all the
greatest Princes of the state, the Earle, though he could reasonably well
speake French, would not speake one French word, but all English, whether
he asked any question, or answered it, but all was done by Truchemen. In
so much as the Prince of Orange maruelling at it, looked a side on that
part where I stoode a beholder of the feast, and sayd, I maruell your
Noblemen of England doe not desire to be better languaged in the forraine
languages. This word was by and by reported to the Earle. Quoth the Earle
againe, tell my Lord the Prince, that I loue to speake in that language,
in which I can best vtter my mind and not mistake.

Another Ambassadour vsed the like ouersight by ouerweening himselfe that
he could naturally speake the French tongue, whereas in troth he was not
skilfull in their termes. This Ambassadour being a Bohemian, sent from the
Emperour to the French Court, whereafter his first audience, he was highly
feasted and banquetted. On a time, among other a great Princesse sitting
at the table, by way of talke asked the Ambassador whether the Empresse
his his mistresse when she went a hunting, or otherwise trauailed abroad
for her solace, did ride a horsback or goe in her coach. To which the
Ambassadour answered vnwares and not knowing the French terme, _Par ma foy
elle chenauche fort bien; & si en prend grand plaisir_. She rides (saith
he) very well, and takes great pleasure in it. There was good smiling one
vpon another of the Ladies and Lords, the Ambassador wist not whereat, but
laughed himselfe for companie. This word _Chenaucher_ in the French tongue
hath a reprobate sence, specially being spoken of a womans riding.

And as rude and vnciuill speaches carry a marueilous great indecencie, so
doe sometimes those that be ouermuch affected and nice: or that doe fauour
of ignorance or adulation, and be in the eare of graue and wise persons no
lesse offensive than the other: as when a sutor in Rome came to _Tiberius_
the Emperor and said, I would open my case to your Maiestie, if it were
not to trouble your sacred businesse, _sacras vestras occupationes_ as the
Historiographer reporteth. What meanest thou by that terme quoth the
Emperor, say _laboriosas_ I pray thee, & so thou maist truely say, and bid
him leaue off such affected flattering termes.

The like vndencie vsed a Herald at armes sent by _Charles_ the fifth
Emperor, to _Fraunces_ the first French king, bringing him a message of
defiance, and