Source.—Lyly:Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit, 1578, beginning.
There dwelt in Athens[84]a young gentleman of great patrimony, and of so comely a personage, that it was doubtedwhether he were more bound to Nature for the lineaments of his person, or to Fortune for the increase of his possessions. But Nature, impatient of comparisons, and as it were disdaining a companion or copartner in her working, added to this comeliness of his body such a sharp capacity of mind, that not only she proved Fortune counterfeit, but was half of that opinion that she herself was only current. This young gallant, of more wit than wealth, and yet of more wealth than wisdom, seeing himself inferior to none in pleasant conceits, thought himself superior to all his honest conditions, insomuch that he thought himself so apt to all things that he gave himself almost to nothing but practising of those things commonly which are incident to these sharp wits, fine phrases, smooth quips, merry taunts, using jesting without mean and abusing mirth without measure. As therefore the sweetest Rose hath his prickle, the finest velvet his brack,[85]the fairest flower his bran, so the sharpest wit hath his wanton will, and the holiest head his wicked way. And true it is that some men write and most men believe, that in all perfect shapes a blemish bringeth rather a liking every way to the eyes than a loathing any way to the mind. Venus had her mole in her cheek which made her more amiable. Helen her scar in her chin, which Paris called Cos amoris, the whetstone of love, Aristippus his wart, Lycurgus his wen: so likewise in the disposition of the mind, either virtue is overshadowed with some vice, or vice is overcast with some virtue. Alexander valiant in war, yet given to wine. Tully eloquent in his gloses,[86]yet vainglorious. Solomon wise, yet too wanton. David holy, but yet an homicide. None more witty than Euphues, yet at the first none more wicked. The freshest colours soonest fade, the teenest[87]razor soonest turneth his edge, the finest cloth is soonest eaten with moths, and the cambric sooner stained than the coarse canvas: which appeared well in this Euphues, whose wit being like wax, apt to receive any impression, and bearing the head in his own hand either to use the rein or the spur,disdaining counsel, leaving his country, loathing his old acquaintance, thought either by wit to obtain some conquest, or by shame to abide some conflict, who preferring fancy before friends, and his present humour before honour to come, laid reason in water being too salt for his taste, and followed unbridled affection, most pleasant for his tooth. When parents have more care how to leave their children wealthy than wise, and are more desirous to have them maintain the name than the nature of a gentleman, when they put gold into the hands of youth, where they should put a rod under their girdle, when instead of awe they make them past grace, and leave them rich executors of goods, and poor executors of godliness, then is it no marvel that the son, being left rich by his father’s will, becomes retchless by his own will. But it hath been an old said saw, that wit is the better if it be the dearer bought: as in the sequel of this history shall most manifestly appear.
It happened this young imp to arrive at Naples[88](a place of more pleasure than profit, and yet of more profit than piety) the very walls and windows whereof shewed it rather to be the Tabernacle of Venus than the Temple of Vesta. There was all things necessary and in readiness, that might either allure the mind to lust or entice the heart to folly: a court more meet for an Atheist, than for one of Athens, for Ovid, than for Aristotle, for a graceless lover, than for a godly liver, more fitter for Paris than Hector, and meeter for Flora than Diana. Here my youth (whether for weariness he could not, or for wantonness would not go any farther) determined to make his abode, whereby it is evidently seen that the fleetest fish swalloweth the delicatest bait, that the highest soaring hawk traineth to the lure, and that the wittiest brain is inveigled with the sudden view of alluring vanities. Here he wanted no companions, which courted him continually with sundry kinds of devices, whereby they might either soak his purse to reap commodity, or sooth his person to win credit: for he had guests and companions of all sorts.
Source.—Thomas Nashe:Strange Newes, 1592. Edited by R. B. McKerrow, 1904.
In short tearmes, thus I demur upon thy long Kentish-tayld declaration against Greene.
He inherited more vertues than vices: a jolly long red peake,[89]like the spire of a steeple, he cherisht continually without cutting, whereat a man might hang a jewell, it was so sharpe and pendant.... Debt and deadly sinne, who is not subject to? With any notorious crime I never knew him tainted.... A good fellowe he was, and would have drunk with thee for more angels than the Lord thou libeldst on gave thee in Christ’s College.... In a night and a day would he have yarkt up a pamphlet as well as in seaven yeare, and glad was that printer that might be so blest to pay him deare for the very dregs of his wit.
He made no account of winning credite by his workes, ... his only care was to have a spel in his purse to conjure up a good cuppe of wine with at all times.
For the lowsie circumstance of his poverty before his death, and sending that miserable writte to his wife, it cannot be but thou lyest, learned Gabriell.
I and one of my fellowes, Will. Monox (Hast thou never heard of him and his great dagger?) were in company with him a month before he died, at that fatall banquet of Rhenish wine and pickled herring (if thou wilt needs have it so), and the inventory of his apparrell came to more than three shillings....
BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD, ENGLAND
FOOTNOTES:[1]Left blank in the original.[2]Or rather 27.[3]Householders.[4]Lose.[5]Whereas.[6]Bishop Gardiner.[7]Sir Robert Rochester, Comptroller; Sir William Peter, Secretary of State; Sir Francis Inglefield, Master of the Wards; and another.[8]Cardinal Pole.[9]Dieppe.[10]Polling,i.e.shearing or extortionate.[11]Coarse woollen cloth.[12]Common,i.e.public.[13]The Rood, on the Roodloft.[14]Regimen, government.[15]In the primitive Church.[16]From πρεσβυτερὁς (elder), both presbyter and priest are derived.[17]Pretended.[18]Persuade the people.[19]Public.[20]At cess—i.e., quartered on the inhabitants.[21]Thomas Fitzgerald’s rebellion took place in 1534-5. This reference to it dates the present document as being of 1571 or 1572.[22]Deceived.[23]I.e., Cecil.[24]I.e., Mary Queen of Scots.[25]Surety.[26]Paused.[27]Christopher.[28]Banner.[29]Barnard Castle, of which he was Steward.[30]Outermost.[31]Lief, dear.[32]“Francis” in the original text—a slip of the pen.[33]Men of property among the rebels were attainted, and their lands confiscated; the author appears to threaten that even when their money is gone they remain men and may yet be to be feared.[34]Sir Thomas Plomtrie—i.e., Thomas Plumptre, priest—chaplain to the rebels, was hanged at Durham for having celebrated Mass in the cathedral there.[35]Kentish saint, to whose shrine pilgrimage was made; he became the proverb for pre-Reformation superstition.[36]I.e., his people.[37]See.[38]Really 25 of February.[39]1569-1570.[40]Ure—i.e., use.[41]Babington’s conspiracy.[42]Precedent.[43]I.e., “Either supplicate or strike home.”[44]I.e., Mr. O——’s house.[45]Orig. ‘unamity.’[46]In command of the Spanish land forces in the Netherlands.[47]The Duke of Medina and Sidonia, in command of the Armada. On the 25th of July Drake, writing to Walsingham, says: “God hathe geven us so good a daye in forcying the enemey so far to leeward, as I hope in God the prince of Parma and the Duke of Sedonya shall not shake hands this fewe dayes.”[48]Gravelines.[49]The Duke of Parma.[50]Probably brother=brother-in-law here, as often, or father of his son-or daughter-in-law.[51]This and some of the other totals are incorrect; they are given as they stand.[52]Encumbered.[53]Except.[54]Awaited.[55]Chase = the guns in the bows.[56]Result.[57]Experienced.[58]Champaign.[59]Thoroughly healed.[60]I.e., Suppose my intent were evil.[61]Another version is given in Sir Symonds D’Ewes’Journals of all the Parliaments during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.[62]Their—i.e., the Commons.[63]They had been kneeling.[64]Conspiracies.[65]Faults.[66]These were pasteboard figures eight feet high.[67]Orig. seemed.[68]Richard Mulcaster, first headmaster of Merchant Taylors’ School, whosePositionsis the most important English educational book of the century.[69]George Gascoigne, the poet.[70]I.e., Elizabeth.[71]Polished.[72]It was the latter.[73]Getting rid of.[74]Slipper.[75]Adulteries.[76]Fault, make mistakes.[77]See p. 97 for Lady Jane Grey, whom Ascham gives as an example of this rule.[78]Dip.[79]Antwerp (spelt backwards).[80]Ill-used.[81]Crushed.[82]Arrested.[83]Probably Burbage.[84]I.e., Oxford?[85]Break, flaw.[86]Speeches.[87]Sharpest.[88]I.e., London?[89]Pointed beard.
[1]Left blank in the original.
[1]Left blank in the original.
[2]Or rather 27.
[2]Or rather 27.
[3]Householders.
[3]Householders.
[4]Lose.
[4]Lose.
[5]Whereas.
[5]Whereas.
[6]Bishop Gardiner.
[6]Bishop Gardiner.
[7]Sir Robert Rochester, Comptroller; Sir William Peter, Secretary of State; Sir Francis Inglefield, Master of the Wards; and another.
[7]Sir Robert Rochester, Comptroller; Sir William Peter, Secretary of State; Sir Francis Inglefield, Master of the Wards; and another.
[8]Cardinal Pole.
[8]Cardinal Pole.
[9]Dieppe.
[9]Dieppe.
[10]Polling,i.e.shearing or extortionate.
[10]Polling,i.e.shearing or extortionate.
[11]Coarse woollen cloth.
[11]Coarse woollen cloth.
[12]Common,i.e.public.
[12]Common,i.e.public.
[13]The Rood, on the Roodloft.
[13]The Rood, on the Roodloft.
[14]Regimen, government.
[14]Regimen, government.
[15]In the primitive Church.
[15]In the primitive Church.
[16]From πρεσβυτερὁς (elder), both presbyter and priest are derived.
[16]From πρεσβυτερὁς (elder), both presbyter and priest are derived.
[17]Pretended.
[17]Pretended.
[18]Persuade the people.
[18]Persuade the people.
[19]Public.
[19]Public.
[20]At cess—i.e., quartered on the inhabitants.
[20]At cess—i.e., quartered on the inhabitants.
[21]Thomas Fitzgerald’s rebellion took place in 1534-5. This reference to it dates the present document as being of 1571 or 1572.
[21]Thomas Fitzgerald’s rebellion took place in 1534-5. This reference to it dates the present document as being of 1571 or 1572.
[22]Deceived.
[22]Deceived.
[23]I.e., Cecil.
[23]I.e., Cecil.
[24]I.e., Mary Queen of Scots.
[24]I.e., Mary Queen of Scots.
[25]Surety.
[25]Surety.
[26]Paused.
[26]Paused.
[27]Christopher.
[27]Christopher.
[28]Banner.
[28]Banner.
[29]Barnard Castle, of which he was Steward.
[29]Barnard Castle, of which he was Steward.
[30]Outermost.
[30]Outermost.
[31]Lief, dear.
[31]Lief, dear.
[32]“Francis” in the original text—a slip of the pen.
[32]“Francis” in the original text—a slip of the pen.
[33]Men of property among the rebels were attainted, and their lands confiscated; the author appears to threaten that even when their money is gone they remain men and may yet be to be feared.
[33]Men of property among the rebels were attainted, and their lands confiscated; the author appears to threaten that even when their money is gone they remain men and may yet be to be feared.
[34]Sir Thomas Plomtrie—i.e., Thomas Plumptre, priest—chaplain to the rebels, was hanged at Durham for having celebrated Mass in the cathedral there.
[34]Sir Thomas Plomtrie—i.e., Thomas Plumptre, priest—chaplain to the rebels, was hanged at Durham for having celebrated Mass in the cathedral there.
[35]Kentish saint, to whose shrine pilgrimage was made; he became the proverb for pre-Reformation superstition.
[35]Kentish saint, to whose shrine pilgrimage was made; he became the proverb for pre-Reformation superstition.
[36]I.e., his people.
[36]I.e., his people.
[37]See.
[37]See.
[38]Really 25 of February.
[38]Really 25 of February.
[39]1569-1570.
[39]1569-1570.
[40]Ure—i.e., use.
[40]Ure—i.e., use.
[41]Babington’s conspiracy.
[41]Babington’s conspiracy.
[42]Precedent.
[42]Precedent.
[43]I.e., “Either supplicate or strike home.”
[43]I.e., “Either supplicate or strike home.”
[44]I.e., Mr. O——’s house.
[44]I.e., Mr. O——’s house.
[45]Orig. ‘unamity.’
[45]Orig. ‘unamity.’
[46]In command of the Spanish land forces in the Netherlands.
[46]In command of the Spanish land forces in the Netherlands.
[47]The Duke of Medina and Sidonia, in command of the Armada. On the 25th of July Drake, writing to Walsingham, says: “God hathe geven us so good a daye in forcying the enemey so far to leeward, as I hope in God the prince of Parma and the Duke of Sedonya shall not shake hands this fewe dayes.”
[47]The Duke of Medina and Sidonia, in command of the Armada. On the 25th of July Drake, writing to Walsingham, says: “God hathe geven us so good a daye in forcying the enemey so far to leeward, as I hope in God the prince of Parma and the Duke of Sedonya shall not shake hands this fewe dayes.”
[48]Gravelines.
[48]Gravelines.
[49]The Duke of Parma.
[49]The Duke of Parma.
[50]Probably brother=brother-in-law here, as often, or father of his son-or daughter-in-law.
[50]Probably brother=brother-in-law here, as often, or father of his son-or daughter-in-law.
[51]This and some of the other totals are incorrect; they are given as they stand.
[51]This and some of the other totals are incorrect; they are given as they stand.
[52]Encumbered.
[52]Encumbered.
[53]Except.
[53]Except.
[54]Awaited.
[54]Awaited.
[55]Chase = the guns in the bows.
[55]Chase = the guns in the bows.
[56]Result.
[56]Result.
[57]Experienced.
[57]Experienced.
[58]Champaign.
[58]Champaign.
[59]Thoroughly healed.
[59]Thoroughly healed.
[60]I.e., Suppose my intent were evil.
[60]I.e., Suppose my intent were evil.
[61]Another version is given in Sir Symonds D’Ewes’Journals of all the Parliaments during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.
[61]Another version is given in Sir Symonds D’Ewes’Journals of all the Parliaments during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.
[62]Their—i.e., the Commons.
[62]Their—i.e., the Commons.
[63]They had been kneeling.
[63]They had been kneeling.
[64]Conspiracies.
[64]Conspiracies.
[65]Faults.
[65]Faults.
[66]These were pasteboard figures eight feet high.
[66]These were pasteboard figures eight feet high.
[67]Orig. seemed.
[67]Orig. seemed.
[68]Richard Mulcaster, first headmaster of Merchant Taylors’ School, whosePositionsis the most important English educational book of the century.
[68]Richard Mulcaster, first headmaster of Merchant Taylors’ School, whosePositionsis the most important English educational book of the century.
[69]George Gascoigne, the poet.
[69]George Gascoigne, the poet.
[70]I.e., Elizabeth.
[70]I.e., Elizabeth.
[71]Polished.
[71]Polished.
[72]It was the latter.
[72]It was the latter.
[73]Getting rid of.
[73]Getting rid of.
[74]Slipper.
[74]Slipper.
[75]Adulteries.
[75]Adulteries.
[76]Fault, make mistakes.
[76]Fault, make mistakes.
[77]See p. 97 for Lady Jane Grey, whom Ascham gives as an example of this rule.
[77]See p. 97 for Lady Jane Grey, whom Ascham gives as an example of this rule.
[78]Dip.
[78]Dip.
[79]Antwerp (spelt backwards).
[79]Antwerp (spelt backwards).
[80]Ill-used.
[80]Ill-used.
[81]Crushed.
[81]Crushed.
[82]Arrested.
[82]Arrested.
[83]Probably Burbage.
[83]Probably Burbage.
[84]I.e., Oxford?
[84]I.e., Oxford?
[85]Break, flaw.
[85]Break, flaw.
[86]Speeches.
[86]Speeches.
[87]Sharpest.
[87]Sharpest.
[88]I.e., London?
[88]I.e., London?
[89]Pointed beard.
[89]Pointed beard.