But bycause I meane briefly to runne through this title of nobilitie, which concerneth the worthiest part of our state and country, whatsoeuer cauelling the enemies of _nobility_ pretend, whose good education must be applied according vnto their degrees and endes, to the commoditie and honour of our state and countrie: Before that I do meddle with their traine, and shew what is most for them, and best liked in them, I will examine those pointes which by good education be best got, and being once got do beawtifie them most, which two considerations be not impertinent to my purpose, bycause I tender their education, to haue them proue best.
[Sidenote: The method of the discourse that followeth.]
My first note in nature of methode must needes be, what it is to be a _gentleman_, or a _nobleman_, and what force the tearmes of _nobilitie_ or _gentrie_ do infer to be in the persons, to whom they are proper. Then what be the groundes and causes of _gentrie_ and _nobilitie_: both the efficient which make them, and the finall why they serue, wherein the rightnes of their being consisteth, and why there is such thronging of all people that way.
But ear I begine to deale with any of these pointes, once for all I must recommend vnto them exercise of the bodie, and chiefly such as besides their health shall best serue their calling, and place in their countrie. Whereof I haue saide, methinke, sufficiently before. And as those qualities, which I haue set out for the generall traine in their perfection being best compassed by them, may verie well beseeme a gentlemanly minde: so may the exercises without all exception: either to make an healthfull bodie, seeing our mould is all one: or to prepare them for seruice, wherein their vse is more. Is it not for a _gentleman_ to vse the chase and hunt? doth their place reproue them if they haue skill to daunce? Is the skill in sitting of an horse no honour at home, no helpe abroad? Is the vse of their weapon with choice, for their calling, any blemish vnto them? For all these and what else beside, there is furniture for them, if they do but looke backe: and the rather for them, bycause in deede those great exercises be most proper to such persons, and not for the meaner. Wherefore I remit them to that place.