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First BookPart I
Part I
The First Book of the Communication of Raphael Hythloday Concerning the Best
State of a Commonwealth
The most victorious and triumphant King of England, Henry the Eighth of
that name, in all royal virtues, prince most peerless, had of late in
controversy with the right high and mighty King of Castile, weighty matters
and of great importance. For the debatement and final determination whereof,
the King`s Majesty sent me ambassador into Flanders, joined in commission with
Cuthbert Tunstall, a man doubtless out of comparison, and whom the King`s
Majesty of late, to the great rejoicing of all men, did prefer to the office
of Master of the Rolls.
[Hear In All Royal Virtues]
[See Sir Thomas More: Imprisoned in the tower.]
But of this man`s praises I will say nothing, not because I do fear that
small credence shall be given to the testimony that cometh out of a friend`s
mouth: but because his virtue and learning be greater, and of more excellency,
than that I am able to praise them: and also in all places so famous and so
perfectly well known, that they need not, nor ought not of me to be praised,
unless I would seem to show and set forth the brightness of the sun with a
candle, as the proverb saith. There met us at Bruges (for thus it was before
agreed) they whom their Prince had for that matter appointed commissioners:
excellent men all. The chief and the head of them was the Margrave (as they
call him) of Bruges, a right honourable man: but the wisest and the best
spoken of them was George Temsice, provost of Cassel, a man, not only by
learning, but also by nature of singular eloquence, and in the laws profoundly
learned; but in reasoning and debating of matters, what by his natural wit,
and what by daily exercise, surely he had few fellows. After that we had once
or twice met, and upon certain points or articles could not fully and
thoroughly agree, they for a certain space took their leave of us, and
departed to Brussels, there to know their Prince`s pleasure, I in the meantime
(for so my business lay) went straight thence to Antwerp. Whiles I was there
abiding, oftentimes among other, but which to me was more welcome than any
other, did visit me one Peter Giles, a citizen of Antwerp, a man there in his
country of honest reputation, and also preferred to high promotions, worthy
truly of the highest. For it is hard to say, whether the young man be in
learning, or in honesty more excellent. For he is both of wonderful virtuous
conditions, and also singularly well learned, and towards all sorts of people
exceeding gentle: but towards his friends so kind-hearted, so loving, so
faithful, so trusty, and of so earnest affection, that it were very hard in
any place to find a man, that with him in all points of friendship may be
compared. No man can be more lowly or courteous. No man useth less simulation
or dissimulation, in no man is more prudent simplicity. Besides this, he is in
his talk and communication so merry and pleasant, yea and that without harm,
that through his gentle entertainment, and his sweet and delectable
communication, in me was greatly abated and diminished the fervent desire,
that I had to see my native country, my wife and my children, whom then I did
much long and covet to see, because that at that time I had been more than
four months from them. Upon a certain day when I had heard the divine service
in our Lady`s church, which is the fairest, the most gorgeous and curious
church of building in all the city and also most frequented of people, and,
the service being done, was ready to go home to my lodging, I chanced to espy
this foresaid Peter talking with a certain stranger, a man well stricken in
age, with a black sunburned face, a long beard, and a cloak cast homely about
his shoulders, whom by his favour and apparel forthwith I judged to be a
mariner. But when this Peter saw me, he cometh to me and saluteth me.
And as I was about to answer him: see you this man, saith he (and
therewith he pointed to the man, that I saw him talking with before); I was
minded, quoth he, to bring him straight home to you.
He should have been very welcome to me, said I, for your sake.
Nay (quoth he) for his own sake, if you knew him: for there is no man
this day living, that can tell you of so many strange and un
known peoples, and countries, as this man can. And I know well that you be
very desirous to hear of such news.
Then I conjectured not far amiss (quoth I) for even at the first sight I
judged him to be a mariner.
Nay (quoth he) there ye were greatly deceived: he hath sailed indeed, not
as the mariner Palinure, but as the expert and prudent prince Ulysses: yea,
rather as the ancient and sage philosopher Plato. For this same Raphael
Hythloday (for this is his name) is very well learned in the Latin tongue:
but profound and excellent in the Greek tongue. Wherein he ever bestowed more
study than in the Latin, because he had given himself wholly to the study of
philosophy. Whereof he knew that there is nothing extant in the Latin tongue
that is to any purpose, saving a few of Seneca`s, and Cicero`s doings. His
patrimony that he was born unto, he left to his brethren (for he is a Portugal
born) and for the desire that he had to see, and know the far countries of the
world, he joined himself in company with Amerigo Vespucci, and in the three
last voyages of those four that be now in print and abroad in every man`s
hands, he continued still in his company, saving that in the last voyage he
came not home again with him. For he made such means and shift, what by
entreatance, and what by importune suit, that he got licence of master Amerigo
(though it were sore against his will) to be one of the twenty-four which in
the end of the last voyage were left in the country of Gulike. He was
therefore left behind for his mind sake, as one that took more thought and
care for travelling than dying: having customably in his mouth these sayings:
he that hath no grave, is covered with the sky: and, the way to heaven out of
all places is of like length and distance. Which fantasy of his (if God had
not been his better friend) he had surely bought full dear. But after the
departing of master Vespucci, when he had travelled through and about many
countries with five of his companions Gulikians, at the last by marvellous
chance he arrived in Taprobane, from whence he went to Caliquit, where he
chanced to find certain of his country ships, wherein he returned again into
his country, nothing less than looked for.
All this when Peter had told me, I thanked him for his gentle kindness,
that he had vouchsafed to bring me to the speech of that man, whose
communication he thought should be to me pleasant and acceptable. And
therewith I turned me to Raphael. And when we had saluted each other, and had
spoken these common words, that be customably spoken at the first meeting and
acquaintance of strangers, we went thence to my house, and there in my garden
upon a bench covered with green turf we sat down talking together. There he
told us, how that after the departing of Vespucci, he and his fellows, that
tarried behind in Gulike, began by little and little, through fair and gentle
speech, to win the love and favour of the people of that country, insomuch
that within short space, they did dwell amongst them, not only harmless, but
also occupied with them very familiarly. He told us also, that they were in
high reputation and favour with a certain great man (whose name and country is
now quite out of my remembrance) which of his mere liberality did bear the
costs and charges of him and his five companions. And besides that gave them a
trusty guide to conduct them in their journey (which by water was in boats,
and by land in waggons) and to bring them to other princes, with very friendly
commendations. Thus after many days` journeys, he said, they found towns and
cities and weal publics, full of people, governed by good and wholesome laws.
For under the line equinoctial, and of both sides of the same, as far as the
sun doth extend his course, lieth (quoth he) great and wide deserts and
wildernesses, parched, burned, and dried up with continual and intolerable
heat. All things be hideous, terrible, loathsome, and unpleasant to behold:
all things out of fashion and comeliness, inhabited with wild beasts and
serpents, or at the leastwise, with people, that be no less savage, wild and
noisome, than the very beasts themselves be. But a little farther beyond that,
all things begin by little and little to wax pleasant; the air soft,
temperate, and gentle; the ground covered with green grass; less wildness in
the beasts. At the last shall ye come again to people, cities, and towns
wherein is continual intercourse and occupying of merchandise and chaffer, not
only among themselves and with their borderers, but also with merchants of far
countries, both by land and water. There I had occasion (said he) to go to
many countries of every side. For there was no ship ready to any voyage or
journey, but I and my fellows were into it very gladly received. The ships
that they found first were made plain, flat and broad in the bottom, though
wise. The sails were made of great rushes, or of wickers, and in some places,
of leather. Afterward they found ships with ridged keels, and sails of canvas,
yea, and shortly after, having all things like ours. The shipmen also very
expert and cunning, both in the sea and in the weather. But he said that he
found great favour and friendship among them, for teaching them the feat and
use of the load-stone, which to them before that time was unknown. And
therefore they were wont to be very timorous and fearful upon the sea; nor to
venture upon it, but only in the summer time. But now they have such a
confidence in that stone, that they fear not stormy winter: in so doing
farther from care than jeopardy; insomuch, that it is greatly to be doubted,
lest that thing, through their own foolish hardiness, shall turn them to evil
and harm, which at the first was supposed should be to them good and
commodious.
But what he told us that he saw in every country where he came, it were
very long to declare; neither is it my purpose at this time to make rehearsal
thereof. But peradventure in another place I will speak of it, chiefly such
things as shall be profitable to be known, as in special be those decrees and
ordinances, that he marked to be well and wisely provided and enacted among
such peoples, as do live together in a civil policy and good order. For of
such things did we busily inquire and demand of him, and he likewise very
willingly told us of the same. But as for monsters, because they be no news,
of them we were nothing inquisitive. For nothing is more easy to be found,
then be barking Scyllas, ravening Celenos, and Loestrygonians devourers of
people, and such like great, and incredible monsters. But to find citizens
ruled by good and wholesome laws, that is an exceeding rare, and hard thing.
But as he marked many fond, and foolish laws in those new found lands, so he
rehearsed many acts, and constitutions, whereby these our cities, nations,
countries, and kingdoms may take example to amend their faults, enormities,
and errors. Whereof in another place (as I said) I will treat.
Now at this time I am determined to rehearse only that he told us of the
manners, customs, laws, and ordinances of the Utopians. But first I will
repeat our former communication by the occasion, and (as I might say) the
drift whereof, he was brought into the mention of that weal public.
For, when Raphael had very prudently touched divers things that be amiss,
some here and some there, yea, very many of both parts; and again had spoken
of such wise and prudent laws and decrees, as be established and used, both
here among us and also there among them, as a man so cunning, and expert in
the laws, and customs of every several country, as though into what place
soever he came guestwise, there he had led all his life: then Peter much
marvelling at the man: Surely Master Raphael (quoth he) I wonder greatly, why
you get you not into some king`s court. For I am sure there is no prince
living, that would not be very glad of you, as a man not only able highly to
delight him with your profound learning, and this your knowledge of countries,
and peoples, but also are meet to instruct him with examples, and help him
with counsel. And thus doing, you shall bring yourself in a very good case,
and also be in ability to help all your friends and kinsfolk.
As concerning my friends and kinsfolk (quoth he) I pass not greatly for
them. For I think I have sufficiently done my part towards them already. For
these things, that other men do not depart from, until they be old and sick,
yea, which they be then very loath to leave, when they can no longer keep,
those very same things did I being not only lusty and in good health, but also
in the flower of my youth, divide among my friends and kinsfolks. Which I
think with this my liberality ought to hold them contented, and not to require
nor to look that besides this, I should for their sakes give myself in bondage
to kings.
Nay, God forbid (quoth Peter), it is not my mind that you should be in
bondage to kings, but as a retainer to them at your pleasure. Which surely I
think is the nighest way that you can devise how to bestow your time
fruitfully, not only for the private commodity of your friends and for the
general profit of all sorts of people, but also for the advancement of
yourself to a much wealthier state and condition, than you be now in.
To a wealthier condition (quoth Raphael) by that means, that my mind
standeth clean against? No I live at liberty after my own mind and pleasure,
which I think very few of these great states and peers of realms can say. Yea
and there be enough of them that seek for great men`s friendships: and
therefore think it no great hurt, if they have not me, nor two or three such
other as I am.
Well, I perceive plainly friend Raphael (quoth I) that you be desirous
neither of riches nor of power. And truly I have in no less reverence and
estimation a man that is of your mind, than any of them all that be so high in
power and authority. But you shall do as it becometh you: yea, and according
to this wisdom, and this high and free courage of yours, if you can find in
your heart so to appoint and dispose yourself, that you may apply your wit and
diligence to the profit of the weal public, though it be somewhat to your own
pain and hindrance. And this shall you never so well do, nor with so great
profit perform, as if you be of some great prince`s council, and put into his
head (as I doubt not but you will) honest opinions and virtuous persuasions.
For from the prince, as from a perpetual well spring, cometh among the people
the flood of all that is good or evil. But in you is so perfect learning, that
without any experience, and again so great experience, that without any
learning you may well be any king`s councillor.
[Hear For From The Prince]
You be twice deceived, Master More (quoth he), first in me, and again in
the thing itself. For neither is in me that ability that you force upon me,
and if it were never so much, yet in disquieting mine own quietness I should
nothing further the weal public. For first of all, the most part of all
princes have more delight in warlike matters and feats of chivalry (the
knowledge whereof I neither have nor desire) than in the good feats of peace:
and employ much more study, how by right or by wrong to enlarge their
dominions, than how well and peaceably to rule and govern that they have
already. Moreover, they that be councillors to kings, every one of them either
is of himself so wise indeed, that he need not, or else he thinketh himself so
wise, that he will not allow another man`s counsel, saving that they do
shamefully and flatteringly give assent to the fond and foolish sayings of
certain great men. Whose favours, because they be in high authority with their
prince, by assentation and flattery they labour to obtain. And verily it is
naturally given to all men to esteem their own inventions best. So both the
raven and the ape think their own young ones fairest. Then if a man in such a
company, where some disdain and have despite at other men`s inventions, and
some count their own best, if among such men (I say) a man should bring forth
anything, that he hath read done in times past, or that he hath seen done in
other places: there the hearers fare as though the whole existimation of their
wisdom were in jeopardy to be overthrown, and that ever after they should be
counted for very fools, unless they could in other men`s inventions pick out
matter to reprehend, and find fault at. If all other poor helps fail, then
this is their extreme refuge. These things (say they) pleased our forefathers
and ancestors; would God we could be so wise as they were: and as though they
had wittily concluded the matter, and with this answer stopped every man`s
mouth, they sit down again. As who should say, it were a very dangerous
matter, if a man in any point should be found wiser than his forefathers were.
And yet be we content to suffer the best and wittiest of their decrees to
lie unexecuted: but if in anything a better order might have been taken, than
by them was, there we take fast hold, and find many faults. Many times have I
chanced upon such proud, lewd, overthwart and wayward judgments, yea, and once
in England.
I pray you sir (quoth I) have you been in our country?
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