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
were much esteemed amongst the Britains and carefully observed being call'd after her name The Mercean laws many ages insuing But being loath to instance too many to one purpose lest I should rather seem tedious then delightfull to the Reader I will add only one English Lady in another kind memorable and worthy for her goodnesse an everlasting character There was a Noble man of England created Earle of Coventrie this man was so austere to the Citizens that he had injuriously wâ—rsted from them all their ancient franchises and priviledges insomuch that by his oppressions and insufferable exactions the City was much decaied the people disabled in their power and weakned in their fortunes These petitioned to the Countesse a Noble and well disposed Lady to mediate for them to the Earle That their customes and former liberties might be restored The Lady undertakes their suit and with much importunity sollicited her Lord in their behalfe but he being of a haughty and insolent disposition still persisted immovable but she commiserating their estate as daily moved with their complaints without cessâ—tion still sollicited for them and with such urgence that he had neither peace at board nor quiet in bed he at length as much wearied with her importunity as she tired with their petitions she wrested from him this churlish and indefinite answer Cease Lady further to perswade me for I protest and that with an unaltered resolution that there is but one only means by which their franchises are to be recovered which if thou wilt undertake as I presume thou wilt not I will surrender them up intirely if not I will continue them in the same estate that I now hold them The Lady gently demanding what imposition he would enjoin her he thus replied Thou shalt strip thy selfe stark naked and mounted on horseback at mid-day ride in that manner through the City from one gate to another and by this exploit only their desire and thy suit is to be granted The modest Lady after some little pause promised her Lord that for their generall good she would doe it This being sealed by an oath from him and a vow from her she acquainted the Citizens with her purpose and appointed a day in which she commanded them to lock all their doors and shut in their windowes and not to leave any small cranny open towards the street nor suffer any living thing to be abroad This being faithfully and punctually performed by them she as effectually accomplished her promise and rid in that manner with no more touch of immodestie then when she shifted her smock in her private chamber Some may say Yet what might the people apprehend in their conceits to think upon a naked Lady so mounted I answer They could not mâ—re immodestly conceive of her then a man that sees any beautifull woman well habited may doe in his Ebidinous imaginations by comprehending every naked lineament beâ—ore she put on her apparrel â—f this Noble Lady there is in the City both monument and memory unto this day In speaking of so many chast worthy and eminent Ladies I wonder how the name of Cuckold came to be so frequent amongst us might it be held no ridiculous digression I would tell you an old tale to that purpose which though I dare not warrant it for truth I am willing to make it yours as freâ—ly as it was made mine I speak not of the woman that when her husband câ—me home to her in hast and brought newes there was a new edict come out that all Cuckolds should be cast into the river presently asked him why he did not learn to swim nor of her that when her good-man came to her in like manner with acclamation and said Wot you what wife such a woman naming one of his neighbours is found to be false and he branded for a notorious cuckold answered Lord husband you are such another man But my discourse is at this present of a disputation in hell what this thing Cuckold should be or what kind of creature since all sorts of people of what estate or degree soever examined by Lucifer or any of the â—hâ—ee infernall judges denied themselves to be the same It was therefore agreed amongst them to send up some one of the most ingenious devils amongst them by surveying the Earth to discover this strange unknown creature and if it were possible to bring him thither alive to make them spectetors of an object they so much desired to see With this commission away goes the devill showes himselfe upon the earth and taking the shape of a Gallant thrusts himselfe into the society of all kind of people he comes to the Country man asks it he be a Cuckold who answers he knowes not what it means The Citizen denies himselfe to be the man The souldier with oaths outfaceâ—h the name The lawyer will arrest any man upon an action of slander that shall call him by that name The Courtier indeed conâ—â—sseth himself to be a Cuckold maker but to be a Cuckold he can endure by no means Insomuch that the poor devill altogether disappointed of his purpose was ready to retire againe into his black house of darknesse as he was meditating with himselfe to the same purpose he hapned into an Ordinary where a Câ—tizen being at game amongst many Gentlemen the dicâ— so favoured him that he got a great hand blew up two or three gallants and so gave over play which one above the rest taking not well importuned him still to hold game which the other absolutely denying the Gallant told him A Cuckold he found him and so would leave him and with that language he bad him farewell This the devill hearing grew joifull in himselfe thus intimating I have found him at length whom I so long have sought this is my prize and shall be my purchase He presently provides himselfe of a large bag able to containâ— so great a burden and desiring the of Citizen more familiar acquaintance to cut off circumstance drew him out of the Town to take a turn or two in the fields Together they walk and comming to a remote place the devil discovering himselfe appears unto him in a rough black haired shape and tels him to what purpose he was come and to what place he was injoined to beare him therefore wished him pâ—tiently and quietly to creep into his bag The man at these words amazed began to struggle with the devill who laid violent hands upon him It hapned that neer to this wrestling place a poor labouring man was digging of gravell there lay by the edge of the pit a lusty mastiffe that had been a Bear-dog to keep the poor mans hat and jerkin whilst he was at work below this dog seeing the man and the devill contend took it seems the fiend by reason of his rough skin to be a beast of the game up skips he to take the devill by the throat who presently lets go his hold to secure
a chain of Diamonds which gave a wondrous addition to that beauty when 〈◊〉 of it selâ—e without any ornament was not to be 〈◊〉 A contrary effect it wrought in the King and 〈◊〉 husband To Edgar she seemed some goddesse at least a miracle in nature to Ethelwold in regard of his fear a fury or what worse he could compare her to O frail woman in this one vanity to appear beautifull in the eies of a King thou hast committed two heinous sins Adultery and Murder for accordingly it so fell out Edgar was as much surprised with her love as incensed with hate against her Lord both which for the present he dissembled neither smiling on the one nor frowning on the other In the afternoon the King would needs 〈◊〉 the stag in the forrest of Werwelly since called 〈◊〉 wood In the chase by the appointment of Edgar Earl Ethelwold was strook through the body with an arrow and so slain the King after made Elfritha his bride and Queen The Earl had a base son then present at the death of his father of whom the King asked how he liked that manner hunting to whom he answered Roial Sir what seemeth good to you shall be no way offensive from that time forward he was ever gracious with the King And Elfritha 〈◊〉 to make attonement with heaven for the murder of her husband or â—â—ther as Ranulphus saith for causing Edward 〈◊〉 whom she was step mother to be slaine 〈◊〉 her own son Egelredus might reign builded an Abby for Nunnes at Worwell where she was after buried Gunnora IN the time that Agapitus was Pope Lewis King of France the son of Charls caused William Longa Spata the Duke of Normandy to be treacherously slain this William was son to Rollo The Lords of Normandy with this murder much incensed watched their advantage and surprised the King in Rhothemage where they committed him to safe custody till he had promised and sworn to yeeld up Normandy to Richard son and immediate heire to William the late murdered Duke and moreover in what place soever the King and the young Duke should have meeting to confer that Richard should car his sword but King Lewis neither to have sword nor knife about him This Richard being young was called Richard the Old he had besides another attribute given him which was Richard without Feare because he was never known to be dismaid at any thing but a third above these was that he pretended to be wondrous religious He was Duke two and fifty years and took a Lady to his bed from Denmark whose name was Gunnora by whom he had five sons and two daughters the eldest of which was married to Etheldredus King of England her name was Emma and she was called the flower of Normandy Concerning this bold yet religious Duke it is reported by Marianus lib. 2. Henricus Ranulphus and others that besides many other testimonies of his sanctity this one made him most eminent A Monk of Andoenus in Rothomage a Town in Normandy going one night to meet with his Sweet heart his way lay over a bridge and under that bridge was a deep foord or river it so hapned that mistaking his footing he fell into the water and there was drowned He was no sooner dead but there came to carry away his soul an Angel and a Fiend these two contended about it the one would have it so would the other great was the controversie betwixt them at length they concluded to put the case to Duke Richard and both to stand to his arbitriment much pleading there was on both sides at length the Duke gave sentence That the soul should be restor'd again to the body and be placed again upon that bridge from whence he had falne and if then he would offer to go from thence to his Sweet heart the Devill should take him but if otherwise he because he was a Church-man should be still in the Angels protection This was done and the Monk left his way to the woman and fled to the Church as to a sanctuary whither the Duke went the next day and found the Monks cloths still wet and told the Abbot every circumstance as it fell out therefore the Monk was shriven did penance was absolved and reconciled This I have read which I perswade no man to beleeve This Duke lived with the faire Gunnora long time dishonestly and without marriage had by her those children aforesaid but at length by the perswasion of the nobility and intercession of the Clergy he took her to wife The first night after the marriage when the Duke came to her bed she turned her back towards him which she had never done till that time at which he marvelling demanded of her the reason why she did so To whom she answered before I was your strumpet and therefore as a servant was tied to do your pleasure in all things but now I am your wife and made part of your selfe therefore henceforth I claime with you an equall soveraignty and will do what me list bearing my selfe now like a Princesse not like a prostitute This I am easily induced to beleeve for how soon do honours change manners Juvenall in his sixth Satyr speaking of marriage thus saith Semper habet lites aeternaque jurgia lectus c. The marriage bed is seldome without strife And mutuall chidings he that takes a wife Bargains for mighty trouble and small rest Sleep growes a stranger then whilst in her brest She lodgeth Passion Selfe-will Anger Feare And from her 〈◊〉 drops many a feigned teare c. Somewhat to this purpose spake Terentius in his Adelpâ—â—s Duxi uxorem quam ibi non miseriam vidi c. I made choice of a wife with judgement sound What miserie have I not therein found Children are born they prove my second care They should be comforts that my corfives are For her and them I study to provide And to that purpose all my time 's apply'd To keep her pleas'd and raise their poor estate And what 's my meed for all but scorn and hate And so much for Gunnora It seems the Emperor Valentinianus was neither well read in Juvenal nor Terence He when his wife commended unto him the beauty of the Lady Justina took her to his bed and for her sake made a law That it should be lawful for any man to marry two wives It is read of Herod the Great that he had nine wives and was divorsed from them all only for the love of Mariamnes niece to Hirâ—anus for whose sake he caused himselfe to be circumcised and turned to the faith of the Jewes he begot on her Alexander and Aristobulus on Dosides Antipater on Metheta Archelaus on Cleopatra Philip and Herodes Antipas he that was afterward called Tetrarch one of the four Princes Aristobulus that was Herodes son begotten on Beronica the daughter of his own Aunt called Saloma he begot the
the poor The King upon Holy-Rood day was released and besieged the Empresse in the City of Oxford from Michelmas day to mid winter where being oppressed with famine she took the advantage of the Frost and Snow and attiring her selfe all in white escaped over the Fens and came to the Castle of Wallingford And so much shall suffice to expresse the magnanimity and warlike dispositions of two noble and heroick English Ladies A French Lady comes now in my way of whom I wil give you a short character In the minority of Henry the sixt when France which was once in his entire possession was there governed by our English Regents the famous Duke of Bedsord and others Charls the Dolphin stiled after by the name of Charls the seventh being a Lord without land yet at that time maintaining what hostility he was able whilst the English forraged through France at their will and commanded in all places at their own pleasure the French in utter despaire of shaking oft the English yoke there arose in those desperate times one Joane Are the daughter of James Are and his wife Isabel born in Dâ—mprin This James was by profession a Shepherd and none of the richest Joane whom the French afterwards called Joane de Pucil whilst she was a young maid and kept her fathers sheep would report to divers That our blessed Lady S. Agnes and S. Katharine had appear'd unto her and told her that by her means France should regain her pristine liberty and cast off the yoke of English servitude This comming to the eare of one Peter Bradicourt an eminent Captain then belonging to Charls the Dolphin he used means that she should be sent to have conference with his master who sojourned then in Chynon in his lowest of dejection and despair of hope supply or comfort In her journie thither she came to a Town called Faire-bois where taking up her Inne a place which she had never before seen she desired a souldier to goe to a secret by-corner where was a heap of old iron and from thence to bring her a sword The souldier went according to her direction and searching the place amidst a great quantity of old tongs shovels hand irons and broken horse shooes found a faire bright sword with five Flower-Deluces upon either side engraven This sword with which she after committed many slaughters upon the English she girt to her and so proceeded to Chynon to give the Dolphin meeting Being there arrived Charls concealed himself amongst many others whilst he was brought into a faire long gallery where he had appointed another to take his place and to assume his person she looking upon him gave him neither respect nor reverence but sought out Charls among all the other in that assembly and pickt him from amongst the rest to whom making a low obeisance she told him that to him only was her businesse The Dolphin at this was amazed the rather because she had never before seen him and was somewhat comforted by reason that she shewed chear and alacrity in her countenance they had together long and private conference and shortly after she had an army given him to be disposed and directed by her She then bespake her selfe armor Cap a Pe bearing a white Ensign displaid before her in which was pourtraied the picture of the Saviour of the world with a Flower-de-luce in his hand and so marched to Oâ—leance Her first exploit was fortunately to raise the siege and â—elieve the Town From thence she passed to Reams took the City and caused the Dolphin there to proclaim himselfe King and take upon him the Crown of France She after took Jargueux a strong Town and in it the Earl of 〈◊〉 with many other brave English Gentlemen She â—ought the great battell of Pathay with good successe in which were taken prisoners the Lord Talbot the scourge and terror of the French Nation the Lord Scales the Lord Hungerford with many others both of name and quality she took in Benveele Mehun Trois and divers other Towns of great import and consequence at length in a caâ—â—â—ado or skirmish she was taken prisoner by Sir John of Entenburch a Burgonian Captain and sent to Roan The French Chronicles affirm that the morning before she was surprized she took the Sacrament and comming from Church told to divers that were about her that she was betraid her life sold and should shortly after be delivered up unto a violent death For Sir John gave a great sum of monie to betray her The English comming to invest themselves before Mondidier Joan was advised to issue out by Flaâ—y and skirmish with them who was no sooner out but he shut the gates upon her being taken she was sent to Peter Bishop of Bevoise who condemned her to the fire for a forceresâ—e which judgement was accordingly executed upon her in Roan in the Market place Twenty six years after Charls the King for a great sum of monie procured an annihilation of the first sentence from the Pope in which she was proclaimed a Viâ—ago inspired with divine instinct in memory of whose vertuous life and unjust death he caused a faire crosse to be erected just in the place where her body was burned I return again to the English Fâ—bâ—an and Harding speak of Emma sister to the Norman Duke called Richard who for her extraordinary beauty was called The flower of Normandy she was married to Eâ—helâ—ed King of England By 〈◊〉 heroick spirit and masculine instigation the King seat to all parts of the Kingdome secret and strict commissions That upon a day and hour assigned all these Danes which had usurped in the Land and used great cruelty should be slaughtered which at her behest and the Kings command was accordingly performed which though it after proved ominous and was the cause of much misery and mischiefe yet it shewed in her a noble and notable resolution Oâ— Queen Margaret the wiâ—e of Henry the sixt her courage resolution and magnanimity to speak at large would ask a Volume rather then a compendious discourse to which I am strictly tied And therefore whosoever is desirous to be further instructed in the successe of those many battels fought against the house of York in which she was personally present I refer them to our English Chronicles that are not sparing in commending her more then womaâ—ish spirit to everlasting memory With her therefore I conclude my female Martialists And now me thinks I am come where I would be and that is amongst you faire ones Of faire Women IT is reported of a King that for many yeers had no issue and desirous to have an heire of his own blood and begetting to succeed in the throne upon his earnest supplication to the divine powers he was blessed with a faire son both of beauty and hope And now being possessed of what he so much desired his second care was to see him so educated that he might have as much comfort
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
off that had sacrificed to the devil confessing that he had never any inspection into that damnable Art til he was Archbishop of Rhemes These are the best rewards that Satan bestowes upon his suppliants and servants how comes it else so many wretched and penurious Witches some beg their bread some die of hunger others rot in prisons and so many come to the gallowes or the stake It is reported of a Gentleman of Mediolanum that having his enemy at his mercy held his steeletto to his heart and swore that unlesse he would instantly abjure his faith and renounce his Saviour had he a thousand lives he would instantly with as many wounds despoile him of all which the other for fear assenting to and he having made him iterate over and over his unchristian-like blasphemies in the middle of his horrible abjuration stabb'd him to the heart uttering these words See I am revenged of thy soule and body at once for as thy body is desperate of life so is thy soul of mercy This uncharitable wretch was an apt scholer to the grand Devil his Master who in like manner deals with all his servants who after he hath made them renounce their faith blaspheme their Maker and do to him all beastly and abominable adoration such as in their own confessions shall be hereafter related he not only leaves them abjects from Gods favour whose divine Majesty they have so fearfully blasphemed but delivers them up to all afflictions and tribulations of this life and all exâ—â—uciation and torments in the world to come Horrible and fearful have been the most remarkable deaths of many of the professors of this diabolicall Art for whom the lawes of man hath spared as a terror to others the hand of heaven hath punished I wil only give you a taste of some few Abdias Bab. Episcopus lib. 6. Certam Apostol writes That Zaroes and Arphaxad two famous Magitians amongst the Persians with their exorcisms and incantations deluding the people in the hour when Simon and Jude suffered martyrdome were struck with lightning from heaven and so perished Lucius Piso in the first book of his Annals speaks of one Cinops a Prince amongst the Magitians who at the praier of St Iohn the Evangelist was swallowed up in a river Olaus Magnus lib. 2. cap. 4. de gentib Septentrional tels us of one Methotis who by his prestigious juglings had insinuated into the hearts of the people and purchast that opinion and authority amongst them that he was called The high and chiefe Priest to the gods who was after torn to pieces by the multitude from whose scattered limbs such a contagion grew that it infected the air of which much people perished Hollerus the Magitian was slain Oddo the Dane was besides his skil in Magick a great pyrat it is written of him Wierius lib. 2. cap. 4. that without ship or boat he would make his transmarsne passage over the Ocean and by his Inchantments raise storms to shipwreck the vessels of his enemies there most wretchedly perished Dr Iohn Faustus born at Kuneling a Village neer Cracovia was found dead by his bed side his face blasted and turned backward in the Dukedome of Wittenburgh at which time the house wherein he died was shaken with a tempest and horrible Earthquake The Earl Matisconensis a practitioner in the same devilish study sitting at dinner amongst many Lords Barons Captains and others was snatcht from the boord by devils and in the sight and view of all the people three times hurried swiftly round about the City being heard to cry Succurrite Succurrite i. Help Help of him Hugo Cluniacensis writes more largely A Priest at Noremburgh searching for hidden treasure in a place where the devill had directed him found it garded by a spirit in the semblance of a great black dog in the search of which the earth fell upon him and buried him alive And this hapned in the year 1530. Wierius A Magician of Salsburgh undertook to call all the Serpents together within a mile of the place and bring them into one pit digged for the purpose in the train of which came after the rest a great Serpent supposed to be the devill and twining about him cast him in amongst the rest where they together perished The like untimely deathâ— we read of Appion Grammaticus Iulian Apostata Artephius Robertus Anglicus amongst the Helvetians Petrus Axâ—nensis sirnamed Conciliator Albertus Teutonicus Arnoldus de villa nova Anselmus Parmensis Pycatrix Hispanus Cuchus ascalus Florentinus and many others Commendable therefore it was in the French King who when one Friscalanus Cenomannus a man excellent in this Science came to shew divers prestigious seats and tricks before him for which he expected reward amongst others he caused the links of a golden chain to be taken asunder and removed them to divers remote places of the chamber which came of themselves to one place and were instantly joined together as before Which the King seeing and being thereat astonished he commanded him instantly from his sight never again to behold his face and after caused him to be arraigned and judged And these are the Graces Honours and Advancements Offices and Dignities to which the devill exalts his â—â—ege people Of these severall sorts of Juglings with which the devill deludes his scholers besides such as I have before spoken of amongst such as predicted of things to come I will nominate some few One thing which is used now amongst our cunning Women and Witches is so ancient that it was before the age of Lucian or Theocritus it is called Caskinomanteia i. 〈◊〉 saltatio i. as we call it The Sive and the Shears and that is not shamed to be publiquely used Bodinus himselfe saith that he saw in Lutetia a boy in a Noblemans house and before many honest and judiciall spectators by speaking of a few French words make a Sive turn which way he pleased but the same words uttered by another could not make it to move at all Another superstition is with a Knife or a Key If any be suspected of 〈◊〉 read but such a Psalm and name the party accused if the Knive at speaking of his name move to stir he is then held guilty and that 〈◊〉 is called Axinomanteia That which is done by a Ring out over a Cruse of water is called Daktuliomanteia And this is is a famous sorcery much in use with the Witches of Italy Ioachimus Cameraccusis had a speaking Ring in which was a familiar or a devill that kind is called Vdromanteia as also Dactyliomanteia i. A Ring wherein Spirits are worn Conjectures made from Wels andâ— Fountains were called Idromanteia these Numa Pompilius was said to be the first inventor of which Varro otherwise interprets i. Of a boy imploied by the Magicians to look upon Images in the watâ—r one of which pronounced distinctly fifty verses of the wars of Mithridates before any such rumour was spread or purpose of the