designs successfull proud of his victories and thinking himselfe to be Fortunes minion insomuch that despising the off-spring from whence he came he caused himselfe to be called the Son of Iupiter Being pufâ—ed up with these thoughts and swelling up in all ambitions he betook himselfe to all voluptuous delicâ—cies and of them to the most tempting riots of wine and women insomuch that lulled in all effeminacy he so far forgot both his high majesty and that commendable temperance for which he was before all his predecessors renowned that he sent as far as Athens for a notorious strumpet branded in her life though famous for her beauty called Potonice on whom the King was so much besotted that he not only gave her most Princely and magnificent gifts in her life time but after her death caused a Tomb to be erected over her body on which structure the King bestowed thirty talents It were strange if our English Chronicles should not affoord some or other to have correspondence with these Harlotta or Arlotta THis History is recorded by an Historiographer of ancient times who writes himselfe Anonymus or without name by Gulielm Malmsbury Vincentius Ranulphus Fabian Polydore and others As Robert Duke of Normandy and father to William the Conqueror rid through the Town of Falois he beheld a beautifull Virgin a Skinners daughter playing and dancing amongst other Virgins with whose feature being on the sudden surprized he so far prevailed by his secret messages and gifts that she was privatly conveied into the Dukes Chamber and there lodged and put in a bed to await his comming who glad of such a purchase without much circumstance made himselfe ready for the businesse intended The chamber cleared and the place voided and he ready to accomplish his desires she rent her smook from the chin to the foot to make the freer way for the Prince and he demanding the reason of her so doing she made him this pretty and ready answer It were neither fit nor comely that the neither part of my smock should be turned up and kisse the lips of my Lord at which the Duke was much delighted And 〈◊〉 night was begot William the Bastard whom our Chronicles honour with the name of Conquerour whether at first in memory of this least or since in disgrace of the Wanton it is not decided But from that Harlotta or Arlotta our prostitutes and common wenches are to this day in our Vulgar Tongue called Harlots In the yeer of our Lord 1036 Henry the second Emperour of that name was married to Guinilde the daughter of Canutus a Dane and King of England This Emperor had a sister a professed Nun whom he loved so entirely that oft times he would have her lie in his own Pallace and neer to his own privy chamber It hapned in a cold Winters night a Chaplain belonging to the Court it seems to keep her the warmer and one that had been before much suspected lay with her and in the morning lest both their fâ—otingâ— should be seen in the Snow newly fallen that night she took him up and carried him out of the Court towards his chamber The Emperour chancing as his custome was to rise just at the same hour was spectator of this close conveâ—ance and beheld how all the businesse hapned Not long after fell a Bisopwrick which the Priest expected and a Nunnery which the Nun much desired Whereupon the Emperour calling them before him the one after the other Take that Benefice saith he to the Priest but faddle no more the Nun And you the Abbesse saith he to his sister saddle no more the Priest or look thou never more bear Clerk riding upon thy back It is said that this served after for a modest chiding betwixt them and that they were parted upon these friendly terms Of divers Wantons belonging to sundry famous men and others ARistophanes Apollodorus Ammonius Antiphanes and Georgia Atheniensis of your Athenian strumpets writ at large as also of the like argument Theomander Cyrenaeus Elâ—us Amasides Theophrastus in lâ—bro Amatorio Polemon de Tabellis lib. 3. Ovid and infinite others out of whom may be collected many famous wantons in their times Oâ—ymus is the name of a strumpet much beloved of a skilfull Sophist in Corinth Thalatra of Dâ—ocles Corianno of Phâ—recrates Antea of Philillius otherwise called Eunicus Thais and Phannium of Menander Opora of Alexis Clepsydra of Eubulus for so Aâ—clepiades the son of Arius reports in his Commentary upon Demetrius Phalareus where he affirms her proper name to be rather Methica which Antiphanes writes to be the name of a wanton The Poet Timocles speaks of Cinâ— Nannium Plangon Lyca Pithionica Myrhina Christis Covallis Ieroclea Lopadium Of these likewise Amphis makes mention Anaxandries in his description of the madnesse of old men amongst others he reckons up Lagisca and Theolyte Polemon the Hâ—storiographer speaks of one Cottina whose Sâ—atue is erected in the City of Lacedemon not far from the Temple of Dionysius she is mounted upon a brazen Bull. Alcibiades was beloved by a woman of Aegida of whom he was likewise amorous after relinquishing Athens and Lacena of one Medontide of Abidos and with her sailed through the Hellespont with Axiochus a friend of his and much devoted to his fellowship for so the Orator Lysias witnesseth of him in an Oration made against him He had two other mistresses with whom he was conversant Damasandya the mother of Laâ—s Junior and Theodota by whom he was preserved when remaining in Melissa a City of Phrygia Pharnabazus laid trains to entrap his life Abrotonax was the mother of Themâ—stocles a strumpet as Amphicrates relates Neanthes Cyzicenus a Greek Historiographer cals him the son of Euterpe The second Philadelphus King of Aegypt had many famous Concubines as Ptolomaeus Everges in his Commentaries witnesseth Didima and Bilistiâ—he besides these Agathoclea and Stratonica whose monument was erected in the sea Elusina Myrtium with many others Polybius in his fourteenth book of Histories remembers one Clino that was his Cup-bearer in whose honour many Statues were erected in Alexandria Mnesides a she musician of the City Mnesis and one Pothinae his most delicate houses in which he took much delight he was wont to call after the name of two of his Paraâ—ors either Myrtiae or Pothinae Timothaeus the great Captain of the Athenians was known to be the son of a common woman of Threissa which being objected to him as an aspersion he answered I am glad to have been born of such a mother that had the wisedome to chuse Coâ—on to be my father Caristius in his historicall Commentaries avers Phileterus who soveraignized in Pergamus and the new Region called Boca to be the son of a wanton she Minstrel born in Paphlagonia Aristophon the Orator who in the reign of King Euclides published a Law That all such as were not born of civill and free women
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
brand me here With lust and incest Never I protest Was that Aenaeass whom thou call'st the best Of men in Lybia Never saw I land One Trojan on the Carthaginian strand Because Sychaeus my fiâ—st husband dead To keep my sacred vows to him I fled Th' embraces of Hyarbus am I made A prostitute to nothing to a shade He came in arms to fâ—rce me and compell Me a chast widow to another hell A second marriage 'T is the gods advice No woman can be chast that marrietâ— twice To avoâ—d that sin I slâ—w my selfe O why Could'st thou O Maâ—o thâ—â— comment a 〈◊〉 With lust to 〈◊〉 my memory When heaven knowes To save mine honour I my life did lose Give faith to History you that Readers are Before this fabling Poesiâ— since that far Transcends the bounds of truth so Poets can Make the high gods much more corrupt then man So much touching Queen Dido and as far as probability can to acquit hero of â—ll incontinenâ—e One Paulus an histo 〈◊〉 in his fiâ—â—h book remembers us of Cesara a Queen of Persia who having some light of the Gospell travelled as far as Constantinople in Gâ—eece to be further instructâ—d only attended by a few private followers who being satisfied in all the fundamentall points of her faith she with her small â—â—aine was châ—istened The Persian Sophy having notice thereof sent Embassadors to the Emperour to know the reason why he deteined 〈◊〉 Queen wishing him to return her safe upon such easie summons Cesara being in pâ—esence when this embassie was deliveâ—ed desired the Emperor that she might give them their answer which granted Return said she my humble duâ—y and vassalage to my Lord the King and tell him withall That unlesse he receive my faith and renouncing his false idols beleeve in the only true God he can claim no interest al in me The messenger dispatcht and this short answer returned to the Sophy he levied an army of forty thousand men and comming into Greece the Emperor and he came unto a peacefull interview at which by the mediation of this roiall and religious Empresse the Sâ—phy with all his Princes and Souldiers there present received the Christian Faith and after the interchange of many Princely and magnificent giâ—ts returned with his wife into his own Country Another noble history I think not amisse to be here inserted which is recorded by one Willielmus de reg lib. 20. Gunnilda the daughter of Canulus and Emma who being accused of adulteâ—y by her husband Henry the Emperour who to justifie his accusation had provided a Champion in stature a Giant and for his presence and potency much feared she notwithstanding relying upon God and her own innocence put her life upon the valour of a private young gentleman of England whom she brought with her to the same purpose These Champions adventuring their lives fought a brave and resolute combat but in the end the victorie inclined to the Empresse her adverse Champion being vanquished confest his treasons and she was nobly acquit but after by no intreaties or intercessions made by the Emperour or others she could be won unto his embraces but abjuâ—ing his bed and vowing an austere and sequestred 〈◊〉 she retired her selfe into a Monastery Three roiall presidents of three unmatchable Queens the first for magnanimy the second for Religion and devotion and the last for Chastity To these I will add yet another Williâ—lmus de Râ—gibus in his first book writes thâ—â— King Ive betook his Kingdome of the West-Saxons to his Cousin Ethelardus and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome the occasion of his journie was this The Queen Ethilburga had often counselled her husband the King to forsake the pride and riches of the world and to have a respect to his soulâ— health especially now in the latter daies of his life but not able to prevaile with him she bethought her selfe of a quaint stratagem after they had left their roiall Pallace where they had but lately feasted in all â—omp pleasure and delicacies and removed into another house she caused him to whose charge the place from whence they departed was committed to take down all the hangings make soule and filthy every room and chamber nay in the very place where the King had but the other day sported with his Queen was lodged a sow and pigs withall the loathsomnesse that could be devised this done according to her command she by a wile inticed the King to the place thus strangely diâ—guised The King wondering at this sudden change stood amazed To whom she thus spoke I pray you my Lord where be now these rich hangings and curtains either for state or ornament Where is all the glittering pomp and rich array tending to nothing else save gluttony and luxury Alas how suddenly are they all vanished Shall not my Lord this beauty of ours so fade and this fraile flesh even so fall away This with other her words to the like purpose took such impression in the Kings brest that he resigned his Kingdome to his Nephew and betook himselfe to a religious and Monastick lite after his vowed pilgrimage The Queen Ethelburga went to the Abby at Berking in which place her sister had been before Abbesse and there spent the remainder of her life in devotion and penitence Polycrita THere arose great warres between the Milesians and Naxians kindled by the adulterate practice of the wife of Hypsicreon a Milesian who violating her conjugall vowes by throwing her selfe into the lustfull embraces of Promedon a Naxian then her guest and fearing the just anger of her husband and withall the punishment due to her adulterate sin fled with him into Naxos from whence being againe demanded but denied this private wrong turned to a publick ruin for devouting warre accompanied with many calamities preyed upon both their Countries But as this Beacon was first fired by a womans lewdnesse so was it last extinguished by a womans vertue Diognetus who had the command of those Erythraeans which came in aid of the Milesians had committed to his custody a certain strong hold scituated against the City Naxos who having taken from the Naxians a prize of women and free virgins he was deeply strook in love with one Polycrita whom he led with him not as a captive but as his wife It chanced that the Miletians celebrated a generall festivall day Polycrita besought Diognetus to make her so far indebted to hâ—s favour as to suffer her to send her brothers part of those juncates then at the table which willing he granted she secretly writ upon the leaden table of the Marchpane what she had projected withall charging the bearer to intreat her brothers not to let any participate thereof save themselves when they had heard the writing which contained thus much in effect Take hold upon the opportunity which occasion thrusts into your hands this night you mâ—y seâ—se the Castle for the enemy will lie down in wine and sleep in
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
master kept great store of pullen about the house and that was all Hens dung Hens dung saith the Gentleman I have a peece of land at home I would it were all there if thou canst help me to any quantity of it being sure that is such I will give thee twenty shillings a load for as much as thou canst provide and fetch it away with my own carriage The fellow hearing this promised within a month to furnish him with twenty load at least at the same price The match was made and the Gentleman after breakfast took horse and departed The hostler bespeaks all such soile as the Town could affoard or the next Villages by and made such a huge heap as annoied the whole yard knowing the Gentleman to have been ever a man of his word who came according to the time appointed The hostler is glad to see him and tels him he hath provided him of his commodity and withall brings him to the place where it lay like a laystall The Gentleman seems wondrous glad of this new merchandise and drawer out certain peeces out of his pocket as if he meant to give him present paiment but withall asked him Art thou sure all this is hens dung upon my life it is saith the hostler expecting still to finger the gold But replied the Gentleman art thou sure there is no cocks dung amongst it O lord yes saith the hostler how can it be else why then quoth the Gentleman I pray thee make thy best of it good friend for iâ— there be the least â—â—cks dung amongst it it will do me no pleasure I will not give thee three farthings for it all Thus was the bostler notwithstanding his former cost forced to â—â—move all that muckhill and make the yard clean at his own charge with much addition of mockery and laughter Iâ— for a little quantity of cocks dung you 〈◊〉 at all the rest here included the better judgement I hope will imputâ— it as to my simplicity so to your over 〈◊〉 Another main thing is to be feared wherein I must of force 〈◊〉 the censure of some or other namely Why amongst 〈◊〉 histories I have inserted Mortyrs and to confirm their truth have brought Authors that have been held superstitious I answer to all in generall I have only specified such things as I have read and for my own opinion I keep it reserved But because I now come to a conclusion I will end this book thus briefly in regard that women die and so do many die and that they die at all I will give you a womans reason why it is so Because they can live no longer Explicit lib. quartus Inscriptus Melpomene THE FIFTH BOOK inscribed TERPSICHORE Intreating of Amazons and other Women famous either for Valour or for Beauty A Question may be demanded Why under the Muse 〈◊〉 I personate the Bold and the Beautifull the War-like and the Faire she being the Muse to whom measureâ— and dances are solely peculiar as being of them the only and first inventresse I 〈◊〉 and I hope not impertinently that considering every circumstance I know not how to commâ—nd them to a more fit Mecaenâ—â— or Patron for what doth all your martial discipline consist but upon 〈◊〉 number measure distance and order and all these in Choâ—eis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 danceâ— especially we obseâ—ved In dances we keep time to the musick so in marching or drâ—lling our ears are attentive to the voice of the Captaine or Generall In the figures of the one and files of the other number is necessarily observed so is measure distance and order for in these they have an equall correspondence Now concerning fair women whom in all masks at the Court City or elsewhere do your gallants pick out but the Virgins or Ladies most beautifull nay even at Wakes or Weddings in the Country the fairest lasse is continually called out to dance be it but to the harp taber or bag pipe Amongst the souldiers were celebrated the Pyrrhick dance in armour first instituted by King Pyrrhus of Epire so likewise the Matachine or sword dance what measures have been devised for the exercise of faire Ladies Custome derived from all Antiquity still makes frequent amongst us It was used amongst the Jewes witnesse Herodias and is still continued in Spain France and England A second doubt is whether the magnanimous or the exquisitely featured whether Fortitude or Pulchritude ought to have precedence and first place It is a maxime amongst the Physitians Plus necat gula quam gladius i. surfets have been the destruction of more then the sword so I am of opinion That beauty hath been the ruine of more Cities the depopulation of more Kingdoms and destruction of more men then the sword But in this place since the courage of the mind and excellence of form contend for the upper hand I take it from Feature to bestow it on Magnanimity and spirit since the deeds of the one live to all posterity but the frailty of the other is subject to every small infirmity Therefore Ovid in his book de arte amandi thus writes Forma bonum fragile est quantumque accedit ad annos Fit minor Gradu carpitur ipse suo c. Form's a frail good as time runs on it wasts And the more spends it selfe the more it hasts Nor alwaies can the purple violet smell Or Lillies bloom in whitenesse that excell The fragrant rose whose beauty we desire The leaves once falne shewes but a naked brier O thou most faire white haires come on a pace And wrinckled furrowes which shall plow thy face So likewise Petronius Arbiter in one of his Satyrs Quod solum formae decus est cecidere Capillae The only beauty of her shape her haire Fell from her head her beauty to impaire Summer succeeds the Spring her Autumn chaceth And them sad Winter with his snow disgraceth Deceitfull Nature all these youthfull joies Thou gav'st us first thou art the first destroies Now the fruits and effects of this frail beauty especially where a faire face meeteth with a corrupted mind I will next shew you by history Ahab by the perswasion of his faire wife Jesabel was the death of many of the Prophets of the Lord. Dalila was the confusion of Sampson the strong Strange women brought Solomon the Wise to idolatry and to forget God Joram a King of Israel at the instigation of Athalia committed many horrible outrages Helena's beauty was the occasion oâ— that infinitâ— slaughter betwixt the Greeks and Trojans Pâ—lops succeeding in the Kingdome of Phâ—ygia made warre upon Oâ—nomaus thâ— fatâ—er of Hyprodamia because being surprized with her beauty she was denied him in 〈◊〉 Another Hyppodamia 〈◊〉 wife of Perithous was the occasion of that great 〈◊〉 or battel betwixt the 〈◊〉 and the Lâ—pithes for which Pâ—â—pertius cals her Ischomache of the 〈…〉 Isco which signifieth Habeo and Mache Pâ—gna his words are these Qualis Iscomache
sea-fight neer Salamine to behold which battel Xerxes had retired himselfe and stood but as a spectator Justine lib. 2. saith There was to be seen in Xerxes womanish feare in Artimesia manly audacity for she demeaned her selfe in that battell to the admiration of all men of whose ships the King taking especiall notice but not knowing to whom they belonged nor in whose management they then were one spake to the King and said Great Lord behold you not how bravely the Queen Artimesia bears her selfe this day the King would not at first beleeve that such resolution could be in that Sex 〈…〉 when notwithstanding her brave service he perceiv'd 〈…〉 and put to flight he sighing thus said All my men this day have shewed themselves women and there is but one woman amongst them and she onely hath shewed her selfe a man Many of the most illustrious persons died that day as also of the Meads amongst whom was the great Captain Aria Begnes the sonne of Darius and brother of Xerxes Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt the daughter of Dionysius Auleies after the death of Julius Caesar having taken Antonius in the bewitching 〈◊〉 of her beauty she was not contented with the Kingdomes of Aegypt Syria and Arabia but she was ambiâ—ious to sovereignize over the Roman Empire in which though she failed it shewed as invincible a spirit in 〈◊〉 as she exprest an unmatched 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of her voluntary death 〈◊〉 the Persian invading the Messagers and Scythians of which 〈◊〉 then reigned Queen she sent against him her only son 〈◊〉 with a puissant army to beat him back again beyond the river Araxes which he had 〈◊〉 with a mighty host rejected But the young man not 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 and policies of war suffered his souldiers in 〈…〉 to be invaded his 〈◊〉 rifled his army defeated and himselfe taken prisoner 〈…〉 the Queen sent to this purpose 〈…〉 This message being delivered to 〈◊〉 he regarded 〈…〉 but held it at the vain boast of a 〈◊〉 woman 〈…〉 being awaâ—â—d fromthe drinking 〈◊〉 wine and perceiving 〈…〉 Cyrus that he might be released from his bands to which the Persian granted 〈…〉 sooner found his legs unbound and his hands 〈…〉 cathct hold of a weapon and slew 〈…〉 The Queen having intelligence of the death of the 〈◊〉 of her son and withall that 〈◊〉 gave no heed to her admonition collected a puissant army of purpose to give him battell who inticed him by a counterfeit 〈…〉 straights of her Countery where having 〈…〉 her men she fell upon the Persians and made 〈…〉 the slaughter even to the defeating of their whole 〈…〉 strange and bloody execution Cyrus himselfe fell whose body Tâ—myris caused to be sercht for and being found filled a vessel full of blood into which commanding his head to be thrown she thus insultingly spake Of humane blood in thy life thou wert insatiate and now in thy death thou maist drink thy fill The fashions of the Messagets are after this manner described by Herâ—dotus Their habit and their food is according to the Scythians they â—ight as well on horseback as on foot being expert in both they are both Aâ—chers and Lanciers in al their weapons armor or caparisons using gold and brasse in the heads of their spears their quivers their daggers and other armor they wear brasse but whatsoever belongs to the head or to the breast is of the purest gold the breast places of their horses and what belong to their trappings and caparisons are buckled and studâ—ed with brasse but that which appertains to the head-stal or reins is of gold of iron and silver they have small use or none as being rare in their Country â—ut gold and brasse they have in abundance Every man marrieth a wiâ—e but not to his own peculiar use for they keep them in common for what the Greeks in this kind remember of the Scythians they do not it is customable only amongst the Messagets if any man have an appetite to a woman he only hangs his quiver upon the next bough and prostitutes hee in publike without taxation or shame There is no 〈◊〉 proposed to terminate their lives when any growes old his neighbours about him make a generall meeting and with great ceremony after the manner of a sacrifice cause him 〈◊〉 slain with other cattell in number according to 〈…〉 with whose â—lesh â—oil'd together they make a 〈…〉 him to dye in the most blessed estate 〈…〉 slain and eaten such as die of consumption or disease they eat not but â—ury in the earth accounting all 〈…〉 that suffered not immolation and whose 〈◊〉 was not â—easted with They neither sow nor reap but 〈…〉 their cattell and fish oâ— which the river Araxes yields them plenty they drink milk and honour the Sun and to the gods whom they most â—eare they sacrifice such 〈◊〉 beasts as they hold most fearfull and 〈◊〉 for the customes of the Mâ—ssagets Now lest it might 〈◊〉 almost against nature that amongst so many fighting women there should be no scolding at all let it not be taken amisse if I put you in mind of two or three shrowes by the way and so return again to my former argument Xantippe and Mirho HIeronymo writ a book against Iovinian in which he copiously discourses of the praise of Virginity reckoning a Catalogue of divers famous and renowned in that kind amongst sundry Nations besides the discommodities and inconveniences of scolding and contentious wives and amongst other husbands much troubled in that kind he speaks of Socrates who having two curst queans and both at once for the law of Athens did allow duplicity of wives could endure their scoldings and contumacie with such constancy and patience for having Zantippe and Mirho the daughters of Aristides the house was never without brawling and uprore One Euthidemus comming from the wrastling place and Socrates meeting him by chance compelled him home to supper and being sate at board and in sad and serious discourse Zantippe spake many bitter and railing words of disgrace and contumely against her husband but he nothing moved therewith nor making her the least answer she tipped up the Table and flung down all that was upon it But when Euthidemus being therewith much moved arose to be gone and instantly depart Why what harm is there quoth Socrates did not the same thing chance at your house when I dined with you the last day when a cackling hen cast down such things as were upon the board yet we your guests notwithstanding left not your house unmannerly Another time in the market she snatching his cloak from his back the standers by perswaded him to beat her but he replied so whilst she and I be tugging together you may stand by laughing and cry O wel done Zantippe O well done Socrates Another time she with her much loquacity had made him weary of the house therefore he sate him down upon a bench before the street door but she
Attica Megacles the son of Alcmenon From Etruria Lysanius From Thessaly Diacrides and Cranomius From Molossus Alcon in number 20. These came into Greece to express themselves in many noble contentions because Clâ—sthenes the son of Aristonius and father of Agarista had made proclamation that he only should enjoy the virgin who could best express himselfe in noble action and valour Hyppodamia was daughter to Oenemaus King of Aelis and of such attractive beauty that she likewise drew many Princely suitors to her fathers Court though to the most certain danger of their lives Caelius writes that Marmax was the first that contended with her in the Chariot race and failing in his course was slain by the tyrant the Mares with which he ran as some write were called Parthenia and Eripha whose throats Oenemaus caused to be cut and after buried After him perished in the same manner Alcathus the son of Parthaon Eurialus Eurimachus Crotalus Acrius of Lacedemon Capetus Lycurgus Lasius Chaâ—codus Tricolonus Aristomachus Prias Pelagus Aeolius Chromius and Eritheus the son of Leucon Amongst these are numbred Merimnes Hypotous â—elops Opontius Acarnan Eurilachus Antomedon Lasius Chalcon Tricoronus Alcathus Aristomachus and Crocâ—lus Sisigambis as Q. Curtius relates was inferiour to no Lady that lived in her age yet notwithstanding Alexander the Great having overcome her husband Darius in battell was of that continence that he only attempted not to violate her chastity but became her guardian and protected her from all the injuries that might have been done to a captive Plutarch writes of a Fâ—man Lady called Praecia of that excellent shape and admired feature as she endeared Cethegus unto her so far that he enterprized no designe or managed any affair without the advise and approbation of the beautifull Praecia So precious likewise was the faire Roxana in the eies of Alexander that having subdued all the Eastern Kingdomes and being Lord of the world yet from being the daughter of a mercenary souldier and a Barbarian he took her into his bosome and crowned her with the Imperiall Diadem Aegina the daughter of Aesopus King of Boetia for her excellent pulchritude was beloved of Jupiter of whom Ovid Aureus in Dâ—naen Aesopida luserit ignis In Gold faire Danaâ— had her full desire But with th' Aesopian 〈◊〉 he plai'd in â—ire So likewise Antiopa the daughter of Nycteis and wife of Lycus King of Thebes was for the carenesse of her form comprest by him of whom he begot Zethus and Amphion O what a power is this beauty It made the â—yclops Polyphemus turn Poet who as Ovid in his lib. 13. thus writes in the praise of his mistresse Galataea Candidior solio nivei Galataea ligustri c. Oh Galataea thou art whiter far Then leaves of Lillies not green Medowes are More flourishing thy stature doth appear Straighter then th' Elmes then glasse thou art more clear More wanton then the young Kid and more light Then those loose shels the hâ—llowes have made white Still tumbled with the waves more grace th ' hast won Then is in Summers shade or Winters Sun Lovelier then is the Apple when his side Turns yellow then the Plane tree of more pride Transparent then Isicles that meet With rising Phoebus then ripe Grapes more sweet Thou art of all choice things the gene all Theam Soft as Swans plumes and faire as clowted cream Therefore you faire ones the more choice your heauey is you ought of it to be more chary the sweeter the flower is the sooner it loseth the smell the fairer the colour it the sooner fades and the purer the blood the apter to take putrifaction Take heed then lest by unlawfull prostitution you â—â—ar that by which in outward appearance you come neerest to your Maker who as he is the Summum bonum so he is the soveraign and only peâ—fect beauty A Tyrant having studied many fearfull and terrible deaths to inflict upon such as his malice would punish when he thought none grievous enough at length as his master-peece of Tyranny he devised to bind the living to the body of the dead that the stench and corruption of the one might stiâ—â—e and suffocate the other In what greater torment then is that man who shall marry a fair false one that shall bed with sin and bosome diseases The dead body to which the living is bound as the blood dries and the flesh consumes so doth the loathsomnesse of the smell till in time it wast to ashes and so to participate of the same earth from whence it came but your catching and infectious loathsomnesse from lust growes to leprosie still encreasing in you to the impairing of his health and the impoverishing his estate consuming his purse and contaminating his person O miserable man whom thy rash choice shall cause to die of this wretched consumption But this is but a caveat or admonition by the way I proceed now with history The faire Mistresse of Pisistratus PHilarchus speaks of a beautifull woman on whom he hath vouchsafed no mame who first brought Pisistratus from a private man to a government Monarchicall She took upon her the name and habit of Pallas as paralleld with her both in state and beauty being thought by the people in all accomplishments to resemble the goddesse she is said to have dealt Scepters and made sale of Crowns distributing them where she pleased and to whom she affected Pisistratus after gave her to his son in marriage who was called Hypparchus for so Clidemus in his eight book intituled Redditionum leaves recorded in these words He gave unto his son Hypparchus a woman by whom he was overcome who was a Pallas for her State and for Wisedom might be called the daughter of Socrates and where beauty and counsel meet there cannot chuse but be a sweet concordance and harmony It shall not be amisse in the next place briefly to discover unto you what plâ—ces have been the most eminent for the breeding of the rarest beauties and which by the antient Authors have been most celebrated Hesiodus in his Melampodia nominates the City Chalcides in Euboea to breed the choicest beauties as that the most exquisite women are there born Of the same opinion with him is Theophrastus but Nymphoâ—orus in his navigation and travels through Asia affirms That the most incomparable features above all others whatsoever 〈◊〉 in Tenedos an Isle belonging to Troy Dionysius Leucâ—ricus hath left recorded That for many years continuance there was an annuall contention of beauty held amongst the Elians in the City of Elis and that she that pâ—ovâ—d victoresse was honoured with the Arms consecrated to Pallas Others in other places as Mysilus in his historicall Paradoxes hath left remembed were crowned with wreaths of Myâ—â—le In other places as Theophrastus writes there were meetings and solemnities kept to censure women for their temperance and good huswifery as among the Barbarians but for the form
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
other sister for if he were never so much given to wrath and anger she would teach him sufferance and patience Laertius when Georgias the Sophist at the solemnity of the Olympick games had made an elaborate Oration concerning concord and to perswade men to uninity one Mâ—lanthius in the conclusion or catastrophe thereof spake aloud This man perswades all Greece to peace who having but one wife and three maids at home yet his house is never without clamour and dissention and with all his smooth filed phrases cannot make his own peace Eras 6. Apophtheg Mar. Pacuvius upon a time said weeping to his familiar friend and neighbor Actius alias Arius Deer friend saith he I have a tree in my garden in my mind the most prodigious and unhappy that ever the earth produced or gave sap unto for upon that my first wife hanged her selfe and after that the second and now but this morning my third and last to whom Arius his neighbour replied I wonder you being a learned man and approved for your wisdome should be any way grieved at these successes and chances Dâ—i boni inquit quot tibi dispendia arbor iste suspendit i. Oh you gods how many of thy dammages and losses hast thou hanged upon that tree and proceeded thus Deer friend give me some of those grafts and syents that I may plant them in my Orchard or garden Valerius records this in an Epistle to Rufinus As also Cicero reports the like of a Cicilian in 2 de Orat. and Gyraldus Dial. 8. Poetarum Even Cato Ceasortus could not escape a brawling and crabbed wiâ—e though he married her from an ignoble stock and family Guid Bitturn saith That Hadrianus had a wife called Sabina hard perverse untoward rude in her behaviour towards her husband and worthy to be repudiated and her bed and society abandoned Alphonsus King of Naples demanding of one Antonius Panormita What noble Neapolitan Gentlemen were delighted in Hunting or whether any late Writer had published any Treatise concerning the goodnesse and excellency of dogs To whom Panormitâ— answered I beseech thee O King rather ask this Knight pointing to one that was then in presence who can better resolve you who for the space of forty years hath been continually so conservant amongst such creatures that every night he beddeth with a Canicula which word as it signifieth a Bâ—ach or Bitch so it is taken for a detractor or snarling slanderer as also for a Dog-fish and proceeded Therefore he O King can best describe unto you their natures and conditions This Knight of Naples whose name for his honors sake is concealed only smiled at the taunt given by Antonius well apprehending that by Canicula he intended his wife a woman barkingly clamorous most contentious and bitter Pontanus Gregorius Hamburgensis a famous ond eloquent Lawyer amongst all the German practisers the most approved when all his busie imploiments were ended in the Court of Caesar where he was staied some two months or thereabouts and as we say in our English phrase the Terme being and he returning home to his own house not far from the Town of Nurimburgh where he then dwelled he met with a friend and neighbour who after some familiar salutes past betwixt them told him That his wife was living and in good health at home to whom shaking his head he made this short reply 〈◊〉 vivit saneobâ—◠〈◊〉 If my wife be living then am I but dead thereby intimating that the moâ—osity of a câ—rst wife is no better then a daily death to her husband Aeneas 〈…〉 reb Gestis Alphonsâ—â— Thisponius the 〈…〉 of the learned Councel to King Alphonsus having at one time three hundred pieces of Gold stoln from 〈◊〉 which was part of the Dower of a perverse and peevish 〈◊〉 whom he had lately married for which being wondrous 〈◊〉 and pensive in the presence of the King Alphoâ—sus looking upon him and seeming to commiserate his sadnesse broke out into these terms O how happy a man were Thisponius if the theeves had stolne away his wife and left the Gold behind them Pâ—normita lib 1 de Gestis Alphons Euripides the most excellent of thâ— Greek Tragick Poets had two wives the name of the first was Cherâ—le or as Sâ—â—das cals her Chaerinâ— the daughter of Mâ—nâ—silâ—chus by whom he had three sons Mâ—â—siloches the Actor or Stage-plaier Mnesarchides the Merchant and the third Euâ—â—pides the Orator yet partly for suspition of adultery and by reason he led with her an unquiet life after so hopeful an issue she was divorced from him After this separation he married another called Melitto who being apprehended in adultery with Ctesiphon the Plaier he was so branded for a Cuckold and so taunted and jeasted at by the Comick Poets in the publique Theater that he was forced to leave the City and to remove himselfe into Macedonia where he spent the remainder of his life in the Court of King Archelaus Gel. lib. 15. cap. 20. Athenaeus lib. 13. Arnus Tarquinius and Tullâ—a lived together in perpetuall discord and dissention by reason of her unto 〈◊〉 and crabbed condition Adrianus Bâ—rlâ—ndus tels us of an Inne keeper or Host a pleasant and trolick fellow who when a guest of his complained unto him that he â—ould not endure such noise and clamour for his wives tongue never ceased walking finding fault with this thinâ— then that besides there was no cessation of her perpetuall brawling and chiding with her maids and servants To whom the merry Host replied And I pray my friend is this a just cause for your impatience or discontent What do you think of me then that for two and thirty yeers space have had this noise and clamour continually in mine eaâ—s night and day without ceasing and yet you see with what sufferance I bear it and cannot you endure it for the space of a few minutes By which words he not only gave present satisfaction to his guest but converted his wives anger into laughter Servius Tullius King of the Romans conferr'd upon his two daughters upon the two Tarquins Aruns and Superbus of severall dispositions were the men and of sundry conditions the women as they were opposite in humour they were as unfitly disposed To Aruns a man of a quiet and â—â—ld temper Tullia Lady 〈◊〉 and daring was given on Superbus a Prince haughty and insolâ—nâ— the other being a modest and â—eek Lady was bestowed Disparity of minds could not brook the inequality of manners Therefore bold and bloody Tullia poisons her faire and gentle conditioned Aruns the other modest and mild-tempered sister is made away by the proud and ambitious Superbus the best are lost the worst left They two contract an incestuous Marriage Pride with Cruelty and Immanity with Ambition Murther is the ground oâ— cause and Treason and Usurpation the prodigious effect she complots the death of her own naturall father and he the ruine of his liege Lord and Sovereign she a Parâ—icide he a Râ—gicide The
King is betwixt them slain over whose dead body she caused her Chariot to be drawn Her cheeks blushed not when the wheels of her Waggon were stained with her fathers blood And so much to give Tullia a short character the most insolent of Wives and the worst of Daughters Of a lower voice softer spirit and more temperate condition were these wives following Chilonia the wife of Cleombrotus King of Sparta and daughter of Leonides who had before soverainised when in those civil combustions the â—on in law had expulsed the father and compelled him into exile she never ceased to importune her hnsband till she had called him home from banishment But in processe of time when Fortune had turned her wheel and Leoâ—ides in those dissentions having got the better had confined Cleombrotus she was an hourly intercessor for the repeal of her husband but finding her father to be obdure and her 〈◊〉 by him not listned to though she might in all pleasure and â—ase have happily spent her age in her own City with her father she rather made choise to be a faithfuâ—l companion in all distresses with her husband Fulgos lib. 6. cap. 7. Anaxandrâ—des the son of Leontias married with his sisters daughter whom he exceedingly loved but because she was 〈◊〉 and that by her he had no issue the Ephori made suit unto him to be divorced from her and would have compelled him unto it but when he had absolutely denied to condescend with them in that point they made another request unto him That he would take unto him another wife more fruitfull lest the most fortunate issue of Euristaeus might in him be extingished He therefore at their intreaties took to him a second wife namely Perinetades the daughter of Demarmenus and so brought her home to his house where which is strange the two women lived together peaceably without emulation or envy His last wife brought him a son whom he called Cleomenes and not long after his first wife before barren made him the fortunate father of three sons the first Dorieus the second Leonides the third Cleombrotus but Cleomenes the eldest by the second wife succeeded in the sovereignty Herodot lib. 5. Thesca the sister of Dionysius being married to Polixenus who having entred into a conjuration with other noble Gentlemen to supplant the Tyrant but fearing discovery fled for his best safety Upon whose flight Dionysius cals his sister into question as one that must of necessity be privy to his escape To whom she boldly thus answered Thinkest thou O Dionysius thy sister to be a woman of that servile and degnerate condition that had she known the least purpose of his retirement she would not have made her selfe a companion in all his Navigations and Travel Erasm Apophtheg lib. 5. Caius Caligula the Emperor having found Herod the husband to Herodias Tetrarch of Galilee engaged in a revolt from the Empire with Artabanus King of the Parthians amerced him in a great sum of monie for that defect and till it was levied and paied into the Treasury gave him in custody to King Agrippa whom he had found loiall unto him and in whose fidelity he much trusted He after banished Herod into a Lyons a City of France with an irrevocable doom of exile imposed upon him but understanding Herodias to be sister to the wife of Agrippa whom he much favoured out of Herods mulct or sine he proportioned her a large Dower reserved in the hands of Agrippa to her use as not dreaming she would have been a companion with him in his confinement To which extraordinary grace from the Emperor she thus replied You O Emperor as best becomes your Majesty speak like a roiall and munificent Prince but the Conjugal Bond of Love and Piety in which I am tied to a husband is to me an impediment that I am not capable of this great Largesse and unmerited bounty Unmeet it is that I who have been a partaker with him in all his prosperous and flourishing fortunes should now forsake him and not be a companion with him in the worst that disaster or adversity can inflict This noble answer Caeligula took in such scorn and high displeasure to see himself in magnanimity and greatnesse of spirit to be exceeded by a woman that he banished her with her husband Herod and the bounty before bestowed on her he conferred upon her brother in law Agrippa Joseph in Antiq. Cleomenes the son of Anaxandrides and Perinetades but lately spoken of being expulsed from Sparta by Antigonus King of Macedonia fled for refuge to Ptolomeus King of Aegypt whither his wife would have followed him but disswaded by her parents notwithstanding a strict gard was set over her yet in the night she beguiled her keepers and having provided a horse for the purpose posted with all possible speed to the next Port Town that was least suspected where hiring a ship with all the Coin and Jewels then about her she sailed into Aegypt and there spent the remainder of her daies with him in his uncomfortable exile Fulgos lib. 6. cap. 7. I have but one more gentle Reader to trouble thy patience with at this present Blanca Rubea Patavina the wife of Baptista a Porta betaking her selfe into the same free priviledged Town of which Bassianus was then governor and whither her husband for his safety was retired in the year of our Redemption 1253. when Acciolinus the Tyrant having lost Padua when bending all his forces to the surprisall of Bassianus compassing that at length by fraud and stratagem which by opposition and violence he could never have accomplished in the entring of which Town Baptista was slain and Blanca Rubea being armed and fighting boldly by his side till she saw him fall was notwithstanding her masculine valour taken prisoner by a souldier and presented to the Tyrant who gazing on her rare feature much more beautified by the rich armor she then had on grew exceedingly enamoured on this manly Virago and first with fair enticing blandishments he courted her love but finding no possibility to satiate his libidinous affections that way where fair means failed he purposed force which to avoid and to prevent the dishonour intended her she cast her self out from an high Bay-window two-stories from the gronnd where being taken up half dead with much difficulty she was recovered No sooner was she wel able to walk but the Tyrant still prosecuted his beastly and bruitish desires which she still opposing with that small strength he had his left he caused his servants to bind her according to lustfull direction and not able to stir hand nor 〈◊〉 in that horrible manner ravished her At length being loosed from those hatefull and unsufferable bonds she with what patience she could dissembled her griefe and wrought so far with some that compassioned her miseries that she had liberty to visit her dead husband in his Tomb into which with loud shrieks and passionate lamentation she entred still invoking her