for the helpe and
maintenaunce of life. Poesie teacheth amendment of manners,
directeth what things be mete for imitation, and with what
detriment wantonnes anoyeth the bodye of man. By meanes of it
(Sainct Augustine saith,) he learned many good lessons to
profite himselfe and do good to other. To be short euery science
is so necessary, as the same taken away, reason is depriued and
the Life of Man (of due order and gouernment) defrauded. Thinke
(sayth a Greke Oratour) the knowledge of many thinges to bee
more precious and excellent, then a Chest heaped vp with
abundance of money: for the one quickly fayleth, and the other
for euer lasteth. For Scientia (affirmeth hee) is the onelye
immortall storehouse of all possessions. Amonges which troupe of
Sciences, the knowledge and search of Histories deserueth a
place in the chefest rank, and is for example of humaine
affayres, a Christal light to shew the pathes of our Auncestors.
The same displaieth the counsels, aduises, pollicies, actes,
successe, and endes of Kinges, Princes and great men, with the
order and discription of time and place. And like a liuely image
representeth before our eies the beginning, end and
circumstaunce of ech attempt. The same (like a Mistresse of our
life) by probable examples stirreth vp our sluggish mindes, to
aspyre the eternal glorie of praise and fame, and terrifyeth the
desperate and aduenturous, from enterprise of things vnseemely.
The same is a passing picture of verity, and an absolute paterne
framinge the matter greatter nor lesse then it is. And because I
am not ignorant what Encomia innumerable Authors in time past,
and wryters of our tyme do attribute vnto that science, and with
what titles the Prince of them all decketh the praise of
Historicall knowledge, I only refer the worthines to the
practisers, and the syngularitye of Histories trauel and
delight, to ech willing minde that imploye their leasure and
tyme therin. And I for my parte do confesse (that by reading of
Histories) I fynd the saying which Tullie aduoucheth of Publius
Scipio to bee true: that he was neuer lesse idle, then when he
was idle, and neuer lesse alone, then when he was alone, meaning
therby, that when he was at best leisure, he was neuer idle, nor
when he was alone vnoccupied. For when labor resteth him selfe
in me, and leisure refresheth other affaires nothing delights
more that vacant tyme, than readinge of Histories in such vulgar
speache, wherein my sma