good mynde bene thay comynly, that haue the lymmes mor large and moore corssife and moore flesshe fro the Ioyntures folio 70bL
vpwarde, than fro the yontures downwarde; they haue rounde hedis wel amesurid to the body.

Condicions of women.

tHe moste opyn dyuersite in bestis Is that oone Is male and that othyr female, and aftyr thay dyuersyteis we vndyrstondyth that the maners and vertues of euery othyr chaungid. For amonge al bestis that bene nuryshid or dauntid by witte of man, the femalis bene moste mekyste and lyghtiste to teche and leste worthy. And noght for that they bene moste febill of body and leste of Pouer ham to defende, and the same Is hit wilde bestis. But women beene more meuabill and Page 226
dyuers, namely fro male than men bene. For like as thay bene more febill of body and of complexcion, so in the same maner they bene endowid lasse of reyson. And therfore lyghtly they note.110 wixen wrothe, and askyth hastely wengeance; And full yll they mowen wythstonde temptacion, and namely temptacion Of fleshly delyte.

The tokenys of the feete.

Who-so hath the fete well shappyn, grete toes and synnowy, sholde bene stronge and hardy, for he hath the condicion of the male. he that hath lytill fete and streyte, shorte toes and noght synewy, and more delycious to se than stronge fette, thay bene febill and feynte, and like to women. And he that hath crokid toes, comynly is shameles, and like in manere to byrdis, that wythout shame taken har Prayes.

The tokenys of the Ancles.

Thay men whych haue synowy ancles and opyn sholde ben corageous, and the haue the condycion of the male, and tho whych haue fleshly ancles and not opyn, bene nesse of corage an lyke to women.

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Thokenys of the legge.

Tho men whyche haue wel-makyd and synowy and stronge legges, shold be corageous, and haue the condycion of male; and tho men whyche haue smale legges and synnowy bene luchrus; and tho men wyche haue ouer lytill kneis they bene stronge of corage like as women bene, and that apperyth by thare facion.

Tokenys of the theghes.

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note.111 Tho men Whych haue bonny theghes and Synnowy, bene stronge aftyr the Propirte of male, And tho men whyche haue fleshly theghes and not bony, they bene nesshe aftyr the Propyrte of women.

Tokenys of the breste.

Tho men whyche haue bony brestis and sharpe, thay sholde bene stronge; And tho men whych haue flesshly and fatte brestis bene nesshe men. And tho that haue the flesshe of the bretis lytill and dry bene ille-ymanerite and bene lykenyd to apys.

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Of the bely.

Tho men whyche haue belyes menly fatte and not grete, bene stronge and of good complexcion, and haue the Propirteis of male, And thay whych haue leen belies and hungri, beene nesse.

Of the chynne.

Tho men whyche haue grete chynnes bene stronge and hardy, and haue propyrteis of male, And tho that haue the chynne smale and febille bene nesshe and lyke to women.

Of the Ribbys.

Tho men whych haue goode ribbys bene stronge and hardy aftyr the Propirte of the male, And tho whych haue febill Ribbis bene aftyr the Propyrte of women; tho that haue ribbis bocchynge owtwardes like as they weryn y-swolle, bene yanglours, and folis in wordys, and bene like frusshes and toodes.

Of the shuldres.

Tho men whych haue shuldres heygh vprerid, the synnowes and braones apperynge, they bene stronge and hardy aftyr
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the propyrties of the male; And tho that haue the contrary bene aftyr the Propyrteys of women. And thay that haue the shuldres hangynge downeward and welle taillet, bene fre and lyberall; And they whyche haue the contrary, bene harde and hungry.

Of the Neke.

Tho men whych haue the neke wel dystyncted by his yontes, and wel delyuerit, they bene of good witte and good vndyrstondynge, for that tokenyth good vndyrstondynge and delyuernesse of witte, and that thay Parcewyth lyghtely the mevynges of witte. And thay that hath the neke of contrary makynge and dysposycion, bene of Slow witte. A grete Neke noght fatte tokenyth streynthe and hardynes aftyr the Propyrte of man, And a smale neke the contrarie. A grete fleshy shorte neke tokenyth wrothynesse like as a bull Is; A longe neke and not ouer grete tokenyth corageous like a lyon; An ouer shorte neke tokenyth a gyloure and a deceyuoure like the wolfe.

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Of the Lippes.

Who-so hath mene lippes betwixe thyknesse and thynne, and the homyste lippe comyth dovne and closyth to the Emyste lippe, he Is corageous and hardy, y-lykenyd to the lyon, and that a man may see in grete houndes and stronge. And tho that haue thyne lippes and harde aboute the teth, and the tethe vprerid outward apperynge, byth chorll and fowle, y-lykenyd to swyne; tho that haue grete lippes and that oone hangynge and descendynge ouer that othyr, they bene folis y-lykenyd to assis; tho that haue the ouer-lippe vprerid, and the gomes gretly vprerid bene endeynous and euyl-sayeris, lykenyd to baynge houndys.

Of the noose.

Tho that haue grete Noosys
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lyghtely bene talentid to couetise, and bene desposyd to concupiscence, and bene lykenyd to oxen. And thay that haue the butte of the noose grete and rounde, bene rude of witte and lykenyd to Swyne. And thay that haue the butte of the Noose sharpe, bene strongly angry and lykenyd to houndys. And thay that haue rounde noosis and not sharpe, bene hardy and bolde and bene lykenyd to lyonys. A stovpynge noose
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and brode Betwene the Brewis, tokenyth a coragious man y-lykenyd to the egyll.

Tho that haue the noose crokyd and the forhede roune, pershaunt vpward, bene lechurous and angri and likenyd to Apys. Opyn noose-thurll tokenyth angry; For whan a man angryth, his noose-thurlys oppenyth.

The vysage.

Tho that haue grete visachys and fleschy bene dysposyd to concupyscence of fleschy lustes. A leen visage tokenyth study and besynes. A fate visage dredfulnesse; And a lytill visage, a lytill herte. A grete vysage and broode tokenyth slewthe in manere, as Oxeen and Assis. A streyte lytill visage of Pouer semblant, tokenyth an harde herte and hungri. An opyn vysage and fayre semblaunt, tokenyth a lyberal herte; a lytill smale forhede, tokenyth lytill witte, il to teche, and ill condycions. The forhede al rounde, harde witte; a longe forhede ouer mesure, a slow witte: a quarre forhede of meen gretnys tokenyth feyrnysse and corage; A playne straght forhede tokenyth a losengere; the forhede sumwhate trowblit in semblant, tokenyth fiernysse and hardynesse.

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Of the eyyne.

Tho that haue reede ey-liddys lowyth comynly wel wyn, and bene gret drynkeres; heuy ey-liddys tokenyth good slepere;
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lytill eyyn tokenyth a lytill herte and a slowe; gret eyen tokenyth a bowsty witte; Mene eyen, nethyr grete ne smale, tokenyth good complexion wythout vice.

Depe eyen, malyce; Ouer-oppyn eyen, lyke as they were y-thryste owte, comynly tokenyth a foole: Somwhate depe eyen tokyneth hardynesse, but eyen nethyr to depe ne to fer out but menly bene beste.

Of the eeris.

Lytill eeris tokenyth good vndyrstondynge; grete eeris dul vndyrstondynge; And mesurabill eeris bene beste.

Of the colure.

Tho men that bene ouer blake bene dredfull, and lykenyd to the Egipcians and ethyopiens; And tho whyche bene ouer whyte bene dredfull, like to women: Tho that bene of men coloure betwene blake and white, Is a tokyn that thay bene stronge and hardy: Tho that bene yelow of colure, bene coragious i-lyke to the lyons. Tho that bene rede men, bene Parceuynge and trechurus, and full of queyntise, i-likenyd to Foxis. Tho that bene Pale and trowbely y-colurid, bene dredfull, for thay berryn the coloure of drede in thare farretes. Tho that bene rede colure, bene hasty and egre, for whan a man Is I-chafet by rynnynge or othyr mevynge, he wexet reede. Tho that haue a brandynge colure like the lye of fyre, lightly wexen woode; and tho that haue Suche colure abowte the brestis bene euer wrothy; and that apperyth, for whan a man Is hugely wrothe, he felyth the breste al brandynge. And tho men whych haue the neke abowte and the temples, grete ruddy weynes, bene wrothy and hugely angry; and that apperyth, for a man that Is wrothe hath the same Passione. Tho that haue the face sumwhate ruddy bene schamefaste, and tokyn of honeste shewith in har visage; folio 73L
tho that have the chekys al reede as thay were dronken, Is a tokyn that thay lowyth ryght wel good wyne.

Of the colure of the eyen.

tHo that haue fulli blake eyen tokenyth that thay bene feynte, for blake coloure aprochyth neygh to derknesse, and in derknesse a man lyghtly is a-drede more than in lyght.

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And tho that haue eyen not wel blake, but declynynge to yelow, bene of good corage. Spleket eyen and whyte eyen tokenyth dredfulnesse, for whyte colure tokenyth drede. Tho that haue eyen of
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the colure of a camel Heere, bene coragious, y-likenet to the Lyone and the egle. And tho that haue eyen y-colorid like rede wyne, ben dysposyd to woodnesse, y-likenyd to bestes whych may not be daunted. And tho that haue eyen like ly of fyre brandynge and sprakelynge, bene angry shameles, y-lykenid to houndes. tho that haue eyen discolourid and trowbelid tokenyth drede, for he that Is a-drede wexit pale, and thay that haue eyen schynynge bene lecheours y-lykenyd to rookys and cokkes.

Of the sygnyficacioun of dyuers lymmes.

tho that haue rogh leggis bene lechureris, and thay that haue the breste and the wombe mochedell rogh, bene full vnstabill and varyant: tho that haue the neke behynde rogh bene liberal, i-likenyd to lyonys. Tho that [haue] sharpe chynnes bene of good corage, i-likenet to houndes; tho that haue the browes negh to-gyddyr bene heuy and Sorrofull of chere, for thay berryth the sygyn therof.

Who-so hath the browes stikkynge vp anent the noose into the templis in euery syde, bene foolis and likenet to Swyne: tho that haue the lokkes vp-stondynge bene dredefull; that apperyth, for tho wyche bene a-dred haue hare lokkis stickynge vp: tho that
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haue hare lockys or heere as cryspe tokenyth dredfulnesse, but lokkis cryspe towarde the ende tokenyth good corage: tho that haue the forhedes vprerid afoore, bene lyberall and likenyd to lyones: tho that haue a longe heede, and the eeris to-growynge to the forhede negh to the noose, bene slowe or witte. And the heede rounde, as we haue aforsayd, Is more tokyn of witte.

Thokenys of goynge.

tHo that have the braons of the shuldres ryght strayghtly whan thay mewyth ham, tokenyth that thay bene stronge and hardy and lykenyd to horsyn. And tho that haue lytill fette and febill legges, bene febill and feynte alyke women. And tho that haue eyen moche mevynge, bene sharpe and raueners y-like to the gosehauke.

And tho that oft-tymes closyth hare eyen bene dredfull. Tho that in lokynge or in rewardynge ficchyth hare syght and hit holdyth stabill, they bene studyous Page 231
and of good vndyrstondynge. And that apperyth, for whan a man studieth deply, he holdyth his syght stabely.

Of the voyce.

tho that haue a grete voice and orible and not ful hey, done gladly wronges, and bene likenyd to assis. Tho that haue the voice atte the begynnynge of the worde grete and lowe, and aftyr that endyth hit al smale and hey, as kynde of oxen bene wrothy. And tho that haue the voyce hei, smale and swete and plesaunt, bene neshe, and haue lytill of manhode, and i-likenyd to women. And a grete hey and stronge voice tokenyth a stronge and an hardy man, likenyd to a lyon, and to a stronge hounde. A nesh brekynge and Plesaunte voice tokenyth a bennure and wel ymanerit man. A smale hey stronge voice tokenyth a man lyghtely to be wrethyd.

Of the body tokenys.

ttho that haue a lytill body, bene sharpe of body and of witte, for-why, har hertes bene ney the
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extremytee. And therfor in schorte tyme they hame mewyth and the vertue of herte spredith throgh-out al the body, and comyth to the brayne ther as the vndyrstondynge is fulfillid. Tho that bene full grete of body, bene slow and taryenge of body
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and vndyrstondynge, for-why, hare Hartis Bene fere fro the extremytee of Hare bodyes and the brayne. Tho that haue dry flessh and hote and bene lytill of body, bene variant an vnstabill, and afor that, that thay may not fulfillen that thynge whyche thay hauen begonne, thay Puttyth ham in othyr thynges. And tho that bene moche and haue moisti flesh and lytill hette, bene slow and of slow vndyrstondynge. Tho that bene grete of body and haue dry fless and coloure accordynge to the hette, bene of hey vndyrstondynge and ful myghty to fulfille that they thynkyn, for thegh thay bene moche thay haue the body and the complexcion wel mesurid. But amonge al otheres tho bene of beste complexcion that byth not ouer grete ne ouer smale. And thay whyche bene ill mesurid of body, bene dysposyd to trechury and othyr ill tecchis. And thay wyche bene wel mesurit of body ben Iuste and ryghtfull men. By that whyche we haue aforsayde, hit apperyth that al Phisnomye to iiije thynges takyth hede, that oone Is the Propirte of male and female; The ije Is the Disposicion Page 232
aforsaydyn of the body of man; The iije Is the liknesse of man and the facionm; or makynge, and the maner of othyr bestys; The iiije Is the semblant or liknesse of the Passion by whych a man Is knowen by tokyn. An thegh they haue many tokenys or syngnes by wych a man may deme the Physnomye, Neuer-the-latyr, sum bene more certayne than otheris and more apperyth, And thay tokenesse whych bene in the hede moste Pryncipal, the tokenys whyche bene about the eyen and the hede and the vysage, holdyn the fryste and the souerayne degre of Iugement; And the tokenys wyche bene aboute the breste and schuldris, holdyth the Seconde note.112
degre; the iije degree holdyth the tokenys wych bene aboute the leggis and the fette; The tokenys whych bene aboute the wombe holdyn the fourthe degre and bene leste certayne: and the maner of tokenys accorden, the more certayne is the Iugement.

Now gracious lorde, wylle I translate the scyence of Physnomye to you in a shortyr manere, for Sum bokys of arystotiles makynge haue that scyence shortyr than othyr: And so may ye chese wych ye beste Plesyth. Capitulum Lixm.

hit Is to witte that the seede wythyn the marice is defiet, like a messe within a potte to sethe, And thefor Pale coloure and saad is a tokyn that the decoccion Is not Parfite, and therfor yf thou fyndyst in a man suche coloure, and he be a lytill man, hit is a tokyn that the Perfeccion of his kynde Is makyd lasse and amenuset. Suche a man thou shalt enchu, for he is disposyd to ille tecchis. And whan thou seyste a man that oftetymes rewardyth the, and whan thou rewardys hym he dredyth and wixeth ruddy, and namely yf he syche, in his visage, and wepynge hym takyth atte the ey, that man lowyth the and dreddyth: and yf he haue condycions contrary, he Is envyous, and tellyth not by the; and like as he is to enchue, that hath defaute of kynde; of quyke coloure; So is he to enchue, and more, that fautyth any lyme atte his byrth, or hath in othyr manere the lymes dyfformyd out of kynde: Suche bene to enchue as enemys, for to wickidnesse thay bene enclynet.

hE that complexcion in tempure hath, wych Is of meen folio 75L
stature, he hath the eyen gray, the lockys browne, the Page 233
chyer laghynge; broune coloure or yelow mellit wyth reede, the body al holle and wel y-mesurid, ryght estature, the hede of mene quantyte, and lytill of speche but yf hit nede be, ţe voice ne ouer grete ne ouer smale but meene, and wel harde, suche men sholdyst ţou haue in thy company.

heere.

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pLente of Lockys softe, tokenyth Bonerte and colde brayne. Plente of Heere on euery ethre shuldris tokenyth foly and vncunynge. Plente of here in wombe and in breste, tokenyt oribilite and syngulerte of kynde and smalnys of vndyrstondynge and loue of body. Reede coloure tokenyth a man angri and vicious. Broune lockys and a-broune tokenyth loue of ryght and Iustice.

Eyen.

who-so hath ful grete eyen, he is enuyous and not shamefaste, slow and Inobedyente, and namely yf he haue Pale eyen: he that haue the eyen of meen gretnysse, blake or grey, he is of Parceuynge vndyrstondynge, courteyse and trewe; who-so hath longe eyen and straght, and the visage moch straght, Suche is malicious and felonous; who so hath eyen y-like an asse his eyen, he Is a sotte and of harde vndyrstondynge; who so hath eyen meuynge and fleynge and sharpe lokynge, he is a dysceioure, a thefe, and a giloure: he that hath rede sparkelynge eyen, his fierse and corageous: Eyen that bene whit y-freklet, or I-sprotid, or blake, or reede y-spratelid throgh the eyen, bene moste to blame amonge al otheris, and moste reprouabill; and suche a man is worst amonge al otheris.

Browes.

who-so hath the browes ful rogh, he fautyth eloquence: he that hath gret browes strechynge to the templis, Such is foule and lechurous: he that hath browes not ouer thyke, of
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heere of meene Leynth, and grete y-now, he is of good vndyrstondynge and lyghtly Vndyrstondyth.

Noose.

hE that hath a sharpe noose and smale, he is wrethfull: And he that hath a longe noose and Sumwhate stowpynge and strachynge toward the mouthe, he is worthy and hardy: he

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that hath a crokyd noose, he is hasty, malicious, and angry: who-so hath the noose-thurlis moche opyn, he is strongly angry: who-so hath a lei and Plate noose amyd, stoupynge towarde the butte, he is a iogoloure and a lyer. And that noose is beste to Prayse that is meenly longe and menly brode, and the butte not ouer coppyt ne ouer Platte ne stowpynge, and the noose-thurlis menly grete.

Vysage.

who-so hath a playne visage and nothynge fleshy, he is a chydere, a barratoure, il-taght, wrongfull, and foule: who-so hath the face meen in chekys and templis, and Sumwhate fatte, he is sothefaste, louynge, vndyrstondynge, and wyse, compaygnable, honeste, and of good engyne. Who so hath a grete mouth, he is chyualerous and hardy: And who-so hath grete lippes, swollen, he is a fole. And who-so hath the face ouer fleshy and ouer grete, he is vnvyse, enuyous, a lyer: who-so hath the face straght and wel y-mesurid, he is wyse and redy in his dedys, and of sutille vndyrstondynge. And who-so hath the visage litill and streyte, yelowe and discolourid, he is ful malicious, ful of vices, dysceyuoure, and dronklewe. Who-so hath the vysage longe and straght, he is angry. Who-so hath the temples swollen and the chekis also, he is ful angri. whoso hath the eeris full grete, he is a fole, saue in that wyche he hath lernyd. That wych he hath lernyt and vndyrstonde, he holdyth hit well, and wel hit remembrith. And whoso hath litill Eeris he is a sot, a thefe, and a lechurere.

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Voyce.

who-so hath the Voyce grete and Plesaunt and wel hardyn, he is chyualerous, Plesaunt, and eloquente. Who-so hath the voice meene betwen grete and smale, he is wise, Purueyaunt, veritable, and ryghtfull. Whoso hath the worde hasty, yf he haue a smale voyce, he is angri, fole, Enuyous, and a liere: And yf his voice be grete, he is angri and hasty. And whoso hath the voyce ful-swete, he is enuyous and suspicious. Ful grete swetnesse of voice tokenyth foly and vncvnnynge; Whoso in spekynge meveth
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oftymes His Handys, and makyth many contynauncys, He is enuyous. A Softe spekere is a dysceyuoure, And he that spekyth wythout meuynge of handys, and wythout Page 235
chippes and contenaunces, He is of perfite vndyrstondynge, wel dysposid, and of hole consaille.

Neeke.

who-so hath a smale neke, he sholde haue a swete voyce and wel y-harde, but he is vnvyse. Whoso hath the neke ful shorte he is voucheous, deceyuant, and trechure. And Whoso hath the neke ful grete, he is a fole and a gloton. And who-so hath the belly grette, he is a Sotte, wythout dyscrecion, Proute and lecherous. But a meen belly and a meene breste tokenyth heynesse of vndyrstondyng and of consaill. A broode breste hey vprerid and gret nynesse of shuldres and of the chynne, tokenyth Proesse, hardynesse, note.113 wythholdynge of vndyrstondynge and of cunynge: the bake and the chynne whan thay bene ouer-smale tokenyth febilnesse and dyscordaunt kynde: Meenesse of breste and of ch[i]nne is a good tokyn, and is to Preyse.

Of the Shuldres.

whan the shuldres bene moche vprerid, thei tokenyth orribill kynde and vntrouthe; whan the armys bene longe and rechynge to the kneis whan thay ben straght, tokenyth hardynesse, Proesse, and fraunchise; and whan the armes bene ful shorte thay tokenyth lowe of dyscorde, and folio 76bL
vncunynge. Longe Palmes and longe bake tokenyth good dispocicion to many craftes, and namely to hand-werkys, and tokyn of good gouernaunce. A shorte grete bake tokenyth fooly and vncvnnynge.

Of the feete.

tHe fette gerte and fleshy, tokenyth fooly and lowe of wrongis; the feete litille and febill tokenyth febilnesse of kynde. Ful smale leggis tokenyth vnconyngnesse; grettnesse of leggis tokenyth streynth and hardynesse; grete brednysse of heelis and of leggis tokenyth febilnesse of naturall vertue, And tho that ham haue, bene neshe in maner of women. Whoso hath the Paas large and slow, he is wyse and wel spedynge in al his dedys, and who-so hath the Paas litill and Swyfte, he is suspeccious, of euyl will, on-myghty to werkys.

hE is wel dysposid aftyr kynde that hath tendyr flesh, the body nethyr ouer roghe ne ouer Playne, of meene estature,

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of quyke coloure, wyth reede Sumwhate medelit, benure lokynge, Plente of lockys Playne Wythout moche cryspynge: The eyen sumwhate reede, opyn and grete y-nogh, the heede rounde and of meene quantyte, the neke euyn and wel dysposyd, the hede well y-mesurid, the shuldris sumwhate hangynge, the leggis and the knees synnowy and noght fleshy; the Voice clere and temperit betwen grete and smale, The Palmes longe and brode, the bake nethyr ouer grete ne smale, of lytill laghynge, fayre of semblaunt, sumwhat Ioyous. Many tokenys y haue tolde yow, but ye shall noght anoone yeue a Iugement ne a sentence for oone of the tokenysse, but ye shall gadyr wyttnesse of al the tokenys, and yf thay ben contrary, ye shall Iuge ther as moste of the tokenysse, and wych moste bene verray, ham accordyth.

Here endyth the tretyse of Physnomye, and begynnynge the tretyce of gouernance of helthe, of the body
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of man, aftyr Phisike. Capitulum Sexagessimum.

amonge al thynges he[l]th is moste desyrid. For a man haue nothynge, that soore seke is, that he nolde hit yeue helth forto haue and mayntene; What were wourth al the worlde to haue, and languyre by sekenysse? Sertis lytill, or noght; ffor sekenys enfebelyth not only the body, but also folio 68b
al Wyse resoun and mynde. And therfor Hit nedyth euery man, and namely Pryncis and grete lordys, helth to haue, and bodely streynth for comyn Prowe of the Pepill; And that he cane kepe hym-selfe in helth of body, that he ne be not euer in kepynge of Phisiciens, like a chylde in warde of his tutoure. And therfor, sethyn gracious lord, that I, Iames aforsayde youre servaunt, haue y-translatid to youre excellence by this boke afor, the techynges, by dyuers autoriteis and ensamplis, how that ye shal kepe youre sowle fro vices and ill maners, and vertuosly to lywe:

Now here y translate yow, out of latyn into englys, the techynges Whyche ye shall mowen kepe helth of body and of corage, that ye may the moore Worthely by bounte and delyuernesse, gouerne al that in youre iurysdiccioun Is. Capitulum lxjm.

aL the wyse Philosofers in oone accorde sayne that iiije elementes bene in the worlde, Wherof euery corruptabill thynge is makyd; that Is to witte, Erthe, Watyr, Eeyre,

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and fyre: And euery of thes hath two ProPyrteis; The Erthe is colde and dry; The watyr is colde and moiste; The eeire hote and moyste; The fyre hote and dry. In the body of euery man ben iiije humorus, answarynge to the iiije elementes: and like propyrteis therof they haue. Malencoly, colde and dry; Fleme, colde and moysty; Sangyne, hote and moyste; Colerike, hote and dry; And for-als-moche as thes Propyrteis bene contraryus, ne may not the body alway endure, but hit moste turne and repayre into the iiije
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Elementes of wych hit was makyd. And thegh the body may not alway endure, hit may endure longe tyme, yf the kynde of man be Well y-noryschid and in due manere, by ettynge and drynkynge like as we sene the mecche of a candill whych is y-lyghtid, Is y-nurshit by the oile Wych is about hit, and yf the oy[le ne]

note.114 were, the mecche shulde bene anoone brent and destruet. In the Same manere yf [th]e kyndely hette ne were y-nurshit by mette and drynke, in shorte tyme hit wolde destru the body. Ouer that hit most haue mesure and proporcion, for yf the mecche be ouer depe y-sette in the oyle, hit shall anoone be y-queynte; And yf a man do surfete of mette and drynke, the kyndely hette shal be enfebelit; and anoone by that may a man fall Into Sekenys and aftyr that dey.

for Salamon Sayth, “Many Pepill bene Perishid by glotony.” Mesure in al thynge helth kepyth, and therfor haue mesure in mete and drynke, in slepynge in wakynge, in trauaill in reste, in blode-lettynge and in all othyr thyngis. And whoso doth not so, he shal fale into dyuers sekenys Sudaynly. And who-so may not atte the ryght mesure, radyr hym holde to the lytill than to the moche; More lyghtyr may the defaute be restorid, than the superfluyte be y-Put away. Of ypocras the vyse leche hit is writte, that grete abstynence he dide, and therfor in a certayne tyme he wox febill of body, and oone of his disciplis to hym sayde, “Fayre Maystyr, yf ye wolde ette welle, ye sholde not be so febill.”

Ypocras answarid, “Fayre sone, I wolde ette forto lyfe, and not lyfe to ette.”

Wel hit Is knowen that tho men whych kepyth reysonabill diette and lywen temprely, bene more hole of body, of bettyr vndyrstondynge, more delyuerir, more strongyr, more lyueloker, more sufferynge and durynge trauailles and dyssayses, and bene of more longyr lyfe.

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Of two Pryncipall thyngis
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that helth kepyth. Capitulum Lxijm.

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tO Kepe Helth of Body two thynges Benne Pryncipaly necessary, The Fryste Is that a man vse mettis and drynkis couenables and acordynge to his nature or kynde and to his complexcioun, as in tyme and in houre and in seyson and as atte his costome. For as ypocras Sayth, “costome is the seconde nature or kynde.” The seconde thynge is, that a man hym Purge in due tyme of superfluytez and humours corruptes, and therfor he is to wyt that aftyr the iiije humores, the note.115
complexcion dyuersyn and varien; for Sum men bene sanguynes, otheris Fleumatikes, the thyrde colerike, the fourth Malencolike. In the maner dyuersyth nature of mettes aftyr hote and colde, moisty and dry, and therfor while that complexcioun holdyth hym in estate, and gothe not away out of euynnesse and ryght mesure, a man is hoole of body; and therfor a man sholde vse mettis accordynge to his complexcioun, but whan the complexcioun Passyth mesure, ther hit behowyth to vse mettes contraries to remeue or brynge the complexcion to euenesse and mesure: And most be done eisili, by litill and by litill, that the kynde ne be not y-greuyd, for the kynde hatyth Sudayn eschaunge. Ensampyl y shal you telle that ye may the bettyr Hit vndyrstonde. The colerike is hote and dry, the fleumatike is moisti and colde, and therfor euerye ethre couenable may vse mettis of oo maner of kynde, while that noone humoure ne synnyth in ham by excesse. But whan the humours Passyth ryght mesure by diet discordeynet, or by kynde of tyme or of regioune, they sholde vse contrary dyetis to redresse the excesse and the sorfete. The colerike sholde vse colde diet and moisti, and the Fleumatik hote diet and dry. I-lyke maner dyuersite of diet shold kepedyn be in the dyuersite of age, and of tyme and of region and of custumes. Anothyr manere of diet couena
folio 78bL
bill is to yonge men and anothyr to olde men; to yonge men gret diet and moisti, to holde men suttill diet and hote. In veer, diet in tempure, In heruste, hote mettis and moisti, In wyntyr, gret diet hote and drye, In somyr, suttill diet, colde and moysty. In the region of the Northe, grete diet and hote; In the region of the South, suttill diete and temporate. Thay that bene wonnyd moche to Page 239
trauaill, sholde vse grete diet, and stronge to defie; Thay that bene wonnyd moche to reste, Sotyll diet is beste, and lyght to defye. More-ouer hit Is to witte, that thay men wyche haue the complexcion hote and stronge, and haue throgh al the body the ouertures large, that clerkys callyth Pores, sholde vse grete mettis, and in grete quantite. But thay men wych haue the body more scarry, and the ouertures streyte, shulde vse Sotille diet and in lytill quantite, ffor larges ouertures tokenyth the kyndely hette to be of grete vertue, and therfore hit askyth gret diet and grete sustenaunce; Streyte ouertures tokenyth the contrary, and therfor he askyth diet contrary. Suche-like dyuersite may a man fynde in dyuerses stomakis, ffor to tham that haue the stomake hote and stronge, hit is beste to vse grete diet and stronge, for suche a stomake is like a grete fyre that hath Powere to braunte grete shydis and stokkis. But whan the stomake is colde and febill, the diet sholde be Suttill and lyght, ffor Suche a stomake is likenyd to the litill fire, that may brande bur flex or stree. And hit is to witte, that in tymes hit is foundyn that al the body of man is hote, and noth for than the stomake is colde. The tokenys of a good stomake ben lyghtnesse of body, good appetite to mette, clernysse of vndyrstondynge. The tokenys of a bade stomake bene heyuynesse of body, Slewthe, the face dyscolourid, heuynesse of eyen, ventuosite and swollynge folio 69b
of the wombe, Defaute of appetite,
folio 79L
or luste to ette oftymes, and Sudaynly to Strech the armys and al the body.

Of the gouernaunce of the body of man aftyr slepe, helth to mayntene. Capitulum Lxiijm.

whan a man rysyth fro slepe, he sholde a lytill walke and hym dysporte, and his lymmes euynly to streche, for that enforchyt the body and confortyth his hede, to keine that the wapours that gonne vp into the hede in tyme of slepynge may haue issue. In Somere hit is good to wesse the extremyteis wyth colde watyr to holde the kyndely hette wyth-In the body, and that shal make haue talent to ette. aftyr that he sholde rube note.116 his gomes with lewys of trenne, whych bene of hote and of dry kynde, for that clenyth the tethe, amendyth the tonge, cleryth the spekynge, and yewyth good talent to mette, and makyth good breth.

Aftyr that man sholde vse suffumygacionys

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of herbis accordynge to the tyme and to his complexcion, for that opynyth the closures of the brayne, the face hit clarifieth and the syght, and the latre a man wexit hore. Whan this Is done, a man sholde anoynte hym with good onymentis, aftyr the Seysone. Suche oynementis shulde bene of good odure, for that longe tyme confortyth the body, and hit makyth lyght and delyuere; and the good odure confortyth the Spiritis, and makyth the herte oppyn and youse, and for the yoy of the herte the blode rynnyth Into the waynys, throgh al the body. For the blode is the frende of kynde, as Phisciens Sayne. And Aftyr a man sholde vse letewaries aftyr the tyme and his complexcion. Moche worth is the lytwary y-makyd of fuste and aloes, for that fuste confortyth the stomake, and procuryth dygestioun, and hit is good agayn the febilnesse of herte and of the brayne, Agayns the cardiacle and al the Passions of the herte and of the brayne, and whoso haue not wherof he may make the letwary, then sethe he fuste in wynne, and drynke hit erly. Reubarbe the Pris of thre Penys of foure rescewe erly, hit Purgyth colre, and wythdrauyth the fleme out of the mouthe of folio 79bL
the stomake, and enechyth the kyndely hette, dryuyth away Ventuosite, and makyth the mouth sauourie. Also fayre thynge, and honeste clothynge, kyndely delytyth manes herte.

Of the ryghtfull houris and tymes of ettynge and drynkynge. Capitulum Sexagessimum quartum.

ryghtful houre of ettynge is, whan the stomake is purchet and clenset, and voyde of the mette, by appetyte and the desyre that a man hath to ette, and by Sutil and thyn spetil that descendyth or comyth doune fro the Palete of the mouth to the tonge. For who-so ettyth afor that the dygestion be fulfillid, hit helpyth not the naturale course, but ouer-chargyth hit. And by so myche the kyndely hette shall be of lytill vertu, and so shal abyde the mette longe congilet in the stomake, wherof comyth dyuers sekenys. But who-so ettyth atte the ryght houre aforsayde, he fedyth the kyndely hette whych is the Instrument of nature to turne the mettis and the drynkis into fleshe, blode, and bonys; and therfor to kepe kynde hete, and to voyde the stomake, good is hit afor mette Sumwhate to walke or ryde, But bettyr is to walke than ryde, that the kynde hette be y-confortid by the mevynge; and yf anythynge be y-lefte in Page 241
the stomake, hit may descende into the botvm of the stomake: For the botum of the stomake is more hottyr than the entre, and that whych is in the boeý shall descende also, and than may the wombe more lyghtyr be Purgid. Goynge afor mette dryuth away the ventositeis, redressith the body, and streyntheth, al the body hit makyth delyuere; hit confortyth the kyndely hette and destrueth ille humours, and whan a man hath talent to ette, he sholde ette anone; and yf he folio 70

Doth not, the stomake anoone shale be replete or fulfillit of Humours, that hit shal draw to hym of the superfluyteis
folio 80L
of the body, and aftyr shal sty vp to the brayne fumositeis, and trvbill hit, and grew hit, and make the hede akynge. Whan a man syttyth atte mette, and dyuers maner mettis afor hym Is sette, he sholde chese that wyche his harte yewyth beste to. the brede be hit made of whete and euenly y-lauenyt; Of nesshe mette he shall begynne note.117 that the issue of the stomake be not lette, the wyne good and triet, the flesshe of the Seyson wel ordeynet; And aftyr, ette mettys that more ben note.118 byndynge, and lasse solubles: and al tymes ette they mettis, wyche bene moiste, lyghtly to defy; and aftyr grete mettis. For yf a man ette fryste grete mettes and sethyn lyght mettis, the lyght mettis shal be anoone defyet, and shal not mowe descende to the bouellis, and therfor thay shal twrne by corrupcion into evil humours. But yf the lyght mettis vndyr be, whan hit is defiet, hit shal descende into the boell, and Sethyn the grete mettis in his tyme shall goone the same way wythout lettynge. And hit is to witte that the stomake is more hote atte the botvm than aboute the mouthe, ffor the botvm is fleshy and neyeth myche the lyuer and to the galle, and of this hit rescewith hette; but the entre of the stomake is synnowy and more is aloynet fro the lyuer and the gale, and the synnowis bene of colde kynde, and the flesshe of hote.

Whan a man sittyth atte mette he sholde wythdrawe his honde afor that he be y-fillit, and durant the appetit he sholde cesse; ffor whoso doth othyr-wyse, Sone he shal be seke and his body y-grewid, and the corage hurte; whoso drynkyth watyr atte mette, or anoone aftyr, he shall felde harme, for that quenchyth the hette naturall, destourbyth the dygestion, and the mettis tvrnyth into corrupcion. But whoso nedyth that to done, drynke a lytill Page 242
and colde temprely,
folio 80bL
and yf hit were medelit wyth wyne, hit were the lasse to dredde.

Now hit is to witte of the gouernaunce of the body aftyr mette. Capitulum lxvm.

whan a lord hath ettyn, good is to stonde awhyle and softely to walke, noght vpon harde erthe ne Pament, but vpon erthe nesshly y-st[r]awet or russhet, for that shal make the mette aisely descende by litill and lytill, into the botum of the stomake. Sethyn hit is good to reste and slepe in a softe bedde, in clothis fresshe wel oduret, Fryst vpon the ryght syde and aftyr vpon the lyfte syde, and on that syde of the, slepe an ende to make, for that syde is moste colde and moste nedyth to be ychafit. Slepynge afor mette drieth the moysture of the body, and hit makyth lene, but slepyng aftyr mette nurrishet the body and streyntyth.

For whyle that a man slepyth, al the wittis restyth; and than retretith the natural hette that spredyth abrode throgh al the body, and to the v wittis. hit servyth to the stomake and to the entraill, and than thay gederith hare streynth and vertu, wyche was amenuset and febelit whan hit was attendynge to al the wittis and meuynges of the body. And therfor sum Philosofers sayne that hit were more holsome to the body to ette atte euynsonge-tyme than atte myde-day. For atte myde-day the v wittes bene in trauaille, and the corage of man is by that y-trauaillit, also by slepynge, by thogh, and by dyuers othyr thynges that a man hath to done, and in tymes by hette Of the sone, wyche more schewyth his vertue atte that tyme of the day: and therfore the natural hette atte myde-day is a lasse stronge, and the stomake is of lasse Powere to defy the mette, but atte evyne we seene
folio 70b
al the contrary, ffor atte that tyme the V wittys restyth Ham of Hare trauaillys, and the dyssayses of the day bene Passid, and the nyght comyth, wych is grauntid to reste;
folio 81L
and the colde of the nyght chasyth the natural hette towarde the stomake and the entraill; and by so mych hym helpyth the vertue dygestyfe that was destrubbit by the hette of the Sone that drawyth to hym the kyndely hette of the extremyteis of the body. For kyndly hette drawyth hete, and colde hit destroubyth. And hit is to witte, that to kepe covstoume is moche wourth to mayntene hele, so that hit be not surfetouse; and than hit sholde not be sodaynly chaungid that Page 243
wyche is custoumet, but slowly by lytill and by litill. Therfor he that is custumet to ette two tymes in the day, yf he wythdrawe hym sodaynly, anone he may grevaunce take; and moche may more dout that man wych was wonyt but ette onys, and aftyr that he ettyth two tymes in oone day. ffor the stomake shal be nuet to resceue more charge than hit was wonyt, Also hit is to witte that he that chaungith the houre of ettynge shall fele greuaunce of kynde by reyson of both thes thynges, ffor custume is the seconde nature, and therfor who-so chaungyth custume hastely, he shall greuaunce recewe, like as the nature or complexciou were chaungid, and that wych is sayde of mettis and drynkys, hit shal be vndyrstond in the same maner of othyr custume, as of slepynge, of trauaill, of restynge, and of al othyr thyngis.

Of the foure Parties of the yere aftyr hare kyndes. Capitulum. Lxvjm.

AL the olde Phylosofers the yere dyuysedyn in fowre Parties, wyche ben callid Veere, Somer, Herrust, and Wyntyr. Thes iiije tymes hath like Propyrteis to the foure elementes, and to the foure complexciones, of the wyche I haue aforsaydyne. The compotistres sayne, that Veere begynnyth at the feste wych we callyth in kalenders, Cathedra sancti Petri, and duryth into the feste of Seynte Vrbane. Than begynnyth Somyr, and duryth into the feste of Seynte Symphoriane.

Than begynnyth
folio 81bL
herust, and duryth into the feste of Seynte Clement. And fro that duryth wyntyr into the feste of seynte Petyr aforsayde. The tyme of weere is hote and moisti, like as the eyre is, And therfor in that tyme, al thynnges begynnyth to renoue and wix newe, and returne Into estate. the tempestis begynnyth ham to wythdrawe, The snowes demettyth ham in the montayns, the ryuers rynnyth Into hillis, The wellis spryngyth vp, The humours of tren and herbis styeth vp fro the rotis into the bowes, the seedis rysyth vp, The cornes growyth, The medys wixen grene, the flowris coloureth the erthe, the tren clothyn ham wyth lewis, botonyth and spourgyth, the bestis engenderyth, And al quyke thynges takyth agayne thare vertues. The byrdys syngyth, the nyghtyngall shewyth his organe notis, al the Erthe rescewyth his anournement and his beute, and is like to a fayre yong man that arrayth hym

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well of al maner of anournement to shewe hym-Selfe atte the weddynge. And for-als-moche as this tyme is hote and moysty, the blode of man whych is of like complexcion, growyth in this seyson more than in any othyr tyme of the yere, and spredyth hym throgh al the lymes of the body. In this tyme hit is good to ette temporate mettes, as chykenes, letus note.119 sauage, that is ycallid scariole, and mylke of a goote, and drynke good wyne and in tempure. Noo tyme is more couenable to lete blode, namely of the body, Purgacioun of the wombe, company of women, bathes, Swetes, Pocions or drynchis of Spycirie, medicyns laxatifs sholde bene vsyd in this tyme. For al that is voyde by blode-lettynge, or by othyr medycyne, this tyme restoryth hastely by his hette and by his moysture.

[Of Somer. Capitulum Lxvijm.]

folio 71

SOmer Begynnyth in the feste of Seynte Vrbane, and Duryth into the feste of Seynte Symphoriane.

folio 82L

In this tyme the dayes vyxen longe, and the nyghtis shorte. In al regions the hettes bene encreschid, the turmentes of the eeyre swagyth, the see wixit calme, the Serpentis growyth, the wynes growyth, the cornes wixit rippe, And than the world semyth a spowse ful woxen of body. and Parfite age, in ful vertue of natural hete. The tyme of Somyr is hote and dry, and therfor than regnyth reede colere, that hath the same condycion, and for that, a man sholde enchu hotte mettis and dry, wych engendryth reede colere. A man Sholde ette mettis of colde and moisti complexcion, that the nature ne Passe not ryght ful temprure, as flesh of Velis, Vynegre, hemroll, and Potage of oot-mell, gourdes and Poumgrenes, and Suche othyr mettis. Also drynke grene wyne, clere, and sharpe, and sparklynge in tempure. Also a man may vse mettis in tempure, that is to witte, that thay be not ouer colde ne ouer hote, and for that the naturale hete of man is more febill in somere, than in othyr tyme, hit nedyth a man do more abstynence in that tyme than in wyntyr, whan the stomake is more hote, by the reyson than in colde tyme the colde chasyth the naturall hete, and the othyr lymes wyche bene wyth-In the body, Company of women, mevynge of body, and grete trauaill, Swotes, and bathes, a man shold scarsly and seldyn vse, lettynge of blode none vse, but yf grete nede be.

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[Of Herust.] Capitulum Lxviijm.

HErust begynnyth atte the feste of Seynte Symphoriane, and duryth Into the feste of Seynte Clement. Than wixen the dayes more shorte than thay weryn, and the nyght more longyr. But like as in Veere fallyth equinoccium, that is to Say, evnesse of day and nyght, So hit is in heruste, but in veere, the dayes longyth fro equinoccium forth, and the nyghtes shortith. In herust fallyth the contrary.

In this tyme the eeyre wixeth colde and dry, the wynde of the Northe oftymes turnyth, Wellis wythdrawen ham, grene thynges fadyth, Frutes fallyth, the Eeyre lesyth his beute, the byrdys shechyn hote regions, the bestis desyryth hare receptis, Serpentes gone to hare dichis. Than semyth the worlde as a woman of grete age, than nowe wox a colde and hade nede to be hote clothyde, for that the yowuthe is Passyde, and age neghyth, Wherfor hit is no mervaile yf beute she hath loste. This tyme is dry and colde by kynde, and than rengnyth blake coler, that is
folio 82bL
callid malencoly; therfor hit nedyth to vse in this tymes hote mettys and moiste, as chykenys well refeted, lambes of oone yere, Pardriches, culueres, good Swete wyne. and ripe, that wel nurshyth the body, fygis, datis, and reysyns. To enchue hit nedyth al mettis that engenderyth malencoly, of the wyche y shall say yow aftyr this. To trauaille and to company with women, a man may more, without perill, than in somer. Bathis and Purgacionys a man may vse in this tyme for nede. If a man haue nede to vomyte, lete hit be done atte myde-day, whan the Sonne is moste hote, for atte that houre the Superfluyteis bene gaderit. Medycinal Purgacions sholde bene y-makyd in this tyme, of thynges that Purgyth malencolie, as is agarik and Suche otheris. Agarik Purgyth fleme and malencoly.

[Of Wyntyr.]

[Capitulum Lxixm.]

Yntyr begynnyth atte the feste of Seynt Clement, And duryth into the feste of Seynte Petyr, as is aforsayde. In this tyme the dayes ben woundyr shorte, and the nyghtes longe, for that the Sonne louyth hym folio 71b
fro oure regioun. And therefor the colde is moche, the wyndys Bene Sharpe, the stormys of the eeyre hidous and horribill, the tren bene dispoylid of thare lewis, al the grene is fadid, outake the Pynes, lorreis, olyues, and few othyr tren.

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Many bestes ham hydyt in caues of montayns, to fle and enchue colde and mostnesse, the eere becommyth derke and foule, bestis that no recepte haue, tremblyth, empeyryth, and mournyth for the colde, and moistnesse, wych is perissynge and contrarie to the lyfe, and therfor al that dede is, anoone wixet colde. In this tyme the world semyth like an olde katte, al ouercome wyth age and trauaill, that lyue ne myght, for she is al disspoylit of beute and of Streynth and vertue. Wyntyr is a colde tyme and moiste, therfor hit is good to vse hote mettis, as flese of motton, fat capons, and fles y-rostid, wych is more hottyr than in seau, or sode in watyr, figes, reisynes, nottes, and good wyne reede, stronge, and clere: letuaries bene good in this tyme, good fyre of colle, and of dry wode, than bene in seyson. But fire with smoke in none seyson nath Place couenable, but oonly
folio 83L
in helle. Trauaill of body, and company of women, a man may vse wythout surfaite, and more than in somer, herust, or weere. In none tyme of the yere a man may not ette so myche as in the Wyntyr, for the grete colde of heyre, makyth the naturall hette reboute and retourne to the stomake and the entraill, and therfor the dygestion is the bettyr and more vertuose in wyntyr than in any othyr tyme: but in Veere, and in somer, the wombe and the stomake is more colde, for in that tyme for the hette of the tyme, the natural hete spredyth throgh al the body, and by so myche the stomake wexit the coldre, and the digestion destourbet, and the humours turnyth into corrupcion. And hit is to witte, that als longe as the natural hette duryth in ryght tempure by euenesse of the foure humores, the helth of man shal be y-keppit; for in two maneres fautyth the nature of man; One manere by grete age, and that is y-callit dethe natural; ffor nature wolde that euery thynge wyche is y-makyd of the foure Elementes Wyche bene contraryous, ne may al tymes endure: That othyr maner is by ill kepynge, Wherof commyth sekenys and Sornesse, Wyche ledyn to deth. Suche deth is callid deth of auenture, out of kynde, ffor-why, the nature myght more longyr endure, yf hit had be wel gouernyd, as hit sholde haue bene.

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Of thyngis that makyth the body fat, moisti, and wel dysposyd. Capitulum Lxxm.

tHe body of man and al that is y-makyd of the foure elementis, bene gouernyd aftyr the mevynges of heuyn, and aftyr the same mevynges the tyme dyuersyth, and therfor in dyuers tymes hit behouyth to haue dyuers kepyngis. Noght for than, sum thyngis that in euery day of the yere hath his effecte more and lasse, as slepynge nurshith the body euery tyme of the yere, and myche wakynge makyth the body lene, and hit destrueth. Therfore, gracious lorde, like as wryttyn y fynde, I shall you say shortely What thynges makyth the body fat, moiste, and well dysposid; and what thynges done the contrary. The body makyth fat, moiste, and wel
folio 83bL
disposyd, good mettis and drynkis accordynge to manys complexcion aftyr the tyme of the yere and the houre of the day y-custumet or vset as is aforsayde; aboue al thynge reste of body, gladnys of herte, yoyful fellochippe or company, mettis hote and moiste, drynkes of good Wyne and rype, swete mylke, and hote drynke makyd wyth Hoony, tendyr brede makyd of the floure of Whete, Slepe mesurable aftyr mette vpon a ness
folio 72

Bedde and in a place tempure, colde Bathis in Watyr temprure colde; and Shorte tyme sitte in bathe that the nature ne be nat enfebelit; Vsynge of honementys aftyr the tyme and complexcione, fflaurynge of Swete odures accordynge to the tyme. In wyntyr the hodure of hote thynges, as is aloynge and suche otheris; In somer odure of colde thynges, as of rose and vyolet: a vomyte in euery monthe atte alerleste, for vomyte Purgyth the stomake of ill humours aboue, as a medecyne laxatyfe benethe; and whan the ill humours bene Putte away, the kyndly hette shal be y-confortid, to defie the mette. To this thynges hit vaillyth moche to haue richesse and glory, victorie vpon enemys, and haue asperaunce and truste in the Pepill, wyche bene vndyr youre gouernaunce. Delite in honeste Play, and hit beholde, as to see horsyn rynne, yonglyngges to skyrme, bestis to chase in venurie, and abow al thynge, fayre thynges oft-tymes to beholde, Fayre Workys to make and dyuyse, delytabill songes to hyre and synge, good bokys to rede and study, wyth lefe and welbelowid Pepill lagh and Play, to solace in dyuers instrumentes of musike, as harpis and Suche otheres, clothynge of Page 248
dyuers clothis, goode and fayre and of dyuers colours, and oftetymes ham chaunge. Thes bene the thynges Wyche confortyth the herte, the body makyt fatte, hole, and wel dysposyd.

Of thynges that done the contrarye. Capitulum Lxxjm.

tHes bene the thynges wych done the contrary to the thynges aforsayde; lytill mette that is not nurshynge, lytill drynke, namely of febill, moche trauaill and grete Iourneis make, to be longe agayne the Sonne in hote weddyr, Slepe afor mete, goynge vpon hard Pament, bathynge in salte watyr, or in watyr in wych there is brymstone, moche vsynge
folio 84L
of salt mettis, ouer-old wyne moch to drynke, to haue wombe moche soluble, moche bledynge or dyuers tymes; and abow al thynge enfebelyth the body and destrueth the Spyrytis, Wakynge moche, ouer myche thoght, company of women ouer myche to vse, grete drede, moche doutynge, oftymes to be wrothe, and wrath longe tyme holde, goodis of fortune gretly to covete, of hatredyn and vengeaunce oftymes to thynke, For the lesynge of goodys gerte Sorrow make, fowle thynges and vnsemely to beholde, Songis of dolure to hyre, Euyl thynkes to hyre, or myschaunces to remembyr.

Fro al manere of myschefe, almyghty god defende oure lyge lorde, kynge henry the Fyfte, and James the Botillere, Erle of Ormonde, his lyeutenaunt of Irlande, Whyche this boke to translate me comaundet, And graunt ham, grete god, and al hare Subiectis, in the Sewyn Vertues, grace al tymes to growe. Amen. Laus deo clementissimo.

I-thankyd be god, that is so Hende,

That of this Worke hath maket an ende.

Notes
note.1 [return to reference] These page-and chapter-numbers are not in the MS. SECRETE.

note.2 [return to reference] Chap. 55 and 56 were missing in the MS. from which this copy is printed.

note.3 [return to reference] Chap. 55 and 56 were missing in the MS. from which this copy is printed.

note.4 [return to reference] Numbered 17 in MS., so that from this point the numeration of the chapters is not in accord with that of the MS., being one in advance.

note.5 [return to reference] falle repeated in MS.

note.6 [return to reference] iiijxx in MS.

note.7 [return to reference] The text is but a part of Cap. 57.

note.8 [return to reference] thi repeated in MS.

note.9 [return to reference] One leaf had gone from here before the MS. was bound.

note.10 [return to reference] Blank in MS.

note.11 [return to reference] The pages, chapter numbers, and headings in brackets are not in the MS.

note.12 [return to reference] Book I.

note.13 [return to reference] Book II.

note.14 [return to reference] After 15 in MS.

note.15 [return to reference] Caps. 70-75, though indexed, are not translated in the M.S.

note.16 [return to reference] Caps. 70-75, though indexed, are not translated in the M.S.

note.17 [return to reference] Caps. 70-75, though indexed, are not translated in the M.S.

note.18 [return to reference] Caps. 70-75, though indexed, are not translated in the M.S.

note.19 [return to reference] Caps. 70-75, though indexed, are not translated in the M.S.

note.20 [return to reference] Caps. 70-75, though indexed, are not translated in the M.S.

note.21 [return to reference] Book III.

note.22 [return to reference] Book IV.

note.23 [return to reference] Book V.

note.24 [return to reference] Book VI.

note.25 [return to reference] Book VII.

note.26 [return to reference] Book VIII.

note.27 [return to reference] Book IX.

note.28 [return to reference] Book X.

note.29 [return to reference] This is not a separate chapter in the Latin note.30 [return to reference] This paragraph follows in the MS. after ‘lord,’

on p. 49.

note.31 [return to reference] ţ in MS.

note.32 [return to reference] ‘of’ repeated in MS.

note.33 [return to reference] Made a separate heading in the MS.

note.34 [return to reference] ‘sourt’ in MS.

note.35 [return to reference] ‘bondys’ in MS.

note.36 [return to reference] ‘now’ in MS.

note.37 [return to reference] MS. x.

note.38 [return to reference] ‘ţre’ in MS.

note.39 [return to reference] These pages (fol. 18a & b) are supplied from Laud 685, the whole of the leaf being torn off except a corner.

note.40 [return to reference] ‘ţore’ in MS.

note.41 [return to reference] ‘&’ in MS.

note.42 [return to reference] The other chapters [70-75] are not translated in the MS.

note.43 [return to reference] ‘he ys fader’ in MS.

note.44 [return to reference] “and ţare by” repeated in MS.

note.45 [return to reference] A space left in MS. here filled by “terrible.”

note.46 [return to reference] “purthy” in MS.

note.47 [return to reference] A blank in MS.

note.48 [return to reference] A blank in MS.

note.49 [return to reference] “ţat” repeated in MS.

note.50 [return to reference] A blank here in MS.

note.51 [return to reference] “caght” in MS.

note.52 [return to reference] This is at the top of fol. 33b in MS.

note.53 [return to reference] MS. de
note.54 [return to reference] “ffoure” in MS.

note.55 [return to reference] “hundrith” in MS.

note.56 [return to reference] A blank in MS.

note.57 [return to reference] nota, in margin.

note.58 [return to reference] suttilte crossed through here.

note.59 [return to reference] A Note ffor Ireland, in margin, in a late hand.

note.60 [return to reference] 38 omitted [in a late hand in margin].

note.61 [return to reference] of repeated in MS.

note.62 [return to reference] Prynce is crossed through here.

note.63 [return to reference] eughyn, MS.

note.64 [return to reference] Altered to aviside.

note.65 [return to reference] A little space in the MSS. after ‘auere’.

note.66 [return to reference] he he MS.

note.67 [return to reference] al manere lawe, ryght, verite and good, crossed through, with vacat written over.

note.68 [return to reference] and and, MS.

note.69 [return to reference] me MS.

note.70 [return to reference] At top of fol. 37b:‐Of the Prologe. Of the fowre Cardynalle Vertues.

note.71 [return to reference] Of vndyrstondynge, the whych is the Seconde Parte of Prudencia (in margin, at the top of page).

note.72 [return to reference] civille Lam.

note.73 [return to reference] dyuerie MS.

note.74 [return to reference] by message, marked for erasure here.

note.75 [return to reference] veyne MS.

note.76 [return to reference] nule, MS.

note.77 [return to reference] in in, MS.

note.78 [return to reference] as as, MS.

note.79 [return to reference] gouernance, MS.

note.80 [return to reference] x partially altered to y.

note.81 [return to reference] De patrie per amorem, MS.

note.82 [return to reference] This insertion is written in the margin of the MS.

note.83 [return to reference] An s is erased.

note.84 [return to reference] came came, MS.

note.85 [return to reference] Mysyth in MS.

note.86 [return to reference] cur in MS.

note.87 [return to reference] and in MS.

note.88 [return to reference] thowo, MS.

note.89 [return to reference] ha, MS.

note.90 [return to reference] From here to p. 196, l. 5, supplied from MS.

Lambeth 633, fol. 46, l. 21.

note.91 [return to reference] corana, MS.

note.92 [return to reference] MS. iije.

note.93 [return to reference] Rawlinson MS. begins again.

note.94 [return to reference] in, MS.

note.95 [return to reference] Pleyer, MS.

note.96 [return to reference] ij are run together. L.1421.

note.97 [return to reference] atte MS.

note.98 [return to reference] cummynge MS.

note.99 [return to reference] as, MS.

note.100 [return to reference] n altered to r.

note.101 [return to reference] couetyth MS.

note.102 [return to reference] vioces, MS.

note.103 [return to reference] Some letters cut off the margin; inserted from L.

note.104 [return to reference] Sclolis, MS.

note.105 [return to reference] ouer MS.

note.106 [return to reference] abouute in MS.

note.107 [return to reference] At top of page, Capitulum Quinquagessimum octauum.

note.108 [return to reference] At top of page:‐Capitulum Quinquagessimum Octauum. Lviijm.

note.109 [return to reference] entremyte, MS.

note.110 [return to reference] we in MS.

note.111 [return to reference] At top of page:‐“Capitulum Quinquagessimum octauum. Lviijm.”

note.112 [return to reference] secdne, MS.

note.113 [return to reference] 164 in ink figures, in margin, about 1850?

note.114 [return to reference] Blotted here.

note.115 [return to reference] the the, MS.

note.116 [return to reference] rude in MS.

note.117 [return to reference] that that in MS.

note.118 [return to reference] bende, MS.

note.119 [return to reference] betus MS.

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