A Mirrour for Maiestrates of Citties.
AFTER THAT THE GOOD Emperour Alexander (surnamed) Seuerus, for his sharp correcting of vice, had restored the authoritie of the Senate, and had giuen breathe vnto their good Lawes: of whom the one sate without reuerence, and the other were read and not regarded, through the inordinate lyberties, and Priueleadges giuen vnto vice, by that vncleane Monster Heliogabalus, his Predecessor: Of the suddaine, Rome was brightned with the vertues of Iustice, as the world with the beames of the Sunne, after a horrible and darke tempest. But as there is no assurance of faire weather vntill the skie be cleare from clowdes, so (which well forsaw this good Emperour) there can be no common wealthe grounded peace and prosperitie, where there are not Informers to fynde out offenders, as well as Iudges to chasten offences: In so much, in the prime of his Gouernment, accompained with many graue Senators, as this good Emperour went vnto the Senat, in his passage hee might see the Cittyzins busielye [Page] exercised in their seuerall trades: he incountred the Gentlemen in ciuil attire, and of euerie estate, found both himselfe and his Senators, saluted with much honour, reuerence and dutie.
And being in the Senate house, mounted in the iudiciall Throne, he sate long, and was litle occupyed with crimynall causes.
The Senators, no little gloried, that (appealing vnto the iudgement of Alexander) they might lawfully boast, that Rome, which was late a Forrest of wilde beastes, or to speake more properlie, a den of theeues, a San [...]uarie for Ruffens, a priueledge for Strumpets: a place in whiche no vice was forbidden, nor vertu cōmaunded, by their great wisdomes was brought into so good an order, as Alexanders eyes could beholde no open offenders, nor his eares heare of any secreat offences. In so much, as after his returne to the Pallace, they lauded the Emperour, with many acclamations of vertue, attributing this happy reformation vnto his pietie, temperaunce, and Iustice: thinking, that in giuing of hym this soueraigntie, he would returne the praises vpon their paineful-trauels, with the incouragement, that the magnanimious Caesar gaue vnto his souldiours, saying: that their bloods wrot honor in his forehead, and therfore how precious he esteemed his owne honor, so carefull he was of their welfare. But Alexander, although he were second to none, in the regarding and the rewarding of vertuous Maiestrates, yet least by thinking, that this outwarde reformation, had in the common wealth setled an inwarde amendement, and thereby they shoulde growe negligent [Page 2] in the administratiōs of their waighty charges, he with a light regarde, attended his owne deserued praises, to reaue them of the hope of particular commendations: yea, that they might wel know that all that glistered was not Golde, that alwaies the inwarde harte, was not discouered by the outward habit: he compared the best gouerned Common welth vnto a faire Aple, which being serched, hath a Core, and that the worthy Senators, might perceaue their errours, and to amende what was omitted of their owne duties, and necessarie to establish a happye gouernment, in this graue and prudent Oration hee set downe the daungerous estate of the publique weale: and with-al, a perfect remedie for the festred and inwarde maladies.
The first Oration of Alexander, the Emperour, to the Senators.
Most graue and reuerende Fathers, we not a litle reioyce, through the grace of the immortal Gods, and your great wisdomes, to beholde the famous Rome, but yesterday (in comparison) infamed with al abhominatiōs, by the priueleges of our beastly predecessor, who meriteth neither the name of Emperour, nor man, no we in possession of her auncient vertues: And as we confesse, that by the deuine and heroyicall blessinges, the hoaresed voyce of Iustice is cleared: So wee like-wise hope, by the same graces, the remembraunce of vice and iniquitie shal-be rooted out. [Page] But good Senators, to discontinue a prosperous beginning, with a slouthfull imagination, that the Common weale is sounde, because no in [...]yrmities appeare, is the vnhappie meane, to blaste the fruites, of your well imployed wisdomes, and to inpresse an vncurable Canker in the bowels of Rome. The practisers of Chirurgerie very well know, that an olde and deepe festred sore, w [...]l with easie working of the Surgion, ourwardly seeme to heale, but it there bee not Corsiues applied, to eate out the roote thereof, this ouer hastie healing will breake foorth vnto a more greeuous maladie. Good Senators, vnto you al, it is wel knowen, that the publique weale hath of long time bin infected, with the most horrible vices, that euer humanitie practised: yea, so foule and vn cleane, as ciuill creatures are forbod to recite them, by the sauadge inclination of that Monster HELIOGABALVS, yea so lothsome and fylthy were his abhominations, as the worser sort of people, (his fauoured seruantes) so detested his detestable and vile lyfe, as they hasted his ouer-long proroged death. Now that the immortall Gods haue inuested vs with the Imperiall Maiestie, small is the wonder, though there appeare a reformation in the good, when the verie Reprobate were glutted with wickednesse. But reuerend Fathers, this sweete alteration is no warrant to the Magistrate, to be slouthfull in his function, least in not suruayinge of the best, the best them-selues be corrupted, as Moaths consume the finest garmentes, where they be seeldome worne, and lesse ouer-lookte: And although in the better sort, this inconuenience is to be feared, in the worser, this mischiefe is to be certenly expected: they wil vpon cuerie temptation returne to their naughtines as a Dog [Page 3] to his vomit, and therfore these daungerous insyrmities in a Common wealth, must be cured as the skilfull Surgion doth a festred sore. Their causes must bee searched and their nourishing humors purged, and then amendment followeth. The cause of this inordinate lust, this excessiue drunkennesse, this outragious prodigalitye, & to be short, this hel of iniquity among the Romanes, is euill education: of long time there hath bin no man ready to instruct them in vertues, nor willing to reprehend their vices, the nourishment of these euils are the Tauerns, Dicing places, and brothell houses, of whiche Rome hath great store, & they greater store of guestes: so that to rid the publique weale of this dangerous infection, is fyrste and cheefelye to instruct the youth in good maners, and next to abate the number of these superfluous howses, or at the least, daylie to ouer-see their dooings.
Thus in breefe, I haue declared some of the hydden euilles, harboured in the bowels of Rome, which to reforme your owne eyes must be as ready to fynde them out, as your eares attentiue to heare euils reported: you must bee as well Informers of offenders, as Iudges of offences: for the desire of Iustice is to roote out iniquitie, and the office of Iustices to inquire after euil lyuers: And without al doubt, in this carefull proceedinge, in your visitations, you shall see sufficient example of sin, to occupie your Iudiciall places with correction. This vigilant care, will eternize your good beginnings with glorie, will establish prosperitye in the weale puplique, will comforte the good, and bridle the wicked: ytnot through the loue of vertue, yet for the chastninge of vice. Thus, you see it concerneth the inrichinge of [Page] the common wealth, in the seruice where-of the bitternesse of death, should vnto you deeme pleasant: In particulers, it concerneth the prosperitie of your Children, Kinsfolke and Allies, for whose benefit you are borne to trauell: also it concerneth your owne honor, which you should holde more precious then lyfe: and therefore as your Soueraigne, we coniure you, and as fathers of the Common wealth beseeche you, that you wyll continue our good beginninge, with the execution of the Emperours directions: and so we end as we begun, the prosperitie of Rome, shal highly laude the gracious goodnes of the gods, & the greatnes of your wysdoms.
VVHen the good Emperour, had in few words ended this waightie Oration, (or more properly graue admonition) the fatherly Senators admiring the sound iudgemēt of Alex. beinge of tendet yeares & vnexperienced, in pollices of gouernment, knew straight-waies, that there was a negligence in their administration of Iustice, which his minde (continually exercised for the benefyt of the publique weale) forsaw, and to the profit therof, in this louing maner the same discouered.
To witnesse that they throughly conceiued the intent of his reposed wordes, by their owne prudent deeds, they foorth-with wrought out the wholsome effects of his godly desire: and y e better to search the core of vice & iniquitie hid in the intrailes of Rome. These good Maiestrats vsed this pollicie, in disguysed habits they entred y e Tauerns, common tables, victuling houses, stewes & brothel-harbors, without controlemēt, they viewed y e behauiors of the people, that thei might the better vuderstand the ful of their abuses: & vpon diligent searche, what founde they? [Page 4] forsooth, Rome like a painted strumpet. The great boast y t they but lately made of her reformation, had no better assurance their this, a few of the good sette forth their good dispositions at large, & many of the wicked, for a time helde in their lewde inclinations: but counterfetes wil vnto kinde, Copper may holde print but not bide tutch with golde: euen so these hypocrits, as place and opportunitie serued, bewraied their beastly natures. Among these tranions, Cosonage was esteemed lawful marchandise, & dicinge, faire pastune: lechery was held no sin, nor chastity, vertu: ruffens were honored, & the gods dispised: the mouth of vertu was locked, & vice spake through a trumpet. To be short, among them was no law but disorder, nor any thing publique but abhomination: neither possibli might it be otherwise: for by y e autho rity of Heliogabalus, ruffens, bawdes & suche other brothel birds, were made senators, yea, y e basest persons were maried to noble wemē, & they y t could set abroche most villanies, bare the greatest swayes: & wher such liberty is giuen to offend, sin is so sweete to y e flesh, y t there wil appeere no difference betweene men & beasts, saue y t men do exceede beasts in beastlines: and in this accordeth deuine Plato, who saith, y t those citties, in which [...]her are no seuere lawes to correct sin, ar rather forrests of monsters then places habitable for men, & wher as ther was this corruption in nature, there could be no alteratiō hoped for but by discipline, which the sequel well proueth.
The change of the gouernment, from a most vile vnto a most vertuous Emperour, purged simply, y e corruptiō of y e people, for althogh y t exercise of naughtinesse, were not so opē as before, yet y e euil disposed [Page] knew where to stawle companions euen in the fore named Hell houses, and which was most to bee lamented, among the scum of the Cittie, I meane Ruffians, Bawdes, Brokers, Cheters, Shifters and others: in these fylthie places, worthye Gentlemen and substantiall Cittezens were daylye founde, the one through vnthristinesse to wast their patrimonie, the other by couetousenesse to purchase the Deuill and all.
When the graue Senatours, had entred into the depth of these foule vlcers of the Publique weale, they founde that Dice, Drunkennesse and Harlots, had consumed the wealth of a great number of ancient Gentlemen, whose Purses were in the possession of vile persons, and their Landes at morgage with the Marchants, and how both the one and the other, were confederate to spoyle these Gallantes. They truly certifyed the Emperour, the dangerous estate of the Common wealth, how that by the corruption of these houses, the Gentlemen had made this exchaunge with vise persons, they were attyced with the Gentlemens brauerie, and the Gentlemen disgraced with their bea [...]ly maners: And somuch the case was the more to be pitied, for that the remedie was to be doubted: for al-be-it their infections grew by the fylthie conuersation with [...]affens, Bawdes, and suché braue baggages, whiche was harde to be cured, that which should comforte them in well dooinge, I meane their Landes, were in the possession of the Marchantes, who of the gaine of their bargen will wage sreendes to countenaunce their deceitfull dealinges, and then let them backe [Page 5] their worst, their aduersaries will byte them, with their owne teeth. Thus, poore Gentlemen, they are sure to impaire their liuinges: how-be-it (perhaps) they amend theyr liues.
When the good Emperour, had attentiuely herd this (lamentable) report, hee foorth-with made this short answer.
Graue Fathers, you haue certifyed vs no more, then by reason we sensibly foresaw: it is therefore now conuenient, that we by seueritie pluck vp the roots of wickednesse, which by sufferaunce are growen to mightye bodies of sin. Therfore our pleasure is, that by expresse Commaundement, the Cittizins of Rome be-warned to appeare (to morrowe) be-fore vs, in the Theater of Rome, where they shall openly know their faultes: and by the graces of the immortall Gods, and counsell of our graue Senate, wee shall set downe remedies for this daungerous mischiefe.
This reposed speache of the Emperour, promysed good successe to his graue determinations: in to muche, as the Senators settled in this hope, made (forthwith) Proclamation of the Emperours Commaundement.
And at the appointed time, the grauer sort of the Cittizins, with a multitude of the Communaltie being assembled, the Emperour and a chosen company of Senators, with a sterne countenaunce passed by the people, and mounted in the Chayre of Maiestie, as one distempered with a great passion, with an angrie Countenaunce and a still tongue, hee setled his eyes vpon the Cittizins: And not-with-standing they saluted hym with many dutifull acclamatious: [Page] as, Liue long, O noble Emperour, the chosen of the Goddes, the Glory of the world, the Soueraigne of Kynges and prosperytie of Roome: yet he seemed neuer a whytte the more affable, as wyllynge they should knowe that his wisdome had searched their corupt consciences, & (therfore) little regarded their dutiful gratulations: In the end, when the regarde of his displeased Countinaunce, had made them scilent with [...]are, or (rather) halle dead with sorrow, hee quickened them agayne, with this sharpe Reprehension: as followeth.
Alexanders Oration, to the Cittizyns of [...]eeme.
IF we knewe, by what proper name to call you, by that name we would wyll you to giue attention, to the words we purpose to declare: If we shuld greet you with the reuerence due vnto Priestes, wee should highly offende the Goddes and delude men: for, in you there is no Relygion to serue the Gods, nor Charytie to lyue Neighbourly among men. If we shuld salute you, as Senators, your own consciences wold witnesse that we mocked you: for the good Senators, trauell for the benefite of the Publique-weale, and you (only) labour for priuate lucre. It were ridiculous to call you Gentlemen: for they, by their magnanimous Vertues, inlarge the boundes of the Empyre, and you, thoughe you haue cra [...]t to dispossesse Gentlemen of their lands, yet you lacke vallour to keepe the enemie from the sackyng of your Cytties. What? woulde you that wee [...]ould call you, as the auncient Cittizyns were woont [Page 6] to be called, good people of Roome? Beleeue me, this is no proper Title for you: for they and you differ in conditions, as good doth from bad. Those Cittizyns or good people of Roome, by their Vertues, crowned Roome with the Honour of a Cittie, and more, with this Title: The Head of the Worlde: For, as diuine PLATO saith: it is not sumptueus Buildynges, that giueth name of a Cittie, but the Cruilytie and worthinesse of the Cittyzyns: And on the contraryparte, you pollute Roome with so many abhominations, as where in times past, she hath ben called the head of the world, she may now be as aptly called: the tayle of iniquitie: If none of all these titles belong vnto you: what name shuld we then giue you? you be of Rome: lyue in Roome, and haue your sustenance from Rome: all this hath Moathes in cloath, Canker rust in Iron, & Caterpillers in [...]uict: Then, you Moathes, Cankerrust and Caterpillers of Roome: giue care vnto my words, which showe you a more assured benefite then your own trauelles: The large Priuiledges of Abules, which you (of long tyme) haue inioyed, haue (by s [...]erance made a custom of sin: & therfore (in charytie (we are first) bound, to admonish you with good coūsell: if that work no amēdmēt, thē (of necessitie, we must chasten you with the Rod of Iustice: But, admit this lybertie were without checke, you would be the cōfusion of your own-selues: you haue experience of the Vermins to whome, wee (rightly) compared you: the Moathe, consumeth the Cloath, and (in tyme, for lacke of iustenaunce, starueth it selfe. The iyke doth the Caterpyller amonge Fruict, and with continuance, the Canker-rust in Iron. And you, that denoure the wealth of the CITTIE, dwell vppon the Possessions of [Page] the Gentlemen, and oppresse the multitude with bondage: what gayne you by this? By Crueltie, you purchase hatred of your Neighbours, and the Ambitious, wyll enuie your aboundance of wealth: and then, this followeth: If they can not be strengthned with forein power, your familiars, wyll invade you with ciuil discention: For, among those that haue liued prodigally, this rule is obserued: whē their Purses are emptie, their heads are occupied with a thousand mischiefes, to com passe a newe supply: And (which is most to be feared,) they be not so perrillous cunnyng in their practises, as they are Deuillysh resolute in their Executious: If they sell you their landes, for money to spend riotously, whē that help is past, they wyl cut off your heads, fyre your Houses, and sacke this famous Cittie, to susteine their lasciuious humoures: For (without speciall grace) in Pryde and want, cause of Sedition. prowd minds, want can not suppresse desire to spend: You haue reade the experience in the Historie of vnthriftie CATTILINE and his Confederats, how he murdered the worthiest Cittezins, without mercie, made spoyle of their Gooddes without lawe, and beseaged Roome with a shrewde daunger: you are lyke to be partakers of their Afflictions, vnlesse you bee more moderate in gayning of Gentlemens liuyngs, and they lesse riotous in spendynge of your money. When PHILIP Kyng of MACEDONS, made warre vppon the PERSIANS, hauing intelligence, that they abounded in all maner of delicate vyandes, sumptuous Garments and wastful expences: he foorth with retyred his Army, and said: it was needelesse too make warre vpon those, that within a while, would cut one anothers throates. And truely, though PHILLIP [Page 7] his answere were short, his iudgement was waightie: for as mightie Ryuers wyll soone run drie, when their noorishyng Spryngs are turned another way: so wealthy Citties, can not, but be subuerted, when euery man doth cleane contrary to his function. Among the Phylosophers, MAN is called, MICROCOSMOS, or a little worlde: for that in him is figured, a Modell of the glorie therof. If he resemble the whole worlde, it were an absurditie too make him a Figure of a welgouerned Cōmon-wealth: a man consisteth of diuers members, as head, body, Armes, legges. &c. So doth a good Common-wealth, of diuers estates: as of a Kyng as Supreame-head and Cōmaūder: of godly Prelates, as the heart and nooryshers of deuine vertues: of graue Iudges, Maiestrates and Counsellers, as the body and strength of Common prosperytie: of worthy Gentlemen, as the Armes, hands and executioners of the Maiestrates graue pollycies: of aduentrous Marchauntes, as the legges and trauaylers into forreigne countreyes, for their owne Countreyes cōmodytie: of Plowmen, and inferiour people, as the feete, which must run at the cōmaundement of euery other member. I say, where all these estates, dutifully, doo their Offices: where the Prince doth (iustly) commaunde: the Maiestrates (aduifedly) direct: and inferiour Subiectes (faythfully) obey: there, where this Concorde is, peace and prosperytie, floorysheth in their Citties, and feare, pineth the enuie of their borderyng enemies. On the contrary parte, where the head is crowned with a Pantofle, as the Sub iect of the vnconstant multitude: where the passages of the heart, whiche is the Organe of the Soule, are fixed with the continuall exercise of sinne, (the Figure that [Page] the Prelates sownde Doctrine, are but wordes of warnyng, and no causes of amendment: Where the brest and bodie lyes naked to euery peryl, I meane, the good Maiestrates, are neither reuerenced, feared, nor obayed: Wherethe handes are bownde to the knees, in token, that the Gentlemen are thrawle to the Marchantes:
Where, on the knees is fastened a Cap and a feather, and about the legges, a Swoord and a Target buckled, in signe, that the Cittizyns desire the honour they can not gouerne, and leaue their [...]rauayles, whiche woulde inritch the Common-wealth: And where the feete, which should trudge for euery necessary, should be fettred, in a payre of Stockes: as witnesse of the poore Laborers bondage and oppression, who, for their necessarie trauelles, ought too bee cheerised. I say: as a man thus deformed, buckled and bownd on a heape, would soone perysh, for want of sustenance: euen-so, a Common-wealth, thus confused, would soone be confownded, for lacke of good Order. What Prince, that is Head and Soueraigne, of such a sauadge and brute people? that wyll not rather) wysh, a Royall Tombe, then a Princely Pallace? for, in the one, he is priuyleaged against the outrage of enemies, & in the other, he is not sa [...]e from the Treasons of his own Subiects. And therfore, you Vipers, which destroy one another, if our louyng perswasions, may not alter your lewde dispositions: take the aduauntage of tyme & my nakednes, giue me an vntimely death, rather thē a dishonorable raign: for truely I had rather die, while the walles of Roome doe stande, then liue to see her sumptuous Buildynges on [...]ite, whose ruine is at hand, vnlesse, out of hand, you amend your corrupt cōsciences, & the multitude, their naughtie maners.
[Page 8] AT these wordes, (with teares in their eyes) as Pleadges of sorowful heartes: the people shouted [...]oorth with a lowde crye, their duti [...]ull A [...] ons: saying. O noble ALEXANDER, let the Torture of ten dearhes, be too easie a payne, for the man, whiche but ymagyneth thy Death: Lyue: and lyue long: O most noble Emperour, the lyse of vs all, and the light of the Romaynes glorye.
¶ Here Sorrow stopped their mouthes: but their dismayed countenaunces, gaue full knowledge of their inwarde Repentance: so that the Emperour, both in wordes, lookes and gesture, (more mildely) continued his Dration: as followeth.
Continuance of Alexander his Oration, to the Cittizyns.
YOV wish him the vengeance of ten deaths, that should, but imagine our death: And (certainly) Conscience perswadeth vs, your tonges do truely publysh the consents of your heartes: but small is the difference, when death and desolation is the ende, whyther you lay violent hands vpon vs, or murder vs with your horryble vices. The body that is in a Consumption, The euer [...] of a K [...]me, [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...]. bringeth the head to the graue: euen so, the ruine of the kingdom, endeth the raign of the king: he whose head groweth out of his shyn, whose eyes are set in his knees, whose seere are ioyned to his shoulders, & [...] other members (semblably) disordred: wold you [...] [...] ther) take him for a Mōs [...]er then a man? ye [...] [...] [...] (doubtles) such a creature wold perys [...] [...] tie, ware he not by others [...]ered for [...] this preposterous shape in [...] [Page] euery estate liueth out of order, wyl soone come to con fusion, & people of the best fortune, but liue as the bōdmen of their enemies.
The first Erector of the Romayn walles, was ROMVLVS, yet Roome was nothyng so much bound vnto him, for the envyronyng of her fayre buildynges, with strong Bulwarkes, as in appoinctyng offices, orders and lawes among the people, to gouerne them in peace and prosperytie: This Romulus, (that Roome might prosper,) hastened the death of his Brother REMVS, an Act (simply) considered by Nature, very impious, and the vengeance of detestable crueltie: but the seditious disposition of Remus well pōdred, necessytie approoued the seuerytie of ROMVLVS, to be perfect Iustice. The loue we owe to our Parents, ought to be very reuerent and great, because thei gaue vs lyfe: to our brethren, naturall, because of preuytie in blood: to our frends, affectionat, because vertue or benefit is y e Me [...] [...] more bound to the commonwealth then [...] Par [...]. foundation: But the loue we owe vnto our Countrey, cōmaundeth vs to breake all these bandes of affection, in presentyng the deerest frends, offending against the Weale-publique: yea, in the seruice therof, to make it appeare, that the prodigall spoylles of our liues, giueth contempt vnto Death: That Examples of Kynges and Capital Maiestrates, in this duetie, may be Samplers of Vertue vnto the inferiour Subiectes of Roome, I giue you to vnderstād, how Kyng LYCVRGVS went into (voluntary) exile, that his good Lawes, might haue long continuance among the Lacedemonians. Kyng CODRVS (wilfully) ran vpon his owne Daughter, (only) vpon a Prophesie, that the same should deliuer his Countrey from inuasion. AVCVRVS, Kyng [Page 9] MYDAS Son of PHRIGIA, hauing knowledge that the yre of the Goddes, would not be pacified, vntil a liuing mā leapt into a great gaping gulph of the earth which ouerthrew many houses, and dyd much hurt in the Countrey: The Kyngs Sonne, ANCVRVS, I say, least some should preuent him, (hastely) kyssed the King his father, his wife and frends, and (couragiously) leaped into this Gulph. What need we further search then the Monumentes of Noble Romaynes: CVRTIVS, dyd the like valiant deed of Anoun [...]s. MVTIVS SCEVOLE, in disguised Haby [...], entred (alone) the Hetruryan Camp, to [...]ay their kyng, who (daungerously) assaulted Rome. GAIVSMARIVS, to ouercome the [...] Cymbrians, [...]crificed his deerely beloued [...] CALPHVRNIA: Death was the certaine ende of al these en [...]pises: but th [...] Noble personages, w [...]re wondrous vncertaine, whither their Deathes should [...] their Countreyes from daungers, or no▪ But Louers of their Countreyes prosperitie, maketh neither doubts nor delayes, where great petyll asketh present succour: But, you wyll (p [...]ure) saye, that you are redy to spende your ly [...], yo [...] landes and Goods, to with-stande forreigne [...], or Domesticall [...]nnemies: If you so say, and doo so, [...] challengeth al this, and wisdome wylleth a [...] foresight: It is a work of more thank to [...] health, then to cure Sicknesse, for, payn and gri [...] (onely) commendeth Medicine: euen-so, effusion of innocent bloode, burnyng of Cy [...]ies, and rauishment of Virgins, are the [...]es of most glorious conque [...]: And truely, he that will giue cause of sedition, though hee after dooth his vttermost to suppresse the [Page] same, is lyke vnto hym that doth (wilfully) surfet, that Phisicke may heale hym: Your excessiue Coueitousnesse, is example of the lyke mischiefe: yea, this double daunger dependeth thereon: By the same, you vndoe the Gentlemen, whiche are the Beautie of Rome, and the strength of the Empyre: For (al-be-it) Iawe-lesse Wolues wyll scarre Sheepe, yet maymed men, incourage Cowardes. Your aboundaunce, can not defende Forreigne Inuasion, when the Gentlemens hartes are nipped with want: nay, it is to be feared, that Enuie and Necessytie, will make them to ioyne with the Enemie, to be reuenged of your Cruelties, or too be relieued of your superfluyties.
HEREWITH, the Multitude cried out, alowde: Accursed be he, and vnworthie the name of a Citizyn of Rome, that, by vnsatiable Coueitousnes and Vsurie, seeketh this publique desolution: whatsoeuer is thus (vnlawfully) gotten, shalbe restored backe: Hereafter, such vnprofitable members, shal be bridled: Liue vertuous Emperour, and what lack ye finde in vs, refourme it, and we wyll obey you: and he that doth resist, let him be slaine, and buried in Tyber: Your vertue hath restored vs to lyfe, that weare dead: vnto Lybertie, that were in thraldom: vnto Honour, that were dishonoured. In Gouernaunce, you be our Father, whome we well reuerence: by free election, our Emperour, whom we wil obay: & in wisdome our soundest Iudge, whose com maūdemēts & coūsels, we wil execute, as generall Lawes. ¶ Hereat, the Emperour relented, and with much paine, retayned the teares of his eyes, and (in the ende) comforted thē, w t this Conclusion.
The Conclusion of AlexANDERS Oration, to the Cittizyns
I Am right glad, that your Protestation declareth, that you yet hold some portion of Vertue: which giueth vs hope, that the renown of this Noble Realme, begunne by Romulus, shall not ende in you: And if you be constant in this affection, we trust, right shortly, to make the Fame therof equall in estimation, with the Raignes of any of our Progenitours. And now, I haue fownd agayne your old name wherby I wyll call you.
Ye Children and Successours of the vertuous Romaynes: I say, you victorious people, braunches of Romulus, subduers of Realmes, patternes of vertue, and prowesse to all the world, mittigate your couetous appetites, abandon excessiue Vsurie, exceede not the boundes of your popular state, be charitable, and mercifull vnto your owne Countrey-men, where their necessitie may be relieued with your abundance: Be you ashamed, that labourers, and rude people, should condemne you of crueltie, for destroying of your Gentlemen (the chiefe ornament, and defence of this noble Cittie.) Remember, that if the state of Senators do decaye, the most vertuous of the Gentlemen are elected in their places: So you, that shall equall them in vertue (for your substance onely cannot make you gentle) shall be aduaunced vnto the state of Gentlemen, according to your deme [...]its.
[Page] Nowe haue we nomore to say vnto you, but applye your selues to the auncient and most laudable orders, as we shal indeuour our selues, by example & diligence, to bring this Citie againe vnto perfection.
VVHen the good Emperor had thus ended his Oration, he caused diuers of the grauest Citizyns, to attend hym at his Pallace, where he cō manded, that by secrete inquirie, they should learne how many [...], by [...], or other corrupte [...], had (absolute possession or Morguage of the Gentlemens [...]andes: and to certifye, bothe) the names of the Vserers, and the Gentlemen so distressed. Vppon whose certificate, he dealed with the Creditors of the Gentlemē, [...] a great [...]tion of money out of his owne Crea [...]e, towardes a generall agreement. As in the end he concluded, that the Creditors, shuld rece [...]e the res [...]ue of their Debtes, by a yearely pention oute of the Gentlemens, Landes; By whiche [...]ewes, their [...] tie might recouer what their [...] had [...]asted. The Noble Emperour, ha [...]ynge brought to passe this hye hone [...]te, for the Gentlemen a Rome, with the possession therof: in this louyng Oration, he instructed them in the Dueties of Gentlemen, and ( [...]dely) reprehended the Dishonours of their Reputation.
The Emperour Alexander his Oration, to the Gentlemen of Rome.
GEntlemen of Rome, by the name of Gentlemen I salute you, as Hereditorie Title of your Auncestours vertues, which I hope will alwayes remayne in your hearts; How-be-it, too excessiue prodigalitie, hath much wasted your liuings, and impayred your credit. But with the blame of your lauiciousnes, I am bound (by the woorking of pittie) to shew the cause thereof: Which (although it bee no excuse in Iustice) yet it iustly [...]oueth commiseration. The examples of our predecessors wickednesse, is more liuelye expressed in your workes, then may be showen by my wordes, and I hope, his worthie confusion, will be cause of your speedy amendment. Yet, I hold it not amisse, to laie before your eyes, the monstrous e [...]illes, which you have learned of your late Emperour Heliogabalus: that, comparing his wretched ende, with his wicked raigne, feare may reforme, what our louing affection wisheth to be amended in you.
This vessel of abhominatio, so exceeded in pride, that frō top to toe, he was [...]ired in cloth of golde pearle, & pretious-stones, & neuer wore any garment more thē Vyces off [...] yogabaius once, from his bed chamber, vnto the place where hee mounted vnto his Coch the walles were decked wyth tapestrie full of greate pearles, and pretious stones. The waie as he went, was strewed with golde and siluer, as one disdayning to [...]reade vppon earth lyke other men. [Page] His Charyot was sometyme drawen with tame Lions, sometimes with Elephantes, and sometimes with marueilous faire Women. The Ringes which he drewe off his fingers, hee neuer put on againe. The vessels of golde and siluer, wherein he was serued, was euermore the fees of his seruitors. Suche huge prodigalitie was ioined with his incomparable pride. His gluttonie, & voluptuousnes was so great, as neere the Sea, his whole houshold was fed with most daintie fowles: and beeing farre within lande, they were all serued with all maner of fishes, by Poste brought alyue from the Sea: Sometime he had for a generall seruice, pasti [...]s of Peacockes toonges, otherwhyle Partridges egges, the heades of Popiniayes, Fesauntes, and the most daintiest Byrdes: Neither was this superfluitie alone vpon the Tables in his owne Pallace, but in selfe same manner, his Lyons, Gray-hounds, and other Dogs of pleasure were fed. He so much esteemed of thinges that were deare and rare, that hearing there was but one Phaenix in the worlde, hee offered twoo thowsand Markes to haue it to hys Dinner.
His lecherie was so vnsatiable, and withal so vnclean, as common ciuilitie forbiddeth the report.
His Pusalanimitie was such, as he studied how to become a woman, and of moste notorious Strumpets, and Bawdes, hee erected a Senate, and in a Capitoll, for the nonce, hee made vnto them manie Orations, and called them his Companions, and fellowe Souldiers.
That vi [...]e might haue no staye, nor vertue anie passage, [Page 12] he gaue free Charters to all men to vse all manner of villanie. And Sabinus, Vlpianus, and other learned and reuerent Iudges hee banished from the administration of Iustice.
He cruelly put to death many worthie personages, & amongst the people many times let loose Lions, Beares, and other cruell Beastes. In fine, when his monstrous pryde, prodigallitie, and lecherie, had consumed all his own treasure, necessitie, & a naughtie disposition, made him to sell the offices of Iustice. But his owne familiar Seruantes and Souldiers, wearie of his abhominations, slew him: & drawing his horrible Carren with hooks through the Cittie, they tyed him to a stone of greate waight, and threw him into Tyber, to the end so vile a bodie should neuer be buried: Yet, your owne eies are Iudges that I say the truth. His death and funerals was as vile and filthie, as, what I haue saide of his life, was sumptuous and rich.
I haue laide the miserie of his death before your eyes, that you should expell the vices of his life forth of your harts. It was the due of his beastlines, and will be the reward of your insolent liuing without amendment.
You are yet yong, & by prowesse may recouer more then you haue by prodigalitie wasted: A vertuous end repaireth the dishonors of a vicious life: But shame lyueth, when lewd men are dead. A prodigall and voluptuous humor, I know is hardly purged, bicause the norishments are many and sweete. But when I consider, that you are Gentlemen, I straightwaies hope, that you will easilye subdue these affections. There is nothyng more pretious to man then life, nor nothing more fearfull then death.
[Page] Yet the noble Romaine Gentlemen your auncestors, in actions of honour, preferred the last before the first. If you be heires of their vertues, Vsurers cannot purchase that patrimonie: And therefore, great is our hope, that you will bridle meane affections, when they contemned the greatest. ROMVLVS with a weake strength, and inuincible courage, first buylded this famous Citie, and of his name shee is called to this daye Roome. Numa Pompilius that succeeded him, both inlarged the boundes, and strengthened her, with manie good lawes and orders: And in processe of time, the wisdome of the Maiestrates, and valiancie of her Gentlemen, made Rome, The Soueraigne of Citties, the Beautie of the earth, and Empresse of the whole world: And so to this daye had remained, had not the horrible vices of her Emperors Nero, Caligula, Domitian, Comodus, and Heliogabalus, eclipsed her glorie, and polluted her people with abhominations: But vertue is able to perfect more then vice hath deformed. We beseech the Gods, that on our part there may bee no defaulte, as wee earnestly de [...]te reformation in you: And then (no doubt) Rome shall shortlye haue her auncient honour, and you the reputation of Romulus heires. This badge of pryde, Brauerie in apparell, is necessarie [...] apparell [...] for sage players for base persons, that publiquely in open Theaters, presente the personages of Emperoures, Kinges, Dukes, and such Heroycall Estates: For that they haue no other meane to perfourme their action. But the magnanimous Gentleman, carrieth honor in his coūtinance, and not countenance in his Garments.
CICERO discouered the Haughtinesse of Caesar in his fore-heade.
[Page 13] ASTIAGES, saw a Kyngly minde in CYRVS, although, hee were armed with a Sheepehooke: man maketh the Habyt, and not Habyt a man.
Drunkennesse and Glotonie, are fowle maymes too Dronkennes and glotney, greatly disgraceth a gentleman. Honour, and the greatest deformytie in a Gentleman:
Call Alexander, the great, to witnesse, who, after hee had conquered (almoste) all the whole Worlde, with the Swoord, conquered hym-selfe with a Wine-potte: So that, it is a question, whither he receiued more Honour, in ouercommyng the mighty Darius, of Persia, or Dishonor, by beyng subdued, by the Persians Vices: If I were a Iudge, Alexander, should find a seueare Iudgement: for, by his valiancie, he did but conquer his ennemies, and in his drunkennesse, he slew his frendes, and hastened his owne death.
Prodigalytie, is so sharpe a vengeance, as there needeth The vengeance of Prodigalitie no Lawe to chastise the Prodigall man, he doth so seuerely punish him-selfe. Epicharidus, the Athenian, in sixe Dayes consumed his Patrimonie, and al his lyfe after, liued a Begger.
Pasicirus, kyng of Cyprus, first prodigallie) spent his Treasure, afterwards, sould his Realme, and (lastly) died (miserablie) in the Cittie of Amathuntus,
The prodigall Cleops, Kyng of Egypte, was driuen vnto such necessitie, as he was faine to liue of the dishonest vse of his Daughters bodie.
If prodigalitie bring Kings to this exigent, who haue manie supplies, it speedilye ruineth the richest Subiect: yea, (which is worst) their recouerie is as vncertaine, as their vndooing is certaine: For by colour of their Reuennewes, they runne in debt the triple value of theyr [Page] Landes. You Gentlemen of Rome, knowe this better by experience, then by my information, you feele the smart of prodigalitie: by ryot you were dryuen to morgage your Lands, and had lost the same, and your selues, had not our liberalitie redeemed both: our louing care to preu [...]nt, that followeth after prodigalitie, whiche is this perillous daunger:
Men, beyng (by prodigalytie) Enemies of their owne and posteryties prospetytie: by want and Necessytie, become Enemies of their Countreyes peace and welf [...], I sa [...], feare of this mischiefe, and loue of your w [...]ldoynge, hath repurchased your Landes: receyue of vs, the Possession therof, as a Cognisance of our loue, and delyte that you maye floorysh: Keepe your Honour with your Landes, least our seuere displeasure, be heaped vpon your vndoynges: Lette vertuous Pollycies and Documents be your studdie: see that your excr [...]e, bee Feates of Chiualrye: vse your handes, to the managynge or Armes, and not your Fyngers to the trippynge of Dice, a Pastyme, so villanous, that (notwithstandinge) The [...] of Di [...]g. the losse be doubtfull, the dishonour is certaine.
GOBILON, the Athenian, beyng sent Ambassadour, to make League with the Corrynthians, who, findyng the Gouernours of Corrynth, playinge at the Di [...], departed without dispatch of his busines: saying, [...]e would not staine the Glorye of the Spartianes, in makyng League with Dicers. The Kyng of the Persians, sent goulden Dice to kynge Demettius, for a reproache of his Lightnesse. Cicero, in the Senatehouse, put Anthonius to scilence, in sayinge, he was a Dicer: And (truely) so infamous a pastime, neither [Page 14] beseemeth the Grauitie of the Magistrate, nor Honor of a Gentleman, for that the gaine, is loaden with dishonest practises, and the losse, with vnquiet passions.
Learn by the Cōtinencie of the mightie Alexāder, & the noble Romain Scipio, to subdue carnal affections: the one, hauyng (by fortune of warre, the possession of worthye examPls of continencie kyng Darius Wyfe, the moste beautifull Ladie of all ASIA, he neither suffred him-selfe, to bee conquered by her beautie, nor the Queene to bee dishonoured by his victorie. The other, hauyng lyke Aduauntage of the Paragon of Spayne, with the semblable vertue, vanquished his Affections.
On the cōtrarie part, know ye, that Rome (of late) hath had more Emperours brought vnto the Sepulture, by Lecherie, then in many hundred yeares before, by the Launce. Gentlemen, my Kinsmen and Companions. I admonish you from naughtinesse, by the falles of Emperours, kynges, and Heroycall Estates: that you maye knowe, in the punishment of vice, the Goddes, neither feare nor spare, the mightiest of men. On the contrarie parte: I counsell you to goodnesse, by the Counsell of our dignitie, assuring you, by the exercise of Vertue, meaner then Gentlemen, become Emperours of Kingdomes. Wee haue no more to saye: but that the Goddes impresse in your hartes, the counsell we haue blowen into your eares, and that your Emperour Alexander, maye beholde Rome, Rome agayne: And you (Gentlemen of Rome) worthye the reputation of your Noble Auncestors.
[Page] VVHen the good Emperor, had ended his Oration: the Gentlemen, ouercome with the Princely fauour and affection of Alexander, as (also) wounded, with the knowledge of their former lasciuiousnesse, discouered a great dismaye of Spirite:
In the ende, with abased Countenaunces, vppon their knees, they humbly acknowledged his gratious benefits: confessed their owne vnworthynesse, and faithfullie promised, to obay his fatherly Counsailes. The good Emperour, then, demaunded, yf they would be contented, that their Debts shuld be paide by yearely pentions out of their Landes, and if they woulde (spariugely) liue, accordyng vnto the proportion of the rest? They al aunswerd, with one voyce: Yea (noble Emperor) els were we accursed.
¶ The prudent Alexander, hauing by these graue Orations, sounded the inclynations, of the three Estates of Rome. vz. The Senators: The Gentlemen, and the Citizyns: forsook not y e aduaūtage of the peoples good dispositions, but whyle the Vertue of his wise Counselles was workyng in their hartes, he, with the Aduice of his graue Senators, deuised many good Lawes, for the abandonyng and banishment of Vices foorth of the Citie: assuryng himselfe, that where Discipline was wanting, the sowndest coū sell, purged not corrupt maners: so that, to the loue which his Affabylitie had wonne, he ioyned dread, through seuere executiōs, of these profitable lawes.
Lawes, Pains, and Penalties, set downe by Alexander Seuerus, to punish Offenders against the Weale-publique.
In primis For that the Tauarnes, Dicing-houses, & the Stewes, were y e Nurses of all vices, Tauern [...] stewes anb dicing houses and the Sanctuaries of vicious persons, he suppressed all such, as were of euyll fame: saying: That, if the Owners could not liue, but vpon the vndoynge of others, it were reason, they should starue, by the necessytie of their idle bryngyng vp.
¶ Item: He cōmaūded, that in the Tauarns, there should be no other, thē open Boothes, y t the Censors, Open bothes in Tauernes. might see the behauiors & cōditions of y e people that haunted them.
¶ Item: He cōmaunded, that no Gentleman, Romayne, Gentlemen, for bidden, Tauernes should resorte to any of these Houses, vppon paine, to lose the name of a Gentleman.
¶ Item: He cōmaunded, that no Senator, should haue more then fower Disshes at his Dinner: nor Gentleman, or Citizyn, more then three: And that, Glottony and Dronkenes the Cōmon people, should feed (onely) of one Dish, of fish or flesh: saying, that Glotonie and Drunkenesse, not (onely) consumed the wealth of the Weale-publique, but also, the health of the people.
[Page] ¶ Item: He cōmaūded, y t no Gentlemā, Romain, Limitation of Apparell shuld haue more then three Sutes of Apparel: one, for Ordinarie dayes: one other for F [...]stiuall tymes: ad the thyrd, for the entertainmēt of Ambassadors: alleadging, that all these were necessary, & what so euer was more, was superfluous. This Lawe was also set downe by Phillip le Bel, to reforme the pride of Fraunce, and by Fardinando, King of Arraon, to husbandry the smal pentions of the Knightes of the Lande, which order he hym selfe erected.
¶ Item: He enacted, if any Gentleman Romane, Dycers made bond sl [...] or Citizin of Rome, by playing at Dice, haūting of Tauarns, or any other vnthriftie exercise, had cōsumed his patrimonie & substaunce, & was indebted more thē he was able to satis [...]ie: that thē, it shuld be lawfull for the Creditor, to take the partie offēding, & to hold him as his bōd-slaue, so long as the seruice & labour of his body were thought sufficient for his debt. Were this a lawe in England, I feare mee, at this present, we shuld haue more Gentlemen bondmen, then Yemen trustie seruantes.
¶ Item, For that Vsury was the decay of a huge Lymitation for vsurie nūber, he enacted, y t no Vserer, shuld take (after the cōputation of their money, more then y e allowance, of. iii. li, i. [...]. for a. C. li, for a yeare. And y t he which refused to deliuer his monie at this rate, shuld from thēcefoorth, be held vnworthie y e name of a Romain, or to take any benefit by the Weale-publique: But shuld, by y e Censors, be depriued of y e name of a Citizin, &, fo [...]euer, after shuld be noated [...] the cryme of Ingratitude.
[Page 16] ¶ Item, From hence forth, no necessitie be considered Mony lent to dice players without hope to be recouered. in them that consume their substaunce, in Dice playing, outragious expences or lechery: who so euer lendeth to them, let it be at his peril & without hope of remedie. But vnto him whom peruerse fortune, long sickenesse, seruice, frend [...]ship, theeues, Assinement of Creditors for distressed persones. or oppressors haue brought vnto pouertie: If any such come vnto the Prouost of the Citie, and declare his necessitie, and whereof it proceeded, vppon the oath of one Sēator, and two honest Cōmoners, that his words are true, y e Prouost shal assigne one rich man of the Citie to lend him a portion of mony, taking a [...]uraunce for the payment thereof, for the gayne before limited.
¶ Item, He enacted, that if any Citizin of Rome, were found idle, by the space of one whole day, vnlesse, Idle persons set a worke vpon a Festiuall Day, hauyng no lawful nor approoued excuse: that then, he should be first whipped, and after, by the Conseruators, he should be set to the trade [...]t he was of, and for euery day, that he was openly seene, to be idle, the person, to whom he was committed, for one month, should set him to what labour [...]e plea [...]ed, as his slaue or bond-man, ginyng him, [...]at and drinke, onely.
¶ Item: He commaunded, that the Controwlers o [...] the Ma [...]ttes, should be honest men, and For Corrup [...]f v [...]s not coueitous: and ( [...] the auoydyng of the Ins [...] tion) that [...] should d [...]gently [...]orsae, that the Vi [...] tuailes, which were so [...]ld, should be sweete and holsome for [...] be eaten.
[Page] ¶ Item: To auoide cause of Infection, and horrible [...] Diseases, he prohibited Ingurgitations, Bankets, late Suppers and longe.
¶ Item: He cōmaūded, that men of corrupt and N [...]ysome occupations. noysome Occupations, should dwell out of the common passage of the people: And that the streetes of the Cities, should be kepte very cleanly and sweete.
¶ Item, He cōmaunded that the Baynes, by discreete keepers, should be kept very neate and sweet, Sweete keeping of baynes that neither the eye nor Nose, shuld find any thyng vnpleasant or noysome. By which cleanlinesse, Rome was preserued from sundry sicknesses, which (vndoubtedly) do grow of corrupt exhalations, venting out of mennes bodies.
¶ Item, Of his own charge, he builded three Hospitalles, Hospitals for poore people to reli [...]ue the Aged, blind, decreaped, and other poore people, infected [...] vncureable Diseases
¶ Item: He commaunded, that vnto a nomber of yong diseased vacabunds, there shuld be ministred, Cure for deseased Vacabondes. a thin Diet, an excessiue labor, and cleanly lodging: saying that the contrarie, were the causes of their Diseases, and, therfore, this the most hopefull Medicine, to r [...]couer their health.
¶ Item: He commaunded, that all the forsaytures which were leuied, vpon the Gooddes of Offenders Prou [...]ision of Corne. against the Lawe, should be imployed vppon Corne for the prouision of the poore.
[Page 17] ¶ Item: He commaunded, that no man should weare in his Apparayle, no maner of Stuffe, other A lawe for The setting of Poore people a worke. then was made within the Cittie of Rome.
The lyke Statute was established in all the Cytties of Italye: by meanes wherof, Rome and all the other Cyties were stoared of good Workemen, and the poore people, no excuse for Idlenes.
¶ Item: He commaunded, that in vittailing and Vitayling and bordellhouses Bordel-houses, the Doores should not be open from the Sun-settyng vntyll the Sun-risyng: by which Pollycie, the Conseruators knewe, what manner of people repayred vnto them.
¶ Item: Euery Cittizyn, was straightly forbidden, to eate or drinke in any Tauerne, or vittayling Cyttizyns for [...]ydden, Tauernes. House: whiche Houses, were (only) tollerated, for the intertainment of Straungers, which repayred vnto the Cyttie about lawfull businesse,
¶ Item: He cōmaunded, that all corrupt and deceitfull Bargayners, should bee punished with the Corrupt and deceatfull Bargayners. punished as Petty theaucs Whyp, as Theeues, that stole priuylie, without any violence: affyrming, that it was but a fantasie, and a laughyng-matter, to make a difference, betweene stealyng and deceitfull bargayninge. But, were this a Lawe with vs, we shuld haue more weeping in London, then laughynge in three of the greatest Shiers of Englande.
¶ Item: He commaunded: that ifany baace condicioned vnequall compryso [...] person, by the presumption of welt;, should [Page] make any sawcie comparison with any Gentlemā Romayne: immediatly, the said Franklye, should become the Gentlemans Bond [...]aue, with whome he compared, vntil the said Franklyn, had made the Gentleman his superiour, as well in wealth, as dignytie: And this Lawe hindered many quarrelles, which (otherwise) would haue growen of vnequall comparysons.
Item: He commaunded, that the Playes, called Florales and Luberales, and the beastly Ceremonies Playes abolyshed of Isis, shuld be banished and abolished, as the most venymous Alectiues and styrrers of Lecherie.
¶ Item: He ordayned, y t if any man were founde playing at the Dice, he shuld be taken, for a stantick Diceplayers. or a natural foole, which could not gouerne himself: and his gooddes and lande, should be committed to sage and discreete Gouernours, vntyll he were againe enabled by the Senate.
Vnto these Lavves, vvas added this Confyrmation.
¶ These Lawes, decreed by the Senate, enacted by the people, comfirmed by the imperiall Maiestie, be (for euer) established: and (neuer) by anye other Lawe, Custome or Ordinance, be abolyshed. And who, that with violence, resisteth against them, let him be taken for a Rebell and Ennemie vnto the W [...]alepublique.
Of the great VVisdome of ALEXANDER, in electyng of Graue Counsellers, Officers, and Admynistrators of Iustice.
THE Noble and vertuous Emperour (prudently) forsawe, that the seuerest lawes, were (without execution) but like vnto painted Fire, which giueth no heat: or (as the Phylosopher, Cleanthes sayth:) Lyke vnto Cobwebs, through which, the Hornets breake when the small Flies are intangled. And (truely) without due Administration, law is like to a Backswoorde, the edge wherof, smiteth the poore, and the blunt backe, the higher powers. But to auoyd this parcialytie: the good Alexander, made choyce of such worthy Maiestrates, as (playnly) refuted this Maxime of Aristotle.
None of these Assections, could (neyther) blinde their eyes, nor binde their handes: They measured Iustice, neither by the mightinesse nor meanenesse of the Person, but by the equitie of the cause: and it stoode them in hande, to deale thus vprightly: for if any corruption were founde in their Iudgements, the Emperour himselfe, did (seuere) Iustice vppon the vniust Maiestrate, that abused his Auctorytie, [Page] and iniured the people: let Vetronius Turinus, be example, for many.
This Tu [...]us, was a man of much Honour, great learning and wisdome: and for many vertues, was of the Emperour singularly) fauoured: but, abusing the Emperour and his own good fortune, vnder colour of often and familiar conference w t Alexander, he receiued many Brybes to obtaine great sutes, aboue his power to compasse: whiche beyng prooued agaynst him, the Emperours sentence was: That in the Market place, he should bee bownde vnto a Stake, and with a Smoake of greene Stickes and wette Stubbie, should be smoothred to death: And duryng the tyme of his Cxemtion, he commaunded a Beadell to [...]ye:
With Fume let him die, that Fumes hath fould.
Thus, no knowen Offender, escaped the vengeance of his seuerytie: and (which won him as much loue, as his Iustice did feare,) he incouraged & comforted good & vertuous men, with many great gifts and fauours.
¶That Rome might prosper, by the confusion of vice: First, he ordayned (accordyng to the counsell of Conseruators and their chardge. PLATO,) three-score graue persons, which were named, CONSERVATORS of the Wealepublique: for euery Tribe had two: Roome beynge Ed [...]tion of children. deuided into thirtie Tribes: whose Office, was (chiefly to see, that the children of the Romains, were well brought vp and instructed, accordyng vnto the capacities of their wi [...], from the Age of vii. yeres, vnto. xvi. yeares: & that, in their Pastimes, playes and recreations, were nothyng dishonest.
[Page 19] ¶ Item: That the Maidens, duryng the said Age, were brought vp in shamefastnes, humblenes, and Education of maydens the exercise of Huswifrye: and that they should not be seene foorth of their Fathers-houses, but (only) in the Temples.
¶ Item: their charge was, to controwle Howsehoulders of euery degree, if there were fownde any Riotous house holders excesse in their fare, or cost vpon their owne, or their Wyues Apparayle, more then by the Lawes, was limitted: or if they were Company-keepers with any riotous or dishonest person.
¶ Item: Twice (by the weeke) they were bownd to make Presentment of the Disorders whiche they Presentation, twice by the weeke. fownd, vnto the Prouost of the Cittie, reseruing vnto them-selues, the education of the Children: which they-them-selues reformed, by giuing of sharpe Admonytion vnto their Parentes.
¶ The Prouost punished suche, as offended in other Prouost of al the Citty. Articles, against the Statutes and Ordina [...] res, in suche cases prouided.
¶ Item: The Emperour augmented the nomber Pretores and Questors of Praetors and Questors, but appoincted euerye one a seuerall Charge.
¶ Item: He made choyce, of very honest men to be Purueiours for grayne, but changed them euery Puruiours of grayne y [...]are, least, continuance corrupted their cōsciences.
[Page] ¶ Item: He apoincted Baylyffes, Receiuers, Suru [...]iours, and such like Officers, but fauoured them not, saying: they were necessarie euils: And if they hast [...]e gathered much riches, he would take away al that they had. Telling them. Let it suffice, that you haue taken so long pleasure with my goodes: and beware that you take not from other men vniustly, least I be more angrie with you.
¶ Item: To be Iudges of these Officers, as also of the behauiours of all the people of Rome, sauing Cersors, and their office. the common people, were they Senatores, Gentlemen or Citizens. This prudent Emperour appointed two of his priuie Counsel, worthy and graue Senators, to be Censors in Rome, whose names were Fabius Sabinus, and Catillius Seuerus. The office of the Censors, were to note the manners of euerie person, aboue the degree of the common people.
So that if a Knight, Iudge, or Senator, did any thing vnseeming the Honour of their Degree, their charge was, to degrade hym of his office, or Dignitie. In whiche, they vsed suche rigour, as no man might (lawfully) boast of fauor. In so much, as y e Emperars Pallace was not free from their iurisdiction. For they meeting with Aurelius Philippus, (who was sometime the Emperours schoolmaster, and after wrote his life) riding in a Chariot, looking to be saluted as a Senatour, they foorth with executed an auncient law vpon the said Philippus: which was, that no bond-man, although hee were manumissed, should be a Senatour: And at that time, it was lawful for no person vnder the degree of a Setour [Page 20] to ride in a Chariot. Philippus was sometime a bond-man, and therefore, for breach of this lawe, the Censors sent him first to prison, and after, sorbad him to come to the Emperors pallace, but (onelie) a foot, and his copped Cappe vpon his head: which fashiō was o [...]elie vsed of them that were enfranc [...]sed. Some of the Noble-men thought, the Cenfors dealt verse sharplie with Philippus, considering, that hee was a man of much honestie, and great learning, and so certefied the Emperour. But the Emperour approoued their Iustice, and answered:
If the common wealth may euermore haue such officers, in short space, there shall be found in Roome more men worthie to be Emperours, than I (at my first comming) found good Senators.
And vndoubtedlie, where the offences of the best are neuer pardoned, the worst will amend for feare of extreeme vengeance. The proofe appeareth in Alexanders gouernment: who (by the seuere executiō of the lawes, so brideled the dispositions of the wicked, that it may be saide, they grew to be vertuous rather by custome, then good inclination. Yea, it is written, that his seueritie thus much profited: As leading a great armie against Artaxerses, the Persians, said, he had brought an armie of Senatours, rather than of Soldiours, when at his comming to y e Empire, the Senatours (manie of them) were as dissolute as common Soldiers. And one especiall A wise pollicie of Alexander. cautle hee vsed in the searche of mens behauiours, hee woulde manye tymes in disguysed habyte, with diuers others by hym especiallye elected, [Page] take vpō him the Office of the Censors: and in euery corner, he had (secretly) suche faythfull Explorers, as mens proper Houses, were no Couerts for naughtie practises, nor the Senat-house, for partial Iudge mentes. And (by this Pollycie) he discouered many naughtie matters, besides cōmon trespasses: as the Treason of Oninius, the false accusation of Geminus, by his Lybertines, or Copyholders: as (also) of the mortall mallice of Duillius and Gorta, towardes the said Geminus. In so much, as the people, seyng nothyng that was euyl, could escape his vengeāce, al men indeuored to do well, to purchase his fauour.
THE (most Noble and prudent) Kynge, Kynge HENRY, the seuenth, the Queenes (most excellent King Henry the seuenth, Imitator of Alexanders gouernment. Maiesties Graundfather, and Roote of Englandes happinesse, was a true imitator, of this (most worthy) Emperours gouernmēt: by whose singular wisdome, England, which at the beginning of his Raigne: was a deformed, and decreped Commonwealthe, by reason of the longe tyme of the Cyuylwarres which durynge syx▪ Kinges Raignes made barrayne feildes, and fatt Churche-yardes) before his deathe, repossessed her Auncient [...]ertues, renown and prosperytie. So that it is a questiō, whither this famous Realm is more bownd to eternize his glorious Memorie, in regarde of his Prowesse, or Pollycie: when by the one, he planted Peace in her bo [...]elles, and by the other, banished warre frō the Terrytories. He knew, that to reforme so dis [...]red [...]n estate, it was more needefull to execute, then to make Lawes: and (therfore) not trustyng [Page 21] the corruption of common Informers, who, for lucre or gain, attemptyng many vexations against poore men, and for feare, seeke to please the ritche: he committed Inclynation of Common Informers the execution of the Penall Lawes, to the charge of these two worthie Coūsellers, sir Richard Empson, Knight, and Richarde Dudley, Esquier: who so seuerely chastened the rich and great Offenders, as they stirred the inconstant cōmunaltie, after the death of the vertuous Henrie the seuenth, to seeke their lyues: who had their willes, for feare of Commotion, thease two worthie Maiestrates weare beheaded: And (vndoubtedly) their deathes, is a testimonie of as great vertue, as their liues, a Monument of Iustice: for the multitude, are the mortall Enemies The lewde affections, of Common people. of their owne welfare, and frendes and followers of their owne confusion. One said to Antisthenes: The people speaketh much good of you: Why? saide he: what hurt haue I done? As who should say: they seldome praise, but suche as do euil: No Ethnicke, deserued to lyue, better then Socrates, yet the people would haue hym dead. The Athenians had a Lawe, euerie yeare, by the most voyces of the people, for ten yeares, to banysh two of their principall Maiestrates: On a tyme, a poore man, came with a white Paper in his hande to Aristides, the iust, and willed him to write: Banish Aristides. Why? (quoth he:) doest thou know Aristides? No: (quoth the o [...]er:) Hath Aristides done thee or any of thy friendes, hurte? Neither (quoth he) but I wyll haue Aristides banished. The worthy Scipio was banished by the people, whome he oft had saued. I omyt Themistocles, Photion, & many mo, whome [Page] Histories record, to shewe the light Iudgementes of Cōmons, Danté, the Italian Poet, saithful truely of them: it is seldome seene, that the people crye not:
Viua la mia morte, innoia la mia vita: Let liue my death: let die my lyfe: Yea, those great estates, that seek to please the people, for the most parte, haue had the endes of enemies to their Countrey.
When Cicero sawe that Caesar was in hye fauour with the people of Rome, he cryed out: It is great pitie, that the affabilitie of Cesar, should be the ouerthrow of the Weale-publique. And (truely) Cicero, prophesied rightly: [...]or, by their fauour, Caesar iudged the Iudgementes of the Senate, and sent the good and graue Cato to Prison, whose vertues, obtayned reuerence of the woorst liuers.
But (notwithstandyng) the Affections of the multitude, coueiteth their owne vndoynges, yet their incouragement proceedeth of greater capacyties: And (therfore) the redy way to keepe them in awe, is (seuerely) to punysh their Chief-taynes,
In all tumultes, it is (euidently) seene, that if their Captaynes yelde, they ronne away: if their Incouragers be dismayde, they sing, Peccaui: do Iustice vpon the great Offenders, and the meaner wyll soone amend: Alexander (in his Gouernment) found it true: who, in the Execution of the Lawes, made no difference of persons: saue, that, to the inferiour people, he was (euermore) most mercifull.