IV . (ELYOT-E1-P2,18.3) The education or fourme of bringing up of the childe of a gentilman , which is to haue authoritie in a publike weale . (ELYOT-E1-P2,18.4) For as moche as all noble authors do conclude , and also commune experience proueth , that where the gouernours of realmes and cities be founden adourned with vertues , and do employ theyr study and mynde to the publike weale , as well to the augmentation therof as to the establysshynge and longe continuaunce of the same : there a publike weale must nedes be both honorable and welthy . To the entent that I wyll declare howe suche personages may be prepared , I will use the policie of a wyse and counnynge gardener : who purposynge to haue in his gardeine a fyne and preciouse herbe , that shulde be to hym and all other repairynge therto , excellently comodiouse or pleasant , he will first serche throughout his gardeyne where he can finde the most melowe and fertile erth : (ELYOT-E1-P2,18.6) and therin wil he put in the sede of the herbe to growe and be norisshed : and in most diligent wise attende that no weede be suffred to growe or aproche nyghe unto it : (ELYOT-E1-P2,18.7) and to the entent it may thrive the faster , as soone as the fourme of an herbe ones appereth , he will set a vessell of water by hit , in suche wyse that it may continually distille on the rote swete droppes ; and as it spryngeth in stalke , under sette it with some thyng that it breake nat , and alway kepe it cleane from weedes . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.8) Semblable ordre will I ensue in the fourmynge the gentill wittes of noble mennes children , who , from the wombes of their mother , shal be made propise or apte to the gouernaunce of a publike weale . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.9) Fyrste , they , unto whom the bringing up of suche children apperteineth , oughte , againe the time that their mother shall be of them deliuered , to be sure of a nourise whiche shulde be of no seruile condition or vice notable . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.10) For , as some auncient writers do suppose , often times the childe soukethe the vice of his nouryse with the milke of her pappe . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.11) And also obserue that she be of mature or ripe age , nat under xx yeres , or aboue xxx , her body also being clene from all sikenes or deformite , and hauing her complection most of the right and pure sanguine . For as moche as the milke therof comminge excelleth all other bothe-1 in swetenes and substance . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.12) $Moreouer {TEXT:Moreouer} to the nourise shulde be appointed an other woman of approued vertue , discretion , and grauitie , who shall nat suffre , in the childes presence , to be shewed any acte or tache dishonest , or any wonton or unclene worde to be spoken : (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.13) and for that cause al men , except physitions only , shulde be excluded and kepte out of the norisery . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.14) Perchance some wyll scorne me for that I am so serious , sainge that ther is no suche damage to be fered in an infant , who for tendernes of yeres hath nat the understanding to decerne good from iuell . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.15) And yet no man wyll denie , but in that innocency he wyll decerne milke from butter , and breadde from pappe , (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.16) and er he can speake he wyll with his hande or countenaunce signifie whiche he desireth . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.17) And I verily do suppose that in the braynes and hertes of children , whiche be membres spirituall , whiles they be tender , and the litle slippes of reason begynne in them to burgine , ther may happe by iuel custome some pestiferous dewe of vice to perse the sayde membres , and infecte and corrupt the softe and tender buddes , wherby the frute may growe wylde , and some tyme conteine in it feruent and mortal poyson , to the utter destruction of a realme . (ELYOT-E1-P2,19.18) And we haue in daily experience that litle infantes assayeth to folowe , nat onely the wordes , but also the faictes and gesture , of them that be prouecte in yeres . (ELYOT-E1-P2,20.20) For we daylye here , to our great heuines , children swere great othes and speake lasciuious and unclene wordes , by the example of other whom they heare , whereat the leude parentes do reioyce , sone after , or in this worlde , or els where , to theyr great payne and tourment . (ELYOT-E1-P2,20.21) Contrary wise we beholde some chyldren , knelynge in theyr game before images , and holdyng up theyr lytell whyte handes , do moue theyr praty mouthes , as they were praying : other goynge and syngynge as hit were in procession : wherby they do expresse theyr disposition to the imitation of those thynges , be they good or iuell , whiche they usually do se or here . Wherfore nat only princis , but also all other children , from their norises pappes , are to be kepte diligently from the herynge or seynge of any vice or euyl tache . (ELYOT-E1-P2,20.22) And incontinent as sone as they can speake , it behoueth , with most pleasaunt allurynges , to instill in them swete maners and vertuouse custome . Also to prouide for them suche companions and playfelowes , whiche shal nat do in his presence any reprocheable acte , or speake any uncleane worde or othe , ne to aduaunt hym with flatery , remembrynge his nobilitie , or any other like thyng wherin he mought glory : onlas it be to persuade hym to vertue , or to withdrawe him from vice , in the remembryng to hym the daunger of his euill example . (ELYOT-E1-P2,20.23) For noble men more greuously offende by theyr example than by theyr dede . (ELYOT-E1-P2,20.24) Yet often remembrance to them of their astate may happen to radycate in theyr hartes intollerable pride , the moost dangerous poyson to noblenes : wherfore there is required to be therein moche cautele and sobrenesse . (ELYOT-E1-P2,20.25) $Natwithstandinge {TEXT:Natwithstandinge} , for as moche as the saide warkes be very longe , and do require therfore a great time to be all lerned and kanned , some latine autour wolde be therwith myxte , and specially Virgile ; whiche , in his warke called Eneidos , is most lyke to Homere , and all moste the same Homere in latine . (ELYOT-E1-P2,37.27) Also , by the ioynynge to gether of those autours , the one shall be the better understande by the other . (ELYOT-E1-P2,37.28) And verily as I before saide none one autour serueth to so diuers witts as doth Virgile . (ELYOT-E1-P2,37.29) For there is nat that affect or desire , wherto any childes fantasie is disposed , but in some of Virgils warkes may be founden matter therto apte and propise . (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.30) For what thinge can be more familiar than his bucolikes ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.31) nor no warke so nighe approcheth to the commune daliaunce and maners of children , (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.32) and the praty controuersies of the simple shepeherdes , therin contained , wonderfully reioyceth the childe that hereth hit well declared , as I knowe by myne owne experience . (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.33) In his Georgikes lorde what pleasaunt varietie there is : the diuers graynes , herbes , and flowres that be there described , that , reding therin , hit semeth to a man to be in a delectable gardeine or paradise . (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.34) What ploughe man knoweth so moche of husbandry as there is expressed ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.35) who , delitynge in good horsis , shall nat be therto more enflamed , reding there of the bredyng , chesinge , and kepyng , of them ? In the declaration whereof Virgile leaueth farre behynde hym all breders , hakneymen , and skosers . (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.36) Is there any astronomer that more exactly setteth out the ordre and course of the celestiall bodies : or that more truely dothe deuine in his pronostications of the tymes of the yere , in their qualities , with the future astate of all thinges prouided by husbandry , than Virgile doth recite in that warke ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.37) If the childe haue a delite in huntyng , what pleasure shall he take of the fable of Aristeus : semblably in the huntynge of Dido and Eneas , whiche is discriued moste elegantly in his boke of Eneidos . (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.38) If he haue pleasure in wrastling , rennyng , or other lyke exercise , where shall he se any more plesant esbatementes , than that whiche was done by Eurealus and other troyans , whiche accompanyed Eneas ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.39) If he take solace in hearynge minstrelles , what minstrell may be compared to Jopas , whiche sange before Dido and Eneas ? or to blinde Demodocus , that played and sange moste swetely at the dyner , that the kynge Alcinous made to Misses : whose dities and melodie excelled as farre the songes of our minstrelles , as Homere and Virgile excelle all other poetes . (ELYOT-E1-P2,38.40) If he be more desirous , as the most parte of children be , to here thinges marueilous and exquisite , whiche hath in it a visage of some thinges incredible , wherat shall he more wonder , than whan he shall beholde Eneas folowe Sibille in to helle ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.41) What shal he more drede , than the terrible visages of Cerberous , Gorgon , Megera , and other furies and monsters ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.42) Howe shall he abhorre tyranny , fraude , and auarice , whan he doth se the paynes of duke Theseus , Prometheus , Sisiphus , and suche other tourmented for their dissolute and vicious lyuyng ? (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.43) Howe glad soone after shall he be , whan he shall beholde , in the pleasant feldes of Elisius , the soules of noble princes and capitaines which , for their vertue , and labours in aduancing the publike weales of their countrayes , do lyue eternally in pleasure inexplicable . (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.44) And in the laste bokes of Eneidos shall he finde matter to ministre to hym audacite , valiaunt courage , and policie , to take and susteyne noble enterprises , if any shall be nedefull for the assailynge of his enemies . (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.45) Finally as I haue saide this noble Virgile , like to a good norise , giueth to a childe , if he wyll take it , euery thinge apte for his witte and capacitie : wherfore he is in the ordre of lernyng to be preferred before any other autor latine . (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.46) I wolde set nexte unto hym two bokes of Ouid , the one called Metamorphosios , whiche is as moche to saye as , chaungynge of men in to other figure or fourme : (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.47) the other is intitled De fastis : where the ceremonies of the gentiles , and specially the Romanes , be expressed : bothe right necessary for the understandynge of other poetes . (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.48) But by cause there is litell other lernyng in them , concernyng either vertuous maners or policie , I suppose it were better that as fables and ceremonies happen to come in a lesson , it were declared abundantly by the maister than that in the saide two bokes , a longe tyme shulde be spente and almost lost : which mought be better employed on suche autors that do minister both eloquence , ciuile policie , and exhortation to vertue . Wherfore in his place let us bringe in Horace , in whom is contayned moche varietie of lernynge and quickenesse of sentence . (ELYOT-E1-P2,39.49) This poet may be enterlaced with the lesson of Odissea of Homere , wherin is declared the wonderfull prudence and fortitude of Ulisses in his passage from Troy . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.51) And if the childe were induced to make versis by the imitation of Virgile and Homere , it shulde ministre to hym moche dilectation and courage to studie : (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.52) ne the making of versis is nat discommended in a noble man : sens the noble Augustus and almost all the olde emperours made bokes in versis . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.53) The two noble poetis Silius , and Lucane , be very expedient to be lerned : (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.54) for the one setteth out the emulation in qualities and prowesse of two noble and valiant capitaynes , one , enemy to the other , that is to say , Silius writeth of Scipio the Romane , and Haniball duke of Cartaginensis : (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.55) Lucane declareth a semblable mater , but moche more lamentable : for as moche as the warres were ciuile , and , as it were , in the bowelles of the Romanes , that is to say , under the standerdes of Julius Cesar and Pompei . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.56) Hesiodus , in greke , is more briefe than Virgile , where he writeth of husbandry , (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.57) and doth nat rise so high in philosophie , (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.58) but is fuller of fables : (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.59) and therfore is more illecebrous . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.60) And here I conclude to speke any more of poetis , necessary for the childehode of a gentill man : for as moche as these , I doubt nat , will suffice untill he passe the age of xiii yeres . In which time childhode declineth , and reason waxeth rype , and deprehendeth thinges with a more constant iugement . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.61) Here I wolde shulde be remembred , that I require nat that all these warkes shud be throughly radde of a childe in this tyme , whiche were almost impossible . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.62) But I only desire that they haue , in euery of the saide bokes , so moche instruction that they may take therby some profite . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.63) Than the childes courage , inflamed by the frequent redynge of noble poetes , dayly more and more desireth to haue experience in those thinges , that they so vehemently do commende in them , that they write of . (ELYOT-E1-P2,40.64) Leonidas , the noble kynge of Spartanes , beinge ones demaunded , of what estimation in poetry Tirtaeus , as he supposed , was , it is writen that he answeryng saide , that , for sterynge the myndes of yonge men he was excellent , for as moche as they , being meued with his versis , do renne in to the bataile , regardyng no perile , as men all inflamed in martiall courage . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.65) And whan a man is comen to mature yeres , and that reason in him is confirmed with serious lerning and longe experience , than shall he , in redyng tragoedies , execrate and abhorre the intollerable life of tyrantes : (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.66) and shall contemne the foly and dotage expressed by poetes lasciuious . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.67) Here wyll I leaue to speake of the fyrste parte of a noble mannes studie : (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.68) and nowe wyll I write of the seconde parte , which is more serious , and containeth in it sondry maners of lernynge . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.69) XI . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.71) The moste commodious and necessary studies suceedyng ordinatly the lesson of poetes . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.72) After that xiv. yeres be passed of a childes age , his maister if he can , or some other , studiouslye exercised in the arte of an oratour , shall firste rede to hym some what of that parte of logike that is called Topica , eyther of Cicero , or els of that noble clerke of Almaine , which late floured , called Agricola : whose warke prepareth inuention , tellynge the places from whens an argument for the profe of any mater may be taken with litle studie : (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.74) and that lesson , with moche and diligent learnyng , hauyng mixte there with none other exercise , will in the space of halfe a yere be perfectly kanned . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.75) Immediately after that , the arte of Rhetorike wolde be semblably taught , either in greke , out of Hermogines , or of Quintilian in latine , begynnyng at the thirde boke , and instructyng diligently the childe in that parte of rhethorike , principally , whiche concerneth persuation : for as moche as it is moste apte for consultations . (ELYOT-E1-P2,41.76) There can be no shorter instruction of Rhetorike than the treatise that Tulli wrate unto his sonne , which boke is named the partition of rhetorike . (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.77) And in good faythe , to speake boldly that I thinke : for him that nedeth nat , or doth nat desire , to be an exquisite oratour , the litle boke made by the famous Erasmus , whom all gentill wittis are bounden to thanke and supporte , whiche he calleth Copiam Verborum et Rerum , that is to say , plentie of wordes and maters , shall be sufficient . (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.78) Isocrates , concerning the lesson of oratours , is euery where wonderfull profitable , hauynge almost as many wyse sentences as he hath wordes : (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.79) and with that is so swete and delectable to rede , that , after him , almost all other seme unsauery and tedious : (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.80) and in persuadynge , as well a prince , as a priuate persone , to vertue , in two very litle and compendious warkes , wherof he made the one to kynge Nicocles , the other to his frende Demonicus wolde be perfectly kanned , and had in continual memorie . (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.81) Demosthenes and Tulli , by the consent of all lerned men , haue preeminence and soueraintie ouer all oratours : the one reignyng in wonderfull eloquence in the publike weale of the Romanes , who had the empire and dominion of all the worlde : the other , of no lasse estimation , in the citie of Athenes , whiche of longe tyme was accounted the mother of Sapience , and the palaice of musis and all liberall sciences . Of whiche two oratours may be attayned , nat onely eloquence , excellent and perfecte , but also preceptes of wisdome , and gentyll maners : with most commodious examples of all noble vertues and pollicie . Wherfore the maister , in redynge them , muste well obserue and expresse the partis and colours of rhetorike in them contayned , accordynge to the preceptes of that arte before lerned . (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.82) The utilitie that a noble man shall haue by redyng these oratours , is , that , whan he shall happe to reason in counsaile , or shall speke in a great audience , or to strange ambassadours of great princes , he shall nat be constrayned to speake wordes sodayne and disordred , (ELYOT-E1-P2,42.83) but shal bestowe them aptly and in their places . Wherfore the moste noble emperour Octauius is highly commended , for that he neuer spake in the Senate , or to the people of Rome , but in an oration prepared and purposely made . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.84) Also to prepare the childe to understandynge of histories , whiche , beinge replenished with the names of countrayes and townes unknowen to the reder , do make the historie tedious or els the lasse pleasant , so if they be in any wyse knowen , it encreaseth an inexplicable delectation . It shall be therfore , and also for refreshing the witte , a conuenient lesson to beholde the olde tables of Ptholomee , where in all the worlde is paynted , hauynge firste some introduction in to the sphere , wherof nowe of late be made very good treatises , and more playne and easie to lerne than was wonte to be . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.85) All be it there is none so good lernynge as the demonstration of cosmographie by materiall figures and instrumentes , hauynge a good instructour . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.86) And surely this lesson is bothe pleasant and necessary . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.87) For what pleasure is it , in one houre , to beholde those realmes , cities , sees , ryuers , and mountaynes , that uneth in an olde marines life can nat be iournaide and pursued : (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.88) what incredible delite is taken in beholding the diuersities of people , beastis , foules , fisshes , trees , frutes , and herbes : to knowe the sondry maners and conditions of people , and the varietie of their natures , and that in a warme studie or perler , without perill of the see , or daunger of longe and paynfull iournayes : (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.89) I can nat tell what more pleasure shulde happen to a gentil witte , than to beholde in his owne house euery thynge that with in all the worlde is contained . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.90) The commoditie therof knewe the great kynge Alexander , as some writars do remembre . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.91) For he caused the countrayes wherunto he purposed any enterprise , diligently and counningly to be discribed and paynted , that , beholdynge the picture , he mought perceyue whiche places were most daungerous : and where he and his host mought haue most easy and couenable passage . (ELYOT-E1-P2,43.92) Semblably dyd the Romanes in the rebellion of France , and the insurrection of theyr confederates , settynge up a table openly , wherin Italy was painted , to the intent that the people lokying in it , shuld reason and consulte in whiche places hit were best to resiste or inuade their ennemies . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.93) I omitte , for length of the matter , to write of Cirus , the great kinge of Perse , Crassus the Romane , and dyuers other valiant and experte capitaines : whiche haue lost them selfes and all their army by ignorance of this doctryne . Wherfore it maye nat be of any wyse man denied , but that Cosmographie is to all noble men , nat only pleasant , but profitable also , and wonderfull necessary . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.94) In the parte of cosmographie wherwith historie is mingled Strabo reigneth : whiche toke his argument of the diuine poete Homere . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.95) Also Strabo hym selfe , as he saith , laboured a great part of Africa and Egypte , where undoubtedly be many thinges to be maruailed at . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.96) Solinus writeth almost in like forme , (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.97) and is more brefe , (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.98) and hath moche more varietie of thinges and maters . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.99) and is therfore maruailous delectable : (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.100) yet Mela is moche shorter , (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.101) and his stile , by reason that it is of a more antiquitie , is also more clene and facile . Wherfore he , or Dionisius , shall be sufficient . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.102) Cosmographie beinge substantially perceiued , it is than tyme to induce a childe to the redinge of histories : but fyrst to set hym in a feruent courage , the mayster in the mooste pleasant and elegant wise expressinge what incomparable delectation , utilitie , and commodite , shal happen to emperours , kinges , princes , and all other gentil men by reding of histories : shewinge to hym that Demetrius Phalareus , a man of excellent wisdome and lerninge , and whiche in Athenes had ben longe exercised in the publick weale , exhorted Ptholomee , kyng of Egipt , chiefly aboue all other studyes , to haunte and embrace histories , and suche other bokes , wherin were contayned preceptes made to kynges and princes : sayng that in them he shulde rede those thinges whiche no man durst reporte unto his persone . (ELYOT-E1-P2,44.103) Also Cicero , father of the latin eloquence , calleth an historie the witnesse of tymes , maistres of life , the lyfe of remembrance , of trouthe the lyght , and messager of antiquite . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.104) Moreouer , the swete Isocrates exhorteth the kynge Nicocles , whom he instructeth , to leaue behynde him statues and images , that shall represent rather the figure and similitude of his mynde , than the features of his body , signifienge therbye the remembraunce of his actes writen in histories . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.105) By semblable aduertisementes shall a noble harte be trayned to delite in histories . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.106) And than , accordynge to the counsayle of Quintilian , it is best that he begynne with Titus Liuius , nat onely for his elegancie of writinge , whiche floweth in him like a fountaine of swete milke but also for as moche as by redynge that autor he maye knowe howe the mooste noble citie of Rome , of a small and poure begynnynge , by prowes and vertue , litell and litell came to the empire and dominion of all the worlde . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.107) Also in that citye he maye beholde the fourme of a publike weale : whiche , if the insolencie and pryde of Tarquine had nat excluded kynges out of the citie , it had ben the most noble and perfect of all other . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.108) Xenophon , beynge bothe a philosopher and an excellent capitayne , so inuented and ordred his warke named Paedia Cyri , whiche may be interpreted the Childehode or discipline of Cyrus , that he leaueth to the reders therof an incomparable swetenes and example of lyuynge , specially for the conductynge and well ordring of hostes or armyes . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.109) And therfore the noble Scipio , who was called Affricanus , as well in peace as in warre was neuer seene without this boke of Xenophon . (ELYOT-E1-P2,45.110) With hym maye be ioyned Quintus Curtius , who writeth the life of kyng Alexander elegantly and swetely . In whom may be founden the figure of an excellent prince , as he that incomparably excelled al other kinges and empereurs in wysedome , hardynes , strength , policie , agilite , valiaunt courage , nobilitie , liberalitie and curtaisie : where in he was a spectakle or marke for all princes to loke on . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.111) Contrarye wise whan he was ones vainquisshed with voluptie and pride his tiranny and beastly crueltie abhorreth all reders . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.112) The comparison of the vertues of these two noble princes , equally described by two excellent writars , well expressed , shall prouoke a gentil courage to contende to folowe their vertues . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.113) Julius Cesar and Salust for their compendious writynge to the understandynge wherof is required an exact and perfect iugement , and also for the exquisite ordre of bataile and continuange of the historie without any varietie , wherby the payne of studie shulde be alleuiate , they two wolde be reserued untyll he that shall rede them shall se some experience in semblable matters . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.114) And than shal he finde in them suche pleasure and commodite as therwith a noble and gentyl harte ought to be satisfied . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.115) For in them both it shall seme to a man that he is present and hereth the counsayles and exhortations of capitaines , whiche be called Conciones , and that he seeth the ordre of hostes whan they be embatayled , the fiers assaultes and encountringes of bothe armies , the furiouse rage of that monstre called warre . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.116) And he shall wene that he hereth the terrible dintes of sondry weapons and ordinaunce of bataile , the conducte and policies of wise and expert capitaines , specially in the commentaries of Julius Cesar , whiche he made of his exploiture in Fraunce and Brytayne , and other countraies nowe rekned amonge the provinces of Germany : whiche boke is studiously to be radde of the princes of this realme of Englande and their counsailors ; considering that therof maye be taken necessary instructions concernynge the warres agayne Irisshe men or Scottes , who be of the same rudenes and wilde disposition that the Suises and Britons were in the time of Cesar . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.117) Semblable utilitie shal be founden in the historie of Titus Liuius , in his thirde Decades , where he writeth of the batayles that the Romanes had with Annibal and the Charthaginensis . (ELYOT-E1-P2,46.118) Also there be dyuers orations , as well in all the bokes of the saide autors as in the historie of Cornelius Tacitus , whiche be very delectable , and for counsayles very expedient to be had in memorie . (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.119) And in good faythe I haue often thought that the consultations and orations wryten by Tacitus do importe a maiestie with a compendious eloquence therin contained . (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.120) In the lerning of these autors a yonge gentilman shal be taught to note and marke , nat only the ordre and elegancie in declaration of the historie , but also the occasion of the warres , the counsailes and preparations on either part , the estimation of the capitaines , the maner and fourme of theyr gouernance , the continuance of the bataile , the fortune and successe of the holle affaires . (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.121) Semblably out of the warres in other dayly affaires , the astate of the publike weale , if hit be prosperous or in decaye , what is the very occasion of the one or of the other , the forme and maner of the governance therof , the good and euyll qualities of them that be rulers , the commodites and good sequele of vertue , the discommodies and euyll conclusion of vicious licence . (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.122) Surely if a noble man do thus seriously and diligently rede histories , I dare affirme there is no studie or science for him of equal commoditie and pleasure , hauynge regarde to euery tyme and age . (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.123) By the time that the childe do com to xvii yeres of age , to the intent his courage be bridled with reason , hit were nedefull to rede unto hym some warkes of philosophie ; specially that parte that may enforme him unto vertuous maners , whiche parte of philosophie is called morall . Wherfore there wolde be radde to hym , for an introduction , $the $two $fyrste {TEXT:two_the_fyrste} bokes of the warke of Aristotell called Ethicae , wherin is contained the definitions and propre significations of euery vertue ; (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.124) and that to be lerned in greke ; (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.125) for the translations that we yet haue be but a rude and grosse shadowe of the eloquence and wisedome of Aristotell . (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.126) Forthe with wolde folowe the warke of Cicero , called in Latin De officiis , wherunto yet is no propre englisshe worde to be gyuen ; (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.127) but to prouide for it some maner of exposition , it may be sayde in this fourme : ' Of the dueties and maners appertaynynge to men . ' (ELYOT-E1-P2,47.128) But aboue all other , the warkes of Plato wolde be most studiously radde whan the iugement of a man is come to perfection , and by the other studies is instructed in the fourme of speakynge that philosophers used . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.129) Lorde god , what incomparable swetnesse of wordes and mater shall he finde in the saide warkes of Plato and Cicero ; wherin is ioyned grauitie with delectation , excellent wysedome with diuine eloquence , absolute vertue with pleasure incredible , (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.130) and euery place is so infarced with profitable counsaile , ioyned with honestie , that those thre bokes be almoste sufficient to make a perfecte and excellent gouernour . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.131) The prouerbes of Salomon with the bokes of Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus be very good lessons . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.132) All the historiall partes of the bible be righte necessarye for to be radde of a noble man , after that he is mature in yeres . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.133) And the residue with the newe testament is to be reuerently touched , as a celestiall iewell or relike , hauynge the chiefe interpretour of those bokes trewe and constant faithe , and dredefully to sette handes theron , remembrynge that Oza , for puttyng his hande to the holy shryne that was called Archa federis , whan it was broughte by kyng Dauid from the citie of Gaba , though it were wauerynge and in daunger to fall , yet was he stryken of god , and fell deed immediately . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.134) It wolde nat be forgoten that the lytell boke of the most excellent doctour Erasmus Roterodamus , whiche he wrate to Charles , nowe beynge emperour and than prince of Castile whiche booke is intituled the Institution of a christen prince , wolde be as familyare alwaye with gentilmen , at all tymes , and in euery age , as was Homere with the great king Alexander , or Xenophon with Scipio ; (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.135) for as all men may iuge that haue radde that warke of Erasmus , that there was neuer boke written in latine that , in so lytle a portion , contayned of sentence , eloquence , and vertuous exhortation , a more compendious abundaunce . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.136) And here I make an ende of the lernynge and studie wherby noble men may attayne to be worthy to haue autorite in a publike weale . (ELYOT-E1-P2,48.137) Alway I shall exhorte tutours and gouernours of noble children , that they suffre them nat to use ingourgitations of meate or drinke , ne to slepe moche , that is to saye , aboue viii houres at the moste . (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.138) For undoubtedly bothe repletion and superfluous slepe be capitall enemies to studie , as they be semblably to helth of body and soule . (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.139) Aulus Gellius sayth that children , if they use of meate and slepe ouer moche , be made therwith dull to lerne , (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.140) and we se that therof slownesse is taken , and the children's personages do waxe uncomely , and lasse growe in stature . (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.141) Galen wyll nat permitte that pure wyne , without alay of water , shulde in any wyse be gyuen to children , (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.142) for as moche as it humecteth the body , or maketh it moyster and hotter than is conuenient , also it fylleth the heed with fume , in them specially , whiche be lyke as children of hote and moiste temperature . (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.143) These be well nighe the wordes of the noble Galen . (ELYOT-E1-P2,49.144) Ye and if they be bothe in an equall dignitie , if they be desirous to klyme , as they do ascende , so frendship for the more parte decayeth . (ELYOT-E1-P2,163.146) For as Tulli saieth in his firste boke of offices , what thing so euer it be , in the whiche many can nat excell or haue therein superioritie , therein often tymes is suche a contencion , that it is a thinge of all other moste difficile to kepe amonge them good or vertuous company ; that is as moche to say as to retayne amonge them frendship and amitie . (ELYOT-E1-P2,163.147) And it is often tymes sene that diuers , which before they came in autoritie , were of good and vertuous conditions , beinge in their prosperitie were utterly chaunged , and dispisinge their olde frendes set all their studie and pleasure on their newe acquaintaunce . Wherein men shall parceiue to be a wonderfull blindnes , or as I mought say a madnesse , if they note diligently all that I shall here after write of frendshippe . (ELYOT-E1-P2,163.148) But nowe to resorte to speke of them in whom frendship is most frequent , (ELYOT-E1-P2,163.149) and they also therto be moste aptly disposed . (ELYOT-E1-P2,163.150) Undoughtedly it be specially they whiche be wyse and of nature inclined to beneficence , liberalitie and constance . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.151) For by wysedome is marked and substancially decerned the wordes , actes , and demeanure of all men betwene whom hapneth to be any entrecourse or familiaritie , whereby is ingendred a fauour or disposition of loue . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.152) Beneficence , that is to say , mutually puttinge to their studie and helpe in necessary affaires , induceth loue . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.153) They that be liberall do with holde or hyde nothinge from them whom they loue , wherby loue encreaseth . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.154) And in them that be constante is neuer mistrust or suspition , (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.155) nor any surmise or iuell reporte can withdrawe them from their affection , (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.156) and hereby frendship is made perpetuall and stable . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.157) But if similitude of studie or lerninge be ioyned unto the said vertues , frendship moche rather hapneth , (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.158) and the mutuall enteruewe and conuersation is moche more pleasaunt , specially if the studies haue in them any delectable affection or motion . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.159) For where they be to serious or full of contention , frendship is oftentimes assaulted , whereby it is often in parile . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.160) Where the studie is elegant and the mater illecebrous , that is to say , swete to the redar , the course wherof is rather gentill persuasion and quicke reasoninges than ouer subtill argumentes or litigious controuersies , there also it hapneth that the studentes do delite one in a nother and be without enuie or malicious contention . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.161) Nowe let us trie out what is that frendshippe that we suppose to be in good men . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.162) Verely it is a blessed and stable connexion of sondrie willes , makinge of two parsones one in hauinge and suffringe . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.163) And therfore a frende is proprely named of Philosophers the other I . For that in them is but one mynde and one possession ; and that , which more is , a man more reioiseth at his frendes good fortune than at his owne . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.164) Horestes and Pilades , beinge wonderfull like in all features , were taken to gider and presented unto a tyrant who deedly hated Horestes , (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.165) but whan he behelde them bothe , and wolde haue slayne Horestes onely , he coulde nat decerne the one from the other . (ELYOT-E1-P2,164.166) And also Pilades , to deliuer his frende , affirmed that he was Orestes ; (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.167) on the other parte Orestes , to saue Pilades , denied (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.168) and said that he was Orestes as the trouthe was . (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.169) Thus a longe tyme they to gither contendinge , the one to die for the other , at the laste so relented the fierse and cruell harte of the tyrant , that wondringe at their meruailous frendship he suffred them frely to departe , without doinge to them any damage . (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.170) Pitheas and Damon , two Pythagoriens , that is to say , studentes of Pythagoras lerninge , beinge ioyned to gither in a parfeite frendship , for that one of them was accused to haue conspired agayne Dionyse , king of Sicile , they were bothe taken and brought to the kinge , who immediately gaue sentence , that he that was accused shulde be put to dethe . (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.171) But he desired the kinge that , er he died , he mought retourne home to set his householde in ordre and to distribute his goodes ; whereat the kinge laughinge demaunded of him skornefully what pledge he wolde leaue hym to come agayne . At the whiche wordes his companyon stepte furthe and saide , that he wolde remayne there as a pledge for his frende , that in case he came nat agayne at the daye to hym appointed , that he wyllingly wolde lose his hede ; whiche condicion the tyraunt receyued . (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.172) The yonge man that shuld haue died , was suffred to departe home to his house , where he set all thinge in ordre and disposed his goodes wisely . (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.173) The day appointed for his retourne was commen , the tyme moche passed ; wherfore the kynge called for him that was pledge , who came furthe merely without semblaunte of drede , offringe to abide the sentence of the tyraunt , and without grudginge to die for the sauinge the life of his frende . (ELYOT-E1-P2,165.174) But as the officer of iustyce had closed his eien with a kerchiefe , and had drawen his swerde to haue striken of his hedde , his felowe came runninge and cryenge that the daye of his appointment was nat yet past ; wherfore he desired the minister of iustice to lose his felowe , and to prepare to do execution on hym that had giuen the occasion . Whereat the tyraunt being all abasshed , commaunded bothe to be brought in his presence , (ELYOT-E1-P2,166.175) and whan he had ynough wondred at their noble hartes and their constance in very frendship , he offring to them great rewardes desired them to receyue hym into their company ; (ELYOT-E1-P2,166.176) and so , doinge them moche honour , dyd set them at liberte . (ELYOT-E1-P2,166.177) Undoughtedly that frendship whiche dothe depende either on profite or els in pleasure , if the habilitie of the parsone , whiche mought be profitable , do fayle or diminisshe , or the disposition of the parsone , whiche shulde be pleasaunt , do chaunge or appayre , the feruentnesse of loue cesseth , (ELYOT-E1-P2,166.178) and than is there no frendship . (ELYOT-E1-P2,166.179)