re, and euery man desireth to haue hys liberty so mutch
at wyll, that a man be he neuer so familiar a freende, or so
neare of kin, we rather haue him to be our subiect, than our
Lorde and mayster: one man alone commandeth all, and yet it
seemeth to him but little: ought we then to marueile, if many be
weary to obey one? Wee loue and esteeme our selues so mutch, as
I neuer saw any which of his owne good wil would be subiect, ne
yet agaynst his will was made a Lord, a Principle by dayly
experience proued very true: for the quarrels and warres that be
amongs men, are not so mutch for obedience sake, as for rule and
commaundment. I say moreouer, that in drinking, eating,
clothing, speaking, and louing, al men be of diuers qualities:
but to get lyberty, they be all conformable. I haue spoken thus
mutch (O Fathers conscript) vpon occasion of mine owne Empire,
which I haue taken with good will, albeit afterwards I was sory
for the great charge. For the waltering Seas and troublesome
gournement be two things agreeable to beholde, and daungerous to
proue. Notwithstanding sith it hath pleased the Gods that I
should be youre Lord, and you my subiects, I beseech you hartely
to vse your obedience, as to your soueraygne lord, in that which
shall be right and iust, and to aduertise me like a father, in
things that shall seeme vnreasonable. The Consul Rutulus hath
sayed mutch vnto mee in your behalfe, and hath saluted me for
the people, hee himselfe shall bring aunswere and shal salute
you al in my name. The Allobrogians and the inhabitaunts about
the riuer Rhene, be at controuersie for the limittes of their
countrey, and haue prayed me to be their Arbitrator, which will
stay me a little there. I require that this letter may be red
within the Senate house, and manifested to the whole people. The
Gods preserue you.

_An other Letter of the Emperour Traian to the Romayne Senate,
contayning how gouerners of Common wealths ought to bee friendes
rather to those whych vse traficke, than to them that gather and
heape together._

Cocceius Traiane Emperour of the Romaynes to our holy senate
health and consolation in the Gods of comfort. The affayres be
so manyfolde, and businesse so graue and weighty, which we haue
to doe with diuers Countries, that scarce we haue tyme to eate,
and space to take anye rest, the Romane Prynces hauing still by
auncient custome both lacke of tyme, and commonly want of money.
And bicause that they which