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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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