1623.] JAMES I. ON PASTIMES. 299 



What need we know 

 More than to praise a dog or horse ? or speak 

 The hawking language ? 



Ben Jonson. 



In that quaint effusion, " Religio Regis ; or, the 

 Faith and Duty of a Prince," written at Newmarket, 

 by Kino- Tames I., for the instruction and 



-' ^ J James I. 



edification of his son Henry, Prince of Horses and 

 Wales, we read as follows : " Next among 

 all unnecessary Things that are lawful and ex- 

 pedient, the Exercise of the Body is most com- 

 mendable to be used by a King, for maintaining his 

 Health. Certainly bodily Exercises and Games are 

 very requisite as well for banishing Idleness (the 

 Mother of all Vice) as for making his Body able and 

 durable for travel ; which is very necessary for a 

 King : therefore you may use Fencing, Tennis, Bowles, 

 Archery, and Palle-maille. But the honnourablest 

 and most commenduable Games that a King can use, 

 are on Horseback, for it becomes a Prince above all 

 Men to be a good Horseman : And use such games 

 on Horseback, as may teach you to handle your Arms 

 thereon ; such as the Tilt, Ring, and low-riding for 

 handling your sword. As for hunting, the most 

 honourable, and noblest Sport thereof is with run- 

 ning Hounds ; for it is a thievish sport of hunting 

 to shoot with Guns and Bows. Then hawking is 

 not to be condemn'd ; but nevertheless give me leave 

 to say, it is more uncertain than the other, and Subject 

 to Mischances. However, in using either of these 

 Sports observe such Moderation, that you slip not 

 therewith the Hours appointed for your Affairs, which 



