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[The] courtier ... [must]
be a gentleman born ... of a good house. For it is a great deal less
dispraise for him that is not born a gentleman to fail in the acts of
virtue, than for a gentleman. If he swerve from
the steps of his ancestors he stains the name of his family. ... Therefore
it chances always (in a manner) both in arms and in all other virtuous acts
that the most famous men are
gentlemen. Because nature in
everything has deeply sowed that privy seed which gives a certain force and
property of her beginning unto whatsoever springs of it, and makes it like herself. As we see by
example not only in the race of horses and other beasts, but also in trees
whose slips and grafts always for the most part are like unto the stock of
the tree they came from; and if at any time they grow out of kind, the
fault is in the husbandman. And the
like is in men: if they be trained up in good nurture, most commonly they
resemble them from whom they come and often times [sur]pass
them: but if they have not one that can well train
them up, they grow, as it were, wild and never come to their ripeness. Truth it is,
whether it be through the favour of the stars or
of nature, some there are born endowed with such graces that they seem not
to have been born but rather fashioned with the very hand of some god and
abound in all goodness both of body and mind. As again we see
some so unapt and dull that a man will not believe but nature has brought
them into the world for a spite and mockery. And like as these with
continual diligence and good bringing up for the most part can bring small
fruit, even so the other with little attendance climb
to the full perfection of all excellency. ...
I
judge the principal and true profession of a courtier ought to be in feats of arms, the which above all I will have
him to practice lively, and to be known among other for his hardiness, for
his achieving of enterprises, and for his fidelity toward him whom he
serves. ... The more excellent our courtier shall be in this art, the more
shall he be worthy [of] praise; albeit I judge it not necessary in him so
perfect a knowledge of things and other qualities that is requisite in a
captain. But because this is over large a scope of matters, we will hold
ourselves contented ... with the uprightness of a well-meaning mind and
with an invincible courage, and that he always show himself such a one; for
many times men of courage are sooner known in small matters than in great.
... Yet will we not have him for all that so lusty to make bravery in
words, and to brag that he has wedded his harness for his wife, and to
threaten with ... grim looks. ...
A worthy gentleman in a noble assembly
spoke pleasantly unto one that shall be nameless for this time, whom she--to show him a good
countenance--desired to dance with her;
and he refusing both that and to hear music and many other entertainments
offered him, always affirming such trifles not to be [appropriate to] his
profession [of arms], at last the gentlewoman ... [demanded of] him,
"what then is your profession?" [Whereupon] he answered with a
frown look, "to fight."
Then said the gentlewoman, "Seeing that you are not now at ... war
... I would think it best for you to be well besmeared [with oil] and set
up in an armory with other implements of war, till [the] time were that you should be occupied, lest you wax
... rustier than you are. ..."
I think also it will serve ... [the
courtier] greatly to know the feat of wrestling,
because it goes much together with all weapons on foot. Again it is behooveful both for himself and his friends that he
have a foresight in the quarrels and
controversies that may happen ... [but] neither let him run rashly to
these combats... . It is meet for him also to have
the art of swimming, to leap, to run, to cast the stone; for beside
the profit that he may receive of this in ... wars, it happens to him many
times to make proof unto whom a man must sometimes apply himself [for
occupation]. Also it is a noble exercise and meet
for one living in court to play at tennis, where the disposition
of the body, the quickness and nimbleness of every member [thereof] is much
perceived. ... And I reckon vaulting of no less praise. ... [But] he
may set aside tumbling, climbing upon a cord, and other such matters that
taste somewhat of the juggler's craft and do little beseem a gentleman. ...
[But]
the principal matter and [most] necessary [thing] is for a courtier to speak and write well. ... For he that has not knowledge ... can neither speak nor write.
... He must couch in a good order that [which] he has to speak or to
write, and ... express it well with words;
which ... ought to be apt, [well-]chosen, clear and well-applied.
... And this do I say as well of writing as of speaking wherein certain
things are requisite that are not necessary in writing: as a good voice, not too subtle and soft as in a woman, nor yet so boisterous and
rough as in one of the country, but shrill,
clear, sweet and well-framed with a prompt pronunciation and with fit
manners and gestures ... in certain motions of the body, not
affected or forced but tempered with a mannerly countenance and with a
moving of the eyes that may give a grace and accord with the words. ...
Neither will I have him to speak always in gravity, but of pleasant
matters, of merry conceits, of honest devices, and of jests according to
their time, and in all ... after a pity matter ... And when he shall then commun[icate] of a matter that is dark and hard I will have
him ... [do so] in words ... well pointed, to express his judgment and to
make every doubt clear and plain, after a certain diligent sort without
tediousness. Likewise ... [he ought] to have the understanding to speak
with dignity and vehemence, and to raise those affections which our minds
have in them, and to inflame or stir them according to the matter [at
hand]. ...
...
I suppose the conversation which the
courtier ought chiefly to be pliable unto with all diligence to get him favour is the very same that he shall have with his
prince. And although this manner of conversation brings with it a certain
equality that many would not judge can reign between the master and the
servant, yet well we so term it for this once. I will have our courtier
therefore--beside that he has and does daily give men to understand that he
is of ... [intellectual and physical] prowess ... turn all his thoughts and
the force of [his] mind to love and (as it were)--reverence the prince he serves above all other things,
and in his will, manners, and fashions to be altogether pliable to please
him. ... And to this will I have the courtier to frame himself, though he
were not by nature inclined to it, so that whensoever
his lord looks upon him he may think in his mind he has to talk with him of
a matter. ... He shall never be sad before his prince nor melancholy, nor
so solemn as many ... [th]at
debate with their lords. ... He shall not be ill-tongued, and especially
against his superiors. ... He shall not be stubborn and full of contention,
as some busybodies that ... vex and stir men like flies ... He shall be no
babbler, not given to lightness, no liar, no boaster, nor fond flatterer,
but sober and keeping him always within his bounds ... continually and
especially ... [displaying] the reverence and respect that becomes a servant
toward the master. ... [Thus] his lord will ever more grant ... to him
... [what he asks for or needs]. ...
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