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
that was vnto him necessarie he saide that he begde it not but desired restitution Geuinge him to vnderstande that the goodes of the Ritche were gathered of the poore An other vsage also had he whiche for the appearance or shewe that it mainteined of folly had yet notwithstandinge a secrete or cloase Mysterie For oftentimes moste humbly he woulde desire an Almes of Images of Stoane Tymber or semblable matter as thoughe they had benne menne perfecte hauinge Life whiche he did he saide to arme him selfe with patience when any where in his néede he shoulde be of any refused And when he at any time soughte an Almes he vsed these woordes If thou of custome vse to geue to the poore then geue thou me sommethinge for of all others I stande in greatest néede and on the other side if it so be that thou neuer haste geuen to any beginne then to bestowe now some present on mée On a time he entred into the house of a certaine man which before had benne very ritche prodigal but then was very poore néedie indigent in sutch sorte that he nothing had to Suppe on but only an vnsauery sower Sallet By meanes wherof he saide had thy diet heretofore not bene much better thou shouldest not now haue Supte so simply Geuinge him thence in few to vnderstand that the excesse that he sometime vnmeasurably had vsed had cast him into that gripinge pinchyng penury One demaunded of him an other time what beast it was that bitte most greuously To whom he answeared emonge beastes sauage furious he that sclaunderously and ill reporteth but emong tame beastes euermore the Flatterer An other demaunded of him why Golde lookte yalowe or as it pleaseth some others more properly pale Because all men saithe he assault lie in waite for it Againe an other demaunded If he néeded not a Seruant To whom he saide no. The other replied asked who then should burie him after his death he saith Diogenes that wil dwel in my house Beinge demaunded againe at what time a man shoulde marry him The yong man saith he must marry him self very timely as for the olde or aged he now néedeth it no more By which he would inferre conclude that it was in truthe lesse expedient to marry although it be supposed that he more spake it in mockery then that he would haue mainteined it for an infallible Veritie Now as Diogenes was in Life frée in manners so also was he in any woorde that paste him For on a time as he paste thorow a streate vewing there a hawtie sumptuous buildinge belongyng to a Gentleman of an infamons suspected Life Ouer the gate or entraunce of whiche was written that no man vnhonest mighte enter thereat Turning him self about to sutch as therby passed incontinently demaunded which way entereth the Maister of this faire Lodging into it Trauelling as was his happe on a time through the Countrie he by chaunce drewe nigh to a very litle village altogeather poore simply peopled the Gates of which were large wide very great whereat as lowde as he coulde in laughinge manner he saide Yée Inhabitauntes shutte vp these your wyde Gates betime leaste happily your Towne runne out thereat Espyinge an other time a certaine companye shootinge in the Crosse Bowe emonge whom there was one lesse practised or vnskilfull by meanes whereof he still failed very mutche of his marke whose course when it came among the others to shoote he immediatly would steppe in before the Butte iustly couering or shadowing the white or marke whereat the assistantes were strauÌ„gly amazed But Diogenes said I suppose I may more safely stande here then els where so ill so farre of shooteth he from the marke Of a yonge boye very fayre and wel fauoured but of manners lewde and dishonest he asked why carriest thou so uaughty so ill fauoured a swoorde in a scabberde so good so well fewtered A certaine coÌ„pany commended one that had presented to Diogenes some small gifte or present but Diogenes saide why rather coÌ„mende yée not mée who well haue merited whatsoeuer is geuen letting them thence by his answeare to vnderstand that it far better is to deserue a good turne then to perfourme it to him that well hath merited it He ones desired contrarie to his woonte for neuer would he aske Monie in gifte of any man of a prodigall fellowe a greate summe of monye where at the other somethinge moued saide why askest thou of mée onely a matter ss vnreasonable It is saithe he for that of others at some other time I stande in hope to receiue somethinge but of thée after this ones neuer againe taringe with the same his vnmeasurable expenses Beinge also demaunded whence it came to passe that menne more willingly bestowed their Almes on the Lame the Blinde the Dismembred the Goutâ—e Maungye and on the Vlcerus sooner then on Philosophers and men to them like Learned He sayde an answeare in mine opinion very prety and fittinge for this cause onely mooued doo they it for that they rather feare they shal be sutch then Philosophers and therefore more willingly they comforte and assiste those like to whome they may sooner be then to the troupe Learned The sentences sage answeares of this Philosopher were infinite whiche in silence I here passe as well knowen to al the worlde He was very sobre discrete well learned in all the Sciences he was the Scholler or Disciple of Antisthenes in the time of Plato and Aristotle he had in contempte all Artes Sciences of whiche grewe no profite or gayne as also those that studied them more for curiositie then for the loue of vertue He argued Astronomers that onely busied them selues in the contemplation of the Heauens lesse regardinge what they had to doo on the Earthe belowe To Musitians would he saie that they well knew how to accorde their instrumentes but not their rebellious and disordered affections Hearynge a certaine Astronomer skilfully discoursinge of the Starres he demaunded when he came last out of Heauen Vnto a Sophisticall Logician toylinge to proue that there was in thinges no motion no answeare would he frame but in derision forthwith walkes vp and downe before him Séemeth this saithe he to thée a motion yea or not In this sorte began to growe now the renoumed fame of this woorthy Philosopher throughout the whole worlde so that Alexander the Greate comminge by chaunce to Athens woulde néedes sée talke and deuise with him of certaine pointes concerninge Vertue After somme conference at whiche time his Maiestie bespake him in this sorte Diogenes I well sée that thou arte poore and standest in néede of many thinges therfore demaunde what so thou wouldest haue and I will geue it thée to whom he sayde whiche of vs twoo thinkest thou liueth in greatest necessitie I that desire nothinge but my dishe here to Drinke in and a peece of Breade when I hunger or thou that beinge Kinge of
numbred for Christians Lact. Firmianus letteth not to laugh at or deride those men whiche attribute the aduentures of the worlde to Fortune S. Augustine in his retractations repenteth hym of his errour that he followyng the common phrace or wonted maner in speache did attribute the good happe of man in like sorte also to Fortune highly cōmendyng in the saied place kyng Dauid for that he ascribed euery his tribulations to the inscrutable and secrete iudgementes of God onely This then muste we beleue that what so euer is or any where hath his beyng that the same bothe is and proceadeth still from god Farther also besides that sundrie our elders had some feelyng in this matter Saluste also sawe it and boldly therefore pronounced that eche man was the firste and principall cause of his fortune and in his proheme of his warre of Iugurthe saieth that the slothfull and negligent person complaineth still of Fortune but without any iuste cause or reason Iuuenal more plainly in his tenth Satire affirmeth that where aduice is there Fortune still exileth though wée repute her for a goddesse and lodge her in the heauens Other Philosophers were there whiche though thei also affirmed that Fortune of her self could in deede doe nothyng beleued it notwithstandyng that she was an instrument or aide to the diuine prouidence as if God should stande in nede of some other to assiste hym whiche is no lesse vaine then the opinions aboue rehearsed and also others some that in this place might be remembred whiche I all leaue as also to be tedious onely passyng in fewe there by yet to admonishe the ignoraunte and simple Christian what so euer that he forsake his fonde and foolishe custome to gréeue or to mislike at any tyme with Fortune when any thing betideth hym contrary to his expectation For in fine this must we knowe that God disposeth mannes affaires alone to whom and to none other in euery our necessities we muste appeale and crie for his assistaunt grace and succour That sundrie beastes by some priuie naturall instinct haue foreknowleage of thynges to come as also of many countries by the onely force of little wormes brought to be desolate and forsaken Chap. 20. NOt onely the naturall instincte of sundrie creatures brute and voide of reason might suffice to learne vs the inwarde proprieties of thinges infinite as how and in what sorte thei mighte please and profite vs as in the vse or practise of Phisicke or otherwise but also a noumber of them birdes and foules I meane as well as any other haue some priuie feelyng of euery the chaunge and alteration of weather as when we shall haue raine winde pleasaunt tymes or tempestes instructyng here in man as if he sawe it presently As then wée sée that Shepe prognosticate of raine when moste busily thei disporte in skippyng to and fro The semblable is perceiued most plainly in the bullocke especially when he licketh directly againste the heare liftyng his snoute a lofte into the aire bellowyng and breathyng eftsones on the ground féedyng with the same more busily then is his wont or maner The yeawe when she diggeth the grounde with her foote as also when the goates couet nighest to slepe together when also the antes walke thickest in a ranke in greater heapes also then is their vsuall maner runnyng eche on other as troubled or amased these all bee markes assured of moisture raine and weather When Lyons leaue their wonted ranges and soiles and séeke a newe to preie in other countries then bee you well assured of greate drieth that yere followyng Elian recordeth that the goates of Libia knowe certainly when firste the Caniculer daies begin and by euident demonstrations bothe féele and perceiue when it will in dede or likely is to raine When Woulfes drawe in troopes towardes houses and villages and come nigher into the sight of men then is their common wonte an infallible rule is it of a tempest shortly followyng Fishes also no lesse straungely prognosticate and diuine of euery these chaunges and mutations of tymes When the Dolphines leape very busily in the Sea discoueryng theim selues by mounting aboue the water then greate windes shall followe especially from that parte whence thei seme to come but contrary when thei trouble the water beatyng them selues there in a more certaine signe then that can none be of faire weather When the frog crooketh more and more loude then is her wonte she fore learneth vs of raine and of tempestious weather Neither are birdes exempted from this priuileage of whiche as muche or more maie wée write to this purpose then of all other beastes of what sort so euer The foules of the sea when thei refuse the deapth and hasten to the shore denote some stormie blaste and sodaine chaunge of weather If the Cranes flie in the aire with out any brute or noise then promes thei a calme but if thei crie and slie in heapes disordered then be ye well assured thei promes you the cōtrary When the crowe flieth frō the maine lande to the sea she there by as wel prognosticateth some chaunge of weather and raine as also when she plaineth with mournfull noise and crie If the shriche Oule houle muche in any storme tempestuous it denoteth some presente chaunge vnto the better but if in a calme she syng besides her wonted maner it noteth againe as on the other side some spedy alteration Plutarche writeth that when the Crowe syngeth with a rawe and horse voice not lettyng to beate her self busily with her winges she fore learneth vs of winde and raine in aboundance The same also is euidēt vnto vs by the saied birde againe as when the Sunne is fallyng in the poincte of the Weste if he skippe and syng mountyng sodainly into the aire streight fallyng doune againe as if he scarce could flie beginnyng then again his plaie euen as before threatnyng as we might saie some blusteryng storme or tempeste Greate troopes againe of white birdes ordinarilie assēble and mete in heapes together immediatly before some greate chaunge or alteration of weather When the Cocke the Capon with euery other kinde of Pultrie beate eftsones their winges aduaunce theim selues and syng as also reioisyng in outward shewe and apperance it is as moste suppose a true presage or signe of present winde and weather When the Larke syngeth very earely in the mornyng whē also the Ducke doeth washe or bath her self beakyng trimmyng and orderyng her feathers it euidently denoteth excesse of winde and raine When the Swallowe flieth so nigh vnto the water that a man would thinke she still would touche or strike it a presage no lesse sure of raine is this then the others Elian writeth that the Snite hath full and perfecte felyng of th' increase aswell as decrease of the Moone But I feare I greue the reader with these fore paste exāples wherfore I now will speake of certaine beastes whiche haue forced men to leaue and forgoe their countrie the same all not
saied my housebande and my lorde I am none suche as you suppose me to be but am your wife your obediente and your lawfull bedfellowe dooe me what paine or sorrowe shall beste like you for assuredly I will not departe out from your companie before you doe to bee called some one of sufficient credite that maie if neede bee witnes that I alone this night was with you and with none other to the intent that if it please God to graunt me to be with childe by you whiche is my sole and onely desire that the worlde then maie knowe that it also is yours The kyng consideryng of her honest guile was though in deede he thought that he had been serued otherwise contented to fatisfie that her expectation and did to bée there of witnesses twoo honest and sober gentlemē Now so it came to passe that this vertuous dame within shorte tyme after knewe well she had conceiued and at the terme by accompte well aunsweryng to this purpose was deliuered of a soonne the firste daie of Februarie in the yere of our Lorde a thousande a hundred ninetie and sixe whiche as sone as he was borne the Quéene commaunded immediatly that he should be carried to the Churche and incontinently as thei whiche is to be considered to whom this charge was carefully cōmitted were on the point of entrie into the Churche or Temple the priestes assuredly lesse wetyng of any suche matter began to syng Te deum laudamus in moste solemne maner And thence departing afterward with the saied childe vnto an other Churche thei also not knoweyng of any such gehaste commyng euen as he entred beganne that Psalme of Benedictus dominus deus Israel whiche was a meruailous signe and assured presage of the great vertue and bountie that should be in the yong prince And the Kyng and Quéene not knowyng now what name thei beste might giue hym did to bee lighted twelue Torches of equall length and bignes lottyng to euery of theim the name of an Apostle with this determination that the name of that Torche that first should be consumed should be giuen to this Prince for name at his Baptisme and the first that failed was that of sainct Iames. So afterward then baptised thei gaue hym Iames to name he was an excellente Prince in peace no lesse wise then valiaunte and fortunate in all affaires of warre His inuasions and incursions were terrible against the Mores he was large and liberall at all tymes to his souldiars and emong others his notable attemptes he leuiyng on a tyme a greate and grosse armie past into the Isle of Maiorque whiche then was onely inhabited of the Mores where he foughte many bothe bloudie and daungerous battailes but after he there long had besieged their principall citie in th' ende wonne it as all the other Isles adioignyng nigh vnto it and in fine subdued all the other Mores as also the citie of Carthage it self He had many children as well soonnes as doughters whiche all while he liued he aduaunsed to greate and mearueilous honours The Prince Peter was after hym kyng also of Aragon Iames kyng of the Isles Maiorque and Minorque his thirde soonne was Archebishop of Toledo the ladie Yollant was espoused to the kyng of Castile the ladie Isabeau to the kyng of Fraūce the ladie Vrroque to the lorde Emanuel prince also of Castile and the prince Peter in his fathers daies espoused the doughter of the kyng of Nauar. This kyng liued seuentie and twoo yeres and died then vertuously and in his death bedde chose to him the habite of a religious man renounsyng his kyngdome and his roiall scepter with assured determination if he euer had recouered of that maladie to haue imploied the residue of his daies in the sole seruice and veneration of God but his paines growyng and doublyng continually he gaue ouer vnto nature in the towne of Valence in the yere of our lorde God a thousande twoo hundred sixtie and sixe in the beginnyng of the moneth of August ¶ Of an aunciente and straunge custome obserued by the inhabitauntes of the Prouince of Carinthia at the coronation of their prince as also how thei sharply punished thieues Chapt. 14. POpe Pius the seconde of that name a manne no lesse learned then painfull and still busied in aunciente histories when he liued reporteth in his Cosmographie or description of the worlde that the prouince of Carinthia is inclosed within the territorie and seignorie of Austria saieth that the inhabitauntes there at the coronation of their prince vsed a very straunge and pretie custome whiche also is remembred by A. Sabellicus in his tenth Decade as also by Sebastianus Munsterus in his newe Cosmographie In this Prouince of Carinthia there is a greate plaine of very olde and ruinous bulidynges as if the were the steppes or monumētes of some auncient citie in whiche also standeth a certaine greate stone wherevpon at the coronation of their newe duke the daie and tyme appointed a housebande man or labourer incontinently ascendeth vnto whom that office by inheritance belongeth On his right hande standeth nigh to hym a blacke Cowe and on his left a lame a weake and an ill fauored Mare Rounde about the stone standeth a great heape of clounes or countrie carels Then commeth the Duke on with a greate noumber on horsebacke all in very good and in decent order hauyng twelue ensignes borne there before them of which one is more large and more apparent then the others whiche is borne by a certaine Earle there by especiall priueledge so now approcheth this Archduke cladde like a shepherd vnto the stone where as is plaste this carell who incontinentlie crieth out with a loude and haute voice demaunding what hée might be that cometh in such pompous in such proude arraie to whom the others aunswere that stande there about hym he is the Prince and gouernour of this countrie Then thundereth out this vilaine as harde as he maie possiblie is he a iudge rightuous will he doe iustice to all men will he seke the aduauncement and commoditie of the countrie will he defende it and saue it from the enemie Is he a free man and of a free house borne Is he valiante and worthie of honour Is he a true christian man and will he defende the faithe Thei all aunswere yea he is and euer shall be Then beginneth he againe a freashe to demaunde by what right maie he dispossesse me of this place Then aunswereth the Earle that bare that beste enseigne thou shalt receiue for this thy place sixtie Duckettes of golde this Cowe also and Mare in like sort shall be thine also the Princes roabe whiche he laste of al did of finally thy familie and kinne shall all bee free from all kinde of taxes or paimentes what soeuer This carell then giueth the Prince a small buffette on the cheke admonishing him to be an vpright and a vertuous Iudge and so leauyng the stone giueth place vnto the duke carriyng
also before he was elected Emperour was for that he was fortunatein warre euery where called Emperour But what capitaine so euer founde not his aduersary strong and puissaunte suche as durste and would bothe meete and incounter with hym neither merited or obtained that name of an Emperour yea he sharpely was reproued that ambiciously desired it Hence Marcus Antonius semed to grudge and mâ—rmure for that hauyng sackte a greate citie on the farther side of the riuer of Euphrates that the name of Emperour was notwithstandyng denied hym After this Iulius Caesar and his successours affectyng the seigniorie of Rome and knowing how odious the name of a kyng was vnto all the people did them selues to be called by the name of Emperours whiche from that tyme hath continued euen vntill this daie a name of all others moste reuerente and honourable And as the Romaines this honoured their owne capitaines with these titles so in maner semblable neither left or forgate thei to gratifie any straunger that for friendship serued or liued in wage with theim in maner as ample as if he had been borne in Rome and as thei founde them hardy and valiaunte so were thei gratious and large in recompensyng their seruice so gaue thei vnto Atalus a parte of Asia with the title for more ample satisfaction of a king of which benefite he neuer became obliuious or vngratefull for diyng he retourned the profites therof to Rome again A. Eumenes brother to this Atlaus for that he haâ— bothe painfully and faithfully serued the Romaines against Antiochus the Senate gaue hym in recompence all the tounes that thei had gotten of Antiochus in Asia Vnto Iotar kyng of Galicia for hauyng aided Pompe against Mithridates thei gaue the whole prouince of little Armenia In like sorte thei rewarded Massinisla kyng of Numidia receiued by Scipio for companion and frende to the people of Rome to whom thei franckly gaue what so euer he had gotten from Siphax whiche had aided the Citezeins of Carthage against the others of Rome Neither thus rewarded thei princes and greate personages onely but vnto men of base condition thei presented iules offices and honours The Consull Marius coÌ„sidering the notable courage of twoo small bandes whiche meruailously withstoode the furious and violent incursions of the Cimbrians whiche then were entered vpon the frontires or confines of Italie infranchest them immediatly reputing them for citezeins of Rome wherof beyng reproued as hauyng doen it against their lawes saied that in the middle of that fight when blowes were dealt thickeste he heard no lawe speake in what sorte so euer The ende of the thirde parte ¶ The fowerth parte of the Forest or collection of histories ¶ Of the seuen meruailes or wonders of the worlde Chapt. 1. SVche as haue imployed any parte of their time in the readyng of histories oratours and olde Poetes haue founde that often mention is made of the seuen wonders of the worlde at sundrie tymes erected and in places farre distaunte All suche as haue hereof written any thing agree and accorde togither on sixe but as touching the seuenth we finde diuers opinions and therfore lesse determine on whiche or where with beste warraÌ„t to arreste vs How be it in the firste place we will speak of the walles of Babilon one of the seuen and that for good cause as well for the meruailous circuite of theim as for the seate also thereof whiche bothe to moste men might seme a thyng impossible and although it might suffice in this place now to aduertise the reader of that whiche is aboue said in the chapiter of the diuersitie and confusion of tongues and that it was there builte where Nembrothe erected the Tower of Babel of whiche the toune as is euidente tooke his denomination yet will we not so and in suche sorte passe it These waules then accordyng to the approued opinion of moste men and of Trogus Pompeius as hath Iustine were first of all founded by the famous Quéene Semyramis mother vnto Ninus Whiche opinion D. Siculus A. Marcelinus and P. Orosius with the greatest parte of al the Gentiles haue vniformely agreed on although Saincte Augustine and Iosephus in his antiquities attribute it vnto Nembrothe aided by his people but were it that Semyramis either laied the fouÌ„dation or repaired it it sufficeth that it was perfected and inrichte meruailously by her This Citee was seated on a plaine on the one side on the other side paste the greate riuer of Euphrates It was proportioned in a square or quadrante the walles verie high and curiously wrought the matter was stone laied with hoate lime and an other kinde of cimente whiche vsually is founde in the mines of that countrie but chiefly in that greate riuer of Iudea where some tymes stoode Sodome and Gomorra called Asfaltida giuyng a slime whiche holdeth more faste then any kinde of Pitche or Glewe Some writers disagree as well about the height of this walle as also aboute the circuite thereof whiche might peradueÌ„ture happeÌ„ by diuersitie of measures Plinie saith that this walle had in compasse sixtie thousande pases so that euery quarter or fowerth parte of the quadrante had by computation iuste fiftene thousande he farther addeth that it was twoo hundred foote high which foote exceded by thrée inches the measure of the foote Romain and xv foote thicke whiche was assuredly very straunge and meruailous Diodorus Siculus affirmeth that it contained in all three hundred and sixtie stadia and was also so thicke that sixe Cartes there on without annoye might passe on a fronte togither The bridges fortifications towers and gardines that Semyramis did on and through this walle to bee made is a thyng more miraculous then easie to be credited It farther is written that she retained in this woorke three hundred thousande woorkemen gathered throughout all the territories and countries subiecte to her To the former lengthe Quintus Cursius addeth yet eight stadia more in height he saieth it had iuste an hundred cubites but Paulus Orosius saieth that it conteined in lengthe fower hundred and eightie stadia whiche mounte giuyng an hundred twentie and fiue paces to euery stadium to the sixtie thousande pases that Plinie remembred Strabo writeth that this walle was in compasse but three hundred eightie and fiue stadia but in breadthe was suche that many Cartes might passe on it not touchyng or hurting any one th o'ther Farther strauÌ„ge thynges are written of the pleasaunt and fine gardeins that were on certain turrettes and towers in this wall in whiche also grew trees of greate height Iulius Solinus here in accordeth with Plinie Besides this some of these writers also affirme that without it was inuironed with certaiue motes or diches full to the bankes continually with water no lesse brode or deepe then some reasonable good riuer In this citee were an hundred gates all of mettalles no lesse stronge then beautifull and curious and in fine what soeuer is written of the
recordeth in his firste Booke of the nature of Beastes Further emonge the Philosophers Naturall it is mainteined for an opinion Common that the first parte that commeth in Man to any fourme or proportion is the Harte the roote of al others his partes the fountaine and only springe of naturall heate as also the last member that looseth his mouinge and dyeth in him It is assuredly a moste delicate and daintye member and suâ—che as maie not be touched but Man foorthewith dyeth Pline recordeth a straunge matter which he for true affirmeth sayinge That there was one founde whiche had his Harte roughe and hearye and further that who so hathe the same is euermore valiante and curragius Whiche thinge was founde true beinge opened in Aristomenes who with his owne hande in one Battaile had slayne thrée hundred Lacedemonians who after hauinge escaped by his rare force sundrye daungers and afterwarde dyinge in his Bedde quietly was opened and his Harte founde as is abouesaide hearye Suetonius Tranquillus in the Life of Caligula as also the saide Pline togeather affirme that who so dieth donne to deathe with Poyson his Harte will at no time consume or waste with fire whiche was proued in Germanicus Father of Caligula whiche also happeneth to them that die of the Fallinge Euill Further it is euidente that the force of laughinge or Laughter it selfe resteth in the little cheastes or seates of the Harte For proufe whereof the aunciente Historians writinge of certaine Swoordeplayers in Rome auouch that these by meane of whose wouÌ„des the very thréedes or vaines of theire hartes fell out made chaunge of this life with extreame Laughter Also as this qualitie of Laughter procéedeth from the harte so Melancoly thence semblably taketh his beginninge as in like sorte all vertuous and naughty imaginations All woordes firste there ingender and beginne Many also mainteine that it is the chiefe seate and principall restinge place of the Soule Whiche seemeth to be wel confirmed by our Sauiour him selfe sayinge That wicked imaginations and naughtie thoughtes procéede directly from the hart and that that entereth at the mouthe sayleth not the man for that these be but thinges indiffereÌ„t Further Venerable Beda in his CommeÌ„taries on S. Marke remembreth the chiefe seate of the Soule not to be in the Brayne as mainteineth Plato but rather in the Harte as learneth vs our Sauiour ¶ Of the firste beginninge and springe of Warre as who were they that firste inuaded straunge Countries with the Inuentours of certaine Weapons and Armes who also first founde the vse of Artillerie Chap. 6. IT is euident that Warre discord emong men tooke their firste holde or staye on the sinne of our Forefathers as appeareth in that one of the first borne sonnes of Adam who leaft not to laie violent bloudye handes on his Brother so that loosinge euen here our Originall Iustice malice and discorde afterwarde neuer leaft their raigne emongest vs In sutche sorte that Warre and Enimitie began euen emonge the firste borne But the science of Warre or the Arte militarie it selfe with the perfect maÌ„ner to order many in Battaile against many for that the first fountaine thereof is of sinne the middle also continually and for the moste parte the ende is nothinge but crueltie bloude and miserable impietie is nowe in sutche woorthy and Honorable reputation that the Arte it selfe and the well skilled therein are farre nowe aduaunced aboue the Fautours of all other prudent and industrious exercises as moste estéemed aboue all other vertuous practises in the Worlde Diodorus Siculus with others affirme that Mars was the first that ordered and deuised the subtile polices of Warre for which causes the Poëtes termed him but fabulously the God of Battayle Cicero attributeth the Honour of this inuention to the Goddesse Pallas by meanes whereof she was named as he saithe Bellona vnto whiche opinion accorded diuerse Poëtes gaynesayinge the opinion of that firste and auncient springe of Warre whiche Iosephus in his first booke of his Antiquities euen in the first Age before the Floudde attributeth vnto Tubal the moste experte therein in his time who by his industrious and painefull practises perfected him selfe in the guiles and aduauntages of Warre Others somme suppose that it first began after the floudde so that to learne the truth it séemeth very difficill who was the very first beginner and Father of this matter Whiche how so euer it was it well appeareth that in the beginninge Warres and dissentions onely grewe amonge Princes more for Ambition desire of Honour then any where to impouerishe or spoyle one the other Iustine and Trogus Pompeius reporte that Nynus King of the Assyriens was the firste that leadde an Hoste out of his Countrie for Auarice to Conquere the Territories of an other Fabian the Pretor affirmeth well the same in the beginninge of that little parte that resteth vnto vs of his Historie to whiche also condescendeth S. Augustine This Nynus so bare him selfe in this practise of Warre that he subdued in shorte time many Citties and Countries whiche he lefte in quiet possession to his Successours whiche continued from time to time vnto his posteritie accordinge to the computation of S. Augustine Eusebius and Diodorus Siculus thirtene hundred yéeres descendinge euermore from the Father vnto the Sonne with out defaulte at any time of Heyres in right line by the number of thirtie and thrée Kinges and as some others reporte thirtie and sixe vntill in the ende it came into the gouernment of that Monster Sardonapalus in whose time this so longe continued an Empire came then into the handes and handlinge of the Medes This Nynus then as recorde these Authours was the firste Conquerer knowen in all the worlde although wée reade of certaine Warres before him but it appeareth as wée haue saide that it was not to possesse Conquere the Countries of others but for pryde onely and glory of the worlde as is written of Vessor Kinge of Egypte who paste out of his Countrie againste Tanais Prince of the Scythians which mette him and gaue him Battaile and remayned victorious who not withstandinge neuer deposed him from his Crowne or Countrie as had practised the aboue remembred Nynus Wherefore he maye be thought the first that euer gaue foorthe any Lawes of Armes grauntinge to the Conquerer all the possessions and treasures of the Conquered Touchyng their Weapons wherewith they inuaded defended putting in execution their wrouthfull angry malice and yre it is to be supposed that in the beginninge they vsed none inequalitie of Armes but as the Poete Lucretius recoumpteth they first began with the nailes and téeth and after that to acquainte them with the staffe stoanes whiche this daie yet are onely vsed of certaine barbarous Nations not yet by the malice of man hauinge drawne out of the earthe yron to doo force and oppression on their Neighbours Pline writeth that in the firste Warres of the Moores againste the
and saied fratermi now can I not saie as some tyme saied S. Peter gold or siluer haue I none It is true quam the other neither can you saie to the impotent and diseased as saied he rise vp and go lettyng him there by priuely to vnderstand that the Popes in these ages wer now more vowed to riches then vnto vertue or holines who perceiuyng that he nothyng straied from reason yelded there to without contradiction quietly The semblable happened to an Archbishoppe of Colonne who as he paste the countrie with a houge troope of horse men curiouslie all armed according to the custome and maner of Almaignie founde by happe a poore workeman toilyng hardly for his liuyng whiche at the first sight of this prelate brake out into a great laughter the cause of whiche demaūded the poore man for the with saied I laugh at the follie of that good prieste sainct Peter prince and maister of all other prelates whiche liued and died here in extreme pouertie to leaue his successours in suche pompe and iolitie But this Archbishoppe againe the better to acquite hym fellowe I ride thus as thou seest for that I am a Duke as well as also a bishoppe where at he laught againe more hartely then before and beyng demaunded the seconde tyme of that his vehemente passion aunswered righte boldlie with a sure and staied countenance I demaunde of thée right honourable that if the Duke of which thou speakest were hence fallen into helle where supposeste thou this good Archbishop should finde his quiet harbour Where by he well inferred twoo contrary professions agréed not well in one persone and that offendyng in the one he could not acquite himself by any gilful pretext or shadow of thother At whiche this gentleman then presently graueled not hauyng what to saie departed with shame to muche and paste forthe on his waie To speake also of Gentiles Artaxerxes kyng of Persia vnderstandyng that a certaine capitaine of his whiche he at his coste from his cradle and infancie had nourished had muttered against hym in maner no lesse traiterous thā in truthe disloiall whom he would other waie none punishe but sent to hym by an other that he might at his pleasure talke of his prince and maister for that he again of hym might speake and do the semblable Philippe father of Alexander aduertised that Nicanor had abused hym in woordes was aduised by certaine his frendes by proces as the maner is to call hym to his triall to whō he aunswered that Nicanor was not the worst man in Macedonie and therefore firste would knowe whether he had nede of any thing for that he felt hymfelf bounde in conscience to aide hym so findyng hym verie poore in steede of deserued correction in presence of many gaue him a great and riche present incontinently This doen the same that before had accused him saied that Nicanor now spake greate good of his maiestie to whō the kyng saied now sée I well Sinicus for so hight this foresaied accuser that to bee well or euill spoken of it lieth onely in myne owne handes This saied prince by his frendes an other tyme was aduised to exile a certaine subiect of his lesse circumspecte in his talke and intemperate of tongue whiche to doe he vtterly refuced and saied for as muche as he hath spoken of me his pleasure here I will not that he doe the semblable in other straunge lādes and countries lettyng others vnderstande that whiche he had dooen of magnanimitie and clemencie proceded of sadde aduice and assured counsaile In these and suche like matters this prince excelled all others of his tyme He saied he was muche bounde to the gouernours and princes of Athens for that it pleased them iniuriously to talke still as well of hym as also of the order and maner of his gouernment for by his daiely industrie and chaunge in thynges from better to beter he proued them to be but slaunderous liers He neuer chastised any that outraged against him onely he would cut of th' occasion that moued them Whiche his vsages if thei were of all menne well obserued twoo notable commodities should thēce be gathered the first th'amendment of our owne liues and maners the second the perpetuall exile and banishemente of all detractours and slaunderers A rare vertue is it assuredly for a man not to accompte of that euil that he well knoweth to haue been spoken behinde hym but a greate note of temperancie is it not to waxe or bilius or angrie for the iniurie that is dooen vs in our presence and openly Of what countrie Pilate was and how he died as also of a riuer so called and of the propertie of thesame and finally of a certain caue or denne in Dalmacia Chap. 2. PIlate of all the iudges that euer wer or shall be the moste detestable and accurst was a Frēche manne borne and of the Citie of Lions how bee it diuers of the saied countrie deny it saiyng that this name Poncius descended out of a certain familie in Italie from Poncius Freneus I meane capitain of the Samnites which also did to slight and vanqnished the Romaines Whiche howe so euer it was this Pilate either for the onely respecte of his personage either in consideration of the familie whence he issued aspired to moste honorable estate emong the Romaines and being familiarly acquainted with Tyberius successour vnto Octauian as of hym recorde bothe Iosephus and Eusebius was sente by hym in the twelueth yere of his Empire as lieutenaunt generall to the citie of Hierusalem whiche titled there hymself proctour of the Empire So gouerned Pilate then this holie citie as also all the Prouince of Iudea called Palestina He continued in this office .x. full yeres in the seuenth of whiche whiche was the .xviij. of the Emperours raigne as accompte Beda and Euseblus he gaue sentence of death against the sauiour and redemer of mankinde our Lorde and maker Iesus Christe bothe God and manne when came to passe these thynges whiche the holie Euangelistes remember vs of in his death and passion whose resurrection was suche and so manifest in Hierusalem although thei laboured what in them was to obscure it that it was well perceiued of Pilate were he though a wretche of all others moste impious that this resurrection and other miracles wrought by Christ were not by man doen but by God onely For whiche cause as recordeth Paulus Orosius Eusebius and Tertulian in his Apologies he aduertised the Emperour at length of the matter for it was the maner that the Consuls and Proconsuls should continually write to the Senate at leaste or to the Emperour of all matters whatsoeuer with in the compasse of their Prouince or territorie These nouelties then muche troubled Tiberius whiche without staie communicated them to his Lordes of the Senate aduisyng hym with them whether it were expediente to honour and adore this Prophete for a god Whiche he for this cause onely did for that without
notwithstandyng for his vertue and honestie was assigned by the Romaines their soueraigne and Emperour and afterward to giue example to others of lowe condition he caused the Shoppe to bée doen about with Marble curiously cutte where his father before hym wrought to gette his liuyng Neither asspired this Elius issued of base parentage vnto the Empire onely for Diocletian that so muche adorned Rome with his magnificall and triumphaunte victories was the soonne of none other then a common Scribe or Notarie some faie that his father was a booke binder and hymself a bonde man borne Valentinian was also crouned Emperour but was the soonne notwithstandyng of a Roper The Emperour Probus had to father a gardiner The renoumed Aurelius whom euery age honoureth issued out of so obseure a familie that the historiegriphers lesse agrée emong theim selues of his spryng and beginnyng Maximinus also was the soonne of a Smithe or as others some will a Carter Marcus Iulius Lucinus as also Bonosus by their prudente policie gouerned the saied Empire of whiche the firste was an housband mannes soonne of Dacia the other the soonne of a poore and stipendarie schoole maister Of this sorte was there many other Emperours in Rome whom all for breuities sake I leaue to remember as Mauricius Iustinus predecessour to Iustinian Galeâ—…s also in the beginnyng a Shepherde From this haute and supreme dignitie let vs descende to the â—…a of Rome vnto which asspired men of like condition with the others As Pope Ihon the twoo and twenteth whiche was the soonne of a Shoomaker a Frenche man borne â–ª notwithstandyng for his learnyng and wisedome elected bishoppe which increased their rentes and patrimonie busily Pope Nicholas the fifte hauyng the name tofore of Thâ—mas was the soonne of a poore Pâ—… Pâ—pâ— â–ª Sâ—… â—…he fowerth first called Frances by professioÌ„ a frier had to father a poore sea man or mariner I could in this place remeÌ„ber many others whoÌ„ al of purpose I leaue to name for that suche offices are lesse due to nobilitie of blood but rather to the learned vertues what so euer Whereof Christ himself hath left vs good exaÌ„ple for the first that euer satte in that chaire whom also Christ himself there placed was that good and true pastour S. Peter which before laboured the seas for his liuyng a Fisher whom from thence Christ elected to bée a fisher of men Hence descendyng againe vnto kynges and Princes the Romaines to them chose Tarquinius Priscus for their kyng the soonne of a straunger and marchaunte of Corinthe and that which more was banished out of his countrie who neuer the lesse augmented the confines of his king dome the number as well of Senatours as also theim of the order of knighthoode he appoincted newe estates bothe for their seruice and ceremonies to the goddes so that the people nothyng at all repented theim to haue chosen them a straunger for their kyng and soueraigne Seruius Tullius liued also longe tyme kyng of Rome he obtained greate victories and triumphed thrée tymes reputed notwithstandyng to bée the soonne of a poore bonde woman whence he continually held the name of Seruius The kynges of Lumbardie if thei were not so aunciente as the others of Rome yet were thei in respecte no lesse famous then thei The thirde of whiche hauyng to name Lamusius was the sonne of a beggerly and common strumpette whiche also beyng deliuered at the same tyme of twoo other childreÌ„ as a moste wretched and beastly woman threwe them into a depe and stinkyng ditche in whiche also was some kinde of water by happe kyng Agelmonde passyng that waie found this childe almoste drouned in the water and mouyng hym soughtly with the ende of his launce whiche he at that tyme had presente there in hande to the ende he more perfectely might féele what it was but this childe euen then newely borne féelyng it self touched taketh hold of the launce with one of his handes not lettyng it to slippe or slide froÌ„ him againe whiche thing the prince consideryng all amased at the straunge force of this yonge little creature caused it to bée taken thence and carefully to bée fostered and for that the place where he founde it was called Lama he did hym thence to bée named Lamusius whiche afterwardes was suche a one and so fauoured of Fortune that in the ende he was crouned kyng of the Lumbardes who liued there in honour and his succession after hym euen vntill the tyme of the vnfortunate kyng Albouine when all came to ruine subuersion and destruction An other matter like straunge to this happened in Bohemia where as one Primislas the soonne of a Plough manne was then chosen kyng when he moste busily was labouryng the soile in the fielde For at that tyme the Bohemians not knowyng whom thei might chuse for their kyng did to passe out a horse vnbridled into the fieldes lettyng hym to go whether it best liked him hauing all determined with moste assured purpose to make him their king before whoÌ„ this horse arrested so came it theÌ„ to passe that the horse first staied hym before this Primislas busied then in turnyng the gleabe a simple Carter so beyng forthwith confirmed as is before their soueraigne he ordered hym self and his kyngdome very wisely He ordained many good and profitable lawes he coÌ„passed the citie of Prage with walles besides many other thynges merityng perpetuall laude and commendation The greate Tamburlaine also whose famous exploites are of parte aboue remeÌ„bred was at the first a Shepherde as we before rehearsed The valiaunte and vertuous capitaine father of Frances Sforca whose succession and posteritie euen vntill this our tyme haue béen Dukes continually of Millaine was borne in a badde village called Cotignoll the sonne of a poore and nedie worke man but he naturally inclined to Martiall affaires of a valiaunt harte very couragious left that his fathers simple vocation folowyng a troope of soldiars whiche past through the couÌ„trie and in th' ende by continuaunce and skilfull practise proued a moste famous and renoumed capitain C. Marius a Consull Romaine issued of simple parentage borne in the village Arpinum was neuer the lesse suche and so politike a capitaine that all the worlde yet speaketh this daie of his valiauncie he seuen tymes was chosen Consull in Rome duryng whiche tyme he obtained suche and so greate victories that he also twise to his perpetuall honour and commendation triumphed M. T. Cicero the father and prince of Latine eloquencie well skilled also in euery the Sciences was Consull in Rome and Proconsul in Asia and yet was he also borne in a simple cotage in Arpinum by birthe and parentage a very meane and abiecte Romaine Ventidius also the soonne of a moste simple and abiecte personage was some tymes by profession a Muletour but leauyng that vocation followed the warres of Caesar by whose fauor he obtained through his prowes and vertue that he shortly was appoincted capitaine of a bande and
after that againe vnder him generall of the whole armie and from thence was called to the honour of a bishoppe and in fine from thence mounted to the estate of a Consull who wagyng battaile with the Parthians triumphantly conquered them and was the first that euer apparantly and throughly quailed their courages It should also be long in this place to remember all those that issuyng from obscure race or parentage haue notwithstandyng by their excellencie in learning béen aduaūced to greate estimation and honour Virgill was the soonne of none other then a Potter yet aspired he to be called the beste Poete emong the Latines Horace in myne opinion excelled in poetrie no Prince of birthe but muche like vnto the others Eustatius and Pāpinus were the soonnes of twoo that had been bondinen but bothe manumitted Theophrastus the Philosopher had to father a badde Tailer or Bodger Menedemus also to whom for his singuler learnyng the Athenians erected a sumptuous Image was the sonne of a poore artificer Besides these we reade of infinite others whom all I passe as a thing moste assured and euidente By these examples it now thus lieth manifeste that of what estate so euer or condition manne be borne he maie if he will attaine some tyme to honor so that he walke still in the pathe of vertue whiche onely is acquired by incessaunte paine and diligencie with a finall consideration of heauen our wished citie for who so other wise dooeth if he in deede mighte possiblie conquere the whole the wide and the waste worlde what aduauntage should he haue for the same to loose the soule after this life transitorie Of the opinion that the olde Romaines and other auncient countries had of fortune and how they plast her in the number of their Gods in what forme or figure they also depainted her and finally that there is no fortune at all among the Christians attributyng the cause of all thinges vnto god Chap. 19. FOR as muche as we haue some thing writtē of the instabilitie of the world and that by sundrie examples of sundry worthy and famous personages that which euery of them attributed falsly vnto fortune reason would now that we also in this place speake some what of that whiche the Gentiles and Heathens haue immagined of this vanitie in fine concludyng as is our promis with the Christians Among others many and shamefull errors which the olde sages and wise philosophers haue built vppon mans onely and sole obseruation not feeling at all of that true and heauenly wisedome this was the chéefe and principall occasion for that not vnderstandyng the causes whence these effectes proceaded as also not why they were or who ordained theim sundrie of theim termed theim the verie workes of fortune as all soodden aduentures thinges I meane some times lesse desired or thought on neither haue thei yet staied there but fortune not beyng any other thinge then a plaine imagination voide as well of al quantitie as of substaunce or qualitie haue déemed her to bee some celestiall or diuine nature some mistris of much might and perticuler Goddesse vnto whom they attributed what so chaūsed in mans life were it without respect in thinges prosperous or aduersitie They supposed her to gouerne or to holde in hande the bridle of what so happened to vs ether fortunate or contrarie and so is this follie now growen to this point that Virgill feareth not to name her omnipotent and almightie and Cicero in his offices blustreth out in this sorte Who is he that féeleth not the arme of fortune to be right strōg and mightie of equall powre and force both in good and euell for if she vouchsafe to assiste vs with her prosperous winde then mount we on high to the toppe of our desires but if it contrarie then liue we afflicted in miserable extremitie Salust a learned and eloquent historiogripher saieth that fortune is maistris and lady ouer all thinges With theim also accordeth Iuuenal in these wordes if fortune will of a simple aduocate thou shalt be made a Consull if the same againe so please from the estate of a Consull thou shalt fall doune to that of a poore and néedy aduocat in suche sorte that they attributed all puissance vnto fortune And yet merueilous is it to sée how that beyng of this opiniō thei so commonly and vnfrendly blasphemed still against her terming her by names and Epithitons vnkinde exilyng far frō al reuerence far also from al honour Plinie saieth that through out the whole world in all places and at all houres and by all men of what degree so euer onely fortune she alone is called on she is desired she is accused she is pursued with enmitie and malice on her alone all men thinke she onely is praised she onely is blamed she onely is charged with iniuries and reproches she onely is honoured she onely estemed she onely is reputed for vncertaine and mutable of many she is accōpted blinde and instable inconstant fickle still chaungyng and variable and commonly to the lesse worthy very large fauourable The causes to her we attribute of our expenses and receptes and in all oure accomptes or like busines to be doen she holdeth still the one side and the other of our booke in such sorte that we be of condition so seruile that this monster of vs is adored for a God and so by this meane would God to be vncertaine Hetherto Plinie Our ancestours framed to her sundry kindes of Images I meane of straunge and diuers figures accordyng to the diuersitie of effectes that they imagined to be in her When they would attribute to her the cause of anie victory they depainted her in valiaunt shape fearce stoute and manly hauyng a temple perticularlie dedicated vnto mightie fortune whiche as supposeth Liuie was builte by the Consul Camillus with the praie and spoiles he gotte at the ouerthrowe of the Hetruscians where in prosis of time afterwardes it also was ordeined that her feast should there be celebrated the fiue and twenteth continually of Iune of parte for that Hasdrubal was on that daie vanquished by the Romaines as also the same daie Massinissa their frende conquired in like sort kyng Syphax of Numidia Besides this an other Temple was dedicated to her by the Romaines twoo little miles or there aboute from Rome where she was purtraied in shape like a womā for that in that same place Coriolanus comyng in armes against his countrie was wonne by the humble sute and intreatie of his mother so that in fine hee returned and perdoned the Citie whiche of purpose he came to sacke to burne and to destroie And in this shape of a woman purtraied there in an Image some accursed sprite or deuill by gile streight entered whiche often tymes thence spake reputed for an oracle The thirde temple also had thei dedicated to ill fortune at whiche tyme thei so blinded were in that their fonde deuotion that they supposed all thinges should
of that citie Whiche neuer the lesse was restored againe by the Emperour Domitian who euery where and in all countries made diligent searche for bookes causing with the same that famous library in Grece to be trasported and brought from thēce vnto Rome whence it is euident that al Ptolomies librarie was not there consumed as we before saide it to bee with fier for that some parte of it was now cōueighed to Rome Farther Paulus Orosius geueth vs to thincke that it throwly in deede was not brunt and consumed when he saith that there were burned only four hundred thousand for that the number of bookes there as we reade in others was no lesse then seuen hundred thousande so that wee may conclude thre hundred thousand to be saued how be it diuers histories passe this in such sorte as if none had been reserued from the rage of the fier But to retourne to the library of Rome the saide Paulus Orosius saieth that in the daies of the Emperour Commodus this saide library was once againe burned and that Gordian as the others to repaire it gathered againe fiftie two thousande volumes whiche all as some reporte were geuen hym by the testamēt of Seranus Samoniquus whose thei first were as hath Iulius Capitolinus Besides these were many others both noble and riche libraries gathered by our elders as well priuate and meane menne as greate Lordes and Princes The firste library that euer was knowen among the Christians was that as recordeth Esidorus of Panphilius the Martir whose life is at large writtē by Eusebius in whose studie after his death were founde thirtie thousande diuers volumes One common vsage or custome was ordinary in the olde age to weete that they had in their secret Cabinetes or Studies the perfect Image and purtraite of all suche as had in anie sorte excelled in learnyng Plinie writeth that Marcus Varro beyng yet then liuyng merited for hys rare vertue and knowledge in good letters that hys Image shoulde haue place in the library of Asinius Polion Cicero wrote to Fabian that hee shoulde prouide hym of some purtraites the better to adorne and beautifie hys study Plinie the yonger writing to Iulius Seuerus saieth that Ere Seuerus a man verie well lettered would order in his studie among other his purtraites the Images of Cornelius and Titus Arius Of these thinges finde wee euerie where sufficient and good proofe whose libraries as also those of other learned men and greate Princes whiche after in successe and processe of tyme followed were destroied and defaced by the Gothee and Vandales vntill now that in our tyme by the greate bounty of God infinite are founde both studious and learned that haue gathered together houge heapes of bookes though not in deede the tenth parte of these aboue remembred by our ancestours And assuredly a greate nōber of those whiche from their tyme vntill now haue been carefully preserued founde neuer the lesse ill written lesse perfect and incorrected in suche sorte that had it not been for the grerte paines of certaine worthy personages hardlie had they euer been brought to any kinde of perfection ¶ Of the amitie and enmitie of sundrie thinges issuyng by priuie hidden and secrete proprieties Chap. 4. THe aunciente philosopher Heraclitus as also others some after hym helde and maintained in their disputations this opinion that eche thyng had his firste cause or beginnyng by concorde and discorde by peace and enmitie whiche is in all thynges of what kinde soeuer whence also issued the generation and corruption of them on whiche poinct of Philosophie I lesse mynde here to dwell of parte for that it is bothe intricate and difficill of parte also for that the reader in my phantasie shall thence reape as little fruicte as he shall conceiue pleasure Notwithstādyng we shall some what saie of the secrete loue and hatered whiche naturally is in many thynges whiche whence or how it cometh no manne directly knoweth and is therefore assuredly no lesse straunge then marueilous As first of all the enmitie betwixte the Dogge and the Catte betwixte Oile and Pitche the Harte and the Serpente with many suche others whiche in suche sorte malice and enuie eche the other this secrete rancor of no parte proceading from th'elementes for the difference or contrarietie in thynges mixte or compounde is to all men aperte and euident as wee sée The water first disaccordeth as of nature contrary with the fire for that the fire is hotte and drie but the water contrary these elementeseche to other opposite and repugnaunte The water and the yearth accorde well together but in this respect onely that thei bothe bee colde in the other that one beyng moiste that other drie eche here leaueth the other as his auncient enemie Betwixt the fire and the yearth there is a conformitie to wéete in that thei bothe be drie a contrarietie againe euen betwene theim bothe dwelleth the fire hoate that other colde So that as these elementes of parte agrée together so also disagrée thei of parte as is euidente All thynges then what so euer are caused of these elementes must be subiecte of necessitieto these contrary qualities whiche bee in these elementes whence thei mixte are and compounded Wherfore that thyng in whiche ruleth moste some elementarie qualitie boroweth his name of the saied qualitie and so wée saie it to bée either hoate colde moiste or drie some in more high degrée then others accordyng to the predominant force in any these elementes And this these bodies contrary either to other are the onely and sole causes of contrary effectes so that whence this discrepante or different nature in thynges is is now manifeste and nedeth no farther explication But this other enmitie that proceadeth not from any the elementes but rather from some hidden proprietie or secrete influence to find the true cause and occasion thereof would aske more earneste studie and longer contremplation The Dogge and Catte as is aboue saied eche hateth other neither knowe we the cause why Other creatures also sée wée that mutually are affectioned either to other neither issueth this their loue from any the elementes whereof thei are composed The Asse eateth Fenell gyante or otherwise Sagapene whiche in Latine maie also be called ferula and findeth it bothe good and toothsome whiche to all other beastes of Horse kinde is a very starcke and plain poison The Fox ioieth and liketh of the Serpent whiche neuer the lesse enuieth all other beastes what so euer Neither is this lesse to be meruailed emong men then also emong any other creatures for that man neither knowyng why ne yet for what cause eftsones at the firste sighte when he shall méete an other neuer hauyng before or seen or knowen hym will notwithstandyng disdaine and hate hym and immediatly findyng againe the second no lesse straunge to hym then the first will well conceiue of hym loue and like hym and that whiche more is sometyme will bothe honour and reuerence hym yea though he
scatteryngly a loofe and farre of followed hym Whiche thyng Elanicus perceiuyng and thinkyng that occasion was then well offered not giuyng the signe betwixt them appoincted lifted vp his handes to the heauēs and with a loude voice said what longer abide you ye valiaunte and couragious Why shewe you not your prowes in the middle here of your Citée Then Cilon immediately draweth out his sworde and slue one of theim that in haste was come to waite on the tyranne out of the palace And on the other side Aristotimes seyng bothe Trasibolus and Lampidus assailyng hym and supposyng to escape theim fled to the Temple of Iupiter where he was slaine by the multitude pursuyug hym and his bodie drawen out thence in the sight of all men libertie beyng proclaimed throughout the whole Citee The multitude in heapes incontinently then assēbled but fewe yet came to see or behold that lothsome carrion before these women were deliuered whiche hastenyng to that place ioiously honoured them that by the death of the tyrāne had deliuered their countrie In the meane tyme the people running in hast to the palace where the Queene aduertised of the death of her housebande dreadyng muche that whiche in déede insued lockte her self vp in her closet secretly where she strangeled herself without the helpyng hande of any Now had this tyranne twoo very faire doughters bothe of ripe yeres and readie to bee married whiche vnderstādyng of the faule of their father withdrewe theimselues in all haste aparte into their cabinette whence thei incontinentely were drawen out by force of the people and diuers readie violently and without more to haue slaine theim Megestena with the reste of the imprisoned women skilfully appeased that their ragyng furie hesechyng theim to abstaine from the yonge gentle women consideryng the tyranne though other wise fell and cruell had neuer yet thei all beyng his prisoners imbrued hymself in the bloud of any one of thē At the request thē of these dames eche weight was sone appeased whiche after cōsultation resolued on this poinct that with their owne handes thei should doe themselues to dye chusyng what death so euer was to theim beste likyng Then were thei bothe shutte into a chamber togither the elder neither in gesture nor in woorde shewyng any kinde of sorrowe tooke from her waste her girdle fastenyng it to a poaste and beyng readie therein to dye exhorted her sister with manly courage to doe also the semblable but the yongest then taking her sister by the hande besought her moste humblie that she might dye first to whom the other aunswered euen as since our cradles hauyng still liued and continued togither I neuer yet denied you any your demaunde so am I contented to accorde you againe this your laste and fatall sute whiche is that I liue vntill you bee dedde although of all others this assuredly will goe nighest me to see thee myne owne sister to bee strangled here before me Now tooke then the youngest in hande her girdle whiche with trēblyng fingers moste pitifully she knotted the other aduisyng her well to fasten it aboute her necke that she more quickly and more easily might paie the tribute due vnto nature ▪ which she sone after her fare well giuen to her sister dolefullie accomplished When she now was this paste and gone the other stretched foorthe her bodie in moste reuerent maner possible semblablie coueryng it as appertaineth to the dedde After which she tourneth about to Megestena moste humblie intreatyng her that after her death she would not permitte her bodie to lie naked on the yearth whiche her requeste being easily graunted she tourning strangleth herself in the same girdle of her sister ¶ Why and for what causes men rarely aspire to the assured perfection of thynges in this life Chapt. 9. FIue principall thynges are there that distourne manne from the ripe and mature cognition of thynges in this life whiche if he well knewe he then might repute himself for perfecte and wise The firste is the ignorauncie or not knowyng of his ende to wette his not knowyng to what ende he is borne For assuredly if he well knewe it he would no thyng lesse pain hym self to attaine there vnto then he presently doeth to aspire to pompe and honour in whiche appetite rulyng hym his onely felicitie semeth to consiste But in this case I maie compare manne to a kynges soonne in his infancie of whom if you will aske whiche he loueth better the succession of a kyngdome or els an aple or a cherie whiche presently you shall offer hym it maie not bee doubted but he will refuse to bee kyng to plaie with or tast of the aple or cherie and that for that tofore he percase thereof hath tasted So fareth it with manne who if he be demaunded whiche he moste affecteth or riches or learnyng he at firste will desire to be maister of money ignoraunt and lesse wetyng that the learned onely and he alone is riche and father that it also is necessarie that the sage still order and gouerne his countrie and that also without knowledge honour is not honoured but rather becometh a note of ignominie and slaūder and that greate wealthe also without good letters is the true pathe to senslis brutalitie the roote of presumption and accomplishemente of rusticitie but the wise sufficeth to directe hymself and others posseste of these threasures that neuer maie faile hym But this all happeneth vnto manne for not knowyng to what ende he is borne The second is the immoderate vse of pleasures of the minde as well as also of the bodie whiche bothe annoye and droune no lesse the exteriour motions to vertue then the interiour also and these of the spirite So that manne so folded in the filthe of this worlde maie well bee resembled to the doughter of a Prince faire and beautifull to whom also appertained after her father the kyngdome but for hauyng committed fornication with a bond man deformed and odious is depriued thereof to her eternall infamie The thirde issueth of the euill disposition in mānes bodie whence manne of learnyng and good letters for the moste parte is incapable and this some tymes is caused by the place of his birthe whence he taketh to be of an imperfecte and impure complexion as in certaine countries in the East where as in partes of Africa men are borne so senslis and bestiall by meane of the extremitie of heate in these soiles that thei liue as brute beastes incapable of reason and on the other side in the coūtries Septentrionall or Northe in other some places by extreame coldnes are menne borne so wilde and sauage that some of them refuse not to feede on mannes fleshe suche are the Gothes and Ostrogothes with others And these people maie be compared to an Egle in whose foote there is fastened a stone of some waight whiche letteth her there to flie where by nature she desireth to wete aboue the cloudes in the supreme and higheste region of the aire
the Scriptures in all thinges by that reason then that it is prohibeted in the one it also is prohibited and forbidden in the other By the lawe of reason it also is prohibited for whatsoeuer is contrarie or repugnant to naturall equitie is by the lawe of reason also prohibited whiche reason standeth grounded on naturall equitie and natural equitie willeth that the same that cōmitteth the crime should for the same crime also be punished the innocente not hurte or annoied in any thing but the contrarie is ofttymes séen and knowen in this case Againe naturall reason on whiche is grounded as we haue saide the staie of man laboureth chifely for the preseruation and augmentation of man kinde but by this policie the destruction and diminution of manne kinde is hastened this policie therefore exileth from naturall reason And surely no thing maie be farther of frō loue or naturall reason then is this vniust practise of the cumbate for therin are permitted men to murther each the other for whom our sauiour paide that inestimable price of his death and bloodshedde Also in this sorte may we argue againste it no man ought to purchase to hymselfe honour or profite by the detriment of an other or this no man ought to wishe to an other that whiche hée coulde not be contented to wishe to hymselfe but in the cumbate is euident both the one and the other for that who so demaundeth it searcheth his owne glorie by the ignomious deprauation and detrimente of an other to wete of hym against whō he fighteth his neighbour and wisheth also to hym that whiche he in déede lesse would to hymselfe I meane both to subdue and kill hym The cumbate is therefore vtterly to bee refused Out of the Ciuill law we also in this sorte maie argue the law prohibiteth euery acte by which iustice either is or maie bedenied to any but in this case it eftsones is denied to the innocēt for he falleth in the listes his aduersary triumpheth by the saide lawe therefore it cometh to be denied Of the greate constancie of the Aritafila with her honest policie and deliuerie of her Countrie Chap. 11. THe constancie of the noble Aritafila of Cyrena meriteth to be spoken of in al tymes and ages The doughter was she of Eglator and wife to Fedim whiche in noblelesse and wealth was reputed for one of the worthiest in that Citie she also in beautie no lesse excelled then she did in witte with a merueilous facilitie and swetnes in talke It chaunsed nowe that Nicocrate cruelly and tyrannously oppressing the countrie had doen to death diuers honest Citisens and among others his execrable and intollerable villanies hee also executed Melnaipus Apollo his préeste to th' intente him selfe might vsurpe the office sacerdotall Shortly after by dishoneste gyle he did Fedim also to die the huseband of Aretafila takyng her to wife by force and against her will not leauyng from tyme tyme to abuse the poore Citisens waxing euery daie more fell and more cruel then other so that on a time in his rage and furie he blooddely flewe a greate number in one instant and for that the vsage was to burie theim without the Citie was aduertised that diuers liuyng were noised to haue been of the nūber slaine to the intent thei might be carted out of the towne among the deade so to eskape his impacable malice by meanes whereof he sente a greate troope of his Souldiars immediatly in all haste to kepe the gates which with long weapons and péekes of Iron redde hoate with the fire punchte and pearste all that past theim in moste vnreuerent maner by that meanes to make proofe whether any there liued or not These thinges displeased muche Aretafila his wife whiche moued to greate compassion through the loue she bare to her countrie besides that she hated hym for his tyranny executed against her best beloued Fedim determined in fine to hassarde her life to bereue the tyranne if it were possible of his And although Nicocrate most ardently loued her not leauing any paine to please and contente her yet coulde hee not for all that alter her honorable determination so that when all the other Citisens through the greate force of the tyranne were all in dispaire of fréedome or libertie she alone still continued in assured hope and confidence by some meane to dispatche him and to deliuer her countrie For the more assured performance of this her determination she calleth to memorie the noble valiauncie of Ferea that renoumed Thebane whose courage vertue she determined in the accomplishemēt of this so greate and weaghtie a matter to imitate and followe and for that she had none assistantes as had the other many she resolued to impoison hym in cloase and secrette maner by meanes whereof her selfe was in greate daunger of death as shall bee here after saide for that she eftsones failed with such conuenient oportunitie to minister her potions as her selfe still desired and at last suspected and taken with the maner was not able to excuse her selfe with manifeste proofes conuicted of that folly Whence Caluia the mother of the tyranne whiche more then fatally hated her and as a woman of fell and mearciles courage perswaded with her soonne to execute her in most shearpe and cruell maner But the greate loue that Nicocrate baere her with her assured constancie and valiant courage on the other side aunsweryng so wisely to euery her accusers caused that her death was not hastely pursued howbeit after long and many examinations beyng moste plainly and apertly conuicted not able to excuse her selfe but that she had prouided it in the presence of the iudges she boldly saide this much I confesse my Lorde and husebande that this drincke by me was and by none other prouided of purpose to haue geuen or bestowed it on you but not that I euer thought or in any wise knew that it was either noisome or venemous but continually I supposed it to be a confection amorous for seyng that I was enuied of sundrie Ladies and gentlewemen especially for that it pleased you so well to thincke of me as also for that they see me aduaunced in honour aboue theim and doubtyng leaste they might allure you by some meanes also to fauour theim I prouided this potion to increase and continue your good affection towardes me Wherefore if I any thing haue herein offended surely I ought not in trothe to bee punished for that onely loue to attempte it and no thing els hath moued me and not as some would or malice or rancour and yet neuer the lesse if I must be punished death haue I not deserued as an impoisoner but as a woman that through to muche loue haue deuised inchauntmentes or licours amatory to force her husebande no lesse to loue her then she bothe hath and doeth loue hym Thus she with a sober countenance and like grace in defence of her selfe semed of parte to haue satisfied and contented the tyranne
wherefore he would not that she should in any wise bee doone to death but commaunded that she should bee laide on the racke where through tormente she might aunswere a truthe to eache demaunde Caluia now prouided with diligence the rancke doyng her to be tormented in moste cruell maner besides that her selfe also in person leafte not to plaie her parte therein vntill at the laste she was as werie as was possible for her to be How be it Aretafilia confeste no thing at all by meanes whereof she was in the ende deliuered and receaued as inculpable by the tyranne Nicocrate which sorrowed mearueilously for that he had doone her in suche sorte to betormented and beyng vanquished with loue practised with giftes and iuels to reconcile her againe vnto hym But she as a wise and prudent dame fained that she could not but loue hym continually but hauyng laide vp in her bosome the memory of these tormeÌ„tes attended the time onely and place to auenge her and whilste she often tymes deuised with her self how she best might accoÌ„plishe it beholde this occasion in happie time offereth it selfe She had by Fedim a doughter of rare and excellent beautie vertuous with the same and verie well nurtered as also Nicocrate a brother that hight Leander yong and dissolute hauntyng in euerie corner the companie of women whom notwithstandyng to acquainte with this her doughter in secreate cloase meane she labored continually in suche sorte that by inchauntmentes and other pretie confections whiche had been for the more spedie accomplishment hereof taught her she easely constrained him to loue and like her principallie for that the maide was by her mother tofore instructed to shew him what in her was al notes of loue and loialtie After this she so wrought here in tha Leander besought his brother to geue him this maide for wife and companion in â—ead whiche he easely obtained by the consente of Aretafila This marriage now solemnised Leander that loued beyonde measure this yong dame neuer had his fil or was satisffied in disportyng with her wherfore on a night by the counsell of her mother she perswaded with hym to procure the death of his brother to attempte and take in hande a matter so honorable as was that by his death to deliuer his couÌ„trie from tyranny And farther she added that he might be assured that the Citisens in recompence thereof would chuse hym for their Kinge besides that if he did it not if happely his brother by some other meanes were slaine which was impossible for him long to eskape that his life also then coulde not be but in hassarde laiyng euidently before him by manifest exaÌ„ples the execrable and barbarus crueltie of his brother which onely depriued not the Citisens of their libertie but also him that was his naturall brother and that this is true saide she consider that it was not in thy choise to take to thee a wife but that thou first must become a long and humble sutor Leander theÌ„ at the perswasion of his wife at that instante resolued to conspire the tirannes death especially vnderstandyng that it well pleased Aretafila Wherefore breakyng and impartyng with Dannides his moste trustie and assured frende did by his helpe and aduise therein so muche that he shortely after had slaine hym hymselfe crouned king and Prince of the countrie whence he streight grewe to be of suche puissant aucthority that he by little and little contemned Aretafila and her couÌ„sels so that he rather made it euident vnto all the worlde that he was an homicide and murtherer of hys brother and not a conspirer of the death and fall of the tyranne for continually he gouerned the people with iniustice although hee yet againe afterwarde somwhat beganne to reuerence and honour his mother in lawe Wherfore preuely by letters and messengers sent him she perswaded with Anabe a Lybian borne a capitaine couragious and verie fortunate seiyng that she had not yet deliuered her countrie from tyranny mindyng also to dispatche hym as the other to enter in armes on the territories of Leander whiche he did and being entered with his whole armie she calleth Leander and immediatly telleth him that neither were his capitaines equall either in experience or prowes to these of the ennimie and that it should also lesse aduauntage hym to muche to truste or affie in his people not yet so surely planted as he supposed in that citie wherefore her aduise was that he should by all meanes labour to pacifie and appeace the wroth of Anabe promising that her self would finde some waie for hym gently and quietly to conferre at ful with hym This counsell of his mother in lawe pleased well Leander by meanes where of she laboured to bring theim both together howbeit before the time of meting appointed she sente certeine assured and secreate messengers to Anabe humbly intreatyng hym that when Leander came to hym that he either would kill hym or at the leaste retaine hym prisoner promising to requite hym therefore to his full contentation Whervnto this Lybian accorded promising most faithfully to accoÌ„plishe her demaund But Leander of nature feareful as coÌ„monly are all euerie these tyrauntes differred and prolonged from daie to daie this Parle till at length through the earnest instigatioÌ„ of Aretafila who charged him both with inconstancie and cowardise especially for that her selfe woulde goe to the ennimie with hym wente forth all vnarmed at last to mete with Anabe whom when he sawe commyng with a certeine companie with hym he arrested hym saiyng that he would go no farther but all amased with feare woulde then sende for his Garde Whence she some tymes incouraging hym some tymes also with rough wordes reprouyng hym did still her busie paine to pushe and thruste him forwardes and in fine tooke hym her selfe by the arme as well to harden hym as by force also to drawe hym till in the ende she waS come to Anabe with hym into whose handes she deliuered hym captiue and prisoner who curiously then and safely kepte hym vntill hee hadde receaued the whole summe of mony promised hym After this she returned into the Citie againe where she discloased as is aboue saide the whole order of this matter vttering euery her polices practised for the deliuerie of her countrie Which knowen this mony was immediatly gaithered and sent as was promised forth with to Anabe whiche also deliuered Leander in chaines to hys mother in lawe whom she againe committed to the keepyng of the magistrate by whose commaundement he was cloasde vppe into a greate sacke of Leather and cast into the Sea such was his endyng Caluia his mother was also burned Now all the countrie came runnyng to Aretafila and fallyng on their knees did her the greatest honour that was in anie wise possible especially for that with such and so greate hasarde of her person she had deliuered her countrie out of the handes of two tyrantes and farther in recoÌ„pence of these her demerites they