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
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
himselfe from the dog and away he flies The Citizen by thâ—â— means secured from the present danger and willing to be gratefull to his preserver comes to the labourer and bargains for the mastiffe the price is made and both parties agreed It is to be presupposed that the devill in this feare had lefâ— for hast his bag behind him and fled out of sight which the Citizen apprehending and being emboldned with so valiant a second thinks to put a new trick upon his adversary for he imagins that ten to one he will come back again for his bag therefore he intreats the poor man to help him to put the dog into the sack and tie the mouth of it fast with the strings All is done and they retire themselves apart when just as they imagined out comes the devill peaking from the place where he lay hid to see iâ— the coast was clear and casting his eies timerously about him as fearing the like assault he came softly treading to the place where he left his sack and gently feeling finds somewhat to stir therein upon which he presently imagines that it was the supposed Cuckold who for fear had crept into the same and being wondrous jocund with this conceit snatcheth him up upon his back and with his glad purchase sinks himselfe down among the infernals His return was rumour'd in hell and a Synod called in which Lucifer seated himselfe in his wonted state with all his Princes Judges and Officers about him all in great expectation of the object so much desired the messenger is summon'd who appears before them with his bag at his back or rather upon his neck he is commanded to discover his strange creature so often spoken of but till then in that place not seen the sacks mouth is opened out flies the mastiffe amongst them who seeing so many ugly creatures together thought it seems he had been amongst the Bears in Paris garden but spying Lucifer to be the greatest and ill-favoured amongst them first leaps up into his face and after flies at whomsoever stood next him The devils are dispers'd every one runs and makes what shift he can for himselfe the Sessions is dissolved the Bench and Bale dock cleared and all in generall so affrighted that ever since that accident 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 bears 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 he 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 damosel 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 paraâ—leld 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 dog into the sack and tie the mouth of it fast with the strings All is done and they retire themselves apart when just as they imagined out comes the devill peaking from the place where he lay hid to see iâ— the coast was clear and casting his eies timerously about him as fearing the like assault he came softly treading to the place where he left his sack and gently feeling finds somewhat to stir therein upon which he presently imagines that it was the supposed Cuckold who for fear had crept into the same and being wondrous jocund with this conceit snatcheth him up upon his back and with his glad purchase sinks himselfe down among the infernals His return was rumour'd in hell and a Synod called in which Luciser seated himselfe in his wonted state with all his Princes Judges and Officers about him all in great expectation of the object so much desired the messenger is summon'd who appears before them with his bag at his back or rather upon his neck he is commanded to discover his strange creature so often spoken of but till then in that place not seen the sacks mouth is opened out flies the mastiffe amongst them who seeing so many ugly creatures together thought it seems he had been amongst the Bears in Paris garden but spying Luciser to be the greatest and ill-favoured amongst them first leaps up into his face and after flies at whomsoever stood next him The devils are dispers'd every one runs and makes what shift he can for himselfe the Sessions is dissolved the Bench and Bale dock cleared and all in generall so affrighted that ever since that accident
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
a chain of Diamonds which gave a wondrous addition to that beauty when 〈◊〉 of it selâ—e without any ornament was not to be 〈◊〉 A contrary effect it wrought in the King and 〈◊〉 husband To Edgar she seemed some goddesse at least a miracle in nature to Ethelwold in regard of his fear a fury or what worse he could compare her to O frail woman in this one vanity to appear beautifull in the eies of a King thou hast committed two heinous sins Adultery and Murder for accordingly it so fell out Edgar was as much surprised with her love as incensed with hate against her Lord both which for the present he dissembled neither smiling on the one nor frowning on the other In the afternoon the King would needs 〈◊〉 the stag in the forrest of Werwelly since called 〈◊〉 wood In the chase by the appointment of Edgar Earl Ethelwold was strook through the body with an arrow and so slain the King after made Elfritha his bride and Queen The Earl had a base son then present at the death of his father of whom the King asked how he liked that manner hunting to whom he answered Roial Sir what seemeth good to you shall be no way offensive from that time forward he was ever gracious with the King And Elfritha 〈◊〉 to make attonement with heaven for the murder of her husband or â—â—ther as Ranulphus saith for causing Edward 〈◊〉 whom she was step mother to be slaine 〈◊〉 her own son Egelredus might reign builded an Abby for Nunnes at Worwell where she was after buried Gunnora IN the time that Agapitus was Pope Lewis King of France the son of Charls caused William Longa Spata the Duke of Normandy to be treacherously slain this William was son to Rollo The Lords of Normandy with this murder much incensed watched their advantage and surprised the King in Rhothemage where they committed him to safe custody till he had promised and sworn to yeeld up Normandy to Richard son and immediate heire to William the late murdered Duke and moreover in what place soever the King and the young Duke should have meeting to confer that Richard should car his sword but King Lewis neither to have sword nor knife about him This Richard being young was called Richard the Old he had besides another attribute given him which was Richard without Feare because he was never known to be dismaid at any thing but a third above these was that he pretended to be wondrous religious He was Duke two and fifty years and took a Lady to his bed from Denmark whose name was Gunnora by whom he had five sons and two daughters the eldest of which was married to Etheldredus King of England her name was Emma and she was called the flower of Normandy Concerning this bold yet religious Duke it is reported by Marianus lib. 2. Henricus Ranulphus and others that besides many other testimonies of his sanctity this one made him most eminent A Monk of Andoenus in Rothomage a Town in Normandy going one night to meet with his Sweet heart his way lay over a bridge and under that bridge was a deep foord or river it so hapned that mistaking his footing he fell into the water and there was drowned He was no sooner dead but there came to carry away his soul an Angel and a Fiend these two contended about it the one would have it so would the other great was the controversie betwixt them at length they concluded to put the case to Duke Richard and both to stand to his arbitriment much pleading there was on both sides at length the Duke gave sentence That the soul should be restor'd again to the body and be placed again upon that bridge from whence he had falne and if then he would offer to go from thence to his Sweet heart the Devill should take him but if otherwise he because he was a Church-man should be still in the Angels protection This was done and the Monk left his way to the woman and fled to the Church as to a sanctuary whither the Duke went the next day and found the Monks cloths still wet and told the Abbot every circumstance as it fell out therefore the Monk was shriven did penance was absolved and reconciled This I have read which I perswade no man to beleeve This Duke lived with the faire Gunnora long time dishonestly and without marriage had by her those children aforesaid but at length by the perswasion of the nobility and intercession of the Clergy he took her to wife The first night after the marriage when the Duke came to her bed she turned her back towards him which she had never done till that time at which he marvelling demanded of her the reason why she did so To whom she answered before I was your strumpet and therefore as a servant was tied to do your pleasure in all things but now I am your wife and made part of your selfe therefore henceforth I claime with you an equall soveraignty and will do what me list bearing my selfe now like a Princesse not like a prostitute This I am easily induced to beleeve for how soon do honours change manners Juvenall in his sixth Satyr speaking of marriage thus saith Semper habet lites aeternaque jurgia lectus c. The marriage bed is seldome without strife And mutuall chidings he that takes a wife Bargains for mighty trouble and small rest Sleep growes a stranger then whilst in her brest She lodgeth Passion Selfe-will Anger Feare And from her 〈◊〉 drops many a feigned teare c. Somewhat to this purpose spake Terentius in his Adelpâ—â—s Duxi uxorem quam ibi non miseriam vidi c. I made choice of a wife with judgement sound What miserie have I not therein found Children are born they prove my second care They should be comforts that my corfives are For her and them I study to provide And to that purpose all my time 's apply'd To keep her pleas'd and raise their poor estate And what 's my meed for all but scorn and hate And so much for Gunnora It seems the Emperor Valentinianus was neither well read in Juvenal nor Terence He when his wife commended unto him the beauty of the Lady Justina took her to his bed and for her sake made a law That it should be lawful for any man to marry two wives It is read of Herod the Great that he had nine wives and was divorsed from them all only for the love of Mariamnes niece to Hirâ—anus for whose sake he caused himselfe to be circumcised and turned to the faith of the Jewes he begot on her Alexander and Aristobulus on Dosides Antipater on Metheta Archelaus on Cleopatra Philip and Herodes Antipas he that was afterward called Tetrarch one of the four Princes Aristobulus that was Herodes son begotten on Beronica the daughter of his own Aunt called Saloma he begot the
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
is long He seems to faint and she appears more strong The bold Neptunian Heroe from his hand One of those golden apples on the strand Before her bowls she stoops amaz'd and won With th' riches of the â—â—well is out-run Stooping to take it up he now gets ground Whilst loud applausive shouts the people sound At which her slacknesse she redeems and time Lost in that small delay she as a crime Now in her speâ—d corrects and like the wind Flies towards the goal and leaves the youth behind Again he drops another and again She for the second stoops whilst he amain Strives for the start and gets it but her pacâ— She still maintains being formost in the race The last part of the course lies plain before He now begins fair Venus to implore And the third fruit pluckt from the golden tree He further casts yet where she needs must see The apple shine 't was thrown out of the way The ground uneven to move the more delay The warlike â—asse though tempted with the show Doubts in her selfe to take it up or no. Venus peâ—rswades in favour of her Knight And made it weighty which before seem'd light Which as from th' earth she labours to divide He gains the goale and her for his fair bride It is said by Palephatus Apollodorus Ovid and others That for their ingratitude to Venus he was turned into a Lion and she into a Lionesse The probability is that being in the chase they retired themselves into a cave which proved to be a den of Lions were they were torn to pieces and devoured They being mist by the people who after saw two Lions issue from that place the rumour grew that they were transform'd into beasts of that shape This Atlanta had by Metamion or Hyppomanes or as some write by Mars Parthenopaeus who after made war upon the Thebans Of other warlâ—ke Ladies ABout Meroe reigned the Queen Candaces and had principality over the AEâ—hiopians a woman of a mighty spirit who in all their conquests in person led her people to the field amongst whom she obtained that dignity and honour that as amongst the Kings of Aegypt from the first of that name that was renowned and beloved they were for many successions called Pharaos and after Ptolomies and since the time of Julius all the Roman Emperours have in memory of hiâ—â— taken upon them the sirname of Caesar so for many years after her decease the Queens of Aethiopia were called Candaces The women of Lacena imitated the men in all things in schools in hunting and in arms These in the war commenc'd against the Messenians adventured equally in the battell with their husbands by whose assistance they purchased a noble victory It is reported of Valasca a Queen of the Bohemians that having made a conjuration with the women of her Country to take away all the prerogative and jurisdiction from the men she instructing them in Military exercises levied an army of her own Sex with which they met their husbands and overthrew them by which means they atteined the soveraign principality as the Amazons had before times done for many years space managed all affairs as well for offence as defence without the help or counsell of men The women of Bellovaca being long and fearfully besieged by Charls the Great Duke of Burgundy most resolutely defended the wals rumbling the assailants from their sealing ladders into the ditches to the everlasting honour of their Sex and the reproach of the enemy Lesbia a virgin being besieged by the Turks hazarded her selfe to discover their works and mines and when the Citizens were deliberating to surrender up the Town to the mercilesse enemy she opposed their purpose and presented her selfe upon the waâ—s to the violence of their arrowes and engines by whose only valour and encouragement the City was preserved and the assailants repulsed with dishonour Amalasuntha Queen of the Goths kept her principality neer to Ravenna and as Volateran hath left recorded by the help of Theodotus whom she made competitor in the Empire the expelled from Italy the Burgonians Almains and Ligurians Teuca the wife of Argon took upon her the soveraignty she was Queen of the Illytians a warlike nation whom she wisely governed by whose valour and fortitude she not only opposed the violence of the Romans but obtained from them many noble victories Hasbites was a warlike Virago and lead armies into the field of her Sylvius lib. 1. thus speaks Haec ignara viri vacuoque assueta cubili Venatu silvis primos defenderat annos c. She knew not man but in a single bed Vpon an empty pillow cast her head Her youth she spent in hunting to th' alarm Of the shrill bugle on her sinowie arm She ware no Oâ—â—er basket would not know Or teach the fingers how to spin or sow To trace Dictinna she did most desire And in swift course the long breath'd stag to tire c. The same author lib 2. speaks of one Tiburna Saguntina the wife of one Muâ—â—us a brave and bold female warrior Zenobia Queen of the Palmyrians after the death of her husband Odenatus took upon her the imperiall regency and made tributary the Kingdome of Syria neither feared she to take arms against the Emperour Aurelianus by whom she was overcome and led in triumph but when it was objected to Caesar as a dishonour and reproach that he had triumph'd over a woman he answered It was no disgrace at all being over such a woman as excelled most men in Masculine vertue Of whom Pontanus thus speaks Qualis Aethiopum quondam sitientibus arviâ— In fulvum regina gregem c. As did the Aethiopian Queen In the dry fields of old Incounter with the yellow heards whose rough hairs shin'd likegold Opposing the stern Lions paw Alone and without aid To see a whom wrestle men aloof stood quaking and afraid Such â—â—ween two warlike hosts appears this Amazonian Queen Zenobia with her strong bow arm'd And furnish'd with shafts keen Hypsicrataea the wife of Mithridates was still present with him in battell and left him in no danger cutting her hair short lest it should offend her when she put on her beaver Artimesia Queen of Caria after the death of her husband was admired through Greece who not only in a navall expedition overcame the invading Rhodians but pursued them even unto their own coasts and took possession of the Island amidst whose ruines she caused her own glorious statue to be erected of whom Herodotus thus writes I cannot wonder sufficiently at this warlike Queen Artimesia who unforced and uncompelled followed the expedition of Xerxes against Greece out of her own manly courage and excellency of spirit She was the daughter of Lydamus her father was of Halicarnassus her mother of Creet she furnished five ships of her own charge with Halicarnassaeans Coeans Nisirians and Calidnians in the great
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
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
counsell with her about his recovery who told him there was no hope of his life unlesse he would yield that his young son then sucking at the Nurses breast should have his mortall infirmity confirmed upon it The father to save his own life yields that his son should perish of which the Nurse hearing just at the hour when the father should be healed is absent and conceals the child The father is no sooner toucht but helped of his disease the Witch demands for the child to transfer it upon him the child is missing and cannot be found which the Witch hearing broke out into this exclamation Actum est de me puer ubinam est i. I am undone where is the child when scarce having put her foot over the threshold to return home but she fell down suddenly dead her body being blasted and as black as an Aethiope The like remarkable Judgement fell upon a Witch amongst the Nanvetae who was accused of bewitching her neighbor The Magistrates commanded her but to touch the party distempered with her Inchantments which is a thing that is used by all the German Judges even in the Imperiall chamber it selfe The Witch denied to do it but seeing they began to compell her by force she likewise cried out I am then undone when instantly the sick woman recovered and the Witch then in health fell down suddenly and died whose body was after condemned to the fire And this Bodinus affirms to have heard related from the mouth of one of the Judges who was there present In Thoâ—oâ—a there was one skilful in Magick who was born in Burdegall he comming to visit a familiar friend of his who was extreamly afflicted with a Quartane Ague almost even to death told him he pitied his case exceedingly and therefore if he had any enemy but give him his name and he would take away the Feaver from him and transfer it upon the other The sick Gentleman thanked him for his love but told him there was not that man living whom he hated so much as to punish him with such a torment Why then saith he give it to my servant the other answering That he had not the conscience so to reward his good service Why then give it me saith the Magician who presently answered With all my heart take it you who it seemeth best knowes how to dispose it Upon the instant the Magician was stroke with the Feaver and within few daies after died in which interim the sick Gentleman was perfectly recovered Gregory Turonensis lib. 6. cap. 35. saith That when the wife of King Chilperick perceived her young son to be taken away by Witchcraft she was so violently incensed and inraged against the very name of a sorceresse that she caused diligent search to be made and all such suspected persons upon the least probability to be dragged to the stake or broken on the wheel most of these confessed that the Kings son was bewitched to death for the preservation of Mummo the great Master a potent man in the Kingdom this man in the midst of his torments smiled confessing that he had received such inchanted drugs from the Sorcerists that made him unsensible of pain but wearied with the multitude of torments he was sent to Burdegall where he not long after died I desire not to be tedious in any thing for innumerable Histories to these purposes offer themselves unto me at this present but these few testimonies â—roceeding from authentique Authors and the attestations 〈◊〉 such as have been approvedly learned may serve in this place as well as to relate a huge number of unnecessary discourses from writers of less fame and credit Neither is it to any purpose here to speak of the Witches in Lap-land Fin land and these miserable wretched cold Countries where to buy and sell winds betwixt them and the Merchants is said to be as frequent familiarly done amongst them as eating and sleeping There is anâ—ther kind of Witches that are called Extasists in whose discovery 〈◊〉 strive to be briefe A learned Neapolitan in a history 〈◊〉 since published that treats altogether of naturall Magick speaks of a Witch whom he saw strip her 〈◊〉 naked and having annointed her body with a certain 〈◊〉 fell down without sence or motion in which extasie she remained the space of three hours after she came to her selfe discovering many things done at the same time in divers remote places which after enquiry made were found to be most certain Answerable to this is that reported by the President Turetranus who in the Delphinate saw a Witch burned alive whose story he thus relates She was a maid-servant to an honest Citizen who comming home unexpected and calling for her but hearing none to answer searching the rooms he found her lying all along by a fire which she had before made in a private chamber which seeing he kickt her with his foot and bid her arise like a lazy huswiâ—e as she was and get her about her businesse but seeing her not to move he took a tough and smart wand and belaboured her very soundly but perceiving her neither to stir nor complain he viewing her better and finding all the parts of her body unsensible took fire and put it to such places of her body as were most tender but perceiving her to have lost all feeling was perswaded she was dead and called in his next neighbors telling them in what case he found her but concealing unto them the shrewd blowes he had given her the neighbors left the house the master and mistresse caused her to be laid out so left her and went to their rest but towards the morning hearing some body to stir and grone in the chamber they found their servant removed and laid in her bed at which the good man much amazed asked her in the name of God being late dead how came she so soon recovered to whom she answered Oh master master why have you beaten me thus the man reporting this amongst his neighbors one amongst the rest said if this be true she is then doubtlesse a Witch and one of these extasists at which the Master growing suspitious urged her so strictly that she confessed though her body was there present yet her soul was abroad at the assembly of divers Witches with many other mischiefs for which she was held worthy of death and judged At Burdegall in the year 1571 when there was a decree made in France against the strict prosecution of Witches an old Sorceresse of that place amongst many horrid and fearfull things confessed by her she was convicted and imprisoned where D. Boletus visited her desiring to be eie-witnesse of some of those things before by her acknowledged to whom the Witch answered That she had not power to do any thing in prison But desirous to be better satisfied concerning such things he commanded her for the present to be released and brought out of the Goale to another lodging
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
into Cappadocia Cuspinianus in vita Heraclii A more terrible judgement was inflicted upon Bâ—unechildis whose History is thus related Theodericus King of the Frenchmen who by this wicked womans counsel had polluted himselfe with the blood of his own naturall brother and burthened his conscience with the innocent deaths of many other noble gentlemen as well as others of meaner 〈◊〉 and quality was by her poisoned and deprived of 〈◊〉 when he had made a motion to have taken to wife his Neece a beautifull young Lady and the daughter of his late slain brother Brunechildis with all her power and industry opposed the Match affirming that Contract to be meerly incestuous which was made with the brothers daughter she next perswaded him that his son Theodebertus was not his own but the adulterate issue of his wife by another at which words he was so incensed that drawing his sword he would have instantly transpierc'd her but by the assistance of such Courtiers as were then present she escaped his fury and presently 〈◊〉 plotted his death and effected it as aforesaid Trittenbemâ—â—s de Regib 〈◊〉 and Roberâ—us Gaguinus lib. 2. Others write that he was drowned in a River after he had reigned 〈◊〉 years Aventinus affirms That presently after he had slain his brother entring into one of his Cities he was struck with thunder Annal. Boiorum lib. 3. But this 〈◊〉 Butcheresse Brunechildis after she had been the 〈…〉 an infinit number of people and the death of 〈◊〉 Kings at length moving an unfortunate war against Lotharius to whom she denied to yield the Kingdome she was taken in battell and by the Nobility and Captain of the Army condemned to an unheard of punishment She was first beaten with four Bastoons before she was brought before Lotharius then all her Murthers Treasons and Inhumanities were publiquely proclaimed in the Army and next her legs and hands being fastned to the tails of wild horses pluckt to pieces and dissevered limb from limb Anno 1618. Sigebertus Trittemhemius Gaguinus and Aventinus And such be the earthly punishments due to Patricides and Regicides Touching Patricides Solon when he instituted his wholsome Lawes made no Law to punish such as thinking it not possible in nature to produce such a Monster Alex. lib. 2 cap. Romulus appointing no punishment for that inhumanity included Patricides under the name of Homicides counting Manslaughter and Murther abhorred and impious but the other impossible Plutarch in Romulo Marcus Malleolus having slain his mother was the first that was ever condemned for that fact amongst the Romans his Sentence was to be sowed in a sack together with a Cock an Ape and a Viper and so cast into the river Tiâ—er a just infliction for such immanity The Macedonians punished Patricides and Traitors alike and not only such as personally committed the fact but all that were any way of the comederacy Alex. ab Alex. lib 3. cap. 5. and all such were â—â—â—ned to death The Aegyptians stabbed them with Needles and Bodkins wounding them in all the parts of their body but not mortally when bleeding all over from a thousand small orifices they burnt them in a pile of thorns Diodor. Sicul. lib. 2. de rebus antiq The Lusitanians first exiled them from their own confines and when they were in the next forreign air stoned them to death Nero having slain his mother Agrippina by the hand of Anicetes had such terror of mind and unquietnesse of conscience that in the dead of the night he would leap out of his bed horribly affrighted and say when they that attended him demanded the cause of his disturbance That he heard the noice of trumpets and charging of battels with the grones of slaughtered and dying men from the place where his mother was interred Therefore he often shifted his houses but all in vain for this horror still pursued him even to his miserable and despairing end for so Xâ—philâ—nus testates the Abbreviator of Dion in Nerone The perfidiousnesse of Husbands to their Wives hath been thus punished By the Law of Julia all such were condemned as rioted and wasted the dowries of their Wives The Romans did not only hold such impious and sacrilegious that prophaned their Temples and despised the Altars of the gods but those also that were rudely robustious and laid violent hands upon their wives and children in such a reverent estimation they held fatherly issue and conjugal piety Alex. lib. 4. cap. 8. Almaricus having married the sister of the French King and using her most contumeliously and basely for no other reason but that she was a faithful follower of the true Religion and quite renounced Arianisme was by her brother Chilbertus vexed and tormented with a bloody and intestine war Michael Ritius lib. 1. de Regib Francorum M. Valerius Maximus and Cai. Junius Brutus being Censors removed L. Antonius from the Senate for no other reason but that without the advice and counsell of his friends he had repudiated a virgin to whom he had been before contracted Val. Maxim lib. 2. cap. 4. So Tiberius Caesar discharged an eminent Roman from his Quaestorship for divorcing his wife the tenth day after he had been married accounting him meerly void of faith or constancy that in a businesse so weighty and of so great moment in so small a time exprest himselfe variable and inconstant Alex. lib. 4. cap. 8. Rodulphus Veromandorum Comes forsook his wife to marry the sister of the Queen Petronilla for which he was excommunicated by the Church of Rome and the Bishop Laudunensis Bartholomaeus Noviocomensis and Simon Peter Sylvanectensis that were assistants to the Earl Rodulphus in that unjust divorce were all suspended by the Pope Robertus in Chronicis The revenge of these libidinous insolencies was most apparant in the Emperor Andronicus who after the death of Emanuel who preceded him caused his son the immediate heir to the Empire to be sowed in a sack and cast into the sea And being now securely installed in the Constantinopolican Principality besides a thousand butcheries slaughters and other insufferable cruelties he addicted himselfe to all luxurious intemperance as vitiating virgins corrupting Matrons contaminating himselfe with shamefull Whoredomes and Adulteries not sparing the religious Nunneries but forcing the Cloisters ravishing thence whom he pleased to glut his greedy and insatiate lust and when 〈◊〉 own desires were qualified would deliver them up to be stuprated by his grooms and vassals With whose unbridled appetites and insufferable madnesse the people being vexed and tired they invited Isacius to the 〈…〉 besieging the Tyrant took him and presented him before the Emperor elected who because he had so malitiously trespassed against every man devised for him a punishment that might give satisfaction to all he therefore caused him to put off his Imperiall Robes and to appear no other then a private man such as he had maliciously offended next caused one of his eies to be pluckt out the punishment devised by
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
to Larissa in Thessaly he was hired for eight pieces of Gold to watch a dead body but one night for fear the Witches of which in that place there is abundance should gnaw and devour the flesh of the party deceased even to the very bones which is often found amongst them Also Murther by the Laws of God and man is punishable with death besides they that eat mans flesh or deliver it to be eaten are not worthy to live Cornel. lib de Sicariâ—s A twelfth is That they kill as oft by Poisons as by Powders and Magick Spels now the Law saith It is worse to kill by Witchcraft then with the Sword Lib. 1. de Maâ—â—sic A thirteenth is That they are the death of Cattell for which Augustanus the Magician suffred death 1569. A fourteenth That they blast the Corn and Grain and being barrennesse and scarcity when there is a hoped plenty and abundance A fifteenth That they have carnall corsociety with the Devill as it hath been approved by a thousand severall confessions Now all that have made any compect or covenant with the Devill if not of all these yet undoubtedly are guilty of many or at least some and there one coâ—sequently not worthy to live And so much for the Punishment 〈…〉 and other known malefactors I come now to the Rewards due to the Vertuous and first of 〈…〉 Ladies for divers excellencies worthy to be remembred Of Tirgatao Moeotis Comiola Tuâ—ingâ— and others TIrgatao a beautifull and vertuous Lady was joined in marriage to Hecataeus King of those Indians that inhabit â—eer unto the Bosphor which is an arm of the Sea that runneth betwixt two coasts This Hecataeus being cast out of his Kingdome Satyrus the most potent of these Kings reinstated him in his Principality but conditionally That he would marry his only daughter and make her Queen by putting Tirgatao to death But he though forced by the necessity of the time and present occasion yet loving his first wife still would not put her to death according to the Covenant but caused her to be shut in his most defenced Castle there to consume the remaindeâ— of her life in perpetuall widowhood The Lady comforted with better hopes and born to fairer fortunes deceived the eies of her strict keepâ—â—s and by night escaped out of prison This being made known to the two Kings the sonne in law and the father they were wonderfully perplexed with the newes of her flight as fearing if she arrived in her own Country she might accite the people to her revenge They therefore pursued her with all diligence and speed but in vain for hiding her selfe all the day time and travelling by night through pathlesse and unfrequented places at length she arrived amongst the â—xomatae which was the Countrey of her own friends and kindred But finding her father dead she married with him that succeeded in the Kingdome by which means now commanding the Ixomatae she insinuated into the breasts of the most warlike people inhabiting about Moeotis and so levied a brave army which she her selfe conducted She first invaded the Kingdome of Hecataeus and infested his Country with many bloody incursions she next wasted and made spoil of the Kingdome of Satyrus insomuch that they both were forced with all submisse entreaties by embassadors to sue unto her for peace to which she assented having before as hostage of their truce received Metrodorus the son of Satyrus But the two Kings falsified to her their faith and honour for Satyrus dealt with two of his subjects whom he best trusted with whom he pretended heinous displeasure for which flying and retiring themselves to her for refuge they there attend a convenient opportunity to insiderate her life They submitting to her her Court becomes their sanctuary Satyrus sends to demand the offenders she by her letters entreats and mediates their peace and pardon These attend their next occasion the one pretends private conference with her and bowing submissly to her as she enclines her body to attend him the other invades her with his sword her fortunate Belt kept the steel from entring Clamor is made her servants enter the Traitors are apprehended and confesse all that before had passed betwixt Satyrus and them Therefore she commands his son Metrodorus the Hostage to be slain and the two conspirators with him gathers another army and invades the Bosâ—â—â—ean Tyrant She punisheth his perfidiousnesse with Rapes Murthers Combustions and all the Calamities of war till Satyrus himselfe oppressed with miseries and surcharged with griefe expired whom Gorgippus his son succeeded in the Principality but not with any security till he had acknowledged his Crown as given to him by her and with many costly and rich gifts compounded for his peace Polyb. lib 8. This Lady hath a merited name for an invincible courage and a masculine spirit No lesse worthy to be remembred is Comiola Turinga her history is thus reported In that great Navy which Peter King of Sicily sent against Robert King of Naples in the aid of the Lyparitans with other Pâ—inces 〈◊〉 Nâ—â—lemen there was in that fleet one Roland bâ—stard brother to King Peter The Sicilians being defeated by 〈…〉 Roland amongst many other Gentlemen was surpâ—â—â—ed and cast into prison Now when the friends and kinsmen of all such Captives had been carefull of their release and almost all of them were ransomed thence King Peter 〈◊〉 the sloth and cowardise of his subjects the Sicilians neglected his brother and would entertein no discourse that tended to his redemption Whereupon he was put into a more close prison no better then a Dungeon where he was debarred the benefit of light and shortned of his diet where he spent his time in discontent and misery This extremity of his with the Dukes slackneâ—â— in his release comming to the ear of a beautiful young widow of Messana who had a large Dower from her parents and was left infinitely rich by her husband she pitying his distressed estate and withall being somewhat enamored of his person sent to him privately by such as he best trusted to know of him if he would accept of her as his wife if she did instantly pay down his ransome The motion being made he seemed overjoied thanked the heavens for their assistance and with great willingnesse accepted of the motion They are contracted by Proxie and she paies down two thousand ounces of gold for his freedome This done and Roland comming back to Messana he was so far from acknowledging the Contract that he would not so much as see her or confesse himselfe obliged unto her in the smallest courtesie who had it not been for her charitable love and piety might have languished in an uncomfortable durance all the daies of his life Comiola Turninga at this ingratitude much grieved for she had not only paid down so great a sum but that which most afflicted her was that the fame of her marriage being â—ll over-spread the Contract being denied and by
am loath to dwel too long in the Proem I will now give you their names with a particular of their works who have been in many or most of these eminent Poetriae Or Women Poets OF the Sybils the Muses Priests and Prophetesses included amongst those whom we called Vates I have already spoken at large I now proceed to others Theano Locrensis was so called as born in the City of Locâ—is she writ Hyms and Lyrick Songs she was also a musicall Poetesse such as were called Melicae There was a second of that name the wife of Pythagoras a Poetesse besides a third called Thuria or Metapontina daughter of the Poet Lycophron a Pythagorist and wife of Caristius or Brantinus Crotoniata Teste Suida Nicostrata was otherwise called Carmentis skilful both in the Greek and Latine Dialect of a quick and nimble wit and conversant in divers kinds of Learning Sulpitia lived in the time of the Emperor Domitianus her husbands name was Galenus or Gadenus with whom she lived in most conjoined wedlock for the space of fifteen years Some fragments of her Poetry I have read inserted amongst the Works of Ausonius Of her Martial in one of his Epigram lib. 10. thus writes Oh molles tibi quindecim Calene Quos cum Sulpitia tua jugales Indulsit Deus peregit annos c. O those soft fifteen yeers so sweetly past Which thou Calenus with Sulpitia hast In jugall consociety no doubt A time by the gods favoured and pickt out O every Night nay Hour mark'd by thy hand With some rich stone fetch'd from the Indian strand What wars what combats have betwixt you been But to your Bed and Lamp not known or seen Of any Happy Bed and Tapers grace Made of sweet Oils whose smoak perfumes the place Thrice five yeers thou hast liv'd Calenuâ— thus Reckoning by that account thine Age to us So to compute thy yeers is thy great'st pride No longer to have liv'd then with thy Bride Were Atropos at thy entreats content To give thee back one day so sweetly spent Thou at a higher rate wouldst prize that one Then four times Nestors Age to live alone This Epigram hath expressed the love of Calenus to Sulpitia the husband to the wife but in 35 of the same book her pious Love chast Muse and Beauty the same Author hath most elegantly illustrated his words be these Omnes Sulpitiam legant puellae Vno quae cupiunt viro pâ—acere Omnes Sulpitiam legant mariti Vnae qua cupâ—unt placere nuptae c. All women 〈◊〉 Sulpitia such as can In their desires betake them to one man All husbands read Sulpitia such whose life Can be contented with one single wife She never spake of mad Medeas sin Nor why Thyestes Banquet was serv'd in It never with her pure thoughts could agree A Scilla or a Biblis there could be Save chast and pious Loves she did not write Yet mixt with modest pleasures and delight Her Verses who shall read and read again And sift them well shall find them without slain Such were the words divine Egeria spake The wife of Nâ—ma when she did betake Her self to solitude Had Sâ—pho been Tutor'd by her her Poems read and seen More chast sh ' had been with greater Art endu'd Or had rude Phaon these together view'd And both their beauties well observ'd and noted He that left her had on Sulpitia doted c. Seneca speaks of one Michaele a she Centaur who in an â—legant Poem instructed the Thessalians in the Remedy of Love whom Ovid in his Remedium Amorâ—s is said to have imitated Aristophanes as also Suidas speak of one Charixâ—na the Author of many excellent works amongst others she writ a Poem called Crumata Caelius lib. 8. cap. 1 speaks of Musaeâ— an Epigrammaâ—ist in which kind she was eminent besides she composed sundry Lyricks Textor remembers us of one Moeroe who besides her other works is most celebraâ—ed for a Hymn to Neptune Manto was the daughter of Tyresia the Propheresse of her the famous City Mantua took name she was not only a Poetesse but famous for her Dâ—vinations for by the entrails of beasts she could foretel things to come Textor Cornisicia was the sister of the Poet Cornisicius and famous for many excellent Epigrams Luccia 〈◊〉 as Pliny reports of her was a writer of Comedies in which practice she continued no lesse then an hundred years Amongst the Poets Cassandra the Propheâ—esse daughter to â—riam and Hecuba is also numbred 〈◊〉 Hermonaicus 〈◊〉 Camelion saith writes of a Poetesse called Megalostrate beloved of the Poet Alâ—mon he that first devised the amatorious Verse in which was expressed all lascivious intemperance which some attribute to Thamyris as their first inventor she Amatores vel ipsis colloquiis ad se trahere potuit i. She with her very discourse could attract lovers she was tearmed Flava Megalostrate Athenae lib. 13 cap. 16. Polla Argentaria was wife to the famous Poet Lucan and hath a merited place in this Catalogue of whom Martial thus speaks Haec est illa dies quae magni conscia partus Lucanum populis tibi Polla dedit This day of that great birth made conscious is Which gave him to the world and made thee his She was reputed to be of that excellent learning that she assisted her husband in the three first books entituled Pharsalia Her Stasius lib. 2. Sylv. thus remembers Haeâ— Castae titulum decusque Polla She likewise writ excellent Epigrams As much as Statius of her Plin. Secundus speaks of his wife Calphurnia Fulgos lib. 8. cap 3. Aspasia Milesia the beloved of Pericles as she was otherwise learned she is likewise numbred amongst the Poet some of whose Verses are remembred by Athenaeus Hedyle was the mother of Hedylogus Samius who by the same Athenaeus lib. 4. Dypnoph hath allotted him a place amongst the Poets she was the daughter of Moschina Attica that writ lambicks This Hedyle composed a Poem inscribed Scylla she made another called The Loves of Glaucus Sosipatra as Eugapius Volaterran relates was a woman practised in many kinds of Disciplines and so excellent in all her studies that she was said to be educated by the gods Thymele was a Poetesse that first introduced Dances into the Scene which the Greeks from her call Dumelin i. The place which is only free for the Actors Of her Martial thus speaks Quae Thymele spectas derisoremque Latinum Suidas writes That Thymele was an Altar frequently used in the Theaters which from her borrowed the name Hildegardis Moguntina was eminent both for Learning and Piety insomuch that from her very child-hood she seemed inspired from above Eugenius the third in the Council held at Tryer where Doctor Bernard was then present approved her Works she flourished in the yeare of Grace 1188. Of Clitagora Lacedemonia Aristophanes speaks much but Stravo in Homerica Iliade more of Hesteia Alexandria Avyle writ Epigrams against Themistocles with verses upon Birds which are read unto
this day Myrtis Authedonia in a Poem expressed the death of the Damosel Ochne who had been before the destruction of the Heroe Ennostus Praxilla Siconia flourished in the 32 Olympiad whom Antipater Thessatus give the first place unto amongst the nine Lyrick Poets She writ Dithycambi and a Work which was called by her Metrum Praxillium She called Adonis from Hell to demand of him what was most beautiful in Heaven who answered The Sun the Moon Figs Apples Cucumbers That and such like was the Subject of her Poem of which grew a proverb against Lunaticks and mad men every such was called Praxilla's Adonis Nossis the Poetresse was the composer of Greek Epigrams and is by Antipater numbred with Praxilla amongst the Lyricks Myro Bizantia she writ Elegies and such as the Greeks call Melae or Musical Poems she is said to be the mother of Homer and reckoned one of the seven Pleiades the daughters of Atlas she was the wife of Andromachus an illustrious Philosopher Pamphilus her Statue was erected which as Facianus witnesseth was made by Cephisiodotus Damophila was the wife of the Philosopher she was a friend to Sapho and lover whom in all her Poems she strived to imitate Her Hymns were sung at the sacrifices which were celebrated to Diana Pergaea after the manner of the Aetolians and Pamphilians She writ moreover certain books which she titled Libri Amatorii Of Minerva c. MInerva the daughter of Jupiter was for no other reason numbred amongst the gods but for her excellency and cunning in Poetry and other good arts of which she is said to be the first inventresse From her the ancient Athenians have borrowed the immortality of their name Next her we reckon the Corinnas There were three of that name The first called Corinna Thebana or Tanagraea she was the daughter of Archelodorus and Procratia and scholler to Myrtâ—s she in severall contentions five sundry times boâ—e away the Palm from Pindarus Prince of the Lyrick Pâ—ets she moreover published five books of Epigrams of her Propertius speaks The second was called Corinna Thespia she is much celebrated in the books of the ancient Poets especially by Statius The third lived in the time of Augustus and was to Ovid much endeared but of her wantonnesse than her Muse there is more memory extant I come to speak next of Erinna who was sirnamed Teia or as some wil have it Telia of the Island Telos not far distant from Gnidon she flourished in the time of Dion of Syracusa and published an excellent Poem in the Dorick Tongue comprized in three hundred Verses besides divers other Epigrams her stile was said to come neer the majesty of Homers she died when she was but nineteen yeers of age Damophila was a Greek Poetesse and the wife of Pamphilus she was Cousin-german and companion with Sapho Lyrica Poâ—tria she writ many Poems that were called Poemata Amatoria because their argument was meerly of love one Poem she writ in the praise of Diana for so much Theophrastus in the life of Apollonius remembers of her Hyppatia was a woman of Alexandria the daughter of Theon the Geometrician and wife to Isidorus the Philosopher she flourished in the time of the Emperor Arcadius she writ certain books of Astronomy and was froquent in divers kind of Poetry she purchased her selfe much fame for her learning insomuch that she engrossed a great confluence of Auditors in the City of Alexandria where she professed Suidas apud Volaterran Sapho ELianus affirms her to be the daughter of Scamandroniâ—â— Plato of Ariston Suidas and other Greek writers deliver to us that there were two of that name the one called â—rixia a much celebrated Poetesse who flourished in the time of the Poet Alcaeus of Pittachus and Tarquinius Priscus who first devised the use of the Lyre or Harp with a quil some give her the honor to be the inventor of the Lyrick verse the other was called Sapho Mitelaena long after her who was a singer and a strumpet she published â—ny rare and famous Poems amongst the Greeks and therefore had the honor to be called the tenth Muse the reason why she fell in love with Phaon Pliny attributes to the vertue of an herb but Baptista Egnatius a later writer and exquisite both in the Greek and Latin tongues in tranâ—ferring this fable from the originall into the Roman tongue as likewise others of his opinion conclude that Phaoâ— was of the profession of such as get their living by transporting passengers from one side of a river unto another a plain Ferry-man and that it hapned upon a time that Venus comming to the place where he kept his passage without demanding any hire he gave â—ot free transportage not knowing to whom it was he did that courtesie no way suspecting she had been a goddesse This Venus took so gratefully that she thought to requite his freenesse with a bounty far transcending the value of his painâ— She therefore gave him an alabaster box ful of a most pretious unguent teaching him how to apply it with which he no sooner annointed his face but he instantly became of all moâ—â—â—ll creatures the most beautifull of whom the Leâ—bian damosels grew enamoured but especially he was ardently and most affectionately beloved of Sapho Saphon having occasion to passe from Lesbos into Sicily she was tortured in soul for his absence intimating that it was done in despight or disgrace of her first purposed to cast her selfe from Leucate a high promontory in Epyre down into the Sea which she after did yet before she would attempt it she first in an Epistle thought by all the allurements of a womans wit to call him back again into his Country which Ovid in her behalfe most feelingly hath exprest And since it lies so fiâ—ly in my way for the opening of the History I thus give it English Ecquid ut aspecta est c. Is it possible as soon as thou shalt see My character thou know'st it comes from me 〈…〉 not reading of the authors name Couldst thou have known from whom this short work came Perhaps thou maist demand Why in this vain I court thee that profâ—sse the Lyrick strain My love 's to be bewept and that 's the reason No Barbit number suits this tragick season I burn as doth the corn-fields set on fire When the rough East winds still blow high and higher Now Phaon the Typhoean fields are thine But greater flames then Aetnas are now mine No true 〈◊〉 numbers flow from hence The empty work of a distracted sense The Pâ—rhian girle nor the Methimman lasse Now please me not the Lesbians who surpasse Vâ—le's Amithon vile Cidno too the fair So Atthis that did once appear most rare And hundreds more with whom my sins not small Wretch thou alone enjoy'st the loves of all Thou hast a face and youth fit for play Oh tempting face that didst mine eies betray Take Phoebus Faith upon thee and his bow And from