and malicious detractions lest he should sinke and be swallowed vp hee was forced to fling all his goods and merchandize ouer-board And the miserable wretch had already lost the maine mast of his hopes and his merits had a great leake and drew in abundance of water of desperation when loe his vessell rushed and split against the marble rock of the ingratitude of a most vnthankfull Prince Then followed a most strange thing which was that after so disastrous an encounter the vessell of that Courtiers seruice being split wrackt and sunke the storme of Court-persecutions ceased the Sea of the Princes indignation was calmed and the rocke which had caused that miserable wracke was conuerted into a most safe hauen the Courtiers vessell but ere-while ouerwhelmed of it selfe start vp out of the waues more faire more strong and in better plight than euer it had beene before And the merchandize of his merits of it selfe was laded againe which not long after he vttered and vented at a very deare rate trucking and changing the same for great dignities eminent titles and rich reuenues This accident seemed very strange vnto the Lords Pilots and vnto all the Congregation nor could they sufficiently wonder how it could be possible that in the land-nauigation the most vnhappie wrackes of some might serue as great felicities to others Now the Congregation continuing in trying of new experiments enioyned a sly-witty Courtier to hoise and display the sailes of his talent towards a wind that blew from South and happily sailing and keeping towards the North after many dayes sayling the Pilot-courtier desirous to see where he was he with his Astrolabe measured the altitude of the Pole of his merit and to his great wonderment found that hauing continually kept the prow of his faithfull seruice towards the North of his Princes interresse hee had made his voyage Southward Of so strange a disorder the Courtier at first accused himselfe that as hee should haue done he had not steered the helme of his faithfull minde towards the North of his Princes good seruice But when both with his sailing-card and with his ship-guide compasse in his hand he assured himselfe that he had euermore guided the ship of his actions in an euen and honest line he plainly perceiued that the errour or mistaking of his vnluckie voyage proceeded so because the North of his Princes affection had suffered it selfe to to be turned towards the South by certain wicked and maleuolent whisperers which he hath alwaies about him Then Vespucci Gama and other Pilots besought the Lords of the Congregation to giue ouer the businesse as a desperate cure and said that nothing yeelded the nauigation by sea more sure or safe than the immutabilitie of the North-starre And that by the last most vnfortunate experience it hauing euidently appeared that the mindes of Princes which are the infallible North-starre of land-nauigation suffering themselues so often and so easily to be turned remoued and circumgired by lewd and wicked people of the Court to aduenture to saile the tempestuous Ocean of the Courts was a resolution not fitting wise men but desperate persons In this interim the Lords of the Congregation might see a most elegant spruce Courtier who for the space of more than threescore yeares had so happily sailed both in the Court of Rome and in others that he had not only surmounted outragious storms of ruthlesse blasts and boistrous winds of persecutions but had euen shiuered and broken the very same huge rocks on which he had split wrackt his vessel but that afterwards when with a most pleasant gale and prosperous wind on the height of his felicitie he pursued his course onely for that he vnfortunately hit vpon a rush of an impertinencie of a base Catch-pole he was vtterly cast away An accident which caused such distraction in the Congregation that the Lords ioyntly resolued to haue but one triall more made and then be quiet by a Courtier that was readie to set saile and him they commanded to hoise and spread all his sailes But so it happened that whilest he held on his course in a coast deemed of all men most safe and dangerlesse his ship vnheedily or by chance hit vpon a rocke and was wholly split and wrackt which the Lords of the Congregation seeing they all bitterly bewailed the ignorance and vnheedinesse of the Courtier for so much as hee could not auoid that rocke But he made manifest demonstration to them all that it was not marked in the sailing-card Whereupon all the Pilots casting their eyes vpon great Ptolomey as if they silently accused him of ignorance hauing omitted that rocke which so well deserued to be marked in his Card and had been the cause of so disastrous a mischiefe But Ptolomey hauing first well viewed the place and considered the countrey thereabout did euidently demonstrate vnto the Lords that no man liuing had euer before that time seene any shelfe or rocke in that place and therefore he had not marked it in his Card but that it suddenly grew and started vp in the very instant that the vpfortunate Courtier hit and ranne vpon it Now the Lords of the Congregation perceiuing that in the nauigation by land huge rockes did euery hand-while spring vp and grow in a moment euen in the middest of fields and other places supposed most safe to be nauigated in the darkest night they concluded their businesse to bee desperate and their attempt impossible And therefore dismissing the Congregation they straitly commanded that in the perillous Land-nauigation no man should dare to goe a iourney except at high noone and withall euery man should carry a great Lanterne of wisdome with a burning Taper therein in the prow of his proceeding morning and euening with his bare knees on the ground and hands heaued vp to heauen humbly beseeching the Maiesty of the euerliuing God to send them good successe since that for one to bring the Ship of his hopes into a Court as into a safe heauen doth rather depend from the immediate aide and assistance of God than from any humane wisdome whatsoeuer The Lord Iohn de la Casa hauing presented his quaint Galateo or booke of Manners vnto Apollo meeteth with great difficulties in diuers Nations about their promises to obserue the same Rag. 28. 1 Part. THE Right Reuerend Lord Iohn de la Casa who as wee wrote vnto you by our last was with great solemnity admitted into Parnassus where after he had visited these illustrious Poets and complemented with all the learned Princes of this Court hee presented his right quaint and profitable Booke of Galateo vnto Apollo which his Maiestie did so highly commend that immediately he strictly commanded it should inuiolably be obserued by all Nations And at the same instant enioyned the said Lord to compose a Galatea since it was manifestly knowne that the Ladies of these moderne times haue as much need to be corrected in their euill and depraued manners as men
and sagacity than for their courage or valour in warre Moreouer the Impresa which hee caried in his royall Standard made all the learned of this Court to wonder which was a faire painted Writing-pen by vertue of which it did euidently appeare by the testimony of some Historians that both in the most potent Kingdome of France and elsewhere where any fit occasion had beene offered vnto him to make vse of it hee had caused and stirred vp more and greater ruines spoiles rapines wracks and hauocks than euer his Father Charles the fift could cause or effect with the greatest part of the Cannons of Europe The Impresa was highly commended by the sacred Colledge of the vertuous All Writers taking it for a great honour vnto themselues that a Pen in the hand of one that had knowne how to vse it had archieued and effected so memorable and remarkable actions This great King hath still bin most royally entertained in Parnassus for euen the chiefe and most eminent Monarkes in Europe haue held it as an honourable reputation to be able to attend and serue him So that euen the next day after his ingresse into this Dominion being disposed to be trimmed to commit himselfe into the hands of a Barber the great Queene of England disdained not all the while to hold the Bason vnder his Chinne And the most renowmed martiall King of France Henry the fourth surnamed the Great tooke it for a matchlesse glory to himselfe to be admitted to wash his head which hee performed with so exquisite skill and artificiall dexterity as he seemed to bee borne in that exercise and brought vp Prentise in that trade Although some enuious detractors haue giuen out that he did it without any Sope or Washing-ball but with strong scalding Lye alone This mighty Monarke hath bin presented by all the vertuous of Parnassus with diuers gifts of Poetrie and other quaint and much elabourated Poems all which hee hath counterchanged with great liberality and bounty And to a certaine learned man who presented him with an excellent discourse wherein was demonstrated the way and meanes how and in what manner most noble Partenope and all the most flourishing Kingdome of Naples which by the vnsufferable outrages of the Soldiers by the robberies of the Iudges by the tyrannous extortions of the Barons and by the general rapins and ransakings which the griping and greedy Vice-royes that from Spain are sent thither onely to cram and fatten themselues is now brought vnto extreme misery and desolation might be restored vnto the ancient greatnesse of its splendor he gaue a reward of twenty Duckats of gold and consigned the said discourse vnto his Confessour commanding him to keepe it safe for that it was written very honestly and religiously whereas vnto a most cunning and sufficient Politician who deliuered him a very long Treatise but altogether contrary to the first as that which treateth of politicke precepts and sheweth what course is to bee held to depresse and afflict the said kingdome of Naples lower and more than now it is And how it may with facility bee reduced vnto such misery and calamity as that generous Courcer which the Seggio of State without any headstall or saddle hath hitherto with no happy successe borne for an Impresse or recognisance may bee compelled patiently to beare a Pack-saddle or Panier to cary any heauy packe or burden yea and to draw in a Cart. For so much as hee was informed that it was iudiciously compiled and according to the right tearmes of moderne Policy hee assigned a gift of twelue thousand Crownes rent a yeare and moreouer made him a Grand of Spaine The Dogs of the Indies are become Wolues Rag. 22. 3. Part. ON the night of the twelfth of this present about eight of the clocke arriued in post-haste a Curtier dispatched from Lisbone vnto Apollo who told his Maiestie that he had brought him most important newes from the West-Indies The next morning very early all the learned ran to the Court to heare some newes And the Spaniards were the first who with great anxietie inquired whether there had lately beene discouered some other mount of Petofis or a new Rio del Plata in the Indies which if it were they would speedily haste thither to plant the holy word of God The French were very importunate to know whether some new world had beene found our which with making the Spaniards more powerfull might helpe them vtterly to subuert the old-one Apollo had no sooner read the letters but he fell into a â—â—ance of sorrow and hauing inuolued himselfe into a â—oggie mist a shower of abundant brackish teares was seene to trickle downe his cheeks which was taken for a most disastrous presage by which sudden alteration all men iudged that the Post had brought very bad newes Now whilest all the Court was full of all sorts of learned and vertuous men who in great anxietie longed to vnderstand the cause of his Maiesties publike sadnesse after sundry clattrings of thunder and infinite flashings of lightnings which they heard and saw there was heard an horrible and dreadfull voice which said Oh you that inhabit the Earth fast macerate and cloath your selues with haire-cloth sprinkle your selues with ashes eat your bread with teares endeuour with humble prayers to asswage the wrath of God and with contrite hearts and penitent soules suppliantly beseech him that of his infinite mercy he will vouchsafe to deliuer all humane-kinde inhabiting the old world from those portentous and monstrous nouelties which wee certainely vnderstand to haue lately hapned in the new At so vnexpected and prodigious aduertisements infinite of the Vertuous by the wounding affliction that they felt in their hearts fell downe in a swoune thinking verily that the West Indies had beene vtterly consumed by fire or ouerwhelmed by the furie of mercilesse waters In this terror and dismall plight all the people in Parâ—assus with showers of teares with throbbing sobs with groning howlings with loud-shrill voices as the like were neuer heard cride for Mercy Mercy and with most submissiue intreatings and groanes besought Apollo that hee would daigne to impart vnto his deuout subiects what those mischiefes were from which they should intreat the immortall God to be deliuered Then from the aforesaid Court of his Maiestie was heard a second voice which gaue all men to vnderstand that the dogs which the Spaniards had transported into the Indies for the safegard of their flocks of sheepe were all become such rauenous wolues that in worrying and deuouring of flecced cattle they exceeded the voracitie and cruelty of the greedy Tigres After so drearie and vnhappy tidings all the learned in Parnassus burst forth into wailfull cries and lamentable skreeks dolefully complaining that if the dogs which were placed for the guard safetie of the sheepe became wolues so rauenous as they deuoured whole flocks vnto what Gardians night Shepherds hereafter recommend the keeping and safe custodie of their sheepe And
answer Chap. 18. Philip the second of that name King of Spaine after long strife about his Title makes his solemne entry into Parnassus Chap. 19. The Dogs of the Indies are become Wolues Chap. 20. The French are humble sutors vnto Apollo to know the secret how to perfume gloues after the Spanish fashion Chap. 21. Why the Monarchy of Spaine is lately retired into her Palace Chap. 22. How the ministers and officers of Spaine are continually interessed in their priuate profit Chap. 23. Apollo hauing vsed all possible meanes and exquisite diligence to haue some one of the Court-Mignons or Princes-Idols taken and apprehended doth seuerely proceed against one lately fallen into the hands of the Iudges Chap. 24. The whole Race or Genus of Sheep send their publike Ambassadors to Apollo by whom they earnestly intreat him to grant them sharp teeth and long hornes whose suit is by his Maiestie scorned and reiected Chap. 25. In a publike Congresse or Assembly contrary to the accustomed manner of the Phoebean Court Force hauing pretended to precede Reputation that illustrious Ladie with an excellent resolution maintaineth her reputation and credit which was in some danger Chap. 26. The Prouince of Focides by her Ambassadors complaineth vnto Apollo that his Maiesties officers doe not permit her to enioy her priuiledges whose request is not only reiected but they haue a most sharp and vnpleasant answer Chap. 27. Socrates hauing this morning beene found dead in his bed Apollo vseth all possible diligence to discouer the true occasion of his so sudden death Chap. 28. Natalis Comes the Historian for hauing spoke something in a publike congresse of learned men that grieuously offended Apollo is by his Maiestie seuerely punished The Contents of the second Part. Chap. 1. MAximilian the Emperour is aduertised of the trouble begun among his sonnes Chap. 2. Most of the Princes Common-weales and States of Europe are weighed in a paire of Scales by Lorenzo Medici Chap. 4. Almansor sometime King of the Moores encountring with the Kingdome of Naples they relate one to another the miseries they sustaine by the oppression of the Spaniards Chap. 5. Sigismund Battor learneth the Latine Tongue Chap. 6. The Cardinall of Toledoes Summa is not admitted into the Library of Parnassus Chap. 7. The Monarchy of Spaine throweth her Physitian out of the window Chap. 8. Most of the States of the world are censured in Parnassus for their errors Chap. 9. The Monarchy of Spaine inuiteth the Cardinall of Toledo to be her Theologian which he refuseth and why Chap. 10. The Spaniards attempt the acquisition of Savoy but doe not preuaile Chap. 11. The Duke d'Alva being arriued at Parnassus in complementing with Prospero Colonna they fall foule about defrauding the Colonesis of their Titles The Poste of Parnassus to the Reader The contents of the third Part. Chap. 1. AFter an exquisite Examination and triall made of those Wits which ought to haue the charge of Prouinciall Gouernments a rank of Gouernors are published in Parnassus and wholsome auisoes for all Gouernours Iudges and vnder-Officers of State Chap. 2. The most Illustrious Monarchies resident at Parnassus demand by what meanes the Venetian Lady got such exact obedience and exquisite secrecie of her Nobilitie whereof she giues them conuenient satisfaction Chap. 3. The Romane Monarchy demanding of Cornelius Tacitus the resolution of a Politicall Question receiues full satisfaction of the Shepherd Meliboeus who casually was there present Chap. 4. Many people hauing wasted their meanes by gluttonous feasts prodigall fare and pompous apparell for the moderating of such lauish expences doe desire a Statute of their Princes but they misse of their purpose Chap. 5. Terence the Comedian being imprisoned by Iason the Pretour of Vrbine for keeping a Concubine is deliuered by Apollo with very great dishonour to the Pretour Chap. 6. Domitius Corbulo for certaine words spoken by him during the time of his gouernment which sauoured of Tyrannie is called in question by the Criminall Magistrates but in the end to his greater glory dismissed Chap. 7. By the promotion of Diogenes the Cynick vnto a higher place the honourable chaire of the Tranquillitie of a priuate life being vacant Apollo prefers the famous Philosopher Crates to that charge who refuseth it Chap. 8. A Controuersie hapning betwixt the Gouernours of Pindus and Libethrum about matters of Iurisdiction Apollo punisheth them both Chap. 9. The Vertuous of Parnassus doe visit the Temple of the Diuine Prouidence whom they humbly thanke for the great Charitie which his supreme Maiestie from time to time hath vouchsafed to shew vnto Mankind Chap. 10. A Contention hapning between many Learned men which might be the most notable Politick Law or most excellent Custome worthy of commendation in the flourishing State of Venice the same is finally decided and determined by the Venetian State herselfe to whose arbitrement the Question is referred by their generall consent Chap. 11. The Doctors of the Chaire hauing admitted into their Vniuersitie some famous Poeticall Ladies Apollo commands them to be dismissed home to their Families Chap. 12. The Lady Victoria Colonna intreats of Apollo that the infamie which women incurred for cuckolding their Husbands might likewise extend to adulterous Husbands Apolloes answer Chap. 13. A Poetaster for playing at Cards and deuising the Game called Triumph or Trump is brought before Apollo who after he had deeply entred into the mysticall meaning of the said Game not only dismisseth him but granteth him an yearly pension to instruct his Courtiers in that new Arte. Chap. 14. It being noted that Petus Thraseas in the company of his sonne in law Eluidius Priscus did vse commonly to frequent the house of the Lady Victoria Colonna he is grieuously rebuked by Apollo Chap. 15. A learned Gentleman of Rome begs a remedie of Apollo to make him to forget certaine grieuous wrongs which hee had receiued in the Court of a great Prince for which cause his Maiestie causeth him to drinke a cup-full of the water of Lethe but with vnfortunate successe Chap. 16. Apuleius his golden Asse and Plantus his Asse do complain vnto Apollo of the great seuerity which their Masters vsed in beating them But they are sent away with no pleasing answer Chap. 17. A generall Reformation of the world by the seuen wise men of Greece and by other Learned men is published by expresse Order from Apollo Chap. 18. The Duke of Hernia his speech in the Councell of Spaine to a proposition Whether it were expedient for his Catholike Maiestie to conclude a peace with his brother in law the Duke of Savoy THE NEW-FOVND POLITICKE THE FIRST PART The Company or Corporation of Polititians sets vp a Ware-house or publike Shop in Parnassus in which are to be sold diuers kinds of wares vsefull for the vertuous life of the learned The first Raguaglio of the first part THe great businesse which the Corporation of Polititians hath for so many moneths negotiated with these Exchequer-officers that they
rightly to gouerne Empires All which things Princes by reason of the seditious inuention of Tacitus could no longer effect or bring to passe it being most euident that the Diabolicall spectacles framed by that euer-factious and seditious man besides the first qualitie as hath beene said to subtilize and sharpen the sight of the vulgar people they produce also a second most pernicious effect that is to be so well and fitly fastned to the noses of all men as it is no longer possible for Princes as heretofore they haue done with no lesse facilitie than profit to themselues to cast dust into their subiects eyes though it were of the most artificiall and superfinest that possibly could be without plainly discouering that they are cheated cozened and deceiued The complaints and grieuances of the Monarchies seemed most true both to Apollo and to the venerable Colledge of the Censors And therefore they deemed them worthy to be maturely considered Now by the long discourses and debatements that passed among them concâ—rning a businesse of so great consequence it seemed that their opinion was likely to preuaile who consured that Tacitus together with his scandalous Annales and his seditious Histories should for euer be expulsed the society and conuersation of all men But his Maiestie vnwilling so much to vilifie or embase the Prince of all Politicall Historians or to distaste honest Students by depriuing them of their bosome-delights was contented that Tacitus should be giuen to vnderstand from his Maiestie how his pleasure was that of those spectacles in very deed preiudiciall vnto Princes he should frame as few as possibly could be And that aboue all things hee should vigilantly take great heed not to disperse any abroad except vnto choise and excellent men vnto Secretaries and vnto Priuy Counsellers of State to Princes to the end they might serue to facilitate vnto them the good and vpright gouernment of their people And that aboue all euen as he tendred or loued his Maiesties good fauour he should take especiall care neuer to impart or communicate any vnto those turbulent or factious spirits which in seditious and duskie seasons might serue in stead of bright lamps or far-seene beacons to that simple race of men which is easily gouerned as wanting the glorious light of letters may be said to be blinde and without a guide The Duke of Laconia for hauing aduanced a most faithfull Secretarie of his to the highest dignities of his estate is accused before Apollo to idolatrize and dote vpon a Mignon but he doth most egregiously defend himselfe Rag. 38. 1 Part. THE now regnant Duke of Laconia hath of late aduanced one of his subiects by him highly esteemed and extraordinarily beloued from a base and low fortune to the highest dignities and supremest honours of all his Dominion For he hath not only placed him in the sublime Senate of the Laconians a degree by reason of its eminencie ambitiously aimed at and sought after by diuers great Princes but hauing infinitely enriched him with great reuenues hath also made him to be as much honoured and regarded as any whatsoeuer most renowmed subiect of all his State This so worthy Duke by those who enuie the greatnesse of that his seruant was before Apollo's Maiestie denounced to be an Idolater of a Mignon and a doter vpon a fauorite or darling Apollo being highly moued against that Prince for the hainousnesse of so horrible a delict as his manner is in any outragious excesse without taking diligent information of the truth of the accusation presently caused Lewis Puloi Prouost-Marshall of this State to be called before him whom he threatned to be rigorously tortured if within the space of halfe an houre with all manner of scorne and derision he did not bring before him fast bound in fetters as prisoner the Duke of Laconia Pulci with all exact diligence accomplished Apollo's beheasts for immediatly all laden with heauy chaines he haled and dragged the poore Prince before his Maiestie who by an expresse messenger was presently aduertised of his attachment and forthwith commanded the Martelli most vertuous Florentines and publike Bell-ringers of Parnassus that by the â—olling of the greatest bell the Criminall Magistrate should be called together which was immediatly done Thus the Duke standing fortâ— before him Apollo himselfe after he had tauntingly vpbraided him with the foule crime whereof he stood endited all inflamed with wrath he told him that he allowed him but the space of halfe an houre to defend his reputation And in the meane time as if that poore Princes case had beene vtterly desperate he straitly commanded that whosoeuer had committed the indignitie to haue adored a seruant of his should be condemned to perpetuall infamie as vnworthy to liue among the vertuous Princes of the Phoebean Court. Then the Duke thus began his defence Sir and father of the vertuous I haue so armed my conscience with the fine and proofe-cuirace of Innocencie and so am I assured to haue liued vertuously and vprightly in all my actions as I am more than certaine to haue demerited nothing of your Maiestie Nor doth your indignation nor this precipitous doome to see that the dreadfull sentence of my infamie doth fore-goe the cognition of the cause any iot dismay or confound me Only I maruell to see what as yet I neuer beleeued that the foulenesse of accusations yea among the most iust and vncorrupted Tribunals as this is is of power to call in question and bring into so dangerous hazards the reputation of men of my ranke and qualitie But I quiet my selfe in the will of God who hath euer willed that the gold of others innocencie should be refined in the fire of false calumnies and in the test of persecutions I freely confesse vnto your Maiestie to haue exalted my friend more than my maleuolent enemies haue reported vnto you And in this my action which to your Maiestie hath beene pourtraid so hainous this only grieueth mee that in mine opinion I haue not throughly performed all that vertue of compleat gratitude which so deare a friend hath worthily deserued at my hands And if those who accuse me or other Princes my equals of prodigalitie of dotage or of an abiect minde borne in the foule sinke of sottishnesse to serue seruants when they see a Courtier well-beloued or rewarded by his Lord or Prince would not suffer themselues to be blinded by malice by passion or by enuie but with a minde void of flegme or spleene would impartially consider the true merits of Court-fauourits they would then name that a vertuous life which they entitle vitious prodigalitie dutie of gratitude those gifts which they call inconsiderate and a vertuous affection the infamie wherewith they charge them to dote vpon or idolatrize Mignons But it is not a profession fitting vulgar or ordinarie men to diue or pierce into Abditos Principis sensus si quid occultius parant whence it hapneth that the ignorant with the infamie of great men
laudable and precious custome to quaffe merily and to be drunke it being most palpable and euident that drinking of much wine hath the vertue to make bodies diaphaned or transparent For which solid reasons which by Apollo were both allowed and commended for militant it was resolued that concerning the particular point of drinking moderately and soberly the excellent and farre renowmed Dutch Nation should not bee subiect vnto the strict precepts of Galateo The vse of drunkennesse being among the Germanes rather an artifice of the Publike than a vice of priuate men It being manifestly knowne that both in times of peace and of warre those nations are best aduised that doe as the Germans Deliberant dum fingere nesciunt constituunt dum errare non possunt Apollo hauing highly commended the Statute made by the most mighty Kings of Spaine that no Aduocates Lawyers or Proctors shall passe into the Indies the Doctors of the Law finding themselues aggrieued complaine vnto his Majestie Rag. 83. 1 Part. THe renowmed Court and habitation of Parnassus may rightly be esteemed most happy not so much for the right excellent gouernment of Apollo's Maiestie nor because it is inhabited by the most quaint flourishing choise and sublime wits of the whole vniuerse as because the exquisitenesse of a vertuous life the perfection of all right honourable customes and the exactnesse of all the best lawes dispersed through the whole world are therein with all precise diligence introduced propagated cherished and obserued The reason is because those that inhabit or reside there are bound to bring the most commendable fashions of their Countries A custome that hath brought so great commoditie vnto the Priuate and so honourable reputation vnto the Publike as all men may euidently perceiue that to be a right blessed and happy country which liueth and subsisteth not so much by her owne proper lawes as by and with those iudiciously selected from out all other most ciuill and best established Nations Apollo hauing lately bin informed how the most potent Kings of Spaine hauing vnder great penalties prohibited that no Aduocates no Lawyers nor Proctors shall passe into the Indies was pleased to approue and ratifie the said Decree as most wholsome as most holy And did highly extoll and commend the piety of those Monarks who shewed so great charitie towards the new world in seeking to preserue it from that mischieuous infection that hath filled and infected the old-one with so many deplorable calamities and wailfull controuersies Whereupon his Maiestie commanded that the said holy and excellent Edict should forthwith be engrauen and enregistred in a faire table of metall which to the perpetuall memorie thereof should be affixed neere vnto the twelue Tables of the most famous Romane Lawes in Forum maximum We must not omit to let you vnderstand that the Doctors of the Lawes were greatly moued and vexed at this iniunction who earnestly recommended the indemnitie of their reputation vnto his Maiestie alleaging that if they should not obtaine the fauour to haue the publication of that ordinance staied occasion would be giuen vnto many to imitate those of Ancona of Norcia of Recanati and of other people who to the great dishonour of good letters had chased and expelled from out all their counsels and consultations those Pettie-foggers and Law-pleaders which of all other people were held in so great admiration for they verily beleeued that without the PLACET of a man skilfull in the Law it was impossible for any man to say or doe any thing well or honestly And that by so much the more they besought his Maiestie to take their cause into his consideration as there was question made of the indemnitie of the thrice-sacred Liberall Arts which all Students of the Lawes to their intolerable costs and charges and with vnspeakable toyle labour and sweat did waste and consume themselues to learne At whose strange instances Apollo against the opinion of all the by-standers fell into a chafing passion and with great indignation answered those malapert Doctors that hee much wondred how before his Maiesties sacred presence they had dared to affirme that they spent and laboured and sweat so much to learne the sacred Liberall Arts as if the Delphick Edict were not knowne to all the world in which the studie of the Lawes is especially declared to be no Liberall Science but a base trade and a mechanicall occupation brought into the world for the affliction of mankinde studied and plodded vpon without any delectation to the minde without any speculation of the intellect and without the so materially-needfull helpe of the soueraigne Muses in all perfect and commendable Sciences and only exercised for meere couetousnesse of lucre to fatten with pelfe and crownes a peece of man with two gloting eies in his skonce or a slouenly fellow who although he be altogether void of that viuacitie of wit which good and noble letters affect so much neuerthelesse to become an eminent Aduocate it sufficeth him to haue a blockish braine a porter-like grosse complexion a rusticall behauiour and a clownish demeanour fit rather to draw in a cart than to conuerse with ciuill or learned men An Apothecarie at the very instant that he is taken prisoner by Sergeants without being examined at all is forthwith condemned and sent to the Gallies Rag. 65. 2 Part. THe Apothecarie that dwelt at the signe of the two Crownes in the high Mercerie-street was foure daies since apprehended by the Officers of the Criminall Court and forsomuch as the poore wretch was suddenly hood-winkt and muffled and on mens shoulders carried to the hauen and put into a Gallie all Parnassus rested much amazed to see the execution of that vnfortunate mans condemnation foregoe the framing of his enditement It is reported that this hath hapned at the instant request of all the chiefe Monarks of the vniuerse now resident in this State who thinke themselues offended to the quicke by that Apothecarie forsomuch as hee did openly sell Fine smoake a merchandise which Princes challenge and pretend to belong onely to them and that no priuate person whatsoeuer should dare to sell but they Some suppose that by the example of that vnfortunate wretch they haue gone about to terrifie all others from troubling them in matters concerning their iurisdiction and prerogatiue And although the shallow-headed and simple sort of people giue out that the Apothecaries fault deserued not so rigorous a resentment yet those that will prie and thorowly diue into the secrets and interesses of great Princes affirme that he hath very gently and with much indulgence beene dealt withall Forsomuch as Fine smoake seruing Princes in many and daily occasions in lieu of fine coyned gold euery treasure of theirs though neuer so rich and great would soone be exhausted whensoeuer that so currant money of Fine smoake losing its credit and esteeme among the vulgar sort of people Princes should ere long bee enforced according to the Plebeian fashion to pay their debts
and ouer-reached In her discourses and in resoluing of most important businesses she sheweth admirable wisdome and circumspection but whether it be through her naturall tarditie or artifice of her officers who are all most greedy merchants of great negotiations or because she is of opinion that no resolution is done with decorum that is not long a doing and with tedious delayes expected of all men Shee executeth her determined resolutions with such slownesse that the face of affaires changing with the times her resolutions determined with great wisdome doe often proue vnhappy And therefore doe all conclude that shee is more couragious in the skill of plotting machinations than in the exercise how to manage Armes in which she sheweth to haue an vndanted heart a resolute constancie and an vnspeakable sufferance of all crosses and inconueniences but so weake in resolutions that her extraordinarie circumspection hath many times the semblance of timiditie Whence it followeth that shee seemeth more apt to maintaine States than to acquire them Diuers notable men laugh at her to see her addresse and gouerne all her actions by the compasse of certaine solid and mature Counsels without euer referring them into the hands of that Fate or Chance which hath so greatly fauoured the French and yeelded them so glorious when in their actions and managements they haue gouerned themselues with much valour and little braine There be some that thinke this hapneth onely because she is as sparing of her owne bloud as she is thirstie and insatiate of other mens And therefore doe the expertest Captaines of warre mocke and gibe at her to see her aspire at the Empirie of the whole Vniuerse without euer fighting The reason whereof is because this most potent Queene being of long time accustomed to purchase great Estates by Alliances and Mariages she abhorreth the dreadfull custome of the French to conquer kingdoms with the price and hazard of their owne dearest bloud She being then more wittily-warie than boldly couragious it followeth that she is more mischieuous vnto her enemies in times of peace than warre whence it is that the French who hitherto haue liued with her in a supine or stupid carelesnesse after so many calamities endured haue at last learnt to double the barres of their doores when they haue concluded peace with the Spaniards She is most carelesse and lauish of her owne riches but so greedy of other mens that shee careth not to desolate her Patrimoniall Estates so shee may make conquest of others She is of so secret and hidden thoughts and of a minde so abstruse and vnsearchable that there is no wit artifice or skill of man able to looke into her drifts Nay Linx himselfe with his through-piercing sight cannot penetrate into them no not so much as the outside of them whereas men of a glimmering or short sight may plainly see into the very bowels of the French and other Nations For he that shall with with iudgement goe about to describe the Genius and customes of so great a Princesse must confidently beleeue that in all the managements she hath in hand and in all the affaires that others negotiate with her shee is inwardly cleane contrary to that shee appeareth without And although that among the foresaid vertues shee be full fraught with so enormous vices notwithstanding by reason of her prodigious fortune all of them are interpreted and admired in her as vertues whence it followeth that diuers great Princes take it as an honour to imitate her in her vices She is of a most sturdie and robust complexion whereby all iudge her to be long-liued She onely languisheth of the indisposition to haue her limbs much distracted which doth much debilitate the forces of so huge a bulke And although that with the helpe of the libertie of Genoa and of the alliance shee hath with the Duke of Sauoy shee vseth diuers meanes and artifices to contract them neuerthelesse by reason of the diuersitie of the interesses of these Potentates she makes no great vse of them This mighty Princesse receiueth no greater damage from any than from her chiefe Spanish Officers whom alone she imployeth in great charges all which are by them exercised with such and intolerable surquedrie as they will not onely be honoured as men but adored as Gods An impertinencie so great as it hath stirred vp a loathing and nastinesse of the Spanish Dominion not onely in the Italians and in the Flemmings but in the Spaniards themselues One thing hath caused great wonderment in all that behold so potent a Queene which is that her whole bodie is full of horse leeches for the most part of Genoa some of which are so big and fat as they appeare to be of those great Ecles that come out of Holland or those big Lampreis that breed in Seuerne It is not knowne whether it be through impotencie or negligence or through a destinie fatall vnto great Princes whose vitall bloud these noysome creatures seeke euermore to sucke that shee endeuours not to shake them off and be freed from them This most mighty Queene then being entred into the Royall Palace before Apollos Imperiall Maiestie stretched forth her left arme causing her seruants to vnswathe the same and so naked shewing it vnto Apollo and to the whole sacred Colledge of the learned she thus bespake Imperiall Sir and gratious father of all good letters This which your Maiestie seeth yea euen this is that stinking cauterie and loathsome issue of Flanders which the French the Germanes and some Italian Princes that now friendly faune vpon me together with the helpe of that formidable Virago and transmarine Renegada made in this mine arme for the distrust or suspition they had of me I acknowledge that the Princes forenamed had iust cause to be iealous of my power when after the death of Henry the second they saw France falne into the wretched calamitie of Infant-Kings and that I in their minoritie sought to sowe discords in that goodly kingdome Now that these suspitions are vanished and that ay me why doe I not blush to speake it the contention which I haue had with the French and particularly with that vndanted limbe of the Deuill the Prince of Bearne is now ended and that I haue at last beene condemned my selfe in all costs and charges My humble request vnto your Maiestie is that this grieuous and fasheux cauâ—erie be healed and closed vp For most men are of opinion that for the infinite number of humors that haue runne vnto it it is now become so festred and enraged a cankre as I feare which God aâ—ert it will proue the losse of my arme I did not passe into Italie through mine owne ambition or vnquenchable thirst wholly to sway the same as mine enemies report It is well knowne to all the world that I was vntimely called thereunto and euen haled vnto it by the Princes of Italie themselues to free them from the great feare they were in of the French
to the Flemmings was conuerted into a couetous merchandise of the Spaniards Therefore the Scots by such lamentable miseries haue learned not to permit their King vpon any termes whatsoeuer to abandon the royall Seat of his ancient kingdome for to place it in a greater newly fallen vnto him in which case the Scots should vnder their cruell enemies the English be sure to suffer all the calamities which inferiour Nations are wont to endure at the hands of the superiour Some that were present at this Act report how the Spaniards told the King of England that those Scots which had spoken so arrogantly in the presence of his Maiesty were to be seuerely chastised to whom the King of England answered That the Spaniards ought not to giue that counsell vnto others which had proued so pernitious to themselues and thereupon hauing commanded the stay of weighing their Kingdome he assured his Scots that ere long he would giue them all possible satisfaction After this the vast Ottoman Empire was put into the Scale which the last fifteenth yeare arriued to the summe of two and thirty Millions but now was found to bee lesse than sixteene the strangnesse whereof made all the Princes very much to maruell and particularly the Venetians who could not beleeue such a fall whereupon they desired that wich more diligence it might be reweighed and it appeared how in that little time running betweene the first and this second weighing it had fallen eight hundred twenty and two pounds whereby it was manifest that the Ottoman Empire heretofore so terrible to the world now consumed with luxury couetousnesse and idlenesse runneth headlong to his ruine which gaue great contentment to all those Princes Neuerthelesse it was obserued by some of the wisest there present that the Spaniards were not so glad of it as the rest out of a doubt they had that the depression of the Turke would bee the exaltation of the Venetian State Then came the Polach Senators and put into the Scale their Kingdome which in regard of the small authority the King hath there the too much command which the Palatines arrogate vnto themselues made but a poore reckoning for it did not amount to six millions of pounds whereas in times past it alwaies exceeded twelue After them the Signory of the Councell of Teâ—â— put into the Scale the flourishing Estate of the Venetian Common-wealth most admirable for the greatnesse thereof and opportunity of situation fitting for all great enterprises which went beyond all expectation in the weight for it came to eight Millions the cause whereof was said to bee the huge masse of Gold which those wise Senators in so long a time of peace had gathered together into their Treasury Next came the Switzers the Grisons and other free people of Germany and brought their Common-weals to the Scale Howbeit the Princes required that they might be weighed each one seuerally by it selfe wherewith the Germanes were well contented so that it might be done But Lorenzo hauing put the Common-wealth of Basil into the Scale it appeared that the greater part of the other Common-weales of Germany were all so linked together that it was impossible to separate them one from another which put a many of ambitious Princes there in a sweat Then the Duke of Sauoy caused his State to be put into the Scale by his noble Knights of the Annonciata which equalled the weight of the last fifteenth yeere but Lorenzo hauing added into the Scale that most noble prerogatiue of Title which the said Duke Charles Emanuell enioyeth of the prime Souldier of Italy it was seene to aggrauate the weight a Million foure hundreth and twenty pounds After this with a pompe and Maiesty matchable to Kings appeared the Duke of Lorraine whose State though little equalled the weight of great Kingdoms and it was considered that it fell out to bee so by a certaine good fortune which that Prince had to haue his States so happily seated that hee could easily put the Low-Countries into grieuous difficulties by impeaching the passage of those succours which the Spaniards conduct thither out of Italy whereby he hath growne into such reputation that to the most offerer he selleth for ready gold the merchandise of that his adhering in such sort that after he had dreyned the Spaniards asmuch as any the deâ—outest French Lord of the holy League whatsoeuer siding afterwards with the French hee knew so well how to change his coppy that a King of France such as was Henry the fourth the great Duke of Toscan and the Duke of Mantoua were glad of his alliance And fully to make vp the Spaniards iealousie the famous Venetian Common-wealth drew into her pay a Prince of that House with such affection that if that great Lady had not made a vow of perpetuall chastity and her nature according to the custome of some Indians had not beene stitched vp the first day she was born by the Venetian Signory most iealous of her honour it was verily beleeued by many that she would haue taken him to husband It was obserued that the Duke of Sauoy enuied much the felicity of this Prince because hee finding himselfe also seated betweene the French and the Spaniards of Milan as the Duke of Loraine was betweene the French and the Spaniards of Flanders in stead of so many benefits and so many commodities as fell vpon the Duke of Loraine hee had receiued most cruell kicks not onely from the French then his enemies but from the Spaniards his friends so that it was euident the Duke of Sauoy did now plainly see how that practise of his with the Spaniard was most pernicious for him Then came the Otto di Balia and put into the scale the flourishing State of the great Dukes of Tosâ—an which by reason of the excellent wits of the Inhabitants perpetuall plenty continuall peace and quiet security it enioyeth answered in weight to many Kingdomes Lorenzo greatly reioyced when he saw how vpon the foundations of those Churches and Hospitals which he and his Predecessors in the time of the Florentine liberty had laid in their Countrey their Successors according to the modell left them by Cosimo the Great had afterwards found meanes to erect strong Cyttadels whereupon Lorenzo to make a glorious shew of the worth and wisdome of the Princes of his house added into the Scale the admirable vnderstanding of Ferdinand the Great with the excessiue weight whereof it was so ouer charged that the huge chayne whereby it hung brake in two so that all went to ground This accident of the Scales so broken was an hindrance that other Italian Princes which remained could not be weighed whereupon it was concluded that comming according to the ancient custome to lay all the Princes and Potentates of Italy in ballance against the Monarchy of Spaine out of the vniuersall weight of the Italian Princes each ones particular would easily appeare Into the midst of the great Hall then was brought an
that whereas before the Popes were the terror of my Kings now it happeneth to be cleane otherwise for they liue in a very great agony lest the Vnion of Milan with Naples should one day follow to which marke they obserue the Spaniards haue directed the scope of all their thought whereupon the Spaniards whose proper nature it is to make good vse of the feare whereinto they see they haue put the Princes their neighbours haue arrogated vnto theÌ„selues such authority in the Court of Rome that they vaunt they are the true arbitrators of all the most important matters which there are handled Moreouer when the Kings of Naples were not Kings of Spaine the Popes with euery little menace of denying the inuestiture obtained of my Kings Principalities Duchies Earledomes and other great States in gift buying their friendships also with marriages and many other sorts of liberalitie but now the feare being ceased if the Popes will make their kinred great with titles of important States they must be glad to buy them with their ready money and the aduised Kings of Spaine besides the precious Gold of intreaties which at any hand they will bee sure shall precede for a first payment sell them vnto them throughly sawced Important interests and grieuous disorders are these said Almansor which thou hast recounted vnto me but how commeth it that thou Kingdome of Naples which art the Magazine of Silkes the Granary of Italy shouldest goe so ragged and be so leane Seeing the Spaniards that come naked out of Spaine answered the Kingdome of Naples after they haue been three or foure dayes in my house will needs couer themselues all ouer with gold it is no maruell if I be spoyled to clothe so many Raggedemuffins besides if thou sawest the rapacitie of the Vice-royes that to recouer themselues are sent vnto me or if thou knewest the rapines of Secretaries of thousand Officers and other Courtiers which they bring along with them all thirsty of my bloud thou wouldest greatly maruell how it were possible I should saâ—iate the raging and greedy swallow of so many hunger-starued wretches As for the little flesh thou seest on my backe the Spaniards affirme that in the booke of a certaine Florentine who hath giuen rules of the cruell moderne Policie they find written that being a Kindome conquered after the manner of those horses which are kept onely for races I ought to bee maintained low in the flesh I but said Almonsor then the Milanesi how are they intreated They also replyed the Kingdomes of Naples are bathed with the water wherwithall thou seest me so wet only this difference is betwixt vs that in Milan are drops in my house floods The true occasion of the diuersitie of these intreatings is the quality of the Lombards dispositions most vnlike to my Neapolitans for the Nobilitie of the State of Milan are naturally phantasticall free resolute and farre from that Vice so proper to my Neapolitans of flattery and affectation but so bold and hardy that they dare say how â—f one onely Cremonese spirit had beene found amongst my Neapolitan Barons it would haue hindred that same forced donatiue that hath brought me to eat bread and onyons the which although with great words it hath bin often demanded by the Spaniards in Milan they haue been as resolutely answered that they should take care to liue Besides the confining of the Grisons of the Duke of Sauoy and Venetians are the cause that the Kings of Spaine proceed with more discretion in Milan for when the Popes managed Armes I my selfe also was for their occasion greatly respected But soft Almansor yonder commeth my most capitall enemy Don Pedrode Toledo wherefore I pray thee withdraw a little for at any hand I would not haue him take notice that I lament my disgraces heere with thee and for this onely were it for nothing else may I tearme my seruitude most wretched in that I am forced to call this miserable State wherein thou seest me the happy golden Age. CHAP. 5. Sigismund Battor learneth the Latine tongue YEsterday about eight of the clocke in the Euening the ordinary post of Germany arriued at this Court and brought very ioyfull newes how Sigismund Bâ—ttor Prince of Transiluania was growne so inamored of the gracefull Latine tongue that to his great glory he spake and wrote with the purity and eloquence of the Cesarean style whereupon all the Vertuous earnestly besought Apollo that for such good newes there might be made in Parnassus all those demonstrations of ioy which to incourage Great men to the loue of Learning were wont to be made when any Prince became learned But his Maiestie that seeth into the vttermost secret of all things denied those Vertuous their request and told them that then onely there should be feasting in Parnassus when out of the freenesse of a noble minde and meere election of studies not constrained by any necessitie Princes applyed themselues to Learning and that they were to know how Prince Battor had gotten the elegant Latine tongue neither out of ambition to shew himselfe to be learned nor out of a vertuous curiosity to know many things but onely out of necessitie for his reputations sake to correct the foolish and childish absurditie which he committed in Gender Number and Case at such time as in the warre of Hungary he took that fatall resolution to arme himselfe against the Turke for to adhere vnto the Emperour of Germany whom in regard of the strong and liuely pretensiors which he hath to the Principality of Transiluania hee was to haue in more horrour then seuentie Ottoman Emperours CHAP. 6. The Cardinall of Toledoes Summa is not admitted into the Library of Parnassus THE Illustrious and Reuerend Francesco Cordova Cardinall of Toledo a personage of exemplarie life an exquâ—site Diuine and excellent Philosopher hee that in his owne person honoured the Word of God in the pulpit more then any other Preacher whatsoeuer of his time some few dayes since arriued at Parnassus hauing been receiued vpon the confines of the State by Alessandrod ' Ales and Cornelio Musso Bishop of Bitonto and all the way encertained at his Majesties charge This honourable learned man presented his Writings vnto the venerable Colledge of the Vertuous and those of Philosophy were not onely commended but admired as also the Commentaries composed by him vpon the Diuine passages of all the sacred Writers were receiued with extraordinay applause and shortly after they were carried in a pretious Vrne vnder a cloath of Estate into the Delphicke Library and with the name of the Author consecrated to Eternitie Onely his Summa although very learned was not receiued by those Vertuous who freely told him that there were so many Workes already of that kind in his Maiesties Library as some of them seemed superfluous for an infinite many of great Diuines had with such diligence handled maâ—ters appertaining to the consciences of priuate men that they had put the saluation of
vertuously that in the presence of so many Princes they neede not to blush Vpon the day appointed then most of the Potentates of the World appeared before Apollo And Count Baldazar Castiglione the Politicall Censor said vnto the reuerend Lord Giouanni dalla Casa Nuntio for the Sea Apostolicall in this State which was first drawne out of the Vrne That it seemed vnto him a most scandalous matter and indeed vnworthy the Greatnesse and Maiesty of the Popes that in Rome should be seene some potent Families vnto whom it serued in stead of a rich patrimony to bee dependant on forraigne Princes not very well affected to the greatnesse of the Apostolicke Sea which in euery occasion were apt with the power of their Factions to giue the Popes much trouble and that he might truly say how in all his time he had not seene a more foule and execrable thing than that which the Emperour Charles the fifth did when with the noble Charge of the Kingdome of Naples he rewarded the cruell seditions and shamefull treacheries which the Cardinall Pompeo Colonna vsed against the high Bishop Clement the seuenth Then the Lord Giouanni demanded of the Count how long it was since hee had conuersed in the Romane Court who answering Some seuenty yeares past the Nuncio replyed that returning thither now he should find how by reason of the abundance of vertjuyce which the Pompei Fabritij Prosperi Ascanij of the family of Colonna the Virginij and other more principall Barons of the House of Orsina had eaten the teeth of their Nephews and Grand-children were so set on edge that they could hardly chaw their broth for the Popes which had tyed those exorbitances about their fingers knew so excellently how to practise the Tarquinian precept that they haue reduced those Poppies which heretofore were as high as Cedars to the humble stature of ridiculous dwarffes This answere satisfied the Count who turning to the Romane Empire next drawne out of the Vrne hee said vnto him That the present disorders which were seene not only in the great patrimony of the House of Austria but in all Germany proceeded from the negligence of the present Emperor Rodolphus and therefore hee much desired that that Maiesty would with more care embrace the gouernment of his so many States remembring that Princes rulers of mankind bore vpon their shoulders the heauiest weight and had in their hands the most laborious worke that any the painfullest day-labourer whatsoeuer could exercise The Censor was exceedingly thanked by the Romane Empire for this aduice whereunto with much grauity he answered That it was a disgrace common with all Princes to be accused of negligence when scandals arose in their States although it notoriously appeared that in regard they were occasioned by the practises of more mighty enemies they could not possibly be auoyded by an vnderstanding Prince Wherefore it was to be considered That the monstrous felicities which the most mighty House of Austria haue had by inheriting with their Matches the States of Flanders the Kingdomes of Spaine of Naples Sicilia Bohemia Hungary and Portugall haue giuen all the Princes of Germany of Italy and of Europe such diobolicall jealousies that they haue caused both the passed and present ruines now beheld in their ancient patrimony Whereunto the Emperors which haue raigned since Maximilian the first of famous memory albeit they were reputed most valorous and prudent Princes could neuer after apply any salue that did not infinitely exasperate the sore of the disorders of Germany wherin had concurred such abundance of malignant humours that it might truly be said it was immedicable Further it was to be remembred what small authority the moderne Emperors haue had in Germany so that it were not onely a discourtesie but open injustice to will one that hath his hands fast bound behind him to performe the acts of Orâ—ando Moreouer the qualitie of the Empire was to be regarded which being electiue they that serued had more authority in it then they that commanded Besides the present weaknesse of the house of Austria in Germany from whom with the seditions of Religion the hearts of their subiects are stollen a theft so important that they may well abandon those States as lost wherein such dangerous seed is sowen Whereupon the present Emperour seeing himselfe depriued of the obedience of his subiects desireth euery one to reflect vpon the quality of the Cousins which the House of Austria hath in Spaine and they shall find that the people of Almaine borne for their libertie to secure themselues from the monstrous power of such a Family take impious and wrongfull reuenges euen on those which shal not be free froÌ„ the seruitude of the Spaniards if for the sins of men they euer arriue to that point of commanding ouer the World from which by the meere goodnesse and mercy of God they are put off as farre as by their many deuices they haue laboured to come neere it That also it was to be thought vpon how the first that in Italie and abroad disinherited with all kinde of irreuerence and disrespect the Maiestie of the Empire were those their Cousins of Spaine as clearely appeared by the vsurpation of Finale and other Imperiall feudes by them possessed All which things mouing dangerous humors without dissoluing them afterwards doe cause the House of Austria in Germany to be cruelly scourged by most powerfull enemies whilest the Spaniards with their only menaces seeke to put the whole world into suspition and distate And for conclusion he desired all the sacred Colledge to consider that to the miserable sterilitie of children which is seene in the present Emperor is adioyned a lamentable fertilitie of brethren one of which incited by the most violent spurre of ambition hath not doubted at last to goe about to ouerthrow his owne House which is ready to fall All accidents so vnhappy that they would make euen Salomon himselfe seeme to the World a very foole These replies which to all the Assistants seemed very weighty satisfied the Censor who turning him to the warlike French Monarchie said vnto her How all the Vertuous of Parnassus much desired of her that shee would rule the furious vnquiet capricious and exceeding impetuous dispositions of her French reducing them to those termes of prudence aduisednesse and stayednesse of minde which are seene in the noble Italian and Spanish Nations and how it much blemished her reputation that the Kingdome of France which holdeth a first place amongst the most principall Monarchies of the World should be inhabited by men so infinitely rash To this aduertisement the French Monarchie replied That the Censor not well informed of the interests of her Kingdome had censured for defects the chiefest vertues which she loued in her French Folly lightnesse vnaduisednesse and a precipitous nature were they which had made her so feared and formidable a Queene because her French with vnspeakable alacritie and forwardnes would vpon the least nod of hers expose
a soft spirit knowes best to accommdate his passions to stand as still as a Signe at a Tauerne because the world which requires good gouerment turnes quickly seditious and imbroyled with the phantasticall Chymeraes of certaine hotspurres which in all their affaires by seeking to become ouerwise in their owne conceit they doe in stead of quenching and appeasing troubles and combustions kindle them the more by vnseasonable remedies Intempestiuis remediis delicta accendunt Fifteene daies since by a most rigorous Triall which was made for so great a businesse not the ignorant as many thought but those capricious Proiectours were excluded whose pates being full of or others and new inuentions are enemies to those ancient customes and ingenuous orders whereto people haue beene enured as another nature yet these subtle heads would better them with moderne and new lawes T is true they greatly laboured to finde out pliable subiects of a milde and flexible disposition which knew to apply their owne nature to another bodies nature conformable as wiues ought to be to their husbands Nor did they admit at any hand an Officer which had not studied for the space of foure years continually that most important point of Philosophy to liue as not to liue The very Basis and ground-worke whereon the quietnesse of people securely consisted and the safety also of that good gouernment which might be hoped at the hands of an honest wise Gouernour in whom they did not so much regard his insight and knowledge in the Lawes and Statutes as that he should be well seene in that prudent mystery in that mild manner of proceeding and in that dexterity of vnderstanding as is not as yet found registred in Bookes A consideration so necessary that some great Lawyers which haue had the charge of Prouinces lighted vpon most simple successe as that lanthorne of the Lawes Bartolus can beare testimony who was forced to leape out of a window at the Palace of Todi for all his rare iudgement and skill in the Lawes because he would not be taken and torne in pieces by some that could no longer brooke the impertinent curiosities of one that was so wise of his tongue and so imprudent in his braine Likewise this is certaine that they reiected euen with the bastinado those great Beasts which with open ostentation to Peacocke-wise vsed to looke big with austere terrible countenaâ—â—ce taking delight to threaten his Maiesties Subiects made by the Creatour of the same mould as themselues more like tyrants than ciuill Iudges which many of them counterfeit for some other sinister respect and aboue all things they had a care to exclude those tyrannicall Butchers who Busyris like being bent to shed humane blood would make men beleeue that they went about to set the crooked World right againe with Pillories with Gibbets or at least with stupendious â—ines and mulcts worse than a Thunder-bolt such as were neuer imposed in more ancient times Aboue measure they loued those Iudges which tooke more care to hinder misdemeanours than to punish them and which neuer subscribe to the sentence of Death the Greeke letter Θ without the Inke of Teares The next day after all the Presidents and Iudges appeared before Apollo who caused Salust Crispus chiefe Notary of the Collaterals to minister the oath vnto them which was That they should faithfully leaue the world as they found it and not alter any of the ancient Priuiledges After the Oath thus ministred the said Salust tooke aside the Gouernour of Libethrum a Fauorite of his and gaue him these admonitions First to begin his Gouernment with a kinde of carelesnesse and to continue it with diligence by degrees entring in as a Lambe and playing the Lyon towards the end but alwaies generously inclined remembring that Principle of Cornelius Tacitus Acribus initiis incurioso fiâ—e Secondly that in all causes betweene the Common people he should doe most exact Iustice without exception of persons but in suits arising among the Nobler sort hee should mingle with the rigour of Iustice the dexterity of a wary iudgement remembring alwayes that the accusations of great persons were so odious to Princes that they laid vpon Officers Gownes an aspersion like the tainting spots of corrupted Oile which could neuer bee washt away with the purest sope of innocence Therefore among those great spirited men a Iudge had need with the sword of Iustice to imploy like a wise Fencer the target of a nimble wit and a cautelous care that neither of the one side nor of the other he be exclaimed vpon for any distasteful order For Princes hauing cause to vse their helpe for counsell force or purses they desire to hold them well satisfied And therefore in controuersies falling out among them a Iudge had need to learne some easie way to draw out rotten teeth and with the hand of dexterity to fill vp the place with the finest Cotten wooll Thirdly a Iudge must enforce himselfe to know all things but not to execute al which he knowes Omnia scire non omnia exequi For to attempt needlesse and brabling matters were to goe about to set straight the leg of a Dog or to lose his braine in the Alchymie of Fooles And in this corrupt Age it is good counsel for an Officer to tolerate in people some stale disorder then with any ill satisfaction to the generalitie to torment himselfe to seeke to bring in that which he cannot execute without commotions and heart-burnings Fourthly that with other Iudges and officers subiect to the same Prince he should not contend nor contest for matter of preheminence or right nor looke to be his owne Caruer or to right himselfe in his Court by vsing any strict course with inferiour officers for matters of prerogatiue of Courts but either to acquaint the Prince himselfe or to winke at the affront if another Court seemes to iustifie the subiect or els to take in hand the weapons of a gowned man the pen. But if the Iudges authoritie stretch to the Confines of another Prince hee must not seeke differences nor auoid them But if they proceed from Souldiers or Pyrats he must defend his Borders and Iurisdiction with Armes Yet so that towards all princes subiects in league and amitie with his Prince he behaue himselfe as temperately regardfull as zealously affected to his owne Princes honour Fiftly that in some occasions he preferre the publicke peace of his gouernment before that strictnesse of Iustice which is mentioned in Bookes Sixtly that for any impertinent thing which hee sees or heares which be not extraordinarily altered in mind or countenance and that if he cannot doe this yet that he refraine himselfe from speaking of it and in any case to beware that he deliberate not nor study for reuenge or reformation in heat or anger but in cold blood after a long times delay Seuenthly that in supreme and waighty matters hee take heed of making any shew of vndaunted of a fiery and resolued mind
cannot yeeld vnto God to whom vengeance belongeth and from whom wee must all acknowledge our liues liuing and liberty to proceed This Varchi spake when Lodouico Dulce began the deliuery of his Opinion that if that were true which all confessed that the rarest and most prized greatnesse that might be considered in a Prince was to disarme with facilitie and without danger one of his war-like Generals and to receiue of him exact and conformable obedience for all that that this Generall did aforehand know and long before his returne how his Prince grew in suspition of his loyalty or in dislike of his seruice Then this custome vsual in the state of Venice deserued more to be wondred at then any other to be able to disarme with great ease their Generals and Admirals at Sea Yea and at such time when they vnderstood how the Senate was earnestly bent to punish them at their returne notwithstanding that they found themselues very strong beloued of their souldiers and powerfull enough to offend the State or to defend themselues from shame it alwayes fell out that assoone as euer they were sent for they readily and presently obeyed voluntarily they resigned ouer their charge and publike command and withall speed hastned to Venice to be sentenced by their friends and Citizens though with Capitall punishment which they willingly endured rather then to hazard the losse of their Countrey by vnnaturall innouations and ciuill warres So deare vnto them is the care of the Common safetie The most excellent Venetian Lady who without answering any thing to the Vertuous aboue-named had attentiuely heard all these commendable Orders and admirable Prerogatiues said to Dulce that the matter which he related was indeed of great consequence yet not so rare but that the Ottoman Emperours likewise participated of the like benefit Howbeit neuerthelesse there was one singular Prerogatiue which she most exactly possessed and wherein she excelled all other Principalities as well of the ancient as present times whereto she acknowledged and ascribed all her Greatnesse the which as yet she did not heare any of them as much as touch Then spake Hieronymus Mercurialis that while he read the Physicke Lecture at the Vniuersitie of Padua hee knew some of the Plebeian and common sort at Venice that went in their Gundoloes to disport themselues vpon the water with some young Courtezans according to their common custome and there being mightily misused by certaine young Noble-men whom they casually met it chanced that these Plebeians slew one of them in the affray For which offence vpon complaint made by the parties friends the Plebeians were sent for by the Iudges who although they knew the power of the Law to be in the hands of the Nobilitie whom they had offended neuer fled but trusting in the vprightnesse and integrity of the Senate and Magistrates they doubted not to appeare before them and to yeeld themselues prisoners Neither did their hopes faile them for vpon consideration of the cause giuen in euidence for their defence how they were prouoked first by those young Noble-men they were enlarged and pronounced innocent to the honour of the Venetians vncorrupted Iustice so that neither powerfull parentage greatnesse of friends nor abundance of wealth can blinde and diuert the Iudges of Venice to wrong any man Last of all these vertuous States-men spake the most learned Hermolaus Barbarus that in a free State Tyranny begins then to vsurpe and worke when the most weightie secrets concerning the generall good of the Common-wealth are communicated to a few Senators And for this cause the most Soueraigne Lady of Venice to auoid shipwreake on that dangerous rockie shelfe imparted her Secrets and deliberated the designes and pragmatickes of greatest import wherein her state was interessed in her highest Court of Magistracy or Parliament of the Pregadi a number cōsisting of two hundred and fiftie Senators and vpwards and to him it appeared to be a miraculous thing how the Venetian State could finde among so great a number of Senators that Secrecie which many great Potentates for all their exquisite diligence and large entertainment of gifts and rewards had bootlesse sought in one only Secrtarie or in a couple of Counsellors of State At these words the most excellent Venetian Lady laid her hand on the shoulders of Barbarus and pronounced this verdict Now thou hast hit the naile on the head and named that most pretious Iewell wherein I most glory and prize my selfe aboue all other States and for which indeed I ought to be iustly emulated and enuied at seeing that nothing else appertaines for the true gouernment and managing of State-businesse more necessary than Secracie CHAP. 11. The Doctors of the Chaire hauing admitted into their Vniuersitie some famous Poeticall Ladies Apollo commands them to be dismissed home to their Families THe famous Doctors of the Chaire about a few moneths past admitted the most vertuous Ladies Victoria Colonna Laura Terracina and other learned Poeticall Ladies of Parnassus into their Academicall Corporation where they vsed times to resort to their publike exercises But it chanced so that many Schollers enamoured with the beautie of these Ladies did not only flocke oftner than they were accustomed into the Schooles whensoeuer they vnderstood that these Ladies repaired thither but also consumed their pretious time and wits in composing of amorous Sonnets which they dedicated vnto these Ladies as if they were Goddesses with such rare conceits and lofty tunes as eclipsed the glory of the Muses themselues At length the sauour of these Sonnets though fragrant and sweet in the Schollers apprehensions offended Apolloes diuine nostrills worse than the stinke of a Blackamore For which cause before the end of these Ladies probationship and their matriculation his Maiestie charged the Cathedrall Doctors to dismisse them out of the Vniuersitie His reason was because he well saw out of his Diuine knowledge that the true poetry of women were the Needle the Distaffe and the Wheele and that the Schoole exercises of Ladies among Vniuersitie men might well be likened vnto the dalliance and playing of Dogs which after some fained snarling catching and gamesome tossing one another doe conclude their sport in riding and mounting vpon their play-fellowes backs CHAP. 12. The Lady Victoria Colonna intreats of Apollo that the infamie which women incurred for cuckolding their Husbands might likewise extend to adulterous Husbands Apolloes answer THe most Excellent Lady Victoria Colonna a Princesse of exemplarie chastitie about three daies past appeared in his Maiesties Court of Audience and in the name of all womankind said that they all loued the excellencie of chastitie which was naturally giuen them for a most particular vertue that they did not awhit enuy Courage a vertue attributed to mans sexe because they well knew that a Lady without the soule of chastitie which renders her odoriferous to the world was but a stinking carcasse yet notwithstanding it seemed vnto them that they had much cause to grieue and
not forget he bound them to practise themselues therein one houre at least euery day Although it seemed strange to the Learned how it could be possible that out of a most vile Game deuised by the off-scum raskals of men there might be drawne any profitable document for honest men yet notwithstanding they all knowing that his Maiestie neuer commanded any thing which did not afterward redound to their good and to a speciall purpose they obeyed so willingly that this Schoole was in as great request and frequented no lesse than an Vniuersitie But when the Learned had discouered the Magisteriall secrets the hidden mysteries and admirable cunning tricks of this triumphant Game of Trumps they extolled Apolloes profound iudgment to the eighth Heauen all of them with one voice celebrating and magnifying it in all places that it was not Philosophie Poetry nor yet the Mathematicks nor Astrologie nor any other famous knowledge but it was the most rare Game of Trumps which taught men chiefly great men and Courtiers that secret of most import how euery seuerall Trumpe tooke vp and got as aprey euen the goodliest of all the Cards CHAP. 14. It being noted that Petus Thraseas in the Company of his sonne in law Eluidius Priscus did vse commonly to frequent the house of the Lady Victoria Colonna he is grieuously rebuked by Apollo IT was obserued by those vertuous Censers whose office and delight consisted in looking to other mens deeds that Petus Thraseas in the company of Eluidius Priscus his sonne in Law extraordinarily haunted the house of the Lady Victoria Colonna and also of other learned Dames of this Court. And though the said Thraseas were reputed for a man of singular good parts that one would hardly suspect any obscene or lewd action in so great a Senatour his vsuall and daily visites together with his continuall abodes in these Ladies houses occasioned so great a scandall yea among the vertuous themselues that the smell thereof ascended euen to his Maiesties nostrels who to extinguish the flames of these slanderous murmures about two dayes since sent for Thraseas and expresly commanded him to reueale what businesse he had in resorting so often to these Ladies houses Thraseas answered that he frequented them onely to exercise charity among these Ladies by reading euery day vnto them a Chapter of Boetius his booke of the Consolation of Philosophy Vpon this answer Apollo was so grieuously mooued against Thraseas that in great anger he said If with your talent and zealous office by giuing office by giuing comfort consolations to the afflicted you hope to merit grace at Gods hand and to obtaine good will among men goe your wayes to comfort those poore wretches who die of meere necessitie and pure want in the Hospitalls or those vnfortunate people who are condemned to the gallowes or Spanish gallies But to sit all day long closely among Ladies as Sardanapalus vsed to doe thinking to make men beleeue that you exercise Spirituall doings they are such hypocrisies as will moue the veriest idiot to laugh at you and will make them to burst with rage that know how these which goe often to the mill become whited with meale And a man of your wisdome ought to vnderstand that at such time as a woman conceiues of two infants which we call Twinnes if both be male they are enclosed within one membrane the which likewise comes to passe if both bee female But if it happens that one bee male and the other female most prouident nature preserues the female in a perticular membrane seuered from the male Seeing that Nature thought good not to thrust a little brother and a little sister of that tender age to dwell together in one place she teacheth all men and especially men of your fashion to liue more warily and securely and in these doings O Thraseas whosoeuer trusteth his owne power I hold him to be more rash than wise And for that these disorders in regard of our reputation and yours had need to be corrected I doe straitly command you that from henceforth you leaue off such dangerous practises The world is not so sottishly simple as you more simply conceiue it but that they doe well vnderstand how the visites which men of your qualitie vse vnto Ladies doe begin to smell after the second time and specially in their noses that know how faire and beautifull things seeme pleasing to all men and that the prouocation of the flesh is a naturall vice in all men the which they cannot cure and keepe backe with a more excellent remedy than to stand a farre off from such faire and goodly obiects There 's no safer way to defend a man from error than to shunne the occasions And all your Philosophy cannot produce such proofes as will make any man of iudgement beleeue that a dainty bit of flesh doth not agree with euery mans mouth that is made of flesh Lastly I must put you in minde that a man of your credit and condition who makes profession aboue all things not to defile the white robe of your Reputation with the sports of lasciuious oile ought not at all to busie himselfe about lampes it being not onely great folly but most insolent rashnesse worthy of the whip and strapado to think he can make gun-powder in a forge where a smith workes nailes and afterwards to perswade men that he might goe to the field without danger CHAP. 15. A learned Gentleman of Rome begs a remedie of Apollo to make him to forget certaine grieuous wrongs which he had receiued in the Court of a great Prince for which cause his Maiestie causeth him to drinke a cup-full of the water of Lethe but with vnfortunate successe A Learned Gentleman of Rome which some few dayes since arriued at Parnassus was yesterday admitted to his Maiesties Royall Audience vnto whom he shewed that for many iniuries which hee had receiued of diuers ill willers of his in the Court of a certaine Prince where the Lawyers persecuted him and made him pay aboue three score seuerall fees by their cunning trickes of Law he hath sithence liued very much troubled in minde and so much the more for that he could not worke his reuenge vpon them without incurring farre greater troubles then his Enemies had plunged him in And on the other side he found that he was not endowed with that generous resolution of forgetting and forgiuing them For which cause and now to be freed from this hellish torment wherein he perpetually liued he repaired to his Maiestie whom most humbly he intreated to bestow vpon him some present remedie to heale his mind which was galled with the passions of hatred and reuenge Apollo did much pitie this Gentlemans case and commanded that one should giue him a large cup-full of the water of Lethe prepared in such manner that it might cause him to forget odious things and not to take away the remembrance of benefits receiued The Gentleman with great greedinesse drunke
Dominion wee inioy the preheminence of Gâ—noa and the commoditie of the Sea with hauens from whence in times of peace by Trafficke we receiue very great Gaine and in times of warres we open a secure passage to our Armadaes and Armies From hence the Kingdome of Naples is preserued where we shall hardly arriue with our armed Gallies through the midst of the Tirrâ—ene Sea in a tempestuous Winter if wee touch not and ride at Anchor in one of these places From this State in briefe we are enabled to goe into Switzâ—rland and Germany there to leuie Souldiers for the Low-Countries to giue and receiue aid from the confederate Princes besides that with the situation of this place being in the midst of Lumbardy we hold the residue of Italy bridled that they dare not stirre to oppose our wills The which things although they bee knowne vnto this most prudent Councell and better yet to your Maiestie I would notwithstanding put you in minde thereof because you might excuse me if I seemed perchance fearefull or iealous for the preseruation thereof and certainely when I shall conceiue that there is some securitie and sufficiency in these courses which now are propounded I will then rancke my selfe among the first to incline to peace wishing that after our tedious and long warres in Flaunders which haue consumed both the men and Kingdomes wee might breathe a while and recouer some fresh blood and also refresh our drooping vitall Spirits to be the better able one day gloriously to encounter and lead our armies against the Infidels and to spread in their countries both the Christian Faith and the Empire But what security doe wee see in thâ—se propounded Treaties The Popes Nuntio doth promise that if we would free the Duke of Sauoy from the feare he is in to be preuented and oppressed the Duke should likewise disarme and hold himselfe alwayes hereafter your Maiesties good kinsman and seruant and that he shall neuer more minister cause of innouation nor nourish any intelligence preiudiciall to the State of Milan And to secure vs from fraud that he shall leaue his second Sonne at your Court for pledge But he speakes nothing of alienating and separating himselfe from the friendship and aliance of France nor that he will oppose himselfe against their forces when they shall attempt to assault this State of Milan And who doth not here see his fraud as if we were so simple in beleefe and knew not how to diue where his thoughts tended Are not we sufficiently choked and made perfect of his cunning deuices Seeing that the Count de Fuentes hath written from Milan that we ought not to trust him that his Treaties and practises holden with the King of France were most certaine for the surprizing of that State let no man tell me that it is securitie sufficient to lay a sonne of his in our hands for hostage because he hauing other sonnes left him at home among whom is his Eldest sonne will neuer care to remoue him hence to hinder his designes no more then King Francis was hindred and stayed from raising Armes against the Emperour Charles the fift after hee had left his two sonnes in pledge Or the Prince of Orange who for all that he had giuen a Son of his in pawne desisted not to conspire the ruine of Flanders against your most glorious Father He hath declared himselfe what he is and what remorse of conscience he feeles that now hath complotted against a King his Kinsman and Benefactour against that house which twise restored him to the State which he holds in that he would compasse and effect the French Match notwithstanding your Maiesties disagreement and disswasion For your Maiestie fore-saw that this match would proue a Seminary of Discord and a rocke of Scandall Now he tryeth and compasseth by all meanes onely to auoid the present perill and to watch an occasion to deceiue vs another time or to take vs vnprouided For all this hee comes not with humilitie to procure pardon from the magnanimity and generositie of your most sacred mind but casting himselfe into the armes of your enemies with weapons in hand and with threats he goes about to terrifie you and with the greatest indignity to force your Maiestie to a peace no lesse ignominious then ill secured We haue too much lost if it be lawfull forme to speake the truth our reputation in yeelding to a Truce with the States of Holland though the same was accounted necessary for our Affaires in regard of the difficulty to sustaine the charge of a warre so farre remote To which now let vs adioyne this point that there is not so vile an aduersary who dares not to moue and conuert his thoughts at euery nouelty and already we see the rest of the Italians discontented with our Greatnesse willing to rise against vs yea and to call the Iewes and the Turkes in to their succour albeit with their owne dangers if God and the Angell Guardians of your Crowne doe not worke continuall miracles for our Defence truely I cannot see who shall deliuer vs. What then remaines Most sacred King I am of opinion that Peace is not to be refused so that the same be concluded with safety the which can no way be but by holding in depositâ— and impawned in your hands those Forts which shall be thought fit by your Captaines and to releeue them vpon his cost and for your good or at least that hee disburse the greatest part of the expence occasioned hitherto through his default This Demaund ought not to seeme strange vnto him seeing he hath wittingly and aduisedly vsed such ingratitude and deceits so oftentimes against you Therefore we must let him vnderstand that we may not repose any confidence in him except we haue these Forts in pledge that so we may safely with our Reputation reduce our matters to a sound issue not leauing place for him in reason to complaine of vs as the Authours of the warre But if the Duke will not consent to these our iust demaunds and will refuse to receiue our Garrisons into his Forts I am of the minde it is better to make warre against him then by protracting time to expect troubles hereafter in our owne home Another time we may runne into a greater hazzard and wee may haue to doe with a more powerfull Prince In the meane while it is conuenient for your Maiesties honour to aduenture all into the hand of Fortune then voluntarily to yeeld with so great indignitie to conditions of so little safety Howbeit I see not where those dangers lie which some would make so great I am sure that in respect of the Iustice of the cause where a man is not stirred with any desire to spoyle another of his due but with necessity to preserue his owne State and that with greater facility then some imagine the Duke of Sauoyes power is not stronger then ours I am sure that hee is in a manner weake and for
lament at the great inequalitie which they saw betwixt the Husband and the Wife in the particular punishment of Adultery so that women could not rest contented to see men in such wise free that the punishment of shame which alone was wont to terrifie honourable persons did now lesse serue to restraine them from committing against their wiues these beastly and libidinous defaults In which dissolute courses they said that they proceeded so far that many Husbands were not onely not ashamed to keepe openly Concubines in their houses but had oftentimes presumed to make them partakers of the sacred bed of Matrimonie These abuses came to passe by reason that the Lawes had not prouided the like punishment against the offending Husbands as were thundred out and practised against adulterous Wiues And that in this case the Lawes shewed too much fauour vnto maried men in allowing them to reuenge the iniurie with their owne hands at the time when they hapned to take their wiues in the adulterous act By which notorious aggrieuances the Sexe of women being so much wronged were now forced to repaire vnto the cleare fountaine of true Iustice to the end that by publishing equall punishment in the equalitie of the self-same fault there might be some competent remedy ministred for their oppressions And that if this did not stand with Apolloes good will and pleasure there might be at leastwise the like liberty granted vnto them in this particular of Adultery to keepe amorous seruants or to marry againe as many men aduentured to doe After which liberty granted them they would not perhaps make vse thereof but only in terrorem tantùm vnder colour of law to be enabled to bridle their loose and lustfull Husbands Vnto this demand of the Lady Victoria Apollo answered that the Law of Fidelitie betwixt the Husband and the Wife ought to be indeed equall and that the defect and breach thereof ought to be punished no lesse in the one than in the other but that in the Wife a more exquisite and perfect chastitie was required for the great and weighty respect to know the certainty of their children to which end Nature had assigned them the noble vertue of Chastitie the which was so necessarie for procreation of humane kinde that without it the children should both lose their inheritance and their fathers affection A thing so true that Nature herselfe hath most prouidently allotted chaste wiues to all liuing creatures of the earth where the Male concurres for the industrious hatching of the Egge or for the nourishing of their young ones all to the end that the carke of the fathers being imployed for their children welfare should proue somewhat pleasing and that their charge should redound to comfort and to great gaine in time to come At these words the Lady Victoriaes beautifull cheeks were stained with an honourable blush who with a Roman ingenuitie confessed vnto his Maiestie the simplicitie of her demand and said that indeed it were a great shame and dishonour to the sexe of women if in the pretious gift of chastitie they suffred themselues to be ouercome of those vnreasonable liuing creatures who although they pursue no other thing than pleasure yet neuerthelesse doe they very religiously obserue Chastitie because they would not anger the fathers of their young ones by their wandring and inordinate lust And for the important reason that Husbands desired to haue their wiues chaste the lawes against adulterous women were too fauourable because the wound which the vnchaste Husband giues his Wife did only pierce the skin whereas the Wife by her lasciuious deeds doth stab and kill her Husband with the poniard of euerlasting infamy and also doth disparage her children CHAP. 13. A Poetaster for playing at Cards and deuising the Game called Triumph or Trump is brought before Apollo who after he had deeply entred into the mysticall meaning of the said Game not only dismisseth him but granteth him an yearely pension to instruct his Courtiers in that new Art TO the end that the Ignorant with the filthinesse of their most beastly minds should not profane the vertuous places at Parnassus Apollo many yeares since caused two companies of Skeltenicall Poets dogrel Rimers men that made verses at random and very aduentrous at ruffianly conceits to come out of Sicily whose office was to scoure the countrey and to cleare the coast of vagabonds These about eight daies past tooke prisoner a Poetaster that had beene capitally banished from Parnassus who although he was forbidden the vse of all books and the exercise of his pen notwithstanding as it were in despite of Apollo and in contempt of the sacred Muses he defiled paper with his dissolute rimes and at last proceeded so far in his audacious arrogancie that he assumed vnto himselfe the Soueraigne name of a Poet. This exorbitant fault of his became aggrauated with a paire of Cardes which those Catchpoles in searching him had found in his pocket for which being likewise a notorious Vice and worthy of death they brought him incontinently with the said Cardes before Apollo who when he saw them was wonderfully amazed at the brutish inuention which the vicious had found out to cast away their pretious time to consume their reputation and to spend their meanes But much more was his Maiestie astonished when he vnderstood that men now a dayes were growne to such a height of folly that they vsed to call that thing a Play or Game whereat they dealt so cruelly in good earnest And further that they esteemed it a delight sport and pastime to put in suspence and to doubtfull compromise that money which was gotten with so much toyle and cares and serued so necessary for such great vses that without it this present world would take Aristotle to bee an ignorant foole and Alexander the Great a base Plebeian Then Apollo askt the Prisoner what game at Cards was most familiar vnto him and because he answered that it was Trumps or Triumph his Maiestie willed him to play it The Prisoner obeyed and plaide which when Apollo had obserued penetrated into the magisteâ—iall lessons and secrets of the Game he cried out that this Game of Trumpe was the true Philosophy of Courtiers the most necessarie Science which all men ought to learne that would not be thought innocents or simple-witted And shewing how much the affront done vnto the prisoner did displease him he inlarged him presently and honoured him with the title of a Vertuous man And the next morning commanded his Officers to erect vp a publike Schoole where with a stipend of fiue hundred Crownes a yeare that notable Person for the common good should reade as a Lecture that excellent Game of Trumpe and vpon a grieuous penalty to be imposed hee charged the Platonicks Peripateticks the Stoicks and other Philosophers specially the Morall and to all other the Vertuous crew residing at Parnassus that they should learne this most necessarie Science the which because they should