that cause many women in their modestie rather suffered themselues to perish for want of helpe than that any man should bee seene or knowne to come about them Aboue all the Athenians were most curious that no seruant or woman should learne the art of Chyrurgerie There was a damosell of that cittie that was verie industrious in the search of such mysteries whose name was Agnodice but wanting meanes to attaine vnto that necessarie skill she caused her haire to be shorne and putting on the habit of a yong man got her selfe into the seruice of one Heirophilus a Phisitian and by her industrie and studie hauing attained to the deapth of his skill and the height of her own desires vpon a time hearing where a noble ladie was in child-birth in the middest of her painfull throwes she offered her selfe to her helpe whom the modest Ladie mistaking her Sex would by no persuasion suffer to come neere her till she was forced to strip her selfe before the women and to giue euident signes of her woman-hood After which shee had accesse to many proouing so fortunate that she grew verie famous In so much that being enuied by the colledge of the Phisitians shee was complained on to the Ariopagitae or the nobilitie of the Senat such in whose power it was to censure and determine of all causes and controuersies Agnodice thus conuented they pleaded against her youth and boldnesse accusing her rather a corrupter of their chastities than any way a curer of their infirmities blaming the matrons as counterfeiting weakenesse onely of purpose to haue the companie and familiaritie of a loose and intemperate yong man They prest their accusations so farre that the Iudges were readie to proceede to sentence against herâ— when shee opening her brest before the Senat gaue manifest testimonie that she was no other than a woman at this the Phisitians the more incenst made the fact the more henious in regard that being a woman she durst enter into the search of that knowledge of which their Sex by the law was not capable The cause being once more readie to goe against her the noblest matrons of the cittie assembled themselues before the Senat and plainely told them they were rather enemies than husbands who went about to punish her that of all their Sex had beene most studious for their generall health and safetie Their importancie so farre preuailed after the circumstances were truely considered that the first decree was quite abrogated and free libertie granted to women to imploy themselues in those necessarie offices without the presence of men So that Athens was the first cittie of Greece that freely admitted of Mid-wiues by the meanes of this damosell Agnodice Of Women that suffered Martyrdome ANd of these in briefe Corona was a religious woman who suffered martyrdome vnder the tyrannie of Antonius the Emperour Her death was after this manner she was tyde by the armes and legges betwixt two trees whose stiffe branches were forced and bowed downe for the purpose the bowes being slackned and let loose her bodie was tost into the ayre and so cruelly dissâ—uered limbe from limbe Anatholia a Virgin by the seuere commaund of Faustinianus the President was transpierst with a sword Felicula as Plutarch witnesseth when by no persuasion or threats promises or torments she could be forced to renounce the Christian Faith by the command of Flaccus Comes shee was commanded to be shut vp in a Iakes and there stifled to death Murita had likewise the honour of a Martyr who being banished by Elphedorus a certaine Arrian opprest with cold and hunger most miseraby died Hyrene the Virgin because shee would not abiure her faith and religion was by Sisimmius shot through with an arrow The like death suffered the martyr Christiana vnder Iulian the Apostata Paulina a Roman Virgin and daughter to the Prefect Artemius was with her mother Candida stoned to death by the commaund of the tyrant Dioclesian Agatho virgo Catanensis was strangled in prison by the command of the Consâ—ll Quintianus Theodora a Virgin of Antioch was beheaded by the tyrannie of Dioclesian Iulia Countes of Eulalia suffered the same death vnder the President Diaconus Margaritu a maide and a martyr had her head cut off by Olibrius Zoâ— the wife of Nicostratus was nayled vnto a crosse and so ended her life partly with the torture of the gybbet and partly with the smoke that the executioner made at the foot of the gallowes suffocated Iulia Carthagensis because she would not bow to Idolls and adore the false heathen gods but was a constant professor of the true Christian faith was martyred after the selfe same manner Emerita the sister of Lucius king of England who had the honour to be called the first Christian king of this countrie shee suffered for the Faith by fire Alexandria was the wife of Dacianus the President who being conuerted to the Faith by blessed saint George was therefore by the bloodie murderer her husbands owne hands strangled Maximianus the sonne of Dioclesian with his owne hands likewise slew his naturall sister Artemia because that forsaking all Idolatrie shee prooued a conuertite to the true Christian Faith Flauia Domicilla a noble Ladie of Rome was banished into the Isle Pontia in the fifteenth yeare of the raigne of Domitian for no other reason but that shee constantly professed her selfe to bee a Christian. These two following suffered persecution vnder Antonius Verus in France Blondina who is sayd to wearie her tormentors patiently induring more than they could malitiously inflict in so much that before shee fainted they confessed themselues ouercome she readie still to suffer and beare when they had not blows to giue for as oft as she spake these words I am a Christian neither haue I committed any euill she seemed to the spectators of her martyrdome to bee so refreshed and comforted from aboue that she felt no paine or anguish in the middest of her torture and in that patience she continued without alteration euen to the last gaspe Biblis one that before through her womanish weakenesse had fainted for feare of torments comming to see her with others executed was so strengthened to behold their constancie that as it were awakened out of her former dreame and comparing those temporall punishments which lasted but a moment with the eternall paines of Hell fire gaue vp her selfe freely for the Gospels sake Dionisius in an Epistle to Fabius Bishop of Antioch reckons vp those that suffered martyrdome vnder Decius the Emperour Quinta a faithfull woman was by the Infidels brought into a Temple of their Idolls vnto which because she denied diuine adoration they bound her hand and foot and most inhumanly dragged her along the streets vpon the sharpe stones but when that could not preuaile with her they beat her head and sides and bruised them against Mill-stones that done shee was pitiously scourged and lastly bloodily executed The same Lictors layd hands on Appolonia a Virgin
what condition she was Which Harmonia seeing and admiring at her loyaltie and faith she cald out to the murderers and discouering her selfe to preserue her handmayd offred her owne naked breast to the slaughter telling them she was present whom they sought for so that a couered fallacie to the one and open truth to the other in both an admirable and vndanted constancie was the cause of their deaths This Hormisda was a great and mighty man amongst the Persians and of one of the most noblest families amongst them as Zozimus Marcellinus and others commemorate He being confinde vnto a certaine mountaine and fettered was there kept with a strict guard of Persians who against the lawes of the kingdome had purpose to inuest his younger brother in the state imperiall It happened that in the time of his confinement his wife the remembrance of whose name it is pitty time hath abolisht and not left it to posteritie thus deuised for his enlargement she sent to him a fish as a present of an extraordinary bignesse in whose belly she had hid an yron file and other like engines fit for his purpose committing it to the charge of one of her most faithfull eunukes desiring her husband by his mouth not to haue the fish cut vp in the presence of any onely to make happy vse of such things as he found inclosed therein To his keepers the better to hide her stratagem she sent Camells laden with sundry kind of meats and seuerall wines Hormisda apprehending the plot gaue it a bold and resolute performance for hauing first fil'd off his yrons he changed his habit with that of his eunukes and taking the aduantage of their feasting and healthing past safe through them all and by study and pollicy of his wife came after to the possession of his right which his younger brother had vsurped Alexander the great amongst his many other conquests hauing besieged the great cittie Halicarnassus and by reason of opposition made against him leueld it with the ground He entred Caria where Ada then raigned Queene who being before opprest by Orontobas imployd by Darius was almost quite beaten out of her kingdome hauing at that time no more of all her large dominions left her sauing Alynda the most defenced cittie into which shee had retyred her selfe for safetie She hearing of Alexanders approach gaue him a royall meeting and submitted her selfe her subiects and cittie into his power withall adopting him by the name of sonne The king neither despising her liberalitie nor the name gaue her backe the cittie entyre as it was and made her keeper and gouernesse thereof who soone after recouering all those citties Darius by inuasion had vsurped from her in gratitude of her former curtesie reduced her countrey and people to their pristine estate and stablisht her in her former Empire This Zenocrita was borne in Cuma whose father was at that time amongst many other oppressed citisens in exile Her the bloodie tyrant Aristodemus was much inamoured of but not dayning so much as to court her or to persuade her to his loue hee imagined in the pride of his heart that the damosell would thinke it grace and honour sufficient to her to be seene in his companie and onely for that cause to bee held blest and fortunate of all such as should so behold her But farre other cogitations troubled her more noble mind being tormented in soule to leade such an vnchast life though with a prince who neuer had motioned contract or promised her marriage her apprehensions were rather how to purchase her countries freedome and rid the earth of a tyrant About the same time that shee was busied in these and the like imaginations it happened Aristodemus would needs compasse in a certaine spatious peece of ground with a broad and deepe ditch not that it was any way necessarie or profitable but only to vex and wearie the citisens with extraordinarie paines and insufferable labours for to euerie man was so much ground limitted as daily taske which whosoeuer in the least kind neglected he was fined in a great mulct either in purse or person It happened she being abroad to take the ayre neer to the place where the citisens were hard at work that Aristodemus with his traine came thither also to ouerlooke his laborers who after some faults found and other directions giuen left the place and in his returne past by where Zenocrita was then standing she spying him come towards her made him a low obeisance and withall couered her face with her apron The tyrant being gone the yong men in the way of jeasting and sport and seeming a little to touch her in chastitie demanded the reason why to all other men her face was bare and free onely to him vailed intimating that something had past betwixt them which might discouer her blushes to whom she made this plaine and serious answere I did it to him as an honor because amongst all the Cumani there is but one onely man and that is Aristodemus These words touching them all to the quicke it imprest in the mindes of the more generous a true feeling of their basenesse and slauerie with a shame thereof and withall an apprehension of the recouerie of their pristine liberties which perceiuing shee thus proceeded I had rather to purchase my fathers repeale from exile to play the labourer and beare burdens as you doe than liue with the tryant in all the surfetting riots and delicacies on the earth and so left them These last words gaue confirmation to what they had before scarce apprehended which afteâ— brought the embrions of their thoughts vnto a timely and full-borne action For with the prince Timotoles they conspired against Aristodemus and Zenocrita had made their entrance free at such time as hee was secure and his guard negligent when with great ease and small danger they rusht vpon him and slew him Thus by her meanes her countrie recouered their antient liberties and honours But when great and magnificent gifts were presented her for this good seruice she refused them all onely making one request vnto the people That it might be lawfull for her to take the bodie of Aristodemus and giue it a solemne and royall buriall to which they did not onely with great willingnesse condiscend but they instituted her the Priest of Ceres supporting it to bee an honour no lesse acceptable to the goddesse than worthily becomming her This Pythes liued in the time of Xerxes who had to wife a noble and wise Ladie whose temperance and humanitie shall outliue posteritie Hee in his countrey finding a Mine of gold from whence hee had gathered by the industrie of his subiects an infinite masse of treasure which hee vsed with no moderation for all his studie industrie and imployment both of his subiects and seruants were in this Mine either in digging Ore or drawing it vp or fining and refining it all other actions labours affaires and
the good old man the husband who wondered what distast might breed his sudden discontinuance as suspecting nothing from either he still excused his absence and forbore the house It happened that some month after riding to a market towne not farre off equally distant betwixt his owne fathers house and the old gentlemans to giue a meeting to some gentlemen of the countrey by chance he happened vpon a chambermaide that belonged to his betrothed mistresse whom he well knew he saluted her and she him and after some complement past betwixt them he asking how euery body did at home and she on the other side wondering at his strangenes telling him how long he had beene expected and how much desired of all the house these things ouer he intreated her to drinke a cup of wine which the maide willingly accepted They being alone and falling into discourse of many old passages well knowne to them both the young man began to speake how much he respected her mistresse and how dearely tendered her honour she on the other side began a cleane contrarie discourse as that for his own part she knew him to be a noble gentleman and well parted one whom her old master affected aboue all men proceeding that she was not altogether ignorant what familiarities had past betwixt him and her mistresse who onely bore him faire outwardly and in shew when another inioyed both her heart and body inwarldly and in act and that vpon her owne knowledge and to confirme her accusation nominated the man who was his neerest and most familiar friend At this report the gentleman was startled but better considering with himselfe told her he thankt her for her loue but could by no meanes beleeue her relation first by reason he knew her ladies breeding and was confirmed in her knowne modestie and vertue as hauing himselfe made tryall of both to the vttermost hauing time place and opportunitie all things that might beget temptation Lastly for his friend in all their continuall and daily conuersation he neuer perceiued either familiar discourse wanton behauiour or so much as the least glance of eye to passe suspitiously betwixt them To which she answered it was so much the more cunningly carryed for her owne part she had but done the office of a friend and so left him but in a thousand strange cogitations yet loue persuading aboue iealousie he began againe to itterate and call to mind with what an outward integritie shee had still borne her selfe towards him and with a puritie by no womans art to be dissembled Next he bethought himselfe that perhaps the maid might bee falne in loue with him and by this calumny might seeke to diuert him from the affection of her misâ—â—esse or else she had taken some priuat displeasure against her and by this meanes thought to reuenge her selfe In the middest of these apprehensions or rather distractions came another letter from the husband complaining of his absence wondring at the cause and vrgently desiring his company though neuer so priuate where hee would reconcile himselfe touching any vnkindnesses that might bee conceiued and withall resolue him what hee should trust to concerning some part of his lands The gentleman still remembring his fathers charge yet thought a little to dispense with it and writ backe word knowing euery part of the house by reason of his long frequenting it That if he pleased to leaue his garden doore open at such a time of the night hee would accept of such prouision as hee found and be merry with him for an houre or two and giue good reason for his vnwilling discontinuance but thus prouided that neither wife friend nor seruant sauing that one whom hee trusted with his message might bee acquainted with his comming in or going out This was concluded the time of night appointed and euery thing accordingly prouided They met the old man gaue him kind and freely entertainment seeming ouerioyed with his companie and demaunding the reason of his so great strangenesse Hee answered that notwithstanding his owne innocence and his wiues approoued Temperance yet bad tongues had beene busie to their reproach measuring them by their owne corrupt intents and therefore to auoyde all imputation whatsoeuer his study was by taking away the cause to preuent the effect his reason was approoued and the old man satisfied concerning both their integrities Time calls the old man to his bedde and the young gentleman is left to his rest purposing to bee gone early in the morning before any of the houshold should bee awake and stirring Beeing now alone and not able to sleepe in regard of a thousand distracted fancies that were pondering in his minde and braine hee arose from his bedde and walking vp and downe the chamber after some meditation as of her beautie her vowes her protestation her oathes all pleading together in the behalfe of her innocencie so farre preuailed with him That considering hee was now in the same house and that by reason of the old mans age they very often lay asunder that hee was acquainted with euery stayre-case and knew the ready way to her chamber Loue conquering all suspition hee purposed once more to visite the place where hee had but euer honestly sate with her at all houres and where their intended marriage was by their interchange of oathes at first confirmed With this purpose stealing softly vp the stayres and listening at the doore before hee would presume to knocke hee might heare a soft whispering which sometimes growing lowder hee might plainely distinguish two voyces hers and that gentleman 's his supposed friend whom the maide had before nominated where hee might euidently vnderstand more than protestations passe betwixt them namely the mechall sinne it selfe At this beeing beyond thought exâ—aside scarce knowing how to conteine himselfe for the present hee remembred him of his sword in his chamber whether hee went instanly with intent to returne and breaking open the doore to transpierce them both in the adulterate act but better iudgement guiding him considering what murder was and the basenesse to become a personall executioner withall remembring her beautie their often meetings kisses and imbraces his heart became too tender to destroy that goodly frame in which nature had shewed her best of aâ—t though the diuell his worst of enuy Therefore hee instantly made himselfe ready left the place and without the knowledge of any man or discouering to any what had past returned to his fathers where pondering at full with himselfe the nature of his abuse beeing beyond example the strictnesse of his oath beeing not onely debarred from marriage but as it were banished from the societie of women that shee onely reserued him as a stale or shadow whilest another carryed away the substance that shee kept her selfe to bee his wife and anothers whore and that from all these no safe euasion could bee deuised to come off towards her like a gentleman or towards God like a Christian all these iniuries ioyntly
behold the feathers of the Iay or Parrat with the admirable varietie of the Feasant and Peacock What Rose in the cheeke can counteruaile the Rose of the garden or what azure veine in the temples the blew flower of the field Come to outward habit or ornament what woman doth better become the richest attyre though fetcht from the farthest parts of the world than the Panther his staynes and the Leopard his pleasing and delightfull spots Are not the Fishes as beautifull in their siluer-shining skales and the terrible Dragon as glorious in his golden armour as women apparrelled in cloth of Bodkin or Tissue What is she that exceeds the Doue or Swan in whitenesse or the Pyne or Cedar in straitnesse Let me heare her voyce that can compare with the Nightingale in sweetnesse or behold that eye that can looke vpon the Sunne with the Eagles Why should you faire ones then be prowd of any thing that are by other creatures exceeded in all things Besides eâ—en the choysest beautie amongst you being once enioyed is the lesse esteemed Souldiers hauing vanquisht their enemies hang vp their armes Sea-men that haue attayned their harbour fold vp their sayles The choysest dainties are loathsome to such as haue filled their stomacks and Wine is a burthen to him that hath satiated his thirst Nobilitie of birth is a thing honorable but you are not beholding to your selues for it but your ancestors Riches and Plentie are excellent but they are the gifts of Fortune therefore subiect to change and casualtie Prayse and Honor is venerable but withall vnstable Health is precious but subiect to sicknesse and infirmitie Strength an excellent gift and blessing but neither free from age nor disease Beautie is admirable aboue all and yet subiect to all onely Learning Knowledge Art and Vertue are aboue the enuie of change or mallice of Fortune Neither are you women solely beautifull We reade in Martial lib. 1. of a boy called Achillas of admirable feature of Acanthus whom the gods at his death in memorie of his exquisite forme changed into a flower that still beares his name Amongst the Romans Scipio surnamed Demetrius and amongst the Greekes Alcibiades carryed the Palme from women who as Plutarch in his life reports of him was not onely wondered at in his youth but admired in his age his grace and comelinesse still growing with him Formosum pastor Coridon ardebat Alexim The shepheard Coridon doted on the faire Alexis Saxo Gramaticus speakes of Alphus the sonne of Gygarus whose haires exceeded the brightnesse of Siluer Amaratus was changed into a sweet-smelling flower after his death Calentius speakes of Amphimâ—don thus Formosum Phiale prius arserat Amphimedonta Amphimedon Phiales maxima cura fuâ—t Phiale was enamored of Amphimedon the faire Amphimedon of Phiale became the greatest care Antinous Bithinieus was a youth of that admirable beautie and feature that Adrian the Emperour was enamoured of him in whose memorie he erected a Temple in Mantinea and built a cittie by the riuer Nilus he caused his effigies to be stamped vpon his owne coine therefore Hieronimus as Vollaterranus reports calls him the Emperour Adrians concubine Asterius was the sonne of Ceres a yong man of a singular forme but altogether abstenious from the loue of women whom Ouid in Ilium remembres Astur is celebrated by Virgil Sequitur pulcherimus Astur Astur equo fidens versicoloribus armis The fairest Astur follows next in field Astur that trusts vnto his horse ans particoloured shield Atis the Phrigian youth was for his fairenesse beloued of the mother of the gods Virgill speakes of Auentinus in these words Victoresque ostentat equos satus Hercule pulcro Pulcher Auentinus Faire Auentinus he that of faire Hercules was borne Boasts of his conquering steedes Batillus was the fauourite or sweet-heart of Anacreon the Poet of whom Pontanâ—s de Stellis Amatum a vate Batillum Pictum oculis fuscumque coma roseumque labellis The Poet of Batillus was enamoured With painted eyes browne haire and lips like Roses red By the way Sure there was a great dearth of beautie in those dayes amongst women when boyes and catamites were so doted on by men Bellerephon was not onely affected by Sthenobaea the wife of Pretus king of the Argiues but doted on by Venus Of Castor and Pollux the two faire Tindarides Ouid. lib. 6. thus writes At gemini nondum Coelestia sidera fratres Ambo conspicâ—i niue candidioribus ambo Vectabantur equis The two twinne brothers not as yet accounted 'Mongst the coelestiall starres conspicuous bâ—th Vpon two steeds whiter than snow were mounted c. The yong boy Cestus Martiall thus commends Quanta tua est probitus c. How great thy honesty thy fame as rare Oh sweete child Cestus thou that may'st comparâ— With Theseus sonne did bright Diana see Thee naked once inamoured she would be And tyce thee to some pleasant â—iuers brim There strip her selfe and teach thee how to swim Democles an Athenian youth was of that pulchritude that he was called by all men Pulcher Democles and that which seldome meets with beautie of that rare temperance that when king Demetrius plucked him to haue made him a prostitute to his vnlawfull and beastly lusts to shun his embraces he leaped into a caldron of seething hot liquor and there drowned himselfe Plutarch in Demetrio Diadumenus the cup-bearer to Augustus was of that admirable feature that in the contention which was made at Elis he carried the palme both from men and women Volateran For no other cause was Ganimede sayd to fill Nectar to Iupiter than for his eligancie of forme Galetes was a youth of that excellent feature and so indeered to Ptolomaeus that when diuerse malefactors and for great crimes were led to execution onely at his entreatie hee spared their liues Hypoclides the sonne of Thysander as Herodotus relates was excellent aboue all the Athenians for wealth and beautie Of Hyas the sonne of Atlas and Aethra Ouid 5. de Fast. Nondum stabat Atlas humeros oneratus Olimpo Cum satus est forma conspiciendus Hias Olimpas weight did not as yet Great Atlas backe adorne When as the louely Hyas of Conspicuous shape was borne Hylas the sonne of Hyadamus was not onely indeered to Hercules but doted on by the nymphs called Driades Iulus the sonne of Aeneas and Creusa was taken for Cupid the sonne of Venus Iuuencus was the minion of Catullus as Lygurinus was to Horace so likewise Lycus of whom he thus speakes Et Lycum nigris oculis nigroque Crine decorum Lycus rare Both for his blacke eyes and his blacke sleeke haire Some thing more freely he speakes of the Pulchritude of Nearchus in Carm. and his Odes Of Nireus the sonne of Caropus and Alaga Homer speakes at large as Horace likewise in Carm. and Epedo Tibullus commends his Marathis Maximinus that his head being mangled and bloodie yet notwithstanding in death it looked admirable Marcellus the sonne of
Caphisus and Lyriope was so faire that the nymphes were surprised with his beautie Endimion was beloued of the Moone Val Flaccus lib. 8. Latmius Aestiua residet venator in vmbra Dignus amore Deae The Latmian swaine sits in the Summer shade Worthie the loue of that coelestiall maide In Ephestion was that maiesticall beautie that the wife of king Darius saluted him for Alexander for his exqusite forme hee was especially beloued of Alexander Virgill commends the shape of Eurialus the sonne of Nisus So Nysus king of the Megarenses was sayd to haue haires of gold they were of such splendor Statius commends Parthenopaus the sonne of Meleager and Atalanta or as some write of Mars and Menalippâ— Caelius Ouid and others celebrate Phaon the beloued of Sappho the Poetesse for the fairest of the world Phedrus Fliensis who was the familiar of Socrates and Plato was for exquisite shape compelled to be prostituted by the baud his maister Of Pyramus Ouid thus speakes Metamorph. lib. 4. Pyramus Thisbe Iuuenem Pulcherimus alter Yong Pyramus and Thisbe he Of all the yong men fairest And she of all the Easterne world Of louelie gyrles the rarest c. Spurinae was a youth of such an alluring beautie that when he could neither reserue himselfe from suit of men or importunities of women hee deformed his owne beautie with scratches and wounds to preserue his owne chastitie Valer. Max. de Verecundis Magnes Smyrnaeus was the most beautifull of his age and so acceptable to Gyges king of Lydia that when his parents cut off his delicate and faire haire somewhat to take off the kings affection the king was so incensed that for that cause alone he made warre against the Magnesians Pauson apud Volater The Poet Musaeus celebrates the rare forme of Leander a youth of Abidos beloued of Hero As Virgill doth the like of Lausus the son of Mezentius Aeneid lib. 7. Herodotus speaking of Xerxes sayth that he had in his armie sixtie eight miriades of men yet amongst them all hee was the beautifullest of face and tallest of stature I could reckon vp others as Pelops Idas Iason Artaxerxes Cyrus Troilus Patroclus Hymene the least of them a prince the minion to a king or the deerely beloued of some queene or goddesse This is onely to put you in mind women That though you haue ingrossed a great portion of beautie yet you are not possest of all since not onely men but diuerse other creatures share with you neither haue I introduced these to derogate any thing from your worths onely to abate some of that ambition or selfeloue which is commonly attendant vpon beautie One thing for your grace I haue read in the Spanish Cronicle of an exquisit ladie the like I did neuer of any excellent man Queene Isabell the wife of Henrie sirnamed the Humble being attyring her selfe in her window against which the Sunne shined somewhat hot it is crediblie reported that the beames of the Sunne set her curled lockes on fire some held it as a prodigie others alluded it to her miraculous beautie some thought that one pane or other in the window was of the nature of a burning glasse and that was the cause others imputed it to certain oyles and sweet vnguents with which the Queens and great ladies vse to dresse their haire howsoeuer if their Cronicle speake truth most certaine it is that her lust made greater combustion in the land than the Sunne had power to commit vpon her haire I haue one thing more to instance to your grace and so I will conclude my discourse An Embassador being to be entertained in the court of queen Elizabeth where the greatest state was still obserued he first passed through a lane of the guard in their rich coats next through the gentlemen pentioners and so through all the greater officers the Lords Eaâ—les and Counsell The Queene sat then in state at the vpper end of a long gallerie which when the Embassador should enter the great Ladies of either side richly attired were placed through the middest of whom as he passed along he as amased at the stare or admiring at their beauties cast his eye first on one side then on the other and that not without some pause as if hee had beene to take a particular surueigh of all their features but by degrees comming vp towards the Queene who fat like Diana amongst her nymphs or Ariadne in her crowne of starres instated aboue the lesser lights to giue him entertainement and obseruing his eyes still to wander she thus bespake him Auerte occulos ne videas vanitatem i. Turne away your eyes least you behold vanitie to whom hee suddenly replyde Imo potius mirabilia opera Dei i. Nay rather the wonderfull workes of God Since then you are such rather let your vertuous actions beautifie than your vitious deeds any way disgrace his so great and glorious workemanship Of Faire Women OF these Herodica shall haue the first place Niceus in his booke de Rebus Arcad relates That one Cypselus purposing to rayse a new Colonie erected a faire and goodly citie in a spacious Playne bordering vpon the riuer Alphaeus to which place multitudes of the Parrhasians came to inhabite At the same time was a Groue and an Altar celebrated with much pompe and solemnitie to Elusina Ceres with an annuall feast at this publike meeting was a contention Which of all the women was censured to be the fairest The first that had the prioritie and Palme for beautie bestowed vpon her was Herodica the wife of Cypselus Zenophon apud Coelium lib. 7. cap. 53. speakes of Panthaea the wife of Abraditus a nobleman of Persia whom Cyrus hauing defeated the armie of the Assyrians and spoyled their tents tooke captiue Abraditus at that time being absent as not long before employed vpon an Embassie to the Bactrians in which interim Panthaea was in the custodie of a nobleman of Media called Araspes who affirmed of her to the king with great admiration of her feature and beautie That in all Asia her like was not to be seene or found Paulus Diaconus writes of Theodole a Roman Ladie of that admirable splendour that shee attracted the eyes of all men that but glanced that way to dwell vpon her with wonder her haire was bright and yellow which when she pleased to vnloose and let fall about her shoulders it couered her from the crowne to the heele A large description he makes of her perfections howsoeuer most certaine it is that the king Cambeoles was extreamely entangled in the snares of her beautie Saxo Gramaticus in his Danish historie commemorates one Suabilda a Queene in all the lineaments both of bodie and face to be of that rare pulchritude that being doomed vnto a wretched and miserable death and bound with thongs of leather to be trod vpon by the hoofes of wild horses her beautie struck such an impression euen in those vnreasonable creatures that
in despight or disgrace of her first purposed to cast herselfe from Leucate a high promontorie in Epyre downe into the Sea which she after did yet before she would attempt it she first in an Epistle thought by all the allurements of a womans wit to call him backe againe into his countrey which Ouid in her behalfe most feelingly hath exprest And since it lies so fitly in my way for the opening of the Historie I thus giue it English Ecquid vt aspecta est c. I st possible as soone as thou shalt see My charracter thou knowst it comes from mee Or else not reading of the authors name Could'st thou haue knowne from whence this short worke came Perhapes thou maist demand Why in this vaine I court thee that professe the Lyricke straine My lou 's to be bewept and that 's the reason No Barbit number suits this tragicke season I burne as doth the corne-fields set on fire When the rough East winds still blow high and higher Now Phaon the Typhoean fields are thine But greater flames than Aetnaes are now mine No true disposed numbers flow from hence The emptie worke of a distracted sence The Pirhian gyrle nor the Methimnian lasse Now please me not the Lesbians who surpasse Vil's Amithon vile Cidno too the faire So Atthis that did once appeare most rare And hundreds more with whom my sinn's not small Wretch thou alone inioyest the loues of all Thou hast a face and youth too fit for play Oh tempting face that did'st mine eyes betray Take Phoebus Faith vpon thee and his bow And from Apollo who can Phaon know Take hornes and 'bout thy temples wreaths of vine What 's he can say but th' art the god of Wine Phoebus lou'd Daphne Bacchus Gnosis bright Yet neither she nor she could Lyrickes write The nine Muse-sisters of my verse dispose And what my numbers are the whole world knowes Nor can my countrey-man Alcaeus more Than I though he in age stand rank't before Nor though his name sound louder can he raise Or from his Lyre or Country greater praise If niggard Nature haue denide things fit Yet what I want in shape I haue in wit My statur's low but know my name is high And bruited through all regions farre and nigh I am not faire what therein doe I lacke Andromida pleas'd Perfeus yet she blacke The whitest Doues with mingled colours make And the blacke Turtle will the Greene-bird take If none can be thought worthie of thy loue But such as shall thy like in beautie proue Young man despaire thou art for euer free None such ere was none such shall euer bee When first thou readst my Verses thou didst say I onely pleas'd and I was faire that way That I became my phrase and none so well Then did I sing wee louers all must tell And I remember thou 't is still my pride At euery Note didst on my lippes diuide Nay euen those kisses pleas'd thee wondrous well But most of all when I beneath thee fell My wantonnesse contented thee ' boue measure My nimble motion and words apt for pleasure Then when in confus'd rapture we both lay Fulnesse of ioy depriu'd all vse of plaâ— Now the Sicilian girles are thy new spoyle I le be of them and leaue the Lesbian sayle You Nisean mothers and faire daughters bred In Sicilie let him be banished From forth your earth nor let the many Lyes The smoothnesse of his false tongue can deuise Beguile your simple truth what to you â—e Speaks now h' hath spoke a thousand times to me And goddesse Erecina thou that do'st The barbarous rude Sicania honor most Aduise thy Poetesse by thy wit diuine And giue me counsell since thou know'st I am thine Can Fortune in this bitter course still run Vowes she to end those Ills she hath begun Six yeeres are past since my abortiâ—e grâ—nes Mourn'd and my teares wet my dead parents bones My needie brother as a second crosse Dotes on a strumpet suff'ring shame with losse Turn'd Pyrate prooues the Seas with sayle and oare And badly seekes wealth lost as ill before Because my faithfull counsaile that course rated My guerdon is that I by him am hated And least my endlesse torments should find ease My yong irregular daughter addes to these The last and great'st cause why I thus miscarrie Thou art my Barke still sayles with winds contrariâ— Behold my erst well-ord'red Locks mis-plac'd And those that in times past my temples grac'd Neglected are as if they were not mineâ— No precious gemmes vpon my fingers shine My habit 's vile my haire no Crispin weares Nor smell my Locks of sweet Arabian teares Whom should I seeke to please since â—ee's absent That was sole author of mine ornament My soft heart is with easie shafts imprest There 's still new cause to lodge loue in my brest Either because the Sisters three had force When I was borne to spin my thread so course Or this my studies in the Arts constraine Since soft Thalia doth infuse my braine What wonder if a youth of the first chinne Surprise me yeres which man to man might winne I was afraid least faire Aurora thou For Cephalus would'st steale him and I now Am still in feare for surely this had past But that thy first loue holds thee still so fast If Phoebus that spyes all things thee had seene Phaon in lasting slumbers cast had beene Venus had rapt him into heauen by this But that she fear'd Mars would haue made him his Thou that no child and yet scarce man appeares Best age the pride and glorie of thy yeares Returne vâ—to my bosome since of thee I beg not loue but that thou lou'd would'st bee Lo as I write teares from mine eyes amaine Still drop behold how they my paper staine Thy parting had beene gentler in words few Had'st thou but sayd Sweet Lesbian lasse adue Thou took'st with thee no parting kisse no teares I little dream't I was so neere my feares Of thine saue wrong I nothing haue no more Thou let that mooue thee all my loue dost store I gaue thee no command nor had that day Vnlesse some such Do not forget me pray By Loue that neuer can forsake that brest By our nine sacred sisters I protestâ— He 's gone when some but who I know not sayd For a long space both words and teares were stayd Mine eyes had banish't teares and greefe my tongue Through cold my heart vnto my ribs was clung My greefe retyr'd I gaâ— to beat my brest To teare my haire nor blush to walke vndrest Like carefull mothers who with loude exclaimes Beare their dead children to their funerall flames Charaxus walkes by lang hing too and fro And from my extasie his pleasures grow And which more shame vnto my sorrow giues Askes why this woman weepes her daughter liues But Shame and Loue are two the people stare To see my garments torne and brests vnbare Thou