asswage A wytnesse that Vnkindnesse inlargeth Loue as the wracke of Winter dooth the beautie of Summer then although the Parents matche at first be without the fancie of the Children a reconciliation in fine will double their comforte Sir ê™ Soranso fauouring Falieros opinion you wrest the Adage is to a coÌ„trary meaning for it is to be vsed but where there hath béene sometyme perfect loue and where a grounded leue is although the Married menace with their tunges they malice not with their hartes on the contrarie parte looke what rule the Louer vseth in loue the Enemie obserueth in reuenge Therefore if the Maried abhorre before Marriage they may well desemble with their tounges but wyll neuer bée delighted in their harts and where there is such a deuision in the desires of the Married fayre fained semblaunce wil soone turne to flat fowle falling out their thrift goeth forwarde as the carriage drawen by two Oxen taile to taile the Husband wyll haue no delight to get nor the Wife desyre to saue Seruauntes with negligence will waste and hyrelinges with proloyning will winne and which is worst the continuaunce of mallice will custom them with mortall hatred hatred betwéene the Married bréedeth coÌ„tencion betwixt the parents coÌ„tencion betwixt the pareÌ„ts raiseth quarrels among the kindred quarrels amoÌ„g the kindred occupieth all the neighbours with slauÌ„der so y t for the most part these forced Mariages engendereth sorrowes for the Married disquietnesse to both their fréends kindâ—…ed but which still renueth gréefe the scandall of enemyes endeth in neyther of theyr wretchednesse This béeing said lyttle auayled the further prooffes of the contrary part so full was the crie Fye of forcement in Mariage so that to paint out the inconueniences therof in his proper coulours Quéene Aurelia coÌ„maunded Faliero to confirme his sufficient reasons with the discourse of some rare Historie Whose commaundement he willingly satisfied and reported as followeth The Historie in the reproche offorced Mariage reported by Faliero IN the famous Cittie of Cirene in Affrick dwelled sometimes a riche Marchaunt named Tryfo This Tryfo had a wealthy neighbour called Clearches who of long time entertained one an other with a neighborly affection Tryfo to inherite all his liuings had but one onely sonne named Sicheus and Clearches one onely Daughter called Elisa The Parents to establish as they imagined an euerlasting amitie betwéene theyr houses concluded a Mariage for theyr vnfortunate Children making no doubt but that they would as well inherite theyr affections as theyr liuings of which there was hope enough if the order had béene as good to establish theyr Loue as the haste great to sollemnize the Mariage for that in theyr persons appéered no signe of disagréement nor in theyr abilyties cause of exception but looue that behouldeth no more quicknesse in a Dyamond then in a dim Saphyre though he take impression by sight rooteth in contemplation which deuine exercise of the soule smally delighteth gréen Youthe who intertaine their thoughts with a thousand vaine fancies but to my purpose The Mariage day drew neare and as at the very push of Battell the wise Captaine animateth his Souldiers with some plausible Oration euen so the night before the Mariage Trâ—…fo scheeled his sonne Sicheus with this following aduertisement My good sonne quod he so great are the follyes of men and so cunning the deceits of women as the most especially the yonger sorte wyll credite theyr lookes without looking into their liues beléeue their woordes and lightly regard their workes delyght to recount theyr entertainements and disdaine to reclion theyr shrewde payments For as the sycke pacient comforted with the Phisitions words leaues to examine the quallities of his receites BueÌ„ so the wretched Louer cured with the yéelding of his beautifull Mistrisse with negligence bothe ouer lookes his owne benefit her behauiour Salomon was deceyued Sampson subdued Aristotle derided and Hercules murthered by the illusions of errant honest women Kinge Demetrius notwithstanding he was bothe wise and valiant was so bewitched with the wyles of the notorious strumpet Lamia as in open Schooles he raysed disputations whether the loue he bare Lamia or the Iewels he bestowed vpon her were the greater or whether her merrit excéeded them bothe or noe Yea when she died he caused her to be Intombed vnder his Bed Chamber windowe to the ende that with dayly teares he might worship her engraued bones who liuing was of him intirely belooued If the wisest and the worthyest be thus ouertaken in their affections what easie baites may beguile thée who in yeares art young of substaunce delicate and lustie and therefore apt to looue reddy in conceyt and of consideration vnperfect whot in desire and in discretion colde My sonne by experience I know and to preuent thy ouerlikely mischaunce in choyce I haue chosen thée a wife fayre to please theae ritche to continue looue her Parents my assured fréendes and she thy affected loouer loue her well beare with her in small faultes as a woman and the weaker bridle thy owne euill affections as a man her head and gouernour and in thus dooing God will multiply his blessings vpon you and make your aged Parents to dye in peace to sée you liue in prosperitie Young Sicheus regarded his Fathers tale as Schollers doo their Tutors who giuing them leaue to playe admonisheth them with all to kéepe good rule which they promise and performe the contrary With the like affection Sicheus embraced Mariage He was not so soone wearie of dallying with his Wife as he was ready to entertayne a Harlot so that in shorte space he became a common Louer and a carelesse Husband and withall grew as arrogant in defending his libertie as dissolute in his actions and behauiour If his friends did gently aduise him he was of age to counsell himselfe if his Parents did sharply reprehend him he would impudently aunswer he was past correction if his Wife found her selfe agréeued with his hard vsage she might well complaine but he would take no time to amend so that his dayly actions of euill tooke away all after hope of weldeeing in so much as he became odious vnto his friends that beheld his lewde inclination and a plague vnto his Wife who was dayly oppressed with his monstrous vices So that the ouercharge of sorrow made her many times passage for these and such like passions O vnhappie and ouer hastie Mariage which in the pride of my youthe with discontentments makest me resemble a fayre Fig Tree blasted with the after colde of an vntimely Spring but why blame I Mariage which is honourable alas because the abuse of good things worke euill effectes Roses vnaduisedly gathered pryck our hands Bees vngently vsed stinge our faces yet the one pleasaunt and the other profitable so that if their come any euil of that which is good our folly or fortune is cause thereof Aye me when I was married I was
Marino ouercame him with suche a sodayne passion of Ioye who read and a hundred times ouer read this Life letter and for that it came from Felices swéete hand he a thousand times kissed the Paper Which done by the direction of Macrello this Conquerour Gowlde made suche a passage into a reputed honest Cytizens House as without suspition Marino Georgio and fayre Felice theare many tymes mette but to what purpose I leaue to your constructions and yet thus much I say this Fortune followed Marino in shorte space recouered his former Complection and it was not long before Felice was richer then either Father or Husband But O that Furie Ielousie enuying this Accord sent slie Suspition to infect Malipieroes heart who pryinge with Lynx his eyes presented him a thousande causes of mistrust which loue straite supprest with as manie contrarie imaginations of his Wiues good behauiour inso much that with the sharp incounter of Loue and mystrust poore man he was continually afflicted In conclusion seeing his Wife to excéede in brauerie and knowing himselfe to declyne with pouertie he resolued vppon this certentie this cost coulde not come from the emptie Coffers of her vndone Parentes and then procéedinge from others it was impossible to bee the fauours of honest curtesie so that armed with furie he deferred reuenge but to intrap the friende of his wiues follyes and the enymie both of her honour and his delyght In fine as héedefull as these Louers were in their dealinges Ielosye directed suspecte to Marino Georgio and moreouer made him an eye witnesse of the iniuries done vnto Malipiero which when he assuredly knew hée studied a while of a torture equall to this treacherie for who hath not hard the Neapolitan to bée the seuerest revenger of dishonor in the world To be bréese his bait was this he fayned a iournay far from home and furnished him selfe with such an apparance of trueth as tooke a way all colour of suspition whiche done with a dissembling kysse hée committed his wife to God and the charge of his house to her good gouernment and so set forwarde towards Rome Malipiero was no sooner a mile on his way then Macrello certified Marino of this wished oportunitie and Loue made both him and Felice so boulde as in his owne house they determyned the followinge night to exercise vppon Malipiero their wonted iniurie but about mydnyght when mistrust was at repose Malipiero entred the house with such a sodaine violence as these two vnfortunate fréendes were surprysed amids their imbracemeÌ„ts before they had warnyng to shift I sowrrow to tel the rest but trueth will haue passage Malipiero in his reuenge like a Lyon hungring after his pray with his Rapier and these bitter wordes nayled Marino vnto the Bed Thou Couche ê™ he soyled with dishonour washe out thy staynes with the Adulterers blood But holding death too easy a scurge for his wiues trespas hée condeÌ„ned her to this torture more extreme then death Hee made an Anotomy of her welbeloued Marino set him in a fayre Chamber within whiche hee inclosed his wyfe w tout dooing her any bodely iniurie saue the cutting of her haire and to say trueth this beautifull ornament of haire beséemeth not an Adultresse head And to punish her the more Malipiero caused her euerie dinner supper to take her accustomed place y t at meales shee might be tormented with the sighte of her lyuinge enemie and all the daye with the bones of her martired friende neither could she quenche her thirst but out of a Mazar made of Marrinoes skull But to tell her vertue with her vice hir patience was suche as shee was neuer harde to complaine of this crueltie and yet her penitent sorrowe so great as y e plentie of her teares somtimes moued her iniured Husbande to pittie But least he should be ouercome with compassion manie times from dinner hee commaunded her to her pryson who after an humble reuerence went behind the Tapestrie Hanginges and so vnto her solitarie Chamber barred from other companye then the gastly bones of vnfortunate Marino whiche pennaunce shée patientlye indured vntyll GOD who saw y t her repentaunce was vnfayned sent Segnior Cornaro to bée a peace maker betwéene her Husbandes iniurie and her offence who when Supper was sette vppon the Boorde séeing from behinde the Tapistrie Hanginges a fayre Gentlewoman to appéere somewhat pale with sorrowe her head bare both of attyre and Hayre apparrelled all in black and in her hand her drynking Bowle of Marinoes scul saying neuer a word w t a sober reuereÌ„ce sitting down in y e chéefest place was stroken with such a maze as on the suddayne he wist not what to say Dinner being ended which was longer then pleasant either to husbande wife or friende Felice as she entered so departed Wâ—… notwithstanding leaft part of her sorowe behinde in Cornaros heart whose cheareles countenance when Malipiero perceyued quoth he let not the martyrdome of this Woman afflicte you for her fault deserueth this vengeaunce and so recounted the reported aduenture And in aduantage shewed him her prison and the Annotomie of her dishonour and withall licensed him to talke with Felice to heare what plée shée had for her discharge Uppon which warrant quoth Cornaro Madame if your patience be equall with your torment I holde you the most happie Woman of the worlde Felice with a countenance abased and Cheakes dewed with teares tolde him in humble wordes that her trespasse was tenne times greater then the torment which the Lorde of the House whome shée was not â—…worthie to call husbande had appoynted her And therewithall the sorow of her hart tooke away the vse of her tongue Wherevppon Malipiero ledde the Gentleman awaye who rendred him affected thankes in that besides his good intertaynment he witsafed him the honour to knowe so great a secreasie withall moued with compassion hee effectually intreated Malipiero to accept Felices sorrow the true witnes of grace amendement as satisfaction of her offence which procéeded of frayltie and withall importuned him with such earnest reasons as Malipiero was content to sende both for her and his owne friendes To bee partly ruled and partly aduised by them in her behalfe The parentes and friendes of euerie side séeing the humilitie sorowe and patience of poore Felice were all earnest sutors for her remission The roote of auncient loue not altogether dead in Malipiero was comforted with their intercessions quickened with the hope of amendement in so much as vppon sollemne promise to be hencefoorth of good behauiour he receyued her to grace and to repayre her crased honour with the fauour of both their parentes hee newe married fayre Felice in which holy estate they liued loued and agréed manie happie yeares afterwarde together And with the Bones of Marino Georgio buried the remem brance of former iniuries Maister Doctor quoth
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
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
by pacifieth contentions Vertue and vice bothe Feminine and Masculine Note Modesty an naturall vertue in a Woman The Fable of Ixion To be proude in vertues is commendable The scorge of vaine glory The soule traueleth to bring forth Diuine monuments in the heathen A discreete exordium for yong men that argue The excellencie of maÌ„ through the vertue of the soule Three dignities of the soule Man is formed straight because he should behold heauen and coÌ„template one great matters Three euils or defects of the body Three remedies against the three euils of the body The originall of all Artes and Sciences Theorique Practise Mecanicall craftes Curtesie is commendable but super fluous sauours of flatterrie The euyll of Ielousie Harde is the difference be tweene a care lesse and a ielous Husbande Ouid. Meta. lib. 10. Eurydice Preuent a Scoffer and he becoÌ„meth a Sotte A CommendatioÌ„ of lofty Loue. The euyll of a thyng com mendeth the goodnesse Loue spareth no degre Hope to com passe great matters com forteth more then the possession of tryfles Reproofe of loftie Loue One kinsman hath an Interest in an others honor An inhumain parte Defence c. Reproofe c. A womaÌ„ that abaseth her selfe in Mariage in Law loseth her reputation but not in curtesie The naturall desires of a woman Iudgement in repoofof lofty loue Men must haue regarde how they blame least they byte themselues Defence of bace loue A riche Dowrie with a woman Reproofe c Kytte wyll to kynde The fall of Maria Bianca is written by the Aucthor in his Booke intituld The Rocke of Râ—… garde Aucthoryties for amorous Histories Defence Reproofe c A confession is a prety Iudgement 1. Inconstancie 2. Dissimulation 3. Ignorance 4. Chastytie 5. A Dicer 6. Enuie 7. Will. 8. Hope 9. Beautie 10. Ingratitude 11. Ielosie 12. Couotousnesse 13. Pride Vertue is coÌ„mended by vice Tamberlaine the Great in the beginniÌ„g a Pesaunt He is not alone that hath good Bookes A Gentleman tooke aduantage of a worde to praise the good as to check the euyll A most famous librarie in the Dukes Pallace at Florence lest by Cosmos de Medicis It belongeth to a Gentleman to be sene in many things Diuinitie Phisyck Lawe Art Militarie Moralitie Cosmographie Hystoriografie Armorie Segnior Philoxenus a perfect Cour 〈◊〉 Weâ—…en are to pitifull to be Iudges A scoffer is many times smiten with his owne 〈◊〉 pon Italions are wise but euiâ—… condicioned Enuy euermore quarre leth with those that are fauoured Quarrelers seeke their owne mischiefe A wise foresight in a Gentleman Palmestrie a pretye idle quallitie for a Gentleman A necessarie note for a Gentleman Defences where an old man marrieth a yonge woman Reproofe c Defence c. Reproofe c The mischaunces of an oulde man yongly maryed A yong wyfe is death to an old 〈◊〉 An honest woman is lightly slauudered by the imperfections of her Husband Repentanâ—… to late The wife are warned by the mischaun ces of other A Rhinocerot The Metamorphose of Rinautus a Gentleman of Naples Euyll men care not for the conscience so they haue a colour for their offences The force of Beautie No Affliction but hath his remedie Examples to be regarded Idlenes â—…oorisheth and exercise remedieth loue Flatterie the enemies of prueth Mariage com mended betwene an olde woman and a yong man Reproofe c Defence c. A good exchanâ—… of Marchandice The euylles in an olde wydowe PLATOES Hell in Mariage A great cause of ImpatieÌ„ce Defence c. A most wicked pollysie Senecas opinion that Children were better to be dead borne then ignoraunt of good letters Thinges that are beast esteemed Reproofe c. A hard extremitie An honorable custome of Spaine Meete husbandes for aged widdowes Experience is a iudge ment it selfe A worthie lawe made by Laertius It is no stâ—…iung against the streame The thriuing vnthrift proues the the best husband The yeare endeth and beginneth in it selfe Ancient customs are to be kepte The vertues of the minde are more glorious then any outward garment Custome in Italye in giuing of new yeares giftes contrarie to the custome of England The originall of nevv yeares giftes Segnior Philoxenus ban queting hous Among the iust promise is kept To praise or blame is qua litie of wit but to direct is a worke of iudgement We haue interest in an other mans vertues Princes commandements must be obay ed. Of the exelencie of mariage Mariage instituted before the fall of Adam by God in the earthly Paradice A confirmation of the fyrst institution by God Man and wife are two bodies and but one flesh The ioye of of marriage shineth aboue al other delightes Children are the most rich Iuelles in the worlde This Iuell was her sonne Alexander The blessing of Children is a duble life Offices of Ius tice apartaine to the maried The sweete Sympathie be tweene the married Loue to our Parents â—…ue rent Loue to our Bretheren naturall Loue to our Friendes affectionated Loue betwen the married irreuocable A good mean to trye the loue of the married The rynge a triall of the loue betwene the married An other sygure of the rynge Christ was borne of a married woman Licurgus law for the vnmaried The Lawe of the Romains for the vnmar ried Platos lawes for the vnma ried Alexander Seuerus loue to Memmia his wife Paulinas rare loue to her Husbande Seneca The precious loue of king Darius to his wife The deuine loue of king Admetus Wife The exceeding loue of Tiberius Graccus towards his wife The wonder full loue of Queene Arti mesia towards her husbande Mausolus One of the seuen wonders of the worlde Aâ—…l Gel. in lib de nocti atti The Lawe is a scourge to the euill and comforte to the good Marriage con sistes as well in foresight as free choyce Equallity in yeares Equallity in manners Consent in religion Free choise in satisfaction of Fancie A mans house is a pettie common weale The office of the Wife The husbandes care apperraineth to thinges abroade The wiues chatge is huswiuery within doore Morall Philosophit to be learned by women Laciuious talke to be shunned of the husband The wife ought to be nice in cause of suspition Comelye apparell the husband should giue his wife Cleane lynnen commendable in a vvife The husbaÌ„d must bevvare of sollomnes The vvife must be amyable tovvardes her husband A lavve for a younge vvomans olde husband A regarde for an olde mans young vvyfe A regarde for an olde vvomans younge husband A regard for a young mans olde vvife Modest familiaritie not to be forbidden the Wife Light company to be shunned of the Wife The vengeaunce of Warre The blessings of peace The vertue of Peace The power of vertuous Loue. Enuy is murdered with his owne wepon
loue feare and obay her Highnesse from whome next vnder God thou receiuest such swéete blessinges as through the whole world her excellencie is renowned and thy prosperitie enuied By this noble Gentlemans ciuill intertainment of strangers thou mayste perceyue with what Garland Courtisie is principally crowned By the ciuill behauiours of Soranso Dondolo Bergetto and other Gentlemen herein named thou haste a President of gouernment which will commend thée and by well regarding their spéeches thou shalt finde a discréete methode of talke méete for a Gentleman The lyke benefit shall Gentlewomen receiue in Imitating of Madona Aurelia Quéene of y t Christmas pleasures Maria Belochi Lucia Bella Franceschina Santa and the rest of the wel qualited Gentlewomen Besides a number of other Morall documentes néedefull reprehensions and witty sayinges to perfect the commendation both of a Gentleman and Gentlewomā Courteous Reader thou haste heare the honorable institution of Marriage so perfectly Anatomed as a verye weake Iudgement may sée the causes which make Houshould quarrelles to resemble Hell Againe the mā which is willing to liue happily may here learne such directions and lawes as will chaunge his priuate house into a Paradice on earth If ciuill and Morall pleasures withall these benefites may make thée intertaine thys booke and report well of the Aucthor I assure thée thou shalt be pleased and I satisfied But if thou makest thy tongue enemie to thy owne reputation thou mayest detract but not reproche the worke Iniure but not hurt the writer for both will liue and laugh such Callumniators to scorne when either are readie to doe the discrete Reader seruice Some will perchaunce more of enuie to heare a stranger commended then of pittie to bemone my hard fortune or fowle vsage say I haue as iust cause to complaine of iniuries receiued at Roane Rome and Naples as to commend the vertues and good intertainment of Signior Philoxenus But to giue such Suggestioners a double good example both of patience and thankefulnesse I heare protest that as these iniuries begunne with my hard fortune so they ended no wayes in my discredite And as I forgeue the causes of my mishaps so scorne I to recount them to receiue amendes in a little pittie But for that they and all such as vew my Report may learne of me to bee gratefull for receiued benefites I make it knowen That this trauell is Segnior Philoxenus due And I still his debter and so shall remayne during my life reseruing a good affection to bestow on such as receiue his Uertues and my paynes to profite and cōmend them selues And in my opinion it is iust they doe so Wherfore to giue a disgrace to ceremonies gentle Reader I ende as I hope to finde thée mine Thine assured friend George Whetston T. W. Esquier In the commendation of the Aucthor and his needefull BOOKE EUen as the fruictfull Bee doth from a thousand Flowers Swéet Honie draine layes it vp to make the profit ours So Morall Whetstone to his Countrey doth impart A Worke of worth culd frō y t wise w t Iudgemēt wit art No Stage Toy he sets foorth or thundring of an Hoast But his rare Muse a passage makes twixt burnyng fier frost Suche Uertues as beséeme the worthy Gentles breast In proper colours he doth blaze by followyng of the best The Uertue is but rare and Uice not yet in vse That modestly he not commends or mildely shewes th'abuse Such matter in good wordes these few leaues doo reueale Unforst or strainde as y t it séemes a naturall common weale Of forced Marriage he dooth shew the foule euent When Parents ioyne the Childrens hands before their harts And how these fortunes eke in wedlock séeldom proue consēt Vnequall choice in birth in yéeres and Childrens hasty loue Yet he with learned prooffes this sacred state dooth raise As it deserues aboue the Skies in wordes of modest praise More euery Page héere dooth present the Readers eyes With such regardes as help the weake doo confirme y e wise Which néedelesse were to blase in prayses to allure The holy Bush may wel be sparde where as the Wine is pure Verses translated out of Latine and deliuered by VRANIE with a Siluer Pen to ISMARITO in a Deuice contayned in the seuenth daies Exercise placed in this Forefront for the excellencie of PANDORA THe mighty IOVE beholding from aboue The mistes of sinne which from the earth arose In angry moode sent IRIS downe to mooue Throughout the worlde the exercise of foes With vengeance armde who poured downe her Ire And with debates set Monarchies a fyre Whole Countries burnde did dim the Sun with smoke The Cannon noyse the Ayre with Thunder rent The wounded men with shrikes the Heauens shoke The Temples spoyld the'Townes to ruine went Vnwillyng yet to worke the worlds decay IOVE CYLLEN sent in part his wrath to staye Who hastes his charge with winges as swift as winde But comming to the Region next the grounde He could no way for clowdie darknes finde And fearing in the Ocean to be drownde He houered till in fine he did espie A PHAROS light which was a PHENIX eye Led by this Starre amaine he commeth downe And footing sets vppon a fruitfull Ile Where liu'd a Queene crownd with the worlds renowne Vpon whose rule Grace Peace and Wealth did smyle Her Senate graue her Citties Mansions weare For such as fled for persecutions feare To whom he gaue the tokens that were sent Faire PALLAS forme and VENVS louely face Sweete PITHOS tongue and DIANS chaste consent And of these giftes PANDORA nam'd her Grace And ioynes with all IOVES blessings to the same To make her liue in euerlasting fame These monsters fell which publike order breake Dissention Wrath and Tiranny he bounde This office done he thought as IOVE would leake To Heauen he hyes and blessed leaues the grounde Where this good Queene and Subiects quiet lyue When ciuill warres her neighbor kingdomes greeue Euen this is she whose sacred fame is knowne Through out the worlde in Enuie Feare and Loue Enui'd because she raignes in peace alone Feared in that she shielded is by IOVE Lou'd for desarte whose vertues shine as bright As twincking Stars do in the frome night This Siluer Pen meete for a Virgins praise VRANIE heere doth ISMARITO giue With charmed charge this Queenes renowne to raise As she in spight of Death and Time may liue Which right is hers the labour is but thine Then Iudging write as she may seeme deuyne Vaticinium VRANIES A breefe Summarie of the principall Argumentes handled in these seuen Dayes Pleasures 1 OF the difference betweene the Married state and the single lyfe 2 Of the inconueniences of forced Marriages 3 Of the inconueniences of rash Marriages 4 Of diuers speciall poyntes concerning Marriage in generall 5 Of the inconueniences of ouer loftye and too base Loue in the choyce of either Husband or Wyfe 6 Of the inconueniences of Marriages where there are inequalytie of yeares
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
as to perceiue they will iudge by their owne eyes and not by your hartes and so from shaddowes may growe euill effectes If there sight be so quick ê™ Franceschina Santa then If their sight be so quick quoth Franceschina Sancta then though by a negligent trespasse their wiues sometime giue them cause to sigh with a number of louing vsadges they will giue them daylye occasion of reioysinge I graunt as muche quoth Soranso but this will follow the Husband will turne his owne mistruste to hys Wiues sorrow and receaue her good vsage to his owne pryuate comfort Indeede quoth Aluisa Vechio the loue of a ielous husband is sawced with such frowarde motions as I had rather be matched with him that regardeth mée not at al then with him that loueth mée too muche for of the one though I am not beloued yet I shall not be much crossed of the other I being too much beloued I shall neuer be in quiet I am not of your mynde quoth Helena Dulce I had rather haue my Husbande ielous then carelesse for being carelesse no good vsage will reconcile him and being Ielous the Wife may studie out how to please him Yea but quoth Katharina Trista Men are so easye conceited that if they perceiue a woman studdieth how to please them they straight waies imagine she will lykewise studdie how to deceiue them and therefore God shéelde mée from a Ielous Housbande I haue heard the whightstreaked Carnation Giliflower was the Metamorphos of a Faire Gentlewoman beheaded by her husband vpon this Ielous thought that his wife beinge so faire could not but be beloued of the Gods although hée had no cause to suspect men And where haue yée a larger Example of Loue then the Aduenture of Orpheus who by extreame sorrow and sute recouered his Wife out of Hell and by ouer Ielous Loue sent her thither againe Doctor Mossenigo was smyling out a scoffe vpon this tale which Quéene Aurelia intercepted by ending of the Gentlewomens contention By your talke of Hell quoth she I sée we are out of the way to Platoes Parradice and therfore good we tourne backe agayne In déede Madame quoth Fabritio if we trauell styll to choose the leaste of Euylles it wyll be longe before we come to the Fountayne of Goodnesse Me thinkes quoth Isabella the Sonet which mooued the late Question directes a fayre way to happinesse in Mariage for it commendeth loftie Loue And if accordyng to the oulde Prouerbe The best is best cheape this Aduenture geueth Hope and promiseth good Fortune It is true quoth Soranso I dare vndertake to approoue it the happiest estate in Mariage Dondolo because he would not be disgraced by mariyng a Burgoys fayre Daughter of Rauenna offered to prooue the contrarie Quéene Aurelia licensed them to shew their reasons Whervpon quoth Soranso to geue great Ladies and Gentlewomen of calling their true right and honor who lightly marry not their Inferiours in reputation but for some especiall Uertue that doth commende their choice and cleareth the Bleamish of their Husbandes basenes I must confesse that he which rayseth his thought so hye vndertaketh no doubt a tedious sute his delayes wyll be gréeuons and his Solliciters wyll be well rewarded in what sort so euer he be regarded But what of this Quo quid difficilius eo pulchrius Perryll maketh honor perfect the styngyng of the Bée mendes the swéetenes of Honie Roses best refresheth our Sences when we prick our handes to reache them He that crackes the Nut thinkes the Kernell swéetest The reason is not for that the goodnesse of a thing is the better for the euil thervnto belonging but for that the remeÌ„brance of y t euyl maketh vs holde the good in more reputation especially in loue The Affection whiche is forced with teares wonne with sighes gaind with expence and compassed with sorow is held most pleasant most perfect of longest continuance Againe easie gotten good wyll becoÌ„meth in a while lothsome the cause is as I coÌ„ceiue for y t the pleasure was neuer seasoned w t paine Once a man in louing his better to encrease his passion shal lack no occasion both to séeke sue sigh serue yet to féede his hope he shal want neyther faire lookes good wordes nor possybilytie of fauour For for to obtain a great Ladie acquireth many circumstaunces not for that shee is precise to loue but for that shee is wise or woulde bee so thought in herprocéedinges But whether she loue or no Ouid saith there is no woman but wil indure the demaund she is contented with seruice to be courted in recoÌ„pence rewardeth with good countenance But which most sustaineth hope the exaÌ„ple is in coÌ„tinual vse that loue spareth no degrée transgresseth euery law bringeth y t mightiest in boÌ„dage to the meanest King Cofetua the Affrican became enamoured of a Begger faire Venus espoused yll fauoured Vulcan Pigmalion doted vpon an Image Narcissus was drowned in imbrasing his owne shadow mightie Ioue many times cast aside his diuinitie to dallie with simple country trulles then why shuld the affected how bace so euer his estate be dispaire to attempt a great Ladie wheÌ„ his warrant is signed with so large Aucthoryties But whether he spéede or faile be accepted or reiected well entertained or yll intreated the ymagination that time wil inuest his desire w t delight is to the Affected a Paradice farre exellyug the possession of equall loue But if in the end her affection or his good fortune concludeth his wish in desire her loue whiche can not choose but be great in that she marieth beneth her callyng And her Abylytie which allured at the first with his inhabylytie to realysh both can not but make the Husbande fortunate and the Wife well pleased for that in recompence of this aduancement she may presume somwhat to rule her Heade but which most contents she shal haue the satisfaction of her fancie a bed If a House were as soone bilded as the Plot is drawn quoth Dondolo Shepherds wold disdaine to liue in Co rages eueÌ„ so if euery maÌ„ could as soone coÌ„passe a Lady for himselfe as he can report the fortune of other there must be an Act to make Ladies or Lords must be glad of mean Women But admit by the example of other mens Aduauncements that the meanest may be raised by the yeelding fancye of the mightie I prophesie that such an vpstarte had more néede of ten Eyes to warde the mallice of his Wiues kindred then one tongue to moue her to kindnesse A woman cannot myslike affectionated profers because they procéede of loue But her kindred disdaineth his attempte for that the conclusion tendeth both to their and her dishonour A woman séeing her seruaunts passions cannot but sustaine him with pittie her Kindred séeinge him in good way to bee beloued will lye in waite for his lyfe For though she may dispose of her
yonge wife a Companion to recreate an olde man but he shal finde her a Corsiue that wyl consume him to death A yong man concludeth the swéetest sollace in loue with sighes it is then lyke an olde man endes it with teares And God he knowes he often wéepeth more of desire to please his wyfe then of any Deuotion he hath to wantoÌ„nesse yet is al his paynes to a fruitlesse purpose for that the Game finissheth in his griefe neither began nor endes in his wyues contentment You are too quicke in Aduauntage Segnior Soranso quoth the Doctor Oulde Wine thoughe it be dead in the mouthe yet is it warme in the Stomacks when the Newe fumes in the Heade but comforteth not the heart Dry woodde maketh a bright Fyre where gréene Bowes consume halfe awaye in Fume and Somake The Sonne riseth watrishlye and is longe before it geueth heate where in the After noone it scorcheth the face So a Yonge man deuideth his Loue into a hundreth Affections and euery fancie pleased there wyll but a little fall to his wyues share where an Olde mans Loue is settled and his fancie is fixed vpon one And as the resighted Examples in Age are in best hart so to proue an olde mans sufficiencie there is a common Prouerbe Gray Haires are nourished with greene thoughts Now to coÌ„tent his yong wyfe she shal haue no cause to suspect his Affection abroade and shall not lacke to bée belooued at home Moreouer whiche delighteth a yong woman who naturallye is Ambitious shée shall take her place accordyng to the grauitie of her Husband and not as her yong yeares requyreth And to conclude to giue her an honourable name the most precious Iuell with which a woman may be beautified she shall receyue graue Directions from her Husbande and through the swéete delight she taketh in hearyng her good Gouernment coÌ„mended she wyll put them in Execution Doctor Mossenigo replied not with this vehemencie for any delight he had to commende this vnequall estate in Mariage but to flatter Katharina Trista with an Ambitious Hope of great Reputation in matchyng with his aged self but she that knew a leg of a Larke was better then the whole Carkasse of a Kyte woulde none God thank him And to make him horne wood if hée perseuered in his opinion in Soransoes behalfe quoth Bergetto his auncient crosser Maister Doctor theare is more pryde in your wordes then Substance in your proofes your hartie olde Wine must be drawen out when it is broached your drie woodde is but a blaze and your hot Sunne doth but sweate for sorow that he is goyng to cowche in the dark Caues of Tartessus But as touching Old men they may well be sufficient in gréene thoughts as you terme them but I am assured that in déedes they are weake and wythered And therefore a man cannot speake too muche euill of this excesse in dotage withered Flowers are more fit for a Dunghill then méete to deck a house olde rotten Trées are néedefull for the fyre but vnnecessarie to stande in an Orchad euen so olde decaied creatures are comely in the Church but vnséemely by a yong womans side The olde man which marrieth a yonge Wyfe is sure of this sowre sauce to rellish his swéete Imaginations his beloued wife how so euer she dissembleth disdayneth hym his neighbors al to be flouteth him and soothing Parisites beguileth him common opinion will counterfeit him lyke Acteon not so much for the ficklenesse they sée in his wife as for the infirmities they know in himselfe And bréefely to conclude his ioye hée may perchaunce lyue two yeares with his faire wife but the mischaunce of his Children will remember his infamie for euer Gréene Iuy which catcheth an olde Trée maketh quicke worke for the fire and the imbracements of a faire Woman hastneth an olde man to his Graue And although it be a haynous wronge causelesse to condemne the Wyfe yet this will be the opinyon shée killed her Husband with thought to heare and sée how she trespassed both against his and her owne honour Foule fall suche a Marriadge quoth Maria Belochy where the vertuous Wife shal be slaundered through the imperfections of her Husbande It is some wrong ê™ Fabritio but she might haue foreséene the mischiefe while she was frée Well quoth Quéene Aurelia vpon this knowledge of michaunce our companie are sufficiently warned Procéede in Iudgement as you allow eithers opinion Whereupon Fabritio with Isabella with one accord gaue sentence against Dâ—…ctor Mossenigo in these words An olde man amourous of a yong Woman is an enemie both to his health and reputation for the causes aforesaid The rest of the companie smyled to héere this iudgement but the Doctor brake foorth many a secret sigh not for the disgace he tooke in his pleading for he defended an yll matter with colour sufficient but in that he knew this verdict would alwaies be a barre in his sute While the Doctor and Soranso argued Quéene Aurelia espyed in the Cloath of Arras a Beast fourmed like an Unicorne saue that he bare his Horne in his nose whiche beast sléeping laide his murthering Horne in a yong Maidens lap and after the question was decided shee demaunded what that Beast was and what the misterie signyfyed but the meaning was as strannge as the sight to most of the companie In the ende quoth Ismarito Madam I haue read of a gallant yong Gentleman of Naples named Rinautus that was Metamorphosed into such a Beast by this adueÌ„ture passing through the Iland Circeâ—…uÌ„ that Homer speaketh off which is now annexed vnto the Continent he was espied of Circes who inhabited that Ilande This wrincled yll fauoured Witch at the first sight was surprised in Loue with the goodly shape and beautie of this seemely Gentleman but for al her charmes and Inchauntments her Arte failed either to force him to Loue or to frée her selfe from louing for notwithstandinge shee was a Goddesse he disdained her ouer worne soule and wythered visage and shee presumyng of her Sorcerie powred fresh Coales vppon her kyndled desyre in hope that necessitie would force him to consent to the requeste fréewill contemned but Cupid to whom such power onely belongeth to scourge her presumption in suche sorte hardened Rinautus harte that all Circes Sute and Sorceries tended vnto a fruitlesse successe In so much as in her rage she turned him into a Rhinocerot a Beast of vnconquerable force who in his nose beareth a borne much like to the Unicorne But notwithstanding hee was thus transfourmed as King Nahucadonizer in the fourme of an Oxe retained the spirit of a man so hée in his altered shape nourished his auncient disdaine of yll fauoured Circes and so bee fully auenged with all hys force pursueth olde Creatures and such as hée ouertaketh hée goreth to death yet is he by this polycie subdued Place a faire Maide in his walke and foorth with hee will with a
louinge countenaunce repaire vnto her and in her bosome gently bestow his murthering Horne and sodainlye as one rauished with contentment hée fauleth a sléepe by which meanes he is slaine before he recouereth the vse of his force The Companie laughed well to heare this straunge Metamorphosis In the end ê™ Quéene Aurelia I would Maister Doctor had hard this Hystorie when hée so inuayed against Beautie perhaps he would haue bene affraide of her vengeaunce seeing her power able to conquere sauage wilde Beastes But the Doctor glad of this aduantage not vnlyke the tuÌ„ning Lawier that buyeth Robin hoodes penniworthes yet with some nice forfaitures threatneth the seller with continuall bondage many times bringeth backe his money and kéepeth his bargen not caring for his Concience so that hée haue a colour for his offence or as the wysest sorte of Atheistes that liue as though they hoped neyther after heauen nor feared Hel yet confesse God with their mouth hecause the contrarie woulde make them hated of men so he by this tale found out both a warrant to maintayne his former Blasphemie and to excuse his present Follie in Loue And to Aucthorize either Madame quoth he the inchaunted Beaste approoueth myne opinion of Beauties power and his Death is a greater witnesse of her crueltie then is Doctor Mossenigo who confesseth that men in vayne prescribe Remedies for the Affected or Receites to preserue men from the Infections of Beautie You are welcome vnder our Lée ê™ Aluisa Vechio But to take awaye all hope of good intertaynment quoth Katharina Trista no no Maister Doctor you deceyue your selfe Beautie neyther retaineth the power nor poyson which you speake of and with you Ouid and all the amorous Poets are mistaken who say Affection riseth from Beautie and not of the frée wyll of man But say yon all what you please good foresight wyll contrary your opinions There is no sore but hath his salue no griefe but hath his remedie nor no daunger but may be forstoode eyther by prayer or good indeuoure In déede quoth Faliero Socrates â—…altred his inclination by the Studie of Phylosophie The Nyniuites preserued their Cittie by prayer and Virbius dubled his life by mastering of his disposission Floradin bewitched with the loue of faire Persida his deare friend Pericles Wife wrote in a table Booke fye Floradin fye shée is thy friend Pericles Wife and so often as idlenes presented him with thys passyon he read his written remembraunce and by some honest exercise remooued his imagination This is not your day Maister Doctor quoth Soranso I beléeue there is some vnkindnes betwéene Saturne and Venus by the enuious aspeckt of some other Plannet this howre It maye be quoth the Doctor by the flatterie of Mercurie who is euermore enemie to the plainnes of trueth Well quoth Quéene Aurelia let vs leaue this bye matter and consider better of Ismaritos Metamorphosis me thinks it prophesieth muche mischaunce to an Dulde Wydowe whiche marteth a Yonge man and no greate pleasure to the yonge maried Bacheler O good Madam say not so quoth Soranso for in this fortune lyeth a yonger Brothers welfare and the cause that maketh happinesse accompanie olde wemen to their Graue It may well be to their Graue quoth the Doctor but it bryngeth sorow into their House and maketh their life more vnpleasant then death and if Soranso followe this Course perhappes his day wyll be no better then Doctor Mossenigos Quéene Aurelia smilinge saide shee feared this câ—…ntention woulde bring the companie to hell gates Yet quoth she In that I imagine the way will be pleasaunt I licence you to perseuer in your purpose Uppon which warrant quoth Soranso to maintaine that to be true which I haue alreadie alleadged in the commendation of this estate in marriage This further reason in my conceite you will neither disalowe nor the married couple shall haue cause to mislike which is where a fresh young Gentleman either of small liuing or farre spent with lustinesse lights of a rich olde widow for that both their desires in this fortune shall bee satisfied He shall haue plentie of Coyne the onelie Grace hee lacked and she the possession of a goodlie Parsonage the chéefest Iewel she loueth which exchaunge of Marchandise can not chuse but continue their liking and raise much coutentment Cleane contrarie ê™ the Doctor for y e follies of a yong maÌ„ is sufficiently punished by marrying an olde womaÌ„ 〈◊〉 y e sins of an olde widdow ar fully plagued in matching w t a yong man for that contrarie to your suggestion neither can inioye the cause of their Mariage without annoyance to their mindes for his lyking is fastned on her riches which she will not but by necessitie leaue her loue is setled on his person which for her pleasure he disdaineth to punish The vnfortunate yongman knowes not what gréefe hée ioynes to his gaine in matchinge with an olde widdow till that experience breakes them forth in sighes If his wife be ritche shee will looke to gouerne if shee bée poore he is plagued both with beggery and bondage If she be proude she will hide her abylytie to maintaine her pompe If she be testie he is forst to patience If she bee Ielous hée canne hardlye indure her rages And to conclude if the olde doting widdow be frée from one of thâ—…se faults she is tied to forty euils of lesse sufâ—…ce for if her Husbande commaunde her will shee straight waies sayeth her other Husband was more kinde If hée chance to dine from home she wyls him to â—…up with his harlots if he spend beyond her allowance thus she reuiles hym A Begger I fownd thee and so thou wylt leaue mee To chastice her talke setteth an edge of her tongue to suffer her in her rage maketh her raylynges irreuocable By your wordes Maister Doctor ê™ Lucia Bella the wife is the greatest cause of this contention and yet in common opinion the Husband is most blamed Madame you are too hastie in an aduauntage I ment no such parciallytie quoth the Doctor Yea Madame quoth Bargetto M. Doctor is now so conquered as his tong is the Trumpet of your pleasure It is so quoth the Doctor to sound out those thinges which are true and in trueth the yonge Husbande often tymes maketh the euilles good in déedes which the olde wyfe vseth but in wordes for no lenger then she féedeth him with Coyne shall she enioy his companie If she rob not her Children to inrich him she shall lack no froward lookes nor fowle vsage If she put him in possession of her lyuing he straight wayes dispossesseth her of his loue for hauing what he sought he wyl els where be enamoured And vprightly to speake she lacketh neither occasion too lament nor cause to be inraged for who is so patient as can dissemble her vnsufferable passions both to be spoyled of her lyuing and to be exyled
fancie or folly hath enthralled her to a second Husband whose power is to direct and displeased to check This seueritie of Father in lawes hath bred much diuision in Marriage but still the quarrels are concluded with the detryment of the Children for the vnhappie wife is bound to one of these two euils either to agrée to the tyrannizing of her entrayles or to yéelde to her owne continuall sorrow and vnquietnesse And where the case is so desperate it may be lamented but not wondred at that necessitie breake the boundes of nature To staye this mischéefe quoth Helena Dulce Honourable is the custome of Spaine where the vertuous Dame holdeth the second Mariage a retrograding of her reputation and a wrong to her deceased husband for by this stayednesse she is in possession of her libertie and hath the disposing of her liuing I holde this precise custome quoth Dondolo more profitable then necessarie for the penaunce were to harde yea vnpossible to be indured that the lusty young Widdowe should be constrayned to a Uirgins chastytie for as Ouid deuineth I that some times of Nuptiall rites Haue taste the pleasant toyes Now cannot chuse but call to minde Dame Venus sugred ioyes But if the aged widdow could liue within this lawe it would bring honour to her yeares and happinesse to the ende of her life What better husbands may she haue then her owne Children whom shee may bothe commaund and controule whose dutyes are to labour in her causes and to vnburden her heart of cares and when she departeth this life where may she better dispose her liuing then vpon her own Children whom to reléeue she is coniured by nature and to bring vp in good nurture bound in conscience But from the beginning so rife hath béene the dotage of Widdowes that when their feeble legges faintely supporteth their consumed bodyes when at hie noone their mistie eyes hardly discerneth the hye way and when forste thorough lack of téethe they swallowe theyr meate theyr lippes notwithstanding take delight in kisses and their mindes thirst after wantonnesse Mens follyes are as great as Womens simplicities in this ouersight in dotage quoth Quéene Aurelia but I thinke it necessarie that héere we staye our iorney least we enter into Hell before we be aware and therefore Segnior Fabritio I pray you let vs haue your sentence to ouer rule this question Madam quoth Fabritio the euill of this inequallitie in Mariage is bothe so auncient and so common in vse as there néedeth no other iudgement then experience of our neighbours mischaunces but to succour the iniured children I would that one of Laertius lawes were common to y e whole world which is wher the TennauÌ„t sued his Lorde the Seruaunt his Maister or the Childe his Parents that Iudges themselues should foorthwith looke into the Processe and determine the same for it is vehemently to be supposed that these sutes are foreced vpon vehement iniuries otherwise the Seruaunt would feare to sue his Maister who hath power moderately to chasten him the Tennant would quake to vnquiet his Lord who hath many meanes to crosse him and without whose grace he may neuer liue in peace Shame and dutie in any sufferable matter would make the childe forbeare to molest his PareÌ„ts for but where his cause is known Reporte like a two edged Knife would besides his iniurie wound him with blame and omission of dutie Therfore where the least of two daungerous euils foreceth the aboue sayd to sue it is much to be lamented that delaye countenaunce of fréends corruption with bribes and other supporters which the riche hath should torment the poore complaynant more then his originall iniurie Your reason is but iust quoth Quéene Aurelia and the rest of the company who wearie with the multitude of the resited mischaunces heere broke of the Disputation and went and reposed themselues in the great Chamber The speeche which passed the sixt night at Supper betweene Segnior Phyloxenus and his Honourable Guestes ACcording to the order of Merchaunts who at the latter ende of the yeare suruey theyr accounts to sée what fortune and mischaunce they haue receyued thorough the whole yeare past Segnior Philoxenus towards the latter end of Supper smilelingly demaunded an account of the benefit of the chosen companies sixe dayes Disputation Sir quoth Soranso with a modest merry countenaunce we are like to present you a Eanckrupts reckoning who the longer he occupieth the worse he thriueth so we these sixe dayes haue trauailed to finde out a way to the Parradise in Mariage and euery day we haue béen further and further off of our determination one day we thought that the wealthy matches of Parentes would haue spéeded our iorney but there lack of loue in the Children cast vs behinde hand an other day we imagined that frée choise in the Children would haue directed vs to happinesse in Marriage but want of 〈◊〉 and frowardnes in the parentes marred this marth In lofty loue we found dainger in base loue sothesomâ—…esse and inconstancy and where there is inequality of yeares fume and smoke of Hell so that now wee shall be dryuen to renounce our profession and runne awaye with the Banckâ—…owt least if he staye as he is chopped vp in pryson so we if wee procéede any further be drowned in the ryuer Stix If you trauaile with as much pleasure as you report your aduentures with ease quoth Signior Philoxenus I wonder but a little though errour carryed you to Hell gates but to incourage you to perseuer in your fyrst purpose let this comfort you that thinges when they are at the worst begin again to amend The Feauer giueth place to health when he hath brought the pacyent to deathes doore The Bée when he hath lefte his stinge in your hand without dainger may playe with your eye lidde so when all the inconueniences of Marriage are in your eares you may very well receiue her into your heart and to conclude your benifytte with your owne example there is no such husband as the vnthrifte when he fasteneth vppon â—…e worlde for in spending of other mennes goodes he learned howe to spare his owne when he gettes them so in the pleasaunt beating out of these inconueniences you knowe what maketh Marriage bitter and the gréefe knowen the remedye is easie With your fauour Sir quoth Dondolo to be sicke is common to all men but to restore to health vnder God is the offyce of the Phisition so we all knowe by our owne trauaile the infirmities of Marriage but to fynde out the blessinges muste procéede from your sound directions which fauour to obtaine we are all earnest suters Your request is so iuste quoth Segnior Philoxenus that if I were able as I am not to better your iâ—…gementes I would not be daintye in this pleasure but for that the more the opinions are in the end the more profound the sentence is I wyll too morrowe in part to satisfie