so high lived in the Lower Region and by intermixing together as their Parents did produced more of their Kind But after those productions of these Souls they went to the Planets where they found some of their Climates too cold others too moist others too cold and moist others hot and others hot and moist others hot and dry others cold and dry with which they did not agree being not equally temper'd But yet in every Planet these Souls being fruitful they left many of their Issues called Meteors which are shining-lights like Starrs but being produced from the Mortal temper of the Souls are subject to Mortality for Amorous Thoughts are the Bodily-dregs of Mortality which made these Meteors subject to dye as other Generations being the Mortal Effects of their Immortality otherwise they would be Starrs for whatsoever is Mortal may beget their Like or Kind which other things that are Immortal never do But when these two Souls had travelled above the Planets they became one fix'd Starr as being Eternal and not subject to dye And when they were thus they did produce no more Issues for what Mortality the Body left Those Souls to Earth and Planets did resign Which in a Generation of Meteors shine Fancy's Monarchy in the Land of Poetry IN the Land of Poetry Reason was King a Gallant Prince he was and of a Heroick Spirit a Majestical Presence and of a Sober and Grave Countenance He was tall of Stature and strong of Limbs His Queen was the Lady Wit a Lady of a quick Spirit of a pleasant Conversation amiable Countenance free Behaviour and of a sweet Disposition she was neatly shap'd fair Complexion'd and finely but variously attired This King and Queen loved one another with an extraordinary Affection and lived very happily and peaceably for he governed wisely His Kingdom was large and fully populated well manured and of great Traffick He made profitable Laws set strict Rules and kept good Orders both in the Church and State As for the Church Faith and Zeal were the two Arch-bishops who were sworn to consecrate none but Moral Virtues to preach Good Life and leave all Sects Opinions Superstitions Idolatry and the like Neither were they suffered to make Lectures of Learning because it is always about Controversies puzling Belief with nice Distinctions vain Fantasms and empty Words without Sense The Cathedral Church was the Conscience The two Universities were Study and Practice wherein all the Masculine Youth of the Kingdom were bred As for the State there were Superintendent Officers and Magistrates made of all degrees The Sen ces were the five Ports to this Kingdom the Head and the Heart were the two Magazines There were two Governours made to every Port to Command and Rule Judgment and Understanding always sit at the Ports called the Ears to examine all that enter there having a strict Command from the King to let in no Sound but Harmony no Reports but Truth no Discourses but Rational or Witty and that they should shut the Gates against Flattery Falshood Discord harsh loud Strains Scraping Creaking Squealing Noises Love and Skill were the two Commanders to the Port Eyes who were commanded to let none in but Uniformity Cimmetry Beauty Graceful Motions pleasing Aspects light and well-mixt Colours and to shut the Gates against Deformity or Monstrosity rude or cruel Actions glaring Lights illmix'd Colours false Shadows and Darkness and to set up the light of Dreams when they are shut Also to let no Tears pass through the Eyes but those that have a Pass-port from the Governour of the Heart At the Port of the Nostrils sate Like and Dislike who were commanded to let in none but sweet Smells such as refresh the Brain as the scent of sweet Flowers savoury Herbs Earth new-plough'd new-bak'd Bread also sweet Gums sweet Essences and the like but to shut the Gates of the Nostrils against snuffs of Candles stinking Breaths corrupted Flesh stale Fish old Apples strong Cheese spilt Drink foul Gutters especially the Pump or Sink in a Ship also no Smells of Suet or Grease and from many more stinking Scents which would be too tedious to mention But in case of necessity they were to be allowed or at least commanded to let in some sorts of Stinks as Assafoetida and burnt Feathers to cure the Fits of the Mother Then the two Commanders of the Mouth were Truth and Pleasure one was to govern the Words the other the Taste Pleasure was commanded to let nothing into the Mouth that was either too sharp too bitter too salt or too deliciously sweet Truth was commanded to suffer no Lyes Cursing Slandering Railings Flattering nor Amorous Lascivious Factious Discourses Likewise never to let pass an Oath but to confirm a Truth no Threatning but to terrifie or reclaim the Wicked or Cross-natur'd no Pleading but for Right no Commands but for Good no Praises but for Worth Also to let no Sighs nor Groans pass nor no Professions except they have a Pass-port from the Heart Nor no Promises but when they have a Pass-port from the King which is Reason The two Commanders of Touch were Pain and Pleasure who were commanded to keep out all sharp Colds burning Heats Bruises Pinches Smartings Cuttings Prickings Nippings Pressing Razing and to let in none but nourishing Warmth soft Rubbing gentle Scratching refreshing Colds and the like And upon pain of Death or at least high Displeasure these Rules were to be kept Yet sometimes Bribery corrupted the Commanders The Privy-Council-Chamber was the Breast the Privy-Councellors were Secrecy Constancy Fidelity Unity Truth Justice Fortitude Prudence and Temperance These Privy-Councellors helped the King to manage the Affairs of the Kingdom The Secretaries of State were Intelligence and Dispatch The Treasurer was Memory The Lord Keeper was Remembrance The Mayors of every City were Authority The Constables were Care The Judges were Commutative and Distributive Justice Honesty was the Commander of all the Forces of the Actions and Thoughts The Heroick Actions are the chief Commanders as Captains and Colonels and the like The Common-Soldiers are the ordinary and necessary Actions which are employed in Offensive and Defensive Warrs The Merchants are the Imaginations which traffick and trade all over the World The Inventions are the Handicrafts-men and Labourers The Appetites are the Citizens that are so covetous as to engross all Commodities and the Wealth of the Kingdom and are the most Luxurious People in the Land But as I said the King was a Wise Prince and to divert his Subjects from too serious Studies dull Contemplations and laborious Dictatings he had Masques Plays Pastorals and the like being attended by his Nobles the Sciences and the Gentry of the Kingdom which were the several Languages The Queen by the Muses and Graces The Marriage of Life and Death DEATH went a wooing to Life but her grim and terrible Aspect did so affright Life that she ran away and would by no means hearken unto her Suit Then Death sent Age and
her But the Spider perceiving his intention thus spake Sir You that pretend to Justice be just to me and hear me first speak for What is more unjust than to censure strike or kill before you know whether your Doom be deservedly given and you must be clear from the same Faults before you can justly punish another for the like Crimes as also be free from Partiality lest you become cruel to one through your tender pity to the other But to answer for my self I do not only spin thus to catch the Flyes but it is my House in which I dwell which no sooner have I built it up but the Flyes strive to break it down for if you would but observe that when I have spun my Web they straight flye into it which I no sooner see but I run upon my Threads to assault them and so catch them if I can for since I cannot keep my House from being assaulted I strive to make it a Snare to intangle my Foes therein and by that means I make it a Mischief to fall on their own Heads and What Creature hath Nature made but if they had power would defend themselves But say I spun this Web only to catch Flyes to feed upon it were no Crime in Nature for What Creature is there that will spare the Life of another if it be to maintain his own since Self-preservation is the chief of Nature's Works and of all her Works Man seeks it most and not only so but he delights in Spoil which is against Nature for Doth not Man take delight and account it as one of his Recreations to kill those Creatures that he refuses to eat Nay Man will destroy his own Kind for What Warrs and Slaughter do they make out of a covetous Ambition for Power and Authority But if you be so just as you pretend then first cast out all Intemperate Desires Make Peace among your selves then may you be fit Judges to decide the Quarrels of other Creatures and to punish Offendors when you are innocent otherwise you will but shew your self an Usurper wresting that Power that belongs not to you and a Tyrant to execute with the Sword of Cruelty destroying Truth and Right The Man when he had heard the Spider's Discourse turned his Back and went his ways A Dialogue betwixt a great Lady and her Maid of Honour THERE was a great rich Lady talking to one of her Maids of Honour of several things at last she began to speak of the false Reports Envy and Malice had raised in the World Her Maid told her If she would not be angry she would tell her what they said of her Do so said she for I do not censure my self according as the World's reports which most commonly are false but I judg my self according to my Life which is my Thoughts and Actions Wherefore they cannot move my Anger at any thing they say and so you may relate without offence Maid They say You are Proud Lady I am so in scorning what is base Maid They say You prize your Title of Honour at too high a rate Lady That 's false said she I only prize such Titles as being the Mark of Merit for only Merit dignifies a Man and not those Titles of Honour which gain a Luster from the Worth of those they are placed upon Maid They say You are vain in making Shews of State and Stately Shews Lady Why answered she the Gods delight in Ceremonies which are devout Shows and this World which they have made is like a Pageant or Masquing-Scenes and when Great Kings neglect their Ceremonies their State goes down And with their State they lose their Kingly Crown Maid They say You are so Proud that you will not sit because all others by you should stand Lady They are deceived said she for I would rather stand whilst others sit for as they sit they bow lower towards the Earth By which my Slaves and Vassals they do shew Maid They say You will not eat your Meat but by your self alone which proves you Proud or Covetous Lady It proves me neither for Why should I disgust my Palat in hearing a confused Noise For when good Meat and Wine fumes to their Brains their Tongues become unruly Neither is it out of Covetousness for I do not only keep one well-furnished Table but many and do allow Entertainment to all Civil Guests Maid They say You are Proud because you will receive no Visits but at set and certain times Lady Why should I spend my time in idle talk since Life is short or to disturb my solitary hours which is the best and happiest time of Life wherein Man only doth enjoy himself Maid They say You are not Sociable in not carrying abroad your Neighbours or your Friends as other Ladies of great Titles do which send about to other Ladies to accompany them abroad to fill their Train and make a Shew Lady I hate to be attended upon Courtesie or make a Shew of Borrowed-Favours or fill my Train with bare Acquaintance or humble Companions to have my Estate none of my own only to make a seeming-Shew and when they are gone my Estate is gone and I left alone naked and bare having none that I can command about me No when I appear abroad I will only be attended and waited upon by such as live upon my Bounty or are raised by my Favours I will have no patch'd Train made up of Strangers it shall be all my own although it be the shorter otherwise what Shews soever it makes it is but mean and poor expressing more Vain-glory than it doth State Besides it cheats and cozens Noble Honour for should a King be attended and served in State with other Subjects than his own upon another King's Charge or Courtesie he would not seem to those that are wise to have great Power But he is Great whose Kingdom is fully populated and all do bow with an obedient Knee and are ready to serve his Will So like Potent Kings in my Degree will I be served and waited on by my own Family with Duty and Obedience and not by Strangers who are like Forreigners and are apt to mutiny and make a Warr or think they do me Honour No I will have none but such as think I honour them and if I have Merit I do so although they be of equal rank if by my Worth or Fortune I do grace or assist them any way for it is an Honour to receive a Bounty or a Favour from Persons of Merit Maid They say You do dislike when any Man falutes you although of Quality Lady How salutes me Maid Why to kiss you Lady Why ought not every honest Woman so to do For Kisses are Cupid's Gentlemen-Ushers and Venus Waiting-Maids which oft betray the Men to wild Desires and kindles in their Hearts unlawful Fire Wherefore I would have that Custom banished quite especially by Husbands that do prize their Honour But Envy doth misemploy
will be commanded too but in the mean time I hope you will be ruled by me and here is a great Match propounded to me for you the like I could not have hoped for which is the Vice-Roy he is rich Yet said she he may be a Fool. O he is Wise and Discreet said he I have heard said she he is ill-natured and froward Her Unkle answered He is in great Power and Authority He may be said she never the Honester for that He is said he in great Favour with the King Sir said she Princes and Monarchs do not always favour the most deserving nor do they always advance Men for Merit but most commonly otherwise the unworthiest are advanced highest besides Bribery Partiality and Flattery rule Princes and States Her Unkle said Let me advise you not to use Rhetorick against your self and overthrow a good Fortune in refusing such a Husband as shall advance your place above that false Duke's Duchess and his Estate with yours joined to it will be greater than his with which you shall be served nobly attended with numbers of Servants live plentifully adorned richly have all the Delights and Pleasures your Soul can desire and he being in years will dote on you besides he having had experience of vain Debaucheries is become staid and sage Sir said she His Age will be the means to barr me of all these Braveries Pleasures and Delights you propound for he being old and I young will become so jealous that I shall be in restraint like a Prisoner nay he will be jealous of the Light and of my own Thoughts and will enclose me in Darkness and disturb the Peace of my Mind with his Discontents for Jealousie I have heard is never at quiet with it self nor to those that live near it Come come said he you talk you know not what I perceive you would marry some young fan'tastical prodigal Fellow who will give you only Diseases and spend your Estate and his own too amongst his Whores Bawds and Sycophants whilst you sit mourning at home he will be revelling abroad and then disturb your rest coming home at unseasonable times and if you must suffer you had better suffer by those that love than those that care not for you for Jealousie is only an overflow of Love Wherefore be ruled and let not all my Pains Care and Cost and the Comfort of my Labour be lost through your disobedience Sir said she I am bound in Gratitude and Duty to obey your Will were it to sacrifice my Life or the Tranquillity of my Mind on the Altar of your Commands In the mean time the Duke was so discontented and melancholy that he excluded himself from all Company suffering neither his Duchess nor any Friend to visit him nor come near him only one old Servant to wait upon him all former Delights Pleasures and Recreations were hateful to him even in the remembrance as if his Soul and Body had taken a Surfeit thereof At last he resolved she should know what Torment he suffered for her sake and since he could not see nor speak to her he would send her a Letter He called for Pen Ink and Paper and wrote after this manner Madam THE Wrath of the Gods is not only pacified and they do not only pardon the greatest sins that can be committed against them taking to mercy the Contrite Heart but give Blessings for Repentant tears and I hope you will not be more severe than they Let not your Justice be too rigid lest you become cruel I confess the sins committed against you were great and deserve great punishment but if all your Mercies did flye from me yet if you did but know the Torments I suffer you could not chuse but pity me and my Sorrows are of that weight that they will press away my Life unless your Favours take off the heavy Burthen But bomsoever pray let your Charity give me a Line or two of your own writing though they strangle me with Death then will my Soul lye quiet in the Grave because I dyed by your hand and when I am dead let not the worst of my Actions live in your Memory but cast them into Oblivion where I wish they may for ever remain The Gods protect you Sealing this Letter he gave it to his Man to carry with all the secrefie he could bidding him to enquire which of her Women was most in her favour and to pray her to deliver it to her Mistress when she was all alone and to tell the Maid He would be in the Street to wait her Command The Man found such access as he could wish and the Letter was delivered to the Lady which when she had read and found from whom it came her Passions were so mix'd that she knew not whether to joy or grieve she joy'd to live in his Thoughts yet griev'd to live without him having no hopes to make him lawfully hers nor so much as to see or speak to him her Unkle was so averse against him and the greatest grief was to think she must be forced to become anothers when she had rather be his though once forsaken by him than to be beloved by another with Constancy Then musing with her self for some time considering whether it was fit to answer his Letter or no If my Unkle should come to know said she I write to him without his leave which leave I am sure he will never give I shall utterly lose his Affection and I had rather lose my Life than lose his Love but if I do not write I shall seem as if I were of a malicious nature which will beget an evil construction of my Disposition in that Mind in whose good Opinion I desire to live If I believe as Charity and Love perswades me that he speaks truth I shall endanger his Life and I would be loth to murther him with nice scruples when I am neither forbid by Honour nor Modesty Religion nor Laws to save him Well I will adventure and ask my Unkle pardon when I have done My Unkle is not of a Tyger's nature he is gentle and a Pardon may be gotten but Life when once it is gone will return no more Then taking Pen Ink and Paper writ to him after this manner SIR I Am obedient as being once tied to you until you did cut me off and throw me away as a worthless piece only fit to be trodden under the feet of Disgrace and certainly had perished with shame and been left destitute had not my Unkle own'd me And though you are pleased to cast some thoughts back upon me yet it is difficult for me to believe that you that did once scorn me should humbly come to sue to me and I fear you do this for sport angling with the Bait of Deceit to catch my innocent youth But I am not the first of my Sex nor I fear shall not be the last that has been and will be deceived by Men who glory
Kings being jealous are apt to suspect the worst which made him observe with a stricter Eye setting Spies and Watches on all his Actions until he catcht him in the Trap of his Rebellion for speaking some dangerous and seditious words he was cast into Prison until further trial A day being appointed for his hearing a Council was called of all the Peers of the Land which were his Judges and the Witnesses being brought he was cast and condemned to dye Great Preparations were made against the Day of Execution Scaffolds were set up Windows were pulled down that People might behold him Guards were set at each corner of the Streets and the multitude did so throng that when this Noble-man passed along every Eye strove to out-stare each other and every Neck stretch'd to out reach his fore-standers head and every Ear listned to hear if he did speak and every Tongue moved with Enquiries every Mind was filled with expectation of the Event and every one as busie as a Judg to condemn him or a Hang man to execute him and those that profest most Friendship to him in his Prosperity were his greatest Enemies upbraiding him with the Name of Traytor though truly yet not seemly from former profest Friends But he with a slow pace and a sad countenance habited in Black went on until he came to the Scaffold Then turning his Face to the People he thus spake I do not wonder to see so great a Multitude gathered together to view the Death of a single Person although Death is common to every one and that there is as many several ways to dye as Eyes to look on yet Beasts do not gather in Troops to see the Execution of their Kind But I wonder Men should change their Opinion with the change of Fortune as if they did applaud her Inconstancy hating what she seemed to hate and loving what she seemed to love calling them Fools which she casts down and those Wise which she raises up although it be without Desert for had I been prosperous in my evil Intention I should have had as many Acclamations as now I have Accusations had been called Wise Valiant Generous Just and all the Names that Praise could honour me with and not only they would have called me so but have thought me to have been so But O odd Man how art thou made To have so much Ambition as to desire the Power of Gods and yet to be more foolish than Beasts and as ill-natur'd as Devils of Hell For Beasts follow the Laws of Nature but Men follow their own Laws which make them more miserable than Nature intended them to be Beasts do not destroy themselves nor make they Laws to entangle themselves in the Nets of long strong Suits but follow that which pleaseth them most Unless Men vex them they weary not themselves in unprofitable Labours nor vex their Brain with vain Phantasms they have no superstitious Fear nor vain Curiosity to seek after that which being found they are never the better nor strange Opinions to carry them from the Truth nor Rhetorick to perswade them out of the right way And when Beasts prey upon one anothe it is out of meer Hunger not to make Spoil Man who is so disorderly as that he strives to destroy Nature her self and if he could pull Jupiter out of Heaven But when we come near to be destroyed by Death then we have a seeming-Repentance and flatter the Gods to have pity on us And though my Nature is so bad as being of Mankind that I may dissemble so nicely as not to perceive it in my self yet I hope the Gods will have as much mercy on me as I think I am truly sorrowful for my Fault and then kneeling thus said O Jupiter how should weak and frail Men agree amongst themselves when there have been Quarrels in thy Heavenly Mansions envying thy glory and being ambitious of thy Power conspiring against thee And since Ambition hath been in Heaven pardon it on Earth for it was not against thee my Maker but against my Fellow-Creature O Jupiter check thy Vice-gerent Nature for making me of such an aspiring quality coveting to be the chiefest on Earth for she might have made me Humble and Lowly and not of so proud and haughty a Disposition for it was in her power to have made me in what temper she had pleased I do not expostulate this out of a Murmuring-discontent but to draw down thy pity for my unhappy Nature which in a manner enforced me thereunto But I submit as thou hast commanded me and am content to obey thy will and either to undergo Pulto's Punishments or to be annihilated But if thy Judgment may be diverted send me to the blessed Elyzium Then turning to the Block he was executed No sooner was his Head off but all his Acquaintants Friends and Kindred forgot him as the living usually do any the dye And although most rejoyce at the fall of those that are most Eminent as if the chiefest Ingredient of Man were Malice and Spight which produceth Cruelty yet when the Multitude saw all was done and that their greedy Appetite was satisfied with Blood then a lazy and sleepy Pity seized on them and with yawning wishes would have had him alive again But King Oberon and Queen Mabb after the Execution having given Order for his Quarters to be set up on the Gates of the City rid to their Palaces in State hoping they should have no more such Traiterous Subjects disturb their Peace Assaulted and Pursued Chastity PREAMBLE IN this following Tale or Discourse my endeavour was To shew young Women the danger of Travelling without their Parents Husbands or particular Friends to guard them for though Virtue is a good Guard yet it doth not always protect their Persons without other Assistance for though Virtue guards yet Youth and Beauty betrays and the Treachery of the one is more than the Safety of the other for Young Beautiful and Virtuous Women if they wander alone find but very often rude entertainment from the Masculine Sex witness Jacob's Daughter Dinah which Shechem forced and others whose Forcement is mentioned in holy Scripture and in Histories of less Authority sans nombre which shews that Heaven doth not always protect the Persons of Virtuous Souls from rude Violences neither doth it always leave Virtue destitute but sometimes sends a Human Help yet so as never but where Necessity was the Cause of their Dangers and not Ignorance Indiscretion or Curiosity for Heaven never helps but those that could not avoid the Danger nay if they do avoid the Danger they seldom avoid a Scandal for the World in many Cause judges according to what may be and not according to what is they judg not according to Truth but Shew nor by the Heart but by the Countenance which is the cause that many a Chast Woman hath a spotted Reputation But to conclude I say Those are in particular favoured by Heaven that are protected
he had such a Gift to present to the King which Present he knew his Royal Master would prize above all the World which made him chuse to go with it for had the Spoils been less he had sent them with some Messengers but being so Rich he durst trust none to guard it but himself The King hearing of their coming made all the Preparations of State that could be sending the Prince a Triumphant Chariot and his own Robes to wear which Chariot coming as they were ready to enter the City the Prince sets the Queen thereon and walks on foot by the Chariot-side as being Mistress to the King his Master And the King being attended by all his Nobles of the Kingdom met the Queen and with great respect led her to his Palace where when she came the King kissed her Hand and smiling said The Gods had brought her thither for certainly said he the Gods by their Fates have decreed and destin'd you to be my Queen in which Gift the Gods have made me like themselves to enjoy all Felicity She with a Face clothed in a sad Countenance answered Fortune was his Goddess and if he were like her he might prove unconstant and then said she you may change from Love to Dislike if so I may chance to have liberty either by Death or to be sent into my own Kingdom again If you will accept of me said he you shall not only have your own Kingdom but mine wherein you shall be adored and worshipped as the only She in the World She answered I had rather have what I adore than to be adored my self Then was she conducted to a strong and safe but a pleasant place to be kept in where the King visited her often treated her civilly courted her earnestly loving her with an extraordinary Passion The Prince in the mean time was in high favour with the King who asked and took his Counsel in every thing And sending for him one day when he came hung about his Neck as was his Custom so to do saying to him O my Friend for that was his usual Name he gave him my Cruel Prisoner said he you brought me despises my Affection slights my Addresses condemns my Suit scorns my Proffers hates my Person What shall I do to gain her Love Alas said the Prince I have had so ill success in Love that what I doted on most did hate me worst which is the cause I have left my Countrey Friends and Estate and lost the peace of Mind the joy of Mirth the sweets of Pleasures the comfort of Life hating my self because she doth not like nor love me Jealous I am of Light Darkness Heat Cold because they come so near as to touch her I wish her dead because none should enjoy her but my self yet I cannot live without her and loath I am to dye and leave her here behind Thus hang I on a tortur'd Life and bear my Hell about me Whilst they were thus lamenting their hard Fortunes in Love a Messenger brought News that their Forces were beaten that were sent into Amity How can that be said the Prince Most of the Nobles being here and none but Peasants left behind who have no skill in Warrs and only fight like Beasts But the Alarms came so thick one after another to tell that they had not only beat their Forces but were entred into their Kingdom With that the King in haste dispatched the Prince with a fresh Supply added to those Forces he brought the Queen with so march'd out to meet the Enemy For Travelia hearing the Queen was taken Prisoner was highly enraged which Choler begot a Masculine and Couragious Spirit in her for though she could not have those Affections in her for the Queen as a Man yet she admired her Heroick Virtues and loved her as a kind and gracious Princess to her which Obligations made her impatient of Revenge Then calling all the chief of the Kingdom together thus spake unto them Honourable and most Noble You have heard the sad News of the Queen's being taken Prisoner which cannot chuse but strike your Hearts through your Ears and make them burn in flames of high Revenge and may those Flames be never quenched until you fetch her back and set her in her Throne again She went to keep you safe and nothing can be more ungrateful than to let her live amongst her Enemies Nor can you here be free whilst she is made a Slave your Wives and Children will be bought and sold and you be forced to do their Servile Work What Goods you now possess your Enemies will enjoy Then let your Hands and Strength redeem your Countrey 's Loss or sacrifice your Lives in the Service After she had spoke they proclaimed her with one Voice General raising new Forces making Vows they would never forsake their Queen but dye or be Conquerors Then sitting themselves in order thereunto Travelia as their General and chief Governour caused a solemn Fast and Procession sacrificing to the Gods for good Success After that she took a view of her Arms and Ammunition selecting out the ablest and youngest Men to fight making the better sort Commanders that Envy might not breed Disobedience The Aged she chose for her Councellors her old Father being made one the most Mechanicks as Smiths Farriers Pioneers Cannoneers Sumpter-men Wagoners Cooks Women and the like went with the Bag and Baggage Neither did she omit to take good Chyrurgeons Doctors Apothecaries and Druggists to help the Sick and Wounded At the Army 's going out she caused a Proclamation to be read That all the Women and Children and infirm persons which were left behind not being fit to go should pray incessantly to the Gods for Victory and safe return for said she Women and Children and the Infirm are the best Advocates even to the Gods themselves being the most shiftless Creatures they have made wherefore the most aptest to move Compassion Thus setling the Kingdom in a devout and orderly posture they marched on re-taking their Towns Forts and Castles lost beating the Enemy out of every place insomuch as they did not only clear their own Kingdom of their Enemies but entred into theirs And being gone some days journey their Scouts brought them word there was an Army coming to meet them and after a short time the Armies were in view of each other Whereupon she drew up her Forces the right and left Wings she gave to be commanded by two of the Valiantest and Experienced Commanders the Rear unto another the Van she led her self the Reserve she gave her old Father in charge to bring in as he saw occasion praying him he would not stand with it so far off but that he might come soon enough to their aid nor yet to stand so near as to be annoy'd with their present Fight Father said she I give you this part to command because I dare trust your Faith as well as your Judgment Courage and Skill Then
at liberty but the resigning of his Crown and so his Kingdom to her First For raising Hostility and disturbing the sweet Peace and happy Condition of a Kingdom that never molested them Then for the dishonour in taking the Queen Prisoner the ruin and spoil of your Countrey the death of your Friends and the loss of your gallant Men killed in this Dissention making many Widows and Fatherless Children Besides Who can rely upon the Faith of an unjust Prince who made Warr upon his Neighbours without a just offence but only through an ambitious attempt upon your Queen and Kingdom Have we not Victory And yet shall we return with Loss Shall we despise the Gift of the Gods in making no use of what they give us And shall the Trumpet of loud Fame report the Queen was taken Prisoner and resigned upon a low Agreement No let Fame divulge unto the World her Release came with the Ruin of his Kingdom After the General had spoken one of the Council who was like Nestor for Years and Experience thus spake OUR General hath spoke a Speech so full of Courage and Honour as shews him to be of so true an Heroick Spirit that he hath left no room for Policy to play a part But States cannot subsist with Valiant Hands alone unless they have a Politick Head which is the Guide to great Designs it burns more Cities than Granadoes do it undermines strong Towns pulls down great Works wins Forts sets Battels takes Prisoners makes Slaves and conquers Kings and Kingdoms and what we call Policy in a Publick State is called Discretion in a private Family and it is not as the Vulgar think it a Cheat or meer Deceit but a wise Prudence to prevent the worst of ills and to keep Peace or get Tranquillity 'T is true Valour is a daring Spirit but Policy is the trusty Friend and covers with skill all those Faults it cannot mend it guides the Bark in which Man's Life swims and keeps them from the shipwrack of the World pulls down the ambitious Sails when blown too full with Pride lest it should overturn the Ship of Safety to be drowned in Seas of Miseries But Policy will rather chuse the Oars of Patience and take the Tides of Time than venture where the Doubts are more than Hopes or Hazzards more than Gains Then let us try to make a prudent Peace not trusting to Fortune's Favour unless she were more constant For in the Warrs such unknown Chance may fall Instead of Victory we may be ruin'd all I speak not this to cross my General for I shall be as ready to obey all his Commands be they never so dangerous as I have freely delivered my Opinion After he had spoke the General rose up and said These Counsels are too solid to be contradicted by rash Youth Whereupon they all agreed to treat with the King giving his Ambassadors Audience The King's Ambassadors coming into their Assembly thus spake You great Victorious Amitenians MY Master should not need to seek for Peace before it sought for him had not the God of Love proved his Enemy perswading Mars to be his Foe for those that are cross'd in Love have seldom Victory for Mars doth take the part of Venus Cupid's Mother Thus our great King and Master is by Love undone But since 't is the Gods that work his Fate he humbly doth submit Wherefore he sends these Proffers unto you First He will build your broken Forts again and raise those Walls his Soldiers have pulled down Secondly He will repay your Charges and Expences in this Warr although his own is great and his Loss is more Thirdly He will restore his Prisoners if you will do the like to those you have taken but for the Queen she is no Prisoner For our Master is her Captive and her Thrall Both to command Him and his Kingdoms all After the Amitenians had consulted they told the King's Ambassadors That Words were not Acts wherefore they could conclude of nothing until the Queen was in her Army to make her atonement for her self and if she were no Prisoner they desired to wait on her out of the City if not they must use force Whereupon the Ambassadors went back to their King to declare their Answer But to return to the Captive Prince who was more fetter'd in his Mind than in his Body for the old Father treated him civilly and used him kindly but perceiving him to be very melancholy thought it might proceed from the Overthrow he received which he strove to moderate telling him Nothing was more subject to Chance than Warr and that the Valiantest and Wisest Men might fall by Fortune's hand for said he She on Wheels not on firm Ground doth stand She seeks not Worth and Merit to advance Her Scepter which she governs by is Chance Then said the Prince O Fortune most unkind I would she were as Powerless as Blind As he was speaking in comes the young General whom when he saw Love's Passion shook his Manly Strength and made his Visage pale But she being of an affable and sweet disposition wish'd all content of Mind to every person although she had little her self Noble Sir said she It was not for want of respect I have not visited you but my Engagements have so busily employed me that till the Cessation of Arms I have not had so much time as to examine your welfare But I know my Father hath not omitted any Service he could help you in neither do believe you being a Commander can be so ignorant but to know that Camps can afford but a rude Entertainment having therein no necessary accommodations and since my Wishes cannot make it better you will be pleased to accept of it as it is Worthy Sir answered the Prince I am only a Prisoner to your Favours but am free by your Noble Entertainments So after some discourse telling him of the Agreement which was like to be left him or rather carried him with her for his Soul went after her although his Person stay'd behind But to follow the Ambassadors who were got to the King and told him the Demands of the Amitenian Army was To have their Queen before they would treat any farther The King being very much troubled thereat for to keep her he durst not knowing his own weakness and their strength and to let her go he could not for his Passion of Love would not give him leave neither would he call a Council knowing they would be for the departure of the Queen for their own securities then did he wish for his Friend and Servant the Prince but at last being resolved went to the Queen his Mistress and taking the Crown from off his Head laid it at her Feet Madam said he Here I deliver you my Crown and with it my Kingdom and yeeld my self your Prisoner dispose of it and me as you please for it never shall be said I make Conditions with her I do adore for since
Travelia was with her he grew so jealous that had not Honour forbid him having past his word unto her they should all there be safe he should not have let him live to have been his Rival In the mean time the Messenger had caused the Prince to repair to the Court who was much troubled how to behave himself for said he in his thoughts if I should make my self known unto my Mistress she will straight convey away her self either by death or stealth and if I go disguised although I may make the reason known unto the King yet the Court will talk and think it is for some ill design against the State so bring an aspersion upon my Loyalty Thus musing a long time with himself at last he thought it best for to take counsel of the King and being come to him the King with great joy embraced him saying O my Friend thy Company is a Kingdom to me He humbly kissing his hand said He thought Fortune was so much his Enemy as that she had shut him out of his Royal Favour But Sir said he it was none of my fault I did not win for the Gods Jupiter Mars and the rest are such Lovers of the fair Mortal-Females that they will never be against them for wheresoever they are Victory is there also The King thinking he meant it of the Queen told him how unkindly she used him and how he perceived she loved the young General even to a dotage and withall asking his counsels what he should do he smiling yet sighing said O Sir said he there is no cause to fear for that Person you do suspect is a Woman which I believe the Queen knows not Then he told him all the story of his Love and all the several accidents thereupon and ask'd his advice what he should do The King was overjoyed at his relations discovering she was a Woman and his joy gave so many several Advices that the number confused the Counsel and confounded the Choice But while they were thus talking a Messenger came to the Prince which brought him Letters from his own Countrey by Merchants that were lately come in that his Wife was dead for although they knew not where he was yet they sent Letters into several Countreys in hope some might light into his hands which when he heard his Doubts were turned into Hopes With that the King and he embraced with joy making no question now but Cupid was turned their Friend and that he would shoot two Golden Arrows into their Mistresses Hearts from the Forts of their Affections The time being come when the King and Queen and the Councellors of both should meet about the Peace they being all set ready to treat the King entreated the Queen she would give him leave that the Prince might be one of his Council which said he without your own consent he shall not be since he hath been your Prisoner She told the King He was not bound to her since she had given him a Release and your Councellors are to be chosen by your self and not by me After her answer he sent for him who came being not disguised but as he was himself and Travelia looking upon his face as he was coming in and seeing the Man she most did fear she fell into a swound at which accident the Queen being extreamly afflicted thinking it was done by some design wrought from the jealousie of the King broke up the Juncto for that time taking all the care she could for his recovery But Travelia being recovered out of her swound was still sick in Mind though not in Body and kept her Bed as if she had been very ill Whereupon the Queen's suspition was more encreased and fear'd some Poyson had been given him and with that conceit could not endure to see the King The King being much troubled that the Queen was more severe to him than she was used to be and perceiving that it was Travelia that was the cause complained unto the Prince and with seeminganger said merrily Dispose of your Mistress some way for I am jealous said he although she be a Woman Sir said the Prince I have as much reason to be jealous of the Queen as you have of my Mistress setting her Masculine Habit aside At last they did agree to discover her to the Queen Whereupon the Prince went to the Queen and desired her by a Messenger to grant him half an hours Conference She desired to be excused He sent her word It was something concerning his own Affairs Whereupon she gave him admittance When the Prince came to her he said Madam I should not press thus rudely on your thoughts but that I think I am part of the cause that makes them melancholy Sir said she You take upon you to know much for it is hard to know the Mind or Thoughts of our selves much less of others Madam said he I will be so presumptuous to guess at them if you will give me leave Take it said she Then Madam said he I must tell you You are in love and the Person you love although most excellent yet cannot return such love as you desire for you have placed your Affection upon a Woman who hath concealed her Sex in taking the Habit of a Man and hath more confirm'd your mistake by the actions of a Soldier I know not said the Prince how kind you have found her but I have found her cruel Then told her the story from the first time he saw her until that present When the Queen had heard his relation her Colour came and went moved by her mix'd Passions Anger and Love angry that she was deceived yet still did love and wish'd she had been a Man Then the Prince began to move unto her the Suit of the King But she was so impatient and troubled in her Mind being crost in her Love that she would hear nothing concerning Love more at that time Which he perceiving took his leave for the present But as soon as he was gone Tears from her Eyes flow'd out as if they meant To make her there a Watry Monument And her oppressed Heart such sighs sent forth Like Gusts of Wind that blow from South or North. After this furious Storm a Calm did rise Her Spirits like a still smooth Water lyes Then laying down her gentle Head to rest Thus to the God of Love her Prayers addrest Thou powerful God of Love that shoots from high One Leadden Arrow in my Breast let flye To quench that scorching Heat thou mad'st to burn Unless a Woman to a Man can turn With that the God of Love did pity take Quench'd out the first and did a new Fire make Yet was it weak as being made but new But being kindled it much hotter grew At last the Flame got hold upon the King Which did much Joy unto each Kingdom bring After a sweet and refreshing sleep she rose and went to Travelia's Chamber and told her how she was discovered
that are or seem to be his Enemies Thus Subjects in general live happiest under a Tyrant but not particular Courtiers or busie prating Fools or Factious Knaves and a facil King causeth more Trouble Distraction and Ruin by his soft easie nature than a Cruel Tyrant with Executions severe Laws or heavy Taxes for the greatest Tyrant that ever was will not destroy all his Subjects or take away all Substance for his own sake for if he did he would destroy his Power and ruin his Monarchy Then they asked her What Men made the best Privy Councellors She said Those that had most Experience such as had seen the several changes of Fortune and observed the several Humours of Men. Likewise those that are rich for those will be cautious in their Counsel and careful for the Commonwealth for their own sakes not daring to adventure their Estates in a Factious Party or a rash Advice But said she Princes should not have more Councellors than Business for fear they should make Troubles to have Employments Likewise A State should not have too many Magistrates for many Magistrates in a Common-wealth are like many Masters in Family Nor too great a number of Officers lest the many Officers should over-charge the State spending more in ordering and commanding than they would lose by some Disorders and Disobedience Then they asked her What was apt to make Rebellion She answered Poor Nobility and Rich Citizens or Burgers being both Factious and apt to raise Rebellion through Covetousness and Ambition for the poor Nobility would have Wealth to maintain their Honour and rich Burgers and Yeomantry would have Honour to dignifie their Wealth Then they asked her Why those Kings that had Favourites were most commonly unfortunate She said One cause was That the Subjects in general take it for a weakness in a Prince to beruled or perswaded by one particular Man Secondly They hate that particular Person as an Usurper ingrossing wholly the King's Favour which makes them think their Prince unjust to give to one Man that which ought to be distributed according to Merit and Worth Thirdly The Favourite's Crimes are thought the King's Cruelty or Facility Fourthly The Favourite's Vanity is thought to be their Taxes all which makes them apt to murmur and rebel but they never fail to rebel when the King interposes himself as a Buckler betwixt the People and his Favourite by which he endangers himself but helps not the Favourite But a King who would reign long and peaceably if he will have a Favourite must have a Favourite to be a Buckler between him and the rest of his Subjects for he must not take his Favourite's Faults upon him but lay his Faults on the Favourite for when a People judg their King to have Faults they will withdraw their reverences for Princes must be thought as Gods that cannot err But Favourites said she are very dangerous and insinuating Parasites for those Princes must needs be ignorant that are much flattered for every flattering Tongue is as a Muffler to blind the Eyes of the Understanding and Self-conceit is the Mouth that sucks the Milk of Vain-glory which putrifies the Reasori and breeds a corrupted Judgment which causeth Crudities and Ulcers in the Stomack of the Commonwealth and makes the Heart of the Kingdom sick which distempers the whole Body and brings the Plague of Rebellion every Member being infected therewith which is a certain and sudden death to Monarchical Government Then they asked her How Great Monarchs should use Petty Princes Great Monarchs or Princes should always keep lesser Princes in awe lest in time they should go cheek-by-jowl and may chance to thrust them out of their Power either by Land or Sea Indeed they should be kept like Spaniels to crouch and not like Mastiffs to bite otherwise they may chance to leap at their Throat and tear out the Life of their Supremacy Also said she Lesser Princes ought not to be suffered to encroach upon the Ceremonies of great Monarchs for if Ceremonies Deifie those Ceremonies ought to be kept sacred Nor upon their Orders or Dignifyings as to make Nobility or to give their Orders or such as are like to them as the George the S. Esprit or Golden Fleece which Elective Princes are apt to do if they be not kept in awe by the Hereditary Kings and those Hereditary Kings that give way to them to do it ought to lose their Magnisicency Then they asked her How Kings and Monarchs should use their Officers of State and Commanders of Warr She said Kindly whilst they were in Employments for their Employments either in the Civil Magistracy or Martial Discipline give them Power and a small Power said she oft-times ruin a greater especially when Malice and Opportunity are joined together for though Ambition said she perswades yet it is Opportunity and Malice which betrays and sets open the Gates to Rebellion for many Powerful Princes and Potent Monarchs have been unthrnned and Kingdoms ruined by mean Subjects and small Beginnings Wherefore said she Princes and States should have a care of lessening the Power of their Officers and to remove them from a better Office or higher Degree to a worse Office or lower Degree but if they will remove them or must as being most convenient then let them put them out of all Power and Authority or advance them either in Authority of Office or Honour by which they will qualifie their Spleens or prevent their Malice or destroy their Abilities from doing any harm Then they asked her If it were seemly or fit that Kings should suffer any Subjects to be familiar in their Discourse or Actions either to themselves privately or in the presence of a publick Assembly She said No for said she a familiarity makes a parity for it advances a Subject to a greater respect and draws down a King to a less esteem but said she Kings should be like Gods obeyed with fear and loved for Mercy Then they asked her What Kings should do to such Subjects or Servants She said They shnuld be check'd with frowns and banished from their presence for that King that doth not keep strict orders and rules severely shall neither be obeyed nor loved as being either fearful that dares not check Offenders and cut off Criminals or facil to suffer boldness in his sight or hated as being thought partial and if you will observe said she you shall find the more stern a Master the better he shall be served for although his Servants complain yet they dare not disobey so a King the more Tyrannical he is the better he shall be obeyed when a gentle Master and a facil King shall lose his Power and Authority Then they asked her Whether it were wise for a King to discover the secrets of his Heart to a chief Favourite Councellor She said The King that made known the secrets of his Heart or would but make known his ordinary Intentions until they were to be put in execution