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
Thither Europa comes sweet flowers to cull Her Jove transports to Creete in shape of Bull. Cadmus her brother by Aegenor charg'd To see his sister by some means inlarg'd In his long search a monstrous Dragon slew From whose sown teeth men ready armed grew With these he founded Thebes after laments Actaeons fall born to such strange events Who by Diana to a Hart transform'd Was worried by his hounds Then Cadmus storm'd At his neer Kinsmans death This Juno joies Who in her hate faire Semele destroies The shape of her Nurse Beroe she assumes By whose bad counsell Semele presumes To ask her own death Now some few daies after Jove with his Queen dispos'd to mirth and laughter Dispute of Venus and desire to find Which Sex to pleasure should be most inclin'd Tiresius who before both sexes prov'd Judgeth the cause on Joves side Juno mov'd Deprives him fight to recompence his eies Jove fils him with spirit of Prophesies His augury Narcissus first made good Who ' gainst all womens loves opposed stood ' Mongst whom the faire Nymph Eccho by her sorrow Lost all save voice which she from voice doth borrow He pining with selfe-love was the same hower â—â—â—ing his sorm transhap'd into a flower Pentheus the sage Tâ—resius doth deride Though he before the truth had prophesied 〈◊〉 when god Bacchus writes were celebrated One of his Priests who had before related Of saylers turn'd to fishes he keeps bound Receiving from the Bacchides many a wound This makes the wine gods Orgyes of more fame Alcathoe with her sisters mock the same And at their distaffes many tales they tell First what unto the blacked Moors besell Of Phoebus to Eurinome transverst By which all lets and troubles are disperst That he may freely with Leucothoe lie For which the jealous Clytie seems to die But turns into a Turnsole they relate Hermophraditus next by wondrous fate And Salmacis both in one body mixt This done the sisters in their madnesse fixt Convert to Baâ—â— their spindles change to vines Their webs to leaves made by the god of wines At which whilst Agave rejoic'd her glee Is turn'd to discontent so she may see Ino and Arâ—amas of great renown Run headlong to a rock and thence leape down These being made sea gods whilst the Theban dames Lament their new change and invoke their names Amidst their sorrowes and sad funerall mones Part are made birds and part are turn'd to stones Cadmus with these calamities distrest Leaves Thebes and in Illyria he seeks rest Where with his wife debating ' midst the brakes They soon may see each other turn'd to snakes Alone 〈◊〉 still remains instated Of all that Bacchus and his Oryges hated Perseus his grand-child of faire Danae bred With crooked harp cuts off Gorgones head Whose purple drops as to the earth they fall Turn into Serpents and before him crawl Atlas he changeth into a mountain hie â—nd all those shackles that Andronia 〈◊〉 Are into stones converted many a â—old guest Intends to interrupt his bridall feast Where Phineus Pretus and their furious band Are chang'd â—o Marble and before him stand Pallas till now the noble Perseus guide Leaves him and through the aire doth gently glide To Helicon there doth the goddesse mean To view the famous Well call'd Hippocrene The nine Muse sisters of the Pyrens tell And what to the Pyerides befell How they contending with the Muses were Tran form'd to Pies still chattering every where By whose example Pallas soon puts on A Beldams shape transports her selfe anon To Ariachne who with her compares And having after strife wrought sundry chares Pallas transhapes her to a spider leaving Her antient Art to take delight in weaving This moves not Niobe who late had lost Her children and in divers turmoils tost Is chang'd to stone Now when the people knew This portent they the memory renew Of the base Lysian rusticks turn'd to Frogs And by Diana doom'd to live in bogs They Marsias likewise can remember still Who ranks his musick with Apollo's quill But he that ' gainst the gods sought praise to win In this contention lost both lawd and skin When all the neighbouring Cities came to chere Distressed Thebes the Athenians absent were And to their sorrowes can no comfort bring Being at home aw'd by a tyrant King Tereâ—s who the faire Philomel ' deflowring Turns to a Lapwing in the aire still towring As Philomel ' into a Nightingale And Progne to a Swallow This sad tale Vnto Pandion told he dies with griefe In whose sad Kingdome next succeeds as chiefe Ericteus Orithea the faire His daughter Boreas to his Kingdome bare Of her 〈◊〉 Calâ—in and Zâ—thus got Amongst the Argonauts these took their lot There Jason the white teeth of serpents sew Of which men arm'd in compleat harnesse grew The waking dragon made to sleep the Fleece Of gold from Phasis after brought to Greece Medea he bears thence She by her art Makes young old Aeson promising to impart Like good to Peleâ—s to his daughters showing From a decrepit Ram a young lamb growing But slew him by her fraud Transported thence She with Aegeus makes her residence Against whom Minos wars having collected Men from all places by his skill directed As some from Paros which long time before Arne betrai'd for which she ever wore The shape of Daw. King Aeacus supplies With Mirmidons that did from Pismires rise King Minos Cephalus these forces led Who seeking to adulterate his own bed Prevaiâ—â— with Procris whilst his dogs in chace Of a wild Fox both in the selfe same place Are chang'd â—o sione Minos Alchathoe won Nâ—â—us and Scylla are in shape foredone He to a Hawk she to a Larke is shifted And through the aire with their light feathers listed Thence he returns to Creet all sad and dul Where liv'd the Minotaure halfe Man halfe Bull Him Thâ—seus slew and after doth beguile Faire Ariadne left in Naxos Isle With her god Bacchus enters amorous wars And placeth on her head a Crown of stars Young Icarus with his old father flies And down into the sea drops from the skies His death whil'st Daedalus laments this sees The Patridge new transformed Now by degrees Theseus wins fame scarce spoken of before Being call'd to hunt the Calidoman Boare Which Mealeager slew and died by th' hand Of his own mother in the fatall brand His sisters with loud shreeks his death proclaime Being all chang'd into birds that bear his name He visits Acâ—elous in his way And all these Islands that but th' other day Were Nymphs and Nai'des which appeared true Since the like transformation Lelex knew In Baucis and Philemon whom he sees Growing before him in the shape of trees Their cottage made a Temple for their sakes The village where they dwelt all standing lakes Achelous adds to these the transformations Of Proteus and of Mestra with the fashions That he himselfe appeared in when he prov'd His strength
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
have indeed no Law which gives licence for a brother to marry with a sister but we have found a Law O Soveraigne which warrants the King of Persia to do whatsoever liketh him best Thus they without abrogation of the Persian Laws soothed the Kings humor and preserv'd their own honours and lives who had they crost him in the least of his designs had all undoubtedly perished This he made the ground for the marriage of the first and not long after he adventured upon the second The younger of these two who attended him into Egypt he slew whose death as that of her brother Smerdis is doubtfully reported The Graecians write that two whelps the one of a Lion the other of a Dog were brought before Cambyses to sight and try masteries at which sight the young Lady was present but the Lion having victory over the Dog another of the same â—itter broke his chain and taking his brothers part they two had superiority over the Lyon Cambyses at this sight taking great delight she then sitting next him upon the sudden fell a weeping this the King observing demanded the occasion of her teares she answered it was at that object to see one brother so willing to help the other and therefore she wept to remember her brothers death and knew no man then living that was ready to revenge it and for this cause say the Greeks she was doom'd to death by Cambyses The Egyptians report it another way That she sitting with her brother at table out of a sallet dish took a lettice and pluckt off leafe by leafe and shewing it to her husband asked him Whether a whole lettice or one so despoiled shewed the better who answered a whole one then said she behold how this lettice now unleaved looketh even so hast thou disfigured and made naked the house of King Cyrus With which words he was so incensed that he kicked and spurned her then being great with child with that violence that she miscarried in her child birth and died ere she was delivered and these were the murderous effects of his detestable incest Of Livia Horestilla Lollia Paulina Cesonia c. IT is reported of the Emperour Caligula that he had not onely illegall and incestuous converse with his three naturall sisters but that he after caused them before his face to be prostitued by his ministers and servants thereby to bring them within the compasse of the Aemilian Law and convict them of adultery He vitiated Livia Horestilla the wife of C. Pisonius and Lollia Paulina whom he caused to be divorced from her husband C. Memnius both whose beds within lesse then two years he repudiated withall interdicting the company and society of man for ever Caesonia he loved more affectionately insomuch that to his familiar friends as boasting of her beauty he would often shew her naked To add unto his insufferable luxuries he defloured one of the vestall virgins Neither was the Emperor Commodus much behind him in devilish and brutish effeminacies for he likewise strumpeted his own sisters and would wittingly and willingly see his mistresses and concubines abused before his face by such of his favourites as he most graced he kept not at any time lesse then to the number of three hundred for so Lampridius hath left recorded Gordianus junior who was competitioâ— with his father in the Empire kept two and twenty concubines by each of which he had three or foure children at the least therefore by some called the Priamus of his age but by others in derision the Priapus The Emperor Proculus took in battell a hundred Sarmatian virgins and boasted of himselfe that he had got them all with child in lesse then fifteen daies this Vopiscus reports and Sabellicus But a great wonder is that which Johannes Picus Mirandula relates of Hercules as that he lâ—y with fifty daughters of Lycomedes in one night and got them all with child with forty nine boies only failing in the last for that proved a girle Jocasta APollodorus Atheniensis in his third book De deorum origine records this history After the death of Amphion King of Thebes Laius succeeded who took to wife the daughter of Menocoeas called Jocasta or as others write Epicasta This Laius being warned by the Oracle that if of her he begat a son he should prove a Parricide and be the death of his father notwithstanding forgetting himselfe in the distemperature of wine he lay with her the same night she conceived and in processe brought forth a male issue whom the King caused to be cast out into the mountain Cytheron thinking by that means â—o prevent the predicted destiny Polybus the herdsman to the King of Corinth finding this infant bore it home to his wife Periboea who nursed and brought it up as her own and causing the swelling of the feet with which the child was then troubled to be cured they grounded his name from that disease and called him Oedipus This inâ—ant as he had increased in years so he did in all the perfections of nature as well in the accomplishments of the â—ind as the body insomuch that as well in capacity and volubility of speech as in all active and generous exercises he was excellent above all of his age his vertues being generally envied by such as could nor equall them they thought to disgrace him in something and gave him the contemptible name of counterfeit and bastard this made him curiously inquisitive of his supposed mother and she not able in that point to resolve him he made a journy to Delphos to consult with the Oracle about the true knowledge of his birth and parents which forewarned him from returning into his own Countrie because he was destined not only to be the deaths-man of his father but to add misery unto mischiefe he was likewise born to be incestuous with his mother Which to prevent and still supposing himselfe to be the son of Polybus and Peribaea he forbore to return to Corinth and hiring a Chariot took the way towards Phocis It hapned that in a strait and narrow passage meeting with his father Laius and Polyphontes his Charioter they contended for the way but neither willing to give place from words they fell to blowes in which contention Polyphontes kill'd one of the horses that drew the Chariot of Oedipus at which inraged he drew his sword and first slew Polyphontes and next Laius who seconded his servant and thence took his ready way towards Thebes Damasistratus King of the Plataeenses finding the body of Laius caused it to be honourably interred In this interim Creon the son of Menecoeus in this vacancy whilst there was yet no King invades Thebes and after much slaughter possesseth himselfe of the Kingdome Juno to vex him the more sent thither the monster Sphinx born of Eâ—hidna and Tiphon she had the face of a woman the wings of a fowle and the breast feet and taile of a Lion she
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
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
by transpiercing her with his sword which when he likewise denied he presently left her and gave signall of battell in which conflict he was vanquished and slain his Tent rifled his wife surprized and committed into the hands of one of the chief Captains belonging to the King who pitying her tears and sorrow to which her feature and beauty gave no common lustre made instant suit unto her to make her his wife She whilst she could put him off with all possible delaies but after perceiving that what he could not compasse with her good will he purposed to attain unto by compulsion and force she craved only some few hours of deliberation privately to her selfe which granted and being retired she first writ in a short Scedule these words Let none report that the wife of Pandocrus harboured so little love as to out-live him Which Note leaving upon the table she took a sword then hanging in the chamber with which she immediately dispatcht her selfe of life and so expired following him in death with whose life she could be no longer delighted Ibidem Equall in all Matrimoniall piety with this Lady was Cecilia Barbadica Veneta who after the death of her husband Philippus Vedraminus by no counsell comfort or perswasion could be won either by her kindred or friends to taste the least food whatsoever or give answer to any word that was spoken to her in which silence and consumption she after some few daies of unspeakable sorrow breathed her last Egnat lib. 4. cap. â— Petrus Candianus after the decease of his first wife espoused a second called Walberta the daughter of Vgon one of the Princes of Italy who lived with him in all obedience with a religious observation of true love and piety never forsaking him in any disaster but attending him with her young son in law Vitalis The Duke her husband being after slain by the Venetians in a seditious mutiny Vitalis escaped the fury of the 〈◊〉 and fled but she staied to abide the utmost danger with the body of her dead husband meditating all possible means to revenge the death of her husband upon the conspirators but her womanish inability not prevailing she likewise secretly left the City and followed her son Vitalis in whose society she fled to Adeleta the wife of Otho the German Emperor who at the same time resided in the City Placentia but after long vain intercession seeing her hopes and purposes quite frustrate she retired again into her own City where she lived a sad and solitary life still invoking the name of Petrus Candianus with whose name in her mouth she not long after deceased Egnat the remembranceâ— of the former History speaks likewise of Franâ—scus Fosâ—arus another Duke of Venicewho married a second wife out of the Noble Family of the Nanae with whom he conjoinedly lived long and had by her hopefull issue But the Senat in his age depriving him of the Principality with the gâ—iefe thereof he retired himselfe into the most ancient house of his own family and there after three daies died Whose body when the Fathers would have had brought forth to a solemn and Princely Funerall because he had once been their Duke and Soveraign she shut her gates against them blaming their former ingratitude alledging she had both wealth and will sufficient without them to bestow upon him the latest â—â—tes due to a worthy and to all husband And though the Fathers were instant upon her first with entreats and after menaces yet she constantly 〈◊〉 in her resolution not suffering them once to approach the place much lesse to take thence the body 〈…〉 carefully bestowed it still exclaiming on the Senates 〈◊〉 and the Commonweals 〈◊〉 gratitude who to 〈…〉 wrongs 〈…〉 new injury not 〈…〉 whom they had so perjuriously 〈…〉 forsaken Notwithstanding these exclamations they 〈◊〉 her up in her chamber and peâ—fore took thence the body all the Fathers attending upon the Hearse upon which they bestowed a solemn and a pompous funerall The greater their counterfeit sorrow was outwardly the greater was her essentiall griefe still more and more weeping every succeeding day adding to her tears to think that her Princely Husband should in his death be for any courtesies at all beholding to his enemies desiring that he whom for his principality they had degraded and compelled to a private life might only by her and from her have had a private Funerall with whose choice affection and rare conjugall piety I have broke off to enter upon a new Project De Laenis Or of Bawds FRom the honor of Women I now come to the disgrace and shame of their Sex in which I will be as briefe as I know the very name to be to all chast minds odious Sotâ—des Marionites Cinedus that is one abused against nature or addicted to preposterous Venery was a Poet and writ most bawdy and beastly Iambicks in the Ionian tongue which he intituled Cinaedi in which were described the forms and figures of severall new devised Lusts and before that time unheard of prostitutions Of whom Martial thus â—aies Nec retro lego Sotadem Cinaedum Neither do I read Sotades Cinaedus backward For as Voleterran lib. 17. Antropoph relates his verses were all to be read backward lest their included nastiness might appear too plain and palpable Tranquil reports of Tiberius Caesar That he built Cellars and Vaults in which all kind of lusts and monstrous congressions were practised in his presence which would offend modest ears but to hear related The Emperor Domitian succeeded if not exceeded him in those detestable and devilish abominations He as Suetonius affirms devised that which was called Clinopales i. The wrestling in the bed he was often seen to bath himselfe and swim in the company of the basest and most common strumpets he stuprated his brothers daughter yet a Virgin after she was contracted to another man Cratinus Atheniensis the Comick Poet was so dissolutely addicted both to Wine and Venery that he hung his chamber round with Glasses the better to discover himselfe in his own unnaturall and beastly prostitution The like some of our scandalous Grammaâ—â—â— most falsly would asperse upon Horace Suet. confers the like upon Tiberius as likewise Gyrald Dial. 6. Historiae Poctarum Elephantis Philaenis and Astianassa writ books of the severall waies of Congression with the pictures of them inserted but of them I shall speak further in the title of the Poetesses but before I come to these she-monsters in particular I will remember some few men infamous in the like kind Erasmus in Chiliadâ—b speaks of one Clobulus a most wicked He-bawd who kept in his house two most infamous strumpets whose bodies he prostituted for money to all strangers and what the whores could not extort from them he himselfe would râ—b them of from whence came the Proverd Clebuli ignum which was still in use when two knaves of like dishonesty were seen to have friendship and society together Timaeus
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
' gainst Hercules both dearly lov'd Faire Deianeâ—â—a who having understood Her husbands scapes dipt in the Centaures blood A fatall shirt Alcides doth expire Being after made a a star Lychas her squire Is fixt a sea-rock whilst Alcmena hies To Iole and as they two devise She tels her of Galantis before made A monstrous Weasil th' other showes the glade In which at that time she might growing see Her elder sister now grown to a tree To them comes Iolaus in the way Made young by Hebe Jove himselfe can say And instance Aeacus this to be true From him Mileâ—us sled and thence withdrew Himselfe to Asia from whom descended Caâ—nus and Biblis whose hot love extended To her own brother as the stories tell And weeping was dissolv'd into a well This had appear'd more strange were it not known Young Iphis on her marriage day was grown To be a compleat man these nuptials saw Hymen and thence he doth himselfe withdraw To Orpheus spousals but his bright robes di'd In funerall black Euridice the bride Expires upon her marriage day being stung In th' anckle by a snake when Orpheus sung His various transformations to the Lyre The trees to hear him from all parts desire Amongst whom came the Cypresse and Vine The one clasps Cyparissus in her twine The other Aris every Thrasian fro That in his death had hand besides them grow And are made trees Bacchus departs from Thrace And because Midas gave Silenus place With entertainments due to quittance this He guerdons Midas with his golden wish Who fâ—er wearried with his ravishing dreams Was made to wash him in Pactolus streams They since that time their golden tincture keep Stil glistring when the Sun shines on the deep Pan's musick and Apollo's Midas hears And by false sentence gains him Asses eares Phoebus this done an humane shape put on And build's Troy's wals to be excess'd by none This City great Alcides having rac't With Priam's sister be the valor grac't Of Ajax â—elamon who in these brauls Was fixt set foot upon the Dardan wals Peleus weds Thetis though against her will For though she by her godhead had the skill To shift in sundry shapes yet was comprest And Peleus lodg'd upon her ivorie brest To Ceix he past thence one of his blood Where he part saw and partly understood Dedalion take on him a goshawkes shape And Wolfe made stone that flying thought to scape Soon after this Alcinoe in her bed Dreaming she saw her Lord shipwreckt and dead And from the shrre his livelesse body floting Both were made birds which some spectatours noting Straight call to mind how Aesacus before Was chang'd into a Sea-gull him deplore Priam and all his sons as lost and dead Excepting Paris who to Greece was sped And brought thence Hellen him the Greeks pursue At Aulis Gulfe they anchor where in view Of the whole fleet 〈◊〉 Dragon they espie Obdur'd to stone To Troy-ward thence they hie Where Cygnus on whose skin no steel could bite Was by the great Achâ—lles bruis'd in fight And at the instant made a silver Swan So Coenis once a woman now a man Was after likewise to a bird converted This tale ' mongst others Nestoâ— had inserted Periclimenes change to her repeats Neptune mean time the other gods intreats About Achilles death being much offended At his late losse he dead Ajax contended With slie Ulyâ—â—es for his arms and shield Ajax disgrac't expires and in the field Where his blood dropt a purple Hycinth grew In memory that Ajax Ajax slew Troy fact by th' Aâ—gives Hâ—cuba the Queen Turns to ash dog keeping still her spleen Her sad disaster all the gods lament Aurora sheds most 〈◊〉 still discontent For Memnons death Aeneas leaving Troy To Anius comes a Prince depriv'd all joy Because his daughters were made house-doves sad That be of them no greater comfort had Thence past he divers shores and sundry nations With wonders â—â—ll'd and various transformations Till piercing Italy yet free from scar With the bold Turnus he begins new war He sends to importune Diomedes aid By Venulus whose fellowes were all made Light feathered birds th' imbassador deni'd And back returning by a rivers side Spies a wild Olive which before had bin A lovely shepherd but now chang'd for sinne Aeneas ships are in the haven burn'd But pitied by the gods to sea nymphs turn'd Ardea to a bird more strange then these Himselfe into a god call'd Indiges Him other Kings succeed and ' mongst the rest Liv'd under Proca that faire Nymph who best Can skill of Gardens unto whom resorted The fresh Vertumnus and Pomona courted He in an old wives shape to her relates The tale of Anaxarites how the fates For her obdurenesse turn'd her into stone Pomona listning and they both alone He to his youthfull shape again retires And in the garden quencht his amorous fires In processe under Numitor the King Where earst cold waters slid now warm baths spring Him Romulus succeeding is created The god Quirinus and his wife instated The godâ—esse Ora ' Him Numa next ensues Who of the birth of Croton asking newes He chanc'd on pebbles who in all mens sight Once being black were chang'd to perfect white He likewise heard Pythagoras declame All the transhapes beneath the heavenly steam Aegeria next King Numa's death deploring Not comforted at all with thy restoring Hippolitus nor yet to hear thee tell Thy change she wept her selfe into a well Nor is this to he wondered since we see Tâ—y Lance oh Romulus a flourishing tree And Cyppus to weare horns having gone so far We end with Julius Caesar made a star Explicit lib. primus Inscriptus CLIO THE SECOND BOOK inscribed EUTERPE Of the Muses the Sybils the Vestals the Prophetesses the Hesperides the Graces c. THE bodies of all reasonable creatures as Ficinus saith are naturally pregnant as having in them the seeds of issue so likewise is the mind both still procreating and bringing forth as we see at such a time the heire appeares after the teeth break forth of the gums at such an age the beard growes upon the chin and in time alters and changes colourâ— and still the naturall faculties are in action If then the body be so fertile how much more is the nobler part of man the Soule and the Mind plentifully furnisht with these seeds that long for production as the instinct of manners of arts of disciplines and such like which are generated in the breast and in their fit and due time have their seasonable birth For no sooner are we past the cradle but we begin to affect few things good honest or profitable but none at that age acquires after things unknown It is therefore a consequent that there is born with us and bred in us certain notions of those outward things the forms of which we apprehend and their practice study to imitate This every man if he will but observe may
full power and vertue therefore Dante the famous Italian Poet thus writes Come la neve al sole se distilla Cosi al vento nelle soglie leve Si perdea la sententia de Sybille I cannot here pretermit Ovids expression of this Sybill who when Aeneas having received from her that great curtesie to enter Hell and to come safe thence and for that would have sacrificed to her and done her divine adoration she thus answered him Nec dea sum dixit nec sacri thuris honore c. I am no goddesse goddesse sonne 't is true Nor are these divine honours to me due I had been such and darknesse not have seen Had I a prostitute to Phoebus been For whilst he courts my love and day by day Hopes with large gifts mine honour to betray Ask what thou wilt oh bright Cumaean maid It shall be granted thee Apollo said Iâ— willing that my daies should ever last Prostrate upon the earth my selfe I cast And graspt as much dust as my hand could hold Let me then live said I till I have told So many years as there are bodies small Lockt in this hand The god could not recall Nor I unsay I had forgot in truth To insert in my rash boon All years of youth Even that too to have yielded to his will I might have had but I a virgin still Have to this houre remain'd my happier daies Are all forespent Decrepit age now laies His weak hand on me which I must endure Long time to come seven ages I am sure Are past nor shall my thread of life be spun Vntill the number of these sands be run The houre shall be when this my body here Shall small or nothing to the sight appear This time and age have power to doe and when I shall not lovely seem as I did then Nay doubtlesse Phoebus will himselfe deny That e'r he cast on me an amorous eie Save by my voice I shall no more be known But that the fates have left me as mine own Ovid hath fabulated that she was changed into a Voice the word Sybilla importing Vox She prophesied much of the Roman wars and the successe of their Empire Sybilla Hellespontica SHe hath the denomination of Marrinensis and as most Authors affirme derives her selfe Ex agro Trojano from Troy in Asia She sung of the wars betwixt the Trojans and the Greeks I will be briefe with her because I fear I have been too tedious in the former her Prophesie of Christ I have included in these few lines When Atlas shoulders shall support a star Whose ponderous weight he never felt before The splendour of it shall direct from far Kings and Wise men a new light to adore Peace in those daies shall flourish and stern war Be banisht earth lost mankind to restore Then shall the Eastern Monarchs presents bring To one a Priest a Prophet and a King And so much for Sybilla Hellespontica Sybilla Phrygia SHe was called Vates Ancirrae and as most will have it this was Cassandra the daughter of King Priamus and Hecuba their female issue are thus numbred Creusa Cassandra Ilione Laodice Lycaste Medesicastis Polixena Climene Aristomache Xenodice Deimone Metioche Pisis Cleodice and Medusa Amongst which she only attained to the spirit of Prophesie and predicted of the destruction of Troy but her Augurie was never credited Apollodorus as also Higinus gives this reason Apollo inflamed with her beauty promised if she would prostitute her selfe to his pleasure he would inspire her with the spirit of Divination which he accordingly performed but she failing in her promise to him he in revenge of that injury caused that her Prophesies howsoever true should never have credit which makes her in her divination thus complain The world to Troy I sitly may compare Erected first by Neptune and the Sunne These two the aptest Hieroglyphicks are For water and for fire The buildings done Laomedon their right the gods denies For which by water Troy was first destroi'd So was the world for mans false perjuries In the great Deluge where but eight enjoi'd The benefit of life Troy happy were If it by water could forewarned be So were the world but oh too much I feare In their like fatall ruin they agree Troy must be burnt to ashes woe the while My mother in her womb conceiv'd a brand To give it flame he that shall many a mile Travell by water to bring fire to land Lust is the fuell Lust and other sinnes Are the combustible stuffe will bring to naught The worlds great fabrick since from them begins All desolation first to mankind brought The world like Troy must burn they both before Suffered by water so they must by fire We Prophesie these things what can we more But after our predictions none inquire Vnlesse in scorn This doth Cassandra grieve To speak all truth when none will truth beleeve The better to illustrate this Oracle know that Laomedon about to build the wals of Troy borrowed much coine of the Priests of Neptune and Phoebus to accomplish the work upon promise of due paiment when the wals were finished But breaking his faith and denying â—estitution of those sums lent the gods inraged at his perjury Neptune brought up his wave so high that he in a deluge utterly destroi'd the City whilst Apollo by the scorching of his beams made the upper Countries barren For the burning of Troy it hapned after the ten years siege elaborately described by Virgil in his Aenâ—idos when Aeneas discourses the whole desolation of the City to Dido in which he speaks of the Prince Chorebus to be much inamoured of Cassandra who rescued her when she was dragg'd by the haire from Apollo's Altar and was slain in the attempt The death of Cassardia is thus reported by Higinus in Fabulus when the spoiles and prisoners of Troy were divided amongst the Princes of of Greece Cassandra fell by lot to the Arch-Duke and Generall Agamemnon with whom he safely arrived in Mycene of which place he was King and governour But Clitemnestra the daughter of Tindarus sister to Hellen and wife to Agamemnon being before their landing possest by Oâ—aces or as some call him Cethus the brother of Palamedes that Cassandra was the prostitute of Agamemnon and had supplanted her from his love which lie he had forged to be revenged of the Generall for his brothers death before Troy Clitemnestra therefore surprized with jealousie complotted with Aegistus the son of Thiestas to murder them both the first might they lodged in the Pallace which was accordingly performed but Electra the daughter of Agamemnon stole thence her brother Orâ—stes then but an infant who else had perished with his father and conveied him to be safe kept to one Sthophius of Phocis who had before been married to Astichaa the sister of Agamemnon he brought him up to manhood till Orestes found fit opportunity to revenge himself on the two Regicides his mother and Aegistus Sybilla Europaea SHe
a good and commendable life or otherwise illustrious for any noble or eminent action And therefore lest the matrons or virgins in Rome the one should divert from her staied gravity or the other from her virgins professed integrity the use of Wine was not known amongst them for that woman was taxed with modesty whose breath was known to smell of the grape Pliny in his naturall history saith That Cato was of opinion that the use of kissing first began betwixt kinsman and kinswoman howsoever neer allied or far off only by that to know whether their wives daughters or Neeces had tasted any wine to this Juvenal seems to allude in these verses Paucae adeo cereris vitas contingere dignae Quarum non timeat pater oscula As if the father were jealous of his daughters continence if by kissing her he perceived she had drunk wine But kissing and drinking both are now grown it seems to a greater custome amongst us then in those daies with the Romans nor am I so austere to forbid the use of either both which though the one in surfets the other in adulteries may be abused by the vicious yet contrarily at customary meetings and laudable banquets they by the nobly disposed and such whose hearts are fixt upon honour may be used with much modesty and continence But the purpose of my tractate is to exemplify not to instruct to shew you presidents of vertue from others not to fashion any new imaginary form from my selfe and that setting so many statues of honour before your eies of Beauty Noblenesse Magnanimity Bounty Curtesie Modesty Temperance and whatsoever else in goodnesse can be included each heroick and well disposed Lady or woman lower degreed and underqualified may out of all or some of these at least apprehend some one thing or other worthy imitation that as the best of Painters to draw one exquisite Venus had set before him a hundred choise and selected beauties all naked to take from one an eie another a lip a third a smile a fourth a hand and from each of them that speciall lineament in which she most excelled so having in these papers as many vertues exposed to your view as the Painter had beauties and all leâ—t as naked to your eies you may make like use of it draw from one a noble disposition bounty and curtesie the ornaments of great Ladies from others temperance sobriety and government things best beseeming matrons the married wives conjugall love and sincerity the virgins chast life and purity and every of you fashion her selfe as compleat a woman for vertue as Apelles made up the pourtraiture of his goddesse for beauty I need not speak much of the worth of your sex since no man I think that remembers he had a mother but honours it the renown of which some by their vertues have as much nobilitated as others by their vitious actions have studied to disgrace of both which though my promise bind me to speak in their course yet you Ladies in this treatise as you most worthily deserve have the precedence and priority of place What man was ever known to be eminent whom woman in some manner hath not equalled Come to Fortitude as there was an Hercules and a Theseus so there was a Menalippe and an Hippolite to encounter them who as they conquered not so they were not vanquished Come to limning or drawing of Pictures as there was a Zeusis a Timanthes an Androcides and a Parrhasius so the world yielded a Timarete the daughter of Micaon an Irene the daughter and scholler of Cratinus an Anistarite the issue and pupil of Nearchus a Lala Cizizena and a Martia M. Varronis to boot to them in that art no whit inferior In Poetry compare the Lyricks of Sapho with Anacreons and Corinnaes with Pindarus and it shall be easily made manifest that Sapho in all points parallel'd the first and Corinnae in five severall contentions for the palm preceded the last But the similitude or discrepance of men and womens vertues conferr'd together can be made no better apparant as Plutarch saith then by comparing Life with Life and Action with Action by which we shall see they have almost one and the same effigies For oppose the magnificence of Sesostriâ— against that of Semiramis the craft and subtilty of Servius Tullius against Tanaquils the magnanimity of Brutus against Porceas compare Pelopidas with Timoclea and which shall yield to the other preheminence especially if we exactly consider the end at which the vertue it self doth aime for divers vertues have divers colours laid upon them according to the temperature of body or the disposition of the mind Achilles was valiant one way and Ajax another yet both their endeavours intended to one Fortitude the Prudence of Nestor unlike that of Vlysses yet both wise men Cato and Agesilaus were both upright men yet executed justice two sundry waies Irene loved one way Alceste another yet both enderedly affected their husbands so likewise Cornelia and Olympias were differently magnanimous yet either of them attained to that height of honour to which their heroick minds aspired But to come to our former comparison from which I have somewhat digrest in what greater vertue can either sex expresse themselves than in true conjugall love Cicero de Divinatione and Pliny in lib. 1. cap. 16. report of Tiberius Gracchus That finding two snakes in his house male and female he consulted with a south-sayer concerning the prodigy who told him as a consequence infallible That if he slew the male swift Death should surprise himselfe but if he killed the female himself should escape death and his wife in like manner perish but to one of them that fate must necessarily happen He therefore preferring the safety of his wife before his owne health caused the male to be instantly cut in pieces and the female let goe beholding with his own eies his own instant destruction in the death of the serpent Therefore it was disputed whether Cornelia were more happy in enjoying such a husband or made more wretched in losing him An admirable and rare president in man and a husband which I can easily instance in woman and a wife for as there is nothing more divelish and deadly than a malitious and ill disposed woman so there is on the contrary nothing more wholsome and comfortable to man than one provident gentle and well addicted for as she that is good and honest will upon just necessity lay down her life for her husbands health and safety so the other will as wilingly prostitute hers for his destruction and ruin Therefore a wife by how much neerer she is to us in the strict bond both of divine and humane lawes by so much either the sweetnesse of her behaviour tasts the pleasanter or the harshnesse of her crabbed condition relishes more bitter for she is ever either a perpetuall refuge or a continuall torment she of whâ—m I intend to speak is none such as
the last her history I thus receive in briefe Admetus a King of Greece demanded Alceste in marriage whose father had published an Edict That none should enjoy her save such a one as could reconcile two wild beasts of contrary cruelties and natures opposite to draw without jarring together in his Chariot This Admetus hearing he petitioned to Apollo and Hercules who commiserating his suit the one brought him a Lion the other a Beare both made tame and gentle to his hand who presenting them to the father of Alceste and having yoaked them and made them draw according to the Edict received her as his bride and departed with her thence into his own Country of Thessaly Not long after Admetus falling into a great infirmity of sicknesse and consulting with the Oracle about his health answer was returned That he must necessarily leave the world unlesse he could procure some Friend Kinsman Courtier or other who by sacrificing their own lives to his love might ransome his and by no other means his health to be restored This motion being made to many both neer and deer to him who no doubt had promised more with purpose to perform lesse in conclusion it was refused by all which comming to the eare of Alceste she gave her selfe up to a most willing death to redeem the health and life of her husband and with her own hands slew her self Now tell me O you Satyrists against the sex of women that call them fraile inconstant weak and timorous in which of these two did manly courage noble resolution or conjugall love most shine in him that by suffering death to steal upon him yielded himselfe to the necessity of fate or in her who like a bold Virago with an unmarchable resolution with her own hand extracted that blood from her chast brest with which she writ her selfe a character of honour to outlast all antiquity In these things then you see they may justly claim an equall competence with men but in many things a just priority as in nursing and bringing up children in mannaging the affairs of the house and care of all domestick businesse in providing us Diet Linnen for the back and bed in sewing weaving and in spinning for who cannot imagine how ill great Hercules did become the distaffe But I will cease further to speak in their praise lest I be taxed of palpable flattery and some may lay on me an aspersion That either I lov'd that sex wondrous well in my youth or perhaps now begin to doat on them in my age And since I last spake of that conjoined love that ought to be betwixt man and wife I will produce an Epigram taken from Ausonius to that purpose the inscription is as followeth Ad Vxorem Live as we have liv'd still to each other new And use those names we did when we first knew Let the same smiles within our cheeks be read The same sports thought on we first us'd in bed Let the day never come to see the change That either Time or Age shall make us strange But as we first met let us ever be I thy young man and thou a girle to me To others though I seem like Nestor old And thou more years hast then Cumana told Times snow we will not see though it appears 'T is good to know our age not count our years Such I must confesse Husbands ought to be to their Wives and Wives to their Husbands but they are seldome found in these daies as may appear by a short tale that I wil tell you Three Gentlemen being late at supper in a Tavern every man in curtesie made offer to pay the reckoning at length a motion was made amongst them that because it equally concerned them all to put it to fortune and cast the dice so that committing it to chance the other should be no waies beholding to him for his charges To this two of them assented but the third presuming much upon the love of his wife was willing to put it to another venture both to save his purse and expresse to his friends the gentle disposition of a woman to her husband whose welcome home was still as constant at midnight as at mid-day he therefore made a second motion that to decide the controversie every man should instantly make hast home by turns as they lay nearest in their way and he that did not that thing instantly which his wife bad the whole charge of the reckoning should be imposed upon him and not to part company till they see this done upon which they concluded They went to the next house the Gentleman first knockt at his own door and he was let in the rest followed but the husbaâ—d only shewing himselfe found his wife in the Kitchin how now wife saith he what hast thou reserved for my supper She churlishly replied here is nothing but the porridge the dog hath lapt in you had best sup up them this was sport to the other two and he not willing both to be charg'd and laught at and so doubly punisht did as she bad and so away they went all three to the house of the second His wife was in bed how now sweet heart where are you saith he here sweet husband she answered againe and I pray you come to bed quickly who hastily put off his cloths went to bed and as speedily rose againe to see what would become of the third To his lodging they went and this was he that presuming on his wives gentlenesse drew the rest to the motion being entred he asked the maid for her mistresse who told him she was newly gone to her chamber up the stairs runs he the Gentlewoman asked who is there 't is I sweet wife saith he and for hast stumbled at the uppermost step you had best break your neck down the stairs saith she At which words he pausing a little Nay on my word not so quoth he rather then do that I will even back againe with my friends to the Tavern and pay the reckoning But leaving this which by some mâ—y be â—â—â—sured to be little better then existing I 〈◊〉 break â—ff my introduction and proceed to matter more serious beginning with a briefe summary or catalogue of the names of some famous Queens Mothers and Daughters many of which we shall have occasion to handle more at large in the processe of our Treatâ—se Of Queens Illustrious SEmiramis was Queen of the Assyrians Camilla of the Volscians Nicaula whom some call Saba of the Aethiopians Athalia of the Hebrewes Thomiris of the Scythians Hesther of the Persians Cleopatra of the Aegyptians Zenobia of the Palmyriens Amalasuntha of the Goths of these we shall speak more at large as they fall in course Theolinda of the Longobards or Lombards succeeds This nation dwelt first in Pannonia and were governed by the King Albinus now the reason why they were first so called was this In the time that Justinus sirnamed the Lesse wore the
of the body This was proved in the Daughter of Democion the Athenian who being a virgin and hearing that Leosthenes to whom she was contracted was slain in the Lemnian wars and not willing to survive him killed her selfe but before her death thus reasoning with her self Though I have a body untoucht yet if I should fall into the embraces of another I should but have deceived the second because I am still married to the first in my heart Not of their minds was Popilia the daughter of Marcus who to one that wondred what should be the reason why all feminine beasts never admitted the act of generation but in their time and when they covet issue and woman at all times desires the company of man thus answered the reason is only this Because they are beasts The wife of Fulvius THis Fulvius the familiar and indeered friend of Augustus Caesar heard him privately complain of the great solitude that was then in his house since two of his grand-children by his daughter were taken away by death and the only third that remained was for some calumnies publisht against the Emperour now in exile so that he should be forced to abandon his own blood and constitute a son in law and a stranger to succeed in the Imperiall purple and therefore he had many motins in himselfe and sometimes a purpose to recall the young mans banishment and to restore him to his favour and former grace in the Court This Fulvius hearing went home and upon promise of secresie told it to his wife she could not contain her selfe but makes what speed she can and tels this good newes to the Empresse Livia Livia she speeds to Augustus and briefly expostulates with him about the banishment of her grand-child and what reason he had not to restore him to his former honors and why he would prefer a stranger before his own blood with many such like upbraidings The next morning Fulvius comming as his custome was into the Presence and saluting the Emperor Augustus cast an austere look upon him and shaking his head said only thus You have a close breast Fulvius by this he perceiving his wife had publisht abroad what he had told her in secret posts home with what speed he can and calling his wife before him O woman saith he Augustus knowes that I have revealed his secret therefore I have a resolution to live no longer to whom she replied Neither is that death you threaten to your selfe without merit who having lived with me so long and known my weaknesse and loquacity had not the discretion to prevent this danger to which you have drawn your selfe by tempting my frailty but since you will needs die it shall be my honour to precede you in death which she had no sooner spoke but snatcht out his sword and with it slew her selfe A noble resolution in an heathen Lady to punish her husbands disgrace and her own oversight with voluntary death and a notable example to all women that shall succeed her to be more chary in keeping their husbands secrets all which I would wish to follow the counsell of the comick Poet Philippides who when King Lysimachus called him unto him and using him with all curtesie spake thus What of the things that are within or without me shall I impart unto thee O Philippides he thus answered Even what thou pleasest O King so thou still reservest to thy selfe thy counsels This puts me in mind of King Seleucus Callinicus who having lost a battell against the Galatians and his whole army being quite subverted and dispersed casting away his Crown and all regall ornaments was forced to flie only attended with two or three servants and wandering along through many deserts and by-paths as fearing to be discovered and growing faint with hunger he came to a certain ruinate cottage where he desired bread and water the master of the house not only afforded him that but whatsoever else the place could yield or the suddennesse of the time provide with a large welcome In the interim of dinner fixing his eys upon Seleucus face he knew him to be the King and not able to contain his own joies nor conceal the Kings dissimulation after dinner the King being ready to take horse and bidding his host farewell he replied again And farewell O King Seleucus who finding himselfe discovered reached him his his hand as to imbrace him beckoning to one of his followers who at the instant at one blow stroke off his head so that as Homer Sic caput estque adhuc cum pulvere mistum These were the fruits of unseasonable babling for this fellow had he kept his tongue till the King had been restored to his former dignities might have received large rewards for his hospitality who suffered an unexpected death for his loquacity Arctaphila ARetaphila Cyrenaea is deservedly numbred amongst the heroick Ladies she lived in the time of Mithridates and was the daughter of Aeglatur and the wife of Phedimus a woman of excellent Vertue exquisit Beauty singular Wisedom and in the managing of the Common-weals business and civill affairs ingeniously expert this Lady the common calamities of her Country made eminent for Nicocaentes the Tyrant having usurped the principality over the Cyrenaeans amongst many other of his humane butcheries slew Menalippus the Priest of Apollo and assumed to himselfe the sacred office and dignity In the number of these noble Citizens he caused Phedimus the wife of Aretaphila to be injuriously put to death and married her against her will who as well distrest with her private discontents as suffering in the publique calamity meditated a remedy for both and by advise of some of her neerest allies attempted to poison the King but the project being discovered was prevented and upon that ground Calbia mother to Nicocrates a woman of an unplacable spirit and prone to any thing wherein there might be blood and slaughter first condemned her to insufferable torture and next to a violent death but the tyrant her son in regard of the extraordinary love he bore unto her being the more relenting and humane of the two was pleased to put her cause first to examination and after to censure In which triall she answered boldly and with great courage in the defence of her own innocence but being by manifest proofs convicted insomuch that her purpose could not be denied she then descended so low as to excuse her selfe alledging that indeed apprehending the greatnesse of his person and that she was in degree no better to him then an bandmaid and fearing lest some other more accomplisht beauty might step betwixt him and her to insinuate into his favour and grace she therfore had prepared an amatorious confection minding only to continue his love not to betray his life and if her womanish weaknesse had in any kind through ignorance transgrest the bounds of Ioialty she submitted her selfe to his â—oiall clemency whose approved judgement she made no
wife of Orgiantes Regulus and born in Galatia Plutarch cals her Oriagontes it is thus related of her The army and the forces of the Gallogrecians being part of them defeated and the rest taken captive by Ca. Manlius then Consull neer to the mount Olympus this Chiomara the wife of Regulus a woman of most known modesty and chastity being first taken and after committed to the custody of a Roman Centurion was forceably by him adulterated A commandment comming from the Consull that all the treasure of which the Lady was possest should be confiscate to the Centurion only her selfe with that ransome to be returned safe and untoucht to her husband she presently promised the Captaine to bring him to a place where all his desires should be satisfied He of a covetous disposition with all celerity hasted with her to the discovery of this Magazine where she before had placed a company of Gallogrecians her Country men and in their language commanded them to fall upon him and kill him which done she cut off his head and presented it to her husband and kneeling to him both expressed the nature of her injury and the manner of her revenge The censures of the Consull Manlius and her husband Regulus both assented in this That she was of courage unmatchable for though her body was brought under the subjection of an enemy neither her mind could bee conquered nor her chastity made captive An ancient woman amongst the Syracusans when all the the subjects of Dionysius with many execrations cursed and openly inveighed against his insufferable cruelties she only was observed morning and evening to sollicite the gods for his long life and happinesse which comming to the eare of the King he caused her to be called before him and demanded of her the cause Why amongst all his oppressed subjects who daily wisht his ruine she alone invoak'd the gods for his health and preservation to whom with an undanted resolution she thus answered That which I do O King is not without due premeditation and grounded both upon reason and judgement for we were before opprest with a Tyrant whose government was very grievous unto us after him succeeded another farre more burdensome and cruell then the former for whose destruction I amongst the rest besought the powers above now you being by succession the third and more bloody and inhumane then the former I therefore with great devotion pray for your continuance lest when you be taken from us the devill himselfe take upon him the Scepter and succeed you in your principality The Tyrant though toucht to the quick yet in regard of her age and fearelesse liberty of her language suffered her to depart unpunisht Thâ—s Tertia Aemilia a famous Roman Lady was the wife of the first Affricanus the mother of Cornelia mother to Caiâ—â— and 〈◊〉 Gracchus She was of such gentlenesse and patience 〈◊〉 knowing her husband to be familiar with one of her handmaids yet she dissembled it lest he that had conquered the third part of the world should have the imputation of any such lightnesse laid upon him being so far from revenge that her husband being dead she gave her bondwoman manumission and married her richly to a freed man of her own Turia was the wife of Quint. Lucretius who when her husband was proscribed by the Triumvirate and therefore instantly to depart into exile only trusting the secrefie of her chambermaid she hid her husband in her house betwixt two chambers where no search could discover him where to her great perill she kept him long without any prejudice or danger expressing therein her singular faith and loialty that when the rest that were confined into Countries remote were exposed to the labour of the body and discontent of the mind he alone under his own roof and in his own chamber lived safe in the bosom of his wife so remarkably loving and constant Sulpitia being strictly kept by her mother Julia lest he should follow her husband Lentulus Crustellio into banishment who by the Triumvirate was confined into Sicily notwithstanding putting on the habit of a servant past through their guards and watches and attended only with two hand-maids and as many men-servants by secret flight came to the place whither he was proscribed leaving all the pleasures and delicates of Rome to participate with the miseries of a husband Pliny writes of another Sulpitia a famous Roman Lady daughter to Paterculus and wife to Quint. Fulvius Flaccus she when the Senate and Decem-virat by inspection into the books of Sybill had decreed that an image should be dedicated to Venus Verticordia by which the minds both of virgins and matrons might be the more alienated from libidinous affections and reduced to the strict rules of modesty and shamefastnesse when to the dedication of this work out of the whole City a hundred of the most chast matrons were to be selected and then out of these hundred ten supposed to be pure above the rest and out of these one to be preferred this Sulpitia carried the suffrage from all for vertue modesty and incomparable chastity This Julia was the daughter of Caius Caesar and wife of Pompetus Magnus after the battell of Pharsalia seeing the garment of her husband brought home sprinkled with his blood and not yet knowing of his death the object so affrighted her that instantly at the sight thereof she sunk down to the earth and in the extremity of that passion was with much paine and anguish delivered of that burden in her womb which no sooner parted from her but in that agony she expired Portia the wife of Brutus and daughter of Cato whose noble resolution and conjugall love to her husband all future ages may admire for heaâ—ing that in the battell at Philippi he was vanquisht and slain when all weapons and instruments of death were strictly kept from her she feared not with her womanish spiriâ— to â—nitate if not exceed the resolution of her father in his death for by swallowing hâ—â— burning coles she expired Herein only they differ that he by a common she by an unheard of death were extinct Horestilla was the wife of Marcus Plautius who by the commandement of the Senate having the charge of threescore ships to pass into Asia his wife so entirely was devoted to his love that she shipt her self with him exposing her self to the dangers of the â—â—a but not able through her weaknesse to endure the casualties appending on so harsh a journie as the distemperature of weather and such like in the City Tarentum fell sick and died Plautius willing to shew himself a husband worthy such a wife when her body was brought to the funerall 〈◊〉 betwixt the ceremonies of annointing her body and taking his leave with a parting kisse fell suddenly upon his naked sword and so slew himself which his friends seeing and lamenting they took him as he was apparelled without so much as
the Athenian who hapning by chance upon the place where she found her sons and daughters mixt together in the horrible action of incest she was suddenly strook with that horror and extasie that neither able to punish the fact nor reprove the heinousnesse of the sin she was struck mure and dumb Her children punisht their own offence with voluntary death and she was deprived the use of her speech all her life time after Cyane and Medullina DOsithaeus in his book Râ—rum sicularum commemorates this history Cyanippus Syracusanus sacrificing to the â—ods amongst all others he had neglected the celebrations of Bacchus at which the god incenst and to revenge himselfe of the injury punished him with drunkennesse when at a high feast he found him pleasantly disposed being otherwise in his own condition of a known abstinence the heat of his wine wrought with such violence upon him that meeting by accident his own daughter Cyane in a dark and remote place and ignorant who she was he forcibly defloured her in which wrestling together she wrang the ring off from his finger hoping by that in time to find out the adulterer This ring she gave her nurse in keeping not long after a pest raigning in the City the Oracle being consulted with returned this answer That unlesse the incestuous person were sacrificed to the gods that have the charge of punishing these horrible vices the plague should still continue amongst them The people being as much to seek as before in regard that the person aimed at was to them altogether unknown Cyane truly apprehending the intent of the Oracle took her father by the reverend locks and dragging him to the Temple slew him there before the altar which she intended for the common good but to expiate her own sin in killing her father she fell upon the same sword and in her death mingled her blood with his Aristides writes a history to the like effect In the celebrations of Bacchus feasts Arnutius who was likewise a man of known temperance from his birth was for the like contempt alike punished by the god of Healths This Roman touched with the like distemperature in the dark vitiated by force his daughter Medullina she also by his â—ing knowing the incestuous bethought a greater mischiefe for having a second time besotted him in the dregs of the grape and crowning him with Vine leaves like a Bacchinall slew him at the Altar Excuse me reâ—der I illustrate not these as they are parracides but as without respect of time person or place they thought no revenge great enough to be inflicted on the corrupters of thier virginities Erixo ARchelaus the Tyrant using many tyrannies upon the Cyraeneans over whom he usurped but more by the evill instigation of one Laarchus whom he had enterteined as his familiar friend and counsellor was at length supplanted by this Laarchus whom he most trusted and as some think poisoned Archelaus left behind him a son after his grandfathers name Battus Faelix called Battus who because he was weak of body and lame of his feet his mother Erixo in whose guardianship he was was by that means held in more respect and reverence being a woman of approved humanity and goodnesse Laarchus notwithstanding she had the love and hearts of all the Citizens yet he injoied the power and by the help of his mercenary souldiers usurped the dominion over all But apprehending in himselfe that his tyranny could not last long without better support he sent to this chast dowager to treat with her of marriage proposing to her as a main article to make her son Battus copartner with him in his regency About this motion she consulted with her brothers pretending a seeming consent They debated with Laarchus but somewhat protractedly about the matter in which interim she privately sent to the usurper one of her damosels with a message That notwithstanding her brothers as unwilling the match should go forward had made needlesse delaies yet her purpose was so fixt upon the motion especially since it concerned the generall good that she wholly submitted her selfe to his service insomuch that if it pleased him to vouchsafe to come privately in the night she would yeeld her honour intirely up into his hand upon which beginning a good successe would doubtlesse follow for then in vaine her brothers and kinred should oppose themselves against that to which the publike good occasion place opportunity and all things necessary invited them This message was plausible to Laarchus who apprehended at once the embraces of a beauteous Lady a principality and a continuance thereof Briefly the night was betwixt them appointed and he in regard of her honour to come privately and unattended all which she reveal'd to her eldest brother Poliarchus making him solely of her counsell who at the time of their appointed meeting hid himselfe in his sisters chamber Laarchus comes singly according to promise and is admitted by Erixo and in the midst of his hopes ready to cast himself into her imbraces is transpierc'd and slaine and his body cast over the wals Battus proclaimed Prince and 〈◊〉 liberty restored to the long opprest Cyâ—aenian This Poliarchus did in revenge of Archilâ—◠〈…〉 to his chast sister Erixo There were then about the City many souldiers belonging to Amasis King of Egypt by whose assistance Laarchus had been long terrible to the people these complained to the King accusing Poliarchus and Erixo of the murder of Laarchus But as he was about to invade the Cyraenians his mother happily died and so hindered that expedition Poliarchus and Erixo notwithstanding purposed a voluntary journie into Egypt to purge themselves of all accusations commenced against them in which journy Critola a woman of great reverence and very aged as having been the wife of Battus Faelix woule needs accompany them These appearing before Amasis so well pleaded their own cause that their injuries appeared to him much to surmount their revenge so that embracing Erixo he commended her fortitude and temperance and with Princely gifts sent them back into their own Countrie A Woman of the City Pergamus MIthridates King of Pontus having divers waies opprest the Galatians as by sending to the City by way of invitation to Pergamus for divers of the chiefe Citizens and then unjustly detaining them This wrought such an impression to supplant the Tyrant in the heart of Toredorix Tetrarch of Tosipporus that he made a combination wherein many Noble Gentlemen of quality were ingaged all which had vowed the Tyrants death Their plot being discovered they in the attempt surprised were all commanded to death in the midst of the execution Mithridates remembred a beautifull young man of extraordinary shape and feature that was one in the conspiracy but halfe despairing whether he were yet alive he sent in hast that if the hangman had not done his office upon him to reprieve him to his mercie This young mans name was Bepolitanus whose turn being come and he
the best How much then is it to be underprized when it is contaminated and spotted with lust and unlawfull prostitution since it is a maxime That things common are so far from begetting appetite and affection that they rather engender the seeds of contempt and hatred for how should any thing festered and corrupt please the eie or that wich is rotten and unsound give content unto the palate But to return to my first Apology needfull it is that to the Tragick Muse Melpomene I should suit Tragicall history wherein if any women be personated for Inconstancy Intemperance Adultery Incest or any such vile and abominable action she hath in that disgraced her selfe not her sex as stretching no further then the delinquent It any man object and say they are bad presidents to him I answer they are examples of horror to be eschewed not imitated which in their own natures beget a loathing not liking and for placing them next to and so neer to the women Illustrious I will excuse my selfe in this short Epigram A skilfull Painter having limm'd a face Surpassing faire of admirable feature Sets by the same to give it the more grace The pourtrait of some foule deformed creature No doubt as much art in the last is shown As in the first albeit that pleaseth most How ever to the workman 't is 〈…〉 They both to him arâ— of likâ— care and cost 'T is so with me I have set before you many Bâ—ave Ladies of theâ— all to take full view Pleasing to th' eie 〈…〉 Whom a more willing workman 〈…〉 Should these appeare rough hew'd or of bad savour And whose aspect cannot so well 〈◊〉 you Perhaps the next of more delight 〈…〉 And grinding other colours I 'll preâ—â—â— you A smoother piece and liâ—â—â— if I be able A fairer face in a more curious fable Of women incestuous and first of Q. Semiramis IT is questioned by some authors concerning this potent and mighty Queen whether she be more renowned for her brave and magnanimous exploits or notorious for her ignoble and infamous actions some willing that for her vertues sake her vices should be utterly buried in oblivion others in regard of what was bad in her that nothing good or commendable might of her to posterity be remembred I purpose to give you a taste of both Some say she was called Semiramis of the birds named Semiramides by which it is said she was fostered in her infancy but that bearing no shew of truth others derive her denomination from Samir which in the Hebrew and the Syrian dialect imports as much as Adamant because her noble and brave atchievements attracted the hearts of that barbarous rude Nation to her admiration and love as the Adamant drawes iron Plutarch in libro Amator saith she was a damosell of Syria and concubine to the King of that Country with whose love Ninus being after besotted took her to his wife of whom she had that predominance that though before he had conquered all the Eastern parts subjugated his neighbour Kings and subdued Zoroastres Monarch of the Bactrians he that was the first inventor of the Art magick that devised the principles of Astrology and found out the true motions of the stars notwithstanding she so far prevailed with him that for one day she might sit in the roiall throne and for that space have the regall jurisdiction in her full power with intire command over the whole Empire In the morning of her soveraignty she imposed upon the subjects such modest and mild injunctions that ere noon she had insinuated into their bosomes so far that she found them so pliable and conformable to her desires that she presumed there was nothing so difficult and impossible which for her sake they would not boldly and resolutely undertake Upon this presumption she stretched her usurpation so far that she commanded them to lay hands upon the King her husband before night and committing him to prison caused him within few daies to be put to death She had by Ninus one son called Ninus junior who should have succeeded his father that for fifty two years space had swaied the Babylonian Empire but whether in her own ambition desirous of the principality or finding her son too effeminate to be Lord over so great a people and uncertaine withall whether so many men and of so many sundry Nations would submit themselves to the soveraignty of a woman all these suppositions being doubtfull certain it is that instead of the mother of Ninus she assumed the person of Ninus her son changing her womans shape into the habit of a mans for they were of one stature proportioned in lineaments alike semblant in voice and in all accomplements difficultly to be distinguished insomuch that never mother and child could have more true resemblance having therefore lull'd her son in all effeminacy and atâ—iâ—â—d him in her Queen-like vesture the better to shadow her own proportion she suited her selfe in long garments and commanded all her subjects to do the like which habit hath been amongst the Assyrians Bactrians and Babylonians in use even to this day Upon her head she wore a Turbaâ—â— oâ— Myter such as none but Kings used to adorn their heads with so that in the beginning she was known for no other then the Prince in whose name she accomplisht many notable and noble atchievements at whose amplitude Envy and Emulation stood amazed confessing her in all her attempts supereminent neither did her heroick actions any way derogate from the honour of the Empire but rather add to the splendour thereof admiration in regard a woman had not only excelled all of her sex in valour but might claim a just priority over men She built the mighty City Babylon and the stately wals reckoned amongst the seven wonders She not only conquered all Aethiopia and made that Kingdome to her state tributary but invaded India being the first that durst attemptie and saving her no 〈…〉 but Alexander who was the second and the last Thus 〈◊〉 Justin out of the history of Trogus Pompeius Berosus affiâ—ms as mâ—ch these be his words Nemo unquam huic seminae comparandus est virorum tanta in ejus vita scribuntur cum ad vituperationem tum maxime ad laudem No man was ever to be compared with this woman such great things have been written of her partly to her disgrace but chiefly to her praise He proceeds further She was the fourth that reigned in Assyria for so it is approved Nimâ—oâ— was the first being father to Belus and grand-father to Ninus which Ninus was the first that made war upon his neighbours and usurped their dominions in whom began to cease the Golden world whom his widdow Queen succeeded counterfeiting the shape of man She was after slain by her sonne Ninus the second of that name who as Eusebius writes after her death swai'd the Scepter thirty and eight years One memorable thing is recorded of her by Diodorus S. culuâ— lib. 3.
a City of Cipria others amongst the Argives Aristarchus and Dyoâ—isius Thrax derive him from Athens c. But I may have occasion to speak of him in a larger work intituled The lives of all the Poets Modern and Forreign to which work if it come once againe into my hands I shall refer you concluding him with this short Epitaph An Epitaph upon Homer the Prince of Poets In Colophon some think thee Homer borne Some in faire Smyrna soâ—e in Ius isle Some with thy birth rich Chius would adorn Others say 〈◊〉 a first on thee did smile The Argives lay claim to thee and aver Thou art their Country man Aemus saies no. Strong Salamine saith thou tookest life from her But Athens thou to her thy Muse dost owe As there first breathing Speak how then shall I Determine of thy Country by my skill When Oracles would never I will try And Homer well thou give me leave I will The spatious Earth then for Country chuse No mortall for thy mother but a Muse 〈◊〉 the sister of Nereus the Sea-god was by him stupratedâ— of whom he begot the Nymphs called Nercides Ovid in his sixt book Metamorph telleth us of Philomela daughter to Pandion King of Athens who was forced by Tereus King of Thrace the son of Mars and the Nymph Bâ—stonides though he had before married her own dear and naturall sister Progne the lamentable effects of which incest is by the same Author elegantly and at large described as likewise Beblis the daughter of Miletus and Cyane who after she had sought the embraces of her brother Caumus slew her selfe Mirrha daughter to Cyniras King of the Cyprians lay with her father and by him had the beautifull child Adonis Europa the mother and Pelopeia the daughter were both corrupted by Thyestes Hypermestra injoied the company of her brother for whom she had long languished Menephron most barborously frequented the bed of his mother against whom Ovid in his Metamorph. and Quintianus in his Cleopol bitterly inveigh Domitius Calderinus puts us in mind of the Concubine of Amintor who was injoied by his son Phaenix Rhodope the daughter of Hemon was married to her father which the gods willing to punish they were as the Poets feign changed into the mountains which still bear their names Caeleus reports of one Policaste the mother of Perdix a hunts-man who was by him incestuously loved and after injoied Lucan in his eight book affirms that Cleopatra was polluted by her own brother with whom she communicated her selfe as to a husband Nictimine was comprest by her father Nictus King of Aethiopia Martial in his twelfe book writing to Fabulla accuseth one Themison of incest with his sister Plin. lib. 28. cap. 2. speaks of two of the Vestals Thusia and Copronda both convicted of incest the one buried alive the other strangled Publius Claudius was accused by M. Cicero of incest with his three sisters Sextus Aurelius writes that Agrippina the daughter of Germanicus had two children by her brother Claudius Caesar Cornalius Tacitus saith that she often communicated her body with her own son Nero in his cups and heat of wine he after commanded her womb to be ripped up that he might see the place where he had laien so long before his birth and most deservedly was it inflicted upon the brutish mother though unnaturally imposed by the inhumane son Ansilaena is worthily repoved by Catullus for yielding up her body to the wanton imbraces of her uncle by whom she had children Gidica the wife of Pomonius Laurentius doted on her son Cominus even to incest but by him refused she strangled her selfe The like did Pheora being despised by her son Hippolitus Dosithaeus apud Plutarch speaks of Nugeria the wife of Hebius who contemned by her son in Law Firmus prosecuted him with such violent and inveterate hate that she first sollicited her own sons to his murder but they abhorring the vilenesse of the fact she watcht him sleeping and so slew him John Maletesta deprehending his wife in the arms of his brother Paulus Maletesta transpierc'd them both with his sword in the incestuous action Clepatra daughter to Dardanus King of the Scythians and wife to Phinaeus was forced by her two sons in law for which fact their father caused their eies to be plucked out Plutarch reports of Atossa that she was doted on by Artaxerxes insomuch as that after he had long kept her as his strumpet against the Laws of Persia and of Greece to both which he violently opposed himself he made her his Queen Curtius writes of one Si simithres a Persian souldier that had two children by his mother Diogenian also speaking of Secundus the Philosopher saith that he unawares to them both committed incest with his mother which after being made known to them she astonied with the horror of the fact immediately slew her selfe and he what with the sorrow for her death and brutishnesse of the deâ—d vowed never after to speak word which he constantly performed to the last minute of his life Manlius in his common places reports from the mouth oâ— D Martin Luther that this accident hapned in Erphâ—rst in Germany There was saith he a maid of an honest family that was servant to a rich widdow who had a son that had many times importuned the girle to lewdnesse insomuch that she had no other way to avoid his continuall suggestions but by acquainting the mother with the dissolute courses of the son The widdow considering with her self which was the best course to childe his libidirous purpose and divert him from that lewd course plotted with the maid to give him a seeming consent and so appoint him a place and time in the night of meeting at which he should have the fruition of what he so long had sued for she her selfe intending to supply the place of her servant to school her son and so prevent any inconvenience that might futurely happen The maid did according to her appointment the son with great joy keeps his houre so did the mother who came thither on purpose to reform her son but he being hot and too forward in the action and she overcome either by the inticements of the devill the weaknesse of her Sex or both gave her selfe up to incestuous prostitution the young man knowing no otherwise but that he had enjoied the maid Of this wicked and abominable congression a woman child was begot of whom the mother to save her reputation was secretly delivered and put it out privately to nurse but at the age of seven years took it home When the child grew to years the most infortunate sonne fell in love with his sister and daughter and made her his unhappy wife what shall I think of this detestable sinne which even beasts themselves abhor of which I will give you present instance Aristotle in his history Animal who was a diligent searcher into all naturall things affirms that a Camel being bliâ—ded
by his keeper was brought to horse his dam but in the action the cloth falling from his eies and he perceiving what he had done presently seised upon his keeper and slew him in detestation of the act he had committed and to revenge himselfe upon him that had betraied him to the deed The like the same author reports of a horse belonging to a King of Scythia who could by no means be brought to cover his dam but being in the same fashion beguiled and the cloath falling away and perceiving what he had done never left bounding flinging and galloping till comming unto an high rock he from thence cast himselfe headlong into the sea If this sinne be so hatefull in brute beasts and unreasonable creatures how much more ought it to be avoided in men and women and which is more Chrisioans Cyborea the mother of Judas Iscariot THis that I now speak of is remembred by Ranulphus Monke of Chester Jerome and others There was a man in Jerusalem by name Râ—uben of the Tribe of Isachar his wife was called Cyborea The first night of their marriage the women dreamed that she was conceived of a sonne who should be a traytor to the Prince of his own people she told it to her husband at which they were both sad and pensive The child being born and they not willing to have it slain and yet loath to have it prove such a monster to his own nation they in a small boat cast it to sea to try a desperate fortune This vessell was diven upon an Island called Iscariot where the Queen of that place had then no child This babe being found she purposed to make it her own and put it to be nobly nursed and educated calling his name Judas and Iscariot of the Island where he was taken up But not long after she was conceived of a son who proving a noble and hopefull Gentleman Iudas whose favour in Court began to wane and his hope of inheritance which but late flourishe now quite to wither he plotted against his life and privately slew him but fearing lest the murder in time might be discovered and he compell'd to suffer according to the nature or the fact he fled thence to Jerusalem where he got into the service of Pontius Pilatus and found means to be protected by him being then in the City Deputy Governour of the Romans Iudas because their dispositions were much of one condition grew into his especiall familiarity and favour The Palace of Pilat having a faire bay window whose prospect was into Râ—ubâ—ns Orchard he had a great appetite to eat of some of those ripe Apples which shewed so yellow and faire against the Sun This Iudas understanding promised him to fetch him some of that fruit and mounting over the Orchard wall he was met by his father who rebuking him for the injury Iudas with a stone beat out his brains and unseen of any conveied himselfe back Reubens death was smothered and the murderer not known Cyborea being a rich widow Pilate made a march betwixt her and his servant Iudas who being married to his mother was now possest of his own fathers inheritance Not long this incestuous couple had lived together but Cyborea being upon a time wondrous sad and melancholy and Iudas demanding the cause she began to relate to him her many misfortunes First of her dream them of her son in what manner he was put to sea then how she lost her husband being slain and the murderer not found and lastly how by the authority of Pilat she was now compell'd to match against her will who had protested to her selfe a lasting widdowhood By these circumstances Judas most assuredly knew that he had slain his father and had married his mother which acknowledging to her she perswaded him to repent him of these great evils and to become a Disciple of Jesus who was then an eminent prophet amongst he Jewes It shall nor be amisse to speak a word or two or Pilat It is said that a King whose name was Tyrus begat him on a Millers daughter Lyla whose father was called Aâ—us who from his mother and grand-father was called Pylatus at four years of age he was brought to his father who by his lawfull wife had a Prince just of the same age These were brought up together in all noble exercises in which the Prince having still the best Pilat awaited his opportunity and slew him loath was the King to punish him with death lest he should leave himselfe altogether issulesse therefore he sent him an hostage to Rome for the paiment of certain tribute which was yearly to be tendred into the Roman treasury Living there as hostage he associated himselfe with the son to the King of France who lay pledge in Rome about the like occasion and in a private quarrell was also slain by Pilat The Romans finding him of an austere brow and bloody disposition made him governour of the Island called Pontus the people were irregular and barbarous whom by his severity he reduced to all civill obedience for which good service he was removed to Jerusalem bearing the name of Pontius from that Island there he gave sentence against the Saviour of the world Tiberius Caesar being then Emperor was sick of a grievous malady who hearing that in Jerusalem was a Prophet who with a word healed all infirmities whatsoever he sent one Volutianus to Herod to send him this man but Christ was before condemned and crucified There Volutianus acquainted himselfe with one Veronica a noble Lady of the Jewes who went with him to Rome and carried with her the linnen cloth which still bore the impresse and likeness of Christs visage upon which the Emperour no sooner looked but he was immediately healed The Emperor then understanding the death of this innocent and just man caused Pilat to be brought to Rome who being called before Caesar the history saith he had at that time upon him the robe of our Saviour which was called Tunica insutilis a garment without seam which whilst it was about him nothing could be objected against him to his least dammage or disgrace this was three times proved and he still came off unaccused but when by the advise of this Veronica and other Christians the garment was took off he was then accused for causing guiltlesse men to be slain for erecting statues of strange nations in the Temple against the ordinances of the Jewes that with mony wrested and extorted from the holy treasures he had made a water-conduit to his own house that he kept the Vestments and sacred robes of the Priests in his own house and would not deliver them for the service of the Temple without mercenary hire of these and other things being convicted he was sent to prison where borrowing a knife to pare an apple he slew himselfe his body after was fastned to a great stone and cast into the river Tiber. Of Adulteresses FRom the Incestuous I proceed
to the Adulteresses Aulus Gellius in his first book de Mortibus Atticis cites these words out of Varro's Memppea The errors saith he and vices of the wife are either to be corrected or endured he that chastiseth her makes her the more conformable he that suffers her makes himselfe the better by it thus interpreting Varro's meaning That husbands ought to reprove the vices of their wives but if they be perverse and intractable his patience though it prevaile not with them yet much benefits himself yet are not their insolencies any way to be much incouraged because it is a duty exacted from all men to have a respect to the honour of their houses and families Besides such as will not be reformed by counsell are by the lawes to be punished Caesar sued a divorce from his wife because she was but suspected of adultery though no manifest guilt could be proved against her Lysias the famous Oratour declaimed against his wife in a publick oration because he was jealous of her spouse-breaâ—h But much is that inhumane rashnesse to be avoided by which men have undertook to be their own justifiers and have mingled the pollution of their beds with the blood of the delinquents Cato Censorius reckons such in the number of common executioners and counts them little better then bloody hangmen For saith he impious and abominable it is for any man to pollute his hands in such unnatural murder he may with as much justice violate the ordinances of the Common weal or with as great integrity prophaâ—e the sacreds of the gods Sufficient it is that we have lawes to punish and judges to examine and sentence all such transgressors Nero the most barbarous of Princes after that by kicking and spurning he had slain his wife Poppaea in his anger though he was altogether composed of mischiefe yet when he recollected himselfe and truly considered the vilenesse of the fact he had not only with great sorrow bewailed her death to make what amends he could to the dead body before outraged but he would not suffer her course to be burned in the Roman fires but caused a funerall pile of all sweet and odoriferous woods fetcht from the furthest parts of the world to be erected sending up her smoke as incense offered unto the gods and after caused her ashes in a golden â—urn to be conserved in the famous sepulchre of the Iulian family Neither is this discourse aimed to perswade men to too much remisnesse in wincking at and sleeping out the adulteries of their wives A most shamefull thing it was in Antonius the best of the Caesars to extoll his wife Faustina for the best of women and most temperate of wives when it was most palpably known to all men how in Cajeâ—a she commonly prostituted her selfe to Plaiers and Ministrels L. Sylla that was surnamed Happy was in this most infortunate because his easie nature was perswaded that his wise Metella was the chastest of matrons when her known looseness and notorious incontinence was ballated up and down the City Disgracefull it was in Philip King of Macedon who having conquered divers nations and subdued many Kingdomes yet could not govern one wife at home who though he had manifest probability of her loosnesse and riots yet suffered with all patience her insolencies and being violently thrust out of her bedchamber by her and her maids dissembled the injury to his friends excusing the wrong and seeming to laugh at the injury In like manner Clodius the Emperour excused his wife Messalina being taken in adultery this liberty grew to boldnesse and that boldnesse to such an height of impudency that from that time forward she took pride to commit those luxuries in publike which at first she not without blushes adventured on in private It is related of her that before the faces of her handmaids and servants she dissolutely I might say brutishly cast her selfe into the embraces of one Sylius not content with secret inchastity unlesse she had a multitude to witnesse her abominable congression of whom the most excellent of the Satyrists thus speaks Qid privata domus quid fecevit Hippa curas Respice rivales divorum Claudius audi Quae tulerit Dost thou thou take care what 's done at home Or Hippa dost thou feare Behold the rivals of the gods What Claudius he doth hear The sacred institution of marriage was not only for procreation but that man should make choice of a woman and a woman to make election of a husband as companions and comforters one of another as well in adversity as prosperity Aristotle confers the cares and businesses that lie abroad upon the husband but the domestick actions within doors he assigns to the wife for he holds it as inconvenient and uncomely for the wife to busie her selfe about any publick affaires as for the man to play the cotquean at home Marriage as Franciscus Patricius saith becomes the civil man to which though he be not compelled by necessity yet it makes the passage of life more pleasing and delightfull not ordained for the satisfying of lust but the propagation of issue Aelius Verus one of the Roman Emperors a man given to all voluptuousnesse when his wife complained unto him of his extravagancies as never satisfied with change of mistresses and concubines he thus answered her Suffer me O Wife to exercise my delights upon other women for the word Wife is a name of dignity and honour not of wantonnesse and pleasure The punishment of a woman taken in adultery as Plutarch in his Quaest Graec. relates was amongst the Cumaeans after this manner She was brought into the market place and set upon a stone in the publick view of all the people when she had certain hours sate there as a spectacle of scorn she was mounted upon an Asse and led through all the streets of the City and then brought back again and placed upon the same stone ever after reputed notorious and infamous and had the name of Onobatis i. riding upon an Ass end the stone on which she was seated held as polluted 〈…〉 Aelianus in his twelfe book thus sets down the punishment of an adulterer amongst the Cretâ—ns 〈…〉 brought before the judgement seat and being convicted he was crowned with wool to denote his effeminacy 〈◊〉 with an extraordinary mulct held infamous amongst the people and made uncapable of office or dignity in the Common-weal Amongst the Parthians no sin was more severely punished then adultery Carondas made a decree That no Citizen or matron should be taxed in the comedy unlesse it were for Adultery or vain curiosity Plutarch remembers two young men of Syracusa that were familiar friends the one having occasion to travell abroad about his necessary occasions left his wife in charge of his bosome companion whom he most trusted who broke his faith and viâ—iated the woman in his friends absence he returning and finding the injury done him concealed his revenge for a
and in that darknesse remained for the space of ten years After which time in great melancholly expired he received this comfort from the Oracle which was then in the City Butis That if he washt his eies in the urine of a woman who had been married a full twelve month and in that time had in no waies falsified in her own desires nor derogated from the honour of her husband he should then assuredly receive his sight At which newes being much rejoiced and presuming both of certain and sudden cure he first sent for his wife and Qu. and made proofe of her pore distillation but all in vain he sent next for all the great Ladies of the Court and one after one washt his eies in their water but still they smarted the more yet he saw no whit the better but at length when he was almost in despaire he hapned upon one pure and chast Lady by whose vertue his sight was restored and he plainly cured who after he had better considered with himselfe caused his wife withal those Ladies saving she only by whose temperance and chastity he had reobtained the benefit of the Sun to be assembled into one City pretending there to feast them honourably for joy oâ— his late recovery Who were no sooner assembled at the place called Rubra Gleba apparelled in all their best jewels and chiefest ornaments but commanding the City gates to be shut upon them caused the City to be set on fire and sacrificed all these adulteresses as in one funerall pile reserving only that Lady of whose loialty the Oracle had given sufficient testimony whom he made the partaker of his bed and Kingdome I wish there were not so many in these times whose waters if they were truly cast by the doctors would not rather by their pollution put out the eies quite then with their clearnesse and purity minister to them any help at all Laodice JVstine in his 37. book of History speaks of this Laodice the wife and sister to Mithridates King of Pontus After whose many victories as having overthrown the Scythians and put them to flight those who had before defeated Zopyron a great Captain of Alexanders army which consisted of thirty thousand of his best souldiers the same that overcame Cyrus in battell with an army of two hundred thousand with those that had affronted and beaten King Philip in many oppositions being fortunately and with great happinesse still attended by which he more and more flourisht in power and increased in majestie In this height of fortune as never having known any disaster having bestowed some time in managing the affairs of Pontus and next such places as he occupied in Macedonia he privately then retired himselfe into Asia where he took view of the scituation of those defenced Cities and this without the jealousie or suspition of any From thence he removed himselfe into Bythinia proposing in his own imaginations as if he were already Lord of all After this long retirement he came into his own Kingdome where by reason of his absence it was rumour'd and given out for truth that he was dead At his arrivall he first gave a loving and friendly visitation to his wife and sister Laudice who had not long before in that vacancy brought him a young son But in this great joy and solemnity made for his welcome he was in great danger of poison for Laodice supposing it seems Mithridates to be dead as it before had been reported and therefore safe enough had prostituted her selfe to divers of her servants and subjects and now fearing the discovery of her adultery she thought to shadow a mighty fault with a greater mischiefe and therefore provided this poisoned draught for his welcome But the King having intelligence thereof by one of her handmaids who deceived her in her trust expiated the treason with the blood of all the conspirators I read of another Laodice the wife of Ariarythres the King of Cappadocia who having six hopefull sons by her husband poisoned five of them after she had before given him his last infectious draught the youngest was miraculously preserved from the like fate who after her decease for the people punished her cruelty with death succeeded in the Kingdome It is disputed in the Greek Commentaries by what reason or remedy affection once so devilishly setled in the breast or heart of a woman may be aâ—ered or removed or by what confection adulterous appetite once lodged and kindled in the bosome may be extinguished The Magicians have delivered it to be a thing possible so likewise Cadmus Milesius who amongst other monuments of history writ certain tractates concerning the abolishing of love for so it is remembred by Suidas in his collections And therefore I would invite all women of corrupted breasts to the reading of this briefe discourse following A remarkable example was that of Faustina a noble and illustrious Lady who though she were the daughter of Antonius Pius the Emperor and wife to Marcus Philosophus notwithstanding her fathers majesty and her husbands honour was so besotted upon a Gladiator or common fencer that her affection was almost grown to frensie for which strange disease as strange a remedy was devised The Emperor perceiving this distraction still to grow more and more upon his daughter consulted with the Chaldeans and Mathematicians in so desperate a case what was best to be done after long consideration it was concluded amongst them that there was but only one way left open to her recovery and that was to cause the fencer to be slaine which done to give her a full cup of his luke-warm blood which having drunk off to go instantly to bed to her husband This was accordingly done and she cured of her contagious disease That night was as they sad begot Antoninus Commodus who after succeeded him in the Empire who in his government did so afflict the Common-weal and trouble the Theater with fensing and prizes and many other bloody butcheries that he much better deserved the name of Gladiator then Emperor This that I have related Julius Capitolinus writes to Caesar Dioclesianus Were all our dissolute matrons to be cured by the like Phisick there would no question be amongst men lesse offenders and among women fewer patients that complained of sick stomacks Phaedima CAmbyses having before unnaturally slain his brother Smerdis by the hands of his best trusted friend Praxaspes but after the death of the King for the horridnesse of the fact the Regicide not daring to avouch the deed to the people lest it might prejudice his own safety one Smerdis a Magician whose ears Cambises had before caused to be cut off took this advantage to aspire to the Kingdome and being somewhat like in favour to the murdered Princes who was by the Souldiers generally believed to live it purchased him so many abettors such as were deluded with his impostures that he was generally saluted and crowned Emperor This was
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
Great Agrippa Aristobulus and Herod that was strook by the Angell also on the aforesaid Beronica he begot two daughters Mariamnes and Herodias who was after Philips wife that was Uncle to Aristobulus neverthelesse whilst Philip was yet alive Herodias became wife to his brother Herod At length there fell debate betwixt her Mariamnes and Saloma Herods sister Herod by the instigation of Saloma â—lew Hyrcanus the Priest and after Jonathas the brother of Mariamnes who against the law he had caused to be consecrated Priest at the age of seventeen years After that he caused Mariamnes to be put to death with the husband of his sister Saloma pretending that Hyrcanus and Jonathas had adulterated his sister After these murders Herod grew mad for the love of Mariamnes who was held to be the fairest Lady then living and innocently put to death He then took again his wife Dosides and her son Antipater to favour sending Alexander and Aristobulus the sons of Mariamnes to Rome to be instructed in the best literature whom after he caused to be slain And these were the fruits of Adulterous and Incestuous marriages Of women that have come by strange deaths THere are many kinds of deaths I will include them all within two heads Violent and Voluntary the Violent is when either it comes accidentally or when we would live and cannot the Voluntary is when we may live and will not and in this we may include the blessedest or all deaths Martyrdome I will begin with the first and because gold is a mettall that all degrees callings trades mysteries and professions of either Sex especially acquire after I will therefore first exemplifie them that have died golden deaths Of the Mistresse of Brennus Of Tarpeia and Acco a Roman Matron OF Midas the rich King and of his golden wish I presume you are not ignorant and therefore in vain it were to insist upon his history my businesse is at this time with women Brennus an Englishman and the younger brother to Belinus both sons of Donwallo was by reason of composition with his brother with whom he had been competitor in the Kingdome disposed into France and leading an army of the Gals invaded forrein Countries as Germany Italy sacking Rome and piercing Greece Insomuch that his glory was stretched so far that the French Chroniclers would take him quite from us and called him Rex Gallorum witnesse Plutarch in his seventeenth Parallel This Brennus spoiling and wasting Asia came to besiege Ephesus where falling in love with a wanton of that City he grew so inward with her that upon promise of reward she vowed to deliver the City into his hands the conditions were that he being possessed of the Town should deliver into her â—ate custody as many jewels rings and as much treasure as should countervaile so great a benefit to which he assented The Town delivered and he being victor she attended her reward when Brennus commanded all his souldiers from the first to the last to cast what gold or silver or jewels they had got in the spoil of the City into her lap which amounted to such an infinite masse that with the weight thereof she was suffocated and prest to death This Clitiphon delivers in his first book Rerum Gallicar to answer which Aristides Melesius in Italicis speaks of Tarpeia a Noble Virgin or at least nobly descended and one of the Keepers of the Capitol she in the war betwixt the Sabines and the Romans covenanted with King Tatius then the publick enemy to give him safe accesse into the mountain Tarpeia so he would for a reward but possesse her of all the gold and jewels which his souldiers the Sabins had then about them This she performing they were likewise willing to keep their promise but withall loathing the covetousnesse of the woman threw so much of the spoile and treasure upon her that they buried her in their riches and she expiâ—ed admist a huge Magazin But remarkable above these is the old woman Acco or Acca who having done an extraordinary courtesie for the City of Rome they knew not better how to require her then knowing her a varitious disposition to give her free liberty to go into the common treasury and take thence as much gold as she could carry The wretched woman overjoied with this donative entered the place to make her pack or burden which was either so little she would not beare or so great she could not 〈◊〉 and swetting and striving beneath the burden so expâ—â—ed The like though something a more violent death died the Emperor Galba who in his life time being insatiate oâ— gold as being covetous above all the Emperors before him they poured molten gold down his throat to confirm in him that old Adage Qualis vita finis ita The like was read of the rich Roman Crassus Of such as have died in child-birth THough of these be infinites and daily seen amongst us yet it is nor altogether amisse to speak something though never so little which may have reference to antiquity Volaterranus remembers us of Tulliota the daughter of Marcus Cicero who being first placed with Dolobella and after with Piso Crassipides died in Child-bed The like Suetonius puts us in mind of Junia Claudilla who was daughter to the most noble Marcus Sillanus and wife to the Emperor Caâ—us Caligula who died after the same manner Hâ—ginus in his two hundred threescore and fourth Fable tels this tale In the old time saith he there were no midwives at all and for that cause many women in their modesty rather suffered themselves to perish for want of help then that any man should be seen or known to come about them Above all the Athenians were most curious that no servant or woman should learn the art of Chirurgery There was a damosell of that City that was very industrious in the search of such mysteries whose name was Agnodice but wanting means to attaine unto that necessary skill she caused her head to be shorn and putting on the habit of a young man got her selfe into the service of one Hierophilus a Physitian and by her industry and study having attained to the depth of his skill and the height of her own desires upon a time hearing where a Noble Lady was in child-birth in the middest of her painfull throwes she offered her selfe to her help whom the modest Lady mistaking her Sex would by no perswasion suffer her to come neer her till she was forced to strip her selfe before the women and to give evident signe of her woman-hood After which she had accesse to many proving so fortunate that she grew very famous Insomuch that being envied by the Colledge of the Physitians she was complained on to the Areopagitae or the nobility of the Senate such in whose power it was to censure and determine of all causes and controversies Agnodice thus convented they pleaded against her youth and boldnesse accusing her
other insomuch that the horse opprest with hunger devoured her hence came that Adage 〈◊〉 upon Diogineanus More cruel then Hyppomanes Gregorius Turonensis remembers one Deuteria fearing lest her young daughter now grown ripe and marriageable who might be deflâ—ured by King Theodebertus cast her headlong into the river that runs by the City Viridunum where she was drowned Orchamus finding his daughter Leucothoe to be vitiated by Apollo caused her to be buried alive Lucilla the daughter of Marcus Antonus and Fausta as Herodian reports was slaine by the hand of her brother Commodus against whom she had before made a conjuration Lychione the daughter of Dedalion because she durst compare her selfe with Diana was by the goddesse wounded to death with an arrow at the celebration of whose exequies when her body was to be burnt her father likewise cast himselfe into the fire Hylonome the she Centaur seeing her husband Cillarius slain in the battell betwixt the Centaurs and the Lapithes fell upon his sword and so expired Anmianus and Marcellus lib. 16. have left recorded that Mithridates King of Pontus being overcome in a battell by Pompey committed his daughter Dyraptis to the safe custody of the Eunuch Menophilus to be kept in a strong Cittadel called Syntiarium which when Manutius Priscus had straitly besieged and the Eunuch perceived the defenders of the Castle dismaid and ready to submit themselves and give up the fort he drew out his sword and slew her rather then she should be mode a captive to the Roman General Sextas Aurelius writes of the Empresse Sabina the wife of Adrian who having suffered from him many grosse and servile injuries gave her selfe up to a voluntary death when she considered she had supported so inhumane a tyrant and such a contagious pest to the Common weal. Pontus de Fortuna speaks of a virgin amongst the Salattines called Neaera who grieving that a young man to whom she was betrothed had forsaken her and made choise of another caused her veins to be opened and bled to death Cleopatra after the death of Anthony lest she should be presented as a Captive to grace the triumphs of Augustus gave her arm to the biting of an Asp of which she died for in that manner was her picture presented in Rome of whom Propertius lib. 3. thus speaks Brachia spectavi sacris admorsa colubris Neaera and Charmione were the two handmaids of Cleopatra These as Plutarch and others report of them would by no perswasion survive their Queen and mistresse who perceiving as they were gasping betwixt life and death the Crown to be falne from the temples of their dead Lady raised themselves from the earth with the small strength they had left and placed it right again on her forehead that she might the better become her death which they had no sooner done but they both instantly fell down and breathed their last an argument of an unmatchable zeal to the Princesse their Lady Monima Miletia and Veronicha Chia were the wives of Mithridates who understanding of his tragicall fall and miserable end gave up their lives into the hands of the Eunuch Bochides Monima first hanged her self but the weight of her body breaking the cord she grew somewhat recovered and fell into this sad acclamation O execrable power of a diadâ—â— whose command even in this small sad service I cannot use which words were no sooner spoke but she offered her 〈◊〉 to the sword of the Eunuch who instantly dispatched 〈◊〉 both of life and torment Veronica drank oft a 〈◊〉 of wine tempered with person which dispersing into her veins and keeping her in a languishing torment her death was likewise hastned by the Eunuch Bochides A strange madnesse possest the Virgins of Milesia these as Aeltanus and others have writ gave themselves up to voluntary deaths many or the most strangling themselves this grew so common amongst them that scarce one day past in which some one or other of them were not found dead in their chambers To remedy which mischiefe the Senators of the City made a decree That what maid soever should after that time lay violent hands upon her self the body so found dead should be stript naked and in publick view dragg'd through the streets freely exposed to the â—ies of all men The impression of which shame more prevailing then the terror of death none was ever after known to commit the like outrage upon themselves Phaedra the step-mother to Hippolitus her son in law and wife of Theseus when she could not corrupt a young man her son in law to make incestuous the bed of his father despairing hung her selfe yet before her death she writ certain letters in which she accused Hippolitus to his father of incest which after proved the speedy cause of his death Amongst many strange deaths these of two mothers are not the least remarkable most strange it is that sudden joy should have much power to suffocate the spirits as the power of lightning The rumour of the great slaughter at the Lake of Thrasimenes being published one woman when beyond all hope she met her son at the City gate safely returned from the generall defeats cast her selfe into his arms where in that extasie of joy she instantly expired Another hearing her son was slain in the battell after much sorrow for his death sitting in her own house and spying him unexpectedly comming towards her safe and in health she was so overcome with sudden joy that not able to rise and give him meeting she died as she sate in her chaire Most strange it is that joy should make speedier way to death then sorrow these mothers Zoe remembred by Valerius Maximus lib. 9. cap. 12. So much I hope shall suffice for women that have died strange deaths for I had rather hear of many to live well then that any one should die ill I only intreat patience of the courteous Reader that as I have begun this book in sadnesse so he will give me leave to conclude it in jest Some no doubt though not justly will tax me for my too much intermixtion of history and say there be many things inserted not pertinent to my project in hand which might better have been left out then put in They in my conceit do but dally with me and put such a trick upon me as a Gentleman did upon a Country hostler My tale is but homely but it hath a significant Moral This traveller often using to a thorowfare Inne was much annoied by reason that betwixt his chamber and the stable where he commonly used to see his horse drest and meated there lay great heaps of pullens dung in his way which much offended him and being willing either to be rid of that inconvenience or punish him that might remedy it he took occasion to ask the hostler what dâ—nghill that was which was so offensive He answered him his
Lapithae genus Heroinae Centaurâ—s mâ—dâ—o grata rapâ—â—a meâ—o Such as Iscomache that was Of the Lâ—â—y 〈…〉 She whom the Centaurs would have rapt Amâ—dst their cups of wine Perâ—â—les for his love to Aspasia made was against the Samians For Chrysaeis the daughter of Chryses Priest to Apollo 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 a plague was sent amongst the the Greekish host which ceased not till she was returned back to her father for so writes Tortellius Lavinia's beauty the daughter of King Latinus and the Queen Amata was cause of the combâ—â—ion betwixt Turnus and Aeneas so saith 〈◊〉 lib. 4. de Sâ—â—llis Lysimachâ—â— the son of Agathocles poisoned his own son Agathocles by whose fortunate hand he had received the honour and benefit of many glorious victories at the instigation of his wife Arsinoe the sister of Prolomaeus 〈◊〉 Iphis a youth of exquisite feature stranglâ—â— himselfe because he was despised by the fair but cruell Anaxarite Archelaus King of Macedon was slain by a young man called Craâ—â—na because having first promised him his faire daughter he after bestowed her upon another The Poet Archilocus called Iambographus because Lycâ—â—bes denied him his daughter in marriage writes against him such bitter Iambicks that he despaired and hanged himselfe therefore Ovid thus writes Post modo si pâ—ges in te mihi liber Iambus Tincta Licambaeo sanguine â—ela dabit If thou pursu'st me still my book Just vengeance shall implore And in Iambick weapons yeeld Dipt in Lycambes gore Justine in his twenty seventh book relates That Seleucus Callinicus King of Syria for exiling Berenice his step-mother sister to Ptolomaeus was by the same Ptolomaeus invaded and prosecuted by armes Deipâ—â—bus after the death of Paris having married Hellâ—n to which infortunate match her beauty had invited him was by her treachery not only murdered but his body hackt and mangled being almost made one universall wound Tortellius reports of one Evander the nephew 〈◊〉 Pallâ—s King of the Arcadians at the perswasion of his mother Nicostrate slâ—w his own father Orestes the son of Agameâ—â—â—n slew Pyrrhus the son of Achilles being surprised with the beauty of Hermione daughter to Meneâ—eus and Helena 〈◊〉 King of the Thebans was slain by King Crâ—eon being betraied by his own Polydices Cleopatra was the cause of that bloody war betwixt Ptolomaeus Philâ—pater and her own father Alexander King of Syria Idas and Lyncaeus the sons of Aphareus and Arbarne fought a great battel neer to Sparta about the two fair daughters of Leuâ—ippus Phebe and â—â—aira against Castor and Pollux both which were slaine in that battell and perisht not by shipwrack as some write in the pursuit of Paris by sea for the rape of their sister Hellen. Liâ—y lib 36. writes of Antiochus who warning against Rome was so taken with the beauty of a 〈…〉 that neglecting all warlike discipline to spend his 〈…〉 with his wanton he became a 〈…〉 to the enemy Octavia the sister of Augâ—lius being repudiâ—ted by Anthony was the 〈◊〉 of a civill and intestine war The Poet Lucretius growâ—â—◠〈◊〉 for the love of a 〈◊〉 damosell drank poison and so died Tullia incited â—â—rquinius Sâ—perbus to kill her own father Servius Tullius Martia the strumper caused Antonius Commodus the Emperor whose Concubine she was to 〈◊〉 slain by a souldier with whom she had many times lustfull congression Titus Corrancanus being sent on Embassie to Teuca Queen of the Illyrians because he spake to her â—reely and boldly she caused him to be put to death against the lawes of Kingdomes and Nations Livius and Florus Vollaâ—eranus writes of one Rhodoricus King of the Goths who because he stupâ—ated the daughter of Iulianus who was Prefect in the Province or Tingitana the father of the ravisht virgin brought in the Mooâ—s and raised a war which before it was ended was the death of seven hundred thousand men Chilpericus the son of Clothâ—rius was slain by the instigation of his wife Fridegunda in his return from hunting Luchinus a Court of Italy waâ—ied upon Vgolinus Gonzaga because he had adulterated his fair wife Isabella Vollaâ—â—ran Otratus King of Bohemia accused of sloath and cowardise by his wife Margarita for entring league with Rodulphus Caesar raised war betwixt them in which her husband was defeated Gandulphus the martyr for but counselling his wife to a more chast and temperate life was murdered betwixt her and the adulterer Of wars and many other mischiefes of which faire women have been the originall Ovid elegantly delivers in 2 Eleg. thus concluding Vidi ego pro nivea pugnantes conjuge tauros Spectatrix animos ipsa 〈…〉 For a white Heâ—fer I have seen 〈◊〉 â—ight Both gathering rage and couâ—age frâ—â— her sight At the building of Rome Râ—mâ—lus to people the City and get wives for his souldiers caused them to ravish the Sabin women and demosels for which waâ— grew betwixt the two Nations Of which Proper lib. 2. Cur exempla 〈◊〉 Graecum Tu criminis author Nutribus 〈…〉 lactâ— lupae c. What need I from 〈◊〉 Greekâ— example ask Thou 〈◊〉 by 〈…〉 she-woâ—fe nurs'd To rape the 〈◊〉 mâ—d'st thy souldiers task Rape Rome still loveâ— because thou taught'st it fiâ—st Since men the form at best 〈◊〉 â—oon fades and thâ— beauty hath been the came of so much blood-shed Why should women be so proud of that which rated 〈◊〉 the highest is no better then in excellent evill or a wretched wonder that had beginning therefore subject to end created from earth and therefore consequently transâ—â—â—ry but on the contrary since the vertues of the mind â—â—ely acquire after 〈◊〉 and glory conquer oblivion and survive envy and Phâ—nix-like recover fresh youth from forgotten ashes To such I yeeld the first place and so begin with the Amazons Of the Amazons AND first of their Country Cappadocia is a land that breedeth goodly and brave horses it hath on the East side Armenia on the West Asia the lesse on the North Amazonia on the South Mount Taurus by which lieth Sicilia and 〈◊〉 as far as the Cilicke Sea that stretcheth towards the Island of Cyprus The lesse Asia called Asia minor joineth to Cappadocia and is closed in with the great sea for it hath on the North the mouth and sea that is called Euxinus on the West Propontides on the South the Aegyptian sea This lesse Asia conteineth many Provinces and Lands 〈◊〉 the North side Bythinia butting upon the sea against Thracia and is called Phrygia the greater The chiefe City of Bythinia is Nicomedia Galathia takes name of the 〈◊〉 that assisted the King of Bythinia in his wars and therefore had that Province given them to inhabit It was first called Gallograecia as being people mixt of the Gals and Grecians but now they be called Galathians and these are they to whom Saint Paul writ his Epistles Ad Galatas The third part of
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
sea-fight neer Salamine to behold which battel Xerxes had retired himselfe and stood but as a spectator Justine lib. 2. saith There was to be seen in Xerxes womanish feare in Artimesia manly audacity for she demeaned her selfe in that battell to the admiration of all men of whose ships the King taking especiall notice but not knowing to whom they belonged nor in whose management they then were one spake to the King and said Great Lord behold you not how bravely the Queen Artimesia bears her selfe this day the King would not at first beleeve that such resolution could be in that Sex 〈…〉 when notwithstanding her brave service he perceiv'd 〈…〉 and put to flight he sighing thus said All my men this day have shewed themselves women and there is but one woman amongst them and she onely hath shewed her selfe a man Many of the most illustrious persons died that day as also of the Meads amongst whom was the great Captain Aria Begnes the sonne of Darius and brother of Xerxes Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt the daughter of Dionysius Auleies after the death of Julius Caesar having taken Antonius in the bewitching 〈◊〉 of her beauty she was not contented with the Kingdomes of Aegypt Syria and Arabia but she was ambiâ—ious to sovereignize over the Roman Empire in which though she failed it shewed as invincible a spirit in 〈◊〉 as she exprest an unmatched 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of her voluntary death 〈◊〉 the Persian invading the Messagers and Scythians of which 〈◊〉 then reigned Queen she sent against him her only son 〈◊〉 with a puissant army to beat him back again beyond the river Araxes which he had 〈◊〉 with a mighty host rejected But the young man not 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 and policies of war suffered his souldiers in 〈…〉 to be invaded his 〈◊〉 rifled his army defeated and himselfe taken prisoner 〈…〉 the Queen sent to this purpose 〈…〉 This message being delivered to 〈◊〉 he regarded 〈…〉 but held it at the vain boast of a 〈◊〉 woman 〈…〉 being awaâ—â—d fromthe drinking 〈◊〉 wine and perceiving 〈…〉 Cyrus that he might be released from his bands to which the Persian granted 〈…〉 sooner found his legs unbound and his hands 〈…〉 cathct hold of a weapon and slew 〈…〉 The Queen having intelligence of the death of the 〈◊〉 of her son and withall that 〈◊〉 gave no heed to her admonition collected a puissant army of purpose to give him battell who inticed him by a counterfeit 〈…〉 straights of her Countery where having 〈…〉 her men she fell upon the Persians and made 〈…〉 the slaughter even to the defeating of their whole 〈…〉 strange and bloody execution Cyrus himselfe fell whose body Tâ—myris caused to be sercht for and being found filled a vessel full of blood into which commanding his head to be thrown she thus insultingly spake Of humane blood in thy life thou wert insatiate and now in thy death thou maist drink thy fill The fashions of the Messagets are after this manner described by Herâ—dotus Their habit and their food is according to the Scythians they â—ight as well on horseback as on foot being expert in both they are both Aâ—chers and Lanciers in al their weapons armor or caparisons using gold and brasse in the heads of their spears their quivers their daggers and other armor they wear brasse but whatsoever belongs to the head or to the breast is of the purest gold the breast places of their horses and what belong to their trappings and caparisons are buckled and studâ—ed with brasse but that which appertains to the head-stal or reins is of gold of iron and silver they have small use or none as being rare in their Country â—ut gold and brasse they have in abundance Every man marrieth a wiâ—e but not to his own peculiar use for they keep them in common for what the Greeks in this kind remember of the Scythians they do not it is customable only amongst the Messagets if any man have an appetite to a woman he only hangs his quiver upon the next bough and prostitutes hee in publike without taxation or shame There is no 〈◊〉 proposed to terminate their lives when any growes old his neighbours about him make a generall meeting and with great ceremony after the manner of a sacrifice cause him 〈◊〉 slain with other cattell in number according to 〈…〉 with whose â—lesh â—oil'd together they make a 〈…〉 him to dye in the most blessed estate 〈…〉 slain and eaten such as die of consumption or disease they eat not but â—ury in the earth accounting all 〈…〉 that suffered not immolation and whose 〈◊〉 was not â—easted with They neither sow nor reap but 〈…〉 their cattell and fish oâ— which the river Araxes yields them plenty they drink milk and honour the Sun and to the gods whom they most â—eare they sacrifice such 〈◊〉 beasts as they hold most fearfull and 〈◊〉 for the customes of the Mâ—ssagets Now lest it might 〈◊〉 almost against nature that amongst so many fighting women there should be no scolding at all let it not be taken amisse if I put you in mind of two or three shrowes by the way and so return again to my former argument Xantippe and Mirho HIeronymo writ a book against Iovinian in which he copiously discourses of the praise of Virginity reckoning a Catalogue of divers famous and renowned in that kind amongst sundry Nations besides the discommodities and inconveniences of scolding and contentious wives and amongst other husbands much troubled in that kind he speaks of Socrates who having two curst queans and both at once for the law of Athens did allow duplicity of wives could endure their scoldings and contumacie with such constancy and patience for having Zantippe and Mirho the daughters of Aristides the house was never without brawling and uprore One Euthidemus comming from the wrastling place and Socrates meeting him by chance compelled him home to supper and being sate at board and in sad and serious discourse Zantippe spake many bitter and railing words of disgrace and contumely against her husband but he nothing moved therewith nor making her the least answer she tipped up the Table and flung down all that was upon it But when Euthidemus being therewith much moved arose to be gone and instantly depart Why what harm is there quoth Socrates did not the same thing chance at your house when I dined with you the last day when a cackling hen cast down such things as were upon the board yet we your guests notwithstanding left not your house unmannerly Another time in the market she snatching his cloak from his back the standers by perswaded him to beat her but he replied so whilst she and I be tugging together you may stand by laughing and cry O wel done Zantippe O well done Socrates Another time she with her much loquacity had made him weary of the house therefore he sate him down upon a bench before the street door but she
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
and feature they were most frequent amongst the inhabitants of Tenedos and Lesbos Heraclius Lembus writes That in Sparta with great admiration and reverence they observe the fairest man or woman and commonly the Spartane beauties are the most illustrious Therefore of the King Archidamus it is left registred That being to make choice of a Queen when one singularly beautifull but of small doweâ— and another wondrous rich but extraordinary deformed were placed before him he cast 〈◊〉 upon the goods of Fortune and neglecting the treasures of Nature preferred bondage before beauty For which the Ephori which in Athens were the same Officers that The Tribunes were in Rome called him to account and put him to an extraordinary great 〈◊〉 saying This man in stead of Soveraigns would beget subjects and for Princes leave peasants to succeed and raign over us Euâ—ioides saith That beauty hath the first place in the claim of Empire therefore those that in Homer were admirers of Helens beauty spake to this purpose Indignum nihil est Troâ—s sortes Achivos Tempore tam longo perpessos esse labores Ob talem uxorem cui praestantissima soâ—ma Nil mortale refert superisque simillima dâ—vis The Greeks and Trejans who can say were base So long and so great labours to endure For such a wife whose most excellent face Shewes nothing mortall but all God like pure This made the Spartans the place from whence Helen was ravished as the greatest 〈◊〉 to entertain a stranger to shew unto them their Virgins naked A custome they had likewise in the Isle of Châ—os in certain times of the yeer after the same manner to behold the young men and maids in publick wrastle together Nitetis CAmbyses hearing that the Aegyptian women did much differ from other nations in manners and behaviour especially from the custome of the Persians sent to Amasa King of the Aegyptians to demand his only daughter in marriage The King something troubled at this Embassie as fearing he would rather keep his daughter as a concubin then to give her the right of her birth and to honor her with the titles of a Queen and Bride he devised this policy to delude Cambyses and still to conserve her chastity he had there in his Court a young Lady called Nitetis the daughter of Aprias an Aegyptian whom because he had been defeated in a battel against the Cyrenaeans Amasa had caused to be slain This Nitetis being the prime and choice beauty of the Court in all her lineaments so exquisite that he presumed she would not only content but much delight the King he instructed her how to take upon her the name of his daughter and in every circumstance and complement how to demean her selfe so with a Princely train accommodates her for the journie Being arrived in Persia she was reially enterteined by the King her behaviour and beauty more pleasing him then any of his choice damosels selected out of his many Provinces insomuch that he hastned the marriage which was with no small pomp according to the manner of the Persians Nitetis lying in the Kings bosome and knowing how much she was endeared to him as now not casting his eie or affection upon any other began to call to remembrance her fathers death and what a plain and smooth way lay open to her to be revenged on him that slew him and forgetting the honours she had received by Amasa's means in preferring her to be Queen of Persia not rating that good equall with the ill she received in the shedding of her fathers blood she opened to Cambyses all the whole imposture withall importuned him to revenge the death of her father Aprias The King as much pleased with her plain and seeming simplicity as incensed with so great an injury done to him by Amasa as well to revenge her father as his own wrongs with an invincible army invaded Aegypt Dinon in his book of the Persian History and Lynceas Naucratica in his Aegyptian History they agree that Nitetis was sent to Cyrus and that by him she was the mother of Cambyses and that after the death of Cyrus the Army with which he went against Amasa and invaded Aegypt was to revenge the wrongs of a mother and not a wife Bersane SHe as Curtius and Gellius both assent was the widdow of one Daâ—aseus of that singular aspect that Alexander the great became enamoured of her above all other so that when neither the rare beauty of Darius his wife and daughters could tempt him nor the whorish blandishments of Thaâ— and others corrupt him indeed where his in desty and temperance is preâ—â—rred before many other Princes almost all yet with her he was intangled For those that write of him affirm that he was never known to enter into the familiar embraces of any save his own wife and this Bersane whom he made one of the Queens women It is not to be questioned but that Berseba she was a goodly faire woman and of extraordinary fâ—â—rure which pierced so deep into the brest of that wise King and Prophet David that all religion and sanctity set apart he for her love committed the two most heinous and horrible sins of adultery and murder for he caused her husband Vriah to be slain and after married her a great blemish to his former holinesse of whom Strozzâ— Pater thus writes Ille sacri vates operis Jessâ—â—a proles Prafecit populo quem Deus ipse suo Bersabeae captus forma The Psalmisl born of the Jesseian Line The famous Author of that work Divine Whom God made Ruler 〈◊〉 his people he Dotes on the feature of faire Bâ—â—sabe Lycaste one of the daughters of Priam. was faire above measure insomuch that Polydamus the sonne of Anthenor whom he begor of Theano the sister of Hecuba of a Concubine made her his wise There was another Lycasle that we read of who for her perfection in all degrees of comliness had the name of Venus bestowed upon her The wise of Candaules THis Candaules whom the Grecians call Myrsilus was King of the Saâ—dians and descended from Alcaeus the son of Hercules having a wise whom he affectionatly loved and therefore judging her to be the fairest of women could not contain his pleasures but comming to one Gyges the son of Dascylus a servant of his to whom he vouchsafed his greatest familiarity he to him exâ—ols the beauty of his wife above measure and because saith he I would have thee truly know that she is no otherwise then I have reported her and that mens ears naturally aâ—e more incredulous then their eies I will devise a means that thou shalt see her naked To whom Gyâ—es replied O roiall Sir What words be these you speake thee which rather â—avours of a man distract then well coâ—â—sulled and advised women that put off their garments with them put off their modesty therefore it was well determined and provided by our fathers wherein
great congregation complained of the murder of her father capitulating all their insolencies and her own injuries which she did with such feeling words and passionate tears that she not only attracted the eies of every one to behold but moved the hearts of all to pity which perceiving and how the multitude was affected towards her she gave to every of the murderers a particular nomination both of the families from whence they came and the places where they had then their residence The rioters this hearing and finding how the people were animated and incens'd against them they fled to Orchomenus but were not there admitted but excluded from forth the gates from thence they fled to Hippota a small City neer Hellicon scituate betwixt the Thebanes and the Corineans and were there received To them the Thebans sent that these murderers and ravishers might be surrendred up to their justice But being deni'd they with other Booetians made an expedition against them of which forces Phaedus then Pretor amongst the Tâ—ebans was made Captain the City Hippota was bravely besieged and assaulted so likewise as resolutely defended but number prevailing they were compelled to yield themselves with their City The murderers now surprized they were condemned to be stoned to death and had the execution of their judgement the rest of the Hippotenses were brought under bondage and made slaves their wals and houses demolished to the earth their fields and possessions being equally distributed betwixt the Thebans and the Corineans It is said that the same night before the surrender of the City that a voice was often heard to call aloud from Helicon Adsum Adsum i. I am here I am here which the thirty suitors affirmed to be the voice of Phocus as likewise the same day of their executions and at the instant when they were stoned saffron was seen to distill out of a monument which was erected in the City Glisantes Phaedus being newly returned from the â—ight a messenger brought him newes of a young daughter that day born whom for omens sake he caused to be called Nicostrate The wives of Cabbas and of Phaiâ—lus A Preposterous thing and almost against nature at least humanity and good manners it is that I read of these two who after the example of Domitian and Commodus those monsters of nature have not only made their strumpets but their own wives either for servile fear or abominable lucre prostitutes to other men This Cabbas a Roman worthy for ever to be branded with base Wittoldrie had a Lady to his wife of incomparable beauty insomuch that all men beholding her apprehended what happinesse he was possessed of above others The report of her rare accomplishments amongst many attracted Mecenas then a great favourite of the Emperor of Augustus to invite himselfe to his house where he was nobly feasted Mecenas being of a corrupt and licentious disposition and much taken with her beauty could not contain himselfe but he must needs be toying with her using action of plain Incontinence in the presence of her husband who perceiving what he went about and the servants it seems for modesty having withdrawn themselvs from forth the chamber the table not yet being taken away Cabbas to give Mecenas the freer liberty casts himselfe upon the bed and counterfeits sleep Whilst this ill-managed businesse was in hand one of the servants listning at the door and hearing no noise but all quiet with soft steps enters the chamber to steal away a flaggon pot that stood full of wine upon the Table Which Cabbas espying casts up his head and thus softly said to him Thou rascall Dost thou not know that I sleep only to Mecenas A basenesse better becomming some Jeaster or Buffoon then the noble name of a Roman In the City of Argis grew a contention betwixt Nicostratus and Phaillus about the management of the Common-weal Philip of Macedon the father of Alexander comming then that way Phaillus having a beautifull young wife one esteemed for the very Paragon of the City and knowing the disposition of the King to be addicted to all voluptuousnesse and that such choice beauties and to be so easily come by could not lightly escape his hands presently apprehends that the prostitution of his wife might be a present Ladder for him to climb to the principality and have the entire government of the City Which Nicostratus suspecting and many times walking before his gates to observe the passage of the house within he might perceive Phaillus fitting his wives feet with rich embroidered Pantoffes jewels about her haire rings on her fingers bracelets about her wrists and carkanets upon her arm in a Macedonian vesture and a covering upon her in the manner of a hat which was onely lawfull for the Kings themselves to wear And in this manner habited like one of the Kings Pages but so disguised that she was scarce known of any he submitted her to the King There are too many in our age that by as base steps would mount to honour I could wish all such to carry the like brand to posterity Chloris was the daughter of Amphion and the wife of Neleus the son of Hyppocoon as fruitfull as beautifull for she brought twelve sonnes to her husband of which ten with their father were slain by Hercules in the expugnation of Pylus the eleventh called Periclemenes was transformed into an Eagle and by that means escaped with life the twelfth was Nestor who was at that time in Ilos He by the benefit of Apollo lived three hundred years for all the daies that were taken from his father and brothers by their untimely death Phoebus conferred upon him and that was the reason of his longevity Aethra the daughter of Pytheus was of that attractive feature that Neptune and Aegeus both lay with her in the Temple of Minerva but Neptune disclaiming her issue bestowed it on Aegeus who leaving her in Troezene and departing for Athens left his sword beneath a huge stone enjoining Aethra That when his son was able to remove the stone and take thence his sword she should then send him to him that by such a token he might acknowledge him his son Theseus was born and comming to years she acquainted him with his fathers imposition who removed the stone and took thence the sword with which he slew all the theeves and robbers that interposed him in his way to Athens Danae the daughter of Acrisius and Aganippe had this fate assigned her by the Oâ—â—cle That the child she bore should be the death of her father Acrisius which he understanding shut her in a bâ—â—zen Tower â—estraining her from the society of men but Jupiter enamoured of her rare feature descended upon her in a shower of Gold of which congression Perseus was begot whom Acrisius caused with his mother to be sent to sea in a mastâ—â—lesse boat which touching upon the Island Seriphus was found by a fisher-man called Dyctis who presents the desolate
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
write them all at large they cannot exceed that piety of which I have read in women Suetonius and Cicero in an Oration pro Caelio speaking of Claudia one of the Vestall Virgins thus report of her She seeing her father in his triumphant Chariot riding through the streets of Rome and by the Tribunes of the people who envied his glory pluckt and haled from his seat she with a wondrous dexterity and a masculine audacity freed him from the hands of their Tribunes and their Lictors and maugre all their opposition lifted him up into his chariot nor sook him till she saw him in all magnificent pomp received into the Capitol insomuch that it was questioned amongst the Romans which of them merited the greater triumph he for his vertue and valour in the Forum or she for her zeal and piety in the Temple of Vesta nor can it yet be decided which may claim a just prioritie the Father for his victory or the Daughter for her goodnesse Plin. lib. 7. cap. 36. and Solinus speak of another Roman Lady of a noble Family who when her mother was condemned at the judgement-seat by the Praetor and delivered up to one of the Triumviri to be committed to strait prison and there for her offence to be privately executed But the keeper of the Goale commiserating the Matron so sentenced either because he pitied her gravity or suspected her innocence did not cause her to be instantly strangled according to the rigour of her sentence At the importunacy of the daughter he gave her leave to visit and comfort her mother but narrowly searcht before her entrance into the prison lust she should carry with her any food or sustenance to her relifefe rather desiring she should perish by famine and die that way then himselfe to have any violent hand in her execution The daughter having daily accesse to the mother who now had past over more daies then the keeper thought was possibly by nature and wondring in himself how she should draw her thred of life out to that length without any means to maintein it he casting a more curious eie upon the young woman and watching her might perceive how she first drew out one breast and after another with her own milk relieving her mothers famine At the novelty of so strange and rare a spectacle being amazed he carried newes to the Triumvir he to the Praetor the Praetor related it to the Consuls they brought it before the Senat who to recompence what was good in the daughter pardoned all that was before thought ill in the mother For what will not love devise or whither true zeal not penetrate What more unheard or unexpected thing could be apprehended then for a mother to be fed from the breast of her daughter Who would not imagine this to be against nature but that we see by proof true naturall piety transcends all bounds and limits The like of this we may read â—f in Pliry of another young married woman who when her father Cimon was afflicted with the same sentence and subject to the like durance prolonged his life from her breasts for which she deserves equally to be memorised Our parents in no danger or necessities are to be by us abandoned and that by example of Aeneas in whose person Virgil thus speaks as to his father Anchises Aeneid 2. Eia agâ— chare pater cervici imponere nostrae Ipse suâ—â—bo numeris nec me laboriste gravabit c Come my dear father and get up for see No burthen to my shoulders you can be No weight at all and hap what can betide One danger or one safety we 'll abide Sabellâ—â— lib. 3. cap. 6. remembers us of Rusticana a noble Matron of Rome and the daughter of Synnarchus who with his brother Boetius the famous Philosoher being put to death by Theodoricirs King of the Gotâ—s She after the Tirants miserable end was the cause that all his Statues in Rome were demolished and ruined purposing utterly if it were possible to extirp his memory that was the imhumane murderer of her father for which fact of hers being called in question before King Totila who succeeded him she was so far from excuse or deniall that she approved the deed with all constancy whose not le magnanimity and resolution proved more available to her safety then any timorous evasion could have done for he not only dismissed her unpunished but highly applauded and commended Fulgos Sabellicus and Egnâ—tius writing of Alboinuâ— King of the Longobards who at his first entrance into Italy having subdued and slain Tâ—rismundus whom some call Cunimundus son to Cunimundus King of the Gepidanes and after taken his daughter Rosamunda to wife the History faith he made a bole of her fathers scul in which one night having drunk somewhat lavishly he caused it to be filled with wine and sent to Rosamunda then in her chamber with this message Commend me to thy Queen aâ—d â—ay I command her to drink with her father 〈…〉 though she knew him to be slain by the 〈◊〉 gobards receiving his death by a common casualtie and chance of 〈◊〉 by this assuring her selfe that he â—ell by the â—and oâ— her husband betwixt 〈…〉 and conjugall love being for a time distracted the bond of her affectiâ—n towards her father prevailed above those nuptial setters in which she was tied to her Lord insomuch that to revenge the death of the one she resolved to take away the life of the other to bring which about she devised this project she had observed one Hemegâ—ldus a noble man amongst the Lambard to be surprized with the love of one of her waiting Gentlewomen with whom she dealt so far that when her maid had promised to give this Hemegildus meeting in a private and dark chamber she her selfe supplied the place of her servant after 〈◊〉 congression she caused lights to be brought in that he â—iâ—ht know with whom he had had carnall company and what certein prejudice he had the 〈◊〉 incurred protesting 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 he would join with her in the dear 〈…〉 she would accuse him of rape and outrage The Lambâ—â—d to prevent his own disaster undertook his soveraign â—eath which was accordingly betwixt them performed The murder done they sled together to Ravenna she preferring the revenge of a slaughtered father before the life of a husband the title of a Queen State Sovereignty oâ— any other worldly dignity whatsoever Something is not amisse to be spoken in this place concerning the love of mothers to their children which as Plutarch in his 〈…〉 saith was excellently observed in 〈…〉 Prince of the Athenians who was wont to say That he â—new no reason but that this young son whom his mother most datâ—ngly affected should have more power and command thâ—n any one man in Greece whatsoever and being demanded the reason he thus answered Athens saith he commands all Greece I Themistocles have predominance ever Athens my wife over swaies me and my
manner celebrated for he 〈◊〉 feasted in his bed and Juno and Minerva sitting in chairs or upon benches Valer. lib. 2. cap. 1. The Athenians at their Bridals had the room fumed with the skin of a black dog burned in the fire his privy parts were buried under the threshold of the door at the outward gate was hid in the earth the snout of a Wolfe and these they held to expell all Effâ—cinations and Witch-crafts from the house other use a fish called Stella Marina or the Sea star which sprinkled with the blood of a Wolfe preserved the marriage couple from all dangers or disasters Cynxia and Gamelia Juno were devoutly celebrated in Hymenaean contracts In all their sacrifices they took from the entrails the Gal of the beast and buried it in an obscure and remote place not far from the Altar thereby signifying that all marriage ought to be without gall or bitternesse Amongst the Boeotians and Loerenses no contract was held firm unlesse they had before offered at the Altar of the Virgin Euclia In Rome there was a custome of old that all maids before marriage should kneel some certain houres in the Temple of the god Futinus whom we may term the god predominant in the act of Copulacion and of him intreat happy successe in their future congression The Etrurians in their Hymenaean bargains from the noblest to the lesse qualified slew hogs in their sacrifices by that calling the gods to witnesse That their league and covenant was thenceforth inviolable not to be altered but by lawful Divorce Death Captivity or Slavery and losse of freedome Many other are reckoned up by Alex. ab Alex. too tedious here to insert a word or two of their Hymns and Nuptiall Invocations The ancient Greeks used a kind of Verse which they called Amboeum carmen the same which they say was sung by the gods at the Brydals of Peleus the father of Achilles and Thetis Aristophanes in Avibus 〈◊〉 That they were wont to cry aloud Humin Ho Humenai Ho Humin In other places at marriages the Matrons held the Tapers and Torches at which time were sung Fescâ—vini which were broad and bawdy Verses and they being ended that which they call the solemn and sacred Hymn in the Athenian Espousals was sung Bonos ama timidos repelle c. Love these that good are and the fâ—aâ—full shun Observing those thou 〈…〉 to be done Plato in Gorgia affirms That at Nuptial Feasts was used to be sung this short Hymn following Formosum esse divitem bene valere Summum existimari bonum To attain the soveraign blesse let us implore Health wealth and Beauty then we need no more The Romans as Liv. lib. 1. Decad. and Plin cap. 2. de viris illustribus affirm in all their celebrations called aloud upon the name of Thalassius which they held as an Omen to their future successe and prosperity Their Brides when they entred into the houses of their husbands whilst their feet were yet upon the threshold invoked the name of Caâ—a Cecilia by another name called Tanaquilla continuing and not surceasing to iterate that name from the door till she came into the Bride chamber Tanaquilla was the wife of Tarquinius Priscus King of the Romans for temperance modesty vertue and all the accomplishments that best grace a woman most eminent thus intimating that by remembring her name they might imitate her life All other ornaments laid apart there was only borne before them a Distaffe and a Spindle and thus the mothers of Martia of Portia of Lucretia were first ushered to their Nuptiall Chambers Touching their diet Solon published a Law That no Virgin might be permitted to enter the Bride-bed if at supper her husband and she had not before tasted of a Quince-Pear which they call Malum Cydonium The Naucratians in all such Feasts forbid both egs sweet meats or any confection in which there was Honey Amongst them no service was admitted saving Skallions or such roots as were divided into cloves Pine-Apple Nuts the juice of the herb called Rochet and Pepper and these were in the place of a Banquet Amongst the Persians the husband was not permitted to come to visit his Bride unlesse he had first eaten an Apple or else tasted a sweet Rush called Squinanthum or Camels meat neither might he eat of any thing else for that day Amongst the Babylonians they bedded not without red Storax first tasted The Carthaginians in their Hymenaean Festivals sliced the fish called a Tunny without the eating of which there was no perfect and absolute celebration Alex. ab Alex. From their Feasts I come to ceremonies observed concerning the copulation in or before marriage and of that briefly Amongst that Trogloditae their betrothed Virgins were first brought forth by their neerest kinsmen and allies and by them promiscuously prostituted After which time they betake themselves to all civility and continence which whosoever was known to violate or digresse from was most severely chastized without all commiseration or pity The same custome is observed amongst the Gymnesians the Lydians and the inhabitants of the Baleares The Andrimachides a people of Africa before they can bestow their daughters offer their Virginities to their Princes first and such as he best affects he vitiates at his pleasure and then they are permitted to marry The like custome was held in Scotland but since the Christian Religion was there professed that Law hath been there abrogated only the maids redeem their Virginities with a certain piece of monie and by that Tenure their lands are held to this day The Volcinienses are tied to a more base servitude because they are compelled before marriage to prostitute their free daughters to their slaves and servants Alex. ab Alex. lib. 1. cap. 24. Herodotus writes That the Adyrmachidae present their daughters maidenheads first to their King ere their betrothed husbands can be admitted any congress with them The Babylonians never have company with their wives but they before sitting about a fire make a fume of a strong scent which they snuffe up at their nostrils by the Authors description it should not much differ from that which we have now in such frequent use and call Tobacco In the morning they both wash before they touch any Vessell whatsoever The Spartans by the Decrees of Lycurgus in all their Bridals the man still came into the womans chamber the Light being first extinct where with bashful fear and a religious kind of modesty they performed the Offices of Nature Love and Custome The Conjugall Love of Women towards their Husbands HAving done with the superstitious ceremonies of the Gentiles concerning marriage as far as Polyhimnia or Memory will help me I will now proceed with some few remarkable examples of Conjugall Love being an argument that cannot be too oft remembred nor overmuch handled I begin with the women of India These according to the custome of the Country being many married unto one man
he is no sooner dead but they all contend together which of them was of him in his life time best beloved and if it cannot be determined amongst themselves they bring the controversie before the Judges and plead as earnestly to accompany him in death as for some great fortune and honour she amongst the rest that prevails exults with joy as having attained a great victory when being led by her best friends and neerest of kindred partakes with her in the same triumph unto the place where her husbands body is to be consumed with a pleasant and merry countenance she casts her selfe into the fire and is there burned with him together the rest that survive and were deprived of this last honor consume the remainder of their lives in great discontent sorrow and anguish Of this custome Cicero remembers us Tusâ— Quaest lib. 5. Valer. Maxim lib. 2. cap. 1. Alex. aâ— Alex. Alianus Egnatius and others This funerall ceremony as Fulgos lib. 2. cap. 6. is continued amongst them unto this day alluding to this purpose is that of Propert lib. 3. Foelix cöâ—s lex funeris una maritis c. Which I thus paraphrase in English You Eastern Husbands in your funerall Lawes Most happy and their first inventors wise In which you are more famous then because On you the blushing morning first doth rise When Death hath with his last mortiferous wound The Husband struck his last Rites to prepare A pious troop of wives engirt him round Drying their moist cheeks with their scatt'red hair Who strive which shall associate him in fate And bed with him together in the flame To live beyond him is a thing they hate And he once dead life is to them a shame She that can die with him hath her desire And leaps with joy into the funerall fire The like is observed by a people of Thrace that inhabit a little above the Crestonaeans They likewise are delighted with plurality of wives who after the decease of their husbands enter into the like contention as the women of India and she that is Victoresse as if glorying in some great conquest adorned in her best and richest ornaments is with great ceremonious pomp amongst all her kindred and allies conducted unto the place where his body is to be interred where being slaine by her next of Kin as the best office he can do her she is buried in the same grave with her husband Herod lib. 5. The wives amongst the Geates repair to their husbands sepulchre and holding al life tedious and burthensome without them other their bodies willingly either the sword or to the fire The Custome of the Catheoreans was That when the Bride choose her husband she made a covenant with him at his death to be burnt in the same Pile Alex. ab Alex. lib. 1. cap. 25. The women amongst the Herulians a people that inhabit beyond the river of Danubius repair to the graves of their husbands and just over against them strangle themselves Which marriage-love appears the more strange because the men are of that barbarous and inhumane incontinence that they hold it no shame to leave the society of their women and have congression with brute beasts Bonifacius in his Epistle unto King Ethelbalaus as Gaâ—â—elm Masmsbur lib. 1. cap. 64. de Anglia relates it saith That the Winedi are the worst and the most nasty people among the Germans yet their wives are of that incomparable zeâ—i and piety toward their husbands that she is held to be the most laudable and praise-worthy that with her own hand kils her selfe to burn with him to his last funerall fire From the generality of women I descend to particulars Admirable was the love of Phila towards her husband King Demetrius and haughty and magnanimous her spirit who receiving newes of his defeat in battel and that his whole army being dispersed and scattered he was retired into Cassandria drank poison and so died The wife of Straton Prince of Sydonia when the City was straitly besieged by the Persians her greatest care was lest the person of her husband should fall into the hands of the mercilesse enemy which she purposed to prevent by death When therefore she heard they had scaled the wals and were ready to be instantly possest of the Town and seize upon the person of her husband she snatcht from him his sword with which she first slew him and then laying out his body with as much comlinesse as the shortnesse of the time would permit after fell upon the same sword thus by voluntary death preventing the dishonour of captivity Fulgos lib. 4. cap. 6. Fannia the daughter of Arria the younger wife to Poetus Patavinus before remembred in her brave and heroick death with her husband was the spouse of Helvidius Priscus who followed him in all his exile even to his unfortunate and most unjust death she was the third time confin'd from the reign of Tiberius Nero. to the death of Domitian Pliny with infinite praises applauds the incomparable vertues of this Fannia with both the Arrias in Lib. 9. in his Epistle to Quadratus and in his seventh to Genitor and Priscus Triaria was the noble and chast wife of L. Vitellius brother to Aul. Vitellius the Emperor who as Hypsicrataea followed Mithridates in all his combustious wars so she never forsook her husband but was present with him in all those civil dissentions against Vespasian And the night when Vitellius her Lord with a great army of Souldiers invaded and entred the City Terecyna she presented her selfe in the middest of the slaughter not only daring but doing equally with the most valiant killing on all sides till she had hemmed her selfe in with dead bodies slaine by her own hand so bold and magnanimous a spirit had the conjugall love to her husband imprest in her Her memory is made famous by the same Author Antonia Flaxilla by some called Archona when her husband Priscus was found guilty of the Pysonian Faction and for that cause exiled by Nero and when she might have enjoied all the plenty and abundance in Rome left all the pleasures and delights of the City to accompany her desolate Lord in his penurous and uncomfortable banishment Her example Egnatia Maximilla imitated who likewise associated her husband Gallus guilty of the same conspiracy with Priscus Fulgos lib. 6. c. 7. From Jacobus the son of Vsson Cassannus amongst many other Captains that revolted there was one eminent in that rebellion called Pandoerus who had a most beautiful young wife her age exceeded not sixteen years to whom he was ardently and in conjoined love affected He being by her often earnestly entreated to forbeare all conflicts with the enemy but by no means either moved by her tears or perswaded by her intercessions and praiers persisting resolute for a present encounter she then begged of him That before he hazarded himselfe to the extremity of danger he would first take away her fears
it was called The work of Acecaeus and Helicon Above others most magnified by Ovid. Metamorph. lib. 6. is Arachne Lydia the daughter of Idmones whose mother was born in the smal City Hypepis she having by many degrees exceeded all mortall women and that without difficulty durst compare with Minerva her selfe who for her boldnesse and pertinacy she turned into a Spider Her controversie with Pallas is with great elegancy expressed in Ovid. Alexander of Macedon and Octavius Augustus the one wore a Garment woven by his Mother the other a Mantle by the hands of his Wife These Ladies had sequestred places in some part of their Pallaces and kept their hand-maids and damosels at work of which these two potent and mighty Queens disdained not to be the daily Directoresses and Over-seers Alex. ab Alex. cap. 4. lib. 8. Part of the Wool which Tanaquil spun with her Distaffe Spindle and Slippers were long time reserved as sacred Reliques in the Temple of Ancus Martius as also a Kingly Garment or Imperiall Robe woven quite through with Raies and Flames of Gold wrought with her own hand in which Servius Tullius oft went in state and saâ—e in the high Judgement-Seat in the Capitol Varro apud eundem By the Law called Pagana all women were forbidden to spin or draw out any thread in the streets or common high waies because they held it ominous to the prosperity of the Grain sown in the Earth or the Fruits blossomed or growing upon the Trees as the same Author testifies Ausonius speaks af one Sabina not only excellent in this Science but a Poet withall which he left to posterity in one of his Epigrams Sive probas Tyrio textam sub tegmine vestra Seu placet inscripti commoditus tituli c. Which is thus Englished If thou affect'st a purple Robe Woven in the Tyrian stain Or if a Title well inscrib'd By which thy wit may gain Behold her works unpartially And censure on them well Both one Sabina doth professe And doth in both excell And thus I take leave of weaving for Memory now transports me to another Argument Of Women Contentious and Bloody TExtor in his Ossicine remembers us of one Kailla who was of that barbarous and inhumane cruelty that being at dissention with her husband Vazules she having banished all conjugall piety and pitty caused his eies to be digged out of his head spending the remainder of his age in uncomfortable darknesse These subsequent stories of flinty and obdure hearted women though I could willingly have spared them out of this work that the world might almost be induced to beleeve that no such immanities could ever have place in the smooth and soft bosomes of women yet in regard I have promised briefly to run over all Ages Features Affections Conditions and Degrees though they might perhaps have been thought well spared by some yet I make no question but that they might be challenged at my hands by others The rather I present them and with the more confidence unto your view because though their actions to the tender breasted may seem horrid and fearful and therefore the hardlier to purchase credit yet the testimony of the Authors being authentick and approved will not only bear me out as their faithfull remembrancer but in the things themselves fasten an inherent beleefe I proceed therefore Cyrce the Witch slew the King of Sarmatia to whom she was married and usurping the regall throne did much oppresse her subjects of her Saâ—â—llâ—cus writes more at large Clitemnestra was the wife of Agamemnon Arch Duke or Generall of the Grecians at the siege of Trâ—y she by the help of Aegistus with whom she adulterated slew her husband of this Virgil speaks lib. 11. Seneca in Agâ—memnon and Juvenal in Satyr Danaus the son of 〈◊〉 had fifty 〈◊〉 who were espoused to the fifty son of Aegustus 〈◊〉 made a eonjuration in one night to kill all their husbands which they accordingly did all save the 〈…〉 who spared the liâ—e of her husband 〈…〉 Hercul Fur. Alexander Phaeâ—cus a Tyrant of 〈◊〉 when he had shewed his wife 〈◊〉 to a 〈…〉 it so impatiently that she cut his throat sleeping Ovid in Ibâ—n Volâ—teâ—ranus repoâ—e that Albina daughter to a King of Syria had two and thirty sisters who all in one night slew their husbands who being exil'd their Countrie landed in Brittain and that of this Albina this kingdome first took the name of Albion Laodice was the wife of Antiochus King of Syria who caused himself to be call'd God the poison'd her husband because of his too much familiarity with 〈◊〉 the sister of Ptolomey Fabia slew Fabius Fabricianue that she might the more freely enjoy the company of Petronius Volentanus a young man of extraordinary feature with whom she had often before accompanied Agrippina poisoned her husband Tiberius Claudius the Emperor Lucilla the wife of Antonius Verus Emperor poisoned her husband because she thought him too familiar with Fabia Aaâ—â—oâ—us Prince of Ferolivium married with the daughter of Joannes Bentivolus of whom being despised and finding her self neglected she hired certain cot-throat Physitians who slew him in his chamber Andreas the son of Carolus King of Pannonia was slain by his wife Joanna Queen of Sicily for no other reason but that he was iâ—le and held unprofitable to the weal publick Althaea sorrowing that her two brothers Plexippus and Toxeus were slain by her son Meleager she burned that Brand of which the fattall Sisters had made a prediction That his life and health should continue as long as that was preserved Ovid Trist lib. 1. Bocat in General Agave a Theban woman slew her son Penthaeus because he would not honour the feast of the Baâ—hinals with the rest of the Menades Virg. in Culiceâ—â—â—ctha taking arms against Eumolpus and having an answer from the Oracle That he should have a certain victory of the would sacrifice his only daughter to the gods by the perswâ—sion of his wife Prâ—xitha gave her up to slaughter Euripides apud Plutarch Elearchus one of the Kings of Creet at the perswasion of his second wife Phroâ—â—ma commanded is only daughter by the hand of one Themisones to be cast into the river and there drowned Herodot Polidice betraied her father King Pletera to Crocon King of Thebes and caused him to be slain as likewise Niâ—us being besieged by Minos by the treason of his daughter lost that purple hair which was the stay of his sovereignty Ovid Metam and Servius Tiphon Aegyptius as Berosus Seneca Diodorus and other relate slew his brother Osiris then reigning in Aegypt and governing justly which done he caused him to be cut in twenty six pieces and to every one of the conspirators gave a part the better to secure him of their fidelities but Isis their sister after she had lamented the death of her brother Osiris by the assistance of her son who was called Oâ—os flew Tiphon and avenged his death Draomitia was a Queen of Bohemia
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
sister received with joy and of the people with loud acclamations and being now possessed of the Imperiall dignity the better as he thought to secure himselfe having power answerable to his will after the barbarous custome of the Turkish tyranny he first caused his eight younger brothers to be beheaded stretching his bloody malice to all or the most part of his own affinity not suffering any to live that had been neer or deer to his deceased brother so that the City Casbin seemed to swim in blood and ecchoed with nothing but lamentations and mournings His cruelty bred in the people both fear and hate both which were much more increased when they understood he had a purpose to alter their form of religion who with great adoration honour their prophet Aly into the Turkish superstition his infinite and almost incredible butcheries concern not my project in hand I therefor leave them and return to his sister whose name was Periaconcona who when this Tyrant was in the middest of his securities and the sister as he imagined in her sisterly love and affection upon a night when he was in all dissolute voluptuousnesse sporting amidst his concubines she into whose trust and charge he had especially committed the safety of his person having confederated with Calilchan Emirchan Pyrymahomet and Churchi Bassa the most eminent men in the Empire admitted them into the Seraglio in womans attire by whom with her assistant hand in the midst of his luxuries he was strangled an act though happily beneficiall to the common good yet ill becomming a sister unlesse such an one as strived to parallel him in his unnaturall cruelties Turkish History Equall with this was that of Quendreda who after the death of Ranulphus King of Mercia his young son Kenelm a child of seven years of age raigning in his stead whose roiall estate and dignity being envied by his sister she conspired with one Heskbertus by whose treacherous practise the King was enticed into a thick forrest and there murdered and privately buried his body long missed and not found and the conspirators not so much as suspected But after as Willielm de regib lib. 1. and de Pontificibus lib. 4. relates a Dove brought in her bill a scrole written in English golden letters and laid it upon the Altar of Saint Peter which being read by an Englishman contained these words by which the place where the body lay was discovered At Clent in Cowbach Kenelme Keneborn lieth under Thorn heaved by weaved that is in plainer English At Clent in Cowbach under a thorn Kenelm lieth headlesse slain by treason Some say it was found by a light which streamed up into the air from the place where his body lay covered His hearse being after borne towards his sepulchre to be a second time interred with solemn Dirges sung by the Churchmen Quendreda sitting then in a window with a Psalter in her hand to see the funerall solemnly pass by whether in scorn of the person deâ—ision of the Ceremony or both is not certain but she began to sing the Psalm of Te Deum laudamus backward when instantly both her eies dropped out of her head with a great flux of blood which stained her book and it was after kept as a sacred relique in memory of the Divine judgement What need I trouble you with citing antiquities how this sin ought to be punished on earth when we see how hatefull it is in the eies of heaven besides to insult upon the bodies of the dead is monstrous and even in things senslesse to be punished Ausonius remembers us of one Achillas who finding a dead mans scull in a place where three sundrie waies divided themselves and casting to hit it with a stone it rebounded again from the scull and stroke himself on the forehead his words be these Abjecta in triviis inhumati glabra jacebat Testa hominis nudum jam cute calvicium Fleverant alii fletu non motus Achillas c. Where the three waies parted a mans soul was found Bald without hair unburied above ground Some wept to see 't Achillas more obdure Snatcht up a stone and thinks to hit it sure He did so at the blow the stone rebounds And in the eies and face Achillas wounds I wish all such whose impious hands prophane The dead mans bones so to be stroke again Of Mothers that have slain their Children or Wives their Husbands c. MEdea the daughter of Oeta King of Colchos first slew her young brother in those Islands which in memory of his inhumane murther still bear his name and are called Absyrtides and after her two sons Macarâ—â—â— and Pherelus whom she had by Iason Progne the daughtâ—er of Pandion murthered her young son It is begot by Terâ—us the son of Mars in revenge of the rape of her sister 〈◊〉 Ino the daughter of Cadmus Melicertis by 〈◊〉 the son of Aeolus Althea the daughter of Theseus slew her son Meleager by Oeneus the son of Parthaon Themisto the daughter of Hypseus Sphincius or Plinchius and Orchomenus by 〈◊〉 at the instigation of Ino the daughter of Cadmus Tyros the daughter of Salmoneus two sons begot by 〈◊〉 the son of Aeolus incited thereto by the Oracle of Apollo Agave the daughter of Cadmus Pentheus the son of Echiâ—â— at the importunity of Liber Pater Harpalice the daughter of Climenus slew her own father because he forcibly despoiled her of her honor Hyginus in Fabulis These slew their Husbands Clitemnestra the daughter of Theseus Agamemnon the son of Atreus Hellen the daughter of Iupiter and Laeda Deiphobus the son of Priam and Hecuba he married her after the death of Paris Agave Lycotherses in Illyria that she might restore the Kingdom to her father Cadmus Deianeira the daughter of Oeneus Althea Hercules the son of Iupiter Alomena by the Treason of Nessus the Centaur Iliona the daughter of Priam Polymnestor King of Thrace Semyramis her husband Ninus King of Babylon c. Some have slain their Fathers others their Nephewes and Neeces all which being of one nature may be drawn to one head And see how these prodigious sins have been punished Martina the second wife to Heraclius and his Neece by the brothers side by the help of Pyrrhus the Patriarch poisoned Constantinus who succeeding in the Empire fearing left her son Heraclius should not attain to the Imperiall Purple in regard that Constantinus left issue behind him two sons Constantes and Theodosius which he had by Gregoria the daughter of Nycetas the Patritian notwithstanding he was no sooner dead but she usurped the Empire Two years of her Principality were not fully expired when the Senate reassumed their power and called her to the bar where they censured her to have her tongue cut out lest by her eloquence she might perswade the people to her assistance her son Heraclius they maimed off his Nose so to make him odious to the multitude and after exiled them both
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