the poison of sin from beauty which is Gods excellent workmanship from which the chast and contrite heart derives the Creators praise and glory But my hope is that in exposing unto your view the histories of these faire Wantons you will look upon them should I strip them never so naked with the eies of Lyvia that is to hold them but as beautifull statues or like Apelles his woman no better then a picture of white Marble I have heard of a man that living to the ago of threescore and ten had led so austere a life that in all that in all that time he never touched the body of a woman and had proposed to himselfe to carry that virginall vow with him to his grave but at length being visited with sicknesse and having a fair estate purchased with his small charge and great husbandry and therefore willing to draw out the thread of his life to what length he could he sent to demand the counsell of the Physitians who having well considered the estate of his body all agreed in this that since the Physick of the soul belonged not to them but only the physick of the body they would freely discharge their duties and indeed told him that his pâ—esent estate was dangerous and they found but only one way in art for his cure and recovery which was in plain terms To use the company of a woman and so took their leaves and left him to consider of it Loath was the old man to lose his Virginity which he had kept so long but more loath to part with his life which he desired to keep yet longer and having meditated with himselfe from whom he was to depart and what to leave behind him namely his possessions his monie his neighbours friends and kindred and whether he was to remove to the cold and comfortlesse grave he resolved with himselfe to prolong the comfort of the first and delay as long as he could the fear of the last Therefore he resolved rather then to be accessory to the hastning his own death to take the counsell of the doctors It was therefore so ordered by some that were about him that the next night a lusty young wench was brought to his bed one that feared not the robustious violence of youth much lesse to encounter the imbecillity of sick and weak age I know noâ— with what squeasie stomack the patient relished his physick but early in the morning he gave content to his she-Apothecary who was conveied out of the house undiscovered The next day divers of his friends comming to comfort him they found him sadly weeping and by no means could they wean him from that extasie at length the one of them who was privy to the former nights passage began to compassionate with him and told him he was sorry for his extream heavinesse and as knowing the cause said No doubt but God was merciful and wished him not to despair but be of good comfort and with ghostly councell perswaded him to take nothing to his heart because he hoped all would be well The old man told him he understood not his meaning but desired him to be more plain that he might know to what purpose his language did intend His neighbour answered him again Sir I have been acquainted with you long have known your continence and strictnesse of life and withall your abstinence from women and I am sorry that your last nights businesse should be the occasion of this melancholy and these tears To whom the sick but pretty well recovered man thus replied Neighbour you much mistake the cause of my sorrow I neither grieve nor weep for the good and wholsome physick I had the last night but I now vex and torment my selfe that I have so idly spent mine age there being such a pleasure upon earth above all that I have hitherto enjoied that I never had the grace to know it sooner and try what it was before this time If then Lust can strike this stroke and have this efficacy in age O how much should we pitty youth ready daily and hourly to run into this dangerous inconvenience Of these wantons there be two sorts Meretrices and Scorta that is Whores and common Women such as either for Lust or Gain prostitute themselves to many or all The second are Concubina or Pellices Concubines to Kings and Princes or such as we call the private mistresses to great men The last are as our Accidence teacheth like Edvardus and Gulielmus proper names to this man or that The first like Homo common to all men both degrees sinners but not in the like kind I have read a third sort but know not what consonant or agreeing name to confer upon them I have heard of some that have been called honest whores It may be those that I shall speake of were such and because they are the strangest I will begin with them first Dosithaeus lib. 3. Lydiacorum tels us that the Sardians having commenced war with the Smyrnaeâ—ns invested themselves before the City of Smyrna and having begirt them with a streight and difficult siege those of 〈◊〉 it seems being hot fellowes sent their Embassadors into the City to this purpose That unlesse they would send them their wives to adulterate at their pleasures they would not only raze their City and levell it with the earth but kill man woman and child and so extirp their memory This message bringing with it not only terror but horror much perplexed the besiâ—ged and betwixt the distractions of perpetuall infamy and most certein death not able what to determine and having sate long in councell but nothing amongst them concluded a young lusty Virago one that was handmaid or bond-woman to Philarchus desired to be admitted into the Senate And being called in amongst them to know what she had to say she told them That understanding to what miserable exigent they were driven she had dâ—â—ised so pleased them to be swaied by her direction a â—eans nâ—t only to deliver themselves from scorn their wives from dishonour and their children from the reproach of bastardy and their lives and goods from spoil but to subject the barbarous enemie into their hands with a noble and memorable victory No marvell if to such a project they gave attention when greedily demanding By what means the least of these proposed blessings might be accomplished she thus counselled them Send saith she to the â—e lustfull Sardinians and tel them you wil in all points satisfie their desires At the time appointed let me with the rest of your slaves and vassals be attired in the habits of our Lâ—dies and Mistresses for no question being deckt in their ornaments and jewels we shall appeare not only free women but sufficiently beautifull Now in the night when we are fast lodged in their embraces and they dreaming of no further dangers then their delights and that you think we have sufficiently cooled their hot courages arm your selves against
to nothing no man could distinguish one from the other Simonides by remembring in what place every man sate notwithstanding that confusion distinguisht the bodies and gave to every one his friend and kinsman to give unto them their due rights of buriall according as their births or offices in the Common-weale deserved This approves unto us that order is a chiefe rule in memory which Cicero himselfe hath observed Ammianus Marcellinus is of opinion that he strengthened and preserved his memory with potions extracted from the juice of divers drugs and simples Most requisite and necessary is Polyhimnia to all such as shall enter the Chappell where the holy things of the Muses are kept Whether the memory come by nature or by art or practise and exercise who knowes not but all men are retentive of such things as they are first instructed in and that by nature neverthelesse it is to be observed that children and old men the first have not their memories so perfect the latter not so full and strong for being in continuall motion the brains of the one not ripe and of the other somewhat decaied answer not to the vaâ—eity or greatnesse of the body the prime sences being opprest with an unwieldy and unprofitable burthen in those likewise that are fat and full of thick and grosse humours the exact forms of things are not so easily designed or exprest Plutarch in his book of Oracles cals the Antistrophon to Divination for things past only belong to Memory and things present are the objects of the senses Themistius saith that the Sâ—uthsayer deals only in predictions And Plato in his Philebus affirms That memory is neither sence nor imagination nor understanding but an habit or affection of these with Time added by which there is made an impression and a spectre or imaginary fancy lâ—ft in the soule Lucian saith he that proposeth to himselfe to have Polymnia propitious unto him endeavours to keep all things in memory She is called also Polyhimnia by Horace à multudine cantus of the multiplicity of songs as Lambinus observes in his Commentaries Ovid gives them the same title as Muretus writes upon this verse Dissensere Deae quarum Polyhimnia prima Caepit The goddesses were at odds of which Polyhimnia first began So Virgil Nam verum fateamna amat Polyhimnia verum We must confesse it sooth For Polyhimnia nothing loves but truth In many place and by divers Authors she is sometimes called Polymnia of Memory and againe Polyhimnia of variety in history In the commentary upon the Argonauts she is said to be the mistresse of the Lyre or Harp Hesiod gives Geometry to her and other of the Greek Poets Grammer Cassiodorus in variis intreating of the Comedy makes her the first inventresse of Mimick action and Plutarch in Symâ—â—sia of Histories For saith he She is the remembrancer of many Polymnia therefore or Polyhimnia is called Multa memoria because memory is most behovefull to all such as practise the study of Arts and Disciplines De Vrania FRom Polymnia I proceed to Vrania and from Memory we are drawn up to Heaven for the best remembrancers as Pliny saith comprehend the whole world or universe in which the heavens are included and all the secrets therein as much as by investigation can be attained to have the full and perfect knowledge for the most secret and hidden things are contained in the heavens above and therefore such as are expert in them cannot be ignorant of these lesse and more easie to be apprehended below Plutarch of Vrania thus speaks Plato as by their steps hath traâ—'d all the gods thinking to find out their faculties by their names By the same reason we place one of the Muses in the Heavens and about coelestiall things which is Urania for that which is above hath no need of diversity of government 〈…〉 full directresse which is Nature where 〈…〉 excesses and transgresses there 〈…〉 to be transmitted and one particular Muse still reserved one to correct this fault and another that Vrania therefore according to Plutarch hath predominance in things coelestiall which by how much they are above things terrestriall in excellence they are so much the more difficult Some stretch the influence of the stars to Zoriasta's magick in which he was popularly famous nay more his name by that art enobled notwithstanding the annals testifie that he was subdued and slain in battell by Ninus Pompey the great was curiously addicted to these divinations yet his potency fail'd him and he dyed a wretched death in Aegypt Howbeit by these instances it is not to be inferred as the mysticallest and powerfull part of the Mathematicall Disciplines The inventions of Manilius most indirectly confers it upon Mercury Plato in Epinomide would have all that contemplate Astrology to begin in their youth such is the excellency of the art and the difficulty to attain unto it for these be his words Be not ignorant that Astrology is a most wise secret for it is necessary that the true Astronomer be not that man according to Hesiod that shall only consider the rising and setting of the stars but rather that hath a full inspection into the eight compasses or circumferences and how the seven are turned by the first and in what order every star moves in his own sphear or circle in which he shall not find any thing which is not miraculous If therefore the praise of Astronomy be so great What encomium then is Vrania worthy who first illustrated the art This only shall suffice that by her is meant coelestiall Astrology so call'd of the Heaven for as Pharnutus saith The intire universe the ancients call'd by the name of Heaven So by this means Vrania is acknowledged to be frequent in all Sciences below and speculations above whatsoever Her etymology importing Sublimia spectantem that is Beholding things sublime and high Or her Ovid thus Incipit Urania secere silentia cunctae Et vox audiri nulla nisi illa potest Urania first began to speak The rest themselves prepar'd To heare with silence for but hers No voice could then be heard She is then received from the heaven either because all nations and languages beneath the firmament have some learned amongst them or that such as are furnisht with knowledge she seems to attract and carry upwards or to conclude because glory and wisedome elevate and erect the mind to the contemplation of things heavenly Fulgentius saith That some of the Greek authors have left written that Linus was the son of Vrania but it is elsewhere found that she was called Vrania of her father Vranus otherwise stil'd Caelum whom his son Saturn after dismembred Xenophon in Sympos remembers that Venus was called Vrania speaking also of Pandemius of both their Temples and Altars the sacrifices to Pandemius were called Radiovorgaraera those to Venus Agnotaera Some as Lactantius Placidas call Helenevae that menacing star Vrania In a word that coelestiall
the women of the City with the Virgins houshold servants and intent 〈◊〉 meeting but the matrons and wives of the nobility 〈…〉 night-festivall in a conclave or parlor by themselves 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 her selfe with a sword and with her two daughters secretly conveied her selfe into the Temple 〈◊〉 the time when all the matrons were most busie about the ceremonies and mysteries in the conclave then having made fast the doors and shut up the passages and heaped together a great quantity of billets with other things combustible provided for the purpose but especially all that sweet wood that was ready for the sacrifice of that solemnity she set all on fire which the men hastning to quench in multitudes she before them all with a constancy undaunted first slew her daughters and after her selfe making the ruins of this Temple their last funerall fire The Lacedemonians having now nothing left of Alcippus against which to rage they caused the bodies of Democrita and her daughters to be cast out of the confines of Sparta For this ingratitude it is said by some that great earthquake hapned which had almost overturned the City of Lacedemon from Democrita I come to Phillus Demophron the son of Theseus and Phaedra the halfe brother to Hippolitus returning from the wars of Troy towards his Country by tempests and contrary winds being driven upon the coast of Thrace was gently received and affectionately enterteined by Phillis daughter to Lyâ—urgus and Crustumena then King and Queen of that Country and not only to the freedome of all generous hospitality but to the liberty and accesse unto her bed He had not long sojourned there but he had certain tidings of the death of Muesthaeus who after his father Thesâ—us was expulsed Athens had usurped the principility pleased therefore with the newes of innovation and surprized with the ambition of succession he pretending much domestick businesse with other negotiations pertaining to the publike government after his faith pawned to Phillis that his return should be within a month he got leave for his Countrie therefore having calked and moored his ship making them serviceable for the sea he set saile towards Athens where arrived he grew altogether unmindfull of his promised faith or indented return Four months being past and not hearing from him by word or writing she sent him an Epistle in which she complains of his absence then perswads him to cal to mind her more then common courtesies to keep his faith ingaged to her and their former contract to make good by marriage the least of which if he refused to accomplish her violated honour she would recompence with some cruel and violent death which she accordingly did for knowing her selfe to the despised and utterly cast off she in her fathers Palace hanged her selfe From Phillis I proceed to Deianeira Jupiter begat Hercules of Alâ—mena in the shape of her husband Amphitrio joining three nights in one whom Euristius King of Micena at the urgence of his stepmother Juno imploid in all hazardous and fearfull adventures not that thereby he might gaine the greater honour but by such means sooner perish but his spirit was so great and his strength so eminent that from forth all these swallowing dangers he still plunged a victor amongst these difficulties was that combat against Achelous a Flood in Aetolia who transhaped himself into sundry figures for the love of Deianeira daughter to Oeneus and Althaea King and Queen of Calidon and sister to Meleager he whom no monsters nor earthly powers could came by the conquest of Achilous won Deianeira for his bride But he whom all tyrants and terrours were subject to submitted himselfe to effeminacy and the too much dotage upon women for when Euritus King of Oechalia had denied him his daughter Iole before promised him the City taken and the King slaine he took her freely into his embraces with whose love he was so blinded that her imperious command he laid by his club and Lions skin the trophies of his former victories and which was most unseemly for so great a conquerour parâ—on a womanish habit and blusht not with a distasse in his hand to spin amongst her damosels In briefe what slavery and servitude soever he had before suffered under the tyranny of Omphale Queen of Lydia of whom he begot Lamus he endured from her which Deianeira hearing in a letter she â—aies open to him all his former noble act and victories that by comparing them with his present 〈◊〉 it the better might encourage him to 〈◊〉 the first and deter him from the last But having receved newes of Hercules calamity by reason of the poisoned shire sent him by her servant Lychas dipt in the blood of the Centaur Nessus in which she thought there had been the vertue to revoke him from all new loves and establish him in his first for so Nessus had perswaded her when in her transwafcage over the flood Evenus he was slain by the arrow of Hercules dipt in the poison of Lerna when the I say heard of the death of her husband and that though unwilling it hapned by her means she died by a voluntary wound given by her own hand Nor such as that which followes The Ionians through all their Province being punisht with a most fearfull and horrible pest insomuch that it almost swept the City and Country and had it longer continued would have left their places and habitations desolate they therefore demanded of the Oracle a remedy for so great a mischiefe which returned them this answer That the plague should never cease till the young man Menalippus and the faire Cometho were slain and offered in sacrifice to Diana Tryclaria and the reason was because he had strumpeted her in the Temple And notwithstanding their deaths unlesse every yeare at the same season a perfectly featured youth and a virgin of exquisite beauty to expiate their transgression were likewise offered upon the same Altar the plague should still continue which was accordingly done and Menalippus and the faire Cometho were the first dish that was served up to this bloody feast The same author speaks of the daughter of Aristodemus in this manner The Messenians and the Lacedemonians have continued a long and tedious war to the great depopulation of both their Nations those of Missenâ— sent to know of the event of the Oracle at Delphos and to which party the victory would at length incline Answered is returned That they shal be conquerors and the Lacedemonians have the worst but upon this condition To chuse out of the family of the Aepitidarians a virgin pure and unblemisht and this damosel to sacrifice to Jupiter This Aristodemus hearing a Prince and one of the noblest of the family of the Aepitidarians willing to gratifie his Countrie chused out his only daughter for immolation and sacrifice which a noble youth of that Nation hearing surprized both with love and pity love in hope to enjoy her and
pity as grieving she should be so dismembred he thought rather to make shipwrack of her honour then her life since the one might be by an after-truth restored but the other by no earthly mediation recovered And to this purpose presents himselfe before the Altar openly attesting that she was by him with child and therefore not only an unlawfull but abominable offering in eies of Iupiter No sooner was this charitable slander pronounced by the young man but the father more inraged at the losse of her honour now then before commiserating her death bâ—ing full of wrath he usurps the office of the Priest and wash his sword hewes the poor innocent Lady to peeces But not many nights after this bloody execution the Idaea of his daughter bleeding and with all her wounds about her presented it selfe to him in his troubled and distracted sleep with which being strangely moved he conveied himselfe to the tombe where his daughter lay buried and there with the same sword slew himselfe Herodotus in Euterpe speaks of one Pheretrina Queen of the Bâ—cchaeaus a woman of a most inhuman cruelty she was for her tyranny strook by the hand of heaven her living 〈…〉 up with worms and â—â—ce and in that languishing misery gave up the ghost Propert in his third book speakâ— of one Dyrce who much grieved that her husband Lycus was surprized with the love of one Antiopa caused her to be bound to the horns of a mad bull but her two sons Zâ—â—bus and Amphtoa comming instantly at the noise of her loud acclamation they released her from the present danger and in revenge of the injury offered to their mother fastned Dyrce to the same place who after much affright and many pitifull and deadly wounds expired Consinge was the Queen of Bithinia and wife to Nicomedes whose gesture and behaviour appearing too wanton and libidinous in the eies of her husband he caused to be worried by his own dogs Plin. lib. 7. Pyrene the daughter to Bâ—brâ—x was comprest by Hercules in the mountains that divide Italy from Spaine she was after torn in pieces by wild beasts they were called or her Montes Pyreneae i. The Pyrenean mountains Antipater Tarcenses apud Vollateran speaks of one Gatis a Queen of Syria who was cast alive into a moat amongst fishes and by them devouted she was likewise called Atergatis Sygambis was the mother of Darius King of Persia as Quintus Curtius in his fourth book relates she died upon a vowed abstinence for being taken prisoner by Alexander yet nobly used by him whether tired with the continuall labour of her journie or more afflicted with the disease of the mind it is not certain but falling betwixt the arms of her two daughters after five daies abstinence from meat drink and light she expired Semele the mother of 〈◊〉 a Thebâ—n Lady and of the roial race of Cadmus 〈…〉 thunder Pliny in his second book writes of one Martia great with child who was strook with thunder but the 〈◊〉 in her womb strook dead only she her selfe not suffering any hurt or dammage in which place he remembers one Marcus Herennius a Decurion who in a bright and cleare day when there appeared in the skie no sign of storm or tempest was slain by a thunderclap Pausanias apud Vollâ—teran saith that Helena after the death of her husband Mentlaus being banished into Rhodes by Megapenthus and Nicostratus the sons of Orestes came for rescue to Polyzo the wife of Pleopolemus who being jealous of too much familiarity betwixt her and her husband caused her to be strangled in a bath others write of her that growing old and seeing her hairs grown gray that face grown withered whose lustre had been the death of so many hundred thousands she caused her glasse to be broken and in despair strangled her selfe The like Caelius lib. 6. cap. 15. remembers us of one Acco a proud woman in her youth and grown decrepit through age finding her brow to be furrowed and the fresh colour in her cheeks to be quite decaied grew with the conceit thereof into a strange frenzy some write that she used to talk familiarly to her owne image in the myrrhor sometimes smile upon it then again menace it promise to it or flatter it as it came into her fancy in the end with meer apprehension that she was grown old and her beauty faded she fell into a languishing and so died Jocasta the incestuous mother to Aeteocles and Polynices beholding her two sons perish by mutuall wounds strook with the terror of a deed so facinorous instantly slew her selfe So Bisalâ—ia a maid despised by Calphurnius Crassus into whose hands she had betraied the life of her father and freedome of her Country fell upon a sword and so perished Zoe the Empresse with her husband Constantius Monachus both about one time died of the Pestilence Gregorius Turonensis writes of one Austrigilda a famous Queen who died of a disease called Disenteria which is a flâ—x or wringing of the bowels Of the same griefe died Sausones son to Chilperick Serena the wife of Dioclesian for very griefe that so much Martyrs blood was spilt by her husbands remorselesse tyranny fell into a feaver and so died Glausinda daughter to the King of the Goths and wife to Athanagildus was slain by Chilperick the son of Clotharius at the instigation of the strumpet Fredegunda so saith Volateranus Sextus Aurelius writes that the Emperor Constantius son to Constantius and Helena caused his wife Fausta by whose instigation he had slain his son Crispus to die in a hoâ—scalding bath Herodotus speaks of Lysides otherwise called Melissa the wife of Periander who at the suggestion of a strumpet caused her to be slaine which makes Sabellicus amongst others to wonder why for that deed only he should be numbred amongst the wise men of Greece 〈◊〉 Cecilius in his seven and twentieth book upon Pliny accuseth Calphurnius Bestia for poisoning his wives sleeping Pliny in his fourteenth book nominates one Egnatius Melentinus who slew his wife for no other cause but that she had drunk wine and was acquitted of the murder by Romulus Auctoclea the daughter of Sinon and wife of Laeâ—â—es King of Ithaca when by a false messenger she heard that her son Vlysses was slain at the siege of Troy suddenly fel down and died The mother of Antista seeing her daughter forsaken by Pompey the Great and Aemâ—lâ—a received in her stead overcoâ—e with griefe slew her selfe Perimela a damosell was vitiated by Achelous which her father Hippodamus took in such indignation that from an high promontory he cast her headlong down into the sea Hyppomanes a Prince of Achens deprehending his daughter Lymone in adultery shut her up in a place with a fierce and cruell horse but left no kind of food for one or the
wives by reason of their exile halfe in despaire boldly took arms and first retiring themselves and making their own confines defensible after grew to the resolution to invade others Besides they disdained to marry with their neighbours calling it rather a servitude then Wedlock A singular example to all ages Thus they augmented their seigniories and establisht their Common-weal without the counsell or assistance of men whose fellowship they began now altogether to despise and to communicate their losse to make the widdows of equal fortune with the wives they slâ—w all the men that yet remained amongst them and after revenged the deaths of their husbands formerly slain upon the bordering people that conspiâ—ed against them At length by war having setled peace lest their posterity and memory should perish they had had mutuall congression with their neighbour Nations The men children they slew the 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 and brought up not in sowing and spinning but in hunting and practise of arms and horsemanship and that they better might use their lances and with the more ease at seven years of age they scared or rather burnt off their right breasts of which they took the name of Amazons as much as to say Vnimammae or Vrimammae i. those with one breast or with a burnt breast There were of them two Queens that jointly held the soveâ—â—ignty Marthesia and Lampedo these divided their people into two armies and being grown potent both in power and riches they went to warre by turns the one governing at home whilest the other forraged abroad and lest their should want honour and authority to their successes they proclaimed themselves to be derived from Mars insomuch that having subdued the greatest part of Europe they made incursions into Asia and there subdued many fortresses and Castles where having built Ephesus with many other Cities part of their army they sent home with rich and golden spoiles the rest that remaine to maintein the Empire of Asia were all with the Queen Marthesia or as some write Marpesiâ— defeated and slâ—â—n In whose place of soveraignty her daughter Orythâ—â— succeeded who besides her singular 〈◊〉 and fortunate successe in war was no lesse admired for her constant vow of virginity which to her death she kept inviolate The bruit of their glorious and invincible acts â—eaching as far as Greece Herculis with a noble assembly of the most heroick youths furnished nine ships with purpose to make proof of their valor two of foure sisters at that time had the principality Antiope and Orythia Orythians was then emploied in forrein expeditions Now when Hercules with the young Hero's landed upon the Amazonian continent Queen Antiope not jealous of the least hostility stood then with many of her Ladies unarmed on the shore who being suddenly assaulted by the Graecians were easily put to rout and they obteined an easie victory in this conflict many were slain and divers taken amongst whom were the two sisters of Antiope Menalippe surprized by Hercules and Hippolite by Theseus he subdued her by arms but was captivated by her beauty who after took her to his wife and of her begot Hippolitus Of her Sâ—â—eca in Agamemnon thus speaks Vidâ— Hippolite ferox pectore è medio rapi Spoâ—â—um sagittas The bold Hippolite did see that day Her breast despoil'd and her shafts tane away Of Menalippe Virgil thus Threicean sâ—xto spoliavit Amazona Baltheo Having relation to the golden belt of Thermedon which was numberd the sixt of Hercules his twelve labours He received that honour and she her liberty Orythia being then abroad and hearing of these outrages and dishonours done at home that war had been commenced against her sister and Theseus Prince of Athens born thence Hippolite whom she held to be no better then a ravisher impatient of these injuries she convented all her forces and incited them to revenge inferring that in vain they bore Empire in Europe and Asia if their dominions lay open to the spoils and rapines of the Grecians Having encouraged and perswaded her own people to this expedition she next demanded aid of Sagillus King of the Scythians to him acknowledging her selfe to be descended from that nation shewes the necessity of that war and the honour of so brave a victory hoping that for the glory of the Scythian Nation his men would not come behind her women in so just an enterprize the successe of which was undoubtedly spoile for the present and fame for her Sagillus with these motives encouraged sent his son Penaxagoras with a great army of horsemen to aid Orythea in this war but by reason of a dissention that fell in the camp the Prince of Scythia withdrew all his auxiliary fâ—â—ces and with them retired into his Country by reason of which defect the Amazons were defeated by the Grecians yet many of them after this battell recovered their Countries After this Orythea succeeded Penthisilaea she that in the aid of Priam oâ— as some say for the love of Hector came to the siege of Troy with a thousand Ladies where after many deeds of chivalry by her performed she was slain by the hands of Achilles or as the most will have it by Neoptolemus she was the first that ever fought with Poleax or wore a Targer made like an halfe Moon therefore she is by the Poets called Peltigera and Securigera as bearing a Targer or bearing a Poleaxe Therefore Ovid in his Epistle of Phaedra Prima securigeras inter virtute puellas And Virgil in his first book of Aeneid Ducit Amazoâ—â—dum lunatis Agmina peltis Penthâ—silaea â—urens mâ—â—iisque in millibus ardet Penthisilaea mad leads forth Her Amazonian train Arm'd with their moonâ—d shields and fights Mâ—dst thousands on the plain These Amazons endured till the time of Alexander and though Isiodorus Eph. 14. saith that Alexander the Great quite subverted their Nation yet Trogus Justine Q. Curtius and others are of a contrary opinion and affirm that when Alexander sent his Embassadors to demand of them tribute otherwise his purpose was to iâ—vade their territories their Queen Minithra or as some writers term her Thalestris returned him answer after this manner It is great wonder of thy small judgement O King that thou hast a desire to â—â—age war against women if thou being so great a conquerour shouldst be vanquished by us all thy former honours were blemished and thou perpetually branded with shame and infamy but if our gods being angry with 〈◊〉 should deliver us up into thy mercy what addition is it to 〈◊〉 honour to have had the mastery over weak women King Alexander it is said was pleased with this answer gâ—anting them freedome and said Women ought to be couâ—ted with fair woâ—ds and flattery and not with rough steel and hostility After this she sent to the King desiring to have his company as longing to have issue by him to succeed the father in 〈◊〉 and vertue to which he assented Some write she
of him in his growth as hope in his infancy he therefore sent abroad to find out the most cunning Astrologians to calculate his nativity that if the stars were any way malevolent to him at his birth he might by instruction and good education as far as was possible prevent any disaster that the Planets had before threatned A meeting to that purpose being appointed and the Philosophers and learned men from all parts assembled after much consultation it was concluded amongst them That if the infant saw Sunne or Moon at any time within the space of ten years he should most assuredly be deprived the benefit of sight all his life time after With this their definitive conclusion the father wondrously perplexed was willing father to use any fair means of prevention then any way to tempt the crosse influence of the stars Hâ— therefore caused a Cell or Cave to be cut out of a deep rock and conveying thither all things necessary for his education he was kept there in the charge of a learned tutor who well instructed him in the Theory of all those Arts which best suited his apprehension The time of ten years being expired and the fear of that ominous calculation past over the day was appointed when his purpose was to publish his son to the world and to shew him the Sun and Moon of which he had often heard and till then never saw entire and to present unto his view all such creatures of which he had been told and read but could distinguish none of them but by hear-say They brought before him a Horse a Dog a Lion with many other beasts of severall kinds of which he only looked but seemed in them to take small pleasure They shewed him Silver Gold Plate and Jewels in these likewise be appeared to take small delight or none as not knowing to what purpose they were usefull yet with a kind of dull discontent he demanded their names and so pâ—st them over At length the King commanded certain beautifull virgins gorgeously attired to be brought into his presence which the Prince no sooner saw but as recollecting his spirits with a kind of alacâ—ity and change of chear he earnestly demanded What kind of creatures they were how bred how named and to what use created To whom his tutor jeastingly replied These be called Devils of which I have oft â—old you and they are the great tempters of mankind Then his father demanded of him To â—hich of all these things he had beheld he stood affected and to whose society he was most enclined who presently answered O Father I 〈◊〉 to be attended by these Devils Such is the atractive 〈…〉 which women cannot fully appropriate to themselves since it is eminent in all other creatures Who 〈…〉 at the 〈◊〉 of the Sunne the glory of the 〈…〉 the splendor of the Stars the brightnesse of the morning and the faire shutting in of the evening Come to the flowers and plants what artificiall colour can be compared to the leaves of the Marigold the Purple of the Violet the curious mixture of the Gilly flower or the whitenesse of the Lilly to which Solomon in all his glory was not to be equalled You that are proud of your haire behold the feathers of the â—ay or Parret with the admirable variety of the Feasant and Peacock What Rose in the cheek can countervail the Rose of the garden or what azure vein in the temples the blew flower of the field Come to outward habit or ornament what woman doth better become the richest attire though fetch'd from the furthest parts of the world then the Panther in his stains and the Leopard his pleasing and delightfull spots Are not the fishes as beautifull in their silver shining scales and the terrible Dragon as glorious in his golden armour as women apparelled in cloth of Bodkin or 〈◊〉 What is she that exceeds the Dove or Swan in whitenesse or the Pine or Cedar in streightnesse Let me hear her voice that can compare with the Nightingall in sweetnesse or behold that eie that can look upon the Sun with the Eagles Why should you fair ones then be proud of any thing that are by other creatures exceeded in all things Besides even the choisest beauty amongst you being once enjoied is the lesse esteemed Souldiers having vanquisht their enemies hang up their arms Sea-men that have attained their harbour fold up their sails The choicest dainties are loathsome to such as have filled their stomacks and Wine is a burden to him that hath satiated his thirst Nobility of birth is a thing honourable â—ut you are not beholding to your selves for it but your ancestors Riches and Plenty are excellent but they are the gifts of fortune therefore subject to change and casualty Praise and honour is venerable but withall unstable Health is precious but subject to sickness and infirmity Strength an excellent gift and blessing but neither free from age nor disease Beauty is admirable above all and yet subject to all only Learning Knowledge Art and Vertue are above the envy of change or malice of Fortune Neither are you women solely beautifull We read in Marcial lib. 1. of a boy called Achillas of admirable feature of Acanthus whom the gods at his death in memory of his exquisite form changed into a flower that still bears his name Amongst the Romans Scipio surnamed Demetrius and amongst the Greeks Alcibiades carried the Palm from women who as Plutarch in his life reports of him was not only wondred at in his youth but admired in his age his grace and comlinesse still growing with him Formosum pastor Coriden ardebat Alexim The shepherd Coridon doted on the fair Alexis Saxâ— Grammaticuâ— speaks of Alphus the son of Gygarus whose hairs exceeded the brightnesse of Silver Amaratus was changed into a sweet-â—â—elling flower after his death â—alentiuâ— speaks of Amphimedon thus Formosum Phiale prius 〈◊〉 Amphimedenta Amphimedon Phiaâ—es maxima cura 〈◊〉 Phiale was enamoured of Amphimedon the faire Amphimedon of Phiale became the greatest â—are 〈◊〉 Bithinicuâ— was a youth of that admirable beauty and feature that Adâ—â—an the Emperor was enamoured of him in whose memory he erected a Temple in 〈◊〉 and built a City by the river Nilus he caused his 〈◊〉 to be stamped upon his own coin therefore 〈◊〉 as Volaterranus reports cals him the Emperor 〈◊〉 conâ—â—bine Asterius was the son of Ceres a young man of a singular form but altogether abstemious from the love of women whom Ovid in 〈◊〉 remembers Asâ—ur is celebrated by Virgil Sequitur pulâ—herrimus Astur Astur â—quo siâ—â—ns versie loribus armis The fairest Astur followes 〈◊〉 in field Astur that 〈◊〉 â—nto his horse and particoloured shield Atâ—s the â—â—rygian youth was for his fairnesse beloved of the mother of the gods Virgil speaks of Aventinus in these words 〈◊〉 ostentat equos satus Hercule pulchâ—o 〈…〉 Fair Aventâ—â—â—â— he that of faire Hercules was born 〈◊〉 of his conquering steâ—ds
pay day came but their hopes proving abortive the souldiers mutined to conjure down which spirit of insurrection messengers are dispatched to the Emperor to certifie him of the neglective abuse of his roiall word and fear of sedition this newes overtook him at Larissea in Judea Selymus inraged at this relation sends for Bassa Jonuses and examines the cause of his neglect in such and so weighty a charge Jonuses somewhat abashed as being conscious yet withall high-spirited gave the Emperour a peremptory answer at which being mightily incensed he commanded his head to be cut off which was forthwith done and thus justice suffered not innocent Manto to die unrevenged The wife of Agetus the Lacedemonian HErodotus l. 6. thus writes of this Lady the daughter of Aleydes the Spartan first wife to Agetus and after to the King Ariston She of the most deformed became the excellentest amongst women Her nurse to whose keeping she was given for the parents were asham'd of their Issue went with her every day to the Temple of Helena which stands in Therapne neer to the Church of Apollo and kneeling before the Altar besought the goddesse to commiserate the child and free her from her native uglinesse and loathsome deformity Upon a time returning from the Temple a woman appeared to her of a venerable aspect and desired to see what she carried so tenderly in her arms the nurse told her it was an infant but such an one as she was loath to shew and therefore desired to be excused the rather because she was enjoined by the parents not to expose it to the sight of any The more the nurse put her off with evasions the more importunate the strange woman was to behold it At length prevailing she gently with her hand stroaked the face of the child and kissing it thus said Go nurse and bear her home to her parents who shall in time become the most beautifull of all the Spartan Ladies From that time forward her deformity began to fall away and a sweet grace and delightfull comelinesse to grow as well in face as every other lineament Comming to marriage estate she was solicited by many but only possest by Agetus yet after by the craft of Ariston she was divorced from Agetus and conferred upon him Dion in Augusto speaks of Terentia the wife of Mecaenas to be of that rare beauty that she dared to contend with Livia the wife of Augustus Caesar who was held to be the most amiable and exquisite Lady of those daies Of Terentia the daughter of Cicero I have thus read Titus the son of Milo and Appius the son of Clodius were as remarkable for their noble friendship as their fathers notorious for their irreconcilable hatred Titus was for his fathers sake welcome to Cicero but Appius much hated in regard of enmity betwixt him and his father Clodius for Cicero was of Milo's faction Titus had long and dearly loved the faire Terentia but understanding that his friend Appius was likewise exceedingly enamoured of her he left his own suit and earnestly sollicited the Lady in his behalfe who was easily perswaded to the motion having long before cast an effectionat eie upon Appius but durst make no expression thereof much fearing the displeasure of her father Titus so well managed the businesse for his friend that he brought him privily into the house of Cicero where the two lovers had mutuall conference her father comming home by accident and finding them together in the heat of his impatience excluded him and lockt her up in safe and close custody Which the poor Lady took so to heart that she fell into an extream feaver and languishing daily her father now when it was too late desired to know what he might doe to minister to her the least comfort she only besought him that before her death she might take her last and loving leave of Appius who was instantly sent for at his sudden comming in she was extasi'd with his sight and expired in his embraces which the noble youth perceiving he drew out a short dagger which he then wore about him and in the presence of her father and his own deer friend slew himselfe A more comicall conclusion hath that which I shall next tel you An old Vicar in the Countrie having a wondrous fair wench to his daughter it hapned that a young scholler that for want of means had left the University was preferred to the serving of a cure some what neer him by which he had opportunity to woo the maid and after had the parents consent to marry her It hapned not long after this young man had a Parsonage bestowed upon him by his patron the father and the son meeting upon a time at a Market Town with divers gentlemen of the Country being at dinner amongst other discourse cavilling about an argument they fell into controversie which should be the Better man many rough words passed insomuch that the Gentlemen were forced to come betwixt them to keep the peace The old man stood upon his gravity and the name of father the young man pleaded That in regard he was a Parson and the other but a Vicar he was the better of the two This raised the uprore afresh which the Gentlemen had much ado to appease at length the young man demanded audience but for a few words in which saith he if I do not convince him and make it plain and palpable before you all that I am the worthier of the two for name place and antiquity I will yield him priority and precedence for ever after The words of Name and Antiquity the old man heard with much impatience at length audience being granted and silence obtain'd Now young knave saith the old Vicar what canst thou say for thy selfe I only desire answered the young man to be resolved in one question propound it saith the other Marry thus saith he When the world was destroied in the generall deluge all save eight persons tell me where were the Vicars then The old man was blank the Gentlemen smiled and the young man carried it so that ever after the old man took place of the father and the faire daughter of the mother I will only remember you of a fair young Gentlewoman a Country woman of mine and so conclude with my Fair ones A Gallant newly come to his lands became a suiter to a proper young Virgin her fathers only child and heire He having had conference with her father conditions on both sides were debated the match concluded and the day of marriage appointed the father and the son in law riding abroad one morning to take the air the ancient Gentleman was mountâ—d on an easie paced Mare which he kept for his own saddle this beast the young Gallant was so enamoured of that he 〈…〉 at any rate though never so unreasonable but 〈…〉 man intreated him to hold 〈◊〉 excused because the beast was 〈…〉 gentle fitting his
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
to Troy in Asia The Princes of Greece redemanding her answer was returned That since they made no restitution of Europa nor of Medea nor Hesione neither would they of Hellena which was the originall of that memorable siege of Troy and the destruction of that famous City Herodotus lib. 1. Thrasimenes being enamored of the fair daughter of Pisistratus and his affection daily more and more encreasing he gathered himselfe a society of young men and watching the Lady when she came with other young damosels to offer sacrifice according to the custome of the Country by the Sea side with their swords drawn they set upon the company that attended her and having dispersed them snatched her up and hurrying her aboord sailed with her towards Aegina But Hyppias the eldest son of Pisistratus being then at Sea to clear those coasts of Pirats by the swiftnesse of their Oars imagined them to be of the fellowship of the Sea-robbers pursued them boorded them and took them who finding his sister there brought her back with the ravishers Thrasimenes with the rest of his faction being brought before Pisistratus notwithstanding his known austerity would neither do him honor nor use towards him the least submission but with bold and undaunted constancy attended their sentence telling him That when the attempt was first proposed they then armed themselves for death and all disasters Pisistratus admiring their courage and magnanimity which shewed the greater in regard of their youth called his daughter before him and in the presence of his nobility to recompence his celsitude of mind spirit freely bestowed her upon Thrasymenes by which mens he reconciled their opposition and enterteined them into new faith and obedience no more expressing himselfe a Tyrant but a loving and bountiful father and withall a popular Citizen Polin lib. 5. The daughters of King Adrastus were ravished by Acesteneutrix as Statius lib. 1. hath left remembred Buenus the son of Mars and Sterope married Marpissâ— daughter to Oenemaus and Alcippa whom Apharetas espying as she danced amongst other Ladies grew enamoured of and â—orcibly rapt her from her company Plutarch in Paral. Hersilia with the Sabine Virgins were likewise rap'd by Romulus and his souldiers at large described by Ovid. lib. de Arte Amandi 1. Lucrece the chast Roman Matron was stuprated by Sextus Tarquinius of whom Seneca in Octavia thus saith Nata Lucreti stuprum saevi passa Tyranni Eudoxia being left by Valentinianus was basely ravished by the Tyrant Maximus who usurped in the Empire for which she invited Gensericus out of Africk to avenge her of the shame and dishonour done unto her Sigebertus in Chronicu The same Author tels us of Ogdilo Duke of Boiaria who forced the sister of King Pepin for which injury done to her the King oppressed him with a cruell and boody war Of Handmaids Nurses Midwives and Stepdames PEecusa was a Handmaid to Diana whom Martial lib. 1. thus remembers Et â—â—eidit sectis Iâ—la Plâ—cusa Crinis Lagopice is another lib. 7. remembred by the same Author Cibale was the maid-servant to a poor man called Similus remembred by Virgil in Morete Phillis Troiana was the Handmaid to Phoceus as Briseis was to Achilles Pliny lib. 36. cap. 27. makes Ocrisia the damosell to the Queen Tanaquil so Horace makes Cassandra to Agamemnon Gyge as Plutarch relates was such to Parysatis Queen of Persia and mother to Cyrus Thressa was maid-servant to Thales Milesius who as Theodoricus Cyrenensis affirms when she saw her Master come home dirty and miry as being newly crept out of a ditch chid him exceeding for gazing at the Stars to find those hidden things above and had not the foresight to see what lay below at his feet but he must stumble Herodotus in Euterpe cals Rhodope the famous Aegyptian the Handmaid of Iadmon Samius a Philosopher Elos was a damosell to King Athamas from whom a great City in Achaia took denomination and was called Aelos Lardana as Herodotus affirms was at first no better then a servant from whom the noble Family of the Heraclidae derive their first orginall Titula otherwise called Philotis was a Roman Virgin of the like condition and is remembred for such by Plutarch in Camillo as also by Macrob. lib. 1. Saturnalium Proconnesia is remembred by Pliny who in one day brought forth two children the one like her Master and the other like another man with whom she had had company and being born delivered either child to his father Lathris was the handmaid to Cinthia so much spoken of by Propert. as Cypassis was to Cersinna the mistresse of Ovid of whom he thus writes Eleg. lib. 2. Commendis in mille modis praefecta capillis Comere sed solas digna Cipasse Deas She rules her mistresse hair her skill is such A thousand severall waies to her desires O worthy none but goddesses to touch To comb and deck their heads in costly Tires Chionia was Hand-maid to the blessed Anastasia so likewise was Galanthis to Alâ—mena the mother of Hercules of whom the same Author lib. 9. thus saies Vna ministrarium media de plebe Galanthis Flava comas aderat faciendis strenua jussis Amidst them all Galanthis stood With bright and yellow hair A 〈◊〉 that quick and nimble was Things needfull to prepare From Hand-maids I proceed to Nurâ—es Annius upon Berosus and Calderinus upon Statius nominace Caphyrna or Calphurâ—â—a the daughter of Oceanus to have been the Nurse of Neptune as Amalthea and Melissa were to Jupiter who fed him with the milk of a Goat in his infancy when he was concealed from his father Hence it came that the Poets fabled how Jupiter was nursed by a Goat for which courtesie he was translated amongst the stars Others say he was nursed by Adrastea and Ida the two daughters of King Melisaeus for so Erasmus teacheth in the explanation of the Adage Copiae Cornu Ino was the nurse of Bacchus as Ovid witnesseth in Ib. where he likewise cals her the Aunt to Bacchus in this Verse Vt teneri Nutrix eadem Matertera Bacchi Of the same opinion with him is Statius lib. 2. Silv. But Ammonius Grammaticus makes Fesula the woman that gave him such Pliny cals her Nysa saith she was buried neer to the City Scythopolis Polycha was the Nurse of Oedipus who fostered him when his father Laius cast him out in his infancy because the Oracle had foretold he should perish by the hand of his son Barce was the Nurse of Sychaeus the most potent and rich King of the Phoenicians and husband to Dido Her Virgil remembers Aenead lib. 4. Charme was Nurse to the Virgin Scilla of whom the same Author in Syri thus saies Illa autem quid nunc me inquit Nutricula torques i. Why O Nurse dost thou thus torment me Beroe Epidauria was Nurse to Cadmeian Semele the mother of Bacchus as Aceste was to the daughters of Adrastus Stat. lib. 1. Theb. Eupheme is memorated to be the Nurse to
instructing your Tongues I come next to your Attires but having touched it elsewhere I will only speak of the just Taxation luxurious habit or prodigality in Apparell hath been branded with all ages and reproved in all persons especially in such whose garments exceed their estates which argues apparant pride or such as pretend to be meer Fashion mongers pursuing every fantastick and outlandish garb and such may be justly reproved of folly but since they are both so common in our Nation to discover both too plainly I should but contend against custome and seeking to please a few offend many There was a law amongst the Grecians that all such as vainly spent their patrimony either in riotous excesse or prodigality in attire as well women as men were not suffered to be buried in the sepulchers of their fathers Alex. lib. 6. cap. 14. So hatefull was spruceness in habit and effeminacy amongst the Macedonians that Philip the father of Alexander deprived a Nobleman of Terentum of all his Honours and Offices because he but delighted in warm Baths thus reproving him It seems thou art neither acquainted with the customes nor manners of the Macedonians amongst whom thou hast not once heard of a woman though great with child that ever washt but in cold water I see not how that which is so reprovable in men can be any way commendable in women What shall we think then of those affected pleasures now adaies so much in use as Riots Revels Banquet Pride Suâ—fets Vinocity Voracity which as in men I mean being used in excesse they appear oâ—ious so in young Virgins in whom should be nothing but affected modesty in married Wives that ought to be presidents of Chastity and temperate and grave Matrons that should be the patterns and imitable objects of sincere Vertue they cannot but shew abominable The inconvenience of these Excesse Silius Italicus well observed lib. 15 de bello Punici when he thus said Inde aspice late Florentes quondam luxus quas vertitit urbes Quippe nec Ira Deum tantum nec tela c. Thence look abroad and see How many flourishing Cities ruin'd bee Famous of old since neither the Gods Rage The hostile Weapon nor the enemies strage Hath ruin'd Man in that abundant measure As Riot hath mixt with unlawfull pleasure These are the sins that punish themselves who as it is said of Lust carry their own whips at their girdles I was bold in some part of this Work presuming on the goodnesse of your Sex as to say There was no excellent gift in man which was not in some sort paralleld by one woman or other Therefore if any of you have been or are still addicted to these enormities I entreat them but to remember what is writ of Themistocles who in his youth was so wholly given over to all dissolutenesse namely these two excesses Wine and Women that his father banished him his house and his own mother through griefe strangled her selfe Valer. Max lib. 6. cap. 11. But after Miltiades was made Generall and fought that memorable battel at Marathon in which against infinite ods he defeated the Barbarians there was never any thing seen or known in him which was not modest and comely And being demanded how he came so suddenly changed Militia inquit c. The thought of War saith he will admit neither sloth in me nor wantonnesse Plutareh in Grecor Apophtheg Would you but entertein into your thoughts as setled an enmity against all Vices your publique enemies as he did against the Persians the forreign invaders you would undoubtedly after the battel of the mind constantly fought against all barbarous temptations be ranked equall with him in all his triumphs It is likewise recorded of Isaeus an Assyrian Sophist who in his youth being given to all voluptuousnesse and effeminate delicacies but comming to riper underderstanding assumed to himselfe a wondrous continency of life and austerity in all his actions insomuch that a familiar friend of his seeing a beautifull woman passe by and asking him if she were not a fair one To him he answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. De sii laborare de oculis i. I am no more sick of sore eies To another that demanded What Fish or Fowl was mow pleasant to the taste he replied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. I have forgot to look after them and proceeded I perceive that I then gathered all my Fruits out of the Garden of Tantalus insinuating unto us that all those vain Pleasures and Delights of which youth is so much enamored are nothing else but shadows and dreams such as Tantalus is said to be fed with Of severall degrees of Inchastities and of their Punishments PHilip of Macedon making war against the Thebans Aeropus and Damasippus two of his chiefe Captains had hired a mercenary strumpet and kept her in one of their tents which the King hearing he not only cashiered them from their commands but banished them his Kingdome Polynaeus lib. 4. In Germany Chastity and Modesty is held in that reverent respect that no mean Artificer though of the basest trade that is will entertein a Bastard into his service or teach him his science neither in the Academies will they permit any such to take degree in schools though it bee a strange severity against innocent children who gave no consent to the sins of their parents yet it is a mean to curb the libeâ—â—ies of men and women deterring them from the like offences Aeneus Silvius lib. 1. of the sayings and dâ—eds of King Alphonsus tels us of one Manes Florentinus who being in forbidden congression with a strumpet was adjudged 〈◊〉 pennance which was not altogether as our custome in England is to stand in a white sheet but naked all save a linnen garment from his wast to the knees after the fashion of Basex the Priests comming to strip him in the Vestrie would have put upon him that robe to cover his shame which he no way would admit but was constantly resolved to stand as our phrase is stark naked but when the Church Officers demanded of him If he were not ashamed to shew his virile parts in such a publique assembly especially where there were so many Virgins marriried Wives and widow Women he answered Minime gentium nam pudenda haec quae peccaverunt ea potissimum dare poenas decet i. By no means quoth he most fit it is that those shamefull things that have offended and brought me to this shame should likewise do open penance Pontius Offidianus a Knight of Rome after he had sound by infallible signs his daughters virginity to be deâ— poiled and vitiated by Fannius Saturnius her School-master was not to content to extend his just rage upon his servant and punish him death but he also slew his daughter who rather desired to celebrate her untimely exequies then follow her to her contaminated Nuptials Val. lib. 6. cap. 1. Pub. Attilius Philiscus notwithstanding in his youth he