DOUBTS AS TO PUBLISHING

21

and travails himself, perchance he would be loath, and so would I also that in publishing the Utopian weal publique I should prevent him and take from him the flower and grace of the novelty of this history. Howbeit, to say the very truth, I am not yet fully determined with myself whether I will put forth my book or no. For the natures of men be so diverse, the phantasies of some so wayward, their minds so unkind, their judgments so corrupt, that they which lead a merry and jocund life following their own sensual pleasures and carnal lusts, may seem to be in a much better state or case than they that vex and unquiet themselves with cares and study for the putting forth and publishing of some thing that may be either profit or pleasure to others: which others nevertheless will disdainfully, scornfully, and unkindly accept the same. The most part of all be unlearned: and a great number hath learning in contempt. The rude and barbarous alloweth nothing but that which is very barbarous indeed. If it be one that hath a little smack of learning, he rejecteth as homely gear and common ware whatsoever is not stuffed full of old moth-eaten words and that be worn out of use. Some there be that have pleasure only in old rusty antiquities: and some only in their own doings. One is so sour,

so crabbed, and so unpleasant, that he can away with no mirth nor sport: another is so narrow between the shoulders that he can bear no jests nor taunts. Some silly poor souls be so afraid that at every snappish word their nose shall be bitten off, that they stand in no less dread of every quick and sharp word than he that is bitten of a mad dog feareth water. Some be so mutable and wavering that every hour they be in a new mind, saying one thing sitting and another thing standing. Another sort sitteth upon their ale-benches and there among their cups they give judgment of the wit of writers, and with great authority they condemn, even as pleaseth them, every writer according to his writing in most spiteful manner mocking, louting, and flouting them: being themselves in the mean season safe, and as saith the proverb, out of all danger of gunshot. For why they be so smug and smooth that they have not so much as one ear of an honest man, whereby one may take hold of them. There be, moreover, some so unkind and ungentle that though they take great pleasure and delectation in the work, yet for all that they cannot find in their hearts to love the author thereof, nor to afford him a good word: being much like uncourteous, unthankful, and churlish guests: which when they have with good and

MORE TO GILES

23

dainty meats well filled their bellies, depart home giving no thanks to the feast-maker. Go your ways now, and make a costly feast at your own charges for guests so dainty mouthed, so diverse in taste, and besides that of so unkind and unthankful natures. But nevertheless, friend Peter, do, I pray you, with Hythloday as I willed you before. And as for this matter, I shall be at my liberty afterwards to take new advertisement. Howbeit seeing I have taken great pains and labour in writing the matter, if it may stand with his mind and pleasure, I will, as touching the edition or publishing of the book, follow the counsel and advice of my friends, and especially yours. Thus fare you well, right heartily beloved friend Peter, with your gentle wife, and love me as you have ever done, for I love you better than ever I did.

To the Right Honourable Jerome Buslyde,

T

Provost of Aire, and Councillor to the Catholic King Charles, Peter Giles, citizen of Antwerp, wisheth health and felicity.

HOMAS MORE, the singular ornament of this our age, as you yourself (right honourable Buslyde) can witness, to whom he is perfectly well known, sent unto me this other day the Island of Utopia, to very few as yet known, but most worthywhich, as far excelling Plato's commonwealth, all people should be willing to know-especially of a man most eloquent so finely set forth, so cunningly painted out, and so evidently subject to the eye, that as oft as I read it, me-thinketh that I see somewhat more, than when I heard Raphael Hythloday himself (for I was present at that talk as well as Master More) uttering and pronouncing his own words: Yea, though the same man according to his pure eloquence did so