being by nature contrary vnto it Probleme 73. PErhaps because euery cause that eyther by reason of the matter or qualitie or place or temperature or concourse of contrary causes or by inordinate suggestion or any other obâ—tacle to the true generation of things â—s altered and changed bringeth forth â—n steed of lawfull birthes monsters â—nd prodigious compositions and â—uen so Loue whilest it contemplateth â—n the person beloued those vertues whereby it is enkindled with an honoâ—able desire to serue and honour him â— breedeth and bringeth forth Loue a â—uite like to it selfe but those vices beâ—ng discouered that are opposite vnto â—ertue to chastitie temperancie shameâ—stnesse and the holy lawes of Loue euen from the obiect beloued it is enforsed to conceiue hâ—te bring forth a horrible monster farre different from the nobilitie and generosity of it owne nature Or perhaps because time the first changer and corrupter of euery thing not alwayes permitting one and the same estate in humaine things as another destroying nature interrupteth deuoureth consumeth and changeth euery thing and in altering the complection altereth the desires too and therefore it many times falleth out that that which a man loueth being young he hateth when he is old and what he hated when he was young he loueth when he is olde and what he loathed being at libertie he loued being a prisoner the reason whereof is because that which he conceiued by the simple knowledge of the sense to be good reason increasing with time he knew and vnderstood to be wicked and euill Or perhaps the affections may be a cause that we oftentimes change our iudgement of things and therefore a father iudgeth otherwise of his sonne when in his furie he considereth the qualitie of his offence then when out of a quiet and peaceable minde he frameth an opinion thereof which likewise appeareth plainly in those that Loue who according to those affections that are predominant in them do either Loue or hate VVhy is the hatred of men against things generall and vniuersall their anger against things more particular Probleme 74. PErhaps because as Loue which is contrary to Hate spreadeth his wings to all helpfull things whatâ—oeuer So Hatred to all hurtfull Or Perhaps because the cause of Hate which is vice and common to many more vniuersall then the cause of â—oue which is vertue and Beauty and â—und in fewe Or Perhaps because â—e hatred of a nature in generall â—akes no exception of any particular â—f that nature but vnder the vniâ—rsall all particulars are conteyned â—or that Hatred which a sheepe beareth â—gainst a woolfe excepteth no particular woolfe but extendeth it selfe to all wolfes as being all enimies to his nature and so likewise a vertuous man in that Hatred that he beareth against vice and vitious men excepteth no man as he is vicious but as so qualified hates them all but anger being a suddayne disdaine arising from a suddaine and present Iniurie offered and that by some particular person extendeth it selfe no farther then that particular which by that particular act hath offended Or Perhaps because Anger ariseth from an offence committed by some particular person either againsâ— our selues or those things thaâ— appertaine vnto vs but Hatred ariseth from a wrong offered neither to ouâ— selues nor what belongs vnto vs buâ— hath a cause more vniuersall anâ— though perhaps we hate any particulaâ— man for his vice yet wee seeke â— reuenge against him which angeâ— doth VVhy is Hatred conceiued euerlasting But anger soone allayed Probleme 75. PErhaps because Hatred ariseth from a setled and appeased reason and a certaine assured knowledge of vice but Anger from an offence that ariseth from suddaine affection and blind knowledge So that there being in the first right iudgement and in the second blind passion it is no maruell if the one continue and the other by a true acknowledgement of the offence be easiâ—y alayed Or Perhaps because that â—orasmuch as Hatred looketh only to â—he vniuersal benefit and good the care whereof should neuer haue end it is â—kewise necessary that Hatred which â—eeldeth that care should likewise be â—ndlesse but Anger tending onely to â—e ruine of one particular by a partiâ—lar affection the party being pacified â—ere is no reason why Anger should â—ntinue VVhy doe men sildome hate either their countrie or their parents Probleme 76. PErhaps because the benefits they receiue both from Countrie and Parents are great and excellent Our Country giueth vs honour ciuill education and many honourable priuiledges defendeth vs in time of warre and in time of peace feedeth and cherisheth vs with a thousand delights and delicacies adorneth vs with excellent Artes and Sciences watcheth ouer vs whilest we sleepe being beaten downe by fortune recomforteth vs and lastly sweetneth the whole course of this our pilgrimage Parents being prouoked by their particular Loue which they beare towards their particular children doe not onely giue them life and being by that seminall vertue they receiue from them but welcome them into the world with such ioy and content that so long as they liue it sweetneth all that bitternesse they haue endured for them which doth plainly appeare by those many labours and afflictions that many miserable mothers endure for their children who besides the bearing of them so many moneths in their owne wombes with so much paine so many bitter throngs and that dangerous trauell they endure at their birches in the whole time of their infancie and childhood they doe neuer abandon them but with their milke they feede them with their songs they still them with their armes they embrace them with their eyes they gaze on them and with tongue and armes and eyes all with â—ndefatigable toyle and affliction they neuer cease day nor night to defend comfort them Neither are the labours of the father in disciplining them when â—hey come to riper yeares in nourishâ—ng them in defending them in prouiâ—ing for them whatsoeuer is necessarie â—ither for the enriching of their minds â—r the maintenance of their liues any way inferior to those of the mother â—o that the heape of those manifold beâ—efits receiued from our Country and â—om our Parents being so high and so â—finit great it is no maruell if nature as â— louer of vertue and an enimy to vice â—oth not permit if the wickednesse of their owne natures withstand it not that either Cittizens should Hate their Country or Children their progenitors And therefore we see that the Loue of a mans owne country is of such force that men of base parentage borne in places as base and obscure arising by their valour and vertues to honour and dignity in their countrie and common weale do neuerthelesse nothing disdaine the memorie of their Countries and parentage but desire to honour them with their often visitations and presence their armes their impreses and magnificent edifices Nay the verie beastes of the field that haue beene bredde in rockes desert places and obscure dennes are
content for them to leaue the pleasant fields the sweete medowes the delightfull groues and fertile territories of the world Or Perhaps because those things that are giuen vs of Nature and are neare vnto vs as our fathers that begotte vs our mothers that bare vs and our countrie that hath preserued vs we cannot Hate not onely because they are neare and deare vnto vs but because they are ministred and giuen vnto vs euen before wee came into the world by that first prouident Cause that prouideth all things necessary for them and vs. VVhy is the Hatred of great Princes and noble men inexorable Probleme 77. PErhaps because the height of their minds being wonderfull and yet they abasing themselues to vouchsafe â—he company and familiarity of their vassalls and subiects when there aâ—iseth from this familiarity a kinde of â—ontempt and carelesse respect of that honour that is due vnto them as their Loue worketh this vnnaturall effect â—n those they Loued so it turnes their Loue into an vnnaturall Hatred which makes their offence irremissible Or Perhaps because the mindes of great Princes for the most part being enâ—ued with a knowledg of things more â—hen humane and so better discerâ—ing the ill deserts and with a more â—earcing eye looking into the wicked â—onditions of any man the Hatred they conceiue against such qualities and manners is so much the greater by howe much the better they are able to iudge of such inconueniences as follow such conditions And therefore no maruell since as yeares encrease so iudgment if their Hatred against that doe still continewe which they still iudge worthy of hate Or Perhaps because in natures more noble and honorable and in minds more diuine the affections making deeper impressions are of greater force and therefore great Lords and princes hauing bodies more disposed to affections and to greater alterations in affection it is no maruell if Hatred once seated at the heart sit too fast to be easily remooued Or Perhaps because it becommeth not great Lords to be inconstant becausâ— inconstancy argueth a kinde of leuity in minde and manners and therefore they iudging it a note of infamy and dishonor to bee ouer mutable in opinion touching those they hate they harden themselues like a Diamond in their hard conceypts Or Perhaps because great Princes being for the most part of happy memories of all others they doe least forget those which in any respect crosse their desires or oppose themselues against their pleasures and delights And therefore a certaine great Prince being by nature verie liberall and bountifull was wont to say to a familiar friend of his that it was more possible for a man to forget a thousand iniuries then one good turne Inferring thereby that as it is impossible to forget one offence without a lawfull defence much more to forget a thousand so most impossible to forget a benefit receaued VVhy is the Hatred of women without end or measure Probleme 78. PErhaps because as in their Loues they are accustomed to exceede Loue without rule or measure in somuch that they passe many times beyond affection euen to the frensye of Loue so in their Hatred they are ouer violent and no way able to bridle themselues and therefore as in their mad vnbridled loues there can be nothing found that may moderate that passioÌ„ in so much that they run headlong to the vtter ruine of their owne chastity and honors So in their headstrong Hatred there is no tongue that can perswade or pacifie them no force that can ouerrule them Or Perhaps because women louing with a strong and earnest affection and therefore not fearing to communicate vnto those they Loue not onely their most secret cogitations but whatsoeuer they enioy of best esteeme and highest prise and afterwards discouering either a false heart or a minde vnthankfull or whatsoeuer else that may bee opposite to vertue they presently change their Loue into Hate which continueth as long as their dissimulation without honest excuse Or Perhaps because women being alwayes carefull and studious to please the sense and altogether carelesse to satisfie reason they doe for the most part apply themselues vnto the extreames leauing the meane wherein the seate of vertue is placed whereby they being miserably deceaued by a false appearing truth too late bewayle their losses and harde fortunes and seeke to ease themselues by the continual Hatred and reuenge that many times brings miserie and misfortune vpon themselues and their whole families OF DESIRE VVhy hath nature geuen to euery thing a Desire Probleme 79. PErhaps because these inferior bodies hauing neede of a thousand helpes for their preseruation as of place nutriment rest delight generation and other things healthfull and helpefull to their benefit which being not alwayes present and if present yet not befitting their natures and though not befitting yet willing to haue them present and in their owne possession it was necessarie that these things should bee followed and forasmuch as that could not be doone without a Loue and a longing after them wise and prouident nature would first giue Loue and thereby desire whereby euery thing being spurred forward to his owne benefit and good they might follow those places that doe best befit their owne natures finde out meats answerable to their complections and attaine that perpetuity by speciall generation which is proper vnto them And for this cause nature hath giuen to some things lightnesse of body to some weight and heauines as fit meanes whereby to attaine their naturall places vnto others members fit for the motion of themselues from one place to another with apt sinowes and bones which being subiect vnto the moouing vertue and this to the appetite doe expresse vnto vs the great care and wisdome of nature in giuing to euery thing their fittest meanes to attaine their fittest end Or Perhaps because Nature not allowing of idlenesse in any thing as being very hurtfull to all things both generall and particular shee gaue vnto them Desire whereby they might exercise themselues in honest and honorable actions For we see and by experience finde in our selues that except wee be kindled and stirred vp by a certaine Desire wee knowe not how to shake of that idle rest and quietnesse which doth rather deuoure the goodes of the minde then adde any thing to the perfection thereof And therefore hence it is that being caried awaye with that delight we take in hunting we are not able to containe or bridle our selues but whatsoeuer the weather be colde or hote wet or drie we bouldly betake our selues to the open fields we trauell vp the highest rockes and mountaines runne thorow the thickest forrests flie neither waters nor Ise nor snowe nor whatsoeuer inconuenients may follow those sports So likewise we are caried with the like Desire to the delight of fishing wherein we refuse neither by night nor by day with nettes and a thousand other deuises rather to aduenture our bodies nay our liues to the
â—hence as from a fountaine all smaller â—â—uers deriue their Beauties Or Perhaps â—ecause benigne Nature intendeth also â—he conseruation of euery particular â—â—eature which by nothing can be betâ—â—r performed then by vnion which vâ—â—on ariseth from Loue and Loue by â—othing but Beauty can be ingendred â—r Perhaps because the vniuersall canâ—ot be faire except the particulars bee â—â—kewise so and therefore to the end â—is vniuersall Theater of the world â—ight appeare more beautifull the â—reator of things did not only adorne â—â—e vniuersall partes with beautiful coâ—â—urs which are the general kindes but â—â—e particulars also to the end that therâ—â— the vniuersall Beauty might shine â—ore cleare Or Perhaps because euery â—nd should be admired for the Beauty â—f their particulars and so being setled â—ithin the bounds of the Beauty of â—â—eir indiuidualls should rest contenâ—â—d and satisfied VVherefore doeth Beauty shine especially in women Probleme 3. PErhaps because such is the order of nature that what it wanteth in one it supplieth in the other and therefore hauing indewed man with a wit and iudgement farre more excellent and more fit for the contemplation and speculation of things and framed him in respect of his minde in a manner diuine she would supply this want and giue a full recompence vnto women with bodily Beauty whereby she should be in some degree superiour vnto man Or Perhaps because women knowing their bodily Beauty should by their studious endeauours seeke to attaine that of the minde and should endeauour to bee that in their mindes in their spirituall part which in their bodies nature hath framed them Or Perhaps because shee should not by man be contemned but rather for heâ— Beauty be reuerenced admired and only loued Or Perhaps to the end she taking knowledge of these her perfections should the rather bee guided by â—he zeale of honour and the bridle of â—hamfastnesse not to violate so vnâ—â—eakable a treasure being assured that â—o great a grace was neuer giuen her â—â—om heauen to defile with Luxury but â—â—ther to bee a Bridle to that heate of â—oncupiscence which in her weake naâ—ure would gather strength Or Perhaps â—ecause hauing receaued so great a â—lessing shee should learne of her moâ—her nature to hide it which couereth â—uery faire and pretious thing vnder a â—housand shells and barks yea in hard â—ocks and bottomles depthes and not â—o lay it open as a thing common VVhy doth Beauty so soone decay Probleme 4. PErhaps because Nature admitteth no permanent estate in these infeâ—iour things but giueth onely the beâ—ng and the increase to the full wherof they are no sooner arriued but preâ—ently they tend vnto their declination â—or no state perfect is permanent but â—ike brickle glasse is broken with euery â—alle Or Perhaps because discret Naâ—ure hath assigned to euery age some especiall good to infancy the comfort of the dugge to Child-hood childish recreations to youth a desire of ciuill conuersation to riper yeares the fruition of that Beauty which stirreth vp a desire of generation to perfect man a delight in honorable actions whereby hee aspireth to immortailitie to old men the gift of counsell to decrepite a delightful remembrance of things past Whereby according to those offices especially necessary vnto Nature either particular or vniuersall was giuen the excellencie of some good to euery particular age which beeing expired men gaue ouer their delight in that gift as no longer necessarie and betoke themselues to that which was more fit Or Perhaps because wee may knowe that earthly Beauty is like a flying shadowe and therefore wee are not to fasten our eyes vpon it but to turne them to that soueraigne Light that is free from all change from all passion Or Perhaps because loue is proper to young men Beauty beeing onely found in that age the which lasting but a short time suddenly doth the flower of that fading good vanish which adorneth their youthfull memâ—ers VVhy is Beauty especiall apprehended by the sight Probleme 5. PErhaps because Beauty is a certaine diuine splendour which is shewed â—nto vs in thinges naturall and â—hat doth most participate of the diuine Nature which is least earthly and â—uch is the eye among other senses â—n apprehending thinges and therefore the fittest meane to discerne so great a good Or Perhaps because the eye is as â—t were the cleare looking glasse of the soule in which are descried all the affections of the minde as Anger Disdaine Passion Loue and so forth among which the principall is Loue the eye therefore longes after Beauty and whilest it contemplateth the colours the formes the features the cariage the complection the comlines the grace the laughter whatsoeuer excelleÌ„t quality beloÌ„gs vnto Beauty is deem'd fittest to be the principall iudge therof Or Perhaps because the first obiect of the eye is the light without which all Beauty as being buried in the darke is made vaine and therefore no maruaile if the eye being in it selfe so cleare and transparent seeke the light of Beauty in euery darke bodie with such delight Or Perhaps bycause many thinges concurre to the framing of a perfect Beauty and therefore the sight beeing that among the other senses which apprehendeth most things by this organ a louer doth best discerne the perfection of all those principall parts which are required to the framing of a compleate Beauty And therefore wee see that louers by the bare report of vertue in any honorable breast loue imperfectly but if report be once confirmed by an interuiewe and the eye be made iudge as well as the eare it gathereth strength and groweth wonderfully which proceedeth from no other cause then from the great force that the eye hath in the true iudgement of sensible things besides the power thereof extending it selfe more then all the other senses to the multitude of obiects and more speedily apprehending them VVherefore doth Beauty alwaies delight Probleme 6. PErhaps because whatsoeuer hath any thing in it that is diuine such â—s Beauty is doth alwaies bring with it some Ioye In so much that wee see â—hat many thinges according to the portion of that treasure of diuine greatnesse which they participate doe yeeld â—s pleasure and delight more or lesse As a meadowe decked with a thousand â—arieties of flowres breathing as it were vnto vs refreshing odours a fountaine abounding with Christaline waters and adorned with many tender sprouts and bowing shoots a magnanimious horse strong of bodie plesant in countenance maiesticall in â—ase dapled in coulour bold in nature â— glorious Pecock beautifull in his golden feathers a glittering Diamond an Orient Pearle a shining Carbuncle and euery other rich and precious Gemme bringeth alwaies delight and pleasure with it Or Perhaps because diuers coulours wel placed and artificially inlightned are apt alwaies to bring delight vnto the eye as also a tuneable voyce vnto the eare For among those things that giue greatest grace and Beauty to a woman the principall are the gratious colours of
her well featured members and her hony wordes which being sweetly vttered make excellent harmony and yeeld vnspeakeable delight Or Perhaps because that which perfecteth not onely the outward powers but the inward also brings alwayes delight and therefore the corporall Beauty reducing in to act the senses and the incorporal inuiting vs to contemplation and inuesting vs as it were into all vertues both the one and the other must necessarily yeeld delight and pleasure for this is the propertie of the naturall powers that in the presence of those obiects that serue them and belong vnto them being inuited vnto action which they naturally delight in they take great Ioy and contentation and the reason is because by their obiects they are fed terminated and perfected and therefore the vnderstanding at the presence of an intelligible Species the will in the presence of any kinde of good the memorie of any Image presented â—nto it and the sense at the presence of â— sensible obiect receiueth ioy and â—ontent So that the corpâ—rall Beauty â—eing gazed on by the outward senâ—es and the incorporall Beauty that is â—he Beauty of the minde being appreâ—ended by the inward senses and that â—y the helpe of the eare cannot but â—ringe vnto either sense great pleaâ—ure and delight Or Perhaps because â—he comfort which the other sensible obiects doe giue endes in some speciall â—ense as the pleasure which a coulour â—iues is onely the pleasure of the eye â—nd the delight which a good sauour â—rings is onely of the Nose but the â—elight of Beauty is a content common â—o all the senses which falleth out beâ—ause Beauty dependeth vpon many â—nd diuers goods they which delight â—ow this sense now that So that there â—s no time in which Beauty bestroweâ—h â—ot vpon man some kind of delight â—nd contentation VVhy is Beauty worthy of Loue Probleme 7. PErhaps because bodyly Beauty is a cleare signe if Malignity bee not hidden vnder it of a faire that is of a vertuous minde The which by those rich doweryes which it gathereth vnto it selfe deserueth to be knowne celebrated accounted worthy of honor which honour that it may duely receaue loue is the best guide which best knoweth the merit of the thing beloued and therefore this man it honoreth that it admireth this in priuate discourse it prayseth and that both in prose and verse it extolleth which are all effects of loue Or Perhaps because Beauty either true or seeming is also a good either true or seeming whatsoeuer is such cannot but be worthy of reward and a more acceptable reward cannot be giuen to make manifest the merit thereof then the heart wherewith Loue is giuen Or Perhaps because that which bringeth solace and recreation to the minde delight to the inward powers pleasure to the senses deserueth recompence and such effects doth Beauty produce in vs. So that the pleasure that we take being great it is fit that the recompence be answerable therevnto and sure a greater then Loue cannot be giuen Beauty is worthy of the greatest Or Perhaps because the Excellencie of Good deserueth the excellencie of the affections and the greater Good the greater affection Hence it is that greater courage is showen in the defence of a great personage iniured then of an other of base degree and condition As a learned man is more carefully garded and defended then an Idiott a Queene then a common woman a Nobleman then a Commoner a Cittizen then a Slaue And therefore Beauty beeing a Good which conteyneth in it the excellencie of many other Goods as well naturall as acquired it followeth necessarily that the excellencie thereof must bee verie great as beeing that which is framed of a multitude of al other excellent things whereby it likewise followeth that it challengeth the greatest affection which is loue the supreme Beauty the supreme Loue. VVhy are not all men delighted with one and the same Beauty Probleme 8. PErhaps because that is fayre which to euery man so seemeth little considering the reason of true Beauty but onely that which is ministred by the sense wherein delighting themselues they sticke fast Or Perhapâ— the diuersitie of mens complections breeds a diuersitie in their desiâ—es wherby they iudge diuersly of things present follow those which doe best agree with their constitutions whereby wee see that in the Election of any thing whatsoeuer the Appetite doth accommodate it selfe to the teÌ„perature of the body and it holdâ—th not onely in things naturall but mortall also for we see that as the country Swaine desireth grosse meates such as agree best with the grossenesse of his nature labours education as Onions Leekes Garlike Beefe Bacon and such like and these meates to him are sweete and sauory So we see that men fitting themselues in their customes and carriages to their bodily temperatures do euer desire to conuerse with their like and therefore no maruell if the same happen in the election of Beauty Or Perhaps because Nature would haue it so to the ende that euery one should bee esteemed and beloued and they that are not absolutely faire in euery part should not be despised but being receaued into grace and fauour with their louers might liue honestly and in good esteeme with them That so the profit of the vnion of the whole vniuerse the benefit of Peace mutual society and safe custodie of all earthly blessings might supply all other defects and losses VVhy is Beauty enioyed least esteemed Probleme 9. PErhaps because the Agent possessing his end in it resteth contented and satisfied and the Louer enioying that Beauty which he loueth queales in his affection by the fruition of that he desired which wee may easily obserue in euery thing else The fire being mouÌ„ted to his natural spheare their resteth Euery heauy body desceÌ„ding to the Center ceaseth motion A Captaine when he hath gotten the victorie layeth aside his armes A shippmaster being entred the hauen gathereth vp his sayles Hee that thirsteth hauing with water alaied his thirst desires water no more and the traueller beeing come to his wished home hath ended his trauells whereby wee may likewise vnderstand why a Louer possessing his treasure of Beauty expresseth not so much delight in the hauing as desire in the getting Or Perhaps because there is no earthly thing whatsoeuer that hath not some imperfection annexed vnto it the which a Louer in the certaine possession of that hee loueth finding presently fainteth in his desires which to be true our Sense and experience teacheth in as much as wee are many times either for want of due care and foresight in our selues or the dissimulation and coloured arte of others deceaued For not to speake of those manifolde imperfections that many euen from their cradle bringes with them Howe many vices are often times hidden vnder long garments What pride intemperance Luxury Immodesty Gluttony Sloth Enuy Lyeng Decipt â—â—olating of honour How often is â—â—e loyall heart found to bee disloyall â—â—e
chast minde vnchast the modest â—ouÌ„tenance lasciuious the souÌ„d affectioÌ„â—orrupted the honorable haÌ„d theeuish 〈◊〉 the honorable maÌ„ infamous how ofâ—â—n vnder the cristaline Ise lies hidden a â—tinking dunghill vnder a white tooth a â—oysome worme vnder a faire gloue a â—oule haÌ„d vnder a rich garmeÌ„t a croked â—odie and in a straight body a crooâ—ed minde Howe often are wee with â—ained colours outward resemblances with words garments arte vpon arte deceaued and abused So that it is no maruell if the affections of men bee sometimes altered and chaunged Or Perhaps because Beauty when it iâ— possessed it still declineth and decayes in her perfections not continuing in that florishing state it was first in Or Perhaps because euery thing as it is more frequent and common so more contemptible and lesse esteemed Or Perhaps because the possessor vnderstanding not his owne good because hee knoweth it not esteemes it not VVhy is the Beauty of a light woman lesse esteemed Probleme 10. PErhaps because shee hath wronged that naturall gift of hers and darkned the light thereof by her deformed actions for it is great reason that shee that for a little and that dishonest pleasure tooke delight to satisfie her vnbridled desires euen to the dishonour of her owne name should by the selfesame instrument wherwith she foolishy offended bee not onely despised but with shame and infamie abhorred Or Perhaps because that is no perfect faire which is only bodily and that dishonored too nay neither can it be called a bodily Beauty in theÌ„ who hauing torne the sanctified vailes of shamefastnesse haue offered the vse of their bodies to common prostitution much lesse is the Beauty of the minde found in them hauing alreadie by the choise of a dishonest life made knowne the foule deformitie thereof Or Perhaps because vntrue deceitful thinges neuer pleased and therefore the Beauty of the bodie â—â—ing an outward signe of the inward â—â—auty of the minde but in such a woâ—an made a cloke for sinne she belieth â—er bodily Beauty Or Perhaps because â—â—ings common in this kinde yeeld not â—â—fects of Loue but rather of disdaine â—nd hatred which simple nature doth â—â—ctate vnto vs who as a zealous nourse flawefull birâ—hes hath alwaies in haâ—ed the adulterous who bringing noâ—hing with them but confusion because â—heir certen fathers are neuer knowne â—hey are no sooner borne but as soone â—bandoned and their eyes are shut beâ—ore they see the light of the sunne and â—o it comes to passe that both by the â—â—ght of nature and that deare respect â—hat euery man should haue vnto his owne honour that those women doe neuer please who though they be faire yet by their lasciuious behauiour haue made their bodies common to euerie man VVhy doth euery man desire to be faire Probleme 11. PErhaps because whatsoeuer hath a shewe of good is desired of euery man and such is Beauty For euery thing that is Good pleaseth our appetite As when we heare any sweet harmony either of InstrumeÌ„t or voice any eloquent tongue to speake when we see any strang or ingenious workemanshippe or excellent qualitie or any thing that is exquisite their ariseth presently in vs a desire of the same excellencies and perfections and so forasmuch as Beauty is an excellent perfection wee desire that too Or Perhaps because the outward Beauty of the bodye is a token of the inward Beauty of the minde and therefore is not onely desired but admired forasmuch therefore as all men doe affect admiration and a vaine-glorious applause amonge the people they desire Beauty to bee wondered at Or Perhaps because the fairer a man is the nearer he cometh to the diuine Nature For the Essence or being to euery creature was not equally communicated but according to the excellency of their Nature whereby one is more perfect then another and so likewise in their qualities Or Perhaps because thinges highly prized in the world are highly desired and most honored Or Perhaps because as it is 〈◊〉 the prouerbe he that is borne faire 〈◊〉 borne fortunate For we see that maâ—â— faire women by the excellencie of â—â—eir Beauty attaine to high estate and â—omen of basest condition by the maâ—age of great Lords haue enobled their â—â—milies Or Perhaps because thinges â—re do more participate of that which 〈◊〉 excellent in Nature As wee see aâ—ong the Planetts one onely sunne â—mong the mettalls one onely gold â—nd therefore thinges faire being rare â—re most desired and wee desire to bee â—hat which is most desired VVhy is he that is faire inclined to Loue Probleme 12. PErhaps because the Cause of Loue is Beauty and he that hath the cause in Potentia doeth easely produce the effect And therefore saieth diuine Plato that Loue raigneth most in the hearts of those yong men that are honorably borne and tenderly brought vp who as apt subiects receaue into them that passion which Perhaps refineth their inward part and adornes them with thâ— Beauty of the minde whereby they are made totally faire And therefore from hence it is that Beautifull women euen for the Loue of vertue which adorneth Beauty endeauour to furnish them selues with vertuous qualities as skill in musick historie curious needle-works embroderings and the like womanly exercises Or Perhaps because he that is faire is for the most parte beloued and Loue according to Seneca must be requited with loue as the loue of friendshippe is to be answered with the like louing affection ciuill Loue with the zeale of our Country matrimonial Loue with faith honest Loue with vertue diuine Loue with religion Or Perhaps because they that are faire are thought to be borne vnder Venus which being the Planet of Loue inclineth those to Loue whom the celestial planets with their influeÌ„ces haue made beautifull Or Perhaps because it is the property of those that are faire to be moderate in their affections as hauing a true teÌ„perature in their coÌ„plections and therefore Loue being the moderator of al affections it should seeme to build her neâ—st in those that are Beautifull Or Perhaps because it seldome â—leth out that Beauty is separated â—â—om the force of Loue and therefore â—â—rasmuch as custome in all things hath â—â—e force of a lawe they that are beauâ—â—full following custome cannot but â—oue VVhy are there borne in some Prouinces â—â—tties Castells and Villages Beautifull women in others Beautifull men in some Countries men of tale stature fat and white in others leane of bodye and of a sallowe complection Probleme 13. PErhaps because to the generation of euery kind the good qualitie and â—emperature of the generating partes â—oeth much import which doth plainâ—y appeare in them which are defectiue â—n any of their members who coÌ„monly get children like themselues As we sâ—â—â—athers that are purblind crokebacked â—quay footed get children like themâ—elues in those imperfections insomuch that the children doe not oneâ—y in the feature of their bodies proue like the principall Agent which is the father but like
but the minde which is more noble then the body is not easily moued with such an obiect if Beauty it selfe be not Beautified with some thing more excellent which is grace which shineth thorow the Spheare of the body VVhy is the Beauty of women especially seene in the face Probleme 16. PErhaps because the face is the true resemblance both of the Beauty of â—he body and of the minde for in the â—ace as in a liuing figure are seene those â—uelie coulours with their apparant â—â—ghtnings the proportion Quantities Qualieties of the members and whatâ—oeuer is besids necessary to the Beauty â—f the body And as for the Beauty of â—he minde it is manifest in the face as 〈◊〉 were in a cleare looking glasse For â—n it are seene the vales of shamfastâ—esse the true ornaments of an honest minde the treasures of chastitie the â—plendours of Clemency the riches of Silence the crowne of Honor the maâ—esty of all Vertue the Lodge of Loue â—he neast of Grace the center of Ioye â—nd the inestimable prise of honored Fidelity So that very deseruedly doth â—he face challenge the first seate of true Beauty in all women Or Perhaps beâ—ause the face among all the other bodily parts is the more Noble where the minde by those senses that are in it exerciseth his effectes and operations and therefore a qualitie so supreme and excellent as Beauty is could not be placed in any place more conuenient for contemplation more Noble for situation and all other respects then in the face And therefore wee see that although the vertuous life of a woman the excellent feature of her bodie or whatsoeuer can be more excellent bee highly esteemed and honored yet the first thing that is contemplated and approued is the face as that part which of all other is most noble Or Perhaps because Beauty is best liked laide open not vailed apparant not masked cleare not darkned and the face among all the partes of the body is such as at all times presenteth it selfe vnto the eye as it were to enlighten the heart of man when any passion or Melancholike thoughts do trouble him And therefore it commeth to passe many times that the Beautifull lookes of a faire wife raysâ—th vp and comforteth the heart of her afflicted husband when he returneth vnto his house from his labors as it were to the hauen of rest â—fter the trouble and turmoyle of his â—oushold busines which Beauty if it â—ad beene hidden had neuer yeelded â—o comfortable an effect VVhy doe women which are not borne fayre attempte with artificiall Beauty to seeme faire Probleme 17. PErhaps because they knowing that those women are of highest acâ—ompt in the world which excell the â—est in bodily Beauty and being natuâ—ally addicted to affect honor and to â—â—e highly accompted of they are enâ—orced to adde those colours to their â—aturall Beauty whereby they may beâ—ome famous in the like grace and faâ—our of the heauens Or Perhaps beâ—ause women being for the most parte â—ubiect vnto that pleasing rednes which â—riseth of shamfastnesse being no other â—â—ing then a tender care or rather feare â—f the losse of their owne honours and â—nowing that this Beautifull bashfullâ—esse giueth splendour and ornament â—o all women it seemeth to their vnâ—erstandings a great note of infamy to be depriued thereof and therefore to auoyde so great a blotte they feare not with a thousand artes and inuentions to giue the like Beauty to their faces Or Perhaps because their desires are so inflamed with the multitude of Beautifull thinges which present them selues vnto their viewe especially of those which are best befitting their soft and delicate natures that being desirous to participate of the greatest excellencies of them from some they take their coulours from others their odours from others their artes from others their golden ornaments from others their attires Or Perhaps because there is not any woman except shee be very rare which desireth not to please some eye and therefore being well assured that they cannot please any without some speciall Beauty they desire at the least to be adorned withsome appearing Beauty wherein they sometimes proceed so farre that they doe not onely exceede their hability but worke in themselues a contrary effect and in steede of making themselues louely they many times become odious euen to those whome they desire most to satisfie and content Or Perhaps because they being quit from those buesinesse both priuate and pubâ—ike which doe many times afflict the hearts of their miserable husbands and so passe their dayes in Idlenesse without care without trouble either of body or minde they apply all their studies indeauours to the adorning of their bodily Beauty with a thousand colours and deuises as if they were onely made â—o make themselues appeare Beautifull â—nto their husbands and to procure â—n opinion in the common people of â—inguler Beauty Of all which the reaâ—on is because they iudge it a treasure of singuler prise to be faire or at leastwise to seeme such in the eyes of euery man VVhy doeth the Arte and multitude of Beauties which women vse being discouered breede a kinde of loathing and disdaine in the hearts of men Probleme 18. PErhaps because as the first Faire by created Beauty inclineth our hearts to Loue So he being the first Truth by the inestimable prise of Truth winneth vs to followe the truth with inuisible Loue whereby the deceipt of such Beauties or abilliments which many times tie and entangle the mindes of vnaduised yonge men being discouered their ariseth a strang kinde of scorne and disdaine euen against those whome before they admired Or Perhaps because that besides the hatred of that foule which is hidden vnder those faire though false Beautyes the very art and skilfull workemanshippe that is vsed about the bodily Beauty pleaseth not wheras coÌ„trariwise in the Beauty of the mind arte exercise of wit is much approued And therefore a man louing a Beautifull countenance by the gift of nature adorned with that qualitie and 〈◊〉 Beautiful minde by arte made wonderfull finding this order confounded by little and little hee repents and turneth his loue into disdaine Or Perhaps because euery obiect being altered from his naturall Essence as being out of his naturall seate doth presently decay and corrupt as it doth plainly appeare in euery naturall thing Now then that gift of nature which in women they call Beauty being by arte remoued from his first state is suddenly extinguished which wee may easily see in many women who hauing with multitude of colours and to studious endeuours hidden from the world their naturall Beauty presently they decay in that smale portion of faire which it hath pleased the heauens to impart vnto them whereby it commeth to passe that they are not onely little esteemed but loathed and detested as being such as haue sinned against the liberallitie and bountie of Nature it selfe Or Perhaps because men from those outward deceipts gather the inward vntruth
alwaies to that which may be most worthy and best befitting his yeares for hence it is that men desiring thinges contrary to their age with an earnest desire following theÌ„ purchase to theÌ„selues Shame dishonour As for example it is not fit and conuenient that a man of perfect yeares should take delight in the toyes and sportes of little children or that an olde man should follow the fansies of Loue which are proper vnto young men or that women should exercise armes chiualry which is proper vnto man or that a Prince should feare the clattering of his enimies Squadrons which is the property of women and therfore wise nature by these affectâ—ons seeketh a certaine kinde of decent comâ—ines in all humane actions Or Perhaps to the end that humane nature by this meanes might be made more louely sociable for a modest young man doth much pâ—ease and content with his modesty and bashfullnesse and so doth a breast adorned with chast and interâ—hangeable loue we do much coÌ„mend â—he valour of men of riper yeares in the â—erformance of difficult dangerous â—nterprises Wee reuerence the piety â—nd pitty of olde men embrace their â—ounsells when by their owne feares they withhold vs from the execution of our rash and inconsiderate furies And hereby appeareth the great profit and commoditie to this community and decent proportion of euery affection to euery age In that feare vniteth the parents to their children the delight of friendship breedes ciuillity in conuersation the kindled desire of Loue knitteth the hearts and the bodies and the mindes in one and the same will manly courage by defending the weale publicke makes ciuill vnion more perfect and counsell which dependeth vpon the wise and fearefull tongues of old men draweth young men to a true vnity in all their desires Whereby it plainly appeareth that the Affections of the minde make the life of man both pleasant and sociable VVhy would Nature that in euery thing in the world there should be Loue Probleme 42. PErhaps because the first Creator and vniuersall formor of all Nature hauing wrought out of that confused Chaos or rather nothing so noble and so rich a fabricke of the inferiour and superior worlds not mooued thereunto by any necessity but stirred vp by his owne wil would of his infinit Loue communicate the Essence or being to all creatures By which his loue it likewise pleased him to giue vnto his creatures this pretious affection of Loue to the ende that imitating their Creator they likewise might worke to the common benefit of nature Or Perhaps because the Soueraigne Monarch and chiefe good being an infinite Loue would likewise that all the Creatures which by his infinite Power hee hath framed should cary the same badge with in their bowelles as an open signe and cleare seale of their true Archytect and Creator Or Perhaps because that he hauing formed the whole Vniuerse vnited in him selfe and for him selfe would likewise haue it continued by an amorous chaine of Loue to the end that such vnion by length of time and many succeeding ages should not growe tedious but rather thâ—t all things in generall with their speciall and particular kindes being recomforted by the sweetenesse of Loue should much more desire to continue therein Or Perhaps because hee hauing framed al things in the world in an excellent order for the continuall conseruation of that order gaue such an affection to all his creatures as might spurre them forward with sweete desire to follow and affect their naturall places to procure vnto themselues whatsoeuer might be profitable for their healthes and preseruation to fly the contrarie to engender their like and to preserue themselues and their kinds with the whole vniuerse VVhy is Loue so potent Probleme 43. PErhaps because it hath beginning from an infinite Power and euery effect hath some resemblance or at least carieth with it some kinde of footesteppe of the Excellency of his cause and thereby maketh knowne the power of that which hath framed it so powerfull and excellent Or Perhaps because it hath the Empire rule of all other affections and as a soueraigne Lord hath the whole multitude of them as well of the concupiscible parte as the â—irascible at her commaund and seruice Oâ— Perhaps because it relieth and resteth it selfe vpon powerfull natures as Angells who for Loue wherle about the superiour Spheares in continuall motion As the heauens which for Loue working by influence as a father and first begettor distill a seminall kinde of vertue into all earthly things as the Elements which for Loue are vnited and mingled together to forme a compound body as liuing creatures who for Loue diue into the bottomlesse depths of the water dominere ouer the earth and at their pleasure flye hether and thether in the Ayre As men who for Loue of their Countrie sweate in their armour for the Loue of God suffer martirdome for the Loue of society honour fidelity for Loue of mariage effect honesty for Platonicall Loue contemplate for reasonable Loue esteeme of vertue for zealous Loue feare no dangers no times fly not the horrour of â—eÌ„pests are not coÌ„fouÌ„ded with a thouâ—and deathes to conclude accompt al labours light all losse gaine all difficulty facillity al miserie pleasure all crosses comforts all sower sweete all sorrowe Ioye and death life Or Perhaps because Loue is of so great force and authority that it subiugateth vnto her will the greatest power of the minde that is the will which ruleth and gouerneth al the other both interior and exterior powers and yet the will is many times constrained for the better pleasing and content of Loue to follow those things which it doth altogither abhorre and detest so that hauing so wonderfull an Empire and commaund ouer all the powers both inward and outward of the body and of the minde no maruell if Loue both will and can doe what it will Or Perhaps because Loue aspiring to a good that is great and wonderfully delightfull whereto nature giueth a friendly assistance and incouragement euen from the obiect that is loued gathereth strength with more ease to attaine vnto it whereby the powers irascible doe runne at her commaund with those greater forces that are wont to expugne and ouercome things most hard and dâ—fficult the motiue powers with all the members of the body growe stronge and nimble in her seruice and the heart it selfe being incited and stirred forward by her pricking goâ—ds doth their settle it selfe where Desire though with much difficulty carieth it Or Perhaps because euery first thing and more excellent is in his order more potent As it appeareth in God the first of al other things who is onely saide to be omnipotent in the Seraphins who in knowledge are more noble and more powerfull then all other angells as in heauen which among all other bodies is the mightiest and worketh with greatest power vpon these inferior parts as in the fire which is the
strongest amonge the Elyments as in gold which is the purest of all other mettalls and so in the rest adde therefore Loue being the first amongest all the effections no maruell if it worke more strongly and effectually VVhy are there so many kindes of Loue vnder the commaunde and Empire of Loue Probleme 44. PErhaps bycause the vniuersal vnion of the world depending vpon the vnion of the parts with the whole and the special common globe of the world vpon the vnited assembly of the vniuersalls and this by the meanes and occasion of the power of Loue it was fit and conuenient likewise to giue vnto euery special nature his Loue. And therfore the Angels haue that angelicall Loue which being farre from the rage of Sensual passion continueth alwayes pure and cleare Things inanimate as the heauens the Elements and their Compounds haue for their Loue that inuisible appetite prouoked by an inuisible force and directed by a kinde of knowledge to attaine their determinate endes their seates their sites and their best meanes for their best preseruation Although they haue likewise that Sociable Loue whereby they desire to approche neare vnto their like vnto their beginnings their begettors their preseruers As the planets haue in them that Loue which the causes haue toward their effectes the Elements to their Compounds the Begettors to their partes and therefore besides the preseruation of themselues they giue Sappe and humour to their fruits as milke from the duggs of their rootes they couer them they defend them with leaues and with boughes and beare and sustaine them as it were with indefaticable armes The Beasts of the field besids a Sociable Loue haue a seÌ„sual so called because notwithstanding it be accommpanied with a kinde of knowledge yet for as much as it is guided by the simple Sense it taketh name thereof Men haue a reasonable Loue by which with the discourse of reason they vnite them selues vnto that which is fayre they haue a Platonicall Loue whereby they loue by comtemplation a Ciuill Loue by the force whereof they defend their Country an honest Loue by the spurre whereof they followe vertue a friendly Loue by the gift whereof they are vnited and knit togither a diuine Loue whereby they are inflamed to the Loue of God aboue all things and to the Loue of their neighbour for Gods sake Or Perhaps because to diuers natures diuers loues shold be accoÌ„modated corespondeÌ„t to the degree merit of their perfection For excellent effects best befit excellent natures wherby they may best maintayne their excellencies VVhy are the outward signes of humane Loue the vncertayne passions that they suffer who Loue Probleme 45. PErhaps because it is onely proper to Angelicall and diuine Loue to be freed from the tempestious and turbulent Sea of passions for the Angells in heauen being neuer absent from their chiefe good and felicity cannot fall into that discontent and vexation of spirit which they that are in loue suffer when for a time they are depriued of their best beloued obiect much lesse are they tormented with that feare which men call Iealousie or with any the like passion which commonly afflict the mindes of those men who by louing follow Loue as with griefe false suspitions accidentall brawles compassionate teares throbbing of the heart distracted cogitations frequent blushinges deepe sighes inconstant desires and a thousand the like launsing razors that cut and wound the hearts of men for those blessed spirits inioye all manner of delight perpetuity of estate and whatsoeuer good besides in that first Faire whose presence they eternally enioye Or Perhaps because humane Loue entring into humane heartes by the windowes of the senses the which often times are deceiued by the diuers accidents of their obiects doth many times present a false appearing Beauty to the minde the which in tract of time being descried the mind groweth sadde and heauy and melancholicke and by that humour openeth the vaine to all those passions which make bitter the Sea of Cupid Or Perhaps bycause humane Loue being mingled with reason and sense and the sense for the most parte by the diuers appetits thereof and much moâ—e by a kinde of ouerboldnes grounded vpon smale knowledge darkninge the faire light of the superior part of the soule bringeth such discontent ruine to the minde of man as greater cannot be wrought by the hand of his greatest enemye whereby he yeeldeth such strange effects of passion as many times the fame thereof ascendeth vp euen to the heauens Or Perhaps because euery thing in this inferiour world beeing subiect vnto a thousand mischaunces and as many chaunges and alterations eyther of nature or chaunce or the will of the heauens loue it selfe is not freed from the same vnconstancy of Estate For the mind of man vnder this outward garment of the body is no other thing then a Sea gouerned by the rage and fury of the affections whereby it appeareth tumultuous hauty foaming inconstant tempestuous and sometimes wiâ—h the pleasant gale of reason calme and faire and quiet whereby it is made altogether amiable friendly cleare and comfortable So that as our senses doe sometimes enioye a meaâ—y tyde and season sometimes a troublesome and turbulent so falleth it out in our Loue which forasmuch as it is humane is sometimes cleared by reason somtimes darkened by affections and for one droppe of sweet yeeldeth a whole Sea of sower and bitter discontent VVhy is Loue called a flame a fire and the like Probleme 46. PErhaps because that as the fire hath alwayes neede of some nourishment without the which it vanisheth into nothing So Loue without the nutriment of Hope to possesse the thing beloued decayeth and growes lesse and lesse for if euery thing that worketh or endeuoureth the acchieument of any thing must bee nourished with the confidence and assurance of his wished ende without which it will neuer endure the greatnes of these labours which a thousand sweating accidents bring with them much more hath the kingdome of Loue being molested by the dayly assaults of humane passion not those that it would but those that are most strong powerfull in assaulting need of this speciall comfort of hope and assurance Or Perhaps because Loue awakeneth and inflameth the heart of a louer with an inuisible Fire within which he liueth like another Salamander of Egipt for to say the truth a louer findeth feeleth within his breast as it were the forges of a certaine fire which by the many passions of ardent zeale enkindled desires scalding sighes enflamed teares feruent emulations ruddie bashfulnesse fretting feare and iealous thoughts doe burne and yet maintaine the inuisible flames of Loue and therefore hence it is that for the most part Louers are leane of body pale of countenance spent in their spirits and much altered from their first estate and former Beauty Or Perhaps because the Beautifull obiect from which loue taketh greatest force being present a louer by reason of that
great ioye that he feeleth in the presence thereof sendeth forth those liuely flames which being plainely descried in the superficiall parte of the face doe many times giue such a vermilion tincture that the whole countenance seemeth to be coâ—ered with a flashing kinde of Ardour â—nd that by reason of the great store of â—pirits gathered into that place Or â—erhaps because as the fire amongest â—he Elements is the most noble so amongest the affections Loue is the most â—xcellent as being the rule and meaâ—â—re of all the rest and therefore â—oue is saide to haue the Empire and â—ominion ouer all the other affectiâ—ns and to rule and to gouerne them â— it pleaseth her For for no other â—use is griefe or sorrowe great in â—â—me but because the Loue is great for â—hich that sorrowe is vndergone and â—r no other cause in others is the vaâ—ur great but because the Loue is â—eat which spurreth them forward to â—ngerous attempts Or Perhaps beâ—use the fire is the most actiue Eleâ—ent and so Loue pricking vs forward â— all honorable enterprises bee they â—uer so difficult is not in actiuity inâ—â—ior thereunto and therefore besides those aboue saide metaphorical names and titles by the greatnesse of her vertue property and strength she challengeth likewise other names both Metaphoricall and proper And therefore to speake onely of her proper names which sufficiently manifest her power Loue is a word of honour whereby honorable enterprises are atchiued It is a word of maiesty which gouerneth all the interior and exterior powers Loue is a word of comfort which mitigateth by a hidden and powerfull kinde of vertue all labors whatsoeuer It is a riâ—â— word which by diligent endeauors â—uer affecteth treasures of highest prisâ—â— as friendship ciuill community our Country our children and of all others the chiefest good which is God So that no man can deny but that Loue â—â— of singular force and power VVhy do Poetts faine Loue a Childe Probleme 47. PErhaps by reason of the diuers appetits that reigne in children â—hich likewise appeare in them which â—e inflamed with Loue who someâ—mes desire that thing which at anoâ—er time they abhorre sometime acâ—mpt that for good and excellent â—hich at another seemes vgly and â—athsome vnto them insomuch that â—ey are as changeable in their opinioâ—s as the Camelion in his colours or â—e moone in her figures which arisâ—â— not from any other cause then â—â—m the multitude of those affections â—hich in louing they suffer being â—metimes mooued with feares someâ—â—es with gelosies sometimes vioâ—tly enforced with sorrowes blinded â—h anger vexed with melancholy â—priued of counsell robbed of â—anes pricked and pierced through â—th desire of honour and so by â—nging their affections they do change their willes Or Perhaps because Loue as if it were alwayes a childe in the heart of him that Loueth is alwaies growing and neuer waxeth olde because the desire of the possession of his wished good is alwayes renewed in him and notwithstanding it seeme somtimes after the lawfull fruition thereof to decay or at least-wise to lose some part of his first vigour which in respect of the extension and outward manifestation may be graunted true that is in asmuch as those outward figures of Loue which Louers vse to shew doe not so commonly appeare yet in respect of the internall force and vertue thereof it doth euery day increase which doth often appeare by those dangerous attempts which men for their enioyed Loues do many times vndergo Or Perhaps because Loue makes wise men children and many times depriueth them of true discourse and reason whereby they fall into such errours as children doe who by their apish imitation which is propper vnto children doe no sooner see any thing doone but presently as farre forth as their wit will giue them leaue they seeke to imitate it And euen so euery Louer studieth indeuoreth in euery thing to imitate that which is Loued and doth his best endeuours to the end he may winne grace and fauour to be like vnto it VVhy naked Probleme 48. PErhaps because he that followeth the schoole of Loue must not be loathed with the garment of simulaâ—ion but simplicity for there is not aâ—y thing that more offendeth the â—awe of Loue then a lie which as it disâ—leaseth all so especially those which â—oue neither is the force of Loue any â—onger sweete and pleasant then that it â— found true and faithfull and from â—is truth it is that euery part thereof â—ecomes so amiable and euery vertue â—ade as it were handmaid vnto Loue â— Confidence which maketh vs secure â—f things most precious Faith by which â—e beleeue without doubting Truth â—hich alwayes helpes and delighteth â—ommunity of counsells which maketh vs wise in all out actions and as euery good thing whatsoeuer Or Perhaps because Loue cannot long behidden but must necessarilie be manifested and made knowne both to the obiecte beloued and strangers too and if not by other meanes yet by passions and sighes and teares and palenes vnwonted blushings vnquiet sleepes change of manners and many the like And perhaps this was some cause too why it was called fire because as the fire mainfesteth it selfe by the smoke that ascendeth from it So Loue by those passions that arise from it And therefore it is saide in the prouerbe that Loue and a laugh will not be hidden Or Perhaps because nakednes for the most part bringeth with it a ruddy kinde of bashfullnes so he that is in Loue his Loue being descried commonly blusheth which is not the faulte of loue but rather of those that lyuing intemperately Loue intemperatly whereby iâ— commeth to passe that the very name of Loue being made by lasciuious actionâ— infamous painteth the face with a vermâ—ion kinde of tincture whâ—ch we câ— bashfullnes although there be no such effect in Loue as may deserue it VVhy winged Probleme 49. PEerhaps because As wings though they be made of light feathers yet raise and mounte vppe things of weight into the ayre So Loue though setled in a base subiect doth yet awaken stirre vp their hearts that Loue to the attempt of high honorable enterprises For Loue is an enimye to flowe and slowthfull spirits and a frend to â—uch as are quicke industrious who not like earthly and marrish or moorish Angells fly downewardes to the center of the earth but like the lofty eagle aspire with swifte flight to immortalitie â—t is therefore an errour to thinke that Loue taketh pleasure in bedds of down â—leasant fields dainty and delitious â—ardines in idlenes and wantonnes â—ut desireth to seate her selfe rather in â— temperate and well setled heart â—amed to endure al hardnes to passe all difficulties then in those mischieuous inconueniences that lasciuious wantonnes longe sleepes Bacchus blemishes the sensual pleasures of Venus and the flatterings of blinde appetite brings with them which being all altogether earthly belong vnto vnchast Loue which neuer rayseth her flight
perfecting of some speciall worke which wholy dependeth vpon the skill of his hand that is not enforced either â—y the continuance of labour or his â—any watchings or some other inconâ—enient accidents not only to rest his â—oyled bodie but to send out many a â—lent sighe and inuisible teare Or Perâ—aps that we may thereby vnderstand â—hat a Louer is alwayes accompanied with a thousand other passions Somtimes troubled with feares and doubts of little Loue or affection in his Louer towards him sometimes quelled in his hopes by those many difficulties that withstande his quiet possession of that he loueth somtimes disturbed by the riualitie of others sometimes afflicted with the pangs of the heart and feare of those manifolde mischaunces that may befall the person beloued So that the many passions that multiply in the heart of a Louer doe bring with them an extenuacion and impayring of the complexion a palenes in the face a wearisomnes in the members sometimes a strange kinde of alteration in the indiuiduall Essence froÌ„ whence do a rise those furies of Loue and potent frensies and insensible astonishments which happen many times to those that Loue either because they make not reason the forerunner of their sence or because before they loued they loued not temperancy or because they direct not their Loues by the rule of wisdome and discretion which onely teacheth the only meanes to the attayning of all other vertues VVhy doe Louers delight in flowres Probleme 54. PEerhaps because in them they see the colours of the things beloued For their is not any thing that wants his like or that hath not something that carieth some resemblance in nature vnto it selfe and therefore in those flowers they contemplate those liuely colours which they see to shine both in the flesh and habit of their best beloued Or Perhaps because the colours names of flowers are apt to display those passioÌ„s that they feele who are subiect to this passioÌ„ of â—oue for euery colour hath his proper signification As white signifieth innocencie Blacke vnchangable grauitie Purple a heauenly minde Red boldnes of Spirit Carnation life yellowe Empire or â—elowsie Greene hope Ash colour multitude of vertues Sea water greene the riches of fortune Blew magnanimitie Lion Tawny strength and the like which may also be verie well saide of flowers As the lilly signifieth chastity the rose virginall integrity the violet a languishing life the Hiacinth vertue Furse generosity the white daffadill piety Gesmme small comfort and so of the rest And therefore not vnfitly to discouer their passions doe Louers delight in flowers Or Perhaps because in that diuersity of flowers and colours they seeme to contemplate the large field of the vertues of their beloued Or Perhaps because Loue like a wanton taketh delight in delicate things and to rolle and enwrappe it selfe in sweete odours taking from thence some comforte in her passions And this is the reason why we many times see Loue painted in a pleasant fielde sitting vpon a multitude of flowers mery and iocund crowned with garlands lying vpon a bedde couered with a thousand roses and violeâ—ts fast by a fountaines side compassed with many rich verdures Beautifull plants VVhy doe not Louers in the presence of those they Loue knowe how to frame their speech Probleme 55. PErhaps because the Senses of a Louer being too much setled by an ouer earnest intention in the contemplation of the Beauty of his best beloued he doth as it were altogither forgette himselfe and being lulde a sleepe in his beloued obiect the ouer vehement intention of the minde taketh away the outward vse of the tongue which is not vnlikely because euery man by experience findeth that whilest hee attentiuely heareth any sweete or pleasant sounde hee hath little vse of any other of his senses all the powers being hindered from their due operation by the concurse of the vitall spirits to that onely power which so attentiuely worketh therfore no maruel if men stand mute in the presence of their Loues when they should speake Or Perhaps a Louer fearing that he shall not speake so as may please and content the eares of his mistris chuseth rather to be mute and silent then to vtter his conceit imperfectly And if he dare proceede so farre as to open his mouth for as much as he still feareth that he cannot spâ—ake as he should he vttereth his minde stammeringly and interceptedly Or Perhaps because from the Image of that vertue and worth which they know to be in the thing they Loue they frame in them selues a conceipt thereof as of a thing diuine and from hence they gather great matter of feare and it commonly falleth out with them as with those that are to speake before great Princes who being accompanied with the selfe same imagination tremble and growe pale when they speake and vtter their conceipts many times both brokenly and vnaduisedly VVhy do Louers blush in the presence of their mistresses Probleme 56. PErhaps because the heart dilating it selfe in things pleasant sendeth forth great aboundance of the spirits â—o the superficiall parte of the face which by that outward rednes are made aparent and the Louer filled with â— kinde of ioy by the sence of his best beloued such being the propertie of all men that enioying the presence of â—hat good which they so much desire â—hey become merry and iocunde and by reason of that great ioy they feele they appeare fresh fragrant as conâ—rariwise pale and wan in the presence of that they hate Or Perhaps because Louers do many times blushe of modestie a thing proper vnto that age as being carefull and ielous of each others honour for Loue is proper vnto yong men who are naturally gouerned by the bridle of shame and bashfullnes especially in the presence of those whose good opinion of them they especially desire and therefore they are very carefull not to doe any thing in their sight that is not fitte and conuenient Or Perhaps because by those amorous glaunces they are more inflamed with the Loue of each other and so laying open their inward fire to one an other they are neuer satisfied with the lookes of one an other VVhy doe Louers take pleasure in the teares of their beloued Probleme 57. PErhaps because Louers are then meriest when they are assured of the Loue of their beloued and better assurance thereof they cannot haue then when they see them for their Loue to languish sigh and shed teares For notwithstanding teares in their owne natures cannot be without some bitternesse yet forasmuch as they arise from a pleasing cause though the roote be sower the fruit is sweete For there is no greater felicity in the whole Empire of Loue then the certaine assurance of the true heart of his best â—eloued which contenteth so much â—e more by howe much the greater â—e signes thereof are that doe yeelde â—ch strange effects Or perhaps because â—y such signes they discry that it wilâ—e
no difficult matter for them to bee â—ossessed of their Loues from thence â—ey conceaue ioye and rest contenâ—d Or Perhaps they take comfort in â—at by teares they knowe that it â—eth in their power to make their â—eloued happy in the seruice of Loue â—d therefore knowing the meanes â—hereby they may shorten their mourâ—ng and wipe awaye their teares â—ey are not grieued with the sight of â—em as otherwise they would bee â—t rather conceaue an inward ioye â—d comfort in them VVhy doe Louers whither soeuer they goe carry with them their amorous passions Probleme 58. PErhaps because to whatsoeuer parte they turne their faces and wheresoeuer they bestowe themselues they do alwayes carry with them imprinted in their mindes the Image of the thing beloued and consequently those passions that arise from it For he that carieth with him the cause proueth likewise the effect as he that carieth fire in his bosome must needes feele the heate thereof And therefore Louers hauing alwayes with them in their mindes the Idea of that they Loue which they neuer cease to contemplate they must necessarily by contemplâ—tion fall into those passions which the present obiect bringeth with it yea farre more violently do they feele the force of theÌ„ because imagination by absence worketh more violently by the power whereof the gesture and grace and Beauty and lineaments and all the parts of the party beloued are made present Or Perhaps because they finding themselues as it were hanted with a continuall desire of seeing and contemplating that which they Loue â—nd so long as they finde themselues â—bsent from it liuing an vnquiet nay â— dying life they multiply their pasâ—ions with the dayes nay howers of â—heir absence and as time encreaseth â—o doe passions Or Perhaps because â—othing can content a Louer in his â—iolent absence not sweete musicke â—ot Beautifull gardens not Louely â—ompany not eloquent tongues not â—uill intertaynment but euery sweete â— turned into sower and nothing can â—ontent but the wished obiect which â—eing farre distant from their inflaâ—ed desires doth engender that griefe â— the heart which can hardly bee exâ—essed by themselues that proue it â—uch lesse by those that are not acâ—ainted with the like miseries VVhy doe Louers so much delight in in the neatnesse of their apparell and bodies Probleme 59. PErhaps because there is nothing more naturall vnto young men then to desire alwayes to seeme beautifull and therefore if nature haue not made them such they endeuour by aâ—â— to seeme that they are not And from this cause proceedeth their exquisitenes their art their diligence their care â— their apparell their gate their speech and in euery thing else their endeauour to seeme nimble of Body strong in forces subtile in wit wise in speech wary in dangers honorable in conditions Or Perhaps because such Elegancy and Neatenesse purchase grace and fauour from their beloued and therefore they vse these meanes as a pleasant baite to possesse them of that which they so earnestly desire Or Perhaps because to make manifest the purity of their mindes they desire to trim and polishe their bodies and to wiâ—â— â—n opinion in the world of great plenâ—y of the goods of fortune they adorne â—heir bodies with sumptuous attire eâ—er endeuoring with themselues to setâ—le a beleefe in the minds of their beâ—oued that they want not much of the â—ull fruition of all humane felicity which consisteth of the goods of the minde of the body and of fortune And therfore it contenteth them much â—o heare that any hath related vnto their â—oues the vertue of their minds knowâ—ng thereby that hee layeth open the â—rincipall part of the felicity and ornaâ—ent of man As for the goods of the â—ody and of fortune they vndertake â—hat taske themselues the goodes of â—he body they make knowne by preâ—nting to the eye of their mistres the â—earnesse of their complections the â—ood proportion of their members â—eir comely cariage their readinesse â— the performance of honorable exâ—oyts the goodnesse of fortune by â—eir rich apparell their Rings their â—iamonds their Rubies their Chaines â—eir golde their Iewells their horses â—eir seruants their multitude of friends â—eir liberality and bounty and their honorable progenitors And all this they doe to giue their best beloued to vnderstand that if by the lawefull band of mariage she wil be his she shall participate of that felicity which all men by all their best endeauors striue and study to attaine Or Perhaps to the end that thereby they may drawe the eyes of their Loues to beholde and contemplate both the richnesse of their attire the variety of their fashions and their comely cariage both in their gate and other gestures of the body For it pleaseth a Louer to see that which he loueth loue to see him VVhy doe louers so much esteeme the giftes of their beloued Probleme 60. PErhaps because they see I knowe not what kinde of grace to shine and shewe it selfe in that gift which cometh from that they best Loue the which they esteeme so much the more by howe much it seemeth to present the excellent and honorable qualities of the giuer Or Perhaps because those gifts are as rich pledges of that grace and fauour whereby they may easely obtaine to the possession of that they Loue And therefore as they that haue any thing in their custody either in value or Beauty extraordinary with an extraordinarie heede and care looke vnto it so they prizing these giftes aboue al their earthly riches doe likewise aboue all take care to keepe them Or Perhaps that they might thereby shewe and giue testimony that if they haue that thing in so high esteeme that commeth from their beloued in howe much more the person that sent it who doth as farre exceede the gift in value as the substance the shadow and a perfect an appearing good VVhy doe Louers so often vse the similitudes of things most excellent to display the Beauty of her they Loue Probleme 61. PErhaps because they haue a singular conceite of their beloued insomuch that being vnable in the least degree that may be to expresse it they are inforced to make vse of the simitude of things most high and excellent Somtimes comparing her to the light sometimes to starres sometimes to the Sunne sometimes to the morning somtimes to the snowe milke the lilly the rose somtimes to the mirtle the marble the alablaster Somtimes to gold rubies diamonds somtimes to the heauens the spring paradise and whatsoeuer is in any degree excellent Or Perhaps because they thinke their beloued to bee the receptacle or store-house of all the beautifull things of the world in whome all perfections are vnited and gathered togither and therefore they thinke themselues sufficiently warranted to vse the whitenesse of the Swanne to expresse her hew the vnspotted purity of the snowe the cristall the diamond to shew her purity the light the starres the sunne to signifie howe cleare her eyes are how
to beholde it For this is the property of those which contemplate that whilest they beholde the curious workmanship of a thing that hath any thing in it worthy admiration to cast theyr eyes first vpon that that hath most maiestie and meanes of allurement to drawe the eye vnto it Or perhaps because the eye is as a Looking-glasse wherein all humaine affections are discerned so that looking vpon them as vpon a cleare Fountaine they behold the minde of their best beloued and so haue a gesse at their present inclination and affection whether they be inclining to clemencie or seueritie pitty or cruelty myrthe or melancholy Loue or hatred and according to that disposition they finde in them they take counsell and aduise in those things that appertaine vnto them Or Perhaps because there is no other sense that taketh that delight in his like sense that this doth insomuch that the eies of two Louers being fastned vpon each other by their amorous glances and silent noddes they enioy not only the fruition of each others eies but vnderstand the verie inward thoughts of each others heart VVhy is the anger of a louer soone alayed Probleme 68. PErhaps because wrongs offered by Louers friends are more vnkindly taken and stirre vp the passions for the time with greater force but presently the furie of them being ouer-blowne they growe calme and quiet For what soeuer thing either in nature or arte is engendred or framed with greater force and lesse time then is fitte as monstrous birthes they vanish and cannot long endure Or perhaps because the fire of Loue cannot long endure the waters of passion Or Perhaps because the meanes of reconcilement is easie betwixt them both parties being willing to aske pardon willing to forgiue for euery amorous breache hath a thousand silent defences and as many kinde acknowledgements of the fault Or Perhaps because there is a kinde of magnanimity in pardoning wrongs and therefore to the end they may be so accounted they easily and speedily forgiue Or Perhaps because the lawe of Loue doth not admit crueltie for it is neuer seene that two truely vnited hearts should â—ong continue at iarre for light occasions for great will not be offered but as such hoâ— should brawles doe easily arise so they are as easily pacified Or â—erhaps because to those that are most deare vnto vs the least repentance beggeth pardon for the greatest offences which doth manifestly appeare in the Loue of Fathers VVhy cannot Louers hide their passions Probleme 69. PErhaps because amorous cares ouercharging and oppressing the heart are hardly endured and therefore they doe endeuour hauing found a friend fit for that purpose by communicating their griefes vnto him to ease themselues of that burthen Or Perhaps because amorous passions doe pricke and wound the hearts of Louers and therefore prouoked by the sharpnesse of such a spurre they cannot but manifest their griefes vnto those who though they cannot ease may yet pitty them for it is some comfort to him that is assailed with griefe to vent it at the mouth by the helpe of his tongue Or Perhaps because in relating them to others they feele their afflicted hearts to be comforted for euery passion communicated is lessned Or Perhaps because by laying open their passions they make knowne their owne faith and the disloyaltie and falshood of their beloued Or Perhaps because the least wrongs that proceed from that that hath least cause to offer them are accounted greater then the greatest and confound the minde of a Louer with such a kinde of astonishment as nothing but vtterance can either ease or take away VVhy cannot Louers conceale the fauours of their best beloued Probleme 70. PErhaps because the benefits of those we Loue make a deepe impression in the memory and so being often calâ—ed to remembrance they thinke they should wrong both their Loues and â—heir owne memories not to vtter them Or Perhaps because Louers desire in euery thing to shew themselues â—hankfull especially towards those whom they Loue by displaying whose bountifull fauours they seeme both to â—equite what is past and to craue more Or Perhaps because Louers do highly esteeme of those things which they receiue from those they loue and therefore thinking it not fit that things of worth should alwayes lye hidden they reueale them For by the law of nature wee are taught to commend good turnes receiued especially when they are such as carry a proportion to the worth and excellencie of the giuer VVhy do louers put their fauours they receiue from their Mistresses in the most noble parts of the body Probleme 71. PErhaps thereby to signifie that those things they receiue from them they preferre aboue all other and therefore they commonly make choise either of the head as the highest or of the heart as the dearest parte of the body Or Perhaps because the heart signifieth life and the head vnderstanding and both perfection and therefore in those places they place their fauours that are most perfect and most deare vnto them to giue them to vnderstand how dearely they Loue and how honourable a conceit they haue of them Or Perhaps to the end the giuers should vnderstand that they haue the full possession both of the best parts that are in them and their whole body OF HATRED VVhy is hatred ordayned by Nature Probleme 72. PErhaps because prouident nature being willing to remoue all those contrarieties that might eyther â—lter or offend her workes she thought â—t not amisse to giue vnto all creatures â—uen from their first natiuity and beâ—ng such an affection as might be fittest or such a seruice And therefore we see â—hat the Lambe doth naturally hate the Wolfe the Wolfe the Dogge the Crab the Serpent the Weazell the Toade the Lion the Cocke man the Crocodile yea a man borne vnder Iupiter a Saturnist a valiant man a coward a temperate man a lasciuious a religious an irreligious a faithfull a disloyal an honourable man a base and dishonourable neither is this naturall hatred seene onely in things animate reasonable or sensible men or beasts but also in those things that are farre from sense or vnderstanding as in hearbes and plants and mettals and compounds which by a hidden hatred and contrarietie in nature cannot brooke and indure one another Or Perhaps because that though Nature flie her extreames as being verie dangerous to her workemanship neuerthelesse she admitteth contraries for the benefit of the whole Which doth plainly appeare in heate and cold fire and water in corruptible things and incorruptible mortall and immortall earthly and heauenly Neither would the day shine so cleare if the night were not darke nor laughter be so acceptable if it were not sometimes mingled with teares And therefore no maruell if as we see a begetting Loue in the Vniuerse for the benefit of nature so from the selfe same Nature we haue a conseruing hate the better to attaine the wished end VVhy doth Loue somtimes ingender Hate
creatures of the world adorned with so many and so excellent qualities but that he must not onely imitate them but farre excell them The heauens are liberall by ministring vnto vs by their influence motion and light euery good thing whatsoeuer The Elements are confederated for being bound with a band of Loue they hold the whole world in vnitie and concord the Plants are fertile for they yeeld vnto vs the delight of their fruite the Lion is maiesticall for he is King of all other beasts the Dogge is faithfull for he neuer forsaketh his Lord and maister the Panther is strong for with his strength he feareth not to encounter the strongest beasts of the field the Ante is wise for within her little celles shee hideth her necessary victuall vntill time of neede the Lambe is gentle for he offendeth not though he be offended the Crane is vigilant for whilest his company sleepeth he standeth Sentinell the Asse is patient for though he endure many blowes he strikes not againe The Camelion is temperate for he liues by the ayre the Bee is prouident for with an excellent order she appointeth her troupes vnto their labour The Fox is subtill for with wonderfull arte he obteyneth his prey the Swanne is bolde for he feares not to enter combate with the Eagle the Elephant is strong for he carieth vpon his backe a tower of armed men the the horsse is valiant for at the sound of the trumpet being thirsty of glory he feareth not to runne into the enemies squadrons The Parret is a Gramarian for he vttereth an articulate voyce The Nightingall is a Musitian for with a thousand tunes he delighteth the eare the Tunnie is an Arithmetician for hauing counted his troupes he gathereth them together into a formall squadron in the waters The Cocke is an Astronomer for with his morning song he foretelleth the qualitie of the times The Dogge is a Logitian for not finding his maister in one place he seeketh him in another and so in a third framing thereby an argument from the whole to the parts that is that his maister being in the house hee must necessarily bee in some part thereof and therefore not finding him in the first nor in the second he concludeth that he must necessarily be in one of the rest Mettalles are solide and permanent for time can hardly corrupt them Stones are precious for in price they exceed gold and herbes haue many hidden vertues in them for they cure all diseases so that man learning from euery thing and taking singular delight in them would not being monarch of this inferiour world be inferiour vnto it but gathering vnto himselfe by his owne artes and industries all those excellencies which he obserueth to be diuided in the multitude of things through out the whole vniuerse enioye them for his vnspeakable delight and comfort VVhy do women and young men especially loue things pleasant and Delightfull Probleme 95. PErhaps because women and young men are of all others best friends vnto their senses and therfore in euery thing most intemperate the reason whereof doth arise from no other ground then that they are nouelists to nature and therefore thirsting after euery delightfull thing they desire to proue all and yet withall be neuer satisfied and women by reason of that tender and delicate softe nature we see in them are more inclinable to the flattering allurements of euery pleasing pleasant obiect Or Perhaps because they naturally louing meriment and laughter desiring sports and pastimes thirsting after solace and content and beeing free to attempt if their mindes bee not ruled by the bridle of shamefastnesse whatsoeuer they wishe or desire and not finding that their desire but in those things that either by nature or arte haue Delight in them with all their strength and studie and by all meanes both open and secret they endeuour to possesse themselues of those delights which do best befit their owne willes And therefore wee doe plainly see among other senses how much they are caried away with the delight of those dainties that doe best please their taste and pallates they Loue sweete meates delight in banquetings desire nouelties follow delicacies and are common gests at rich and bountifull tables Or Perhaps because women and young men being more drawne by the force of Loue which affection according to Plato doth especially raigne intender brests and Loue leading all Louers to a chiefe and principall delight they cannot endure to bee depriued of all other delights but rather direct all other vnto that as the partes vnto the whole and as riuers vnto their fountaine Or Perhaps because young men abounding with much naturall heate and women being weake nature prouoketh them to refresh and strengthen themselues with the comfort of those things that are pleasant and Delightfull VVhy doth the multitude of those delightfull things that especially appertaine to the sense of feeling taste and smelling make vs many times intemperate Probleme 96. PErhaps because those senses participate much of that which is earthly and therefore hauing an earthly apprehension of their sensible obiects the senses doe not onely vnite but drowne and ouerwhelme themselues with their obiects and so being altered by the sweetnesse of them become intemperate to the hurt of themselues and others For the sense of Feeling beeing ouermuch accustomed to things eyther by nature or arte ouer soft delicate and the sense of Taste to sweete and pleasant meates and the sense of Smelling to the sweete fragrancie of odoriferous smels the vitall spirits grow and increase about the heart the Desires are awaked concupiscence inflamed the appetite enclined and the will amongst the darke flames of corrupt sense giueth consent and so the euill habit of the sinne of intemperancie groweth in vs. Or perhaps because the force of concupiscence spreading it selfe from the heart as from the fountaine of all heate and with that heate the aboundance of vitall spirits to the whole body euen to the superficiall part thereof where the sense of feeling especially hath place and that beeing much more awakened by the excellencie of those obiects that are presented vnto it and likewise strengthened by that heate which the sense of Taste by the diuersitie of whote drinks and nourishing meates brings with it and yet more encreased by sweete and exquisite odours it carieth vs headlong to the highest degree of intemperance For where the sense beareth rule and without the curbe or bridle of vertue is made the predominant reason in despite of our selues is made a slaue and quite ouercome Or Perhaps because these senses doe so throughly make proofe of the delight of their obiects that they are in such sorte bewitched with them that with a sweete kinde of forgetfulnesse of themselues they carie the Empire and rule of reason in a kinde of delightfull Lethargie to the end it should not discerne that error which by their greedinesse to their common losse they commit and by so much the more
violent remoue of any one member from his naturall place all the rest are strangely affected with paine and griefe But in so great a mutation and dislocation of the chiefe maister bones and in so great an vndoing and dissoluing of the rest what incredible paine and torment is endured they onely can best tell who vpon their bed of death haue made experience thereof Or perhaps because the woman was no sooner created but bytasting the forbidden fruit deliuering it to our Grandfather Adam brought death vnto her selfe vnto Adam and to all his posteritie as yet vnborne So that by the iust iudgment of God euen in the gates or entrance of life whereby her childe first entreth this life shee is constrained to passe through the gate of death VVhy would Plato that children from their tender yeares should be accustomed both to delight and Sorrow Probleme 106. PErhaps because these two affections are the end of all other all being ordained to follow Delight and flie griefe and Sorrow which being well vnderstood by young men they easily know afterwards how to discerne for what causes a man should reioyce and for what he should grieue which is a great cause of their good education and their future seruice for the good of the common-weale Or Perhaps to the end they should learne the true discipline of that honestie wherewith a wise man is delighted and the hatred of that sinne which bringeth Sorrow to honest minded men and consequently be mooued to follow the honestie of vertue and to flie the hatred of sinne being allured to the one by delight and terrified from the other by griefe Or Perhaps to the end that being instructed by publicke Iustice which ministreth vnto the wicked infamie with corporall punishment and to the good a crowne of honour and immortalitie they should flye dishonour and infamie and follow vertuous and valorous enterprises VVhy do many dye with too great an apprehension of ioye others with too much griefe and sorrow of the minde Probleme 107. PErhaps because in great ioyes and delights that are either new or long expected or very soodaine and bring much felicitie with them the store and plentie of vitall spirits enlarging and spreding themselues at that new and sudaine delight to the superficiall part of the body and the heart the fountaine of life being thereby forsaken it is no maruell if the heart faint and the man perish So contrarywise in great and vnspeakable griefes which arise from strange and sudaine occasions Nature being willing to succour the part offended the vitall spirits which are dispersed through the whole body gather themselues vnto the heart as the part most noble and most necessary to be releeued the plenty of which spirits being ouer-great the miserable heart by the aboundant heate of them is not succoured but smothered and ouerwhelmed and so dyeth Or Perhaps because euery superfluous ouermuch is alwayes hurtfull and therefore though delight doe helpe Nature yet it is onely when delight is in his iust temperature for meate helpeth that creature which it nourisheth â—ut yet too much doth not only offend â—ut killeth him and if griefe be modeâ—ate though it be alwayes offensiue yet if it be not ouer-great and patiently borne it ouerthroweth not OF HOPE VVhy hath Nature giuen Hope Probleme 108. PErhaps to the end that Hope might be an especiall helpe to giue heart and courage to those who haue newly vndertaken difficult and dangerous enterprises for without the sweete and pleasant pasture of assured hope they that are wearied weakned with their labours can neuer attaine their desired end And therefore Hope is termed an Anchor because as when it falleth out that a tempest ariseth at Sea by casting the Anchor into it the vessell is secured from the assaults of contrarie fortunes the Anchor not suffering it to floate aâ— the pleasure of the raging windes Sâ— they that are actors and labourers iâ— the world being tumbled and tossed sometime with one difficulty somtimâ— with another they are many times in the sea of their actions and operations in such sort ouerwhelmed with doubts and dangers that were they not stayed and strengthned with the Anchor of Hope doubtlesse the worthiest and most excellent enterprises would be drowned in the raging tempest of dispaire and neuer attaine the hauen of light or come to the knowledge of mortall men For to say the truth how could the husbandman endure frost and snowe colde and heat wet and drouth how could he go through his labours in plowing and digging and deluing and dunging and a thousand the like yea and as many losses and hinderances if he were not recomforted by the sweetnesse of Hope How could the Artificer amongst so many labours so many inconueniencies cares dangers and hard occurrents of fortune gouerne his estate and passe through his trauells without the sweet entisements of some hoped good How could students and learned men spend their solitarie dayes and nightly watchings in deepe studie and contemplation in much reading frequent obseruations long disputes continuall speculation multitude of bookes varietie of authors diuersities of opinions in the search of hidden causes strange effects in the difficultie of artes the the darknesse of a thousand doubts and contrariety of textes if Hope did not still giue comfort vnto them in the search of the truth The husbandman therefore hopes in his plough the artificer in his instrument the Notary in his Pen the Sayler in his ship the Souldier in his sword the Courtier in his courtly cariage the Nobleman in his bloud the Philosopher in his speculalation the wiseman in his discreet gouernment the Prince in his iustice and fortitude and the whole world liues and is susteined by Hope And therefore it was not without good cause that they haue fained this onely goddesse Hope to be remaining vpon the earth and the other diuine powers to be translated into heauen Or Perhaps because it was not sufficient that Nature hath giuen Loue which is the first pleasing content of that good wee see and desire which is that kindled thirst to possesse it but least dispaire should quench the heate of eyther she added the Spurre of Hope that notwithstanding there bee many difficulties in obtayning that good wee seeke wee should neuerthelesse with all diligence and patience leaue no way vnattempted to winne the possession thereof VVhy do rich men noble men and young men hope much Probleme 109. PErhaps because golde especially in these dayes seemes to be the measure or rule nay the prise of euery good and temporall honour for wee see magistracies publicke offices and dignities and euery great place to bee sold for money and therefore riche men knowing they haue those riches lying by them that excell in prise the rarest things it is no maruell if they doe not onely hope after great matters but as times now are obtaine them Or perhaps because noble men and mighty knowing that the opinion conceiued of them among their followers
this affection in whatsoeuer imminent danger that may bring eyther griefe or death with it though the avoydance thereof seeme neuer so hard yet with trembling of the members and beating of the heart and losse of sight and faltering of the tongue and disorderly gronings and gast countenance as much as in them lyeth they helpe themselues to auoid the fierce cruelty thereof Or perhap because an iminent danger beeing foreseene feare by the very conceipt and apprehension thereof maketh so strong an impression in the imagination that the danger beeing auoyded they neuer afterwards forget to flye eschewe the like which wee may obserue in the Asse who if hee chance to fall into a ditch where he hath made some proofe of perill vnto himselfe his danger past is an instruction vnto him to auoide the like to come and as much as in him lyeth hee will not come neere the place So likewise if a Dogge bee stricken by a man in such sorte that it sticke by him he euer afterwards feareth and flyeth his presence neyther will hee bee wonne by all the flattering alluring speeches that may be vsed to trust him any more which proceedeth from the remembrance of what is past and the Feare of that which may be to come So that we see that Feare helpeth the basest creatures euen the asse himselfe much more man who is furnished with the rarest excellencies of all the affections For by Naturall Feare he flyeth auoydeth the iniury of times of tempest of famines of pestilence and the like miseries that vsually fall out in the world and all this by that industrie and diligence that proceedeth from Feare By ciuil Feare he flyeth those punishments that the lawes impose which concerne either the losse of â—onour or of the goods of fortune or of the person it selfe and this by that careful obseruance of Iustice which Feare stirreth vp By supernaturall Feare he flyeth eternall death and damnation and that by the Loue of God and his neighbours So that by the first Feare he saueth his body by the second his honour by the third his Soule and therefore no man can deny but that Feare is necessarie nay beneficiall in Nature because it doth not onely instruct but preserue too VVhy doe Louers alwayes feare Probleme 113. PErhaps because it is the property of louers to be alwayes vigilant ouer that they loue and of Sentinelles that watch and guarde alwayes to Feare and therefore louers being imployed in the same kinde are subiect to the same passion Or Perhaps because they that loue do not so much Feare least that good which they loue be taken away by other louers which kinde of Feare men call ielowsye as least any euill or hard mischaunce should befall it or that they should be any way inferior in vertue to those that emulate them in their loues Or Perhaps because Feare is a certaine kinde of prouidence And therefore we see that fathers who are strongly mooued by the excellency of that Feare which is full of amorous zeale by such affection are stirred to prouide against whatsoeuer dangers shal any way threaten their children And therefore wise and prouident Nature would that Louers should be in continuall Feare of that they Loue to the ende that at euery neede they may prouide for their necessityes For Feare is as a spurre to make men fly what dangers soeuer generall or particular and especially in reasonable creatures Or Perhaps because humane loue being alwayes full of the swelling inflamation of some affection for neuer was the sea of loue free from the furious windes of such like cares Nature would that the hearts of louers should alwayes be accompained with Feare for the perfection not corruption therof for by Feare euill is foreseene danger auoyded things necessary are acquired and vertue increased OF BOLDNES OR COVRAGE VVhy hath Nature giuen Courage Probleme 114. PErhaps because that Courage which we see in al creatures is the strength or bulwarke of nature which then with much honour appeareth in euery particular kinde when they cannot attaine without speciall danger their purposed end For then they arme themselues with new forces and with all their powers abandoning all feares they make strange and incredible proofes of their strength and courage runne through all dangers beate downe all forces which if they should not doe they could neuer attayne that ende which is compassed with so many dangers so many difficulties for loue and desire are not sufficient as being both imployed about those things that bring only pleasure ease and delight with them without danger much lesse doth hope suffice which hopeth onely that which is simply good nor Feare which flyeth and dares not incounter a danger And therfore courage which is the fortresse which nature hath giuen to her workes was most necessary amongest other affections to serue the irascible part Or Perhaps because euery agent willeth his end as his good but many being by nature weâ—ke seeing some difficultie in the end are comforted by hope but finding not only difficulty but danger too if by this other affection of Boldnesse and Courage they were not strengthned they would neuer stirre farther to attayne their desired end For such and so greate are dangers many times that men are hardly stirred vp by this affectioÌ„ to vndergo them And therefore we reade of one only Horatius in all Rome that durst oppose himselfe against the Thuscane armies of one only Curtius that cast himselfe into the firy gulfe to free his country of one onely Mutius that passing to his enimies camp durst in the middest thereof assault the person of the king of onely three Horatij that committed their liues to the danger of a single combat to quit their countrie of their enimies forces Of one onely Caesar that durst commit his body to the mercylesse seas in the dead time of winter and that to fight with his enemie So that to the atchieuing of dangerous enterprises an vndaunted courage is alwayes necessary VVhy are yong men commonly bold and couragious Probleme 115. PErhaps because young men abound with much bloud heate by the vigor of Nature and consequently with much vitall spirits Whereby they are made strong and hardy in vndergoing dangerous enterprises insomuch that neither fearing death nor the dangers thereof euery thing to their ardency seemes casye Or Perhaps because young men are commonly ambitious and caried with a feruent zeale and desire of honour whereby being spurred forward there is not any enterprise so difficult or dangerous which can strike feare into them or they dare not vndertake Or Perhaps because being strangely possessed of an opinion of that shame and dishonour which feare and cowardly dastardlines bringes with it they will rather chuse to lose their liues with honour then liue with infamy Or Perhaps because young men by reason of the multitude of those affections which abound in them and those the most headlong and dangerous as Anger a feruent desire
that famous Philosopher that his disciples should oftentimes take a view of their owne Beauties in a glasse pag. 53 29. Why do Princes and women of honourable birth proue for the most part fairer both in body and minde then women of baser condition pag. 54 30. Why do faire women preuaile much in obteyning grace and fauour with Princes pag. 56 31. Why is onely the Beautie of women amongst all other beauties praised and esteemed pag. 59 32. Why is the Beautie of women serued and adorned with the excellency of whatsoeuer things are Beautifull in the world pag. 61 33. VVhy is the Beautie of women of such force that it many times ouercommeth the greatest personages of the world pag. 63 34. VVhy doth the Beautie of a woman being violated bring infamie and dishonour not onely to her selfe but to her whole family pag. 65 35. VVhy is it the custome to hang beautifull pictures in the chambers of those women that are with child pag. 67 36. VVhy doe they make Venus the mother of Beautie pag. 69 37. VVhy is onely the beautie o◠heauen amongst other corporall things of it selfe permanent pag. 7◠38. VVhy is the first faire to mortall eyes inuisible pag. 72 39. VVhy doe many men little regard the first faire pag. 75 Of Loue. 40. VVhy hath nature ordained that there should be affections in the world pag. 79 41. Why is some speciall affection predomināt ouer euery age p. 81 42. Why would Nature that in euery thing in the world there should be loue pag. 84 43. Why is Loue so potent pag. 86 44. Why are there so many kindes of Loue vnder the command and empire of Loue. pag. 88 45. Why are the outward signes of humane Loue the vncertaine passions that they suffer who Loue. pag. 90 46. Why is Loue called a flame a fire and the like pag 93 47. Why do Poets fayne Loue a Childe pag. 99 48 Why naked pag. 101 49 Why winged pag. 103 50 VVhy with Bowe and arrowes pag. 105 51 VVhy Blinde pag. 107 52 Why ruddy or high coloures pag. 109 53. Why somtimes languishing pag. 111 Of Louers 54. Why do Louers delight in flowers pag. 113 55. Why doe not Louers in the presence of those they loue know howe to frame their speech pag. 115 56. Why doe Louers blush in the presence of their mistrisses pag. 117 57. Why doe Louers take pleasure in the teares of their Beloued pag. 118 58 Why doe Louers whether soeuer they go carry with them their amorous passions pag. 120 59. Why do Louers so much delight in the neatenesse of their apparell and bodies pag. 122 60. Why do Louers so much esteeme the giftes of their beloloued pag. 124 61. Why do Louers so often vse the similituds of things most excellent to display the Beauty of her they Loue. pag. 126 62. Why are Louers many times troubled with iealosie griefe of the heart pag. 127 63 VVhy doe Louers many times dreame of horrible things pag. 129 64 Why doe louers delight in morning musicke pag. 130 65. VVhy doe louers desire to bee thought valiant pag. 132 66. VVhy do louers defend their beloued euen in a wrong and vniust cause pag. 133 67. VVhy do louers take so much delight in the contemplation of the eye pag. 134 68. VVhy is the anger of a louer soone alayed pag. 136 96 VVhy cannot louers hide their passions pag. 138 70 VVhy cannot louers conceale the fauors of their best beloued pag. 139 71 Why do louers put their fauors they receaue from their mistrisses in the most noble parts of the body pag. 140 Of Hatred 72. Why is Hatred ordayned by nature pag. 141 73. Why doth loue sometimes ingender hate being by nature contrary vnto it pag. 143 74. Why is the hatred of men against things generall and vniuersall their anger against things more particular pag. 145 75. Why is hatred conceyued euerlasting but anger soone allayed pag. 147 76 Why doe men seldome hate either their countrie or their parents pag. 148 77. Why is the hatred of great princes and noble men inexorable pag 151 78. Why is the hatred of women without end or measure pa. 153 Desire 79. Why hath nature giuen to euery thing a desire pag. 155 80. Why is desire the first lawfull birth or first borne of loue p. 158 81 Why is desire infinite endles pag. 160 82. Why doe diuers men desire diuersly pag. 163 83. VVhy are the Desires of the father more noble then those of the mother pag. 166 84. VVhy is the Desire of those that loue towards the thing beloued so fiery ardent pa. 167 85 Why doe the Desires of children ende in matters of small weight pag. 169 86 Why doth the Desire of immortality make men bold and resolute in vndergoing labours and dangers pag. 171 Of Flight 87. Why hath nature giuen flight to things created pag. 175 88 Why doth it bring safety and honor not onely to particular men but to whole Citties to flye sometimes the commodities of Nature pag. 179 89. Why is it commendable sometimes to flye honour the Citty it selfe and ciuill conuersation pag. 182 90 VVhy is it somtimes infamous and dishonorable to flye and especially to soldiers pag. 183 91. VVhy are not al to be blamed that flie their countries pag. 185 Of Delight 92. Why hath nature giuen delight vnto Creatures pag. 189 93. VVhy hath nature giuen such diuersity of Delights vnto man pag. 192 94. Why doth man being not content with such variety of Delights as nature affordes pocure other vnto himselfe by arte and inuention pag. 196 95 VVhy doe women and young men especially loue things pleasant and delightfull pag. 203 96. Why doth the multitude of those delightfull things that especially appertaine to the sense of feeling tast and smelling make vs many times intemperate pag. 205 97 Why did Athens glory in the delight of wisdome and Rome of armes pag. 207 98. Why doe kings and Princes contrary to the opinion of the common people tast least pleasure delight pag. 212 Of Sorrow 99. Why hath nature giuen sorrow vnto creatures pag. 222 100. Why is the sense of feeling most subiect to griefe pag. 224 101. Why are griefes of the body communicated vnto the minde and those of the minde vnto the body pag. 227 102. Why are the griefes of the bodie more sensible and violent in softe and delicate bodies as of women and honorable personages then of those that are strong and valiant pag. 231 103. Why are the griefes of the minde farre greater then those of the bodie pag. 232 104. Why are great Princes commonlie afflicted with the griefes of the minde and men of baser condition with those of the body pag. 235 105 Why are the griefes of women in labour of all other bodilie griefes the greatest pag. 239 106. Why would Plato that Children from their tender yeares should bee accustomed both to delight and Sorrowe pag. 241 107. Why do many die with too great an apprehensiō of ioy others with too much griefe and sorrow of the minde pag. 242 Of Hope 108. Why hath Nature giuen Hope pag. 244 109. Why doe rich men noble men and young men Hope much pag. 247 110. Why doth hope deceiue manie pag. 249 Of Despaire 111. Why hath Nature giuen Despaire pag. 253 Of Feare 112. Why hath Nature giuen Feare pag. 254 113. Why doe Louers alwayes Feare pag. 257 Of Boldnesse or Courage 114. Why hath Nature giuen courage pag. 259 115. Why are young men commonly bolde and couragious pag. 261 116. Why would Nature giue Anger vnto all liuing creatures pag. 263 117. Why is Anger in the brest of men easily turned into a sinne pag. 265 118. Why is the Anger of Princes and great gouernours commendable pag. 267 119. Why do many exercise their Anger against themselues pag. 269 Of Shamefastnesse 120. Why hath man onely obteyned of Nature the gift of Shamfastnesse pag. 271 121. Why doe women and young men especiallie blush pag. 273 122. VVhy is the seate of Shamefastnesse in the forehead pag. 274. Of Compassion 123. Why hath Nature giuen compassion pag. 276 124. Why are women and olde men most pittifull pag. 278 125. Why are they that are angrie or in miserie not mercifull pag. 281 Of Emulation 126 Why hath Nature giuen to man Emulation pag. 283 127 Why do men Emulate things most noble pag. 285. FINIS Errata In pag. 3 line 18 for creator of things creator of all things pag. 11. line 2◠for bestroweth bestoweth pag. 13 line 5 for sure since pag. 28. line 11. for saciable sociable pag 47 line 3. for gods goods pag. 73. line 11. for Iuceus Incens pag. 81. line 23 for pease please pag. 89. line 20 for adde and pag. 79. line 4. for diposition disposition pag. 102. line 17. for laugh cough pag. 160 line 20. for visible inuisible pag. 162. line 23. for intentiall intentionall