She blusheth at the wanton discourse of others in her company. As fearing that being in the presence where treason against modesty is spoken, all in the place will be arraigned for principal: yea, if silent, she is afraid to be taken to consent. Wherefore, that she may not suffer in her title to modesty, to preserve her right she enters a silent caveat by a blush in her cheeks, and embraceth the next opportunity to get a gaol-delivery out of that company where she was detained in durance. Now because we have mentioned blushing, which is so frequent with virgins that it is called a maiden's blush (as if they alone had a patent to dye this color), give us leave a little to enlarge ourselves on this subject.

1. Blushing oftentimes proceeds from guiltiness; when the offender, being pursued after, seeks as it were to hide himself under the vizard of a new face.

2. Blushing is other times rather a compurgator than an accuser; not arising from guiltiness in our virgin, but from one of these reasons: First, because she is surprised with a sudden accusation, and, though armed with innocency that she cannot be pierced, yet may she be amazed with so unexpected a charge. Secondly, from sensibleness of disgrace, ashamed, though innocent, to be within the suspicion of such faults, and that she hath

carried herself so that any tongue durst be so impudent as to lay it to her charge. Thirdly, from a disability to acquit herself at the instant (her integrity wanting rather clearing than clearness), and perchance she wants boldness to traverse the action, and so non-suiting herself, she fears her cause will suffer in the judgments of all that be present; and although accused but in jest, she is jealous the accusation will be believed in earnest; and edged tools thrown in merriment may wound reputations. Fourthly, out of mere anger; for as in fear the blood makes not an orderly retreat, but a confused flight to the heart, so in blushing the blood sallies out into our virgin's cheeks, and seems as a champion to challenge the accuser for wronging her.

3. Where small faults are committed, blushing obtains a pardon of course with ingenuous beholders. As if she be guilty of casual incivilities, or solecisms in manners occasioned by invincible ignorance and unavoidable mistakes, in such a case blushing is a sufficient penance to restore her to her state of innocency. She imprisons not herself with a solemn vow never to marry. For none know their own strength herein. Who hath sailed about the world of his own heart, sounded each creek, surveyed each corner, but that still there remains therein much terra incognita to him

self? Junius, at the first little better than a misogynist, was afterwards so altered from himself that he successively married four wives.

As she lives with less care, so she dies with more cheerfulness. Indeed, she was rather a sojourner than an inhabitant in this world, and therefore forsakes it with the less grief. In a word, the way to heaven is alike narrow to all estates, but far smoother to the virgin than to the married.

Is

THE ELDER BROTHER

[S one who made haste to come into the world to bring his parents the first news of male posterity, and is well rewarded for his tidings.

He is thankful for the advantage God gave him at the starting in the race into this world. When twins have been even matched, one hath, gained the goal but by his length. St. Augustine saith, that it is every man's bounden duty solemnly to celebrate his birthday. If so, elder brothers may best afford good cheer on the festival.

He counts not his inheritance a writ of ease to free him from industry; as if only the younger brothers came into the world to work, the elder to compliment. These are the tops

of their houses indeed, like cotlofts, highest and emptiest. Rather he laboreth to furnish himself with all gentle accomplishments, being best able to go to the cost of learning. He need not fear to be served as Ulrich Fugger was (chief of the noble family of the Fuggers in Augsburg), who was disinherited of a great patrimony only for his studiousness, and expensiveness in buying costly manuscripts.

He doth not so remember he is an heir, that he forgets he is a son. Wherefore his carriage to his parents is always respectful. It may chance that his father may be kept in a charitable prison, whereof his son hath the keys; the old man being only tenant for life, and the lands entailed on our young gentleman. In such a case, when it is in his power, if necessity requires, he enlargeth his father to such a reasonable proportion of liberty as may not be injurious to himself.

He rather desires his father's life than his living.

His father's deeds and grants he ratifies and confirms. If a stitch be fallen in a lease, he will not widen it into an hole by cavilling, till the whole strength of the grant run out thereat; or take advantage of the default of the clerk in the writing where the deed appears really done, and on a valuable consideration. He counts himself bound in honor to

perform what by marks and signs he plainly understands his father meant, though he spake it not out.

He reflecteth his lustre to grace and credit his younger brethren. Thus Scipio Africanus, after his great victories against the Carthaginians and conquering of Hannibal, was content to serve as a lieutenant in the wars of Asia, under Lucius Scipio his younger brother.

He relieveth his distressed kindred, yet so as he continues them in their calling. Otherwise they would all make his house their hospital, his kindred their calling. When one being an husbandman challenged kindred of Robert Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, and thereupon requested favor of him to bestow an office on him, "Cousin," quoth the Bishop, "if your cart be broken, I'll mend it; if your plough old, I'll give you a new one, and seed to sow your land; but an husbandman I found you and an husbandman I'll leave you." It is better to ease poor kindred in their profession than to ease them from their profession.

He is careful to support the credit and dignity of his family; neither wasting his paternal estate by his unthriftiness, nor marring it by parcelling his ancient manors and demesnes amongst his younger children, whom he provides for by annuities, pensions, moneys, leases, and purchased lands. He remembers how,