For in this word [reprooue] because there is
no extraordinary sence to be inferred, he keepeth
his sharpe accent vpon the sillable [prooue]
but in the former verses because they seeme to encounter
ech other, they do thereby merite an audible and pleasant
alteration of their accents in those sillables that
cause the subtiltie. Of these maner of nicetees
ye shal finde in many places of our booke, but specially
where we treate of ornament, vnto which we referre
you, sauing that we thought good to set down one example
more to solace your mindes with mirth after all these
scholasticall preceptes, which can not but bring with
them (specially to Courtiers) much tediousnesse, and
so to end. In our Comedie intituled Ginecocratia:
the king was supposed to be a person very amorous and
effeminate, and therefore most ruled his ordinary affaires
by the aduise of women either for the loue he bare
to their persons of liking he had to their pleasant
ready witts and vtterance. Comes me to the Court
one Polemon an honest plaine man of the country,
but rich: and hauing a suite to the king, met
by chaunce with one Philino, a louer of wine
and a merry companion in Court, and praied him in
that he was a stranger that he would vouchsafe to
tell him which way he were best to worke to get his
suite, and who were most in credit and fauour about
the king, that he might seek to them to furder his
attempt. Philino perceyuing the plainnesse
of the man, and that there would be some good done
with him, told Polemon that if he would well
consider him for his labor he would bring him where
he should know the truth of all his demaundes by the
sentence of the Oracle. Polemon gaue him twentie
crownes, Philino brings him into a place where
behind an arras cloth hee himselfe spake in manner
of an Oracle in these matters, for so did all the Sybils
and sothsaiers in old times giue their answers.
Your best way to worke — and
marke my words well,
Not money: nor many,
Nor any: but any,
Not weemen, but weemen beare the bell.
Polemon wist not what to make of this doubtfull speach, & not being lawfull to importune the oracle more then once in one matter, conceyued in his head the pleasanter construction, and stacke to it: and hauing at home a fayre yong damsell of eighteene yeares old to his daughter, that could very well behaue her self in countenance and also in her language, apparelled her as gay as he could, and brought her to the Court, where Philino harkning daily after the euent of this matter, met him, and recommended his daughter to the Lords, who perceiuing her great beauty and other good parts, brought her to the King, to whom she exhibited her fathers supplication, and found so great fauour in his eye, as without any long delay she obtained her sute at his hands. Poleman the diligent solliciting of his daughter, wanne his purpose: Philino gat a good reward and


