Axiochus.
ſorrow and teares. Let vs els ſuruew the life of Marriners and Seafaring men, which make a hole through ſo many dangers, & which as Bias ſaid, are neither in the number of the liuing nor yet of the dead, for man being borne to abide vpon the earth, dooth as it were a creature of a double kinde, thruſt himſelfe into the maine ſea and wholy put his life into the hands of fortune. But the life of husbandmen will ſome ſay is pleaſant, and ſo in deed it is: but haue they not a continuall ranckling gall, euer breeding new cauſe of greefe and diſquiet, ſometime by reaſon of drought, ſometime becauſe of raine, otherwhile for ſcortching, oft through blaſting, which parcheth the vntimely eare oftentimes, becauſe of importunate heate or ſnmeaſurable colde, miſerably weeping and complaining. But aboue all, that honourable ſtate of gouernement and principallitie (for I let paſſe many other things & wrap them vp in ſilence) through how many dangers is it toſſed and turmoiled, for if at any time if haue any cauſe of ioye, it is like vnto a blowne bliſter or a ſwelling ſore, ſoone vp, and ſooner downe: oftentime ſuffering a foule repulſe, which ſeemeth a thouſand times worſe then death it ſelfe. For who at any time can be bleſſed, that hangeth vpon the wauering will of the witeleſſe many? And albeit the Magiſtrate deſerue fauour and praiſe, yet is he but a mocking ſtocke and ſcoffe of the
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