I am, that it is not vnknowne unto you, that I haue
alreedy vndertaken a work tending to the same effect, which is
in _heroical verse_ under the title of a _Faerie Queene_ to
represent all the moral vertues, assigning to euery vertue a
Knight to be the patron and defender of the same, in whose
actions and feates of arms and chiualry the operations of that
vertue, whereof he is the protector, are to be expressed, and
the vices and unruly appetites that oppose themselves against
the same, to be beaten down and ouercome. Which work, _as I
haue already well entred into_, if God shall please to spare
me life that I may finish it according to my mind, your wish
(_M. Bryskett_) will be in some sort accomplished, though
perhaps not so effectually as you could desire. And the same
may very well serue for my excuse, if at this time I craue to
be forborne in this your request, since any discourse, that I
might make thus on the sudden in such a subject would be but
simple, and little to your satisfactions. For it would require
good aduisement and premeditation for any man to vndertake the
declaration of these points that you have proposed, containing
in effect the Ethicke part of Morall Philosophie. Whereof
since I haue taken in hand to discourse at large in my poeme
before spoken, I hope the expectation of that work may serue
to free me at this time from speaking in that matter,
notwithstanding your motion and all your intreaties. But I
will tell you how I thinke by himselfe he may very well excuse
my speech, and yet satisfie all you in this matter. I haue
seene (as he knoweth) a translation made by himselfe out of
the Italian tongue of a dialogue comprehending all the Ethick
part of Moral Philosophy written by one of those three he
formerly mentioned, and that is by _Giraldi_ vnder the title
of a Dialogue of Ciuil life. If it please him to bring us
forth that translation to be here read among vs, or otherwise
to deliuer to us, as his memory may serue him, the contents of
the same; he shal (I warrant you) satisfie you all at the ful,
and himselfe wil haue no cause but to thinke the time well
spent in reuiewing his labors, especially in the company of so
many his friends, who may thereby reape much profit, and the
translation happily fare the better