A02572:84
The soldiers honour Wherein by divers inferences and gradations it is evinced, that the…The souldiers honour Wherein by diuers inferences and gradations it is euinced, that the…
The soldiers honour Wherein by divers inferences and gradations it is evinced, that the profession is just, necessary, and honourable: to be practised of some men, praised of all men. Together with a short admonition concerning munition, to this honoured city. Preached to the worthy company of gentlemen, that exercise in the artillery garden: and now on their second request, published to further use. By Tho. Adams.The souldiers honour Wherein by diuers inferences and gradations it is euinced, that the profession is iust, necessarie, and honourable: to be practised of some men, praised of all men. Together with a short admonition concerning munition, to this honour'd citie. Preached to the worthy companie of gentlemen, that exercise in the artillerie garden: and now on thier second request, published to further vse. By Tho. Adams.
London: printed by Adam Islip and Edward Blount, 1617
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It would be an unknown encouragement to goodness, if honour still might not be dealed but upon those terms. Then should many worthy spirits get up the High-gate of preferment: and idle Drones should not come nearer then the Dunstable high-way of obscurity. It was a monstrous story, that Nicippus his Sheep did bring forth a Lyon: but it is too true, that many of our English Lyons have brought forth Sheep. Among birds you shall never see a Pigeon hatched in an Eagles nest: among men you shall often see noble progenitors bring forth ignoble cowards.
It would bee an vnknowne encouragement to goodnesse, if honour still might not bee dealed but vpon those termes. Then should manie worthie spirits get vp the High-gate of preferment: and idle Drones should not come neerer then the Dunstable high-way of obscuritie. It was a monstrous storie, that Nicippus his Sheepe did bring forth a Lyon: but it is too true, that manie of our English Lyons haue brought forth Sheepe. Among birds you shall neuer see a Pigeon hatch'd in an Eagles neast: among men you shall often see noble progenitors bring forth ignoble cowards.
But let virtue be renowned, rewarded, wheresoever she dwells. Though Bion was the son of a Courtesan, I hope no man will censure him with Partus sequitur ventrem. Non genus sed genius: non gens sed mens. Never speak of thy blood, but of thy good: not of thy Nobility, thou art beholding to thy friends for it, but of thy virtue. Even the Duke fetcheth the honour of his name from the wars; and is but Dux, a Captain. And it seems ⟨p. 31⟩the difference was so small between a Knight and a common Soldier, among the Romans; that they had but one word, Miles, to express both their names.
But let vertue be renowned, rewarded, wheresoeuer shee dwells. Though Bion was the sonne of a Courtesan, I hope no man will censure him with Partus sequitur ventrem. Non genus sed genius: non gens sed mens. Neuer speake of thy bloud, but of thy good: not of thy Nobilitie, thou art beholding to thy friends for it, but of thy vertue. Euen the Duke fetcheth the honour of his name from the warres; and is but Dux, a Captaine. And it seemes