GREENE'S FAREWELL TO FOLLY 1 Modern spelling tran

GREENE’S FAREWELL TO FOLLY 48
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was tied to a post and choked with smoke, having a proclamation made before him by
sound of trumpet that they which sell smoke should so perish with smoke.
The poor man from these plaints fell into tears, that overcome with the [sic for ‘these’?]
passions he fell asleep, where in a dream was by God revealed unto him the means of
revenge. As soon as he awoke and called unto mind the vision, thinking it to be no
fantastic illusion of the brain but a strict command from the heavenly powers, presently
went home and waxed, contrary unto his wonted custom, very merry, frequenting daily
the duke’s palace, where giving himself unto drinking, he became in time to be in some
favour with the duke, who never remembered that he sat in judgment against the poor
man. On a time seeing that opportunity favoured him, he requested the duke that as he
went on hunting he would take the pains to visit his poor house, where he should find no
dainty fare but only that he durst promise a cup of good wine. This word was enough to
persuade the duke to a greater matter, so that he granted to come.
The poor man, glad that his purpose was like to take effect, went home and made a sale
of all that he had, even to his very shirt, to the great sorrow of his wife and wonder of his
neighbours, which knew not his pretence. As soon as he had prettily furnished himself
with money, he bought great store of excellent and delicate viands, of strong and pleasant
wine, and conveyed them home to his house, whither within two days after the duke foresent
his cook, certifying the poor man that he would dine with him, who providing most
sumptuous fare, set all his wealth upon the table at one dinner, and entertained the duke
with such a hearty welcome that he not only wondered where Rustico got such store of
victuals, but gave great thanks for his good cheer. Rustico served in wine in such
abundance that Don Antonio fell to his old vice of drunkenness, and in such sort as he
never took so much in his life.
The poor man, seeing him take his drink so freely, went to one of his trumpeters and told
him that the duke commanded he should by sound of trumpet presently summon all the
citizens to appear at his house either without delay or excuse, which command he
forthwith executed, and the burgomasters & chief men of the city, marvelling what this
should mean, yet hasting to the house of Rustico, they found a scaffold erected at the
door, where after they had stayed awhile, Rustico came forth and began to speak in this
manner:
Worthy citizens and burgomasters of Augsburg, I know you marvel what the cause of
your coming is, especially seeing me, that am poor and unlettered, prepare to offer an
oration to such politic governors, but it is the care of my country, & especially of this
city, which is like to ruinate through the want of the possession of a perfect magistrate,
that drives me to this resolute and desperate attempt. The duty of a magistrate, as I have
heard a certain philosopher should set down, consisteth in three especial points: in
ruling, teaching and judging, that he be wise to govern, virtuous to give ensample, and
impartial to judge, for as Cicero saith, sooner shall the course of nature fail than the
subjects will leave to follow the steps of their prince. If then that commonwealth be
happy that is governed by such a king, in what distress is that city that wanteth such a
magistrate, and hath one that neither ruleth, teacheth or doth justice, but censures all
Modern spelling transcript copyright 2007 Nina Green All Rights Reserved