thincke one good thought in perfect and godly contemplation, whereby their troubled mindes might be moderated and brought to tranquillitie. So as, it is hard to find in these dayes of noblemen or gentlemen any good _Mathematician_, or excellent _Musitian_, or notable _Philosopher_, or els a cunning Poet: because we find few great Princes much delighted in the same studies. Now also of such among the Nobilitie or gentrie as be very well seene in many laudable sciences, and especially in making of Poesie, it is so come to passe that they haue no courage to write & if they haue, yet are they loath to be a knowen of their skill. So as I know very many notable Gentlemen in the Court that haue written commendably, and suppressed it agayne, or els suffred it to be publisht without their owne names to it: as if it were a discredit for a Gentleman, to seeme learned, and to shew himselfe amorous of any good Art. In other ages it was not so, for we read that Kinges & Princes haue written great volumes and publisht them vnder their owne regall titles. As to begin with _Salomon_ the wisest of Kings, _Iulius Caesar_ the greatest of Emperours, _Hermes Trisingistus_ the holiest of Priestes and Prophetes, _Euax_ king of _Arabia_ wrote a booke of precious stones in verse, prince _Auicenna_ of Phisicke and Philosophie, _Alphonsus_ king of Spaine his Astronomicall Tables, _Almansor_ a king of _Marrocco_ diuerse Philosophicall workes, and by their regall example our late soueraigne Lord king _Henry_ the eight wrate a booke in defence of his faith, then perswaded that it was the true and Apostolicall doctrine, though it hath appeared otherwise since, yet his honour and learned zeale was nothing lesse to be allowed. Queenes also haue bene knowen studious, and to write large volumes, as Lady _Margaret_ of Fraunce Queene of _Nauarre_ in our time. But of all others the Emperour _Nero_ was so well learned in Musique and Poesie, as when he was taken by order of the Senate and appointed to dye, he offered violence to him selfe and sayd, _O quantus artifex pereo!_ as much to say, as, how is it possible a man of such science and learning as my selfe, should come to this shamefull death? Th'emperour _Octauian_ being made executor to _Virgill_ who had left by his last will and testament that his bookes of the _Aeneidos_ should be committed to the fire as things not perfited by him, made his excuse for infringing the deads will, by a nomber of verses most excellently wntten, whereof these are part. _Frangatur potius legure, veneranda potestas, Quam tot congestos noctesque diesque labores Hauserit vna dies_.