in
the same we will haue good respect, but it is expedient that you
take hede to them whom you shal name and appoint to those
offices: for if you do chose such as they ought to be, no cause
shal rise to reprehend them. Item wher you say, that we ought to
take hede, that our children committe no offences to the people,
wherein the aduise of the senate is, that you do draw them awaye
from vs, and cal them to the Almayne warres, for as you do knowe
(right souerain prince) that when the publike welth is exempt,
and voyd of enimies, then the same wil begin to bee replenyshed
wyth youthfull vices. Notwithstanding when the warres bee farre
of from Rome, then the same to them is profitable, bicause there
is nothing which better cleanseth common wealths from wicked
people, than warres in straunge Countries. Concernyng other
things which you write vnto vs nedefull it is not now to recite
them, but onely to see them kept: for truely they seeme rather
to be the lawes of God Apollo him selfe, than counsels of a
Mortall man. The gods preserue your Maiesty, and graunt you good
successe in those your warres.

These Letters and Epistles, although besides the Scope and
Nature of a Nouell, yet so worthy to be read and practysed, as
no History or other mortall Precepte more: expressing the great
care of a maister towards his scholler, that he should proue no
worse being an emperor, than he shewed hymselfe diligent when he
was a Scholer: fearing that if he should gouerne contrary to his
expectation, or degenerate from the good institution, whych in
hys yong yeares hee imbraced, that the blame and slaunder should
rest in hymselfe: that was his tutor and bringer vp. O careful
Plutarch, O most happy maister, as well for thine owne industry,
as for the good successe of such a Scholer: and O most fortunate
and vertuous Emperor, that could so wel brooke and digest the
blissed persuasions of sutch a maister, whose mind wyth the
blast of promotion, was not so swolne and puffed, but that it
vouchsafed to cal him father and maister, stil crauing for in
instigation of reproofe, when he slid or slypped from the path
of reason and duety. And happy Counsel and Senate that could so
wel like and practyse the documents of such an Emperour.

THE THIRTEENTH NOUELL.

_A notable History of three amorous Gentlewomen, called Lamia,
Flora, and Lais: conteyning the sutes of noble Princes and other
great Personages made vnto them, with their answe