Part 23
Tush pedegree, pedegree, here is nothing with you in hande but twitting with pedegree. Cockes fish, these proude fellowes that haue nothing to liue vpō to see how malapert they be, if they had ability to take to as you haue, & wherwithal to beare vp their heads in yᵉ world as you do, such credit with honorable & worshipfull, who haue multiplied your praises for noted good parts, apparantly seen to be in you, what would then become of their doings? Very true sir, but will not this be sufficient to giue scope to the name of a gentleman? Faith sir, to be plaine with you, tis but as the wiser sort do hold opinion.
[Sidenote: _Orismus._]
[Sidenote: _Omoiteleton._]
[Sidenote: _Brachiologa._]
For in our beliefe it is saide, that a great deale better shewe doth it make to giue but one certaine & true demonstration of a gentleman, then to yeeld twenty brauados, and neuer come neare the true meaning of them, railing, lying, backbiting, slaundering, facing, vaunting, contemning, cogging, menacing, vpbraiding, taunting, and proudlie defacing other mens actions, desertes, qualities, behauiours, and vertues, are in right reckoning, in verie trueth but slender partes of a Gentleman.
[Sidenote: _Paramologia._]
[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]
[Sidenote: _Meiosis._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Omiosis._]
[Sidenote: _Apostrophe._]
[Sidenote: _Synonymia._]
[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]
[Sidenote: _Epizeuxis._]
You wil say, I am too far bewitched to tell you of these things, you will raile at me, you will storme at me, you will not beleeue me: you will alleadge I am too different herein from all other opinions, your acquaintance doe like of you, praise you, and magnifie you, very true indeede, but they are but a fewe, and such also as doe it, haue intent but to laugh at you, you are but the anuile whereout they hammer their pastimes, they vse you but as an instrument to bee pliable to their turnes. In this as to _Will Sommers_, they yeelde to your rages, they sooth vp your passions, and cokes vp your humors. But vnto me, to whom such fashions are loathsome, and in whose cares those base purposes and surfetting demeanors of yours are most ridiculous and hateful, they are too intolerable.
[Sidenote: _Paradigma._]
[Sidenote: _Periphrasis._]
The Peacoke when hee spreadeth his tayle, is glorious of his beautie, but stooping downe to his feete, his feathers fall with the selfe sight immediately. Woulde you but abase your eyes vnto the lower part of your rising, you might then recognize your original, and seeing the simple obiect whereout your prosperity hath beene deriued, confesse that tenne such glorious plumes as you studie to haue aduanced, without they were better qualified coulde scarse make a shewe beseeming the lowest part of all that belongeth to a Gentleman.
[Sidenote: _Epanodis._]
[Sidenote: _Hysterō proteron._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
For my part it is not the shew you beare, but the pride wherewith you are caried that despiteth me, the qualities you haue, and not the malice you vtter, that discontenteth me: whether your opinion stand good or bad to me, it is not that I accompt of, as beeing such a one whose censure to my knowledge, neuer stoode in that degree to bee reckoned of. Onely doubting least ouerswolne with your humours, you should consume in your follies I haue written that I haue done, leauing the rest to your own correction, if at least you haue any wit at al whereby to amend them.
_An example of an other Epistle inuectiue, written in cause of great desert against two seueral parties._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
I am sorie it falleth vnto my lot among matters more serious, that I must at this present incomber my pen, and enforce my labours, about so needlesse a purpose, as to decipher a knaue whome the worlde knoweth alreadie by his colours, and a companion of his that will shortly giue proofe of his facultie by his far spreading titles. And yet the time hath bin when by their shadowes I could set them both to viewe, and hauing cunningly deciphered them, could laugh at the portraiture, imagining that there were more heades to carpe at their villanies then honest meaning to excuse their treacheries.
[Sidenote: _Sententia._]
It was not amisse said amongst the wise, that there cā be no friendship but amongst the good, and yet is society so common amongst men, that there is not the arrantest varlet in the world but he will find a companion, & why? because therein is a likelihood, which although it cannot turne to friendship, yet growing _ex similitudine morum_, I find no reason but that a coniunction may be of knaues as well as a separation of honest men sometimes.
[Sidenote: _Paralepsis._]
Leauing your yokefellowe M. whome I esteeme so base a fellow as comming out of the very Cell it selfe of all villanies, smelleth so strongly of the stench thereof, that he is not worthy to come within a mile of my paper, nor neare by a thousande Yeardes vnto the worst parte of my studie, I will speake two or three words vnto you maister F. which are his aduocate, and as it seemeth his second selfe, nay rather incorporated in his bowels, and become maklenezed, yea rather M. himselfe, for he hath taught you to handle his cause so cunninglie, that he neede not ioine with you to lie for himselfe, for you will lie for both, and surelie (not thinking you haue it by nature, _absit_) I iudge it rather yᵉ infection of him who hath so transmuted your disposition, that to boast, face, scold, and lie, and that without shame, credite, or honesty, you surpasse as I heare, why M. himself (of whom you are thought but the shadowe) cannot go beyond you. You haue deliuered forth in publique speaches, that I and my companions abused your Client with a false Lease, that we led him by degrees into a deceiptful marriage, that I wil come with my hat in mine hand to craue your Clients fauor, that you know me well, and thereupon demaunded whether I was not once master L. his man, and being answered yea, you paused, and then said, belike you knew me then.
[Sidenote: _Sarcasmus._]
Remembring that you are become a M. (whom alwaies I note for a shameles liyng knaue) I wonder the lesse at your impudencie, marie if you were an honest Gentleman, that did rather stande vppon your credit, thē vpon such base respects to get money, by bolstering whatsoeuer villanies you care not, I would then saie, _tota erras via_. But not shewing you such fauour, I must needes tell you in shorte conclusion (You lie.) And so much the rather because in the deliuerie thereof you make not a matter of information of it, but rather as it seemeth a thing of your owne knowledge.
[Sidenote: _Charientismus._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
And because the lie seemeth rather a word of course, then commonly of substance, without proofe added to manifest the certaintie, I further affirme that I will bring halfe a score, honester knowne then either you or your Client, to whome he hath confessed the contrarie himselfe, and made knowne the same most amplie vnto their owne vnderstanding, who by the iustifying thereof, will proue him a shamelesse lying knaue in his slaunders, and you a prating foolish dolt in the rash deliuery of the same vpon so sleight a grounde, to defame an honest man of more accompt then your selfe, and that without occasion. And because you take vpon you to know me so well, and are yet of opinion that I wil stoop to your Client, I must tel you therein your wisdom greatly mistaketh both my nature and condition, for that I can neuer bee so disparaged in conceipt, but that I coulde alwaies find an Asse by his braying, and scorne a rascall though he were neuer so full of vaunting.
My dwelling with Mayster L. continued euermore with reputation and credite sufficient euen to this present daie, I desire to be informed without pausing, what you canne say to impugne the same, and albeit I knowe a slaunderous mouth neuer wanteth whereof to gather, yet taking mee at that present state, you shall finde mee such in trueth as all your malice shall neuer bee able to disgrace me.
[Sidenote: _Asteismus._]
[Sidenote: _Emphasis._]
[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]
You saie I dare not walke abroade, that I cannot bee seene at Westminster as your Clyent is. It is indeede spoken like a Tinker, and sauouring somewhat of a Coblers stall, what betwixt choler and lying, your Client and you haue taken order, to speake nothing honestlie. And I woonder not of it, for you haue not so much as a sauour of honesty about you. Vile malicious deuourers of men, do you thinke it an easie thing, or matter of sleight purpose, so villainouslie to derogate a mans good name (then which to a generous minde nothing is more precious) or do you deeme all men of so base contempt as your selues, that they can willingly suffer all things to bee benefited by any thing? And when you haue shamefully vttered your lies in place of audience, dare not for your breeches stand to the lest word of smallest moment, that you let fall out of your ouerflowing venemous mouthes.
[Sidenote: _Aposiopesis._]
[Sidenote: _Synathrismus._]
But _de his taceo_, the best is, you are both well knowne, for the one of you, seeke all London for a cogging, brabling, boasting, rayling shamelesse and lying knaue, M. is the man, and hee shall doe it. He seeking all the towne ouer for a facing Aduocate, one that coulde handle the matter like himselfe, F. was the man: Yee are both well met together, continue your purpose, and see the ende, for you meane so, nay you will do it.
I vse not F as he vsed me, to brabble, and to lie of him to strangers.
But hauing drawne his portraiture, I send the first counterfeite to himselfe, that seeing it hee may shunne his lewdnesse, which yet lieth in secret, and if hee continue shall quickelie bee published, and that to his shame openlie.
I leaue you both as I found you, my paper and present matter for this time taking end. In apparant hast, hauing otherwise more weightilie to imploy my selfe, this last of Februarie, &c.
_Of Epistles Comminatorie. Cap. 6._
=This |Inuectiue| seemeth to haue béene ouer sharp in the matter, but not in the maner, for the occasions thereunto inducing might peraduenture merite that and greater. And howbeit both the termes and conueyance are somewhat hard, yet is it in such cases verie tolerable, when either the vilenesse of the action, or base demeanour of the partie doth require it. And in this point there is a great |Decorum| principallie to be obserued, to vse a bad person with termes correspondent to his behauior & qualitie, as in any other laudable purpose to entertaine another party according to his calling or dignitie. And as this title of |Inuectiue|, and that of |Exprobratorie| before going, are néerely affianced togither: so also is the next heereunto, which is called |Comminatorie|. The |Etimologie| or signification whereof, is by menaces to threaten. Insomuch as participating with a kinde of |Accusation| for iniuries committed, it expostulateth not, nor reasoneth of anie circumstance, obiection or qualitie, but protesting a due desert in the partie challenged, menaceth thereupon a speedie and answerable reuengement. This, of this title is the substance and propertie. And so will we procéed to the examples.=
_An example of an Epistle Comminatorie._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Prolepsis._]
[Sidenote: _Antanaclasis._]
[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]
Master D. I see well by some experience had of your dealings, that you haue small regarde of your honestie, or welfare, two things in mine opinion, whereof each one should bee charie. Your honestie, in respect that you keepe no promise: Your welfare, in that you neglect the oportunitie, for releasment of that, which in the ende must lie vpon your owne shoulders. But seeing your inconsideration is so great, and the like respect you carrie of your owne good growne to be slender, blame not other men that breake with you vpon desert, nor mislike at all their want of pittie, that haue no meane to pittie your selfe. For my part looke for it, and you shall surelie finde it, that I will prosecute all meanes possible to arrest you, and beeing so arrested, I will not bee moued with intreatie, prayer, or other submission to release you, till you haue payed the whole debt, charges and penaltie. And whereas you sent mee worde by my man, that you could not accustome your selfe, with one that trusted you to deale treacherouslie, I answere againe, that if you make it so nice to bring him foorth to bee arested for whome you are suretie: paie then the debt your selfe, and satisfie me, and that speedilie: for if you doe not I vow I will meet with you and that verie shortlie, when to your little content you shall perceyue that in so vsing mee, you haue dealt most vnaduisedlie. Thinke of it as you list, and deale with me accordinglie: and so to your best consideration of your owne safetie, I leaue you. This ninth of Iune, &c.
_An other example Comminatorie containing a greater vehemencie in the deliuerie._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Periphrasis._]
[Sidenote: _Metaphora._]
[Sidenote: _Aporia._]
[Sidenote: _Emphasis._]
[Sidenote: _Metonoia._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Ecphonesis._]
[Sidenote: _Aphorismus._]
[Sidenote: _Anthypophora._]
[Sidenote: _Epizeuxis._]
[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]
[Sidenote: _Epitheton._]
[Sidenote: _Periphrasis._]
[Sidenote: _Synecdoche._]
[Sidenote: _Pleonasmus._]
[Sidenote: _Polyptoton._]
[Sidenote: _Insultatio._]
[Sidenote: _Aposiopesis._]
[Sidenote: _Metaphora._]
Vngracious ofspring of hellish brood, whome heauens permit for a plague, and the earth nourisheth as a peculiar mischiefe, monster of mankinde, and deuourer of men, what maie I tearme thee? With what ill sounding titles maie I rayse my selfe vpon thee? Thou scorne of the worlde, and not scorne, but worldes foule disdaine, and enemie of all humaine condition, shall thy villanies scape foreuer vnpunished? Will the earth yet support thee, the cloudes shadow thee, or the aire breath on thee? What lawes be these, if at least wise such may be tearmed lawes, whereout so vile a wretch hath so manie euasions? But shalt thou longer liue to become the vexation and griefe of men? No, for I protest, though the Lawes doe faile thee, my selfe will not ouerslip thee, I, I am hee that will plague thee, thou shalt not scape me, I will be reuenged of thee. Thinke not thy iniuryes are so easie, that they are of all to be supported, for no sooner shall that partched withered carkasse of thine, sende foorth thy hatefull and abhorred lookes into anie publike shew, but mine eyes shall watch thee, and I will not leaue thee, till I haue prosequuted that which I haue intended towardes thee, most vnwoorthie as thou art to breath amongst men, which art hated and become lothsome euen in the verie bowels and thoughtes of men. Triumph then in thy mischiefes, and boast that thou hast vndone mee, and a number of others, whom with farre lesse despight thou hast forced to bende vnto thee. And when by due desert I shall haue payed what I haue promised thee, vaunt then (on Gods name) of thy winnings. For my part: but I will saie no more, let the ende trie all, liue wretchedlie, and die villainouslie, as thou hast deserued, whome heauens hencefoorth doe shunne, and the world denieth longer to looke vpon.
_Of Epistles deprecatorie. Cap. 7._
=The menaces of this last Epistle you may well déeme to haue issued from a hot enraged Spirit: of which though the stile bee vehement, yet vnto men alike humorous, the same may stand for a president. Such kinde of inuentions and men so affected with such estranged passions, are as we sée diuerslie found, wherof I thought good to giue foorth this example to bee considered, the waight neuerthelesse to bee measured as in the others before to the person and matter occurrent. And nowe will we to the last of all this state |Iudiciall|, which are the Epistles |Deprecatorie|. The title of these Epistles carrieth a name, accordant to the submissiue matter in them contayned, for their efficacies are onlie carried by entreatie, request of fauour, good opinion, allowance or pardon of anie iniurie or offence conceyued or committed. In good natures, it is a thing proper to weigh with themselues, howe much anie waies they stand charged, whether by respect of person, dutie, friendship or soueraigntie, accordinglie thereupon to frame their speeches or writings. Yet is not the matter hereof Supplicatorie, as growing by waie of petition. But rather an honest and gentle submission to the good liking, estimate or friendlie respect of such, vnto whome, or by whome we are either accused, tied, charged, or constrained, clearing, if it may be, or honestly otherwise mitigating or auoyding what sinisterly, or vpon some intended conceit, may be drawne to be against vs, and of the vse hereof to be spoken let this now be sufficient.=
_An example of an Epistle Deprecatorie, where the partie is charged in good opinion._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Hypotyposis._]
When a Phisiognomer by chaunce (hauing beene famous in other places) came into the _forum_ of _Athens_, hee declared by the view of diuers mens faces the diuersitie of their conditions, whereupon (for better triall of his Arte) hee was demaunded what (_Prima facie_) he thought of _Socrates_, he answered, by his countenance, to be a man of verie euill condition. The people which knew the contrarie, growing thereby into great rage, were readie to driue him out of the _forum_. But _Socrates_ comming forth. Be not angrie (quoth he) for such a one might I haue beene, if by Philosophie I had not corrected my maners.
By this might bee inferred (right Woorshipfull) that at the first shewe, it is not good to giue rash iudgement of anie man, for the Phisiognomer beeing able to iudge what men might bee, was not able to say iustlie such they are: In like manner, your Worship hauing beene led by misreports, are able to say, thus it is spoken, but not so it is.
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
To my great griefe it is informed vnto mee, that by the sinister report of mine aduersaries, you thinke hardly of me. And so much the rather haue I cause to bee grieued, for that in the mouth of an ignorant person, I am not therby iudged of, but by the sentence and opinion of the wise, held a man badly demeaned, careles, and such a one as beareth small reputation.
[Sidenote: _Epanodis._]
Beleeue mee sir, and if it please you to take further notice of me, you shal find it true, that it is more euill vnto me to be adiudged loose of a wise man, then of a thousand base persons to be vtterly condemned, for that the one speaketh of skill, and the other of a bad conceipt, the first wishing all men to bee good, the other confessing no man to be sufficient, that is not possessed with euil.
My aduersaries haue brought many heauy informations vnto you tending in outward shew to my great disgrace, naming me as it pleaseth them, a man (as they thinke of themselues) indifferent for all purposes. But because I know you to bee wise, and thinke it a matter of no small accompt to be well thought of at your hands: I am therfore the more carefull to cleare my selfe, and do beseech you, that you will hold for firme what I do here set down: assuring your selfe, that whatsoeuer my aduersaries report of me, I doe make accompt what speeches passe from me: and those that I deliuer vpon credite, I will performe with trust.
This then I say for aunswere generall, to whatsoeuer they canne obiect, that if any parte of that in substaunce they haue deliuered vnto you for certaine bee true, I will loose the credite of a Gentleman, and bee regarded as I repute them: and besides, will repay whatsoeuer is to me paide, and release what nowe I haue in sute against them.
Besides, pleaseth it your Worship for my credit sake to haue the hearing of the cause, I will come face to face, and (though I knowe the one of them to haue a shamelesse countenance) of himselfe, yet let bring what counsell he will with himselfe, if I ouerthrowe not euery matter obiected, and proue my selfe an honest man, I will loose the debte and my credit too, which I accompt aboue all debts. Haue not I then had great cause (hauing beene as vnto you, so in diuers other places besides verie vniustlie railed at and defamed) to write vnto these persons, and inueigh against them for it? Behold my letter throughout, being well considered of, it shall bee euident that I had great cause, and that very manifold to do it: for my part I knowe not what others deeme, but touching my selfe, I had rather lose my life then my good name, then which vnto me nothing is of more regard, and I tell you sir, if F. or a better man then he maketh no more reckoning, but to defame me without a cause, he shal know and vnderstand that my credit is deare vnto me, and that to maintaine the contrarie he shall find a hard reckoning.
I spende not my time in making of Lybels, but to write in reproofe of him that abuseth mee, which I take so highlie in griefe, as namelie, they shoulde be so shamelesse to report that vnto your Worship which they cannot stande to, that I holde it a wretchednes therein to be silent, and a mischiefe for credit sake not to discouer a trueth.
[Sidenote: _Epilogus._]
Beseeching your worship of fauour and credite, to me and my rude lines, I humblie take my leaue, beeing alwaies ready to auouch what here I haue set down, wherof not failing I remaine
Your worships whensoeuer to be commanded.
_An example of an Epistle Deprecatory, in cause of wrong supposed to bee committed._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Dicæologia._]
[Sidenote: _Silepsis._]
Sir, your Letters more troublesome to my conceipts, then sauoring (as I am credibly led to thinke) of that your woonted most noble disposition vnto mee, I haue receiued. With what supportation and vnaccustomed griefe I haue retained them, I refer to anie one (guiltlesse accused and suspended from so high fauours as formerly by your bountie hath been to me performed) simplie to be coniectured. Long was it ere I could satisfie my selfe by any accesse that might bee to proffer my selfe or these humble Letters vnto you: Yet neuerthelesse weighing howe farre different these newe occurrentes were from those your auncient fauours, I surmised with my selfe that the instigation proceeded soly from others, hardlie perchaunce bearing those graces wherein I stoode with you, and becomming thereupon my bitter enemies, the sinister deuise whereof, stood vpon me wholy to ouerthrow or impugne. For which hauing no other or better meane at this instant, then these my submissiue lines, I propose them vnto you, as solicitors of your former liking, confessing that if any waies I haue erred vnto you, as I will not vtterlie seclude my selfe from any errour, it was but as a young man, and rather by ignoraunce, then of malice anie waies to bee intended. And as touching any other obiection, let mee but craue pardon to haue accesse vnto your presence, and then iudge as you finde mee. Two waies are onelie left, my accusers to my face, or mine owne simplicitie to cleare me. This is all I require, and so much I hope you will not denie me. Wherewith resting in the due acknowledgement of that your former bounty, I humbly surcease. This fifteenth of Nouember.
_An example of an Epistle Deprecatory, pleasantly written to answere a former Letter._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]