For the Dice that the one King is said to have sent to the other; the story is by them much mistaken, much at least misreported. pThe Dice were indeed ⟨p. 224⟩by Phraartes King of Parthia sent to Demetrius, who had sometime bin King of Syria, and a valiant man, as the Parthians well knew, having been qoft beaten by him; but then, surprised by a train, was prisoner in Parthia; where though honourably used, yet desirous of liberty, having twice attempted to break away, and being twice brought back again, he had these Dice sent him, not to tax him of sloth, or for tending such toys, but rto note, faith mine Author, his childish inconstancy, or rather (think I) to show him what he must wholly tend, without attempting of greater matters, unless he grew weary of his life. But admit one King in derision had sent such a present to another: as we read in sour own stories, that the Dolphin of France sent a tun of Paris-balls sometime to Henry the fifth, though without just cause, and with no great good success: yet would not that prove the use of the one to be evil or unlawful, no more then this doth the other. It is indeed an unseemly thing and a great disparagement for a King *to addict himself to either of those or any the like sports, though good and honest otherwise in themselves, twith neglect of State-business and of serious affairs, or uof such other exercises as better beseem his place and person; which hath been xa foul blemish to divers Princes and great personages, ysuch especially as were sprung ⟨p. 225⟩from Parents that had taken the clean contrary courses: In which regard zour royal Sovereign right wisely adviseth that hopeful Prince (that then was, but, to our woe, now is not) his son, leaving the ordinary use of Dice to debauched Soldiers to play at on the Drum-head, and tumbling tricks to Players to win their bread with, to make choice rather of riding, and tilting and hunting and the like, such exercises as best beseem a Prince and 1may further fit him for martial affairs. But yet the evil practise of the former doth no more prejudice any Prince that shall use 2the same exercise of Tennis or Tables in sober and seasonable sort; then the riotous courses of luxurious Princes ought to restrain the royal entertainment of others performed upon just occasion, and agreeably to their estate.
For the Dice that the one King is said to haue sent to the other; the story is by them much mistaken, much at least misreported. pThe Dice were indeede ⟨p. 224⟩by Phraartes King of Parthia sent to Demetrius, who had sometime bin King of Syria, and a valiant man, as the Parthians well knew, hauing been qoft beaten by him; but then, surprised by a traine, was prisoner in Parthia; where though honourably vsed, yet desirous of liberty, hauing twise attempted to breake away, and being twise brought back againe, he had these Dice sent him, not to tax him of sloth, or for tending such toyes, but rto note, faith mine Author, his childish inconstancy, or rather (thinke I) to shew him what he must wholy tend, without attempting of greater matters, vnlesse he grew weary of his life. But admit one King in derision had sent such a present to another: as we reade in sour owne stories, that the Dolphin of Fraunce sent a tun of Paris-bals sometime to Henry the fift, though without iust cause, and with no great good successe: yet would not that proue the vse of the one to be euill or vnlawfull, no more then this doth the other. It is indeede an vnseemely thing and a great disparagement for a King *to addict himselfe to either of those or any the like sports, though good and honest otherwise in themselues, twith neglect of State-busines and of serious affaires, or uof such other exercises as better beseeme his place and person; which hath beene xa foule blemish to diuers Princes and great personages, ysuch especially as were sprung ⟨p. 225⟩from Parents that had taken the cleane contrarie courses: In which regard z
- pEx Trogi historia Instinus epi•em. l. 38.
- qCòm multis congressionibus victor fuisset, repenté circumuentus insidijs aemisso exercitu capitur. Justin. ibid.Còm multis congressionibus victor fuisset, repenté circumuentus insidijs aemisso exercitu capitur. Iustin. ibid.
- rTalis abbeys in exprobrationē levitatis puerilis donaetur. Justin ibid.Talis a•eis in exprobrationē leuitatis puerilis donaetur. Iustin ibid.
- sHolinshead in Henry 5.
- *Quomodò Socrates Lysiae, [Greek or Hebrew]. Diogen. Liert. Socrate.Quomodò Socrates Lysiae, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Diogen. Liert. Socrate.
- tPrae•larè Themistocles, Magistratus à ludis & levioribus arcendos, ne respub. ladere videretur: quod à nostris v•tnam audiretur, ut nugis suis reipub. seria anteferrent, Joan. Sarisber. poliaraet. l. 1. c. 4.Prae•larè Themistocles, Magistratus à ludis & leuioribus arcendos, ne respub. ladere videretur: quod à nostris v•tnam audiretur, vt nugis suis reipub. seria anteferrent, Ioan. Sarisber. poliaraet. l. 1. c. 4.
- u- uescit equo rudis Haerere ingenuus purr, Venarique timet; ludere doctior s•u Graeco jubeas trocho, Seu mavis v•t••a legibus aleae. Hor. can. l. 3. •de 24.- uescit equo rudis Haerere ingenuꝰ pu•r, Venarique timet; ludere doctior s•u Graeco iubeas trocho, Seu mauis v•t••a legibus aleae. Hor. can. l. 3. de 24.
