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But it is not so much to bee admired； neither deserveth halfe the
commendations； as when one man doth good to another； when least it
is expected； as being out of his power； and yet performed。 In which
respect； because you have so extolled king Piero； as appearing not
meanly meritorious in your judgements； I make no doubt but you will be
much more pleased； when the actions of our equals are duly considered；
and shal paralell any of the greatest Kings。 Wherefore I purpose to
tell you a Novel； concerning an honorable curtesie of two worthy
friends。
At such time as Octavius Caesar （not as yet named Augustus； but only
in the office called Triumveri） governed the Romane Empire； there
dwelt in Rome a Gentleman； named Publius Quintus Fulvius； a man of
singular understanding； who having one son； called Titus Quintus
Fulvius； of towardly yeares and apprehension； sent him to Athens to
learne Philosophy； but with letters of familiar commendations； to a
Noble Athenian Gentleman； named Chremes； being his ancient friend； of
long acquaintance。 This Gentleman lodged Titus in his owne house； as
companion to his son； named Gisippus； both of them studying
together； under the tutoring of a Philosopher； called Aristippus。
These two yong Gentlemen living thus in one Citty； House； and Schoole；
it bred betweene them such a brother…hoode and amity； as they could
not be severed from one another； but only by the accident of death；
nor could either of them enjoy any content； but when they were both
together in company。
Being each of them endued with gentle spirits； and having begun
their studies together： they arose （by degrees） to the glorious height
of Philosophy； to their much admired fame and commendation。 In this
manner they lived； to the no meane comfort of Chremes； hardly
distinguishing the one from the other for his Son； and thus the
Schollers continued the space of three yeares。 At the ending wherof
（as it hapneth in al things else） Chremes died； whereat both the young
Gentlemen conceived such hearty griefe； as if he had bin their
common father； nor could the kinred of Chremes discerne； which of
the two had most need of comfort； the losse touched them so equally。
It chanced within some few months after； that the kinred of Gisippus
came to see him； and （before Titus） avised him to marriage； and with a
yong Gentlewoman of singular beauty； derived from a most noble house
in Athens； and she named Sophronia； aged about fifteen years。 This
mariage drawing neere； Gisippus on a day； intreated Titus to walk
along with him thither； because （as yet） he had not seene her。
Commingto the house； and she sitting in the midst betweene them； Titus
making himselfe a considerator of beauty； and especially on his
friends behalfe； began to observe her very judicially； and every
part of her seemed so pleasing in his eie； that giving them al a
privat praise； yet answerable to their due deserving； he becam so
enflamed with affection to her； as never any lover could bee more
violentlie surprized； so sodainly doth beauty beguile our best senses。
After they had sate an indifferent while with her； they returned
home to their lodging； where Titus being alone in his chamber； began
to bethink himselfe on her； whose perfections had so powerfully
pleased him： and the more he entred into this consideration； the
fiercer he felt his desires enflamed； which being unable to quench； by
any reasonable perswasions； after hee had vented foorth infinite
sighes； thus he questioned with himselfe。
Most unhappie Titus as thou art； whether doost thou transport thine
understanding； love； and hope？ Dooest thou not know as well by the
honourable favours； which thou hast received of Chremes and his house；
as also the intire amity betweene thee and Gisippus （unto whom faire
Sophronia is the afflanced friend） that thou shouldst holde her in the
like reverent respect； as if shee were thy true borne Sister？ Darest
thou presume to fancie her？ Whether shall beguiling Love allure
thee； and vaine immaging hopes carrie thee？ Open the eyes of thy
better understanding； and acknowledge thy selfe to bee a most
miserable man。 Give way to reason； bridle thine intemperate appetites；
reforme all irregulare desires； and guide thy fancy to a place of
better direction。 Resist thy wanton and lascivious will in the
beginning； and be master of thy selfe； while thou hast opportunity；
for that which thou aimest at； is neyther reasonable nor honest。 And
if thou wert assured to prevaile upon this pursuite； yet thou
oughtst to avoide it； if thou hast any regard of true friendship；
and the duty therein justly required。 What wilt thou do then Titus？
Fly from this inordinate affection； if thou wilt be reputed to be a
man of sensible judgement。
After he had thus discoursed with himselfe； remembring Sophronia；
and converting his former allegations； into a quite contrarie sense；
in utter detestation of them； and guided by his idle appetite； thus he
began againe。 The lawes of love are of greater force； then any other
whatsoever； they not only breake the bands of friendship； but even
those also of more divine consequence。 How many times hath it bin
noted； the father to affect his own daughter； the brother his
sister； and the stepmother her son in law； matters far more monstrous；
then to see one friend love the wife of another； a case happening
continually？ Moreover； I am yong； and youth is wholly subjected to the
passions of Love： is it reasonable then； that those should be bard
from me； which are fitting and pleasing to Love？ Honest things； belong
to men of more years and maturity； then I am troubled withall； and I
can covet none； but onely those wherein Love is directer。 The beauty
of Sophronia is worthy of generall love； and if I that am a yongman do
love her； what man living can justly reprove me for it？ Shold not I
love her； because she is affianced to Gisippus？ That is no matter to
me； I ought to love her； because she is a woman； and women were
created for no other occasion； but to bee Loved。 Fortune had sinned in
this case； and not I； in directing my frends affection to her；
rather then any other； and if she ought to be loved； as her
perfections do challenge； Gisippus understanding that I affect her；
may be the better contented that it is I； rather then any other。
With these； and the like crosse entercourses； he often mockt
himselfe； falling into the contrary； and then to this againe； and from
the contrary； into another kind of alteration； wasting and consuming
himselfe； not only this day and the night following； but many more
afterward； til he lost both his feeding and sleepe； so that through
debility of body； he was constrained to keepe his bed。 Gisippus； who
had divers dayes noted his melancholly disposition； and now his
falling into extreamitie of sicknesse； was very sorry to behold it：
and with all meanes and inventions he could devise to use； hee both
questioned the cause of this straunge alteration； and essayed everie
way； how hee might best comfort him； never ceassing to demaunde a
reason； why he should become thus sad and sickely。 But Titus after
infinite importuning （which still he answered） with idle and frivolous
excuses； farre from the truth indeede； and （to the no meane affliction
of his friend） when he was able to use no more contradictions； at
length； in sighes and teares； thus he replyed。
Gisippus； were the Gods so wel pleased； I could more gladly yeild to
dye； then continue any longer in this wretched life； considering； that
Fortune hath brought mee to such an extremity； as proofe is now to
be made of my constancie and vertue； both which I finde conquered in
me； to my eternall confusion and shame。 But my best hope is； that I
shal shortly be requited； as I have in justice deserved； namely with
death； which will be a thousand times more welcome to me； then a
loathed life； with remembrance of my base dejection in courage；
which because I can no longer conceale from thee； not without blushing
shame； I am well contented for to let thee know it。
Then began hee to recount； the whole occasion of this straunge
conflict in him； what a maine battaile hee had with his private
thoughts； conf