him all that happened and how the Lion had saved her life and was the greatest comfort she had in the Wilderness It chanced afterwards that as the Knight was going into his Wood to view his young Horses he met with a wilde Boar with whom he fell in combat with The Lion loved the old Knight and by accident walking under the pale side he sented the Boar and as the Lion ran towards the place where the Boar was the Steward espied him and he ran into the Palace and cryed out the Lion is running after my Master to destroy him Then the Lady sent after him ten of her servants who met the Lion with his mouth all bloody and they ran back and told the Lady the Lion had destroyad her aged Father Then said the Lady O woe is me that ever I was born that have brought a Lion from far to destroy my own Father therefore she commanded her servants to slay the Lion which no sooner was done but her Father come in and said O I have met with a wilde Boar with whom I sought and there came in the Lion to my aid and slew the Boar so saved my life else I had dyed by the Boar. When the Lady heard this O how she wept and wrung her hands saying For the words of a wicked Steward I have slain my good Lion who have saved both my life and my Fathers cursed be the time I was advised by him Then said the Mistriss understand you what I have said yes right well said the Empress you have shewed me a good example of a bad advise which caused the Lady to slay so good a Lion surely I 'le beware such bad advice my Daughter shall not dye this day The Mistris said if you do so you will do well therefore I commit you to God and stand obliged to your grace for saving your-Daughter this day for my sake The third Complaint of Radamentus WHen Radamentus perceived the young Princess was not dead he kept his Chamber and tore his hair grieving very much and saying the State of the Empire lies groaning under the scandal of all Nations and reputed as the very froth and scum of baseness and as he was thus complaining his attendants hearing him went and imparted it to the Empress and she went to him and asked the cause of his lamentation who answered O great Lady how can I other wise chuse knowing so great a crime that lyes upon the Empire through the deboist and lascivious actions of your graceless Daughter and yet cannot have Iustice executed upon her whereby we may wash away the stain that rests upon your honour my reputation the world knowing I am your assistant in the Government seeing there is no more respect and observing of the Laws then there is I have just cause to leave your Realm and suffer you to plunge your self in this deluge of ignorance but that the love I bear to you and your good Subjects doth prohibit me from it and you know great Lady if I should depart and leave you to your self through your weakness in believing old fabulous stories it would fend to your utter ruine and destruction Then said the Empress Most grave Lord and Councellour pass by your sorrow and lamentation at this time and I shall never fail you of your request hereafter but be advised by you Then said Radamentus pray God you may else I fear it will happen to you as it did to the Lady and her Cat in the Kingdome of Utergo who tendered her Cat as she did her own life till at last the Cat cut her Ladies throat I pray 〈◊〉 said the Empress shew me that Example that I shall gladly do said Radamentus for the furtherance of your knowledge and it is this as followeth The third Example of Radamentus IN the Kingdome of Utergo there lived a Lady who had but one onely Daughter whom she loved above her own eyes and hearing there was a very learned woman and one of great repute lived not far from her own Court to whom she put her Daughter to be brought up and instructed in all Arts and learning and it proved that this learned woman was very skilful indèed for she was the greatest Magician in all that Land though unknown to the Lady so that instead of teaching the childe natural Philosophy she taught her all the whole art of Necromancy and at the end of seven years she learnt her how to transform her self into the likeness of a Cat and upon a time the Lady sent for this learned woman to come to her and bring her Daughter with her for to see how she had improved her self in learning and being come the Lady asked her Daughter three questions First what was most prone to nature when it was satizfied she answered ease for when the belly is full the bones destreth rest Secondly how far it was to the bottom of the Sea she answered a stones throw Thirdly she â—sked her how long the Sun and Moon were going round the world she answered sower and twenty hours then said the Lady you have answered me well doubtless thou wilt prove a cunning woman then she walked in her Parlour and shewed the Mistriss what a delicate and fine Cat she had and the Mistriss said of a truth it is a brave Cat but after I return home I will present you with the finest Cat that ever was seen for she will wait at the Table and can interpret Riddles resolving Answers and Questions so that there is not the like of her in all the world Then said the Lady pray ye let me have that Cat that I shall not do said she except you suffer your Daughter to be with me one seven years more then shall I present you with the Cat the Lady very willingly gave consent thereto rendring great thanks so the learned woman took leave and away departed with her young Disciple and when she came home she told her that if she would act her part she would teach her how she might enjoy all the pleasure the world did afford and none was more ready to learn then she was Then said the Magician you must transform your self to the likeness of a Cat and I will present you to your Mother to which they both accorded then the Magician took her and hasted away to the Lady and presented her the Cat being of four distinct colours black red green and yellow Then said the Lady this is the finest Cat that ever I saw and took it into her lap feeding it with white bread and milk and would never sit down to meat but her Cat must be at her elbow so the Magician took her leave again and the Lady gave her great thanks so departed soon after this the Cat began to play her pranks for there was a maid living in the house whose carriage was civil and conversation honest and a faithful servant all dayes of her life this Cat had power to
thy unbraded Gold There my enfranchiz'd hand on every side Shall o're thy naked polisht Ivory slide No curtain there though of transparent Lawn Shall be before thy Virgin treasure drawn But the rich minde to the enquiring eye Expos'd shall ready still for mintage lye And we will coyn young Cupid there a bed Of Roses and fresh mirtles shall be spread Under the cooler shades of Cypress Groves Our pillows of the doun of Venus Doves Whereon our panting love we 'l gentle lay In the faint respites of our active play That so our slumbers may in dreams have leasure To tell the nimble fancy of our pleasure And so our souls that cannot be imbrac't Shall the imbraces of our bodies taste Mean while the publick stream shall drown the shore Th'inamour'd chirping wood-quire shall adore In varied Tunes the Deity of Love The gentle blasts of Western windes shall move The trembling leaves and through the close boughs breathe Still Musick whilst we rest our selves beneath Their dancing shades till a soft murmurre sent From souls intranc't in amorous languishment Rouze us and shoot into our eyes fresh fire Till we in their sweet extasie expire Then as they empty be that lately bore Into the common Treasure all her store Flyes'bout the painted fields with nimble Wing Deflowring the fresh Virgins of the spring So will I risâ—e all the sweets that dwell In my delicious paradise and swell My bag with honey drawn forth by the poâ—er Of fervent kisses from each spicy flower I 'le seize the Rose buds in their perfum'd bed The Violet Knots like curious Maces spread O're all the Garden taste the ripened Cherry The Apple Apricock and Coral Berry Then will I visit with a wandring kiss The Vale of Lillies and the Bower of Bliss And where the beauteous Region doth divide Into two milky wayes my lips shall slide Down those smooth Alleys wearing as I go A track for Lovers in the printed snow Thence climing o're thy swelling Appenine Retire into thy Grove of Eglantine Where I will all those ravisht sweets distil Through loves Alembique with chymick skill From the mixt Mass one sovereign balm derive And bring that great Elixure to thy hive Now in more subtle wreaths I will entwine My lovely Thighs my Legs and Arms with thine Thou like a sea of milk shalt lye display'd Whilst I the smooth qualm Ocean doth invade With such a Tempest as when Jove of old Fell down on Danae in a storm of Gold Yet my tall pine shall in the Cyprian strait Bide safe at Anchor and unlade her freight My rudder with thy bold hand like a try'd And skilful Pilot thou shalt steer and guide My Bark into loves Channel where it shall Dance as the bounding Waves doth rise and fall Then shall thy circling armes imbrace and clip My willing body and thy balmy lip Bathe me in juice of kisses whose perfume Like a Religious Incense shall consume And send up holy vapours to those powers That bless our Loves crown our sportful hours Now Wedlock bonds unwreath our twisted Loves We seek no midnight Arbours no dark Groves To hide our Kisses there the hated name Of Husband Wife lust modest chaste or shame Are vain and empty words whose very sound Was never heard in the Elizian ground All things are lawful there that may delight Nature or unrestrained appetite Like and enjoy to will and act is one We onely sue where loves rites are not done These and ten thousand such expressions this brave King Alexander did use towards his renowned Empress but fortune not willing to favour him did cast a cloud over this pattern of vertue for no sooner had he set his Kingdom of Egypt and arrived again in Epyrus but there came a Herauld at Armes from the King of Syra to challenge him to the Field that upon the happy success of one battle the whole universe lay on 't for they two governed all the other Kings in the world Alexander with a brave courageous spirit answered the Herauld I look't for the King of Syra in the Field long ago I wonder his Chariot Wheels are so heavy in driving and bid him meet upon the Downs of Opher where I will be in person to assail him and his ten Legions and presently commanded his Drums to beat and his Trumpets to sound with other Instruments of War and so marched out with his Army taking his leave of his Royal Princess and his two Sons with showres of tears betwixt them both so parted the one from the other with heavy hearts When brave King Alexander was arrived upon the Downs of Opher he plac't his men in Battle of Aray and began to admonish them in these words Most brave and warlike Souldiers both Epirians and Egyptians I exhort you this day to be of good courage and fight manfully your Cause is just and right for the Syrans are coming against us without cause and we are upon our defence and this great Battle is the Battle for the whole world in the very heat of Battle think to your selves that you do see the grave Senators of Epyrus bowing down their hoary heads praying for your good success think that you do hear the Prayers of your Fathers Mothers Wives and Children for you and know that whosoever intends to sée their friends again must this day ransome himself with his Sword think to your selves that if the Syrans doth vanquish us how that my head will be plac't upon a Poll and pitcht up in the Market place and my Quarters hung up two in Egypt and two in Epirus our Cities and Towns burnt and turned to ashes our Maidens and Virgins deflowred our Childrens brains dasht against the walls and our young men slain and murthered and the brand of scorn upon our Kingdoms for perpetuity And on the other side if we do get the day honour and renown shall be upon our heads and the glories of Syra shall come into Epirus Gold and Silver shall be your rewards and the favour of your Prince you shall have to eternity The Souldiers answered Most great King if the Gold of Opher will make you glorious if the Treasures of Syra will make you great and if the strength of our Army will make you considerable both at home and abroad be assured great King you are this day the Master of all the Universe for here is not a Souldier but at your command will cut his Fathers Throat and sheath his Sword in his Brothers Blood to rob the Gods and pull the Temples down all this will they do if you command them By this time there was but one Fields breadth between the two Armies all Rampiers Trees and Hedges were levelled even with the ground Lions and Bears were seen to come out of the Woods as of purpose to devour dead Carkasses Vultures which are ravening Birds did darken the Air Lightning and Thunder came down that did melt the heads of the Foot-mens Spears and singed the Hair on their Heads and the Horse Manes King Alexander divided his Army into four parts his right Wing consisted of ten thousand conducted by ten Kings the Forlorn-Hope were five thousand the left Wing were ten thousand conducted by ten Epirian Lords the main Body was led by brave Alexander himself the Battle began hot and sharp the Forlorn-Hope of the Epirians were driven back to thâ— main Body then advanced Alexander himself and the Battle began to be mortal the dispute old hold till twelve a Clock and there â—ell on both sides above eight thousand In the afternoon the Battle began again and the discomfiture fell upon the Epirians for in four hours time Alexander was fain to quit the Field being totally defeated and most of his men slain Alexander was fain to throw his Crown upon the ground because he would not be known and escaped by Sea in a poor Fishermans Boat and sailed into Epirus and at the Haven where he designed to Land there his Royal Empress was waiting when any Ship would come in with news and at last she espied in a poor Fishermans Boat King Alexander himself at which sight fear smote her to the heart that she swounâ—ed upon the thought that the King was utterly overthrown but Alexander took her up in his armes and kist her with a showre of tears bedewing their Princely Cheeks but there was no remedy for their Kingdoms was wrested from them and they forced to slye into an uninhabited Island wherein they spent the remnant of their dayes with three other petty Kings Soon after Alexander dyed and his Empress who in a Sepulchre which he hewed out himself they were both interred on which was written this following Epitaph Within this House of Stone here lyes The King of Egypt who was call'd the Wise Likewise that glorious and illustrious Queen Of the Epirians here is to be seen Who from all Right and Justice were debarr'd When Syrans King in Battle with him Warr'd FINIS
her thereupon she wrote Letters signed with her privy Signet and Messengers to the seven Wise Mistrisses for to hasten away to the Court of Rome again such a day and bring Sabrina the young Princess with them Chap. 3. How the seven Wise Mistrisses after sight of the Empress Letters by their powerful skill went to search the Planets by which they understood the Design of Radamentus WHen the Mistrisses had received the Empress Letter and understood the Contents thereof they fell to their books and fathomed their skill directing their Figures and marking the Planets if the cause of their going might be fortunate or no. And they found a great contageon among the signes from whence they did predict that when they presented the young Lady if she should answer any more words then one her enemies would have power over her to betray her to the shamefullest death that may be so they were very heavy and mourned all the day loâ—â— about the evening tide came down the young Lady Sabrina to delight her self upon the Musick and seeing all the seven Mistrisses very sâ—d she demanded the cause of their grief who answereâ—â— O Lady this mâ—rning we have received Letters from the Empress that we forthwith to â—aste to Court and bring you along with us and we have seen a Star that your journey will prove fatal if you speak any more words then one which is Justice that you shall say and no more for the space of seven dayes and this is the thing which grieves us that since we have nourished you for so many years should now at the last be reduced to such a hazard Then said the young Lady being full of vertuous learning I have viewed the Firmament my self and marked the motions of the lesser Stars and found your saying true but if you will hear my counsel and receive my advice without doubt my vertue shall overtop their vice and my cunning wisdom shall excéed their crafty treachery Then said the Mistrisses speak on your doctrine we will hearken to it and she said I shall be accus'd of an evil person and unjustly condemned but if every of you seven can speak to my mother the Empress each one her day for seven dayes together in my behalf I shall escape my life the Mistrisses hearing this they all accorded in a joyful harmony and said among themselves what joy is come to us surely she will be an Empress of great fame and wisdom so they cloathed her 〈◊〉 cloth of gold and rich ornaments and provided a Chariot of Azure colour drawn by four white Stéeds who gently pac'c the ground like as they trod by some directed steps in the air so with a train of pure Virgins she was accompanied to the Empress Chap. 4. How the Empress hearing her Daughter was coming on the way rode in great triumph with all her Princes and Barons to meet her WHen the Empress heard that the seven wise Mistrisses of Rome were coming with her young Daughter Sabrina she caused all her Chariots to be made ready and with her Heraulds Trophies and Banners accompanied with all her Nobles rode on the way to meet them but said the Mistrisses to Sabrina it were good for us to depart and go into the City some other way and diligently watch the Planets in their several motions for the safeguard of your life and the preservation of us to this the young Lady willingly condescended but remember me in my necessity she said so they departed and the young Lady rode on her way but when the Empress saw her she took her in her arms and kissed her saying O my dear Daughter the onely delight I have in the world whom God doth preserve for future blessings how is it with you now I hope you will be to me the flower of my external happiness being conformed in all vertues learning the fitter to sit upon my Iudgement Seat after me the young Lady bowed and did reverence unto the Empress but spake not a word When the Empress saw this for blushed with very fear some evil had befallen her that she spak◠〈◊〉 and yet she thought in her self that being out of the Countrey so many years learning strange Arts she might forget her natural language and a thousand other things came in her minde And anon she asked her again what she had learnt so many years with the wise Mistrisses of Rome she answered Justice so bowed her self and spake not one word more Then the Empress acquainted her Lords how and in what condidition her daughter was in and said for the evil the Mistrisses had wrought with her they should dye the most shameful death that could be thought of and when she came to the Palace she took her by the hand and led her into the great Hall out of thence into the Garden and plac'd her by her in the Arbour upon her own seat and said My good Daughter declare unto me the reason by some certain sign why you will not speak or else here is a pen and paper write to me your minde she took the pen in her hand and wrote these lines Through Learning which doth me adorn I very plainly see The Star where under I was born proves fatal now to me And I in bed have lately dream'd what after will ensue That I three times shall be condemn'd in Judgement-seat by you When the Empress saw these lines she was astonisht and wondered greatly for she knew not the meaning thereof how that she should give Iudgement thrée times on her own Daughter she wrung her hands and mourned greatly then came Radamentus the great Consul and said unto the Empress is this your Daughter which hath béen brought up with the seven wise Mistrisses of Rome the Empress answered this is my Daughter and onely Heir to the Empire but she now has no expression with her tongue Radamentus stood still and beheld her and saw her countenance so pleasant and of such incomparable beauty that the like was not in all the world he burned inwardly with lust and deceitfully said to the Empress deliver her to me and by often perswasion without doubt I le make her declare to me her whole studience this did he not onely for love and honour he bore to her but rather to satisfie his insatiate lustful appetite and after conspire her destruction which was the main thing ho aimed at but God infused in the heart of the Princess not to go with him Chap. 5. How Radamentus watched his opportunity how he might surprize the Princess in the Garden and how he conspired to take away her life RAdamentus after this being in his chamber window espied the Princess going into the Garden to walk under the Sickamore-trees without any body with her and it happened that she left the key in the door on the inside and forgot to shut it The old Consul came down and entered the Garden locking the door and taking the key out he came to the
neâ—â—e receiv'd thy wicked counsel but since I embraced thy hellish advice with this hand that first handled the cursed King I will be revenged on my self and so took a knife and thrust it into her breast and so ended her life Then said the Mistris to the Empress understand you what I have said Yes right well said the Empress you have shew'd me a good example without doubt this day my Daughter shall not dye Then said the Mistris if you do so you will do wisely and I thank you for sparing your Daughters life this day for my sake The second Complaint of Radamentus When Radamentus understood the Princess had obtain'd Pardon through the means of Hallicuja the wise Mistris he retired to his Chamber and seemed to grieve and lament extraordinary but alas it was nothing but falshood and deceit so that he refused to come to Councel whereat the Empress was much troubled and thereupon sent for him and demanded the cause of his grief and the reason wherefore he did not attend to Councel who answered Great Lady what greater pain can there be to a man then when he is reviled of every vulgar tongue undeservedly for all people know I am you assistant in the Empire and think I am at the helm of Iustice where I do rather more support wickedness then equity and maintain vice where I should tertue since of late there hath béen whoredom and debauchery committed in the very Court and the Empress own Daughter did it what scandal is this that I shall lye under beside your Royal Person will be defamed and the honour of your Kingdom the object of the world for you abstain Iustice from being executed upon that vile wretch your cursed Daughter so that she liveth to the ruine of the Empire therefore it shall happen to you as it did to the Quéen of Pirus and her daughter The Empress said I pray you shew me that Example why said Radamentus let me shew you never so many it availeth not nevertheless I will shew you this which is as followeth The second Example of Radamentus IN Pirus reigned a vertuous Quéen her Husband being dead she had one onely Daughter whom she tendered above her life this Daughter grew apace crafty and cunning and often conversed with Sorcerers to whom she complained there was but one Nobleman which hindered her from hading her will and liberty said the Sorcerer I le teach you a way to betray his life and then you may do well enough with your mother Pray shew me that way said she that I will said the Sorcerer that is this When he is walking in the Garden go you to him and if he sit down sit you by him 't will be a provocation to move his spirit and as he doth precéed then give him incouragement if he refuse you cry out he has ravisht you So this impudent wretch sate by this Nobleman and smiled upon him and smute him with the palm of her hand upon the chéek and said come let us solace our selves in the bosom of love until the dark Evening Then said the Lord Great Lady excuse me for I am not furnisht with so much considence as to deflower the Pearls of our Land At which words this Lady tore her locks down about her shoulders and cryed out alas alas what shall I do The Quéen her Mother being in the Window heard the cry and looking out espied her Daughter in the Garden crying and wringing her hands she sent down her Lords to know the matter and she said this man meaning the harmless Lord hath constrained me by force under yonder trée and he hath dest wrâ—d me of my Virginity The Quéen hearing this said surely he shall dye Then said the Lords it is good that you hear him before you put him to death Nay said the Quéen I have heard my daughter what 〈…〉 anâ— further witness I will believe her testimony above all the worlds and thereupon commanded the Lord to be led away and put to death which accordingly was done This Lord was the uprightest man and greatest Counsellor the Quéen had from this time forth she alwayes sought the destruction of her mother and thus she began Great Princess and Mother through my obedience and diligent care I bear to you I would wish you to speak not unto every mean subject when they come for justice but that I between you and them may deliver their message for too much familiarity will breed contempt therefore the Queen reposing so much confidence in her daughter thought all for good whatsoever she did do and thereupon set forth a Proclamation that all persons whatsoever having business at the Court should address themselves to her Daughter who alwayes sitting in an outward Chamber as people came to her she seemed very milde amiable and courteous so through her cunning and dissimulation all people took affections to her and she would say to them my mother is very rash being ancient but if you will take me for your Sovereign I le do you justice according to the due administration of the law at which words they were all very joyful and promised faithfully to perform it but said she raise your army stand in your own defence and plead your Subsidies and heavy burthens ate too weighty for you to bear this do till you hear from me so the rude multitude did as this Imp had advis'd them Then away she went to her mother and acquâ—inted her there was a factious people had rebell'd and it were good to prevent them in time least they should grow too populous so the Queen gave her the supream Authority in granting Commissions to raise an Army so when she had got the Seal she told her mother she must have a great quantity of Gold to pay them Then the Queen delivered two hundred thousand marks of Gold and having got this money she hasted with it all away to her factious Crew and there paid then all with her mothers own Treasure and gave them Commissions under her own Seal that all the rest of the Subjects were in a maze for seeing their Commissions under the Quéens Seal all lay still and not one moved for the Quéen thinking it had béen no Rebellion At last this new Army advanced towards the Court and being come this wicked Wretch the Quéens Daughter hasted to her mother and told her that she by her fair spéeches had asswaged the fury of the people and brought them there to beg their pardon which she desired the Quéen to grant them which being alwayes betrayed through her subtle words condescended and as she was going out to sign their Pardons and conducted by her daughter she passed over a boarded Alloy where underneath was a Room and Cauldron of boyling Oyl that this wicked Daughter had provided with a board wheron her mother was to tread tilting up the Quéen sell in and thereby was destroy'd And after was this wicked Wretch proclaimed Quéen that through lascivious