rest Three Principles God World and Creature fram'd Creator Parent Issue these are nam'd In all production Into Three we cast Mans age two legs next three then foure at last Physitians three things to observe are sure First to preserve prevent and then to cure Three governments are famous in Romes state That of the Tribunes and Triumvirate Three sorts of people they distinguish can The Senate Souldier and the common Man In the taking height of stars w' observe these Three First Distance then the Form next Quality But which of us observes that sacred Trine Three persons in one Godhead sole divine That individuall essence who dares scan Which is shall be and ere the world began Was in eternity When of these Three One of that most inscrutable Trinity The second person Wisedome shall intombe All majesty within a Virgins wombe True Man true God still to that blest Trine linckt True light shall shine and false stars be extinct Sybilla Erythraea SHe is the twelfth and last born in Babylon of the Assyâ—ian nation and daughter to Berosus a famous Astrologian She writ in Greek a book called Vasillogra which some interpret Penalis Scriptura which as Eugenius in his Res de Sicilia testates was transferred into Latin She prophesied of all the Greeks that came to the siege of Troy designed the places whence and how long they should continue there In those books she spake of Homer and that he should write of those wars partially according to his affection and not truth In the same volume she prophesied of Christ after this manner The times by the great Oracle assign'd When God himselfe in pitie of mankind Shall from the Heav'n descend and be incarnate Entring the world a lamb immaculate And as himselfe in wisedome thinks it meet Walke in the earth on three and thirty feet And witâ— six fingers all his subjects then Though a King mighty shall be fisher men In number twelve with these war shall be tride Against the devill world and flesh their pride Humility shall quell and the sharp sword With which they fight shall be the sacred Word Establisht upon Peter which foundation Once laid shall be divulg'd to every Nation The onely difficulty in this prophesie is Trenta tre piede which signifies thirty three year sand Mese dito six fingers intimating the time of six months And thus I take leave of the Sybils Of the Virgins Vestals FEnestella in his book entituled de Sacerdotiis Romanis proposeth Numa Pompilius to be the first that devised the form of this Vestall adoration though the first institution thereof was held to be so ancient that Aeneas transferred it â—rom the Trojans to the Albans as Virgil. witnesseth in these words Vestamque potentem Aeternumque aditis adsert penetralibus ignem To this goddesse Vesta whom some call the earth others the Mother of the gods Fire perpetually burning was consecrated and to this observation and custome certaine Virgins pickt out of the noblest families were chosen as directors and chiefe overseers of that Order by whose negligence if by chance at any time that sacred fire was extinguished their judgement was to be beaten to death with strokes by the hand of the chiefe Priest or Flamin Valerius Maximus reports that the same judgement was executed upon the same negligence by P. Licinius Crassus then in the high Priesthood All such as were found guilty of incest were condemned to be buried alive nor was it lawfull as Labeo Antistius writes for any under six years or above ten to be admitted into that service besides she must not be the only child of her father and mother neither must she have a lisping or stammering tongue be deaf of her eares nor marked with any blemish about her body neither such an one whose parents one or both have lived in servitude or have been conversant in any base offices neither such a one whose sister hath been elected into the Priesthood all these are excused from the service of Vesta neither she whose father is a Flamin a South-saier or one of the Decemviri in the sacrifices or of the Septemvirate in the banquets There is likewise a dispensation with the daughters of Kings and Priests as uncapable of this ministery neither can that mans child be admitted that hath not a known house and an abiding place in Italy for so Capito Atteius writes so likewise the children of all such as are restrained as have the number of Three or more By the edict of the Praetor that no Virgin Vestall or Dialis which belongs to the sacrifices of Jupiter shall be compelled to any thing these be the words of the Praetor by the mouth of the crier Through all my jurisdiction I will not urge or force an oath from the Vestall Virgins nor from the Flamin Dialis in the chusing of the Vestall these things were observed There is a caution by the law called Lex Papia That by the approbation of the chiefe Priest and by his speciall appointment twenty virgins were selected out of the people but this ordinance with many other were abrogated and abolisht by Time insomuch that it was sufficient if any of free parents and honestly descended petitioned or made means to the high Priest she might without more difficulty enter her oath and be admitted into the sacred order being received by him as one snatcht and taken violently from the hands of her enemies The words he used were these This vestall Priest whom I enter into this holy office according to the institution of the best law I receive by the name of Amata to make her intercessions for the Nobility and people of Rome It was a custome to admit them all by the name of Amata because she that was first chosen by King Numa was so called and with these Ceremonies she was as it were hurried to the Temple of Vesta In Labeons commentaries it is thus found recorded The Vestall virgin is incapable to be made heire of any man or woman that dies intestate her goods likewise after her death return to the common treasury Pomponius Laetus in his book de Sacerdotiis agrees with Fenestella That Aenâ—as first brought the Vestall fire from Troy into Italy and Lavinium being built he there erected a Temple to her honour After this Ascanius consecrated another in a part of the hill Alba beneath which or at the foot thereof was a thick grove in which Mars vitiated Illia the mother of Romulus These Ministers of Vesta were tied to an oath of perpetuall viginity for it was a custome among the Latines to make choice of the most noble and chast virgins After many years Romulus devised all the chast ceremonies belonging to that Order and as Varro declares to us created threescore Priests to those publick services selected by their Tribes and Families but of the most noble and unblemisht stocks amongst the Romans The Temple of Vesta is built round and is betwixt the Capitol and the Palace in
is said to be Incertae patriae as no man knowing from what particular region to derive her and therefore is known by no particular name nor by the ancient Historiographers numbred amongst the ten only amongst the twelve she hath the place as may appeare by this her Prophesie When the great King of all the world shall have No place on Earth by which he can be known When he that comes all mortall men to save Shall find his own life by the world o'rthrown When the most just injustice shall deprave And the great judge be judged by his own Death when to death a death by death hath given Then shall be op'd the long shut gates of Heaven Sybilla Tiburlina IT seems she derives her selfe from the River Tyber she is otherwise called Albunaea of the City Alba which was erected before Rome as also Italica and by some Alburnaea It is reported that the Romans going about to deifie Augustus Caesar demanded advise of this Sybill who after three daies fast standing before the Altar where the Emperour himselfe was then present after many hidden words miraculously spoken concerning Christ upon the sudden Heaven opened and Caesar saw a beautifull virgin standing before the Altar who held in her arms as lovely an infant at this apparition Caesar affrighted fell on his face at which instant was heard a voice as from Heaven saying This is the Altar of the son of God In which place was after built a Temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary and called Ara Coeli i. The Altar of Heaven This Polycronicon affirms and for the truth thereof citeth Saint Augustine lib. 18. cap. 24. There is little more remembred of her life saving that in her books she prophesied of the comming of the Saviour of the world much after this manner Seven wonders of the world have been proclaimed But yet a greater then these are not named The Egyptians high Pyramides who seem'd To meet the stars a work once much esteem'd The Tower of Pharos The miraculous wall That Babylon begirt The fourth we call Diana's Church in Ephesus Fame sings T' had six and thirty Pillers built by Kings As many Next to these Mausolus Tombe Than which the Earth supporteth on her womb No braver structure Next to these there was The huge Colossus that was cast in brasse Of height incredible whom you may espie Holding a lamp fifty seven cubits high Bestriding an huge river The seventh wonder Was of great love that strikes with trisule thunder His Statue carv'd in Ivory and contriv'd By Phideas the best workman then surviv'd What at these trifles stands the world amaz'd And hath on them with admiration gaz'd Then wonder when the troubled world â— ' appease He shall descend who made them that made these Of these wonders briefly to make her divination the more plaine Of these Pyramides there were divers of which the greatest took up eight acres of ground parted into foure angles each equally distant eight hundred eighty foot and in height twenty five A second foure angles every one containing by even spaces seven hundred thirty and seven foot A third comprehended three hundred sixty three foot betwixt every angle A fourth erected by Rhodope the strumpet the mistresse of Aesop by the monie which she got by her trade Herodotus speaks of a Pyramis made by Cleopys King of Egypt of stones ferch'd from Arabia whose length was five furlongs the breadth ten paces He erected a second more magnificent which was not not finisht in twenty years upon which he spent so much treasure that he was forc'd to prostitute his daughter a most beautifull young virgin to supply his own necessity Pliny reports that in this structure he imploied so many workmen that they eat him 1800. talents in onyons and garlick 2. The Tower of Pharos built by Ptolomaeus in that Isle which served as a lanthorn to direct Navigators by sea in the night he spent upon it 5300. Talents Sostrata was the Architectour as appears by the inscription of his name upon the Cittadell 3. The wals of Babylon were built by Semiâ—amis they were as Hermodorus writes in thicknesse fifty cubits in height two hundred within the compasse of which were an hundred Ports having brazen gates that all mov'd upon hinges they were beautified with three hundred Turrets and Chariots might meet upon the top of them and have free passage without impediment 4. The Temple of Diana of which I have spoken before was in length 425 foot in breadth 220. It was beautified with 127. Columns 5. The tombe of Mausolus built by Artimesia Queen of Caria was in height 25. Cubits it was compast with 36 Columns it contained from the South to the North 33. foot the whole compasse contained 1411. That part which lay towards the East was perfected by Scopas that which was towards the North was ended by Briax that towards the Meridian by Timothaeus that which butted upon the West by Leocares 6. The Colossus of the Sun which bestrid the River Rhodes betwixt whose legs ships without vailing their top-sails came into the harbour was of that vastnesse that a man with his spread arms could not compasse his thumb every finger being as big as a common statue After it had stood six and fifty years it was emolisht by an earthquake The Souldan of Egypt having invaded Rhodes with the broken brasse thereof laded thence 900. Camels The chiefe workman was Chares Lindius the scholler of Licippus 7. The image of Jupiter to which some equall the Pallace of Cyrus King of the Meads built by Memnon the stones of which were cemented together with gold But I leave further to speake of these and proceed to the next Sybill Sybilla Aegyptia SHe was called Agrippa not numbred amongst the ten out hath place among the Twelve she prophesied upon the number of Three and on this manner Sacred's the number Three as Sybils tell Betwixt three brothers the Heaven Sea and Hell Were cast by lot The Earth as all men write In their divisions is called Tripartite Jove three waies striking hath his Trisulc Thunder Neptune's allow'd his Tâ—ident to keep under The mutinous waves Three fatall sisters spin Our thread of life Three Judges punish sin Even monsters are described so Geryon weares Three heads Grim Cerberus as many bears Sphinx hath three shapes of Bird of Beast of Maid All three in wings in feet in face displai'd Chimaera is Triform'd the monstrous creature Scilla 's of dogs fish and a womans feature The Erynnaes Harpyes Gorgons three-fold all The Sybils Trifatidicae we call Divining from the Tripos Orpheus Lyre Sings that 't was made of water earth and fire Three Charites three Fates three Syrens be Number the Muses they are three times three She 's triple Hecat's call'd Diana stil'd Trivia The ground of Musick was compil'd But on three cords at first and still exprest By voice by hand by breath In the Physicks
pickt up the grains and made bare these five letters THEOD by which was signified Theodosius who after succeeded Other predictions were gathered out of the sentences of the Poets but especially out of Homer of the Greeks and Virgil for the Latines Socrates being in prison out of a verse in Homer told to Aeschinus That he should not outlive the third day Alexander Severus thus meaning to calculate what should futurely betide him hapned upon this verse in Virgil Tu regere imperio populos Romane memento And after some few years he attained to the Empire Claudius the Emperor acquiring his own fate the like way hapned upon that in his sixt book of his Aeneid Tertia dum Latio regnantem viderit Aestas Neither did he reign above two years The same Claudius inquiring after his brothers fortunes he light upon that verse which after Gordianus Junior chanced upon Ostendunt terris hunc tantum fata This Gordianus was slain within seventeen daies after he had taken upon him the emperiall purple Claudius Secundus predecessor to the Emperor Aurelian inquiring of the successe of his posterity had the lot of this verse in Virgil His ego nic metas rerum nec nomina pono Whose progeny lasted for a long time after Of this kind there were infinite which I purposely pretermit The â—iâ—hian woman that sate stradling with her legs upon the Tripos received the unclean spirit at the immedest parts of her body from whence she was likewise heard to deliver such answers as were demanded of her with a strange fury and rapture her hair scattered about her ears and foaming at the mouth she delivered her frantick oracles Methodius against Origen writ a book of these mad diviners as Sophranius saith Others there were call'd Ventriloquae so nam'd by S. Augustin because they were heard to speak from their wombs and bellies Tertul. a great author affirms that he hath seen such women that from their immodest parts sitting have uttered such kind of oracles answering in that manner to questions demanded To conclude with these Caelius â—odovicus that lived in the memory of our fathers in his eight book Antiquit. hath left recorded that he hath seen such a woman in Rhodigium a City of Italy from whose secret parts such a voice was often heard which though small and weak yet was altogether intelligible that which she uttered was strange to the hearers but in future things her words were full of vanity and leasings To speak of Fortune-tellers Gypsies Wisewomen and such as pretend to tell of things lost a profession too much suffered as most frequently abusive in this age would but fil much paper and give small or no content at all to the Reader I will therefore shut up all their impostorous lies in one short and known truth A cunning woman that not long since lived about this City whom I forbeare for some reasons to name pretended great skill not only in Palmestry to tell maids how many husbands they should have and young men what wives and how many children legitimate or bastards with such like ridiculous and illusive conjectures but besides this Art she professed the knowledge of things lost and to return any stolne goods to the true owner growing by this so popular that she grew not only in fame but in wealth and of great opinion amongst the vulgar It hapned that in a certaine house a silver spoon being lost and some of the family above the rest suspected about the felony two of the servants knowing themselves innocent to cleer themselves and find out the private thief made a stock betwixt them of ten groats for that was her fee and very early in the morning repaired to this cunning womans house because they would be sure both to take her within and find her at leasure They hapned to come just at the time when she her selfe opening the street door the first thing she cast her eie upon was that some beastly fellow or other had egregiously plaied the sloven just before the threshold of her door at which being exceedingly moved she in her anger thus said Did I but know or could I find out what rascall hath done this I would be revenged on him though it cost me twenty nobles One of the serving men somewhat wiser then his fellow hearing this pluckt him by the elbow and thus whispers to him Thou hearest her talk of twenty nobles but by my consent we will even back again and save our ten groats The other demanding the reason Marry saith he she that cannot tell who hath done that abuse at her door I will never beleeve that she can tell us the party that hath stolne the spoon I would wish that all would take caution from this servant The Hesperides THey were the daughters of Hesperus the brother of Atlas or as some think of Atlas himselfe of which number is Eubulus Chaerecrates derives them from Phorcus and Cetus Their names were Aegle Arethusa and Hesperthusa These kept certaine pleasant and delectable gardens not far from Lyxus a Town in Mauritania in the farthest part of Aethiopia towards the West where all the Country was scorched with the heat of the Sunne and the place almost inhabitable for the multitude of serpents These Gardens were not far distant from Meroe and the red sea where lived the Serpent that kept the golden Apples whom Hercules after slew The keeper of this Dragon was called Ladon the son of Typhon and Echidna whom Apollonius takes to be the Dragon himselfe these Virgins inhabited the remotest parts of the Earth the same where Atlas is said to support the Heavens as Dionysius signifies to us in his book de Situ orbis Sustinet hic Atlas Caelum sic fata jubebunt Vltimus Hesperidum locus est in margine terrae Hic Capite manibus fert vasti pondera mundi Here Atlas doth support the Heaven for so The fates command th' Hesperid's give it name In the Earths utmost margent he we know Bears with his head and hands the worlds vast frame The fame is the mountain Atlas hath round incompast or hedged in this Oâ—chard or Garden because Themis had prophesied to him That in processe of time the son of Jupiter should break through his pale and beare away his golden Apples which after proved true in Hercules These Apples Agretus in rebus Libycis explaineth them to be sheep and because kept by a rude and churlish sheepherd were said to be guarded by a Dragon But Pherecides where he commemorates the Nuptials of Juno affirms that the earth next to the sea in the furthest West brings Apples of the colour of Gold whose opinion Lucan followes With three of these Apples was Atlanta the daughter of Scoeneus vanquisht which Venus gave to Hippomines when she was proposed the reward to the victor and death to him that was overcome but more plainly to reduce these fables to history It is probable that there
mortem somnum divers◠〈◊〉 somnia naâ—os Hos peperit nulli dea nox 〈…〉 marito Night evill fate brought forth black Parcâ— bred With Death and Sleep and divers Dreams beside Of all these sons she was delivered And yet the goddesse never husband tride Cicero in his third book De natura Deorum having numbred all the children oâ— Night derives them also from their father Erebus as may appear in these words Quod si ita est c. If it be so saith he those that are the Parents of heaven should likewise be reckoned in the number of the gods Aether and Dies i. Air and Day with their brothers and sisters by the ancient Geneologists thus nominated Amor Dolus Metus Labor Invidentia Fatum Sinectus Mors Tenebrae Mâ—sâ—ria Querelâ— Gratia Fraus Pertinacia Parcae Hesperides Somnia that is Love Deceit Feare Labour Envy Faâ—â— old Age Death Darknesse Misery Complaint Favor Fraud the Paâ—cae and the Helperides All which are by some imagined to be the children of Nex and Erebus I will only speak a little of two of these as they now lie in my way and that briefly too and because it may perchance be late before I have done with them I will conclude with Night Death and Sleep are brother and sister and both the children of Night Aristo cals Somnus a severe exacter from mankind who as it were viâ—lently snatcheth away the halfe part of our age to bestow on Sleep and therefore by Orpheus he is called the brother of Lethe which insinuates Forgetfulnesse which he most elegantly expresseth in his hymn to Sleep Somne beatorum Rex Rex summe virorum Quem fugiunt curiae c. Sleep of the blest man King and King of men Whom cares still flie and rest imbraceth then Of mischiefes the sole solace and best friend To give them due repose and comfort lâ—nd Who putting on the shape of Death dost give Only by that all creatures means to live Sleep thou hast but two sisters and these are Death and Oblivion both which shorten care Ovid in his Metamorphos for his so many benefits conferred upon Mortals placeth him in the catalogue of the gods The house of Seep the same Poet hath ingeniously described upon whom he confers a thousand children or rather a number not to be numbred nominating only three Morpheus Icelus and Phantâ—sus for sleep it is be moderately used is of all mortall things the sweetest best and most profitable to whom all creatures whatsoever are subject therefore not improperly by Orpheus tearmed the King of men and gods Homer in â—is Iliads makes an elegant expression to shew how wretched their conditions are above other men that are in high and eminent place and office and have predominance over the greatest affairs which he thus introduceth by making all both gods and men asleep at once saving Jupiter which Juno seeing she with great bribes and rewards corrupts Somnus that he would amongst the rest charm the eies of Iupiter which he attempting and the other perceiving the inraged god feeling sleep to steal upon him unawares cast him headlong from heaven into the sea where he had doubtlesse for ever perisht had not Night snatcht up her son and in her darknesse hid him from the wrath of Iupiter But had he been destroied Sleep had been exiled the earth and so all creatures deprived of their quotidian rest From hence likewise may be collected how wretched those sleeping gods are when Iupiter the only wise and potent is ever awake to see provide foresee and gooern by his infinite providence both men and creatures The City of Sleep Lucianus in his second book Verarum Historiaâ—um though tabulously yet hath facundiously described This City saith he is scituate in a most spatious and silent plaine yet round incompast with tall and spreading trees amongst whose leaves the wind only whispers but never robustiously blowes There Poppy growes abundantly Mandragora and all such plants herbs and simples as have the innate vertue to procure and provoke sleep There are multitudes of Bats which flie continually this way and that and betwixt one tree and other great store of Nâ—ght-ravens Owles and Screechowles no bird that is ashamed of day but is here frequently to be found But neither the crowing Cock the chattering Pie the quacking Duck the gagling Goose nor any other fowle either of song or clamor can thither have accesse Fast by this City glides a river with a slow and silent pace making a murmure but no noise rather to rock and â—ull asleep than to waken the water is thick and soft like oile the floods name is Lethe whom others call Nicty porus it flowes from two fountain heads both hid and obscured in places to no man known the one is called Pannychius the other Negreâ—as This City hath two ports or gates one of horn composed with miraculous workmanship in which as in a Table are expressed all such true dreams as exercise the fantasies of men in their depth of rest The other is made of the most purest and most white Ivory in which are carved all sorts of dreams but these as it were artificially shadowed by the pencill but none fully drawn and exprest to the life Within this City wals is a magnificent and spatious structure called the Temple of Night which with all superstitious ceremonies is religiously honoured there is a second instituted to the goddesse Apales and a third to Alethia in both which there are Oracles The sole inhabitants of this place are an infinite company but not a Citizen in shape or favour one like another some are lean lanck and little with crooked legs and hutch-backs rather like monsters then men others are comely well featured tall and proper with cheerfull faces and promising looks some are of a froward and terrible aspect as if they threatned mischiefe and disaster others portly gallant and regally habited and whosoever shall enter the gates of this City some domestick dream or other continually will encouter him and give him a familiar and friendly salute in the shape of some one of these formerly rehearsed relating to him some sad things some pleasant things to minister content or distaste sometimes they whisper truths but that seldome for the greatest part of that multitude are lying and deceitfull because for the most part they speak one thing and intend another and thus far Lucianus of the house of Sleep I had once occasion to write my selfe in this manner Neer to the dark Cimmeâ—ians lies a cave Beneath the foot of a declining hill Deep in the earths warm intrails like a grave Where charming silence makes all husht and still Hither did never piercing Sun-beam crave Admittance nor the voice of hunter shrill Pierce through the crannies of this concave deep Where stands the dull and leaden house of sleep Here the thick vapours from the earth exhal'd Mists all the place about a doubtfull light Begot twixt night and day
and in that darknesse remained for the space of ten years After which time in great melancholly expired he received this comfort from the Oracle which was then in the City Butis That if he washt his eies in the urine of a woman who had been married a full twelve month and in that time had in no waies falsified in her own desires nor derogated from the honour of her husband he should then assuredly receive his sight At which newes being much rejoiced and presuming both of certain and sudden cure he first sent for his wife and Qu. and made proofe of her pore distillation but all in vain he sent next for all the great Ladies of the Court and one after one washt his eies in their water but still they smarted the more yet he saw no whit the better but at length when he was almost in despaire he hapned upon one pure and chast Lady by whose vertue his sight was restored and he plainly cured who after he had better considered with himselfe caused his wife withal those Ladies saving she only by whose temperance and chastity he had reobtained the benefit of the Sun to be assembled into one City pretending there to feast them honourably for joy oâ— his late recovery Who were no sooner assembled at the place called Rubra Gleba apparelled in all their best jewels and chiefest ornaments but commanding the City gates to be shut upon them caused the City to be set on fire and sacrificed all these adulteresses as in one funerall pile reserving only that Lady of whose loialty the Oracle had given sufficient testimony whom he made the partaker of his bed and Kingdome I wish there were not so many in these times whose waters if they were truly cast by the doctors would not rather by their pollution put out the eies quite then with their clearnesse and purity minister to them any help at all Laodice JVstine in his 37. book of History speaks of this Laodice the wife and sister to Mithridates King of Pontus After whose many victories as having overthrown the Scythians and put them to flight those who had before defeated Zopyron a great Captain of Alexanders army which consisted of thirty thousand of his best souldiers the same that overcame Cyrus in battell with an army of two hundred thousand with those that had affronted and beaten King Philip in many oppositions being fortunately and with great happinesse still attended by which he more and more flourisht in power and increased in majestie In this height of fortune as never having known any disaster having bestowed some time in managing the affairs of Pontus and next such places as he occupied in Macedonia he privately then retired himselfe into Asia where he took view of the scituation of those defenced Cities and this without the jealousie or suspition of any From thence he removed himselfe into Bythinia proposing in his own imaginations as if he were already Lord of all After this long retirement he came into his own Kingdome where by reason of his absence it was rumour'd and given out for truth that he was dead At his arrivall he first gave a loving and friendly visitation to his wife and sister Laudice who had not long before in that vacancy brought him a young son But in this great joy and solemnity made for his welcome he was in great danger of poison for Laodice supposing it seems Mithridates to be dead as it before had been reported and therefore safe enough had prostituted her selfe to divers of her servants and subjects and now fearing the discovery of her adultery she thought to shadow a mighty fault with a greater mischiefe and therefore provided this poisoned draught for his welcome But the King having intelligence thereof by one of her handmaids who deceived her in her trust expiated the treason with the blood of all the conspirators I read of another Laodice the wife of Ariarythres the King of Cappadocia who having six hopefull sons by her husband poisoned five of them after she had before given him his last infectious draught the youngest was miraculously preserved from the like fate who after her decease for the people punished her cruelty with death succeeded in the Kingdome It is disputed in the Greek Commentaries by what reason or remedy affection once so devilishly setled in the breast or heart of a woman may be aâ—ered or removed or by what confection adulterous appetite once lodged and kindled in the bosome may be extinguished The Magicians have delivered it to be a thing possible so likewise Cadmus Milesius who amongst other monuments of history writ certain tractates concerning the abolishing of love for so it is remembred by Suidas in his collections And therefore I would invite all women of corrupted breasts to the reading of this briefe discourse following A remarkable example was that of Faustina a noble and illustrious Lady who though she were the daughter of Antonius Pius the Emperor and wife to Marcus Philosophus notwithstanding her fathers majesty and her husbands honour was so besotted upon a Gladiator or common fencer that her affection was almost grown to frensie for which strange disease as strange a remedy was devised The Emperor perceiving this distraction still to grow more and more upon his daughter consulted with the Chaldeans and Mathematicians in so desperate a case what was best to be done after long consideration it was concluded amongst them that there was but only one way left open to her recovery and that was to cause the fencer to be slaine which done to give her a full cup of his luke-warm blood which having drunk off to go instantly to bed to her husband This was accordingly done and she cured of her contagious disease That night was as they sad begot Antoninus Commodus who after succeeded him in the Empire who in his government did so afflict the Common-weal and trouble the Theater with fensing and prizes and many other bloody butcheries that he much better deserved the name of Gladiator then Emperor This that I have related Julius Capitolinus writes to Caesar Dioclesianus Were all our dissolute matrons to be cured by the like Phisick there would no question be amongst men lesse offenders and among women fewer patients that complained of sick stomacks Phaedima CAmbyses having before unnaturally slain his brother Smerdis by the hands of his best trusted friend Praxaspes but after the death of the King for the horridnesse of the fact the Regicide not daring to avouch the deed to the people lest it might prejudice his own safety one Smerdis a Magician whose ears Cambises had before caused to be cut off took this advantage to aspire to the Kingdome and being somewhat like in favour to the murdered Princes who was by the Souldiers generally believed to live it purchased him so many abettors such as were deluded with his impostures that he was generally saluted and crowned Emperor This was
Adulteresse THE King of Scythia observing a man to go still naked whereas the coldnesse of the clime enforceth them to enquire after fables furs and the warmest garments can be found in a violent and continued snow meeting him demanded of him whether he were not cold Of whom the fellow asked another question Whether his forehead were cold or not neither can I be cold O King replied he where custome hath made me all forehead This may aptly allude to many as well in these our daies as the former in whom sin hath begot such a habit that where it once possesseth it selfe it compels all the other powers and affections of the body and mind to become ministers and vassals for sin wheresoever it doth usurp doth tyrannize and as we see the dier when he would stain white cloath and put it into another hew doth it with a small mixture being nothing comparable either in weight or quantity to the stuffe he would have changed so be the mind never so chast or the body of never so white and unblemished a purity yet if the devill once come to put in his ingredients with great facility and easinesse he will change the whole peece into his own colour and complexion and of this we have both daily and lamentable experience and therefore custome is called a second nature for alas how easily we see boldnesse grow to impudence and satiety into surfet This puts me in mind of seven short questions asked of the seven wise men of Greece and by them as briefely answered What 's the best thing in man the mind that 's pure What 's worst A man within himselfe unsure Who 's rich He that nought covets What 's he poor The covetous man that starves amids his store Womans chiefe beauty what Chast life is such Who 's chast She only whom no fame dares touch Who 's wise The man that can but acts no ill The fool That cannot but intends it still They that can contain themselves within these few prescriptions may undoubtedly store up a good name to themselfs and honor to their posterity But what the neglect of those may grow unto I will in some sort illustrate unto you in a modern History lately hapning and in mine own knowledge An ancient Gentleman as well grown in reputation as years and in those parts where he lived having purchased to himself a generall respect for both married a beautifull young Gentlewoman of good parts and parentage But having no issue by her he selected unto his acquaintance a Noble young Gentleman one that had travelled France Italy Spaine and had been at the Sepulchre making that happy use of his travell that he was able to discourse properly and without affectation either of the scituation of Cities oâ— the conditions and customes of people and in oneword to give him his own deserved character there was nothing iâ— him wanting that might become a perfect and a compleat Gentleman This young mans father was a 〈…〉 and familiar neighbour to this old man before spoken of who had observed his modesty and courteous behaviour even from his infancy and therefore was the more affected to his discourse and company his affection grew so far that he purposed to make him a peece of his heire Whilst they continued in this familiarity and the young man still frequented the house theâ—â—â— grew great acquaintance betwixt him and the Gentlewoman No marvell for they had been both play-fellowes and school-fellowes and by reason of their parity in years used through an honest yet a kind of suspected familiarity insomuch that it grew to a calumny still passing from one man to another it arrived 〈◊〉 length to the cars of the young mans father who soâ—ted opportunity to talk with his son demanding of him how that fire was kindled from whence this smoke grew who notwithstanding many protestations of his own innocence in which he derogated nothing from truth was charged by his father to avoid all rumour and aspersion to forbear the occasion and absent himselfe from the house and this he imposed him upon his blessing To this the young man with great modesty assented as unwilling to contradict his fathers counsell as to encrease that injurious suspition concerning the Gentlewomans honor which was undeservedly called in question It is to be understood that many friendly and modest courtesies had past betwixt this young couple insomuch that having all liberty granted both of society and discourse he prest her upon a time so far to know if it should please God to call away her husband being very old and by the course of nature not likely to live long how she purposed to dispose of her selfe To whom she protested that though she wisht her aged husband all along life and happiness yet if it pleased the higher powers to lay the crosse of widdowhood upon her she would if he so pleased confer upon him her youth her fortunes and whatsoever she was endowed with before any man living if it pleased him to accept of them and this she bound with an oath This the Gentleman betwixt honouring and loving her could not chuse but take wondrous kindly at her hands and vowed to her the like The conditions on both sides were accepted only as she had bound her selfe by one oath she imposed upon him another namely that till that time of her widdowhood he should neither associate himselfe privately converse nor contract matrimony with any woman whatsoever These things thus accorded betwixt them yet the fathers conjurations so far prevailed with the sons obedience that notwithstanding many urgent and important messages from the good old man the husband who wondered what distaste might breed his sudden discontinuance as suspecting nothing from either he still excused his absence and forbore the house It hapned that some months after riding to a market Town not far off equally distant betwixt his own fathers house and the old gentlemans to give a meeting to some Gentlemen of the Country by chance he hapned upon a chambermaid that belonged to his betro hed mistreste whom he well knew he saluted her and she him and after some complement past betwixt them he asking how every body did at home and she on the other side wondring at his strangenesse telling him how long he had been expected and how much desired of all the house these things over he entreated her to drink a cup of wine which the maid willingly accepted They being alone and falling into discourse of many old passages well known to them both the young man began to speak how much he respected her mistresse and how deaâ—ly tendred her honour she on the other side began a contrary discourse as that for his own part she knew him to be a noble Gentleman and wel parted one whom her old master affected above al men proceeding that she was not altogether ignorant what
〈◊〉 was the favourite or sweet-heart of Anacrcon the Poet of whom 〈◊〉 de Stellis Amatum à vate Batillum Pictum oculis suscumque coma roseumque labellis The Poet of Batillus was enâ—moured With 〈…〉 brown hair and lips like Roses red By the way Sure there was a great dearth of beauty in those daies amongst women when boies and catamites were so doted on by men Bellerophon was not only affected by Sthenoboea the wife of Pretus King of the Argives but doted on by Vâ—nus Of Castor and Pollux the two faire Tindarides Ovid. lâ—b 6 thus writes At gemini nondum Coelestia sidera fratres Ambo conspiâ—uâ— nive caendidioribus ambo Vectabantur equis The two twin brothers not as yet accounted ' Mongst the coelestiall stars conspicuous both Vpon two steeds whiter then snow were mounted c. The young boy Cestâ—us Martial thus commends Quanta 〈◊〉 est probitas c. How great â—hy honesty thy same as rare O sweet child Cestus thou that mai'st compare With Theâ—eus son did bright Diana see Thee naked once enamoured she would be And ' tice thee to some pleasant rivers brim There strip her selfe and teach thee how to swim Demoâ—les an Athenian youth was of that pulchritude that he was called by all men Pulâ—her Dâ—mocles and that which seldome meets with beauty of that rare temperance that when King Demetrius plucked him to have made him a prostitute to his unlawfull and beastly lusts to shun his embraces he leaped into a caldron of seething hot liquor and there drowned himselfe Plutarch in Demetrio Dâ—adumenuâ— the cup-bearer to Augustus was of that admirable feature that in the contention which was made Elis he carried the palm both from men and women Volaterran For no other causâ— was Gâ—â—ymede said to fill Nectar to Jupiter then for his elegâ—ncy oâ— form Gâ—letes was a youth of that excellent feature and so endeared to Pâ—olomaeus that when divers malefactors and for great crimes were led to execution only at his entreaty he spared their lives Hypoclides the son of Thysander as Herodotus relates was excellent above all the Athenians for wealth and beauty Of Hyas the son of Atlas and Aethra Ovid. 5. de Fast Nondum stabat Atlas humeros oneratus Olympo Cum satus est forma conspiciendus Hias Olympas weight did not as yet Great Atlas back adorn When as the lovely Hyas of Conspicuous shape was born â—ylas the son of Hyadamus was not only endeared to to Hercules but doted on by the nymphs called Driades Iulus the son of Aeneas and Creâ—sa was taken for Cupid the son of Venus Juvenâ—us was the minion of Catullus as Lygurinus was to Hâ—â—ace so likewise Lycus of whom he thus speaks Et Lycum nigris oculis nigroque Crine decorum Lycus rare Both for his black eies and his black sleek hair Some thing more freely he speaks of the Pulchâ—â—tude of Nearchus in Carmâ— and his Odes O Nireus the son of Caropus and Alaga Homer speaks at large as Horace likewise in Carm. and 〈◊〉 Tibullus commends his Marathis Maximinus that his head being m'ngled and bloody yet notwithstanding in death it looked admirable Marcellus the son of 〈◊〉 and Lyriope was so faire that the numphs were surprised with his beauty Eâ—dimion was beloved of the Moon Val Flaccus lib. 8. â—â—tmius Aestiva residâ—t venator in umbra Dâ—gnus amore Dâ—ae The 〈…〉 in the Summer shade Worthy the love of that 〈◊〉 maid In 〈◊〉 was the majestic 〈◊〉 beauty that the wife of King Dâ—â—rius saluted him for Alexander for his exquisite form he was especially beloved of Alexander Virgil commends the shape of 〈◊〉 the son of Nyâ—us So Nysus King of the Megarenses was said to have hairs of gold they were of such splendour Sâ—aâ—ius commends 〈…〉 the son of 〈◊〉 and Atalanta or as some write of Mars and 〈◊〉 Caelius Ovid and others celebrate Phaon the beloved of Sappâ—o the Poetesse for the fairest of the world 〈…〉 who was the familiar of Socrates and Plato was for exquisite shape compelled to be prostituted by the â—aud his Master Of Pyramus Ovid thus speaks Metamorph. lib. 4. Pyramus Thisbe Juvenum Pulcherrimus alter Young Pyranius and Thisbe he Of all the young men fairest And she of all the Eastern world Of lovely girls the rarest c. Spurinae was a youth of such an alluring beauty that when he could neither reserve himselfe from suit of men or importunities of women he deformed his own beauty with scratches and wounds to preserve his own chastity Valer Max. de Verecundis Magnes Smyrnaeus was the most beautifull of his age and so acceptable to Gyges King of Lydia that when his paâ—ents cut off his delicate and faire haire somewhat to takâ— off the Kings affection the King was so incensed that for that cause alone he made warre against the Magnesians Pausan apud Volater The Poet Musaeus celebrates the rare form of Leander a youth of Abidos and beloved of Hero As Virgil doth the like of Lausus the son of 〈…〉 lib. 7 Herodotus speaking of 〈◊〉 saith that he had in his army sixty eighty 〈◊〉 of men yet amongst them all he was the beautifullest of face and tallest of 〈◊〉 I could reckon up others as Pelops Idas Jason 〈…〉 Hymene the least of them a Prince the 〈…〉 or the dearly beloved of some Queen or goddesse This is only to put you in mind O 〈◊〉 That though you have engrossed a great portionâ— beauty yeâ— you are not possest of all since not only men but divers other creatures share with you neither have 〈◊〉 suced these to derâ—gate any thing from your worths only to abate some of that ambition or selfe-love which is commonly attendant upon beauty One thing for your grace I have read in the Spanish Chronicle of an exquisiâ—e 〈…〉 like I did never of any excellent man Queen Iâ—abel the wife of Henry sirnamed the Humble being 〈◊〉 her selfe in her window against which the Sun shined somewhat 〈◊〉 it is credibly reported that the beams of the Sun set her curled locks on fire some held it as a prodigie others alluded it to her miraculous beauty some thoughâ— that one pane or other in the window was of the nature of a burning glasse and that was the cause others imputed it to certain oâ—les and sweet unguents with which the Queens and great Ladies use to dresse their haire howsoever if their Chronicle speak truth most certain it is that her lust made greater combustion in the land then the Sun had power to commit upon her hair I have one thing more to instance to your grace and so I will conclude my discourse An Embassador being to be enterteined in the Court of Queen Elizabeth where the greatest state was still observed he first passed through a lane of the guard in their rich coats next through the Gentlemen Pensioners and so through all the greater Officers the Lords Earls and Councel The Queen sat then in state
they proposed unto us honest rules and examples among which this was one That every man should have inspection into his own and guide himselfe by that compasse I verily beleeve she is matchlesse above all other women and deservedly to merit that character you have given her but withall I beseech you that you will not perswade me to any thing which is not lawfull At these words the King seemed to be displeased and repli'd Be confident O Gygâ—s and neither distrust me in so perswading thee nor my wife who is altogether ignorant of what I intend since from neither of us any damage or detriment no not so much as the least displeasure can arise for first I have devised that she shall not know nor once suspect that thou hast beheld her for I will order it that thou shalt be secretly conveied into the chamber and unseen behold every passage of her making unready and comming to bed Now when thou hast freely surveied her in every part and lineament and spiest her back towards thee convey thy selfe out of the room only in this be carefull that at thy removing she cast no eie upon thee This done the next morning give me thy free and true censure Gyges that could by no means avoid his importunity was prepared against the time The King according to his accustomed hour conveys himselfe into his chambâ—â— and so to bed the Queen soon after entring â—â—poils her selfe of all her 〈◊〉 and ornaments even to her 〈◊〉 all which Gyges was spectator of who no soner spied her back 〈◊〉 to go towards bed but Gyges slips from the place where he was hid which was not so cuâ—â—ingly done â—ut he 〈◊〉 espied by the Queen she demanding the reason of it from her husband and ne certifying the truth but 〈◊〉 what modesty he could excusing it she neither seemed to be angry nor a â—rogether well pleased but in her silence meditated revenge for amongst the Lydians and almost all those barborous nations it is held great incivility and immodesty to behold a man much more a woman naked The next morning by such servants as she best trusted she caused Gyges to be sent for who misdoubting nothing that had past as one that had many times free accesse unto her instantly came she causing her servants to withdraw themselves thus bespake him Two waies are proposed thee O Gyges and one of them instantly and without least premeditation to make choise of Either thou must kill Candaules and that done be possessed of me and with me the Crown of Lydia or instantly die for thy doom is already determined of because thou shalt know that in all things it is not convenient to obey the King or search into that which thou oughtest not to know There is now a necessity that either he that counselled thee to this must perish or thou that obeiedst him against all Law or Justice to behold me against reason or modesty naked Gyges at these words was first wondrously amazed but after recollecting himselfe entreated her not to compell him to so hard an exigent as to the choice of either But finding that necessity that he must be forced to one or the other to kill the King or to be slain by others he rather made choice to survive and let the other perish and thus answered her Since generous Lady you urge me to an enterprize so much opposite to my milder nature and disposition propose some safe course how this may de done Even saith she in the selfe-same place where he devised this mischiefe against himselfe namely his bed-chamber where to thee I was first discovered Therefore providing all things necessary for so determinate a purpose and the night comming on Gyges who knew no evasion but to kill his master or die himselfe awaited his best advantage and having notice when Candaules was asleep followed the Queen into her chamber and with a Ponyard by her provided for the purpose stabbed him to the heart by which he attained both the Queen and Kingdome Of this history Archilochus Parius makes mention in his Iambicks who lived about the same time affirming that Gyges was by the Oracle of Delphos confirmed in the Kingdome after the faction of the Heraclides had opposed his soveraignty Rowan and Estrilda ROwan was a maid of wonderfull beauty and pleasantnesse daughter to Hengest a Captain of the Saxons Of this Lady Vortiger then King grew so enamoured that for her sake he was divorced from his wife by whom he had three sons for which deed the greatest part of the Brittains forsook him therefore he by the instigation of Rowan still caused more and more Saxons to be sent for under pretence to keep the Land in subjection But the Brittains considering the daily repair of the Saxons came to the King and told him the danger that might ensue entreating him whilst it was yet time and to prevent a future miserie to expell them the Land But all in vain for Vortiger was so besotted in the beauty of his fair wife by whose counsell he was altogether swaied that he would in no wife listen to the counsell of his subjects Wherefore they with one united consent deprived him of his Crown and dignity making Vortimerus his eldest son King in his stead Who was no sooner Crowned but with all expedition he raised an army and pursued the Saxons and in four main battels besides conflicts and skirmishes became victorious over them The Saxons and their insolencies thus supprest and the King now governing the Land in peace after he had reigned seven years was by this Rowan in revenge of the disgrace done to her King deposed and her Countrimen disgraced most trecherously poisoned Locrin the eldest son of Brute chased the Huns which invaded the realm of England and so hotly pursued theâ—â— that many of them with their King were drowned in a river which parteth England and Scotland and after the name of the King of the Huns who there perished the river is to this day called Humber This King Locrin had to wife Guendoline a daughter of Corineus Duke of Cornwall by whom he had a son called Madan He kept also a Paramour called the beautifull Lady Estrilda by whom he had a daughter called Sabrina Locrine after the death of Corineus of whom he stood in awe divorced himselfe from his lawfull wife and took to his embraces his fair concubine moved with this injury Guendoline retired her self into Cornwall where she gathered a great power fought with her husband slew him in battell and after caused him to be buried in Troy-novant That done she caused the fair Estrilda with her daughter Sabrina to be drowned in a river that which parts England and Wales which still bears the name of the young Virgin and is called Severn These her designs accomplished for so much as Madan her young son was but in his pupillage and not of capacity or age to govern the Land by the
Theophrasius the Princes of the Philosophers in their age most constantly affirm the transmigration of Witches into Wolves Gasper Peucerus an approved learned man and the Cousen german to Philip Melancthon held these things to be meer fables till by Merchants of worthy reputation and credit he was better informed from certain proofes brought him from Livonia of such that for the same fault were upon their own confessions adjudged to death These and greater are confirmed by Languetus Burgundus Agent for the Duke of Saxonie with the King of France as also by Herodotus Neurios who affirms these conversions and 〈◊〉 shapes to be most frequent in Livonia In the History of 〈◊〉 Tritemius you may read Anno 970. of a Jew called Baranus the son of Simeon who could transform himself into Wolfe at his own pleasure Of the like to these Herodotus Homer Pomponius Mela Solinus Strabo Dionysius Afer 〈◊〉 Virgil Ovid and many others have written long before these times as likewise Epanthes remembred by Pliny and Agrippas in his Olympionicis who speaks of one Demaenetius Parrhasius translated into a Wolfe Or who so would be better confirmed let him read Olaus Magnus of the Nations of Pilapia Narbonia Fincladia and Augermania or else Saxo Grammatius Fincelius and Gulielmus Brabantius And therefore those things are not altogether incredible which Ovid speaks of Lyâ—aâ—n who included much truth in many 〈◊〉 who in his Metamorphosis thus saies Territus ipse fugit noctuque silentia runis Exululat 〈◊〉 que loqui conatur c. Frighted he fliâ—s and having got The silence of the shades Thinking to speak he â—owls and then The neighbour floâ—ks invades So much for monstrous Wolves I come now to meer Witches Saint Augustine in his book de Civitate Dei lib. 18. capâ— 17. and 18. tels of divers hostesses or Inkâ—epers practised in these diabolicall Arts who put such coâ—â—ections into a kind of Cheese they made that all such travellers as guested with them and eat thereof we â—â—presently metamorphosed into labouring beasts as Horses Asses Oxen all which they imploied either in drawing or bearing of burdens or else let them out for Hacknies to gain profit by their hire and when their work was done and they had made of them what benefit they could they restored them to their pristine shape Ranulphus and Gulielmus de Regib lib. 20. relates a History of two such Witches that lived in the road way to Rome A Minstrel or Piper travelling that way tasted of this cheese and was presently changed into an Asse who notwithstanding he had lost his shape still retained his naturall reason and as one Banks here about this City taught his horse to shew tricks by which he got much monie so this Asse being capable of what was taught him and understanding what he was bid to do shewed a thousand severall pleasures almost impossible to be apprehended by any unreasonable creature to all such as came to see him and paid for the sight insomuch that he was sold by these Witches to a neighbour of theirs for a great sum of monie but at the delivery of him saith one of the Witches Take heed neighbor if you mean to have good of your beast that in any case you lead him not through the water The poor transhaped Piper this hearing apprehends that water might be the means to restore him to his former humane figure purposing in himselfe to make proof thereof at his next best opportunity Carefull was the new Merchant of the charge given and watered him still in a pail but would never let him drink from the river but the Master travelling by the way and to ease his beast alighting and leading him in his hand the Asse on the sudden broke his bridle ran out of sight and leaped into the next river he came neer where leaving his saddle and furniture behind he waded out in his own shape the man pursues him with all the speed he can and followes him the way he took the first he meets is the Piper and asks him if he saw not such a kind a beast and describes him to a hair The fellow acknowledgeth himselfe to have been the same Asse he bought of the Witch the Master wondreth and relates this to his Lord his Lord acquaints this novell to Petrus Damianus a man of approved knowledge and wisdome and numbred amongst the greatest scholers of his age he examines the Master the Piper the Witches and such as saw him leap into the river a Beast and return a man and informs Pope Leo the seventh thereof All their examinations and confessions were taken and a disputation of the possibility thereof held in the presence of the Pope before whom the truth thereof was acknowledged and recorded The same History is told by Viacentius in Speculo lib. 3. cap. 109. and Fulgentius lib. 8. cap. 11. We read in Gulielmus Archbishop of Tyrus whom Sprangerus the great Inquisitor cities to the same purpose An English souldier being in Cyprus was by a Witch transformed into an Asse and when all his mates went on Ship-board he following them as loath to lose their fellowship was by his own friends and Country men that gave him lost beaten back with clubs and staves They put to Sea without him he having no other owner returned back to the Witches house that had transhaped him who imploied him in all her drugeries till at length he came into the Church when the Bishop was at divine service and fel on his knees before the Altar and began to use such devout gestures as could not be imagined to proceed from a bruit beast this first bred admiration and then suspition The Witch was called before the Judges examined and convicted after condemned to the stake having before restored him to his former shape after three years transformation Answerable to this we read of Ammonius the Philosopher of the Sect of the Peripatericks who hath left recorded That an Asse came usually into his school at the time of reading and with great attention listned to his Lecture Merchants have delivered that nothing is more frequent in Aegypt then such transhapes insomuch that Bellonius in his observations printed at Lutetia saith That he himselfe in the suburbs of Cair a great City in Aegypt saw a Comedian that desired conference with the Asse that he himselfe rode on who wondering what he then intended gave him liberty of free discourse where they seemed to talke with great familiarity as having been before acquainted where the Asse by his actions and signs seemed to apprehend whatsoever was spoken to him when the one protested with the hand upon his breast the other would strike the ground with his foot and when the man had spoke as if he had told some jeast the Asse would bray aloud as if he had laughed heartily at the conceit appearing to him not only to apprehend and understand whatsoever was spoken but to make answer to such
where she in his presence having annointed her body with a certain unguent from the crown to the heel naked fell into a sodain apoplex appearing to them as dead deprived of all sence or motion but after five hours returning to her selfe as if she awaked out of a dream she related many things done neer and far off in that interim of which sending to know the truth they found her to erre in nothing This was confirmed to Codinus by an Earl of great honour who was then present when this thing was done Olaus Magnus in his History saith That those things are common in the Northern parts of the world and that the friends of those Extasis diligently keep and safeguard their bodies whilst their spirits are abroad either to carry rings tokens or letters to their friends though never so far off and bring them answers back again with infallible tokens of their being there Many I could here produce to the like purpose I will end with Saint Augustine lib. de Civitate Dei 18. who affirms the father of Prestantius hath confest himselfe to have been transported with such extasies that when his spirit hath returned to him again he hath constantly affirmed that he hath been changed into an horse and in the company of others carried provision into the camp when in the mean time his body was known to lie at home in his chamber breathlesse and without moving and this hath reference to Liranthropia i. The changing of men into beasts So much spoken of by the ancient writers and now so frequent in the Orientall parts of the world Some observe as Strangerus Danaeus and others that no Witch can weep or shed a tear Others as the Germans in some parts that a Witch cannot sink nor drown in the water and therefore to trie them being suspected they cast them into moats and rivers They can do nothing in prison neither will they confesse any thing till the devill hath quite forsaken them I mean in his power to help them not in his covenant to enjoy them They are all penurious and needy neither have they the least power of the Judges they have 〈◊〉 to hurt others but none any way to benefit themselves There is not any of them but wears the devils mark about her They never look any man or woman stedfastly in the face but their eies wander of the one side or other but commonly they are dejected downward they answer peâ—tinently to no question demanded them They all desire to see the Judges before they come to their arraigâ—ment being of a confident opinion that if they behold them first the Judges have no power to condemn them but if they be first brought to the place all their Sorceries are vain and of no validity Others are remembred by D. Adamus Martinus Procurator of Laodunum proved upon the famous Witch Beibrana whom he sentenced to the stake But these shall suffice for this present for Calliope now plucks me by the elbow to remember her Explicit lib. Octavus Inscriptus Urania THE NINTH BOOK inscribed CALLIOPE Intreating of Women in generall with the punishments appertaining to the Vitious and rewards due to the Vertuous WHen I enter into a true consideration of how many severall Affections Dispositions Actions and passions in Women I have had occasion to speak of the Good and Bad Famous and Infamous Vertuous and Dishonest Illustrious and Obscure next of all Ages from the Cradle to the Grave the Swathband to the Winding sheet then of all Estates Degrees and Callings from the Empresse in the Court to the Shepherdesse in the Village when I next ponder with my selfe that all these are gathered to the Earth from whence they came and that we who are yet breathing do but hourly tread upon our Graves lingring and prolonging a few uncertain minutes and must necessarily follow and that our lives are but a Circular motion or a Circle drawn by a Compass ending where it first began being but as the wheels of a Clock wound up and as we move in the passage of life like the Hand of a Dyall point first to one hour then a second so to a third still shewing our years in our growth that any man may read what a Clock it is with us by our Age but when the Plummets and Weights have forced our Wheels so often about till there is no more Line left then we cease both motion noise and being Next that all know they must die but none the time when they shal die and that as Seneca in Hercule Furente saith Prima quae vitam dedit hora carpsit i. That the first hour of our life takes an hour from our life These considerations of human frailty as that there is but one Life but many waies to destroy it but one Death but a thousand means to hasten it moves me to perswade all as well men as women young as old noble as base of both Sexes and of what calling or condition soever to arm themselves with constancy to abide it and courage to entertein it For as Ausonius in Perlandri Sententiae saith Mortem optare malum timere peius i. As it is ill to wish death so it is worse to fear it besides as it is base Cowardise dishonourably to shun â—t so it is meer Pusillanimity despairingly to hasten it It is observed such as live best dread it least Let this then perswade you unto Vertue since to the Vicious only it seems terrible why should we fear the Grave since there the modest and chast Virgin lies fearless and secure though by the side of the libidinous Adulterer there the true man may rest and though he have twenty theeves about him sleep soundly and never dream of Robbing there the poor Tenant is not afraid of his oppressing Landlord nor trembles the innocent to lie next the wicked and corrupt Judg the Handmaid is not afrighted with the tongue of her proud and curst Mistresse nor quakes the young scholler at the terrible voice of his Master There is no Brawling but all Peace no Dissention but all Concord Unity and Equality which Propertius in his third book Eleg. 5. elegantly illustrates Haud ullas portabas opes Acherontis ad undas Nudus ad Infernas stulte vehere rates c. No wealth thou canst bear with thee O thou fool All naked thou must passe the Stigian Pool There is no strife in Weapons or in Wits But now the vanquisht with the victor sits The Captive Jugurth hath an equall place With Consul Marius now in eithers face Shines Love and Amity There is no Throne For Lydian Croesus he is now all one With poor Dulichian Irus no regard Of persons there he dies best dies prepar'd Then since all things acquire and pursue their ends that no earthly thing hath been made that shall not be destroied why should we not with as much chear and alacrity welcome our newest and last hour as the Laborer desires to
Lycuâ—gus for Adulterers he mounted him upon an Asse with his face towards the tail which being forced to hold in his hand and putting a Garland of Deâ—ision about his temples commanded him to be led through all the streâ—ts of the City allowing all men and women to speak against him what opprobâ—y they pleased without limitation and do him all outrages that stretched not to destroy his life Thus was the Tyrant conducted along through an implacable multitude enterteined by the way with Clamors Shouts Railings Curses and all manner of Contempts and deâ—isions some spitting others casting soile and durt the women emptying uncleanly vessels upon his head insomuch that no disgrace or abject usage could be devised of which he was not then in some kind sensible This done he was carried to the common place of execution and there like a Felon hanged upon the gallowes Guielo Bituricensis And this which was done to him undoubtedly belongs to all such shamelesse barbarous and bruitish women who with brazen impudence having abandoned all grace and goodnesse expose themselves to the profession of all impurity and abominable dâ—shonesty making their corrupt bodies no better then Sinks of Sins and Spittles of diseases not only pleased in their own ruins without the destruction of others till their souls be as leprous as their infacted Bodies nay more since the Maladies and Aches of the one is but momentary and for them the Grave is a Bed of Rest and Death the Surgeon but the other are permanent and endlesse namely those of the Soul of which Hell is the Prison and the Devil the Tormentor From these greater I now proceed to lesse and though not in that measure yet in some kind punishable O Loquacity and Excesse and how they have been punished BEcause I desire Women to entertein nothing either to the prejudice of themselves or others I could ingeniously wish by taking away the cause to remove the effect and by suppressing the temptation to cut off all occasion that might allure men to offend Two things there are that be great corrupters of Modesty and provokers to Sinne namely Wanton and unbridled Discourse and vain and fantastick prodigality in Attire I will speak a little of the due repâ—ehension belonging unto these ere I begin with others If then the tongue be the Orator of the heart and by our words our minds are especially signified how much care ought women to have what they speak and with what modesty to govern the Oâ—gan of their thoughts since corrupt words arise from corrupt apprehensions and nothing but what is pure and irreprovable should proceed from a heart that is without stain and blemish Besides too much Loquacity I could wish you to forbear with which many of your Sex hath been unsparingly branded Many also have accused you to be so open breasted that you cannot conceal any secret committed unto your trust I advise you to to be counselled by Horace lib 1. Epistol ad Saevam Sed tacitus pasci si posset Corvus haberet Plus dapâ—s rixae multo minus invidiaeque Would the Crow eat in silence and not prate Much better she might feed with much lesse hate It is reported of Theocritus Chius being taken in battell that in the way as the souldiers conducted him with purpose to present him before the King Antigonus they perswaded him when he appeared before the eies of the Conqueror to bear himselfe with all submiss humility and no doubt but he should find the Prince roiall He rather willing to hazard his life then lose his jeast notwithwanding his bonds and captivity thus answered If I cannot be assured of safety till I be brought before the eies of your King Antigonus he having but one eie for he had 〈◊〉 the other in battell what then shall become of me At which words Antigonus being 〈…〉 to be slain who had he kept his tongue might have been sent home safe and ransomlesse Fubgos lib. 8. cap. 1. Plautus in Asinaria thus reproves your verbosity Nam multum loquaces merito habemur omnes Nec mutam profecto repertam ullam esse Hodie dicunt mulierem illo in seculo Great 〈…〉 they say And 〈…〉 found Any that can keep silence but betray Our selves we must and seek the whole world round If then Loquacity be so reprovable in your Sex how ill then would Lies which women term Excuses appear in your mouths For who will believe the chastity of your Lives that finds no truth in your Lips It is reported of two Beggars who watching Epiphanius a zâ—alous and charitable man as he came forth of his gates to gain of him the greater alms the one of them fell prostrate upon the earth and counterfeited himselfe dead whilst the other seemed piteously to lament the death of his companion desiring of Epiphanius something towards his buriall The good man wished rest to the body deceased and drawing out his Purse gave bountifully towards his funerall with these words Take charge of his Corse and cease mourning my son for this body shall not presently rise again and so departed who was no sooner gone but the 〈◊〉 commending his fellow for so cunningly dissembling jogs him on the elbow and bids him rise that they might be gone but he was justly punisht for his dissimulation for he was struck dead by the hand of Heaven which his fellow seeing ran after Epiphamus with all the speed he could make desiring him humbly to 〈◊〉 his companion again to life to whom he answered The judgements of God once past are unchangeable therefore what hath hapned bear with what patience thou canst Zozamenus lib. 7. cap. 6. Therefore Plautus in Meâ—catore thus saith Mihi scelus videtur me parenti proloqui mendacium â— It appears to me 〈◊〉 heinous thing to lie to my father If Lying be so detestable what may we think of Perjury The Indians used to swear by the water Sandaracines a flood so called and who violated that Oath was punished with death or else they were curtailed of their Toes and Fingers In Sardinia was a Water in which if the Perjurer washt his eies he was instantly struck blind but the innocent departed thence purer in his fame and more perfect in his sight 〈◊〉 lib. 5. cap. 10. Miraculous are those ponds in Sicilia called Palici neer to the river Simethus where Truths and Falshoods are strangely distinguished The Oaths of men and women being written in Tables and cast in them the Truths swam above water and the Lies sunk down to the bottom All such as forswore themselves washing in these waters died not long after but others returned thence with more validity and strength The sin of Perjury was hatefull amongst the Aegyptians and the punishment fearfull All Perjureâ—s had their heads cut off as those that had two waies offended in their piety towards the gods and in their faith to men Diodor. Sicul. lib. 2. cap. 2. de rebus antiquis From