Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

IXXV. THE SCHOLEMASTER. BOOK I. 311orderly, & constantly, for the increase of learning & know-85 ledge, as doth the Queenes Maiestie her-selfe. Yea I beleue,that beside her perfit readines in Latm, Italian, French, &Spanish, she readeth here now at Windsore more Greekeeuery day, than some Prebendarie of this Chirch dothreadLatin in a whole weeke. And that which is most praise-190 worthie of all, within the walles of her priuie chamber, shehath obteyned that excellencie of learnyng, to vnderstand,speake & write, both wittely with head, and faire withhand, as scarse one or two rare wittes in both the Uniuersitieshaue in many yeares reached vnto. Amongest all the195 benefites thai God hath blessed me with-all, next the knowledgeof Christes true Religion, I counte this the greatest,that it pleased God to call me to be one poore minister insettyng forward these excellent giftes of learnyng in thismost excellent Prince. Whose onely example if the rest of200 our nobilitie would folow, than might England be, for learnyngand wisedome in nobiHtie, a spectacle to all j„ Examplesthe world beside. But see the mishap of men :foTctThens°°d examples.The best examples haue neuer such forse tomoue to any goodnes, as the bad, vaine, light and fond, haue205 to all ilnes.And one example, though out of the compas of learning,yet not out of the order of good maners, was notable in thisCourte, not fullie xxiiij. yeares a-go, when all the actes ofParlament, many good Proclamations, diuerse strait com-210 maundementes, sore punishment openlie, speciall regardepriuatelie, cold not do so moch to take away one misorder,as the example of one big one of this Courte did, still tokepe vp the same.The memorie whereof doth yet remaine,in a common prouerbe of Birching lane.