especially by the assistance of a Glass which changed the common prospect of the World and made all things appear with their natural defects though disguised with the Mask which Fraud had put on them for so ought every one to behold this World withan eye different from the vulgar view and to understand things in the same Notion that the wise Count d' Oniate apprehended them When you see a presumptuous Opiniator believe him a Fool the Rich suppose Poor in respect of those true Riches of Felicity He who commands all is the common Slave the Man that is biggest is in bulk not much a Man the gross and fat have but little of substance he that would seem to be deaf hears more than he would and the Acute-sighted is Blind or will be so He that smells out much leaves a bad savour of himself in the Nostrils of all the Talkative speaks nothing he who Laughs raves with fury who excuseth condemns himself who Eats most Eats least who discommends the Merchandize desires it most who acts the Fools part is the wittiest Comedian who wants nothing wants himself the Covetous enjoys equally that which he hath not as what he hath the greatest Clerk is seldom the wisest Man who desires a good Life desires a good Death and he who loves life most most abhors it who invites his Friend to a plentiful Table is he that causes him to fast Folly is often seen in good Conjectures the most straight is crooked he that goes the nearest way home goes the farthest about who would not lose one mouthful loseth a hundred the best which cost most is best cheap he who makes thee weep is thy best Friend In fine that which one affects most and esteems the greatest is the most unworthy and of the smallest value With this discourse they eased their tedious steps which insensibly passed away till the encounter of another Monster interrupted them which now did not as formerly astonish nor distract their thoughts for they had learned that they must in this World expect to meet diversities of Prodigies one after another For now came towards them a Coach which was not usual in so bad a Road but being made so artificially and with such nimble Joints it passed through all rubs streights and difficulties the Beasts that drew it were two flea-bitten Jades like Serpents and the Coach-man a Fox Critilo asked if it were not a Venetian Chariot to which the Coach-man replyed in a manner far from the purpose as if he understood not what he demanded within rode a Monster or rather many for so often changed he his colour and shape sometimes black anon white then young anon old sometimes Great sometimes little then a Man a Woman a Beast that Critilo soon discovered him to be the famous Proteus Proteus As soon as he came near them he alighted from his Seat and with more bows and cringes then a young French Monsieur which are the Prologues to deceit and then with more Complements then an Aragonesa welcomed them in behalf of his great Master offering them the convenience of his Palace where they might ease and refresh their Bodies already wearied with so long a Journey They both having returned their thanks for so unexpected a favour demanded who was his Lord who in so small knowledge of them and their deserts had so courteously obliged them He is says he a mighty Prince whose Territories though they extend over the compass of the World yet keeps the famous Metropolis of his Court in this first entrance of the Earth and Life He is a Monarch more great than any in that Kings are his Feudataries and Vassals and few there are who unsubdued by his power pay him not Tribute for besides the flourishing estate of his Kingdom in Peace and Plenty it is the Academy of Arms and Learning and rewards the most forward Proficients herein let him who would understand the root of Policy Artifice and Cunning Outward Appearances apply himself to this Court where he shall learn to thrive and pass in the World to insinuate into the affections and favours of advantagious Acquaintance and both win Friends and preserve them and especially to cloak and disguise things with fictitious colours which is the Master-piece and most useful Lesson of Art and Knowledge This Report was perswasion enough for Andrenio to visit his Greatness and to be educated in a Court or School rather of so much Policy and being overcome with his Civilities stept into the Coach reaching out his hand to draw in Critilo but he being more cautious and experienced than the other turned again to demand the Titles and Name of this mighty Prince who being so great as Fame had reported could not but be adorned with Titles and Honours equivalent to his Dominions His Titles answered this Officer are many summing up a Catalogue of Names and Surnames run over multitudes of Appellations and told him that every part of his Territories and successes of his noble Atchievements had inserted new Titles into the List of his Honours but his most natural and original name is not vulgarly received being his Majesty and Greatness admits few to see him much less to know him he is a King of much Authority not to be reckoned amongst the petty number of Provincial Princes but one of great State whose retirement and difficulty of access renders his person more awful and reverenced At the end of Lustrums or some period of years his Courtesie admits the longing curiosity of some to his presence which is a blessing of their Fortune and excess of his favour with this discourse he had insensibly drawn them out of the way into another Path more intricate and crooked which when Critilo observed he was desirous to return from whence he had erred before it was too late but what with the windings and turnings of the Road and with the perswasion of the Guide who confidently assured them of his knowledge of the way and the multitude of the Passengers that they saw travelling therein he had much ado to retreat back Howsoever Critilo made a stop here and coming to a way with three Paths was doubtful which way to take and therefore warned Andrenio to be now careful of himself and more watchful and cautious then ever before For being now come to the Fountain of Thirst The Fountain of Thirst. so named from the longing thirst of those travellers that were enamoured with its Fame for its curious invention exceeded the Works of Iuanelo and the continual current of its Waters was the celebrated Theme by heroick Poesie Though the head arose and bubled in the greenness of an open Plain yet such was the concourse and croud that pressed to obtain a draught of this stream that the wide and large Champion round about seemed too narrow to receive the multitude of Visitants for such was the number that encircled this Fountain and swelled with the excess of the sweet
meer shadow or apparition of Mankind But tell me how is Man capable of doing so much mischief since Nature as seemingly negligent of him hath denied him those weapons with which she hath armed and defended Beasts He hath no claws like the Lyon or Tyger no Trunk like the Elephant no Horns like the Bull no Tusks like the Boar no Teeth like the Dog nor Mouth like the Wolf how then is that unarmed Malice able to wage such continual War For this very reason said Critilo hath provident Nature not delivered weapons into the hands of an enemy dangerous to himself and the rest of her Product whose hate knows no bounds for being let loose would destroy even Nature her self notwithstanding all which his malice hath found means to convert those parts which Nature hath given him for necessary uses into more bloudy and cruel Weapons than those of Beasts his Tongue is more sharp than the Lyons Claws by which he shatters the Reputation of others and wounds them in their name and honour His bad intentions are more perverse and crooked than the Bulls horns hurt at random and hit those it never aimed at his bowells are more poisonous than the Vipers his breath blasts more than the Dragons his eyes are more envious and dart more deadly emissions than the Basilisks his teeth are more sharp than the fangs of the Boar and his nose like the Elephants trunk wrings and turns it self into a thousand forms and shapes of derision so that all those offensive Arms which are sparingly delivered to other Creatures are not given to but usurped by Man and in him found as the store and Magazine of them all And that you may understand this the better know that Lyons and Tygers are capable of no other damage than what touches their Bodies but Man is liable to what misery fraud deceit treason theft homicide adultery envy injuries detractions and falsities can throw on his honour and cast on his peace estate content happiness conscience nay and to a malice which would proceed to the very ruine and destruction of his Soul Believe me there is no Wolf nor Lyon nor Tyger so unhumane as Man which is sufficiently verified if true what is reported That a Malefactor being condemned to die upon a legal Tryal was by Sentence of Justice to be cast into a deep Cave to be there devoured by ravenous Beasts it fortuned that a Stranger passing by and hearing the sighs and groans of the condemned person and yet ignorant of the punishment was moved by compassion to relieve him out of misery to which end opening the Cave suddenly with extraordinary nimbleness leaped out the Tyger which contrary to its nature and the expectation of the Traveller by way of salute and gratefulness kindly kissed and licked his hands next followed the Snake which twined about his Legs not to wound but to embrace them in like manner did all the rest most gratefully join to give him thanks not only for saving their lives but for rescuing them from a death accompanied with the loathsome Society of a wicked Man in recompence of which they seemed to advise him to fly and be gone least when that Miscreant came forth Mans Cruelty he should endanger his own life by saving his The Passenger though much amazed yet desired to see him whom he had so much obliged expecting some acknowledgements for so great a benefit instead of which the Malefactor coming forth and supposing that the Traveller carried some Wealth and Riches with him killed him and despoiled him of all a kind return of his Charity and Compassion And now judge which are most cruel Men or Beasts I am more astonished and amazed said Andrenio to hear this than the day I beheld the World You cannot fully conceive their Malice said Critilo and yet Women are worse and more dangerous If they be worse what must they be then In short they are Divels hereafter I will tell you more of them but above all I conjure you that by no means you tell who we are nor how I came hither nor how you proceeded to Light for by that means you may loose your Liberty and I my Life And though I distrust not your faithfulness and secrecy yet I am glad that I have not finished the Relation of my Misfortunes which in this only are fortunate that being as yet untold are not subject to that discourse which may sometimes inconsiderately fall from you Here therefore we will double down the leaf until the next occasion which cannot want in so long a Voyage By this time the near approach of the Fleet made their Voices more distinct and audible which they raised with greater acclamations with the joy conceived at their arrival Men always grow more wanton when their success promises fairest and their enterprizes have the face of a happy issue being come into the Road they furled their Sails and cast their Anchors and the Passengers began to land on the desired Shoar The meeting was as strange to the new-come Guests as to the two Inhabitants who in the relation they gave of themselves declared that having been asleep or negligent at the departure of the last Fleet they were left behind on that Island which account reconciled both their pity and their courtesie Having thus for some days entertained themselves in Hunting and furnished their Vessels with fresh Water and Wood they set to Sea directing their course to desired Spain Critilo and Andrenio embarked together on the same Gallion which sort of Vessel is a terror to its enemies the opposer of the Winds and a yoak of subjection to the Ocean The Voyage was as dangerous as long but the Relation which Critilo made of the many Tragedies his life had passed was a good entertainment for tedious hours which he prosecuted in this manner I was born as I have already told you amidst of this immense Golfe and of the dangers and continual motions of this turbulent Element The reason was that my Parents being both Spaniards by consent and favour of Philip the Great Critilo relates the History of his own Life the most universal and mighty Monarch embarked for the Indies with no small Wealth to improve their Fortunes My Mother at that time suspecting her self with Child carried me in her Womb and before the tedious Voyage was ended brought me forth whose untimely birth was hastned by the terrors of that Tempest in which I came to light that so the raging of the Seas might add pains to the pangs of her Travail My being born amidst this confusion was a bad omen of my future infelicities so early began Fortune to play with my life hurrying me from one part of the World to the other At last we arrived at that rich and famous City of Goa which is the Court of the Catholick Empire in the East the Imperial and August Seat of its Vice-kings and universal Emporium of the Indies and its Richness At
adornments and variety of Flowers yet afterwards return back to view each Plant and Flower with great Curiosity So we enter into this Garden of the Universe walking from our Birth until our Death without the least glance on the Beauty and Perfection of it unless some wiser Heads chance to turn back and renew their Pleasure by a Review and Contemplation This Andrenio considered to be his greatest Happiness in that he arrived to that height of Perfection which he had so long expected and desired Your happiness said Critilo was your restraint since afterwards you knocked off your Bolts and arrived at a full fruition both of your own desire and them for things that are worth our Wishes and obtained are twice enjoyed the greatest Wonders if familiar and common soon loose their Repute and an easie access and a free use makes but a toy of the greatest Prodigy The Sun hath done us a courtesie in absenting himself at night that his return may be the more grateful in the morning What a conjunction of Affections must you needs feel What over-flowings of your Senses How must your Soul have been ravished and employed in its attention on those Objects 'T was much you were not over-boarn with a Contemplation so violent and admirable I believe answered Andrenio that whilst my Attention was busied in Seeing and Observing it was so fixed on the present Object that it found no force nor power to communicate unto another But those chearful emanations of the Grand-Monarch of Light which you call the Sun crowned with his own Beams The Sun and encircled with Rayes stroak an awfulness to Eyes to render him the Reverence and Admiration At the Glory of his Throne at the Soveraignty and Silence of His Majesty which triumphs in the Christaline Waves and fills all Creatures with his bright Presence I was wholly swallowed up in Amazement envying the Eagle should be more intent than my self At his naming the Sun Critilo could contain no longer but instantly cryed out and applauded the Comfort the Bliss the Happiness enjoyed in that immortal and glorious Light the Sun My admiration still encreased said Andrenio until my Attention grew dim and amazed because I desired him at a distance to whom I feared to approach near my Reason telling me what I observed that no other Light but his could dim my Eyes and that no nearer Access could be to him but only by Contemplation The Sun said Critilo is that Creature which is the most lively Esfigies and Abstract of the Creators Majesty and Greatness He is called Sol because he solely runs the compass of the Heavens his Presence out-shining the Glory of the other Luminaries his situation is in the midst of the Celestial Orbs as the centre and heart of Light the perpetual fountain of Rayes a constant and an unchangeable Essence whose Virtue assisted us to see other things and yet covers and hides his own Beauty with the Vail of his Brightness his influence concurs with more immediate Causes to the Production of all Creatures nor can Man deny him to be the Author and Parent of his Life His Light is most effectual in being communicated for diffusing it self into all parts and piercing the very Bowells of the Earth doth with an admirable Vertue strengthen foment rejoice and nourish his influence is not Partial but common all having need of him and he of none In fine he is a Creature of the greatest Pomp and Glory the most resplendent Beam of the Divine Majesty A whole day said Andrenio I was employed in beholding him sometimes in himself and sometimes his Reflections in the Waters being forgetful of my time and self At this Critilo remembred what the Philosopher said That he was born to behold the Sun which was well said though ill understood for his meaning was that in this material Sun he did contemplate the Divine Glory for if but an Emission and Shadow of him be so bright what must be the true Light of that infinite and uncreated Beauty But alas said Andrenio how soon like the unconstancy of this World was the height of my comfort changed into displeasure the joy of my birth into the horrour of my Death the throne of the morning into the Grave of the night The night the Sun being descended through the Waters into another World left me drowned in a Sea of my own Tears but whilst the apprehensions of never seeing him again did grievously affect me behold on a sudden a new Wonder diverted my Thoughts the appearance of a Heaven adorned with Stars changed the Scene and renewed my Contentment This Prospect was no less welcome than the other the variety and strangeness of the Objects affording me an entertainment to busie my attention O that immense Wisdom of God! said Critilo which hath found a means to make the Night no less beautiful and admirable than the Day Absurdly hath vulgar ignorance imposed the Epithites of drowsie dark and uncomely upon the twinklings and serenity of the night those descriptions of being the repose of Labour the refreshments and diversion of Cares are but reproaches of its Sluggishness and Melancholy but better is it expressed by a Person of Wisdom who calls it the time of Contemplation and Thoughts and for that reason was the Owl at Athens celebrated as the Hieroglyphick of Knowledge The night is not so proper for the Ignorant to sleep as for the Wise and Studious to watch the Night being to prepare that which the Day must execute In this entertainment my Thoughts were soon engaged in a Labyrinth of numbring the Stars some whereof only twinkled others shined clearly observing their various Magnitudes Degrees Motions and Colours whilst some appeared others withdrew all resembling said Critilo humane Fortune which is no sooner up but inclines to his setting But what I much considered said Andrenio with small satisfaction was that disorderly and yet admirable disposition of them for seeing the Superiour Artificer had adorned and sealed the Convexity of the Heavens with Stars why he did not dispose them with Order and Method interweaving them with pretty Knots and flowry Circles I know not how to declare or express my self I already understand you said Critilo your meaning is that the Stars should have been disposed in Order and Rank like some rich Embroidery or the Flowers of some delicious Garden or studded like Rows of Dâ—amonds that the lustre of one might with an artificial correspondency have set off the Beauty of another Yes said he for besides that the disposition of this resplendent Artifice would have been a prospect more delicious to the Sight so it would have cleared that fond imagination of some who suppose Chance to have been Framer of this Universe and by a foolish Prophaneness hoodwink the Providence of the Almighty Your Query said Critilo is not from the purpose for you must know that the Divine Wisdom directing and disposing of them in this manner had more Sublime
Lawyers Men of the Quill Yonder I see an unclean Beast prodigally wallowing in the Mire of his own beastly Appetite which he calls and believes to be Flowers If it be any it must be he replied Egenio for these are the Unclean and Lascivious who are so choaked in the filth of their own vile Delights Dishonest that whosoever sees them does abhor and abominate them and these think the Mire to be Heaven and smell not the ill favour which proceeds from the Putrifaction of the World which they esteem to be a Perfume and a fragrant odour far excelling the sweetness of Paradice let me see if this be he No no it is not he but a Wretch whose Riches and pampered Body shall at his death make a joyful day for his Heirs and feast for the Worms Is it possible complained Critilo we cannot find him amongst all these Brutes we have seen nor amongst these many Droves we have encountred Neither drawing the Coach of the Harlot nor carrying the Chair of one greater and heavier then he nor is it he who sits in his Litter in false Latin and out of it scarce in good Spanish or that Pack-house of corrupted Customs Is it possible these Circes should disfigure and disguise a Man in this manner Thus may Sons beguile their Fathers and make them mad with jealousie that they are not their own who are not content only to strip them of the Garments of their Bodies but of those also of their Mind degrading them of the very formality and essence of Man But tell me Egenio when we find him thus changed into a Beast how can we reduce him him again and restore him to his former condition and shape of Man When we have found him replied he the business will not be difficult for some have perfectly recovered and become themselves though others have always retained some tainture and savour of their former condition Apulejus was worse then any Apulejus yet with the Role of Silence an admirable Medicine against Folly was recovered of his infirmity for material pleasures being well ruminated and our own corruptions considered it is a soveraign means to take off the mask which makes them appear amiable The Companions of Vlysses were metamorphos'd into Beasts and with tasting the bitter Root of the Tree of Vertue recovered the sweet Fruit of Humanity We will give him some Leaves pluckt from the Tree of Minerva which are planted and highly esteemed in the Garden of the courtly and learned Duke of Orleance and if not we will give him some leaves of the moral Sage you know of and I am sure it will prove an infallible remedy to bring him to himself and to restore his lost Reason They having thus given a hundred turns with more pains then success at last said Egenio I have considered of a better device let us go to the same house where he was last and perhaps raking there amongst the filth and ruines of it we may find this lost Iewel so thither they went entered in and sought him with much deligence This is but lost time said Egenio for already I have narrowly searched that place But hold said Egenio let me apply my sixth Sence which is the only remedy in this condition And now he observed that from one great heap of lascivious filth proceeded a Smoak very thick Here said he is fire and removing some moral Rubbish and Uncleanness there appeared the Door of a horrid Cave which when they had opened with some difficulty they saw by a confused twilight of infernal Flames many disanimate Bodies stretched out in the Cossins of their Sensualities There were some young Gallants as shallow and short-witted as they were long haired some also learned Men but Fools rich old Usurers whose Eyes though open yet saw nothing for some blinded them with a Linnen Napkin cast about their Eyes some had no other life then what they gave signs by their Sighs and Groans In fine all were frantick a sleep and naked no not a Rag left them to make a Winding-sheet wherein to bury their inanimate Bodies In the midst of these lay Andrenio so changed and disfigured that his Father Critilo scarce knew him But then he cast himself upon him and wept and called aloud to his deaf ears his Hands were as cold as Clay no Pulse beating nor any symptoms of Breath or Life Egenio observed that that dim Light which was not the light of a Torch but of a Hand proceeding out of a Wall which though pale and cold was yet adorned with Bracelets of Pearl purchased with the the Sighs and Tears of many the Fingers which were ringed with Diamonds bought with Falsity burned like Tapers though they gave not so bright a lustre as that Fire which scorched and consumed their Bowels What dead mans hand is this said Critilo one that was hanged No replied Egenio of the Hangmans rather which destroys strangles and stifles Breath They had no sooner removed this a little away but suddenly they began to revive for whilst this did burn their sleep was so profound that there was no possibility to awake them They endeavoured to extinguish it with Water but could not for this is the fire of Naptha blown by the blasts of amorous sighs and is more enflamed by the water of tears but the way is to cast dust and earth upon it for Fire though as violent as the infernal is smothered by it This being done they all awaked and every one began immediately to excuse the fault which had brought him into that Lethargy the graver sort much ashamed alledged that the disease was epidemical and that these flames of uncleanness were not only nourished in dry Fuel but in the sappy moisture of greener Sprouts the Juditious exclaimed against their own folly and that Paris in affront to Pallas was young and ignorant the Discreet called it a double madness Andrenio amongst the Benjamites or younger Sons of Venus had a Dart pierced through his Heart and now seeing and acknowledging Critilo went towards him What do you think now said he How well hath this wicked Woman treated you in leaving you without Estate Health Honour Conscience hereafter by experience so dearly bought you will give both credit to my words and add caution to your self With that they all unanimously began to exclaim against her some called her the Cylla of Ivory others the Caribdis of Emerods a painted Pestilence Poison in Nectar Where there are Reeds said one there is Water where is Smoak there is Fire where evil Women are Devils There is no greater Evil then a false Woman said an experienced Don except it be two for then it is double There is enough comprehended in this said Critilo that they are witty in nothing but in Evil. To which Andrenio replied that he must ingeniously confess that notwithstanding all this Evil they had cast upon him he could neither abhor nor forget them for I assure you of all