When the right vertuous E. W. and I were
at the Emperours Court togither, wee gaue our selues to learne
horsemanship of Ion Pietro Pugliano, one
that with great commendation had the place of an Esquire in his
stable: and hee according to the fertilnes of the Italian wit, did not
onely affoord vs the demonstration of his practise, but sought to
enrich our mindes with the contemplations therein, which he thought
most precious. But with none I remember mine eares were at any time
more loaden, then when (either angred with slow paiment, or mooued
with our learnerlike admiration) hee exercised his speech in the
praise of his facultie. He said souldiers were the noblest estate of
mankind, and horsemen the noblest of souldiers. He said they were the
maisters of warre, and ornaments of peace, speedie goers, and strong
abiders, triumphers both in Camps and Courts: nay to so vnbleeued a
point he proceeded, as that no earthly thing bred such wonder to a
Prince, as to be a good horseman. Skill of gouernment was but a
Pedanteria, in comparison, then would he
adde certaine praises by telling what a peerlesse beast the horse was,
the onely seruiceable Courtier without flattery, the beast of most
bewtie, faithfulnesse, courage, and such more, that if I had not bene
a peece of a Logician before I came to him,
I thinke he would haue perswaded me to haue wished my selfe a horse.
But thus much at least, with his no few words he draue into me, that
selfeloue is better then any guilding, to make that seem gorgious
wherin our selues be parties.
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