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And as the second dooth conteine the first: even so the third Conteyneth both the other twaine. And neyther beast, nor bird, Nor fish, nor herb, nor tree, nor shrub, nor any earthly wyght (Save only man) can of the same partake the heavenly myght. I graunt that when our breath dooth from our bodies go away, It dooth eftsoones returne to ayre: and of that ayre there may Both bird and beast participate, and wee of theirs likewyse. For wbyle wee live, (the thing itself appeereth to our eyes) Bothe they and wee draw all one breath. But for to deeme or say Our noble soule (which is divine and permanent for ay) Is common to us with the beasts, I think it nothing lesse Than for to bee a poynt of him that wisdome dooth professe. Of this I am ryght well assurde, there is no Christen wyght That can by fondnesse be so farre seduced from the ryght. And finally hee dooth proceede in shewing that not all That beare the name of men (how strong, feerce, stout, bold, hardy, tall, How wyse, fayre, rych, or hyghly borne, how much renownd by fame, So ere they bee, although on earth of Goddes they beare the name) Are for to be accounted men: but such as under awe Of reasons rule continually doo live in vertues law: And that the rest doo differ nought from beasts, but rather bee Much woorse than beasts, bicause they doo, abace theyr owne degree. To naturall philosophye the formest three perteyne, The fowrth to morall: and in all are pitthye, apt and playne Instructions which import the prayse of vertues and the shame Of vices, with the due rewardes of eyther of the same. As for example, in the tale of Daphnee turnd to Bay, A myrror of virginitie appeere unto us may, Which yeelding neyther unto feare, nor force, nor flatterye, Doth purchace everlasting fame and immortalitye. In Phaetons fable unto syght the Poet dooth expresse The natures of ambition blynd, and youthfull wilfulnesse. The end whereof is miserie, and bringeth at the last Repentance when it is too late that all redresse is past. And how the weaknesse and the want of wit in magistrate Confoundeth both his common weale and eeke his owne estate. This fable also dooth advyse all parents and all such As bring up youth, to take good heede of cockering them too much. It further dooth commende the meane: and willeth to beware Of rash and hasty promises which most pernicious are, And not to bee performed: and in fine it playnly showes What sorrow to the parents and to all the kinred growes By disobedience of the chyld: and in the chyld is ment The disobedient subject that ageinst his prince is bent. The transformations of the Crow and Raven doo declare That Clawbacks and Colcariers ought wysely to beware Of whom, to whom, and what they speake. For sore against his will Can any freendly hart abyde to heare reported ill The partie whom he favoureth. This tale dooth eeke bewray

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