Earth Mankind to restâ—â— Then shall the Eastern Monarchs Presents bring To one a Priest a Prophet and a King Sybila Phrigia as most are of Opinion was no other than Cassandria Daughter to Pryam King of Troy and 〈◊〉 his Queen She foretold the destruction of Troy but was never credited but speaking nothing of our Blessed Saviour I shall pass by her Predictions though they axactly came â—o pass Sybila Tiburnia so call'd of the Riâ—er Tiber was otherwise call'd Alâ—urnia or Albania from the City Alâ—a the place of her Birth It is reâ—orted of her that the Romans goâ—â—g about to Deifie August Caesar deâ—anded her advice who after three â—ays fasting before the Alter where â—â—e Emperor was present after many â—ysterious words Miraculously spoke â—â—ncerning our Blessed Saviour upon â—e suddain the Heavens seem'd to oâ—en and Caesar saw a Beautiful Virgin standing before the Alter holding anâ— Infant in her Arms whereat affrighted he fell on his Face and heard a Voice saying This is the Alter of the Son of God in which place a Temple was after built and Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and call'd the Alter oâ— Heaven This Polichronicon Asserts and quots St. Augustine for his Authoâ— lib. 8 cap. 24. Her Predictions â—â— our Saviour were these after she haâ— recited divers wonders of the Worldâ— which I willingly omit What at these Triâ—â—es stands the World amaz'd And hath on them with Admir atiâ— Gaz'd Then Wonder when the Troubl'd 〈◊〉 apease He shall descend who made them thâ— made these Sybila Europica was so call'd 〈◊〉 that her particular Region or place 〈◊〉 Birth was not known nor is she aâ— counted amongst the Ten but addeâ— and her predictions were these VVhen the great King of all the world shall have No place on Earth by which he can be known VVhen he that comes all Mortal men to save Shall find his own life by the world o'rethrown VVhen the most Just Injustice shall deprive And the great Judge be Judged by his own Death when to Death a Death by Death hath given Then shall be op't the long shut Gates of Heaven Sybila Aegypta was likewise Added 〈◊〉 the Ten she prophesied on the â—umber Three and having reckoned â—any things Existent in that nature â—us proceeds But which of us observe the sacred Trine Three Persons in one God-head Sole Divine That Individual Essence who dare scan VVhich is shall be and e're the world began VVas in Eternity when of these thruâ— One of that most Inscrutable Trinity The second person Wisdom shall Eâ—tomb Aâ— Majesties within a Virgins Wom◠〈◊〉 Man true God shall to that be Trine Link True Light shall shine and False Staâ— be Extinct Sybila Aerithraea was Born in Baâ—â—lon and was Daughter to Berosius thâ— Famous Astrologer she prophesie of the Greeks that came to the Sieâ— of Troy defined the places whenâ— they came and how long the Sieâ— would last mentioning in her Boâ— Hâ—â—mâ—r and how that he should wriâ— of those Wars partially according â— his Affection and not the Truth aâ— in this manner prophesied she of oâ— Blessed Saviour The time by the great Oracle assign'd VVhen God himself in pity to Mankind Shall from the Heav'n decend and be Incarnate Eâ—â—ring the world a Lamb Imaculate And of himself in wisdom thinks so Meet VValks on the Earth with three and thirty Feet And with six Fingers all his Subjects then Though â—â— King Mighty shall be Fishermen In Number twelve with these war shall be try'd Against the Devil the World the Flesh and Pride Humility shall quell the sharpest Sword VVith which they Fight shall be the Sacred Word Establish'd upon Earth which Foundation Once lay'd shall be Divulg'd to every Nation Women skill'd in Painting By the Words Feet and Finges are to be understood Years and Months And thus I conclude the prophesies and predictions of the Sybils which if truly theirs and by their being deliver'd down through so many hands they have been neither added to nor deminshed it remains doubtful whether it was in the power of any Infernal Spirit to divulge such sacred truths so long before they came to pass or if it was by this we may see that the Devils themselves were constrain'd to fore-tell what they fore-saw would be the Ruine of their Kingdom As Limning or Painting comes the nearest to Poetry the one Exposing things Lively drawn to the Eare and the other to the Eye I shall Incert the dexterity of some Women skill'd therein Thymarete the Daughter of Mycaâ—n was eminent in this Art and amongst other curious pieces drawn to the life she drew that Master-piece which fill'd the Beholders with admiration viz. The picture of Diana which was afterward hung up in the Temple of Ephesus she being accounted the best Artist the World had afforded to that time and flourishedin the time of Aâ—chelaus King of Macedon Pliny l. 3 c. 11. Irene was Daughter to Crantinus a man Famous in this Art she by often observing her Father so wonderfully profited herein that she drew the Counterfait of a Beautious Virgin of the City of Eleusina so to the Life that after it had been a long time prais'd and admir'd it was plac'd amongst the Rarities to be admir'd by succeeding Ages Lala Cizice Daughter to Marcus Varo practised the use of the Pencil in Rome and in the Art of Limning attain'd to such perfection that she drew her own picture to the Life by the help of a Looking-glass She also used a sharp pointed Quill call'd â—estrum with which she curiously cut in Ivory as in these days 〈◊〉 do in Silver or Copper and was commended above all the Virgins of her time for nimbleness and dexterity of hand none ever equaling her in quickness and for Fancy and Curiosity she exceeded Sopylon and Dionysus who otherwise found none that might compare with them and least the cares of Marriage should hinder her herein she chose to spend her days in a state of Virginity Heywoods Hist W. Thus art iâ—spir'd Ingenious women can Equal if not Exceed the skill of man Women skill'd in Weaving In curious Webs the Sex claimes propriety as an Art attributed to their Ingenuity and in this many have been Famous as Arachue of Lydia Daughter of Iâ—arus who wrought so curiously that she is Fabled to be turned â—nto a Spider by Minerua with whom she contended for precedency Penelope the Chast wise of Vlisses who made 〈◊〉 her Employment during her Husbaâ—ds being abroad in the Trojan Wars and his wandering at Sea nor would she be perswaded by any means to Marry during his twenty years Absence neither by her Parents nor the Nobles that came to Court her although she was Inform'd her Husband was dead but when they were so Importunate that she conceived they would compel her she Intreated them that she might make an end of her Web and then she would consent to Marry but instead of finishing it what she Weav'd in the Day she
by Scipio the Roman Consul yielded her self up to Massinissa an African Prince and Confederate of the Romans Entreating him that she might not be put into the power of the Roman Senate he promis'd to be her Protecter and in consideration fo her amazing Beauty Marri'd her having been contracted to her before her Marriage with Syphax but it coming to the Ears of Scipio he let him understand that the Romans had a Title to her Head and that she was a mischievous Enemy to the People of Rome and therefore requir'd him not to commit a great offence upon little reason The King confounded within himself at this news Blush'd and Wept for a time but in sine promis'd to be Govern'd by Scipio he went to his Royal Pavillion where having given his sorrow vent he call'd a trusty Servant and by his hand sent a Cup of Poison to his Beloved Sophonisba with these Expressions viz. That gladly he would have had her to live with him as his Wife but since they who had power to hinder him of his desire would not yield thereto he had sent her a Cup that shoâ—ld prevent her falling into their hands alive willing her to remember her Birth and high Estate which would direct her to take Orders for her self At the Receipt of the Message and Potion of Death the Couragious Queen nothing daunted reply'd That if her Husband had no better Present for his new Wife she must accept of this Adding she might have died more honourable if she had not Wedded so late before her Funeral and thereupon drunk off the deadly Potion that bereav'd her of her life Reighs Hist World Great thoughts long strugl'd in her Royal Breast Till fear of Bondage fear of Death surprest And that her Birth and Nobleness might be An argument she scorn'd Captivitie That she could die she let the Romans see And to say somewhat further much to the same purpose a Christian Matron falling in Travel in Prison where she was confin'd by the Persecutors upon the Account of her Religion Express'd some sence of Sorrow which being over-hear'd by her Enemies they demanded if in that case she was so sensible what would she be when she came to the flames Ah! said she I suffer this as a miserable woman under those sorrows that are lay'd upon me for my sins but then I shall suffer aâ— a Christian for the sake of Christ Camer Oper. Subsisiv c. So different is the cause of Pain osâ— found That what some think the most the least do's wound Of Modesty Nor is the Wonderous though becoming and seemly Modesty wherewith some are possess'd a less Adornment than what has been premis'd A Virtuous Modesty do's Beauty grace And make the Charms more lovely iâ— each Face It makes the Roses with the Lillies joyn The sweet Carnation with the Gessamine Nay further yet it do's a Factor prove To barter hearts and trade in chastest love Nothing more winns there 's nothing sooner can Than Female Modesty alure Fond Man And this Sex exceeds not only in Action but in Speech and Guesture â—ome having chosen rather to underâ—oe severe Punishments than to do â—r be Concious of any Immodest Actiâ—n Martia Daughter of Varo one of â—e bravest Female Wits of her time â—eing skill'd in divers Arts but more â—urious in that Excellent one of Limnâ—â—g to the life yet no entreaty or reâ—ard could prevail with her to porâ—â—ay or paint the Counterfait of a Man â—r Woman Naked least thereby she â—â—ould offend against the Rules of Moâ—â—sty so concious was she though 〈◊〉 a thing most Innocent in its self â—ast in should meet with a wrong conâ—â—ruction or she therein give a bad Example to others Caus Treat 〈◊〉 Passion Nor only in Life but as we maâ— say in Death it self has this Râ—â— been observ'd as appears by the Mâ—ther of Alexander the great namâ— Olimpias For Cassander having coâ—manded her to be slain as soon as tâ—â— Executioner sent to dispatch her hâ—â— inform'd her of his Message she toâ—â— especial care so to wrap up her self 〈◊〉 her Robes that when she should faâ— no part of her Body should be disâ—â—ver'd but what might beseem a Mâ—dest Matron And in the like manâ—died the Wife of Pantheus whâ— doom'd to Death by Ptolomeus King Aegypt Fulgos l. 4. Mandâ—slo in his Travels tells us 〈◊〉 a Young Gentlewoman in Japan wâ—â— by accident breaking Wind as she aâ— tended at the Table was possesâ— with such a sence of Shame that iâ—mediately hiding her Face she depaâ—â—ed and so far resented that Indecenâ—â— she as altogether undesirous to survâ—â— it in a Rage bit off one of her Nipâ—â— which inflaming her Breast struâ—â— her to the heart with a mortal Pain â—nd so ended she her days Mandelo's Travels L. 2. P. 190. And yet stranger are the effects of Modesty as it appears in the story of â—he Milesian Virgins who out of some â—d humour were many of them posâ—ess'd with a desire of laying violent â—ands on themseves by strangling â—nd although they were narrowly â—atch'd by their Friends yet some â—f them found opportunity to effect 〈◊〉 which made their Parents attriâ—ute it to the Divine displeasure and â—ere at a loss which way to appease â—he offended Deitie When one of â—he Sages proposed a Remedy which â—t first was suppos'd Indesicient but â—rov'd an Expedient to prevent that â—isorder which was That every Maâ—d who so Violated her life should 〈◊〉 a spectakle of Derision be carry'd Naâ—â—d through the Principal City which â—eing confirm'd by a Decree the â—ear of the shame after Death wrought 〈◊〉 effectually that for the future they â—esisted from that unadvis'd and unâ—mely Expulsion of Life Modesty in that case having a greater sway with them than the fear of Death Caus H. C. Tom. 1. L. 2. Aluilda the Beautiful Daughter of Suiardus a King of the Goths was possess'd with such Bashfulness that for the most part she Veild her Face as not being willing to expose her Modest Blushes which commonly flulsh'd in her fair Cheeks at the sight of Man Olaus Mag. L. 5. C. 18. So much the sence of Modesty haâ— wrought That it has Wonders to Perfectioâ— brought A spark it is of Native Innocence Dwelt with our Parents e're they gavâ— offence E're shameless sin in Eden did commence Of Temperance For Temperance this Sex has been wonderfully Esteem'd in all Nations as the Enemy of Luxury which is one main reason why they are generally more Healthful than Men and exceed them in the Prologation of their lives affecting in all things a Modest Neatness and Decency Order and Comliness being their proper Attribute Nature in this Expresses them refin'd In choicest Molds she casts fair Woman-kind As for the powerful effests of their Charming Beauty they are so Universally known especially to Lovers that in vain it would be to Endeavour a fuller satisfaction than each Idea of hose Angelick Creatures forms in the Fancy of him by whom she
therein disobey their Maker whose Absolute Command it is And with the entirest Integrity having carried my discourse on this worthy Subject thus far in General I shall now proceed to what is more Particular and Exempler in the Praise of Women-kind though as I have said all their Virtues in this nature to describe will prove too large a Theam For who but one with Eagles Eyes can Gaze Against the Sun in it's Meridian Blaze Or without Solomons large Heart can know All from the Ceder to the Shrub below Or name each fair Enamel that does spread Earth's lovely bosom when the winters fled What Marriner can count the waves that rise Or Artist tell the wanderers of the Skies Who is the Man can count the flying Clouds Or tell she Fry the swelling Ocian Shrowds Who in Arithmatick a Number can Find for the Moments past since time began Or in an age count out by swift Degrees The countless Sands forsaken by the Seas Hard tasks these are for mortal Man to do Yet full as easy as at once to view Each glorious Cabinet where Virtue rests To look into each worthy Female Breast To count the Sacred Treasure horded there And tell the World of each peculiar share Layd up to Purchase an Imortal Name Recorded in the deathless Book of Fame To Purchase Robes of White to pass the Gate Where for them Virtues true Reward does wait Though it on Earth should hiss it's great desert Yet there it will be sure to find it's part For in that Region is it's proper Seat There Virtue and not Riches makes us great Crowns us with Life and an Immortal State The Illustrious HISTORY OF WOMEN c. Of Chast-Love TO come nearer to my purpose for the bester ease and understanding of the Reader I shall proceed in a Regular way on Method placing together as near as is convenient the memorable Examples of one kind as I find them in divers Histories highly approved by the Learned of the present and past Ages And in this Case Chast-Love being the Center and Basis of all other Virtues I shall begin with that perfection of Woman-kind Eurialus Count of Augusta being at Sienna with the Emperour Sigismond Lucretia a Beautiful Virgin called by some the second Venus upon his Modest Address conceived such Entire Affection for him that at his necessitated leaving her to attend his Lord the Emperour to Rome his Absence wrought so much upon her tender Spirits that having strugled a while with the flame of a constant passion she no longer able to indure the Absence of one on whom she had bestowed her Heart yielded up her self into the Icey Aims of Death calling on her Lover and with dying murmurs beg'd a Blessing might ever remain upon him of which sad misfortune Eurialus having notice took it so much to heart that in his Life-time he never was observed to Laugh or Smile Marcel Donat. Hist Med. Mirab. Theodora a Christian Virgin for that Sacred Profession being Condemned to the Stews where her chastity was to be expos'd to the violation of the worst of Villains Dydimus who Entirely loved her whilst the Debauchees were striving to enter there pressed in in a Souldiers habit a Person pretending to have the first knowledge of that Beautious Maid but being Retired he changed Habit with her by which means she was enabled to escape but he upon others pressing in being found a man was halled before the Judg who had shamelessly Condemned Theodora to loose her Virginity who immediately Sentanc'd him to Death of which she having notice came from her Retirement and offered her life a Ransom for his but such Transcendent-love nothing moved the Inexorable Judge who instead of accepting the offer commanded they should both be immediately put to Death which command being obeyed their Souls took flight to the bright Mansion of Eternal Love Lonicer Theatri The Story related of the wonderful love of Piramus and Thisbe is memorable nor is it held in the general Fabulous though Ovid has glozed upon it the substance being this The Beautious Pair living as Neighbours in Bâ—bylon when grown to maturity found themselves surpriz'd with a generous flame love had made a mighty conquest o're their hearts their Mâ—tuâ—â— affections could not be so closely hid but Parents of a different mind in whom Age had quench'd the fire of passion came to know the case wherein they stood and cruâ—â—ly proceeded to divorce their Joys by seperation but mighty love that like the Victorious â—alm laden with ponderous Weights under restraint ancreases found an unsuspected way to Whisper through a Cranny and by that means to set a time for slight when the Moon had thrown her Silver Mantle over the Shadie Night The place being appointed Thisbe ravish'd with eager Joys to have her Lover in her Arms first made Escape but there instead of Pyranats she found a Lyoness besmeer'd with blood which made her hasten to a Neighbouring Cave whilst in her slight she drop'd her Veile which the Lyoness finding rumpled it with her Bloody Jaws and went her way Pyramus soon after coming and finding the Veile he knew to be hers all smeer'd with Blood and the Footsteps of a wild Beast supposed her devour'd and after many doleful lamentations Exclaiming against himself for exposing to such hazard a thing he prized so dear resolving not to live without her he sell upon his Sword when Thisbe dispensing with her fear came to the place and found him Breathing out his last having no more Sense than at her Name to open his dying Eyes and see his dear mistake which was not long e're closing again he was left in the black Mist of Death when having expressed her self with the disordered passion of a distracted lover scorning a tedious life when he for whom she liv'd was gone she bared her Snowey Breast and with undaunted Courage fell upon the self-same Sword Oâ—ids Met c. Less Famous than this is not the admirable love of the Beautious Hero to the Greecian Youth Leander whose memorable loves famed the threatning Towers of Sestos and Abidos in the former the Noble Virgin dwelt and from the latter parted by the Hellespont the adventerous Youth often Swam to visit her she being his Load-Star to stear his Course in the darkest Night by placing a light in the highest Turret but after often adventring with success Fate crossing Love in raising a Tempest whilst he was labouring in the Ocean the undistinguishing Waves put a period to his life and then unkindly cast his lifeless Corps upon the shoar where he with such Eagerness wish'd to come alive at sight of which the Lady being over-come with Grief leaped headlong from the Tower and plunging into the Remorsless Deep became partaker of her Lovers Fate The Beautious Daughter of the Emperour Charlemain falling in love with Eginardus Secretary to that Emperour nor was the flame he felt less violent he one Night coming in private to her Chamber it
happened to Snow which accident by reason it was somewhat late did not a little trouble the Lovers least upon his return the prints of his Feet should be observed the next Morning which coming from the Ladies appartment might create a suspition to prevent which love which takes the Diadem of Majesty from Queens made this lovely Princess do an Act for a Lover very unbeseeming and unusual for the Daughter of so great a Potentate viz. She took the Secretary upon her Shoulders and carried him all the length of the Court to his Chamber he not setting Foot to the Ground and there delivering her burthen returned yet so it happen'd that during this piece of Portrage the Emperour being late in his Studie chanc'd to look out and behold it yet at that time kept silence when the next day in a great Assembly of his Lords his Daughter and Eginardus being present he demanded what Punishment he deserved who made use of a Kings Daughter as of a Mule and caused himself to be carried on her Shoulders in the middest of Winter through the Snow upon this every one gave his opinion that he was worthy of Death which started the Lovers and made them change their colour expecting some dreadful punishment but contrary to their expectation the Emperour looking upon his Secretary with a smooth Countenance Eginardus saith he hadest thou loved the Princess my Daughter thou oughtest to have come to her Father the disposer of her liberty thou art worthy of Death yet I give thee two lives Tale thy sair Portress in Marriage fear God and love one another The Joy these lovers conceived at so unexpected a happiness I leave to the Imagination of the Reader Caus. 〈◊〉 Court Tom. 2. The Moorish Princess Xexin Daughter of Muley Moluck King of Fes and Moroâ—o upon the Fame of Don Sebastian King of Portugal though an 〈◊〉 who came to Invade her Fathers Countrey conceived so great a love for him that when his Army was overthrown on the plains of Tamista near Alcazar and himself slain She came e're the day dawn'd accompanied with one slave named Laura to seek him amongst the heaps of the dead when entring that miserable Scene of Slaughter She Inquired of some wounded men that were yet breathing where the King Fought and with many abrupt stammerings being informed by those dying wretches She hasted thither resolving to Sacrifice her Life and fall upon him when comming to the heap of â—lain She espyed one extreamly resembling her Lover for She had seen the King of Portugal often and thereupon with great cries She embraced and moved him but being about to offer violence to her self She found the supposed dead Man to breath and after some rubbing and chafeing he came to himself So that binding up his wounds She and her Slave with the help of a Matriner conveighed him into a little â—â—land in the River Muâ—azen and â—ere provided all things for him verily supposing him the King of Portugal for indeed Nature had made this Subject for so he proved and not the King of Portugal so like his Prince that the Portugals themselves were deceived as will appear This Man thus snatch'd from death being continually attended by the Princes who infinitly doated on him and used him like a vallued Lover began to wonder from whence the cause of such mighty Kindness should spring when one day after a Sigh She said Heaven will not deprive Portugal of it's King but has made your Xerine Happy in saving her dear Don Saebastians Life by this Speech he found the Princes Error yet thought it not convenient to undeceive her but rather to promote it and so by insinuation he came to understand who She was as likewise her Love to the King of Portugal and so far he prvailed upon that Princes that She thought nothing too dear for him but used her Interest with Muley Boabdelin a Moorish Prince and her Conzen to Entertain him in his Pallace at Hoscore till such time as She could furnish him with a train suitable for a King as She supposed him to be to return to his own Countrey This old Moorish Prince verily believed him to be as his Conzen had reported and Imagining if he got into Portugal he would not regard the Vows he had made to Marry her caused them to be Married out of hand she in consideration thereof promising to become a Christian which She afterwards performed being a Lady exceeding beautifull as Born of a Greek Mother and consequently much whiter than the Affricans and soon after provided him an Equipage to go for Portugal to which Crown Henry who succeded Saebastian being dead many said claym but at length it was grasped by the King of Spain who proved the stronger wherefore he first arrived in Italy and was received by the Dutchess of Parma who as the former verily believed him to be the true Saebastian as likewise did some Ministers sent from the Estates of Portugal which made him in the end â—magine himself to be no less for beâ—ng denied possession of that Kingdom â—â—e drew a great power after him but being defeated on the Frontiers of Portugal and taken Prisoner after which being brought to Lisbon and Imprisoned as an Imposter at what time Xerine was come out of Africâ— to assist him in the recovery as She thought of his right She having by this time had a Son by him but thiâ— Misfortune did not at all alter thâ— Love of the Princess who earnestly laboured for his deliverance often visiting him in Prison where falling sick and at the point of Death he declared how he had deceived her anâ— that he was 〈◊〉 the King of Portugalâ— yet for all that her Love abated not but She in the best wise comforted him Afflict not your self said thâ— Generous Princess with too late and unuseful Repentance I lov'd the Persoâ— of Don Sebastian more then the splendor of his condition I thought I had meâ— that Person in you Those Charms which first touch'd me have lost none of theiâ— priviledg because they were not place◠〈◊〉 Monarch though I confess I shoulâ— never have observed them in an Ordinarâ— Mam Neither my Spirit nor my Birth 〈◊〉 would have permitted me to consider whom 〈◊〉 had not thought a Prince but my error became dear to me and is so still notwithstanding it proves fatal to my peace The name of Husband is so Sacred to a Woman truly Virtuous that it obliâ—erates any shame which accompanyes it Therefore try to overcome your Ilness my dear Prince pardon the name Forâ—â—ne said She lifting up her Eyes â—o Heaven might have given it 〈◊〉 She gave you me Rescue your self â—f it be possible from the arms of 〈◊〉 â—t may be we may find you a happyness more calm and happy than that which is â—enyed you in Portugal With this exâ—oss of Female Generosity the counterâ—eit Sebastian was so mov'd that he â—ould no longer suffer the Transports â—f it but in the Armes of
Poetus having notice that her Husband was Condemned to dye yet liberty given him to choose his death she went to him and exhorted him to Breath his last with Constancy and Courage and after having taken a dear farewell she stab'd her self with a Knife she had hid under her Garments and drawing it out only said e're she fell dead at his Feet The wound I have made Paetus smarts not but that only which thou art about to give thy self Camer Oper. Subsic Upon this Extravegant effect of passionate love Martial made this Epigram When Arria to her Husband gave the Knife Which made the wound whereby she lost her life This wound dear Poetus grieves me not said she But that which thou must give thy self grieves me In the Reign of Vespasian the Gaules Rebell'd under the leading of Julius Sabinus But being reduced their Captain was sought for but having hid himself in the Monument of his Grand-Father to which none but two of his freed men were privy it was given out that he had poisoned himself and the better to colour it he caused his House to be set on fire that his Body might be supposed therein to be burnt his Wife Eponiva not knowing the contrary made great Sorrow incessantly Weeping and refusing either Food or to be Comforted of which those that were private to his hiding told their Lord desiring him to take pitty on their Lady who was determined to die and in order thereto had abstained from all manner of Food for the space of three days by undeceiving her to save the Woman that lov'd him so well which was granted and she brought to the place where finding him alive she flew into his Arm◠with all the eager Joys of a tender Wife and in that dolesome place lived with him nine years bringing forth Children But in the end the place of their Aboad was discover'd and they brought to Rome where this Virtious Lady shewing her Children to Vespasian Behold O Coesar saith she such as I have brought forth and Nourished in a Monument that thou mightest have more supplyants for◠our lives But that Emperour banishing Compassion commanded them both to be slain The Lady joyfully dying with her Husband with whom she had been as it were Buryed so many years Lips Monit Clara Cervenda was one of the most Beautiful Virgins in all Bruges she Married one Bernard Valdaura a Man Aged and wonderfully Infirm by reason of the foul Disease he had contracted in his Youth and in the end growing so Ulcerous and so Naucious that the Chyrurgion fled the Scent of him yet this Tender Lady for the space of Twenty years continually watch'd and tended him not imagining any thing too dear for him and when their Money by that large Expence fail'd she sold her Jewels and wearing Apparel Disrobing and in a manner starving her self to support him So sacred to this virtuous Lady was the name of Husband and even of such a one as had brought her to Ruine and Misery nay when he was rotted away that his shatter'd Body could no longer retain his fleeting Soul she made great Lamentation and when some instead of comforting of her told her that God had done much in taking him away and for that reason they came to congratulate her She turned aside and would not hear them but with a mournful Voice wished for her Husband again and that she would give any thing in the world could she Retrieve him Being sought by many in Marriage her Answer was That she could 〈◊〉 meet with any whom she could love or like so well as her deceased Husband Camerar Oper Subsic So truly loving was this constant Dame That she deserves a place i' th Book of Fame Nor is Woman-kind only found such an admirable pattern to Man 〈◊〉 but the Sex has prov'd as faithful Woman to Woman as appears by the following Relation Bona a noble Virgin living in a Nunery contracted so great a Friendship with a Beautiful Maid not exceeding her in years that they appear'd to those that observed their actions to have but one Soul their affections were so united and met so exactly in every thing But so it happened to the unspeakable grief of Bona that Death in process of time with his Icey hand seiz'd upon her dear Companion the partner of her thoughts and only sharer of her best affections sealing her Eyes in Gloomy Night which caused a flood of pious grief to flow from the surviving Lady In the excess of which she earnestly beg'd she might not stay behind but that their Bodies might possess one Grave Although this was a rash wish yet it was answered For she e're the other was Buried dyed Insomuch that one Funeral Solemnity serv'd them both Marul Lib. 3. C. 3. Thus Love and Chastity together dy'd Ravish'd by Death they in one Grave abide How great likewise hath the love of Mothers been towards their Children which for Brevities say I shall instance but in two Examples Monica the Mother of Agustine whilst her Son in his Youth followed lewd Courses ceas'd not to Pray day and night for his Conversion and doubtless her Prayers were heard which may be gathered by the strangeness of his being made sensible of the dangerous condition he was in which occasioned St. Ambrose to comfort her in this wise It 's impossible says he that a Son of so many Prayers and Tears can miscarry Clarks Mir. For love to Souls all other love excells It must be Heaven where such an Angel dwells The Women of Carthage in the third Punick War when they understood the Senate had agree'd to send the noble Youths of that City into Sicily as a Hostage in consideration of a peace with the Romans so outragious was the sorrow of those Mothers whose Sons were so to be snatc'd from them that nothing was heard but Cryes Sighs and sad Laments and when they were going to Embarque they followed them in the like manner huging them in their strict Embraces with Countenances full of Care and Sadness to hinder their going as loath to take their sad farewell but finding they were snatch'd from them by the Officers who were to see them safe delivered and thrust on Bord as soon as the Ships put off many of those woeful Mothers leap'd into the Sea after them and were overwhelm'd by the Relentless Waves Sebel l. 3. c. 4. This sad Disaster occasioned the following Lines When as the two Renown'd Republiques Jar'd When Mighty Rome and Carthage long had War'd To try by dint of Sword which Fate design'd Mistress ot'h World and Ruler of Mankind Tir'd with the tedious bloodshed that Imbrew'd Europe and Affrica a Peace insu'd But Carthage often breaking 't was thought fit They should with speed their noble Touths commit For more security to Roman bands As Hostages but when to Foraign Lands The Woful Mothers knew their Sons must go What Scenes of sorrow did great Carthage show Nothing but Crys but Sighs and Groans were heard
the Almighty to save the World from desolation her virtues are for the most part admirable and no less her judgment and the other Intelectual faculties of her Soul That as I have prov'd being nothing Inferiour to that in which Man centers his largest Pride and Boast imagining it as it truly is a Ray of Essence a Effluence of his Maker Woman from her Infancy with pretty Smiles delights the World and Chears the hearts of her admiring Parents and as she grows Virtue takes its place well pleas'd to dwell in such a Fabrick and brings as her Attendants Modesty Sobriety and a wining Behaviour No sooner is Woman possess'd by Man in the happy State of Conubial Love but she furuishes him with a shower of Blessings wrap'd in soft Delights and deck'd in Chastest Charms mild and plyant is her Temper and her Cariage towards him decent and comely her Behaviour her Love is beyond Expression and her Tenderness such that she values him on whom her heart is plac'd equal with all but her imortal happiness as for her Life she counts it a Trifle and had rather loose it than her Honour she esteems nothing on Earth too good for her Beloved and inforces all her Charms to please and render him the happy Father of hopeful Children she is indeed his Internus Sensus his second self equally shareing his Joys and Afflictions and is not like a Swallow that sings to the morning wake of his prosperity and when the Winter of his Adversity comes takes her way upon the Winds to seek a warmer Sun her Smiles are not to be bought with Silver nor her Love to be purchac'd with Gold but are freely and intirely plac'd upon her Beloved great is her diligence to please him and as great her care not to offend him when he rejoyces she rejoyces when he is griev'd she is sad simpathising with him in all things and is the secret Cabinet in which he dare repose his Secrets and find them there as safe as in his Soul a Repository she is of his abstrusest thoughts and is ever tender of his honour nothing she thinks too good for him nor nothing she can do too much in Health she takes care for his necessaries and is wonderfully tractable in forwarding his Affairs in Sickness she is more studious for his Health then her Intrest and puts up her Prayers and Vows to Heaven for his recovery Expressing in all her actions a careful Love and Tenderness and in her Words a venerable Esteem so that without so great a virtue as Woman Man must be miserable and forlorn as to his temporal Condition nor ought he to esteem so great a Blessing unworthy his largest Thoughts nor render the Almighty less Tribute of Praise and Thanks-giving for bestowing that last best favour on him which could only compleat his earthly Felicity In making Woman Nature has been Lavish and shew'd her curious Art in Forming a Creature soft and tempting to allay the rough temper of Man by moderation and mildness as the Fluid Aire prevents the Firey Region from Calcinating the Earth and renders that outragious Element serviceable to Man-kind Great was the cunning Nature used or rather the God of Nature not to refer so great a Work to second causes in framing the lovely structure of the Softer Sex in every part proporting what by sight or touch might yield delight forgetting nothing that was admirable in it self or might be pleasing to those whose curions thoughts could scan the best Perfections wonder not then why the Sex is so admir'd by all the sages of the World yet not so much as real Worth commands in true desert as has been often intimated in the foregoing Pages why then should Man decline so great a Blessing why should not he who is so proud of being Rational use his Rationalty to a right end and by temporal Love founded on Virtue strive to raise his Soul to that which is Eternal endless and not dated by degrees of time a Love unalterable as Fate sounded on a commixture of Blessings in conversation with Angels Arch-Angels Cherubims and Seraphims Thrones Dominations Prince-doms Virtues and Powers all the Starry Quire of Brightness and Batitude and higher yet for Love is God and God is Love by it the order of the Visible World is maintain'd and things not visible to mortal Eyes supported in their sacred order and concordence 't is that which makes all truly happy and without it is no happiness in this World nor the World to come Then let us prize a Gift that is so fair So good so just that she our love should share To a degree too great to be exprest Who of all Blessing Earth affords is best Who only Crowns all Earthly Flappiness And does Man-kind beyond his wishes bless A greater Blessing Heav'n never gave To Mortal Man but him that Man did save The Reasons why Mans Happiness is not compleat on Earth without the Charming Creature Woman AS for the necessity of the Beautious Sex it is evident not only for the sake of Generation but for that of Mutual Society Man without them being as a Solitary Traveller who Journeys through Wildernesses and Desarts where Rational Creatures seldome give his Eyes the plesure of beholding them though some may object that the Conversation of Man with Man is materialy sufficient I grant it is in general relating to indifferent affairs but where the Soul claims a closer Union than such Innocent diversions can alow that convers is of little moment Woman was taken from Man and therefore by a simpathy of Nature and a secret contraction of the better part she considers in being cruel to her temporal Original she is cruel to her self and in that cruellty offends her Maker unless a singular vow of Chastity interposes wherein her aime is to be a spotless Virgin that so she may follow the Lamb that has taken away Original Sin and given us leave and oppertunity to be Regenerate and Born again through Faith and Relyance on his meritorious Death and passion but to come nearer to the conclusion Eternal love ought to be our chief aim Life in our Saviours death we dâ—ly claim In his dear merits all our hopes must be Zone of our everlasting life is he A bright Meridian of Eternity But how came this great Mistery to pass Eternal Widom the Prime Author was The thing is deep and Mortal Minds are lost Heav'n nows alone what this dear Blessing cost Consider then and let us still adore Omnipotence which our weak nature bore Compassioning us he lay'd aside Known Glory dispising shame he dy'd â—â—â—'raign o're Death with Death he yet comply'd Having thus far discours'd I shall proceed to the Character of a Virtuous Woman in all her Capacities The GOLDEN CHARACTER Of a VIRTUOUS WOMAN In all her CAPACITIES IN this case three things are more immediately to be consider'd viz The Virgin State and those of Marriage and Widdow-hood and of these in their
My reward is above Crescit sub pondere virtus Behold Bright Virtues Glorious Emblem plac't Beneath a Crown with beaming Stars Enchas't Virtue like Palms dos under pressure rise And Phoenix like true Virtue never dies London printed for Iohn Harris at the Harrow in the poultrey I. 〈◊〉 The Illustrious HISTORY OF WOMEN OR A COMPENDIUM of the many Virtues that Adorn the Fair Sex Represented not only in Lively and Pathetical Discourses grounded upon Reason but in Sundry rare Examples of Virtuous Love Piety Prudence Modesty Chastity Patience Humility Temperance Conduct Constancy and Firmness of Mind with what else in the like Nature is necessary for the Accomplishment of the most Celebrated Beauties With other Examples of Women Skill'd in the most Curious Arts and Sciences To which are Added the Examples of Warlike Women their Noble Exploits and Victories With the Prophesies and Predictions of the Sybils in relation to the Incarnation continuance upon Earth Death Resurrection and Ascention of our Blessed Saviour And as an Apendix the Character of a Virtuous Woman in all her Capacities The whole Work enrich'd and intermix'd with Curious Poetry and Delicate Fancie sutable to so Charming a Subject LONDON Printed for John Harris at the Harrow against the Church in the Poultrey 1686. Price bound One Shilling This may be Printed November 21 1685. R. L. S. The PREFACE TO THE READER TO some it may seem strange that in so small a Bark I have adventured into an Ocean rarely Navigated made an Essay on what has been seldome undertaken and never Exposed in it's proper Lusture The Virtues and Excellencies of the softer Sex a Subject worthy a more resined Pen but since the Niâ—slings of Appollo the Wits of the Age have for the most part not only declined it but rather studied to Eclips the brightest Candor of Female perfection than give it a valuable proportion of the praise it has merited I thought it not amiss to remove the Veile that obscured it from the Eyes of the Ignor anter part of the Masculine World and let them see how they have been imposed upon by the haters and contemners of the Beatious Sex and consequently induced to harbour a mean Esteem of Female virtue or the perfections of Women-kind who in Piety Constancy Entirest Love Amazing Beauty Arts and Arms have in all Ages been the boast of Nations and Exemplary even to a Miracle wadeing with undaunted resolves through the greatest of difficulties and dangers to such Eminence as has rendered them accomplished and stilled the hissing Snakes of Envy whilst those that sought to cross their Noble actions and Clip the Wings of flying Fame have been obliged to own themselves o'recome and tune the strings that were Discordant to their praises with which renowned stories and examples of Female Worthies drawn from Authentique Histories c. I have mostly filled the following Pages a Work that may prove grateful unless the Age proves otherwise however I dare not doubt the approbation of those for whose sakes it was compiled to whose virtues it ows it's Birth and of such it is I chiefly wish it may find acceptance which if it does I have my end and shall remain as heretofore the admirer of Female virtue And. Ladies Your Devoted Servant JOHN SHIRLEY To the LADIES the Authors APOLOGY LADIES beneath your Virtues Patronage This little Book wou'd shelter from the rage Of Carping Zolists who seldome spare The Candor of the Chast the Wise and Fair Like Boreas blasts or like a Lapland storm By Mild degrees compel'd is to reform The Task was bold but Love and your sweet Charms Made me forget the Girds of Envies Arms To your Fair Sex this Book 's a Votarie What pitty is it then to let it dye Or Languish long which it alas must do Vnless 't is kindly Entertain'd by you Come take it in your Hands give it a Smile And make it live though but a little while I 'm shure to you'ts no Foe for see it wears Your Virtues Badge enchac'd with those bright Stars That in the Female Firmament do shine There rendering you so Lovely and Divine Ladies once more Protection it bespeaks If not for it 's yet for your omn dear sakes Give shelter to it e're the storm awakes THE INTRODUCTION WHEN the Wise Creator had furnished the Glorious Universe in every part with wonderous Varietie he formed Man and brought him into it as into a stately Pallace stored with what might please each Sence and render him Delight a Thousand wayes which great Munificence might have over-charged the largest Thought and put a Limit to the vastness of desire yet the Divine goodness thought not this sufficient for his Darling Favorit in favour of whom the visible World was made decked in all it 's glitering Glories but opening wider yet his giving Hand to make his Happiness the more compleat he Added a Blessing worthier than the rest formed of Elements rarefied by cordial Life and soft Contexture giving it at once a Shape and Soul Angelical the last Created but admired beyond the first A Work that put a period to the great Work-masters undertaking as made to Crown the rest of the Creation and that it might be the more Ennobled gave it a name signifying life and bowed the lofty Soul of Man to cherish and admire it to place in it next Heaven his chief felicity by centring in this lovely Creature Woman adding attractive charms and winning graces such as might captivate the stubornest heart and melt the rockie Orbe of strict reservedness ease the labouring of the mind and smooth the rumpled waves of a disordered passion which made the Enemy of Man-kind swell with Envy and contract a deadly hatred nourished with a mortal Bane to behold in any one creature an adornment of so many Excellencies such an Epitome of Coelestial Innocence clad in unvaluable Robes of native Beauty and as it were regreting that the Favours of the highest were so largly dispenced to any Creature of a lower rank than Angels and that corporeal beings should nearly vie in excellency with incorporial he layed the guilded Bait of Aspiring greatness in her way and with a subtill Guile under disguise prevailed to be believed and by being credited to affront his Maker and heap up a vengeance terrible in seducing her on whom the Image of the Deitie was livelyly portrayed nor was the fraud imposed as some have fancy'd without regret even Hellish malice being touch'd with Remorse to injure such a lovely frame of Innocence And thus imagine him at the first view of our Grand Parents to have pondered with himself Of aâ—â—lwhat do my Eyes with grief behold Earth Born Creatures of a different mould Advanc'd into the happy Realms of Light Not Spirits yet near to Heavenly Spirits Bright Whom my great Thoughts with wonder do persue And in them a Divine resemblance view And cou'd a Love in my hot Breast remain Of ought but Mischief's dire and deadly Bain
AConquest here perhaps I wou'd not gain Ah lovely Pair you little think how nigh Sad ambushments of certain Death do lye When all the Bland delights that Charm you now Will leave you over-cast with Clouds of woe A Foe is Enter'd your great seat of Bliss Whose self unpittied pitty must Express For you who wrong'd me not did not a Rage ' Gainst him who plac'd you here my spleen ingage A hope of Conquest do's compell me now To doe what else though dam'd I wou'd not doe But to wave Fancy in so profound a mistery certain it is that this unhappy yielding of the fairest of Creatures to the subtill Alurements of the fallen Angel whose strength and wisdome though much debased is not to be coped with by mortal Might nor his powerful Temptations to be over-come without the immediate Divine assistance became a means of the Almighties further expressing his boundless Love to Man-kind in that great mistery of Godliness the Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour a Mistery so stupendious and amazing that all the Host of Heaven all the blessed Hierarchies of Seraphims Cherubims Arch Angels and Angels contemplate and admire it so that not without reason was the first Created Woman called Eve a Name signifying life since from her decended that Glorious Virgin from whose spotless Womb proceeded the Fountain of life and immortality who wonderfully repaired our first deformity by condecending to take our Nature upon him and revenged our cause in breaking the Serpents head restoring us to an undoubted possibility of obtaining a more glorious Paradise than that from whence our first Parents fell Womans blest Seed to life prepar'd the way The glorious Path that leads to endless day To dazling Mansions to a place of Bliss That Eye ne'r saw nor Tongue cou'd e're express Then why should man her praises due decline Who is a Sphere wherein all Virtues shine Once the Recess of him that 's all Divine Nor does woman yet desist to retain an Aire of Paradise the place wherein she was formed in her Modesty and seemly Behaviour Innocence Piety and extradinary Love of sacred things as in sundry Examples are manifested nor does the transcendent Beautie existent in many signifie less then that woman is the most refined of all Creatures who deservedly pay respect of her as the Queen of all sublunary things and perfection of the Universe that perfection being properly termed the Divine Light shining on created Essence and beaming thence its luster by reflex to captivate the Heart to command a profound Awe and Reverence as if the perfections scattered in all other creatures were collected in her who is a draught of the Creation in miniature for this cause the Lyon nobly bold stands in Awe of her the Unicorn for love of her becomes a wilful captive nor has the unwieldie Elephant been less enamoured with the charming Sex nay Spirits infernal have been passionate as appears by the oft Espoused Maid who at last was free'd from her Daemonick lover Asmodeus and became the Lot of Tobits Son Abigals Beauty and Humility prevented Davids shedding Blood Queen Hester's Piety and matchless Beauty wrought deliverance to her People and turned the bloody decree upon the Man and his House that had promoted and procured it Judiths Beauty charmed the Pagan General into that security that wrought his ruin and the great delivery of her Countrey from the rage of the oppressing Sword restoring peace to Jacobs Heritage and after Jobs reiterated Tribulations miseries that Mortal man could never have undergone if not supported by a hand Divine the greatest Earthly recompence for his unparalel'd patience was that God blessed him with Daughters exceeding all other Women in Beauty which makes Solomon set a value on them above the price of Rubies and afirm He that findeth a good Wife findeth a good thing c. And the Author of the Ecclesiastes affirmeth that Husband blessed that is Husband of a good Wife So great has been the esteem of Female Virtue amongst the wisest of men in all Ages Holy writ stiling the Woman a Crown the glory of the Man c. Therefore she being the compleatment felicity and glory of Man it is highly reasonable she should be loved and esteemed as she truly deserves nay such was the esteem of this Sex that those who gave Names to the three principal parts of the World as Asia Europe and Africa seem to have derived them from the names of women thereby affording them a lasting memory not capable of end till time shall be no more Should we take a particular survey of the many Virtues of this Sex what Volume can contain them in their proper luster or set them forth at large what Rhetorick can Paint them to the life and not be found therein deficient If Chastity we prize it was a woman first vowed Virginity to her Maker If Prophecy the Sybils were strangely inspired but more immediately Mirriam the Sister of Moses c. If constancy and steadfast Love Ruth is a pattern to a Miracle If a firm grounded Faith the Widdow of Sarepta may justly take place who believed the Prophet in a thing to Humane Sense impossible If in a strong Belief Elizabeth the Wife of Zacharias and the Blessed Virgin If constancy in a Righteous cause and the contempt of Death rather than disobey the God that made us and the World be a Heroick virtue behold the Woman who encouraged her seven Sons to dye by the most exquisit Tortures and after ward with joy and patience submitted to the like her self If for those we have esteem whose sacred Charity extends to Souls let us consider the Lumbards next to that Saving Grace that put in with her pious and unwearied endeavors chiefly owe their conversion to the Christian Religion to Theodilina Daughter to a King of Bavaria the like do the Hungarians to Greisil Sister to the Emperour Henry the first and the same acknowledgment the Franks must make to Clotildis Daughter to a King of Burgundy Nor was the Virtuous Helena Daughter to King Colus and Wife to the Emperour Constantine careless not only to protect and succour the Christians but as far as in her lay to cause that growing Religion to take deep Root in all or most of the Provinces of the Empire In learning deep Sciences and Misteries of the profoundest degree if attainable by Humane Capacity Women have been found expert Nay in such rare Inventions as perhaps had yet remained in the dark Embrio of obscurity had not Female Wisdome snatched them thence and nursed them to maturity The Gracchi's Tongues by the industry of their Mother Cornelia were made fit Instruments of Eloquence not only to command the Listening Ears of Plebeans but those of Aged Senators through which Organs they stole the hearts of wavering Rome and bowed them to their intrest Nor was Istrinia Queen of Scythia less Industrious in Accomplishing her Son in that degree of Learning that he Eclipsed the Fame of his