loue feare and obay her Highnesse from whome next vnder God thou receiuest such swéete blessinges as through the whole world her excellencie is renowned and thy prosperitie enuied By this noble Gentlemans ciuill intertainment of strangers thou mayste perceyue with what Garland Courtisie is principally crowned By the ciuill behauiours of Soranso Dondolo Bergetto and other Gentlemen herein named thou haste a President of gouernment which will commend thée and by well regarding their spéeches thou shalt finde a discréete methode of talke méete for a Gentleman The lyke benefit shall Gentlewomen receiue in Imitating of Madona Aurelia Quéene of y t Christmas pleasures Maria Belochi Lucia Bella Franceschina Santa and the rest of the wel qualited Gentlewomen Besides a number of other Morall documentes néedefull reprehensions and witty sayinges to perfect the commendation both of a Gentleman and Gentlewomā Courteous Reader thou haste heare the honorable institution of Marriage so perfectly Anatomed as a verye weake Iudgement may sée the causes which make Houshould quarrelles to resemble Hell Againe the mā which is willing to liue happily may here learne such directions and lawes as will chaunge his priuate house into a Paradice on earth If ciuill and Morall pleasures withall these benefites may make thée intertaine thys booke and report well of the Aucthor I assure thée thou shalt be pleased and I satisfied But if thou makest thy tongue enemie to thy owne reputation thou mayest detract but not reproche the worke Iniure but not hurt the writer for both will liue and laugh such Callumniators to scorne when either are readie to doe the discrete Reader seruice Some will perchaunce more of enuie to heare a stranger commended then of pittie to bemone my hard fortune or fowle vsage say I haue as iust cause to complaine of iniuries receiued at Roane Rome and Naples as to commend the vertues and good intertainment of Signior Philoxenus But to giue such Suggestioners a double good example both of patience and thankefulnesse I heare protest that as these iniuries begunne with my hard fortune so they ended no wayes in my discredite And as I forgeue the causes of my mishaps so scorne I to recount them to receiue amendes in a little pittie But for that they and all such as vew my Report may learne of me to bee gratefull for receiued benefites I make it knowen That this trauell is Segnior Philoxenus due And I still his debter and so shall remayne during my life reseruing a good affection to bestow on such as receiue his Uertues and my paynes to profite and cōmend them selues And in my opinion it is iust they doe so Wherfore to giue a disgrace to ceremonies gentle Reader I ende as I hope to finde thée mine Thine assured friend George Whetston T. W. Esquier In the commendation of the Aucthor and his needefull BOOKE EUen as the fruictfull Bee doth from a thousand Flowers Swéet Honie draine layes it vp to make the profit ours So Morall Whetstone to his Countrey doth impart A Worke of worth culd frō y t wise w t Iudgemēt wit art No Stage Toy he sets foorth or thundring of an Hoast But his rare Muse a passage makes twixt burnyng fier frost Suche Uertues as beséeme the worthy Gentles breast In proper colours he doth blaze by followyng of the best The Uertue is but rare and Uice not yet in vse That modestly he not commends or mildely shewes th'abuse Such matter in good wordes these few leaues doo reueale Unforst or strainde as y t it séemes a naturall common weale Of forced Marriage he dooth shew the foule euent When Parents ioyne the Childrens hands before their harts And how these fortunes eke in wedlock séeldom proue consēt Vnequall choice in birth in yéeres and Childrens hasty loue Yet he with learned prooffes this sacred state dooth raise As it deserues aboue the Skies in wordes of modest praise More euery Page héere dooth present the Readers eyes With such regardes as help the weake doo confirme y e wise Which néedelesse were to blase in prayses to allure The holy Bush may wel be sparde where as the Wine is pure Verses translated out of Latine and deliuered by VRANIE with a Siluer Pen to ISMARITO in a Deuice contayned in the seuenth daies Exercise placed in this Forefront for the excellencie of PANDORA THe mighty IOVE beholding from aboue The mistes of sinne which from the earth arose In angry moode sent IRIS downe to mooue Throughout the worlde the exercise of foes With vengeance armde who poured downe her Ire And with debates set Monarchies a fyre Whole Countries burnde did dim the Sun with smoke The Cannon noyse the Ayre with Thunder rent The wounded men with shrikes the Heauens shoke The Temples spoyld the'Townes to ruine went Vnwillyng yet to worke the worlds decay IOVE CYLLEN sent in part his wrath to staye Who hastes his charge with winges as swift as winde But comming to the Region next the grounde He could no way for clowdie darknes finde And fearing in the Ocean to be drownde He houered till in fine he did espie A PHAROS light which was a PHENIX eye Led by this Starre amaine he commeth downe And footing sets vppon a fruitfull Ile Where liu'd a Queene crownd with the worlds renowne Vpon whose rule Grace Peace and Wealth did smyle Her Senate graue her Citties Mansions weare For such as fled for persecutions feare To whom he gaue the tokens that were sent Faire PALLAS forme and VENVS louely face Sweete PITHOS tongue and DIANS chaste consent And of these giftes PANDORA nam'd her Grace And ioynes with all IOVES blessings to the same To make her liue in euerlasting fame These monsters fell which publike order breake Dissention Wrath and Tiranny he bounde This office done he thought as IOVE would leake To Heauen he hyes and blessed leaues the grounde Where this good Queene and Subiects quiet lyue When ciuill warres her neighbor kingdomes greeue Euen this is she whose sacred fame is knowne Through out the worlde in Enuie Feare and Loue Enui'd because she raignes in peace alone Feared in that she shielded is by IOVE Lou'd for desarte whose vertues shine as bright As twincking Stars do in the frome night This Siluer Pen meete for a Virgins praise VRANIE heere doth ISMARITO giue With charmed charge this Queenes renowne to raise As she in spight of Death and Time may liue Which right is hers the labour is but thine Then Iudging write as she may seeme deuyne Vaticinium VRANIES A breefe Summarie of the principall Argumentes handled in these seuen Dayes Pleasures 1 OF the difference betweene the Married state and the single lyfe 2 Of the inconueniences of forced Marriages 3 Of the inconueniences of rash Marriages 4 Of diuers speciall poyntes concerning Marriage in generall 5 Of the inconueniences of ouer loftye and too base Loue in the choyce of either Husband or Wyfe 6 Of the inconueniences of Marriages where there are inequalytie of yeares
Satutes are broken The Gentlewomen wist not what to say to Fabririos bitterswéete commendation of Marriage vntyll Bargetto quickned their tongues by this pleasaunt suggestion If quoth he Platoes opinion be lawe by the same reason women are either Angells or Deuills And why not men as well as women quoth Isabella whose disposition beareth the greatest swaye in this vocation I will showe you a reason quoth Doctor Mossenigo men with a meane canne temper their passions when a woman hath no measure in her loue nor mercye in her hate no rule in her pittie nor pietie in her reuenge no Iudgement to speake nor patience to dissemble and therfore she is lykened vnto the Sea whych one whyle is so mylde as a small Gundelo indureth her might and anon with outrage she ouer whelmeth the taullest shippe Ah Master Doctor quoth Katharina Trista I feare me you are so learned as like the Hyen you change your self sometimes into the shape of a woman but yet of this malitious purpose to learn their dispositions only to reproch their kinde but had any of vs the cunning to become a man but a while I imagine we should euer after loue the better to be a woman You haue rather cause quoth Dondolo to let Mayster Doctor kisse your hand for commeÌ„ding your kynde then to blame him by a surmise of iniurye offered vnto women for if there be a few good they couer y e faults of a nuÌ„ber that are euill as a litle golde guildeth a great quantitie of iron and for any-thing he sayde you haue as generall an interest in vertue as in vice Yea but ê™ Quéene Aurelia he is to be blamed for his intent which was euyll deserueth not to be praysed for the good which came of it which was our meryt Madame ê™ the Doctor so much greater is the good you receiue by my Trespasse as therby you are honoured with the vertue to forgiue Yea but quoth she remission is to be vsed in ignorant offences and not in wilfull My Habit quoth he is a testionie that I spake not of mallice So much ê™ she y e greater is your fault in that it procéeded vpon pleasure and where you thinke to priuiledge your selfe by your Habyt for Example sake you shall at open Supper bothe renounce your Heresie and make satisfaction or abide the IudgemeÌ„t of these GentlewomeÌ„ If there be no remedie ê™ he I must obay The Doctor thus taken tardie gaue occasion of laughter vnto the whole company Which blowne ouer ê™ Soranso we haue trauailed this day to an vnfortunate ende for that now towardes night we are entred into an open Champion wheare we finde many broade wayes to Hell but one crosse Path to Heauen Well ê™ Quéene Aurelia we wyll take other tymes to beate out the true passage And least we be lated wée wyll no further too daye Whervpon after a Courtly reuerence don Quéene Aurelia with her Attendantes shewed her selfe in y e great Chamber where she might repose her minde w t the choice of sundrie pleasures For his or her disposition was very strange that in that company could not finde both a Companion and sport that pleased his humour FINIS The first Nights Pastime AMong wise men these Orders haue euermore ben obserued or allowed In the Church to be deuoute in place of Iustice to be graue at home to be affable at meales to be mery for in the Churche we talke with God who séeth our hartes and hateth Hypocrysie in Iustice we sitt to chasten light demeanours then great were the shame that our countenaunces shuld condempne our selues At home we rule and commaunde then were it Tyranny to vse seuerytie there where is no resistaunce At meales to bee merrie disgesteth meate and refresheth the witte then is he an enemy vnto himselfe that contemneth the rule of health the helper of knowledge Howsoeuer the thrée first preceptes were obserued Segnior Philoxenus and his honourable guestes duly executed the last who in the midst of supper hearinge of Doctor mossenigos pennaunce hasted the execution The Doctor séeing there was no remedie openly confessed that hee had praysed women against his wyll for which he was condemned to singe Ab re nuntio and to make satisfaction by some other meanes And as hee thought the contrarie was the amends of euerie trespas and therfore where as he had praysed them against his will hée was ready to dispraise them with his will Quéene Aurelia woulde haue taken exceptions to these wordes but that the company cryed The Doctor speaks Law which shee coulde not with Iustice violate whervpon Mossenigo reported as followeth ¶ DOCTOR MOSSENIGO HIS Satisfaction for praysing women against his will IN the famous Citie of Viena in Austria somtimes dwelled a simple Sadler named Borrihauder who was married to an olde crabbed shrew called Ophella the agréement of this couple was so notable as the Emperour Charles the fift commaunded his Paynter Parmenio to draw their counterfeats as a Monument of fury Parmenio commyng to doe the Emperours commanndement found Borrihauder wéeping with the agony of his wiues stripes and Ophellas chéeks as red as fire with the heate of her tonge whiche straunge sight chaunged his determination into a pleasaunt conceit and in place of their Counterfets in a fayre table he drew an Element troubled with lightnyng and vnderwrit Ophella and in another Table fastened to the same he likewise drew an Element darkned with rayne and vnder wright Borihauder Parmenio presented this trauel vnto the Emperour The Emperour séeing the two names and not the shape of those hee commaunded to be drawne demaunded the Paynters meanyng héerein who pleasantly aunswered that he could not take the view of Ophellas face for feare of being fyered with the lightning of her tonge and that Borihauder was drowned with teares which as showers of Raine folowed the thunder claps of his wiues Fistes But in good time had she died this Demideuill Orphella fel so extremely sick as in euery mans iudgement it was néedefull to giue Phisick to her soule but bootelesse to bestow any of her body Borihauder séeing her as he thought at a good passe was so accustomed to sorrow as hee determined to toule her passing bel with this counterfet mone Ah deare God ê™ he how vnhappy am I to lose my louing wife my good wyfe my swéet wife O how happy were I that as we haue lyued together that we might nowe dye together This pittyous sound of her husband so melted the dying harte of Ophella that lyke a Candle consumed that leaueth a little smoke in the wéeke she lay both spéech les senceles saue that the panges of death sometymes threwe a weake breath out of her mouthe but lyke vnto wilde fire that burneth in water the Corsiue that would haue killed the deuill in her case recouered her to health which was her husband out of feare of her
shée bée gyrt with a Sword And this priueledge shée giueth vnto her Administrators that they shall mitigate the seueretie of the Law according to y e quallyty of the offence Then that Iustice bée not robbed of her gratious pitty listen Good Lorde Promos to the nature of my Brothers offence and his able meanes to repayre the iniurie Hée hath defyled no Nuptiall Bed the stayne wherof dishonoureth the guyâ—…lesse Husband Hée hath committed no violent Rape In which Act the iniuried Mayde can haue no amends But with yéelding consent of his Mistresse Andrugio hath onlye sinned through Loue and neuer ment but with Marriage to make amendes I humbly beséeche you to accept his satisfaction and by this Example you shall be as much beloued for your clemencye as feared for your seueritie Andrugio shalbe well warned and hée with his Sister wofull Cassandra shall euer remayne your Lordships true Seruantes Promos eares were not so attentiue to heare Cassandras ruethful tale as his eyes were settled to regarde her excellent Beautie And Loue that was the appoincted Headsman of Andrugio became now the Soueraigne of his Iudges thought But because he would séeme to bridle his passions he aunswered fayre Damsell haue patience you importune me with an impossybylytie he is condempned by Lawe then without iniurie to Lawe he can not be saued Princes and their Deputies Prerogatiues quoth she are aboue y e Lawe Besides Lawe truelie construed is but the amends of Iniurie and where the faulte may bee valued and amendes had the Breache of Lawe is sufficiently repayred â—…uoth Lorde Promos your passions mooueth more then your proofes and for your sake I wyll repriue Andrugio and studie how to do you ease without apparant breache of Lawe Cassandra recomforted with humble thankes receyued his fauoure and in great haste goeth too participate this hope with her dying Brother But oh that Aucthorytie should haue power to make the vertuous to 〈◊〉 amisse as well as throughe Correction to enforce the vicious to fall vnto goodnesse Promos is a witnes of this Priuiledge who not able to subdue his incontinent loue and withal resolued that Cassandra would neuer be ouer come with fayre wordes large promises or riche rewardes demaunded the spoyle of her Uirginitie for raunsome of her Brothers lybertie Cassandra ymagyned at the first that Lorde Promos vsed this speache but to trie her behauiour Aunswered hym so wisely as if he had not ben the Ryuall of Uertue he could not but haue suppressed his lewve Affection and haue subscribed to her iust petition But to leaue circumstaunces Promos was fiered with a vicious desyre which must be quenched with Cassandraes yeldyng loue or Andrugio must dye Cassandra mooued with a chaste disdayne departed with the resolution rather to dye her selfe then to stayne her honour And with this heauie newes gréeted her condemned Brother poore man alas what should he do Life was swéete but to be redéemed with his Sisters Infamie could not but be alwayes vnsauerie To perswade her to consente was vnnaturall too yealde to Death was more gréenous To choose the leaste of these euylles was difficult to studie long was daungerous Fayne would he lyue but Shame cloased his mouth when he attempted to perswade his Sister But Necessytie that maistereth both Shame feare brake a passadge for his imprysoned intent Swéete Cassandra quoth he that men loue is vsuall but to subdue Affection is impossyble and so thornie are the motions of incontinent Desire as to finde ease the tongue is only occupied to perswade The Purse is euer open to entice and wheare neither words nor Giftes can corrupt with the mightie force shall constrayne or dispight auenge That Promos do loue is but iust thy Beautie commaundes hym That Promos be refused is more iust because Consent is thy Shame Thou maiste refuse and lyue but he beynge reiected I die For wantyng his wyll in thée he wyll wreake his téene on mée This is my hard estate My lyfe lieth in thy Infamie and thy honour in my death Which of these euylles be leaste I leaue for thée to iudge The wofull Cassandra answered that Death was the leaste whose Darte we can not shunne when Honour in Deathes dispight outlyueth tyme. It is true quoth Andrugio but thy Trespasse wyll be in the leaste degrée of blame For in forced Faultes Iustice sayth there is no intent of euyll Oh Andrugio quoth she Intent is now adayes lytle considred thou art not coÌ„demned by the intent but by the strickt worde of the Law so shall my crime bée reproched and the forced cause passe vnexcused and such is y t venome of Enuye one euill déede shall disgrace ten good turnes and in this yéelding so shall I be valued Enuye Disdaine Spight Mallice Sclaunder and many moe furies will endeuour to shame mée and the meanest vertue â—…uyll blush to help to support my honour so that I sée no lybertie for thée but Drath nor no ease for mée but to hasten my ende O yes quoth Andrugio for if this offence be known thy fame will bée enlarged because it will lykewise bée knowne that thou receauedst dishonor to giue thy Brother lyfe If it be secreat thy Conscience wyl be without scruple of guiltinesse Thus knowne or vnknowne thou shalt be deflowred but not dishonested and for amends wée both shall lyue This further hope remaineth that as the Gilliflower both pleaseth the eye and feedeth the sence euen so the vertue of thy chast behauiour may so grace thy bewty as Promos silthie lust may bee turned into faithfull loue and so moue him to salue thy honour in making thée hys wife Or for conscience forbeare to doe so heynous an iniurie Soueraigne Maddame and you faire Gentlewomen quoth Isabella I intreate you in Cassandras behalfe these reasons well wayed to iudge her yéelding a constrainte and no consent who werie of her owne life and tender ouer her brothers with the teares of her louely eyes bathed his Chéekes with this comfortable sentence Lyue Andrugio and make much of this kisse which breatheth my honour into thy bowels and draweth the infamie of thy first trespasse into my bosome The sharpe incounters betwéene life and death so occupied Andrugio sences that his tongue had not the vertue to bid her fare well To greeue you with the hearing of Cassandras secreate plaints were an iniurie vertuous Ladies for they concluded with their good fortune and euerlasting fame But for that her offence grew neyther of frayltie frée wyl or any motion of a Woman but by y e méere inforcement of a man because she would not staine the modest wéedes of her kynde shee attired her selfe in the habit of a Page and with the bashfull grace of a pure Virgin shee presented wicked Promos Andrugioes precious ransome This Deuill in humaine shape more vicious then Hyliogabalus of Rome and withall as cruell as Denis
the better parte of my selfe How wonderfullie was the Loue of Paulina sage Senecaes Wife who opened her Uaines not onely with an intent to accompanie him to death but also with a desire to féele her Husbandes maner of deathe Quintus Curtius resiteth that Kyng Darius with an vnapauled Spirit tooke his Ouerthrowes by Alexander the Great the ruine of his kingdome and the daunger of his royall parson But hauing knowledge of his wiues death he wept bitterly shewing by this sorrow that he lâ—… his Quéene farre abone his Crowne King Admetus being sore sicke receiued this answer from the Oracle that if he liued his best friend must dye which when the good Quéene heard shee presently slewe her selfe and in the trembling passage of Death constantly saide To giue King Admetus lyfe his Queene and dearest friende dooth die Tiberius Graccus finding two Serpents in his chamber went to the Angurers to know what they deuyned who answered that he was bound to kill the one of these two Serpents if hée slew the Male he should die himselfe if hée killed the Female he should lose his wife who murtherer of himselfe slew the Male and saued his wife and so by his rare loue raised a question whether his Wyfe were more fortunate in hauinge suche a Husbande or vnhappye in loosing of him One of the seuen wonders of the worlde is an eternall testimonie of the loue whiche Quéene Artemesia bare to her Husbande Mausolus who for to engraue his dead coarse erected a Sepulchre so â—…oy all and sumptuous as tooke away the glorie of all princely Tumbes before her time and lefte no possibilitie for any in time to come to excel the same but holding this too bace a Mansion for his Kingly hart she dried the same to powder spising her wine there with she buryed it in her owne bowels and to crowne his fame with an euerlasting memorie for that the ruine of his Sepulcher was subiect to the iniurie of time with great rewardes she incouraged Theopompus Teodectes Naucrites Isocrates foure of the most famous Orators of Greece to renowne his vertues Amonge whom Theopompus as we read receiued the triumph of victorie in that learned skirmish I coulde reporte manye other Authoryties of vnseperable Loue betwéene the Married the least of a hundred whereof would equall the friendshippes of TITVS and GISIPPVS Or of DAMON and PITHIAS the two woonders of mens affections But for that I know the able wittes héere present can cloth my naked prooffes of the excellencie of Marriage and of the deuyne Loue betwéene the Marryed with manye other sounde reasons I wil giue place Madam that you and the rest of your Ingenious Companie may doo better seruice to the one and Iustice to the other desiring that that which to saide may discharge my premisse though not sattisfy your expectation Sir quoth Quéene Aurelia if you giue vs good lawes to preserue Loue amonge the married as you haue with precious authorities set forth the excellencie of Mariage the deuine operations of her blessings w t a ful performaÌ„ce of your promisse you shal binde vs al to be your Debters Madame quoth Phyloxenus you set me to a verie hard taske the Rose is Hostesse as well for the Butterflie as the Bée the Sunne shineth both vpon the good and bad yea Christe him selfe was aswell Maister to a Théefe as to a true Disciple Euen so diuine Mariage can not haue but some Deuillysh Subiectes whome Examples wil not feare much lesse may Lawes kéepe in vnitie I graunt quoth Quéene Aurelia the euyll are fearelesse of the Lawe vntyll they be scourged with the vengeaunce therof but the good embrace Lawes as their Directors in Uertue Defenders from daunger for whose Benefite I intreate you now with as large a power as I lately commaunded you that in this behalfe you wyl commyt some counsaylyng Lawes to our attentiue Memories Madame quoth Segnior Phyloxenus to showe that your Uertues haue as great power to commaund me as your Aucthorytie to enioyne mée I wyll set downe my owne Imagynations to preserue and multiplye Loue peace wealthe and Ioye among the Maried leauyng the same to be pefected by the hearers better Iudgementes Householde Lawes to keepe the Maryed in Loue Peace and Amytie Reported by Segnior Phyloxenus THE Satisfaction of Fancie is the Sowrce of Ioye in Maryage But there be many meanes too damne vp the Course of Delight betwéene the Maried if the Match be not made aswell by foresight as frée choyce The Office of Foresight is to preuent folowyng Mischaunces and aduisedly to consider if present Abylytie wyll support an Househoulde and according to their callyng leaue a Portion to their Posterytie In this point the experyence of the Parents is to be prefeâ—…red 〈◊〉 the rashe imaginations of the sonne for the aged Married by proofe know that in time many accidents of mischaunce will hinder the indeuours of the best husbands The office of foresight is likewise to consider of the equallitie in yeares least the one growing and the other declining in perfection after a while repent when remedie comes too late the Rose full blowne séemeth fayre for a time but withereth much sooner then the tender Bud. It is the office of foresight to consider of the equallitie of bringing vp least a diuersity in manners betwéene the married make a deuision of desires for Spannyels and Curres hardly liue together without snarling And it is the office of foresight to sée that there be a consent in Religion betwéene the marryed for if theyr loue be not grafted in theyr soules it is like theyr Marriage will be infyrmed with the defects of the body The office of Free choise is the roote or foundation of Marriage which consisteth onely in the satisfaction of fancie for where the fancie is not pleased all the perfections of the world cannot force looue and where the fancie delighteth many defects are perfected or tollerated among the Marryed When Marriage is solemnized there are many things to be obserued one the parte bothe of the husband and the Wife The Husband is to consider his house is a petty Common wealth whereof himselfe is chéefe and his Seruaunts Subiects therefore for the welfare bothe of himselfe and householde it is néedefull that he set downe such â—…rders as God may be gloryfied himselfe profitably serued the good seruaunt well rewarded the euill chastened and the neighbour pleased And as it is the Husbands office to set downe these orders so it is the Wiues dutie to sée them executed The charge of the Husband is to get abroade for the prouision of his householde and the Wife is bounde to spare at home towards the maintenance of her children The office of the Husband is to sée his ground Tilled his Cattell cherished his fences sound his labourers worke and their wages paide The dutie of the wife is to sée her
barbarous people that euer lyued by the Impression of Nature Mariage hath euermore ben reuerenced and honoured Muche more ciuill people ought to affecte this holy estate And where Ismarito attributes suche Glorie vnto a Single lyfe because that Daphne was metamorphosed into a Bay Trée whose Branches are alwayes gréene In my opnion his reason is fayre lyke the Bay Trée for the Bay Trée is barren of pleasant fruict his plesing words of weighty matter Furthermore what remembrance is theare of faire Sirinx coynesse refusing to be God Pans wife other then that she was metamorphosed into a fewe vnprofitable Réedes Or of Anaxaretes chaste crueltie towardes Iphis ouer then that she remaineth an Image of Stone in Samarin Many other suche lyke naked Monumentes remayne of nice contempners of Marriage But in the behalf of Mariage thousaÌ„ds haue ben changed into Olyue Pomegranate Mulberie and other fruictfull-trées swéete flowers Starres and precious Stones by whom the worlde is beautified directed and noorished In many well gouerned commen wealths Sterylitie hath ben reputed so vile as the Aged was of no man honoured y e had not childreÌ„ of his own to do him reuerence Then by how much those thinges which noorish with increase are more necessarie then those things which but simply please the eye by so muche the marryed is more worthy then the single lyfe Sir quoth Ismarito it séemeth that you haue read a Leafe more then Sainct Katherynes Nun for she simply tried all thinges and you subtilly vse but what serueth your owne tourne you reproach a Single lyfe with Barrennesse commend the fertilytie of Mariage But had you showen the wéedes with y e Corne bare pasture wold haue retourned as great a benefit as your haruest The Monsters Serpents and loathsome Creatures mentioned by Ouide in his Metamorphosis were they not I praye you the fruicts of Marriage as wel as the blessings whiche you so affectedlye reported Oedippus was glad to scratch out his eyes because he could not indure to behold the vices of his Children The good Emperour Marcus Aurelius in his aged daies neuer rose that he sighthed not neuer dyned that he fretted not nor neuer went to bedd that he wéeped not to heare sée and consider the mounstrous euylls of his Children Admit the Married haue vertuous Children they may dye when they are yonge then the goodnesse of their lyues increaseth sorrowes by their deathes and where the comfort is so doubtfull it is not amisse to refuse the hazard of the gréefe neither dyeth there any of Dianas band but that their vertues reuiueth them as the ashes of the Phenix tourneth into an other Phenix It is for some Phenix sake quoth Quéene Aurelia that you thus stoutly defend a Single lyfe I doo but your commaundement quoth Ismarito You quoth shée it is at my commaundement but yet for some others merit Alvisa vechio fearing that Marriage wold receiue som disgrace if that Quéene Aurelia fauoured the Defence of a Single lyfe could not longer suppresse her affections but with a womans Impatiencie blamed the rigour of Diana who condeÌ„pned Acteon to be deuoured of his own Howndes who caused swéete Addonis to be slayne by a wylde Boare with many other cruell partes vnséemyng the naturall pittie of a woman but which might haue saued a great deale of Argument or at the least which wyll now soone ende the Controuersie compare ê™ she Iuno and Diana together and by their callings you may easely iudge who is the worthyer Diana poore soule is but a Goddesse here on earth and Iuno is Quéene of Heauen Dianaes force is in her Bow and Arrowes Iuno bestoweth Thunderbolts vpon her enemies Diana is attyred with gréene leaues and Iuno with glorious Starres Diana féedeth on rawe Fruictes and drinketh cold water Iunoes Feastes are of Manna and her Bowles are fild with Nectar Dianes Musick is no better then the voyces of a fewe Nymphes Iuno is recreated with the Harmonie of Angelles Dianaes pastime is a foote to chace the fearefull Roe where Iuno in Phaetons wynged Chariot pursueth a thousand seueral pleasures then by how much the pompe of Iuno excéedeth the naked Triumphes of Diana by so much Mariage must néedes be more worthye then the Single lyfe Lucia Bella that shuld haue answered Alvisa Vechio not vnlyke the Marygoulde that cloaseth her Beautie when Phebus is attyred with his brightest Rayes so admyred the glory of Iuno y t as an inchaunted creature her tongue forgot her naturall office the reason was her hart was sodenly surprised with an ambitious desire of honor Which change Ismarito perceyued with the first and least her scilence shuld conclude a yealding Al is not gold ê™ he that glistereth nor euery thyng counterfet that is not curiously garnished a smyling countenance is no full testimonie of a merie hart nor costly Garments of a rich Purse And perchance the griefe of Iunoes secret discontentmentes is greatter then the delight of her gloryous pompe where Diana who as a Diamond in the darcke shineth of her selfe needeth not the Ornaments of Iuno And as shée is symplye of a pure substaunce so her thoughtes must needes be swéete and quiet Sir ê™ Maria Belochy our soundest iudgements are of those things that we our selues sée therfore if the apparaunce of Mariage be worthier then the apparaunce of the single lyfe if sentence be truely pronounced it must be in the behalfe of Iuno Quéene Aurelia perceyuing the increase of Ismaritos aduersaries for who can stop a streame measure the fire weygh the winde or hynder Fancyes passage and withall considering how that the controuercy was sufficiently debated commaunded the contenders to kéepe scilence and referred y e qustioÌ„ to be Iudged by Fabritio Isabella Who hauing aduisedly considered the reasons on both sydes agréed that a single chast lyfe pleased God because Chastitie is pure and also delighteth man because shée quieteth the mynde but a chast marryed lyfe bothe pleaseth and honoureth God because Marriage howrely presenteth the world with the Image of himselfe pleaseth and profiteth man because she giueth him a companyon by affection chaunged into his owne disposition of whom he hath children who in dispight of death preserueth him alyue And therefore the sentence of them both was pronounsed by Fabritio in the behalfe of Marriage who with all enlarged her prayses with the reporte of many swéet Blessinges whiche shée liberallye bestoweth vppon her Subiectes But least the company should haue ben fyred with too hasty a desyre of Marriage he cooled theyr affections with such caueats as they that had their voyces ready tuned to synge the prayses of God Himen were of the suddayne as mute as a fishe by reason whereof Fabritio had free passage for his counsellinge reporte who after many wordes to either purpose deliuered concluded with the opinion of Plato That Marriage was a Parradice on earth if her Lawes be obserued and a Hell in the House where her
Well quoth Soranso though your Metamorphos bee vnlykly yet is it not vnnecessarilye applyed For for the most part those which are forced to Mariage agrée little better then Uipers But it séemeth to mée Segnior Faliero you haue too fauourably reported this Historie in Elysaes behalfe considering the mortal venyme she tempered in her harte O quoth Faliero longe fowle wayes both tyreth the Horse and wearieth his Ryder where both the one and the other ouercommeth the length of fayre passages with pleasure Euen so in a ruthfull Historie ouer plentie of wordes both gréeueth the reporter and giueth means for a thousande sighes to breake from the hearer where affected circumstances giue a grace to a pleasant tale Sorow to heare their kinde thus stayned with crueltye locked vp the tonges of the poore GentlewomeÌ„ a pretie while In the end ê™ Aluisa Vechio a dame more olde bold then the rest meséemeth that Faliero hath but little fauored Elysa for he hath showen her euill and the scourge of her euill and in charitie he was bounde to shewe the cause of her euill I would quoth Doctour Mossenigo that Frier Bugiardo had hearde this disputation it might haue ben the breaking downe of the Altar wherevpon he but lately committed blasphemie woulde haue more reformed him then his pleasing Sermon could haue confirmed vs. These aduantages the Doctor tooke to crosse the Gentlewomen his late open enemies and but nowe his fained friendes not vnlike a sneaking dog that neuer barkes but bites withall And to spite them the more quoth hee Monsier Bergetto since your are bound from speaking of loue you haue both cause and oportunitie to talke of womens hate Pardon me quoth Bergetto for this penance was but a due payne for my presumption which I hope to ouercome with patient suffering and sure in this milde aunswere Bergetto shewed a moral vertue and Doctor Mossenigo by his malicious question a canckred nature for simplie to offend procéedeth of frailtie but to perceauer in euill is a noate of wilfull frowardnesse Well notwithstanding Bergettos temperaunce a Caueler caught hold vppon this question as a Mastiue vppon an old drye Mariebone to proue a womans hatred more greater then her loue hée auouched manye cruell authorities But Faliero who had donne them some iniurie in reporting the late history made them part of amends put their aduersarie to silence in prouing the contrary his reason was that their hate in the extremest degrée stretched but to the death of another and their loue many times hath done wilful murder vpon them selues Then it followeth by how much we pryse our selues aboue an other by so muche theyr loue is greater then theyr hatred Yea quoth the Doctor but their loue and hatred are both violents and euery violent is an euill Yea Master Doctor quoth Maria Belochy their euills are the greater for men for by their flattering enchauntments wemen loue immoderately and stung with mens vnsusserable iniuries they hate mortally The Doctor replied there was more power in her lookes then authoritie in her wordes but least he should be subdued by the one he would not contend with the other Why quoth Quéene Aurelia beauty workes no more impression in a Doctors eye then doth poyson in Mineruas shéelde for he by Philosophy can subdue affection Madame quoth he you may well compare beauty and poyson together for their operations are a lyke saue that beauty is the more extreame in that she infertes with her lookes and poyson not vnlesse wée taste it or when it is most strong not vnlesse we touch it yea Euripides compareth her inchauntement with the inticementes of a kingdome whereas he saith IN these two thinges a Kingdome to obtaine Or else to worke the fayre to their will So sweetely tastes the grace of either gayne As men ne dread their friendes with foes to kyll The reason is controulment shrinkes the place Whereas a Kyng as soueraigne Iudge doth sit In loue because that reason lackes his grace For to restrayne the selfe conceyghtes of wit So that God knowes in daunger standes his lyfe That is a King or hath a fayre wife To deale in Princes affayres the companye was too gréene but in Beauties behalfe there was neither Gentleman nor Gentlewoman that was not desirous to boe reuenged of the Doctours detractyon for hée that hath a slaunderous tonge iniurieth manie and is himselfe hated of all men but for that it was nowe to late too decide any other great question Quéene Aurelia adiorned the ending of anie centrouersie vntill the next day The Deuice of the second Nights Mask BY a secreate foreknowledge of a Maske with which Soranso Bargetto Ismarito and others purposed to honour Segnior Phyloxenus and his company Supper was hastned soone ended and after the one had saluted the other with an accustomed reuerence while the rest of the Gentlemen interteined Time with dauncing or deuising with their Mistresses the Maskers withdrew themselues and about nine of the clocke in this disguise presented themselues agayne A Consort of swéete Musycke sounded the knowledge of their comming y t Musitians in Gyppons and Venetians of Russet and Blacke Taffata bended with Murrey and thereon imbroadered this Posie Spero Timeo Taceo expressing thereby the sundrye passions of Loue and before them two Torchbearers apparelled in Yallowe Taffata Sarcenet the Generall apparell of the Maskers was short Millaine Cloaks Dublet and hose of Grene Satten bordered with Siluer Greene Silcke stockes White Scarpines Rapiers and Daggers syluered Blacke Veluet Cappes and white Feathers They agréed to be thus attyred to showe themselues frée in the eye of the world and couertly bound vnto their Mistresses Ismarito for courtisy sake because he was a stranger and withal in that his Mistres was the most honourable had the leading of this Maske who lighted with a torch by his Page apparelled in Blue Carnation and whyte Taffata the colours of his Mistres entred with a Ventoy in his hand made like an Ashe-tree wrethed about with Iuye expressing this posye Testantevirebo with which vpon fit oportunitie he presented Quéene Aurelia his Mistresse within which weare couertly hid these verses in English Italion TWo Soueraigne Dames Beautie and Honestie Long mortal foes accorded are of late And now the one dwels in my Mistresse eye And in her hart the other keepes her state Where both to show the vertue of this peace To garnysh her make riot of their Grace In her fayre eye Dame Beautie doth increace A thousande Gleames that doo become her face And with her harte thus doth the other deale She lowly seemes and mountes throw chast disdaine So that her thrales doo serue with honest zeale Or fearing blame doe yeelde vnto their paine The heauenly soules enuies the earthes renowne Such gyftes deuine in humayne shape to see And Ioue still moues a Goddesse her to crowne Which is decred when Nature shall
agree Thus happy I in Fortunes frownes long whyrld A Goddesse serue and soueraigne of the world BARGETTO lighted by a Page apparayled in his Mistresse colours Greene Carnation and Whyte followed Ismarito hauing the mouth of his Mask closed with a small Golden Lock as a witnesse of the true execution of his Mistresse Commaundement and vpon hys fist hee caried a Parrate to pratle to his Mistresse vppon pausing betwéene euery solemne Almayne and couertlye vnder the Parrats winge was hidden this passion HEnce burnyng sighes which sparckle from desyre To pitty melt my Mistresse frosen Hart Her frosen hart that Fancy cannot fyre Nor true intent perswade to rue my smart Haste haste I pray the Icye passage breake And pleade for him that is forbid to speake What though at first you faile to calme her rage Yet as the Sunne from earth doth draw the Rayne Your vertues so the stormes of scorne may swage Or feede Desyre with showers of disdayne For euen as drink dooth make the Dropsey drye So colde disdaine compels Desyre to frye Her wyll be done but I haue sworne to loue And with this vow will nourish my delight Her scorne my woe nay time may not remoue A faithful zeale out of my troubled spright Yea more then all Ile Sacrifice my blood And fyre my bones to doe my Mistresse Good SORANSO lighted by a Page in Orange Tawny Watchod and Greene was the next that presented him selfe who vppon his left side had a Harte of Crymson Granado Silke so artificyally made fastened to his duâ—…let as if his body had opened and his hart appéered which fell downe at his Mistresse féete vpon such a Fortune as she was bounde to take it vp which opened she might beholde the Picture of her selfe reading this submission EVEN as the Hart a deadly wounde that hath Retires him selfe with sighes to solace greefe And with warme teares his gored sides doth bath But finding mone to render small releefe Impatient Beast he giues a heauy Bray And hasts the Death that many woulde delay So I whose Loue beyond my hap doth mount Whose thoughts as Thornes yet prick me with Desire Whose sute and zeale return's with no accompt Whose hope is drye set in a harte of Fyre Holde this for ease foorthwith to spoyle the eye That lookte and lou'de then in dispaire to dye A happy Doome if it for Law might stande But men condemd them selues may not dispatch Their lyues and deathes are in their Soueraignes hand So myne in hers whose Lookes did me attache And therfore I to pardon or to kyll Must yeald my selfe the Prysoner of her wyll L'ENVOY THen Ladie faire receiue what longes to thee A fettred thralle attyred with disgrace And at thy feete his wounded hart here see And in the same the Image of thy face mone Whiche bleding fresh with throbs throwes foorth his Rueth rueth deare Dame for that I am your owne DONDOLO lighted by his Page apparayled in Tawnie Blew and Black Taffata was the fourth who vppon his Breast bare a Myrrour set the outeside inwarde and yet fastened so slope as it might receiue light with an Imagination that he showed his Hart the Beautie of his Mistresse in y t thought he wrot vpon the out side Basta che spero within whiche glasse this sonet was coningly coÌ„uated which vpoÌ„ a fit-oportunitie he presented vnto his Mistresse Lucia Bella. FRom shore to sea from dales to mountaines hie From meddowes faire amid the craggie rocke Loue doth me leade I know not whether I But euermore a passage doeth vnlocke Nowe doe I fight now weepe now death I feare In all these stormes yet loue the healme doth steare In desert woods I wander to and fro Where I wilde beastes and firie Serpentes meete Yet safe I passe Loue doth direct me so In tempestes rough my barke doth alwayes fleete Yea when Sunne Moone and starres forsake the skie Loue giues me light from my faire Mistresse eye I mount to heauen I know not with what winges I sinke to hell yet drowne not in distresse Twixt Ice and flame Loue mee in safetie bringes But to what end in sooth I cannot gesse Yet hap what shall Loue giueth me this scope In daungers mouth to liue alwaies in hope FALIERO lighted by a Page attired in Peach colour yellow and popeniay greene Taffeta was the fifte last that entred who as yf she were climynge vp his Arme caryed a whyght Turtle so artifyciallye made as it deceyued no lesse then Parrhasius paynted Table Clothe In whose Beake were fynely rowled these Uerses IF on firme Faith one Hart vncharg'd with frawd One langour sweete one wish desire dooth moue If honest Zeale a gentle breast doth lawde If wanderyng long in the Laborinth of Loue If wan pale cheekes are witnesses of woe If reaking sightes throwne from a burnyng harte If all these and thousand sorrowes moe May charme Mistrust and make you rue my smart Faire Mistresse looke but in my Meagre face And you shall reade that I haue neede of Grace In this order and with these deuises the Maskers entred and after they had saluted Quéene Aurelia and the honourable of the company they placed themselues some of the one side of the greate Chamber and some of the other obseruynge therein a more discreate order then the ordynary Maskers who at their first entraunce either daunce with them selues or rudelye sease vppon the Gentlewomen but these Maskers intertained a smal Tyme with their Musick while they had leasure to looke about and espie who were the worthyest amonge the Ladies In the ende Ismarito kyssing his hand with a Countenaunce abased humbly desired Quéene Aurelia to do him the grace to daunâ—… w t him Next Bergetto made choice of Franceschina Santa after him Soranso chewsed Maria Belochi Dondolo raysed Lucia Bella and last of all Faliero tooke his Mistresse Catharina Trista and thus they obserued in their choyce the same course they kepte in their entrance After this Companie had performed all the ciuill Seruices of Maskers leauyng behinde them their Mistresses honoured and the whole companie much contented they departed in the good order they entred saâ—…yng that their Mistresses were possessed with their seuerall Deuices Which done the Gentlemen and Gentlewomen began to shrinck out of the great Chamber as the Starres séeme to shoote the Skie towardes the Breake of Daye FINIS The thyrd Daies Exercise Contayning sundrie Morall Preceptes With a large Discouerie of the inconveniences of Rash Mariages THE Aucthorytie is dayly Experience that prooueth how that the bitterest worldly Sorow soone endes eyther by Benefit of Fortune or violence of death neither is the firmest worldly pleasure y e of more continuance then an Imagynation whiche is straight crost with a contrary Suggestion What difference was there betwene the Fortunes of Cesar and Pompey when their endes were both violent saue that I hould Cesars to be the harder for that he was murthered in the Armes of
so oft kisse the swéete lippes of his beautifull wife as he shalbe driuen to fetche bitter sighes from his sorrowfull hart Sir quoth Soranso taking Bergettos parte of two euils the least is to be chosen and it is lesse euill for a man to lyue a while hardly and satisfye his owne fancie then to liue euer discontented and please his fréendes The good behauiour of the maryed may winne the Parents to consent and amend their exhibition or death may come and put them in possession of theyr Parentes lyuing If either of these chaunce as one is shortely like to happen the penaunce that they indured wyll season theyr prosperitie and counsell the Married to kéepe within their teacher to leape within their latchet and lyue within theyr compasse The louing aduise of the husband wyll reforme the disposition of euill in the wife For as Plato sayeth there is no woman so perfect good but in some one point may be reprehended nor no man so faultlesse but that somewhat in him may be amended so that if the Husband gently reprehend the fault of his Wife and the Wife patiently suffer the offence of her Husband the abylytie of theire estate wyll sustaine a househould and their looue and agréement wilbe an especiall comfort vnto them selues and a commendable example vnto all the neighbours The best of bothe your euils quoth Doctor Mossenigo is starke naught but our question was not to chuse the least of euyls but that which is simply good notwithstanding to aunswer to the sequell of this rashenesse in Mariage you saye theyr good behauiours may recouer theyr Parents good wyll but I Prophesie that theyr euill demeanures are more likely to extinguish the affection of a Father for necessitie wyll accustome the Husband with dishonest shyftes and kéepes his fayre Wife from béeing ydle for want muste be supplyed what shame so euer ensue Then is it lykely that the Parentes which did shutte their Pursses in the beginning to punishe the contempt of their Chyldren wyll now fast locke them to be reuenged of theyr infamie And where you gaue them a hope by their parentes death I say no man dyneth worse then hoping Tantalus nor none are more wetshod then they which expect deade mens shooes and when they fall the soules perhaps wilbe worne I meane the Father in his life tyme may take order to dye euen with the worlde or at leaste leaue his liuing maimed and the most of his substaunce wasted for in a tempest at Sea what Pylote hath any care of goodes that séeth the ship at the poynte to syncke euen so what parents can haue any ioye of worldly wealth more then to defende necessytye when he séeth the heyre bothe of his labour and lyuing out of hope of weldooing so that through this rashnesse many sonnes during their fathers lyues with hard shiftes shift of necessity and after their deathes liue disinherited and not altogether so much for their owne contempt as for their wiues incontinencye truely in the fyrst although the parentes may be thought cruell yet are they not to be reputed vnnaturall for that euery offence hath his proper scourge restitution is the true payne for robbery an eye is reuenge for an eye a hand for a hande death challengeth death and disobedience in the sonne deserueth disinheritaunce by the father Touching the dishonesty of the daughter in lawe as it is great hazarde but that necessitie thus bestowed will bend her a little the seueritie is sufferable if her husbandes father shut her forth of his doores for that the honour of a mans house is so delicate as it can awaie with no staine and reseruyng your fauours vertuous dames where a strumpet entereth she stuffeth the house with slaunder as carraine infecteth the ayre with stincke yea the occasion is iust if the father spare to gette and the mother cease to saue nay if they spend that which they haue for it weare great pitty that there should be any thing leafte either of their liuyng or labour to support a harlots pride O how innumerable are the inconueniences of this timeritye in Marriage The wise by coniecture and daylye experience séeeth and the foolish with sorrowe in theyr own entrailes féeleth and therfore as a hainous offence the auncient Philosophers which without partiallitie checked Vice and cherrished Vertue punished this contempt of Chiloren Plutarke saythe the sonne that marryeth without his Parents consent among the Greekes was publikely whipped among the Lacedemonians dishearited and among the Theabanes bothe disinhearited and of his Parents openly accursed The yonger company began to feare a restraint of Freeloues libertie and their Goddesse Beauties disgrace The Doctor gaue Capitaine Bergetto such crosse blowes who though he fainted in his opinion yet like a Cocke that hath one of his eyes stricken out and his head bared to the braines yet striketh vntill he dyeth he assayled the Doctor with this one more reason Maister Doctor ê™ he they go farre that neuer returne and the battaile is very cruell where none escapes what although a number speede yll in making of their owne choyce many haue prospered well In matches of the best foresight good Fortune hath not alwayes béene found and yet foresight is not to be blamed nor the other aduenture to be dispitefully condemned Ouid sayeth that Forma numen habet then by vertue of her Diuinitie it is like she will sustaine them in aduersity that in prosperity became her vowed Seruaunts neither dooth this stayne of the wiues behauiour often follow for where Beautie Loue Free choise maketh the Mariage they may be crossed by Fortune and yet continue faithfull Piramus and Thisbie Romeus and Iuliet Arnâ—…lt and Amicla and diuers others at the point to possesse their loues were dispossest of their liues but yet vnstained with dishonesty This want with which you threaten them what is it in respect of the pleasures these Louers possesse Wealth which is the contrarie what is it béeing ill vsed a beautie in the Chest a bondage to the minde and a blot in the soule but a couple vnited by this affection for a little Fleabiting of worldly pennury suck Nectar betwéene their lippes Cram Manna into theyr Bowels and possesse Heauen in their hearts How farre Maister Doctor argueth from the opinion of auncient Philosophers and famous Schoolemen these authorities witnesseth Ouid Nigidius Samocratius Petrarke and others in their life time addored Beautie with their bookes honoured her and by their deathes eternized her glorye But for that her vertues be Diuine and Maister Doctor is soyled with slaunder blasphemy and mallice he is vnworthy to be perfected with one thought of her excellencie which ignorance maketh him so obstinate The yonger company began to take heart in hearing of this Tale so that the Gentlewomen strengthened Bergetto with good countenaunces for for modesties sake they were silent and the Gentlemen succoured him with theyr best reasons
of Sicyll receaued this Iuell with a thousande protestations of fauour But what should I say In the beginnyng of his loue Promos was metamorphosed into Priapus and of a Féende what may we expect but vengeaunce heaped vpon villany And therefore let it not séeme straunge that after this Helhound had dishonoured Cassandra hée sent his warrant to the Gayler pryuely to execute Andrugio and with his head crowned with these two Bréefes in Promos name to present Cassandra Fayre Cassandra as Promos promist thee From Pryson loe he sendes thy Brother free This was his Charge whose cursed wyll had ben executed had not God by an especiall prouidence at the howre of his Death possessed Andrugio with the vertues of the two braue Romanes Marcus Crassus and Marius the one of whiche by the force of his tongue and the other by the motions of his eyes caused the Axe to fall out of the Headsmans hand and mollyfyed his cruell mynde With lyke compassion the Gayler in hearinge Andrugios hard aduenture left his resolution And vppon a solempne othe to liue vnknowne yea to his deare Sister he gaue him life and in the dead of the night betooke him to God and to good fortune which done this good Gayler tooke the head of a yonge man newe executed who somewhat resembled Andrugio and according to lewde Promos commaundement made a present thereof to Cassandra How vnwelcome this Present was the testimonie of her former sorowes somewhat discouer but to giue her present passion a true grace were the taske of Prometheus or such a one as hath had experience of the anguishes of hell O quoth shée swéete Andrugio whether shall I firste lament thy death exclaime of Promos iniurie or bemone my owne estate depriued of honour and which is worse cannot die but by the violence of my owne hands Alas the least of these gréefes are to heauie a burden for a man then all ioyned in one poore womans hearte can not be eased but by death and to be auenged of iniurious Fortune I wil forthwith cut my Fillet of life But so shall Promos lewdnesse escape vnpunished what remedie I am not of power to reuenge to complayne I expresse my owne infamie but withal proclaime his vilanie and to heare his lewdnes reproued woulde take away the bitternesse of my death I will goe vnto the King who is iust and mercifull hée shall heare the ruthfull euents of Promos Tyrrannie and to giue him example of vengeaunce I will seale my complaintes with my dearest bloode Continuing this determination Cassandra buried her imagined brothers heade and with spéed iornyed vnto King Coruinus Court Before whose presence when shée arriued her mourninge Attyre but especially her modest countenaunce moued him to beholde her with an especiall regarde Cassandra vppon the graunt of audience with her eyes ouercharged with teares reported the alreadie discoursed Accidentes with suche an apparaunce of gréefe as the King and his Attendants were astonied to heare her and sure had shée not béen happily preuented shée had concluded her determination with chast Lucretias destiny The King comforted her with many gratious words promised to take such order y t although he could not be reuiued her brothers death should fully be reuenged and her crased honour repayred withoute blemysh of her former reputation Cassandra vpon these comfortable wordes a lytell succoured her afflicted hart and with patience attended the Iustice of y e King who with a chosen companie made a Progresse to Iulio and entred the Town with a semblaunce of great fauour towardes Promos by that colour to learne what other corrupte Maiestrates ruled in the Cittie for well he knewe that Byrdes of a feather would flie together and wicked men would ioyne in Affection to boulster each others euil After this gratious King had by heedfull intelligence vnderstoode the factions of the people vnlooked for of the Magisrates he caused a proclamation to be published in which was a clause that if anie person coulde charge anie Magistrate or Officer with anie notable or haynous offence Treason Murder Rape Sedition or with any such notorious Crime where they were the Iudges of the multitude hee woulde himselfe bee the Iudge of them and doe iustice vnto the meanest Uppon this Proclamation it was a hell to heare the exclamations of the poore and the festered consciences of the rich appeared as lothsome as the Riuer of Stix Among manie that complayned and receiued iudgemēt of comfort Cassandras Processe was presented who lead betwéene sorrow and shame accused Promos to his face The euidence was so playne as the horrour of a guiltie conscience reaued Promos of all motions of excuse so that holding vp his hande among the worst degrée of théeues the litle hope that was least moued him to confesse the crime and with repentance so sue for mercy O quoth the King such espetial mercy were tyrannie to a common wealth No Promos no Hoc facias alteri quod tibi vis fieri You shall be measured with the grace you bestowed on Andrugio O God quoth hée if men durst bark as Dogges manie a Iudge in the world would be bewrayed for a théefe It behoueth a Prince to know to whom hee committeth Authoritie least the Sword of Iustice appointed to chasten the lewde wound the good where good subiects are wronged euill Officers receaue the benefit and their Soueraignes beareth the blame Well wicked Promos to scourge thy impious offences I héere giue sentence that thou foorthwith marry Cas sandra to repayre her honour by thée violated ' that the next day thou lose thy head to make satisfaction for her Brothers death This iust Iudgement of the good Kinge in the first point was foorthwith executed But sacred is the Authoritie that the vertues of the good are a Shéelde vnto the lewde So swéete Cassandra who simply by vertue ouercame the spight of Fortune In this marriadge was charged with a new assault of sorrow and preferring the dutie of a wife before the naturall zeale of a Sister where she before prosecuted the reuenge of her Brothers death shée now was an humble suter to the Kinge for her Husbands lyfe The gracious Kinge sought to appease her with good words but hée could not do her this priuate fauour without iniurie vnto the publyke weale for though quoth he your sute be iust and the bounden dutie of a wife yet I in fulfillyng the same should do iniustly generally iniure my Subiects and therfore good Gentlewoman haue patience and no doubt vertue in the ende will giue you power ouer all your afflictions There was no remedie Cassandra must departe out of hope to obtayne her sute But as the experience is in dayly vse the dooinges of Princes post through the world on PEGASVS backe And as theyr actions are good or badde so is their fame With the lyke spéede the Kynges
affection her kindred hath an interrest in her honour which if she consent to staine or deminishe shee dooth iniurie to her whole house The Cardinal of Aragon aduenged the base choice of his Sister the Duchesse of Malfy with the death of her selfe her Children and her Husband and alleadged in defence that he had done no iniurie to Nature but purged his House of dishonour for Nature quoth he is perfect and who blemisheth her is a monster in Nature whose head without wrong to Nature may be cut off Yea quoth Soranso but this Cardinall for all his habit and glose of Iustice is for this Act so often regestred for a Tirant as I feare mée he will neuer come among y e nuÌ„ber of Saints But the example of these Mariages are vsuall and such ensuing vengeaunce is â—…ut rare and besides her espetiall contentment a woman looseth none of her general titles of dignitie by matching w t her inferior In déede quoth Dondolo in common curtesie she enioyeth them but in the strickt construction of the Law she is degraded And by this meane is bounde to intertaine the meaner with familyaritie least they being prowde or reputing her scornfully doo crosse her ouer the thumbes with y e follyes of her fancy But admit y e meane seruant marrie his Mistresse and escapeth the mallice of her friendes which successe one amonge tenne suche Suters hardly attaineth Let him yéelde to pay this rent for his good fortune To suffer his Wife to rule to direct and to commaunde his owne determynations And where shee ordereth The vncontrouled Wife desireth to be serued with pompe and to be set foorth with pride whiche the ruling Husband would represse as wel for sauing his wiues honour as for sparing his owne pursse The vncontrouled wife desireth to walke at lybertie and to be visited of many of which the ruling Husbande woulde barre her as well to preserue his mynde from mistruste as to kéepe his Chimney from being fyred The vncontrouled wife disdayneth the Countrie and desireth the Citie which the rulyng Husband would mislyke for that in the Countrie the exercise of huswiuerie inlargeth his Wiues estimation and in the Cittie Idlenesse hazardeth her reputation The vncontrouled Wife desireth without checke to pratle and without discreation to gouerne which the rulyng Husbande in no wise would allowe for that manye wordes is a bleamish to his wiues modestie and the rule of his Wife is warrant sufficient for the wise to ouer rule him for a Woodcocke Many other vanities follow the desires of Women which a man thus aduaunst must forbeare to chasten least hée expose himselfe to a thousande daungers for the wife taking pepper in the nose will suffer him yea perchaunce agrée to make him a pray to the displeasure of his enemies I meane her able Friendes and kindred which bondage is not within the Paradice Plato speaketh off For according to the opinion of sundrie Philosophers as Nature will not be controuled for that she createth as Fortune is won with no praiers because â—…hee is blinde and shooteth at aduenture no more dooth Marriage alow of inequallitie because her will is to deuide her benyfites and blessing among the married with indifferencie To this ende Marriage is lykened to Sienes grafted in a stocke of contrarie qualitie for as by groweth and good order they both become of one nature euen so man and woman vnited in this honourable estate with good vsage become of one disposition Againe as Sienes thus grafted without speciall Husbandrie while they bee tender come to no proofe euen so man and woman thus ioyned in Matrimonie vnlesse in the prime of their Mariage with equall care they loue and cherrish one an other in the waine of their yeares the swéete Fruites of wedlocke will be blasted with repentaunce Segnior Fabritio to conclude Don Dolos opinion with his owne Iudgement saide in trueth that Marriage coulde not away with such seruitude as the Husband who is wise and the chéefe shoulde obay the wife who in common construction is simple weake and the inferiour And where a Rich woman as Don Dolo hath said Marieth her poore Seruant because she is the cause of his aduancement she will looke to gouerne which if she doo her indiscression will moue others to speake and her Husband to sorrow and if he challenge the preuiledge of a husband to direct hee shall bée bounde to a lyfe more bitter then Death Not but y t in respect of his former estate he may endure these crossinges of his wife but because as hee is growne in estimation so is hée growne in hautinesse of mynd and can now wurse brooke an vnkinde word then in times past an iniurious déede And therefore in Don Dolos behalfe I doo iudge Soranso to be in an errour I wil not dispute against the Authoritie of your iudgmeÌ„t ê™ Soranso but at aduenture if yonger BrethreÌ„ er in Mariage God send theÌ„ to stumble vpoÌ„ no worser fortune Quéene Aurelia who regarded that Dondolo was somewhat to lauish in painting out of the natural dessires of a woman knew as well how to set foorth his follyes and ouersight and therefore to take a modest reuenge ê™ shée I happinesse in Mariâ—…ge consisteth so much in the Lordly rule of the Husbande then where a man maryeth his inferriour in reputation there is a lykelyhood of good agreement Wherfore Segnior Dondolo because I think you married your wife with the same Iudgement with which you manyfested the inconueniences of loftye Loue I beseeche you show vs the blessinges of this inferiour choyce Soranso and the rest began to smyle to heare this com maundement for well they knew Dondolo was intrapt with a slauÌ„der of his owne reputatitoÌ„ but Dondolo although he were a litle gauled set a reasonable florish vpoÌ„ his bace fancie and therefore ê™ he as it is alreadie adiudged if a man marrie aboue his callyng he must beare with his Wife in folly as much as shee was blynded in fancying of him which bondage Mariage can hardly endure Then if hée matche with his inferiour if contraries haue contrarie qualyties per consequence she will be as lowly as the other is loftie as patient as the other is prowde as dutiful as y t other is disdainfull if the other prodigally spend because her portion is large shewil with huswiuerie spare because her substauÌ„ce was small If the other presume because of her Gentrie shée will seeke reputation with her good coÌ„ditions And if the other bolster her faults with the countenaunce of her able Friendes she dooing amisse will crie her Husbande mercie because she lackes succourers to sustaine her euill a course as Plato sayeth that maketh the dowrie of the poore virgin of greater vallue then the possessions of a riche Ladie You are nothing deceiued in the course quoth Faliero but much mistaken in the creature As touching your Contraries I mislike your Consequent For Fyre and
your demaund ioyne with you in your ordinarie swéete exercise Perchaunce you haue ended all the inconueniences in the olde yeare and I may begin the New yeare in helping to bloome the blessings of Marriage Quéene Aurelia and the rest of the company affectionately thanked Signior Philoxenus for this hye fauour and so rose from the Table who after a little pawsing daunsing and deuising at theyr pleasures went vnto theyr lodginges FINIS The. vii Dayes Exercise Containing a Discourse of the excellencie of Marriage with many sound Lawes and directions to continue loue betweene the married with the rare Historie of Pyrigeus and Pieria reported by Segnior Phyloxenus And other good notes of regarde LIke as when the royall Armie lies incamped before a Towne of warre the sound of Trumpets noyse of Drums and neying of Horses dooth awake the Souldiors and Cittizens before Aurora be willing to leaue the swéete embracements of her husband Tithon so euen with the departure of the day Star in honour of the New yeare the Trumpets DruÌ„mes and Flutes sounded through euery small passage into the lodgings of Segnior Philoxenus Pallace such shrill salutations as the company enuying the confusion of night broade waking attended the Mornings light to apparell themselues who in theyr moste braue and sumptuous araye by nine of the clock made the great Chamber resemble a fayre Garden in Maye In the imbroderies of whose Garments Flowers and fancies were so naturally and artificially wrought some of Pearle some of golde some of Bugle euery one according to their one humour More ouer euery Gentlemans head was armed with his Mistrisses fauor and euery Gentlewomans hart was warmed with her seruaunts affectioÌ„ In the most soueraigne place of the great Chamber Ianus God of Time as the Poets faine was hung vp in the likenes of a Serpent winding his body into a circkle and holding his taile in his mouth expressing vnder this figure his reuolution who through his continuall motions enuâ—…oning and compasing the world retourneth into himselfe and endeth and beginneth in himselfe and in ioyfull token of the newe yeare he was garnished with many sweete flowers garlandes and deuices some artificiall liuelely counterfeited Segnior Philoxenus although he hated superstitious Ceremonies and shund them yet he honored auncient lawdable customes and kept them who according to the custome of the countrey presented euery one of his guests with a riche new years gifte which explayned some morrall vertue Among the reste he gaue his sister Quéene Aurelia a fayre plaine tablet which opened represented the picture of a faire Lady garnished with many precious stones couertly expressing thereby that gorgeous apparell was but base and counterfeit in respect of the braue vertues of the mynde This order the Italians vse the best giueth newe yeares giftes to his inferior freendes and in England cleane contrarie The Tennaunt giueth his Lord the meane Gentlemen to Knightes Knightes to Barrons Barrons to Earles Earles Marquises and Dukes to their soueraigne Prince but it séemeth the Englishmen obserue this custome more neere the originall then the Italians for the fouÌ„ders therof were the auÌ„cient Romaines who bounde theyr Knights the first day of Ianuarie in the Capitole to present theyr Newyeares giftes to Caesar Augustus were he absent or present but so many Countryes so many customes And to my purpose Segnior Philoxenus thus bountifully solemnized the vse of his owne Countrey This memorable curtesie perfourmed Segnior Phyloxenus with some of the grauer company went before vnto the Chappell and Quéene Aurelia and her attendantes followed with such a glyttering show as the Préests needed no other Tapers to sée to say seruice by then the 〈◊〉 â—…ons of the Gentlewomens eyes and the 〈◊〉 â—…nes they wore in theyr Iewels and in my 〈◊〉 God was better pleased and more honoured with the Brauerie of the companie then with the babling and Ceremonies of the Priest who in the honour of the New yeare sets forth his relikes to the best showe By that time Seruice was ended and the companie retourned the Tables were furnished with many daintie Disshes to wreake her hunger of some few wherof Quéene Aurelia tooke her Royall place and the rest of the companie as they pleased This Dinner was spent in Discourse of certain Ceremonies and olde Rites vsed in times past in the celebrating of God Ianus Feast too tedious and withall impertinent for this Discourse When Dinner and a little other pausyng talke was ended the companie arose and Quéene Aurelia with the reuerent Salutations of the whole troupe retyred into her owne Chamber tyll the howre of Disputation sownded About which time she with Segnior Phyloxenus and the rest of her Attendauntes entred into a moste delycate Banquetinge House where vppon the Walles in so good order and representation of Nature were painted all maneâ—… of Fruiâ—…es Flowers Uines Aâ—…ors and causes of Pleasure either in Drâ—…haed or Garden as a maÌ„ without blushing might haue adueÌ„tured to gather vpon the bare Walles a Pomegranate a Cluster of Grapes a Gyllyflower or suche lyke had not the dead of Winter reaued the likelyhoode that they should be pâ—…fect After Quéene Aurelia the rest of the companie had taken their places in this earthly Paradicâ—… Segnior Phy loxenus secretly wylled y e Eunuke to chaunt out the pray ses of Hymen who obaying this Charge tuned his Luâ—…e and to a swéete Noate sung this following â—…net EVen as the Vine that clasps the tender Elme beare Amonge greene leaues his purpled Grapes doth When wanting props himself doth onerwhelme And for the fire his Braunches doth prepare Soâ—… in one with Hymens â—…tes fast bound Of their sweete loue liue alwayes in the seede When Death or time the single doth confounde Which ruine of fame the barren thought doth breede Sweete Hymen then thy Godhead Indore And 〈◊〉 my selfe by thee to be controlde In foulded Armes my Spouse my eyes before Yeelds more content then Dymonds Pearle Gold In quiet home vncheckt to rule and â—…e What lyfe 〈◊〉 sweete what hartes â—…ase like to this Or through â—…e my mind when â—…are doth greene What Medicine is better then â—…kysse At â—…s â—…en by â—…ouyng wife O none nor state lyke to the married lyfe This 〈◊〉 ended and well considered Sir quoth Queene Aurelia to Sâ—…nion â—…xenus to be reuenged of the iniuriâ—… of our 〈◊〉 â—…tions who haue painted Marriage wiâ—…â—…nd iâ—…nueniences I beséeche you and binde you by your promise to blazon the blessinges and excellencie of this â—…ed Institution that she who is 〈◊〉 may â—…e her 〈◊〉 â—…ayses and we that are ignoâ—…t may knowe how to 〈◊〉 her benefites and with the same to honour her Madame quoth Segâ—… Philoxenus you charge me beyonde my promise and â—…de mée to an impossibilitie I promist but to ioyne with this quick witted Company in opinion which I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to accomplish To blaze the excellencie of Marriage is a worke of no great diffcultie because her
vertues illustreth the same through the whole worlde but to direct the maried is a laâ—…or of Arâ—… wit and expérience in the fyrst wherof I am ignoraunt in the second vnperfect and to the thirde a Strainger so that as I am sorry to iniurie your expectation so am I loth to expose my insufficient iudgement Sir quoth Quéene Aurelia if wée were not assured of a lyberal contentment in conteÌ„plating of your waightie Censure we would receiue your modest refusall for iust excuse But for that we haue all an intrest in your vertues you should be enemie to your owne honorable coÌ„mendation in kéeping of them close prisoners in your brâ—…t although you be Lord of the Pallace yet I as â—…oue raigne of the Ciuill Pleasures commaund you to giue Cerimonies a disgrace and sincerely to obay my will Madam quoth Segnior Philoxenus so stricht is your charge as I must aduenture of this waighty labour hoping that as by authoritie you commaund my opinion so by y e motion of some one of your vertues you wil pardon my errours Upon which incouragement to obay your wyll I say and approoue by sacred Authoritie that this holy Institution of Marriage was erected by God in the earthly Paradice before the transgression of Adam when he ioyned him to Eue with these wordes of blessing Increase multiply and replenish the earth Againe after Adams fall and the deluge to strengthen his fyrst institution God commaunded the good Patriarcke Noe to encrease and multiply the earth a new Moreouer God would haue no more women then men in his Ark to show there shoulde be a Sympathie in number as well as agréement in loue betwene man and wife for if the one might lawfullye haue many Wiues and the other many Husbandes how should this expresse Commaundement of God be vnuiolated You shall be two bodies in one flesh and no more Compare the Ioye honour and reuerence geuen vnto Mariage by the delight that procéedeth from any other cause and you shal sée her gleame lyke a blasyng Comet and the other but twinckle as an ordinarie Starre Gorgeous and rich Apparayle delighteth the Gasers eye and perhaps offendeth the wearers hart where Maryage in homely Attyre is euery where honored and reaueth vnquiet wandring thoughts from the Maried to abounde in riches is a glorious fortune but they charge men with a dubble care extreame in the getting and fearefull in the kéeping the married hath as great or greater ritches in their children When the stately Dames of Rome bragged of theyr Iuelles Cornelia boasted that hers excelled them all A Ladye of the company séeing her set forth with none that was precious demaunded where her Iuelles were Yonder quoth Cornelia and poynted to her children When certaine most rare and precious Iuelles of King Darius and his wiues were presented to Olympia Mother of Alexander the great she bestowed them vpon her Ladyes as to lowe prised for her wearing who was continually adorned with a Iuell in value as riche as Asia Affrica and Europa And sure Quéene Olympia and Ladye Cornelia gloried not in their Iuelles without reason for golde and precious stones set but a glose vppon beautie when vertuous children geueth a newe lyfe vnto their parentes The administration of Iustice and aucthoritie in a common weale are the proper offices of the married for that the care of wife children presupposeth them to be setled when the vnmarried though their wittes be good rayseth a suspition in the wise that their thoughtes are vagrant The vnmaried hath no agreable Companion to participate of his pleasure or to lessen his sorrowe The Maried hath a Companion of his owne flesh of his owne wyll and of his owne Spyryt so wrought to his owne Affection that betwéene them there is séene two bodies but one thought perceiued The Maried ioy alike sorrow alike are of one substaÌ„ce one concord one wealth one pouertie Companions at one Boorde in one Bed The loue we beare vnto our Parents is or ought to be reuerent and duetifull because they gaue vs lyfe Unto our Bréetherne naturall because of the priuitie in blood To our frendes affectionate by certaine Motions consents of the minde Notwithstanding that these Loues be thus greate yet are there diuers causes too lessen them But betwéene the married no mischaunce or infirme Fortune is cause sufficient of hatred for none gouerned by reason is so inhumaine as to mallice his owne fleshe Compare their seuerall affections by sorrow and you shal sée the weakenes of the one in regarde of the strength of the other The greatest mone we make for the death of our Father Brother or friend appeareth in sighes or most vehement in teares whereas if wée our selues are but a little wounded we crye outright so that by howe much we excéede in sorrowing our owne mischaunces aboue another mans by the same reason so much we loue our selues more then another The Rynge that is geuen by the Husbande and put on the Wiues finger ought to be of Gould to witnes that as gould is the most precious of Mettalles so the loue of the married excéedeth all other loues To which effecte Propertius sayth Omnis amor magnus sed aperto in coniugè maior moreouer the close Ioyning of the ringe is a figure of true vnitie of the married betwéene whom there should be no diuision in desire noâ—… difference in behauiour To honour this holy institution of God God would haue his onely begotten sonne to be borne of a Wife perfectly married saue that shée was not Carnally soyled Licurgus the good King of the Lacedemonians so reuerenced this sacred estate as he made a Lawe that what Lacedemonian soeuer were vnmarried after the age of thyrtie and eyght yeares should be chased and hissed out of all publique playes and assemblies as one vnworthy to be séene that in the cold winter he shuld naked indure the reproches of the people and withall was bounde to confesse how he iustly suffred y t punishment as a Mispriser of Religion a contemner of Lawes and an enemie to nature The Romaines were not so seuere but yet the Aged vnmaried were condempned accordyng to their abylytie to pay vnto the Treasurer for publique vse a good SuÌ„me of Money Plato in his Lawes enacted that the Unmaried shuld execute no honourable Office Estate nor dignytie in the Common wealth The good Emperour Alexander Seuerus although he maryed rather to geue ende to his Mother Mammeas Importunyties then as he thought to begin a more happie lyfe yet fayre Memmia his wyfe so naturally accorded with his disposition as when she died he would often renewe his Sorowe and remember her Uertues in these wordes So great a Treasure as I haue lost a man seldome findeth Death were gentle if he tooke nothyng but that whiche offendeth but oh he hath reaued
Stag at the first séemeth little dismayde so Phrigius with an vnappalled chéere returned to the Dukes Pallace and as pledge of truce he sent his heart to Myos The Ceremonies and Sacrifices of Diana ended the Warres renued the wonted Massacres Murthers Rapines and outragious cruelties practised by the Souldiours of either part in so much as Lawe gaue place to Armes equitie to violence and all publique order was peruerted and vpon the point to be destroyed The Captaines of Myos encouraged theyr Souldiours of y t one part but y t Souldiours of Miletum were driuen to comfort theyr Captaine w t a threatening of disgrace But ah poore Phrigius what aunswer shouldst thou make To see thy Souldiours slaine and thy Citties spoyled without proffers of rescue were dishonourable to bend thy forces against thy owne heart were vnnaturall to make the best choyse of these two euilles required leasure and iudgement And therefore aduisedly to consider of his estate at this time Phrigius satisfied his Souldiours with hope of some spéedy venturous exployte and daungered not his enemies with the proffer of any violence so that either power kept their trenches peaceably but yet with this indifferent perryll that they attended oportunitie to make the one Conquerors and the other Captiues for the long Ciuill contention had now made the estate of either as desperate as the fortunes of two that haue their substaunce vpon the chaunce of Dice the one to haue all the other to be vndoone When Phrigius had with slender hope thus quieted the acclamations of the people he retyred himselfe into a solitary Chamber to be the sole companion of his outragious passions with whom he thus deuised Ah trayterous eyes betrayers of my whole body the scourge of Miletum and enymies of my honour the vengeaunce of Oedippus is too gentle for your iniuries what doost thou say oh blasphemous tongue riuall of humanitie callumner of Beautie and hinderer of thy countryes peace thou reprocher of vertue and Phrigius welfare know to thy shame the perfection of my eyes haue constantly behelde Pieria whose deuine beauties emblemed in humaine shape dazeleth the youngest sight in Ionia Then to reuile them thus thou tyrannisiest nature to demaunde why I loue and serue Beautie thy question is blinde and deserueth a double aunswer But aye me though my eyes and Loue haue doone but what is iust Fortune hath dealt too rigourously with me to render my heart Captiue to his Daughter who is the riuall of my father what hope may I giue to my afflictions when possibility of comfort is taken away the Parents are ready to sheath their Swords in one an others entrayles is it then like the Children shall imbrace a mutuall affection O no for though mylde Venus consent that they loue wrathfull Mars wyll seuer theyr affection O cruell Warre thou art not vnproperly called the scourge of God for in thée is contayned a greater vengeaunce then might be imagined by man thou armest the Sonne against the Father the Uncle against the Nephew the Subiect against his Soueraigne Thy Drinke is blood thy foode the flesh of men thy Fiers are flaming Citties thy pleasures spoyling of Widdowes rauishment of Uirgins subuertion of Lawes and publique benefit thy Iudges Tyrannie and Iniustice and where thou remaynest her knowen enemy is not so daungerous as the fayned fréend But why exclaime I of Warre who double Crowned Alexander with the ritches of Asia and Affrica who honoured Caesar with imperiall triumphes and rewarded Hanniball for the trauailes of his life with renowne after death by whom Millions of men are regystred in the life Booke of Fame and thorough whom Phrigius giueth expectation of benefit vnto his Countrey comfort to his aged Father and honour to his posteritie I receyued my wounde in the tyme of peace nay in the Temple of Diana shall I then exclayme of Peace and vpbrayde Chastitie fowle fall the heart that should mooue and shame worme the tongue that pronounceth such blasphemie O blessed Peace thou fast chainest Treason Tirannie Murther Theft and Wrathe with all disturbers of common tranquillitie and in the hyest dignities placest Iustice Pietie Temperaunce Concorde and Loue with many other Morrall vertues by whom the lewde are chastened the good are cherished and Common weales prosper and florish O Chastitie thy diuine vertues deserue a better Trumpet then my iniurious tongue thy excellencie is written in the browe of Pieria And is Pieria the Deputie of Diana O yes and Phrigius the seruaunt of Venus too true it is then impossible they should agrée in affection yea sure O vnfortunate Phrigius through Peace which receiuedst thy wound before Dianas Aulter and by cruell Warre art seperated from the Surgion that should cure thée These sundrye conflictes Phrigius had with his bitter passions which pursued theyr aduantage with such thorny feares as if he had not béene suddenly succoured by the aduise and comfort of Lorde Miletus a fauoured Counseller to Duke Nebeus an assured fréend to his sonne Phrigius he had béene like to haue yéelded to Dispaire Miletus was glad to sée him thus affected and sorry to behold him so daungerouslie afflicted for in this looâ—…e he foresawe an end of the auncient enuie and enmitie betwéene the Cittizens of Miletum and Myos whose ciuill Fraies had buried more young men in the Fieldes then aged in the Churches and Churchyardes Therefore to confirme his affection and to comfort him with hope Lord Phrigius quoth he to blame your affection were cruelty no sound counsell for you loue Pieria the Parragon of the worlde to discomfort you with an impossibilitie of her fauour were cleane against the possibilitie of your fortune for besides that your person alluringly pleaseth your authorities commaund yea Piches cannot but reioyce Pieria consent and all Myos desire is to solemnize this Mariage My selfe and the grauer sort of the counsell will motion the matter to the Duke your father who I trust wil holde the affection of his sonne rather to procéede from the iustice of Diana then the iniurie of Cupid Who regarding the zelous offeringes of Pieria agreed that you shoulde be wounded that Pieria might haue the honour to cure you in whose vertues all Ionia hopeth to be blessed Therefore to make your affection knowen in some pleasing Letter to Pieria commend your seruice and to deale with both your fathers refer the care to mee How swéete the smallest hope of grace is to a condemned man or the leaste woorde of comfort from the Phisition to the infirmed patient the soden chaunge of Phrigius mone truely manifesteth who nowe began to looke cheerefully and with hope appeased his passions so that imbrasing Miletus he committed his life to the fortune of his discresion and while his passion was quicke hee presented both loue and seruice to Pieria in this following letter Phrigius Letter to Pieria FAire PIERIA sith it is a coÌ„mon thing to loue and a miracle to subdue affection let it not seeme strange
life in dispight of the iniurie of time past fell to kisse and coll his Maide which watched his gasping wife before hée tooke order w t the Clarke to ring her knell which Ophella as dim as her sight was perceiued Furie which was the last motion that accoÌ„panied her in life like a whirl wind y t with a suddaine violence draweth things into the ayre so fired her hart with malice to sée her husband in this iolity with her maide as madnes gaue her the strength to crye Ah ah Traytour I am not yet dead ah villain villaine I am not yet dead and through this passion choller so dryed her Catar as shortly after she perfectly receyued her health and so canuassed her husband Borrihauder as by the motions of sorrow payne he hung himselfe in a Crabtrée O quoth Katherina Trista it was great dammage that Thymon of Athens was not in the town to show al mallitious men that trée The deuill might haue put in their myndes to haue hanged themselues This suddayne answeare of Katherina Trista tickled all the companye with a laughter a good parte whereof were reddy to scandall women with a frowarde nature beyng by this example more fostered with dyspight then good vsage who nowe for feare of theyr owne reproche amplyfied not Master Doctors tale with any other spightfull authorityes For the Hystorie of Thymon of Athens dogged nature was so well knowne to euerie Gentleman as the remembraunce of his name assured them that there neuer lyued woman of so fcowarde a condityon neyther is it possible that euer any man agayne shoulde be so great an enemye to Humanitie And there vpon ê™ Falerio Thymon of Athens was without heyre or successor and therefore is no able example to blame vs. Neither had Ophela for any thinge we heare either heyre or successor quoth Aluisa Vechio then by your owne reason is of no authoritie to slaunder our sexe This one quip for an other although more myldelye handled of the Gentle women side accordinge to their naturall modestie quieted either parte In so moch as Doctor Mossenigo humbly desired to to be receiued into the grace of women againe Nay ê™ Quéene Aurelia you deserue to bee euereuermore banyshed the presences of women Alas good Madam quoth he I did but your commandement and therupon I appeale to the report of the company Yea but quoth she my meanyng was otherwise O Madame quoth he Subiects are bounde to execute their Soueraignes woordes and are not priueledged to interpret their charge to their owne fancy I sée well ê™ Quéene Aurelia that there is no dealyng with a Lawyer for they can defend their owne trespasses with the same sworde they punish other mens offences and therefore better to haue you a fayned friende being so daungerous then an open enemie wherefore we pardon you By this time Supper and euerie seruice of the Table ended Whereuppon Quéene Aurelia and the whole company rose and saluting one an other with a ciuill reuerence The Musick sommoned the yonge Gentelmen and Gentlewomen to daunsinge for this night they expected no other pastime vnlesse it were dicing carding or such like vnthrifty sports And therfore as the night grew on or they waxed wearie vntill the next mornyng they commytted one an other a dio FINIS The seconde Dayes EXERCIE Contayning with many other necessarie Questions a large Discouerie of the inconueniences of forced Marriadges AVrora had no sooner forsaken her Husband Tithons bed but that Phebus ashamed of his ouer drowsy sléeping in the darke Caues of Tartessus hastely harnesed vp his Horses and in his fierie Chariot clymed the Mountaine Oeta the painefull trauell whereof made brighte Pyrois and sparklinge Phlegon breathe flambes lyke the burninge Furnace wherein Vulcan forgeth the Thunderboltes of Iubiter In so much as Phaebus goldeÌ„ rayes which beautifieth the Heauens and comforteth the earth pearced through euerie small passadge into Segnior Philoxenus Pallace and glimmering in the yong Gentlemens faces wakened them with an imagination of their Mistresses beauties who scorning their Beds as Graues which buried the one half of their pleasures and the Cannapies as Clowdes that shadowed the brightnesse of their Loade Starres now started vp to honour and salute the Images of their hartes delighte and to waken the Ladies and Gentlewomen who of the suddaine could not be attyred the tingling of a small Bell gaue them warning of a Sermon In so much as by nine of the Clocke Quéene Aurelia and her stately Attendants entered the Chappel in such Equipage as I think the Preacher Fryer Bugiardo iâ—…agined our Lady was come from Loretto to honor Segnior Phyloxenus Aultar and therefore to welcome her the more he so extolled our Ladies vertues and the good and pitifull woorkes of our Cannonyzed Matrons and Uirgins as if the Crown of Heauen had stode vpon our Ladyes head and that the earth chéefely Italy was blessed for pittyfull womens sakes of whych they could haue no greater testimonie then that our Ladye by myracle had possessed them with her earthlye Mansion which she dayly visiteth with a thousand blessinges And therfore ê™ he repayre her Churches cherish her Préestes praye before her Aulters and your sinnes whatsoeuer shallbe forgeuen O she is pittifull as a woman and can rule her son as a Mother and with such lyke owld tales and Tapers he lighted the people as they thought to Heuen but in verye trueth into blinde Ignoraunce Caue from whence the deuill carryed them to Hell Ismarito smiled to heare the subtiltie of the Fryer and sorrowed to sée the simplicitie of the people in causes that appertayne vnto the soule who in the affaires of the flesh are as wylye as Serpents whose countenaunce when Philoxenus beheld he pleasauntly demaunded how Ismarito lyked Fryer Bugiardo his sermon Ismarito merely aunsweared it was pittie that Iudas had not harde the lyke after he had betrayed his Maister Christ it might haue ben vppon these large promyses of forgiuenes he wold not so desperatly haue hanged â—…self Then quoth Philoxenus these pleasing sermons be not vnnecessary in this countrie where sinne is so grose for were not the people in hope that our Lady of pitty wold pardon them a number would followe Iudas in dispaire with feare that Gods Iustice would condemne them It séemeth reason quoth Ismarito that the people beléeue what is sayd in the Pulpit for they vnderstand not what is read in the Church In this especiall case quoth Philoxenus all our crosses are curses So that our first restraint from reading the Scriptures could not but come from as accursed a spirit as his that first inuented the Turkes Alcaron for by the paine of the one Mahomets Idolatry is vnreprehended and through our ignoraunce in the other the Popes blaspheamye is in vs vnespyed and thereby both God is dyshonoured and manye a Soull distroyed so that happye and thryse happye are you of Englande that haue