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THE SECOND BOOKE 69
etymology of the word sheweth, which cometh of valour
or worth ; and that according 1 to our received custoine,
when after the phrase of our court and nobility we
speake of a worthy man, or of an honest man, we
thereby inferre no other thing than a valiant man ;
after the usuall Roman fashion. For the generall
denomination of vertue doth amongst them take her
etymology of force or might. The only proper and
essential! forme of our nobility in France is military
vocation. It is very likely that the first vertue that
ever appeared amongst men, and which to some hath
given preheminence over others, hath beene this by
which the strongest and most couragious have become
masters over the weakest, and purchased a particular
ranke and reputation to themselves. Whereby this
honour and dignity of speech is left unto it: or else
these nations, being very warlike, have given the price
unto that of vertues, which was the worthiest and more
familiar unto them. Even as our passion, and this
heart-panting and mind-vexing carefull diligence, and
diligent carefulnesse, which we continually apprehend
about woman's chastity, causeth also that a good woman,
an honest woman, a woman of honour and vertue, doth
in effect and substance signifie no other thing unto ns
than a chaste wife or woman ; as if to bind them to this
duty, we did neglect all others, and give them free
liberty to commit any other fault, to covenant with
them never to quit or forsake this duty.