or office, that anye Anncestor of theirs had, were he never
so worthie in deede: as though they ought be honored and
vsed in everie function wthout sufficiencye or knowledge, only
because they be well borne, and descende from virtuous paren:
tage. Wherin howe much they wronge them selues and
their contrie, we see, and are sorrie, and the more, for
that (as I thinke) there are fewe whom either nature
or nurture wolde not have abled to action either marshall
or Civile, yf they industriouslie in sure exercises had em:
ployed their mindes. An other sorte are, who beinge
neither borne noble nor brought vp in virtue, doe notwth:
standinge gaine the name of gentleman, and through
Corruption or causles recommendation, finde meanes to buye
the badges of honnor, & be enrolled emongest the moste
noble. Such is the faulte or follie of officers in Armes
as for their privat pffitt[1] do let everie one in, howe vnworthie
so ever they be. And surelie there is nothinge that more
discourageth noble mindes, then that riches or pciall[2]
favour wthout virtue, maye pcure[3] place or title, equall
wth those who for [?] & sufficiencie maye iustlie dis:
daine the societie of such companions. Notwthstanding
let everie honest minde seeke to advannce him selfe by due
meanes, so shall he be reputed wthout reproch, and either
for his virtue worthelie make his posteritie noble: Or
beinge so borne, meinteine & encrease the honnor lefte him
by others: wch I wishe weare the studdie of all gent.
ffor in sekinge them selues good fame, they sholde become
hable to honnor & serue their contrie. And trulie, howe
litle so ever [fanne?] for virtue, is [forced?] of: Yet am I sure
there is no man so careles of glorie, but hearing the
praise due to somme man for his virtuous & memorable
actes, but wthin him self saith: wolde God I were he
or had done as he did. But to returne to or matter
of Combatt. I cannot thinke that the nomber of affrais
in this Realme doe prcede of anie cause rather then of
the over liberall speache, wch is vsed for the moste pte
wthout revenge. ffor yf it weare (as in truth it ought
to be) dishonnor & shame for a gentleman to speake
evell of others, vnless he wolde iustefie his speache wth
adventure of life: I Iudge that men so minded, wolde
refraine to vtter wordes to the offence of anie. But
