Part 20
=With these expressed examples, I thinke good to conclude this passed title, and thenceforth to goe to the next, which is |Expostulatory|. This worde seemeth to haue his definition of reasoning, debating or arguing a cause, thereby to find the depth, weight, certaintie or qualitie of the same, and according thereunto to lessen, qualifie, or enforce the substance of griefe or mislike by such meanes conceiued. And albeit iniuries, mislikes and discontentments are ordinary to all men, yet do they for the most part, fall principallie to be receiued among friendes, among kindred, great acquaintance and familiars, by occasion whereof, this title in writing is but (as it were) the first matter of challenge, before anie vile reproch bee performed. And this also not where there is a resolute malice alreadie conceiued, but where men aduisedlie and consideratlie do deliberate of their and other mens actions according to reason to bee considered. By which aduisement being led, without anie hairebraine or brainsicke deuise or humor at all, they sometimes mildlie, and in curteous and louing tearmes according to the state of the writer, and the condition of those to whome he writeth, expostulate the iniurie, desirous rather that the trueth by circumstances might be knowne, then anie quarrelsome matter to bee obtruded. Otherwhiles more roughly and peremptorily they deale, and yet not vnfittinglie nor badlie. But if the effect of your writing be not determined in anie of these two sortes, but falleth otherwise to a manner of reproching of benefittes, or to an exclamation or bitter enforcement of euils, then may not the same bee said to be |Expostulatory|, but rather to bee |exprobratorie|, or |inuectiue|, of which both twaine hereafter shall be further declared. And as this kind of expostulating falleth most with persons of equalitie, for that it is scarse thought good maners, and sometimes helde perillous to dispute of offences with one far aboue vs in authoritie, and with our inferiour so to doe, it turneth more often to bee |Reprehensorie| then otherwise: yet is the force thereof manie times caried from an inferiour to his better, neuerthelesse with a kinde of aunswerable submission alwayes respectiue to the others reputation or greatnes. And so may a man with his inferiour also in good sort sometime expostulate an iniurie, wherin if he shall vouchsafe so to doe, the partie lesse in abilitie hath the more reason to recognize his courtesie: for a man of good sort and greatlie reputed of, to offer as it were an imparlance vnto his inferiour, whereby to argue with him a matter in suspence to bee noted an iniury, cannot be but much to be praised, and so adiudged in that betternesse, as to procéede of a most singular bountie. So be it he do it not by insultation, nor anie pricke of vainglorie, for so doing it looseth a great part of the vertue therein praysed, vnlesse the desert of the partie be such, as may well merite that or a greater euill to be tendered. By all these means as aforesaid may iniuries be expostulated, the vsage whereof as well in matter of accusation as defence, is indifferently to be carried, considering that onely by varietie of allegations and not otherwise those questionable causes are to be sifted. And so here out will we wade into their seuerall examples.=
_An example of an Epistle expostulatorie touching certaine iniuries betweene two friends._
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
Maister L. there passed if you doe call to minde, twixt you and mee certaine speeches of great secrecie, vehementlie concerning the state and good support of my brother. And for as much as I had then great suppose, both of your honest courtesie and great fidelitie (as I thought) sufficient to the matter then spoken of, I did (the extremitie of the cruell creditours requiring it) not sticke to reueale vnto you the conceiued maner and means how the same might be redressed. I do verie perfectly remember, that but to one other besides your selfe, I did communicate the cause, of whose rare and singular honestie I doe so much assure my selfe, that if hee should reueale the same, I could despaire for euer to find any man secret, or that with whatsoeuer matter of friendship might hereafter be credited. But to be briefe with you, the secret is discried, and therewithall so fully laide open, as the whole maner of the same in sort as it was determined by one of the parties whom it specially concerned, hath been to my brothers owne eares deliuered. The other partie to whome I reuealed it hath chaunged his lodging, and hitherto I haue not sent vnto him: whose approoued fidelitie for that it remaineth of no small record to my certaine knowledge, I will presume to verifie. It resteth then that I must needes expostulate with you touching the iniurie, of whome I haue more cause to doubt, being thereunto led not without manie and those verie absolute coniectures. For first it is generallie knowne, that you are verie needie, and to be plaine with you, there be those that will iustifie that by such meanes you do shift now and then verie cunninglie. It is master L. a verie base kinde of shift for a Gentleman in anie treacherous manner to deale with his friend so vnkindlie. And I can prooue besides, that sithence my trust reposed, you haue entred speciall conference with the partie. The time likewise dooth somewhat assure me, in which no one but your selfe coulde so suddenlie preuent mee. There want not to giue scope hereunto, the speeches also which the next day you deliuered mee after I had spoken with you, which was, you feared least my man ouerheard, and might possiblie descrie mee, whom your selfe knewe an houre before our conference, to haue beene discharged our companie. Againe, the person and place where he remaineth, enforce something, whereunto vnaccustomed you haue accesse, and therefore for some speciall policie. And notwithstanding all these vehement likelihoodes, yet will I not condemne you, till I see how you will confute mee. Albeit my censure hitherto passeth that verie hardlie you may answere it, without especiall note of infamie; which being so, the displeasure may returne such as I can tell you, will not be maistered verie easilie. The haste of the messenger forbiddeth me longer delay, by reason whereof, I am compelled to leaue you. B. this of. &c.
_An answere defensorie vnto the effects of the same Epistle._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Liptote._]
[Sidenote: _Excusatiō._]
[Sidenote: _Paræmia._]
[Sidenote: _Anthypophora._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Procatalepsis._]
[Sidenote: _Paramologia._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Charientismus._]
Maister H. The manner of your writing seemeth vnto mee verye straunge, and the circumstaunce such, as I promise you, wherewith I was neuer acquainted. I am not a little greeued to thinke that you shoulde in that peremptorie sort you doe, attribute vnto mee the name of so base and vnfitte a dealing. I would well you and your informer vnderstoode: that it is not my practise to vse that cunning, which you like to tearme by the name of shifting, neither (by whatsoeuer necessitie constrained) doe I inure my selfe vnto the same. It is an olde Prouerbe, _Where the hedge is lowest, there euerie man is readie to goe ouer_. The verifying whereof appeareth in you, who hauing no more certaintie then your meere imaginations to suspende mee, doe iniuriouslie obiect my necessitie, as beeing the onelie meane wherewith to disgrace me. Whie, maister H. dooth it therefore followe because I want, that my minde must of force become maimed with such treacherie? You are deceyued, and they guesse much awrie, that in such hatefull manner doe go about to abuse mee. What argument call you that, that for because you reuealed your counsell to vs two, and it liketh you to preferre by certaine allowaunce the others reputation and abilitie before mee, that therefore I haue deceyued you? Whie if you list to suppose a trueth on my side (as lawfullie you might doe) were there not as much reason that I for mine honestie, as hee for his brauerie shoulde as indifferentlie bee censured? But your probable coniectures you will saie doe entice you, the one whereof is the time wherein none coulde preuent you. Was not I pray you that other in Towne as well as I, though hee altered his lodging? And suppose that euerie daie wee were both heere since, may it bee vnpossible that another might endammage the matter as well as we? But I had speciall conference with the partie, and the place and person without that occasion, of no likelihoode by mee to bee frequented. Had I conference? Is that a thing so maruellous? Am I so farre estraunged from honestie, that I may not haue speech with a man, but to worke my friend villanie? Alacke man, whie, I was neuer so fearefull of mine one keeping secretes, that I woulde haue denied it if you had asked mee, neither doe I much force if your owne eyes doe witnesse the cause when I next speake with you. In saying the place and person was before time by mee vnused, you speake iniuriouslie, for your owne selfe doe knowe, that both he and the rest, were to mee knowne before time, and that verie familiarlie. To conclude, I wish you to bee perswaded, that in rewarding mee with such conceytes as these, you shall doe mee but small courtesie, and ill requite my faythfulnesse by vpbrayding mee with my necessitie, that woulde haue endeuoured all meanes possible to pleasure you. And as touching anie infamie to me redounding herein, I woulde I could as well cleare all my offences to God-warde, as I can free my selfe of this suspition, and that with as great honestie, as others most maliciouslie haue sought to defame mee, and then no doubt my account should be a great deale lesse then it is, when euer the Almightie by his eternall summons should call me. In resolution whereof, I ende this answere. The of. &c.
_A reply to the said answere Defensorie, wherein the matter of the Epistle is more firmlie maintained._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]
Of ancient time it hath often beene sayde, _that it is euill halting before a Cripple_, faithfull dealing and flourishing glosing are two contraries. Among true friends indeede, and such as doe make more account of their credite and honestie, then of the base acquiring of a sleight commoditie, I doe confesse it is not of small moment to builde vpon the rock of their assurance, and to make reckoning of their word, to the vttermost, but where Gentilitie is not alonelie spotted, but in a manner couered and debased alreadie with vnhonestie, and men hold it for a _Maxime_ to shrowd their lauish and euer emptied expence, by whatsoeuer kinde of lucre, bee it neuer so filthie, it is not necessarie that repose bee in such place stablished, least the vntimelie rooting thereof, doe make men banne their winnings, and lament the bitternesse of their losse, when too late they are out of hope, for euer to haue the same recouered.
[Sidenote: _Hypotyposis._]
It seemeth Maister L. by the continuance of your Letter, that the censure of my former direction, you haue passed ouer very sleightlie, conceiuing that by a number of od speeches (which in maner of a racket you haue vsed, to tosse my coniectures as tennis balles, being at your deeming not much materiall, whether by order of the game you returne them into the court, or banding them in the aire, suffer them to flie at all aduentures) you do yet suppose to haue wrought a masterie, and of whatsoeuer to bee saide agaynst you, to haue discharged your selfe verie soundlie. You must thinke M. L. I am no babie, neither do you deale with such a one, that notwithstanding in a plaine and honest vsage hee accordeth to all simplicitie, is yet of so meane conceyte but hee is able to vent your vttermost actions, deale you in the handling of the same neuer so cunningly.
[Sidenote: _Commoratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Confutatiō._]
The maner of your vsage, being peraduēture deliuered in some place where you were lesse knowne, might make a flourish for your credit, and for the present, in one sort or other auaile you, but vnto me it is but matter to smile at, and occasion (to deale plainlie with you) the more to mislike you, who not contenting your selfe to haue dealte more vnfriendlie then befitteth, haue determined belike in your reasons to make me beleeue, that I haue offered you the iniurie, and when you haue stung mee to the quicke, perswade me that the violence of the mischiefe lighted vpon your owne body. But the course herein you take, is too far wide from the censure of any honest opinion. What tell you me you were acquainted before time with the partie, and of I know not what businesse you had to do, which at the next sight you care not to shew mee? and then forsooth that the others ability and my suppose must bee preferred before you, in respecte of your necessitie? with such other friuolous repetitions without substance or honestie? and after that some _Robin_ the deuil, or I wot not what spirit of the aire must besides impossibility be supposed to reueale the accident. What vanity is this? what matter of reason therein, that as before I might not assure my selfe of your infidelity? to what end proceedeth al the other circumstances, vpon what conceipt doe they cleare you? Tush, tush, deceiue not your selfe, nor thinke you go so couertly but that men of discretion can and do daily see you.
Somwhat more thē you think I haue sithence heard how the world goeth with you, you thought it very much at the beginning I shoulde expostulate with you, but if I should stir you with this _item_ that I can tell you where, when, and vpon what expectation you descried mee, you might thinke I did not then disguize with you.
I study not to capitulate your iniuries, as confessing my selfe also not to bee vnburdened with offences: But good I deeme it were M. L. that by some meanes you tooke notice of your owne infirmities. To aggrauate the wrong that you haue done me, I list not, and more then I intended haue I spoken vpon that you haue answered. Being vnwilling to toile my selfe, or trouble your conceiptes any further, I herewith conclude,
_More sorie of your ill condition, then of the abuse you haue done me._
_A second answere by the like reasons of the replie, in further defence of the partie._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Paræmia._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Sententia._]
As auncientlie it hath beene accustomed (as in the prouerbe by you alleadged) _Better it were for some to steale a horse, then for others to looke on_. It is an easie matter to find a staffe to beate a dog, and to him that list to haue a bad conceipt, what honest excuse may be alleadged that can drawe him from it. Men that are opinionatiue, doe not for the most part measure thinges as they are, but commonlie as their mind leadeth them, and generally to speake of many thinges that in particular are vnnumbred, what the cōceipt giueth in certainty to be adiudged, there is with diuers persons no question of good and bad afterwardes to be opposed. Among friends sundry occasions do happen that meerely for themselues are to bee supported, the least of which happening among strangers, would not without great discontentment be carried.
[Sidenote: _Prosonomasia._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
It is giuen to some to beare much, because they seeme to bee borne to it, and to laie their shoulders vnder euerie loade, because they are inured vnto it: yet all that carie loades are not Asses, not euerie one that supporteth a burden is forthwith a pack-horse. I knowe wel M. A. you are no babie, nor I thinke you do suppose me so sencelesse as to be a foole. I vse no rackets to your reasons, as vniustlie you conceiue of me, nor would I haue you imagine that bicause you think ill of me I must needs be guilty. I tell you againe as I told you before, you highly doe wrong me. And in this one more then any other, you most vnfriendly do abuse me. Why do you so oftē inculcate vnto me, what other haue reported, and some say they haue seene in me? It is the truth I stand vpon, & not the malice of any one whatsoeuer, that so vilely misdeemeth me.
It is not my custome to winke at all thinges as I doe vnto you, so indifferently, but yet would I haue you conceiue howe much the iniury toucheth me. You argue against mee that it is not inough that I say it is not so, so say I vnto you, that you ought not to charge mee without you can proue it so. Because there resteth some matter wherby I am in good condition tyed vnto you, it is not seemely for your credit, nor fit for the honesty wherof you make profession, to lade me any whit the more with iniury. Make what large collection you list of my present state and necessity, I tell you, I deeme my selfe the same man that I was in greater prosperity.
My request is for the surcease of all this iarre, your opinion maie stande as you list, but giue mee conuenient time and accesse to cleare mee. To vrge me as you doe, maie but breede that which to neither of vs may returne pleasing, and which in the end I knowe will be to you most discontenting. It were good that with lesse resolution you did sway your opinions, so might you with smaller difficulty decerne, what with facility in fine you will of your selfe condiscend vnto. My selfe being as loth to disturbe you, as your self seeme wearied with the former toile doe herewith set my limits, who worse conceipted of your light beliefe then of the wrong you haue done me, do not withstanding continue,
_Desirous of your reformed imagination_, &c.
=Now after these double thwartinges on either part receiued in expostulating this iniury, (the like whereof by writing is sundrie times occasioned, and remaineth in this place onlie for varietie, to make shew how by well handeling, matters may on both sides be equally enforced or weakned) I will sort you forth two or three seuerall examples more, because of the necessary and often occurrence of this title, daily being accustomed in our writing. The first whereof shall be for matter of vnkindnesse: The second for breach of promise: The thirde from a meane Gentleman to a personage of great honour, wherby in cause of betternesse shall be exampled how iniuries may be expostulated or complained of, and these in sequence shall followe by their examples.=
_An example of an Epistle Expostulatory touching vnkindnesse receiued._
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Epiphonema._]
Maister G. I haue great maruell that remaining hitherto in town as you do, we can by no possibility heare of your being, but by such iangling messengers as you make currors for spite, whereby to abuse your friendes. In which the discurtesie is far more by the vnbeseeming courses & dealings therein vsed, then fitteth either your honestie or our friendship to be tolerated. I doubted not ere this time how apt you were to conceiue (euen for a verie toie) in the worst degree that might bee, of any one that behaueth himselfe neuer so well vnto you, so ticklish are your humours, and so vnsteady your censures. And which is worst, it cannot with you rest in imagination alone, but in such odde kinde of reportes, and to such base persons you deliuer it, as it verelie seemeth, you little recke what discredit you offer a man in the same, the least whereof would make you storme to the gall, if a man should but ouerslip himselfe in giuing any manner of sound of you, tending to such effect as you proffer. Good God sir, are you and I of late become such straungers together, as that neither writing nor request may serue to haue accesse to your presence. Trust mee I am vnused to these deuises, nor fit they at all vnto my appetite. Either something or no body to me, but vnto such as more recke of your coynesse then I doe, you may be as you will, or as their fortunes may beare with you. For my part I am too vnapt to weld any such insupportable amity. If you can vse me as your vpright, honest, and well meaning friend, I am vnto you as firme as you woulde wish me, otherwise to encounter so many diuersities, of vnfrequented fancies, toyes, or mislikes, it aunswereth in no point vnto my propertie, which hauing thought good of meere well wishing to signifie vnto you by present writing, I leaue you to your best opinion, this of &c.
_Yours in all good sort to be entertained, &c._
_An example of an Epistle expostulatory for breach of promise._
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Epilogus._]
Master K. I haue abstayned hitherto to come or sende vnto you, partly weried with importunity, for that I thought two moneths being now passed, I might in this space haue found a season conuenient, wherein to haue ended with you. Hauing taken this cause in hand, I woulde (as in good reason it seemeth fit) you should determine with me vpon some conclusion, wheron resting assured, I might thenceforth know wherunto to trust, & neither waste labour in comming to so small purpose, nor hinder my certaine busines by the vnsteadie stay of your affaires, as alreadie I haue done. We haue talked manie times, and set downe certaine limits, marie to so slender effect, as I neither know when to demaund, nor you howe to satisfie. So that depending vpon shadowes, I haue passed my time with small benefite, and you haue gone forward to little purpose. I doe pray you therefore that hence-foorth such honest meaning maie assure vs, as alreadie betweene vs hath on either part beene performed, To delaie me thus with nifles, as I thinke it farre from a Gentleman, so do I suppose you not intend it, considering how many wayes thereby, I am and shall be hindred. This therfore may be the certaine meane to satisfie vs both, that you will (as on Friday last you promised) come and see the agreement betweene vs performed, whereof I pray you aduertise your full resolution by this bearer. And so I bid you heartily fare well, &c.
_An example of an Epistle Expostulatorie from an inferiour Gentleman to his farre better in degree, authoritie and calling._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
Right Honourable, though by the custome and common policie of this vnhappie worlde, I am better warranted with a personage of your greatnesse, to dissemble, then to deale plainlie, yet because I finde as well by Gods owne worde, as by the euent of mens practises, that such customes are neither pleasing to his Maiestie, nor alwayes profitable to such as vse them, I haue aduentured to manifest that by paper, which by words (albeit many times desirous) I neur had heart to vtter.
[Sidenote: _Propositiō._]
My purpose is to be plaine, and in honest and dutifull sort to expostulate with your L. wherein I finde my selfe greeued, and vpon what ground this my complaint is framed. I therfore most humblie beseech your L. for Gods sake and your owne, to pardon this presumption, and to admit me fauourable and indifferent construction, of what I shall here vnfolde vnto you by writing.
I exclaime of wrong passed, I vrge my miserie present, and I complaine of you to your selfe, and so doe make you iudge of all that shall be hereafter enformed.
Your L. did once knowe, and hath still some cause to remember, that of all such lande and liuings as my father at his death was possessed, one onelie poore farme fall to my share.
I my selfe doe knowe, and shall neuer easilie forget, that after the same was thrust into my handes, I neuer inioyed it without much vnquietnesse, quarrell and vexation, nor without the continuall malice and molestation of my vnnaturall Vncle, and such his associates, as by setting him on, vnderhande, did afterwardes finde meanes to fasten in the same.