he malicious do give
out, against such as are exalted for their wisdoms. This nevertheless is
generally to be reprehended in all estates of gentility, and which in
short time will turn to the great ruin of our country, and that is, the
usual sending of noblemen's and mean gentlemen's sons into Italy, from
whence they bring home nothing but mere atheism, infidelity, vicious
conversation, and ambitious and proud behaviour, whereby it cometh to pass
that they return far worse men than they went out. A gentleman at this
present is newly come out of Italy, who went thither an earnest
Protestant; but coming home he could say after this manner: "Faith and
truth is to be kept where no loss or hindrance of a future purpose is
sustained by holding of the same; and forgiveness only to be shewed when
full revenge is made." Another no less forward than he, at his return from
thence, could add thus much: "He is a fool that maketh account of any
religion, but more fool that will lose any part of his wealth or will come
in trouble for constant leaning to any; but if he yield to lose his life
for his possession, he is stark mad, and worthy to be taken for most fool
of all the rest." This gay booty got these gentlemen by going into Italy;
and hereby a man may see what fruit is afterward to be looked for where
such blossoms do appear. "I care not," saith a third, "what you talk to me
of God, so as I may have the prince and the laws of the realm on my side."
Such men as this last are easily known; for they have learned in Italy to
go up and down also in England with pages at their heels finely
apparelled, whose face and countenance shall be such as sheweth the master
not to be blind in his choice. But lest I should offend too much, I pass
over to say any more of these Italianates and their demeanour, which,
alas! is too open and manifest to the world, and yet not called into
question.

Citizens and burgesses have next place to gentlemen, who be those that are
free within the cities, and are of some likely substance to bear office in
the same. But these citizens or burgesses are to serve the commonwealth in
their cities and boroughs, or in corporate towns where they dwell, and in
the common assembly of the realm wherein our laws are made (for in the
counties they bear but little sway), which assembly is called the High
Court of Parliament: the ancient cities appoint four and the borough two
burgesses to have voices in it, and give their cons