the very name hath been so terrible amongst them as they had rather encertein into their dark and sad dominions ten thousand of their wives then any one man who hears the least character of a Cuckold But having done with this sporting I proceed to what is more serious Of Women remarkable for their love to their Husbands IT is reported of the wives of Wynbergen a free place in Germany that the Town being taken in an assault by the Emperor and by reason the Citizens in so valiantly defending their lives and honours had been the overthrow of the greatest part of his army the Emperour grew so inplacable that the purposed though mercy to the women yet upon the men a bloody revenge Composition being granted and articles drawn for the surrender of the Town it was lawfull for the matrons and virgins by the Emperours edict to carry out of their own necessaries a burden of what they best liked The Emperour not dreaming but that they would load themselves with their jewels and coin rich garments and such like might perceive them issuing from the Ports with every wife her husband upon her back and every virgin and demosel her father or brother to expresse as much love in preserving their lives then as the men had before valour in defending their liberties This noble example of conjugall love and piety took such impression in the heart of Caesar that in recompence of their noble charity he not only suffered them to depart peaceably with their first burdens but granted every one a second to make choice of what best pleased them amongst all the treasure and wealth of the City Michael Lord Montaigne in his Essaies speaks only of three women for the like vertue memorable the first perceiving her husband to labour of a disease incurable and every day more and more to languish perswaded him resolutely to kill himselfe and with one blow to be rid of a lingring torment but finding him to be somewhat faint-hearted she thus put courage into him by her own noble example I quoth she whose sorrow for thee in thy sicknesse hath in some sort paralleld thy torment am willing by one death both to give date unto that which hath for thy love afflicted me and thy violent and unmedicinable torture So after many perswasive motives to encourage his fainting resolution she intended to die with him in her arms and to that purpose lest her hold by accident or affright should unloose she with a cord bound fast their bodies together and taking him in her loving embraces from an high window which overlooked part of the sea cast themselves both headlong into the water As pious affection shewed that renowned matron Arria vulgarly called Arria mater because she had a daughter of the name she seeing her husband Poetus condemned and willing that he should expire by his own hand rather then the stroke of a common hangman perswaded him to a Roman resolution but finding him somewhat danted with the present fight of death she snatcht up a sword with which she transpierc'd her selfe and then plucking it from her bosome presented it unto her husband only with these few and last words Poete non dolet Hold Poetus it hath done me no harm and so fell down and died of whom Martial in his first book of Epigrams hath left this memory Casta suo gladium cum traderet Aria Poeto Quem dedit visceribus traxerat illa suis Si qua fides vulnus quod seci non dolet inquit Sed quod tu facies hoc mihi Poete dolet When Aria did to Poetus give that steel Which she before from her own brest had tane Trust me quoth she no smart at all I feel My only wound 's to think upon thy pain The third was Pompeia Paulina the wife of Seneca who when by the tyrannous command of Nero she saw the sentence of death denounced against her husband though she was then young and in the best of her years and he aged and stooping notwithstanding so pure was her affectionat zeale towards him that as soon as she perceived him to bleed caused her own vein to be opened so to accompany him in death few such presidents this our age affordeth Yet I have lately seen a discourse intituled A true Narration of Rathean Herpin who about the time that Spinola with the Bavarians first entred the Pallatinate finding her husband Christopher Thaeon Appoplext in all his limbs and members with an invincible constancy at severall journies bore him upon her back the space of 1300 English miles to a Bath for his recovery These and the like presidents of nuptiall piety make me wonder why so many Satyrists assume to themselves such an unbridled liberty to inveigh without all limitation against their Sex I hapned not long since to steale upon one of these censorious fellowes and found him writing after this manner I wonder our fore-fathers durst their lives Hazard in daies past with such choice of wives And as we read to venture on so many Methinks he hath enow that hath not any Sure either women were more perfect then Or greater patience doth possesse us men Or it belongs to them since Eve's first curse That as the world their Sex growes worse and worse But who can teach me Why the fairer still They are more false good Oedipus thy skill Or Sphinx thine toresolve me lay some ground For my instruction good the like is found ' Mongst birds and serpents did you never see A milk white Swan in colour like to thee That wast my mistresse once as white as faire Her downie breasts to touch as soft as rare Yet these deep waters that in torments meet Can never wash the blacknesse from her feet Who ever saw a Dragon richly clad In golden scales but that within he had His goâ—ge stufe full of venome I behold The woman and methinks a cup of gold Stands brim'd before me whence should I but sip I should my fate and death tast from thy lip But henceforth I 'll beware thee since I know That under the more spreading Misceltow The greater Mandrake thrives whose shrieke presages Or ruine or disaster Who ingages Himselfe to beauty he shall find dependants Contempt Disdain and Scorn with their attendants Inconstancy and Falshood in their train Wait loosnesse and intemperance But in vain Before the blind we glorious objects bring Lend armour to the lame or counsell sing To them will find no ears be 't then approv'd None ever fair that hath sincerely lov'd If beautifull she 's proud if rich then scorn She thinks becomes her best But ' ware the horn Thou man if she be crost once bright or black Well shap'd or ugly doth she fortunes lack Or be she great in means haunts she the Court City or Countrie They all love the sport Further he was proceeding when I staied his pen and so stopped the torrent of his poeticall raptureo and so laid before him
have indeed no Law which gives licence for a brother to marry with a sister but we have found a Law O Soveraigne which warrants the King of Persia to do whatsoever liketh him best Thus they without abrogation of the Persian Laws soothed the Kings humor and preserv'd their own honours and lives who had they crost him in the least of his designs had all undoubtedly perished This he made the ground for the marriage of the first and not long after he adventured upon the second The younger of these two who attended him into Egypt he slew whose death as that of her brother Smerdis is doubtfully reported The Graecians write that two whelps the one of a Lion the other of a Dog were brought before Cambyses to sight and try masteries at which sight the young Lady was present but the Lion having victory over the Dog another of the same â—itter broke his chain and taking his brothers part they two had superiority over the Lyon Cambyses at this sight taking great delight she then sitting next him upon the sudden fell a weeping this the King observing demanded the occasion of her teares she answered it was at that object to see one brother so willing to help the other and therefore she wept to remember her brothers death and knew no man then living that was ready to revenge it and for this cause say the Greeks she was doom'd to death by Cambyses The Egyptians report it another way That she sitting with her brother at table out of a sallet dish took a lettice and pluckt off leafe by leafe and shewing it to her husband asked him Whether a whole lettice or one so despoiled shewed the better who answered a whole one then said she behold how this lettice now unleaved looketh even so hast thou disfigured and made naked the house of King Cyrus With which words he was so incensed that he kicked and spurned her then being great with child with that violence that she miscarried in her child birth and died ere she was delivered and these were the murderous effects of his detestable incest Of Livia Horestilla Lollia Paulina Cesonia c. IT is reported of the Emperour Caligula that he had not onely illegall and incestuous converse with his three naturall sisters but that he after caused them before his face to be prostitued by his ministers and servants thereby to bring them within the compasse of the Aemilian Law and convict them of adultery He vitiated Livia Horestilla the wife of C. Pisonius and Lollia Paulina whom he caused to be divorced from her husband C. Memnius both whose beds within lesse then two years he repudiated withall interdicting the company and society of man for ever Caesonia he loved more affectionately insomuch that to his familiar friends as boasting of her beauty he would often shew her naked To add unto his insufferable luxuries he defloured one of the vestall virgins Neither was the Emperor Commodus much behind him in devilish and brutish effeminacies for he likewise strumpeted his own sisters and would wittingly and willingly see his mistresses and concubines abused before his face by such of his favourites as he most graced he kept not at any time lesse then to the number of three hundred for so Lampridius hath left recorded Gordianus junior who was competitioâ— with his father in the Empire kept two and twenty concubines by each of which he had three or foure children at the least therefore by some called the Priamus of his age but by others in derision the Priapus The Emperor Proculus took in battell a hundred Sarmatian virgins and boasted of himselfe that he had got them all with child in lesse then fifteen daies this Vopiscus reports and Sabellicus But a great wonder is that which Johannes Picus Mirandula relates of Hercules as that he lâ—y with fifty daughters of Lycomedes in one night and got them all with child with forty nine boies only failing in the last for that proved a girle Jocasta APollodorus Atheniensis in his third book De deorum origine records this history After the death of Amphion King of Thebes Laius succeeded who took to wife the daughter of Menocoeas called Jocasta or as others write Epicasta This Laius being warned by the Oracle that if of her he begat a son he should prove a Parricide and be the death of his father notwithstanding forgetting himselfe in the distemperature of wine he lay with her the same night she conceived and in processe brought forth a male issue whom the King caused to be cast out into the mountain Cytheron thinking by that means â—o prevent the predicted destiny Polybus the herdsman to the King of Corinth finding this infant bore it home to his wife Periboea who nursed and brought it up as her own and causing the swelling of the feet with which the child was then troubled to be cured they grounded his name from that disease and called him Oedipus This inâ—ant as he had increased in years so he did in all the perfections of nature as well in the accomplishments of the â—ind as the body insomuch that as well in capacity and volubility of speech as in all active and generous exercises he was excellent above all of his age his vertues being generally envied by such as could nor equall them they thought to disgrace him in something and gave him the contemptible name of counterfeit and bastard this made him curiously inquisitive of his supposed mother and she not able in that point to resolve him he made a journy to Delphos to consult with the Oracle about the true knowledge of his birth and parents which forewarned him from returning into his own Countrie because he was destined not only to be the deaths-man of his father but to add misery unto mischiefe he was likewise born to be incestuous with his mother Which to prevent and still supposing himselfe to be the son of Polybus and Peribaea he forbore to return to Corinth and hiring a Chariot took the way towards Phocis It hapned that in a strait and narrow passage meeting with his father Laius and Polyphontes his Charioter they contended for the way but neither willing to give place from words they fell to blowes in which contention Polyphontes kill'd one of the horses that drew the Chariot of Oedipus at which inraged he drew his sword and first slew Polyphontes and next Laius who seconded his servant and thence took his ready way towards Thebes Damasistratus King of the Plataeenses finding the body of Laius caused it to be honourably interred In this interim Creon the son of Menecoeus in this vacancy whilst there was yet no King invades Thebes and after much slaughter possesseth himselfe of the Kingdome Juno to vex him the more sent thither the monster Sphinx born of Eâ—hidna and Tiphon she had the face of a woman the wings of a fowle and the breast feet and taile of a Lion she
other insomuch that the horse opprest with hunger devoured her hence came that Adage 〈◊〉 upon Diogineanus More cruel then Hyppomanes Gregorius Turonensis remembers one Deuteria fearing lest her young daughter now grown ripe and marriageable who might be deflâ—ured by King Theodebertus cast her headlong into the river that runs by the City Viridunum where she was drowned Orchamus finding his daughter Leucothoe to be vitiated by Apollo caused her to be buried alive Lucilla the daughter of Marcus Antonus and Fausta as Herodian reports was slaine by the hand of her brother Commodus against whom she had before made a conjuration Lychione the daughter of Dedalion because she durst compare her selfe with Diana was by the goddesse wounded to death with an arrow at the celebration of whose exequies when her body was to be burnt her father likewise cast himselfe into the fire Hylonome the she Centaur seeing her husband Cillarius slain in the battell betwixt the Centaurs and the Lapithes fell upon his sword and so expired Anmianus and Marcellus lib. 16. have left recorded that Mithridates King of Pontus being overcome in a battell by Pompey committed his daughter Dyraptis to the safe custody of the Eunuch Menophilus to be kept in a strong Cittadel called Syntiarium which when Manutius Priscus had straitly besieged and the Eunuch perceived the defenders of the Castle dismaid and ready to submit themselves and give up the fort he drew out his sword and slew her rather then she should be mode a captive to the Roman General Sextas Aurelius writes of the Empresse Sabina the wife of Adrian who having suffered from him many grosse and servile injuries gave her selfe up to a voluntary death when she considered she had supported so inhumane a tyrant and such a contagious pest to the Common weal. Pontus de Fortuna speaks of a virgin amongst the Salattines called Neaera who grieving that a young man to whom she was betrothed had forsaken her and made choise of another caused her veins to be opened and bled to death Cleopatra after the death of Anthony lest she should be presented as a Captive to grace the triumphs of Augustus gave her arm to the biting of an Asp of which she died for in that manner was her picture presented in Rome of whom Propertius lib. 3. thus speaks Brachia spectavi sacris admorsa colubris Neaera and Charmione were the two handmaids of Cleopatra These as Plutarch and others report of them would by no perswasion survive their Queen and mistresse who perceiving as they were gasping betwixt life and death the Crown to be falne from the temples of their dead Lady raised themselves from the earth with the small strength they had left and placed it right again on her forehead that she might the better become her death which they had no sooner done but they both instantly fell down and breathed their last an argument of an unmatchable zeal to the Princesse their Lady Monima Miletia and Veronicha Chia were the wives of Mithridates who understanding of his tragicall fall and miserable end gave up their lives into the hands of the Eunuch Bochides Monima first hanged her self but the weight of her body breaking the cord she grew somewhat recovered and fell into this sad acclamation O execrable power of a diadâ—â— whose command even in this small sad service I cannot use which words were no sooner spoke but she offered her 〈◊〉 to the sword of the Eunuch who instantly dispatched 〈◊〉 both of life and torment Veronica drank oft a 〈◊〉 of wine tempered with person which dispersing into her veins and keeping her in a languishing torment her death was likewise hastned by the Eunuch Bochides A strange madnesse possest the Virgins of Milesia these as Aeltanus and others have writ gave themselves up to voluntary deaths many or the most strangling themselves this grew so common amongst them that scarce one day past in which some one or other of them were not found dead in their chambers To remedy which mischiefe the Senators of the City made a decree That what maid soever should after that time lay violent hands upon her self the body so found dead should be stript naked and in publick view dragg'd through the streets freely exposed to the â—ies of all men The impression of which shame more prevailing then the terror of death none was ever after known to commit the like outrage upon themselves Phaedra the step-mother to Hippolitus her son in law and wife of Theseus when she could not corrupt a young man her son in law to make incestuous the bed of his father despairing hung her selfe yet before her death she writ certain letters in which she accused Hippolitus to his father of incest which after proved the speedy cause of his death Amongst many strange deaths these of two mothers are not the least remarkable most strange it is that sudden joy should have much power to suffocate the spirits as the power of lightning The rumour of the great slaughter at the Lake of Thrasimenes being published one woman when beyond all hope she met her son at the City gate safely returned from the generall defeats cast her selfe into his arms where in that extasie of joy she instantly expired Another hearing her son was slain in the battell after much sorrow for his death sitting in her own house and spying him unexpectedly comming towards her safe and in health she was so overcome with sudden joy that not able to rise and give him meeting she died as she sate in her chaire Most strange it is that joy should make speedier way to death then sorrow these mothers Zoe remembred by Valerius Maximus lib. 9. cap. 12. So much I hope shall suffice for women that have died strange deaths for I had rather hear of many to live well then that any one should die ill I only intreat patience of the courteous Reader that as I have begun this book in sadnesse so he will give me leave to conclude it in jest Some no doubt though not justly will tax me for my too much intermixtion of history and say there be many things inserted not pertinent to my project in hand which might better have been left out then put in They in my conceit do but dally with me and put such a trick upon me as a Gentleman did upon a Country hostler My tale is but homely but it hath a significant Moral This traveller often using to a thorowfare Inne was much annoied by reason that betwixt his chamber and the stable where he commonly used to see his horse drest and meated there lay great heaps of pullens dung in his way which much offended him and being willing either to be rid of that inconvenience or punish him that might remedy it he took occasion to ask the hostler what dâ—nghill that was which was so offensive He answered him his
profession and sacred order who answered Should he invite me again unto the like Feast and ply me so fast with wine as he did then I should not only be apt to malign and revile but beat out of the room if they were then present the twelve Apostles The Judges by this understanding that his contempt only proceeded from the excesse of wine dismist him unpunished and upon the Priest that had first invited him and after accused him they laid this pennance That he should taste no wine for four whole daies together Old Ennius notwithstanding these effects never buckled himselfe to the writing of any brave Heroick Verse before his brain was moistned and his Muse kindled and awaked with the spirit of the grape of whom Horace Ennius ipse pater nunquam nisi potus ad arma Prosituit c. They need no further explanation the former words expresse them fully Tiberius was so addicted to immoderate cups that bring in the camp the souldiers used to nickname him and instead of clodius called him Caldus for Tiberius Biberius and for Nero Mero all of them reproving his intemperate Vinosity Juvenal in his Satyrs reports one Lanfella a woman for an incontinent wine-bibber Martial taxes another called Myrtale for her insaciaâ—e drinking but because her breath should not smel of the Grape she used to temter her wine with the leaves of Lawrel His words be these Foetore multo Myrtale solet vino Sed fallat ut nos folia devorat Lauri Myrtale drinks much wine which to excuse Lest that her breath thereof should stink and smel To deceive us she in her cups doth use To have her wine with Lawrell temp'red well The like Epigram he hath lib. 1. of another called Fescenina a great drinker of wine whom he brands for her intemperance In so great a custome was this rioting in drink grown that when the great and sumptuous Espousals of Hyppolita and Alphonsus were celebrated by King Ferdinand his father where every thing was carried with extraordinary magnificence and state as well the maâ—tiall exercises abroad as the Masks Revels and private sports within which extended not only to condign praise but admiration of all the spectators and all these Pastimes Feasts and Banquets kept to the end with great plenty and abundance yet without vain excesse and 〈…〉 In the shutting up all these solemnities one amidst the multitude by Nation a German clamoured out aloud even to the hearing of the King and all his Princely guests in these words Oh valeant ludi quibus nemo bibit i. Happy be those sports in which there is no excesse in drinking Pontanus And thus for the present I give over Healthing Of Women beloved of divers creatures EGesidemus upon Pliny tels us That the child Hermias was so beloved of a Dolphin that she would come to the Sea-shore and suster him to get upon her back then swim with him into the sea and having sported with him sufficiently bring him safe to land and then attend him the next day It hapned that having long continued this love betwixt them upon a time being mounted on the Dolphins back a sudden tempest arose by the violence of which the Lad was beaten off and so perished in the sea Which the Dolphin perceiving and having lost him whom she much loved she left the water and casting her selfe upon the dry Continent there gave up her selfe to a voluntary death Of the love of that kind of Fish to men and children there are divers remembrances as of Arion and others In Argis the child Olenus was affected by a Goose so likewise Lycidas the Philosopher who would never depart from him nor be driven out of his company but was his continuall associate in publike and private in the Bath in the night the day without any intermission Plin. lib. 10. cap. 22. Glauce the Harper was beloved of a Ram a youth of Sparta by a Daw. Nicander apud Caelium witnesseth That one Selandus the Butler to the King of Bithynia was beloved of a Cock whom they called Centaurus A Cock doted likewise on a young Lad whose name was Amohilochus by Nation an Olenian Why may we not then as well give credit that Semiramis was affected by a Horse and Pasiphae by a Bull when Pliny tels us that in Leucadia a young Damosel was so beloved of a Peacock that the enamoured bird never left her in life and accompanied her in death for seeing the Virgin dead she never would receive food from any hand but so pined away and died also In the City of Sestâ—s a young Eagle taken in a nest was carefully brought up by a Virgin The Bird being come to full growth would every day take her flight abroad and all such foul as she could catch bring home and lay them in the lap of her mistresse And this she used daily as it were to recompence her for her fostering and brinking up At length this Virgin dying and her body being borne unto the Funerall fire the Eagle still attended which was no sooner exposed unto the flames but the bird likewise cast her selfe with a voluntary flight amidst the new kindled pile and to her mistresses Hearse gave her selfe a most grateful sacrifice Plin. lib. 10. cap. 5. Saxo Grammat in the tenth book of his Danish History reports That certain young maids of a Village in Swethland playing and sporting together in the fields upon a holy-day suddenly an huge he Bear rushed out of the forrest and snatched up the fairest amongst them and hurried her away to his Den but gently and without any harm where having bestowed her long gazed on her face as if with a kind of admiration he grew so enamoured of her on the sudden that in the stead of a murtherer he became a lover imparting unto her all the prey that he got abroad The sequele of this History which is almost past beliefe I am loth for many speciall reasons to prosecute any further here therefore though abruptly I break it off Of Women excellent in the Art of Painting Weaving c. INnumerable are the men that have been excellent in the quality of Painting the Catalogue of their Names without a Capitulation of their Works would ask much paper but great pains to set down Yet as of the rest I will give you a small taste of their exquisite dexterity in that Art I have read That Apelles having made an excellent Piece in which he had deciphered a Horse to the life he thought it then a Present worthy Alexander and comming to present it to the King he only gave it a neglected look neither praising it nor discommending it but found other discourse The Painter still holding it up Bucephalus on whom the King was then mounted casting his 〈◊〉 upon the Table fell a neighing thinking the lively effigies had been a living Beast Which Apelles observing could no longer contain himselfe but cried out aloud O Alexander I now well perceive thy Horse
is said to be Incertae patriae as no man knowing from what particular region to derive her and therefore is known by no particular name nor by the ancient Historiographers numbred amongst the ten only amongst the twelve she hath the place as may appeare by this her Prophesie When the great King of all the world shall have No place on Earth by which he can be known When he that comes all mortall men to save Shall find his own life by the world o'rthrown When the most just injustice shall deprave And the great judge be judged by his own Death when to death a death by death hath given Then shall be op'd the long shut gates of Heaven Sybilla Tiburlina IT seems she derives her selfe from the River Tyber she is otherwise called Albunaea of the City Alba which was erected before Rome as also Italica and by some Alburnaea It is reported that the Romans going about to deifie Augustus Caesar demanded advise of this Sybill who after three daies fast standing before the Altar where the Emperour himselfe was then present after many hidden words miraculously spoken concerning Christ upon the sudden Heaven opened and Caesar saw a beautifull virgin standing before the Altar who held in her arms as lovely an infant at this apparition Caesar affrighted fell on his face at which instant was heard a voice as from Heaven saying This is the Altar of the son of God In which place was after built a Temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary and called Ara Coeli i. The Altar of Heaven This Polycronicon affirms and for the truth thereof citeth Saint Augustine lib. 18. cap. 24. There is little more remembred of her life saving that in her books she prophesied of the comming of the Saviour of the world much after this manner Seven wonders of the world have been proclaimed But yet a greater then these are not named The Egyptians high Pyramides who seem'd To meet the stars a work once much esteem'd The Tower of Pharos The miraculous wall That Babylon begirt The fourth we call Diana's Church in Ephesus Fame sings T' had six and thirty Pillers built by Kings As many Next to these Mausolus Tombe Than which the Earth supporteth on her womb No braver structure Next to these there was The huge Colossus that was cast in brasse Of height incredible whom you may espie Holding a lamp fifty seven cubits high Bestriding an huge river The seventh wonder Was of great love that strikes with trisule thunder His Statue carv'd in Ivory and contriv'd By Phideas the best workman then surviv'd What at these trifles stands the world amaz'd And hath on them with admiration gaz'd Then wonder when the troubled world â— ' appease He shall descend who made them that made these Of these wonders briefly to make her divination the more plaine Of these Pyramides there were divers of which the greatest took up eight acres of ground parted into foure angles each equally distant eight hundred eighty foot and in height twenty five A second foure angles every one containing by even spaces seven hundred thirty and seven foot A third comprehended three hundred sixty three foot betwixt every angle A fourth erected by Rhodope the strumpet the mistresse of Aesop by the monie which she got by her trade Herodotus speaks of a Pyramis made by Cleopys King of Egypt of stones ferch'd from Arabia whose length was five furlongs the breadth ten paces He erected a second more magnificent which was not not finisht in twenty years upon which he spent so much treasure that he was forc'd to prostitute his daughter a most beautifull young virgin to supply his own necessity Pliny reports that in this structure he imploied so many workmen that they eat him 1800. talents in onyons and garlick 2. The Tower of Pharos built by Ptolomaeus in that Isle which served as a lanthorn to direct Navigators by sea in the night he spent upon it 5300. Talents Sostrata was the Architectour as appears by the inscription of his name upon the Cittadell 3. The wals of Babylon were built by Semiâ—amis they were as Hermodorus writes in thicknesse fifty cubits in height two hundred within the compasse of which were an hundred Ports having brazen gates that all mov'd upon hinges they were beautified with three hundred Turrets and Chariots might meet upon the top of them and have free passage without impediment 4. The Temple of Diana of which I have spoken before was in length 425 foot in breadth 220. It was beautified with 127. Columns 5. The tombe of Mausolus built by Artimesia Queen of Caria was in height 25. Cubits it was compast with 36 Columns it contained from the South to the North 33. foot the whole compasse contained 1411. That part which lay towards the East was perfected by Scopas that which was towards the North was ended by Briax that towards the Meridian by Timothaeus that which butted upon the West by Leocares 6. The Colossus of the Sun which bestrid the River Rhodes betwixt whose legs ships without vailing their top-sails came into the harbour was of that vastnesse that a man with his spread arms could not compasse his thumb every finger being as big as a common statue After it had stood six and fifty years it was emolisht by an earthquake The Souldan of Egypt having invaded Rhodes with the broken brasse thereof laded thence 900. Camels The chiefe workman was Chares Lindius the scholler of Licippus 7. The image of Jupiter to which some equall the Pallace of Cyrus King of the Meads built by Memnon the stones of which were cemented together with gold But I leave further to speake of these and proceed to the next Sybill Sybilla Aegyptia SHe was called Agrippa not numbred amongst the ten out hath place among the Twelve she prophesied upon the number of Three and on this manner Sacred's the number Three as Sybils tell Betwixt three brothers the Heaven Sea and Hell Were cast by lot The Earth as all men write In their divisions is called Tripartite Jove three waies striking hath his Trisulc Thunder Neptune's allow'd his Tâ—ident to keep under The mutinous waves Three fatall sisters spin Our thread of life Three Judges punish sin Even monsters are described so Geryon weares Three heads Grim Cerberus as many bears Sphinx hath three shapes of Bird of Beast of Maid All three in wings in feet in face displai'd Chimaera is Triform'd the monstrous creature Scilla 's of dogs fish and a womans feature The Erynnaes Harpyes Gorgons three-fold all The Sybils Trifatidicae we call Divining from the Tripos Orpheus Lyre Sings that 't was made of water earth and fire Three Charites three Fates three Syrens be Number the Muses they are three times three She 's triple Hecat's call'd Diana stil'd Trivia The ground of Musick was compil'd But on three cords at first and still exprest By voice by hand by breath In the Physicks
the last her history I thus receive in briefe Admetus a King of Greece demanded Alceste in marriage whose father had published an Edict That none should enjoy her save such a one as could reconcile two wild beasts of contrary cruelties and natures opposite to draw without jarring together in his Chariot This Admetus hearing he petitioned to Apollo and Hercules who commiserating his suit the one brought him a Lion the other a Beare both made tame and gentle to his hand who presenting them to the father of Alceste and having yoaked them and made them draw according to the Edict received her as his bride and departed with her thence into his own Country of Thessaly Not long after Admetus falling into a great infirmity of sicknesse and consulting with the Oracle about his health answer was returned That he must necessarily leave the world unlesse he could procure some Friend Kinsman Courtier or other who by sacrificing their own lives to his love might ransome his and by no other means his health to be restored This motion being made to many both neer and deer to him who no doubt had promised more with purpose to perform lesse in conclusion it was refused by all which comming to the eare of Alceste she gave her selfe up to a most willing death to redeem the health and life of her husband and with her own hands slew her self Now tell me O you Satyrists against the sex of women that call them fraile inconstant weak and timorous in which of these two did manly courage noble resolution or conjugall love most shine in him that by suffering death to steal upon him yielded himselfe to the necessity of fate or in her who like a bold Virago with an unmarchable resolution with her own hand extracted that blood from her chast brest with which she writ her selfe a character of honour to outlast all antiquity In these things then you see they may justly claim an equall competence with men but in many things a just priority as in nursing and bringing up children in mannaging the affairs of the house and care of all domestick businesse in providing us Diet Linnen for the back and bed in sewing weaving and in spinning for who cannot imagine how ill great Hercules did become the distaffe But I will cease further to speak in their praise lest I be taxed of palpable flattery and some may lay on me an aspersion That either I lov'd that sex wondrous well in my youth or perhaps now begin to doat on them in my age And since I last spake of that conjoined love that ought to be betwixt man and wife I will produce an Epigram taken from Ausonius to that purpose the inscription is as followeth Ad Vxorem Live as we have liv'd still to each other new And use those names we did when we first knew Let the same smiles within our cheeks be read The same sports thought on we first us'd in bed Let the day never come to see the change That either Time or Age shall make us strange But as we first met let us ever be I thy young man and thou a girle to me To others though I seem like Nestor old And thou more years hast then Cumana told Times snow we will not see though it appears 'T is good to know our age not count our years Such I must confesse Husbands ought to be to their Wives and Wives to their Husbands but they are seldome found in these daies as may appear by a short tale that I wil tell you Three Gentlemen being late at supper in a Tavern every man in curtesie made offer to pay the reckoning at length a motion was made amongst them that because it equally concerned them all to put it to fortune and cast the dice so that committing it to chance the other should be no waies beholding to him for his charges To this two of them assented but the third presuming much upon the love of his wife was willing to put it to another venture both to save his purse and expresse to his friends the gentle disposition of a woman to her husband whose welcome home was still as constant at midnight as at mid-day he therefore made a second motion that to decide the controversie every man should instantly make hast home by turns as they lay nearest in their way and he that did not that thing instantly which his wife bad the whole charge of the reckoning should be imposed upon him and not to part company till they see this done upon which they concluded They went to the next house the Gentleman first knockt at his own door and he was let in the rest followed but the husbaâ—d only shewing himselfe found his wife in the Kitchin how now wife saith he what hast thou reserved for my supper She churlishly replied here is nothing but the porridge the dog hath lapt in you had best sup up them this was sport to the other two and he not willing both to be charg'd and laught at and so doubly punisht did as she bad and so away they went all three to the house of the second His wife was in bed how now sweet heart where are you saith he here sweet husband she answered againe and I pray you come to bed quickly who hastily put off his cloths went to bed and as speedily rose againe to see what would become of the third To his lodging they went and this was he that presuming on his wives gentlenesse drew the rest to the motion being entred he asked the maid for her mistresse who told him she was newly gone to her chamber up the stairs runs he the Gentlewoman asked who is there 't is I sweet wife saith he and for hast stumbled at the uppermost step you had best break your neck down the stairs saith she At which words he pausing a little Nay on my word not so quoth he rather then do that I will even back againe with my friends to the Tavern and pay the reckoning But leaving this which by some mâ—y be â—â—â—sured to be little better then existing I 〈◊〉 break â—ff my introduction and proceed to matter more serious beginning with a briefe summary or catalogue of the names of some famous Queens Mothers and Daughters many of which we shall have occasion to handle more at large in the processe of our Treatâ—se Of Queens Illustrious SEmiramis was Queen of the Assyrians Camilla of the Volscians Nicaula whom some call Saba of the Aethiopians Athalia of the Hebrewes Thomiris of the Scythians Hesther of the Persians Cleopatra of the Aegyptians Zenobia of the Palmyriens Amalasuntha of the Goths of these we shall speak more at large as they fall in course Theolinda of the Longobards or Lombards succeeds This nation dwelt first in Pannonia and were governed by the King Albinus now the reason why they were first so called was this In the time that Justinus sirnamed the Lesse wore the
Cumani there is but one only man and that is Aristodemus These words touching all to the quick it imprest in the minds of the more generous a true feeling of their basenesse and slavery with a shame thereof and withall an apprehension of the recovery of their pristine liberties which perceiving she thus proceeded I had rather to purchase my fathers repeale from exile to play the labourer and bear burdens as you do then live the Tyrant in all the surfetting riots and delicacies on the earth and so left them These last words gave confirmation to what they had before scarce apprehended which after brought the embryons of their thoughts unto a timely and full-born action For with the Prince Timotoles they conspired against Aristodemus and Zenocrita had made their entrance free at such time as he was secure and his guard negligent when with great ease and small danger they rusht upon him and flew him Thus by her means her Country recovered their ancient liberties and honours But when great and magnificent gifts were presented her for this good service she refused them all only making one request unto the people That it might be lawfull for her to take the body of Aristodemus and give it a solemn and roiall buriall to which they did not only with great willingnesse condescend but they instituted her the Priest of Ceres supposing it to be an honour no lesse acceptable to the goddesse then worthily becoming her This Pythes lived in the time of Xerxes who had to wife a Noble and wise Lady whose temperance and humanity shall outlive posterity He in his Countrie finding a Mine of gold from whence he had gathered by the industry of his subjects in insinite masse of treasure which he used with no moderation for all his study industry and imployment both of his subjects and servants were in this Mine either in digging Oâ—e or drawing it up or fining and refining it all other actions 〈◊〉 affairs and businesses quite neglected many having died in the Mine and many ready to perish for want of food by reason the earth lay neglected The women came to make a petitionary complaint to the wife of Pyches who understanding their griefs with faiâ—e language returned them back somewhat pacified though not altogether satisfied yet putting them in good hope that their griefes should shortly be redressed They thus dismist she sent for all the Goldsmiths that were known to be exquisite workmen and requesting them into 〈…〉 place 〈…〉 had â—itted them with 〈◊〉 and all 〈◊〉 necessâ—â—y for the purpose she 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 all kind of fruits as Apples 〈…〉 and such like with whose â—ast her husband was much 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 them all of gold 〈…〉 Mine with a good stomack as 〈…〉 called to ear His Lady served him in a gold 〈◊〉 but with no meat that could be eaten 〈◊〉 very dish 〈…〉 gold Being at the first 〈◊〉 with 〈…〉 as pleased that art should so imitate 〈◊〉 after being much delighted with the object he demanded meat again and calling for such a dish And such a 〈◊〉 as his appetite was best inclined to 〈…〉 whatsoever was brought to the table caused it to be all gold he â—â—ll growing more hungry and very angry withall she made him this modest and effectuall answer O Sir consider with your selfe of these and such like dishes you have provided for your selfe and your subjects plenty but of other viands no plenty at all we have store of artificiall but the use of naturall things hath utterly forsaken us no man tils plowes sowes or manures the fields plantation or hope to reap from the earth is now forgot only we study things unprofitable and as you see unnecessary to please the eie and not the palate the fancy and not the stomack such indeed as to your subjects bring sorrow but no satisfaction great molestation but no meat at all to suffice the necessities of nature This short but pithy speech took such impression on Pythes that though he would not altogether desist from his Mines yet upon her urgence he only peculiarized to himselfe a fifth part of the people and the rest were imploied in agriculture and tillage planting and such things most usefull for mans sustenance This Pythes after many disasters as rich men are seldome without some or other as the death of his children who all came to violent and unexpected death by the means of Xerxes he fell into a wondrous deep melancholy for he hated life and yet was loath to die and like a foolish rich man as this age affords many griefe stil would have killed him had not the thought of his wealth still recovered him therefore he proposed this farewell betwixt the wearinesse of life and the rediousnesse of death There was in the City a great heap of gold by which a river softly glided which was called Pythopolite within the midst of this great magazin he had provided himselfe a Sepulchre and had so turned the channell that the water might come just to the brink of the shore where his monument was ready prepared The work being finished he committed the sole government of the State and Empire to his wife with this charge That none should dare to approach his Tomb but daily send him such a quanty of victuals in a boat by the river and when they found the meat untoucht to forbeare to send any more for they should then imagine him dead And such was the covetous mans end in the middest of his treasure His wife after managed the State with great wisedome and policy and to the generall good of the subject The wife of Nausimenes HErodotus reports of one of the sons of Croesus that he was born dumb and never spake word from his birth being in all things else compleat of an able body and a spirit undanted to supply which defect he used all means possible that art or humane skill could devise but all failing as his last refuge he consulted with the Oracle which returned him this answer Lyde genus Rex multorum c. Thou of the Lydian off spring and the King Of many Nations if such be thy care To know this secret and effect that thing Which divine work no mortall can or dare Be thus resolv'd His tongue shall accent give When save by it thou canst no longer live Croesus being besieged in Sardis and the City taken as first entered by one Mardus Hyreades a Persian that had disguised himselfe of purpose of murder Croesus in his Palace who insinuating into his pâ—esence and now lifting up his hand to strike the fatall blow the King by reason of his present distresse not apprehending the danger which his son comming in at the instant and espying the strings of his tongue were unloosed on the sudden and he cried out Oh man spare the King Croesus and from that time forward his imprisoned voice was ever at liberty More disastrous was that which befell the wife of Nausimenes
Tyrants wife to prevent their fury made fast her dore and in her private chamber strangled her selfe Aristotemus had two beautifull young virgins to his daughters both marriageable these they were about to drag into the streets with purpose to destroy them but first to excruciate them with all disgraces and contumacies Which Megisto seeing with her best oratory appeased their present fury proposing to them how shamefull a thing it were for a noble and free state to imitate the insolencies of a bloody and inhumane tyranny liberty therefore was granted the young Damosels at her intercession to retire themselves into their chambers and to make choice of what death best suited with their present fears Myro the elder sister unloosing from her wast a silken girdle fastned it about her own neck and with a smiling and chearfull look thus comforted the younger My sweet and dear sister I more commiserate thy fate then lament mine own yet imitate I intreat thee my constancy in death lest any abject thing or unworthy may be objected against us unagreeable with our blood and quality To whom the younger replied That nothing could appeare more terrible to her then to behold her die therefore besought her by the affinity of sisterhood to be the first that should make use of that girdle and dying before her to leave to her an example of resolution and patience Myro to her made answer I never denied thee any thing sweet soule in life neither will I oppose thee in this thy last request at thy death and for thy sake will I indure that which is more grievous to me then mine own death namely to see thee die When accommodating all things for the present execution she no sooner saw her dead but she gently laid her out and with great modesty covered her Then she besought Megisto on her knees to have a care of them in their deaths that nothing immodest or uncomely might be done to their bodies which granted she not only with courage but seeming joy underwent her fate till she expired nor was there any spectator there present to whom the memory of the tyrant was never so hatefull from whose eies and hearts this object did not extract tears and pity In Megisto is exprest the Magnanimity of spirit but in these following I will illustrate Fortitude in action The Turks busied in the siege of some Towns in Catharo Vluzales and Carocossa two of no mean place and eminence among them wrought so far with the great Admirall that he delivered into their charge the managing of threescore Gallies with munition and men in number competent to make incursions into the bordering Islands then under the State of Venice These two Turkish Captains land their forces before Curzala a City that gives name to the Countrie with purpose invest themselves before it which Antonius Contarinus then Governour of the City understanding like a timeâ—ous and fearfull coward taking the advantage of the night fled with his souldiers thence not leaving the Town any way deâ—ensible which the Citizens understanding all or the most followed after The Town thus left to the weak guard of some twenty men and about fourescore women the Turks give them a bold and fierce assault when these brave viragoes chusing rather to die like souldiers then like their husbands run like cowards some maintaine the Ports others defend the wals and with that noble resolution that what with fire stones scâ—lding water and such like muniments then readiest at hand so opposed the assailants that many of the Turks in that conflict were slain and all repulst retiring themselves with purpose some rest given to the souldiers to salute them with a fresh alarum But fortune was so favourable to these Amazonian spirits that a mighty tempest from the North so cost and distrest the Turks Gallies that they were forced to abandon the Island to dishonour leaving to the besieged a memory worthy to outlive all posterity Of Dido Cesara Gumilda and Ethelburga OF Dido Queen of Carthage all Authors agree to have falne by the sword and to have died by her own bold resolute hand but about the cause that moved her thereto divers differ Ausonius is of opinion That her husband Sychaeus being dead she did it to preserve her viduall chestity and so free her selfe from the importunities of Hyarbus King of Getulia of his mind is Marullus and of these Remnius or as some will have it Priscianus in the Geography of Dionysius writing De scitu orbis i. the Scituation of the world Contrary to these is the Prince of Poets he whom Scaâ—ger cals Poeta noster Pub Virgilius who ascribes her death to an impatience of grief conceived at the unkind departure of Aeneas which though it carry no great probability of truth yet all the Latine Poets for the most part in honour of the author have justified his opinion as Ovid in his third book De fâ—stis his Epistles Metamorph. and others works so likewise Angelus Politianus in his Mâ—nto with divers others Just ne in his eighteenth book of Histor speaking of the first erecting of Carthage saith That where they began to dig with purpose to lay the first foundation they found the head of an Oxe by which it was predicted that the City should be futurely fertill and commodious but withall full of labour and subject to perpetuall servitude therefore they made choice of another peece of earth where in turning up the mould they chanced upon the head of a horse by which it was presaged their Collony should in time grow to be a warlike nation fortunate and victorious In what manner she died I refer you to Virgil and will speak a word or two of her sister Anna the daughter of Belus She after the death of her sister forsaking of the City of Carthage then invested with siege by Hyarbus fled to Battus King of the Island Mâ—lita but making no long sojourn there she put again to sea and fell upon the coast of Laurentum where being well known by Aeneas she was nobly received but not without suspition of too much familiarity betwixt them insomuch that jealousie possessing Lavâ—nia the wife of Aenea she conceived an iâ—reconcilable hatâ—ed against Aâ—na insomuch that fearing her threatned displeasure she cast her selfe headlong into the river Numicus and was there drowned for so Ovid reports to his book De fastâ—s But touching the illustrious Queen Didâ— under her statue were these verses or the like engraven in a Greek character interpreted into Latiâ—e by Ausoâ—us and by me in the sacred memory of so eminent a Queen thus Englished I am that Dido look upon me well And what my life was let mâ— viâ—age tell 〈◊〉 farre and smooth what wrinckle can you find In this plain Table to expresse a mind So sordid and corrupt Why then so uneven And black a soule should to a face be given That promiseth all vertue 〈◊〉 where Begott'st thou those all thoughts that
a presumptuous security They shew it to the chiefe Commanders of Naxos who uniting themselves give the affrightned and unweaponed Miletians a sudden and unexpected aâ—laule and having slaughter'd many possesse themselves of the Castle But by Polycritas intercessive intreaties surprised Diognetus scapes with life And for this noble exploit of hers the glad Citizens running to meet her with shouts and acclamations every one bearing in his hand a Garland to receive her with those wreaths of honour Polycrita was so far extafi'd that her sudden joy asheâ—ed a sudden death for as she stood amased at the gate she instantly tell down exanimated in which gate she was buried and her sepulchre called The Tomb of Envy because it is supposed that Fortune grew so envious of her merits that thus she robb'd her of her life that so she might 〈…〉 of her deserved honours And thus much speaks the history of the Naxians Aristotle affirms Polycrita was no captive but only that Diognetus having seen her he grew so far enamoured of her that to enjoy her he pâ—oâ—eâ—ed her any thing that was in his power to give She promises to yield to his desire if he will grant her the fruition of one boon which when he had confirmed to her by oath she demanded Delium to be surrendered up for the Castle was so called Diognetus being so much inchanted with her beauty and â—oreover bound by the religion of his vow delivered up to her and the Citizens the Castle Delium Of Queens and other Ladies for divers vertues memorable VVE read of other women for divers noble actions Illustrious Dominica the wife of the Emperor Valens when the Goths had threatned the utter subversion of Constantinople by her wisedome and discretion mediated with the enemy and was the sole means of the safety both of the people and City Sâ—x Aurelius reports of Pompeia Plantina when her husband Julian the Emperor had with intollerable exactions oppressed the people insomuch that their discontents were ready to break out into rebellion this vertuous Princesse so far temporised with the Emperour that by her means they were released from all exactions and tributes Diaconus makes mention of Placidia the sister and wife of Honorius who in the yeare 412. when Ataulphus King of the Goths presented himselfe with an invincible army before the wals of Rome threatning utterly to subvert the City and after rebuild it again and instead of Rome to call it Gothia so wrought with the barbarous King by perswasions and promises that she turned his pride to pity and his immanity to mercy so that he departed thence without any assault made against the City or the least spoile doâ—e unto the Countrie Vollateranus speaks of Inguldis the sister of Childebert who being married to Hermagellus son to Lemigildus King of the Goths perswaded her husband then an infidell to be a true and constant professor of the Christian faith The like we read of Cleotilda Q of France who did the like good work upon her husband Clodoneus the son of Childerick Nor hath our own Nation been barren of good examples since Helena the mother of Constantine may in that kind claim equality if not precedâ—â—cy before any As Rome afforded a Volumnia moâ—her to Martius Corinlanus so England yeelded as eminent a Lady in all points the mother to Brennus and Belinus The first whâ—n her son had worthily deserved of his Country even to the attaining of all military honours and as an addition to the rest for his 〈◊〉 service against the City of Coriolorus had the denomination of Coriolanus bestowed upon him by the publick suffrage of the Senate yet notwithstanding for all his merits and unmatchable exploits by which he purchased to himselfe the honour to be called Pater Patriae yet after by the ingratefull multitude who were ever emulous of any mans deserved greatnesse he was not only degraded from all his titles of dignity but had the doom of everlasting banishment denounced against him in revenge of which ingratitude having raised an army and invaded the Towns of the Roman Empire ready to invest himselfe before the quaking and affrighted City when they had first sent to him to make their attonement their Priests who by reason of their sacred offices were held in much reverence next their Augurers and South-sayers then the Aeditiae which were the Keepers of their Temples and last their Prophets but none of these prevailing as their last refuge the Roman matrons presented themselves before Volumnia the mother of Martius humbly intreating her to make intercession betwixt her sons rage and the imminent calamity This reverend Lady mov'd with their tears and acclamations accompanied with Virgilia the wife of Coriolanus and many other Noble matrons and damosels having before promised to plead in their behalfs as far as a miserable mother could claim interest in an injured son repaired to his Tent and casting themselves down at his feet humbly besought him of compassion the rear exprest in their faces and the sorrow in their habits cast upon the enemy a sudden reverence and silence when Volumnia with such feeling accents and moving Oratory mixed with tears besought the peace of the City that they made a reverent impression in the heart of Coriolanus who supporting his mother and advancing his wife from the earth brake out into this extasie Vicistis you have overcome me Thus by these excellent women all combustions of war were appeased a threatned misery prevented and a generall and safe peace setled in the commonweale Of no lesse remark was the wife of Mulmutius Dunwallo the son to Cloten Duke of Cornwall who as Fabian remembers of him having in great peace and tranquillity governed the Kingdom for the space of forty years and was after buried in a place by him before erected called the Temple of peace leaving the land equally divided betwixt his two sons Belinus and Berennus to Belinus the elder was allotted England Wales and Cornwall unto Brennus all the North parts beyond Humber who being a young man and desirous of honour not content with the Principality appointed him commenced against Belinus a fearfull war But as the two brothers were ready to joine battell the mother presented her selfe betwixt the armies exposing her bodie to their opposite weapons shewing the breasts that gave them suck and with noble admonitions and motherly perswasions so mollified the hearts of the incensed Princes that all civill and seditious war laid aside they entered a friendly and brotherly league which was so established in the reverend vertues of the mother that it was never after violated in all their life times after With what condign honours is Queen Marcias memory worthy to be celebrated who being the wife to Guinthetinus King of Britain the son of Gurgunscius was in those daies of that excellent learning and knowledge that she devised many profitable and wholsome lawes to the benefit of the Common-wealth which
having learned certaing problems and aenigmas of the muses disposed her selfe in the mountaine Phycaeus The riddle that she proposed to the Thebans was this What creature is that which hath one distinguishable voice that first walkes upon four next two and lastly upon three feet and the more legs it hath is the lesse able to walk The strict conditions of this monster were these that so often as he demanded the solution of this question till it was punctually resolved he had power to chuse out any of the people where he best liked whom he presently devoured but they had this comfort from the Oracle That this Aenigma should be no sooner opened and reconciled with truth but they should be freed from this misery and the monster himselfe should be destroied The last that was devoured was Aemon son to King Creon who fearing lest the like sad fate might extend it selfe to the rest of his issue caused proclamation to be made That whosoever could expound this riddle should marry Jocasta the wife of the dead King Laius and be peaceably invested in the Kingdome this no sooner came to the ears of Oedipus but he undertook it and resolved it thus This creature saith he is man who of all other hath only a distinct voice he is born four footed as in his infancy crawling upon his feet and hands who growing stronger erects himselfe and walkes upon two only but growing decrepit and old he is fitly said to move upon three as using the help of his staffe This solution was no sooner published but Sphinx cast herselfe headlong from the top of that high Promontory and so perished and Oedipus by marrying the Queen was with a generall suffrage instated in the Kingdome He begot of her â—wo sons and two daughters Eâ—eocles and Polâ—nâ—ces Ismâ—ne and Antigone though some write that Oedipus had these children by Rurigenia the daughter of Hyperphantes These former circumstances after some years no sooner came to light but Jocasta in despair strangled her selfe Oedipus having torn out his eies was by the people expulsed Thebes cursing at his departure his children for suffering him to undergo that injury his daughter Antigone lead him as far as to Colonus a place in Attica where there is a grove celebrated to the Eumenides and there remained till he was removed thence by Theseus and soon after died And these are the best fruits that can grow from so abominable a root Of the miserable end of his incestuous issue he that would be further satisfied let him read Sophocles Apollodorus and others Oâ— him Tyresias thus prophesied Neque hic laetabitur Calibus eventis suis nam factus c. No comfort in his fortunes he shall find He now sees clearly must at length be blind And beg that 's now a rich man who shall stray Through forrein Countries for his doubtfull way Still gripping with his staffe The brother he And father of his children both shall be His mothers son and husband first strike dead His father and adulterate next his bed Crithaeis SHE was wife to one Phaemius a schoolmaster and mother to Homer Prince of the Greek Poets Ephorus of Coma in a book intiteled the Cumaean Negotiation leaves her story thus related Atelles Maeones and Dius three brothers were born in Cuma Dius being much indebted was forced to remove thence into Ascra a village of Boeotia and there of his wife Pâ—cemedâ— he begot Hesiodus Atelles in his own Country dying a naturall death committed the pupillage of his daughter Crithaeis to his brother Maeones but comming to ripe growth she being by him vitiated and proving with child both fearing the punishment due to such an offence she was conferred upon Phaemius to whom she was soon after married and walking one day out of the City to bath her selfe in the river Miletus she was by the stood side delivered of young Homer and of the name thereof called him Mâ—lesigines But after losing his sight he was called Homer for such of the Cumaeans and Ionians are called Omouroi Aristotle he writes contrary to Ephorus that what time Neleus the son of Codrus was President in Ionia of the Collony there then newly planted a beautifull Virgin of this Nation was forced and deâ—â—oured by one of the Genius's which used â—o dance with the Muses who after remâ—ved to a place called Aegina and meeting with certain forragers and robbers that made sundry incursions into the Country she was by them surprized and brought to Smyrna who presented her to Meonides a companion to the King of the Lydians he at the first sight inamoured of her beauty took her to wife who after sporting her selfe by the banks of Milâ—rus brought forth Homer and instantly expired And since we had occasion to speak of his mother let it not seem altogether impertinent to proceed a little of the son who by reason of his being hurried in his childhood from one place to another and ignorant both of his Country and parents went to the Oracle to be resolved concerning them both as also his future fortunes who returned him this doubtfull answer Foelâ—x miser ad sortemes quia natus utramque Perquiris patrians matris tibi non patris câ—â—tat c. Happy and wretched both must be thy fate That of thy Country dost desire to heare Known is thy 〈◊〉 clime thy father 's not An Island in the sea to Creet not neer Nor yet far â—ss in which thou shalt expire When 〈◊〉 a riddle shalt to thee propose Whose dark Aenigma thou canst not acquire A double Fate thy life hath thou shalt lose Thine eies yet shall thy lofty Muse ascend And in thy death thou life have without end In his later daies he was present at Thebes at their great feast called Saturnalia and from thence comming to Ius and sitting on a stone by the water port there landed some fishermen whom Homer asked what they had taken but they having got nothing that day but for want of other work only lousing themselves thus merily answered him Non capta afferimus fuerant quae capta relictis We bring with us those that we could not find But all that we could catch we lâ—ft behind Meaning that all such vermine as they could catch they cast away but what they could not take they brought along Which riddle when Homer could not unfold it is said that for very griefe he ended his life This unmatchable Poet whom no man regarded in his life yet when his works were better considered of after his death he had that honour that seven famous Cities contended about the place of his birth every one of them appropriating it unto themselves Pindarus the Poet makes question whether he were of Chius or Smyrna Simonides affirms him to be of Chius Antimachus and Nicander of Colophon Aristotle the Philosopher to be of Ius Ephorus the Historiographer that he was of Cuma Some have been of opinion that he was born in Salamine
To whom the Prince in derision thus spake Basâ— Negromancer how canst thou be my father seeing that to the mighty King Philip here present I owe all filiâ—ll duty and obedience to whom Nectenabus rehearsed all the circumstances before related from the beginning and as he concluded his speech so ended his life How the husband upon this information behaved himselfe towards his wife or the son to his mother I am not certain this I presume it was a kind of needfull policy in both the one to conceale his Câ—coldry the other his Bastardy so much of Olympias concerning the birth of her son Alâ—xander I will proceed a little further to speak of her remarkable death being as majestically glorious as the processe of her life was in many passages thereof worthily infamous Justine in his history relates thus Olympias the wife of Philip and mother of Alexander the Great coming from Epirus unto Macedonia was followed by Aeacâ—dâ—â— King of the Molossians but finding her selfe to be prohibited that Câ—untry whether annimated by the memory of her husband encouraged with the greatnesse of her son or moved with the nature of the affâ—ont and injury as she received it I am not certain but she assembled unto her all the forces of Macedoniâ— by whose power and her command they were both slaâ—â— About seven years after Alexander was possessed of the Kingdome neither did Olympias reign long after for when the murdeâ—â— of many Pâ—iâ—ces had been by her committed rather after an effâ—minate then â—egall manner it converted the favour of the multitude into an irreconcileable hatred which â—eaâ—ing and having withall intelligence of the approach of Cassander now altogether distrusting the fidelity of her own Countrymen she with her sons wife Roxana and her Nephew young Hercules retired into a City called 〈◊〉 or Pictuaâ— in this almost forsaken society were Deidamia daughter to King Aeacidus Thessalonice her own daughtâ—â— in law famous in her father King Philip's memory with diveâ—â— other Princely matrons a small train attending upon them â—ather for shew and state then either use or profit These things being in order related to Cassander he with all speed possible hastens towards the City Pictua and invests himselfe before it compassing the place with an invincible siege Olympias being now oppressed both with sword and tamine besides all the inconveniences depending upon a long and tedious war treated upon conditions in which her â—aâ—e conduct with her trains being comprehended she was willing to submit her selfe into the hands of the conquerour at whose mercy whilst her wavering fortunes yet stood Cassander convents the whole multitude and in a publick oration desires to be counselled by them how to dispose of the Queen having before suborned the parents of such whose children she had caused to be murdered who in sad and funerall habits should accuse the cruelty and inhumanity of Olympias Their tears made such a passionate impression in the breasts of the Macedonians that with loud acclamations they doomed her to present slaughter most unnaturally forgetting that both by Philip her husband and Alexander her son their lives and fortunes were not only safe amongst their neighbour nations but they were also possessed of a forrein Empire and 〈◊〉 from Provinces 〈◊〉 their times scarce heard of but altogether unknown Now the Queen perceiving armed men make towards her and approach her to the same purpose both with resolution and obstinacy she attâ—â—ed in a Princely and majestick habit and leaning in state upon the shoulders of two of her most beautifull handmaids gave them a willing and undanted meeting which the souldiers seeing and calling to mind her former state beholding her present majesty and not forgetting her roiall off-spring illustrated with the names of so many successive Kings they stood still amazed without offering her any 〈◊〉 violence til others sent thither by the command of Cassâ—nder throughly pierced her with their weapons which she 〈…〉 with such constancy that she neither offeâ—â—d 〈…〉 avoid their wounds or expresse 〈…〉 by any 〈◊〉 clamour but after the manâ—◠〈…〉 men submitted her selfe to 〈…〉 her 〈…〉 expressing the invincible spirit 〈…〉 Alexander in which she likewise shewed a singuâ—â—r 〈◊〉 for with her disheveled hair she shadowed her 〈◊〉 leâ—t in sâ—rugling between life and death it might 〈…〉 and with her garments covered her legs and 〈◊〉 lest any thing aboâ—â— her might be found uncomely 〈…〉 Cassander took to wife Thessalonice the the daughâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Aridaeus causing the son of Alexander with his 〈◊〉 Roxane to be keep prisoners in a â—ower called â—â—â—â—phipositana 〈◊〉 ABout the time 〈◊〉 the Huns came 〈◊〉 into Italy and expoiled the Longâ—hards 〈◊〉 laid 〈◊〉 to the City 〈◊〉 and in a hot assault having slain the Duke Oysulphus his wife 〈…〉 Râ—milda 〈◊〉 the Town defensible bravely and resolutely mainteined it against the enemy But as Cacana King of the Anes approached neer unto the wals encouraging his souldiers to hang up their scaling ladders and enter Romilda at the same time looking from a Cittadel cast her eie upon the King who as he seemed unto her with wondrous dexterity behaved himself and with an extraordinary grace became his arms This liking grew into an ardency in love for she that at first but allowed of his presence now was affected to his person insomuch that in the most fierce assaults though her self danger of their crosse-bows and slings she thought within the secure so she had the King her object This fire was already kindled in her breast which nothing could qualifie insomuch that impatient of all delay she sent unto her publike enemy private messengers That if it pleased the King being as she understood a batchelor to accept her as his bride she would without further opposition surrender up the Town peaceably into his hands these conditions are first debated next concluded and lastly confirmed by oath on both sides The Town is yeelded up and Cacana according to his promise takes Romilda to wife but first he makes spoile of the Town kils many and leads the rest captive The first night he bedded with his new reconciled bride but in the morning abandoned her utterly commanding twelve Huns and those of the basest of his souldiers one after another to prostitute her by turns that done he caused a sharp stake to be placed in the middle of the field and pitched her naked body upon the top thereof which entring through the same made a miserable end of her life at which sight the Tyrant laughing said Such a husband best becomes so mercilesse an harlot This was the miserable end as Polycronicon saith of Romilda But better it hapned to her two beautifull and chast daughters who fearing the outrage of the lustfull and intemperate souldiers took purrified flesh of chickens and colts and hid it raw betwixt their breasts the souldiers approaching them took them to be diseased as not able to come neer them by reâ—son of the
smell by which means they preserved their honours for the present and they for their vertues sake were after bestowed upon Gentlemen of noble quality The â—ame Author puts me in mind of another Adulteresse who to 〈◊〉 guilt of inchastity added the bloody sin of murder Our modern Chroniclers remember us of one Ethelburga daughter to King Oâ—â—a and wife to Brithricus King of the West-Saxons who aiming at nothing so much as her own libidinous delights that she might the more freely and securely injoy them by many sundry treasons conspired the death of her husband but having made many attempts and not prevailing in any the devill to whom she was a constant votaresse so far prevailed with her that she never gave over her dammable purpose til she had not only dispatcht him of life by poison but was the death also of a noble young Gentleman the chiefe favorite of the King and one whom in all his designs he most trusted These mischiefs done and fearing to be questioned about them because she had incurr'd a generall suspition she packt up her choicest jewels and with a trusty squire of hers one that had been an agent in all her former brothelries fled into France where by her counterfeit tears and womanish dissimulations she so far insinuated into the Kings breast that the wrinckles of all suggestions were cleared and she freely admitted into the Kings Court and by degrees into his especiall favour so rich were her jewels so gorgeous her attire so tempting her beauty being now in her prime and withall so cunning and deceitfull her behaviour that all these agreeing together not only bated the hearts of the Courtiers but attracting the eies of the great Majesty it selfe insomuch that the King sporting with her in a great Bay window the Prince his sonne then standing by him he merrily demanded of her If she were instantly to make election of a husband whether she would chuse him or his son to whom she rashly answered That of the two she would make choice of his son The King at this somewhat moved and observing in her a lightnesse of behaviour which his blind affection would not suffer him before to look into thus replied Hadst thou made election of me I had possest thee of my son but in chusing him thou shalt injoy neither So turning from her commanded her to be stripped out of her jewels and gay ornaments and presently to he shriven and sent to a Monastery where she had not long been cloistered but to her own infamy and the disgrace of the religious house she was deprehended in the dissolute imbraces of a wanton and lewd fellow for which she was turned out of the cloister and after died in great poverty and misery In memory of whom there was a law established amongst the West Saxons which disabled all the Kings wives after her either to be dignified with the name of Queen or upon any occasion to sit with him on his regall throne yet this woman though she died poorly yet died as it is said penitently therefore methinks I hear her leave this or the like memory behind her En Epitaph upon Ethelburga Queen of the West Saxons I was I am not smil'd that since did weep Labour'd that rest I wak'd that now must sleep I plai'd I play not sung that now am still Saw that am blind I would that have no will I fed that which feeds worms I stood I fell I bad God save you that now bid farewell I felt I feel not followed was pursu'd I warr'd have peace I conquer'd am subdu'd I mov'd want motion I was stiffe that bow Below the earth then something nothing now I catch'd am caught I travell'd here I lie Liv'd to the world that to the world now die This melancholy is not amisse to season with a little mirth In some other Country it was for I presume ours affoords none such but a common huswife there was who making no conscience of spouse-breach or to vitiate her lawfull sheets had enterteined into her society a swaggering companion such a one as we commonly call a Roaring boy This lad of mettall who sildome went with fewer weapons about him then were able to set up a trade-falne cutler had to maintain his mistresses expenses and his own riots committed a robbery and likewise done a murder and being apprehended for the fact judged condemned and according to the law in that case provided hanged in chains the gibbet was set neer to the common hiâ—-way and some miles distant from the City where this sweet Gentlewoman with her husband then inhabited who because in regard of the common fame that went upon them she durst neither give her Love visitation in prison be at his arraignment or publike execution her purpose was as affection that breeds madnesse may easily beget boldnesse unknown to her husband or any other neighbour to walk in the melancholy evening and to take her last leave of him at the gallowes Imagine the night came on and she on her journie It hapned at the same time a traveller being a footman whose journy was intended towards the Town as purposing to lodge there that night but being alone and darknesse overtaking him he grew doubtfull of the way and fearfull of robbing therefore he retired himselfe out of the road and lay close under the gibber still listning if any passenger went by to direct him in the way or secure him by his company as he was in this deep meditation the woman arrives at the place and not able to contain her passion breaks out into this extasie And must I needs then go home again without thee at which words the traveller starting up in hast No by no means quoth he I shall be glad of your company and with what speed he can makes towards her away runs the woman thinking her sweet heart had leapâ— down from the gibbet and followed her after speeds the man as loath to be destitute of company still crying Stay for me stay for me but the faster he called the faster she ran fear added to both their hast down they tumbled often but as quickly they were up again still she fled still he pursued But contrary was the issue of their fears for she never looked back till she came to her own house where finding the doors open and her husband set at supper for hast tumbled him and his stool down one way and the table and meat another he rising with much adoe askt what the pox she ailed and if she brought the devill in with her at her taile long it was ere she could make him any answer or come to her right sences how she excused it I knew not the traveller when he found himselfe neer the City and saw light slackned his pace and went quietly to his Inne whether they ever met after to reconcile their mistake or no I know not neither is it much pertinent to enquire A Modern History of an
sea-fight neer Salamine to behold which battel Xerxes had retired himselfe and stood but as a spectator Justine lib. 2. saith There was to be seen in Xerxes womanish feare in Artimesia manly audacity for she demeaned her selfe in that battell to the admiration of all men of whose ships the King taking especiall notice but not knowing to whom they belonged nor in whose management they then were one spake to the King and said Great Lord behold you not how bravely the Queen Artimesia bears her selfe this day the King would not at first beleeve that such resolution could be in that Sex 〈…〉 when notwithstanding her brave service he perceiv'd 〈…〉 and put to flight he sighing thus said All my men this day have shewed themselves women and there is but one woman amongst them and she onely hath shewed her selfe a man Many of the most illustrious persons died that day as also of the Meads amongst whom was the great Captain Aria Begnes the sonne of Darius and brother of Xerxes Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt the daughter of Dionysius Auleies after the death of Julius Caesar having taken Antonius in the bewitching 〈◊〉 of her beauty she was not contented with the Kingdomes of Aegypt Syria and Arabia but she was ambiâ—ious to sovereignize over the Roman Empire in which though she failed it shewed as invincible a spirit in 〈◊〉 as she exprest an unmatched 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of her voluntary death 〈◊〉 the Persian invading the Messagers and Scythians of which 〈◊〉 then reigned Queen she sent against him her only son 〈◊〉 with a puissant army to beat him back again beyond the river Araxes which he had 〈◊〉 with a mighty host rejected But the young man not 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 and policies of war suffered his souldiers in 〈…〉 to be invaded his 〈◊〉 rifled his army defeated and himselfe taken prisoner 〈…〉 the Queen sent to this purpose 〈…〉 This message being delivered to 〈◊〉 he regarded 〈…〉 but held it at the vain boast of a 〈◊〉 woman 〈…〉 being awaâ—â—d fromthe drinking 〈◊〉 wine and perceiving 〈…〉 Cyrus that he might be released from his bands to which the Persian granted 〈…〉 sooner found his legs unbound and his hands 〈…〉 cathct hold of a weapon and slew 〈…〉 The Queen having intelligence of the death of the 〈◊〉 of her son and withall that 〈◊〉 gave no heed to her admonition collected a puissant army of purpose to give him battell who inticed him by a counterfeit 〈…〉 straights of her Countery where having 〈…〉 her men she fell upon the Persians and made 〈…〉 the slaughter even to the defeating of their whole 〈…〉 strange and bloody execution Cyrus himselfe fell whose body Tâ—myris caused to be sercht for and being found filled a vessel full of blood into which commanding his head to be thrown she thus insultingly spake Of humane blood in thy life thou wert insatiate and now in thy death thou maist drink thy fill The fashions of the Messagets are after this manner described by Herâ—dotus Their habit and their food is according to the Scythians they â—ight as well on horseback as on foot being expert in both they are both Aâ—chers and Lanciers in al their weapons armor or caparisons using gold and brasse in the heads of their spears their quivers their daggers and other armor they wear brasse but whatsoever belongs to the head or to the breast is of the purest gold the breast places of their horses and what belong to their trappings and caparisons are buckled and studâ—ed with brasse but that which appertains to the head-stal or reins is of gold of iron and silver they have small use or none as being rare in their Country â—ut gold and brasse they have in abundance Every man marrieth a wiâ—e but not to his own peculiar use for they keep them in common for what the Greeks in this kind remember of the Scythians they do not it is customable only amongst the Messagets if any man have an appetite to a woman he only hangs his quiver upon the next bough and prostitutes hee in publike without taxation or shame There is no 〈◊〉 proposed to terminate their lives when any growes old his neighbours about him make a generall meeting and with great ceremony after the manner of a sacrifice cause him 〈◊〉 slain with other cattell in number according to 〈…〉 with whose â—lesh â—oil'd together they make a 〈…〉 him to dye in the most blessed estate 〈…〉 slain and eaten such as die of consumption or disease they eat not but â—ury in the earth accounting all 〈…〉 that suffered not immolation and whose 〈◊〉 was not â—easted with They neither sow nor reap but 〈…〉 their cattell and fish oâ— which the river Araxes yields them plenty they drink milk and honour the Sun and to the gods whom they most â—eare they sacrifice such 〈◊〉 beasts as they hold most fearfull and 〈◊〉 for the customes of the Mâ—ssagets Now lest it might 〈◊〉 almost against nature that amongst so many fighting women there should be no scolding at all let it not be taken amisse if I put you in mind of two or three shrowes by the way and so return again to my former argument Xantippe and Mirho HIeronymo writ a book against Iovinian in which he copiously discourses of the praise of Virginity reckoning a Catalogue of divers famous and renowned in that kind amongst sundry Nations besides the discommodities and inconveniences of scolding and contentious wives and amongst other husbands much troubled in that kind he speaks of Socrates who having two curst queans and both at once for the law of Athens did allow duplicity of wives could endure their scoldings and contumacie with such constancy and patience for having Zantippe and Mirho the daughters of Aristides the house was never without brawling and uprore One Euthidemus comming from the wrastling place and Socrates meeting him by chance compelled him home to supper and being sate at board and in sad and serious discourse Zantippe spake many bitter and railing words of disgrace and contumely against her husband but he nothing moved therewith nor making her the least answer she tipped up the Table and flung down all that was upon it But when Euthidemus being therewith much moved arose to be gone and instantly depart Why what harm is there quoth Socrates did not the same thing chance at your house when I dined with you the last day when a cackling hen cast down such things as were upon the board yet we your guests notwithstanding left not your house unmannerly Another time in the market she snatching his cloak from his back the standers by perswaded him to beat her but he replied so whilst she and I be tugging together you may stand by laughing and cry O wel done Zantippe O well done Socrates Another time she with her much loquacity had made him weary of the house therefore he sate him down upon a bench before the street door but she
the poor The King upon Holy-Rood day was released and besieged the Empresse in the City of Oxford from Michelmas day to mid winter where being oppressed with famine she took the advantage of the Frost and Snow and attiring her selfe all in white escaped over the Fens and came to the Castle of Wallingford And so much shall suffice to expresse the magnanimity and warlike dispositions of two noble and heroick English Ladies A French Lady comes now in my way of whom I wil give you a short character In the minority of Henry the sixt when France which was once in his entire possession was there governed by our English Regents the famous Duke of Bedsord and others Charls the Dolphin stiled after by the name of Charls the seventh being a Lord without land yet at that time maintaining what hostility he was able whilst the English forraged through France at their will and commanded in all places at their own pleasure the French in utter despaire of shaking oft the English yoke there arose in those desperate times one Joane Are the daughter of James Are and his wife Isabel born in Dâ—mprin This James was by profession a Shepherd and none of the richest Joane whom the French afterwards called Joane de Pucil whilst she was a young maid and kept her fathers sheep would report to divers That our blessed Lady S. Agnes and S. Katharine had appear'd unto her and told her that by her means France should regain her pristine liberty and cast off the yoke of English servitude This comming to the eare of one Peter Bradicourt an eminent Captain then belonging to Charls the Dolphin he used means that she should be sent to have conference with his master who sojourned then in Chynon in his lowest of dejection and despair of hope supply or comfort In her journie thither she came to a Town called Faire-bois where taking up her Inne a place which she had never before seen she desired a souldier to goe to a secret by-corner where was a heap of old iron and from thence to bring her a sword The souldier went according to her direction and searching the place amidst a great quantity of old tongs shovels hand irons and broken horse shooes found a faire bright sword with five Flower-Deluces upon either side engraven This sword with which she after committed many slaughters upon the English she girt to her and so proceeded to Chynon to give the Dolphin meeting Being there arrived Charls concealed himself amongst many others whilst he was brought into a faire long gallery where he had appointed another to take his place and to assume his person she looking upon him gave him neither respect nor reverence but sought out Charls among all the other in that assembly and pickt him from amongst the rest to whom making a low obeisance she told him that to him only was her businesse The Dolphin at this was amazed the rather because she had never before seen him and was somewhat comforted by reason that she shewed chear and alacrity in her countenance they had together long and private conference and shortly after she had an army given him to be disposed and directed by her She then bespake her selfe armor Cap a Pe bearing a white Ensign displaid before her in which was pourtraied the picture of the Saviour of the world with a Flower-de-luce in his hand and so marched to Oâ—leance Her first exploit was fortunately to raise the siege and â—elieve the Town From thence she passed to Reams took the City and caused the Dolphin there to proclaim himselfe King and take upon him the Crown of France She after took Jargueux a strong Town and in it the Earl of 〈◊〉 with many other brave English Gentlemen She â—ought the great battell of Pathay with good successe in which were taken prisoners the Lord Talbot the scourge and terror of the French Nation the Lord Scales the Lord Hungerford with many others both of name and quality she took in Benveele Mehun Trois and divers other Towns of great import and consequence at length in a caâ—â—â—ado or skirmish she was taken prisoner by Sir John of Entenburch a Burgonian Captain and sent to Roan The French Chronicles affirm that the morning before she was surprized she took the Sacrament and comming from Church told to divers that were about her that she was betraid her life sold and should shortly after be delivered up unto a violent death For Sir John gave a great sum of monie to betray her The English comming to invest themselves before Mondidier Joan was advised to issue out by Flaâ—y and skirmish with them who was no sooner out but he shut the gates upon her being taken she was sent to Peter Bishop of Bevoise who condemned her to the fire for a forceresâ—e which judgement was accordingly executed upon her in Roan in the Market place Twenty six years after Charls the King for a great sum of monie procured an annihilation of the first sentence from the Pope in which she was proclaimed a Viâ—ago inspired with divine instinct in memory of whose vertuous life and unjust death he caused a faire crosse to be erected just in the place where her body was burned I return again to the English Fâ—bâ—an and Harding speak of Emma sister to the Norman Duke called Richard who for her extraordinary beauty was called The flower of Normandy she was married to Eâ—helâ—ed King of England By 〈◊〉 heroick spirit and masculine instigation the King seat to all parts of the Kingdome secret and strict commissions That upon a day and hour assigned all these Danes which had usurped in the Land and used great cruelty should be slaughtered which at her behest and the Kings command was accordingly performed which though it after proved ominous and was the cause of much misery and mischiefe yet it shewed in her a noble and notable resolution Oâ— Queen Margaret the wiâ—e of Henry the sixt her courage resolution and magnanimity to speak at large would ask a Volume rather then a compendious discourse to which I am strictly tied And therefore whosoever is desirous to be further instructed in the successe of those many battels fought against the house of York in which she was personally present I refer them to our English Chronicles that are not sparing in commending her more then womaâ—ish spirit to everlasting memory With her therefore I conclude my female Martialists And now me thinks I am come where I would be and that is amongst you faire ones Of faire Women IT is reported of a King that for many yeers had no issue and desirous to have an heire of his own blood and begetting to succeed in the throne upon his earnest supplication to the divine powers he was blessed with a faire son both of beauty and hope And now being possessed of what he so much desired his second care was to see him so educated that he might have as much comfort
great congregation complained of the murder of her father capitulating all their insolencies and her own injuries which she did with such feeling words and passionate tears that she not only attracted the eies of every one to behold but moved the hearts of all to pity which perceiving and how the multitude was affected towards her she gave to every of the murderers a particular nomination both of the families from whence they came and the places where they had then their residence The rioters this hearing and finding how the people were animated and incens'd against them they fled to Orchomenus but were not there admitted but excluded from forth the gates from thence they fled to Hippota a small City neer Hellicon scituate betwixt the Thebanes and the Corineans and were there received To them the Thebans sent that these murderers and ravishers might be surrendred up to their justice But being deni'd they with other Booetians made an expedition against them of which forces Phaedus then Pretor amongst the Tâ—ebans was made Captain the City Hippota was bravely besieged and assaulted so likewise as resolutely defended but number prevailing they were compelled to yield themselves with their City The murderers now surprized they were condemned to be stoned to death and had the execution of their judgement the rest of the Hippotenses were brought under bondage and made slaves their wals and houses demolished to the earth their fields and possessions being equally distributed betwixt the Thebans and the Corineans It is said that the same night before the surrender of the City that a voice was often heard to call aloud from Helicon Adsum Adsum i. I am here I am here which the thirty suitors affirmed to be the voice of Phocus as likewise the same day of their executions and at the instant when they were stoned saffron was seen to distill out of a monument which was erected in the City Glisantes Phaedus being newly returned from the â—ight a messenger brought him newes of a young daughter that day born whom for omens sake he caused to be called Nicostrate The wives of Cabbas and of Phaiâ—lus A Preposterous thing and almost against nature at least humanity and good manners it is that I read of these two who after the example of Domitian and Commodus those monsters of nature have not only made their strumpets but their own wives either for servile fear or abominable lucre prostitutes to other men This Cabbas a Roman worthy for ever to be branded with base Wittoldrie had a Lady to his wife of incomparable beauty insomuch that all men beholding her apprehended what happinesse he was possessed of above others The report of her rare accomplishments amongst many attracted Mecenas then a great favourite of the Emperor of Augustus to invite himselfe to his house where he was nobly feasted Mecenas being of a corrupt and licentious disposition and much taken with her beauty could not contain himselfe but he must needs be toying with her using action of plain Incontinence in the presence of her husband who perceiving what he went about and the servants it seems for modesty having withdrawn themselvs from forth the chamber the table not yet being taken away Cabbas to give Mecenas the freer liberty casts himselfe upon the bed and counterfeits sleep Whilst this ill-managed businesse was in hand one of the servants listning at the door and hearing no noise but all quiet with soft steps enters the chamber to steal away a flaggon pot that stood full of wine upon the Table Which Cabbas espying casts up his head and thus softly said to him Thou rascall Dost thou not know that I sleep only to Mecenas A basenesse better becomming some Jeaster or Buffoon then the noble name of a Roman In the City of Argis grew a contention betwixt Nicostratus and Phaillus about the management of the Common-weal Philip of Macedon the father of Alexander comming then that way Phaillus having a beautifull young wife one esteemed for the very Paragon of the City and knowing the disposition of the King to be addicted to all voluptuousnesse and that such choice beauties and to be so easily come by could not lightly escape his hands presently apprehends that the prostitution of his wife might be a present Ladder for him to climb to the principality and have the entire government of the City Which Nicostratus suspecting and many times walking before his gates to observe the passage of the house within he might perceive Phaillus fitting his wives feet with rich embroidered Pantoffes jewels about her haire rings on her fingers bracelets about her wrists and carkanets upon her arm in a Macedonian vesture and a covering upon her in the manner of a hat which was onely lawfull for the Kings themselves to wear And in this manner habited like one of the Kings Pages but so disguised that she was scarce known of any he submitted her to the King There are too many in our age that by as base steps would mount to honour I could wish all such to carry the like brand to posterity Chloris was the daughter of Amphion and the wife of Neleus the son of Hyppocoon as fruitfull as beautifull for she brought twelve sonnes to her husband of which ten with their father were slain by Hercules in the expugnation of Pylus the eleventh called Periclemenes was transformed into an Eagle and by that means escaped with life the twelfth was Nestor who was at that time in Ilos He by the benefit of Apollo lived three hundred years for all the daies that were taken from his father and brothers by their untimely death Phoebus conferred upon him and that was the reason of his longevity Aethra the daughter of Pytheus was of that attractive feature that Neptune and Aegeus both lay with her in the Temple of Minerva but Neptune disclaiming her issue bestowed it on Aegeus who leaving her in Troezene and departing for Athens left his sword beneath a huge stone enjoining Aethra That when his son was able to remove the stone and take thence his sword she should then send him to him that by such a token he might acknowledge him his son Theseus was born and comming to years she acquainted him with his fathers imposition who removed the stone and took thence the sword with which he slew all the theeves and robbers that interposed him in his way to Athens Danae the daughter of Acrisius and Aganippe had this fate assigned her by the Oâ—â—cle That the child she bore should be the death of her father Acrisius which he understanding shut her in a bâ—â—zen Tower â—estraining her from the society of men but Jupiter enamoured of her rare feature descended upon her in a shower of Gold of which congression Perseus was begot whom Acrisius caused with his mother to be sent to sea in a mastâ—â—lesse boat which touching upon the Island Seriphus was found by a fisher-man called Dyctis who presents the desolate
after she insinuated with him and told him she would conduct him to a place in which was hid much treasure of which he being covetous she brought him to the brink of a deep Well being in a remote place of the house to which he presenting himselfe and bending his body downwards to satisfie his expectation concerning the treasure she apprehending that advantage thrust him headlong into the Well and casting huge stones after him revenged her selfe upon the ravisher Brasilla Dyrrachina a prime Lady as Ludovic Viues lib. 1. de Instit Tem. Christian relates being taken prisoner and seeing an immediat shipwrack of her chastity threatned by her cruell victor she covenanted with him that if he would but reprieve her honour for the present she would give him an herb with whose juice if he would annoint any part of his body it should preserve it wound-free The souldier accepts of the condition she from a neighbour garden plucking up the weed that came next to hand with the sap or moisture thereof annoints her own neck and throat bidding him to draw out his sword and make triall of her selfe whether she kept not with him faithfull covenant The souldier giving crâ—dit to her words in regard of her constancy and courage with one strong blow dispatched her or life O resolute and Noble Lady saith Nicephorus lib. 7. cap. 15 to prefer death before the losse of her honour Francis Sforza Prince of Mediolâ—num being Generall of the Florentine Army having taken the City Casanova certain souldiers brought befoâ—e him a beautifull captive who with great vociferation called out Bring me to your Prince Bring me to your chiefe Generall The souldiers moved with her earnest clamour brought her before him who demanded of the woman Why she was 〈◊〉 importunate to be conducted into his presence to whom she answered For no other reason but to submit her selfe wholly to his pleasure conditionally he would secure her from the injurie of the souldiers to which he willingly assented and seeing her of such exquisite feature and so tempting a presence he purposed to make use of her libeâ—all and free proffer that night therefore he commanded a bed to be made ready in which she was lodged thether he presently repairs and being unclothed casts himselfe by her naked side but reaching his arm to embrace her her eies being full of tears and her heart of sorrow she humbly besought him before he touched her body but to grant her the hearing of a few words at which the Prince making a sudden pause she pointing with her finger to the picture of the blessed Virgin for Sforza was never without that or the like in his bed chamber she intreated him even for the remembrance he bore to the person whom that Table presented for the honour due to her Son and his Saviour and for the dignity of his goodnesse and for the sacred memory of his noble ancecestors not to infringe her matrimoniall Vow nor violate her conjugall Chastity but deliver her back an unspotted wife to her unfortunate husband who was then a prisoner amongst many other wretched captives Her words took such impression in the noble General that notwithstanding her tempting beauty the motives to inchastity his present opportunity and absolute power over her as she was his vassal and prisoner yet to shew his miraculous temperance he preferred a name of a chast and continent Prince before the imputation of a Tyrant or an Adulterer and instantly leapt out of the bed and left her to her modest and more quiet test In the morning he sent for her husband to whom after a great character of her Chastity given he delivered her not only freeing them both without ransome but from his own coffers bountifully rewarding her vertue in the subduing of his own affections gaining more honor then in the conquest of so great a City In this act not only imitating but exceeding Scipto For that incomparable Lady that was presented unto him was of high linage and princely parentage besides he lived in a free City and to have dishonoured her he had not only incurred censure but being then in a forrein nation purchased to himselfe the 〈◊〉 of tyrant and hazarded a new revolt of the people but that was nothing to oppose Prince Sforza in the satisâ—ying of his lust save his own goodnesse for what conqueror hath not power over his captive Fulgos lib 4 cap. 3. Anastatia Conflantinopolitana when Theodora Augusta was jealous that she was not beloved of her husband Justinianus Augustus and having to that purpose received some taunting words from the Emperesse to approve her innocencie she fled both to Court and City and retired her selfe into Alexandria where she lived obscured in the society of certain chast Virgins But after hearing of the death of Theodora her fears were not diminished but augmented for the Emperors love appeared to her a greater burden then the hate of the Empresse therefore to avoid that which many would have sought with greedinesse she changed her habit and taking the shape of a young man upon her fled into the furthest part of Aegypt called by the name of Anastasius where she lived privately austerely and ended her chast life in great sanctity Hieronym writes that Paula Romana after the 〈◊〉 of her husband was so far from being perswaded to a second that she was never known from that time to eat or drink in mans company Of a contrary disposition was Barbara the wife of Sigismund Emperor Aenaeus Silus relates of her that her husband being dead when divers perswaded her to continue still in her widdowhood proposing unto her that wamen ought to imitate the Turtles who if one be taken away by death the other will never chuse other mate but devote her selfe to perpetuall chastity thus answered If you have none else to bid me imitate but birds that have no reason why do you not as well propose me for example the Doves or the Sparrowes As contrary again to her was the daughter of Demotian Prince of the Areopagitae who no sooner heard that her husband Leosthenes was stain in the Lamick warre but instantly slew her selfe lest she should survive a second marriage Others there be that have kept a viduall chastity even in wedlock The Virgin Edeltrudis as Sigilbertus and Beda both witness was the daughter of Annas a Christian King of the East-Angles she was first delivered by her father in marriage to Candibertus a great Prince who were no sooner married but by mutuall consent they vowed lasting virginity at length he dying she was by her father compelled to a second nuptials with King Câ—phordus with whom she lived twelve years yet never as they could adjudge it unloosed her Virgin girdle After which time by her husbands consent she took upon her a religious life and entred a Monastery where as Marullus l. 4. cap. 8. saith she lived a more secure but not a more
she Loves queen in her treasure And could teach the act of pleasure Make Lais in her trade a fool Phâ—ine or Thais set to school To Helen read or could she doe Worth Io and Europa too If these sweets from me she spare I 'll count them toies nor will I care But if my Mistresse constant be And love none alive save me Be chast although but something fair Her least perfection I 'll think rare Her I 'll adore admire prefer Idolatrize to none but her When such an one I find and trie For her I 'll care I 'll live I 'll die Lais. THis Lais as Aristophanes Bizantius relates was a strumpet of Corinth she was called Axine for her ferocity and rudenesse of manners Her all the prime and noblest Heroes of Greece frequented and extasi'd with her beauty came daily in troups to visit her Athenaeus in his Dipsonoph speaks of her Country behaviour and sepulchre reporting her to be so beautifull that the most exquisite Painters of Greece came frequently to her and besought her to bare her neck breasts and other parts of her body before them For when they were to limn any extraordinary Piece wherein was to be expressed Juno Venus Pallas or any wel shaped goddesse or woman her fair feature or lineaments might be their example She had a great emulation with Phrine the Courtizan for they lived both in one age Aristippus the Philosopher sirnamed Cyrenaicus about the season that the Feasts were celebrated to Neptune did yeerly for the space of two months together associate himselfe with this Lais. Diogenes meeting him upon a time O Aristippus saith he thou keepest company with a common Strumpet be rather a Cynick of my Sect then a Philosopher of such loose and dissolute behaviour To whom Aristippus answered Appears it to thee O Diogenes a thing absurd to dwell in an house which others have before inhabited who answered No Or to saile in the same ship saith Aristippus in which divers passengers have before time put to sea Again he answered Neither Nor do I think it replies he O Diogenes worthy thy just taxation to accompany with a woman with whom many others have had commerce Again being by others calumniated for his often repair and publike recourse to her in regard of her common prostitution and therefore the greater blemish to his more austere profession he thus satisfied them This is the difference betwixt me and the rest of her Clients I only enjoy Lais all others are enjoi'd by her When Demâ—sthenes the famous Oâ—ator of Athens desired to have had company with her and she for one nights lodging demanded of him a thousand Drachmes affrighted with the name of so great a sum he thus replied I purpose not to buy repentance so dear A young man much taken with her beauty came to Diogenes the Cinick and asked him this question What if a man should marry with Lais Who presently answered For a young man it is much too soon and for an old man it were far too late Concerning her I have read an elegant Epigram of an old man desirous of company with her at any rate and her witty answer to him Canus rogabat Laidis noctem Myron Tulit repulsam protinus Causamque sensit caput fuligine Fucavit atra Candidum c. White headed Myron did of Lais crave To have one night and be her price would pay Which she deni'd But why he could not have His purpose he perceiv'd his head was gray He knew his age betrai'd him therefore â—e Dies his hair black and did his suit renew She seeing head and face to disagree And them comparing with consideraâ—e view Thus saies Why do'st thou urge me thus the rather Since but ev'n now I did deny thy father Nymphodorus Syracusa in his book De admiraâ—il writes That Lais came into Sicily from Hycaris the most defenced City of that Country but Strattâ— in Macedon or Pausan affirms her to be of Corinth in these words Dic unde sunt ductae puellae Veâ—ere nuper ex Mâ—gaera Corinthiae Decus I ais Ingens Aelian de Varâ—a Histor lib. 10. saith That Lais casting her eies upon a young man of Cyrenaea called Eubatas never left soliciting him by all womanish enticements till she had made him promise her marriage but the solemnization not to be performed till he had returned Victor from the Olympick Games in which having had good successe but fearing to hâ—zard the embraces of a strumpet he took her Picture only and carried it to his City of Cyrena boasting by the way that he had married and borne thence Lais Which she hearing and enraged at the scorn thereof writ to him this or the like Letter O false and perjured man Whose lust hath no satiety Since nothing please thee can Save changes and variety O thou alone Constant to none In nothing setled save impiety Our Sex why dost thou blame Term women sole offenders 'T is you that past all shame Are still your own commenders That care nor fear To whom you swear Cease judging and be now suspenders Phillis was chast and fair Demophoon false and cruell Sapho thought Phaon rare And he term'd her his jewell But Traitors they Their Loves betray Poor we can oft fore-see but not eschew ill Falser then either thou As foulely hast betrai'd me But I 'll beware thee now As Heaven I hope shall aid me All thy procurements And slie allurements Henceforth shall never more perswade me Thy Oaths I hold as Lies As scorn thy crafty smiling Thy shape a meer disguise Thy practice but beguiling All thy protests As scoffs and jeasts And thy fair words no better then reviling Poisons I 'll think thy kisses And from mine keep thee fasting Thy torments count my blisses Thy breathings fear as blastings And thank my fate I now can hate Thee whom I now abandon everlasting It is moreover reported of her That being of purpose conveied into the bed of Xenocrates by the means of his schollers whom he had instructed in all austerity and strictnesse of life but she by no whorish blandishments able to corrupt his temperance his schollers asking her the next morning How she sped she told them They had lodged with her a Statue or an Image but no man Tymaeus in his thirteenth book of histories saith That she was beaten to death with woodden foot-stools by certain women of Thessaly in jealousie and madnesse because she was beloved of a beautifull young man called Pausanias on whom some of them doted This was done at a sacrifice in one of the Chappels of Venus for which cause the place was ever after called The Grove of wicked or unjust Venus Her Sepulcher was neer unto the river Paeneus in Tâ—essaly which runs betwixt the two great mountains of Ossa and Olympus and upon her Tomb-stone this inscription was graven Roboris invicti ac animi sit Graeciae quamvis Victa tamen formae paruit illa suae Laidis ipse parens
designs successfull proud of his victories and thinking himselfe to be Fortunes minion insomuch that despising the off-spring from whence he came he caused himselfe to be called the Son of Iupiter Being pufâ—ed up with these thoughts and swelling up in all ambitions he betook himselfe to all voluptuous delicâ—cies and of them to the most tempting riots of wine and women insomuch that lulled in all effeminacy he so far forgot both his high majesty and that commendable temperance for which he was before all his predecessors renowned that he sent as far as Athens for a notorious strumpet branded in her life though famous for her beauty called Potonice on whom the King was so much besotted that he not only gave her most Princely and magnificent gifts in her life time but after her death caused a Tomb to be erected over her body on which structure the King bestowed thirty talents It were strange if our English Chronicles should not affoord some or other to have correspondence with these Harlotta or Arlotta THis History is recorded by an Historiographer of ancient times who writes himselfe Anonymus or without name by Gulielm Malmsbury Vincentius Ranulphus Fabian Polydore and others As Robert Duke of Normandy and father to William the Conqueror rid through the Town of Falois he beheld a beautifull Virgin a Skinners daughter playing and dancing amongst other Virgins with whose feature being on the sudden surprized he so far prevailed by his secret messages and gifts that she was privatly conveied into the Dukes Chamber and there lodged and put in a bed to await his comming who glad of such a purchase without much circumstance made himselfe ready for the businesse intended The chamber cleared and the place voided and he ready to accomplish his desires she rent her smook from the chin to the foot to make the freer way for the Prince and he demanding the reason of her so doing she made him this pretty and ready answer It were neither fit nor comely that the neither part of my smock should be turned up and kisse the lips of my Lord at which the Duke was much delighted And 〈◊〉 night was begot William the Bastard whom our Chronicles honour with the name of Conquerour whether at first in memory of this least or since in disgrace of the Wanton it is not decided But from that Harlotta or Arlotta our prostitutes and common wenches are to this day in our Vulgar Tongue called Harlots In the yeer of our Lord 1036 Henry the second Emperour of that name was married to Guinilde the daughter of Canutus a Dane and King of England This Emperor had a sister a professed Nun whom he loved so entirely that oft times he would have her lie in his own Pallace and neer to his own privy chamber It hapned in a cold Winters night a Chaplain belonging to the Court it seems to keep her the warmer and one that had been before much suspected lay with her and in the morning lest both their fâ—otingâ— should be seen in the Snow newly fallen that night she took him up and carried him out of the Court towards his chamber The Emperour chancing as his custome was to rise just at the same hour was spectator of this close conveâ—ance and beheld how all the businesse hapned Not long after fell a Bisopwrick which the Priest expected and a Nunnery which the Nun much desired Whereupon the Emperour calling them before him the one after the other Take that Benefice saith he to the Priest but faddle no more the Nun And you the Abbesse saith he to his sister saddle no more the Priest or look thou never more bear Clerk riding upon thy back It is said that this served after for a modest chiding betwixt them and that they were parted upon these friendly terms Of divers Wantons belonging to sundry famous men and others ARistophanes Apollodorus Ammonius Antiphanes and Georgia Atheniensis of your Athenian strumpets writ at large as also of the like argument Theomander Cyrenaeus Elâ—us Amasides Theophrastus in lâ—bro Amatorio Polemon de Tabellis lib. 3. Ovid and infinite others out of whom may be collected many famous wantons in their times Oâ—ymus is the name of a strumpet much beloved of a skilfull Sophist in Corinth Thalatra of Dâ—ocles Corianno of Phâ—recrates Antea of Philillius otherwise called Eunicus Thais and Phannium of Menander Opora of Alexis Clepsydra of Eubulus for so Aâ—clepiades the son of Arius reports in his Commentary upon Demetrius Phalareus where he affirms her proper name to be rather Methica which Antiphanes writes to be the name of a wanton The Poet Timocles speaks of Cinâ— Nannium Plangon Lyca Pithionica Myrhina Christis Covallis Ieroclea Lopadium Of these likewise Amphis makes mention Anaxandries in his description of the madnesse of old men amongst others he reckons up Lagisca and Theolyte Polemon the Hâ—storiographer speaks of one Cottina whose Sâ—atue is erected in the City of Lacedemon not far from the Temple of Dionysius she is mounted upon a brazen Bull. Alcibiades was beloved by a woman of Aegida of whom he was likewise amorous after relinquishing Athens and Lacena of one Medontide of Abidos and with her sailed through the Hellespont with Axiochus a friend of his and much devoted to his fellowship for so the Orator Lysias witnesseth of him in an Oration made against him He had two other mistresses with whom he was conversant Damasandya the mother of Laâ—s Junior and Theodota by whom he was preserved when remaining in Melissa a City of Phrygia Pharnabazus laid trains to entrap his life Abrotonax was the mother of Themâ—stocles a strumpet as Amphicrates relates Neanthes Cyzicenus a Greek Historiographer cals him the son of Euterpe The second Philadelphus King of Aegypt had many famous Concubines as Ptolomaeus Everges in his Commentaries witnesseth Didima and Bilistiâ—he besides these Agathoclea and Stratonica whose monument was erected in the sea Elusina Myrtium with many others Polybius in his fourteenth book of Histories remembers one Clino that was his Cup-bearer in whose honour many Statues were erected in Alexandria Mnesides a she musician of the City Mnesis and one Pothinae his most delicate houses in which he took much delight he was wont to call after the name of two of his Paraâ—ors either Myrtiae or Pothinae Timothaeus the great Captain of the Athenians was known to be the son of a common woman of Threissa which being objected to him as an aspersion he answered I am glad to have been born of such a mother that had the wisedome to chuse Coâ—on to be my father Caristius in his historicall Commentaries avers Phileterus who soveraignized in Pergamus and the new Region called Boca to be the son of a wanton she Minstrel born in Paphlagonia Aristophon the Orator who in the reign of King Euclides published a Law That all such as were not born of civill and free women
son over-rules his mother Olympias the mother of Alexander caused Iollas grave to be â—ipt up who was Butler to her son and his bones to be scattered abroad raging against him in death on whom in his life time she could not be revenged on for the death of her sonne to whom this Iollas was said to have minstred poison Agrippina the mother of Domitius Nero by all means and industry possible labouring to confirm the Empire unto her son enquired of the Chaldaeans and Astrologers Whether by their calculations they could find if he should live to be created Caesar who returned her this answer That they found indeed by their Art that he should be Empeâ—our but withall that he should be the death of his mother To whom she answered Inter ficiat modo Imperet i. I care not though he kill me so I may live to see him reign Sab. lib. cap. 4. The same Author tels us that in the second Punick war the Romans being overthrown with infinite slaughter in the battel 's fought at Thrasymenus and Cannas many that were reported to be assuredly dead escaping with liâ—e after their funerals had been lamented returning home unexpectedly to their mothers such infinite joy oppressed them at once that as if sinking beneath too great a burthen betwixt their kisses and embraces they suddenly 〈…〉 the Roman being proscribed by the Triumâ—irate his wife would needâ— have him take her dearly beloved son along with him to associate and comfort him in his travels who when they were gone a ship-boord intending for Sicilia and crost by an adverse tempest could neither proceed on in their voyage not return to any safe landing such was their faâ—e that they perished by â—amine which the mother understanding more â—or the gâ—iefe of her son whom she her selfe proscribed then for her husband â—xiled by the Triumvirate slâ—w her selfe The 〈◊〉 Carthage in the third Punick war when the 〈◊〉 of all the Noble young men of the City were selected to be sent as hostages into Sicilia with weeping and 〈◊〉 followed them to the water â—ide and kept them hugged in their strict embraces not suffering them to go aboord but when they were forcibly plucked from them and sent unto the ships they no sooner â—oiâ—â—d saiâ—e but many of these woful and lamenting mothers opprest with the extremity of sorrow cast themselves head long into the sea and there were drowned Sabel lib. 3. cap. 4. The wife of Proclus Nausâ—atiâ—es having a wild and misgoverned son addicted meerly to voluptuousnesse and pleasure and withall to Cocks Horses Dogs and such like pastimes his mother did not onely not 〈…〉 in this licentiousnesse but would be still present with him to feed his Cocks diet his Horses and châ—rish his Dogs for which being reproved by some of her friends as an incourager of his unstaid and irregular courses to whom she answered No such matter he will sooner see then into himselfe and correct his own vices by conversing with old folks then keeping company with his equals Niobes sorrow for her children Auctoliaos death at the false rumour of her son Vlysses his Tragedy Hecuba's revenge upon Polymnestor for the murder of her young sonne Polydore and Tomirâ—s Queen of the Massagers against Cyrus for the death of her son Sargapises are all rare presidents of maternall piety nay so superabundant is the love of mothers to their children that many times it execeds the bounds of common reason therefore Terence in Heuton thus saith Matres omnes filiis In peccato adjutrices auxilio in patres Solent esse â— All mothers are helpers in their childrens transgressions and aid them to commit injuries against their fathers Therefore Seneca in his Tragedy of Hippolitus breaks out into this extasie Oh nimium potens Quanto parentes sanguinis vâ—do tenes Natura quam te colimus inviâ—â— quoque Nature oh Too powerfull in what bond of blood thou stâ—ll Bind'st us that parents are commanding so We must obey thee though against our will So great was the love of Parisatis the mother of Cyrus the lesse to her son that he being slain her revenge upon the murtherers exceeded example for she caused one of them whose name was Chaâ—etes to be ten daies togetheâ— excruciated with sundry tortures after commanded his eies to be put out and then moulten lead to be pâ—nâ—ed down into the hollow or his ears the second Metroâ—ates for the same treason she commanded to be boâ—nd â—ast betwixt two boats and to be sed with figs and honie leaving him there to have his guts gnawn out by the worms which these sweet things bred in his enâ—rails of which lingring torment he after many daies perished the third Metasabates she caused to be slayed alive and his body to be stretched upon three sharp pikes or stakes and such was his miserable end a just reward for Traytors Fulgos lib. 5. cap. 5. tels us That Augustus Caesar having subdued Cappadocia and taken the King Adiatoriges prisoner and his wife and two sons after they had graced his triumphs in Rome he gave command That the father with the eldest son should be put to death now when the ministers designed for that execution came to demand which of the two brothers was the elder for they were both of a sâ—ature they exceedingly contended and either affirmed himselfe to be the eldest with his own death to repâ—â—eâ—e the others life this pious strife continuing long to the wonder and amazement of all the beholders At length 〈◊〉 at the humble intercession of his mother who it seems loved him some deal above the other gave way though most unwillingly for the younger to perish in his stead Which after being known and told to Augustus he did not only lament the innocent young Princes death but to die elder who was yet living with his mother he gave great comforts and did them after many graces and favours so great a reverence and good opinion doth this 〈…〉 love be get even amongst enemies Neither was this Queen to be taxed of severâ—y or rigour to the youngest since it was a necessity that one must die it was rather a Religion in her hoping to leave her first-born to his true and lawfull inheritance Now lest I should leave any thing unremembred that comes in my way that might â—end to the grace and honour oâ— the Sex there is not any vertue for which men have been famous in which some women or other have not been eminent namely for mutuall love amity and friendship Marul lib. 3. cap. 2. tels us of a chast Virgin called Bona who lived a retired 〈◊〉 in a house of religious 〈◊〉 She had a bedfellow unto whom above all others she was entired who lying upon her death-bed and no possible help to be devised for her recovery this Bonae being then in perfect health of body though sick in mind for the infirmity of her sister full upon 〈◊〉 and devoutly besought the
elements of nature on which the life of mâ—n in our common food most essentially exist Amongst the Indians unlesse both the husband and wife annointed their bodies all over with a certain gum or oile distilling from certain trees growing by the River Phasis the matrimony was not to be allowed The Persians and the Assyrians only joined their right hands in contract so likewise the ancient Germans accounting that the only fiâ—m pledge of their love and loialty Amongst the Galathians in their 〈…〉 the bridegroom drunk to the bride a cup of Greekish wine in other places of milk which she pledged him by this ceremony intending that their nuptials were not only firmly contracted by that mutuall love equall society conjugall loialty marriage concord but like food and diet should alwaies be common betwixt them Alex. ab Alex. lib 2 cap. â— Concerning nuptiall Dowries by some Nations approved by others interdicted Lycurgus and Solon because they would not have the Virgins oppressed by the coverousnesse of men forbad by their Lawes that any man should demand a dower with his wife a necessary and profitable decree by which he was condemned that being a long suitor to the daughter of Pysander and promising her marriage in her fathers life time rependiated the Contract after his death because he dying poor her dower did not answer his expectation Aelian lib. 6. de Var. Histor Amongst the Hetrurians it was held base and ignoble and absolutely forbidden by their inscribed statutes for a man to send tokens or gifts to her whom he affected accounting them no better then bribes or mercenary hire not fit to be thought on in such a sacred commixion where nothing should be meditated save sincere love and conjugall piety The Aegyptians were so opposite to demanding of portions with their wives that they called all such as received them no better then slaves to them and their dowries Now touching bridall gifts and presents It was an ancient custome among the Greeks that the father the day after the solemnization of the marriage sent to the Bride some spousall offerings which they called Epanlia dora they were ushered by a beautiful young lad attired in a long white vesture reaching to his heel bearing in his hand a bright burning taper in order followed after him all such young men and maids youthfully attired that brought the presents one presented Gold another Gems a third a Bason and Ewre with other Plate dishes a fourth Boxes of Alabaster ful of sweet oils and unguents a fift rich Sandals or Slippers with other necessaries belonging as wel to the whole house as to their private bed-chamber Alex. ab Al x. lib. â— cap. 5. Solon to this marriage offering allowed only three sorts of garments for the Bride to bring with her besides such smal gifts as were tendred by the kindred friends and houshold servants A damosel of Lacaena being poor and demanded What Dower she had to bring to her husband and to marry her withâ— answered That which was left me as an inheritance from mine ancestors namely Vertue and Modestly Ingeniously inferring that there is no more commendable Dower to be expected in marriage then chastity and uncorrupt manners The daughters of C. Fabritius Cn. Scipio and Manius Curius because their fathers left them not portions sufficient to bestow them according to their birth and quality had their dowers allotted them from the common treasurie There was a Law among the Romans That no virgins Dower should exceed the sum of ten thousand pieces of silver But after that limitation was taken away and brought to forty thousand and upward Insomuch that Metulia because the Dower of which she possessed her husband amounted to five hundred thousand pieces had a sirname bestowed upon her being ever after called Dotata In ancient times the husbands wooed their Brides with a Ring of Iron without any Stone or Gem but meerly circular and round by that denoting the parsimony of diet and frugality in living Homer the Prince of Poets having no wealth with which to bestow his daughter upon a thrifty Citizen gave her only an Epithalamium with certain Cyprian Elegies for so Pindarus and Aelianus lib. 9. affirm The Carthaginians gave no Portions with their Virgins but were only at the charge of the Nuptiall Feasts which grew to be immoderate and wasteful Amongst the Indians none can claim a greater Dower with his wife then the price of a yoke of Oxen neither can he marry out of his own Tribe The Assyrians brought their noblest Virgins into the market place and their prices there publikely proclaimed by the Cryer whosoever wanted a wife and would reach to the sum propounded might there be furnished and he that had had not ready mony if he could put in good security it was held sufficient The like custome was amongst the Babylonians in which they observed this order They first set out to sale the most ingenuous and beautiful and those at an high rate and when they were put off they brought forth the worser featured even unto the degree of deformity and then the Crier proclaims That who will marry any of them he shall have so much or so much to recompence her foulnesse or lamenesse And this mony which sels them is collected from the overplus of the price of the other so that the beauty of the fair ones helps to bestow and dispose of the foul The Massilienses would not suffer any man to receive with his wife more then an hundred pieces of Gold Amongst the Cretans halfe the brothers estate was conferred upon the sister to make her a Dowrie The ancient Germants when they had made choise of such with whom they meant to marry at their proper charge provided them of Dowries Which custome even to these letter times hath been continued amongst the Celriberians who dwelt in a part of the Pyrenes a Province which his now called Biskay Fulgâ—s lib 2. cap. 1. And with the Dower which he sent he was tied to present her likewise with a Horse bridled a Sword a Target and an Armour with a yoake of Oxen. And these were held to be the most assured pledges of Conjugall love without which no nuptials were legally solemnized Alexand. ab Alex lib. 2. cap. 5. Idem lib. 4 cap 8. Of Nuptiall Ornaments Pomp Feasts Epithalamions c. AMongst the Greeks the Bride was crowned with 〈◊〉 Mints or Cresses her head was kembed with a piece of a Lance or Spear of a Fencer with which some man had been slain it is was called Caelibaris which imported that the new-married Bride should be as can joinedly commixt with her husband in mutuall affection as that spear was inward in the transpâ—erced body when it was drawn from the wâ—â—nd A strange Aenigma it appears to me howsoever it is so recorded Her hair was parted the one way and the other leaving a seem in the middest that her forehead and face might be the plainer discovered Some
he is no sooner dead but they all contend together which of them was of him in his life time best beloved and if it cannot be determined amongst themselves they bring the controversie before the Judges and plead as earnestly to accompany him in death as for some great fortune and honour she amongst the rest that prevails exults with joy as having attained a great victory when being led by her best friends and neerest of kindred partakes with her in the same triumph unto the place where her husbands body is to be consumed with a pleasant and merry countenance she casts her selfe into the fire and is there burned with him together the rest that survive and were deprived of this last honor consume the remainder of their lives in great discontent sorrow and anguish Of this custome Cicero remembers us Tusâ— Quaest lib. 5. Valer. Maxim lib. 2. cap. 1. Alex. aâ— Alex. Alianus Egnatius and others This funerall ceremony as Fulgos lib. 2. cap. 6. is continued amongst them unto this day alluding to this purpose is that of Propert lib. 3. Foelix cöâ—s lex funeris una maritis c. Which I thus paraphrase in English You Eastern Husbands in your funerall Lawes Most happy and their first inventors wise In which you are more famous then because On you the blushing morning first doth rise When Death hath with his last mortiferous wound The Husband struck his last Rites to prepare A pious troop of wives engirt him round Drying their moist cheeks with their scatt'red hair Who strive which shall associate him in fate And bed with him together in the flame To live beyond him is a thing they hate And he once dead life is to them a shame She that can die with him hath her desire And leaps with joy into the funerall fire The like is observed by a people of Thrace that inhabit a little above the Crestonaeans They likewise are delighted with plurality of wives who after the decease of their husbands enter into the like contention as the women of India and she that is Victoresse as if glorying in some great conquest adorned in her best and richest ornaments is with great ceremonious pomp amongst all her kindred and allies conducted unto the place where his body is to be interred where being slaine by her next of Kin as the best office he can do her she is buried in the same grave with her husband Herod lib. 5. The wives amongst the Geates repair to their husbands sepulchre and holding al life tedious and burthensome without them other their bodies willingly either the sword or to the fire The Custome of the Catheoreans was That when the Bride choose her husband she made a covenant with him at his death to be burnt in the same Pile Alex. ab Alex. lib. 1. cap. 25. The women amongst the Herulians a people that inhabit beyond the river of Danubius repair to the graves of their husbands and just over against them strangle themselves Which marriage-love appears the more strange because the men are of that barbarous and inhumane incontinence that they hold it no shame to leave the society of their women and have congression with brute beasts Bonifacius in his Epistle unto King Ethelbalaus as Gaâ—â—elm Masmsbur lib. 1. cap. 64. de Anglia relates it saith That the Winedi are the worst and the most nasty people among the Germans yet their wives are of that incomparable zeâ—i and piety toward their husbands that she is held to be the most laudable and praise-worthy that with her own hand kils her selfe to burn with him to his last funerall fire From the generality of women I descend to particulars Admirable was the love of Phila towards her husband King Demetrius and haughty and magnanimous her spirit who receiving newes of his defeat in battel and that his whole army being dispersed and scattered he was retired into Cassandria drank poison and so died The wife of Straton Prince of Sydonia when the City was straitly besieged by the Persians her greatest care was lest the person of her husband should fall into the hands of the mercilesse enemy which she purposed to prevent by death When therefore she heard they had scaled the wals and were ready to be instantly possest of the Town and seize upon the person of her husband she snatcht from him his sword with which she first slew him and then laying out his body with as much comlinesse as the shortnesse of the time would permit after fell upon the same sword thus by voluntary death preventing the dishonour of captivity Fulgos lib. 4. cap. 6. Fannia the daughter of Arria the younger wife to Poetus Patavinus before remembred in her brave and heroick death with her husband was the spouse of Helvidius Priscus who followed him in all his exile even to his unfortunate and most unjust death she was the third time confin'd from the reign of Tiberius Nero. to the death of Domitian Pliny with infinite praises applauds the incomparable vertues of this Fannia with both the Arrias in Lib. 9. in his Epistle to Quadratus and in his seventh to Genitor and Priscus Triaria was the noble and chast wife of L. Vitellius brother to Aul. Vitellius the Emperor who as Hypsicrataea followed Mithridates in all his combustious wars so she never forsook her husband but was present with him in all those civil dissentions against Vespasian And the night when Vitellius her Lord with a great army of Souldiers invaded and entred the City Terecyna she presented her selfe in the middest of the slaughter not only daring but doing equally with the most valiant killing on all sides till she had hemmed her selfe in with dead bodies slaine by her own hand so bold and magnanimous a spirit had the conjugall love to her husband imprest in her Her memory is made famous by the same Author Antonia Flaxilla by some called Archona when her husband Priscus was found guilty of the Pysonian Faction and for that cause exiled by Nero and when she might have enjoied all the plenty and abundance in Rome left all the pleasures and delights of the City to accompany her desolate Lord in his penurous and uncomfortable banishment Her example Egnatia Maximilla imitated who likewise associated her husband Gallus guilty of the same conspiracy with Priscus Fulgos lib. 6. c. 7. From Jacobus the son of Vsson Cassannus amongst many other Captains that revolted there was one eminent in that rebellion called Pandoerus who had a most beautiful young wife her age exceeded not sixteen years to whom he was ardently and in conjoined love affected He being by her often earnestly entreated to forbeare all conflicts with the enemy but by no means either moved by her tears or perswaded by her intercessions and praiers persisting resolute for a present encounter she then begged of him That before he hazarded himselfe to the extremity of danger he would first take away her fears
by transpiercing her with his sword which when he likewise denied he presently left her and gave signall of battell in which conflict he was vanquished and slain his Tent rifled his wife surprized and committed into the hands of one of the chief Captains belonging to the King who pitying her tears and sorrow to which her feature and beauty gave no common lustre made instant suit unto her to make her his wife She whilst she could put him off with all possible delaies but after perceiving that what he could not compasse with her good will he purposed to attain unto by compulsion and force she craved only some few hours of deliberation privately to her selfe which granted and being retired she first writ in a short Scedule these words Let none report that the wife of Pandocrus harboured so little love as to out-live him Which Note leaving upon the table she took a sword then hanging in the chamber with which she immediately dispatcht her selfe of life and so expired following him in death with whose life she could be no longer delighted Ibidem Equall in all Matrimoniall piety with this Lady was Cecilia Barbadica Veneta who after the death of her husband Philippus Vedraminus by no counsell comfort or perswasion could be won either by her kindred or friends to taste the least food whatsoever or give answer to any word that was spoken to her in which silence and consumption she after some few daies of unspeakable sorrow breathed her last Egnat lib. 4. cap. â— Petrus Candianus after the decease of his first wife espoused a second called Walberta the daughter of Vgon one of the Princes of Italy who lived with him in all obedience with a religious observation of true love and piety never forsaking him in any disaster but attending him with her young son in law Vitalis The Duke her husband being after slain by the Venetians in a seditious mutiny Vitalis escaped the fury of the 〈◊〉 and fled but she staied to abide the utmost danger with the body of her dead husband meditating all possible means to revenge the death of her husband upon the conspirators but her womanish inability not prevailing she likewise secretly left the City and followed her son Vitalis in whose society she fled to Adeleta the wife of Otho the German Emperor who at the same time resided in the City Placentia but after long vain intercession seeing her hopes and purposes quite frustrate she retired again into her own City where she lived a sad and solitary life still invoking the name of Petrus Candianus with whose name in her mouth she not long after deceased Egnat the remembranceâ— of the former History speaks likewise of Franâ—scus Fosâ—arus another Duke of Venicewho married a second wife out of the Noble Family of the Nanae with whom he conjoinedly lived long and had by her hopefull issue But the Senat in his age depriving him of the Principality with the gâ—iefe thereof he retired himselfe into the most ancient house of his own family and there after three daies died Whose body when the Fathers would have had brought forth to a solemn and Princely Funerall because he had once been their Duke and Soveraign she shut her gates against them blaming their former ingratitude alledging she had both wealth and will sufficient without them to bestow upon him the latest â—â—tes due to a worthy and to all husband And though the Fathers were instant upon her first with entreats and after menaces yet she constantly 〈◊〉 in her resolution not suffering them once to approach the place much lesse to take thence the body 〈…〉 carefully bestowed it still exclaiming on the Senates 〈◊〉 and the Commonweals 〈◊〉 gratitude who to 〈…〉 wrongs 〈…〉 new injury not 〈…〉 whom they had so perjuriously 〈…〉 forsaken Notwithstanding these exclamations they 〈◊〉 her up in her chamber and peâ—fore took thence the body all the Fathers attending upon the Hearse upon which they bestowed a solemn and a pompous funerall The greater their counterfeit sorrow was outwardly the greater was her essentiall griefe still more and more weeping every succeeding day adding to her tears to think that her Princely Husband should in his death be for any courtesies at all beholding to his enemies desiring that he whom for his principality they had degraded and compelled to a private life might only by her and from her have had a private Funerall with whose choice affection and rare conjugall piety I have broke off to enter upon a new Project De Laenis Or of Bawds FRom the honor of Women I now come to the disgrace and shame of their Sex in which I will be as briefe as I know the very name to be to all chast minds odious Sotâ—des Marionites Cinedus that is one abused against nature or addicted to preposterous Venery was a Poet and writ most bawdy and beastly Iambicks in the Ionian tongue which he intituled Cinaedi in which were described the forms and figures of severall new devised Lusts and before that time unheard of prostitutions Of whom Martial thus â—aies Nec retro lego Sotadem Cinaedum Neither do I read Sotades Cinaedus backward For as Voleterran lib. 17. Antropoph relates his verses were all to be read backward lest their included nastiness might appear too plain and palpable Tranquil reports of Tiberius Caesar That he built Cellars and Vaults in which all kind of lusts and monstrous congressions were practised in his presence which would offend modest ears but to hear related The Emperor Domitian succeeded if not exceeded him in those detestable and devilish abominations He as Suetonius affirms devised that which was called Clinopales i. The wrestling in the bed he was often seen to bath himselfe and swim in the company of the basest and most common strumpets he stuprated his brothers daughter yet a Virgin after she was contracted to another man Cratinus Atheniensis the Comick Poet was so dissolutely addicted both to Wine and Venery that he hung his chamber round with Glasses the better to discover himselfe in his own unnaturall and beastly prostitution The like some of our scandalous Grammaâ—â—â— most falsly would asperse upon Horace Suet. confers the like upon Tiberius as likewise Gyrald Dial. 6. Historiae Poctarum Elephantis Philaenis and Astianassa writ books of the severall waies of Congression with the pictures of them inserted but of them I shall speak further in the title of the Poetesses but before I come to these she-monsters in particular I will remember some few men infamous in the like kind Erasmus in Chiliadâ—b speaks of one Clobulus a most wicked He-bawd who kept in his house two most infamous strumpets whose bodies he prostituted for money to all strangers and what the whores could not extort from them he himselfe would râ—b them of from whence came the Proverd Clebuli ignum which was still in use when two knaves of like dishonesty were seen to have friendship and society together Timaeus
apud Erasmum speaks of one Cymarus a Selenusian Bawd who all his life time promised to leave his ill gotten goods to the Temple of Venus in whose service he had got them but at his death they were all squandred and lost by the direption of the multitude One Cippius counterfeited himselfe to sleep and short that others with the lesse fear or doubt might have free inter course and carnall society with his wife an argument that he was not â—â—â—nted with the fiend called jealousieâ— from him grew the â—dage which Cicero used in an Epistle to Fabius Gallus Non omnibus dormio i I sleep not to all men 〈◊〉 apud Bâ—roâ—ldum 〈◊〉 remembers us of the 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of one 〈◊〉 that made his wife basely 〈◊〉 Cai. Ticinius Minteâ—nensis provoked his wife to inchastity for no other reason then to defraud her of her 〈◊〉 Gemâ—llus one of the Tribunes of Rome a man of a noble family yet was of that corrupt and degenerate conditions that he made his own Pallace no better then a common 〈…〉 that in the Consulship of Metellus and 〈…〉 suffered two great Ladies Mutia and Fulvia innobled both 〈…〉 families with the noble child Saturmus to be 〈◊〉 in his own house Clemens Alex indrinus lib. 〈…〉 and lib. 4. have left remembred that the Arch Heretick Nicolaus having a faire wife and being reproved of jealousie by me Apostles to shew himselfe no way guilty thereof he brought her into the publike assembly 〈◊〉 her freely up 〈…〉 of any man whatsoever 〈◊〉 in my mind 〈…〉 his too much 〈…〉 in his over greate 〈◊〉 Nay 〈…〉 should 〈…〉 even from loialty 〈◊〉 in his Theater 〈◊〉 Humane life tels us of Henâ—icus Rex Castalioensis who shamed not to be a Bawd to his own Queen you may read further of him in the Spanish History by the title of Henry the Vnable Now of She-Bawds and of them briefly Plutarch in the life of Pericles reports That Aspasia his sole delight made her house a Stews in which the bodies of the fairest young Women were made common for monie It is reported that Callistion sirnamed Proche being hired to lie with a common fellow or bond-man and by reason of the hot weather being naked she espied the marks and skaâ—s of blowes and stripes upon his shoulders to whom she said Alas poor man how came these he willing to conceal his base condition answered That being a child he had scalding hot Pottage poured down his neck I beleeve it saith she but sure they were Calves Pottage made of Calves flesh promptly reproving his quality because slaves eat pottage made of Veal and the things with which they were lashed and scourged were made of Calves skins Erasm Apophtheg 6. Dipsas is the name of an old Bawd in one of Ovid's Elegies whom for instructing his mistresse in the veneriall trade he reproves in these verses Est quaedam quicunque volet cognoscere lenam Audiat est quaedam nomine Dipsas anus If any man an old Bawd list to know 'T is the crone Dipsas she is titl'd so Of the Bawd Quartilla I have before given you a true character from Petronius Arbiter Tacituâ— lib. 17. puts us in mind of Calvia Crisalpina who was the School-mistresse of Nero's Lures a fit tutoresse for such an apt and forward Pupil In my opinion to be wondred at it is that these being past their own actuall sins wherein too much saciety hath bred suffer or the infirmity of age or disease a meer disability of performance yet even in their last of daies and when one foot is already in the grave they without any thought of repentance or the least hope of grace as if they had net wickednesse enough of their own to answer for heap upon them the sins of others as not only inticing and alluring Virgins and young wives to that base veneriall trade and the infinite inconveniences both soul and body depending thereupon but to wear their garments by the prostitution of others and eat their Bread and drink Sack and Aqua-vitae by their mercenarie sweat and so base an usury and uncomely a travel of their bodies as is not only odious in the eies of man but abominable in the sight of Angels This apprehension puts me in mind of what Cornelius Gallius writes in a Periphasis of old Age which I hold not altogether impertinent to be here inserted These be his words Stat dubius tremulusque senex semperque malorum Credulus stultus quae facit ipse timet Laudat praeteritos prae entes despicit annos Hoc tantum rectum quod facit ipse putat c. What he speaks of the old man may be as well appropriated to the aged woman his Verses I thus English The trembling old man he is doubtfull still And fearfull in himselfe of that known ill Of which he 's author and in this appears His fully to because of what he fears Past years he 'l praise the present he 'l despise Nought save what 's his seems pleasing in his eies It after followes Hae sunt primitiae c. Of Death these the first fruits are and our fathers Declining towards the Earth she her own gathers Into her selfe though with a tardy pace We come at length the colour of the face Our habit nor our gate is still the same Nor shape that was yet all at one place aim For the loose garments from our shoulders slides And what before too short seem'd now abides A trouble to our heels we are contracted As if of late in a new world compacted Decreasing still our bones are dri'd within As seem our flesh shrunk in our withered skin We have scarce liberty on Heav'n to look For prone old age as if it in some book Meant to behold his face looks down-ward still Prying where he the indebted place might fill From whence he first was borrowed and the same Matter return to Earth from whence it came We walk with three feet first as infants creep Next crawl on four as if the ground to sweep We follow our beginning all things mourn Till to their generation they return And fall upon the breast where they were nurst That goes to nothing which was nothing first This is the cause that ruâ—â—ous Age still beats Th' Eâ—â—th with th' 〈◊〉 be leans on and intreats A place to rest in as if he should say With 〈…〉 me way At length into thy 〈…〉 thy son Who faâ—a would sleep now all his labour 's done Let this 〈◊〉 as a short admonition to these old corrupters or Youth De Gulosis Vinolentis i. Of wonton addicted to Gluttony and Drunkennesse OF these there are not many left to memory the reason 〈◊〉 may be conjectured it because to seem the more 〈◊〉 are bring invited to publique Feasts and 〈◊〉 many of them will dine at home before they câ—me aâ—ing in private â—nd drinking in corners Of men for their incredible 〈◊〉 there are presidents infinite I will
for be that about him by which he should be better 〈◊〉 His entrance was granted but being suspected by the guard because they perceived him hide something fâ—lded up in his garment they searched him and found a head cut off but by reason of the palenesse of the face which was disfigured with the clottered and congealed blood the countenance thereof could hardly be discerned The servant was brought in with the head still dropping blood in his hand At which the King more wondring desired by her to be better satisfied concerning the Novel to whom she boldly replied Lo here O Alexander the end of thy many troubles and fears the head of the great Captain Spitamenes who though my husband yet because he was thine enemy I have caused his head to be cut off and here present it unto thee At the horridnesse of these words the King with all that stood by were abashed every one glad of the thing done but in their hearts detesting the manner of the deed The Lady still expecting an answer Alexander after some pause thus replied I must confesse Lady the great câ—urtesie and infinite benefit received from you in presenting me the head of an out-Law a Traitor and one that was to me a great obstacle and an hinderance in the smooth passage to my intended victories but when I understand it to be done by the hands of a woman nay a wife the strange horridnesse of the fact tâ—kes away all the thanks and reward due to the benefit I therefore command you instantly to depart the Camp and that with all speed possible for I would not have the savage and inhumane examples of the Barbarians contaminate and infect the mild and sort temper of the noble Grecians With which words she was instantly hurried from his presence As noble a president of Justice in a Prince as it was an abhorred example of cruelty in a most unnaturall wife Q. Curt. lib. 8. de Alexandri Hâ—stor From a remorselesse wife I come now to as obdurate a stepmother Pelops having married Hyppodamia the daughter of Tantaâ—us and Eurianassa had by her two sons Thiestes and Atreus and by the nymph Danais a third son called Crisippus to which he seemed outwardly better affected then to the former on whom King Laius of Thebes casting an amorous eye at length stole him from his father But Pelops with his two sons by Hyppodamia made war upon Laius took him prisoner and recovered Crisippus and when he truly understood that love was the cause of his rape he was attoned with Laius and an inviolable league of amity combined betwixt them Whilst the Theban yet sojourned with Pelops Hyppodamia perswaded with Atreus and Thiesles to conspire against the life of Crisippus as one that aimed at the succession of the Kingdome but not prevailing she meditated with her selfe how to despoile him of life with her own hands when having conveied the sword of Laius out of his chamber when he was fast sleeping she came to the bed of Crisippus and transpierced him as he lay leaving the sword still in his body and left the place still undiscovered accusing the Theban for his death but the youth not fully dead recovered so much spirit as to discover the murtheresse for which King Laius was acquitted and she from her husband received condign punishment for her immâ—nity and murther Dosythaeus in Pelopedâ—s Progne to revenge the rape of her sister Philomela upon her husband Terâ—us King of Thrace feasted him with the body of his own son Ilis of which you may read at large in Ovid's Metamorphosis Some women have been so unnaturall as to betray their fathers After Troy was utterly subverted and despoiled King Diomede one of the most valiant amongst the Kings of Greece in the return towards his Country being by storms and tempests violently cast upon the coast of Thrace where Lycas the son of Mars 〈◊〉 reigned and according to the bloody custome of the Country sacrificed all such strangers as landed upon his Continent his daughter Callirhoe surprised with the love of King Diomede not only released him from durance but betraied the life of Lycus her father into into his hands notwithstandingâ—â—ne most â—â—eâ—cherously left her for which ingratitude and urged with remorse of conscience for proving so unnaturall to him from whom she had her being by strangling her selfe she despairingly expired Juba lib. 3. Libicorum Paralleld with this is that which we read of Calphâ—nius Crassus an illustrious Roman and sent by M. Regulus against the Massilians to take in a most defensible Castle called Garaetium but by the crosse disaster of fortune being surprized in the siege thereof and reserved the next day to be sacrificed to Saturn being in despair either of rescue or life Besaâ—ia daughter to the King who was then possest of the Fort falling in love with Calphurnius not only delivered up unto him the Keies of the Castle that he might freely escape with life but betraied unto him the liberty and life of her father but after being degenerately forsaken by him she desperately slew herself Hegesinax lib. 3. rerum Africarum I am weary with setting down these immauities in women and Polyhymnia invites me to a new argument Of Women strangely preserved from death and such as haue unwillingly been the death of their fathers NIceas Maleotes as Plutarch in his thirteenth Parallel testates reports that when Hercules for the love of Iâ—le the daughter of Cacus invaded Occhalia and she abhorring the embraces of him who had before slain her father retired her selfe for safety into the strongest Cittadell in her Country in which being straightely besieged by Hercules and the Fort ready to be surprized and taken she having no way to escape and unwilling to stand to the mercy of so loving an enemy mounted up into the highest Turâ—et of the Castle and from thence cast her selfe headlong down towards the Earth but the wind gathering under her loose garments so extenuated the fall that she came the ground without any hurt at all by which miraculous fortune she enjoied a desperate life and Hercules a most desired mistresse Answerable to this is that which Theophilus Italicorum tertio relates The Romans in the Etrurian war instituted Valerius Torquatus Generall of their forces he having beheld Clusia the daughter of the Tusoan King grew enamoured of the Virgin and sent Embassadors to demand her of her father but she not willing to make any contract with her Countries enemy and her father as loth to contradict his daughter the motion and offer of Torquatus was peremptorily denied at which inraged he begitt the City with a strong and fearful siege ingaging the defendants to all dangers and difficulties insomuch that Clusia timorous of surprisall and pâ—â—ferring death before captivity threw her selfe from the highest part of the wall to destroy her selfe in the open view and face of the enemy but either as the former late mentioned favoured by the winds or as
husbands name and with all the force she had plucked the great and ponderous Tomb-stone upon her the weight whereof forced the breath out of her bosome And by this means she purchased the honourable name of a most chast wife at which her life still aimed and a common grave with her husband which even in death she most desired one stone being the cover to both their Hearses Bernard Scardeonus lib. 3. Hâ—stor Patavinâ— Variety of discourse concerning Women APollo or the Sun is said to have five Daughters which by their names appeare to be no other then the five Sences The first is called Pasiphae or Sight of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Omnibus apparens â— Visible to all for the Sight is a Sence that hath inspection into all the rest for the eie sees him that cals or clamours beholds him that feels observes those that taste and intend such as smel The Suns second Daughter is Medea or Hearing of the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Nullam visionem The the third Phaedra or Odoratus of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Afferens suavitatem i. Affoording sweetnesse and pleasantness Dâ—â—ce is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Sapâ—â—is Judex To judge by taste or Acre Judcare that is To censure acâ—â—ely The Syrens weâ—e the daughters of the flood Achelous and the Muse Mâ—lpâ—mene so saith Hyginus others derive them from Calliope They are by the Greeks called Tractatoriae as attracting or insinuating into the ears of man by their severall illecebrations or enticements by Song by Sight by Custome They are three in number the first excels in Voice the second in the Harp the third in the Pype it was so ordered by the Fates that whosoever listned to their musick should instantly perish but when any one escaped their incantations they themselves should live no longer which destiny of theirs was made good in Vlysses For stopping his own ears and the ears of his sailers with wax by the counsel of Mercury and causing them all to be tide to the Masts of the ship when these Syrens perceived that they were prevented they tumbled themselves from the Rocks headlong into the Seas and were so drowned The place stil bears their name and is called Syrenides it lies betwixt Cicilie and Italy Some think that by these Syrenes were intended no other then strumpets who by their inchanting insinuations and luxurious flatteries have been the ruin of many eminent and excellent men as likewise of others meanlier degreed and qualified but whatsoever he be that by his wisdom can prevent them is his own preserver and their destroier Their bodies upward were feminine withal fair and from the navel downward beastial or fishie denoting unto us the uglinesse of sin and deformity of lust Divers differ about their number These are reckoned unto us Aglaosi Telsipoi Pisno Iligi some think the City Parthinope to take denomination from Parthenopaea once numbred amongst these Mermaids because she was there buried Others reckon amongst them the two Nymphs Leucosia and Lygia Plutarch in Amator speaks of Oenanthe a she-minstrel and a dancer as also Aristonica Aglais and others These and the like of their alluring profession to these Syrens may not unfitly be compared Some women have to honest purposes changed their garments and dissembled themselves in mens habits laudable it was in Theodora a Virgin of Antioch who when a rude and rough hewed souldier was sent unto her into prison forcibly to despoile her of her virgin chastity she with her modest looks and becomming tears mixt with passionate perswasions not only mollified his obdurate heart and deterred from his wicked purpose but won him to change habits with her by which fortunate stratagem she escaped out of prison and so prevented the threatned slaughter intended her by the tyrant Dioclesian Ambros lib. 2. de Virgin Euphrostna a maid of Alexandria took upon her a mans habit and for the space of thirty six yeers dissembled her Sâ—x unknown to any all which time she spent in a religious monâ—stery only for devotion sake Valaterran Dicearchus apud Caelium testates That only for the love of learning and to be truly instructed in the grounds of Philosophy Lasthenia Martinea Ax o hoa Phliasia came disguised in mens habits into Plato's School and were his daily auditors into which place women were not to be admitted Pelagia a woman of Antioch being in her youth solely given over to voluptuousness and pleasure at length was so retired from all wordly delights and vanities that abandoning humane society she assumed the shape of a man lest her Sâ—x might be discovered and so betaking her selfe to the sollitude of a most desolate wildernesse led a contemplative and devout life till she expired her last The like I have before related of Marina who with her habit changed her name to Marinus and Eugenia to Eugenius Here I might fiâ—ly introduce Johanna Anglicana but I have reserved a place for her amongst the learned Not to the like commendable purpose we read how Semiramis betâ—aid her Sex and for many years together beguiled the eies of her people took upon her the stile of a King and reigned in the person of her son Aâ— those before remembred have dissembled their shape so there be some recorded in history that have miraculously changed their Sex In Phestus a City of Creet lived one Lictâ—â— or Lignus of a noble family who being married to Telethusa a Lâ—dy of equall birth both nobilitated as wel in wealth as parentage he as an addition to the rest being honourable above others by his place and office his wife being great with child and something neer her delivery â—e â—ot only besought her at the first but after injoined her upon her life of two things the one was that she should bring him a male child to inherit the other that if it proved to be a girle she should instantly bâ—reave it of life Hard was the imposition to a mother and iâ— somewhat penetrated the heart of the father for he no lesse wept to speak it then she moistned her cheâ—ks to hear it it drew tears from both yet by reason of a vow solemnly mâ—de to the gods notwithstanding all her passionate intercessions he stood obstinate from being removed and she altogether in despair because he would be no further intreated All her small hope was now in the hazard as not knowing what her issue would prove if a male the joy of her life if a female her double death as not intending to survive her infant The night before her delivery she was comforted in her dream in which a Vision appeared to her to command her to save the child howsoever for the gods would take it into their protection this somewhat cheared 〈…〉 A girl is born the Sex is conceal'd betwixt her 〈…〉 the father is proud of his young 〈…〉 the mother and performs the ceremonies of the vow before 〈…〉 doth the countenance of
wondrous prompt and accute brain she stil continued her habit and withal her laborious study as wel in the Scriptures as other humane Learnings At length comming to Rome she read publickly in the Schools where she purchased her selfe a great and frequent Auditory And besides her singular wisedome she was much admited and beloved for her seeming sanctity and austerity of life and after the death of Leo the fifth elected and confirmed in the papall Dignity for thus writes Volaterran Sigebertus Platina and others that have writ the lives of the Roman Bishops she is remembred likewise to this purpose by Boccatius in his book de Claris Mulieribâ—â— But Sabellicus lib. 1. Aneadis cals her Joanna Anglica i. Joan English who in her minority dissembled her Sex and so habited travelled as far as Athens and there studied with infinite gain and profit insomuch that comming to Rome few or none could equall her in Disputation or Lectures which begot her such reverence and authority with all men that she was by a general Suffrage elected into the Papacy and succeeded Leo the fourth Ravisius in Officina tit 6. Others will not allow that ever any such woman was Pope and excuse it thus There was one Bishop of Rome who was a decrepit and weak old man He by reason of age not being well able to manage his temporall affairs and domestick businesse received into his Pallace as a guide and governesse a woman called Joanna his sister or neer kinswoman this woman took upon her great pride and state and usurped upon the infirmity of her pride and state and usurped upon the infirmity of her brother insomuch that having the command of all things and being avaricious by nature no businesse was dispatched but by her nor any thing concluded without her for which she was both hated and scorned and therefore upon her that usurped the authority of the Pope they likewise bestowed his stile and nick-named her Pope Joan. This I have not read but I have heard some report it From her I come to Rosuida born in Germany and by Nation a Saxon she lived under Lotharius the first and was of a religious place called Gandresenses in the Diocesse of Hildesemensis she was facundious in the Greek and Roman Tongues and practised in all good Arts she composed many Works not without great commendation from the Readers one especially to her fellow Nuns and Votaresses exhorting them to Chastity Vertue and Divine worship She published six Comedies besides a noble Poem in Hexameter verse of the Books and Heroick Acts done by the Otho Caesars She writ the Lives of holy women but chiefly a Divine Work of the pious and chast life of the blessed Virgin in Elegick verse which began thus Vnica spes Mundiem Cranzius lib. 6. cap. 20. Metrapoleos Fulgos lib. 8. cap. 3. Elizabeth Abbesse of Schonaugia zealously imitated the practise and studies of this Rosuida which she professed in the City of Triers She writ many things in the Latin Tongue of which she was divinely admonished and inspired from above besides many perswasive Epistles to her Covent of Sisters and others ful of great conceit and elegancy A Book also that was entituled A path to direct us the way to God besides a Volume of many learned Epistles ful of great judgement and knowledge Fulgos lib. 8. cap. 3. and Egnat ibidem Conâ—lantia the wife of Alexander Sforza is deservedly inserted in the Catalogue of women famous and excellent in Learning She from her childhood was so laborious in the best Disciplines that upon the sudden and without premeditation she was able sufficiently to discourse upon any argument either Theological or Philosophical besides she was frequent in the works of St Hierom St Ambrose Gregory Cicero Lactantius For her extemporal vein in Verse she was much admired in which she was so elegantly ingenious that she attracted the ears of many judicious scholers to be her daily Auditors And this facility is reported to be innate and born with her as proceeding with such smoothness and without the least â—orce or affectation Her daughter Baptista succeeded her both in fame and merit beeing accepted and approved for one equally qualified with her mother Constantia Therefore Politianus in Nutricia doubts not to rank her amongst the best learned and most illustrious women Baptista Prima the daughter of Galeatinus Malatesta Prince of Pisauriâ— and after the wife of Guido Monteseltrensis Earl of Urbin made many commendable proofs of her wit and learning for she held many disputations even with those that were best practised and grounded in the Arts from whence she came off with no common applause She writ a Volume in Latin which she titled The frailty of mans Life with other praise-worthy books De vera Religione i. Of true Religion Fulgos lib. 8. cap. 3. Isota Navarula Veronensis devoted her life wholly to the study of all humane knowledge and withall to the contemplation of Divine Mysteries to which she added the honour of perpetuall Chastity She writ many eloquent Epistles to Pope Nicolaus Quintus as also to Piuâ— the second being sufficiently seen as wel in Theology as Philosophy Amongst other Works she composed a Dialogue in which it was disputed which of the two of our parents Adam and Eve sinned first or more offended in the beginning Egnat and Fulgos lib. 8. cap. 3. Alpiadâ—s a Virgin who much â—â—sired to be instructed in the true Faith was inspired fâ—om above 〈◊〉 a miraculous knowledge in the Scriptures 〈…〉 Of Women excellent in Philosophy and other Learning FRom Theology I descend to Philosophy Nicaula Queen of Saba travelled from the farthest part of Aethiopia up to Hierusalem to prove the wisdome of Solomon in dark Problems and hard Questions which when he had resolved and satisfied her by his divine wisdome inspired into him from above she returned into her Country richer by her gifts more benefited by her knowledge and fruitfull as bearing with her in her womb a child begot by Solomon Lycosth in Theat Human. vitae lib. 1. cap. de Femin doctis Adesia a woman of Alexandria a neer kinswoman to the Philosopher Syrianus both for her Chastity and Learning is commemorated by Suidas Vata lib. 13. cap. 3. Antrop Nicâ—strata by some called Carmentis helped to make up the number of the Greek Alphabet she is also said to have added to our Roman Letters Hermodica was the wife of Midas King of Phrygia she is not only celebrated for her rare feature and beauty but for her wisedome she was the first that ever stamped Money or made Coin amongst the Cimenses Heraclides Numa was the first that made mony amongst the Romans of whose name it was called Nummus Isiodor lib. 16. cap. 17. It is likewise called Pecunia of Pecus which signifies Cattel for the first that was made to passe currant betwixt man and man was made of the skins of beasts stamped with an impression It hath been currant amongst our English Nation
return That comly favour will in time decay And rugged furrowes in thy cheeks display Age without noise will by thee stealing passe When some will say by thee once fair she was Thou then wilt grieve thy faded font despise Or else complaining swear thy Steel glasse lies Your Riches are not great O worhty more But say you wealth had in the amplest store Fortune bestowes or takes at her own pleasure He 's Irus now that late had Croesus treasure ' Briefe save corrupt things here we nothing gain Except the Treasures of the Breast and Brain I that my House my Country and you lack In all they would take from me suffred wrack My Brain I still keep with me to this hour For over that great Caesar had no power Who though in rage he doom me to be slain When I am dead my fame shall still remain Whilst warlike Rome on seven hils lifts her head To o'r look the conquer'd world I shall be read And you whom happier studies still inspire Preserve your name from the last comming fire Before many or most of those I may justly and without flattery prefer the famous Queen Elizabeth Of her Wisdome and Government all the Christian Princes that flourished in her time can give ample testimony Of her Oratory those learned Orations delivered by her own mouth in the two Academies in the Latine Tongue bear record in her behalfe In the Greek Tongue she might compare with Queen Istrina before remembred amongst the Linguists In the French Italian and Spanish she needed no Interpreter but was able to give answer to such Embassadors in their own Language Of whose pleasant Fancies and ingenious Ditties I have seen some and heard of many Others there have been likewise of our own Nation of whose elegancy in these kinds the World hath taken notice and pitty it were their memories should not be redeemed from oblivion as the Lady Jane Grey daughter to the Duke of Suffolk the unhappy wife of as unfortunat a husband L Guilford Dudley Here likewise worthily may be inserted the excellent Lady Arabella who had a great facility in Poetry and was elaborately conversant amongst the Muses as likewise the ingenious Lady the late composer of our extant Vrâ—nia For others let me refer you to Sir John Harrington in his Allegory upon the 37. book of Ariosto where he commends unto us the four daughters of Sir Athony Cook the Lady Burleigh the Lady Russel the Lady Bacon and Mrs Killegrew giving each of them in that kind a worthy Caracter In the same place the Author commends unto us a great Italian Lady called Vittoria who writ largely and learnedly in the praise of her dead husband with whom though not in that Funerall Elegick strain I may rank 〈◊〉 the comparison I underprise not the beautiful and learned Lady Mary Countess of Pembrook the worthy Sister to her unmatchable brother Sir Philip Sydney But not to dwel too long on her praise whom I never can commend sufficiently I will only bestow upon her Muse that Character which Horace bequeathed to Sapho Vivuntque commissi Calores Aeoliae fidibus Puellae Of Witches IOhannes Bodinus Andegavensis lib. 3. cap. 3. de Magorum Demonomania writes That there is nothing which precipitates men or women to perdition or more allures and incites them to devote and give themselves up to the Devil thâ—n a sottish and meer Atheisticall opinion setled in them That he hath power and wil to give to the needy riches to the afflicted â—ase to the weak strength to the deformed beauty the ignorant knowledge the abject honor grace 〈…〉 whom birth hath nobilitated and 〈…〉 to such as adversity hath dejected when on the contrary we see by common proof then such miscreants none more miserably base more penurious more ignorant more debauch'd and contemned Plutarch remembers us that when Olympias the wife of Philip King of Macedon hearing that her husband was ensnared and extreamly besotted with the beauty of a noble young Lady she much desired to see her who being brought unto her presence and beholding a woman with all the accomplishments of nature so every way graced one of so exquisite feature she never beheld the like till then she grew astonished and without offering her the least discourteous violence brake out into these â—earms This rare and incomparable beauty which hath bewitched my husband is likewise of force to â—ftâ—cinate the gods Most certain it is nothing seems fairly featured and beautifully composed within this large universe but it shewes to us the glory of the Maker who is the only true and perfect pulchritude neither is there any thing lovely or amiable which proceeds not from his especial grace and miraculous workmanship But it was never found or known that ever any Witch could by exorcisms or incantations and any thing to Nature to make her selfe in any part appear more comely It is further observed that all such are for the most part stigmaticall and ugly insomuch that it is grown into a common Adage Deformis ut Saga i. As deformed as a Witch Moreover Cardanus who was not held the least amongst the Magicians as having his Art or rather Diabolicall practise from his father hereditary confesseth that in all his life time in his great familiarity and acquaintance amongst them he never knew any one that was not in some part mishapen and deformed The same Author with whose opinion Wiâ—rius Hippocrates and others assent affirms that all those Demoniacks or Witches after they have had commerce and congresse with the devil have about them a continuall nasty and odious smel of which by the ancient writers they were called Fatentes by the Vasconians Fetelleres à Faetore i. Of stench insomuch that women who by nature have a more sweet and refreshing breath then men after their beastly consociety with Satan change the property of nature and grow horrid putred corrupt and contagious For Sprangerus witnesseth who hath taken the examination of many they have confessed a thing fearful to be spoken to have had carnall copulation with evill and unclean spirits who no doubt bear the smel of the invisible sulphure about them Now concerning this Magick what reputation it hath been in amongst men which in effect is no better then plain Witchcraft in women we may read in Nauclerus and Platina That all the Popes inclusively from Silvester the second to Gregory the seventh were Magicians but Cardinall Benno who observed all the Bishops that way devoted numbers but five Silvester the second Benedict the ninth John the twentieth and one and twentieth and Gregory the seventh Of these Augustinus Onuphrius one of the Popes chamber that from the Vatican and the Lives of the Popes there registred made a diligent collection speaks of two only Silvester the second and Benedict the ninth one of them was after expelled from the Papacy Silvester lying upon his death bed desired his tongue to be torn out and his hands to be cut
off that had sacrificed to the devil confessing that he had never any inspection into that damnable Art til he was Archbishop of Rhemes These are the best rewards that Satan bestowes upon his suppliants and servants how comes it else so many wretched and penurious Witches some beg their bread some die of hunger others rot in prisons and so many come to the gallowes or the stake It is reported of a Gentleman of Mediolanum that having his enemy at his mercy held his steeletto to his heart and swore that unlesse he would instantly abjure his faith and renounce his Saviour had he a thousand lives he would instantly with as many wounds despoile him of all which the other for fear assenting to and he having made him iterate over and over his unchristian-like blasphemies in the middle of his horrible abjuration stabb'd him to the heart uttering these words See I am revenged of thy soule and body at once for as thy body is desperate of life so is thy soul of mercy This uncharitable wretch was an apt scholer to the grand Devil his Master who in like manner deals with all his servants who after he hath made them renounce their faith blaspheme their Maker and do to him all beastly and abominable adoration such as in their own confessions shall be hereafter related he not only leaves them abjects from Gods favour whose divine Majesty they have so fearfully blasphemed but delivers them up to all afflictions and tribulations of this life and all exâ—â—uciation and torments in the world to come Horrible and fearful have been the most remarkable deaths of many of the professors of this diabolicall Art for whom the lawes of man hath spared as a terror to others the hand of heaven hath punished I wil only give you a taste of some few Abdias Bab. Episcopus lib. 6. Certam Apostol writes That Zaroes and Arphaxad two famous Magitians amongst the Persians with their exorcisms and incantations deluding the people in the hour when Simon and Jude suffered martyrdome were struck with lightning from heaven and so perished Lucius Piso in the first book of his Annals speaks of one Cinops a Prince amongst the Magitians who at the praier of St Iohn the Evangelist was swallowed up in a river Olaus Magnus lib. 2. cap. 4. de gentib Septentrional tels us of one Methotis who by his prestigious juglings had insinuated into the hearts of the people and purchast that opinion and authority amongst them that he was called The high and chiefe Priest to the gods who was after torn to pieces by the multitude from whose scattered limbs such a contagion grew that it infected the air of which much people perished Hollerus the Magitian was slain Oddo the Dane was besides his skil in Magick a great pyrat it is written of him Wierius lib. 2. cap. 4. that without ship or boat he would make his transmarsne passage over the Ocean and by his Inchantments raise storms to shipwreck the vessels of his enemies there most wretchedly perished Dr Iohn Faustus born at Kuneling a Village neer Cracovia was found dead by his bed side his face blasted and turned backward in the Dukedome of Wittenburgh at which time the house wherein he died was shaken with a tempest and horrible Earthquake The Earl Matisconensis a practitioner in the same devilish study sitting at dinner amongst many Lords Barons Captains and others was snatcht from the boord by devils and in the sight and view of all the people three times hurried swiftly round about the City being heard to cry Succurrite Succurrite i. Help Help of him Hugo Cluniacensis writes more largely A Priest at Noremburgh searching for hidden treasure in a place where the devill had directed him found it garded by a spirit in the semblance of a great black dog in the search of which the earth fell upon him and buried him alive And this hapned in the year 1530. Wierius A Magician of Salsburgh undertook to call all the Serpents together within a mile of the place and bring them into one pit digged for the purpose in the train of which came after the rest a great Serpent supposed to be the devill and twining about him cast him in amongst the rest where they together perished The like untimely deathâ— we read of Appion Grammaticus Iulian Apostata Artephius Robertus Anglicus amongst the Helvetians Petrus Axâ—nensis sirnamed Conciliator Albertus Teutonicus Arnoldus de villa nova Anselmus Parmensis Pycatrix Hispanus Cuchus ascalus Florentinus and many others Commendable therefore it was in the French King who when one Friscalanus Cenomannus a man excellent in this Science came to shew divers prestigious seats and tricks before him for which he expected reward amongst others he caused the links of a golden chain to be taken asunder and removed them to divers remote places of the chamber which came of themselves to one place and were instantly joined together as before Which the King seeing and being thereat astonished he commanded him instantly from his sight never again to behold his face and after caused him to be arraigned and judged And these are the Graces Honours and Advancements Offices and Dignities to which the devill exalts his â—â—ege people Of these severall sorts of Juglings with which the devill deludes his scholers besides such as I have before spoken of amongst such as predicted of things to come I will nominate some few One thing which is used now amongst our cunning Women and Witches is so ancient that it was before the age of Lucian or Theocritus it is called Caskinomanteia i. 〈◊〉 saltatio i. as we call it The Sive and the Shears and that is not shamed to be publiquely used Bodinus himselfe saith that he saw in Lutetia a boy in a Noblemans house and before many honest and judiciall spectators by speaking of a few French words make a Sive turn which way he pleased but the same words uttered by another could not make it to move at all Another superstition is with a Knife or a Key If any be suspected of 〈◊〉 read but such a Psalm and name the party accused if the Knive at speaking of his name move to stir he is then held guilty and that 〈◊〉 is called Axinomanteia That which is done by a Ring out over a Cruse of water is called Daktuliomanteia And this is is a famous sorcery much in use with the Witches of Italy Ioachimus Cameraccusis had a speaking Ring in which was a familiar or a devill that kind is called Vdromanteia as also Dactyliomanteia i. A Ring wherein Spirits are worn Conjectures made from Wels andâ— Fountains were called Idromanteia these Numa Pompilius was said to be the first inventor of which Varro otherwise interprets i. Of a boy imploied by the Magicians to look upon Images in the watâ—r one of which pronounced distinctly fifty verses of the wars of Mithridates before any such rumour was spread or purpose of the
where she in his presence having annointed her body with a certain unguent from the crown to the heel naked fell into a sodain apoplex appearing to them as dead deprived of all sence or motion but after five hours returning to her selfe as if she awaked out of a dream she related many things done neer and far off in that interim of which sending to know the truth they found her to erre in nothing This was confirmed to Codinus by an Earl of great honour who was then present when this thing was done Olaus Magnus in his History saith That those things are common in the Northern parts of the world and that the friends of those Extasis diligently keep and safeguard their bodies whilst their spirits are abroad either to carry rings tokens or letters to their friends though never so far off and bring them answers back again with infallible tokens of their being there Many I could here produce to the like purpose I will end with Saint Augustine lib. de Civitate Dei 18. who affirms the father of Prestantius hath confest himselfe to have been transported with such extasies that when his spirit hath returned to him again he hath constantly affirmed that he hath been changed into an horse and in the company of others carried provision into the camp when in the mean time his body was known to lie at home in his chamber breathlesse and without moving and this hath reference to Liranthropia i. The changing of men into beasts So much spoken of by the ancient writers and now so frequent in the Orientall parts of the world Some observe as Strangerus Danaeus and others that no Witch can weep or shed a tear Others as the Germans in some parts that a Witch cannot sink nor drown in the water and therefore to trie them being suspected they cast them into moats and rivers They can do nothing in prison neither will they confesse any thing till the devill hath quite forsaken them I mean in his power to help them not in his covenant to enjoy them They are all penurious and needy neither have they the least power of the Judges they have 〈◊〉 to hurt others but none any way to benefit themselves There is not any of them but wears the devils mark about her They never look any man or woman stedfastly in the face but their eies wander of the one side or other but commonly they are dejected downward they answer peâ—tinently to no question demanded them They all desire to see the Judges before they come to their arraigâ—ment being of a confident opinion that if they behold them first the Judges have no power to condemn them but if they be first brought to the place all their Sorceries are vain and of no validity Others are remembred by D. Adamus Martinus Procurator of Laodunum proved upon the famous Witch Beibrana whom he sentenced to the stake But these shall suffice for this present for Calliope now plucks me by the elbow to remember her Explicit lib. Octavus Inscriptus Urania THE NINTH BOOK inscribed CALLIOPE Intreating of Women in generall with the punishments appertaining to the Vitious and rewards due to the Vertuous WHen I enter into a true consideration of how many severall Affections Dispositions Actions and passions in Women I have had occasion to speak of the Good and Bad Famous and Infamous Vertuous and Dishonest Illustrious and Obscure next of all Ages from the Cradle to the Grave the Swathband to the Winding sheet then of all Estates Degrees and Callings from the Empresse in the Court to the Shepherdesse in the Village when I next ponder with my selfe that all these are gathered to the Earth from whence they came and that we who are yet breathing do but hourly tread upon our Graves lingring and prolonging a few uncertain minutes and must necessarily follow and that our lives are but a Circular motion or a Circle drawn by a Compass ending where it first began being but as the wheels of a Clock wound up and as we move in the passage of life like the Hand of a Dyall point first to one hour then a second so to a third still shewing our years in our growth that any man may read what a Clock it is with us by our Age but when the Plummets and Weights have forced our Wheels so often about till there is no more Line left then we cease both motion noise and being Next that all know they must die but none the time when they shal die and that as Seneca in Hercule Furente saith Prima quae vitam dedit hora carpsit i. That the first hour of our life takes an hour from our life These considerations of human frailty as that there is but one Life but many waies to destroy it but one Death but a thousand means to hasten it moves me to perswade all as well men as women young as old noble as base of both Sexes and of what calling or condition soever to arm themselves with constancy to abide it and courage to entertein it For as Ausonius in Perlandri Sententiae saith Mortem optare malum timere peius i. As it is ill to wish death so it is worse to fear it besides as it is base Cowardise dishonourably to shun â—t so it is meer Pusillanimity despairingly to hasten it It is observed such as live best dread it least Let this then perswade you unto Vertue since to the Vicious only it seems terrible why should we fear the Grave since there the modest and chast Virgin lies fearless and secure though by the side of the libidinous Adulterer there the true man may rest and though he have twenty theeves about him sleep soundly and never dream of Robbing there the poor Tenant is not afraid of his oppressing Landlord nor trembles the innocent to lie next the wicked and corrupt Judg the Handmaid is not afrighted with the tongue of her proud and curst Mistresse nor quakes the young scholler at the terrible voice of his Master There is no Brawling but all Peace no Dissention but all Concord Unity and Equality which Propertius in his third book Eleg. 5. elegantly illustrates Haud ullas portabas opes Acherontis ad undas Nudus ad Infernas stulte vehere rates c. No wealth thou canst bear with thee O thou fool All naked thou must passe the Stigian Pool There is no strife in Weapons or in Wits But now the vanquisht with the victor sits The Captive Jugurth hath an equall place With Consul Marius now in eithers face Shines Love and Amity There is no Throne For Lydian Croesus he is now all one With poor Dulichian Irus no regard Of persons there he dies best dies prepar'd Then since all things acquire and pursue their ends that no earthly thing hath been made that shall not be destroied why should we not with as much chear and alacrity welcome our newest and last hour as the Laborer desires to
rest or the weary Traveller to come to his Inne To this purpose Seneca speaks in his Tragedy of Agamemnon Qui vultus Acherontis atri Qui Stygia tristem non tristis videt Audetque vitae ponere finem Par ille Regi par superis erit Fearlesse who dare gaze upon Black and grisly Acheron He that merrily dare look On the gloomy stygian Brook Who so bears his spirit so hie That he at any hour dares die A King he is in his degree And like the gods in time shall be Some may wonder why I have took this occasion to speak of death I will give them this satisfaction The Muse Calliope under whom I patronize this last book being no other then a redundance of sound or one entire Musick arising from eight severall instruments and therefore as she participates from every one so she exists of all therefore in this succeeding tractate I purpose by the help of the divine assistance to take a briefe survey of what hath passed in the eight former books to shew you the punishments belonging to all such vices as I have discovered in the frailty of the Sex to deter the Vicious and expose unto the eies of the Noble Chast and Learned the honour and reward due to their excellent gifts thereby to encourage the Vertuous Then since besides the Shame or Honour in this life the one is punished and the other glorified in the life to come what more necessary meditation then that we may live the better hourly to think of death and that is the scope I aim at but before I can arrive so far I purpose to deliver to you the dispositions conditions and qualities of divers sorts of women by me not yet remembred Of Women Ravished c. MArpissa the daughter of Euenus was ravished by Apollo she was the wife of Idas So Proserpine the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres by Pluto therefore he is called by Claudian Ovid and Sylus lib. 14. the infernall Ravisher Perhibea by Axus the son of Oceanus as Europa by Jupiter and Auge by Hercules Castor and Pollux who for their valour were called Dioscuri which imports as much as the issue of Jupiter they from Messene raped the two daughters of Leucippus Phoebe and Ilaira whom they after married of Pollux and Phoebe was begot and born Mnesilius of Castor and Ilaira Anagon They with their associats Idas and Lynceas the sons of Aphareus had driven away a great prey of Cattel when they came to divide the booty a motion was made that an Ox should be divided into four according to the number of the brothers with this condition that he which could devour his quarter first should have the one halfe of the Cattell and he that had next made an end of his part should possesse the remainder This was no sooner agreed upon but Idas suddenly eat up his own portion and presently devoured that which belonged to his brother by which he claimed the whole herd and being stronger in faction then the Dioscuri drave the prey back to Meffene With which injury the two brothers incensed they levied fresh forces invaded Meffene and took from thence a much greater booty then the former the spoil being safely disposed of Castor and Pollux awaited the pursuers ambushed themselves beneath a broad spreading Oak quick-sighted Linces espying Castor shewed him to his brother whom Idas slew with an arrow whom Pollux pursuing transpierced Linceus with his javelin and unadvisedly chasing Idas was brained by him with a stone for which Jupiter stroke Idas with a thunderbolt and translated the two Princely brothers the Dioscuri into stars Of these Propert lib. 1. thus saith Non sic Leucippi succendit Castora Phoebe Pollucem cultu non Ilaira soror Fair Phoebo did not so inflame Her Castor with desire Nor Ilaira Pollux brest Deckt in her best attire Theseus rapt Ariadne daughter of King Ninus as also Hellen the daughter of Tindarus and Laeda and sister to Castor and Pollux long before Paris but returned her back unvitiated Achilles forced Diomeda the daughter of Phorbas from Lesbos as Boreas the fair Orithea daughter of Erisicthon from Athens Hercules ravished the Nymph Pyrene of Bebritia from her the Pyrenaean Mountains took name of whom Syllius Nomen Bebricia duxere à virgine colles Hospitis Alcidae crimen c. From the Behrician maid these bils took name Of her guest Hercules the fault and blame Pyrrhus surnamed Neoptolemus the sonne of Achilles and Deiadamia rapt Lanissa the Niece of Hercules Ajax the son of Telamon did the like to Tâ—â—messa of whom Horace Movit Ajacem Telamone satam Forma captivae dominum Teâ—mâ—ssae Captive Teâ—messas beauty gaz'd upon Insnar'd her Lord the son of Telamon Ajax Oilaeus ravished Cassandra Nessus the Centaur Deineira the wife of Hercules sister to Meleager and daughter to Oeneus and Althea King and Queen of Calidon Tleoptolemus stole Axiothia from Ephira a City of Peloponnessus he was the son of Hercules and Astioche he waâ— first a suitor to Hellen and came to the siege of Troy with nine ships and was after slain by the hand of King Sarpedon Hypodamia the daughter of Atracius and wife of Perithous suffered the like violence by the Centaurs being heated with Wine and Lust especially by Euritus of whom Ovid lib. 12. thus speaks Euritus Hyppodamea alii quam quisque probabat Aut poterat rapiunt Euritus rapt Hyppodame and after him the rest By his example did the like and snatcht where they lik'd best The great enmity betwixt the Grecians and Barbarians though it might seem to arise by reason of the distance of Countries and difference of manners yet most probable it is that their inveterate hate and irreconcilable malice took first originall from divers rapes committed on either part for first the Phoenician Merchants exposing their commodities to publique sale in the City of Argis when Io the Kings daughters amongst other damosels came down to the Key to take a view of what Merchandise she best liked to furnish her selfe according to her womanish fancy the Merchants being extreamly surprized with her beauty seized both her and the rest of her attendants and stowing them under hatches hoised sail and transported them into Aegypt Not long after the Cretenses awaiting the like opportunity stole away Europa the daughter of the King of the Tyrians and bore her into Creet in requitall of the former rape The Heroes of Greece next sailed in the great Argoe to Cholcos pretending their journie for the golden fleece and raped thence Medea the daughter of Areta after whom sending Embassadors into Greece to redemand his daughter they returned him answer That the barbarous Phoenicians had made no restitution nor satisfaction at all for the rape of Io neither would they for Medea After that Paris the son of Priam rather to revenge the injury done to his Aunt Hesione then for any love or affection to Spartan Hellen stole her from Lacedemon and brought her
Wisedome and Potency Therefore Johannes Sambucus Tyrnabiensis in his argument to Lucians twentieth Dialogue inscribed Deorum Judicium thus writes Matris Acidaliae javenis deceptus amore Non curat reliquas Caecus habere Deas Pallade quid melius Junone potentius ipsa Preferimus Cipridos munerâ— prava tamen The Phrigian youth with Venus love surpriz'd Took of the other goddesses no care Pallas and potent Juno he despis'd Leaving the good and great to chuse the fair The Beauty of a woman is especially seen in the face by which we may conjecture the excellency of the other hidden lineaments of the body and therein is many times the pulchritude of the mind illustrated as in the bashful eie modest look and shamefaced countenance therefore doth the face deservedly challenge the first seat of Beauty the Head being the noblest part of the body the Will the Mind the Memory the Understanding have their place and residence where they exercise their divers effects and qualities therefore though they be in the other parts of the body excellently featured though they be Wise Learned irreprovable in Life and conversation unblemished in their reputation and every way laudable yet the face is the first thing contemplated as noble above the rest and from which all other excellencies are approved for when all the rest are masked and hidden that only is continually visible and laid open and that may be the reason why most women that are not born fair attempt with artificiall beauty to seem fair Beauty therefore being a Dower of it selfe is a reward in it selfe Of Bounty Charity Piety and other Vertues in Women with their Rewards ONe Berta a Country maid of the Village of Montaguum in Patavia who having spun an excellent fine thread which was so curiously twisted that it was not to be matched by the hands of any and offering it in the City to publique sale when none would reach to the price at which she valued her pain and skil she thinking it a gift worthy an Empresse presented it to Berâ—ba the wife of Henry the fourth Emperor who at that time sojourned in Patavia She both admiring the excellency of the work and willing with her roiall bounty to encourage the plain Wench that wrought it commanded her steward to take the Yearn and go with the maid to Montaguum and out of the best soil there to measure so many acres of ground as that thread stretched out in length would compasse by which her roiall bounty poor Berta grew suddenly rich and from a Dowerlesse Virgin became a Match enquired after by the best men of the Countrie insomuch that from her flowed the illustrious Patritian Family in Padua which derive themselves from Montaguum This the Women of neighbor Villages seeing they all began to strive to equal if not exceed Berta at their Wheels and Spindles and hoping of the like reward troubled and oppressed the Empresse with multiplicity of presents who causing them all to appear before her at once she thus spake to them If not in Art yet Berta was befor you in time I thank you love and commend your skill but she hath prevented you of the blessing Which saying of hers is still remembred as a Proverb in all that Country for when any thing is done unseasonably or not in due time they say Non è pui quel tempo che Berta filava i. You come not in the time when Berta spun or as our English Proverb is You come a day after the Fair Bernard Scardeonus lib. 3. Histor Paiav In which the Empress expressed great wisedome who as she shewed a rare bounty in which men and women come neerest the gods who are the free givers of all good things so she knew how to dispose it namely to her that came to tender her love not such as a varitiously presented their Offerings meerly for lucre and benefit for such come but like fair weather after Harvest And how could the Empresses Vertue be better rewarded then to have her Bounty outlast her Death and her Wisedome survive her Dust Touching Charity Bruson lib. 2. cap. 21. relates That a poor begger desiring an alms of Lacon he thus answered him If I give thee any thing I make thee a greater begger and thou maiest curse him that first gave thee for it was he that made thee one Amongst the Lacedemonians nothing was more shamefull then to beg being an industrious Nation hating sloth and contenting themselves with little Notwithstanding Charity is commendable in all and reckoned amongst the best Theologicall Vertues neither is it any fault in such if their goodnesse and bounty be not a means to encourage idlenesse and sloth in bad people who make a pretence of want and penury therefore commendable it is in any man that is apt to give to know upon whom he doth bestow King Archelaus being at a banquet where such as he vouchsafed to set at his Table were wondrous pleasant about him amongst others one that had great familiarity with him demanded as a gift a great standing bowl which the King had then in his hand which he had no sooner spoken but the King called to one that waited at his elbow to whom he said Hold take this bowl and bear it to the Poet Euripides and tell him I bestow it on him as my free gift The other demanding the reason thereof Archelaus answered Thou indeed art only worthy to ask but not receive but Euripides is worthy to receive without asking In which he nothing abated of his Kingly bounty only he apprehended how most worthily to dispose it Plutarch in Regum Apophtheg But how this charity in Women is rewarded I will only instance Tabitha spoken of in the Acts who being dead was thought worthy for her former Charity in relieving Widowes and Orphans to have Peters knees and praiers to restore her again to life Now of the reward of religious Piety in which many Matrons and godly martyred Virgins amongst such as have suffered strange deaths may be included as some by the Sword some by by Fire others suffocated by Smoak stilled in Jakes shot with Arrowes tortured upon Wheels scourged with Whips scared with Irons boiled in Caldrons c. their Crowns are glory their Rewards neither to be expressed by pen tongue or apprehension of man Loosnesse of Life first converted and the conversion rewarded in a home bred History A Civill Gentleman within memory in the heat of Summer having been walking alone in the fields contemplating with himselfe and returning back not the same way he went out but through another part of the Suburbs to which he was a meer stranger and finding himselfe athirst he stepped into the first house that fairliest offered it selfe to him and called for a cup of Beer seating himself in the first room next to the street He had not well wiped the sweat from his face with his handkerchiefe but two or three young wenches came skittishly in
present contract for if he refused her to wife she vowed never to have other husband acknowledging that all her fortunes next to the Divine Providence came by his goodnesse omitting the former circumstances and that shee knew no way better to expresse her gratitude then to confer them on him by whom they first came Thus the close proved better then the beginning and the banquet of Sweet-meats made amends for the harsh Feast for they found this last of all the other passages to be only serious They were there contracted the suitors witnesses and soon after married And thus his vertue and her conversion had one joint reward Cura ONe woman I had almost forgotten but better remember her at last then not at all and strange it is I should do so since she is still present with the King in his Thronâ— with the Generall in the Camp the Tradesman in his Shop and the Plowman in his Cottage she is with the Scholler in his Study and the Statesman in his Closet she is still at the elbow of every Father or Mother and no family can exist without her In this my work she hath risen early with me in the Morning and again sate up with me till past Midnight she will leave no man Waking nor forsake him till he his fast Sleeping This womans name is Care the grandmother of Fears and Doubts who passing a river and finding a vein of bituminous and clammy clay being full of thoughts she began to fashion a part thereof to the true semblance and shape of a man and deliberating with her selfe what she had done and being enamored with her late workmanship and casting how best to dispose it Joves Herald Mercury comming that way by accident saluted her whom she intreated to be an intercessor to Jupiter in her behalfe to give that picture life He at Mercuries entreaties did so There was then question made how to name it Cura would have it called after her own name Care but Jupiter would not agree to that but give it his next up start Tellus i. The Earth and pleaded the name belonged to her because from her it first proceeded The deciding of this controversie was put to Saturn who thus ended it You Jupiter shall take charge of it and after death receive the Spirit back that first gave it Care because she first fashioned it Care shall all the life time possesse it But because the difference is about the name Homo vocetur quia ex humo factus esse videtur i. Let it be called man because made of the Earth And therefore with great elegance Tibull 3. lib. 3. Eleg. 3. thus writes Nam grave quid prodest pondus mihi divitiâ— auri Arvaquae si findant pinguia mille â—oves c. What profit golden heaps weigh'd by the pound Or if a thousand Oxen plow my ground What profits me my house although it stand On Phrygian columns wrought by curious hand Digg'd first and fetcht from the Tenarian Mine Or else Caristus whether brought from thine Or woods beneath my roof planted for state Which seem the sacred groves to imitate My golden beams and â—loors with marble pav'd Or my Pearl-shining vessels so much crav'd From th' Erichthraean shores what all my pride In wooll that 's in Sydonian purple di'd Or what besides the vulgar sets on fire Who still most envy where they most admire These but the temporeall gifts of fortune are And 't is no pomp can fâ—ee my thoughts from Care Reward due to Philosophers Orators and Poets IN what honor all Philosophers have been of old with Princes and Emperors lies next in me to speak of as Agathe Pythagoricus with Arcesilaus King of Macedon Plato with Dionysius Aristotle with Philip and Alexander Xeno Citâ—eius the son of Mnasenus with the Athenians Theophrastus honored by Demetrius Psaleraeus with golden statutes Posidonius entired to Cneius Pompeius Magnus Ariston to Julius Caesar Zenarchas to Augustus Apollonius Tyanaeus to Bardosanes King of Babylon Dion Prusienis to the Emperor Trajanus Arrius to Alexander Heliodorus to Adrianus Sopater to Constantinus Magnus with infinte others of which it is not necessary now to insist Plutarch remembers us in the life of Alexander That he having taken ten of these Gymnosophists that were the cause of the falling off of the Sabbea a people of Arabia who had done many outrages to the Macedonians because they were esteemed Philosophers and famous for their ready and acute answers he therefore to those ten propounded ten severall questions with this condition that he who answered the worst of them should be first slain and so in order the rest and of this he made the eldest judges Of the first he demanded Whether in his judgement he thought there to be more men living or dead who answered Living because the dead are not The second Whether the Earth or the Sea harbored the greatest Monsters Resp The Earth because the Sea is but part thereof The third What beast of all creatures was the most craftie That which to man is best known The fourth Why did the Sabbae revolt from Macedon Resp That they might either Live well or Die ill The fifth Whether the day was before the night or the night before the day Resp The day for one day was before another The sixth What was the best way to make a man generally beloved of all Resp To be the best man and no tyrant The seventh How might a man be made a god Resp By doing that which a man is not able to doe The eighth Whether is Life or Death the stronger Resp Life because it beareth so many disasters The ninth he demanded How long he thought a man to live Who answered â—ust so long as he desired not to see Death When the King turning to the judge bad him give just sentence he said that one had answered more impertinently then another then saith the King thou art the first that oughtest to die for so judging But he replied Not so O King because it was your own condition that he should suffer first that made the worst answer This said the King dismissed them bounteously and roially rewarded If then for ambiguous answers to such slight and yet doubtfull questions Alexander thought them worthy of such gifts and presents with what Memories what Praises what Crowns Columns and Statues ought we to dignifie and celebrate the names of Queen of Zenobia Amalasuntha Aspatia Fulvia Morata and others This Solomon the wisest not only of Kings but of men well knew when having made proof of the wisedom of Nicaulis Queen of Aethiopia he sent her back into her Country so liberally furnished and so roially rewarded What I have spoke of these may be pertinently apply to our women studious in Divinity Oratory and Sophistry and laboriously practised in all other liberall Arts and Sciences Nor can I more fitly in my mind conclude this work then as I begun with goddesses so to end with good women
sons but if none of their issue be leâ—e alive they chuse out of the people the most beautiful and warlike withall whom 〈◊〉 create their Prince and Soveraign Even amongst the 〈◊〉 M. Aâ—relius Commodus so dearly affected his sister that being called by his mother to divide their 〈◊〉 patrimony betwixt them he conferred it wholly upon her contenting himselfe with his grandfathers revenue Pontanus de lib. cap. 11. I will end this discourse concerning sisters with one History out of Sabellious l. â— cap. 7. the same confirmed by â—â—â—gosius lib. 5. cap. 5. Intaphernes was say they one of these confederate Princes who freed the Persian Empire from the usurpâ—tion of the Magician brothers and conferred it upon Darius who now being established in the supreme dignity Intaphernes having some businesse with the King made offer to enter his chamber but being rudely put back by one of his grooms or waiteâ—â— he took it in such scorn that no lesse revenge would satisfie his rage then to cut off his ears and nose of which the King having present notice his indignation exceeded the others rage for he gave commandment That for his insolence and outrage done in she Pallace and so neer his presence that not only Intaphernes the Dâ—linquent but all the male issue of his stock and race whatsoever should be laid hold upon and after to the dread and terror or the like offenders by mercilesse death cast the terror of the Kings incensement The sentence of their apprehension was performed and their execution hourly expected when the wife of Intaphernes cast her selfe groveling before the Court gate with such pitiful ejaculations and clamours that they came even to the ears of Darius and much penetrated him being uttered with such passionate and moving acceâ—ts able to mollifie the Flint or soften Marble Imprest therefore with her pitious lamentations the King sent unto her That her teares and clamours had so far prevailed with him â—hat from the condemned society they had ransomed one and one only to continue the memory of their Name and Family chuse amongst them all whose life she most favoured and whose safety with the greatest affection desired but further then this to grant her his sentence was unalterable None that heard this small yet unexpected favour from the King but presently imagined she would either redeem her husband or at least one of her sons two of them being all she had then groning under the burthen of that heavy sentence But after some small meditation beyond the expectation of all men she demanded the life of her brother The King somewhat amazed at her choice sent for her and demanded the reason Why she had preferred the life of a brother before the safety of such a noble husband or such hopeful children To whom she answered Behold O King I am yet but young and in my best of years and I may live to have another husband and so consequently by him more children But my father and mother are both aged and stricken in years and should I lose a Brother I should for evermore be deprived of that sacred Name At which words the King exceedingly moved to see with what a fraternall zeal they were spoken he not only released her brother but added to his unexpected bounty the life of her eldest son Of Matrimony or Conjugall Love IT was inserted in Plato's Lawes That what man soever lived a Batchelor above five and thirty years of age was neither capable of Honour of Office Alexand. ab Alex. lib 4. cap. 8. Licurgus the Lawgiver amongst the Lacedemonians as the same Author testifies to shew the necessity of marriage made a Decree That all such as affected singlenesse and solitude of life should be held ignominious They were not admitted to publike Plaies but in the winter were compelled to passe through the Market-place naked and without garments The Law of the Spartans set a fine upon his head best that married not at all next on him that married not till he was old and lastly on him they set the greatest mulct that married an evill wife or from a strange Tribe Stobae Sermon 65. Fuigosius cals the Judgements Cacogamia and Opsigamia lib 2. cap. 1. So laudable and reverent was Marriage amongst the Lacedemonians procreation of Children and fertility of issue That whosoever was the father of three children should be free from Watch or Ward by day or night and whosoever had four or upward were rewarded with all Immunities and Liberty This Law was confirmed by Q. Metellus Numidicus Censor after approved by Julius Caesar and lastly established by Augustus Memorable are the words of Metellus in a publike Oration to the people If we could possibly be without wives O Romans saith he we might all of us be free from molestation and trouble but since Nature excites us and necessity compels us to this exigent That we can neither live with them without inconvenience nor without them at all more expidient it is therefore that we aim at the generall and lasting profit then at our own private and moment any pleasure â—ruson lib 7. cap. 22. The Athenians the Cretans the Thuâ—â—ans all in their Statutes and Ordinances encouraged Marriage and punished the obstinary of such as took upon them the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and sollitaude either with amercement or disgrace To that purpose was the Law Julia instituted that incited young men in their prime and flourishing age to the marriage of wives propagation of issue and education of children and that such should be encouraged by rewards and the opposers thereof to be deterred with punishments Tiberius Caesar deprived one of his Quaestorship because he divorced himselfe from his wife having been but three daies married alledging That he in whom there was such lightnesse could not be profitable for any thing Claudius Caesar caused the Law Papia to be abrogated giving men of threescore years and upwards the free liberty to marry as at those years of ability to have issue Theodoretus lib. 1. cap. 7. and Sozomenus lib. 1. cap. 10. both write that in the Nicene Council when certain of the Bishops would introduce into the Church a new Decree before that time not known namely That all Bishops Prelates Priests Deacons and Spirituall or Religious men should be made uncapable of Marriage as also all such as in the time of their 〈◊〉 before they took the Ministry or any service of the Church upon them should be separated from 〈◊〉 wives of whom they were then possest One Paphnutius Confessor who was likewise Bishop of a City in the upper Thebats stood up and with great fervency opposed the motion yet a man of approved chastity and great austerity of 〈◊〉 who though he were mightily opposed yet at length so far prevailed with the Synod of the Fathers that it was definitively concluded That though the marriage of Priests were â—â—â—dicted and singlenesse of life in joined them yet all such as had wives were dispensed withall till
death made a separation betwixt them Pius the second Pope of that name being a 〈…〉 unquestioned prudence and gravity weighty in his words and discreet in all his actions was often heard to say That he held it more convenient and consonant both to reason and Religion that their wives should be restored to Priests then taken from them For the wise Bishop wel understood that the restraining them from lawful marriage was the occasions of their falling into many great and grievous sins which by the former legal and regular course might be prevented and if the liberty of marriage were again admitted peradventure many of those sins might in time decrease and be forgotten into which by that restraint they were subject hourly to fall Fulgos lib. 2. cap. 2. This short discourse shall serve for the necessity of Marriage which is ever the most pleasing and contented when it is made betwixt equals Therefore Ovid. lib. Epist Heroid thus writes Quam male inequales veniunt ad aratra juvenci Tam premitur magno conjuge Nupta minor Non honour est sed onus c. Which though not verbum verbo yet the intent of the Author I give you thus in English Vnsightly do the unmatcht Herfers draw Nor can the Plough go even then such the Law Of Wedlock is to prevent the nuptiall striâ—e There must be parity ' twâ—xt man and wife Then needs the one the other must oppresse The husband great in power the wise much lesse It is no honor but a burthen rather To join and not be equâ—â— this we gather From th' uneven yeak for so you cannot strike The surrow streight if match match with thy like From the convenience or rather necessity of marriage I will speak briefly of the times granted and allowed for the ceremony or limited and forbidden amongst other Notions as also of some proems or preambles before the consummation It was religiously observed among the Romans that no marriage was sustered to be celebrated in the month of May in which the Lemuria were kept solemn which were in remembrance of Remus and to the paâ—ification of his ghost or shadow nor whilst the Feralia nor the Parentalia were solemnized The first was to appease the gods for dead souls as our All-souls day the others were feasts made at burials of their fathers brothers or ancestors neither any day that was held impure nor when the Ancylia were observed nor upon any festival or holy day nor in the month of June til aâ—ter the Ides neither did the Romans in their espousals neglect Auguries and Presages if either there were earth quake or a troubled firmament they held it fatall and therefore deferred it to a more quiet Earth or less turbulent Heaven A Crow they hold to predict a fortunate Omen and an inviolate league of future â—aith and loialty betwixt the Bride and Bridegroom for such is the society of Crowes for if one die the other which is widowed never chuseth other mate the like â—s remembred of the beast called a Loz or Lynx above all other the quickest sighted as also of the Turtle Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2. cap. 5 No betrothed Virgin could marry amongst them upon any of their holydaies or such as they called festival but a widow had that liberty so it were done in private and without any solemn ceremony the reason pretended was Because to a widow there could be no force offered as to a Virgin and therefore it was no violent but a meer holy-day labour Upon this Verrius Flacchus took occasion apud Verronem in these words Fossas veteres festis diebus licet tergere Novas facere non licet Old ditches on the feast-daies they might scour But to dig new the law admits no power The Persians were only permitted to contract matrimony in or before the Summer equinoctiall but not after The Dapsolites once a year make a solemn convention of all the men and women that are disposed to marriage in one day in which after their great feast the women retire themselves and lay them down upon their severall pallets the lights being all put out the men according to their number are admitted in the dark where without any premeditate choise but meer lot and chance every man chuseth her whom he first lights on and divirginates her and be she fair or foul ever holds her as his wife Stebae Serm. 42. Amongst the Carmanians no man is suffered to marry before he hath presented the head of an enemy to the King About the Lake Meotes there is a people called Laxamatae amongst whom no Virgin contracts matrimony before she hath subdued an enemy There is a law amongst the Armenians that Virgins are first prostituted in an old Temple dedicated to the goddesse Anetes whose picture was of solid gold which Antonius after sacrilegiously as they held it took away according to the gain of their compression it was lawfull for any man to chuse a wife where he pleased Amongst the Ciprians the Virgins before marriage daily repair to the Sea-shore and there company with strangers till they have got such a competent sum as may make up their marriage dower The Phoenicians do the like in the City of Syca but their prostitution is in the Temple of Venus but the surplusage that ariseth above the dower returns towards the repairing of the Church The Carthaginians observe the like custome The Lydian Virgins before they were suffered to lie with their husbands made themselves for a certain time common to any man til tired with saciety they came gentle and quiet to their beds and from that time forward vowed chastity but if any one was found ever after to transgresse the bounds of temperance she was punished with all rigor and cruelty Aelian lib. 4. de Var. Hist Lycurgus having prescribed a certain age before which time it was not lawful for young men and maids to have carnall company being demanded the reason answered Because the issue that proceeds from those of ripe years and grown strength is likewise able and perfect but the hasty and untimely generation is still subject to weaknesse and infirmity Plutarch in Lacon Of Contracts before marriage and of Dowries amongst whom they were allowed and by whom forbidden IT was a custome amongst the Grecians and Lacedemonians when a young man and a Virgin were contracted to eat of bread together that had been divided by a sword Romulus the first erector of the City Rome caused the covenant of marriage to be performed betwixt them by a reciprocal receiving of bread and water There was after his time no stipulation or nuptiall league folly confirmed without fire and water placed at the threshold of the door where thy should enter both these they were both enjoined to touch with the water the new Bride was after sprinkled as if by that ceremony they were coupled and joined in an expiable convenâ—nt and inseparable bond of affection these two being the chief