ye to whom ye may safely disclose your harts secretes and finde your loue euerie way effectually requited To all other beside ye must be verie scarce and sparing of your behauior for they perceiuing themselues not to be regarded will suffer yee to enioy your owne choyce the more quietly because no man will loue longer than hee hath hope to bee esteemed If they discerne in your lookes no apparant signes of loue they will cease al pursute and for beare further molestation abuse not then your selues with the opinion of some vain headed wantons who are perswaded that the onely meanes to make them affected consists in brauery of attire and gay decking of the bodie to bee gazde on But I assure ye deare Sisters that neither golde pearles periwigs nor painting but faire comely demeanour humanitie gentlenesse and modestie are the true weapons to win Loue withall and the onely faire Trophees that beautifies his Triumph I haue seene more homely in aides beloued for their ciuill demeanour modestie than faire faces for their pride and boldnes and reason giues vs knowledge by most apparaunt proofes that a proud minde can neuer loue as it should doo What thinke ye sweet Sisters did first of all incite and prouoke yee to loue Questionlesse neither golde purple precious stones or any other of Fortunes ornaments but rather discreet behauiour vertue modesty gentlenes and ciuilitie discerned in your amorous Seruants then looke what first procured you to affect the selfe same in others makes you to bee fauoured Giue then your selues to one modest Louer onely not audaciously as diuers ouer-bold and impudent vse to doo but with a womanly cariage an affable demeanous true signes of humanitie simple facilitie a pleasing disposition whereby you shall gaine as much grace good will and equall affection as you can wish or desire from your chosen Fauourite CAP. 8. THus ye see how yee should make your election of one onely Louer of mature age vertuous modest ciuill behauiour as I haue alreadie described vnto ye him and no other would I wish ye to affect euen as yee seeke to bee required with the like againe in him Not much differing from this present purpose I begin now to remember mine owne former loues when sitting weeping by my deare beloued mother I would make complaint vnto her that my Husband the onely moitie of my soule to whom I frankly gaue my selfe despising the thoght of anie other seemed vnkind to me and in outward appearaunce did not manifest such affection toward mee as my simple wisedome craued and expected Continuing in the heate of these amorous oppressions I found but one comfort onely in this my martirdome which was to weepe my fill daily and declare my greefes to my pittying Mother still accusing to my vttermost my Husband with great crueltie When such large expence of teares and heart-renting sighes auailed not I would often intreat and desire him that hee should not forsake my companie and seeme so disdainfull to her that intyrely loued him but his discreete aunsweres as now I can confesse they were though then my folly would not suffer mee to discerne so much declared him to bee a wiser Husband than I was a Wife and his councell was more auailable than I had wit to conceiue But I being then yong and in the extremitie of Loues flames as many other in the like case doo tooke all in the worst sense fretted greeued and wept alone by my selfe imagining still that I loued but in vaine fancied where I was not affected These troubles and molestations made me so forget my selfe that I vsed the aduice of forcerers and charmers hearbes vearses oyntments or anie thing thoght likely to induce procure loue them I made proofe of as deeming I had him not sure enough who loued me better than I did my selfe In teares at length I told all to my Mother and she being well acquainted with youths peeuish follies worthily controlling my deepe indiscretion vsed these or the verie like speeches vnto me Daughter the eye onely is Loues directer no hearbe no potion no enchauntment neither Circes nor Moeris that could chaunge themselues other humane shapes into beasts and monsters of strangest qualities haue anie power at all by theyr spells or exorcismes to procure loue or preuaile against a minde not determined to loue Let her then that will declare her selfe a Louer affect truly him whom she deemes to be the like One knowes not a Musitian but either by his voyce or touching hys instrument euen so ye cannot be reputed a perfect Louer but by the testimonie of the true signes belonging to Loue. Figures are fallacies shewes no substances loue more priuately than may be noted apparantly so shall ye expresse your loues value and your wittes vertue for by following this course yee shall haue this assurance to be as intyrely affected as your self can fancy and the least friendly look shall finde as fauourable liking Heertoo she added diuers other reasons but none so pleasing mee thought as this Beware Daughter quoth she that when reports come of others despising thee thou be not as readie to beleeue as the other to belye and so prooue as sudden in hatred as they were swift to incense thee We should bee naturally inclined rather to loue thā hate because loue is full of sweetnesse and hatred hath no felicitie but in bitternes sowrenesse Therefore thus resolue with thy selfe that whosoeuer shall perceiue thy hearts firme affection will hold it as religion to returne thee the like leaue then these had courses to base abusers of their time for they that so liue shal worthily be loathed and run into more contempt than thou hast reason to consider Loue and thou shalt be belou'de be kinde curteous gentle and debonaire that thy outward demeanour may 〈…〉 harts feruor for thus shall the fire that warmes thee heate him and make him as tractable as thy selfe can be affable What thogh he bee somwhat slow in discouering his affection thou oughtest not to misdeeme thereof but conceiue the best in such a case gouerning thy self by this rule That he who is long ere he loues is much longer ere he mislikes for hastie fancie hath as hastie flight whereas loue growing by leasure hath aduise for his guide comfort by his continuaunce and true fame after death to make him eternall He neuer slips or falls that runneth with discretion and the tree which is slacke in sprouting is as slow in perishing Wel worthie regarding were these good admonitions for to my cost since then I haue found them most certaine How manie disdaines how manie molestations more hurtfull to my selfe than offensiue to him yea how manie wrongs bare my Husband at my hand only through no other occasion but because indeed I knew not rightly how to loue All which notwithstanding his affection to me neuer failed scantly would hee seeme to shew himselfe anie way offended he saw it was
equall in her loues good fortune CAP. 11. LOue then sweete Soules the men that loue you be contented with your liking and seeke not to know that which will hurt ye flie suspition disdaine and all other proud humors belieue none but him loue if yee wish well to your owne selues for look what loue ye extend the like shall ye finde againe and the firmer ye keepe your faith the faster shall ye finde his whom ye haue chosen to affect Thinke not but mens constancie in loue must needs goe beyond ours for men bee lesse suspitious than wee are therefore they haue the greater wisedome and gouernment They perseuere more than we can because they are lesse obstinate They are not so sudden in ill conceit as we be because they haue better courage and loftie disposition They cannot beare hatred so long as we vse to do by reason they are of a more magnifique minde and affable nature No hindrance whatsoeuer can stay them in their amorous deseigns because their permanencie exceedes ours and their qualities are not so apish as ours Some of vs women are timorous and the least occasion offered is our guide to suspition which friuolous humour makes vs scorne others albeit our owne errours goe farre beyond theirs Each smal offence we seek reuenge for hauing no moderation in malice and misliking but liue as capitall enemies to them that loue vs most We know how to offend but not to suffer wee are quickly led into errour but neuer firme in beleefe for looke how our opinions are such bee our behauiours and an imagination once setled is not in haste remooued CAP. 12. THis opinion hath alwayes beene the destruction of kindnes For as my Husband once told mee it resembles the Mole that beeing in the deep earths obscuritie straies about euerie way passing thorow the hardest molde she meetes withall now so soone as she comes but to the day-light all her force and strength immediately failes her euen such in this iealous opinion hid within the darke clowde of an afflicted minde it neuer ceaseth to remoue fresh thoghts with infinit perturbations but when truth doth discouer it it is presently nothing When ye manifest your conceipt to him yee loue vsing withall some reasonable excuse ye cleare both his doubts and your own dread encreasing withall his affection the more toward ye for then yee declare all trust is not remooued and shew a desire of loue to be continued Which in like occurrences hapning afterward makes him the more careful of offensiue behauiour and when occasion is hindred the lesse wrong can be offered Whereas on the contrarie suspect kept within the heart and not reuealed caries ye headlong from one bad conceit to another and then yee see what mischeefe immediately followes For a man tost in the tempest of continual molestations if he finde that reason bee vtterly abandoned though hee giue yee leaue to pursue your head-strong opinions yet hee will bestow his loue where hee may finde it in better sort requited Is not this a faire haruest of such foolish humours and a verie meete recompence for such vain and rude demeanour Yee may then sit and sigh but who will bemone ye You may crie for comfort and it flyes the faster from ye And when this shall come to the cares of others what censure will they presently passe vpon yee That ye were rash indiscreete vnthankfull and vnkinde yee were beloued and despised it had a true Loue knew not how to vse him therefore worthily do ye beare the burthen of your owne abuses Others lesse acquainted with these mightie disgraces seeing ye not walk as ye were wont not your Loue keeping yee familiar companie they iudge as their opinions please them That either greater faults are committed than may well bee endured or such imperfections crosse your course which rather deserue burying in silence than publikely to be spoke of for scandall of the Sexe CAP. 13. IT may so come to passe that your Louer being ouer passionate by reason of your offences and touched too neere with the piercing point of your continual iniuries will reuenge himselfe with your shame and ease his owne oppression by your publique defamation For ye must thus be perswaded that hee whome your rigours haue brought to an extreame estate as it were next neighbour euen to deaths doore will regard your disgrace no more than you did his disease and take as little compassion on your honour as you did on his life Remember then deare Sisters that by beeing so vniust proud vnkinde and disdainfull the lampe of faire renowme is quite extinguished and in stead of true loue with the pleasures thertoo pertaining ye shall receiue but counterbuffes of your owne cruelties and a iust measure of reuenge for beeing so desirous to seeke it Alone shall ye be left without Louer or Seruant accompanied onely but with teares and sighes where before you suspected a riuall in your loue you shall then finde your selfe not to be lou'd at all but like one cast off and despised fearing withall to be further afflicted Consider faire Ladies the most constant patience being too far prouoked conuerteth into furie and a wrathfull Louer is more to be feared than a sauage monster that hath no reason CAP. 14. HEertoo could I adde diuers other such discommodities no lesse to bee respected your selues beeing the originall Yee shall finde that those plesant places where before ye were wont to passe the time in sport delights through want of his companie that then graced the Assembly they are become like solitarie deserts and vnhaunted walkes not so pleasing before but now as vncouth Alas poore soules what a torment wil it be vnto yee to see the yeares faire seasons so often wheele about when ye wer wont to be at amorous sports sweete conference and other delicate recreations now to finde no more but that ther were such times and once yee had a Loue who made all those delights in their verie chiefest luster For now the times are miserably changed ye are left companionlesse ioylesse neighboured on euerie side with greefe and calamitie sighes and teares abound but return no benefit manie eyes looke on but none lending pittie and that which indeed is the verie worst of all abandoned by him who was your liues solace bayted at by euerie one for a course so carelesse Then bee no more sweete Sisters like to blowen bladders puft vp with proud opinion and needlesse suspition seeking therby to make conquest of your Louers What victorie call yee that which hurteth your owne selues and bringeth beside the losse of your Loue Striue to vanquish surmount him in loyaltie and kindnes and then the victorie will bee to eithers profit It is a farre greater emperie to make your selues belou'd by louing than reaching thereat by sinister waies to procure your Louers damage and your owne downfall for in nothing is a gentle braue minde more to be discerned than in lenitie humanitie pittie and affabilitie where contrariwise loathsome disdaine breedes all inciuilitie and none but a wicked minde dooth nourish such thoughts as knowing neither how to reuenge nor how to pardon Then least yee should fall into such misfortune haue your faire names blemished by so foule a blot follow the courses I haue alreadie declared giue your selues to loue truly and yee shall finde loue againe as truly Chuse a Louer as I haue aduised ye neither yong nor old modest and vertuous win his loue by gentlenes and all faire behauiour so shall yee still preserue Loue in his cheefest soueraigntie and make the issue thereof peacefull and glorious CAP. 15. REmember heer withall that your quiet will be the more effectuall if so soone as a fond suspition is conceiued yee seeke for immediate resolution therein remaining firme and immouable in your selues as also toward him whom your hart hath elected as knowing the benefite that ensues by the one and the vnrecouerable losse hapning by the other And affecting thus with intyrest faith diligent obseruaunce and all kindes of gracious vsage the miseries and mishaps attending on proud opinion which is the vtter shipwrack perishing of loue can neuer preuaile against yee but howrely ioy and felicitie euermore await on ye CAP. 16. HAd I more leasure I would teach yee manie other rules to be obserued in loue but I see the Comedie is in some forwardnes the Personages ready attyred that are to present it then till some other time place conuenient wil I refer what remains as yet vndiscouered as hauing not gone throgh a quarter of the hundred kindes of loue In meane while sweet Sisters shew your selues pleasing and tractable to your Louers be not offensiue to them and thereby hurtfull to your selues Be warned by the multitude of so many exāples change not plesure for paine solace for sighing and all loues heauen for foule hates hell As ye desire to be beloued so shew you the like no enchauntment no hearbe no charme preuailes so much in loue as the verie power of an immoouable affection Loue then and shun all misbeliefe of your Louer then will he embrace ye with all due correspondence disrobe your selues of iealous doubts disdaines and opinions so shal your liues bee matchlesse and your Loues immortall Tutto vince Amare FINIS
quick witted and aboue all most loyall exceding in al the parts of gentlenes Verie skilful was he in the exercise of Armes managing great horses and either at his launce bow or such commendable qualities right ready well seene in sciences musique painting engrauing yea all other Artes whatsoeuer and yee can name no laudable action fit for a man but I imagine he could therein very hardly be seconded Impossible it is for mee to recount the moitie of his admirable vertues which worthily made him famous affected and euerie where regarded Thinke then faire Ladies I neede not be ashamed both to esteeme and tearme him my Lord being such an onely most sweete and loyall Louer neither a matter hard or laborious to me readily and at all times to please and obey him nay I thought my selfe most happie and fortunate if I might expresse my vttermost diligence in doing whatsoeuer he pleased to commaund me Who better could deserue such dutie and reuerence at my hand than such a worthie husband Oh my Lord most blessed haue I euer reputed my selfe seeing Fortune bestowed such a Loue on me as had not his like But alas my mishap chaunced afterward cutting off the felicitie of such a heauenly kinde of life by taking him from me into a farre distant Countrey and death could bee no worse to mee than this sowre separation yet this is some consolation to my soule that the remembraunce of thy faith and loue continueth aliue in me which I keepe and will doo with all religious duty I can as a most memorable testimonie of our neuer sundred affection Such a Loue as this faire Ladies yea such a Loue if such a one maye be met withall doo I councell ye to make choyce off and intyrely to loue him neuer preferring anie to the souereigntie of your affections but such as are wise vertuous and modest These are they that will requite your faith and kindnes with endlesse recompences and by whom ye shall neuer need to doubt any sinister accident These like Poets Times glories will make your names immortall giuing true fame and eternitie to your beautie and vertues Lesbia Corinna Cynthia and manie more deceased a thousand yeares since yet liue by being beloued of vertuous and learned men Loue then sweete Sisters those that are learned wise modest vertuous so shall your liues be heere as none the like and your loues remembred as none comparable CAP. 7. THus hauing declared how ye should elect men worthie of your loue now will I shew the meanes to entertaine and preserue them still in louing And first of all let me tell yee faire Creatures that nothing better becommeth your excellent perfections and sooner preuaileth in conquering his heart you ayme at than a sweete carriage of countenance as also a comely discreete and modest presence one piercing looke heates and enkindles the dullest desire one modest amorous glaunce awakens sleepie thoughts fetcheth fire from the flint and makes the hart as yeelding as your own can craue enioying Heerein I haue discerned manie young Damosels through want of better wit verie much to deceiue themselues imagining that a man no sooner lookes on them but presently he is in loue with them which makes them verie liberall in eying euerie one and take plesure in gazing on each goer by still thinking theyr beautie increased by their often beholding wheras men are rather wearied with noting their vanitie But beleue me deare Friends it is no part of beauties glorie to attract a troope of eies or be beleagerd with an hoast of idle regarders couet rather priuately to bee seene as one adorned with vertue courtesy and humanitie than gold purple silke or siluer for that shall make thee truly honoured when the other will leaue thee foolishly despised One onely light makes an entyre and perfect shadow whereas manie lights being together confounds defaceth it euen so from one onely Friend and loyal Louer true and perfect loue is to bee expected for well may she bee compared to the Brood-hen that all the daye long bestowes her paines in all the dust shee meetes withall and yet sleepes at night hungrie and vnsatisfied It is good then for her that loueth to imploy all her endeuour to finde the meanes for preseruing one entire Loue onely for how vnwise is shee that considers not how manie casualties and dangers happen in loue especially when affection is rouing at more than one marke onely Vnderstand faire Sisters true loue is a matter immortall not to bee deuided or seuered for when it is truly bestowed where your soule solemnly affecteth what beside it is bragd or boasted on to anie other is woords without woorth and golden showes with glassie substance She that can deuide her liking into diuers parts proportions knowes not how to loue indeed but prophanes so sacred a profession shee that labours not to maintaine loue in his true and onely glorie deserues not to haue the benefites of loue but rather to be generaly hated and contemned And though all other reasons auailed as nothing in this behalfe yet thinke with your selues that beeing pursued with a multitude of riualls what expectation is to be had thereof I will not stand to rehearse all the inconueniences but let this one suffise for the residue If yee lend good lookes to euerie one ye bring your selfe into a hell intollerable seruitude for then if ye grace one more than another presently ariseth hatred and contentions betweene them What daily is then to bee lookt for about your doores but brawles quarrels frayes murders made onely about you The people laye the blame hereof vppon you worthily despising yee for these rude inciuilities Some one of them either to despite his enemie the more or because he will be singuler in his owne conceipt beares downe the rest with tearmes and brauadoes he becomes the kill-cow he will haue more than anie though he merit lesse than any where ere hee comes hee brags of your fauours presents letters and tokens yea sometime of kindnesse that might be kept closer And hearing the like deliuered from another with oathes and protestations how true I know not furie beeing enkindled nothing but blood can allay this hot tempest and you being the cause thereof are publiquely condemned that neuer can your credit bee afterward repayred But admit that all your Louers were ciuill and modest no way iniuring your fame and reputation yet shal ye finde great defect in this multitude of followers and that the prosecuting of their loue will proue very perillons Continuallye will they bee to one another as spyes murmurers and secrete enemies so that no place or time can yeeld yee anye safe assurance or priuiledge but by one or other ye shall bee continually siedged neuer enioy one minutes rest from their ceaselesse perturbations Therefore would I aduise ye not to be so generall in your affection but to elect one Louer onely such a one as before I haue deciphered vnto
The Arte of Loue. OR Loue discouered in an hundred seuerall kindes ET VSQVEAD NVBES VERITAS TVA Printed at London by P.S. for William Leake and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Greyhound 1598. To the Right Worshipfull Ma Henry Prannell Esquire the true Friend and Fauourer of all laudable Professions SIR the stranger may these my salutations seeme vnto ye in that I being a Stranger and neuer treading on English ground till this instant make choice of you for my first Entertainer intruding my selfe as a guest whereas yet I haue no acquaintance at all But if you shall deeme me blame-worthy heerein as I will not greatly stand in maintaining anie presumption the fault indeed is a kinde Countrimans of yours who would needes haue mee leaue my honourable Friends in Italy and those great preferments alotted me in France to trie the aire climate of faire Englands Maiden Kingdome And whereas diuers others intreated me to honorable habitations yea as great places of reckoning as anie mine owne natiue Soile affoorded me yet the perswasions of this your wel-wishing Friend hath ouerruled me to lay all my fortunes at your feete either by your fauour to liue here for euer or by your discountenance to returne backe disgraced The rude English I speake I learnd it of him the danger I may incurre I impose vpon him onely for his friendly association in my trauell if you allow me anie grace bestow it on him For as his affection to you exceedeth that of manie so in mine opinion if you trie him you shall finde him as forward to your welfare as anie Your Worships to bee commaunded Hecatonphila Jn Artem amandi Decastichon EXimiè scripsit Cicero benè pinxit Apelles Inuidiae morsum sensit vterque tamen Conscia mens recti cum te comitetur euntem Sperne venenato quicquid ab ore fluit Quòd liber est nitidus miscetur vtile dulci Dexter Apollo tibi Fama perennis erit Ergo macte animo nec publica cōmoda tardes Ingenij viuent sic monumenta tui Candidus Interpres laudetur optimus Author Viuat vterque diu cedat vtrique decus FRANCISCVS MERES The Argument VIncentio Bentiuoli beeing Duke of Ferrara a solemne contract of mariage was cōcluded betweene Ludouico his Sonne and faire Annabella Daughter to the Marquesse of Mont-Ferrat And when the tìme of the Nuptialls came to bee perfourmed there wanted no resort of honorable Personages nor anie magnificent cost and royall pompe as might well be seeme a matter of such importance as also the time so necessarily vrging it Triumphes Tiltes Maskes Barriers were one while Companions with this gracious Assemblie then another while stately Tragedies and queint conceited Comedies holpe to beguile the idle howres when neither of these were thought expedient then ciuill discourse and familiar conference liberally passed between the Lords and Ladies Jnto seuerall Companies were these Discoursers deuided some intreating on martiall affaires others of ciuill and domesticall occasions But they who are the Argument of our present Treatise their talke consisted onely of Loue laying downe Rules grounds and principles whereby at full to instruct the true Arte of Loue. One Ladie among the rest tearming her selfe Hecatonphila was allowed to be chiefe Speaker in this discoursing of Loue and though at diuers times before shee had indifferently instructed all or at least the most part of them concerning the proceeding in so weightie a matter yet now at this instant they request a further satisfaction Shee loth to denie anie thing remaining in her power and seeing the pastime which was prepared for that night to be a pleasant Comedie euen almost at the point of presentment while the Actors were attiring and furnishing themselues to their intended merriment she deliuered this her short Instruction to the Arte of Loue fitting it with the breuitie of the time the earnest desire of them that so much importunde her theretoo beginning her Discourse as hereafter followeth HECATONPHILA The Arte of Loue. Written by Master Leon Baptista Alberto Florentine wherein is taught an hundred kindes of Loue. I Take it to be a part of humanitie as also an action of pittie compassion seeing for the most part amongst you faire Ladies so manie signes of an afflicted spirite onely through the weightie oppressions of loue that by all the wit and cunning remaines in me I should instruct how this burthen might bee more easie and lesse troublesome vnto you For beholding at this instant most sweete Sisters manie of yee leaning your heads on your hands others crosse armd ore the breast some bitterly sighing hiding their eyes with their fingers other some lending their lookes to all parts of this Theater as it wer to espie among the multitude the man whō they most of all expect with greatest longing desire to see Whereby I cannot chuse but take pittie on them whom I know to bee in the same agonie which I my selfe haue heertofore felt being then lesse seene and skild in loues affaires than now I am at this instant Now albeit you are furnished of good iudgement and singular wisedome whereby to direct gouerne ye in the case of Loue yet make no doubt at all faire Patrones of beautie but being lesse experienced therin than I that you shall heare some thing deliuered from me as pleasing to heare as profitable to practise At no time can bee found a better Phisition than hee who hauing first tasted an infirmitie himselfe learnes thereby the skill of helping others infected with the same disease As for my self concerning mine own loue and others made knowen to mee I finde that without anie repenting I haue satisfied my desires for one woman more than an hundred other Louers could doo so that at euerie Fall of the leafe likewise for euerie Summer season I might iustly make account of a whole yeres experience in loue Vpon this occasion learned men who aboue al other most please and content me in their priuate amorous Discourses call mee Hecatonphila which is as much to say as An hundred Loues wherefore from me beyond all other they would seeke to gather the fruites of the second Triumph concerning the sweetes and pleasures of Loue. Therefore faire Friends and my dearest Delights while the Comoedians delay their time of appearing on the Stage listen to me as diligently and attentiuely as ye can yea to me I say who am a perfect Mistresse in this Arte and desirous withall to make you deepely learned therein that you may learn how to end your Loues with maruellous pleasure and contentment without dread of anie sinister accident that may befall in the progresse of your loue CAP. 2. AS concerning mine owne Loues which till this instant were neuer more than two with those of others wherein I haue imployed my labour and industrie but onely of the first thorough my want of prouidence I haue no great occasion to complaine And
that was in my yong yeares when I set a high rate on mine owne beautie esteeming more a bare victorie of opinion than the endowment of such an especial occasion wherby I might soly studie endeuour to make my selfe faire and beautifull indeed But for this euer afterward I gaue thankes to Venus and Cupid who in my first affections yonger errors gaue me a Loue discreete wise modest vertuous pittifull patient and worthie of all commendation of whom I learned that which is onely sufficient to loue secretly and without pride controuling daylie mine owne imperfections and practising the knowledge of manie things necessary to true and perfect louing as for example to rehearse large Histories by lookes onely other especiall matters by least suspected behauiour But most happy is the Louer whatsoeuer whose fortune is so good as to light on so true and faithfull a Friend sweet loue sweet pastime but sweetest of all is the first kindled heate which brings the louer both pleasure and profit together whereby he may the better attaine his owne contentation The first loue being not counterfet but surely grounded can neuer be remooued from the remembrance but truly the sweetnes of those ioies were rare and numberlesse were they not often troubled by crooked finister meanes as oftentimes happens to vs women such as I was in my yong vainer dayes as shewing our selues too disdainful reckoning the meanest of our owne priuate opinions to be farre beyond all others Fooles that wee bee how manie wonderfull pleasures lose we in nice shunning them Afterward both alone and publique how much do we bemone our owne stearne rudenesse Thus first through our owne fault we finde the cause of our annoiance til with floods of teares we weare out the flint of our stonie stubbornnesse learning thereby to become more milde and tractable It is best then to learne how to loue without fiercenesse or disdaine but it falls out verie sildome that without some bitternesse one can endure the sweete which growes by Loues beginning except wee first make choyce of such an one as shall appeare most meete and worthie to be beloued Listen then faire Virgins learn of me to passe pleasantly the course of your life as also to bring such quiet to your Loue as the issue thereof shalbe most peaceable and glorious CAP. 3. HEere then will I first instruct ye how to make choyce of a right good Louer afterward teach in what maner and by what arte you may take entertaine him with all the grace good wil in such cases requisite Lastly ye shall vnderstand from me with what ease and securitie yee may long time triumph in your amorous enterprises For which good Lessons I wold next of all know what thanks or kindnes on your behalfe I shalbe requited withall But out alas what recompence shal I expect frō ye faire louely Creatures when ye haue proou'd what pleasure profit contentment these my instructions shall enrich ye withall Well come what may I will wayte for nothing else from yee or make anie other demaund but when yee haue attentiuely heard my speeches and admonitions that ye would bestow your loue effectually on the partie by whom ye finde your selues to be loyally beloued For this I dare certainly assure yee that whatsoeuer she bee among yee that in her course of loue will not obserue my Aduertisements let her neuer looke for anie amorous content without verie great crosses and perturbations neither shall shee liue without the charge and oppression of infinite cares greefes and heart-killing passions Listen then aduisedly how much it shal auaile ye to loue discreetly and how preiudiciall beside the want of this knowledge in loue will be vnto ye CAP. 4. FIrst then must wee shew yee what kinde of Louers they ought to bee of whom you should make choyce and therefore sweet Sisters bee carefull of this first precept that yee chuse not a man either too yong or ouer-wearied with yeares for no age can bee more successefull in louing than when a man is in the state of firme strength abilitie which being alreadie spent and gone in old men makes them vnapt or incapable of those sweet pastimes the case of Loue requires Think with your selues what a hell it is to loue where the like cannot be returned againe Whereas the able gallant Youth being in the first flower of his manly age hath a most delicate aspect or countenance declares a more firme potent constitution and is able to endure watchings or other weightie burdens in better sort than those of weaker disposition can But learne with me I beseech ye to know how many discommodities attend vpon such men as being ouer yong are likewise vnapt for loue They are not expert euery smal occasion seemes in their mindes to make a verie great shadow being alwaies hasty subiect to no patience They are sudden rash indiscreet knowing little therefore improuident suspitious in all things easily caried away with any disdainful conceit Sildome shal ye see thē without some folowing friend to whom they wil discourse a whole historie of their amorous passions taking delight in counterfeiting and defending apparances of truth and making open vaunts of approoued falshoods Here hence insues it that these reports passing from one to another whatsoeuer is spoken of vs women bee it neuer so false as quickly will some be found to beleeue it Thus by the meanes of these indiscreet yong heads before wee can scant know the name of him we purpose to loue wee are made common reports and pratlings of the people And sometimes it happeneth that when all sinister language is silent of vs then our owne fortune resembles the yong Liones following the Hart who iested dallied verie long with her yet in the end cast her off rather than which inconuenience should happen to me I would make election of an elder Louer than one so ouer yong and voyd of reason The Louer more seene in yeares will be wise discreet readie to know and accomplish whatsoeuer according to time place and all offered occasions whereas the yong gadding head not obseruing those necessarie rules can neuer know how to fit him selfe with these needfull furnitures Note well the discreet Louer and yee shall see him silent secret patient modest aduised but the yong Fantasticke will go vp and downe all day before your doore where thogh he be alone yet euerie passenger shal be a witnesse of his inward affection The elder Fauour it except theretoo induced by some mightie occasion will neuer giue ouer his enterprise his Loue is his hearts Heauen but if he cease to loue yet neuer will he become an enemie hate or seeme molestuous vnto ye either by word or deed The yong wanderer like one that newly comes into a publique market place walkes along euerie side and admireth all things desiring to inioy each thing hee beholdeth but with the least looke he
is presently chaunged and no greater miserie can happen to her that truly loueth than to affect the man whose heart and soule are not solemnly dedicated and linkt together to desire or couet more than one onely Loue. But that which is worst of all these young amorous Gallants for euerie smal occasion giue ouer their affection conuerting their behauiour and all else towards vs as if we were their verie greatest enemies Vnhappie then are we that by louing such yong straglers proud minded and voyd of counsell must liue continually in feares compassed in with worlds of endlesse molestations In a soft and gentle molde anie print or forme we like may easily be effected euen so in this first estate of greene delicate youth sooner beleeue me may loue be extinguished than rightly enkindled This makes euerie one timorous to deale with so sweete a solace remembring the beautifull Rose that it both springs dies in one Summer and haile stones fallen in the morning are no where to bee found the same day at night Hereby ye may perceiue faire virgins that men ouer aged are not the aptest for loue likewise these yonger sort to bee verie daungerous and therefore not to be dealt withall but such as florish in a mature and setled middle age may perfourme what the too olde are vnable for and know that which those young and greene wits are vtterly vnexpert and ignorant in An apple being well knit together and mellowed is more sweete and pleasing than when it is greene yet that apple beeing ouer-ripe and too much mellowed becomes wrinckled saplesse and wel neere sauourlesse euen such is the loue of men ouer young and ouer olde the one sowre and sharpe the other dry and senselesse Heere too I must now adde that in loue are infinite pleasures no lesse delightsome than to be admired as in the marriage bed where is all kinde conference discouering of greefes recounting afflictions passed clearing all suspitions correcting with sweet accusations one another thus out-wearing the slow-paced howers one while with true-loues teares another while with intyre reioycing To the faithfull Louer nothing is more pleasing than to feele on her cheekes or in her bosome the teares of him she loueth sweetly trickling downe what honnie of Hybla what cinamon of Arabia or what Nectar prepared for the gods themselues to drinke can be imagined so sweet faire Glories of Vertue as one little teare of him whom you intirely loue A thing inestimable a delight admirable nothing so precious wherewith may not be valued al the pearles of India the gold of the Persians or Emperie of the Latines no not with the verie least teare sweete Sister of thy affected Louer Oh happie Maiden oh fortunate Louer that seest shining in thy soules eyes loue faith pittie and all other sweetnes religiously combyned fast together So that by these and infinite other heauenly pleasures which though auaileable yet heere I let passe for breuities sake and some other serious respects affirming this Greene Youth is not for ye old Age is as vnnecessary only the meane betweene both the sound setled spirite is aboue all other to be preferred CAP. 5. HEthertoo ye haue heard of what Age your Louers ought to be there are now other things most profitable concerning their election which I will rehearse to yee as breefely as I can Neuer could I finde my selfe inclinable to loue a man ouer-rich because these money-mongers will buy loue without exchange of good will and seeking to serue their turne with manie neuer keepe faith with anie As hard a matter do I account it to loue a man ouer-beautiful because he being desired of diuers though I loue him neuer so earnestly yet shall I be in continuall feare to loose him As dangerous I take it to loue a man lifted by Fortune to anie great dignitie because he can neuer intend to loue without many witnesses both strangers and domesticall abroad at home He can neuer go abroad but with a mightie throng of Seruants and Friends which makes him ordinarily more noted of the world than others are Such men are commonly of proud spirit and puft vp courage compassing manie things rather by violence than any fauour loue or friendship As little wisedome is it to loue such as are slothfull dull spirited and couragelesse who through want of better wit or exercise make an arte or occupation of their loue gadding abroad with frizled lockes embroidered garments other open marks of their lightnesse onely but to procure their owne scorne and derifion Flie from such faire Sisters and take heed of them for they loue not a iote but spend the day in these odde courses not as requiring your kindnesse but for lacke of other labour and looke what they say to you the same will they to whomsoeuer they meete withall and doubt not but what they speake of others the same will they of you be it true or false I holde it in like manner as blame-worthie to fore-stall good fortune in better place and stoop to the affection of a Boore Peazant Carterly clowne or such like because it is a submission to men of the very vylest and basest condition for marke what inconuenience followes thereupon These abiect hirelings and mercenarie groomes thinke to attaine some title of honour by giuing it foorth in publique to be knowen that they are fauoured by such a Gentlewoman or beloued by a Ladie of so great height and calling Moreouer vnder colour of religion to loue him who pretending zeal in his speeches shall discouer and reprooue that publiquely which himselfe seekes for in secrete and gladly would attaine vnto I condemne as much as anie of the rest and holde it for a misfortune hardly to be repayred Then all these rehearsed vz. The too rich too beautifull too fortunate too negligent too base and too holie are men not to bee regarded neither contained within my lessons anie way to be beloued let vs learne to know them then that are to bee tearmed worthie of affection CAP. 6. MAke no doubt dere Sisters in fixing your fancies on such a louer as is not poor misshapen defamed or a villaine ye shall easily perceiue when he is indued with wisedome modestie patience and vertue It hath euermore been my natural inclination to loue such an one as I haue said before that was addicted to good letters learned and adorned with manie vertues euen such an one as my first husband was whom indeed I loued more dearly than I did mine owne selfe for hee was of goodly personage of exceeding qualified conditions accompanied with a maiesticall countenance gentle affable compleat in all parts of humanitie and of a minde diuine as it were farre beyond all other men He abounded in all vertues especially those that best beseemed the greatest Princes being of comely strong personage couragious hardie affable graue secret modest merrie pleasant where he deemed it best became him eloquent learned amiable pittifull warie expert
but my want of better iudgement being borne weake by nature I must needes declare the same in nurture which though he had admirable patience to endure yet had I no reason at all to discerne My Grandame beeing a Woman experienst in manie things but especially in the Arte instructing to loue tolde mee that long since which I found most true in my Husband A patient man quoth shee is the true honour of manhood for being euermore wise and secret to himselfe bee his wrongs few or manie his bosome is their buriall and tungs abroad shal not tattle of his troubles at home Euen so did I finde it in my Husband for though I daily gaue him cause to be displeased and indeed presumed a little too much on his patience yet God knowes much griefe would he smoother with a smile pittying to to haue my errors showen or his disquiet reuealed to anie Consider then faire Ladies on the good precepts rehearsed be constant in loue doubt not of the like the next way to purchase contempt is by shewing your selues vnkinde the surest waye to win loue is by expressing true loue hate then the one and be sure to enioy the honor of the other CAP. 9. YE haue hithertoo heard sweete Sisters what election yee should make of modest and vertuous Louers likewise that ciuill conuersation and faire demeanour both preuailes and purchaseth such meete men for ye It remaines now to know the latter part how this loue may be kept in perfect continuance that the pleasure thereof may for euer be preserued Which I hope ye wil account as a most necessarie consequent and that no lesse skill is to be vsed in keeping than was in obtaining for in compassing of a thing wee are oftentimes assisted by fortune and good hap but to keepe the same in such estate as it should bee requires industrie wisedome carefull diligence for the felicities of Loue are subiect to manie infirmities one while by time and course of occasions another by the iniquitie and mallice of enuious persons somtime thorough lets and hinderaunces ensuing by fortune then againe by want of knowledge how to guide and gouerne our selues in louing To Time and Fortune faire Ladies wee must needes bee obedient And as he that intends to passe a Riuer stayes on the banke till the rough stormes bee ouer-blowen so in the stearne tempests of time wee should awaite and not wilfully cast our selues into daunger considering that what may not bee done to day happily to morrow in better sort will bee compassed Let the way be neuer so long hold on and at length thou shalt attayne the end Thinke then no trauaile tedious in Loue if thou meete anye crosse encounters proceed on chearfully and at last thou shalt land in the wished hauen As for the slaunder and detraction which oftentimes attendeth on secrete loue it may easely bee escaped because hidden Loue is fortefied on all sides with infinite good excuses which serues as a rampart against all bad reports But among all the aduerse chaunces incident to vs Louers as I haue tried by mine own proofe and noted the like in others there can no mishap whatsoeuer betide vs but it receiues from our selues the ground originall as by our ouer-much inconstancie pride wilfulnes disdaine and such like which proones more to our owne harme than theirs wee seeke to hurt And let me assure yee that there is nothing more preiudiciall to the sweete proceeding of loue than our owne peeuish humours which being carried away with meere shaddowes in manie things continually deludes vs with vaine and idle fantasies in all things Onely our own folly and obstinate opinions makes vs afterward sit alone and sigh out our repentaunce nor ensues this fault so much by improuidence as through pride and vaine conceit at the first in our selues therefore he spake both well and truly that affirmed A proud Woman could not loue effectually because suspition continually attendeth her Suspition ensueth through lacke of knowledge and distrust waited on by disdaine which makes vs to shun iniure and torment them that too dearly loue vs thus our crooked behauiors serue as instructers to them look what coyne they receiued of vs they pay vs backe with the like There are some of vs women who deeme themselues neuer satisfied with pride furie and scornfulnesse which makes but a bad agreement among vs for where disdain is entertained contempt of all kindnesse is the more increased and it is pittie a true Louer shuld haue such a reward for his labour But she that is of a noble inclination gracious benigne modest kinde and gentle will listen to iust excuses and let reason be her ruler If anger would presume she will quickly suppresse it if disdaine would attempt her shee can foorthwith turne it off remembring that loue must bee imbraced with loue wher the enemy is repulsed the solace is with greater sweetnes receiued Be not then coy proud or scornful in affectiō but like your faire semblances full of all affabilitie Which of yee would denie him whom ye dearly loue whatsoeuer he demaundeth Little can ye do then if at his request ye will not forsake a fond and friuolous opinion learne as my Lord taught me in my first affections to reiect and despise all such hurtfull follies I tooke extreame delight sweete Sisters in commending him whom I knew to be compleat in all arts and vertues especially this whereof wee now conferre yet let it not seeme offensiue to ye that among my praises of him whom I loued and euer shall I mingle some of mine owne infirmities wherein either you haue likewise fallen through lacke of prouidence or maye heereafter by ouermuch peeuishnesse Being a yong Damosell rash and vnexperienced I began to loue falling afterward to a little pride in my selfe which drew me to disdaine and such fantasticke humours as falling from one peruerse opinion to another I grew afterward suspitious of anie occasion whatsoeuer My Husband was a goodly personage of exceeding pleasing speech and vertuous qualities which made him called to manie companies loued and esteemed of euerie one generally and herehence began in me a world of afflictions Whatsoeuer woman lookt on him I iudgd her immediatly a riuall in my loue my thoughts were neuer free from iealous suspition if he were in my sight yet I deemed him not sure enough and what woman lookt vppon him but once I wisht she might be blinde for euer afterward I could neuer glut mine owne eyes with sufficient gazing on him but desired that perpetually they might be fixed on him when he came toward me no woman in the world could be more contented and let him but go backe againe I imagined no torment might be so greeuous My too much reposing trust in him began to make me distrustfull of my selfe and though needlesse suspition had got some hold of me as yet it robd me not of my loues felicitie nor anie way impaired the
height of my pleasures So long these golden howres daies months and yeares endured till fortune enuying my further happines suffered me to see a certaine Gentlewoman who albeit her deserts else where were worthie liking yet mee thought her familiaritye fitted not with my Husband Hereupon as if I had been wounded with a deadly stroke my face became pale and wan deepe conceiued displeasure sate vppon my brow and my former pleasing disposition conuerted into such melancholy as my Husband being present conquered with compassion gathering by his discretion what danger hereby might redound to our loue both in teares other apparant testimonies of sorow he declared how greatly this mishap did discontent him All which was no appeasing of my furious oppression but I must needs goe complaine my selfe to my Mother who to witnes her owne experience as also to withdraw mee from so vaine a perswasion affirmed That shee had both noted and heard their discoursing meruailing I wold shew my selfe so immodest as to iudge of honest demeanour so absurdly and rashly and the Gentlewoman comming but in kindnes to see mee my Husband for my sake gaue her such entertainment aswell knowing what became him farre better than I did Her words wanted strength to remooue mine opinion I reputed it an iniurie and therefore I would not be otherwise perswaded but gaue this frantick spleene such souereigntie ouer me that I grew into a wonderfull hatred against him concluding neuer after to loue him againe but rather greeuing for the affection I had bestowed on him alreadie And in this heate I shut vp my selfe to solitude purposing while I liued to loath mens cōpany loue now was changd to hate faire looks to bitter frownes all else were my vtter foes but such whose fortunes did equall mine afflictions Alas what fooles are we women transported vp and downe with these amorous passions When I perceiued my former determination of solitarinesse to haue no likelihood of continuance then became I deuout and religious none but Church-goers might now bee my companions with them sister-like I went from Church to Church vsing all the meanes I could deuise to forget the loue of him whom I thought my greatest enemie And least conference with ouer-manie might alter mine intent I would prattle with dumbe pictures vowing this day and that day to enter religion because I would become a sworne aduersarie to loue See here my silly wisedome as if I could thus haue left my Husband at mine owne proper pleasure being bound to him in the bond of all humilitie dutie The verie thoght of Loue I found wold not agree with the austeritie of Religion the one in bitternes I deemed sweet and the other in the very best estate somewhat too sowre Thus while with one nayle I thought to expell another in seeking to quench Loue I kindled it more violent and where I was but sindgd before by the flame now in euerie part of me I felt the fire hotly burning Thus one while I would faine be free from Loues mightie thraldome yet lothe at another to loose his continuall amorous seruice whose verie lookes were my life and whose absence was more bitter than a thousand deaths But I was cunning enough to keep all this close and seemed outwardly to feele no greefe at all when God knowes how extreamely my poore heart was tormented Sullen will made me to delight in solitude darke roomes and obscure vaults would I daily walke in where like a witlesse foole I did nothing else but plague my self and please others who in secrete smiled at my peeuish disposition In the end being well disciplinde with mine owne disease and more wearie of this oppression than I would the world shuld haue known I became a little more friendly to my Husband desiring that still he would keepe me companie and I might be his glasse continually to gaze on To ease himselfe of my daily molestations and somwhat to sooth me in this friuolous humour he yeelded to let his owne affaires run lauishly at randome and suggest my sottishnes with all possible conuersation obseruance When I had gotten this vaine victorie it were wonderfull to tell you how prowde I became thereof for then I beganne to determine a soueraigntie in my selfe to make my will a law and his submission the onelye piller to maintaine and vnder-prop it I grew then into such extremitie of bold and vndecent presumption that I would esteeme of him as I list offend him when I pleased hauing no other reason but onely his patient sufferance if he laughed I would lowre if hee spake faire I would be froward if hee desired to walke I would tarrie at home if he inuited friends to be merrie I would deuise al the meanes I could to make them malcontent thus home was a hell to him abroad little or nothing better and I like a verie diuell continually tormenting him But who sustained the worst al this while His patience did priuiledge him for inward vexation so that my selfe bare the burden of this disquiet and I did my selfe more harme than I could doo him for my blood began to drie vp my mind afflicted with insupportable sorrowes all my veynes seemed as shrunke and wythered daily was I subiect to welneere howerly swounings Which my pittiful Husband with great griefe beholding my former faire shape to bee so strangely altred and without any iust cause of offence proceeding from himselfe he still desired to know the reason of this maladie whether it lay in him by any means to help it or if at him I was thus offended If not quoth he but that your displeasure is kindled against some other wrong not your selfe with these sharpe tormentings but let mee reuenge it on whom so ere it be for it is a debt due to Loue and a right which hee doth by great reason challenge that betweene two vnited soules nothing should bee kept in secret but the one bee alwayes priuie to the others oppressions because a Louer in such a case is to be commaunded and eithers counsel is not to be scorned but obeyed as the onely salue to cure any amorous sicknes But I euen as it is the nature of manie other women neuer to be suffised with iniury much lesse with reuenge one while tooke pride to see him hūbled another while practised how to preuaile more more against him smiling to see him so obsequious I sit as it were controlling ouer him I wished that he might know the ground of my greefe yet if by my speeches hee anie way perceiued it with stout courage solemne oaths I would flatly denie it affirming that he had no way offended me but the cause of my distemper grew by others Then would I shew disdainfull looks scorne to keep him company and expresse manifest hatred against him and so long I continued in these pestilent humors onely to make him wearie with the weight of this martyrdome that I could sing when hee