reading, those two fo worthy Things above remembred, that doe eternife the Fame of their Fellowes, that is Lovers of Learning, and prudent Martialistes. The Science litteraire, and militaire, that is to fay, the Arte of Grammer, yea the Graundmother of al Arts and Sciences, and the Arte militaire of deduced Warres, under pleafaunt Metaphoricall Figures, transported and tourned, bereaving the Minde of the litterall Understanding of fmall Things verball, to the Confideration of greater, more royall and reall, doth manifeftly fhewe by Example the ambitious Movings, the imperiate Defire of Princes to bave Government, the Tumultes and Parcialities of People, the profitable and perverfe Counfaile of fundrye Counfailers, the feemely Sentences, and modeft Meffages of the artificiall Erraundes on both Partes, their enterprised Attemptes and martiall Orders, the fomoning of Souldiers, the Chartes of Defiaunce, the denouncing of Heraldes, the high and ftatelie Stomackes of the adverse Parties readie to joyne Battaile, the feeking of Alliaunce in Extremitie, the Compact confederated of Cuntrimen, the Slights, Treafons, Efpies, Embufhements, their fodain Entrappes and Skirmishes, the Ordinaunces of Armes, the placing of the Campe, the pitching of their Arrayes, the noble chering of the Captaines to their Souldiers, the taking of Townes, the marching of their Men, the cruel Conflicts and worthy Feates of Armes on all Sides, the lamentable Loffe of Capitaynes, the cruel Combat of the Fighters, the great Slaughter on both Partes, the fearefull flying on all Sides, the doubtfull Meetinges of many, the Indifferencie of their Victory, and the finall pernitious Accidents that ensue thro' the Wars to both Sides, the robbing, the reaving, the Rapine and Disorder that is then in ure, the depopuling of inhabitate Cuntries, the defolate Destruction that divers are damnified by the Commodities and Advantages that one Realme enjoyeth througbe the Detriment of an other: And contrarily the infinite Utilities that enfue, thorowe Peace and Concorde, to all Realmes and Reipublikes. All which Things are by wonderfull Cunning, and pleafaunt Fygures, by most exquifite Rule and perfect Methode, treated fummarily in this Booke, first written in his owne and pure Latine Tongue, and after (for the Pleasure and Profite that therein may be gathered) was tranflated into our English Tongue, through the Commaundement of a learned Perfonage, one who is no leffe a Lover of Learning, than vertuous in Condition, who for the Worthinese of his Example is to be followed as a meete Patron of bumaine Curtefie.

Wherefore (gentle Reader) when thou art delighted with the profitable Lecture of this biftoricall Difcourfe, attribute the Thankfulneffe of thy good Wil to be the Caufer of this English Translation, wherin albeit that there be not the fame Sweetneffe in our Phrafe that it bath in his owne Tongue, yet I doubt not but it fball feeme to digreffe but eafilie from mine Author: For as the learned knowe,` it is an abfurde and barde Matter in this Treatife properlie to english the greatest Part of thofe Words that touch the Argument in apt Phrafe correfpondent to the Latin, fithens the fame coulde not bee done by a learned Tranflater into the French, which Tongue doib nearer appropriate it than ours: Therefore whereas of fome 1 may be thought little to alter in Tranflation from the Latine Author, therein may the Reader judge me to followe the Frenche Phrafe who is my Patrone partly in most of my Tranflation, and when 1 fhall feme in anie point to digreffe from the French Translator, I doe it the nearer to follow the first Author, fo that the

Reader,

Reader, I hope, wyll judge indifferently of my Doings. Wherfore in my Tranflation I thought it requifit, (yea, and also no less neceffarie) to leave the most parte of the Wordes of this Argument in their own Tongue, especiallye for that this Dif courfe of the Grammer Warre was made upon the Grammer of the Latine Tongue firft, and not of the French. What will it then avayle (will fome faye) to have tranflated it into English? whereto in the first place it may thus be aunfwered, that for that it was the free good Wil of the Tranflator, that in hys Labour on this Bebalfe thought not to offend, neither to do wrong or difpleasure to any, but that through bys meane the fimple and unlearned Englishe Readers, afwell as the learned Latinifts, might enjoy part of the Pleasure that is bad in the Lecture of this delectable Difcourfe of this figured Warre, and bloudleffe Battaile, without mortall Shot, fweate or Cannon Poulder. And furthermore that his Meaning was, for the Utilitie of our English Children beginning to ftudie the Latine Tongue who reading this pleafaunt fight in their owne Tong (as the French in theirs) might learne by Waye of Mirth and merrie Paftime, the principal Pointes of the Romayne Grammer: Finally the fame might ferve for an exempler, afwell biftoricall for the Inftruction and Guide of martiall Affaires, as morall, therin to confider the Harmes that enfue thorowe the Diffention of Princes and great Lords, Parents, Kinsmen or Neighbors, how the Communalties of Realmes and Cuntries can not eafelye profite in anye Wealth and Aboundance, without Trafike and quiet Paffages one to another, and bowe Diffention procureth diverse dangerous Dammages to them and theirs: Shewing alfo on the other fide the fingular Benefites that Peace procureth, what Commodities are enjoyed by the Uniformitie of Kings and "Princes raigning in one Regiment or Country lovingly togither in one Faith, Lawe, and Tongue, friendly as one: Which Things, (as I fuppofe) are the principall Caufes whye this Booke was first compiled by mine Author, which by Chaunce bappening into my Handes, and by me over redde, to my fingular Delight in both Tongues, determined with myfelfe to participate parte of my Understanding to the Youth of my Nation, thorowe the Request of a Friende, who might have commaunded me. Wherefore if I efpie the friendlie Receipt bereof, in no leffe gratefull Parte, than it was friendly favoured of fome, 1 fhall be the readier encouraged to bid thee bereafter to fome better Banquet. In the meane whyle let the courteous Reader ufe a friendly Gueftes Parte, not mislyking any thing that is fet freely before him. And albeit that this my Tranflation be not fo exquifitly englished on my Parte as many better learned can doe, yet in Confideration of my painefull good Will, I doubt not your friendly Receipt of the fame. And thoughe that the French Tongue (whercout I extracted this Worke) in Adages and breef Termes bave an easier Conclufion of Speach than our English Tongue, yet let the Reader be affured what foever Termes be altered (if any be) the Matter is perfite, pleafaunt and profitable to the Reader, and much Matter contayned in this fmall Booke, both of Delight and delicate Lyking, fuch as the gentle Reader maye gather great Fruite, Wifedome, and Worthineffe by, if bee applie bis Diligence thereunto. And for my Parte I bestowed my Labours in this Bebalfe, not to winne Fame or Favour, but to bestowe my Leyfures well and to fruitful Exercife, to the Benefit of my Countreymen, and to encourage thofe that can doe better to the like Exercife. And if any unfit Wordes happen to be efpied of better and more

eloquent

eloquent Heades, yet I trust that fuch will not condemne a goode Worke for an ill Wrighter, neyther a good Worde for an ill Speaker. What or bowe effectuall Matter is contayned in this Booke, in the Sequele is manifeft.

Farewell.

The Discourse of the GRAMMER WARRE: betweene two Kings, the NOUNE and the VERBE, contending for the chiefe Place in Oration, wherin thou shalt fee the VERBE to prevayle.

T

HERE is none fo fimple in Judgement, that doubteth the Soyle of the Grammer to be the fairest and happieft of all the renoumed Parts and Provinces of the World, afwell for the Pleasantneffe of the Place wherein it is fituate, being in good and holfefome Ayre, and aboundaunt in all Fruites and other good Things, without which this mortall Lyfe may not eafilye be paffed As alfo for that shee hathe alwayes and ever, beene the Nourfe and Bringer up of all People of Renoune. For even as in this Age, even so long Tyme heretofore, the Cuftome and Maner ever was in all Landes and Countries (except among the rude and barbarous Nacions) where anye were efpied of prone and readie Nature, bent towarde forwarde Wit, they were fent thither to be taught and instructed, and perfitly to learne the most holy and learned Sciences: For by this onely Way and Paffage is the Entrie and Acceffe to the highest Countries, and noble Houses, as Dialectice (that is Rethorike) Philofophie, that is learned Wisdome, and Theologie, that is the most high and excellent Knowledge in Divinitie. In fo much that unleffe they enter thorowe the Province of Grammer, no Soule were able to attaine to the worthy Secreats of the other Provinces. And albeit that the fame Regions abounde in all Pleasure, yet notwithstanding, it is fo environed about with high Mountaines, and fuch fharpe Rockes, right difficile and harde to be got up upon, that hardlye without a good Guide, any maye ever attaine to the plaine and pleasant Path of them. And therfore bicaufe Mankinde fhoulde not be reftrayned from fo neceffarie a Benefite, the good and laudable Custome ever was, and yet reafteth to the Kings of the faide Lande, to fende abrode through every part of the univerfall Worlde, fome of their expert Knights and worthy Capitaines of olde Handes, properly call'd Pedagoges and Schole Mafters, that they might ayde others, and furely conduct them of tender Age to the princelye Pallaces of the faide Kings, (as for the mightie, and fuche as nowe drawe towarde Age, hardely fuffer to bee taught of anye,) to the Ende that the Youth there being taught in the Sciences of the Greeke and Latine Minerve, might the easier and more lightly afcende and go over the forefaide Countries. There have all learned Grekes and Latins made their apprentishode, who by their worthy Writings, or by the Actes of others, are immortalifed with renouned Fame. Being there thus well taught and-learned, they have afterwarde fo florishinglye lived through the high Praife of their illuftrious and fplendant Actes, that they living, were unto all Men in their Time great Setters forth of vertuous Examples and after they were deade

(yet

(yet as alive) fhewed to those that furvived them, as it were by poynting with their Finger, the right Path and readie Way to attayne honorable Life, and immortall Fame.

But although that this Lande of Grammer be none other but indevidate and withoute Partialitie, yet nevertheleffe there are two mightie Kings, that there raigne and governe, that is to weete, the Verbe and the Noune. The Verbe hath to Name Amo, and the Noune Poeta. Who a verye long Time raigned together in fuch Concord and Quietneffe, that to fourme Oration perfect, wherin the Beautie of them both (the highest Place of the one, and the chiefeft Seate of the other) dependeth no Diffention, Displeasure or Contencion was ever hearde betweene them: For in all their Territorie there grew nothing more eftemed, more worthie, or more founde, than Oration, which being beautified with the moft Coulors of fundrye Flowers, and decked with the moft faire and fine Figures, and with the most sweete and perfumed Buds of fet Rofes, was of fuch fingular Comlineffe and Authoritie, that the not onelye drewe unto her all Mankinde (when the fame is right and aptly applied) but may also withdrawe any of the Goddes which Waye fhe will winde them. By reafon whereof Euripides fayth, That which Force coulde not gayne, that faire Speache did foone attaine: Pirrbus also used fometime to faye, that Cyneas dyd winne more Townes with his Tongue and comelie Speache, than he with hys Warres. These two Kings then being in fuch Concorde, as all the Affaires of Grammer were in good Apparence and better Estate, it happened that for a smal thing Diffention fprang betweene them, whereby upon a verye fodaine, all was bewrapped in Uprore and martiall Dyspleasures: For what Harme is that that Wine and infaciate Eating caufe not? That and fo great Amitie and Union betweene thefe two Princes was fo overthrowne at one onely Banquet, wherin they were both droncken: and Ebrietie fet them in fo great Ennimities one against another, that eyther of them, pricked forwarde with ambitious Defire of Regiment (as wilde Buls ftong of gadde Flies) almoft utterly over turned their own Realmes, and the noble Empire of Grammer.

But nowe let us fhewe howe their Debate happened, to the Ende that everye one may knowe, that there is no Bande or Knot of Amitie fo ftrong, that Defire of Superioritie may not breake. And therfore the olde Dennis used not caufeleffe to laye, that even he that hath the Lordfhippe in his Lap, hath Cause himielfe to feare, and to beware of Friendes: feing that it is certaine, that every Man loveth rather to be served, than to serve other.

As these two Kinges on a Time were at a Banquet, in the middeft of the hoate Summer, neare to a pleafaunt and cleare Spring, having the Water Bancke on the one Side, and the other most pleasant and fingulerly fhadowed with the Braunches of greene Willowes and high Plane Trees, after they had fufficiently banquetted, warmed with Wine, and lightned wyth Drincking, a Question arose betwene them, to weete, whether of them two were greatest in Authoritie, and of moft Importance to performe Oration? Then the Verbe minding to holde the worthieft Place, was fharpelye withftoode of the Noune, affirming, that without him, Oration and Speach might not be, and that VOL. I.

C

through

through him altogither, the fame is understoode and of better Grace, And what doft thou (faide he) without me in Oration? if I withholde me a Parte never fo litle, the Hearers understande thee no more than one that were dombe and spake not. Gather a while a fmall Part of Speach wythout me, and do that the Hearers may understande that which thou speakest.

Doubtleffe if I be not there for an Interpreter, none maye fo much as geffe the leaft Thing of thy Meaning. Moreover thou fhouldest note, that in fo much as I am elder than thou, fo much more am I approoved worthieft. Who is he that knoweth not the Noune, before the Verbe: Or who is he that is ignoraunt, how the Beginning of the Noune is more auncient than the Verbe? It is infallible, that God made all Things, who if hee made all, made alfo the Verbe. Nowe God is a Noune and not a Verbe: wherfore now of Confequence, by the Noune were all Things made, yea, Oration itself was made of God, and fo the Noune. As for thee, O thou Verbe (that arte fo proude) thou haft thy Calling of me: haft thou never red, that among the Sonnes of Women, is not a greater than John Baptift? this is God's Sentence, it is not lawfull to go against it. Wherefore if none be greater than John, for that it is writen that his Name is John, and agayn that his Name was John, it is apparaunt to be feene, that there is not, neyther may any thing else, be greater than the Noune. I coulde alleage to this Matter fixe hundredth Places, whereby it is prooved clearer than the Day, that as in Worthineffe and Antiquitie, even fo in Authoritie and chiefe Place the Noune is preferred before the Verbe. All which Things I fette and leave a part, to the Ende that Men thinke me not to precede the Verbe more thorow much Babling, than of just Caule. O Poeta (aunswered the Verbe) I marvayled before nowe, why that Divine Plato had expulfed thee out of hys common Weale: But nowe knowing how fhameleffe and light thou art, fo to intermixe the Holy Scripture among thy Follies: I know well that the learned and wife Plato judged rightlye of thee. For had not he exiled thee with manye other, forth of the Reipublike that he ordayned, thou haddeft by thy falfe Ceremonies, fearefull Goddes, and other Things, corrupted the civile Maners of his Citizens. For what pernicious Thing durft not thy great Pride and Arrogance, enterprise and attempt? Yea feing that by thy devifed Deceiptes, and falfe writhed Witneffes, thorowe Force writhed from Holy Scripture, thou laborest to cast me down from the Dignitie of the chiefeft Place, which I have long Time in this Lande poffeffed.

But certainly, for that it fhall not feeme to thee, that thou alone arte learned, I will eaflye alleage more manifeft and plaine Teftimonies of the fame Holye Scripture that maintaine mine Authoritie, I wil fet here formoft the very Beginning of that evangelicall Scripture, where it is thus faide, In the Beginning was the Worde, and the Worde was with Go D, and God was the Worde. Open thyne Eares nowe, wherefore hideft thou thy Face fo? God (faide he) was the Worde, and moreover, all Things are made by him: And withoute him nothing was made. It is not therfore the Noune then that made all Things, but the Verbe. Again, God was a Verbe and not a Noune..

Moreover,