Two Dyaloges (c. 1549) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 30 pages of information about Two Dyaloges (c. 1549).

Two Dyaloges (c. 1549) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 30 pages of information about Two Dyaloges (c. 1549).
people. Bea. A gentylman and why or to what entent and purpose a gentylman? Boni. It is a straunge thynge to be spoken howe moche they thynke it is mete for a gentylman or a horseman to take vpon hym. Bea. By what equytie, authoritie, or lawes. Boni. By none other but by the selfe same lawes that the Admiralles of the ||sees chalenge a proprietie in all suche thynges as are cast vpon the shoore by wracke, althoughe the ryghte owner come forthe and chalenge his owne goodes.  And also by the same lawes that some other men saye all is theyrs what soeuer is founde aboute a thefe or a robber whe he is take. Boni. Such lawes as these are the arrantest theues that are myght make them selues. Bea. yea and ye may be sure they wold gladly with al theyr harts i their bodies make suche lawes yf they coulde mayntayne them or were of power to se them executed, and they myght haue some thynge to laye for theyr excuse if they could proclayme opyn warre before they fell to robbynge. Boni. But who gaue that pryuylege rather to a horseman then to a foteman, or more to a gentylman the to a good yeman. Bea. The fauoure that is shewed to men of warre, for by suche shyftes and thus they practyse before to be good men of warre that they ||maye be more redy & hansome to spoyle theyr enemyes when they shall encounter with the. Boni. I thynke Pyrhus dyd so exercyse and breake his yonge souldyers to the warres. Bea. No not Pyrrhus but the Lacedemonians dyd. Boni. Mary syr hange vp suche practysers or soldyers and theyr practisyng to.  But howe come they by the name of horsemen or gentylmen that they vsurpe suche a great prerogatyue? Bea. Some of them are gentylme borne and it cometh to them by auncestrie, some bye it by the meanes of maystrys money, and other some gette it by certayne shyftes. Boni. But maye euery man that wyl and lyst come by it by shyftes? Bea. Yea why not, euery man maye be a gentylman nowe adayes very well and yf theyr condicions and maners be accordynge. Boni. What maners or condicions must suche one haue I beseche the? Bea. Yf he be occupyed aboute no goodnesse, yf he can ruffle it ||and swashe in his satens and his silkes and go gorgiously apparelled, yf he can ratle in his rynges vpon the fyngers endes, yf he can playe the ruffyan and the horemonger and kepe a gaye hoore gallantlye, yf he be neuer well at ease but when he is playenge at the dyse, yf he be able to matche as moche an vnthryfte as hym selfe with a newe payre of cardes, yf he spende his tyme lyke an epycure vpon bankettinge, sumptuous fare, and all kynde of pleasures, yf he talke of no rascalles nor beggars, but bragge, bost, face, brace, and crake of castelles, towers, and skyrmysshes, and yf all his talke be of the warres and blody battels, and playe the parte of crackinge Thraso throughly, such gaye grekes, lusty brutes and ionkers may take vpon them to be at defyaunce withe whome they wyll and lyst, thoughe
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Two Dyaloges (c. 1549) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.