this is kept the perpetuall fire for the Etymology of Vesta is nothing else but Purus ignis i. pure Fire Some are of opinion that in that Temple are kept the remembrances of many both sacred and secret monuments some strange and unknown even to Priests and Virgins Some speak of two tuns of no great quantity the one continually shut the other open and empty some of the Virgins have reported that the Palladium that fell from Heaven and was received into Troy is there still to be seen The first Virgins appointed by Numa were foure Gegania Berenia Camilla Tarpeia two others were added by Servius Tullius Their vowes of virginity were unalterable for thirty years In the first ten yeares they were to learn the ceremonies and to be as ministers aud handmaids in the rest she was to govern and instruct others and the thirty years expired she had liberty if she pleased to marry If any of these Vestals had wantonly offended she was to be chastised by the Priest but such â—s were found incestuous were punished after this manner Being first bound she was laid upon a Beer like a coarse already deceased and so carried through the mid Forum to the port or gate called Collina for there betwixt two wals is the grave of the unchast Vestals still apparant there is a cave hollowed under the earth the descent is with a ladder by the mouth which is of no great widenesse in this vault is a bed ready prepared a light burning with bread milk and oile these things being all made ready for the purpose the delinquent is set down her hands loosed and her head covered the high Priest whispering certain secret things in her eare the other Priests turning their faces from her which is no sooner done but she is let down into the cavern earth thrown upon her the grave filled and she stifled alive and that day on which this execution is done there is a generall silence and sadnesse through the whole City Oppia SHe was one of the Vestall virgins who being taken in whordome and the fast manifestly proved she was convented convicted and had her doom to be buried alive Upon whom Strozza filius inscribed this Epitaph Vestalis virgo laesi damnata pudoris Contegor hoc vivens Oppia sub tumulo I Oppia once a Vestall that For sinne my judgement have Condemn'd for lust am living shut And covered in this grave Claudia There were two of that name as Livy in his 22 book reports who were addicted to the ceremonies of Vesta Fonteia was the sister of Marc. Fonteius who being a Prefect or Governour amongst the Gauls was accused before the Senate of injustice and misgovernment as transgressing the lawes and edicts of the Romans Marcia was a Vestall virgin and one that attended upon the sacred ceremonies she was condemned of incest and as Oppia was before her buried alive Minutia also a minister of Vesta's sacrifices who for her elegant feature and extraordinary beauty and withall because the costly ornaments with which she used to attire her selfe exceeded the precise custome of her Order she was brought within the suspition of lust and inchastity for which being call'd into question and not able legally to acquit quit her selfe she was brought within the compasse of the law and for her supposed offence had both the sentence and execution due to the like delinquents Justin in his 43. book commemorates this history Aeâ—eas after many tedious travels landing in Italy was by marrying Lavinia the daughter of King Latinus made partner with him in the Kingdome for which marriage war was commenc'd betwixt them two of the one party and Turnus King of the Rutilians on the other In which combustions Turnus being slain and Latinus yielding to Fate Aeneas both by the right of victory and succession became Lord of both the Kingdome and people erecting a City called Lavinium in remembrance of his wife Lavinia In processe he made warre against Mezentius King of the Etruscians whom having slaine Ascanius the son of Aeneas succeeded in the principality Ascanius leaving Lavinium built the City Alba which for three hundred years space was the Capitall City of that Kingdome After many descents the regall honours were conferred upon Numitor and Amulius These two Princes emulous of each others greatnesse Amulius the younger having opprest his brother Numitor surprised also his sole daughter Rhaea who was immediate heir to her fathers honours and regall dignities all which he covetous to ingrosse to himselfe and fearing withall left from her issue might in time descend some one that might punish his insolencies and revenge her and her fathers injuries devised with himselfe how to prevent both and fearing lest by putting her to death he might incur a generall hate amongst the people in whose love he was not as yet fully setled he apprehended as his safest course to shadow her wrong beneath a veile of honour and so caused her with a strict vow of virginity to be elected into the sacred service of Vesta Being thus confin'd into the grove celebrated to Mars whether begot by Mars himselfe as was then beleeved or otherwise adulterously conceived it is uncertain but she was delivered of two sons This being know to Amulius increased his fears who commanded the infants to be cast forth and Rhaea to be loaden with irons under whose severe sentence expiring she yielded to Fate The two children ready to perish were miraculously nursed by a she wolfe and after found by the shepherd Faustulus were by him brought up and called Remus and Romulus and so much of Rhaea Tranquillus and Cornelius Tacitus both of them remember one Rubria a Vestall virgin who was forceably defloured by Nero. Another whose name was Pompilia because by her inchastity she prophaned the sacred orders of Vesta was buried alive the same death for the like offence suffered Cornelia Floronea the Vestall was convicted of whoredome but she to prevent one death made choice of another For taking to her selfe a brave Roman spirit she with her own hands boldly slew her selfe Posthumia taxed for her too curious habit and gaudiness in attire as much transcending the custome of that more strict Order was suspected of Lust and accited before the Senate and there arraigned she wittily and nobly answered to whatsoever could be objected against her so that being found guiltlesse she was absolved by the sentence of the high Priest or Arch-Flammin Sextilia sped not so well as this Posthumia for she being suspected of inchastity and found culpable suffered according to the law made for the punishment of the like offenders The like suffered Tutia the Vestali for her unlawfull prostitution Plutarch in Gracchis in the Catalogue of these consecrated virgins numbers Licinia And Pliny relates that when Clodius the Emperor was in opposition with his wife Messalina that sink of lust and most incontinent
chast life Infinite to this purpose are remembred by Fulgosius Marullus Albertus Cranzius c. as of Maria Desegnies Margarita Aegypta Cecilia Virgo Kâ—nâ—gunda Augusta wife to Henry of that name the first Emperor 〈◊〉 espoused to Julianus Antiâ—chenus Stamberga the Niece of cloâ—ovius married to Arnulphus a noble Frenchman 〈◊〉 and others without number which is somewhat difficult 〈…〉 wedded bended boarded lien and lived together yet went as pure Virgins to their graves as they came first to their â—â—adles Of these I may say as Ovid 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 Sh' abhorr'd the nuptiall bed and held it sin With modest blushes did the tender skin Of her fair cheek then to her father growes And her white arms about his neck she throwes And saith Deer Sir this one thing grant your child That I may live from lustfull man exil'd A voteresse 〈◊〉 Diana this desired And from her father had what she required I will produce one history or two at the most from our modern Histories and so cease further to speak of our married Virgins It is reported in the Legend That after Editha the daughter of Earl Godwin was married to King Edward otherwise called St Edward they mutually vowed betwixt themselves perpetual chastity and therein persevered to the end of their lives There continued in them saith the Legend a Conjugall love without any conjugall act and favourable embraces without any deflowring of Virginity for Edward was beloved but not corrupted and Editha had favour but was not touched she delighted him with love but did not tempt him with lust she pleased him with discourse and sweet society yet provoked him to no libidinous desire It is moreover in that Treatise recorded That they used to call marriage a shipwreck of Maidenhead comparing it to the fiery furnace of the Chaldaeans to the Mantle that Joseph left in the hâ—nd of a strumpet the wife of Potiphar to the lascivious outrage of the two wicked Elders who would have oppressed and vitiated Susanna the wife of Ioachim and lastly to the enticements of drunken Holoâ—ernes towards faire Judith one of the deliverers of her people And so much for the Legend But Richardus Davisiensis saith That being awed by Earle Godwin â—nd for the feare of hazarding his life and Kingdome Edward was compelled by threats and menaces to the 〈◊〉 of Editha Moreover Polidore 〈◊〉 That for the haâ—e he bore her father who had not long before most trâ—iterously slain his brother Alphred he caused himselfe to be divorced from her seizing her goods and dower to his own use and pleasure Ranulphus and one that 〈◊〉 himselfe Anonymos as willing to conceal his name say That she was disrobed of all her Queen-like honours and confined into the Abbey of Warnwel with only one maid to attend her and so committed to the strict custody of the Abbâ—sse William of Malâ—sbury and Marianus Scotus have left remembred That he neither dismissed her his bed nor carnally knew her but whether it was done in hatred to her Kindred or purpose of chastity they are not able to determine Robert Fabian confesseth as much in his Chronicle Part. 6. cap. 210. Howsoever the effects of that abstemious life were not only prejudiciall but brought lamentable effects upon this distracted Kingdome namely Innovation and Conquest for Edward dying without issue England was invaded and opprest by the Normans and the people brought to that miserie that happy was that subject that could say I am no Englishman And in this agree Matthew Paris Capgrave Fabian and Polydore As I hold it not necessary for married folk to tie themselves to this strict kind of abstinence so I hold it not convenient for any such as have to themselves and in their souls taken upon them the strict life of Virginity to be compelled to an enforced marriage as may appeaâ—â—y this discourse following recorded by Gulielm â—â—â—sburien Simeon Danelmens Matthew Paris Roger Hovedâ—â— Capgrave c. Henry the first of that name King of England and crowned in the year of Grace 1101 was by the instigation of Anselm once a Monk of Normandy but after by William Ruâ—us constituted Archbishop of Canterbury married unto Maud daughter to Malcolm the Scottish King she having taken a Vow and being a profest Nun in the Abbey of Winchester Much ado had the King her father the Queen her mother her Confessor Abbesse or the Bishop to alienate her from her setled resolution or perswade her to marriage but being as it were violently compelled thereunto she cursed the fruit that should succeed from her body which after as Polydore affirms turned to the great misfortune and misery of her children for afterwards two of her sons William and Richard were drowned by Sea Besides her daughter Maud who was afterwards Empresse proved an untortunate Mother and amongst many other things in bringing forth Henry the second who caused Thomas Becket to the slain it thus hapned All forreign wars being past and civill combustions being pacified in the year of our Lord 1120 Henry the first with great joy and triumph left Normandy and came into England But within few daies following this great mirth and jollity turned into a most heavy and fearfull sorrow for William and Richard his two sons with Mary his daughter Otwell their 〈◊〉 and Guardian Richard Earl of Chester with the Countesse his wife the Kings Neece many Chaplains Chamberlains Butlers and Servitors for so they are tearmed in the story the Archdeacon of Hereford the Princes play-fellowes Sir Geffrey Rydell Sir Robert Maldvyle Sir William Bygot with other Lords Knights Gentlemen great Heirs Ladies and Gentlewomen to the number of an hundred and forty besides Yeomen and Mariners which were about fifty all these saving one man which some say was a Butcher were all drowned together and not one of their bodies ever after found Many attribute this great Judgement to the heavy curse of Queen Maud others censure of it diversly Howsoever in this King as Polydore saith ended the Descent and Line of the Normans Of this Anselm before spoken of there are divers Epistles yet extant to many women in those daies reputed of great Temperance and Chastity as To Sister Frodelina Sister Ermengarda Sister Athelytes Sister Eulalia Sister Mabily and Sister Basyle To Maud Abbesse of Cane in Normandy and Maud the Abbesse of Walton here in England He writ a Treatise about the same time called Planctus amissae Virginitatis i. e. A bewailing of lost Virginity So far John Bale And so much shall serve for Chast wives in this kind being loth to tire the patience of the Reader Of Women Wantons DIon the Historiographer in Tiberio saith that Livia the wife of Augustus Caesar beholding men naked said to the rest about her That to continent and chast matrons such objects differed nothing from statues or images for the modest heart with immodest sights ought not to be corrupted The unchast eie more drawes
Sirobyla by the name of Phano acknowledging her to be their own But lest with this multiplicity of Hâ—stories I shovld grow tedious here though abruptly I will pawse for the present Of Famous Wantons OF some of these something more at large It is a Maxim Amor ubique in natura Love is every where in Nature The Poets as Euripides and others called him The Great and most mighty of the gods and grave Aeschilus in Danais introduc'd his mother Venus thus saying Ferire purus Aether arva concupit Amorque terrae consequi vult Nuptias c. The pure air ever loves to stroke the fields And to the nuptials of the air th' earth yields The shours drop from the clear heavens and rain down To kisse the Earth and give her a fresh Gown Whose garments were late thred-bare even these prove In senslesse things congresse and marriage love Whose birth we look for where the Countrie Swain The Mid-wife plaâ—es and Apples Fruits and Grain Returns us in their time Then Ceres takes These infants to her charge nor them forsakes But whilst she can from all corruption saves Till being ripe for death we find them graves If you would know who first prescrib'd these lawes Of this free birth I Venus am the cause The like Euripides speaks in Hyppolitus If then this universality of Love be in senslesse creatures no marvel if it be so frequent in such as pretend to understand Herodotus lib. 1 saith it was a Law amongst the Babylonians That all women free-born and Denizens of the City were enjoined once in their life times to make repair to the Temple of Melitta for by that name the Assyrians called Venus and sitting in the Porch to subject themselves to the embraces of any stranger But some of the noblest and richest not willing to publish themselves to open prostitution were drawn thither in Chariots covered leaving their train and attendants behind them many sitting in the Temple in Pues or places allotted them with garlands upon their heads of which whilst some are called apart others still return for their passages to and fro are distinguished by small cords or strings which direct strangers unto such woman to whom they are most addicted But of these not any return to their houses after they have once took up their seats till some client hath cast some coin or other into her lap be it never so small or great and have had carnall company with her in a sequestred place of the Temple which done he is to say So much I did owe thee O goddesse Melitta Nor was any woman to refuse the monie that was offered her whatsoever it were because it was to be emploied in their supposed pious uses Neither was it lawful for a woman to refuse any man but she was compelled to follow him that cast the first coin into her apron This being done it was lawfull for her to mingle her selfe in prostitution with whom she pleased The fairest and most beautifull were for the most part soonest dispatcht but others that have been ugly and deformed have been forced to sit in the Temple some one some two some three years and upwards before they could meet with any by whose help they might give satisfaction to the Law return to their own houses and make use of their free liberty The like custome though not in every particular was in Cyprus Amongst the Caâ—nians a people in Coria there was a yearly convention of young men and women to the like purpose as the same Author in the same book affirms Aelianus de var. Histor lib. 4. saith That the Lydian women before their marriage presented themselves for gain till they had purchased to themselves a competent dowrie but having once selected a husband they from that time lived in all continence and chastity From this generality I come to particulars and first of Thau She was a strumpeâ— of Corinth whose beauty bewitched all the Attick youth Her the Greek Poet Menander in his works most celebrated of whom she was called Menandraea Clitarchus specifies unto us That she was much beloved of Alexander the Great at whose request after the conquest of Cyrus all the Imperial Pallaces of Persepolis with the greatest part of the City were â—et on fire and burned down to the earth This strumpet after the death of Alexander was married to the first Ptolomey of Aegypt by whom she had two sons Leontiscus and Legus with one daughter called Irene whom Solon King of Cyprus after took to wife Lamia was a Courtizan of Athens and entired to Demetrius a Lord of many Nations insomuch that in his Armour and Crown with his Imperial Diadem he was often seen publikely to enter her roof to converse with her and eat at her Table It had been lesse dishonour for so great a person to have given her meeting more privately In this one thing Diodorus the minstrel was preferred before Demetrius who being divers times sent for to this Courtizans house refused to come This Lamia was wont as Aelianus lib. 1. reports to compare the Greeks to Lions and the Ephesians to Wolves Gnathaena was of the same Countrie and born in Athens of whom it is thus remembered A noble fellow drawn as far as the Hellesport by the attractive fame of her beauty she gave him both meeting and entertainment of which he growing proud and somewhat insolent using much loquacity and superfluous language being in the heat of wine and lust she asked him Whether as he pretended became from the Hellespont To whom he answered He did She replied And do you know the name of the chiefe City there He told her Yes She then desired him to give it name He told her it was called Sygaeum By which she ingeniously reproved his verbositie since Sygae of which Greek word the City takes denomination signifieth silence and taciturnity Of her prompt and witty answers the Poet Machon sets down many for she was held to be wondrous facetious and scoâ—â—ing and exceedingly beloved of the Poet Diphilus Lynceus likewise remembers many things concerning her Pausonius Lacus being dancing in her presence in doing a lofty trick above ground and not able to recover himselfe he fell headlong into a vessel that stood by See saith she Lacus in cadum incidit i. The Pool hath powered himselfe into the Vessel Lacus not only signifies a Pool but a Vessel which receiveth the wine when it is pressed Another offering her a small quantity of wine in a great and large bowle and told her withall That it was at least seventeen years old Truly answered she it is wondrous little of the age Two young men in the heat of wine quarrelling about her and going to buffers to him that had the worst she thus said Despair nor youth Non enim Coronarium est certamen sed Argenteum i. This was a prize for monie only not for a Garland When one had given her fair daughter who was of the same
he sate at the table there came a woman with a box of ointment of Spicknard very costly and she brake the box and poured it upon his head and when some said disdaining To what end is this wast for it might have been sold for more then 300 pence and given to the poor Jesus said Let her alone she hath wrought a good work on me c. and proceeded Verily I say unto you wheresoever this Gospell shall be preached throughout the whole world this also that she hath done shall be spoken in remembrance of her The woman of Canaan was so full of naturall pitty and maternall piety that she counted her daughters misery and affliction her own when she said to Jesus Have mercy upon me O Lord the son of David for my daughter is sore vexed with an evill Spirit Mat. 15. The women stood by to see the Lord suffer and followed the crosse when he was forsaken of his Apostles Luke 23. Iohn 19. They were carefull likewise to visit him in his sepulcher Mat. 28. Luke 24. The wife of Pilat had more compassion of Christ and more unwilling that he should suffer upon the crosse then any man of whom the Scripture makes mention Mat. 27. Mark 16. Iohn 20. For deeds of charity and dealing alms to the poor and needy widdowes and Orphans they intreated Peter weeping that he would visit Tabitha being dead who moved with their tears kneeled and praied at whose intercessions she was restored to life Acts 9. Herod having slain Iames the brother of Iohn with the sword and seeing that it pleased the people he proceeded further to take Peter and put him in prison delivering him to the charge of four quaternions of souldiers to be kept but the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in the night took off his double chains and led him out of prison who having past the first and second watch the iron gate opened to the Angel and him and finding that which he thought to be a vision to be a reall truth he came to the house of Mary the mother of Iohn whose surname was Mark where many had separated themselves to praier Peter knocking a maid whose name was Rhode came to the door who hearing and knowing Peters voice the Scripture saith the opened not the door for gladnesse but ran in and told them that Peter stood without at the entry In which are to be observed two memorable women for their zeal piety 〈…〉 whose joy was so great at the very 〈…〉 from the prison of Herod and Mary 〈…〉 was a devout harboresse and 〈…〉 disciples of Christ into 〈…〉 persecution to perform their zealous and 〈…〉 Acts 12. Lydia 〈…〉 purple beleeving 〈…〉 which Paul preached was baptised with her 〈…〉 after which she intreated them in their words 〈…〉 think me worthy saith she to be a faithful servant 〈◊〉 Lord and God vouchsafe to enter my house 〈…〉 here and she compelled us as Luke â—aith By which is concluded that women have been the ready willing and devoâ—â— hearers of the word of God Acts 1â— Many 〈◊〉 question zealous and religious â—omen have to their power strived to imitate those with their best of industry Amongst others I might instance one now of a great age as having much past that number by which David reckons the years of man yet from her youth hath lead a life without any noted stain of blemish devout in her zeal remarkable in her charity beloved of all hated of none a Physitian to the sick and Chirurgion to the wounded who with her own hands hath sent more lame and diseased persons from her gate whole and sound then Lazarus had sores about him when he lay at the rich mans gate unrelieved she feeding with loaves when that purple glutton would not spare crums she doing this out of a widowes mite when he would not do any thing out of a Mammons treasures happy be her resurrection as her birth was hopefull whose name at the Font was a future prediction to her blessednesse above Felicity she is called on Earth Eternall Felicity may she enjoy in Heaven Peter de Loyre a French in his book of Specters Sights and Appaâ—itions hath very well observed that the Syrens and Muses may be in some sort compared together for as there are three sorts of Nymphs namely of Air Water and Earth so there are of the Muses some that take their being from the continuall moving and stirring of Waters a second made by the agitation of the Air engendring sounds a third from the Earth which is called Voice or distinguishable words spoken to the capacity of the hearer So of the Syrens Parthenope presented with a womanish amiable and inchanting face importeth the Voice and proceedeth from the Earth as of the three the most materiall and weighty Ligia denoteth Harmony arrising from the melodious sounds of the Air. And Leâ—eosia called Alba dea or the white goddesse is the Hieroglyphick of the ebbing and flowing in the Sea which begetteth the white froth or some of which Venus is said to be engendred so that by these three the Nymphs the Muses and the Syrens are comprehended the art of Musick existing of three things Harmony Rythme and Number Harmony proceeding from the air Number from the Sea bounded within his compass yet as we see in Hexameter and Pentameter and other verse ebbing and flowing according to the growth and wane of the Moon To these is added the Voice which the Greeks call Logos the French Romans Dictier To Harmony are appropriated Sounds to Number or Rythme Dances and to the Voice all kind of Verse But to come to my present purpose all these including one generall musick and Calliope as she participates from every one so comprehending all I think it not impertinent as in a consort many Instruments make but one melody so in this book to recollect my selfe and give you a taste of many or the most heads discoursed of in the former the better to put you in mind of the penalty due to the Vicious and the guerdon and reward stored for the Vertuous and that in compendious History The Goddesses Nymphs Graces Muses Sybils Vestals c. I omit as sufficiently spoken of and apply my selfe to things more familiar and necessary to instruction I begin with the bad because my desire is to end with the best and of Incest first The sister of Leucippus I Insist not of the several sorts of Incest neither purpose I to stand upon the multiplicity of History let this one serve to remember you of the former Leucippus the son of Xanthius who derived his Genealogy from Bellerophon he was excellent both in strength and valour above all that lived in his daies not in private contentions only but in forreign combustions he demeaned himself with such discretion and courage that having subdued the Lycians and awed all the neighbor nations about him having no enemy to invade nor opposite people to lift up a rebellious
together in their fall Whilst all the Potters quake with such a ruine As when huge masts are split and crackt withall The warring winds the seamans wrack pursuing In such a tempest let the Chimnies shatter And the vast frame within its basses sink Whilst 'bout their cars the tiles and rafters clatter That all their pipkins steaâ— and pots for drink And other uses may be crusht to pouder And so convert again into that mire Whence they were forg'd Or if a horror lowder May be devis'd here vent thy worst of ire Else let that Witch that cals Apollo father Who can from hell the blackest furies call And her infectious drugs and poisons gather And sprinkle them on work-men work and all Let Chiron to this forge his Centaurs bring All that survived the battell ' gainst Jove's son That they these pots against the wals may ding And all their labours into ruine run Till what they see he nothing and these here Spectators of this wrack may howl and yell And their great losse lament with many a teare Whilst I may laugh aloofe and say 't was well And to conclude that he that next aspires But to come nere the furnace where they stand May be the fuel to these raging fires And be consum'd to ashes out of hand So may the rest that shall escape this danger Be warn'd by these how to deride a stranger That the former writers might demonstrate unto us That humane actions are not altogether so governed by the force coelestiall but that there is some place left open for mans prudence and wisedome and besides to deliver unto us how acceptable the knowledge of good things is to him who is the giver of all graces they therefore left this expression to posterity that Wisedome was the daughter of Jupiter and born without a mother since God is only wise and men not so but meerly in a similitude or shadow Therefore to manifest the power of Wisdome they feigned her to come into the world armed because the wise man respects not the injuries of Fortune nor puts his trust in any worldly felicity further then by counsell and patience to subdue the one and moderate the other stil placing his hopes in that fountaine from whence she first proceeded Next because the feare of the Lord is the beginning of Wisedome she is said to have combated Giants the sonnes of the earth such as in that Gigomantichia would have pluckt Jupiter out of his throne by which are intended the presumptions of nature and the insolencies of men who all service and adoration to the divine powers neglected are not affraid to make insurrection against heaven it selfe I may therefore conclude that all humane wisedome different against the divine will is vain and contemptible since the good man is onely wise and in the grace and favour or his Maker Diana SHE is the daughter of Iupiter and Latona the goddesse of Virginity and Chastity In the heaven she is called Luna the Moon in the earth Diana in Hell or amongst the Infernals Prosâ—erpina of which three-fold power she is called Triformis and Triula The places sacred to her were as Valerius Flaccus affirms Parthenius a flood of Paphlagonia She with her brother Apollo was born in Cinthus a mountain hanging over Delos of whom Statius saith they are both called Cinthii In Ephesus a City of Ionia or Lydia she had a magnificent Temple numbred amongst the seven wonders of the world In Bauron a City of Attica she was likewise honoured And as Lucan testates in Taurus a mountain in Sicily and as Virgil in Delos Notior ut canibus non jam sit Delia nostris Not Delia to our dogs is better known Horace reports her to have two mountains in Italy dedicated to her deity Aventinus and Algidus In her sacrifices a Hart was stall offered at her Altar and dogs or hounds as Ovid writes Extra canum Triviae vidi mactare Sabaeos Et quicunque tuas accolit Haeme Nyves The Sâ—baeans and the Thessalians inhabiting the snowie mountain Haemus used dogs in their oblations Of her Temple at Ephesus it shall not be amiss to speak a word or two by the way Plutarch in his book De vitando Aere alieno saith that the Temple of Diana was a Sanctuary wherein all debtors were safe from their creditors As the Vestals of Rome had the time of their service distinguished into three parts in the first to learn the mysteries of Vesta in the second to do the ceremonies and in the third to instruct others that were ignorant So amongst the Priests of Diana in Ephesus the first order of them gave them the name of Melieres that is to be capable of the Priesthood but not admitted the second was Hieres that was in present office the third Parieres that was dead from the service This stately and magnificent structure was first erected by the Amazons so beautifull and sacred that when Xerxes had with sword and fire wasted and demolisht all the Temples of Asia he spared only that as the richest jewell of the world It is reported of one Herostratus a wicked and debauch'd fellow who finding in himselfe nothing good to preserve his memory and willing that his name should live to posterity set this Temple on fire for no other purpose but that he would be talkt on the Ephesians understanding this his malicious ambition they made it death once to name him Cornelius Nepos writes that the same night that this famous structure was ruin'd and defaced by fire Alexander was born in Pella in the three hundred and eighth yeare after the building of Rome so that at the extinguishing of one light of the world another was kindled It being demanded of one of Diana's Priests Why Diana being a goddess would suffer her Temple to be utterly destroied and what she was a doing the while It was answered again That it was done unawares to the goddess for she was that night at the labour of Olympias and busied about bringing Alexander into the world Notwithstanding this great ruine the people of Ephesus caused it to be re-erected and made both richer and more beautifull than before of which work Dinocrates an Architectour of Macedonia was chiefe Diana as Plutarch in his Symposaicon saith is called Elitheia or â—ucina as also Locheia as goddessâ— of child-birth she is called also Dictiana And in his Solertia animalium that Apollo would be called Lycoconos and Diana Multicida Elaphibolos The one for killing so many wolves the other Harts Amongst the Aegyptians she is called Bubastis she is celebrated witnesse Herodotus amongst the Thressae and the Peloniates amongst the Bizantians she hath the name of Diana Orthosia The Poets fain that she is continually exercised in hunting for no other reason but to instruct and incourage all such as professe virginity to shun sloath and idlenesse so Ovid Otia si tollas periere cupidinis areus Take sloth away and Cupids how unbends His brands â—â—â—inguish
' 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
appeared in the eies of all men the fairest of women especially in the Kings much surprised with her extraordinary beauty still perswading her to raze out the memory of Cyrus dead and in his room to admit of Artaxerxes living which slowly and at length though late he obtained respecting her above all other his wives and concubines Soon after his Eunuch Toridates died more then a child and scarce full man the most beautifull youth in Asia and of the King the most beloved who so much lamented his death that all the pricipalities and nations under him seemed to participate of his griefe yet none that durst be so bold as to come into his presence or minister to him any words of comfort Three daies being past in these lamentations and sorrowes Aspasia in a funerall habit and with her eies fixt upon the earth appeared before the King who no sooner espied her demanded the cause of her comming To comfort thee said she O King if thou beest so pleased else to return to the place of sorrow from whence I came At which seeming to rejoice the King intreated her to her chamber whither he would presently repaire to whom she obeied And having put on a robe of the Eunuchs so much bewailed and in that casting her selfe upon her bed she gave the King such content that he commanded her till the daies of mourning were past never to appear to him but in that habit she more prevailing with him then all his Princes wives subjects and servants about him stil living in his most especiall grace and favour And so far Aelianua The Matrons of Lacedemon in all battel 's sought against the common enemy as many of their husbands sons or allies as they found slain they used to search what wounds they had about them if the greater number were in the face or breast with great joy and solemnity they bore them to be intombed in the monuments of their ancestors but it on the contrary those on their backs exceeded the number of the former surprised with shame and sorrow they either left them to the common buriall or gave them such private interment as if they wisht their memories to have perisht with their bodies This history Aelianus in his twelfth book records This discourse for the rarenesse of it I hold not impertinent to insert amongst the women most illustrious Chares Mitylenus in his tenth book of Histories thus writes Zariadres the younger brother of Hystaspes both of them being so naturally beautifull that they were said to be the sons of Adonis and Venus The elder reigned in the lower parts of Media the junior kept his principality in the higher Countrie as farre as the river Tanais not many leagues distant from thence there lived the King Homartes who had one onely daughter called Odaâ—â—s whom as divers authors affirm seemed in a dream to have seen this Zariadres and of his person to be much enamoured The liek in a vision hapning to him insomuch that he was ardently affected to her whom as yet he had never seen This Odaâ—â—â— was the fairest Princesse in that time living in Asia and Zariadres no whit to her inferior who sent to the King Homartes to demand her in marriage he would by no 〈◊〉 yeeld to the motion because not having any â—ale issue he was â—oth to transfer the succession of 〈◊〉 Kingdome upon a stranger purposing rather to bestow her 〈…〉 Prince of his Countrie though a subject Not long 〈◊〉 caused to be assembled all the Friends 〈…〉 and Gentry of his land inviting them to his daughâ—â—â—s 〈◊〉 but not yet knowing or having 〈…〉 on whom to confer her His subject 〈◊〉 assembled he invited them all to a solemn and high Priest 〈…〉 having called his daughter in the hearing of all his gueste 〈…〉 bespake 〈◊〉 We are now â— Princeâ—ly daughter 〈…〉 thy nuptials take therefore this golden 〈…〉 with rich Greekish wine and having throughly and advisedly perused all this Noble 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 shal◠〈…〉 to drink he is undoubtedly thy husband 〈◊〉 having viewed and reviewed them all and 〈…〉 like that person presented to her in her 〈…〉 some few daies respite which 〈…〉 word to Zariadres bow her affairs stood 〈…〉 her marriage and withall much 〈…〉 in his army neer 〈…〉 conceived himselfe 〈…〉 or auendâ—nt saving 〈…〉 into the City of 〈◊〉 having 〈…〉 this done 〈…〉 his Chariot and driver and withall 〈…〉 he came to the place where this marriage was to be celebrated and 〈◊〉 in amongst the rest he behold the beautifull 〈…〉 countenance and tempering her draught with all 〈◊〉 unwilling hand to whom approching more 〈◊〉 he thus whispered Behold Odatis thy 〈…〉 for whom didst lately send ready to do thee all service She casting an advised eie upon him and receiving him to be a stranger beautifull and in all semblance so like the person of whom she had dreamt in a great extasie of joy drank to him and gave him the cup and whilst â—â—â—rest were amazed at the novel he snatcht her up and carried her where his Chariot stood ready and so transported her into Media This their love was so famous amongst the barbarous people that the history was portraied in all their Palaces and Temples nay even in their private houses many of the Nobility in memory of her calling their daughters by the name of Odatis 〈◊〉 the Tyrant banisht Dâ—on out of Sicily taking into his own custodie the exiles wife Aristomache and her daughter but after at the great intercession of one of his servants Polycrates â— man by him much affected he compelled the Lady who still lamented the absence of her Lord 〈…〉 second marriage with this Polycrates who was by 〈…〉 But Dâ—on having gathered fresh forces and expelling Dionysius from Syracusa unto the Locrenses 〈◊〉 his sister meeting him and congratulating his famous victory made intercession for Aristomache who with great shame had kept her selfe from the presence of her first husband not daring to look him in the face howsoever her second nuptials were made by force and compulsion But the necessity of the cause the wondrous submission and modest excuse of Aristomache together with the mediation of Arete so much he prevailed with Dion all confirming her innocence that he received his wife and daughter into his family still continuing their former love and society Hippo a woman of Greece travelling by sea with her husband and being surprised by Pirats finding the chiefe of them to be enamoured of her beauty rather then yield to his lustfull desires she voluntarily threw her selfe into the sea and was drowned leaving behind her a remarkable president of chastity her body was driven upon Ericheon or as some will have it the Erythrean shore in memory of whom a sacred monument was raised which was many years after yearly celebrated with many condign honours Valer. Max. lib. 7. cap. 1. Chiomara of whom Livius Frontinus Florus and others have written was the
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 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
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
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
rest or the weary Traveller to come to his Inne To this purpose Seneca speaks in his Tragedy of Agamemnon Qui vultus Acherontis atri Qui Stygia tristem non tristis videt Audetque vitae ponere finem Par ille Regi par superis erit Fearlesse who dare gaze upon Black and grisly Acheron He that merrily dare look On the gloomy stygian Brook Who so bears his spirit so hie That he at any hour dares die A King he is in his degree And like the gods in time shall be Some may wonder why I have took this occasion to speak of death I will give them this satisfaction The Muse Calliope under whom I patronize this last book being no other then a redundance of sound or one entire Musick arising from eight severall instruments and therefore as she participates from every one so she exists of all therefore in this succeeding tractate I purpose by the help of the divine assistance to take a briefe survey of what hath passed in the eight former books to shew you the punishments belonging to all such vices as I have discovered in the frailty of the Sex to deter the Vicious and expose unto the eies of the Noble Chast and Learned the honour and reward due to their excellent gifts thereby to encourage the Vertuous Then since besides the Shame or Honour in this life the one is punished and the other glorified in the life to come what more necessary meditation then that we may live the better hourly to think of death and that is the scope I aim at but before I can arrive so far I purpose to deliver to you the dispositions conditions and qualities of divers sorts of women by me not yet remembred Of Women Ravished c. MArpissa the daughter of Euenus was ravished by Apollo she was the wife of Idas So Proserpine the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres by Pluto therefore he is called by Claudian Ovid and Sylus lib. 14. the infernall Ravisher Perhibea by Axus the son of Oceanus as Europa by Jupiter and Auge by Hercules Castor and Pollux who for their valour were called Dioscuri which imports as much as the issue of Jupiter they from Messene raped the two daughters of Leucippus Phoebe and Ilaira whom they after married of Pollux and Phoebe was begot and born Mnesilius of Castor and Ilaira Anagon They with their associats Idas and Lynceas the sons of Aphareus had driven away a great prey of Cattel when they came to divide the booty a motion was made that an Ox should be divided into four according to the number of the brothers with this condition that he which could devour his quarter first should have the one halfe of the Cattell and he that had next made an end of his part should possesse the remainder This was no sooner agreed upon but Idas suddenly eat up his own portion and presently devoured that which belonged to his brother by which he claimed the whole herd and being stronger in faction then the Dioscuri drave the prey back to Meffene With which injury the two brothers incensed they levied fresh forces invaded Meffene and took from thence a much greater booty then the former the spoil being safely disposed of Castor and Pollux awaited the pursuers ambushed themselves beneath a broad spreading Oak quick-sighted Linces espying Castor shewed him to his brother whom Idas slew with an arrow whom Pollux pursuing transpierced Linceus with his javelin and unadvisedly chasing Idas was brained by him with a stone for which Jupiter stroke Idas with a thunderbolt and translated the two Princely brothers the Dioscuri into stars Of these Propert lib. 1. thus saith Non sic Leucippi succendit Castora Phoebe Pollucem cultu non Ilaira soror Fair Phoebo did not so inflame Her Castor with desire Nor Ilaira Pollux brest Deckt in her best attire Theseus rapt Ariadne daughter of King Ninus as also Hellen the daughter of Tindarus and Laeda and sister to Castor and Pollux long before Paris but returned her back unvitiated Achilles forced Diomeda the daughter of Phorbas from Lesbos as Boreas the fair Orithea daughter of Erisicthon from Athens Hercules ravished the Nymph Pyrene of Bebritia from her the Pyrenaean Mountains took name of whom Syllius Nomen Bebricia duxere à virgine colles Hospitis Alcidae crimen c. From the Behrician maid these bils took name Of her guest Hercules the fault and blame Pyrrhus surnamed Neoptolemus the sonne of Achilles and Deiadamia rapt Lanissa the Niece of Hercules Ajax the son of Telamon did the like to Tâ—â—messa of whom Horace Movit Ajacem Telamone satam Forma captivae dominum Teâ—mâ—ssae Captive Teâ—messas beauty gaz'd upon Insnar'd her Lord the son of Telamon Ajax Oilaeus ravished Cassandra Nessus the Centaur Deineira the wife of Hercules sister to Meleager and daughter to Oeneus and Althea King and Queen of Calidon Tleoptolemus stole Axiothia from Ephira a City of Peloponnessus he was the son of Hercules and Astioche he waâ— first a suitor to Hellen and came to the siege of Troy with nine ships and was after slain by the hand of King Sarpedon Hypodamia the daughter of Atracius and wife of Perithous suffered the like violence by the Centaurs being heated with Wine and Lust especially by Euritus of whom Ovid lib. 12. thus speaks Euritus Hyppodamea alii quam quisque probabat Aut poterat rapiunt Euritus rapt Hyppodame and after him the rest By his example did the like and snatcht where they lik'd best The great enmity betwixt the Grecians and Barbarians though it might seem to arise by reason of the distance of Countries and difference of manners yet most probable it is that their inveterate hate and irreconcilable malice took first originall from divers rapes committed on either part for first the Phoenician Merchants exposing their commodities to publique sale in the City of Argis when Io the Kings daughters amongst other damosels came down to the Key to take a view of what Merchandise she best liked to furnish her selfe according to her womanish fancy the Merchants being extreamly surprized with her beauty seized both her and the rest of her attendants and stowing them under hatches hoised sail and transported them into Aegypt Not long after the Cretenses awaiting the like opportunity stole away Europa the daughter of the King of the Tyrians and bore her into Creet in requitall of the former rape The Heroes of Greece next sailed in the great Argoe to Cholcos pretending their journie for the golden fleece and raped thence Medea the daughter of Areta after whom sending Embassadors into Greece to redemand his daughter they returned him answer That the barbarous Phoenicians had made no restitution nor satisfaction at all for the rape of Io neither would they for Medea After that Paris the son of Priam rather to revenge the injury done to his Aunt Hesione then for any love or affection to Spartan Hellen stole her from Lacedemon and brought her
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
counsell with her about his recovery who told him there was no hope of his life unlesse he would yield that his young son then sucking at the Nurses breast should have his mortall infirmity confirmed upon it The father to save his own life yields that his son should perish of which the Nurse hearing just at the hour when the father should be healed is absent and conceals the child The father is no sooner toucht but helped of his disease the Witch demands for the child to transfer it upon him the child is missing and cannot be found which the Witch hearing broke out into this exclamation Actum est de me puer ubinam est i. I am undone where is the child when scarce having put her foot over the threshold to return home but she fell down suddenly dead her body being blasted and as black as an Aethiope The like remarkable Judgement fell upon a Witch amongst the Nanvetae who was accused of bewitching her neighbor The Magistrates commanded her but to touch the party distempered with her Inchantments which is a thing that is used by all the German Judges even in the Imperiall chamber it selfe The Witch denied to do it but seeing they began to compell her by force she likewise cried out I am then undone when instantly the sick woman recovered and the Witch then in health fell down suddenly and died whose body was after condemned to the fire And this Bodinus affirms to have heard related from the mouth of one of the Judges who was there present In Thoâ—oâ—a there was one skilful in Magick who was born in Burdegall he comming to visit a familiar friend of his who was extreamly afflicted with a Quartane Ague almost even to death told him he pitied his case exceedingly and therefore if he had any enemy but give him his name and he would take away the Feaver from him and transfer it upon the other The sick Gentleman thanked him for his love but told him there was not that man living whom he hated so much as to punish him with such a torment Why then saith he give it to my servant the other answering That he had not the conscience so to reward his good service Why then give it me saith the Magician who presently answered With all my heart take it you who it seemeth best knowes how to dispose it Upon the instant the Magician was stroke with the Feaver and within few daies after died in which interim the sick Gentleman was perfectly recovered Gregory Turonensis lib. 6. cap. 35. saith That when the wife of King Chilperick perceived her young son to be taken away by Witchcraft she was so violently incensed and inraged against the very name of a sorceresse that she caused diligent search to be made and all such suspected persons upon the least probability to be dragged to the stake or broken on the wheel most of these confessed that the Kings son was bewitched to death for the preservation of Mummo the great Master a potent man in the Kingdom this man in the midst of his torments smiled confessing that he had received such inchanted drugs from the Sorcerists that made him unsensible of pain but wearied with the multitude of torments he was sent to Burdegall where he not long after died I desire not to be tedious in any thing for innumerable Histories to these purposes offer themselves unto me at this present but these few testimonies â—roceeding from authentique Authors and the attestations 〈◊〉 such as have been approvedly learned may serve in this place as well as to relate a huge number of unnecessary discourses from writers of less fame and credit Neither is it to any purpose here to speak of the Witches in Lap-land Fin land and these miserable wretched cold Countries where to buy and sell winds betwixt them and the Merchants is said to be as frequent familiarly done amongst them as eating and sleeping There is anâ—ther kind of Witches that are called Extasists in whose discovery 〈◊〉 strive to be briefe A learned Neapolitan in a history 〈◊〉 since published that treats altogether of naturall Magick speaks of a Witch whom he saw strip her 〈◊〉 naked and having annointed her body with a certain 〈◊〉 fell down without sence or motion in which extasie she remained the space of three hours after she came to her selfe discovering many things done at the same time in divers remote places which after enquiry made were found to be most certain Answerable to this is that reported by the President Turetranus who in the Delphinate saw a Witch burned alive whose story he thus relates She was a maid-servant to an honest Citizen who comming home unexpected and calling for her but hearing none to answer searching the rooms he found her lying all along by a fire which she had before made in a private chamber which seeing he kickt her with his foot and bid her arise like a lazy huswiâ—e as she was and get her about her businesse but seeing her not to move he took a tough and smart wand and belaboured her very soundly but perceiving her neither to stir nor complain he viewing her better and finding all the parts of her body unsensible took fire and put it to such places of her body as were most tender but perceiving her to have lost all feeling was perswaded she was dead and called in his next neighbors telling them in what case he found her but concealing unto them the shrewd blowes he had given her the neighbors left the house the master and mistresse caused her to be laid out so left her and went to their rest but towards the morning hearing some body to stir and grone in the chamber they found their servant removed and laid in her bed at which the good man much amazed asked her in the name of God being late dead how came she so soon recovered to whom she answered Oh master master why have you beaten me thus the man reporting this amongst his neighbors one amongst the rest said if this be true she is then doubtlesse a Witch and one of these extasists at which the Master growing suspitious urged her so strictly that she confessed though her body was there present yet her soul was abroad at the assembly of divers Witches with many other mischiefs for which she was held worthy of death and judged At Burdegall in the year 1571 when there was a decree made in France against the strict prosecution of Witches an old Sorceresse of that place amongst many horrid and fearfull things confessed by her she was convicted and imprisoned where D. Boletus visited her desiring to be eie-witnesse of some of those things before by her acknowledged to whom the Witch answered That she had not power to do any thing in prison But desirous to be better satisfied concerning such things he commanded her for the present to be released and brought out of the Goale to another lodging