a presumptuous security They shew it to the chiefe Commanders of Naxos who uniting themselves give the affrightned and unweaponed Miletians a sudden and unexpected aâ—laule and having slaughter'd many possesse themselves of the Castle But by Polycritas intercessive intreaties surprised Diognetus scapes with life And for this noble exploit of hers the glad Citizens running to meet her with shouts and acclamations every one bearing in his hand a Garland to receive her with those wreaths of honour Polycrita was so far extafi'd that her sudden joy asheâ—ed a sudden death for as she stood amased at the gate she instantly tell down exanimated in which gate she was buried and her sepulchre called The Tomb of Envy because it is supposed that Fortune grew so envious of her merits that thus she robb'd her of her life that so she might 〈…〉 of her deserved honours And thus much speaks the history of the Naxians Aristotle affirms Polycrita was no captive but only that Diognetus having seen her he grew so far enamoured of her that to enjoy her he pâ—oâ—eâ—ed her any thing that was in his power to give She promises to yield to his desire if he will grant her the fruition of one boon which when he had confirmed to her by oath she demanded Delium to be surrendered up for the Castle was so called Diognetus being so much inchanted with her beauty and â—oreover bound by the religion of his vow delivered up to her and the Citizens the Castle Delium Of Queens and other Ladies for divers vertues memorable VVE read of other women for divers noble actions Illustrious Dominica the wife of the Emperor Valens when the Goths had threatned the utter subversion of Constantinople by her wisedome and discretion mediated with the enemy and was the sole means of the safety both of the people and City Sâ—x Aurelius reports of Pompeia Plantina when her husband Julian the Emperor had with intollerable exactions oppressed the people insomuch that their discontents were ready to break out into rebellion this vertuous Princesse so far temporised with the Emperour that by her means they were released from all exactions and tributes Diaconus makes mention of Placidia the sister and wife of Honorius who in the yeare 412. when Ataulphus King of the Goths presented himselfe with an invincible army before the wals of Rome threatning utterly to subvert the City and after rebuild it again and instead of Rome to call it Gothia so wrought with the barbarous King by perswasions and promises that she turned his pride to pity and his immanity to mercy so that he departed thence without any assault made against the City or the least spoile doâ—e unto the Countrie Vollateranus speaks of Inguldis the sister of Childebert who being married to Hermagellus son to Lemigildus King of the Goths perswaded her husband then an infidell to be a true and constant professor of the Christian faith The like we read of Cleotilda Q of France who did the like good work upon her husband Clodoneus the son of Childerick Nor hath our own Nation been barren of good examples since Helena the mother of Constantine may in that kind claim equality if not precedâ—â—cy before any As Rome afforded a Volumnia moâ—her to Martius Corinlanus so England yeelded as eminent a Lady in all points the mother to Brennus and Belinus The first whâ—n her son had worthily deserved of his Country even to the attaining of all military honours and as an addition to the rest for his 〈◊〉 service against the City of Coriolorus had the denomination of Coriolanus bestowed upon him by the publick suffrage of the Senate yet notwithstanding for all his merits and unmatchable exploits by which he purchased to himselfe the honour to be called Pater Patriae yet after by the ingratefull multitude who were ever emulous of any mans deserved greatnesse he was not only degraded from all his titles of dignity but had the doom of everlasting banishment denounced against him in revenge of which ingratitude having raised an army and invaded the Towns of the Roman Empire ready to invest himselfe before the quaking and affrighted City when they had first sent to him to make their attonement their Priests who by reason of their sacred offices were held in much reverence next their Augurers and South-sayers then the Aeditiae which were the Keepers of their Temples and last their Prophets but none of these prevailing as their last refuge the Roman matrons presented themselves before Volumnia the mother of Martius humbly intreating her to make intercession betwixt her sons rage and the imminent calamity This reverend Lady mov'd with their tears and acclamations accompanied with Virgilia the wife of Coriolanus and many other Noble matrons and damosels having before promised to plead in their behalfs as far as a miserable mother could claim interest in an injured son repaired to his Tent and casting themselves down at his feet humbly besought him of compassion the rear exprest in their faces and the sorrow in their habits cast upon the enemy a sudden reverence and silence when Volumnia with such feeling accents and moving Oratory mixed with tears besought the peace of the City that they made a reverent impression in the heart of Coriolanus who supporting his mother and advancing his wife from the earth brake out into this extasie Vicistis you have overcome me Thus by these excellent women all combustions of war were appeased a threatned misery prevented and a generall and safe peace setled in the commonweale Of no lesse remark was the wife of Mulmutius Dunwallo the son to Cloten Duke of Cornwall who as Fabian remembers of him having in great peace and tranquillity governed the Kingdom for the space of forty years and was after buried in a place by him before erected called the Temple of peace leaving the land equally divided betwixt his two sons Belinus and Berennus to Belinus the elder was allotted England Wales and Cornwall unto Brennus all the North parts beyond Humber who being a young man and desirous of honour not content with the Principality appointed him commenced against Belinus a fearfull war But as the two brothers were ready to joine battell the mother presented her selfe betwixt the armies exposing her bodie to their opposite weapons shewing the breasts that gave them suck and with noble admonitions and motherly perswasions so mollified the hearts of the incensed Princes that all civill and seditious war laid aside they entered a friendly and brotherly league which was so established in the reverend vertues of the mother that it was never after violated in all their life times after With what condign honours is Queen Marcias memory worthy to be celebrated who being the wife to Guinthetinus King of Britain the son of Gurgunscius was in those daies of that excellent learning and knowledge that she devised many profitable and wholsome lawes to the benefit of the Common-wealth which
a chain of Diamonds which gave a wondrous addition to that beauty when 〈◊〉 of it selâ—e without any ornament was not to be 〈◊〉 A contrary effect it wrought in the King and 〈◊〉 husband To Edgar she seemed some goddesse at least a miracle in nature to Ethelwold in regard of his fear a fury or what worse he could compare her to O frail woman in this one vanity to appear beautifull in the eies of a King thou hast committed two heinous sins Adultery and Murder for accordingly it so fell out Edgar was as much surprised with her love as incensed with hate against her Lord both which for the present he dissembled neither smiling on the one nor frowning on the other In the afternoon the King would needs 〈◊〉 the stag in the forrest of Werwelly since called 〈◊〉 wood In the chase by the appointment of Edgar Earl Ethelwold was strook through the body with an arrow and so slain the King after made Elfritha his bride and Queen The Earl had a base son then present at the death of his father of whom the King asked how he liked that manner hunting to whom he answered Roial Sir what seemeth good to you shall be no way offensive from that time forward he was ever gracious with the King And Elfritha 〈◊〉 to make attonement with heaven for the murder of her husband or â—â—ther as Ranulphus saith for causing Edward 〈◊〉 whom she was step mother to be slaine 〈◊〉 her own son Egelredus might reign builded an Abby for Nunnes at Worwell where she was after buried Gunnora IN the time that Agapitus was Pope Lewis King of France the son of Charls caused William Longa Spata the Duke of Normandy to be treacherously slain this William was son to Rollo The Lords of Normandy with this murder much incensed watched their advantage and surprised the King in Rhothemage where they committed him to safe custody till he had promised and sworn to yeeld up Normandy to Richard son and immediate heire to William the late murdered Duke and moreover in what place soever the King and the young Duke should have meeting to confer that Richard should car his sword but King Lewis neither to have sword nor knife about him This Richard being young was called Richard the Old he had besides another attribute given him which was Richard without Feare because he was never known to be dismaid at any thing but a third above these was that he pretended to be wondrous religious He was Duke two and fifty years and took a Lady to his bed from Denmark whose name was Gunnora by whom he had five sons and two daughters the eldest of which was married to Etheldredus King of England her name was Emma and she was called the flower of Normandy Concerning this bold yet religious Duke it is reported by Marianus lib. 2. Henricus Ranulphus and others that besides many other testimonies of his sanctity this one made him most eminent A Monk of Andoenus in Rothomage a Town in Normandy going one night to meet with his Sweet heart his way lay over a bridge and under that bridge was a deep foord or river it so hapned that mistaking his footing he fell into the water and there was drowned He was no sooner dead but there came to carry away his soul an Angel and a Fiend these two contended about it the one would have it so would the other great was the controversie betwixt them at length they concluded to put the case to Duke Richard and both to stand to his arbitriment much pleading there was on both sides at length the Duke gave sentence That the soul should be restor'd again to the body and be placed again upon that bridge from whence he had falne and if then he would offer to go from thence to his Sweet heart the Devill should take him but if otherwise he because he was a Church-man should be still in the Angels protection This was done and the Monk left his way to the woman and fled to the Church as to a sanctuary whither the Duke went the next day and found the Monks cloths still wet and told the Abbot every circumstance as it fell out therefore the Monk was shriven did penance was absolved and reconciled This I have read which I perswade no man to beleeve This Duke lived with the faire Gunnora long time dishonestly and without marriage had by her those children aforesaid but at length by the perswasion of the nobility and intercession of the Clergy he took her to wife The first night after the marriage when the Duke came to her bed she turned her back towards him which she had never done till that time at which he marvelling demanded of her the reason why she did so To whom she answered before I was your strumpet and therefore as a servant was tied to do your pleasure in all things but now I am your wife and made part of your selfe therefore henceforth I claime with you an equall soveraignty and will do what me list bearing my selfe now like a Princesse not like a prostitute This I am easily induced to beleeve for how soon do honours change manners Juvenall in his sixth Satyr speaking of marriage thus saith Semper habet lites aeternaque jurgia lectus c. The marriage bed is seldome without strife And mutuall chidings he that takes a wife Bargains for mighty trouble and small rest Sleep growes a stranger then whilst in her brest She lodgeth Passion Selfe-will Anger Feare And from her 〈◊〉 drops many a feigned teare c. Somewhat to this purpose spake Terentius in his Adelpâ—â—s Duxi uxorem quam ibi non miseriam vidi c. I made choice of a wife with judgement sound What miserie have I not therein found Children are born they prove my second care They should be comforts that my corfives are For her and them I study to provide And to that purpose all my time 's apply'd To keep her pleas'd and raise their poor estate And what 's my meed for all but scorn and hate And so much for Gunnora It seems the Emperor Valentinianus was neither well read in Juvenal nor Terence He when his wife commended unto him the beauty of the Lady Justina took her to his bed and for her sake made a law That it should be lawful for any man to marry two wives It is read of Herod the Great that he had nine wives and was divorsed from them all only for the love of Mariamnes niece to Hirâ—anus for whose sake he caused himselfe to be circumcised and turned to the faith of the Jewes he begot on her Alexander and Aristobulus on Dosides Antipater on Metheta Archelaus on Cleopatra Philip and Herodes Antipas he that was afterward called Tetrarch one of the four Princes Aristobulus that was Herodes son begotten on Beronica the daughter of his own Aunt called Saloma he begot the
the poor The King upon Holy-Rood day was released and besieged the Empresse in the City of Oxford from Michelmas day to mid winter where being oppressed with famine she took the advantage of the Frost and Snow and attiring her selfe all in white escaped over the Fens and came to the Castle of Wallingford And so much shall suffice to expresse the magnanimity and warlike dispositions of two noble and heroick English Ladies A French Lady comes now in my way of whom I wil give you a short character In the minority of Henry the sixt when France which was once in his entire possession was there governed by our English Regents the famous Duke of Bedsord and others Charls the Dolphin stiled after by the name of Charls the seventh being a Lord without land yet at that time maintaining what hostility he was able whilst the English forraged through France at their will and commanded in all places at their own pleasure the French in utter despaire of shaking oft the English yoke there arose in those desperate times one Joane Are the daughter of James Are and his wife Isabel born in Dâ—mprin This James was by profession a Shepherd and none of the richest Joane whom the French afterwards called Joane de Pucil whilst she was a young maid and kept her fathers sheep would report to divers That our blessed Lady S. Agnes and S. Katharine had appear'd unto her and told her that by her means France should regain her pristine liberty and cast off the yoke of English servitude This comming to the eare of one Peter Bradicourt an eminent Captain then belonging to Charls the Dolphin he used means that she should be sent to have conference with his master who sojourned then in Chynon in his lowest of dejection and despair of hope supply or comfort In her journie thither she came to a Town called Faire-bois where taking up her Inne a place which she had never before seen she desired a souldier to goe to a secret by-corner where was a heap of old iron and from thence to bring her a sword The souldier went according to her direction and searching the place amidst a great quantity of old tongs shovels hand irons and broken horse shooes found a faire bright sword with five Flower-Deluces upon either side engraven This sword with which she after committed many slaughters upon the English she girt to her and so proceeded to Chynon to give the Dolphin meeting Being there arrived Charls concealed himself amongst many others whilst he was brought into a faire long gallery where he had appointed another to take his place and to assume his person she looking upon him gave him neither respect nor reverence but sought out Charls among all the other in that assembly and pickt him from amongst the rest to whom making a low obeisance she told him that to him only was her businesse The Dolphin at this was amazed the rather because she had never before seen him and was somewhat comforted by reason that she shewed chear and alacrity in her countenance they had together long and private conference and shortly after she had an army given him to be disposed and directed by her She then bespake her selfe armor Cap a Pe bearing a white Ensign displaid before her in which was pourtraied the picture of the Saviour of the world with a Flower-de-luce in his hand and so marched to Oâ—leance Her first exploit was fortunately to raise the siege and â—elieve the Town From thence she passed to Reams took the City and caused the Dolphin there to proclaim himselfe King and take upon him the Crown of France She after took Jargueux a strong Town and in it the Earl of 〈◊〉 with many other brave English Gentlemen She â—ought the great battell of Pathay with good successe in which were taken prisoners the Lord Talbot the scourge and terror of the French Nation the Lord Scales the Lord Hungerford with many others both of name and quality she took in Benveele Mehun Trois and divers other Towns of great import and consequence at length in a caâ—â—â—ado or skirmish she was taken prisoner by Sir John of Entenburch a Burgonian Captain and sent to Roan The French Chronicles affirm that the morning before she was surprized she took the Sacrament and comming from Church told to divers that were about her that she was betraid her life sold and should shortly after be delivered up unto a violent death For Sir John gave a great sum of monie to betray her The English comming to invest themselves before Mondidier Joan was advised to issue out by Flaâ—y and skirmish with them who was no sooner out but he shut the gates upon her being taken she was sent to Peter Bishop of Bevoise who condemned her to the fire for a forceresâ—e which judgement was accordingly executed upon her in Roan in the Market place Twenty six years after Charls the King for a great sum of monie procured an annihilation of the first sentence from the Pope in which she was proclaimed a Viâ—ago inspired with divine instinct in memory of whose vertuous life and unjust death he caused a faire crosse to be erected just in the place where her body was burned I return again to the English Fâ—bâ—an and Harding speak of Emma sister to the Norman Duke called Richard who for her extraordinary beauty was called The flower of Normandy she was married to Eâ—helâ—ed King of England By 〈◊〉 heroick spirit and masculine instigation the King seat to all parts of the Kingdome secret and strict commissions That upon a day and hour assigned all these Danes which had usurped in the Land and used great cruelty should be slaughtered which at her behest and the Kings command was accordingly performed which though it after proved ominous and was the cause of much misery and mischiefe yet it shewed in her a noble and notable resolution Oâ— Queen Margaret the wiâ—e of Henry the sixt her courage resolution and magnanimity to speak at large would ask a Volume rather then a compendious discourse to which I am strictly tied And therefore whosoever is desirous to be further instructed in the successe of those many battels fought against the house of York in which she was personally present I refer them to our English Chronicles that are not sparing in commending her more then womaâ—ish spirit to everlasting memory With her therefore I conclude my female Martialists And now me thinks I am come where I would be and that is amongst you faire ones Of faire Women IT is reported of a King that for many yeers had no issue and desirous to have an heire of his own blood and begetting to succeed in the throne upon his earnest supplication to the divine powers he was blessed with a faire son both of beauty and hope And now being possessed of what he so much desired his second care was to see him so educated that he might have as much comfort
they proposed unto us honest rules and examples among which this was one That every man should have inspection into his own and guide himselfe by that compasse I verily beleeve she is matchlesse above all other women and deservedly to merit that character you have given her but withall I beseech you that you will not perswade me to any thing which is not lawfull At these words the King seemed to be displeased and repli'd Be confident O Gygâ—s and neither distrust me in so perswading thee nor my wife who is altogether ignorant of what I intend since from neither of us any damage or detriment no not so much as the least displeasure can arise for first I have devised that she shall not know nor once suspect that thou hast beheld her for I will order it that thou shalt be secretly conveied into the chamber and unseen behold every passage of her making unready and comming to bed Now when thou hast freely surveied her in every part and lineament and spiest her back towards thee convey thy selfe out of the room only in this be carefull that at thy removing she cast no eie upon thee This done the next morning give me thy free and true censure Gyges that could by no means avoid his importunity was prepared against the time The King according to his accustomed hour conveys himselfe into his chambâ—â— and so to bed the Queen soon after entring â—â—poils her selfe of all her 〈◊〉 and ornaments even to her 〈◊〉 all which Gyges was spectator of who no soner spied her back 〈◊〉 to go towards bed but Gyges slips from the place where he was hid which was not so cuâ—â—ingly done â—ut he 〈◊〉 espied by the Queen she demanding the reason of it from her husband and ne certifying the truth but 〈◊〉 what modesty he could excusing it she neither seemed to be angry nor a â—rogether well pleased but in her silence meditated revenge for amongst the Lydians and almost all those barborous nations it is held great incivility and immodesty to behold a man much more a woman naked The next morning by such servants as she best trusted she caused Gyges to be sent for who misdoubting nothing that had past as one that had many times free accesse unto her instantly came she causing her servants to withdraw themselves thus bespake him Two waies are proposed thee O Gyges and one of them instantly and without least premeditation to make choise of Either thou must kill Candaules and that done be possessed of me and with me the Crown of Lydia or instantly die for thy doom is already determined of because thou shalt know that in all things it is not convenient to obey the King or search into that which thou oughtest not to know There is now a necessity that either he that counselled thee to this must perish or thou that obeiedst him against all Law or Justice to behold me against reason or modesty naked Gyges at these words was first wondrously amazed but after recollecting himselfe entreated her not to compell him to so hard an exigent as to the choice of either But finding that necessity that he must be forced to one or the other to kill the King or to be slain by others he rather made choice to survive and let the other perish and thus answered her Since generous Lady you urge me to an enterprize so much opposite to my milder nature and disposition propose some safe course how this may de done Even saith she in the selfe-same place where he devised this mischiefe against himselfe namely his bed-chamber where to thee I was first discovered Therefore providing all things necessary for so determinate a purpose and the night comming on Gyges who knew no evasion but to kill his master or die himselfe awaited his best advantage and having notice when Candaules was asleep followed the Queen into her chamber and with a Ponyard by her provided for the purpose stabbed him to the heart by which he attained both the Queen and Kingdome Of this history Archilochus Parius makes mention in his Iambicks who lived about the same time affirming that Gyges was by the Oracle of Delphos confirmed in the Kingdome after the faction of the Heraclides had opposed his soveraignty Rowan and Estrilda ROwan was a maid of wonderfull beauty and pleasantnesse daughter to Hengest a Captain of the Saxons Of this Lady Vortiger then King grew so enamoured that for her sake he was divorced from his wife by whom he had three sons for which deed the greatest part of the Brittains forsook him therefore he by the instigation of Rowan still caused more and more Saxons to be sent for under pretence to keep the Land in subjection But the Brittains considering the daily repair of the Saxons came to the King and told him the danger that might ensue entreating him whilst it was yet time and to prevent a future miserie to expell them the Land But all in vain for Vortiger was so besotted in the beauty of his fair wife by whose counsell he was altogether swaied that he would in no wife listen to the counsell of his subjects Wherefore they with one united consent deprived him of his Crown and dignity making Vortimerus his eldest son King in his stead Who was no sooner Crowned but with all expedition he raised an army and pursued the Saxons and in four main battels besides conflicts and skirmishes became victorious over them The Saxons and their insolencies thus supprest and the King now governing the Land in peace after he had reigned seven years was by this Rowan in revenge of the disgrace done to her King deposed and her Countrimen disgraced most trecherously poisoned Locrin the eldest son of Brute chased the Huns which invaded the realm of England and so hotly pursued theâ—â— that many of them with their King were drowned in a river which parteth England and Scotland and after the name of the King of the Huns who there perished the river is to this day called Humber This King Locrin had to wife Guendoline a daughter of Corineus Duke of Cornwall by whom he had a son called Madan He kept also a Paramour called the beautifull Lady Estrilda by whom he had a daughter called Sabrina Locrine after the death of Corineus of whom he stood in awe divorced himselfe from his lawfull wife and took to his embraces his fair concubine moved with this injury Guendoline retired her self into Cornwall where she gathered a great power fought with her husband slew him in battell and after caused him to be buried in Troy-novant That done she caused the fair Estrilda with her daughter Sabrina to be drowned in a river that which parts England and Wales which still bears the name of the young Virgin and is called Severn These her designs accomplished for so much as Madan her young son was but in his pupillage and not of capacity or age to govern the Land by the
designs successfull proud of his victories and thinking himselfe to be Fortunes minion insomuch that despising the off-spring from whence he came he caused himselfe to be called the Son of Iupiter Being pufâ—ed up with these thoughts and swelling up in all ambitions he betook himselfe to all voluptuous delicâ—cies and of them to the most tempting riots of wine and women insomuch that lulled in all effeminacy he so far forgot both his high majesty and that commendable temperance for which he was before all his predecessors renowned that he sent as far as Athens for a notorious strumpet branded in her life though famous for her beauty called Potonice on whom the King was so much besotted that he not only gave her most Princely and magnificent gifts in her life time but after her death caused a Tomb to be erected over her body on which structure the King bestowed thirty talents It were strange if our English Chronicles should not affoord some or other to have correspondence with these Harlotta or Arlotta THis History is recorded by an Historiographer of ancient times who writes himselfe Anonymus or without name by Gulielm Malmsbury Vincentius Ranulphus Fabian Polydore and others As Robert Duke of Normandy and father to William the Conqueror rid through the Town of Falois he beheld a beautifull Virgin a Skinners daughter playing and dancing amongst other Virgins with whose feature being on the sudden surprized he so far prevailed by his secret messages and gifts that she was privatly conveied into the Dukes Chamber and there lodged and put in a bed to await his comming who glad of such a purchase without much circumstance made himselfe ready for the businesse intended The chamber cleared and the place voided and he ready to accomplish his desires she rent her smook from the chin to the foot to make the freer way for the Prince and he demanding the reason of her so doing she made him this pretty and ready answer It were neither fit nor comely that the neither part of my smock should be turned up and kisse the lips of my Lord at which the Duke was much delighted And 〈◊〉 night was begot William the Bastard whom our Chronicles honour with the name of Conquerour whether at first in memory of this least or since in disgrace of the Wanton it is not decided But from that Harlotta or Arlotta our prostitutes and common wenches are to this day in our Vulgar Tongue called Harlots In the yeer of our Lord 1036 Henry the second Emperour of that name was married to Guinilde the daughter of Canutus a Dane and King of England This Emperor had a sister a professed Nun whom he loved so entirely that oft times he would have her lie in his own Pallace and neer to his own privy chamber It hapned in a cold Winters night a Chaplain belonging to the Court it seems to keep her the warmer and one that had been before much suspected lay with her and in the morning lest both their fâ—otingâ— should be seen in the Snow newly fallen that night she took him up and carried him out of the Court towards his chamber The Emperour chancing as his custome was to rise just at the same hour was spectator of this close conveâ—ance and beheld how all the businesse hapned Not long after fell a Bisopwrick which the Priest expected and a Nunnery which the Nun much desired Whereupon the Emperour calling them before him the one after the other Take that Benefice saith he to the Priest but faddle no more the Nun And you the Abbesse saith he to his sister saddle no more the Priest or look thou never more bear Clerk riding upon thy back It is said that this served after for a modest chiding betwixt them and that they were parted upon these friendly terms Of divers Wantons belonging to sundry famous men and others ARistophanes Apollodorus Ammonius Antiphanes and Georgia Atheniensis of your Athenian strumpets writ at large as also of the like argument Theomander Cyrenaeus Elâ—us Amasides Theophrastus in lâ—bro Amatorio Polemon de Tabellis lib. 3. Ovid and infinite others out of whom may be collected many famous wantons in their times Oâ—ymus is the name of a strumpet much beloved of a skilfull Sophist in Corinth Thalatra of Dâ—ocles Corianno of Phâ—recrates Antea of Philillius otherwise called Eunicus Thais and Phannium of Menander Opora of Alexis Clepsydra of Eubulus for so Aâ—clepiades the son of Arius reports in his Commentary upon Demetrius Phalareus where he affirms her proper name to be rather Methica which Antiphanes writes to be the name of a wanton The Poet Timocles speaks of Cinâ— Nannium Plangon Lyca Pithionica Myrhina Christis Covallis Ieroclea Lopadium Of these likewise Amphis makes mention Anaxandries in his description of the madnesse of old men amongst others he reckons up Lagisca and Theolyte Polemon the Hâ—storiographer speaks of one Cottina whose Sâ—atue is erected in the City of Lacedemon not far from the Temple of Dionysius she is mounted upon a brazen Bull. Alcibiades was beloved by a woman of Aegida of whom he was likewise amorous after relinquishing Athens and Lacena of one Medontide of Abidos and with her sailed through the Hellespont with Axiochus a friend of his and much devoted to his fellowship for so the Orator Lysias witnesseth of him in an Oration made against him He had two other mistresses with whom he was conversant Damasandya the mother of Laâ—s Junior and Theodota by whom he was preserved when remaining in Melissa a City of Phrygia Pharnabazus laid trains to entrap his life Abrotonax was the mother of Themâ—stocles a strumpet as Amphicrates relates Neanthes Cyzicenus a Greek Historiographer cals him the son of Euterpe The second Philadelphus King of Aegypt had many famous Concubines as Ptolomaeus Everges in his Commentaries witnesseth Didima and Bilistiâ—he besides these Agathoclea and Stratonica whose monument was erected in the sea Elusina Myrtium with many others Polybius in his fourteenth book of Histories remembers one Clino that was his Cup-bearer in whose honour many Statues were erected in Alexandria Mnesides a she musician of the City Mnesis and one Pothinae his most delicate houses in which he took much delight he was wont to call after the name of two of his Paraâ—ors either Myrtiae or Pothinae Timothaeus the great Captain of the Athenians was known to be the son of a common woman of Threissa which being objected to him as an aspersion he answered I am glad to have been born of such a mother that had the wisedome to chuse Coâ—on to be my father Caristius in his historicall Commentaries avers Phileterus who soveraignized in Pergamus and the new Region called Boca to be the son of a wanton she Minstrel born in Paphlagonia Aristophon the Orator who in the reign of King Euclides published a Law That all such as were not born of civill and free women
their Cause this discreet Lady in person pleaded before the Triumvirate in the behalf of the women which she did boldly and happily for as one hereditary to her fathers eloquence she prevailed so far that the greatest part of the mulct imposed upon them was instantly remitted Differing from their Modesties was that of Caia Affrania the wife of Lycinius Bructio a woman prompt and apt for all contention and discord and in all troubles and controversies stil pleaded her own Cases before the Praetor Not that she wanted the help of an Advocate but rather to expresse her own impudence whose common railing and loquacity before the Bench grew to that scandall that it almost stretcht to the injurie of the whole Sex insomuch that if any woman were justly taxed with boldnesse or irregularity she in the way of a Proverb was branded with the name of Affrania Her spleen extended even to Caius Caesar Tertius as likewise to M. Servillus the Consul My Author leaves her with this Character That it is much better to enquire when such a Monster died then curiously to be inquisitive when or of whom she was â—orn Val. Max lib. 8. cap 3. From Orators I come to Sophists and from Declamers to Disputants It is reported of Caecilia the chast Roman Virgin being married against her wil to a noble Gentleman called Valertanuâ— when they were left together in the Bride-chamber she with her strong reasons and prompt arguments discoursed and disputed with him in the patronage and defence of her Virginity proving unto him from the Scriptures how justly vowed Chastity is more acceptable in the eies of the great Maker then Marriage insomuch that notwithstanding his heat of youth meeting with a tempting provoking beauty the convenience of opportunity time and place with the lawfulnesse of the act establisht by the Ceremonies of the Church yet he at her intercession not only absteined from that time to offer her any force or violence but ever after betwixt themselves vowing lasting Virginity She likewise when Tiburtius the brother to Valerianus contended with her in disputation refuted the opinions then generally held concerning the idolatrous worship of the false Pagan gods so that having convinced him with undeniable Propositions he turned a zealous convertite to the true Christian Faith Catherina Alexandria under the Tyranny of Maxâ—ntius argued with all the best and cunningest Sophists of those daies stoutâ—y and constantly maintâ—ining the Faith of the Gospel and sillogistically refuting all their schismatical Opinions causing many of them to deliver up their names to the â—â—cere profession of Christianity In her appeared how the wisdome of the world gave place and submitted to the Divine knowledge insomuch that notwithstanding all the 〈◊〉 cunning and sophistical dilemma's in which they were elaborately practised they were forced to yield and submit to the authority of a plain Virgins tongue her wit and reason being illuminated with Divine knowledge from above Marul lib. 5. cap. 6. Guido Bit. in his Catalogue of Philosophers reports Diodorâ—â— Socratiâ—â—â— to have had five daughters all Disputants and skilful in Logick Hypparchia the sister oâ— Megocles and wife to Câ—ates Cynicus she with one sophism put to silence Theodorus surnamed 〈◊〉 Quod faciens Theodorus non dicerâ—tur injuste facere 〈…〉 Hyppâ—rchia non diceretur injuste facere i. That which Theoâ—orus doing he is not said to do unjustly It Hypparchia do the same she is not said to do unjustly To which when he granted she added this But Theodorus beating himselfe is not said to do unjustly Ergâ— If Hyppaâ—chia beat Theodorus she cannot do unjustly To this Theodorus made no answer but in snatching up his cloak and leaving the place he â—aunted her in a Greek Iambick verse which was to this purpose Why she being a woman would trouble her selfe with such Disciplines as are solely appertaining unto men thus saying Radios apud Tâ—las retiqui femina To whom she replied Thinkest thou I have been ill councelled I that time which I might have past upon the Loom or Distâ—ff I have spentâ—n the attaining of the liberall Arts and Discâ—plinâ—s Of Debora of the Tribe of Ephraim her wisedome and her Prophesies in which she excelled the holy Scriptures gives ample testimony as likewise of Mary the sister of Moses Anna the Prophetess and others I proceed to such as have been studied and practised as well in Theology as Philosophy Of Women studious in Divinity FAbâ—ola a Roman matron was very laborious in the reading and understanding of the sacred Scriptures she was frequent in the old Prophets the Gospels and the Psâ—lms of David which she had almost ad unguem and by roat her continuall reading practised her in a more perfect knowledge she was of that reverend respect amongst the learned that Saint Jerome vouchsafed to dedicate a book unto her intituled de Vesta Sacer dotalâ— Marcella Romana 〈…〉 industry in the Scriptures in which she was 〈…〉 travelled was in many of Saint Jerom's Epistles 〈◊〉 by name Hâ— writ a book to heâ— De mundi Contemptu â— Of the contempt of the world another of the ten names by which God is called amongst the Hebrewes a third of our faith and the doctrine of the Hereticks a fourth of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost a fifth of the study of Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria with others The same Saint Jerome witnesseth of Eustochium the daughter of one Paula a Roman Matron who was excellently practised in the Greek and Latin Dialects as also in the Hebrew Character insomuch that she in her time was called The new Prodigie of the World she gave her studie chiefly to meditation upon the Scriptures insomuch that she read the Psalms of David familiarly and without the least hesitation Anastasia the scholler to Crisogonus the Martyr and wife of Publius Romanus who faining a counterfeit disease sequestred himself from her and quite abandoned her bed she writ certain Epistles to her Master and Tutor Crisogonus in which she complained that all her means and substance was consumed and wasted by her impious and sacrilegious husband who most unnaturally deteined her in prison This devout woman for the Faith and ministring to the Saints was arraigned and condemned to the fire where she publickly suffered a most glorious Martyrdom of her Volaterran makes mention Giliberta Anglica was born in Maguns or Mens in Germany where she was beloved of a young scholler for whose sake and least their private and mutuall affection should at length come to the ears of her parents all virginall modesty and womanish fear set aside she put her selfe into a young mans habit fled from her fathers house and with her dear friend and Paramour came into England where as wel as to his observance and love she gave her self to the practise of the Arts and to attain to the perfection of Learning At length the young man dying finding her self entred into some knowledge and desirous to be further instructed as one having a
part of it may at this day be seen as an antient Monument in the Castle of Dover Saturn made Money of Brasse with inscriptions thereon but Numa was the first that coined Silver and caused his name to be engraven thereon for which it still retains the name in the Roman Tongue and is called Nummus Aspasia was a Milesian Damosel and the beloved oâ— Pericles she was abundantly skilled in Philosophicall studies she was likewise a fluent Rhetorician Plutarchus in Pericles Socrates imitated her in his Facultas Politica as likewise Dâ—otima whom he blushed not to call his Tutresse and Instructresse Of Lasthenea Mantinea Axiothaea and Phliasia Plato's scholers in Philosophy I have before given a short Character Themiste was the wife of Leonteius Lampsucenus and with her husband was the frequent Auditor of Epicurus of whom Lactantius saith That save her none of the Ancient Philosophers ever instructed any woman in that study save that one Themiste Arete was the wife of Aristippus the Philosopher and attained to that perfection of knowledge that she instructed her son in all the liberall Arts by whose industry he grew to be a famous professor He was called Aristippus and she surnamed Cyrenaica She followed the opinions of that Aristippus who was father to Socrates She after the death of her father erected a School of Philosophy where she commonly read to a full and frequent Auditory Genebria was a woman of Verona she lived in the time of Pius the second Bishop of Rome Her works purchased for her a name immortal She composed many smooth and eloquent Epistles polished both with high conceits and judgement she pronounced with a sharp and loud voice a becomming gesture and a facundious suavity Agallis Corcyrua was illustrious in the Art of Grammar Caelius ascribes unto her the first invention of the play at Ball. Leontium was a Grecian Damosel whom Gallius cals a strumpet she was so well seen in Philosophicall contemplations that she feared not to write a worthy book against the much worthy Theophrastus Plin. in Prolog Nat. Hist Cicero lib. de Natur. Deorum Dama the daughter of Pythagoras imitated the steps of her father as likewise his wife Theano her husband the mother and the daughter both proving excellent scholars Laert. Themistoclea the sister of Pythagoras was so practised a studient that in many of his works as he himselfe confesseth he hath implored her advice and judgement Istrina Queen of Scythia and wife to King Aripithes instructed her son Sythes in the Greek Tongue as witnesseth Herodotus Plutarch in Pericte saith That Thargelia was a woman whom Philosophy solely illustrated as likewise Hyparchia Greca Laert. Cornelia was the wife of Africanus and mother to the noble family of the Gracchi who left behind her certain Epistles most elaborately learned From her as from a fountain 〈◊〉 the innate eloquence of her children therefore Quintil. thus saith of her We are much bound to the Mother or Matron Cornelis for the eloquence of the Gracchi whose 〈…〉 learning in her exquisite Epistles she hath bequeathed to posterity The same Author speaking of the daughters of Laelius and Quint. Hortensius useth these words The daughters of Laelius is said in her phrase to have refined and excelled the eloquence of her father but the daughter of Q. Hortensius to have exceeded her Sex in honor So likewise the facundity of the two Lyciniaes flowed hereditarily from their Father L. Crassus as the two daughters of Mutia inherited the learning of either parent Fulvia the wife of M. Antonius was not instructed in womanish cares and offices but as Volater lib. 16. Antrop reports of her rather to direct Magistracies and govern Empires she was first the wife of Curio Statius Papinius was happy in a wife called Claudia excellent in all manner of learning Amalasuntha Queen of the Ostrogoths the daughter of Theodoricus King of those Ostrogoths in Italy was elaborately practised in the Greek and Latin Tongues she spake distinctly all the barbarous languages that were used in the Eastern Empires Fulgos lib. 8. cap. 7. Zenobia as Volateran speaks from Pollio was Queen of the Palmirians who after the death of Odenatus governed the Kingdome of Syria under the Roman Empire she was nominated amongst the thirty Tyrants and usurped in the time of Gallenus but after being vanquished in battel by the Emperor Aurelianus was led in triumph through Rome but by the clemency of that Prince she was granted a free Pallace scituate by the river of Tyber where she moderately and temperately demeaned her selfe she is reported to be of that chastity that she never enterteined her husband in the familiar society of her bed but for issues sake and procreation of children but not from the time that she found her conception till her delivery she used to be adored after the majestick state and reverence done to the great Sophies of Persia Being called to the hearing of any publick Oration she still appeared with her head armed and her helmet on in a purple mantle buckled upen her with rich jems she was of a clear and shril voice magnanimous and haughty in all her undertakings most expert in the Aegyptian and Greek Tongues and not without merit numbred amongst the most learned and wisest Queens Besides divers other works she composed the Orientall and Alexandrian History Hermolaus and Timolus her two sons in all manner of disciplines she liberally instructed of whose deaths it is not certain whether they died by the course of nature or by the violent hand of the Emperor Olympia Fulvia Morata was the ornament and glory of our later times the daughter of Fulv. Moratus Montuanus who was tutor in the Arts to Anna Pâ—ince of Ferrara she was the wife of Andreas Gunthlerus a famous Physitian in Germany she writ many and elaborate works in either tongue at length in the year of our Lord 1555 in the month of October being of the age of twenty nine years she died of Hedelburgh Saint Helena may amongst these be here aptly registred for thus Stow Harding Fabian and all our modern Chroniclers report of her Constantius a great Roman Consul was sent into Britain to demand the tribute due unto Rome immediately after whose arivall before he could receive an answer of his Embassie Coil who was then King died therefore the Britains the better to establish their peace dealt with the Roman Embassador to take to wife Helena the daughter of the late deceased King a young Lady of an attractive beauty adorned with rare gifts and endowments of the Mind namely Learning and Vertue the motion was no sooner made but accepted so that Constantius having received the Brittish tribute returned with his new Bride to Rome and was after by the Senate constituted chiefe Ruler of this Kingdome After twenty years quiet and peacefull government which was thought her wisedome Constantius died and was buried at York in his time was Sâ— Albon married at Verolam since called St. Albons as John
Lâ—dgate Monk of Buty testifies who in English heroical verse compiled his History Constantius saith he the younger succeded his father Constantius as wel in the Kingdome of England as divers other Provinces a noble and valiant Prince whose mother was a woman religious and of great sanctimony this young Prince was born in Britain and proved so mighty in exploits of war that in time be purchased the name of Magnus and was stiled Constantine the Great a noble protector and defender of the true Christian Faith In the sixt year of his reign he came with a potent Army against Maxentius who with grievous tributes and exactions then vexed and oppressed the Romans and being upon his match he saw in a vision by night the sign of the Cross in the air like fire and an Angel by it thus saying Constantine in hoc signo vinces i. Constantine in this sign thou shalt conquer and overcome with which being greatly comforted he soon after invaded and defeated the army of Maxentius who flying from the battel was wretchedly drowned in the river Tiber. In this interim of his glorious victory Helena the mother of Constantine being on pilgrimage at Jerusalem there found the Crosse on which the Saviour of the world was crucified with the three nails on which his hands and feet were pierced Ranulphus amplifies this story of Helena somewhat larger after this manner That when Constantine had surprized Maxentius his mother was then in Brittain and hearing of the successe of so brave a conquest she sent him a letter with great thanks to heaven to congratulate so fair and wished a Fortune but not yet being truly instructed in the Christian Faith she commended him that he had forsaken idolatry but blamed him that he worshipped and beleeved in a man that had been nalled to the Cross The Emperor wrote again to his mother That she should instantly repair to Rome and bring with her the most learned Jewes and wisest Doctors of what faith or beleefe soever to hold disputation in their presence concerning the truth of Religion Helena brough with her to the number of seven score Jewes and others against whom Saint Silvester was only opposed In this controversie the misbeleevers were all nonplust and put to silence It hapned that a Jewish Cabalist among them spake certain words in the ear of a mad wild Bull that was broke loose run into the presence where they were then assembled those words were no sooner uttered but the beast sunk down without motion and instantly died at which accident the judges that sate to hear the disputation were all astonished as wondring by what power that was done To whom Silvester then spake What this man hath done is only by the power of the devil who can kil but not restore unto life but it is God only that can slay and make the same body revive again so Lyons and other wild beasts of the Forrest can wound and destroy but not make whole what is before by them perished then saith he if he will that I beleeve with him let him raise that beast to life in Gods name which he hath destroied in the devils name But the Jewish Doctor attempted it in vain when the rest turning to Silvester said If thou by any power in Heaven or Earth canst call back again the life of this beast which is now banished from his body we wil beleeve with thee in that Deity by whose power so great a miracle can be done Silvester accepted of their offer and falling devoutly on his knees made his praiers unto the Saviour of the world and presently the beast started up upon his feet by which Constantius was confirmed Helena converted al the Jews and other Pagan Doctors received the Christian Faith and were after baptized and after this and upon the same occasion Helena undertook to seek and find out the Cross Ambrose and others say she was an Inne-keepers daughter at Treverent in France and that the first Constantius travelling that way married her for her beauty but our Histories of Britain affirm her to be the fair chast and wise daughter of King Coil before remembred The perfections of the mind are much above the transitory gifts of Fortune much commendable in women and a dowry far transcending the riches of gold jewels Great Alexander refused the beautiful daughter of Darius who would have brought with her Kingdomes for her Dower and infinite treasures to boot and made choice of Barsine who brought nothing to espouse her with save her feature and that she was a scholer and though a Barbarian excellently perfect in the Greek tongue who though poor yet derived her pedigree from Kings And upon that ground Lycurgus instituted a Law That women should have no Dowers allotted them that men might rather acquire after their Vertues then their Riches and women likewise might the more laboriously imploy themselves in the attaining to the height of the best and noblest Disciplines It is an argument that cannot be too much amplified to encourage Vertue and discourage Vice to perswade both men and women to instruct their minds more carefully then they would adorn their bodies and strive to heap and accumulate the riches of the Soul rather then hunt after pomp Vain glory and the wretched wealth of the world the first being everlastingly permanent the last dayly and hourly subject to corruption and mutability Horace in his first Epistle to Mecaenas saith Vitius Argentum est Auro virtutibus Aurum Silver is more base and cheap then Gold and Gold then Vertue To encourage which in either Sex Plautus in Amphit thus saies Virtus praemium est optimum virtus omnibus Rebus anteit profecto c. Vertue 's the best reward and before all Justly to be preferr'd That which we call Liberty Life our Parents Children Wealth Our Country Reputation Honour Health By this are kept though by the bad despis'd All that is good in Vertue is compris'd Moreover all that are Noble Vertuous Learned Chast and Pious have their places allotted them above when on the contrary their souls are buried lower in the locall place of torment then their souls that are laid to sleep iâ— the grave At the blessednesse of the good and future glory assigned unto them Lucan most elegantly aimed at lib. 9. de bello Civili where he thus writes Ac non in Pharia manes jacuere favilla Nec cinis exiguus tantum compescuit umbram c. Which I thus English In th' Pharian flames the bright Soul doth not sleep Nor can so small a Dust and Ashes keep So great a Spirit it leaps out of the fire And leaving the halfe burnt menbers doth aspire And aims up to the place where Jove resides And with his power and wisdome all things guides For now no air his subtil passage bars To where the Axle-tree turns round the stars And in that vast and empty place which lies Betwixt us and the Moon the visible
at all only he could not sleep but spent the tedious night in 〈◊〉 and cold 〈◊〉 that there was despair of the Kings 〈◊〉 and safety There was at length a 〈◊〉 published That the Moravians certain inhabitants of Scotland once great rebels and enemies of the King but since made regular and reconciled to their faithfull obeisance had hyred certain Witches to destroy King Dussus upon which report one Dovenaldus was made Prefect to enquire after this businesse and had authority to pass into Morâ—via and if he found any such malefactors to punish them according to their offences he being carefull of the charge imposed on him had such good intelligence and withall used such providence that he came just at the instant when certain Witches were rosting of a Picture called by the name of the King and basted it with a certain liquor Dovenaldus surprising them in the act examined them who confessed the treason and were condemned to the stake at which instant by all just computation the King recovered and was restored to his pristine rest health After the same manner it seems Meleager was tormented by his mother the Witch Althaea who in the fatall Brand burned him alive as it is expressed at large by Ovid in his Metamorph. The like effascinations we have had practised in our memory even upon the person of Queen Elizabeth A woman of good credit and reputation whom I have known above these foure and twenty yeares and is of the same parish where I now live hath often related unto me upon her credit with many deep protestationâ— whose words I have heard confirmed by such as were then passengers with her in the same ship That comming from the Landsgraves Court of Hessen where she had been brought a bed to travel for England and staying something long for a passage at Amsterdam either her businesse or the wind detaining her there somewhat longer then her purpose an old woman of the Town entreated her to lend her some of a Kettle which she did knowing it to be serviceable for her to keep a Charcoal fire in at Sea to comfort her and her child When the wind stood fair and that she with her servants had bargained for their passage and they were ready to go aboord she sent for this woman to know if she would redeem her pawn for she was now ready to leave the Town and depart for her Country The old woman came humbly entreating her she would not bear away her Kettle notwithstanding she had as then no monie to repay of that she had borrowed but hoped that she was a good gentlewoman and would prove her good Mistresse c. she answered her again That she had lent her so much monie and having a pawn sufficient in her hand finding it necessary for her purpose she would make the best use of it she could a ship-broad The old woman finding her resolute left her with these words Why then saith she carry it away if thou canst Marry and I will try what I can do replied she again and so they parted The Master called aboord the wind stood fair the Sea was calm and the weather pleasant but they had not been many hours at sea when there arose a sudden sad and terrible tempest as if the winds and waters had been at dissention and the distempered air at war with both A mighty storm there arose insomuch that the Master protested that in his life time he had not seen the like and being in despair of shipwrack desired both sailers and passengers to betake themselves to their praiers This word came from them that laboured above the hatches to those that were stowed under their present fear made them truly apprehend the danger and betake themselves to their devotions when suddenly one casting up his eies espied an old woman sitting upon the top of the main mast the Master saw her and all those that were above being at the sight much amazed The rumour of this went down which the Gentlewoman heating who was then sitting with her child in her Cabbin and warming it over a Charcole fire made in the Kettle O God saith she remembring her former words then the old woman is come after me for her Kettle the Master apprehending the businesse Marry then let her have it saith he and takes the Kettle coles and all and casts them over-boord into the Sea This was no sooner done but the Witch dismounts her selfe from the mast goes aboord the Brasse Kettle and in a moment sails out of sight the air cleared the winds grew calm the tempests ceased and she had a fair and speedy passage into England and this the same Gentlewoman hath often related Nor is this more incredible then that which in Geneva is is still memorable A young wench instructed in this damnable science had an Iron Rod with which whomsoever she touched they were forced to dance without ceasing til they were tired lay down with wearinesse She for her Witchcraft was condemned to the fire to which she went unrepentant and with great obstinacy and since which time as Bodinus saith who records this history all dancing in memory of her is forbidden and held til this day abominable amongst those of Geneva Our most learned Writers are of opinion that these Inchantresses can bewitch some but not all for there are such over whom they have no power The same Author testifies That he saw a Witch of Avern in the year 1579. who was taken in Luteria about whom was found a book of a large Volume in which were drawn the hairs of Horses Oxen Mules Swine and other beasts of all colours whatsoever She if any beasts were sick would undertake their cure by receiving some number of their hairs with which she made her Spels and Incantations neither could she help any beast by her own confession but by transferring that disease or malady upon another neither could she cure any creature if she were hired for monie therefore she went poorly in a coat made up with patches A Noble man of France sent to one of these Witches to cure a sick horse whom he much loved she returned him answer That of necessity his Horse or his Groom must die and bid him chuse whether The Nobleman craving some time of pause and deliberation the servant in the interim died and the horse recovered for which fact she was apprehended and judged It is a generall observation That the devil who is a destroier never heals one creature but by hurting another and commonly he transmits his hate from the worse to the better For instance if a Witch cure a horse the disease fals upon one of a higher price if she heal the wife she harms the husband if helps the son she infects the father Of this I will produce one or two credible instances The first of the Lord Furnerius Aureliensis who finding himselfe mortally as he thought diseased sent to a Witch to