the Son of the King of Hungary fell sick and his destemper encreasing more and more upon him all the Physitians of that Kingdom gave him over for dead the King being troubled to lose his Son was advertised that if his Son might escape by Physick Hipocrates only could cure him for this skilful Physitian was renowned through all the World by means of his great knowledg and having conferred with the Queen about the matter who was also very sad for the sickness of the Prince her Son and very desirous of his recovery advised with all diligence to send Ambassadours to Hipocrates with great presents to indâ—re him besides far greater promises which the said Ambassadours were charged to make him to come and cure the young Prince of Hungary who without his help would unavoidably perish The Ambassadors being come to Hipocrates and having declared their charge and delivered their presents which the Kâ— g had sent which he kindly received he thus answered that he was as much troubled as the King their Master for the desire he had to do him humble service in regard that he could not go and therefore he entreated that his Majes y would excuse him by reason of his inability in respect of his great age he being now decriped and diseased in his body but however he would fully satisfie the desire of their Master by an only Nephew which he would send who being very â—kâ—lâ—ul being alwayes brâ—d up with him and prâ—ctised under him in such manner that he knew him â—â—ffiâ—iâ—nt for this cure and that thereâ—ore that the Kâ—â—g should not disesteâ—m him for hiâ— youthfulness for he should find him very able in hiâ— uâ—dâ—â—taking The Ambassador seeing Hipocrates not to be in a cond tion to travell and having a very good opinion of his Nephew took him wâ—th them and pâ— ceeded so on the r journey that they arived at the â—â—â—â—rt where thâ—y were well received oâ— the King and Queen and that they might not loose time the K â—g condâ—cted the Physition to his Sâ—n But whâ—n he had seen him and heard him speâ—k knew by his â—â— s gâ—ony and other signs that he was not the Kâ—â—gâ— Sâ—n and therefore before he would do any thâ—ng in â—rder to the cure being desirâ— uâ— to be resolved of the doubt he had conceived he desired to speak with the Queen alone whereupon being privately with her in her Chamber he thus began Madam if you please to tell me the truth of what I shall ask you I will in short time restore your Son to his former hâ—alth otherwise I can give you no assâ—rance of it The Queâ—n promised him with an Oath so desirous sâ—e was to see heâ— Son well not to conceâ—l any tâ—ing thâ—t he should d sire of her Then the Physitian said I dâ—sire only to know if the Father of the sick Child be here to this the Queen â—nswered do you think that any but the King is his Father to this the Physitian replyed since you are not pleased to tell me the truâ—h Iâ— will be gon and your Son will dye The Queen hearing this resolved so as she might save her Sons life to tell tâ—e Physitiâ—n that which she could not upâ—n any account lâ—t any Person in the world know and having taken on Oath of the Physitian to be secret in what she should tell hâ—m she blushing for shame thus began I would excuse my self but you are not ignorant of the sad condition that married Women are in who are Childless for in truth that is their only riches and content for the Husbands who can hâ—ve no Children of their Wives do hate them a◠〈◊〉 it were her fault and for this cause the poor Women are disdained slighted and ill used and their Husbands seek out other Women that they may have a Bastard to succeed them after their death This being my case having lived long with the King without any Child and being therefore accounted barren and slighted by every one I purposed to know whether the defect was in me or my Husband whereupon I having â—eâ—n the Miller come into the Couâ—t to bring in Câ—rn to the Granery and believing that to be a good oppertunity to execute my design because the King was gone a hunting and all my Women dispersed some in one place and some in an other I caussed him to enter into my Cabinet pretending to speak with him alone where he had to do with me and that several times after so that I perceived my self to be with Child and that I might the better wier the matter I caused the King to lye frequently with me so that at the time oâ— my Child-birth it was supposed to be the Kings Child and so it is still and after this I was better respâ—cted of the King and honoured by all wherefore I pray you to save him which I got by such art to my great peril The Physitian smileing to himself answered Madam take no further care I will restore your Son safe and sound and thereupon after many remedies which he gave to the sick person causing him to be nourished with gross meats according to his natural constitution he became well The Physitian then seeing his Patient in good case and out of danger and that it was time to return he took leave of the King and Queen who presented him with Gold and Silver and gave him good and honourable Company to attend him to his Uncle to whom he relâ—ted every partâ—cular that had hapned by which relation Hipocrates knew the great profit which his Nephew had made in so little time for which cause instead of takeing pleasure in regard he had so taught him he conceived a mortal hatred against him and doubting that the skil of his Nephew would deminish his renown in regard he was to succeed him and to possess a great many books which Hipocrates had composed according to the great experience of his time which would encrease the fame of his Nephew and diminish his own if his receits should come into his possession he therefore purposed privately to kill him and thereupon having caused him to come into his garden where he had all sorts of herbs he demanded if he knew their several vertues to which his Nephew answered yes he desired him to pluck up one of them which he named and as the young man stooped to the ground not doubting any thing the envious old man struck him between the head and shoulders with a hatchet which he had hidden under his gown and slew him at the first blow and to conceale his cruelty he buried him in the same place where he had killed him It hapned as God is just and leaves nothing unpunished that soon after Hipocrates fell sick of the bloody flux so violent that no medicine could stop it But Hipocrates to make tryal of his skil caused a great Vessel to be filled with water whereinto he having cast a certain powder he drew out several
all dispatches and affairs to these seven Sages who acted all things as they were minded and gave the King what account they best thought for their purpose but above all thing they took care not to displease him so that in time they were in such high esteem and they were taken rather to be Lords of all England then Counsellours true it is that in the beginning they took so good order in the execution of justice that all things were done in good order but afterwards when they had tasted of the great gifts and presents that was usually made them they then were so desirous to heap up riches that they minded nothing else without respecting their honour or the zeal they should have to justice and among other inventions to raise mony they found out one than would raise them a world of riches at that time it was a custome in England for the Natives to give such credit to dreames that the believed the greatest part of their affairs and chiefly those of importance were divinely revealed to them in visions and dreams which they little or much understood according to to the goodness and sanctity of the persons who thus should dream so that when any one had dreamed of any thing that she could not understand they had recourse to the Sages whereof in England there was great plenty and for their advise carried great presents as if Gold and Silver would cause the true interpretation of dreams these seven Deputies or Governours of the Kingdome understanding of this that they might shew themselves the more knowing and more excellent in all things than any body else and more particularly in the interpretations of dreâ—ms under preâ—ence of takeiâ—g away the abuse which was done upon that account and that the people might not be decâ—ived in the interpretation of dreâ—ms tâ—ey published an Eâ—ict by which it was prohibited all persons to go to any to have interpretation of dreams but to them â—lves In persuance of which Eâ—â—ct a world of people came to them every dâ—y with great presents so that in short time these Lords were â—icheâ— in mony then the King himself who minding nothing but to take his pleasure fell into a vâ—â—y strange accident for having hiâ— Nâ—ts to be piâ—ched in a very pleasant Forrest to please the â—â—dies with a coâ—â—â— at hunting he was no sooner gone out of the gaâ—es of London to gâ— to this hunting but that his eye-sight was so troublâ—d that he could not see wherefore taking advâ—ce of his Physicians who looking on the Kâ—â—gs eyes found they were fair and without blemish and understanding that he had no pain in his head that he was not wounded that might occasion this blindness they knew not what to think of it but only advised the King to return to his Pallace and go rest himself and that in the mean time they would consult among themselves of this accident to remedy it as well as possibly they could according to this advise the King turned his bridle to return back but he was no sooner entered the City-gate but he recovered his sign without using any remedy whereupon being not only joyful but wondring with a merry heart he turned his bridle to go follow the company but he was no sooner out of the City but he was agen taken with his former blindness so that he was forced to turn back towards the Court and yet so soon as he was entred within the City-gates he recovered his former sight yet in regard the time was somewhat spent he put off the hunting untill aâ— other time The next day going to pass away some time at a garden that was without the City he was no sooner passed London Gates but he became blind as he had done the day before and no sooner was he returned in the City but he saw as cleerly as he had formerly done upon this account the Physitians were amazed they had many consultations but without any effect for in general it was thus the Kings sight was good so long as he was within the Citâ— but so soon as he was out of it he became blind and alâ—hough he went out at several Gates and had tryed them all yet he still continued blind so long as he was out of the City and when he returned he could see well enough In this condition this poor Prince remained for sometime and câ—â—â—d not finde any remedâ— which was a great â—ffliction to him to see himself confin'd to the City of London whereupon one day he called the seven Counsellors to whom he had committed the Government of the Kingdome remembring that they had given out that they could give a reason for all things and therefore he expresly enjoyned them that they should make known to him the cause of his blindness that he might finde a remedy without being thus confined within the walls of the City of London but these great Sages who knew as little of the causes as the King were so amazed that they could not speak answer a word to purpose yet however dissembling their ignorance they told the King that the case required to take some time of advice to consult well on the matter and to studdy on it that they might give him such an answer as might be to his content to this the King replyed I give you all this day to advise upon it and charge you that tomorrow morning you give me an answer but the Sages finding this time to be too precise and too short told him that the case was of thâ—t importance that it required a moneth of delay how a moneth said the King is this the great readiness which you boast to have by your â—kil presently to resolve all doubts and questionâ—â—gâ— and consult together and in fifâ—een dayes resolve me of what I desire and finde a remedy or I promise you I will make an example of you to all such as for the future shall he so bold as to abuse their Princes These poor unadvised Sages hearing this were much troubled yet since they had a terme of fifteen dayes they pluckt up their spirits hoping in that time to supply their ignorance by the knowledg of some other so that they assured the King that within the time prefixed they would give him the satisfaction he desired and having took leave of the King they each of them severâ—ly sent away messengers in Post to all parts to finde out some knowing person to whom they might apply themselves in this affair and their Messengers had good success they heaâ—d of the vertue and miraculous spirit of the child Merlin and of the sayings he used which surpassed all humain understanding This child was but young and was born miraculously so that it was believed that his Mother had conceived being a Virgin being with child by a Spirit or a Magician who it was reported had given her a great belly without touching her by means of a familiar Spirit but let it be so
them and feared of his enemies Thus affairs growing every day better and better it happened that in the Citty of Alexandria which was his naturall Country the great warrs unfruitful seasons and other bad influences had caused such a Scarcity of Victuals that the g eateâ—t part of the inhabitants dyed with famine so that the inhabitants of Alexandria were necessitated to travel into several Countries to get Corn for the poor and therefore they made choice of the most expert and the most knowing men that they could find amongst them who willingly accepted of the Imployment because they were well provided with every thing that from other parts they might relieve their Citizens passing their time at the charge of others Among the rest they made Choice of Europus the naturall Father of Entichus and who had thrown him into the Sea who having taken Povt in the Isle of Candy where the Stars had so long before prepared a Crown for him he desired leave to buy up in that Island a great quantity of Corn King Entichus being acquainted herewith caused enquitey to be made who they were that were in the Ship and from whence they came and being informed of the truth and knowing the necessity of his Country and the name of the Commander and of the Ship he did suspect that it was his Father and therefore he purposed before he departed to make himself known to him and to put him in mind of the great fault which he had committed Whereupon having sent for him to come to his Pallace pretending to discourse with him about other affairs he caused him to stay and Dine with him which invitation he knowing not how to refuse accepeted of wâ—th such honour and reverence as hath been accustomed to be used by those who speak with Kings Princes and other great Lords Being at the Table after that the King had sufficiently informed himself of the estate of the City of Alexandria in generall he questioned with his Father of his particular affairs of his name and how many Children he had Whereupon the Merchant having told his name answered sighing that he had no Children and that he never had but one who perished in the Sea by a miserable misfortune It may be said the King your Son is not dead for there is one here present who hath escaped from such a like misfortune as you speak of and as he saith he is the Son of a Merchant of the City of Alexandria and thereforâ— advised him to look about him upon all the Company there present for it may happen that he may know his Son before his Son did know him The Merchant observing what the King had said began to take notice of all those that were in the Hall and on the other side every one looked upon him believing that they should understand somewhat that was as yet unknown and after he had well looked upon and taken notice of every one he said to the K ng that he could not find that his Son was there present whereupon the King said if you had well considered the Spectacle which you had of the two white Birds and the interpretation that was made to you you would of your self have known that which I shall now tell you for it was I my felf whose way to greatness you would hinder instead of advanceing it as you ought The good man hearing him speak of two white Birds suddenly changed his Collour being confounded within himself with shame But when he heard this spoken to his face and in the presence of so many great Lords the occasion that had moved him to such an excess he gâ—ew pale and red both at once and knowing no other way to make amends for his faults he arose from the Table and cast himself at his Sons feet asking him pâ—rdon But the King who was no less generous then great and puissant took hold of him and raised him praying him that forgetting what was passed he would make use of that power which God had given him and that he would rest contented that he had made him know by effects that it is impossible to interrupt or hinder that which the pleasure of God hath once ordained and so having sent by others a sufficient quantity of Corn for his Country he caused his Father to remain with him taking order to bring the rest of his family to Candy to participate of that good fortune which had befallen him contrary to all humane thoughts and which he had well and wisely persued By this Example said Erastus and many others as admirable as this which I could relate we may assuredly conclude that whatsoever hath been once ordained and established above doth usually come to pass so that nothing here below can obstruct or hinder it being assured of this I and my Masters did expose our selves to very great hazard and danger in our coming to Rome and the only remedy that we had was for me to be silent for the space of seven days in doing whereof the heavens promised me a good issue and deliverance provided that some would defend my cause for that Term the which my seven Masters like prudent and valliant Champions have done I therefore resolved to follow the right remedy which had been prescribed me for the conservation of my life and honour the which otherwise I should have dishonourably lost as the heavens had let me know soon after my arrivall at Rome the shame whereof would have been much more grievious to me than the death wherewith I was threatned Behold then what hath induced me and indeed enforced me to be Dumb these seven days which I suppose hath been as much to your astonishment as my trouble to see my self constrained by a fatall silence to confirme the opinion that every one might have that I would commit an action so wicked and wretched as that which hath been falsly charged on me by the Empress who being a woman and naturally enclined to be fickle and angry and having been lately in love with me it is no wonder if she hath converted that love which she first shewed me into a mortal hatred endeavouring to make me dye who am her Son in Law as it hath frequently befallen others who without any reason have prosecuted their Sons in law either through hatred or anger As for hatred we may finde examples enough in antient Histories as that which Jur conceived against Phrisso and Helle and of the Modern Histories there are enough and of hatred we may read how the cruel Phedra treated the innocent Hipolitus whose companion I had certainly bin both in cause and miserable death if the evident danger wherein I was had not been manifested to me by Heaven and the means to escape it the which I have hitherto done by the good assistance of my Masters here present to whom I am indebted not only for the good instructions I have received of them but also for my life as for the crime
the charge and keeping of her sent several Damsels to see how it was with the Empress who opening the Chamber door very softly and seeing her lye on the bed thought that she had slept not immagining that it was her last long sleep as indeed it was and therefore that they might not awak her they returned to those that had â—ent them telling them that the Empress was fast asleep whereupon those Senators that had the charge of her were amazed wondring that one in her condition could sleep so soundly The Sun being risen they went to the Senate which on that occasion was so early assembled where being come they advised how they should proceed in this affaire and they concluded that all manner of advantage allowed to Criminals should be permitted to the Empress that she might Justifie her self that she should have leave to choose one or more Advocates to plead her cause either in her presence or in her absence as she should think fit This being determined by the Senate those who had the Empress in Custody were sent to fetch her that she her self might see the fair means they would use in her cause notwithstanding the great rigour and precipitateness which she had used against Prince Erastus The Gentlemen being arrived at the lodging where the Empress was deteyned sent the same Damsels that had been there in the morning to see what she did who finding that she had not stirred carried back word to the Gentlemen that she was not yet awake Whereupon the Gentlemen wondring resolved to awake her and thereupon entring into the Chamber with the Damsels they opened the Windows and seeing that for all that she stirred not one of the Damsels called softly Madam Madam To which she not answering all who were in the Chamber seeing her so pale did believe that some accident had happened which was very likely in regard of her great trouble yet nevertheless seeing that for ought they could do by throwing water on her face she came not to her self they therefore sent for the Emperours Physitians who being come and having felt her pulse concluded that she was dead The Senate was advertised hereof but none could Imagine that any trouble of mind though never so sudden could have the power to kill for that griefs though never so great have not the porwer to oppress suffocate the vitall spirits as an excess of joy And therefore searching very dilligently over all the body of the Empress to see if they could find how she came by her death they found nothing but a scratch which the bodkin had made on her finger which gave little light to the Physitians they Judging it to be impossible that so little a scratch should cause her death in regard they could not find that it was envenomed In fine one of the Physitians observing a little blood to be under the Empresses left brest he put his finger there and feeling something hard he pressed his finger so that he felt the bodkin which being pluck'd out did plainly shew how it had happened Which being reported to the Emperour he was at first much moved Yet however being unwilling to hinder the course of justice he referred to the Senate to do what they thought fit to the body of the Empress considering the great Felony which she endeavoured to commit to the Emperour and the Treason which she had contrived against the life of the Innocent Erastus But the young Prince who above all things abhorred cruelty and vengance seeing his innocence fully and entirely justified to all the world which was the only thing he desired would in no wise permit that any shame should be done to the body of the Empress this he easily obtained both of the Emperour and Senate to the content of all so that her Funerall was câ—lebrated as belonged to an Empress as may be seen by the sumptuous Tomb that was made for her which remaineth to this day where the Emperor caused an Epitaph to be ingraved which in few lines contains the whole matter which is more amply specified in the Histories and Chronicles of the Romans The Emperor Dioclesian whether out of grief or otherwise did not long out live his wife having first elected his Son for his Copartner and successor who being come to the Empire changed his name governing his estates for a time with much prudence according to the great wisdom wherewith he was endowed and yet notwitstanding all his judgement he could not keep himself from giving too much credit to the speeches of his malignant wife although the Plots and contrivances which women had contrived against him should have fore-warned him but it is very difficult to avoid that which the Heavens have determined and since both the one and the other History have seemed to me worthy of memory I have committed them to writing for the profit of posterity This iâ— the conclusion of the History of the Prince Erastus and his seven wise Masters as I have translated it from the Originals Italian and french but in an old English book it is very different as well in several places as I have already recited as also in the conclusion being the manner of the Empresses death which is thus related The eighth day being come wherein the Prince resolved to be no longer silent but speak in his own defence and acqâ—ainting his Keepers with his intention he was carried before the Emperor and Senate after due reverence to his Father and excuses he gives his reasons for his silence and for a proof of his innocence of what the Empress had charged him with he chargeth her with incontinence and adultery and the Empress and her Damsels being sent for at the Princes request one of the supposed Damsels being stripped naked before the Court proves to be a man so disguised with whom the Empress was used to accompany and often lye this being a certain proof of the Empresses guilt The Emperor commanded that both she and the Ribauld her companion should be immeadiately burnt but the Son desired him to forbear judgement till she were reproved for her fact The Empâ—ror then committed the full judgement to his Son who particularly related how things had passed between him and the Empress she seeing her wickedness discovered fell at the Emperors Feet and crying for mercy but he wholly refused her relating the haniousness of the crimes which she was not able to deny wherefore the Son demanding justice of the Judges and Justices they pronounced this Sentence against her that she should be bound to a horses tail and drawn through all the streets of the City to the place of Execution and there burnt And that the Ribauld should be quartered and his flesh cast to the Hounds and Birds of the Aire to devoure him and this was executed upon them This is the Conclusion of the Empress as it is related in that former Book now the Reader having read what both conclude are left at liberty to
the whole Nobility for they had all great fancy to hear him speak expecting what he should say would be so much to the purpose that every word would be a sentence the Emperour then being moved with anger and incredible sorrow with a troubled and angry countetenance demanded of the seven wise Philosophers if this was the wisdom and great perfection which they had caused him to believe his Son was endowed with saying that he was compleat in all things and what doctrine they had taught him not to answer his Father being an Emperour what Philosophy is this quoth the good Emperour in what Aristotle or Plato have you found the doctrine for instead of being wise and well instructed as you informed me every one sees that he is ignorant a Sot and without understanding but I assure you by the words of a Prince that ye shall be punished according to your deserts The Philosophers seeming to be as much surpriz'd as the rest to see Erastus thus mute said to the Emperour know Sir that we have not informed you Majesty any thing touching your Son that is not true so that here is not any Philosopher modern nor antient to whom he may not be compared Being as well or better taught than any man whatsoever of this age to tell you wherefore he is at this present mute we know not but we can well assure your Majestie that it is not done without great cause which nevertheless is unknown to us for being Master of so much knowledge he well enough knows when he ought to speake and whâ—n â—o hâ—ld his peace But let the Philosophers sâ—y wâ—â—â—â—hâ—y would the Emperour could not be appeâ—sâ—â— but being transpâ—râ—ed with anger hâ— repâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 Erastus câ—uld have no reason to be 〈◊〉 in his pâ—eteâ—ce And thus being both angry 〈…〉 Sâ—n in this condition he left him 〈…〉 â—ed wiâ—h the Nobility that accompanied 〈◊〉 Thâ— Eâ—â—â— ss hearing the noise of horses went 〈◊〉 meet the Emperour being attended by all her â—â—â—yeâ—â—nd the Roman Princesses and having underâ—oâ—â—â— from him the small satisfaction he had took in seeing his Son and she beholding Prince Erastus To whom she was eâ—slaved without having seen him considering with her eyes that his beauty was beyond compare greater â—hen report had given of him she became wholy enâ—moured of him therefore with a merry cheerfull countenance she went to him and having very amorously embraced him she began to reason with him of many matters but the young Prince made her no answer whereupon the Empress was astonished yet however the fire that consumed her did not at all diminish but on the the contrary encreased in such manner that not being able to resist the violence of love which coâ—strained her she tooke occasion upon the Princis silence to encrease the flame of her disordâ—nate appetite and thereupon went towards the Emperour to whom she declared that every one very well knew that the silence of his Son was not because he was naturally mute as might appâ—are by what the Gentleman related who came frâ—m Erasâ—us â—uâ— the day before who affirmed that he had heard him dispute so ingeniously with his Masters tâ—at he rather judged him to be Master than the Scholler and therefore they might conclude that this silence was caused by some accident which she would undertake to discover and remedy having the young Erastus in her power in a place where they might be alone The Emperour believing what the Empress said was out of a good will to his Son not in the least suspecting her loyalty and being very desirous to discover the cause of his Sons silence and to give a remedy thereto He presently câ—maâ—ded that Prince Erastus should be led to the Chamber of the Empress and that they should be left alone the Empress seeing all thâ—ngs to fall out according to her expectations was very joyfull And promised the Emperour that she would use such meanes that his Son should speake â—n the other side the young Prince foreseeing the great attempts that should be made upon him was fearfull left he should be enforced to breake his resolution Nevertheless being resolved to vanquish the malignity of the stars by a strong and firm constancy he went cheerfully to the Empresses Chamber where in short time we may see by experience that hatred prevails more than love in the hearts of Ladyes CHAP. VII The Empress Aphrodicia being shut up alone with Prince Erastus endeavoured all she could to induce him to her appetite but seeing her self refused and disdained she made an outcry that he would hâ—ve foâ—ced her by which meanes the Prince was mâ—de Prisoner and condemned to Death THis cruell Tygress seeing her prey taken in the toylâ—◠〈◊〉 thouâ—â— losiâ—g one moment of time 〈◊〉 to her Chamber where being come she lookâ—d her self 〈◊〉 and having taken the young Prince by the hand she caused him to sit down by her and câ—lliâ—g her arme about his neck she embraced and kâ—ssâ—d him in a different fashion then what a mother uâ—es to her Son in fine after many kisses and embraces she asked the cause of his silence which held the Emperour and all the Roman people in so great trouble who in honour of him had caused his entry to be so magnificent She told him that every body had cause to thinke it strange that having lived a long time without seeing the Countrey his Father nor friends being came thither he did so apparently slâ—ghâ— them being a thing unhandsome in any person of understanding and much more in him who had bin accounted so discreet In this time the young Prince fixed his eyes on the ground without one word of answer knowing that to be his critical minute of holding his peace Whereupon the Empress being astonished she agen threw her self about his neck giving him an infin te of kisses but the more amorously she behaved her self the less regard he took of her The Empress seeing this spake to him in these terms What disdain is this or what other accident can have happened to you to cause you to be mute why do you not speak to me what do you fear remove all fear and tell me the cause of this silence and let me alone for I will carry it so both to the Emperour and all the world that every one shall be satisfied without imputing anything to you and if you have resolved to be silent to all others wherefore do you deny to speak to me to me who am so ravished with your love that I can enjoy no rest but when I think on you and now I see you and have meanes to speak to you I should be to happy if this unlucky silence did not at this time hinder me If you are beautyfull be not therefore cruell and if you are wise as report gâ—ves out of you wherefore do you grieve your father all the world if you have any discretion know who loves you if you are young I for
yet she might hear what was done at the Tilting having only shut the Dog into the Chamber where her Masters Son lay This Gentlemans house being old and out of repair there were many breeches in it even in the very room where the Child and Dog were and that one of these holes there at this time entered a great and horrible Serpent which the dog seeing and that he made towards the Cradle for the natural love which these Creatures bear to their Masters even to hazard their lives in their defence he slew upon the Serpent to keep him from hurting the Child But the one was not more furious in assaulting then the other was in defending and the Dog and Serpent strugling together nere the Cradle where the Child lay they over turned it so that the Child fell to the ground but without any harm for the clothes that were upon were by the tumbling now underneath and the Cradle standing on the four pomells the Child lay as safe and as well as it had done before it was overturned the Dog being enraged as well at the wounds he had received of the Serpent as at the wrong which he saw was done to his young Master threw himself with great fury upon the Serpent who knew well enough how to defend himself however in the end the dog remained victorious and tore the Serpent in the cruelest manner he could imagin so that he was all smeered with his blood Hereupon the Nurse coming into the Chamber to see how the Child did she had no sooner put her foot within the door but seeing the Cradle topsie turvy and the Dog all bloody with out looking any further and being very certaine that he who had saved the Childs life had killed him she began to tear her Cloathes and with outragious cryes went to entry this sad news to the Childs Mother who understanding of the death of her Child fell into such a passion as any one would for do the loss of such a Child and if the Nurse expressed her sorrow in tearing her cloaths it is to be supposed that the poor Mother did not forbear doing the same to her flesh not only she her self but all the women of the house who had accompanyed their Mistress encreased the lamentation and made an incredible noyse with their great cryes and lamentations not any of them having the wit to go into the Chamber and see how it had hapned but there they continued their out-cryes until the Gentle-man returned from the Tourney to whom they all with tears related not that which they had seen but that which they had imagined by the Nurses discourse The poor Father hearing these sad tidings more full of rage than tears for anger and sadness which are great passions had stopped his tears went directly into the Chamber where meeting the Dog and seeing him all bloody gave absolute credit to what the woman had told him and having his sword drawn in his hand â—e smote the Dog with such fury that off went his head and after he had spurned him with anger he began to curse his fortune and lament his Son using great threatnings towards his Wife and the other women of his house for the little care they had taken of his Child and being in despair he went towards the Cradle which he took up to see if there were yet any parts of his Child whole but he found him well and without any hurt whereupon all the Family were highly contented as you may judge and yet they were all astonished in that they had seen the Dog so bloody but as they sought about the Chamber they saw the great Serpent which the Dog had tore to peices whereupon they conjectured that the blood that was about the Dog came by reason of the combate which he had with the Serpent in defence of the Child which the Gentleman seeing and being enraged that he had in anger kill'd his good Dog he would have slain his Wife and all the other Women of the house who had been the cause of the Dogs death Ah poor Dog said he that thy friend-ship and loyalty have been so unfortunate to thee to cause thy death instead of a recompence which thou didst deserve for so well defending my little Child In fine this poor Gentleman could not be appeased for the loss which he had caused of so faithful an annimal as his Dog was so that every one that hard it had pitty and grief for the Childs loss was now converted into grief for the loss of the Dog all which sorrow hapned to this Gentle-man for having given too much credit to his Wife for if he had been wise he would first have examined the matter and accordingly have judged it without entring into such fury as to act a thing which caused perpetual sorrow to him without any remedy I shall conclude that this will be your case if you give credit to the words of a simple woman to put your Son to a Shameful death whose cause being heard deserves rather praise than punishment and perpetual infamy and therefore as your Majesties most humble servant I advise you that laying aside all anger before you proceed further you cause this action of your son to be consulted on by wise experienc'd men such as wil be faithful to you that you will revoke this sentence which your anger hath caused you to pronounce The Emperour took such notice of the Philosophers saying that he commanded stay of the execution of the sentence until he should take further order therein and thus was Prince Erastus defended the first day CHAP. IX The Emperor Dioclesian by an example being induced which the Empress Aphrodicia related of a fair Pine-tree which being old is lopped and then cut down to nourish a young one which was ugly and crooked commanded that Prince Erastus should be executed THE Emperour retireing when it was late according to custom found the Empress alone in her Chamber very disconsolate which much troubled him for he dearly loved her and endeavourâ—d by all means to comfort her but the more he essayed to please her so much the more she sobed so that the Emperour prayed her to be of good cheer and that she should be satisfied to which she replyed truly I have little cause to be contented for the shall care you take to revenge so great an outrage which hath not been committed against me only but against your self for upon this account you are as much injured as I am It is true I resent it more than you laying our honour more to heart than you who however ought to shew it more exemplarily as yesterday you made me believe you did but I know not who hath so suddenly caused you to revoke your sentence and I doubt to my great trouble if you do not take more heed to your affairs that it will happen to you as it did to a very fair Pine-tree which instead of being renewed was cut
faucets wherewith the vessel was stoped in several places to see if the water would come out but the vertue of the powder had so restrained the fludity of the water that it continued in the vessel without one drop coming out as if it had been frozen at which all the company were astonished yet nevertheless Hipocrates found no good in the flux of his belly very well knowing that to stop it at once on a suddain he should put his life in great danger and therefore leting it take its course he hoped that nature would be assisting yet he had great sorrow for the loss of his Nephew very well knowing that if he had been with him he needed not fear any thing and then he repented of hi fault but to late he sighed and groaned alwayes calling out upon his Nephew but seeing that all was in vain he took it so to heart that he ended his miserable life By this Sir you may judge of the rest of my discourse which is this that none oâ—ght hastily to doe any thing in anger of which they should afterwards make it irrepaiâ—able with vain repentance you have purposed to put the Prince your Son to death not for any crime that he hath committed of which you can be assâ—red but at the report of another but I say once agen to you that you ought to think once and twice what you do and against whom being â—ssâ—red that if you do not suffer your self to be transported with anger y u will in conclusiâ—n find your Son the Prince inâ—ocent of the fact for which he hath been accused and of which you at present think him culpable The Emperour taking good notice of what the Philosopher had said as well by reason of his speeches as for the natural lâ—ve which he bore to his Son ordered for that day a stay of the execution of the sentence of Erastus CHAP. XI The Empress Aphrodicia induceth the Emperour to the final execution of Prince Erastus by a discouâ—se which she made of a Wild Boar which was 〈◊〉 by a Herds man who pretended to flatter him THE Empress Aphrodicia certainly believing 〈◊〉 the next morning her Son in law would 〈◊〉 executed according to the Emperours command and supposing that this loss would be some trouble to her husband wherefore to take away the displeasure he should receive by the death of his Son if n t wholly yet in some Part she provided a magnifcent Feast to entertain the Emperour and to poâ—s away his melancholly for it was usual for the Emperour and Empress to feast one another when they had a mind to pass the time away so that sometimes the Emperour would feast the Ladies the Empress at an other time treating the Emperour when she had a mind to pass over s me melâ—nchâ—lly dinner time being c me the Emperour went into the Qâ—eens hall where the table was covered aâ—d being sate down and the Empress by him enâ—ring into discourse with her he told her that fâ—r the good cause he had been advised to slay the exeâ—â—tion of Erastus for that day which the Empress understanding all the good cheer was altered and with her usuall disdain and angry countenance she said to the Emperour I see Sir you well shew the little esteem which you have for your honour and if the faith you have promised me and alwayes broken But I hope that Judgment and justice will shew you the great fault you want against them both and I doubt it will happen to you as it did to a wild Boar who was destroyed by flattery which is a very good example and which I would relate to you if I did not think it loss of time whereupon the Emperour said my dear I have directly promised and sworn to stop for this day the execution of Erastus and I may not in point of honour break my word and Oath But I assure you that if some more important cause do not happen I shall to morrow morning let you know that revenge which I know to be reasonable is as pleasing to me as to your self and therefore I desire you to let me know the story of the wild boar whereof you have spoken for on one side you will much please me and on the other side you will it may be make me more resolved then I was Then the Empress began her discourse said There was some time since in a great and spacious forrest a large Wild boar who had no other feeding then the wild fruits which grew naturally without the help of mans art and yet however were very good as well by reason of the fertility of the ground as for the good temperature of the Climate where they grew among other trees there was a great wild pear-tree whose fruit did very much please this wild boar and therefore he came ordinarily thither and shaking the tree with his shoulders to make the fruit fall having filled his belly he would be gone to his Den. It happened that a Herds-man that kept a herd of cattle at the entrance of the forrest lost one of the best of them and believing that it was strayed into the forrest as indeed it was considering the difficulty in finding it be was troubled but hoped to light upon it he went to search in the forrest but it was lost labour having spent some dayes in the forrest seeing that it was to no purpose he intended to return but in his way he came to this great pear-tree which I have spoken of and seeing very fair peares and being somewhat an hungry he began to beat them down with his staff he had no sooner tasted of them but finding them better than he expected he thâ—ught it would not be a miss to carry some to his Master that he might somewhat appease the anger which he had against him for the loss of the Bullock that he might carry them without damage he thought it best to gather them with his hand and thereupon he climbed up the pear-tree but he was no sooner got up when the great Boar which I speak of came to the foot of the pear-tree and began to shake it as he was used The poor Herds-man seeing this furious Animall was afraid and that he might be rid of him he threw many pears to him hoping that when his belly was full he would be gone again as he was used to do but it fell out otherwise for the wild-boar seeing more victuals than he was used to have and that with less paines he eat so many pears that he was ready to burst and not being able to go back he lay down under the tree The poor Herds-man seeing this was more fearful then before for on one side he was in great fear of the wild-boar and on the other side he fore-saw the danger he should be in of other wild beasts if he should stay all night in the forrest being thus reduced between these two in evitable extremities he
her to put in execution that which she had promised seeing she had such certain proof of her Husbands patience the Mother understanding how matters went made as if she were very glad and told her Daughter that truly she had reason to keep her word with her but that she might have greater assurance and some clerer proof of his heart she desired one tryal more of his patience promising and swearing to her daughter that if her Husband then continued in that temper she would immediately and without any delay give her the content she desired And what other proof would you have said the Daughter I think what we have already is very sufficient but for ought I see all your discourses tend only to prolong the content which you have promised to give me why did you not at first tell me that you would not meddle in it and then I had took an other course Daughter said the Mother do not take it ill for what I do is not to deny you my assistance but to accommadate your honour and my own also the first tryal that you made was upon a Plant and therefore you proceeded to a second upon a beast now I would have you make a third proof upon men what is it you mean said the Daughter that I should kill some body it is somewhat difficult for a woman to do but if there be no other way to attain my desires I shall not question but to perform it God forbid answered the Mother for I do not intend any such matter but this is my meaning that as you have already offended your Husband so now in the last tryal the displeasure you shall do him shall not only extend to him but also to the Company and this must be done in somewhat of as great importance as was that of the Lawrel or Bitch which you killed and I have thought how and what it shall be You know your Husbands birth day is very near and that he usually makes a great feast on that day for his Friends I would have you then when the Table is covered and the victuals upon it and every one is seated that you arise pretending to look for somewhat and that by some means or other you throw down the Table and all that is upon it and if your Husband lets this pass without being revenged on you I promise you and swear to you that the very day you shall do this I will content you in that thing which above all things in the world you most desire the young woman thought the time long although it was but three dayes but she resolved to wait in the mean time considering with her self the manner of what she was to do hoping to have a better issue for this third enterprise than she had for the other twâ— the desired day being come the Gentleman caused great preparations to be made to entertain those guests he had invited so that there was very good company and of the greatest Lords of all the Country the Tables being spread and covered in such manner as is usual for Persons of his quality and the hour being come to sit dowâ— which was the desiâ—ed time for this young woman not for the hunger which she had but for the great desire which she had to satisfie her self of somewhat else besides vâ—ctuals every one took their places according to their degrees and among others the young woman was seated at the upper end of the Table as it is usual for Ladies and as the victuals was a serving she fastned her keys to the table-cloath and having thus done pretending to be in haste to go look for something she arose and in her riseing she pull'd down the Table and all that was upon it whereupon the Gentleman being angry asked wherefore she had thus thrown down the Table I did perceive said she that some body had put a strange knife at your trencher and I very well knowing that you could not endure to use any knife but your own I therefore arose up to look it and I know not how the Table caught hold of me so that it was thrown down all the company endeavoured to laugh away the mischance and pass it for a jest and withall every one very much commended the great care the young woman had of her Husband The Gentleman being very discreet took no notice of it at present that he might not disturb the Company but caused the Table to be taken up and other service brought for there was plentiful provision of all sorts of victuals and thus was the day passed away without thinking of any thing but pass-time wherefore the young woman had a world of joy in her heart beleiving now that there was no obstacle that could hinder her content so that she only waited the good hour when every one would be gone that she might go to her Mother and give her order for that which she so ardently desired but the Guests kept company together all the day with the Gentleman that she being forced to continue with them by necessity deferr'd going to her Mother till the next morning not questioning but then all things would fall out to her expectation But she sound it otherwise for although the Gentleman had passed away all his birth day that he might not trouble his guests without takeing notice of the shame which his wife had caused him yet however he had not forgotten it nor the other two outrages which she had done formerly and therefore being a wise man he purposed to chastise his wife without making any noise and therefore the next morning finding her awake and that she went to dress her self to go to her Mother he commanded that she should not rise whereupon the good wife being astonished replyed that she had a minde to rise having slept enough already but the Gentleman answered her that the reason why he would have her lye in bed was for her good and that it was convenient for her to do so that she might take a medicine that he would give her for what cause said she for I need no medicines for God be thanked I am well and lusty you are toâ— lusty said he and the cause of it is a certain superfluous blood that boyles in your body which at every turn causes you to play the fool which is to my displeasure and a shame to you do you remember the fair Lawrel which you did cut up the other day which I loved above all the trees of my Garden a little while after you killed my Bâ—tch which was the pleasantest beast I ever had in my house yesterday you threw down the Table where there was so good company without considering the trouble you put them all too to my great shame on my birth day Now if I should let all this pass I know the fourth offence would exceed all the rest but I have a purpose to cure you and thereupon causing a good fire to be
unjustices in the world thinking of nothing but how to Tyranize â—v r the poor people and heap to themselves great treasure by the destruction of your Subj cts whâ—se complaint and cry having reached up unto heaven God by his just Juâ—gment hath sent you this blindness which you have when you are out of the City of London that as you have voluntarily deprived your self of the eyes of your understanding so that you will not see nor take notice of any thing but your particular pleasure instead of having your eyes employed for the good and quiet of your people you should be also deprived of your Corporal sight so that you may not see any thing out of your City of London Thus have I told you the Cause of your evil so that now without saying any more it is easie for you to remedy it but that you may be without any excuse I will prescribe to you the course you are to take know then that God would have you Chastise your self for your fore-passed negligence and by the same meanes that those who have exercised so much Tyrany over your people be punished for their crimes are beyond all comparison greater then yours True it is that you have very much failed but it was through Ignorance having put into the hands of others the adminstration and charge which God had comitted to your self indeed you might think them to be wise men and fit for such a government but they have maliciously â—ffâ—nded for they very well knew that their actions wherein they Tyranizâ—d over this Kingdom were contrary to God and nevertheless their insatiablness and avarice have continued therefore you ought to amend your self and that they suffer death and I assure you if you act this justice upon them your evil will leave you and if you will not I advertise you that the Judgments of God will increase upon you so as to darken your heart and I â—ell you there is no wâ—y to extinguish these seven fire balls but by the heads of these seven and that you may haâ—â— a proof of what I say make a tryal of the greatest for aâ— you have seen the more you endeavour to extinguish it with water or other liquor so much the more violently 〈◊〉 burneth as you have already made tryal caâ—se the head of the principal that is the oldest and most inveterate of these Sâ—gâ—s to be cut off and you will presently see that this great fire ball will be extinguished The King having very attentivly heard the discourse of Merlin some times blushed and then agen became pale and â—e found himself touched to the life and yet however acknowledged his fault for having continued so long without taking care of the affairâ— of his Kingdom he began to sigh and groan entreating the good Merlin that he would pray to God for him that his Majesty would forgive him his faults you need not doubt of that answered Merlin for in performing what I have told you your offences shall be pardoned without the intercession of any and on the contrâ—ry if you do not perform it a greater vengeance of God is prepared for you since now you câ—nnot pretend the cause of Ignorance The King did think it very strange to put those to death whom he had raised to such greatness and of whom he had severall times had experience on many occasions to be very wise but considering and viewing with his eyes the matter of the Cauldron and having a remorse of conscience for the great fault which he had commited which put him in fear of a more sharp vâ—ngance according to the threatenings of Merlin he therefore resolved to make a trial of the principall of the seven Philosophers and thereupon causing him to be called pretending to conferr with him about what Merlin had told him he ordered his head to be presently and privatly cut off which being done the great fire ball in the middle that did cast out more fire than the rest was of it self extinguished This being seen by the King without any more delay he did the same by the rest causing them to come one by one and as one head was cut â—ff so one fire ball went out so that the last was no sooner beheaded but all the fire was extinguished there was no appearance neither of balls nor Cauldron which was not materâ—call as Merlin said but it was of fire although it seemed to be of mettle as other Cauldrons are and the earth where it had been before was as cool and fresh as in other places This being done Merlin ordered the Kings Chamber to be put to rights and caused the bed to be placed where it had formerly been and because it was then late he told the King that he should rest contented and take his ease for that night and that the next day they would go out of the City of London where he should perceive his deliverance and healing which should be then seen and known of all the world The next morning the King arose early as joyfull as might be and sent to all the Prâ—nces and Barrons and Gentlemen of his Court that they should be ready to accompany him for he would that morning go pass the time out of the City of London Every one merâ—aâ—led at â—he news because the Kâ—ng had so long continued without going out of â—he City for the trouble to find himself blind being out of the City for the matter of the Caâ—ldron was not yet divulged or known and although it had been it would have been accoâ—nted as a fable and especially by thoâ—e who believe no more than what they see The King then being mo need on the fairest horse â—n hiâ— stable did set râ—wards having Merlin by his side whâ— was in homely habâ—â— for notwithstanding all his knowledge he would have no other Clothes but went in poor â—ayment according to the Condition of his birth not regarding Clothes nor riches The King did all the way discourse with Merlin which his Princes wondered at to see him thus taken up with a poor lad without speaking one word to all the Nobility that follâ—wed him and being come to the City Gate Mâ—rlin going before said to the King Sir as I have served you as a Phisitian so I will shew you che way to rejoyce and the great occasion you have for it in having recâ—vered your sight to the great content of your people And yet if you will speak the truth although you had some hopes of your cure yet you were not so certain as now at this time you make experience of it And going forwards out of the Gâ—te he tuâ—ned about to the King who was also issued 〈◊〉 and looked about towards all parts believing himself entred into a new life to see himself restored to that which he had so long lost withoâ—t knowing how and which he had so often endeavoured to recâ—ver but in vain Whereupon Merlin said to him Sir do you
seeing occasion offer it self she greedily laid hold thereon not only to save â—nd deliver her self but also to conclude the detriment and confusion of the poor innocent and so having taken her pleasure many nights with her friend she resolved to forsake her Husband and cleave to this young Gentleman and that with much subtlety so that she was prâ—â—s'd and her old man blam'd In the mean time her friend visited heâ— often and she desirous to come to that end the Gentleman propounded without regarding any thing buâ— the present she spake to him in these words my friend I know you are valiant and that you hear me great affection wherefore it is requisite that you enterprize something in which I shall have the greatest charge to the intent that if any thing happen contrary to our design which I hope the whole may be imputed to me and no other and that you may not perplex your brain I will undertake the particular management In the first place tomorrow morning going to Court you shall wear on your finger one of the rings of my Musty Husband which I shall give you and so order the basiness that he may see it on your finger and I doubt not but immâ—diately he will know it to be his own in such sort â—hat he will aske you whence you had it to which you must answer that you have had it a long time say no more but come straight aw y to me and give me the ring again afterwards I shall informe you how things proceed Day breaking which constrained the Gentle-man to depart the Damsel gave him the good morrow putting the ring on his singer wi h which the Gentleman derected his course towards the Governour and had no soonâ—â— perfâ—â—med hiâ—â—beisance towards him buâ— that the Gâ—vern uâ— saw that which netled hâ—m to see and although he dissembled the knowledg oâ— what of that which was too true yet he could not but fix his eyes a long time thereon and to shew by some strange gestures that he was not well pleased in such manner that many of the attendants desired to know the reason of this suddain change but â—he presently went to the Tower and was so long in opening the several doors that the Gentleman who was gone before had the opportunity of delivering the ring to her from whence he had it now the old Dotard having found the said ring in the place he desired rested himself satisfied and was resolved to lye with her the following night which was accordingly done of which her friend was advertised by a certain signal given by her which he finding returned to his lodging The day following the Gentleman seeing all things safe return'd to his accustomed rest where he and the Damsel had time enough to laugh at the poor old-man In fine the Damsel said to the Gentleman my friend the God of Love hath given us a good beginning to satisfie our selves and certainly I hope no less of the middle conclusion and so for the second tryal you shall do what I shall tell you and do but as you did with the ring in which you behaved your self most gallantly The Gentleman descended from the Tower after he had received a little Dâ—g from her which she kept for her pastime and went to the Court carrying with him the little Dog the Governour seeing his little dog was about to have call'd him by his name but considering the quality of him who held him and wondering how it was possible for it to be procured for he saw by all the marks of the dog that it must be the same he said not a word but went straight to the Tower grinding his teeth and threatning both his wife and Gentleman that he had worse dog for them both then they had of his The young Gentleman turning his back to the Governour disposed of the Dog with as much celerity as he had done with the ring The Governour being entred the Chamber Chamber of his Wife and there seeing the little dog knew not what to say but believed it might so happen that two things might be found alike in two different places and having seen already things like his own he entertain'd no bad opinion and leâ—s jealousie In the mean time the Gentleman had his full delight with the Damsel who was desirous to put an end to all resolving with her Friend about the means they should take to deliver her from this servitude shewing him the way he should take and what pretences he must use and that he must fit a Galley as swift of sail as he could choose and that he should place her in some Haven near the City and pretending that he was in haste to be gone he should procure some strange Hâ—bâ—lliments for her and having taken leave of the old Dotaâ—d they should get aloft with all speed they could discovering how he had cheated her Husband as he did The Gentleman descended the Tower and went to procure the lightest Galley in all Morroco and having victual'd and arm'd her he put her off a little to Sea the better to abscond his design after this he subtlely contriv'd womans apparel very rich but made after a strange manner the which he laid up in his Chamber the hour for their design being come the Damsel remov'd from her Prison that night she knew the Dotard would not come to see her he conducted her to the Galley which was arrived at the Port that very nightgiving out that it was a strange Galley then come in and having embarked his Lady he committed her to the care of his trusty servant and return'd a shore to perfect his design Now the Govenour was rilen very early to go a hunting and seeing Fabio desired him to make one of the Party of which he excuse himself saying to the Governour that he was constrained to lay all business aside to return speedily into his own Country How said the Governour shall we be deprived of the company of a man so good and honest as you are whereupon the Gentleman replyed that he could be content to stay and see their paâ—times but that he was constrain'd to depart as suddenly as he could having received the good tydings of the peace his Parents had concluded with those of the Gentleman he had Duâ—l'd with for whâ—ch cause his presence was altogether requisite for the ratifying what had past in his absence and that he fear'd delay in going might endanger him more than any thing else the Governour having askt who brought him this news the Gentleman answer'd to tell you the truth it is my dear Female friend who who alwayes hath confer'd on me her friendship who being much troubled at my absence is very desirous of my return being come in all baste for that purpose in a Pinnace which arriv'd in the Port this moâ—ning at break of day wherefore I am come expresly to take my leave of you according to that service and duty I
resistance and which mastereth the greatest and wisest men in the world as may be proved by a world of examples which I shall omit and return to the Matron and her beloved Souldier who by this time had satisfied hers and his own desires and now after his pleasure in the Vault was desirous to know how his business at the Gibbet stood which although he found standing in the place he left it yet the body was removed this was a sight as unpleasing as that of his Mistress had been pleasant and he now becomes more despairing than she had been and he strives more to destroy himself than he had hefore to preserve her Being distracted with horror at the Gibbet he returns in a horrible posture to the Vault and there without speaking he falls to acting one while he casteth up his eyes that flame with fury beats his breast tears his hair stampeth upon the ground and useth all the gestures of a man transported to perfect madness which suddain and violent passion another while he stands unmoved and silent fixing his exeâ— upon the earth as if â—e were consulting the infernal spirits what to do with himself he exclaims against heaven despises fate to make him more miserable reproaches Fortune for her giddiness Curses his Malevolent Stars renounceth Providence sometimes he condemns his own negligence and then he reflects upon the innocent woman a the unhappy occasion of his wretchedness and thinkiâ—g he had met with the true cause of his mischeif he interpretates all the plagues in Nature upon the heads of the whole Sex and vomits out these blasphemies against them Ah Women women saith he why did Nature make you unless repenting the perfection she had given to man she found out you to lessen it For Man who otherwise would be more than half Divine only by being obnoxious to the corrupt temptations of Woman is made less than half Human What misery ever befel him in which Woman had not a hand What crime did He ever commit to which she did not incite him What Tragedy hath at any time been acted in the theatre of the world in which a woman had not her part what war what desolâ—tion what ruin hath not found its beginning in that mischeivous sâ—x How many mighty Nations flourishing K ngdomes prosperous Common-wealths populous Cities and noble Families have owed their destruction to either the Malice or Pride or Lust of Woman What are you Women but the poyson of Mans Innocence and Peace which Nature hath guilded-over with a splended out-side that we might swallow it down with the less suspition all your beauties all your châ—rms are but like the Apples of Sodom which have fair and inviting rinds and yet within are nothing but stinking dâ—â—â— you are the true Sirens that enchant us with the melody of your voice and then hold us captives in the chains of beastial slavery You are the true Hiena's that assure us with the fairness of your skins and when folly hath brought us within your reach you leap upon us and devour us You are the traiters to Wisdom the impediments to industry the obstacles to honour the softners of courage the perturbers of Tranquillity the cleg to vertue and goads that drive us all to vice impiety and ruin You are the Fool 's Paradise the wisemans plague and the grand Error of Nature What What shall I say I want words to express your pravity as I did my reason when I set my foot into this unlucky this fatal place Having thus belched out this virulent invective against poor innocent women who deserved much better language at his hands his wild imagination which catcheth at any thing wheels about and he thus vomits the remainder of his choler upon himself What damned spirit was it that conducted me into this Charnel-house made me quit my duty where was the care vigilancy of my good Angel when he left me to be seduced into this dismal vault would I had fallen into a den of Lions Tygres when I lighted upon this woman here then had dyed innocent without dishonour whereas now I have contracted a guilt whose punishment is an infamous death and that inevitable unless I prevent the stroke of justice and become my own Executioner Which being the only refuge my disaster hath left me why am I thus slow in addressing my self unto it why do I waste that time in weak and fruitless complaints which I ought to imploy in delivering my self from the extremity of misfortunes that is yet to come dye I must by sentence of the magistrate why then should I defer to fall by my own hand to vindicate ones self from extream and otherwise inevitable Calamity by Sui-cide is not certainly a crime but an act of Heroique Fortitude I am resolved therefore my sword shall prevent the ignominy of the Gallows and by forcing open the Gates of death I will stop up the way to publick shame Here he puts a period to his desperate Harangue and hasting to put one to his life also he suddainly draws his sword and beginning to set the hilt of it upon the ground that he may cast himself upon the point he is most seasonably prevented by the pious Matron Who being all this while ignorant of the cause of his fury hath been wholly possessed with amazement at the extravagant effects of it so that she minded not a word of all those bitâ—er reproaches he had cast forth against her whole Sex but quickly roused out of the stupifying fit of wonder wherewith she had been invaded by seeing him draw his sword she throws herself into his armes partly by grasping his hands pâ—â—tly by the charms of her kisses tears and entreaâ—ies she so far becalm's his rage as that he seems not unwilling to pâ—â—rouge at least the execution of that self-assasination he intended until he had convinced her of the necessity of it He tells her therefore in short that the body of a certain notorious villain which he had been appointed to guard was taken from the Gâ—bbet and conveyed away that the penalty of the like death ' denounced by the Governour against him and his fellows who had transferred the whole charge upon his care and vigilancy was certain and inevitable unless he hilled himself by way of prevention that if she could have any sentiments of kindness for so unfortunate a wretch as this sad accident had made him there was now no way left for her to express them but by permitting him qâ—ietly to pervert the infamy of a publick execution by a private with-drawing himself into the other world and that it was some content to him in this his Agony that he should leave his body to be dissolved into the same dust with that of her former Lover of whose singular worth fame hath defused so honourable a report And having thus hastily delivered to her the cause of his desperate resolution he begins again to free his hands of the
be more Criminall then all men both against Nature and the breeding that I have had being naturally issued from your Royal Loynes being educated and instructed with such knowledg and integrity as hithâ—rto hath been â—â—own and will for the future be acknowledged to bâ— in these my seven Masters who are here p â—â—ent who for good cause you made choice of to â—â—mit the Government of my tender Age to whom aâ—â— to the goodness of Nature and by their dilig â—â—â— and industry I am sure I am so well profited aâ—â— have given such an opinion of me in Rome for alwayes with my Age I have so pursued the steps of vertue that I can speak it without being taxed of arrogance that being come to the Age of discretion it is a thing almost incredible to believe that I should so much forget my self as to fall into a crime which should defame your blood and the reputation of our house which by this means should be contaminated with so villanous a crime as this whereof I am accused I wonder how it can enter into the thoughts of any that I should have so small respect to the honor of our house which wholly concerns me being your Son and only successor considering my Age and my study of Philosophy to which I have wholly applyed my self ever since the hour of my Nativity I must needs be a competent Judge of good and evil that which is profitable and hurtful honest or dishonest and therefore I have wondered hen I thought with my self how it should be possible to believe and that so easily that I should commit an act so villanous how you should be possessed with a thought to condemn me to death so suddainly for the speeches of a single woman without any proof of the fact true I am more to blame than you who have given sentence against me because I have not spoken one word that might serve for my Justification neither at the beginning when I was accused nor during these days wherein my Masters here present have saved my life so that this my silence hath had the power to induce those who consider things no further than their eyes demonstrate to them to believe that I had commited this Villainous act wherewith I was charged and that being surprized in the very manner and knowing the Crime to be so hanious that there was no expectation of pardon I was thereupon so confounded that I was bereaved of my speech But my silence was occasioned by a higher cause wherewith if you had been so well acquainted as were these my Masters you would have known that it was impossible for me to do otherwise without falling into an extream evill which I could not avoid it having been already allotted to me and my only remedy consisted in being silent for these seven days I very well knowing that my life was in great danger if it were not prolonged for that time as well by the learned discourse of my Masters as by the necessary silence which I have used For these vertuous persons as well as I did foresee on that day we received your commands to come to Rome the great danger I should be in of a shamefull death in coming hither for they are endowed with so great knowledge that there are very few disasters which they do not foresee and provide a remedy if there be any it is very true that we could not possibly find out the means which should cause this disaster although we were very well assured of the great danger I should be in for seven days to avoid which there was no other remedy but for that time for me to keep an absolute silence This we concluded to do rather than disobey your commands in not coming to Rome doubting also lest I should fall into some other inconvenience which should procure pour displeasure and render me infamous to all posterity and therefore hazarding all that might befal me I resolved to continue seven dayes without speaking assuring my self that my just cause would not fail me being confident of the great vertue of these my seven Masters who like vigilant and vertuous Advocates have alwayes oppoposed themselves against the fury of those who endeavoured the ruin of my life and honor And thereupon he gave a particular account of what they had seen in the Heavens and the Aspects of the Stars that evening before they took their journey to Rome and the resolution which he and his Masters had thereupon taken in pursuance whereof he had suffered very much considering the great inconvenience caused by his silence which gave occasion to all people to believe that in regard he made no defence he was guilty of the great felony whereof he was accused yet however his heart had not failed him being assured that what was once established and confirmed by the Caelestial influences that is if he continued silent he should avoid that disaster so that in conclusion he did not doubt but by this means all things would be well notwithstanding the impetuosity of the words and storms which had so over-whelmed him wherein the will of the Gods appeared to be different from that of men for all mortal things are easily changed whereas the will of God being immortal remaines eternally immutable so that what hath bin once determined above follows by necessity although it be by ordinary means notwihstanding all oppositions and contradictions whatsoever And that it is thus said the young Prince I will prove it to you by the example of a very vertuous young man and to whom Fortune was so contrary that he who should have advanced him endeavoured his death and yet however he arrived to be a King from being a mean personage as the influences of the Stars had predicted and that which was intended to hinder his greatness was the means whereby he arrived to royal dignity And I now make it my humble request to you all here present to excuse the length of my discourse in regard I have been silent so long and now being at liberty to speak I think it not to be inconvenient nor unreasonable that I give my self this satisfaction that I use my utmost endeavours to please my Auditors the matter in question being of so great imporâ—â—ance to me Long time since in the Levant Countries and particularly in the most illustrious and famous City of Alexandria there lived a Merchant named Europus who contrary to the custome and fortune of many others having a long time traffiqued with Merchandise without any losâ— had so increased his richeâ— and arrived to so much wealth that he had no mind to have any more and contrary to the humor of most men was content with what he had This Merchant being thus wealthy left of his tradeing takeing no other thoughts but of advancing an only Son which he had who was called Hermogenes to attain to which he sent him to study that he might fashion him to those things that
yeâ— the 〈◊〉 of which put me upon the dâ—sire of this revâ—â—◠〈…〉 thought it would have 〈…〉 â—â—â—dly said her Master for I know 〈…〉 the cause goes and by thiâ— me◠〈…〉 you will please me very much â—f 〈…〉 â—â—ur self instead of a reward I will inflict upâ—◠〈◊〉 a punishment so strange that I will make thee tell the truth by force The poor and unhappy Chamber-maid began to relate the love between her and the â—ervant how she was surprized by her Mistress beaten after a most grievous manner and how she purposed a reuenge should it cost her her life in short she omitted nothing that was past saying moreover that it was not the life of her Mrs. she desired but to have her as loâ—dly basted as she had been basted by her â—he Gentleman heaâ—ing this being all â—age and fury he â—an aâ— her and having râ—pâ— open her breast with that Dâ—ggâ—r he kill'd Henry with be toâ—e out her hâ—â—â— and stampt upon it pouring out all the curâ—es reprâ—aches and execrations he could think of over her wretched carcals cursing himself too for believing the treachery of her miscreant and now â—â—viâ—g sufficientâ— deplored and wept over the corps of his chaste wife and faithful servant Henry he askt of one and the other a thousand pardons saying since it is inpossible to remedy so great a crime as I have here committed so great in killing you both so wrongfully that it must not pass unpunisht and therefore I will appease it I can by sacrifising my self to your offended innocency begging that you will not deny me your Company in death since there was so much love and amity between us in life till treachery made this final seperation There is one thing left which affâ—ds me some comefort and contentment that before I dye I have had my just revenge although a thousand deâ—ths of such like Traytors is no fit reparation for the life I have deprived having said this he put a halter about his neck and having tyed it to a beam strait over the body of his câ—â—ste wife he wrote against the wall with his daggeâ— these verses under written which yet to this day are to be seen in the house of that miserable Gentleman By a rash act which had its rise from treason Incens'd by a maid servant without reason I wrongfully have stain my dearest wife And a male servant have depriv'd of life At length I knew the truth but 't was too late To stay the hand of my too rigid fate And then I stab'd the heart that was the cause In making me offend great Natures lâ—ws For which I hang my sâ—lf against this wall Cleanders boundless rashnâ—sâ— was his fall Having finisht this writeing he threw the dagger under him and pushing the stool on which he stood to tye the rope about the beam with which he intended to hang himself he there hung miserably ending his dayes for being over câ—edulous and puâ—ting too much confidence in his own eyes And now to return to the matter of fact which is the question I conclude Sir that you ought to take great heed in this matter and weigh it with serious consideration without levity believeing in the words of her who desires the death of Erastus without any reason thereunto inducing Consider then within your self that this affair may be otherwise that as it was represented to your eyes For there is no greater argument nor more proper instance for entring into jealousie then this Gentleman of Padua of whom we spake before who without questioning the matter took it for certain but knew in the conclusion but too late and to his utter ruin that a matter of such great importance should not rely on the believing of an other nay nor himself This oration of the Philosopher put all the Auditors into admiration for he spake so much to the purpose and with such vivacity that all the standers by could not refrain from bathing their cheeks in a Sâ—a of teares which wrought so effâ—ctually that every one Judged nothing waâ— more requisitâ— then staying the execution of the sentence oâ— Erastus untill the fact was more narrowly searcht into that in the end he might receive a righteous Judgment Whereupon the Emperour was constrained to condescend as well for that excelâ—â—t diâ—course the Philosopher hâ—â— delivered as for the supplications the Senate â—stâ—r'd up to his Majesty according to this conclusion Erastus was sent brâ—â— to his Dungeon and so had his life prolonged by the meaâ—s of hiâ— good Master Enoscopus This History or Example of Cleander is according to the originall in the Italian and French but in regard there is another History in another Book to this purpose I shall thus relate it THere dwelt in a certain City a Kinghâ— well striken in years who notwithstanding married a wife whose youth and beauty boâ—h conjoyned to make her the subject of every mans admiration these two things so endeared his affections towards her that their was noâ—hing to her by him more pâ—izable in the whole universe now least at any time he might be robb'd of this inesteemable Jewell after with his own hands he had lockt hiâ— doors he secured the keys under his beds-head By the way you are to understand that by the Lowâ— of the City at a certain hour of the night a Bell was usually rung after the sound of which if either man or woman was found gadding in the streets they were instantly seiz'd and having been detain'd in prison 〈◊〉 might the next morning they stood in the Pillory aâ— an object of shame and laughter to all the beholders This antient Knight by reason of his age was impotent feeble and altogether unable to give that satisfaction as youth required as well for procreation as delight and therefore his young wife found out away to supply his defects by taking the keys every night from under his head when fast asleep opening the doors went to her paramour who having lustfully enjoyed her sill returned and lay'd the keys in the same place from whence she took then It so happened but not expected that one night fafter she was gone to prosecute her accustomed delights that her husband awaked and m ssing his wife felt for the keys but finding them not he went down to the door which he found open therefore he bolted it and returned to his Chamber and suspecting his wifes levity he lookt out of the window to observe the passages which might happen in the street When it was very late or rather early his wife came from her lustfull â—allion but found the door bolted against her however she took the boldness to knock Hereupon the good old Knight looking out of the window and seeing it was his disloyal wife spake to her in this manner O thou wicked unchast woman have I now found you out how often may I not from hence conclude thou hast committed adultry defiled thy marriage bed for
which cause stand there till the ringing of the Bell that the Watch may take thee that punishment may ensue according to thy demerit To which she cunningly cogingly replied my Lord why do you thus unjustly charge me I am no ways guilty of your accusation for if you will know the truth I was sent for by my Mother being taken dangerously ill now finding you in so sweet asleep I was loath to wake you therefore without the least noise I rose taking the keys I opened the doors went whether my duty commanded me I found my Mother sick even to death though I believe she cannot live till the morning yet so great was my affection to you that I came away left a dying Mother to return to a dear and loving husband wherefore I beseech you let me in but the Knight utterly refused it hereupon she reminded him what a shame it would be were she taken not only to himself her self but to all their relations using besides all the perswasions her subtile invention could find out requisit for her purpose but all prov'd unavailable when she saw nothing would prevaile she bethought her self of this stratagem my Lord said she you know by this door there is a well if you let me not in I will drown my self therein to avoid the shame I see is coming upon me and my friends in my behalf As the old Gentleman was about to reprove her further the moon went down now was the night obscured with a darkness more then usuall she being glad of this advantage she thus spake that I may dye like a Christian before I drown my self I will make my last Will and Testament and first I bequeath my Soul to Heaven and my body to the Earth but all other things what ever I solely leave to my dear husband for him to dispose of as he shall think convenient having finished her saying she went to the well and there finding a great stone she took it up in her arms and lifting it up cryed out now I drown my self and to threw the stone into the well having thus done she stept to the side of the door again and there absconded her self At the nâ—iâ—e of the stones fall into the well the old man verily belâ—evâ—d that his wife had been as good as her word in drowning her self and having made a miserable out cry ran hastily down to the Well to prevent what notwithstanding he thought irrecoverable he was no sooner out but she got in a doâ—rs and having lockt them went up into her Chamber and lookt out of the window as he had done before and having heard along while the sad complaints the poor old man made for the loss of his wiâ—â— condemâ—â—ng much his over ridged humour she regarded less of his sorrow called out to him aloud reproaching him in the vilest manner imaginable calling him leacherous Dotard and upbraiding him for slâ—ghtiâ—g her and going continually a night walking afâ—er Hâ—â—lâ—â— will other base abâ—ses which the old Man valued not being overjoy'd to hear that his wife was yet living and desiring his wife to have a better opinion of him bâ—â—'d her to open the door and pâ—ssing by all they would be good friendâ— but she was deaf to all his entreâ—ties vowing he should stay there till the wâ—tch came that he might suffer deservedly as he had threatned her before The Knight insisted upon his impotency for his vindication alledging further that out of pure affâ—ction in her we haâ—e he was now in the streets aâ—d â—herefore desired hâ—r not to let him suffer shâ—â—â—fully for love and tender kindness but all this would not do and as he was studying some new persâ—â—â—ions to 〈◊〉 him in the watch came and finâ—ing him in â—he fâ—â—â—â—â— dâ—â—â—â—ded his business and what â—e did 〈…〉 unsâ—â—sonâ—ble time of night minding him 〈◊〉 tâ—e 〈◊〉 had broke â—hâ— Law and custome of the City â—nd â—hat though he was an antienâ—â—â— abiâ—â—â— thereof â—hat could not excuse h m from fiering accâ—rdâ—â—g to the naâ—ure of the off nce his 〈◊〉 hearing thâ—ir words cry'd out to the watch sâ—ying nâ—w is the tâ—me honest men for yâ—â—â— to avenge 〈…〉 that â—â—ul Aâ—ulterer who is so insatiâ—ie in 〈…〉 he never sâ—ils a night to aâ—â—se my bed â—â—d 〈…〉 his common Strumpets in hopes of reâ—â—â—maâ—iâ—n I have patiently forborn him a long time but nâ—â—hing will reduce him slighting my youth and continuing still his whoredomes wherefore now punish him as he hath deserv'd that he may be made an example to all such doting Lechors accordingly he was thrown that night into prison and the next morning shamefully stood in the Pillory Now said the Philosopher to the Emperour have you minded well this story and he said right well then said the Philosopher if you execute your Son being thereunto instigated by your wife your condition may prove more unfortunate than the antient Knights Hereupon the Emperour condemned very much the lew'dness and unworthiness of the woman and said moreover that for that very cause Erastus should not dye that day the Philosopher having applauded his resolution and â—â—â—bly thankt him for it he departed CHAP. XV. The Empress again prompted the Emperour to hasten the execution of Prince Erastuâ— by a Letter which she wrote wherein was contain'd a discourse of Treasures belonging to the King of Egypt of whome one was very covetuous and the other liberal who being over rul'd by the evil councel of his Son resolv d to rob the other Treasurer and possess himself of that treasure the King had commited to his charge but being unable to clear himself from the place wherein he committed this robbery he ordered his own Son to cut of his head this Son living after very rich and being arrived to that pitch he proâ—osed to himself kil'd also his own Mother who was privy to the theft to prevent her making any discovery thereof Aâ—â—â—â—â—lisâ—â— to the Emperour Dâ—oclesian her Lord aâ—â— mâ—st 〈◊〉 huâ—baâ—d â—â—â—lth of health can proceed fâ—â—m â—â—r who is reducâ—d to a condition worse then death s â—ing hâ—â— fest â—t wâ—â—d oâ— not only by others but by him who would â—â—ke mâ— believe â—e loâ—'d mâ— better then his owâ—â—â—fe 〈…〉 the case 〈◊〉 of grâ—ater importance tâ—â—n to bâ—◠〈…〉 herein doth hoâ—our 〈…〉 before life it self for it is thâ—â— alone whicâ— bears up our reputation and esteem in such manner that shâ— who 〈◊〉 dâ—priv'd thereof ought not to be rankt amongst women buâ—â—â—gâ—â—tred in the catalogue of Beasts Now Sir wonder not â—o see one thus vehement in a business wâ—â—ch concerns mâ— so nearly assuring you that the grief I have takeâ— and still retain after this fact prâ—ceed princiâ—ally from this that your honour is as much interested aâ— minâ— own for as to the holy â—ye of marriage it is impâ—â—â—â—â—lâ— to blemish the honour of one party and the othâ—r 〈◊〉 iâ—sensible of the wrâ—ng the honour was â—r at wâ—â—â— you acquilled