constitution of bodye as men takinge either theire beginninge or béeinge of a matter most pure and simple vntill sutch time as by the chaunge of Ages whose propertie is to alter and to impayre al thinges the state of Man beganne to weaken yéeldinge his daies in number fewer then before Againe in that Age one thinge to them was very helpinge and profitable the whiche same to vs is very noysome and contrary whiche was the greate temperancy vsed in Drinkinge as well in quantitie as in qualitie also with the small chaunge and varietie of Meates for neither had they so many sortes or sundrie dishes as wée ne knewe they any or newe or dainty inuentions To eate Fleashe what it was before the generall Floudde was vnto Man altogeather vnknowen Further some hold for common most assured opinion that bothe Fruites and Hearbes without all comparison were in those daies of farre greater efficacie and vertue then any founde any where in this our latter Age for that they then sprange out of a new and fyned soyle and not of sutche as nowe it is worne wasted weryed and consumed For the Generall Inundation tooke from it his woorthe or fatnesse leauinge it in respecte infertile and barren restinge salte and vnsauery by the rage of the Sea whiche many wéekes flowed ouer it These reasons then are good and eche of them sufficient to conclude that it neither was so straung or marueilous but rather a thinge most agréeant vnto nature that men then lyued longer then in these daies presently Farther it maie be saide that whiche wée for an assured truthe holde that Adam well knewe the vertues of all Hearbes Plantes and Stoanes whiche also his Successours of him in sutche sorte learned that to the like perfection after them neuer any attained This then was graunted them of somme parte for the preseruation of their healthe for the continuance and protraction of their daies in this worlde who to expel the causes of diseases if any grewe on them only vsed to minister Simples abhorring our venemous compoundes of this Age whiche in place to purge and purifie mans bodye weaken and dispatche for the moste parte the poore patiente Againe in these aboue remembred firste yéeres both the life and healthe of man was propte and sustained by the course of the Heauens with the influence of the Starres and Planettes then farre more beneficiall then they presently nowe are for that then there neither had paste so many Aspectes Coniunctions Eclipses with other infinite Impression Celestiall whence nowe procéede so many chaunges variations alterations on the Earth and emonge the Elementes also in those daies principal occasion of healthe and continuance contrarye nowe in this our Age of all sickenesse and deathe But aboue all that that wée haue here alleaged or by reason haue any waye proued I nowe mainteine the many yéeres of these our Firste Fathers to haue procéeded of the only and inspeakeable prouidence of God whose Maiestye would their continuance shoulde be sutch and so longe and that these aboue remembred causes ayded mutually one the other to the only intente that of twoo persons might then increase many that the Earthe might be inhabited and mankinde increased Also farther consideringe that for as mutche as Man after the fludde liued not so longe as before God licensed that they should enter into the Arke and there saue them selues more Men and Woomen then him selfe in the beginning and at the first had Created to the only ende that the world might the sooner be inhabited S. Augustine of this matter writinge some thinge reporteth that our Forefathers hadde not only in health and many daies aduantage of vs but also in huge and greate statures of body as is euident remembred by many their boanes as well found in their Sepulchres and Graues as also at times vnder great Mountaines and Hilles in sutche sorte that some assuredly hold that thei were the boanes of such as liued before the Inundation The same S. Augustine affirmeth that being at Vtica a towne in Aphrike beholding there the boanes of a dead mans bodie amonge others founde there some of his Iawes so great and weighty that they well would haue poised an hundred of these in our Age. Notwithstanding though yet our life be short yet maie wée not for iuste cause any where complaine for that if wée abuse it in contempt of the Diuine Maiestie a rare benefite receiue we that thei to vs be so shortned for wée will now no longer acknowledge our God and yet if wée would as becometh vs in all feare to serue him a time sufficient hath he to that purpose lente vs for that the bountie of our Sauiour is so great and ready that he receiueth for Attonement sufficiente mans bowinge harte and humble spirite ¶ That the opinion of those that supposed the yeeres of the former Ages paste to haue benne more short then these of our time is false As also whiche was the firste Cittie of the worlde and finally that our Forefathers had more Children then these that are remembered to vs in the Scriptures Chap. 2. FOr that it appeared vnto some that the space of nine hundred yéeres in our firste Fathers séemed a thing altogether impossible lesse able to cōprise or receiue these aboue remembred reasons by vs alleaged the only and sole causes of that so longe a life And where as they durste not to denie the foresaide number of yéeres so plainely and openly specified and geuen vs out of holy Write they affirme that the yéeres of the first age were farre more shorter then these of our time so that the aduantage of longe life whiche is vnto them attributed so farre aboue vs is not so greate as it hathe benne supposed Somme others emonge them would also assure vs that one of our yéeres containeth tenne of that age past Also many others haue saide that eche course of the Moone yéelded vnto them one whole full and compleate yéere whiche it pleased them to tearme Annus Lunaris Others some also dreamed that thrée of our Monethes gaue to them a yéere so that this accoumptinge foure of theire yéeres lendeth vs iuste one and no more For that in this sorte as wel the Chaldeans as also the Arcadians parted theire yéeres as remembreth Lactantius M. Varro a moste learned Romaine in others many besides this matter was of the opinion that these Anni Lunares were to be numbred from the Coniunction of the Moone vntil the newe Moone againe whiche maie be the space of xxix dayes and certaine odde houres Pline in like māner reckeneth it fabulous that any in the first Age shoulde liue so many dayes affirminge that the Inhabitauntes of Arcadia so numbred theire yéeres as wée aboue haue remembred by the space onely of thrée Monethes without more There is also emonge vs Christians a certaine Booke of the Ages of the worlde written by Eliconiensis where he also séemeth to be of the saide minde and aduice
their praise or commendation To profite neuerthelesse generally was my desire but chiefly the lesse learned with this present Foreste whiche for good cause me thought I so might name or title for that beyng a collection of diuers and sundrie matters is as a Foreste well furnished with many trees birdes and beastes of different and contrary natures And if ought herein maie please thee or profite thee in any thyng accepte it thanckfully other price thou paiest none and giue by thy good example occasion to the studious and learned in good letters to take in hande or attempte with like good will some other thyng to thyne onely profite furtheraunce and commoditie Assuryng thy self that none in any sorte do better deserue of their countrie that none in any exploite dooe toyle or trauaile longer that none swincke or sweate with like paine and anguishe that none in like sorte hassarde or aduenture their credite that none desire lesse stipende or salarie for their trauaile that none in fine are worse in this age recompensed Shewe thy self therefore gratefull bee thankefull to the aucthour enter into his Foreste disportyng thee therein some laune some range perchaunce maie please thy indifferent mynde some walke or some thyng els maie lende thee contentation nothyng I trust shall greue or annoye thee hedgde therein And as for me this onely in recompence I craue that thou fauourablie wilte accepte and iudge of these my paines whiche if I maie perceiue I will not leaue to greue me to doe thee greater pleasure Fare thou well and suche lette bee thy censure as is towardes thee my meanyng Suche faultes as haue paste in Printyng as thei in deede bee many and euery where aboundante so of thy courtesie excuse vs whether thei bee but letters whole woordes or otherwise and as the sense shall leade thee so amende what so thou findeste or lackyng or superfluous assuryng thy self that it somtymes paste vs in more perfecte wise then thou in these receiuest them Giudica de gli altri come vorreste di te sigiudicasse ¶ An aduertismente written by the translatour to his booke GOe hence thou little booke goe shewe thy self aboute Goe roome abrode and vewe eche place goe seke some harbour out Goe vp and doūne I saie no tyme dooe thou mispende Goe seke the learned and serue thou theim on them dooe thou attende Bee gladde and ioyous then when thei thee in hande shall take And when thei thee dooe open then to reade thee for my sake Beake then and bowe thee lowe stoope doune with all thy might Lette then thy painfull seruice make thee gracious in their sight And feare not euery wieght his force that straight will bende With censure harde thee to oppresse of follie to condemne But thinke then with thy self reuenge none looke thou seke That suche with ease more soner will comptroll then dooe the like And feare not though againe thy papers faultes doe fill In Printyng whiche escaped haue and paste againste our will Correctours hadste thou fewe and Printers ofte doe misse The sence and meanyng easily the reader yet maie gesse Ne dread though straunger thou and geaste vnknowen shalte runne Though Frenche somtyme and Thofcane eke from forraine lande doeste come In suche eftsones the beste and learned crewe dooe like And theim eche where some thyng to learne with carefull iye dooe seke And yet no straunger greate though newe come to this laude Sithe that in Englishe hahite thou in Englande now dooest stande Greate thynges doe promise none ne make thou shewe of muche Emong the meaner sorte goe on contente thee to bee suche For thei that soare a loafte and ouer looke the reste That matters greate doe promise and compare them with the beste Of tymes dooe proue but fooles and shoote wide from the marke Thei promise more then thei doe paie thei paie not halfe their parte Therefore bee thou contente where so thou happe to come To promise leaste what so thou paie this is of all the somme That I to thee in charge before the worlde giue That I still would thou shouldste obserue whileste ought of thee doeth liue Farewell I canne no more thy fathers blessyng haue Bee mindfull of his preceptes and thine honour looke thou saue And sithe thou neuer shalte to hym retourne againe Woorke thou hym good if that thou canste for he thee peude with paine ⧠The First parte of the Collection of Histories ¶ Why in the firste Age men liued longer then in this our Age present Chap. 1. WHo so euer is studious in Holy Write ought in manner of necessitie to knowe that in the Firste Age and before that for Sinne the general Fludde ouerranne the whole Worlde Mans life was then longer then it is nowe presently For euidente is it that Adam lyued nine hundred and thirtie yéeres Sethe nine hundred and twelue Caine nine hundred and tenne And so afterwardes descending from the one vnto the other who so lyued leaste lyued seuen hundred yéeres And in theise our dayes fewe reache to eightie or nintie which who so at any time passeth rare is his hap very strange and marueilous in sutche sorte that wée lyue not the tenthe parte of theire time The Learned therefore as well Diuines as naturall Philosophers whiche haue hereof carefully discoursed findinge the same Nature whiche hathe géeuen vs cause of Béeinge to be the very same with that of theise forepassed Ages and that these our Forefathers here lyued so longe naturally and not by Myracle féeling them selues not a litle herewith trobled beganne curiously herein to searche the causes or reasons The whiche thinge as well vnto M. Varro as also vnto infinite others in the woorkes of Nature appeared so difficill that they supposed the yéeres of the former Ages past not to haue bene sutch as are these of our time Which opiniō is open folly an errour too too great and altogeather inexcusable as wée shall make euidente in the Chapter folowing hauinge here first remembred the aduice of certaine graue wise learned Authours When therefore I reade the iudgemente of others and in fine thence descende vnto mine owne opinion the principal reason mée thinketh why we in this time liue not as longe as did others in the firste and Olde Age is that our Forefathers had not then any the causes whiche in vs newe ingender diuers maladies and diseases whence necessarily ensue Stoopinge Age Deathe Here muste wée also consider that our firste Parentes Adam and Eue were created and framed by the very hande of God without any other aide or meane whence it is to be presumed that he perfected them with complexion moste excellent with a true Sympathia and proportion of humours the cause of theire continued healthe in these their many yéeres By meanes wherof their Children issuinge of Parentes of suche perfecte constitution as also theire Ofspringe risinge to them againe whiche naturally lyued so longe and many daies muste resemble theire Elders in like perfection and
make plaine mention yet by all coniectures possible the breadth thereof was more But God who iustly chastised this prowde presumptuous enterprise though not with payne deserued gaue in that presente instante so many diuerse tongues so straunge and so unknowen that these who all before spake one and the same Language spake then thréescoare and twelue so farre and differente from the firste that fewe amonge them had féelinge or meanings of the others minde By meanes whereof sutch enmitie and presente discorde grewe that not onely this worke then rested there vnperfecte but euery man with those that vnderstoode his speache retyred to possesse somme place aparte or Countrie to them selues For whiche cause it euer afterward was called the Tower of Babell whiche is to say of confusion Isidorus affirmeth that it was highe fiue thousand one hundred thrée scoare and foure pases all of Bricke layde with claye or â—lime in stéede of Morter of whiche in that Countrie great plentie was eche where founde In the said selfe place wheras this Tower was builte as hath Iosephus Isidorus S. Augustine and Orosus was builte also that moste auncient and most famous Cittie of whiche so woorthy so great maters are yet reported called Babylon situate or seated on the Riuer of Euphrates of which the CouÌ„tries or Territories adiacent tooke their firste or principal denominatioÌ„ as Chaldea Mesopotamia The Scriptures also recorde that the beginninge of the raigne of Nemrod was also in Babylon wherfore it is reason that wée be of the said minde with the aboue remembred Authours that Nemrod also built this famous Cittie of Babylon which afterwarde was walled became Riche and Honorable by the carefull payne and industrie of Semiramis Nynus But to retourne to our pourpose of Tongues or Languages it might here be a question disputable what Tongue it was that was that firste so common and generall whiche onely and alone was knowen before the diuision and confusion of the others S. Augustine discoursinge in many vpon this matter concludeth that it was the Hebrew the very same that the Iewes speake yet at this daie whiche as farre as it maye be gathered by any meane possible out of the Scriptures and as S. Augustine also déemeth was conserued in Heber of whom descended Abraham and the Hebrewes for that neither he nor any of his kinred would healpe at all any thinge in erectinge this Tower. By meanes wherof him selfe and his family whiche woulde not condescende to this sinfull and prowde attempte felte not thereof the due deserued paine Wherefore wée maye presume that in Heber and his family the auncient and firste Tongue remained perfect and entire without any corruption or confusion of the same in that Linage onely pure and nowhere els in the Worlde whence it came to passe that of Heber it had his denomination Hebrewe Sundry Hebrewes his Successours affirme that this Language was that same that was firste spoken by Adam as also of all the others of that Auncient and firste Age conserued in Heber and those that followed him Abraham Iacob In this same also wrote Moyses his Lawes This then is the opinion of S. Augustine Isidorus to whome wée should geue more assured credite then to those that affirme the Chaldean Tongue the first which notwithstaÌ„ding may be of parte excused for that these twoo Languages haue a marueilous vicinitie their Characters almoste vniforme and lyke as also well agreynge in other thinges many Notwithstandinge in this matter some curious haue doubted if twoo children or a greater number fostred in place secrete voyde of all company where they neuer mighte heare the voyce of any other what woordes they woulde frame or Language in the ende Somme haue thought that they firste would speake Hebrewe others somme the Chaldean Tongue But Herodotus saithe that on a time experience in this case was made by meane of a contention or emulation then growen betwixte the Aegyptians and Frigians eche nation pretendinge by antiquitie of their Language preeminency aboue the other For determination of which differente in fine they concluded that twoo Children should be nourished in manner aboue rehearsed in sutch sorte that they shoulde neuer heare any woorde spoken at all and that Language that these children firste began to profite in should be reputed the firste and most Auncient and they that spake that by consequent of moste antiquitie He addeth againe afterward that a certaine Kinge of Aegypte caused to be fostered twoo children in a deserte to which no man euer spake in any sorte in the worlde whiche when they were full foure yéeres olde he caused them without more to be brought into his presence where they eftsoones vttered this onely woorde Ber whiche dothe in the Frigian tongue signifie Breade for whiche cause the Frigians were of all men reputed as moste Ancient This writeth Herodotus whom many herein approue alleage for authoritie Notwithstandinge were it as he reporteth it a truth yet might it be that these Children by happe some where shoulde learne it as by somme Beaste Birde or Shéepe in the Fielde whiche might frame the same or some sutche like voyce they doinge their paine to frame the same after them But as for my parte I reste of this minde that twoo Children in this sorte fostered would speake none other but the firste Language Hebrewe although I also durst in manner semblable to affirme that to them selues they would shape somme newe and straunge Tongue geuinge to all thinges their names vnknowen vnheard as wée sée that Children of them selues naturally geue names lesse knowen to thinges of them desired so that of parte assuredly it appeareth that nature would learne them a Language all newe before they should be perfect in any their Fathers In this case experience may sufficiently schoole vs if any very curious desire to knowe the effect hereof In the meane time eche man may here reste of what opinion it beste liketh him nothing aboue saide withstandinge the contrary ¶ Of the Diuision of the Ages of the Worlde with a briefe discourse of diuerse Notable matters chaunced also in them as also in fine of the beginninge of Realmes and Kingdomes Chap. 11. ALthough moste menne haue somme pleasure and likinge to talke and discourse of the Ages of the Worlde to remember perchaunce thinges donne in this also not to passe what hathe chaunced in that yet are there a greate many that lesse knowe the true diuision of these times ne what yéeres eche Age demaundeth to his accomplishmente The Age therefore or Life of the worlde euen from the firste vntill this daye presente is diuided by the moste parte of approued Authours into sixe onely partes or Ages although diuers recken and accoumpte on seuen accordinge to the onely computation of the Hebrewes But I herein haue determined to folowe Eusebius and the common opinion of al Historiographers arestinge them on the aboue remembred number of sire In diuision of whiche there is
enimie Capitall to Rome and hidinge him selfe in an infectious sinke of mans ordure woulde there haue slayne him selfe but his forces fayled him in the execution of that so meritorious a déede whence he vsed in that exployte the healpinge hande of an other so in wrestinge and mowinge with his euill fauoured mouthe gaue foorthe his Spirite to the whole Senate of Diuels Diocletian in manner semblable depriued of the Empyre died of poyson by his owne handes ministred Domician beinge by Stephanus Saturnus Maximus others in seuen sundry places déepely wounded departed hence to Nero to raygne with him for euer Tullia of whom wée haue somethinge aboue remembered banished from Rome died no lesse a begger then a wretche most miserable Astiages graundfather to Cyrus whom he commaunded Arpalus priuely to murther to whome for that he had not executed his commaundement he gaue to be eaten in banquette his owne Sonne was deposed by Gods iuste iudgement by the very same Cyrus Herode also with others infinite whom all to remember here woulde be longe and tedious died a death to the others not dissemblable Lette those therefore that rule and gouerne the world in any wise leaue to be blouddy cruell leaninge on the staffe of compassion and clemencie to the intent they maye liue assured of the hartes of their vassaules for the beste assurance of his state that the Prince may haue is to be beloued of his people and Subiectes ¶ Of a straunge case whiche at twoo diuerse times chaunced after one and the same sorte vnto twoo Romayne Knightes of Honorable Families Chap. 16. THe chiefe and principall that conspired the death of Iulius Caesar as Plutarche at large with others recordeth were Brutus and Cassius whiche bothe with all their adherentes were after exiled declared for open enimies to the Romaines by Octauian Lepidus Marcus Antonius who commaunded as they pleased throughout the whole Citie Of the faction of Brutus and Cassius was Marcus Varro one emonge all the others of moste fame honour who beinge in the fielde with the other coniurates were discomfited by Octauian and Marcus Antonius who the better to saue if he might his life and to be reputed for none other then a common Souldier chaunged foorthwith incontinently his apparell thrustinge him selfe into the heape or company of Captiues and so without more adoo was solde for vile price emonge the others vnto a certaine Romayne who hight Barbulas who within very fewe dayes perceiuinge well his honest demeanoure dealinge supposed him to be as truthe was a Romayne although in very déede he knew him not for sutche a one On a time therefore he with drewe him aparte earnestly intreatings him to learne him what he was promisinge that if he would disclose vnto him what he hight of what House or Familie he would assuredly purchase him grace with M. Antonius and Octauian but M. Varro would for nothing vtter him self so that in fine Barbulas farre otherwise then he firste déemed concluded with him selfe that he was no Romayne Within fewe daies nowe Octauian and M. Antonius returned them to Rome as also Barbulas with his late bought Seruant who perchance notwithstandinge was better Gentleman then his Maister It chaunced him there shortly after his arriuall wayting at the Senate doore Barbulas his Lorde about his affayres within to be knowen of a certaine Romaine who incontinently aduertised Barbulas thereof whiche without any semblant that he knew any thinge or without any woorde paste thereof vnto him wrought so with Octauian whiche then ruled in Rome that he easily obtained him grace and pardon by meane whereof foorthwith he frankly infranchised him and brought him to Octauian who courteously receiued him from that time foorth helde him in the number of his friendes After this nowe Octauian and M. Antonius fell out in sutche sorte that Barbulas leaned to Antonius whome Octauian in fielde ouerranne and discomfited Barbulas then dreadinge the wrothe of Octauian vsed for his safetie the aboue remembred policie practised by Varro that is to wéete he did on him the coate of a poore Souldier M. Varro then for that he longe before had not séene him as also for that he had chaunged his apparel emong other Captiues unknowen bought him for a bondeman But after shorte time remembringe him againe he so practised with Octauian that he obtained him pardon doinge him to be frée possest of woonted libertie So that eche of them repayinge the dutie of courtesie to other leaue vs example sufficient of the lesse staide assurance of greate states in this life with admonition to all of what degrée they so be that they neuer leaue to feare the fall no not then when they highest shall sitte in Fortunes Chayre as also on the other side neuer to dispaire when the same Fortune shall laye them vnder her angry and disdainefull foote ¶ Of the distinction of the Age of Man accordinge to the opinion of moste Astrologians Chap. 17. BY the common diuision of Astrologians as well Arabies Caldees Greekes and Latines as also by the particuler opinion of Proclus Ptolomie and Al. Rasellus the life of Man is deuided in seuen Ages ouer euery one of which ruleth and gouerneth one of the seuen Planetes The firste therefore is called Infancie which continueth the space of foure yéeres onely during which time the Moone hath principal masterie on Man for that the qualities of this Age fitly answeare to the influence of that Planete for our bodies then are moyste delicate tender féeble and flexible rightly agreing with the qualities of the Moone For in this time for smal cause man easily is altered with none or very litle toile he waxeth streight werie his body groweth and increaseth almost sensibly to be perceyued And this generally nowe chaunceth to all of this Age principally and chiefly by the influence of the Moone yet notwithstandinge not equally but more to somme then vnto some others for as mutche as some other dissidente qualities by the influence of the Heauens and aspecte of the Planetes in mans Natiuitie or time of Birthe cause some secrete and priuie alteration in all menne as they fauourably or with lesse fauour beholde eche the other The seconde Age continueth fully tenne yéeres and endeth in the fourtenth of our life whiche Age the Latines call Pueritia the ende of Infancie and beginninge of Adolescencie In this parte chiefly ruleth an other Planete Mercurie whose place of arrest is in the second Spheare He easily altereth and chaungeth his countenaunce for in aspecte with the good he also is good as with the naughty he turneth and becometh nought Duringe this Age nature composeth her selfe to the qualities of this Planete for now yonge children make their firste shewe of their inclination and witte be it either in readinge writinge singinge or the like they are also then very tractable and docill in their deuises notwithstandinge light vnstayde inconstante and vnstable The thirde Age containeth eight yéeres
and as many agayne to the Seconde whiche both togeather mounte to fourtiene The Thirde from thence reacheth to the eighte and twentie yéere The twoo nexte Ages folowinge haue eche againe seuen whiche with the others by computation geue fourtie and twoo The Sixte hathe fourtiene and endeth with fiftie and sixe and that remaineth what so euer it be he referreth it to the Seuenth Age. Solon also as the abouesaide Censorinus recordeth diuideth these Seuen into Tenne iustly sunderinge the Thirde the Sixte and the Seuenth in the middle in sutche sorte that euery of these tenne partes conteine onely seuen yéeres and no more These are the Distinctions of Ages then that wée finde emonge Philosophers sauinge that Isidorus as also somme of the abouesaide diuide them onely into Sixe Of whiche vnto the Firste he geueth seuen yéeres calleth that Age so yonge and tender Infancie The Seconde to this in time equall Puerilitie from thence vntill the ende of the eighte and twentie yéere he accoumpteth on the Thirde Age and calleth it Adolescencye a time wherein wée growe beste and reatche to perfection The Fourthe is from thence vntill the ende of the fourtie yéere whiche Age in Latin he calleth Iuuentus The Fifte to which he geueth the full space of twentie yéeres whiche with the others mounte vnto sixtie He noteth for the declininge Age or if you rather will the firste entrie into Olde Age. The remanent of Mannes life he attributeth to stoopinge Age whiche howe mutche so euer it be endeth only the laste parte Horace a moste excellent and most renowmed Poete diuideth this whole matter but into foure partes as also did as wée read Pythagoras In Pueritiam Iuuentutem Aetatem Virilem Senectutem whiche he artificially describeth in Arte Poetica with all the conditions proper and incidente to these Ages And yet according to the rules of natural Philosophie mans life is onely to be parted in thrée partes The first is that time that he hath to growe in The second while he arresteth and dwelleth at one staie The laste when he declineth and beginneth to stoope forewardes For as saith Aristotle what so is ingendred in the beginninge augmenteth and increaseth and afterwarde stayeth for a time arrestinge in his perfection but in the ende declineth and sauereth of diminution So that hence to conclude a tripartite diuision is not of the others all leaste proper or fittinge Of this opinion also were the moste parte of the Arabian Phisitions although Auicenna a man of rare learninge and of an excellent iudgement hath lotted out mans time by foure distincte Ages The first he calleth Adolescencie the ful space of thirty yéeres for that duringe that time man yet still is growinge To the seconde be geueth name of a well stayde Age or of an Age wherein bewtie in all menne perfecteth this parte continueth vntil the fiue and fortie yéere in which wée liue seased of absolute perfection Nexte followeth the thirde a secrete diminution and priuie pathe vnto olde Age whiche holdeth on fully the space of fiftiene yéeres Nowe order giueth vs in his place the laste a wery a féeble and an vnable Age sutche as men terme a Decrepite or Caduke Age. Here muste wée notwithstandyng note and consider that although it pleased him to geue vs this his quadripartite diuision yet no where forbiddeth he vs to subdeuide agayne the firste parte which coÌ„taineth as wée saide the space of thirtie yéeres lottinge the sayde parte into thrée distincte partes or seuerall Ages by this meanes accordinge him with those that before parte as is remembered the whole course of â—…ans life into sixe sundry portions But here consideringe these variable opinions I know not where moste safely to arrest my selfe neither may any man geue assured determination as wel for diuersitie of complexions and dispositions of menne as also that wée inhabite diuers Landes and Countries the consideration of our distte mattereth also somewhat as whether wée féede on meates sauery of light and easie digestion or of grosse and lesse pleasant hardly concocted by meanes whereof and of the semblable man either sooner or later altering becommeth at times differente olde and decrepite For this cause saith Galen hardly may man limite any times vnto Ages whiche well considered cause that these so dissonante and so sundry opinions séeme not all thinge so straunge and so exiled from reason Seruius Tullius Kinge of the Romaynes who as of him recordeth A. Gellius was onely still busied in betteringe the state Publike as then especially when he firste distinguished fiue sundrie or seuerall estates emonge the Romaynes of the life of man remembringe but thrée partes onely naminge the firste Puerilitie the space of seuentiene yéeres the seconde by his accompte reachte vnto the sixe and fortie yéere in whiche Age he inrolled his Soldiers as moste able and fitte then to all exploites of Chiualrie but who so longer liued those called he wise mature men of aduised Counsell This diuision for that it is vninersall is of no parte contrary or repugnant to the others includinge the lesse and perticular members makinge some shewe and certaine semblante of the woonted diuisions whiche of custome ordinarily sunder and seioyne the gréene Age from the riper and that againe from olde Age. This gréene Age I saye from the daie of our birth vntill the laste of our youthe by some computation contayneth fortie fiue yéeres not mutche more or lesse as by accompte appeareth Virgil also vseth the very same Epitheton Viridisque iuuentus whiche is to saye gréene youthe ripe and mature Age thence continueth vntill the sixtie yéere in which time who so liueth Seruius calleth them men of assured staie and aduice the residue of our life is olde and féeble Age. These thrée partes maie againe be well subdeuided to accorde and conforme the forepassed varieties whiche séeme to be so dissidente and contrary in appearance ¶ Of certaine yeeres in mans life whiche the Learned in times paste iudged aboue the others to be marueilous daungerous as also for what cause they esteemed it to be so Chap. 18. THe auncient Philosophers and Astrologians by diligent obseruation haue curiously noted certaine yéeres in mans life to be assuredly perilous which in Latine they call Annos clymactericos alludinge vnto the Gréeke woorde Clima signifiynge as somme will the staffe of a Ladder or a degrée in any thinge Whence they note that these yéeres are in sutche sorte and manner limited as are steares or steppes that aunsweare by iuste proportion in any thinge very daungerous in the whole course and tracte of mans life For as they maintained for an approued veritie the seuenth the nienth and the fouretienth daie in all kinde of sicknesse and infirmities to be then the reste continually more daungerous in case semblable also easily perceiued they that this accompte also by force of the numbers had in like sorte place in these odde yéeres throughout the whole course also and time of our
life Pythagoras Themistius Boecius and Auerrois with others many learne vs that the influences of naughtie Planetes as if I woulde saie of Saturne whiche at seuerall times ruleth and in seuerall Ages causinge greate chaunges and alterations euery seuenth yéere in sutche sorte that themselues felte the force thereof as well remember Marsilius Ficinus Censorinus and A Gellius supposinge it to be a thinge assuredly vnpossible to passe those yéeres without greate hazarde or alteration of our life estate healthe or complexion So that by this occasion the seuenth yéere the fourtiene the one and twentie the eight and twentie the fiue and thirty the twoo and fortie the niene and fortie and so foorth by order euery seuenth yéere was aboue the others mutche to be feared And farther for that they helde the number of thrée to be of greate importance or efficacie they sayde that thrée times seuen whiche mounte to twentie one was a number aboue all the reste marueilously to be suspected As mutche againe is saide of the niene and fortie yéere for that the number riseth of seuen times seuen But the moste daungerous yéere of all others is the thrée and sixtie for as twenty one riseth of thrée times seuen so sixtie thrée mounte againe of twentie one thrée times or of niene times seuen or seuen times niene whiche numbers be famous and as well knowen so feared of the wise and learned So that when they firste entred the firste daie of the saide yéere they became beyonde the woonted manner very diligent circumspect and curious to preserue their healthe and life by all practised polices taught vs either by experience nature or Phisicke attendinge from daie to daie some daungerous mutation or sudden chaunge of state whiche in déede oftentimes hapneth as well remembereth Iulius Firmicus in his bookes of Astrologie To this pourpose A. Gellius maketh mention of a certaine letter sente by the Emperoure Octauian vnto his Nephew Cassius letting him to wete what ioye he then liued in for that he had escaped the thrée and sixtie yéere and now was entered into the sixtie foure In sutch sorte that he then intended to celebrate his second Natiuitie For these causes thenour Learned Predecessours marueilously feared this aboue rehearsed yéere consideringe that it was the fatall terme assigned by nature vnto many duringe whiche time Aristotle with others renowmed and famous personages died And as I also aboue remembered the number of niene to be perilous so saide they that who so paste the sixtie and thirde yéere should not at all escape the eightie and one yéere for that that yéere riseth of nine times niene At this Age died the diuine Plato the greate and Lcarned Geographer Erastothenes Zenocrates a Platoniste and Prince of the auncient Schooles Diogenes Cinicus with others many the onely honour and bewtie of their time But these things more for experience sake and for that it séemeth vnto many a noueltie haue I writen then that any man should hereon dwell so mutche that he shoulde thinke it of necessitie and a thinge ineuitable although it otherwise be not a matter impertinent ne yet exiled from the lore of reason For as wée sée that diseases complexiōs leaue and ende at times in men and as in most kinde of Creatures téeth growe chaunge fall the voice altereth into a sounde more base or shrill the grasse also or Corne springeth at their tearmes appointed besides infinite other assured effectes operatiōs of nature which obserue their course times without alteration or chaunge so why shoulde wée not in manner semblable beleue that these abouesayde termes of time clymactericall yéeres should haue their proper force in the alteratiō of mans fortune or state of his bodie Why also thinke wée not that mans body is ordered as well by celestiall influence as by any predominant qualitie or humour that by some secrete and hidden operation though man be yet subiecte to the pleasure and will of God who as he hath framed all thinges supernaturally and miraculously yet will he notwithstandinge that his woorkes be naturall these onely excepted whiche by him were wrought contrary to the lawes of Nature by secrete meane inscrutable procéedinges and iudgement ¶ Here endeth the Firste parte of the Collection of Histories ⧠The Seconde parte of the Collection of Histories ¶ What daunger it is to murmer againste Princes as also what commendation they gayne by Clemencie Chap. 1. A Woonted sayinge it is and founde emonge the most auncient Prouerbes Princes haue handes broade and longe cares hence none other thinge at al inferringe but that Kinges and greate states can a farre of reuenge themselues on these that offend them as that they also vnderstande what so of them is spoken in place couerte or secrete For so many are there that séeke to liue in his grace and fauour that on the multitude hath rule and dominion that nothing may be kepte from him either vnknowen or hidden Whence to all men is geuen by the Learned in counsell that of the Prince wée speake in secrete nothinge for that in sutche case the Walles bothe heare and disclose againe our Treasons and Plutarche that the Birdes carry these woordes in the Ayre And farther if it be daungerous to vtter vnto Princes a truthe frankely and boldely what shall wée iudge of them that mutter againste them priuely The examples that a man might to this pourpose alleage are infinite emonge whiche bothe in the Gréeke and Latine Histories wée reade that Antigonus one of the Capitaines and successours of Alexander the greate his Campe not marchinge but arrestinge in open fielde beinge on a night a bedde in his Tente hearde certaine of his Souldiers without passe in traiterous talke against him supposinge not to haue benne vnderstoode of any but he without any farther semblante of wrothe in chaunge of voyce as if he had benne some other bespake them this softely without greate brute or noyse when yée speake any sutche woordes of the Kinge sée that yée goe farther from his Tente least he heare you An other time the saide Antigonus marchinge with his Armye in the deade of the night paste through a place very fowle and mirie his Souldiers almost forweried and tyred by meanes whereof they vttered somme distoyall woordes againste him thinkinge that he had benne farre of and behinde him but he beinge presente and vnderstandinge their treachery not knowen from an other by meanes of the darkenesse after hauinge donne his paine to helpe diuers of them out of the myre that had so liberally talkte against him saide with voice as before well counterfeited speake of the Kinge hardly what so euer you please for that he hath brought you into so watrie a soile but of me you haue good cause to thinke and saye well for that by my helpe you are nowe paste the daunger The patiencie of Phyrrus Kinge of the Epirotes meriteth no lesse to be remembered of the posteritie who when he laye in Italie
he was busied in his paintyng no man might disturbe disquiet or molest hym whom also while he wrought Demetrius in person came ofte times to be holde hym Besides these harde were it to remember how manie haue excelled in this skill or science as Aristides Asclepiodorus Nichomachus Paneus the brother of Fidias with a multitude of others which Plinie in his fiue and thirtie booke remembreth And to the intente that men herein chalenge not to theim selues all honour or praise as to theim belongyng onely wee may remember women their felowes and their equalles whiche haue doen straunge thinges as anie aboue remembred as for example Timerata the doughter of Miconis whiche in suche passing excellencie depainted for the Diana that it long times afterwarde was moste carefully kepte and honoured still in Ephesus Irena Calipsa Olimpia Lala Cizicena with others also many like famous for their skill in all ages to be honoured In thys our tyme also many a good worke man leueth of whom I will write nothing leste remembryng one or twoo I should wrong a greatar number Of a straunge maner of exile vsed in Athens by meanes of which the most honourable and worthiest personages were oftentymes banished without any offence or faulte at all committed Chap. 8. THE seigneurie or common weale of Athens as is to all menne well knowen was one of the most honorablest and richeste in the world for after it leaft to be gouerned by kinges restored againe vnto desired libertie it fostered and gaue forthe greate numbers of worthie men in armes no lesse excellent then in all kinde of good letters of whiche all histories are euerie where well furnished But among all other profitable lawes and customes which thei carefullie obserued for the onely conseruation of their gouernement and libertie there was one amonge the reste as well verie straunge as to theim onely proper which thei notwithstandyng déemed verie fitte and necessarie as well to represse and chastice the proude ambition and intollerable audacitie of certaine their nobles whiche waxed in oppression and tyrannie so cruell that the poore colde no where liue exempte from their malice whiche was suche as here after followeth At one certen and determinate time all the inhabitantes of what estate or conditiō soeuer had full aucthoritie to exile and banishe yea were it though without cause or reason any one of their péeres without respect for the full space of tenne whole yeres as if they hated hym or feared lest he shoulde by tyrannie vsurpe or ambitiously chuse to him the whole gouernement or state or if for any other cause in common they either did malice or disdaine his person they proceded once assembled in this sorte and maner The magistrates first of all to whom onely this charge was committed hauyng as is saied assembled the multitude together gaue to euery one of theim a little white stone or tile in which eche man should write the name of him whom he desired at that tyme aboue all others to be banished which after their inscription they restored again immediatly to the ' officers whiche stones or tiles the Greekes called Ostraci whence this maner of exile was also termed Ostracismus These stones with their inscriptions this brought in againe together thei began forth with orderly to number and if at leaste there were not founde with one inscription six thousande for in these assembles no man was against his will forced to write anie mans name in his stone vnlesse he founde hymselfe greued or otherwise for his pleasure woulde vnkindlie do it they exiled for that yere no man at al. But if there were founde six thousande or more altogether agréeyng on one and the like number againe perhappes on some other then would they carefully accompte and number their stones and he that was of moste in this sorte remembred were he though some times the most vertuous and moste riche within the citie yet was he incontinently banished for the space of tenne whole yeres without any kinde of pardon mitigation or remission Notwithstandyng in the meane tyme no man depriued hym of his possessions neither in his gooddes or landes suffered he any domage but according to his pleasure or phantasie he in all poinctes ordered theim reapyng the fruictes or commodeties thereof in as ample and large maner as if he neuer had been forced to exile at all Neither was this lawe or custome onely ordeined to chastice and correct the ambious extortioner but also to appease the rage of the common people moued at times or incenste against their Princes so that by generall consente the Commons inioynge thys aucthoritie or priuelege banished sometymes those whose absence in déede was to their coutrie verie profitable◠some tymes suche againe onely by vnkinde and vnaduised ingratitude whom for their honest seruice doen to their countrie thei neither coulde nor should without their greate harme or detrement haue wanted For proofe whereof Themistocles that excellente capitaine by whose onely counsaile and diligence Xerxes was vanquished and chast out of Grece His nauie also discomfited and scattered on the Sea neither was Athens only by hym restored to libertie but also all Grece to their desired freedom was by this practise vnkindly exiled Like salerie receiued Simon that renoumed Athenian whiche liued euen then in the same tyme with the other whiche also so often tymes had been in fielde for the safetie of his countrie wher by his prowes and counsaile he accomplished suche enterprises as peraduenture shall neuer anie one man againe after hym to wéete he subdued the Persians on the Sea and tooke of theim at one tyme twoo hundred Gallies and the same daie not hauyng throwly yet quailed their corrage landed in good order with all his armie geuing present bataile to the resude of that companie which were then landed before hym a houge and greate number whom all notwithstandyng he victoriously conquered by Sea and by lande a most fortunate Capitaine Besides these his excellente vertues he was also verie large and liberall vnto al men makyng small accompte of his goods where with fortune aboue others had largely indued hym he did continually to be opened his fildes and gardeines to the ende the indigent might thence gather suche thinges as they had néede of he secretly also gaue to all men large almes throughout the whole Citie he péetied the afflicted and comforted the néedie He farther by expresse commaundemente gaue charge to all his seruantes that if thei any where founde an olde man bare or ill appareled they forthwith should bestowe on hym that theimselues hadde on presentlye contēted to take for chaunge their meane and poore arraie To conclude he daily prouided a greate feaste for al poore men without respecte within the compasse of Athens by meanes whereof in shorte tyme he verie nigh hadde consumed whatsoeuer to hym was lefte by his father Milciades All these notwithstandyng his princelie demerites neither coulde or were able to exempte him from this exile from the
whiche was shortly after the passion of Christe men perceiued that these Oracles began to fainte and faile neither allegaeth he for it in his treatise any other reason but that there should be dead as he supposed some spirites whiche he spake as a man voide or lesse skilled in the faithe for that he vnderstode not that the deuilles or spirites were immortall Notwithstandyng straunge is it and worthie of consideration to sée how euidently the deuill shewed hym self to bée conquered and subdued and that after the death of our sauiour he so remained discomforted that he neuer again was able to frame in any suche sort an aunswer and that the Gentiles also not able in déede to yelde any cause or reason why had some féelyng of this default and surceassyng from his function By meane whereof Plutarche tooke on hym to write this treatise in which emong others in effecte he hath these wordes of which Eusebius maketh mention writyng to Theodorus as of a moste notable and meruailous matter I remember that I haue heard saie saieth he of Emilian the oratour a man prudente and wise and well knowen to many of you that his father on a tyme commyng by the sea towardes Italie and passyng on a night by a certaine Isle called Paraxis euen when all in the Shippe were then still and quiete thei heard a greate and dreadfull voice whiche srom the Isle called to them Ataman Ataman suche was the pilotes name of the shippe an Egiptian borne although this voice were ones and againe vnderstoode by Ataman yet was he not so hardie to frame to it an annswere vntill the third time whē he said who is there what is it that calleth me what wouldest thou haue To whō this voice again more louder thē before saied Ataman my will is that when thou passest by the goulfe which hath to name Laguna that thou there remember to crie out and certifie the said goulfe that the greate God Pan is deade Whiche vnderstoode all those that were in the shippe feared counsailyng the saied pilote to leaue vndooen his charge neither any thyng to arreste or staie at the goulfe especially if the winde would serue them to passe further but approchyng nigh the place of whiche this voice admonished hym the ship arrested and the sea waxte calme not hauyng winde to passe presently any farther by meanes whereof thei generally concluded that Atman should there dooe his legation or imbacie whiche the better to doe he mounteth vp into the poupe or hinder parte of the ship where he crieth as loude as he could possible saiyng I will that ye knowe that the greate God Pan is deade whiche woorde as sone as he ones had vttered thei heard incontinently suche terrible lamentations and cries houling and complainyng aboue that maie be saied in suche sort that the sea it self resounded these complaintes whiche continued moste dolorous and lamētable a great while by meanes whereof the Mariners though meruailously afraied hauyng the winde good againe followed their course arriuyng at Rome made rehearsal of this their aduenture Whereof the Emperour Tiberius aduertised and desirous to be certified of the truthe and none other founde to conclude as is aboue rehearsed Whence it is euident that the deuilles euery where sorowed the natiuitie of our Sauiour and redemer Christe for that he was onely their ruine and destruction For by iuste and true supputation of tyme we finde that this happened at the tyme of his Passion or perhaps some thyng before then I meane whe he banished and exiled them out of the worlde It is to be presupposed that this great God Pan accordyng to the immitation of Pan the God of Shepherdes whiche thei saied was deade was some capitaine and maister deuill whiche at that tyme loste his Empire as did also the others Besides all these Iosephus writeth that at the same tyme was heard in the temple of Hierusalem a voice though in déede ther was no liuyng creature with in whiche lamentably cried and saied thus let vs goe hence and leaue this countrie in haste as who would saie thei truely knewe that the tyme of their paine and persecution was at hande and that it drewe on faste euen by the death of hym that gaue life vnto others In the Gospell of the Nazarites it is reade that in the daie of his Passion that sumptuous gate of their Temple whiche thei neuer lefte for any coste to adorne and beautifie fell doune to the grounde and was vtterly defaced Consider now in that daie what straunge and meruailous thynges happened though the Euangelistes haue paste theim as thynges lesse worthie memorie The eclipce also of the Sunne whiche continued thrée howers the full space in deede that Christ was on the crosse was not naturall as are the others whiche by th' onely coniunction of the Sunne and Moone chaunce vs but was miraculous and contrary to the course and order of nature Suche therefore as lesse knowe how the Sunne is eclipsed must vnderstande that it onely happeneth by coniunction of the aboue saied bodies the Mooue passyng or goyng betwixt the Sunne and the yearth neuer the lesse this eclipse happened in th' opposition of these planettes the Moone then full and hundred and eightie degrées distant frō the Sūne in the vnder hemisphere then at the citée of Hierusalem for proofe whereof besides the testimonies of infinite good writers the scriptures them selues record it manifestly for certain it is that the lambe was neuer Sacrificed but in the .xiiij. of the Moone whiche Lambe was eaten by Christ and his disciples but one daie onely before his death as is commaunded in the .xij. of Exodus in Leuiticus also the xxiij And the nexte daie followyng whiche was the daie of vnleauened bread Christ the Lambe vnspotted was vnkindly crucified the Moon then of necessitie in her full and opposite to the Sunne whiche then could no more eclipse the Sunne then any other Planete It then was to conclude miraculous and contrary to the order of nature doen onely by the onmipotente and sole power of GOD whiche depriued the Sunne of light for that thrée howers space By occasion whereof that worthie personage Denis Areopagita beyng at the time presente at Athens and beholding in this sorte the Sunne to be obscured and knowyng on the other side as a learned Astrologian that this eclipse was contrary to the order of natue saied openly with a loude voice to bée heard of all menne either the frame of the worlde shall bée dissolued either the God of nature presently suffereth For whiche cause as one reporteth the sages of Athens straungely disturbed did to bee builte incontinently an aulter to the God vnknowen whether afterward saincte Paule arriuyng learned theim who was that God vnknowne and that he was Jesus Christ God and man our redemer whiche then and at that tyme suffered for our saluation by meanes whereof he conuerted greate numbers to the faithe Some neuer the lesse haue doubted
although they woulde in no wise there vnto accorde yet Tyberius of hymself streatly inhibited that no man shoulde be so hardie to touche or greue a Christian As concernyng the yearthquake and darknyng of the Sunne continuyng the full tyme that Christ was on the Crosse we haue also good testimonies and assured of Ethnikes Flegon a gréeke historiogripher borne in Asia of whom Swydas especially remembreth reporteth for a thing almost incredible that in the forth yere of the two hundred and tenth Olympiade whiche by iust accompte was in the eightinth yere of the raigne of Tyberius at whiche tyme our sauiour suffered there was a greate Eclipse of the Sunne suche as earste had neuer been séen or written of continuyng from the sixt hower euen vnto the ninth and farther during the time of this defect of the Sunne such and so inspekable were the yearthequakes in Asia and Bithinia that infinite houses fell doune to the grounde It appeareth farther that besides this Flégon that in the same time liued Plinie also felte it and discoursed on the saide matter for saieth he in the tyme of Themprour Tyberius greater yearth quakes were then seen then euer had been before by meanes of whiche were subuerted twelue famous cities in Asia with infinite and innumerable other houses and buildynges in suche sort that the historiogriphers Gentiles though lesse wéetyng the cause lefte not yet to write the miracles of Christ The other miracle of the veale of the Temple that sundred Iosephus in like sorte recordeth it faithefully The cruell murther dooen by Herode vppon the harmelesse innocentes is writen of on other Iewe whiche hight Phylon an historian of greate aucthoritie in his abridgemeÌ„t of tyme where he thus muche reporteth that Herode did to bee murthered certaine yong infantes and with them also his owne naturall soonne for that he heard say that Christ the king promised to the Iewes was borne and this man liued in the tyme of Herode the Tetrarche as him selfe writeth This history of the innocentes is of Macrobius also more fully remembred a man excellentlie learned and of greate antiquitie who in rehersall of certaine pleasant and merie conceites of the Emperour Octauian aboute the tyme of the birth or natiuitie of our sauiour whiche saied beyng aduertised of the crueltie of Herode as well towardes hys owne soonne as also the others that he rather would be a Hogge in the house of Herode then his soonne whiche he saied for that the Iewes did neuer eate any swines fleshe whiche pretie ieste is repeted by Dion in the life of the saide Emperour so that in fine there were many miracles written as wel by Iewes as by Gentiles lesse supposing to haue witnessed them to haue been doen by Christe besides infinite the others reported by Christians What farther shall I write of the auncient Emperours and what thei thought of our faith as what discourtisies they also practised against the true professors of Christ and his truth The first good Bishoppe or seruaunt of Christ S. Peter S. Paule also a faithfull minister were doen to death at the commaundement of the Emperoar Nero thirtiesix yeres after the death of our redemour at whiche tyme was the greate persecution of the Churche of whiche the Gentiles left not to make mentioÌ„ as among others many these twoo especially Cornelius Tacitus and Suetonius Tranquillus whiche liued at that tyme bothe famous and honourable Suetonius in the life of Nero spekyng of certaine his owne ordinaunces faieth that hee tormented and afflicted with sundry and greuous puishmentes a certaine kinde of people whiche called theimselues Christians folloyng a newe faith or religon And Cornelius T. writyng of the saied Nero affirmeth that he chastised and pursued with terrible tormentes a sort of people named commonly Christians the author of whiche name saieth he was Christ of Hierusalem the verie same whiche Pilate gouernour of ludea did openly to be crucified by whose death his doctrine grewe more and more and increased But consider wee also what some other Gentiles haue written of honour and authoritie like vnto the others Plinie the yonger in one of his Epistles demauÌ„deth of the Emperour Traian whose LiuetenaÌ„t he was in Asia how he would that he should punishe the Christians that were aceused and brought before hym and the better to informe his Lorde of what soeuer he founde against them he among other thinges many reporteth that these Christians rise ordinarilie at certaine houres of the night assembling and meetyng together singyng Hymmes and Songes of praise vnto Iesus Christe whom they honoured for their God and Messias and besides this meetyng in congregations together they made also vowes not to doe annoie or domage to anie not robbyng or takyng from any manne what so euer that they would not committe adulterie that thei neuer woulde false their faith or promis not to denie what soeuer had been lent theim or committed to their kepyng And farther the saide Plinie writeth that they alwaies did feede or eate together not holding or possessyng any thyng as proper or priuate By these are well knowen what were euen then the exercises of the christians as also for what cause the worlde pursued theim Those thinges were recorded thus by an idolatrous infidell sixtie yeres fullie after the Passion of our Lorde and sauiour Vnto whiche letters the Emperour aunswered for as muche as thei were accused of no kind of riote or wrong he should in no wise afflict or chastice theim â—e yet make any inquisition what so euer against theim not withstandyng when they shoulde yet be accused before hym that he then did his pain to withdrawe theim from that Religion but if they in no wise would forgo or leaue it that he should not for all that do theim any kinde of violence How be it true it is that this saied Emperour Traian before this as an infidell and deceaued by the guile and fraude of the accusers punished both and persecuted the poore harmlis christians After succided in th' empire his Nephew Adrian of whoÌ„ Aelius Lampridius an historiogripher voide of faithe and idolatrus writeth that he began first to honour the christians permitting theim to liue after their loore and order and that hym selfe also with the people reuerensed Christ building and grauntyng theim Temples for their behoofe but afterwardes alteryng his good minde and zeale towardes theim began cruelly again and odiously to persecute theim abused by the maisters of his false cerimonies as by the Bishops also of his false gods perswadyng with hym that if he any waie fauoured the Christians that all the worlde woulde shortly be conuerted to that lawe whence a generall rume would followe to their gods and religion all whiche is reported by Petrus Crinitus It is written in the life of Saturninus that from Seuerinus the Consull a letter was writen to the said Adrian the'mperor wherin he certified him that in Egipt were sundrie christiaÌ„s among which some called theimselues Bishops of which all no
prosperously succéede with hym that busily adored or reuerenced this fortune but vnto hym that sacrificed not ne appeased her by offerynges all thynges should goe amisse where he so theim attempted And of all these abuses the deuell hymself was auther to that intent onely thei should repose their whole hope and affiaunce still in him as happened some times for proofe therof to Galba who for that he had taken awaie a coller of Golde from this Image of Fortune to dedicate the same or offer it to Venus as is reported in sundrie good histories fortune the saied night immediatly then folowyng appeared vnto hym with dreedfull wordes minasing wherof he also died or many daies expired The vanitie of this people was suche then and so aucthorised that they yet had also an other Image of fortune semely bearded imaginyng all those that had her in especiall adoration shoulde haue verie faire beardes well coloured and well growen but those that disdained her or none at all or the contrarie All these thinges did they for diuersitie of respectes and considerations in her and withall to signifie her omnipotēcie or power which they déemed all she had purtraiyng her in sundrie and diuers sortes a goddesse The philosopher Cebes depainted her in the shape or figure of a woman but as furious with al blinde and with out féeling mounted on a roūde stone denotyng her instabilitie Vupal was the firste in Gréece that framed any shape or purtraite of fortune in the toune of Smirna which he depainted with a veale vpon her head hauing in her hande a horne of abūdance The Scithians purtraied her a woman without feete hauyng not withstandyng both handes and winges Others some fashioned her with the stearne of a shippe in one hande as also with the foresaied horne of abundance in the other thence inferring that shee had dominiō ouer all disposing all thinges throughout the worlde as was to her roiall maiestie best séemyng Some others againe of fine and brittle glasse because she was so fickle with out all holde or staie Others also depainted her turnyng of a wheele on the highest parte of which some presently were placed some also were climbyng as thoug they would get vp some also fallyng into ruine and dispaire One also resembleth her not vnaptly to a Commedie in whiche some enter at tymes with countenance of kinges and greate Personages and streight againe chaungyng their habite or apparell put on the faces or countenaunces of bondmenne for that in this life wée haue none other suretie to daie to liue in pompe to morowe in rācke beggerie Socrates compared her to a common place or theater without order where commonly it happened the worthiest in déede to be eftsones worst placed Others some againe purtraied her all blinde and to this purpose Apuleus hath these woordes in his golden Asse For iust cause did our elders depainte Fortune blind for continually she giueth to the lesse vertuous and vnhoneste neuer for his demerites preferryng any persone voide of all election or distinction of menne for vertue aduauncyng the ribaulde and the gracelesse tretcherer whom if she had iyes to beholde or to consider she then would flie in haste from these her accursed dearlynges Infinite is the number of aucthorities that might be alleaged concernyng the names or titles that haue béen of many assigned vnto Fortune Valerius and Claudian letted not to call her dispitefull and enuious Ouidius in fastis right mightie and puissaunte but in his Epistles accursed and dispitefull Iuuenall in his Satires froward and peruerse Lucian traiterous and periured Siluius Italicus false and subtile Virgill in one place nameth her omnipotēt and almightie but in others again inconstaunte vnfaithfull and disloiall Cicero of whom we also aboue some thing remembred who also then accoumpted her a Princes moste of might and guide also to them that would or did liue iustly saieth that nothing is so contrary to reason and to constancie as is thesame Fortune And yet for all this the vanitie of the auncient Romaines was suche and so greate that thei stil adored her whom thei knewe to bee blinde falce instable and inconstaunte dedicatyng to thesame bothe sumptuous and costly Temples vowyng theim selues so busily to these superstitions that the Emperours theim selues had euermore the Image of Fortune in their sleapyng chambers But when any of theim died the same was then transported into the chamber of his successor The firste that framed a Temple to Fortune in Rome was Seruius Tullius as recordeth Liue the sixte kyng by order and iuste accoumpte of the Romaines though Plutarche in his booke of the fortune of the Romaines affirme that it was Marcius the fowerth kyng there whiche framed as is euidente a Temple to virill Fortune Seruius notwithstandyng gaue Fortune all these names to witte of valiaunte Fortune little Fortune prosperous Fortune aduerse Fortune triumphaunte Fortune with others more suche to these the like and semblable to euery of whiche he dedicateth a parte a riche a faire and asumptuous temple The first of virile or rather valiaunte Fortune stoode nigh vnto Tyber where all yonge maidens that were of age mariagable came to offer their presentes with all reuerence and deuotion in whiche Temple thei also did of all their apparell all naked saue their smocke before this Idoll of Fortune discoueryng their me heames and eche their deformities if thei had any priuie imperfection immaginyng that this Idoll would assuredly conceale it and so for theim woorke by some secrete vertue that those thaut should marrie theim should neuer at all perceiue it that whiche Ouide reporteth in his Fastis And as this Empire grewe still to be more greate and puissaunte so grewe this fonde deuotion throughout emong the Romaines erectyng to her Temples accordyng to the difference or diuersitie of her names and this not onely in Rome or other tounes aboute it but in euery the partes what so euer of all Italie In fine then must we thinke that all these vanities with many others the semblable whiche maie in this place bée remembred to this purpose was a plain illusion and deception of men walkyng in darkenesse affiyng and trustyng in their owne proper wisedome For what so euer is dwellyng in this worlde in heauen I meane in yearth or els belowe in hell thei still are and procede from the inscrutable prouidence and wisedome of GOD neither is it Fortune chaunce or aduenture for that all in him haue cause of their beyng by hym thei also holde their course and eke their order And againe though many of vs bee founde of so grosse a féelyng or vnderstandyng that wee either hardly or not at all perceiue the increase or successe of thynges not to be of Fortune but that what so euer is or any waie multiplieth the same to issue and procede from the principall firste and chief cause God maker creatour and gouernour of all whiche for an assured veritie we muste acknowledge and imbrace that would or doe desire to be
as is saied the Equinoxe is not euer firme For Christ hymself died the .xxv. daie of Marche and at that time was the daie euen with the night and now this equation is but about the eleuēth of Marche whence it well maie be presumed that in the beginnyng it was in Aprill For whiche cause some accompted Aprill for the first monethe other some March yet thei all wil saie that then this frame was wrought when that the Sunne firste entered into the signe of Aries and that then is this Equinoxe whiche well is proued by the scriptures where it is saied that in the Monethe Nisan whiche with vs is Marche the yere began to haue his first daie of accompte Vincent also in the beginnyng of his mirrour historiall saieth that the aunciēt Hebrues beganne their yere in the Monethe of Marche for that then was the Equinoxe saieth he whence and from whiche tyme the worlde tooke his beginning Certain Gentiles also defende and maintain with like care this opinion as Elpaco in his treatise written of Astrologie where he saieth that the Chaldeans excellente Astronomers supposed that the firste daie in whiche the worlde was created the Sunne entered into the first degree of Aries whiche opinion is maintained of most part of Astronomers as well aunciente as newe and late writers When then the Sunne was founde in that poincte then also was the beginnyng of the yere then also the firste daie for before that was none other neither can it bee denied but that the firste daie that was made was also the firste daie in the accoumpt of yeres for that before it was neither tyme or yeres For whiche cause onely this signe of Aries is of all the others reckened the first and foremoste And who so will iudge and diuine of thynges to come he erecteth his figures calculatyng continually from that fore saied poincte or beginnyng of the worlde And farther it is plain by an euident coniecture that God when he first created the wide wast worlde that he then also plaste the Sunne as is saied in Aries as maie well be gathered of that whiche is fore saied in the chapiter of the daie and tyme in whiche our sauiour suffered to wete that this Planete was in that place in the creatiō that he also was in at the regeneration whē Christ hymself suffered his death and his passion which happened as is there saied in this Equinoxe so often to fore remembred It also semeth credible that it therfore was so for that those that haue any felyng in the sphere or otherwise in Astronomie shall well perceiue that the Sunne beyng entered into this signe of Aries makyng there his reuolution by the space of one whole daie no corner is on the yearth whiche he in that daie ones leaueth or to comforte or solace with his presence whiche at no tyme chaunseth in any other poinctes of the Zodiake for that where soeuer he els bee some place is on the yeareh where the Sunne is not in that daie séen but beyng in this degree as is saied or in his opposite no parte of the worlde is there whiche in that daie ones seeth hym not And it semeth reasonable that the Sūne when he firste of all beganne his circuite that he there and in suche place should beginne where he might visite euery the partes of the whole worlde and that that rather should bee in the firste of Aries then of Libra it of parte is euidente by that whiche wee haue saied that in the daie of the death or Passion of our sauiour this Planet was in that verie same place in whiche he also hath a certain perticuler dignitie Restyng then on this poinct as on a truthe assured thei doubtles are deceiued that imagined the worlde firste beganne in the Equinoxe of September though it pleased theim to saie that then all fruites were ripe and in season whiche if we well consider is nothyng so in deede for when thei are ripe in the Northe parte of the worlde thei nothyng at all then are so in the Southe but in verie truthe and assuredlie the contrary For whiche cause I neither would leane to the opinion of those whiche saied that in this Equinoxe of Marche whiche is in the same beginnyng whiche we in deede approue was or ought to bee the entrie therefore of the worlde for that then at that tyme is the spring for that flowers also and grasse eche where then begin to come that then also all beastes acquainte them with their matche for if it be to vs as it can not be gainsaied the commyng and beginnyng of all graine and grasse it then is Winter or at the leaste Autumne to these that inhabite the Southe partes of the worlde These then maie suffice with the aucthorities aboue remembred to satisfie and contente the reasonable in this matter although the yere Romaine whiche onely now is vsed take his beginnyng of the firste daie of Ianuarie whiche thyng happened by the fonde deuotion and superstition onely whiche the Gentiles vsed towardes their God Ianus doing their yere to beginne by his name as the christians did theirs from the natiuitie of Christe although then in deede the yere had not his beginnyng The Romaines also beganne their yere in Marche as writeth M. Varro and Macrobius in his firste booke Ouide also in Fastis with many others Farther GOD shewed to vs his greate fauour and goodnes in that it pleased hym to place our firste parentes Eue and Adam in these Septentrionall partes of the worlde after their exile and detrution out of Paradise terrestriall whiche bothe entered into this worlde at the firste commyng of the Spryng findyng the yearth then greene and flowred the aire verie swete temperate and pleasaunte the better to solas and comforte them in their miserie and nakednesse whiche at none other tyme of the yere could so well haue chaunsed them But passe we this matter now as sufficiently proued and speake we of the other Planetes especially of the Moone as one emong the others of moste force and vertue whiche as some suppose in the firste daie or instaunte of her creation was placed by diuine prouidence in coniunction with the Sunne others saie that she was then at full and in direct opposition Sainct Augustine cōmenting on the fifte of Genesis remembreth bothe these remembered opinions saiyng that thei that maintaine that she then was in opposition argue that it was not reason in that her firste creation that she either should lacke or bée defectuous in any thyng The others saie that it is more credible that she in coniunction beganne there her firste daie so increasyng accordyng to our accompte in her age but to abridge this controuersie in myne opinion she at her first beyng was in plaine and perfecte oppositiō with the Sunne whiche opinion is moste receiued of the learned Augustine in the place aboue alledged and Rabanus also on the twelueth of Exodus arrest them bothe on
and saiyng continually with Saincte Paule the night is paste and the daie at hande And an other saieth it is tyme that we arise and forgeate againe to sleape looke abrode ye iust and sinne not The true the holy and the immaculate Churche is semblably campared also to a Doue for as hath Salamon in Canticis O how faire and beautifull art thou O thy eyes the eyes of a very Doue Farther we sée that of fower Euangelistes thrée of theim were figured by three beastes If I woulde dwell longer in thys matter I should haue muche to doe and should parcase wearie also the reader But aboue all other examples that of our sauiour and redemour Iesus Christe is notable whiche also woulde be figured by a beaste as is euident by Sainct Ihon in his Apocalypse saiyng the Lion of the race of â—uda is victorious And Dauid in his Psalmes saieth he is raised as a LioÌ„ with many such others long to remember as S. Matthewe where he saieth O Hierusalem HierusaleÌ„ how often times would I haue gathered thy children together euen as the Henne clocketh her Chickens vnder her winges but thou wouleest not Euen so then as Christe compareth his workes to the properties of beastes so shall man doe well to receaue instructions by theim the better thence to frame and more vertuously his life And on the other side what shame and infamie is it to man to see howe beastes perfectly followe euery one their nature man the sole and onely creature that sauereth of reason so much abuseth that superexcellent gifte lente hym for he who onely should honour God most offendenth stil his maiestie far aboue al the others neglectyng and abusing his graces continually in suche sorte that some beastes there are of whom man should rather take example then of some men that liue presently among vs for more feling haue they of iustice and lesse offende they in euerie respecte then man which knoweth or should do what is his duetie And therfore saith god by the mouth of Esaie the Oxe knoweth his lorde and maister the Asse also her Cribbe or Maunger but Israel knoweth him not nether will his people vnderstande hym Why triumphes were first vsed in Rome as againe how many they were that there also triumphed what a Triumphe is and that there is twoo sortes of theim Chap. 17. MOrally to speake and after the maner of man two thinges principally moue vs to attempte greate and dangerous affaires in peace as well as also in warre The firste is renoume and honour the second none other then vtilitie and gaine The noble harte and valiaunt courage chiefly desireth and affecteth the first the minde abiecte base and vngentle gréedily hunteth for gaine and saliry Cicero in an oration of his pro Archia poeta saieth that we all are drawen with desire of commendation and who so in déede is most famous and honorable is most and aboue others stirred there with demaunding none other paiment or guerdon of his vertue then onely glory and praise of the people The same Cicero againe in an other pro Milone saieth that the true wise and valiaunt gentleman so muche toileth not at all for wage and gaine as he doeth for honour which followeth his paines Whiche thing well considered by the auncient Romaines they assuredly more sought then all other nations besides their salary to honour and extolle with all kinde of reuerence suche as had doen any notable and vertuous exploites In suche sorte that in shorte time was found in Rome more store of excellent Capitaines and prudent gouernours then in any other place through the worlde whatsoeuer by meanes wherof thei after got the vniuersall empire For which cause aswell for exaÌ„ple of this tyme present as also to content the curious in antiquities I thought it good in this place to discourse of the true order maner which the Romaines vsed in giuyng fame renoume to their capitaines victorious And for that emong al other honours the triumph was the greatest we will there begin letting the reader to vnderstande that a triuÌ„phe was a forme of entrie or welcome into Rome doen to the capitain generall with moste poÌ„pe soleÌ„nitie that was possible to be doen in any wise to man although these triuÌ„phes wer much vsed in Rome yet wer thei not the first inuentors of theÌ„ For Diodorus Siculus Plinie saie that Denis of the antiquitie called Dionis or other wise pater liber was the first that euer triuÌ„phed in the world It semeth also that the people of Carthage vsed some tymes in like sorte to triumphe for as Iustine recordeth emong other thynges that were writteÌ„ of Hasdrubal he fower tymes in his life triumphed magnifically We in maner semblable reade of the triumphes of the kinges of Egipt but principally of the kynge Sosestris How be it to speake here in truely these triumphes were neuer els where so solemnized as they were at tymes in Rome for on that daie that any Capitaine there triumphed the whole multitude ceste from euery kinde of labour as not lawfull for theim at that tyme to do any thing what so euer The inhabitantes then of euery the townes adiacent came runnyng to Rome to beholde this spectacle then was all the citie ouer the Temples the gates and the streates yea and the windowes hangde eche where with clothe of Golde and of Siluer with silkes with boughes with flowers odoriferus and with all other costly and sumptuous sightes possible which might geue any token or note of ioie The Senate the Préestes and Nobilitie of Rome with al the other citisens that were of any countinance went out into the fieldes honorably appareled to receaue hym that triumphed then entryng into Rome all clad in purple and crouned with Laurel mouÌ„ted in a coache of gold draweÌ„ with iiij white stedes All the captiues marchyng before hym attired as bond men with their heades shauen and the generall or kyng hym self that was at that tyme taken went nighest before the coache of any one other His owne Souldiars entred the Citie in good order euery of theim hauyng in his hand a Laurell Before hym also paste other Chariotes or Waggons all charged with armour taken from the ennimie with theim also past all the treasure and plate that he had gotten as well of Siluer as of Golde all the money and Iuels of what sort so euer and with the same also but a parte al giftes and presentes that he had receaued of any princes or cities frendes or assistaÌ„tes to the people of Rome Before hym also paste greate Castels Fortresses and Engines of warre most skilfully framed or facioned in woodde representyng the tounes and holdes that he had rased and in marching made shewes and countenances of battaile but especially of suche as had chaunsed theim in that voiage doone in suche sorte and so representyng the thing in deede that it made theim to tremble that attentiuely behelde it And these shewes were ordinarily