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