Madame with your fauour quoth the Doctor had she not had this foresight it had ben lyke the Athenians shuld haue bene driuen to haue made a brasen Bell as a Monument of her talke rather then a tongueles Lionnesse as they did in honour of her silence for had she not mistrusted her imperfection she would neuer haue committed that tirannie vpon her selfe Had her tongue béene venomed with your mallice it is like quoth Quéene Aurelia that the Athenians had veryfied your slaunderous opinion here with she looked a skause vpon her fauoured seruaunts as who would saye I check the omission of your dutie in not defending of my right Upon which warning and espetially for the excellencie of this sexe quoth Ismarito a man may doo iustice vnto an other without iniurie to himselfe and sure without the reproche of men a man may commend the excellencie of Women in whose behalfe although I wyll not condemne Sir Soransos reasons yet in my opinion he erred in the first Article where he toucheth the perfection of Men and the imperfection of Women for neither of themselues are perfect nor may haue essentiall substauÌ„ce without the other But to dispute of this secret in nature at large were vnpleasing to their chaste eares and too bréefely to misticall for theyr vnderstandings But who so is so curious in searche let him reade the Philosophers Probleames with an vnpartiall indgement and he shall finde them in substaunce euery way as perfect as man And in the opinion of the eye of all the sences who is the moste perfect Iudge they farre excell man in purenes of complection Where exception is taken to the few in number of singulerly well qualyfed Women I affirme that it is not the quantity but the quallity that commends a little Salte relisheth more then a great deale of Sugar Iudeth with her owne hands atchieued a more honourable conquest then all the Cilisions besides Alexandra the wife of Alexander King of the Iewes when the vnciuill multitude were ready for his tiranie to make the intrailes of Dogges a Sepulture for his dead body yea and to be further auenged to murther his two Sonnes by her swéete behauiour so mollified theyr cruell hearts as losing theyr resolutions they gaue her husband an honourable buriall and prostrated themselues at her Childrens féete which pacification the strength nor wisdom of her counsel could not obtaine By what instrument did God first showe the vigor of his vengeaunce by a Woman And by what instrument did he showe the vertue of his mercie by a Woman Soueraigne Vertue is Feminine and I â—…sh to â—…ll it Yâ—… some Vice is Masculine The Ladies â—…ed out â—…ight to â—…eer 〈◊〉 â—…s differenco But Soranso â—…fe angrie aunswered that if Ismaritos countrimen were of his minde they might be ashamed that they were so effeminate Pardon me quoth Ismarito it is theyr commendation to 〈◊〉 to Women and to coâ—…r Men Tuâ—… 〈◊〉 quoth â—…ergetto to niâ—… himself by the nose Ismarito is to be pardoned for his â—…ine S. George is shacklâ—… in a Womans 〈◊〉 It is true quoth Ismarito but thus fettered he hath many times chased S. Michael to his Mounte Fabritio fearing that these crosses would turne to the Deuils blessing studyed how to accorde this contention and with that intent quoth he Ismarito you haue well deserued to kisse these Ladyes handes for your honourable commendation of theyr sexe But where you say Vertue is the Feminine and Vice the Masculine bothe Men and Women are vnderstood in either The old Diuines tooke Vertue to be God and Vice the Diuill and either to be bothe Feminine and Masculine Orpheus sayde that Iupiter and Pluto were bothe Male and Female It is also read in Scripture That God fashioned bothe Man and Woman to his owne likenesse Moreouer this worde Homo signifieth bothe kindes so that since Man and Woman are not simply of themselues but compounded one of an other I blame this vnnaturall contention for excellencie for neither can obtaine Soueraigne victorie without dooing iniurie vnto themselues The head among some is taken for the Man and the heart for the woman for bothe are of an indifferent gender and all the other members indifferently at their commaundement Quéene Aurelia with a smiling countenaunce aunswered that she was content that a Man should gouerne as the head women direct as the heart and because we will not doo iniurie vnto our naturall vertue of Modesty we wil giue place to you iâ—… contention for Souerainetyes and binde you to sâ—…rue vs for our â—…es and therewithall in rising she broke of this controuersie After Supper there was a little time bestowed in the hearing of swéete Musique but for that Quéene Aurelias late distemprature grew of ouer watching the company this night went vnto their lodging in a good howre FINIS The fift Daies Exercise Containing a breefe discourse touching the excellencie of Man and a large discouerie of the inconueniences of ouer lofty and too base Loue with other Morall notes needefull to be regarded THE last nights good howre of repose was the cause of the companies this daies early rising who by nine of the Clock entered the great Chamber armed for any lawdable exercise And after an accustomed duty of salutation discharged euery man be thought himselfe of some pleasing matter to entertaine the present time Soranso and Ismarito were seuered from the rest of the company vpon priuate discourse which béeing ended Soranso casting his eye aside beheld in the hangings the picture of Ixion heardled to his tormenting Whéele Sée yonder quoth he the worthy scourge of Ambition and withall reported the Fable of his presumptuous making of loue to Iuno Naye quoth Ismarito Ixion is rather the example of Vaine Glorie punished for Iupiter so well allowed of Ixions hie minde in that he represented his Image as he raysed him from Earthe to Heauen and because he should not perish in his affection he satisfied his desire with the embracement of a counterfeit Iuno and so sent him backe vnto the Earth where vaine glorious Ixion Proclaymed that he was the Minion of Iuno and had Acteoned Iupiter for which arrogancie Iupiter threw him to Hell with this pictured vengeaunce Questionlesse quoth Soranso this imagination of the Heathen Poet could not but be the trauell of a Diuine spirit it exposeth such néedefull matter for Christians to contemplate of You néede not doubt of your opinion quoth Ismarito for after God had created Adam after his owne Image he scattered the séede of Adam vppon the face of the whole world and where some euer the essentiall forme of Adam was there was also the Image of God which in the moste barberous and Heathen creature laboureth to bring out hye and excellent things I beséeche you quoth Soranso to inlarge this discourse I am not so simple to beléeue that we are like the Image of God
Satutes are broken The Gentlewomen wist not what to say to Fabririos bitterswéete commendation of Marriage vntyll Bargetto quickned their tongues by this pleasaunt suggestion If quoth he Platoes opinion be lawe by the same reason women are either Angells or Deuills And why not men as well as women quoth Isabella whose disposition beareth the greatest swaye in this vocation I will showe you a reason quoth Doctor Mossenigo men with a meane canne temper their passions when a woman hath no measure in her loue nor mercye in her hate no rule in her pittie nor pietie in her reuenge no Iudgement to speake nor patience to dissemble and therfore she is lykened vnto the Sea whych one whyle is so mylde as a small Gundelo indureth her might and anon with outrage she ouer whelmeth the taullest shippe Ah Master Doctor quoth Katharina Trista I feare me you are so learned as like the Hyen you change your self sometimes into the shape of a woman but yet of this malitious purpose to learn their dispositions only to reproch their kinde but had any of vs the cunning to become a man but a while I imagine we should euer after loue the better to be a woman You haue rather cause quoth Dondolo to let Mayster Doctor kisse your hand for commeÌ„ding your kynde then to blame him by a surmise of iniurye offered vnto women for if there be a few good they couer y e faults of a nuÌ„ber that are euill as a litle golde guildeth a great quantitie of iron and for any-thing he sayde you haue as generall an interest in vertue as in vice Yea but ê™ Quéene Aurelia he is to be blamed for his intent which was euyll deserueth not to be praysed for the good which came of it which was our meryt Madame ê™ the Doctor so much greater is the good you receiue by my Trespasse as therby you are honoured with the vertue to forgiue Yea but quoth she remission is to be vsed in ignorant offences and not in wilfull My Habit quoth he is a testionie that I spake not of mallice So much ê™ she y e greater is your fault in that it procéeded vpon pleasure and where you thinke to priuiledge your selfe by your Habyt for Example sake you shall at open Supper bothe renounce your Heresie and make satisfaction or abide the IudgemeÌ„t of these GentlewomeÌ„ If there be no remedie ê™ he I must obay The Doctor thus taken tardie gaue occasion of laughter vnto the whole company Which blowne ouer ê™ Soranso we haue trauailed this day to an vnfortunate ende for that now towardes night we are entred into an open Champion wheare we finde many broade wayes to Hell but one crosse Path to Heauen Well ê™ Quéene Aurelia we wyll take other tymes to beate out the true passage And least we be lated wée wyll no further too daye Whervpon after a Courtly reuerence don Quéene Aurelia with her Attendantes shewed her selfe in y e great Chamber where she might repose her minde w t the choice of sundrie pleasures For his or her disposition was very strange that in that company could not finde both a Companion and sport that pleased his humour FINIS The first Nights Pastime AMong wise men these Orders haue euermore ben obserued or allowed In the Church to be deuoute in place of Iustice to be graue at home to be affable at meales to be mery for in the Churche we talke with God who séeth our hartes and hateth Hypocrysie in Iustice we sitt to chasten light demeanours then great were the shame that our countenaunces shuld condempne our selues At home we rule and commaunde then were it Tyranny to vse seuerytie there where is no resistaunce At meales to bee merrie disgesteth meate and refresheth the witte then is he an enemy vnto himselfe that contemneth the rule of health the helper of knowledge Howsoeuer the thrée first preceptes were obserued Segnior Philoxenus and his honourable guestes duly executed the last who in the midst of supper hearinge of Doctor mossenigos pennaunce hasted the execution The Doctor séeing there was no remedie openly confessed that hee had praysed women against his wyll for which he was condemned to singe Ab re nuntio and to make satisfaction by some other meanes And as hee thought the contrarie was the amends of euerie trespas and therfore where as he had praysed them against his will hée was ready to dispraise them with his will Quéene Aurelia woulde haue taken exceptions to these wordes but that the company cryed The Doctor speaks Law which shee coulde not with Iustice violate whervpon Mossenigo reported as followeth ¶ DOCTOR MOSSENIGO HIS Satisfaction for praysing women against his will IN the famous Citie of Viena in Austria somtimes dwelled a simple Sadler named Borrihauder who was married to an olde crabbed shrew called Ophella the agréement of this couple was so notable as the Emperour Charles the fift commaunded his Paynter Parmenio to draw their counterfeats as a Monument of fury Parmenio commyng to doe the Emperours commanndement found Borrihauder wéeping with the agony of his wiues stripes and Ophellas chéeks as red as fire with the heate of her tonge whiche straunge sight chaunged his determination into a pleasaunt conceit and in place of their Counterfets in a fayre table he drew an Element troubled with lightnyng and vnderwrit Ophella and in another Table fastened to the same he likewise drew an Element darkned with rayne and vnder wright Borihauder Parmenio presented this trauel vnto the Emperour The Emperour séeing the two names and not the shape of those hee commaunded to be drawne demaunded the Paynters meanyng héerein who pleasantly aunswered that he could not take the view of Ophellas face for feare of being fyered with the lightning of her tonge and that Borihauder was drowned with teares which as showers of Raine folowed the thunder claps of his wiues Fistes But in good time had she died this Demideuill Orphella fel so extremely sick as in euery mans iudgement it was néedefull to giue Phisick to her soule but bootelesse to bestow any of her body Borihauder séeing her as he thought at a good passe was so accustomed to sorrow as hee determined to toule her passing bel with this counterfet mone Ah deare God ê™ he how vnhappy am I to lose my louing wife my good wyfe my swéet wife O how happy were I that as we haue lyued together that we might nowe dye together This pittyous sound of her husband so melted the dying harte of Ophella that lyke a Candle consumed that leaueth a little smoke in the wéeke she lay both spéech les senceles saue that the panges of death sometymes threwe a weake breath out of her mouthe but lyke vnto wilde fire that burneth in water the Corsiue that would haue killed the deuill in her case recouered her to health which was her husband out of feare of her
marry a wife whose tongue shall ouer-rule himselfe But more perticularly to discribe the properties of an vnquiet wife and more largely to discourse the displeasures of her vnfortunate husband I will approoue her lowringe as vnprofitable as his life is vnpleasaunt you say her quicknesse ouerséeth the negligence of seruaunts but I affirme that her curstnesse maketh them as swift to runne away as they were slowe to serue her and common vse avowes that often shyfte is neyther beneficyall for Mayster nor Seruaunt for proofe as the rowling Stone gathereth no Mosse and want of vse canckereth Iron in likewise thrifte flyeth the fléeting Seruaunt and idlenesse consumeth his abylytie of seruice Now touching the euill reckening of those which are serued their wanderyng seruantes not onely charge their common accountes with double wages but with secret pylferyng they sette theyr Maisters in more déepe arrerages The Gretians that in tymes paste neither vsed medicyne for sycknesse nor patience in aduersitye but vppon euery great veration poisoned them selues with venemous Cienta In their Histories remember more that haue voluntarily died through the violence of theyr Wyfes tounges then of any other calamitye Diogenes béeyng demaunded the diuersitye in euill betwéene a Scoulde and a Harlot aunswered They differ as the Uiper dooth from the â—…rockaril for the Scoulde sayeth he with outrage destroyeth her Husband and the other with dissemblyng loue consumeth hym to death And so concluded them bothe ennemyes to lyfe and quiet lyuing of man Phrisio beeing bothe modestly warned and throughly aunsweared with a â—…shefull grace replyed that the grauetye of hys person and the sounde reason in his wordes had taken from hym all occasion of further Question vnlesse that Women were his Iudges This wittie shift mooued such as were within the hearing to smyle for where the cause is ill it is necessarie to séelte a Iudge that is partiall and which commended Phrisios gouernment vppon a small check he left to contend with this auncient Gentleman for yonge men although theyr wittes be good are not Priuiledged to Dispute with the grauer sort without lycence intreatie or great reuerence By this time the Mountibanck with discribing the quallities of his â—…ermin and the Zanni in showing the â—…tsh conditions of his Maister had wasted a good part of the night and wearyed the moste part of the company so that desyre of repose sommoned them vnto their lodgeings FINIS The fourth Daies exercise Containing varietie of necessarie Discourse and yet withall the greater part appertaining to the generall argument of Marriage SO deepe are the impressions of Sorrow as the â—…ayning of Poets may be held for Morrall truthes where as they affirme that the bytter mone of Orpheus tongue together with the passionate sound of his Instrument mooued suche 〈◊〉 in infernall creatures as while he was a futer to Pluto for the restitution of his Wife Euridice his plaints so Charmed the torments of Hell as for the time the Gripe forbare to teare vpon Titius growing hart Tantalus indeuoured not to drinke Danaes Daughters lefte filling of theyr bryncklesse Tub toyling Sisiphus sate and eased himselfe vpon his rowling Stone yea and Pluto ouercharged with pittie made restitution of Euridice This sorrow to heare that Quéene Aurelia by some distemperature was â—…ick and kept her Chamber wrought such gréefes in the heartes of the whole company that they hounge theyr heads in disgrace like Garden Flowers which séeming as teares are eloyed with she dewe of a fowle missing daye Among the rest Isinatito although he vsed not so many words of lament as some other did yet with the teares of his heart he solemnized the true â—…ites of a Mourner and to saye truthe where the tongue hath frée passage to talke the heart is occupâ—…ed with no great gréefe Segnior Phyloxenus séeing Ismarito in this passion and that occasion entertayned him with no other businesse while the rest of the company were hearing of a lyttle superstitious seruice lead him into a very beautifull Gallerie where the Mappes of the worlde were so artificially set foorth in Painting as I doubt the Popes Microcosmos at Latteran which hath béene this sixtéene yeares a making wylbe ended with no more perfection In this Gallerie were the Pictures of all Christian Princes and in an other place by themselues the Pictures of certaine Heathen Rulers and in an other rancke the Pictures of so many learned men and graue Magistrates as he could through fréendship or rewarde obtaine After much discourse of the especiall Monuments wherewith this pleasaunt Gallerie was attyred Segnior Phyloxenus brought Ismarito 〈◊〉 fayre booke wherin were diuers rare deuises and directing him to Pensils Colers and other necessaries of Hâ—…rowldry requested that he would helpe to beautify the sayd Booke with some ingenious remembraunce Sir ê™ Ismarito I haue already recorded your good fauours in the Table of my heart and I beséeche you that this fayre Booke may not be blemished by me or remaine a wytnesse to you of my indiscression This nicenesse ê™ Philoxenus professeth more then ordinarie knowledge and therefore I coniure you by the affection you beare me to satisfye my request Ismarito vpon this importunitie because he would not leaue a suspition that his curiositie grew rather of simplicitie then discression and missing among the Moderne Monuments their Pictures the vertues of whose Fame are blazed in the Capitols of the whole world he tooke a Pensill and with the same drew an Ileland and ouer the middest thereof made a Pharos which shyned lyke the Sunne and therein a Phenix bathing of her selfe whose gleaming reflexions shined ouer all Loegria Cambria and the greatest part of Albania and extended vnto a great parte of the Continent espetially vnto that parte that lay betwéene the Occean the Mediterrane and the great Sea called Euxinus Pontus and vnderneath writ Pharos Europae non Africae Phyloxenus aduisedly regarded this deuise before he would either require Ismaritos intent or giue his owne iudgement In the end deuining what should be the secret meaning of this Simbole or Ensigne quoth he Segnior Ismarito this Cognizance of your quicke wit pleaseth me much and withall remembreth me of a neglected curtesie which I thinke will showe you the Image of your Phenix and blason the secresie of your whole deuise and thereuppon he lead Ismarito into a moste curious priuie Gallerie where drawing a faire Curtaine and reuerently kissing his hand he shewed Ismarito the Picture of a Royall Princesse moste ritchly and liuely set foorth with which a Marchaunt of Venice who traffiqued toward the Westerne Islands presented him which Ismarito beheld with a regarde so duetifull as their néeded no glose to expound the zealous affection of his heart And by her was stalled a goodly Gentleman Crowned with a Scepter whom Ismarito knew not other wise theÌ„ by imagination in beholding his Armes who bare Gu. an Eagle displaied Crowned Ar. And ê™ Phyloxenus when I
shée bée gyrt with a Sword And this priueledge shée giueth vnto her Administrators that they shall mitigate the seueretie of the Law according to y e quallyty of the offence Then that Iustice bée not robbed of her gratious pitty listen Good Lorde Promos to the nature of my Brothers offence and his able meanes to repayre the iniurie Hée hath defyled no Nuptiall Bed the stayne wherof dishonoureth the guyâ—…lesse Husband Hée hath committed no violent Rape In which Act the iniuried Mayde can haue no amends But with yéelding consent of his Mistresse Andrugio hath onlye sinned through Loue and neuer ment but with Marriage to make amendes I humbly beséeche you to accept his satisfaction and by this Example you shall be as much beloued for your clemencye as feared for your seueritie Andrugio shalbe well warned and hée with his Sister wofull Cassandra shall euer remayne your Lordships true Seruantes Promos eares were not so attentiue to heare Cassandras ruethful tale as his eyes were settled to regarde her excellent Beautie And Loue that was the appoincted Headsman of Andrugio became now the Soueraigne of his Iudges thought But because he would séeme to bridle his passions he aunswered fayre Damsell haue patience you importune me with an impossybylytie he is condempned by Lawe then without iniurie to Lawe he can not be saued Princes and their Deputies Prerogatiues quoth she are aboue y e Lawe Besides Lawe truelie construed is but the amends of Iniurie and where the faulte may bee valued and amendes had the Breache of Lawe is sufficiently repayred â—…uoth Lorde Promos your passions mooueth more then your proofes and for your sake I wyll repriue Andrugio and studie how to do you ease without apparant breache of Lawe Cassandra recomforted with humble thankes receyued his fauoure and in great haste goeth too participate this hope with her dying Brother But oh that Aucthorytie should haue power to make the vertuous to 〈◊〉 amisse as well as throughe Correction to enforce the vicious to fall vnto goodnesse Promos is a witnes of this Priuiledge who not able to subdue his incontinent loue and withal resolued that Cassandra would neuer be ouer come with fayre wordes large promises or riche rewardes demaunded the spoyle of her Uirginitie for raunsome of her Brothers lybertie Cassandra ymagyned at the first that Lorde Promos vsed this speache but to trie her behauiour Aunswered hym so wisely as if he had not ben the Ryuall of Uertue he could not but haue suppressed his lewve Affection and haue subscribed to her iust petition But to leaue circumstaunces Promos was fiered with a vicious desyre which must be quenched with Cassandraes yeldyng loue or Andrugio must dye Cassandra mooued with a chaste disdayne departed with the resolution rather to dye her selfe then to stayne her honour And with this heauie newes gréeted her condemned Brother poore man alas what should he do Life was swéete but to be redéemed with his Sisters Infamie could not but be alwayes vnsauerie To perswade her to consente was vnnaturall too yealde to Death was more gréenous To choose the leaste of these euylles was difficult to studie long was daungerous Fayne would he lyue but Shame cloased his mouth when he attempted to perswade his Sister But Necessytie that maistereth both Shame feare brake a passadge for his imprysoned intent Swéete Cassandra quoth he that men loue is vsuall but to subdue Affection is impossyble and so thornie are the motions of incontinent Desire as to finde ease the tongue is only occupied to perswade The Purse is euer open to entice and wheare neither words nor Giftes can corrupt with the mightie force shall constrayne or dispight auenge That Promos do loue is but iust thy Beautie commaundes hym That Promos be refused is more iust because Consent is thy Shame Thou maiste refuse and lyue but he beynge reiected I die For wantyng his wyll in thée he wyll wreake his téene on mée This is my hard estate My lyfe lieth in thy Infamie and thy honour in my death Which of these euylles be leaste I leaue for thée to iudge The wofull Cassandra answered that Death was the leaste whose Darte we can not shunne when Honour in Deathes dispight outlyueth tyme. It is true quoth Andrugio but thy Trespasse wyll be in the leaste degrée of blame For in forced Faultes Iustice sayth there is no intent of euyll Oh Andrugio quoth she Intent is now adayes lytle considred thou art not coÌ„demned by the intent but by the strickt worde of the Law so shall my crime bée reproched and the forced cause passe vnexcused and such is y t venome of Enuye one euill déede shall disgrace ten good turnes and in this yéelding so shall I be valued Enuye Disdaine Spight Mallice Sclaunder and many moe furies will endeuour to shame mée and the meanest vertue â—…uyll blush to help to support my honour so that I sée no lybertie for thée but Drath nor no ease for mée but to hasten my ende O yes quoth Andrugio for if this offence be known thy fame will bée enlarged because it will lykewise bée knowne that thou receauedst dishonor to giue thy Brother lyfe If it be secreat thy Conscience wyl be without scruple of guiltinesse Thus knowne or vnknowne thou shalt be deflowred but not dishonested and for amends wée both shall lyue This further hope remaineth that as the Gilliflower both pleaseth the eye and feedeth the sence euen so the vertue of thy chast behauiour may so grace thy bewty as Promos silthie lust may bee turned into faithfull loue and so moue him to salue thy honour in making thée hys wife Or for conscience forbeare to doe so heynous an iniurie Soueraigne Maddame and you faire Gentlewomen quoth Isabella I intreate you in Cassandras behalfe these reasons well wayed to iudge her yéelding a constrainte and no consent who werie of her owne life and tender ouer her brothers with the teares of her louely eyes bathed his Chéekes with this comfortable sentence Lyue Andrugio and make much of this kisse which breatheth my honour into thy bowels and draweth the infamie of thy first trespasse into my bosome The sharpe incounters betwéene life and death so occupied Andrugio sences that his tongue had not the vertue to bid her fare well To greeue you with the hearing of Cassandras secreate plaints were an iniurie vertuous Ladies for they concluded with their good fortune and euerlasting fame But for that her offence grew neyther of frayltie frée wyl or any motion of a Woman but by y e méere inforcement of a man because she would not staine the modest wéedes of her kynde shee attired her selfe in the habit of a Page and with the bashfull grace of a pure Virgin shee presented wicked Promos Andrugioes precious ransome This Deuill in humaine shape more vicious then Hyliogabalus of Rome and withall as cruell as Denis
Segnior Phyloxenus seasyng on his Club and laying him on therwith said As Phallaris dyd to Perillus die with the weapon thou preparst for other In Trumph of this glorious Uictorie Diana sent down the Nymphe Chlora to salute Quéene Aurelia with this Present which was a Shield wherin was quartred four seuerall Honours The first VERT A lookyng Glasse of Christall The second AZVRE a payre of Ballance Argent The thyrd OR a Pyller of Porphier The fourth Argent a standing Cup of Ruby Rock The Muses them selues came also downe and crowned her with a Garland of Roses parted perpale ARGENT and GVLIS and electing her for their Soueraign to comfort the fiue Knights that were discoÌ„forted by ENVY two two leading a Knight between theÌ„ daun ced a statly Almain of XV. which ended thei bestowed a fauor certain Latin verses vpoÌ„ euery one of the Knights returned vnto their Mount The Siluer Pen Verses deliuered by VRANIE to ISMARITO stand in the forefrunt of this Booke the rest for that they were proper vnto them selues impertinent for this matter I omit By this time the Cock was ready to sing his midnight song the company fully satisfied with pleasure departed vnto their lodgings to spende the rest of the night in Contemplation and sleepe FINIS A description of the dead of Winter Man by reson inlargeth the boundes of Nature within whose lymites euery other creture lyueth This was the Forrest of Rauenna in Italye for the most part of pine Apple trees This Pallace was 10. miles from Rauenna towardes the Riuer of Poo The custome of Christmas BOLLYTINE a warrant of health without which no man may trauell in Italy A liberall welcome Welcom and Bountie the Porters A couert description of desyre A ciuill foresight meete for a Gentleman A necessary regard for Trauelers The vertues of the Queenes Maiestie maketh the Iland of Eng lande famous through out the whole Worlde Vertue stoppeth the mou th of Enuye But fyreth her hart with mallyce The true Blazon of a noble mynd Tiuoly 12. miles from Rome where the Cardinall of Esta hath a most rare Garden Cardenal Fur nesaes pallace in Rome A necessarie obseruation for a Gentleman A worthye Custome He was a Pro testant Other straun gers arriued by the lyke aduenture A custome ge neraly vesd in Fraunce and in some places of Italy Heliogabalus a most volup tuous Emperor of Rome Courtisie vnto straungers is a marke of Gentilytie A diuision of their pleasurs Musick refresheth the wits Loue simplye is good The distinctions of loue Knowne euils are not to bee defeuded A necessarye note A contention whether Mariage or the single lyfe is the worthyer Argument decideth doubtes Wise scilence worketh mor regarde then foolish talke A fault in many trauellers Al vnmarried pass vnder the name of chast Defences of Marriage Defences of a single lyfe Defences of Mariadge The cause why the Clea gie are reueâ—…ensed Vnpollitick creatures reuerence mariadge Defences of a single lyfe Vertuous fame is an other lyfe The impatiencie of women will not be hidde Vaine glorious shewes bewicheth women ContentmeÌ„t neither followeth the greatest nor scorneth the meanest Sentence gyuen in the be halfe of Mariage Platoes opinion of Mariage Pleasant talâ—… is good physicke for sorrowe The extreme passions of 〈◊〉 woman A GVNDELO is a litle Boat like a wherie HIEN somtimes a man and somtimes a woman The intent of euyll is to be punished Pardon is to be vsed in ignoraunce and not in wilfull faultes The punishment of great offenders dooth most good in example Deuotion Grauitie Affabilitie Myrthe Subtiltie bea teth true mea ning with his owne sword A cunnynge aunswere taketh away the grace of a shrewd tale THYMON of Athens was the sworâ—… enemie of humanitie A dutiful sub iect is bound to obay his Princes wordes and not linger vpon the effect A fayned friend is better then a dan gerous open enimy A Discription of the Sunne risinge Pyrois and Phlegon fained to be two of the Sunnes Coche horses The Bed resemhleth the Graue Laureta com monly called Loreto the great pilgrimage of Italy where is a small Chappell sometymes made by the cunning of certaine Fryers and the consent of some of the Cittizens of RACANATI only to bring Trafficke to their Cittie destroyed by the Goathes and Vandals and in the night stole it out of the Towne and spread a rumoure that our Ladye by Aungells had brought it out of IVRY the mansion House wherin she ther liued whych Fable an nuÌ„ber hold for a trueth Ignoraunce Caue the hye waye to Hell Italians a most subtyle kinde of people Sinne cannot indure to here of Gods Iustice A tiranny ten tymes more Cruell then Dennis Bull. Alcaron a Lawe that for byddes the Turks to dispute of Mahomet A diuine bles singe A token of louinge Subiectes ReconciliatioÌ„ may take away reueÌ„ge but not grudge from enimies harts Questions aunswered by Monisillable A good reward for Flaterie A profitable Note Reason giueth man souerainty ouer al creatures There is diuersitie of coÌ„ dition ineuery kinde Reason findeth out the imperfection of nature Cause of misliking in manage Causes of comfort in mariage Experience is the best Iudge The forme deceiueth but the qualytie sheweth the creature The foresight of Parentes A reprehen sion of forced Mariage Loue vvill not be constrained The euil of rediousnes Reason and Loue are enemies An other reprehension of forcement in mariage Looue rooteth by Contemplation Aduise to a booteles purpose Looue yeelds neither to wyt strength nor learning An exstreame affection The title of Mariage maketh youthe arrogant Abuse of good things worke euill effectes That which is blessing to one may be a curse to an other Carlesnesse of the husband breedeth hate in the vvife Choller is soone quited but Forberaunce increaseth mallice The Dîucll is the Executioner of vengeasice An extreame passion of Loue. A naturall feare in a vvoman suppresseth many of their euill affections An example for Christian Subiectes Craft hath many times his will with an opinion of honestie Wilful faults deserue no pardon A fauour euil bestowed This Iudge is not parciall for fauor gain or feare The curses geuen vnto a Viper Breuitie is best in passionate matters and effectatioÌ„ in pleasaunt Sorrowes 〈◊〉 seth scilence We are bouÌ„d to showe aswell the cause as to punnish the euill Good morralitie is better then euil doctrine There is no trustinge of a reconcyled enemye The example of a naughtye nature A necessarie note A Caueller hath colours for euerie question WemeÌ„s loue is more great theÌ„ theyr hate WemeÌ„ do amis but men are the cause Beauty ouercommeth the wisest EVRIPIDES comparison betweene Beauty and Loue. sclaunder is generally hated A Gentleman is not to shoe his passions by his attyre Men in many cases are to be priuileadged for an others merrite Ventoie a Fan. The vncertaintie ofworldly thinges Both POMPEY and CESAR died violently SISIPHVS A commendation of
this sentence we wil haue you indited at Rome as an heretick for by the Popes CaÌ„nons Priests may not marry they haue a custom among them selues not to liue chast Well ê™ Franceschina if the Pope for this opinion burne mée as an heretick good men will cannonise mée for a vertuous Uirgin Thease Digressions quoth Quéene Aurelia are the meanes rather to worke a confusion of our memories then to conclude any beneficial matter for our instruction And therfore I hold it to greater purpose substantially to handle one Argument then sleightly to ouerrunne many causes where y e doubts we leaue vnresolued wyl be more daungerous vnto the hearer then the Counselles we vse profitable vnto the follower Madame quoth Fabritio I hold it good we obay your direction And for that Mariage is the most honourable euent of Loue and that a Single lyfe is the greatest testimanie of Chastytie A ciuill Contention to prooue which is the most worthy of the two would conclude much contentment For as Yron and Flynt beat together haue the vertue to smite fire so mens witâ—…s encountryng in doutful questioÌ„s openeth a passage for imprisoned Trueth Quéene Aurelia and the rest of the company lyked verie well of the Subieat and studing who weare the fittest to deale in this Controuersie Aurelia with a glaunsinge eye beheld that her seruant Ifmarito witsafed no greater Token that he tooke delight in thease actions then sometime the secrete bestowyng of a modest smile whervpon she forethought that as Floods when they are most hyest maketh least noise euen so perchaunce his styll tongue was gouerned by a flowyng witâ—… and desirous to sounde his sufficiencie she quickned him with this crosse surmise Seruant quoth she your sober lookes promiseth a hope that you will vndertake Dianaes quarrell but which wil serue in this question I feare me you coÌ„nâ—…aund Loue so much as you contempne Mariage And the greater is my suspicion in that you are a Tâ—…auayleri y e nature of which sort of people is to swell with a 〈◊〉 â—…isdayne of Mariage The reason is say they their Affections are poyioned with the knowledge of womens so haynous euyls as theâ—… dare not venter of that vocation But my opinion is they â—…learned so many â—…lties to deâ—… 〈◊〉 lesse wâ—… as dandled with the â—…ments of sundry Loues they forsweare Mariage who bindes them to one only wyfe And if you be infected w t the humour of thease sorte of Trauailers you may wel vndertake this charge for Venus though she loue not Diana yet is she the sworn enemie of Iuno And if you be sound from this infirmitie the little haste you make to marry witnesseth you honor Hymen with no great deuotion and therfore I coÌ„maund you too vse all your possyble proofes in the Defence of a Single lyfe and for your Assistaunce I do appoinâ—…t you Lucia Bella whom this Charge can not mislyke because as I vnderstand she meanes to be a professed Nun You are to encounter the opinions of many and therfore arme your selues with as good reasons as you may Madame quoth Ismarito I am so déepely bound vnto your commaundement as I am driuen to leaue youre suggestions not answeared and my owne inneâ—…ency vnexcused only attend y e incounter of him y t wil maintaine Marriage to be more worthy then a syngle life which vocation of Marriage though I reuerently honour yet I so zealously affect the other as I hope where the Iudges are indifferent to make the glory thereof to shine as the faire white aboue euery other colour Syr quoth Soranso though white be a fayre colour yet are the choyse of all other colours more rich and glorious so though Virginitie which is the fayrest flower of a single lyfe be precious in the sight of God and in the opinion of men yet is Marriage more precious in that it is a sacred institution of God and more honoured of men the Marryed are reuerently intertained when the vnmaryed are but familiarly saluted The Maried in assemblies are honoured with the hyghest places the vnmarryed humble them selues vnto the lowest To be short Virginitie is the handmayde of Marriage Then by how much the Master is greater then the seruaunt by so much Marriage is more worthy then is single lyfe I confesse quoth Ismarito Marriage is an honourable eâ—…ate instituted of God and embraced of men but wheron had she her beginning vpon this cause to kéepe men from a greater inconuenience as the Lawe was founded vppon this reason to punishe the trespasses of men But if no offence had ben giuen the Law had not néeded So if man had lyued within boundes of reason whiche before any commaundement geuen was vnto him a Law Marriage might haue ben spared and therefore in the hyest degrée is but a vertue vppon necessitie where Chastitie is a deuine vertue gouerned by the motions of the soule which is immortall and perticypating of the same vertue is alwaies fresh and gréene The euer-springing Baye is the Metamorphos of chast Daphnè whom Appollo although he weare a soueraign GOD could not allure to Mariadge which prooueth Chastitie a true spark of Diuinitie whose twinkling reflexions so daseleth the eyes of imagined Gods whose powers must néedes be more great then the greatest of men as they cannot sée an ende of their incontinent desires where as the beautie of Marriadge is many times blasted by fortune or the frailtie of the Married Therfore think I by how much deuyne thinges are of greater emprise then earthlye by so much the Single lyfe is more worthy then then the maryed And in aduauntage ê™ Lucia Bella where Soranso sayth that there is great honour done vnto the married and to the Single is giuen light regard I pray you whether are Baccus minions or the Muses most reuerensed Among men whose places are hyer then the Cleargies and amonge women whose greater then the religious Dames They haue not this preheminence ê™ Faliero because they professe a Single life but because their function is more sacred then other mens who if their prayers to GOD bee no more zealous then their vowes to chastytie are stedfast you flye to the authoritie of a company as spotted as Labans Shéepe But where Sir Ismarito saith y t Mariage is but a verfue vpon necessytie to restrayne man from a greater euyll I approoue it an estate set downe by Nature and that man hath but amplified it with certain Ceremonies to make perfect the determination of nature For we dayly sée in vnreasonable Creatures Mariage is in a sorte worshyp ped Fowles of the Ayre I meane the he and the she cupple together flie together féede together and neast together The Turtle is neuer merie after the death of her Mate and in many brute Beastes the lyke Constancie is fownd But generally there is neuer iarre nor mislykyng betwene the Male and Female of vnpollitique creatures and among the most
Well quoth Soranso though your Metamorphos bee vnlykly yet is it not vnnecessarilye applyed For for the most part those which are forced to Mariage agrée little better then Uipers But it séemeth to mée Segnior Faliero you haue too fauourably reported this Historie in Elysaes behalfe considering the mortal venyme she tempered in her harte O quoth Faliero longe fowle wayes both tyreth the Horse and wearieth his Ryder where both the one and the other ouercommeth the length of fayre passages with pleasure Euen so in a ruthfull Historie ouer plentie of wordes both gréeueth the reporter and giueth means for a thousande sighes to breake from the hearer where affected circumstances giue a grace to a pleasant tale Sorow to heare their kinde thus stayned with crueltye locked vp the tonges of the poore GentlewomeÌ„ a pretie while In the end ê™ Aluisa Vechio a dame more olde bold then the rest meséemeth that Faliero hath but little fauored Elysa for he hath showen her euill and the scourge of her euill and in charitie he was bounde to shewe the cause of her euill I would quoth Doctour Mossenigo that Frier Bugiardo had hearde this disputation it might haue ben the breaking downe of the Altar wherevpon he but lately committed blasphemie woulde haue more reformed him then his pleasing Sermon could haue confirmed vs. These aduantages the Doctor tooke to crosse the Gentlewomen his late open enemies and but nowe his fained friendes not vnlike a sneaking dog that neuer barkes but bites withall And to spite them the more quoth hee Monsier Bergetto since your are bound from speaking of loue you haue both cause and oportunitie to talke of womens hate Pardon me quoth Bergetto for this penance was but a due payne for my presumption which I hope to ouercome with patient suffering and sure in this milde aunswere Bergetto shewed a moral vertue and Doctor Mossenigo by his malicious question a canckred nature for simplie to offend procéedeth of frailtie but to perceauer in euill is a noate of wilfull frowardnesse Well notwithstanding Bergettos temperaunce a Caueler caught hold vppon this question as a Mastiue vppon an old drye Mariebone to proue a womans hatred more greater then her loue hée auouched manye cruell authorities But Faliero who had donne them some iniurie in reporting the late history made them part of amends put their aduersarie to silence in prouing the contrary his reason was that their hate in the extremest degrée stretched but to the death of another and their loue many times hath done wilful murder vpon them selues Then it followeth by how much we pryse our selues aboue an other by so muche theyr loue is greater then theyr hatred Yea quoth the Doctor but their loue and hatred are both violents and euery violent is an euill Yea Master Doctor quoth Maria Belochy their euills are the greater for men for by their flattering enchauntments wemen loue immoderately and stung with mens vnsusserable iniuries they hate mortally The Doctor replied there was more power in her lookes then authoritie in her wordes but least he should be subdued by the one he would not contend with the other Why quoth Quéene Aurelia beauty workes no more impression in a Doctors eye then doth poyson in Mineruas shéelde for he by Philosophy can subdue affection Madame quoth he you may well compare beauty and poyson together for their operations are a lyke saue that beauty is the more extreame in that she infertes with her lookes and poyson not vnlesse wée taste it or when it is most strong not vnlesse we touch it yea Euripides compareth her inchauntement with the inticementes of a kingdome whereas he saith IN these two thinges a Kingdome to obtaine Or else to worke the fayre to their will So sweetely tastes the grace of either gayne As men ne dread their friendes with foes to kyll The reason is controulment shrinkes the place Whereas a Kyng as soueraigne Iudge doth sit In loue because that reason lackes his grace For to restrayne the selfe conceyghtes of wit So that God knowes in daunger standes his lyfe That is a King or hath a fayre wife To deale in Princes affayres the companye was too gréene but in Beauties behalfe there was neither Gentleman nor Gentlewoman that was not desirous to boe reuenged of the Doctours detractyon for hée that hath a slaunderous tonge iniurieth manie and is himselfe hated of all men but for that it was nowe to late too decide any other great question Quéene Aurelia adiorned the ending of anie centrouersie vntill the next day The Deuice of the second Nights Mask BY a secreate foreknowledge of a Maske with which Soranso Bargetto Ismarito and others purposed to honour Segnior Phyloxenus and his company Supper was hastned soone ended and after the one had saluted the other with an accustomed reuerence while the rest of the Gentlemen interteined Time with dauncing or deuising with their Mistresses the Maskers withdrew themselues and about nine of the clocke in this disguise presented themselues agayne A Consort of swéete Musycke sounded the knowledge of their comming y t Musitians in Gyppons and Venetians of Russet and Blacke Taffata bended with Murrey and thereon imbroadered this Posie Spero Timeo Taceo expressing thereby the sundrye passions of Loue and before them two Torchbearers apparelled in Yallowe Taffata Sarcenet the Generall apparell of the Maskers was short Millaine Cloaks Dublet and hose of Grene Satten bordered with Siluer Greene Silcke stockes White Scarpines Rapiers and Daggers syluered Blacke Veluet Cappes and white Feathers They agréed to be thus attyred to showe themselues frée in the eye of the world and couertly bound vnto their Mistresses Ismarito for courtisy sake because he was a stranger and withal in that his Mistres was the most honourable had the leading of this Maske who lighted with a torch by his Page apparelled in Blue Carnation and whyte Taffata the colours of his Mistres entred with a Ventoy in his hand made like an Ashe-tree wrethed about with Iuye expressing this posye Testantevirebo with which vpon fit oportunitie he presented Quéene Aurelia his Mistresse within which weare couertly hid these verses in English Italion TWo Soueraigne Dames Beautie and Honestie Long mortal foes accorded are of late And now the one dwels in my Mistresse eye And in her hart the other keepes her state Where both to show the vertue of this peace To garnysh her make riot of their Grace In her fayre eye Dame Beautie doth increace A thousande Gleames that doo become her face And with her harte thus doth the other deale She lowly seemes and mountes throw chast disdaine So that her thrales doo serue with honest zeale Or fearing blame doe yeelde vnto their paine The heauenly soules enuies the earthes renowne Such gyftes deuine in humayne shape to see And Ioue still moues a Goddesse her to crowne Which is decred when Nature shall
Prosperytie and Pompey at the féete of Disgrace but being both dead vnto their Monumentes Writers adde this Opinion Cesar in his lyfe was more fortunate then Pompey and Pompey more honest then Cesar. A proofe that some Disgrace is the ground of Good Reporte and some good Fortune the Trumpe of Infamie therfore let no man yeld to Aduersitie nor affie too much in Pompe and painted Prosperytie for the one is but vexation the other vanitie and both in short time vanish A sodayne alteration as me thought made me to contemplate of these causes for that commynge out of my lodgyng somwhat tymely I entred the great Chamber with as strange a regarde as he y t coÌ„meth out of a House full of Torch and Taperlights into a darke and obscure Corner knowing that at midnight aboute whiche tyme I forsooke my company I lefte the place attyred lyke a seconde Paradice the earthly Goddesses in brightnesse resembled Heauenly Creatures whose Beauties daseled mennes eyes more then the Beames of the Sunne The swéet Musick recorded the Harmonie of Angels the straunge and curteus deuices in Maskers séemed as fygures of deuine Misteries And to be short the place was a verie Sympathie of an imagined Paradice And in the space of one slumbering sléepe to bee left lyke a desert wildernesse without any creature saue sundrie sauadge Beastes portrayed in the Tapestrie hanginges imprest suche a heauy passion in my minde as for the time I fared as one whose sences had forgot how to doo their bounden offices In the ende to recomfort my throbbing hart I tooke my Citterne and to a solempne Note sung this following Sonet which I a litle before composed vpon a quiet thought I possessed after my reading of Boetrus of the consolation of Philosophy translated into Italion by Cosimo Bartoli FArewell bright Golde thou glory of the worlde Faire is thy show but some thou mak'st the soule Farewell prowde Mynde in thousand Fancies twirld Thy pompe is lyke the Stone that still doth rowle ¶ Farewell sweete Loue thou wish of worldly ioy Thy wanton Cuppes are spiste with mortal sin Farewell dyre Hate thou doost thy selfe annoy Therefore my hart no place to harbour in ¶ Enuy farewel to all the world a foe Lyke DENNIS BVLL a torture to thy selfe Disdayne farewell though hye thy thoughts doe flow Death comes and throwes thy Sterne vpon a shelfe Flatterie farewell thy Fortune dooth not last Thy smoothest tales concludeth with thy shame Suspect farewell thy thoughts thy intrayles wast blame And fear'st to wounde the wight thou faine woul'dst Sclaunder farewell which pryest with LYNX his eyes And canst not see thy spots when all are done Care Care farewell which lyke the Cockatrice Doest make the Graue that al men fame would shun ¶ And farewell world since naught in thee I finde But vanytie my soule in Hell to drowne And welcombe Phylosophy who the mynde Doest with content and heauenly knowledge crowne During the time that my thoughtes swounded with the charme of my passionate Musick The Sun decked in his most gorgious Raies gaue a bon Giorno to the whole troupe and so many as were within the sownde of my Instrument were drawne with no lesse vertue then the Stéele vnto the Addamant In so much of the suddaine to beholde the statelynesse of the presence I was dryuen foorth of my muse with a starklyng admyration not vnlyke vnto him that sléeping ouer a dying brand is hastelye wakened with the lyghtenynge of a thousande sparcles The offices of Curtesie discharged on euery part Segnior Soranfo fayed the Poets fayned not without reason that Amphions Harp gaue fence vnto stone Walles For so deuine quoth hée are the operations and vertues of Musick As he that shall be bounde to declare her particuler Graces shall be no lesse troubled then the Paynter Zeuxes was in the countersettinge of Cupid Who after much trauell was driuen to draw him blynde for otherwise he had vnder taken Sisiphus taske because the twinckling reflections of Cupids eies threw a thousande Beauties vpon his face and shadowed the worke of the Paynter Thus through Ignoraunce Cupid hath euer since bin reputed blinde and for his owne perfection is honoured with y e title of the God of Loue. The name of Loue gaue a large occasion of discourse but for that an other tyme was appoynted for those disputations and the morninge was wholly dedicated vnto the seruice of God the question drowned in Soransos â—…nggestion and the whole company scylent in such affayres attended Quéene Aurelias comming who in chaunge of gorgious and rich apparrell kept her accustomed howre to go vnto the Chappel By that time seruice was ended and euery mans deuotion donne dinner was ready to be set vppon the Tables with such choyce of delicate Uiandes as vnto the bountie of the Feast there might nothing be added After that Quéene Aurelia and the rest had taken their ordinarye places euery one helped the disgestion of their meate either in inuenting some ciuill merriment or in hearinge it reported by an other Bergetto all this while was neither heard to speake nor séene to smyle Which perceiued by Franceschina Sancta his Mistres she moued with the spirit of compassion studied howe with Iustice shée might reuoke her sentence and vnstring her seruauntes tougue and to that ende shee demaunded how thrée good turnes might be vnrewardeÌ„d thrée offences pardened thrée iniuryes leaft vnreuenged and in euerye of these Iustice preserued This question passed through the table and retourned without his true resolution In the end quoth Segnior Philoxenus Monsier Bergetto what is your opinion Sir ê™ Bergetto my Mistresse hath locked the tongue that should pronounce it Why quoth Franceschina these be no questions of loue and therefore you haue libertie to speake No Lady quoth Bergetto but his vertue may appeare in the aunsweare Well quoth his Mystresse if you canne cleare your trespasse by one of these questions I must do no iniurie to Iustice and therefore saye your pleasure Uppon this warrant quoth Bergetto to your first thrée I aunsweare A Captayne maye betray his charge which is a benefit to the enemy but the betrayer is not to be receiued as a friende for he that will sell his countryman may not be held assured to a straunger Secondly a Théefe that peacheth his fellowes doeth good to the Common wealth yet deserueth no reward for he that may preuileadg his own theft in bewraying other mens will euermore steale vpon presumptioÌ„ Thirdly to win a mans money is a good turne yet the loser is not to be recompenced for his intent was to winne the winners To your second thrée questions a man maye offende through ignoraunce which is excused without a pardon for ignoraunce is without intent of euill therfore to be suffered though not to be cherished A man may offend through necessitie which commendeth Iustice with the vertue to forgiue for necessity is bound vnto no law and therefore
deserueth not to be punnished with the rigour of law To the third a man may offend through rashnes make amends w t repentaÌ„ce which Iustice may pardoÌ„ w tout preiudice to equity herein faire Mistres I haue showen my trespas the reparation of my trespasse To your third thrée questioÌ„s a man may hurt his friend against his will which is an iniurie yet ought not to be reuenged for reuenge can but afflict y e trespasser and the misfortune gréeueth him Before the husband a man may kisse the wife by mistaking which is an iniury not to be reuenged for the wife may wipe away the wrong w t her hand the husband by reueÌ„ge may make worke for the Chirurgion And to y e last a man must be content to take good wordes of a beggerly debtor which is an iniury not to be reuenged for a man can haue of a Cat but her shin of a begger but his scrip vnles he wil sel y e Appotherm y the greace of y e one the dice maker y e bones of the other The whole company gaue a verdict y t Bergetto had erpouÌ„ded his Mistres doubts W tout blemish to Iustice and therfore were ernest suters for his remission Whom she pardoned with this prouiso that he should behaue himselfe honourably towardes women heareafter For his lybertie Bargetto reuerently kissed his Mistresses hande and thus all vnkindnesse pacified Quéene Aurelia mouyng alitle raisde the companye from the Table who a pretty tyme after dinner had respyt to prepare their wits for the aceustomed exercise The Clorke had no sooner sounded the disputation howre But Queene Aurelia and her Ladies were redy in the drawinge Chamber and vpon warnyng the chosen Gentilmen gaue their attendaunce who hauyng taken their places The Eunuck knowing his charge vnto the Lute sung this Sonet TO thee I sende thou fayrest of the fayre The Vowes and Rites of an vnfayned hart Who with my plaintes doe pearce the subtil Ayre That Beautie thou maist heare and see my smart Who sues but that thy Deputie on earthe May take in gree my off'ringes of good wyll And in accompt returne my Loue in worth With charge thy priestes my bones to Ashes burne And with the same thy Aulters all to meale That I may make to serue eche Louers turne The peace off'ring with Sacrisice of zeale This Sonet in Beauties behalfe put the whole companie in remembraunce of Doctor Mossenigoes last nights lavish speach of Beauty and the scandalous comparyng of her to Poyson or which is worse a more subtil infection And therefore to bee resolued of his wronge or her gyltines Quéene Aurelia appointed Monsier Bargetto to be her Champion and to assist him for it was agréed that frée choice of Mariage shoulde this daye bee disputed whose affection for the most procéedeth from the vertue of Beautie she lycensed euery one that fauoured her cause which done shewilled y e Doctor and his fauourers to spit their venym Maddame ê™ the Doctor it neither beséemeth the stayednes of my yeares nor agreeth with the grauetie of my profession in such an assembly to speake the thing I dare not auouch therefore since it cometh to this issue that I must hazard vpon a charge or shrinke away with shame though my ennemyes be many my cause is iuste vppon which warrant I am feareles of my foes and resolute in myne opinion Bergetto likewise glad of this fauour protested before Quéene Aurelia and the whole company that in the faithfull execution of his charge the prodygall spoyle of hys lyfe should giue contempt to death The Doctor that had giuen as many déepe woundes with his Pen as euer he had doone with his Launce shronke no more at these threates then an Oke at the Helue of an Are but coldely wylled him to vse his pleasure he was ready to defend or to die in his oppinion Wherevpon Bergetto to strengthen himself the better made this remembraunce of the yesterdayes reporte It is ê™ he already approoued if the married in forced Mariages could as well finish with the Church as they can account with their consciences their ioy to be Married was not so colde as their desire to be deuorsed would be whot therfore by this awkeward successe in forcement a frée choise in Mariage can not choose but continue as I thinke as much loue betweene the Married as the other sowed debate Rashnes and constraint ê™ the Doctor are bothe violents and euery violent is a vice then how can a vicious attempt haue a vertuous successe Men doo euill ê™ Bergetto that good may come of it and it is allowed And men doo good ê™ the Doctor that euill may come of it and it is forbidden for it is the intent bothe in good and euill that commendeth or condemneth and what good intent hath the foolishe young man that by his rashnes in Marriage robbeth his parentes of their comfort and him selfe of his credit He satisfieth his fancie ê™ Bergetto a speciall regarde in Marriage and where there is a swéete accorde betweene the married the parents cannot but reioice and the neighbours are bound to speake well and beautie in his wiues face will féede his heart with a thousand delights so that he shall sustaine want with little gréefe and labour to get wealth with a great desire for where vnitie is small things groweth to great Such may be the vnitie quoth the Doctor as small gréefes may growe to great sorrowes when the winde is in the neck of a stooping Trée it falleth downe right and when the vnthriftines of the Husband agréeeth with the euill huswiferie of the Wife Sorrow striueth to be in the married mans bosome before the maried be in his wiues bead and what other expectation may there be either of the one or the other when he satisfyeth his fancie before he considereth of the dutyes of Mariage and she in taking an husband that is ignoraunt in the affaires of husbandry and in offices of Mariage It is the office of the married to be aduised ere he loue and louing to be reposed in his choise It is the office of the married to prouide for an Household before he take possession of his hearts delight and it is the office of the marryed to examine the conditions of his Mistresse before he enter into any couenaunt of Mariage And how can he be aduised that marrieth without the priuitie of his Parents and how can he supporte an household that marryeth with his Parents displeasure vpon whose deuotion he liueth and how can he iudge of his Mistresse conditions that wanteth discretion to consider of his owne estate And where you alledge the beautie of his wiues face wyll féede the husband with delight his delight will starue his body without other supplyes so that when charge shall increase and his wealth diminish let the foolish younge marryed man impose him self vpon this fortune that he cannot
English Players are but hauing certayne groundes or principles of their owne will Extempore make a pleasannt showe of other mens fantasies So that to try the quicknes of the Gentlemen and Gentlewomens wittes to giue the Comedians a Theame Segnior Philoxenus demaunded the meaning of certaine Questions Segnior Soranso quoth he What passion is that that tormenteth a man most hath least power to ouercome To thinke of a Womans Inconstancie ê™ Soranso which gréeueth euery man and cannot be subdued by wo men themselues Madame Aurelia ê™ Philoxenus What thing is that which most delighteth and most deceiueth a WomeÌ„ A mans dissimulation ê™ Queene Aurelia Which hath such a swéete passage through his Tongue as it delighteth like the Sirens Songes and yet turneth to as deceitefull a conclusion as the Crocadiles Teares This yet was but quid pro quo so that neither one parte nor the other was displeased The modest laughter being ceased Segnior Philoxenus demaunded of Ismarito what was the cause of most Deuotion and yet the greatest replenisher of Hell Ignoraunce ê™ Soranso whiche causeth men to worship Stones and dishonour God Madam Maria what is that quoth Segnior Philoxenus y t of men is least estéemed and of God most regarded Chastitie ê™ Maria Belochy whiche is precious before God and a laughing stock among men Doctor Mossenigo ê™ Segnior Philoxenus amonge men who is the most cruell A Dycer ê™ the Doctor for he teareth God in péeces This answer was both true and moued newe laughter Although it were propounded to discouer the nature of the Enuious who murthereth the lyuing and the fame of the dead Madam Lucia ê™ Segnior Philoxenus wherein doth a man please a woman best and displease himselfe most The modest Gentlewoman began to blush and with great difficultie resolued this Question In the end by the tongue of Alvisa Vechio quoth she In giuing of her her Wyll It is true quoth the Doctor for her delight is to gouerne wherin her discretion giueth others cause to laugh and her Husband to hang the Lyp. Segnior Dondolo ê™ Segnior Philoxenus what is the greatest fréende to men at libertie and the most enimie to such as are condemned Hope ê™ Don dolo whiche incourageth men at lybertie to attempt great matters and maketh such as are condemned vnprepared for death Madam Helena ê™ Segnior Philoxenus what is that which woundeth the hart yet is worshipped of the eye Beautie quoth Helena Dulce for it pleaseth a mans eye and pearceth his hart Segnior Bergetto ê™ Segnior Philoxenus What is that which oweth most and payeth least and of all euils is the worst Ingratitude quoth Bargetto For that Monster receiueth good turnes and payeth vengeance Madame Franceschina quoth Segnior Phyloxenus What is that whiche in louynge too muche baneth with Hate Ielousie ê™ Franceschina Sancta whiche by ouermuche louyng raiseth Suspition Suspition mooueth Con tention and Contention tourneth to mortall hatred Segnior Faliero I demaunde ê™ Phyloxenus who he is that profiteth his frendes but by Death is a Stewarde for other men maketh his Account only with God A Coueitous man ê™ Faliero who whyle he lyueth is enemie vnto hymself and therfore vnlykely to be friende to others also is but a Stewarde of the goods hee gathereth for he spareth for others and spendeth little or nothing vppon himselfe and at the iudgement day before God must make account of all his deceit Madam Katherina quoth Segnior Philoxenus what is that which is couldest clad in Friese and warmest attyred in pretious Stones Pride quoth Katherina Trista which hath no grace but in brauerie Louely Guestes quoth Segnior Philoxenus you haue so liuely deuined my meaning in your sharpe answeres as I expecte wonders of your dayly disputation Sir quoth Fabritio we hitherto haue but exposed and refelled errours If you haue done so muche ê™ Philox. you haue made a fayre passage for the glorie of Trueth which by the refelling of Error you shall finde for euerie vertue is commended by his contrarie A Diamond seemeth the fairer for his foyle Blacke best setteth foorth White Good is most praysed in the reprehension of Euill and Trueth is the hyest degrée is renowned by the refelling of errour and therfore follow your purpose the conclusion cannot but bée profitable Héere Segnior Philoxenus stopped his digression and commaunded the Comedians to bethinke themselues of some action that should lyuelie expresse the nature of Inconstancie Dissimulation Ignoraunce and the rest of the passions before named Which charge being giuen while the Actors were attiring themselues for the stage Quéene Aurelia and her Attendaunts tooke their places with such aduauntage as euery Gentleman had lyberty to deuise with his Mistresse After the Comedians had put themselues in order they patched a Comedie together and vnder the resited names showed some matter of Morallytie but a greate deale of mirth who with their pastime kept the companie vp so long as drowsie sléepe which delighteth in nothing but scilence arrested y e greater part of them and caried them close prisoners vnto their Chambers FINIS The syxt Dayes Exercise Contayninge Many needefull regardes for a Gentleman with a Discouerie of the inconueniences of Marriages where there are great inequalitie of yeares THe chearefull Sunne which comforteth euerie earthlye Creature as the Lanterne of broade day so lightened euery Chamber of Segnior Phyloxenus Pallace as y e Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to bee auenged of the iniurie of Night who being the Mother of confusion had seperated them from their companions of pleasure hastely rose and attired themselues and like vnto Partryges that how so euer they are seauered know and retire vnto their meetyng places presented them selues in the great Chamber The office of ciuill courtesie discharged such as were coupled intertained Time with y e deuice of their especial fancyes others contemplated of their priuate affaires Ismarito amonge the rest in a quiet place was reading in Peter Mesiere his Cronicle of Memorable things The rare Historie of Tamberlaine the Great surnamed Flagellum Dei where he much admired the vertues of the man who of a laboring Pesaunt or in the best degrée of á poore Souldier by his vertues Inuincible valure became a great Monarch Yea and while Tamberlayne liliued was as much feared as Alexander But Ismarito more lamented that so mightie a Monarchie erected by the Father should end by the enuy and ciuill dissention of the Children Segnior Philoxenus after he had giuen a Bon giorno to the companie seing Ismarito not chained to a company on determined to geue his solytarinesse a disgrace by con uersing with him in some Gentlemanly Discourse but finding him accompanied w t so swéet a companioÌ„ as Mesires Cronicles Seg. Ismarito ê™ hée you haue deceiued my imagination which perswaded mée y t you were solita rye and therefore bounde mée in courtesye to visite you But séeing
vertues illustreth the same through the whole worlde but to direct the maried is a laâ—…or of Arâ—… wit and expérience in the fyrst wherof I am ignoraunt in the second vnperfect and to the thirde a Strainger so that as I am sorry to iniurie your expectation so am I loth to expose my insufficient iudgement Sir quoth Quéene Aurelia if wée were not assured of a lyberal contentment in conteÌ„plating of your waightie Censure we would receiue your modest refusall for iust excuse But for that we haue all an intrest in your vertues you should be enemie to your owne honorable coÌ„mendation in kéeping of them close prisoners in your brâ—…t although you be Lord of the Pallace yet I as â—…oue raigne of the Ciuill Pleasures commaund you to giue Cerimonies a disgrace and sincerely to obay my will Madam quoth Segnior Philoxenus so stricht is your charge as I must aduenture of this waighty labour hoping that as by authoritie you commaund my opinion so by y e motion of some one of your vertues you wil pardon my errours Upon which incouragement to obay your wyll I say and approoue by sacred Authoritie that this holy Institution of Marriage was erected by God in the earthly Paradice before the transgression of Adam when he ioyned him to Eue with these wordes of blessing Increase multiply and replenish the earth Againe after Adams fall and the deluge to strengthen his fyrst institution God commaunded the good Patriarcke Noe to encrease and multiply the earth a new Moreouer God would haue no more women then men in his Ark to show there shoulde be a Sympathie in number as well as agréement in loue betwene man and wife for if the one might lawfullye haue many Wiues and the other many Husbandes how should this expresse Commaundement of God be vnuiolated You shall be two bodies in one flesh and no more Compare the Ioye honour and reuerence geuen vnto Mariage by the delight that procéedeth from any other cause and you shal sée her gleame lyke a blasyng Comet and the other but twinckle as an ordinarie Starre Gorgeous and rich Apparayle delighteth the Gasers eye and perhaps offendeth the wearers hart where Maryage in homely Attyre is euery where honored and reaueth vnquiet wandring thoughts from the Maried to abounde in riches is a glorious fortune but they charge men with a dubble care extreame in the getting and fearefull in the kéeping the married hath as great or greater ritches in their children When the stately Dames of Rome bragged of theyr Iuelles Cornelia boasted that hers excelled them all A Ladye of the company séeing her set forth with none that was precious demaunded where her Iuelles were Yonder quoth Cornelia and poynted to her children When certaine most rare and precious Iuelles of King Darius and his wiues were presented to Olympia Mother of Alexander the great she bestowed them vpon her Ladyes as to lowe prised for her wearing who was continually adorned with a Iuell in value as riche as Asia Affrica and Europa And sure Quéene Olympia and Ladye Cornelia gloried not in their Iuelles without reason for golde and precious stones set but a glose vppon beautie when vertuous children geueth a newe lyfe vnto their parentes The administration of Iustice and aucthoritie in a common weale are the proper offices of the married for that the care of wife children presupposeth them to be setled when the vnmarried though their wittes be good rayseth a suspition in the wise that their thoughtes are vagrant The vnmaried hath no agreable Companion to participate of his pleasure or to lessen his sorrowe The Maried hath a Companion of his owne flesh of his owne wyll and of his owne Spyryt so wrought to his owne Affection that betwéene them there is séene two bodies but one thought perceiued The Maried ioy alike sorrow alike are of one substaÌ„ce one concord one wealth one pouertie Companions at one Boorde in one Bed The loue we beare vnto our Parents is or ought to be reuerent and duetifull because they gaue vs lyfe Unto our Bréetherne naturall because of the priuitie in blood To our frendes affectionate by certaine Motions consents of the minde Notwithstanding that these Loues be thus greate yet are there diuers causes too lessen them But betwéene the married no mischaunce or infirme Fortune is cause sufficient of hatred for none gouerned by reason is so inhumaine as to mallice his owne fleshe Compare their seuerall affections by sorrow and you shal sée the weakenes of the one in regarde of the strength of the other The greatest mone we make for the death of our Father Brother or friend appeareth in sighes or most vehement in teares whereas if wée our selues are but a little wounded we crye outright so that by howe much we excéede in sorrowing our owne mischaunces aboue another mans by the same reason so much we loue our selues more then another The Rynge that is geuen by the Husbande and put on the Wiues finger ought to be of Gould to witnes that as gould is the most precious of Mettalles so the loue of the married excéedeth all other loues To which effecte Propertius sayth Omnis amor magnus sed aperto in coniugè maior moreouer the close Ioyning of the ringe is a figure of true vnitie of the married betwéene whom there should be no diuision in desire noâ—… difference in behauiour To honour this holy institution of God God would haue his onely begotten sonne to be borne of a Wife perfectly married saue that shée was not Carnally soyled Licurgus the good King of the Lacedemonians so reuerenced this sacred estate as he made a Lawe that what Lacedemonian soeuer were vnmarried after the age of thyrtie and eyght yeares should be chased and hissed out of all publique playes and assemblies as one vnworthy to be séene that in the cold winter he shuld naked indure the reproches of the people and withall was bounde to confesse how he iustly suffred y t punishment as a Mispriser of Religion a contemner of Lawes and an enemie to nature The Romaines were not so seuere but yet the Aged vnmaried were condempned accordyng to their abylytie to pay vnto the Treasurer for publique vse a good SuÌ„me of Money Plato in his Lawes enacted that the Unmaried shuld execute no honourable Office Estate nor dignytie in the Common wealth The good Emperour Alexander Seuerus although he maryed rather to geue ende to his Mother Mammeas Importunyties then as he thought to begin a more happie lyfe yet fayre Memmia his wyfe so naturally accorded with his disposition as when she died he would often renewe his Sorowe and remember her Uertues in these wordes So great a Treasure as I haue lost a man seldome findeth Death were gentle if he tooke nothyng but that whiche offendeth but oh he hath reaued
Garden wéeded her Uines cut and in her Orcharde her fruite Trées pruned within doores her house well ordered her Maidens busied her Children instructed the fréend intertained and the Tables well furnished And in this Oeconmie many women haue so excelled as Socrates affirmeth that he learned of Women more Morrall Philosophie then naturall reason of Anaxagoras and Archelaus wherein Socrates testifyeth no more then theyr woorthy sexe deserueth for many Women gouerne theyr Families with such Prudence Temperance Pietie and other commendable vertues as may well instruct the wisest The Husband ought to beware that in the presence of his wife he vseth no filthie lasciuious talke for besides the witnesse of his owne indiscression he maketh her a passage for many an vnhappy thought The Wife ought to be nice in occasion of suspition for her husband that sée'th open cause of mistrust cannot but feare that in secret he receiueth iniurie and Ielowsie though she procéedes from excéeding loue yet is she the greatest enemie of the Married The Husband is bound to kéepe his wife in ciuill and comely apparell as well to make her â—…éeme beautifull vnto himselfe as to preuent the reproche of the neighbour for this hath béene an auncient custome among the Romaines and it is to be feared that if the Husband breake it to spare his Purse the Wife will repayre it though she gage her person The Wife that will please her Husband and make a great showe of a little though her Gownes be plaine in her lynnen she must be curtous and fine for otherwise were she attyred all in Silke if her sléeues Partlet and other Linnen be coorse torne or sluttishly washed she shall neither be praysed of straungers nor delight her Husband The Husband after householde iarres if the Wife séeme to be sorie he ought not to be sullen for if shée perceiue him of a frowarde nature it is like in other suche squares she wilbe negligent to please him The Wife if she offend her husband by some ignoraunt trespasse she must please him with a louing countenaunce least if he finde her of a crooked condition he will take delight to crosse her with continuall foule vsage The olde Husband is to accompany his young Wife with graue Matrons and to set her foorth with costly ciuill attyre that séeing the reuerence and honour that is giuen her for her Husbandes grauitie she will studdie how to please him though she displease her owne disposition The younge Wife that hath an olde Husband is bound to make much of him at home for the reputation she receaueth in his life and for the wealth she is like to haue by his deathe and abroade must be sober in her behauiours discréete in her talke and no harkener to young mens tales least her owne lightnesse make her openly infamed where her Husbands imperfections could cause her but to be secreatly suspected The young Husband is too beare with his olde Wife in her will as well for the reuerence due to her yeares as for the aduauncement the loue bringeth to himselfe least the neighbours terme his Wife an vnfortunate old Woman and himselfe a naughtie frowarde vile natured young man Theolde Wife to giue excuse to her dotage must in open assemblies commend her young Husband of modest and staied gouernement and secreatly to be louingly vsed must kisse him with Midas lippes for if she fyll not his Purse by fayre meanes with foule intreatie he will be his owne Caruer if she complayne she ioyneth but scorne to her owne mischaunce Generally the Husband ought not to forbid his Wife in assemblyes modestlie to intertaine time in deuising with the better sorte for in such ielous restraint he shall leaue a suspition that he inioyneth her this open pennaunce for some secret trespasse and so bothe slaunder himselfe and iniurie his wife The Wife should haue an especiall care to shun the company of light Women for the multitude though they can charge her with no misdemeanour yet they well condemne her honor by the known euils of her companions Many other néedefull directions may be giuen to preserue vnitie in Mariage quoth Segnior Phyloxenus too cumbersome for me to reporte and too tedious for this honorable company to héere whose patience I haue already iniured too much but finding my error I end my tale remaine ready to make satisfactioÌ„ in some other seruice Sir quoth Fabritio the end of your Tale puts vs in remembraunce of our duetie and your right which is for this honourable fauour to remaine your indebted Seruaunts to embrace your counsels and to commend and submit our reasons to your learned Censure It is your fauour and not my merit quoth Segnior Phyloxenus Sir quoth Quéene Aurelia I will beare the blame of this dayes importuning of you and you alone shall haue the honour in graunting of my requests who to the former ioyneth this one more fauour which is that you conclude this your worthy exercise with some rare Historie at large Madam quoth Segnior Philoxenus this is the least of your commaundements considering that Histories make mention of thousands who in their vnseperable looues haue sounded the excellencie of Mariage wherefore I oâ—…ey your pleasure ⧠The woorthy Historie of Phrigius and Pieria Reported by Segnior Phyloxenus IN the Register of Fame wherein the Monuments of the vertuous are Cronicled as presedents for theyr posteritie I reade that in the famous Cittie of Miletum in Ionia as soueraigne Prince and gouernour there raigned a worthy Duke called Nebeus who to comfort and supporte his aged yeares had to his sonne and onely heayre Phrigius a young Gentleman of such rare towardlines as it may be a question whether he weare more beholding to Nature for the perfections of his body to Vertue for the qualities of his minde or to Fortune in suffering him to be so nobly borne In Myos a neighbour Cittie to Miletum there was also a Prince of much renowne named Pythes whose Daughter and heyre was fayre Pieria by whose vertues all Ionia was renowned The auncient enuie betwéene the Cittizens of Miletum and Myos was tourned into amitie and the open warre betwéene Duke Nebeus and the noble Pithes was peaceably and honourably ended All such happie euents succéeded this following aduenture Upon the Feastiuall day of Diana the Cittizens of Myos with out the iniurie of Souldiers might lawfully repayre to Miletum to sacrifice to Diana vpon which safe conduct with many other Ladyes and Gentlewomen of Myos fayre Pieria waighted on her Mother to Dianas Temple whose rare beauty was such as dazeled the eies of the behoulders like the reflections of a Myrror placed against the Sunne Among many that looued and few or none that saw possibility of grace such was the renowne of her chasse disdaine young Phrigius beheld Pieria with such a setled eye as Dianas Temple sheelded him not against the Arrowes of Looue but as a wounded
Mu sick A fayning how CVPID came to be called blinde A question to trye a quicke witt Three good turns may be receiued vnre warded Three offences may with Iustice be par doned Three iniuries may pas vnreuenged Olde men are bound by their grauitie to say no more then they vvill stand to The dashe of a Pen is more greeuous then the counterbuse of a Launce Free choise in Mariage defended Reproofe c. Defence c. Reproofe c. Reproofe c. Duties before Mariage Defence c. No man nor womaÌ„ but in some point deserue to be blamed and in some other to be praised Reproofe c. Their pennaunce is great that liue in incertaine hope An vngodly childe maketh an vnthriftie Father The seueral paines of offences Incontinency slaundereth an honest mans house Paynes for timerity in Marriage Defence c. A discriptioÌ„ of wealth abused The ioye of true loue Sundry famous Philosophers and Poets punished for their loues Cause of rashe Mariages An vnfortunate Mariage A Gentleman in his reuenge ought not to offend a ciuill company Vertue commendeth her selfe Beautie hâ—…lfe a â—…owrie in a woman The poore eke th to matche with wealthy A rash aunswer The wordes sheweth the wit of the â—…eporter but his gesture causeth atten tion in the hearer The nature of Pride Loue enioyneth vs to do what we kno is amis Au early mariage worketh a late repentaunce The rewarde of pryde is pouertie The commoÌ„ sorte Iudge as they affect The miserye of want Braue rye belongeth to Beautie PIATSO a market place or a place of assembly A necessarye note Courtesy don with an euill intent Disdaine haunteth desire The fyre of Loue. Phisicke cureth not loue The force of Goulde Hope comforteth but Loue cureth the Louer Marinos Present to his Mistrisse Suddaine ioy or sorrow dul leth our senses Gold maketh passage into difficulte places The venemous nature of Ielosye A shrewde sus pition Suspect is more cunnyng then Argus was warie Neapolitans are most seueare in reuenge A Iudas kisse A fit time to deceaue mistrust Death is too easie a scurge for a disloyal wyfe Haire the ornamentes of Chastytie The boundeÌ„ office of a Writer Iustice must not yeald to the teares of Trespassers God regardeth repentaunce A honorable fauour The true ensigne of sorrowe True repentaunce is to be receued in satisfaction of offences Perfect loue cannot be so iniuried but it will alwais retaine some affection A reparation of dishonour Feare of correction bride leth the affex cions of the e uill What hurteth one instuâ—…eth the other Breuitie is best for Table talke MountibaÌ„ks of Italie are in a maner as Englysh Pedlers The strange nature of a Womans tongue Defences for a chidynge wyfe In blaming mildnes is to be vsed Wit simply is imperfect Shift is vnprofitable for Maister and Seruaunt Cienta a venomous Herbe one sort wherof is supposed to be Hemlocke A needefull regarde for yonge GentlemeÌ„ An ill cause asketh a partiall Iudge The great impression True sorrovve is â—…novvsne rather by sighes then vvords The Pope hath begun and not yet finished a moste rare Gallerie Beautifull attires for a Gallerie An espetiall Booke of deuises Ismaritos deuise Pharos a Lanterne or light deuised by King Prolome surnamed Philadelphus for the benefit of Nauigation in those parts which cost 800. Tallents An honourable fauor A regard in straungers to teache Subiectes their dutie The Rose is the most glorious of Flovvers An vnexpected good nevves is double vvelcome Myrthe cureth as much as Medicine vvhere the malladie is not mortall A sumptuous Tapistrie Men may be deceiued vvith out the slaunder of simplycitie Curious sights please more then vnciuill people A lyttle sicknesse maketh an alteration in beautie One square breaketh no custome It is saide S. Frances subdued incontinent desires by tumbling naked in frost and Snowe A premiditated sinne The tricke of a knauish Seruaunt A gentle perswasion Ignoâ—…aunce heareth euery tale as trueth Flatterie eateth the bread of the Iust. A note of litle secreacy in a woman Enuy setteth hatred betweene fellowes of euery vocation An vnwelcome salutation Pleasure in o thers increaseth sorrow in the afflicted Enuy and rude people are not passifyed with praiers of the afflicted Rude people extreame revengers The best way to win the communaltie Men offende subtilly and women simply Wâ—…s euyls are wâ—…yt in their forheds Mens faultes lye hydde in their hartes A ciuill curtesie in a Gen telman This Historie for rarenes therof is liuely set out in a CoÌ„medie by the Reporter of the whole worke but yet neuer presented vpoÌ„ stage A hard Lawe forâ—…ncontinent persons Lawe adiudgeth by the generall offence Iustice ismoâ—…s renowned by lenytie then seueritie A good cause to mooue pytie Loue fauoureth no degre Princes Prerogatiue are aboue Lawe The true intent of the Lawe A good turne vpon an euyl cause Aucthorytie in euyll Maiestrates is aâ—… Scourge vnto the good A monstrous request Vâ—…lesse they be reprobate good Examples may refourme the wicked A hard choice of two euyls The force of Necessytie The force of Loue. A hard Fortune Death is to be preferred before dishonâ—…rable lyfe The venemous nature of Enuy. The vertuous are assured of many enemies and incertaine of any friendes A cause that may excuse the breach of honour A faint hope A louyng kys A good consideration in Cassandra A damnablâ—… offence A villanous Ingratitude An especiall prouidence of God A signe of an honest nature An vnwelcome present A mischiefe well preuented A noble ffauour A necessarie pollye A Ryal grace The clamors of the poore and the consciences of the rich like Hell Sorrowe and Shame the Attendantes of Cassandra An vnusual place for a Iudge A necessarie regarde in a Prince Princes beres the blamr or euyll Officsrr extortion A iust Iudgement The good protect the lewde The duetie of a wyfe truely showen The comon weale is to be regarded before priuate aâ—… our Siue bonum fiue malum Fama est Good motions proâ—… fiâ—… the 〈◊〉 and euâ—… the flesh A gratefull parte Murther asketh death and no other Satisfaction Princes are bounde to their word Oâ—… two the least euill is least daungerous Ruthfullâ—… tales raiseth remorce in the hearers By example of euill the euill are feared By example of the good the good are strengthned Good order is to bee kept among such as â—…aue bene laâ—…e sick men Cauclers neuer answere directly A disgrace in honour a Gentleman may not beare with Aristotles pro bleames Extraordinarie thinges are not to be coÌ„pared with ordinarie Life is pretious Epicaria in the trembling passage of death was con stant PLIN. lib. 34 Cap 2. â—…n enuious Suggestion A man may praise a Woman without reproching a man Chaste talk ought espetially to be vsed in the presence of VVomen Aris. Prob. The quallity and not the quantity commends Eaue Our Lady Where an iniurie in words may be reuenged in words a Gentleman is not bouÌ„d to his sword Discreete standers