doe take my pen to write The things which did to me in sleepe appeare Which needs I must disclose tho much I feare 2 When silâ—…nt Night had couer'd with her cloke The face of Earth and euery thing sought rest Saue harmefull beasts which Nature doth prouoke To prey on weaker things my Soule opprest With heauy thoughts which banisht from my brest All pleasing and delightfull fantasies This Vision thus appear'd before mine eyes 3 A naked Damsell first appear'd whose skin With bleeding wounds ennammeld yet did show The hidden beauties that had dwelt therein She fled from one that gaue her many a blow With seuen-fold Whip whose cause and selues to know Sore did I long and with that thought opprest The wronged Wight this speech to me adrest 4 Mortall quoth she I see thou pittiest sore My wrongs but make the case thine owne And â—…rust not this falsâ—… Syren cunning whore Who bred in Heauen thence to earth thrown downe As to her prison here attempts to crowne Her selfe on Earth siâ—…ce Heauen she cannot win And robs my name that 's Vertue but is Sin 5 Trust not her painted brow her blandishment Her beauties but a vizor paisted on A cunning baite to catch th'improuident She 's vnder it an Ethiopian And tho she smoothes her wrincles all she can Shee 's filthy cruell Tygres farre more kind They feed on foes but she deuoures her friend 6 Vnder her Silke and Purple brauerie Vnpartiall eyes shall find with perfit sight Her members spotted with ranck leprosie Her fingers armed with Harpies clawes for fight And rapine clouen beast-like both her feete A Dragons tayle which venombd foynes 〈◊〉 At her fond louers in their deare embraces 7 And tho in pompe she trauell through the world And most adore her and her glittring traine Yet are both they and she fear'd and abhord By those whose perfect sight desernes the same Therefore for thine instruction will I name Briefly her equipage that thou mayst see Both what her selfe and her attendants be 8 First must I shew her Chariot and attire Wherein she makes her progresse with her traine From East to West The Seate is foule Desire The Wheeles whereon it moues are â—…ordid Gaine Selfe Loue and Vnbehefe and Pleasures vaine Her Coach-man Belzabub or Abbaddon Her Mates Megara Alecto Tisiphene 9 Her Iades thaâ—… drew her on Disdaine they be Pride Enuy Wrath Reuenge Ambition And lastly Feare and Curiositie Deceite and Lies her Lacqueys by her run Still ready for all errands After whom Come her Attendants 〈◊〉 and Dissidence Confusion and tormenting Conscience 10 Follie 's her page which still keepes Reason tide Hypocrisie's her Chaplaine who still thriues VVhile true Zeale pines Her Beadles Ease Lust Pride These from her Gates Repentance farre off driues From whence I Vertue poore these wounds deriue Lastly thou feest her brood that followeth Her Issue Famine Sicknes Warre and Death 11 This said foure Altars then she pointed me All smoking hot with Incence on the same The first to Ambition and to Crueltie Ignorance and Idolatrie retaine The second place the third of these did flame To Auarize and to Oppression last To Luxurie and Iust the fourth was plac't The Altar to AMBITION and CRVâ—…LTIE 12 And while these things she spoke me thought appear'd A horrid traine of fierce and bloody Wights Flame colour'd Robes they wore with Crimson smeâ—…rd Their dreadfull lookes euen yet my heart affrights Quoth she all these ioy'd once in dismall â—…ights And to their ends to tract a bloody way Which thus to sinne her first oblations pay 13 But to auoide prolixitie quoth she And to make vp a iust account with time Thy patience and mine owne lost libertie I wish thee note t is no intent of mine Each seuerall storie here for to designe And prosecute but onely such as be By chance most â—…buious vnto mine eie 14 Why should I point thee out accursed Caine Orth ' Hayrie Hunter with his sinew bow Or those on whom iust Ioseph did complaine That frantick faithlesse King why should I show Or 1 He that made the childrens blood streame through Iudeas streetes whyth ' sonne of 2 Gedeon Or that same 〈◊〉 cruell Absalon 15 Behold Buâ—…iris Egypts cruell King That fed with humain flesh his Horses full Three cruell 3 〈◊〉 him following 4 Numulisinthis then the Thracian Trull Then Phalleris with 's dreadfull brazen Bull. Loe 5 Pontus King and 6 Occhus false of oath Black Haniball and 7 Iuguriâ—… here be both 16 Next these obserue the Purple Persian there With Royall tyre 8 〈◊〉 is his name How strange a sacrifice the wretch doth beare To offer cruelties vnhallowed flame With him 9 Astiages and Zerxes came This millions slew to atcheiue his proud desire That cookt the children for their wofull Syre 17 Loe Tulliâ—… King Serâ—…ius gracelesse heyre Who wearie of her long-liu'd Syres delay Slew him perhaps t'anticipate a yeare Perhaps a moneth perhaps not a full day But not conâ—…ent to take his life away Most ignominiously she causde her Horse That drew her Chariot trample on his corpse 18 She shew'd me then two 11 Romans and two Greekes That with their happy regall states displeasde Halde by Ambition into straâ—…ge dislikes Made the world sicke and in their time diseasde Charen with two much labour yet appeasde Nor satisfied a iot their vaine desires Tho shedding seas of blood to quench those 〈◊〉 19 Then as they came in sight she did me show Sylla with purple face and firie eyes The plague of Pontus and Romes ouerthrow By first inducing those sad tragodies And Mâ—…rrius fear'd of friends and enemies Then 12 Caiâ—…s vile that wisht the world to slay And 13 he that slew's Mother Agrippina 20 Another 14 â—…rew she shew'd me theâ—… that seem'd To be â—…ome Kingly Romans by their weede But tyrants were or monsters righter deem'd Begot of Tigars broode or Dragons seede So many innocents they causde to bleed Of whom some offerd Armes some Feet Legs thighs Some Eares some Noses others Tongues and eyes 21 And 15 one of these she show'd me mongst the rest A Roâ—…aine Prince if true my Author tell Offring a heart with 〈◊〉 fiue imprest Which Iesus made if 〈◊〉 they did spell But surely in the Tyrants heart was Hell With dying life and liuing death who vext Those worthy seules to vertue so conext 22 Next these came one in 26 Polish weed attir'd Whom Rats and Mice had bare anatomizde Then of my faire his story I requir'd Who said 't was one that sometimes Royalizde In Pâ—…lish Throne by Poyson that surprizde His Vncles liues whose flesh by Heauens iust doome Turnd into Rats the Caitife to consume 23 Next him came one that sacrifizde to th'Ghost Of 's angry Syre the cruell 17 Amurath Then he that offerd vp that wofull Host Of Noble Grecian blood fierce 18 Mahumeth Next him Valachia's Prince that put to death So many thousand subiects seuerall waies As did great Tyrant Mahumet amaze 24 In
no Downe could please Here burning beds of Iron is your ease 112 You curious mouthes that nought but sweets could taste Whose great excesse did grutch the poore a share Which on your paunches millions carst did wast And had so many thousands still to care Onely to bring you dishes strange and rare Here Ostrich-like shall swallow in your rage Toads 〈◊〉 or Stones your hungers to asswage 113 Poena damni Then damned soules conceiue what you haue lost How faire a Citie what a Mansion Prouided for yee at anothers cost Enricht with bâ—…auty and perfâ—…ction Where 〈◊〉 cares disease or want is none But all with glorie and with wisdome shine Sustain'd and cherisht by that loue diuine 114 On earth while earst you liu'd you deemd the losse Of Paâ—…ents fauour was no little paine The losse of Kingdomes an exceeding crosse But most to loose the light and to remaine In dungeon darke This losse doth all containe I he losse of God whâ—…se bâ—…undlesse powre diuine Doth not your plagues in times or tearmes consine 115 Altho ye could like Esau melt to teares Restore like Iudas your accursed gaine Like Ahab mourne in sack cloth many yeares Altho you here could chatter like the Crane Send forth as shrill shrikes as the Pellican Tho ye could weepe whole Seas for euery sinne They 're all but lost no mercy can yee wâ—…nn 116 But here me thought I felt a sudden ioy Run through my flesh and wing my rauisht spright Feeling my selfe exempt from this anoy Full of coelestiall thoughts and rare delight Amongst the Quires of heauenly Singers sweete With which high ioyes I thinke my soule had scapt From forth her prison if I had not wakâ—… 1 Herod surnamed the Great tho valiant cruell put to death Mariamne his wife a woman both chaste and beautifull then his owne sons Alexander and Aristobulus the children of Bethlem his salse sonne Antipater the most of his friends and lastly lest he should want teares at his end gaue order for the killing of a great number shut vp in the Hippodrome Ioseph Antiq. 2 Abimelech the base sonne of Gedeon slew threescore and nine of his brethren to vsurpe Iosephus pag. 117. 3 Ptolomeus Philopater slew father mother and wife Ptolomeus Phiscon married his owne sister Cleopatra sometime the wife of their brother the King deceased whom after he cast off and married her Daughter his Neece and fearing the people should set vp his eldest sonne against him he kills him Whereupon they pull 〈◊〉 his images which he interpreting as donâ—… in fauour of his sister kills also his 〈◊〉 that he had by her sending his hands and feete in a chest as a present to her the day of his birth Iustine lib. 38. Ptolomeus Ceraunos the brother of Lisimachus King of Macedon hauing rescued Queene Arsinoe hiâ—… owne sister from Antigonus who slew her husband and besieged her in the Citie Cassandria affecting the Kingdome made suit to his sister for marriage hauing no other meanes to get the possession of her and her children but his intentions being suspected by her hee sweares by the Altars and the Gods that he meant to make her son King Ouercome she yeelds marries him inuites him to her Citie which he hauing seized presently causes her children to be slaine euen in the lap of their sorrowfull mother and exiles her selfe Iustin. lib. 24. 4 Numulesinthis caused the parents feede vpon their children Valerius Maximus lib. 9. cap. 2. 5 Mithridates slew seuentie thousand Roman Merchants in one day in time of peace Plutarch 6 Occhus called Darius hauing bound himselfâ—… by oath not to kill any of the conspiracie of the Magi by Sword Poyson Famine or any force deuised a morâ—… cruell way for them and as hee thought without infringing his oath he fills a great deepe roome with Ashes vp to the top and ouer the same vpon a rafter places these men giuing them good cheare wherewith being brought into a dead sleepe they fall into this pit-sall Val. Max. Ctesias saith Ochus vsed his brother Secundianus so but this Ochus was long after Darius the sonne of Histaspis that supprest the Magi. 7 Iugurth the sonne of Masthanaball the Base son of Masinissa was brought vp by his Vncle Micipsa the lawfull sonne of the said Masinissa King of Numidia who at his death made him co-heyre with his owne sons Adherball and Hiempâ—…all hoping by that meanes to tie him by merit which was already bound by Blood and Kindred to be a stay and defendâ—…r of his children in their minoritie but Iugurth more cruell then the very Lions which acknowledge benefits after his Vncles death kills Hiempsal warres vpon Adherball and at length makes him also away but enioyes the Kingdome not long the people of Rome punishing his great impieties both with losse of Kingdome and life Salust 8 Cambises hauing sent Prexaspes one of his dearest and most trustie Friends from Memphis into Persia to make away his brother Smerdis At his returne againe after the execution demands what they say and what opinion they had of him in Persia. Prexaspes replies All well onely they thought hee loued Wine more then stood with his health With these words the Tyrant enraged causes Prexaspes sonne to stand as a marke for him to shoote at and at the first shot cloue his heart as before he said he would doe to teach Prexaspes who friendly admonisht him of his excesse that hee was not drunke Whereupon Croesus the Lidian admonishes him hee offers to shoote at him to He made warre so long in Ethiopia till his men through famine 〈◊〉 vp one another tything themselues by lots Another part of his Army sent to destroy the Temple of Ammon were all lost and ouerwhelmed with Sand none returning to bring newes what Mummey their fellowes 〈◊〉 Herodotus in his Thalia page 234 235 and 236. Seneca saith hee caused all the peoples noses of Syria to be cut off 〈◊〉 de Ira. 3. c. 20 9 Astiages being premonisht in a dreame of the translation of his Kingdome to the Persians by meanes of Cyrus his young Nephew gaue command to Herpagus one of his friends to make away the Child But Herpagus abhorring so great crueltie vsed meanes to preserue him a long time secretly til at last the King coÌ„ming to knowledge of his life safty â—…aused Herpagus for neglecting hiâ—… command to eate the flesh of his owne sonne at a supper Herodotus Clyo. pag. 84. 11 Caesar Pompey Alexander Pirrhus whose onely sinne of Ambition was the death of many millions nothing being able to satisfie an insatible mind one diggs for another world another seekes it in the Desarts of India all of them like wilde and sauage beasts enemies of humain society being broke loose run about killing and destroying others till they loose themselues 12 Caius was said to be grieued because in his time there fell no Earthquakes Famines nor Pestilences to destroy the world Hee wisht the people of Rome had but one head
shee immortall Fates I proue 27 Thirdly obserue that she and I haue then A certaine Argument which of vs two Be most benigne and kind to mortall men She Naturâ—… and I Art And lastly know The censure of our Arguments we doe Wholly referre to thine integritie To whom we equall Benefactors be 28 〈◊〉 I Great Goddesses vnworthy most Am I into your presence for to come Vnworthier alas to be your Host Being thus dispoyl'd by Fortunes angry doome Both of your benefits and of her owne But most vnworthy doubt I to appeare Iudge of so great a controuerfie here 29 But she replide Doe not disestimate Thy better tallent for thy pouertie Tho false opinion and preiudicate Of vulgar wit with dim and dropping eie Saue Fortunes sees not any Deitie We know Heauen loues the poore man many time And hates those rich whose out-sides onely shine 30 Our pleasure therefore is that thou attend To heare our Arguments with diligence Which duly heard and pondred in the end Then shalt thou sentence this our difference Giuing the Victor that preheminence The iustice of their cause deserues And streight She thus began and spake what now I write 31 The Speech of Art This Dame quoth she of Mortalls all the Mother Of all that be composde of th' Element Seemes to professe that onely Man none other Is the chiefe obiect whereto her care 's bent That he 's her Darling all things else but lent For his behoofe Now I prooue she hath been More Benefactor vnto beasts then him 32 For when she first into this Worlds light sends them She kindly sutes them new at her owne cost With clothes that can from cold and heate defend them And still repaires their liuerie hâ—…rt or lost Poore man comes naked to this fâ—…rraine coast And without helpe of Mid wiues Nurces Clothes He perishes but Beasts need none of those 33 The Foule with spread wings ore her Chickens houers Within her armes the Ape her youngling beares The Adder in her Maw her vile broode couers When'th 2 Succurathe the Hounds pursuing heares Vpon her back a tent for hers she reares That scornes the Hunter In her wondrous wombe Doth the 3 Chyarca hers as oft retombe 34 But Neptunes tributaries watry Nation T is they of men haue greatest odds in this Blest in this kind by rights of their creation VVhose industrie and care no greater is About their Spawne and breeding businesses Then in Earths wombe to couer their eiâ—…ction Then leau't to Citharea's safe protection 35 Euen to the winds and fleeting waues they throw it VVhich seuerd from them many a mile is blowne Why 's this Because their World 's their owne they know it Kind Nature tells them that they be at home Then here 's the first Sceane where her loue is showne For which from greatest bountie doth proceed VVants to supplie or take away that need 36 Long are poore men appendixes to Mothers And halfe their time in documents they spend Amongst their Nurses Schoole-masters and othâ—…rs To know wherefore they liue and to what end Long is their Seed time Haruest quickly In'd But long-liu'd beasts doe in a short time grow Fit for those ends that Nature sram'd them to 37 No weapons she to him at all assignes Neither offensiue not defensiue Armes To these she hath imparted seuerall kinds Force to repâ—…ll with force and offerd harmes Teeth Clawes Hooues Hornes Stings fit for hot alarmes And for defensiue diuers doe not want Such priuie Coates as Shot and Pikes can daunt 38 Of these 4 Niles steely sided Monster 's one The 5 Tortâ—…yse with his bullet daunting house The 6 puâ—…ple spotted yallow Champion The 7 Carry-towre that onely feares the Mouse The 8 Armadillo and the 9 Indian Boas All these in Armour well appointed goe And diuers diuersly defensed to 39 She giues the Cockatrice a killing cie 10 The subtill Hâ—…en and inchanting foote 11 The Crampfish a benumming qualitie 12 The Cuttle Inkie humors blacke as soote To die the waues while from the nets he scout The 12 Zibra venomd haires to kill her Rider The 14 Porcupine a neuer-empty Quiuer 40 She hath enstructed beasts with Physicks light The wounded Deare run streight to 15 〈◊〉 The Swallowes find out 16 Cellandine for sight The Dog in Knot-grasse finds his remedie The 17 Beares wih Aron cure there malladie 18 â—… ' 〈◊〉 knowes th' vse of letting blood 19 Tortoyce and â—…oades know Antidotes right good 41 Each one of these and thousands more are proud Of some kind benefit she hath them giu'n Onely on man she nothing hath bestow'd But tender limbes a smooth transparent skin Through which each little worme giues death to him Yea greater weaknesses in him appeares He drinkes it often through his eies and 's earâ—…s 42 Beasts be not subiect vnto griefes cares feares No future wants their present ioyes controle Blood-drying sighes nor braine consuming teares Heart-eating Enuie feedes not on their soule Not Aâ—…arice nor Pride doth them defoule Winged Ambition that enflames the breâ—…ts Of mortall men doth not disturbe their rests 43 This said in silence Art streight sat her downe To let her Riuall answere what she could So Nature rising like the morning-Sun Whose brighter beames moyst vapours ouer cloud Halfe vaylde in modest blushes long she stood At these enditements But at last she broke Her silence thus and for her selfe thus spoke Here Art seemes to conclude her first speech and giues Nature leaue to replie as followeth 44 Mortall quoth she these imputations here And foule aspersions cast on my cleare fame I truly must returne them being cleare On Art her selfe from whence at first they came T is manifeâ—…t that â—… for men ordaine One onely benefit that ballances All these that she calls disaduantages 45 Reason a heauenly gift which crownes him King Of all the Worlds so large extendâ—…d bound VVhich tho he 's borno weake wanting euery thing Aâ—…foords him all wiâ—…h friends encompast round VVhom Reason doth instruct with iudgement sound And neighbours for to helpe at such a time By charitie and mutuall loue men shine 46 When he 's growne vp this yeelds him all things fit And to him is an armour of defence What Engins doth he frame with pregnant wit Keene Swords and Speares blest guards of innocence What fiercest monster is not in suspence To see his glistering Helme or a' the report Of his fire spitting musket scuds not for 't 47 All creatures feare him as their King and Lord For of their flesh he at his choice doth feede For him fit clothing also they affoord Haire Wooll and Hide which he conuerts at neede To many an vse such as the Heauenâ—… decreed Ere their creation he should best deuise To accommodate to his necessities 48 For him the Bee makes Hony and the Ewe And gainefull Cow for him their Milke they yeeld For him the pritty Silke worme weaues her clew For him not for her selfe the Doue doth build For him the
show For benefits receiued that may require Hauing got meanes so often wisht and doe If future vse or seruice not inuite I could name thousands that expecting right And merited reward at last haue gaind Nought but disgrace or death where loue was aim'd 34 How many youthfull Heyres are to be found Altho their Syres haue toyld hard many a day And yeare for them to adde ground vnto ground And Coine to Coine that sit not downe and pray Great Iupiter to take them soone away Or Wiues that teares for dying Husbands shed That wish not pleasures new from wanton bed 35 No man by thee the honester is made These qualities vnto the soule adhere Not things We see the mightie men inuade The weaker and them grind deuoure and teare The poore are curb'd by law restraind by feare Presumpteous greatnesse acteth farre more ill Then impotencie vrg'd by want not will 36 Thou mayst affoord an honourable name But these bare shadowes without substance be T is onely vertue that acquires cleare fame Which he that wants is like a fruitlesse tree VVhere nothing else but leaues and blossoms be Or like an Apple whose exterior part Perchance seemes faire but 's rotten at the heart 37 Least needst thou boast of Valour Health or Wit Excesse corrupts the body dims the mind A thousand Feauers Gouts and Dropsies sit VVayting vpon full platters and we find An actiue soule but seldome is confind To full fed body where the mists and showres Of daily surfets suffocates her poâ—…res 38 As touching peace thou no such thing do'st giue The sting for wealth extorted feare to loose Anxietie wherein they howerly liue Still doubtfull where to leaue 't to these or those Their soules like beasts in Toyles so fast enclose That both in life and death to earth fast glew'd They make it doubtfull that no peace ensu'd 39 Now for my selfe to answer in excuse Thy false obiections whereby thou wouldst show That euery mischiefe which the times produce Proceâ—…des from me that men dishonest grow Hence onely I denie that this is so Then Fortune were a Goddesse but we see VVealth makes not worth nor want dishonestie 40 I no man dull whom Nature did not frame Of courser mould as spurâ—…es I rather scrue To prick him on by vertue to aâ—…taine Those Glories VVisdome honestie deserue And valour and what Fortune doth reserue For her owne children and to him denie To make him gaine by worth and industrie 43 Indeed I build no Cities nor proud Towres Of costly things of Treasures vaunt not I I liue in humble Cottages and Bowres In peace except I be disturbde of thee But thou art cheynd in lou'd captiuitie Most strongly gyude and all that take thy part Not loosely by the legs but by the heart 44 No rest at all thou giu'st of peace no taste Which not in outward things but in content And right religion of the soule is plaste Thy peace beaâ—…es euery hower some detriment Each losse of Office fauour suit or rent Orethrowes it quite to be in brauerie Out-shind perchance a frowne makes diuers die 45 The vanitie of which did whilome moue Those worthy Pagans most of all to prize That kind of peace my humble state doth proue And counting thee the baite of miseries Despisde thee so that Aristippus wise Threw all thy guyts i' th' sea who sure did find That they disturbde his peace and vext his mind 46 Xenocrates and diuers other moe Diogenes did wholly thee refuse Because he held thee vnto peace a foe And vertue And euen God himselfe did chuse My ranke while he did mortall body vse So did his friends and seruants both by word And by example all my praise record 47 Scarce had Penia spoke these words of ours When Oppuleâ—…ce like some great Riuer swoâ—…ne By Wintâ—…rs tempests and excessiue showres Which beares down Corne and Meadows lately moâ—…ne And mightie Woods in many ages growne Flew on Penâ—…a and her passion swellinâ—… Ore Reasons bancks was scarcely held from killing 48 But halfe her cote there from her back she tore VVhich she did chalenge to her selfe as due By rights I knew not and away thence bore As 〈◊〉 of the praise to'er conquest due And with her traine in haste away thence flew So swift that scarce mine eyes could â—…rackt her pace Returning streight vnto her natiue place 49 Long after whom Penâ—…a did not stay But followed speedily to get redresse By some petition or some other way VVith weeping cheare and hearts great pensiuenesse I loâ—…ging much to vnderstand no lesse The end then entrance to this tragedie To old Eyrema Artfull VViâ—…ch I flâ—…e 50 And her besought out of her powrefull skill To Oppulentia's Palace me to beare VVhich granted vp we flew more high then hill Higher then th'avrie dwellers euer were From whence great Cities but small Townes appeare And Mountaines Mose hills Here she made me vieâ—… Faire Belgiâ—… s rich Townes and Seeples new 51 But here she said Penia was not knowne Yet were she there the liberalitie And kind compassion should to her be showne And various waies for fruitfull industrie VVould change her Nature But from thence flew we Ouer the vast sea and the continent Through strange lands to Stambolds City went 52 Neere which she said this Opulentia boad And had for vse and ostentation raysde Ten thousand stately buildings Then she show'd When on the sight we thorowly had gazde Structures indeed deseruing to be praysde For richnesse beautie pleasure and by Art Vnseene coâ—…ueyde me through each secret part 53 There did she shew a thousand workes diuine Wrought in white Paros and red Porpherie In Golden Thebaâ—… spotted Serpeutiue Tables and Collumes throwne most curiossâ—…e Whole rooms seel'd through with sable â—…bonie And hung with Clothes from Niles blest Memphis brought Or those more faire by Virgins fingers wrought 54 Then show'd she me the Beds in-laid with Gold And some with richer Stones embellished The Sheets peâ—…fum'd with Sweets from Baâ—…tham sold The Flores with costly Carpets ouer-spred Through which into the Wardrops me she led Where Silke and Cloth for differing seasons fit In monstrous shapes beâ—…ray'd her wandring wit 55 From thence into her Cabbinet she went And show'd of Ormuz Pearles the costly Chaines The sparkling Diamonds from Caâ—…baya sent 〈◊〉 pure Gold digg'd from rich 〈◊〉 veynes Which Stella wearing Iunâ—…'s forme reteynes Then show'd she all her masks her 〈◊〉 her tyres Ruffes garteâ—…s scarfes plumes lotions pendants wires 56 Which hauing seene without the least offence Or notice taken of our being there We next obseru'd her great magnificence Her state attendants and excessiue cheare Her traines of seruants euer ready neere With huâ—…ble reuerence with cap and knee And Kookes that still deuising dishes be 57 Her Cup-boards loaden all with Red and White And all her vessells wholly of the same Loaden with dainties all that may delight Both Venson Pheasant Quaile and all else tane In Earth
the last ranke of these she show'd me more Three cruell Princes foule with Patricide A Turke a misnam'd Christian and a Moore The first most cruell 20 â—…elim full of pride Who in a cup his ag'd Sires death did hide Friends Brothers Nephews kild and th' whole world fired Like Phaeton and last by fire expired 25 The second 21 Adolphe Duke of Guelders hight Who from his seate his aged Parent drew And him imprison'd in most lothsome plight Thinking to tirehim out by meanes mis-due Whom into like extreames Heauen iustly threw And as from 's Sire hee banisht pace and rest So he a captiue liu'd and dyde distrest 26 The third of these was 2â—… Amidas the Prince Of Tunis who against his Siâ—…e did rise Tho being chiefly crusted for defence During his absence gainst his enemies Absent he takes his Crowne present his Eyes But as his Regall Sire he rob'd of sight Iust Heauen by sicknesse did himselfe benight 27 After all these she shew'd me other three Of whom the first an English habit wore Wan were his Cheekes blacke Locks a downe cast eie And Camels backe his name I sought her sore To knoâ—… but she denyde bad aske no more A thousand slaues there followed after him With bloody bowles where heads and hearts did swim 28 Next after whom a warlike Gaule there came Which in his hand a bloody brand did waue The robes he wore were scarlet dyde in graine And he himselfe like colour seemd to haue Who in so many millions blood did laue And as he wet all France with bloody showres So heauen at length his blood from each part powres 29 The third and last of all whose natiue ill And vice transcends the vice of all the rest As farre as Atlas doth the humblest Hill Or Sylons carry Towre Galwayes small beast With whom worst Kings compar'd seeme good and blest The 23 Russian Tyrant Russia's shame whose breath Did wither all things in whose name was death 30 His pleasures were not like to other mens Sweete sounds the sternest hearts sad'st soules reioyce But Musick neuer pleasde his hellish sense He neuer laught but at some dying voyce Teares sighs sobs grones to him were heauenly ioyes Who very seldome rellisht well his meate But when with blood and death he season'd it 31 If any rauisht virgin did lament Or honourd Lady forc't vnto his will Or seem'd their friends or parents discontent Toth ' stewesthey went or not content to kill He hung them ore their parents table till Their friends with their dead sauour welnigh slaine By teares and bribes got leaue to burie them 32 When people from the Temples vsde to come He vsde to loose his Beares at them in sporâ—… Delighting much to see them seale the throng With which bad pastime many perisht for 't No mercy did his anger ere consort Which 〈◊〉 Kindreds but encreast to rage Entomb'd whole Cities sparing sex nor age 33 His ministers of mirth his dearest friends His Wiues his Whores his Children were not sure The most of these he brought t'vntimely ends The instruments euen of his lusts impure The Hangmen from this Hangman 's not secure The Beares and Tygâ—…rs in their owne Whelpes ioy He worse then they his owne Sonne did destroy 34 The wondrous writing on Balthasharâ—… wall Seemes small compar'd with what to him was sent To whom from Heauen a letter downe did fall In Marble-writ whose sculpture sure was ment To him that liu'd and dyde impenitent And as he fatall was while he had breath So did his steâ—…ch in death giue others death 2. The Altar to IGNORANCE and IDOLATRY 35 These and their ceremonies scarce were past When in there came another hideous crew Which to the second Altar went in hast And on the same their seuerall Incense threw Most of them differing both in speech in hue In face and habit being seuerall Nations And some in new and some in antick fashions 36 Then here my kind Interpreter I praid T'enstruct me of this second company Who kindly granted my request and said All these brought Incense to Idolatry From euery Coast and Region farre and nigh Both old and new But since so many liue She meant of both but short accounts to giue 37 She shewd me first vpon this Altar plac't The Idols worshipt by each seuerall Nation Whereby Iehouahs worship is defac't And Stocks and Stones cut after differing fashion Men Beasts Fish Foulâ—… by vaine imagination Are deified yea Satan visibly Not plealde alone with types inuisibly 38 She nam'd 24 th' Egyptians leaders of the rest Seeking for Iâ—…is and 〈◊〉 lost And for their sacred Bull but late disseast Lamenting sore meaning to be at cost With 's Obsequies for euen those things that most Harm'd them they worshipt th' Aspe the Dragons fell Both Birds and Beasts within their Phanes did dwell 39 Th' Iehuewmon and the 25 Crocodile they fed And feeding with great humblenes ador'd And Beetles blinded Beetles they indeed That so the death of Dogs and Cats deplor'd Whose strange zeale that from 26 Onions aide implor'd Me thought now hauing found Osiris ran And sacrifiz'd thereto a 26 red hair'd man 40 The Romans here sought out their rurall Pan Ioue Saturne Hercules Mars Liber Play Mercury and two-fronted Lanus them Pallas and Iuno Veâ—…us and Flora With their blest Mother Berecinthya Chance Vesta Victory and Prâ—…ayus With thousands such to number friuolus 41 She showde me then th' old 27 Ethiâ—…pions Which Hammon sought and those oraculous trees a Diana then serued by th Ephesians And Eckrons 28 Baalzebub God of Flies 29 Sydonians busie with the mysteries Of their deare Sheepe god Astert 30 Tirians Bowing to Apollo and to 〈◊〉 Syrians 42 Then those ador'd the Sunne the fond 31 Phoenicians Here in great numbers sought their loued 32 stone So much enricht and serued by seuerall Nations Which was Piramedall form'd like a conâ—… And here the men of 33 Carras made great mone To Luna to whose Temple those ouercome By their curst wiues with offrings vsde to run 43 Next these came such whom amorous fireâ—… did moue By paires to seeke the shades and burbling streames And sacred beauties of the 34 〈◊〉 Groue Where Cypresse boughes forbid th'ennamourd beames Of glorious Phoebus in his hottest gleames To kisse their Mother-eâ—…rth or to discouer The secret ioye of any melting louer 44 Thâ—… 35 Persians here ador'd their holy Fire The Laodiceans to Minerua paide According as her cruell Rites require Yeerely oblation of a spotlesse Maide Diuers there were likewise that offerings laid To Dagoâ—… th Syren of the Phylistines But here from these she past to neerer times 45 And shew'd me first the vaine 36 Tartarians Offering vnto their felten Deiâ—…ie Mares milke and Flesh Next them the 37 Chyâ—…ians And § 〈◊〉 people of great policie Yet in Religion full of vanitie And who as'ts easiest alway to doe euill Through Ignorance giue worship to the Deuill 46 Next these came 38 Peguans as
that hee might strike it off at one blow Seneca de Ira. 13 Nero causâ—…d his Mother Agrippina to be put to death hauing first attempted it diuers waies in vaine Tacitus 14 These were the Persecutors of the Church Nero Domitian Marcus Anthonius Verus Seâ—…erus Maximine Decius Valerian Auâ—…elian Dioclesian and Maximilian Eusebiuâ—… and the Centuries 15 In Legend Aur. it is said that holy Ignatius being perswaded to renounce Christ made answere That he could not his Name was written vpon his Heart Whereupon the Tyrant caused him to be opened and found the word IESVS written therein in Golden Letters 16 King Poppeyle hauing slaine his two Uncles most cruelly is persecuted of Mice and Rats by the hand of God and hee and his Queene forc't to flie into a Towre situated in the water but thither they followed him and at last deuoured him and her no meanes being able to hinder Gods decree These Rats seemd to come forth from the Tombes and very Graues of his dead Vnkles This mans vsuall Oath was still That if I doe such or such a thing may the Rats eate me and so at length they did The place is called Rats-Tower to this day Hist. Poloniae 17 Amurath sacrifized at onâ—… time sixe hundred Souldiers that yeelded vpon faith and honest conditions to the Ghost of his dead father Calcondillius in Hist. de Imperii Graeci lapsu in Lerius 18 Mahumet hauing won Constantinople gaue himselfe to Feasts and Banquets in which for greater pompe he put to cruell deaths the most of the Grecian Nobilitie he cut off the head of Trene his fairest and best beloued Parramour with his owne hand as the onely remedie for his intemperate loue There happened to him a strange warning for his crueltie for hauing caused fiue hundred Capâ—…iues to bee slaine and their bodies dismembred and throwne about there came an Oxe rooting and lowing and with his Hornes gathered together the piâ—…ces of a Venecians body there amongst the rest which being told to Mahumet he againe commands the same body to be disperst But the Oxe againe diligently seekes out the same pieces and layes them together wherewith Mahumet being much mooued caused the dead to bee buried and giues the Oxe an allowance during life Lerius out of Chalcondilus 19 Wladus Prince of Moldauia had a great Vale in his Country full of Gibbets Wheeles and other engins whereupon there hung thirtie or fortie thousand of his owne subiects put to death by him in three yeares With which fearefull spectacle Mahumet the great Tyrant being amazed became after more gentle spying the greatnes of his owne faults in another which he could not see before in himsslfe Knowles 20 Selym the youngest of Baiazets sonnes by the fauour of the Ianizarâ—…es aspired to the Empire disceptred his old Father Baiazet and caused him to be poysoned slew his Brothers and Neâ—… put the most of his dearest Friends and Seruants to death and lastly after his victories in the East and the conquest of Egypt intending great warres against the Christians is by the hand of God stricken with a Canker or Wild-fire in his reynes that eate him vp Paulus Iouius tome 1. l. 14 and tome 2. l. 19. 21 This Adolph wearie of expecting his Fathers death tooke the Dukâ—…dome from him led him fiue Dutch mile barefoot in a cold night and imprisoned him in a darke and deepe Dungeoâ—… eight moneths in most lamentable manner but being at length compeld to bring him forth and to giue an account thereof to the Duke of Burgoyne he onely obiects that his Father had been Duke 44 yeeres therefore now high time for him to come to his Birth-right The Duke of Burgoyne at last orders the young man being his Kinsman to stand as Duke and onely one small Citie to remaine to his Father with some sixe hundred Florences the yeere during life But Adolph flatly refused to grant him this small exhibition but would hauâ—… him exiled the Countrey protesting that rather then he would condiscend to those termes he would throw his Father into a well and himselfe after Soone after the Duke of Burgoyne takes him Prisoner where hee was despightfully handled all his life and his Fâ—…ther dying disinherited him making the Duke of Burgoyne his Heire After whose death young Adolph is taken out of prison by the Ganthoyse and is slaine at the siege of Tourney Phil. Comminees l. 4. c. 1. 22 Amidas being left Gouernour of Tunis by his father Muleasses whilest he sought aide amongst the Christian Princes against Barbarussa seizes the Kingdome for himselfe and at his fathers returne puts out his eyes to disable him for gouernment and forceth him to end his dayes in miserie as a banisht man he lost his owne eyes to with diseases and enioyed his Kingdome not long Knowles 23 Iohn Basilides late Emperour of Russia did infiniâ—…ely exceed all the Tyrants and monsters of Nature that euer were His rapines his lusts his murtherâ—… cannot bee numbred It was vsuall with him for one mans offence to extirpe whole Families and Cities and many times without any occasion When the warres ceast and that he wanted captiues to exercise himselfe vpon then did he kill and massacre his Friends his Lords his Councellors his Citizens burning hanging drâ—…wning thousands of guiltlesse and innocent people Hee would looke on and see his Guard defâ—…owre thousands of his women Captiues and then cut them in pieces Embassadours were not safe with him no more were his Friends and Companions if any man won of him in play he would fall into passion and sometimes cut off their Noses and Eares If for feare they suffered him to winne then he would streight cause them to bee beaten as dull and sluggish Dolts Now if any sought by refusing to play to auoyd these two extremes those hee would greâ—…uously handle and perchance put to death as contemners of his Maiestie Vpon some reprochfull speeches giuen by an honest Matron vnto one of his whores he tooke a purpose to murther al the women of Muscho and had done it before the instant request of his owne women Of diuers Citties that he pnnished he put all the inhabitants downe through certaine holes made through the Ice into the riuers and so drowned them The warnings he had from heauen were notable Vpon a Christmas day which was faire and cleare came a sudden lightning from heauen that burnt his stately Pallace of Sloboda with much treasure and rich stuffe in the same Soone after neere the towne of Nale there fell a strange thing three men and three women going forth to gather sticks in the adioyning wood late towards euening there came this voyce into their eares without any knowne Authour Fly Muschouians with which amazed they would haue fled towards the Towne when in the instant a mightie marble stone fell downe from the heauens sent with a great clap of thunder into the Snow and seemed to be settled there in such manner as if not throwne