It is decreed by the great Gods on high Which nothing can prevent then let my fall Be an Atonement to make Friends withall But Death and Courage being long at strife About her Husband's Honour and his Life They both did fall and on the ground did lye But honoured Courage receiv'd Fame thereby When Death had turned out his Life it went Into his Fame and built a Monument The Bride when that she saw her Husband faint She weeping mourn'd and made a sad complaint O Gods said she grant me but this Request That I may dye here on my Husband's breast With that she fell and on his Lips did lye Suckt out each other's breath and so did dye When that the Lover saw her Soul was fled And that her body was cold pale and dead Then he impatient grew his Life to hold With desperate Fury then both fierce and bold He gave himself a mortal wound and so Fell to the ground and sick did grow Then did he speak to all the Company I do entreat you all for Charity To lay me by my Mistress in a Grave That my free Soul may rest and quiet have With that a Voice heard in the air to say My Noble Friends you ought to disobey His dying-words for if you do not so From our dead ashes jealousie will grow But howsoe're their Friends did so agree That they did put them in a Grave all three And ever since fierce Jealousie doth rage Throughout the World and shall from age to age A Batchelor that spightful was and old Unto the Company his Tale he told WOmen care not nor seek for Noble Praise All their delight runs to Romantick ways To be in love and be belov'd agen And to be fought-for by the youngest men Not for their Vertue but their Beauty fair Intangling men within their amorous snare And turning up their Eyes not for to pray Unless it be to see their Love that day With whining Voice and foolish words implore The Gods for what unless to hold the dore And what is their desire if I should guess I straight should judg it tends to wantonness Perchance they 'l say It is for Conversation But those Conversations bring Temptation What Youth 's in love with Age where wisdom dwells That all the follies of wild Youth still tells But Youth will shun grave Age's Company And from them flye as from an Enemy Say they Their wit is all decay'd and gone And that their wit is out of fashion grown Say they are peevish froward and displeas'd And full of pain and weak and oft diseas'd But that is fond excuse to plead for Youth For Age is Valiant Prudent full of truth And Sickness often on the Young takes hold Making them feeble weak before they 're old If Women love let it be for the sake Of Noble Virtue and the wiser take Else Virtue is depress'd forsaken quite For she allows no Revellers of Night This Sex doth strive by all the art they can To draw away each other's Courtly-Man And all the allurements that they can devise They put in execution for the prise Their Eyes are quick and sparkling like the Sun Yet always after Mankind do they run Their words are smooth their faces in smiles drest Their heart is by their countenance exprest But in their older age they spightful grow And then they scorns upon their youngers throw Industrious are a false Report to make Lord Lord what poor Employments Women take To carry Tales on Tongues from Ear to Ear VVhich faster run than Dromedaries far In heat with speed and haste they run about From House to House to find their Comrades out And when they meet so earnest they are bent As if the Fate 's Decrees they could prevent The best is Rubbish they their Minds do load With several Dresses and what is the Mode But if they spightful are they straight defame Those that most Virtue have or honoured Name Or else about their Carriage they find fault And say their Dancing-Masters were stark naught But for their several Dressings thus will say How strangely such a one was drest to day And if a Lady dress or chance to wear A Gown to please her self or curl her Hair If not according as the Fashion runs Lord how it sets a-work their Eyes and Tongues Straight she 's fantastical they all do cry Yet they will imitate her presently And for what they did laugh at her in scorn VVith it think good themselves for to adorn Thus each of them doth into other pry Not for to mend but to find fault thereby VVith that the VVomen rose and angry were And said they would not stay such Tales to hear But all the Men upon their Knees did fall Begging his Pardon and their stay withall And Women's Natures being easie free Did soon consent to keep them company The Tale to tell Unto a Woman's turn befell And when their rusling twatling Silks did cease Their creaking Chairs and Whisperings held their peace The Lady did a Tragick Tale unfold Forcing their Eyes to weep whilst she it told The Description of the Fondness of Parents and the Credulity of Youth A Gentleman had liv'd long and was old A Wife he had which Fifty years had told Their Love was such as Time could not decay Devout they were and to the Gods did pray Yet Children they had none to bless their Life She happy in a Husband h'in a Wife But Nature in the World her Power to show From an old Stock caus'd a young Branch to grow At length this aged Dame a Daughter bore Got by her Husband when Threescore and more They are so joy'd they Nature's Bounty praise And thank the Gods that did the Issue raise They were so fond that none this Child must t'uch Only themselves their pains they thought not much She gave it suck and dress'd it on her Lap The whilst he warm'd the Clouts then cool'd the Pap. They when it slept did by the Child abide Both sitting near the Cradle on each side But when it cry'd he danc'd it on his Arm The whilst she sung its Passion for to charm Thus did they strive to please it all they could And for its good yeeld up their Lives they would VVith pains and care they Nurs'd their Daughter well And with her Years her Beauty did excel But when she came to Sixteen years of age Her Youth and Life by Love she did engage Unto a Gentleman that liv'd hard-by Close to her Father's House who seem'd to dye If he enjoy'd her not yet did he dread His Father's Curse to light upon his Head His Father to his Passion being cruel Although he was his only Son and Jewel Charging upon his blessing not to marry This fairest Maid nor Servants for to carry Letters or Tokens Messages by stealth Despising her because of no great VVealth Yet she was Nobly born not very poor But had not VVealth to equal his great store But he did woo his Love
on Yet they are Curious built with Art and Care Like Lovers who build Castles in the Air Which ev'ry puff of Wind is apt to break As Imaginations when Reason's weak They said His Tale was short He Answer made I 'le piece it out And thus he said THE Silk-worm digs her Grave as she doth spin And makes her Winding-sheet to lap her in And from her Bowels takes a heap of Silk Which on her Body as a Tomb is built Out of her ashes do her young ones rise Having bequeath'd her Life to them she dyes They only take that Life to spin a Death For as they wind up Silk they wind out Breath Thus rather than do nought or idle be They 'l work and spin out Life's small Thread we see When all their work is done ready to dye Their Wings are grown for Life away to flye The Silk-worm is first a small Seed then turneth into a Worm at last grows to have Wings like a Flye but lives not to make use of them As soon as she is big enough she spins a Ball of Silk all about her self wherein being grown to be a Fly she makes a hole to come out to leave Seed for the generation of her young ones After which she immediately dyes The Women said the Men made quick dispatch In telling Tales like Dogs that Bones do snatch But howsoe're a Woman did begin To tell a Tale and thus she entred in A Description of the Passion of Love misplaced A Lady on the Ground a mourning lay Complaining to the Gods and thus did say You Gods said she why do you me torment Why give you Life without the Mind's content Why do you Passions in a Mind create Then leave it all to Destiny and Fate With knot and snarls they spin the Thread of Life Then weave it cross and make a Web of strife Come Death though Fates are cross yet thou' rt a Friend And in the Grave dost peace quiet send It chanc'd a Gentleman that way came by And seeing there a weeping Beauty lye Alas dear Lady why do you so weep Unless your Tears you mean the Gods shall keep Jove will present those Tears to Juno fair For Pendants and for Neck-laces to wear And so present that Breath to Juno fair That she may always move in perfum'd air Forbear forbear make not the World so poor Send not such Riches for the Gods have store I 'm one said she to whom Fortune's a Foe Crossing my Love working my overthrow A Man which to Narcissus might compare For Youth and Beauty and the Graces fair Do him adorn on him my love is plac'd But his neglect doth make my life to wast My Soul doth mourn my Thoughts no rest can take He by his scorn doth me unhappy make With that she cry'd O Death said she come quick And in my heart thy Leaden Arrow stick Take comfort Lady grieve and weep no more For Nature handsome Men hath more in store Besides dear Lady Beauty will decay And with that Beauty love will flee away If you take time this heat of Love will wast Because 't is only on a Beauty plac'd But if your Love did from his Virtue spring You might have lov'd though not so fond have been The love of Virtue is for to admire The Soul and not the Body to desire That 's a gross Love which only dull Beasts use But Noble Man to love the Soul will chuse Because the Soul is like a Deity Therein pure Love will live eternally O Sir but Nature hath the Soul so fix'd Unto the Body and such Passions mix'd That nothing can divide or dis-unite Unless that Death will separate them quite For when the Senses in Delights agree They bind the Soul make it a Slave to be He Answered If that the Soul in Man should give consent In every thing the Senses to content No Peace but War amongst Mankind would be And Desolation would have Victory No Man could tell or challenge what 's his own He would be Master that is strongest grown Lady love Virtue and let Beauty dye And in the Grave of Ruins let it lye With that she rose and with great joy said she Farewell fond Love and foolish Vanity The Men condemn'd the Tale because said they None but a Fool would preach so Wise men pray But Ladies hear me did another say TO love but one is a great fault For Nature otherwise is taught She caus'd Varieties for us to taste And other Appetites in us she plac'd And caus'd dislike in us to rise To surfeit when we gormandise For of one Dish we glut our Palat Although it be but of a Salat When Solomon the Wise did try Of all things underneath the Sky Although he found it Vanitie Yet by it Nature made us free For by the change her Works do live By several Forms that she doth give So that Inconstancy is Nature's play And we her various Works must her obey A Woman said that Men were foolish Lovers And whining Passions Love oft discovers They 're full of Thoughts said she yet never pleas'd Always complaining and yet never eas'd They 'l sigh they mourn they groan they make great moan They 'l sit cross-legg'd with folded arms alone Sometimes their Dress is careless with despair With hopes rais'd up 't is costly rich and rare Setting their Looks and Faces in a frame Their Garb's affected by their Mistress Name Flattering their Loves forswearing then each boasts What Valiant Deedsh ' has done in Forreign Coasts Through what great dangers his adventures run Such acts as Hercules had never done That every one that hears doth fear his Name And every Tongue that speaks sounds forth his fame And thus their Tongues extravagantly move Caus'd by vain-glorious foolish amorous Love Which only those of his own Sex approve But when their Rallery was past The Tale upon a Man was cast Then crying peace to all that talking were They were bid hold their Tongues and lend an Ear. The Man more than the rest was somewhat old They said to him Your Tale you have not told Alas said he my Memory is bad And I have none so good as you have had He musing a short time thus did begin I hope said he my Tale may credit win A Description of Civil-Warrs A Kingdom which long time had liv'd in Peace Her People rich with Plenty fat with Ease With Pride were haughty grown Pride Envy bred From Envy Factions grew then Mischief spread And Libels every where were strew'd about Which after into Civil-Warr broke out Some for the Commons fought some for the King And great Disorder was in ev'ry thing Battels were won and lost on either side Where Fortune ebb'd and flow'd like to a Tide At last the Commons won and then astride Fierce Tyranny on Noble Necks did ride All Monuments pull'd down that stood long time And Ornaments were then thought a great Crime No Law was pleaded but the Martial Law The
not to quench but rather to burn though smutheredly and no perswasions could reform him but rather make him worse as Cordials in hot Fevers she parted from him after that they had been and as she thought happily married many years and so resigned that part of the Command and Government of his Family that was left her for the Maid had encroach'd by her Master's favour and had ingross'd the chiefest Power of Rule in the Houshold-affairs as well as in the Affection of the Heart Thus his Wife left him and his Dotage but Death in a short time did come and revenge her Quarrel and that Tinder-fire Cupid had made Death put out By this we see there is no Certainty of Constancy nor no Cure in Time nor no Settlement in life The Three WOOERS THERE were three Knights went a wooing A Covetous Knight An Amorous Knight and A Judicious Knight The Covetous Knight sought a Rich Wife not caring for her Birth Breeding or Beauty The Amorous sought for a Beautiful Wife not caring for her Wealth or Birth The Judicious sought for a Wife Virtuous well bred and honourably born not caring for the Wealth or Beauty And having all three good Estates every Man that had Daughters invited and feasted them So they went to visit all Noble Hospitable House-keepers such as Gentlemen are and Honourable Persons that live in the Countrey The Amorous Knight made love to all those Ladies and Gentlewomen that were Handsome but as soon as he was to treat with their Parents or Friends about Marriage or to appoint a Wedding-day he would find some excuse or other to break off The Covetous Knight would be so far from Wooing that he would not speak to any of the young Ladies nor look on them oftenl for fear they should claim Marriage but he still would treat with their Parents or Friends to know what Portions they had or what Estates were likely to befall them by the death of their Friends The Judicious Knight would neither woo the Ladies nor treat with their Parents or Friends but discoursed with them civilly observing strictly what Capacities Wits and Behaviours the Women had also employing Agents secretly to enquire of their Servants Neighbours and Acquaintance of what Natures Dispositions and Humours they were not trusting to their sober outsides and formalities they use to Strangers After they had visited all Noble Entertainers they went to the City For said the Covetous Knight I will not chuse a Wife in these Families for these Daughters Sisters and Neeces are too prodigally bred to make Thrifty Wives So they went to visit the City But the Amorous Knight said He would not chuse a Wife out of the City because said he I shall never love my Wife but on Holy-days or Sundays for they then appear indifferent Handsom when they have their best Clothes but on VVorking days they smell of the Shop and appear like their Father 's faded mouldy withered VVares Besides said he they discoursing to none but their Journey-men and ' Prentice-boys cannot tell how to entertain a Gentleman or a Lover with Romancical Speeches or pieces of Plays or Copies of Verses or the like The Covetous Knight said You condemn that I shall commend and dislike that which I shall like and love that which I shall hate for I hate whining-Love and I shall be unwilling to marry a Woman although she should bring me a great Portion that would be reading Romances and the like and be entertaining with repeating Verses and singing Love-Sonnets when she should be looking to my Servants ordering my Family and giving directions Or such a one that would be half the day dress'd so fine she cannot stir about her House or will not for fear of dirtying or crumpling her Clothes besides the infinite Expence their Bravery will put me to But when they dress fine but on Sundays and Holy-days I mean only at such Good-times as Christmas Easter Whitsuntide or so a Silk-Gown will last some Seven years He is a good Husband that will or can love his Wife sometimes as on Holy-days although I shall love my VVife best those days she is most in her Huswifry which is in her Sluttery and not on Holy-days when she is in her Bravery But he that loves his Wife every day and at all times is Luxurious and ought to be banished a Commonwealth for Fond Husbands make Proud Vain Idle and Expensive Wives who spoil Servants kill Industry and all good Huswifry which is the ruin to Noble and Ancient Families But after they had traversed the City they went to the Court. And when the Covetous Man saw the Bravery of the Court he would by any means be gone from thence The other two asked him the reason He said He was afraid that they would cheat him or bring some false Witness to accuse him of Treason to get his Estate or at least to bring him into some Court of Justice to get a Fine for said he I verily believe they have no Money having no Lands but what they get by such shifting sharking flattery bribery betraying and accusing for said he poor Courtiers are like starved Prisoners devour all they can get and sometimes they devour one another But the Amorous Knight was ravished with the glistering Shews and was more enamoured with the gay Clothes than with the fair Ladies and did long to embrace their Silver-Lace which made him use all his Rhetorick to the Covetous Knight to stay As for the Judicious Knight he was neither moved with fear as the Covetous nor struck with admiration as the Amorous Knight said little but observed much and was willing to go or stay as the others could agree But when the Covetous Knight heard them to talk of nothing but Fashions Gowns Gorgets Fanns Feathers and Love-Servants he fell into a Cold-sweat for fear he should be forced by the King and Queen to marry one of those Maids of Honour And when he heard them talk of Love Justice and justifying loving-Friendships he was forced to go out of the room or otherwise he should have swooned with an Apoplexy or Lethargie or the like sudden Disease for he did imagine himself married to one of them and all his Estate spent and he only left with a pair of Horns and like a Horned-Beast in the wild Forest of Poverty But these sorts of Discourse did enslave the Amorous Knight binding him in Love's Fetters insomuch as he became a Servant to them all but then finding it was impossible to please them all he only applied and at last yeelded himself to one to whom after a short time he was married The Covetous Knight being afraid of being forced to marry a Courtier took a Wife out of the City The Judicious Knight seeing his Wooing-Travellers married thought it would shew an unconstant Humour not to marry since he travelled about with them to get a Wife or else it would seem as if he thought no Woman Virtuous or at least Discreet
Weakness as two Ambassadors to present her Affection but Life would not give them audience Whereupon Death sent Pain who had such a perswasive power that made Life yeeld to Death's embracements And after they were agreed the Wedding-day was set and Guests invited Life invited the Five Senses and all the Passions and Affections with Beauty Pleasure Youth Wit Prosperity and also Virtue and the Graces But Health Strength Cordials and Charms refused to come which troubled Life much None that Death invited refused to come they were Old Father Time Weakness Sickness all sorts of Pains and all sorts of Diseases and killing-Instruments as also Sighs Tears and Groans Numbness and Paleness But when Life and Death met Death took Life by the Hand then Peace married them and Rest made their Bed of Oblivion wherein Life lay in the cold Arms of Death Yet Death got numerous Issues and ever since whatsoever is produced from Life dyes Whereas before this Marriage there was no such thing as dying for Death and Life were single like Batchelors and Maids But Life proved not so good a Wife as Death a Husband for Death is sober staid grave discreet patient dwelling silently and solitary whereas Life is wild various unconstant and runs about shunning her Husband Death's company But he as a loving and fond Husband follows her and when he embraces her she grows big and soon produces young Lives But all the Off-spring of Death and Life are divided half dwelling with Life and half with Death At this Wedding old Father Time which looked the youngest although he was the oldest in the Company and danced the nimblest and best making several changes in his Dances he trod so gently and moved so smoothly that none could perceive how he did turn and wind and lead about And being wiser than all the rest with long Experience he behaved himself so handsomely insinuated so subtilly courted so civilly that he got all the Ladies Affections and being dextrous got Favours from every one of them and some extraordinary ones for he devirginated Youth Beauty Pleasure Prosperity and all the Five Sences but could not corrupt Wit Virtue nor the Graces But Nature hearing of the abuse of her Maids was very angry and forced him to marry them all But they although they were inamoured of him before they were married yet now they do as most other Wives not care for him nay they hate him rail and exclaim against him that what with his peevish froward and cross Wives and with the jealousie he hath of Sickness Pains and Mischances that ofen ravish them he is become full of wrinkles and his Hair is turned all gray But Virtue and Wit which are his sworn Friends and sweet Companions recreate him with their pleasant free honest and honourable Societies Of the Indispositions of the Mind THE Mind was very sick and sent for Physicians and the first that came were Divines who disputed so long and contradicted one another so much that they could conclude of nothing One advising the Mind to take a Scruple of Calvin's Institutions others a Dram of Luther's Doctrine some two Drams of the Romish Treacle or Opinions some of the Anabaptists Water others to take some of the Brownists Spirits But there were some quite from these Opinions and would advise the Mind to lay some of Mahomet's Pigeons at the feet cutting them with the Turkish Scimitar then bind it up with his Alcaron others would have the Mind bind the Head with the Talmud of the Jews But the Mind grew sicker and sicker insomuch that it was almost at the last gasp whereupon the Mind desired them to depart for said he your Controversies will kill me sooner than your Doctrine will cure me The Mind being very sick sent for other Sects of Physicians who were Moral Philosophers who being come set round a Table and there began to discourse and dispute of the Diseases of the Mind One said Grief is a Lethargie No said another Stupidity is a Lethargie for Grief rather weeps than sleeps O but said another there are dry Griefs that sweat no Tears Pray Gentlemen dispatch said the Mind for I am in great pain One says Hate is an Apoplexy for it is dead to it self though it lives to the Beloved No said he but Hate is a Dead-Palsie No said the other Ignorance is a Dead-Palsie but Hate is an Apoplexie caused by the stopping of the Spirits either Animal or Vital the Vital Spirits being Compassion the Animal Spirits Generosity You are most strangely mistaken said another for all the Spirits are composed of Fortitude the Vital Spirits are active the Animal are passive But they disputed so long upon this point that they had almost fallen out and the Mind prayed them not to quarrel for wrangling noise did disturb him much Then one said That Spight and Envy were Cancers the one caused by sharp Humours the other by salt Another said That Spight was not a Cancer but a Fistula that broke out in many several places and that Envy was the Scurvy that speckled the whole Body of the Mind like Flea-bites The Mind prayed them to go no further in that dispute Then one of them said That Anger was a Hot Burning Fever Nay by your favour said another Anger is an Epilepsie that soams at the Mouth and beats its Breast strugling and striving and will be often in Cold-Sweats and as pale as Death Then another said That an Ague in the Mind was Doubt and Hope the Cold Fit being Doubt and the Hot Fit Hope A second answered That Agues were Fear which caused Shaking-Fits A third said That Jealousie was an Ague that had Cold and Hot Fits Nay said a fourth Jealousie is an Hectick Fever that is an extraordinary Heat got into the Arteries which inflames the Spirit of Action drinks up the Blood of Tranquillity and at last wasts and consumes the Body of Love A fifth said Jealousie is the Gout which is a burning beating pain never letting the Mind be at rest Said a sixth Jealousie is a Head-ake caused from an ill affected Friend But there grew such a Dispute upon this as whether it was the Head Heart or Arteries that the Mind was forced to threaten them they should have no Fees if they did dispute so much As for the Wind-cholick in the Mind some said It was an overflow of Imaginations and Conceptions others That it was strange Opinions others said It was wild Fancies others That it was the over-dilating of the Thoughts and many more several Judgments were given whereupon they were ready to fight To which the Mind replied That it is impossible you should prescribe effectual Medicines if you cannot agree about the Disease Then another said Slander was the Spotted-Fever Another said A Spotted-Fever was Malice Says another A Spotted-Fever and the Plague have near relation but the Plague said he is Discontent that is caused by Envy Slander Malice and the like This Plague of Discontent breaks out
and the two Ladies stood and after all the Judges were set the young Lady thus spake Grave Fathers and most Equal Judges I Come here to plead for Right undeck'd with Eloquence but Truth needs no Rhetorick so that my Cause will justifie it self But if my Cause were foul it were not pencil'd words could make it seem so fair as to delude your understanding Eyes Besides your Justice is so wise as to fortisie her Forts with Fortitude to fill her Magazine with Temperance to victual it with Patience to set Centinels of Prudence that Falshood might not surprise it nor Bribery corrupt it nor Fear starve it nor Pity undermine it nor Partiality blow it up so that all all right Causes here are safe and secured from their Enemies Injury and Wrong Wherefore most Reverend Fathers if you will but hear my Cause you cannot but grant my Suit Whereupon the Judges bid her declare her Cause I was married to this Prince 't is true I was but young in years when I did knit that Wedlock-knot and though a Child yet since my Vows were holy which I made by Virtue and Religion I am bound to seal that Sacred Bond with Constancy now I am come to years of knowing good from evil I am not only bound most Pious Judges to keep my Vow in being chastly his as long as he shall live but to require him by the Law as a Right of laberitance belonging to me and only me so long as I shall live without a Sharer or Co-partner so that this Lady who lays a Claim and challenges him as being hers can have no right to him and therefore no Law can plead for her for should you cast aside your Canon Law most Pious Judges and judg it by the Common-Law my Suit must needs be granted if Justice deals rightly and gives to Truth her own for should an Heir young before he comes to years run on the Lenders score though the Lender had no Law to plead against Nonage yet if his nature be so just to seal the Bonds he made in Non-age when he comes to full years he makes his former Act good and fixes the Law to a just Grant giving no room for Cozenage to play a part nor Falshood to appear The like is my Cause most Grave Fathers for my Friends chose me a Husband made a Bond of Matrimony sealed it with the Ceremony of the Church only they wanted my years of Consent which I give now freely and heartily The Judges asked What says the Duke Then the Duke thus spake I Confess I was contracted to this Lady by all the Sacred and most binding Ceremonies of the Church but not with a free consent of Mind for being forced by the Duty to my Father who did not only command but threatned me with his Curse he being then upon his Death-bed and I being afraid of a dying-Father's Curses yeelded to those Actions which my Affections and free-will renounced and after my Father was dead placing my Affections upon another Lady married her thinking my self not liable to the former Contract by reason the Lady was but Six years of age whose Non-age I thought was a warrantable Cancel from the Engagement Most Upright Judges MY Non-age is not a sufficient Reason to set him free he being then of full Age nor can his fear of offending his Parents or his loving-Duty towards them be a Casting-Plea against me his Duty will not discharge his Perjury nor his Fear could be no warrant to do a Wrong And if a Fool by Promise binds his Life to Inconveniences the Laws that Wise Men have made must force him to keep it And if a Knave by private and self ends doth make a Promise Just Laws must make him keep it If a Coward makes a Promise through distracted Fear Laws that carry more Terrors than the broken Promise Profit will make him keep it A Wise Just Generous Spirit will make no Promise but what he can and durst and will perform But say a Promise should pass through an ignorant Zeal and seeming Good yet a right Honourable and Noble Mind will stick so fast to its Engagements that nothing shall hew them asunder for a Promise must neither be broken upon Suspition nor false Construction nor upon enticing Perswasions nor threatning Ruins but it must be maintained with Life and kept by Death unless the Promise carry more malignity in the keeping than the breaking of it I say not this to condemn the Duke though I cannot applaud his second Action concerning Marriage I know he is too Noble to cancel that Bond his Conscience sealed before high Heaven where Angels stood as Witnesses Nor can he make another Contract until he is free from me so that his Vows to his Lady were rather Complemental and Love's Feignings than really true or so Authentical as to last He built Affections on a wrong Foundation or rather Castles in the Air as Lovers use to do which vanish soon away for where Right is not Truth cannot be Wherefore she can claim no lawful Marriage unless he were a Free-man not bound before and he cannot be free unless he hath my Consent which I will never give Then the other Lady spake Noble Judges THIS Crafty Flattering Dissembling Child lays a Claim to my Husband who no way deserves him she being of a low Birth and of too mean a Breeding to be his Wife Neither hath she any right to him in the Law she being too young to make a free Choice and to give a free Consent Besides he doth disavow the Act by confessing the disagreeing thereto in his Mind and if she was to give a Lawful Consent and his Consent was seeming not real as being forced it could not be a firm Contract Wherefore I beseech you cast her Suit from the Barr since it is of no validity Just Judges answered she WHAT though he secretly disliked of that Act be made Yet Human Justice sentences not the Thoughts but Acts Wherefore those Words that plead his Thoughts ought to be waved as useless and from the Barr of Justice cast aside And now most Upright Judges I must entreat your Favour and your Leave to answer this Lady whose Passions have flung Disgraces on me which I without the breach of Incivility may throw them off with scorn if you allow me so to do The Judges said We shall not countenance any Disgrace unless we knew it were a punishment for Crimes Wherefore speak freely Well then to answer this Lady who says That I am meanly born 'T is true I came not from Nobility but I can draw a Line of Pedigree Five hundred years in length from the Root of Merit from whence Gentility doth spring This Honour cannot be degraded by the Displeasure of Princes it holds not in Fee-simple from the Crown for Time is the Patron of Gentility and the older it groweth the more beautiful it appears and having such a Father and Mother as Merit and Time Gentry is
for Death is in my power though Life is not But the Prince who was their Commander hearing a noise came on the Deck who no sooner saw him but was struck with Compassion raised by a resemblance of his Mistress appearing in the Face of the Youth and going to him bid him dry his Eyes and cease his Sorrow for they both should live together so long as he could keep them Heaven bless you said he and may you never part from that you most do love But when Travelia's Tears were stopped and sight got a passage through her Eyes again and looking up to view that Man from whom his Obligations came no sooner saw his Face but Terror struck his Heart and trembling seized her Limbs as if she had seen some hideous and prodigious thing The Prince observing her in that Agony asking him as supposing her a Boy What made him shake and tremble so In quivering Words she answered As Fear before had shrunk his Sinews short so now Joy had extended them too far The Prince then stroaking his Head promised they should both be well used and so returned into his Cabin Thus travelling on the Sea as on a great Champain the Ship like a Horse went several paces according as the Waves did rise and fall But at last this Ship became like a Horse diseased with Spavins which broke out and sprung a leak which they stopt as well as they could for the time but doubting it could not long hold out grew very sad some weeping some praying some murmuring some raving according as their Fear and Hopes were But the Prince who was valiant by nature expected Death with as much patience as they with fear did apprehend it neither was he struck with terror but yeelded to the Fates and was willing to dye But in the midst of their Afflictions at last they espied an Island at which sight they all shouted for joy Thus in the life of Man many several accidents pass about and it chances many times that out of the midst of Grief and Sorrow rises up Objects of Comfort so was it here and setting up all their Sails made haste to it but before they could come close to it although they were not far from it the Leak broke out again and likewise their Fears for the Ship grew sick of a lingring Disease that it could swim no farther but perished by little and little which perceiving they hoist out their Boat where the Prince gave order That those which were most afraid should go first he himself was the last that went therein though the Boat did go and unload and return'd many times insomuch that not only the Passengers were saved but all their Goods which no sooner were out but the Ship sunk and dyed of that Incurable Dropsie But in these Dangers the Prince forgot not Travelia for why the Prince was more fond of him than Travelia was of himself for her fears of being known gave her no rest But being all safely arrived in the Island they began to consider what to do the Prince counselled them to chuse out some of the Company to build up Hutts to lay their Goods in and also to cut down some Trees there being great store of Wood chusing that which was most proper and fit to build a new Ship whilst the rest of the Company went to seek Food and to discover the place This being agreed upon they divided themselves and those that travelled up into the Island found it very small as being not above thirty miles long and twenty broad and unpeopled but great store of Fish and Fowl few Beasts but those that were were of a gentle Kind fine Meadows full of Grass and sweet Flowers refreshing and shady Woods wherein ran clear Springs and bubling Brooks Thus though it were little it was very pleasant the greatest Inconvenience they found there was want of Houses for they found the ground somewhat damp with Dews which being an Island it was subject to but the Air was ferene and clear the Climate a little more than temperately hot But the time that the Ship was a building the Prince had a little House or thing like an Arbour built in the midst of the Island to lodg in and the rest made Hutts for themselves and several Recreations they found to pass away the time Being in so solitary a place the Prince who was melancholy for the loss of his Mistress grew full of Thoughts and having her Picture in his Mind drawn to the life comparing it to Travelia's Face which he often looked upon began to reason with himself why that might not be she considering her private escape and the little acquaintance she had in that Countrey and seeming of a better breeding than a Ship-Master's Son could have it did almost confirm his hopes But discoursing one day with the old Man of several accidents telling their Misfortunes and good hap of both sides and being both of one Countrey the old Man thinking no harm discovered by his talking that Travelia was none of his Son begotten from his Loins but adopted through Compassion and Affection and then telling the Story how he came into his Ship unknown or without his leave by the circumstances of Time Place and Manner found that it was she whereat being transported with joy he could scarce conceal his Passion but dissembled his knowledg as well as he could for the present yet after that time sought an occasion to get her alone where he did usually go a Birding and did command Travelia to carry his Bags of Shot after him who loved the Service though she feared the Lord and when they were gone some distance from the rest of the Company and being in a shady Wood the Prince feigned himself weary and setting down to rest commanded him to do the like and at last discovered to him how he came to know her She finding her self discovered turned as pale as Death and in that passion of Fear prayed him to kill her or otherwise she should find a way to do it her self But the Prince told her He would satisfie himself first unless she would consent to live with him as his Wife in that Island wherein said he we may live free and secure without any Disturbance She musing with her self what to do believing he was not grown the Chaster with living amongst rude and barbarous People thought it best to dissemble and give a seeming-consent Whereat the Prince's Thoughts being more elevated than if he had been Master of the whole World they return'd to the rest of the Company the one with an over-joyed Mind the other sad and full of perplexed Thoughts But when she came to a place where she might be alone sitting down in a melancholy posture without uttering Words or shedding Tears for Grief and Amazement had congealed the one and stopt the other yet at last her smuthered sorrow broke out into Complaint You Gods said she Who will offer Sacrifice to your Deities since
will and let him do that which he would not have him do were to make Jove less than a God as if his Decrees were to be alter'd by Man's Humour and Will or said she to think that Jove requires of Man such things as his Nature suffers him not to do and so as it were to force him to disobey him or to think Jove suffers Man to do evil when he could prevent it or to think Jove permits Man to provoke his Justice or to damn Man when it is in Jove's power to save him were to think Jove unjust and cruel or to think Jove made Man yet knew he would be damned and might have saved him in not making him were make a malignity in the nature of Jove for to make and take delight to punish is to be malicious which cannot be said she for Jove is a God in Goodness as well as a God in Power and a God in Justice as well as a God of Wisdom for Justice and Knowledg is the Basis of Wisdom but said she the Opinions Men have of Jove are according to their own natures and not according to the nature of Jove which makes such various Religions and such rigorous Judgment in every Religion as to condemn all but their own Opinion which Opinions are so many and different as scarce any two agree and every Opinion judges all damned but their own and most Opinions are That the smallest Fault is able to damn but the most Vertuous Life and innocent Thoughts not sufficient to save them Then they asked her If she did believe Predestination She said She believed that Jove did order all things by his Wisdom and that his Wisdom knew how to dispose to the best as also that Jove's Will was the only fixt Decree and that his Power establishes all that his Will decrees Then they asked her What she thought Jove required from Man She answered She thought Jove required nothing from man but what he required from Nature as Love Praises Admiration Adoration and Worship to love his Goodness praise his Justice admire his Wisdom adore his Power and to worship all his Attributes and Jove said she requires not only this in man but of all the Creatures in Nature for said she it were a sinful opinion to think none but man did love praise admire adore and worship Jove Then they asked her If there were no Evil She said there was but said she all Evil lives in Nature as all Good in Jove for in Nature said she is Discord in Jove Concord by Nature Confusion by Jove Method and though said she Jove's Goodness and Power will not suffer Nature to run into a Confusion yet Nature faith she struggles and strives like an untoward Jade that would break loose to run wildly about and her skittish tricks said she are the sins against Jove but said she all things in Nature are guilty as much as Man in one kind or other Then they asked her What were the sins in Nature against Jove She said Many but the greatest sins the Creatures in Nature commit against Jove are Not to believe he is above Nature or to think it is the Nature of Nature and not the Knowledg and Power of Jove that governs so wisely that orders so prudently that produceth so orderly that composes so harmoniously and all with a free Will a pure Goodness and Infinite Bounty likewise as not to believe that Jove hath an infinite Generosity to forgive and pardon all the Evils and Defects in Nature Also to dislike or murmur at the Government of Jove And the Submission in Nature is to repent to be humble to agree to be content and to think all that cannot be avoided is for the best And as Nature is apt said she to commit sins against Jove so Nature is apt to disorder cross and vex it self by Excess Mischief and Cruelty as to strive to destroy to no use to obstruct to no purpose to hinder the Creations to displace Creations to oppose Right to defend Falshood to conceal Truth to obstruct Knowledg to delude Ignorance to wrong Innocency to hurt the Helpless to destroy the Hurtless likewise to overcharge the Appetite to exasperate the Passions to deceive the Affections to abuse Time to be unnecessarily busie or lazy or idle And thus all the Creatures of every Kind that are made in Nature do in one manner or other but the Goodness and Power of Jove said she doth still hinder Nature from running into Confusions and rectifies the Disorders therein for Warr lives in Nature said she and Peace in Jove Then they asked her What natural Evils there were She said Nature was an infinite Lump of Evil but the natural Evils to Animals said she are Pain Sickness Sorrow Fear Famine Warrs Darkness and Infamy Then they asked her If there were no natural Good She said None in Nature for all that is good said she is caused by Jove's wise ordering and composing harmoniously for said she Health is an harmonious Composition Pleasure and Delight is an Harmonious Composition Rest an harmonious Composition Peace an harmonious Unity As for Life said she it is an Evil were it not ordered wisely by Jove and would be a perpetual torment did not Jove by his Wisdom order Nature so as to ease it with that we call Death which is only as a change of Notes in Musick or Harmonious Measures and the several Measures Life danceth are several Transmigrations which Jove orders as it moves and the Notes are the several Creatures that are made which Jove's Wisdom sets and Health is the Cords that Jove's Wisdom tunes and the several Pleasures are the several Lessons that Jove's Wisdom causeth Nature to play and Peace is the Harmony that Jove's Wisdom makes So that all that is thought Good in Nature is but Good as it is ordered by Jove Jove measures the Matter marks out the Figures and appoints the Motions what Work to do Likewise Jove's Goodness and Wisdom qualifies and tempers by several mixtures and temperaments the vicious malignant Evil of Nature or Natural Evil. Thus said she there would be a perpetual Warr in Nature if Jove's Wisdom Power and Goodness did not order Nature Then they asked her If there were not Punishments and Rewards ordained by Jove She answered Yes for said she Jove hath ordained Virtue shall be a Reward to it self and Vice a Punishment The Fifth sort that visited her were the Fathers of the Church who desired her to speak which she did as follows You Holy Fathers said she you will pardon me for what I shall speak since it is your desire I should speak The Preachers for Heaven said she ought not to preach Factions nor to shew their Learning nor to express their Wit but to teach their Flock to pray rightly for hard it is to know whether we pray or prate since none can tell the purity of their own heart or number the Follies thereof or cleanse out the muddy Passions that
Fair By Pleasures to the world invited are Bury not all your Youth and Beauty here Which like the Sun may to all Eyes appear O Sir said she the Sun that gave me light Death hath eclips'd and taken from my sight In Melancholy Shades my Soul doth lie And grieves my Body which will not yet die My Spirits long to wander in the air Hoping to find its loving Partner there Though Fates my Life have power to prolong Yet they have none my constant Mind to wrong But when I did perceive no Rhetorick could Perswade her to take comfort grieve she would Then taking my leave for to go away With adoration thus to her did say Farewell thou Angel of a Heavenly Breed For sure thou com'st not from a Mortal Seed Thou art so constant unto Virtue fair Which very few of either Sexes are And after a short time I heard she dy'd Her Tomb was built close by her Husband's side After the Man a Woman did begin To tell her Tale and thus she entred in A Description of Diverted Grief A Man had once a Young and Handsom Wife Whose Virtue was unspotted all her life Her words were smooth which from her Tongue did slide All her Discourse was wittily appli'd Her Actions modest her Behaviour so As when she mov'd the Graces seem'd to go Whatever Ill she chanc'd to see or hear Yet still her Thoughts as pure as Angels were Her Husband 's Love seem'd such as no Delight Nor Joy could take him out of his Wife's sight It chanc'd this virtuous Wife fell sick to death And to her Husband spake with dying-breath Farewell my dearest Husband dye I must Yet do not you forget me in the Dust Because my Soul would grieve if it should see Another in my room your LOVE to be My Ghost would mourn lament that never dyes Though Bodies do pure Loves eternalize You Gods said he that order Death and Life O strike me dead unless you spare my Wife If your Decree be fix'd nor alter can But she must dye O miserable Man Here do I vow Great Gods all witness be That I will have no other Wife but thee No Friendship will I make converse with none But live an Anchoret my self alone Thy Spirits sweet my Thoughts shall entertain And in my Mind thy Memory remain Farewell said she for now my Soul 's at peace And all the Blessings of the Gods encrease Upon thy Soul but I pray do not give Away that Love I had whilst I did live Turning her Head as if to sleep she lay In a soft Sigh her Spirits flew away VVhen she was dead great Mourning he did make VVould neither eat nor drink nor rest could take Kissing her cold pale Lips her Cheeks each Eye Cursing his Fate he lives and cannot dye Tears fell so fast as if his Sorrows meant To lay her in a watry Monument But when her Corps upon the Hearse was laid No Tongue can tell what mournful Cries he made Thus did he pass his time a week or two In sad commplaints and melancholy wo At last he was perswaded for to take Some air abroad ev'n for his own healths sake But first unto the Grave he went to pray Kissing that Earth wherein her Body lay After a Month or two his Grief to ease Some Recreations sought himself to please And calling for his Horses and his Hounds He went to hunt upon the Champian grounds His Thoughts by these Pastimes diverted are Pass'd by the Grave and never dropt a Tear At last he chanc'd a Company to meet Of Virgins young and fresh as Flowers sweet Their Cloathing fine their Humours pleasant gay And with each other they did sport and play Giving his Eyes a liberty to view VVith interchanging Looks in Love he grew One Maid amongst the rest most fair and young VVho had a ready wit and pleasant tongue He Courtship made to her he did address Cast off his Mourning Love for to express Rich Clothes he made and wondrous fine they were He barb'd and curl'd and powder'd sweet his Hair Rich Gifts unto his Mistress did present And every day to visit her he went They like each other well they both agree That in all haste they straight must married be To Church they went for joy the Bells did ring When married were he home the Bride did bring But when he married was some half a year He Curtain-Lectures from his VVife did hear For whatsoe're he did she did with spight And scorn dislike and all his kindness slight Cross every word she would that he did say Seem'd very sick complaining every day Unless she went abroad then she would be In humour good in other Company Then he would sigh and call into his Mind His dear dead Wife that was so wondrous kind He jealous grew and was so discontent And of his later Marriage did repent With Melancholy Thoughts fell sick and dy'd His VVife soon after was another's Bride VVhen she had done the Men aloud did cry Said she had quit her Tale most spitefully Another Man to answer what she told Began to tell and did his Tale unfold The Feminine Description A Man a walking did a Lady spy To her he went and when he came hard by Fair Lady said he why walk you alone Because said she my Thoughts are then my own For in a Company my Thoughts do throng And follow every foolish babling Tongue Your Thoughts said he 't were boldnessfor to ask To tell said she it were too great a task But yet to satisfie your Mind said she I 'le tell you how our Thoughts run commonly Sometimes they mount up to the Heavens high Then straight fall down and on the Earth will lye Then circling run to compass all they may And then sometimes they all in heaps do stay At other times they run from place to place As if they had each other in a Chace Sometimes they run as Phansie doth them guide And then they swim as in a flowing-Tide But if the Mind be discontent they flow Against the Tide their Motion 's dull and slow Said he I travel now to satisfie my Mind Whether I can a Constant VVoman find O Sir said she it 's Labour without end VVe cannot Constant be to any Friend VVe seem to love to death but 't is not so Because our Passions still move to and fro They are not fix'd but do run all about Every new Object thrusts the former out Yet we are fond and for a time so kind As nothing in the world should change our Mind But if Misfortune come we weary grow Then former Fondness we away straight throw Although the Object alter not yet may Time alter our fond Minds another way We love and like and hate and cry VVithout a Cause or Reason why Wherefore go back for you shall never find Any VVoman to have a Constant Mind The best that is shall hold but for a time Wav'ring like wind which Women hold no Crime A Woman
dead She was my Soul's delight in her I view'd The pure and Celestial Beatitude But were I sure the Soul that never dyes Should never meet nor Bodies never rise By Resurrection yet sure those are blest That pass this life and in the Grave do rest Then said the Duke his Father to his Son What ever comes Son Heaven's will be done But since you are resolv'd and needs will dye I in the Grave will keep you company The young Prince said I cannot you disswade Since none are happy but those Death hath made The Day of Execution drawing nigh Of the young Prince his Father too would dye Then the young Prince askt leave and leave he had That he like to a Soldier might be clad When he was brought to dye and on that day Death he did meet in Soldierly array Instead of Mourning-Garments he had on A Suit of Buff embroidered thick upon And a Rich Scarf that was of Watchet-dye Set thick with Pearls instead of strings to tye It close together were rich Diamonds so As like a Ring or Garter it did show Of but one entire Diamond this did bind The Scarf so firm as an united Mind A Scarlet Coat embroidered thick with Gold And Hangers like to it his Sword did hold And in his Hat a Plume of Feathers were In falling-folds which hung below his Hair He being thus accouter'd Death to meet In Gallantry yet gently friendly sweet He would embrace it and so gladly yeeld Yet would he dye as Soldiers in the Field For gallant valiant men do court Death so As amorous courtly men a wooing go His Father all in Mourning-Garments clad Not griev'd to dye but for his Son was sad Millions of People throng'd about to see This gallant Mourning Prince's Tragedy But in the time these Preparations were The Queen sent to th' young Lady to prepare Her self to dye when she the news did hear Joy in her Countenance did then appear Then she her self did dress like to a Bride And in a Rich and Gilded Coach did ride Thus triumphing as on her Wedding-day To meet her Bridegroom Death but in the way The people all did weep that she should dye And Youth and Beauty in Death's arms should lye But she did smile her Countenance was glad And in her Eyes such lively Spirits had As the quick-darting Rays the Sun out-shin'd And all she look'd on for a time were blind But when the Queen and Nobles all were set And the Condemned on the Scaffold met Where when the Lovers they each other spy'd Their Eye-strings seem'd as if together ty'd So firmly they were fix'd and did so gaze And with each other struck in such a maze As if with wonder they were turn'd to stone And that their feet unto the ground were grown They could not stir but at the last mov'd he In a slow pace amazed went to see That Heav'nly Object for thought he it may An Angel be my Soul to take away Her Limbs did shake like shiv'ring Agues cold For Fear upon her Spirits had got hold When she did see him move for she had thought He was a Statue and by Carvers wrought And by the Queen's Command was thither brought When he came near he kneeled down to pray And thus unto her sofrly he did say My Sense my Spirits surprise thy Spirit my Mind And great disturbance in my Thoughts I find My Reason's misty Understanding blind Tell me whether thou art of Mortal Kind Said she That Question I would ask of you For I do doubt my Senses are not true Intelligencers are you the Prince I see Or are you a Spirit that thus speaks to me With that the Queen did come their doubts to clear It was my Plot said she to bring you here And why I crost your Loves I will forbear To tell you now but afterwards declare Then did she cause a Priest to join their hands Which he devoutly ty'd in Wedlock-bands Then did the Queen unto her Nobles say That she a Debt to Gratitude must pay And to the Prince's Father straight she went Here Sir said she I do my self present To be your Wife for by your Counsel I Have Rul'd and Reign'd in great Felicity He kneeling kist her Hand and both agree That in few days the Wedding kept should be Such joys of acclamation loud of wonder Echo'd the air louder than is Jove's Thunder Her Princely Neece so Noble was that then For joy she modestly threw up her Fan Since to a High-born Prince she well knew she In glorions Nuptials soon should joined be The Marriage-Song WEre all the Joys that ever yet were known Were all those Joys met and put into one They 'd be than these two Lovers Joys far less Our Lovers height of Joys none can express They 've made another Cupid I am told And buri'd the blind Boy that was so old Hymen is proud since Laurel crowns his Brow He never made his Triumphs until now The Marriage-Song for the Old Duke and the Old Queen's Marriage NOW the Old Cupid he is fled Unto the Queen she to her Bed Brought the Old Duke so ends all harms In Love's Embraces in their Arms. This Elder Wedlock more than ripe Was of the Younger but a Type What wants of Cupid Hymen's Cup Ceres and Bacchus make it up A Marriage-Song of the Queen's Neece SEE the Old Queen's Beloved Neece For Beauty Favour such a Piece As Love could feign not hope to see Just such a Miracle was she She doth congratulate and 's eas'd To see these Noble Lovers pleas'd Above repining The Fates since Are just and gave her a brave Prince A SONG HYMEN triumph in joy Since overcom'd Love's Boy Each Age each Sex and Place The Wedlock-Laws embrace The looser sort can bind Monarch of what 's Mankind All things do fall so pat In this Triumvirat Which now in Wedlock mix Now Three though once were Six A Lady said Such Constant Love was dead And all Fidelity to Heaven fled Another Lady said She fain would know When Marri'd if they did continue so O said a Man such Love as this was sure Doth never in a Married Pair endure But Lovers cross'd use not to end so well Which for to shew a Tale I mean to tell The Description of the Violence of Love THere was a Lady Virtuous Young and Fair Unto her Father only Child and Heir In her Behaviour modest sweet and civil So innocent knew only Good from Evil Yet in her Garb had a Majestick Grace And affable and pleasant was her Face Another Gentleman whose House did stand Hard by her Father's and was rich in Land He had a Son whom Beauty did adorn As some might think of Venus he was born His Spirit Noble Generous and Great By Nature Valiant Dispositions sweet His Wit ingenious and his Breeding such That his Sci'nces did not Pedantry t'uch This Noble Gentleman in love did fall With this fair Lady who was pleas'd withall He Courted her
his Service did address His Love by Words and Letters did express Though she seem'd Coy his Love she did not slight But Civil Answers did in Letters write At last so well acquainted they did grow That but one Heart each other's Thoughts did know Mean time their Parents did their Love's descry And sought all ways to break that Unity Forbad each other's company frequent Did all they could Love's Meetings to prevent But Love regards not Parents nor their Threats For Love the more 't is barr'd more Strength begets Thus being cross'd by stealth they both did meet And Privacy did make their Love more sweet Although their Fears did oft affright their Mind Lest that their Parents should their Walks out-find Then in the Kingdom did Rebellion spring Most of the Commons fought against their King And all the Gentry that then Loyal were Did to the Standard of the King repair Amongst the rest this Noble Youth was one Love bade him stay but Honour spurr'd him on When he declar'd his Mind her Heart it rent Rivers of Tears out of her Eyes grief sent And every Tear like Bullets pierc'd his Breast Scatter'd his Thoughts and did his Mind molest Silent long time they stood at last spake he Why doth my Love with Tears so torture me Why do you blame my Eyes said she to weep Since they perceive you Faith nor Promise keep For did you love but half so true as I Rather than part you 'ld chuse to stay and dye But you Excuses make and take delight Like cruel Thieves to rob and spoil by Night Now you have stole my Heart away you run And leave a silly Virgin quite undone If I stay from the Warrs what will Men say They 'l say I make excuse to be away By this Reproach a Coward I am thought And my Disgrace will make you seem in fault To set your Love upon a Man so base Bring Infamy to us and to our Race To sacrifice my Life for your content I would not spare but Dear in this consent 'T is for your sake Honour I strive to win That I some Merit to your Worth may bring She. If you will go let me not stay behind But take such Fortune with you as I find I 'le be your Page attend you in the Field When you are weary I will hold your Shield He. Dear Love that must not be for Women are Of tender Bodies and Minds full of Fear Besides my Mind so full of Care will be For fear a Bullet should once light on thee That I shall never fight but strengthless grow Through feeble Limbs be subject to my Foe When thou art safe my Spirits high shall raise Striving to get a Victory of Praise With sad Laments these Lovers did depart Absence as Arrows sharp doth wound each Heart She spends her time to Heaven-high doth pray That Gods would bless and safe conduct his way The whilst he fights and Fortune's Favour had Fame brings this Honour to his Mistress sad All Cavaliers that in the Army were There was not one could with this Youth compare By Love his Spirits all were set on fire Love gave him Courage made his Foes retire But O ambitious Lovers how they run Without all guidance like Apollo's Son Run out of Moderation's Line so he Did through the thickest of the Army flee Singly alone amongst the Squadrons deep Fighting sent many one with Death to sleep But Numbers with united strength at last This Noble Gallant Man from Horse did cast His Body all so thick of wounds was set Safety it seems in fight he did forget But not his Love who in his Mind still lyes He wish'd her there to close his dying-Eyes Soul said he if thou wandrest in the Air Thy Service to my Mistress by thy care Attend her close with her Soul Friendship make Then she perchance no other Love may take But if thou sink down to the Shades below And being a Lover to Elyzium go Perchance my Mistress Soul you there may meet So walk and talk in Love's Discourses sweet But if thou art like to a Light put out Thy Motion 's ceas'd then all 's forgot no doubt With that a sigh which from his Heart did rise Did mount his Soul up to the Airy Skies The whilst his Mistress being sad with care Her Knees were worn imploring Gods with Prayer A Drowsie Sleep did all her Senses close But in her Dreams Fancy her Lover shows With all his Wounds which made her loud to cry Help help you Gods said she that dwell on high These fearful Dreams her Senses all did wake In a cold sweat with fear each Limb did shake Then came a Messenger as pale as Death With panting sides swoln eyes and shortned breath And by his looks his sadder Tale did tell Which when she saw straight in a swoun she fell At last her stifled Spirits had recourse Unto their usual place but of less force Then lifting up her Eyes her Tongue gave way And thus unto the Gods did mourning say Why do we pray and offer to high Heaven Since what we ask is seldom to us given If their Decrees are fix'd what need we pray Nothing can alter Fates nor cross their way If they leave all to Chance who can apply For every Chance is then a Deity But if a Power they keep to work at will It shews them cruel to torment us still When we are made in Pain we always live Sick Bodies Grieved Minds to us they give With Motions which run cross compos'd we are Which makes our Reason and our Sense to jar When they are weary to torment us must We then return and so dissolve to Dust But if I have my Fate in my own Power I will not breathe nor live another hour Then with the Gods I shall not be at strife If my Decree can take away my Life Then on her feeble Legs she straight did stand And took a Pistol charg'd in either hand Here Dear said she I give my heart to thee And by my Death divulg'd our Loves shall be Then Constant Lovers Mourners be when dead They 'l strew our Graves which is our Marriage-Bed Upon our Hearse a weeping-Poplar set Whose moistning-drops our Death's-dri'd Cheeks may wet Two Cypress Garlands at our Head shall stand That were made up by some fair Virgin 's hand And on our cold pale Corps such Flowers strow As hang their Heads for grief and downward grow Then shall they lay us deep in quiet Grave Wherein our Bones long Rest and Peace may have Let no Friends Marble-Tombs erect upon Our Graves but set young Mirtle-trees thereon Those may in time a shady Grove become Fit for sad Lovers Walks whose Thoughts are dumb For Melancholy Love seeks place obscure No Noise nor Company it can endure And when to ground they cast a dull sad Eye Perhaps they 'l think on us who therein lye Thus though w' are dead our Memory remains And like a Ghost may
walk in moving-Brains And in each Head Love's Altars for us build To sacrifice some Sighs or Tears distill'd Then to her Heart the Pistol set she shot A Bullet in and so her Grief forgot Fame with her Trumpet blew in every Ear The sound of this great Act spread every where Lovers from all parts came by the report Unto her Urn as Pilgrims did resort There offer'd Praises of her Constancy And vow'd the like unto Love's Deity A Woman said That Tale exprest Love well And shew'd that Constancy in Death did dwell Friendship they say a thing is so sublime That with the Gods there 's nothing more Divine With wonder Lovers having but one will Their two Bodies one Soul doth govern still And though they be always dis-joined much Yet all their Senses equally do t'uch For what doth strike the Eye or other part Begets in all like Pleasure or like smart So though in Substance Form divided be Yet Soul and Senses join'd in one agree A Man that to the Lady plac'd was nigh Said He would tell another Tragedy Humanity Despair and Jealousie express'd in three Persons WAlking along close by a River's side The Waters smooth ran with a flowing-tide The Sun thereon did dart such shining-light As made it than a Diamond-Chain more bright The purling-streams invited me to swim Pull'd my Clothes off then enter'd every Limb. But envious Cold alas did me oppress And darting-arrows sharp me backwards press The River to embrace me made great haste Her moist soft arms incircled round my waste Streams coming fast strove there to force me stay But that my arms did make my body way My hands did strike the soft smooth Waters face As flatt'ring them to give my body place But when I found them apt higher to rise Striving to stop my breath and blind my eyes Then did I spread my arms and Circles make And the united-streams asunder brake My Legs did kick away those Waters clear To keep them back lest they should croud too near And as I broke those Streams they run away Yet fresh suppli'd their place to make me stay Long did I struggle and my strength did try At last got hold upon a Bank near by On whose side was a Hill where Trees were plac'd Which on the Waters did a shadow cast Thither I went and when I came close by I saw a Woman there a weeping lye VVhich seeing I began to slack my pace Straight did my Eyes view there a lovely Face Under a Tree close by the Root she sate VVhich with her Tears as falling-show'rs she wet At last she spake and humbly thus did pray You Gods said she my Life soon take away No slander on my Innocency throw Let my pure Soul into Elyzium go If I drown here within this watry Lake O let my Tears a murmuring River make Give it both Voice and VVords my Grief to tell My Innocence and why therein I fell Then straight she rose the River leapt she in VVhich when I saw I after her did swim My Hands as Oars did well my Body row Though panting-breath made waters rough to grow Yet was my Breast a Keel for to divide And by that help my Body swift did glide My Eyes the Needle to direct the way VVhich from the North of Grief did not estray She as the Load-stone drew me to her aid Though Storms within did make my Mind afraid Her Garments loose did on the Waters flow Which were puft up like Sails when winds do blow I catch'd thereat to draw her to the brink But when I went to pull she down did sink Yet did not I my hold thereof let go But drew her to the Shore with much ado I panting with short breath as out of wind My Spirits spent my Eyes were dimly blind My strength so weak forc'd me to lye down straight did fill Because alas my Life was over-fraight VVhen life got strength my mind with thoughts Then to the Lady us'd all art and skill Bowing her forwardsth ' waters to let out VVhich from her Nose Mouth gusht like a spout At last her breath before restrain'd out-broke And thus to me she passionately spoke O who are you that do my Soul molest Not giving leave in Death to take my rest Is there no Peace in Nature to be found Must Misery and Fear attend us round O Gods said she here grant me my desire Here end my life and let my breath expire I Answered Thus you with Nature set your self at odds And by this wish you do displease the Gods By violence you cut off their Decree No violence in Nature ought to be But what makes you thus strive for to destroy That Life which God did give you to enjoy She Answered O Sir If you did know the torments I do feel My Soul is rackt upon Ill Fortune's Wheel My Innocency by aspersion whipt And my pure Chastity of Fame is stript My Love 's neglected and forsaken quite Banisht from that my Soul took most delight My Heart was plac'd upon a Valiant Man Who in the Warrs much Honour bravely wan His actions all by wisdom placed were And his discourse delighted every Ear His Bounty like the Sun gave life and light To those whom Misery had eclipsed quite This Man my Person seem'd for to admire My Love before the World he did desire Told me the Gods might sooner Heaven leave Than he forsake my love or truth deceive But O vile Jealousie a Lover's Devil Tormenting Thoughts with Suspitions evil Frighting the Mind with false Imaginations Burying all Joys in deepest Contemplations Long lay it smuther'd but at last out-broke VVith Hate in Rage and Spleen base words it spoke Slander and Infamy in Circles round My innocent Youth with sharpest Tongues do wound But his Inconstancy did wound me more Than Slander Spite or Malice did before For he another married and left me Clouded in dark Disgrace black Infamy VVith that she fetch'd a Sigh Heav'n bless said she This cruel unkind Man who e're he be I faint Death digs my Grave O lay me in This watry Monument then may the Spring In murmures soft with blubbering words relate And dropping weep at my Ill Fortune's Fate Then on a Groan her Soul with wings did flie Up to the Heavens and the Gods on high VVhich when I saw my Eyes with grief did flow Although her Soul I thought to Heaven did go And musing long at last I chanc'd to see A Gentleman which handsome seem'd to be He coming near ask'd me who there did lie I said 'T was one for Love and Grief did die Hearing my words he started back Brows bent VVith trembling legs he to the Body went VVhich when he view'd his blood fell from his face His Eyes were fix'd and standing in one place At last kneel'd down and thus did say No hope is left Life 's fled away Thou wandring Soul where e're thou art Hear my Confession from my heart I lov'd thee better far
Lady and the Lord I went As a respect I told them my intent The Lady my Design she well approv'd He nothing said but seem'd with passion mov'd But afterwards when I my leave did take He did rejoice as if 't were for my sake And so it was but not unto my good For he with Treachery my ways withstood For as I travell'd he beset me round And forc'd me from my Servants which he found To be not many when he had great store For to assault but my defence was poor Yet were they all disguis'd no Face was shown Such unjust acts desire to be unknown VVhen I was in their power Help help said I You Gods above and hear a VVretch's Cry But no assistance from Heav'n did I find All seem'd as Cruel as the mad Mankind Then he unto the Castle me convey'd The Lord himself discovering thus said Cruellest of thy Sex since no remorse Can soften thy hard heart I 'le use my force Unless your heart doth burn with equal fire Or condescend to what I shall desire I for my own defence 'gainst this abuse Soft flattering words was forced for to use Gently entreating his Patience that I A time might have my heavy heart to try That by perswasions it might entertain Not only Love but return Love again He seem'd well-pleas'd his temper calm did grow VVhich by his smiling-countenance he did show He said If in your Favour I may live A greater blessing Heaven cannot give Then to a VVoman old he gave the charge For to attend but not for to enlarge My Liberty with rules my Life did bind Nothing was free but Thoughts within my Mind Thus did I live some half a year and more And all this while the Gods on high implore For still he woo'd and still I did deny At last h'impatient grew and swore that I Deluded him and that no longer would He be denied but yeeld to him I should With much entreaty I pacifi'd his Mind With words and countenance that seemed kind But Prayers to Heav'n more earnestly I sent With tears and sighs that they would still prevent By their great power his Evil Design Or take away this loathed life of mine Although at first they seem'd to be all deaf Yet now at last they sent me some relief The whilst the Champion Knight with his fair Prize Was struck with Love by her quick-darting Eyes Yet mov'd they so as Modesty did guide Not turning wantonly or leer'd aside Nor did they stern or proudly pierce But gentle soft with sweet commerce And when those Eyes were fill'd with watry streams Seem'd like a Brook gilded with the Sun-beams At last perswading-Love prevail'd so far As to present his Suit unto her care Fair Maid I love thee and my Love so pure That no corrupted thoughts it can endure My Love is honest my Request is just For one Man's fault do not all Men mistrust I am a Batchelor and you a Maid For which we lawfully may love he said Wherefore dear Saint cast not my Suit aside Chuse me your Husband and be you my Bride I am a Gentleman and have been bred As to my Quality my Father dead Me his Possessions left which are not small Nor yet so great to make me vain withall My Life is yet with an unspotted Fame Nor so obscure not to be known by Name Amongst the best and most within this Land Favours receiv'd yet none like your Command She stood a time as in a musing-thought At last she spake Sir said she you have brought My Honour out of danger and civilly Have entertain'd me with your company For which I owe my life much more my love Should I refuse I should ungrateful prove 'T is not for Wealth that I would marry to Nor outward Honours that my Love can woo But it is Virtue and a Heroick Mind A Disposition sweet noble and kind And such a one I judg you for to be Wherefore I 'le not refuse if you chuse me When they were thus agreed they did repair Unto his House and went to marry there The whilst the Lord the Kingdom all about He privately had sent to search her out At last news came with whom and where she dwelt With that much grief within his heart he felt That any Man should have her in his power He like a Devil could his Soul devour But when he heard the Messenger to say There 's preparation gainst her Wedding-day He grew outragious cursed Heaven and Earth The Marriage of his Parents and his Birth At last he did resolve what e're befell That he would have her though he sank to Hell When he had got a Company together Such as he fed that would go any whither No act they would refuse that he desired Obey'd most desperately what he required Unto his House they went in a disguise Intending then the Lady to surprise But be'ng upon her Wedding-day were there A Company of Guests that merry were This Lord desir'd to part them if he might 'Cause lye together they should not that Night So in they went the Servants all did think Them Maskerades and made them all to drink But when they went into an inward Room Where all were dancing Bride and the Bridegroom The Bride acquainted with that Maskard-sight She ran away as in an extream fright The Bridegroom soon imagin'd what they were And though unarm'd his Courage knew no fear Their Swords they drew aim'd only at his life That done they thought to get away his Wife His Hat and Cloak Arms of Defence did make The Tongs for to assault he up did take The Women scriecht Murther Murther cry'd out The Men flung all the Chairs and Stools about With which they did resist and did oppose For some short time the Fury of his Foes It chanc'd a Sword out of a hand did fall The Bridegroom straight took 't up fought withall So well did manage it and with such skill He many of his Enemies did kill Yet he was wounded sore and out of breath But heat of Courage kept out dull cold Death At last his Friends got Arms to take his part VVho did th' oppression of his Foes divert The Vizzard of the Lord fell off at length VVhich when the Bridegroom saw with vigorous strength He ran upon him with such force that he Struck many down to make his passage free The trembling Bride was almost dead with fear Yet for her Husband had a listening ear At last the noise of Murther did arrive O is he dead said she and I alive With that she run with all her power and might Into the Room her Husband then in fight With her great Enemy and where they stood The Ground was like a foaming Sea of Blood Wounded they were yet was each other's heart So hot with Passion that they felt no smart The Bride did pass and re-pass by their Swords As quick as flashing Lightning and her words Cryed out Desist desist and let me dye
in secret guise Courting her privately for fear of Spies He strove to win her unto his embraces Muffle the Faults he would and the Disgraces Said he Why may not we our Senses all delight Our Senses and our Souls Heaven unite That we call Honour only Man creates For it was never destin'd by the Fates It is a word Nature ne're taught us nay It is a Precept she forbids t' obey Then follow Nature for that follows God And not the Arts of Men they 're vain and odd Let every Sense lye steep not drown'd in pleasure Let us keep up their height in balanc'd measure First let our Eyes all Beauteous Objects view Our Ears all Sounds which Notes and Times keep true Then Scent all Odours to refresh the Brain With Tastes delicious Palates entertain Touch things most pleasing that all Parts may feel Expansion of the Soul from Head to Heel Thus we shall use what Nature to us gave For by restraint in Life we dig our Grave And in the Grave our Senses useless lye Just so is Life if Pleasures we deny Thus Heav'n that gave us Sense may take it ill If we refuse what 's offered to us still Then let our Sense and Souls take all delight Not to surfeit but feed each Appetite Come Pleasure Circle me within thy Arms Inchant my Soul with thy delightful Charms Said she It is not always in our Power To feed Delight nor Pleasure to devour Man no free Power hath of any thing Only himself can to destruction bring Can kill his Body and his Soul can damn Although he cannot alienate the same Nor can he make them always to remain Nor turn them to what they were first again Thus can we cross and vex our selves with pain But being sick cannot be well again We can Disturb great Nature's work at will But to Restore and Make is past our skill But he did plead so hard such Vows did make Such large Professions and such Oaths did take That he would constant be and that his Bride He would her make when that his Father dy'd She young and innocent knew no deceits Nor thought that Words and Vows were us'd as baits So yeelded she to all he did desire Thinking his Vows as much as Laws require But they so oft did meet till it befell She sick did grow her Body big did swell Which she took care to hide and would not be As she was wont in other Company But to her Parents she would often cry And said she swell'd so with a Tympany They did believe her and did make great moan Their only Child was now so sickly grown His Father old the Marriage to prevent Now in all haste his Son to travel sent Gave him no time nor warning to be gone Nor till he saw him ship'd left him alone But he to ease his Mistress of her fear For to return he only now took care But she no sooner heard that he was gone But in her Chamber lock'd her self alone Complain'd against her Destiny and Fate And all her Love to him was turn'd to Hate You Gods said she my Fault 's no wilful sin For I did think his Vows had Marriage been But by his stealth so privately to leave me I find my Crime and that he did deceive me For which said she you Gods torment him more Than ever any Man on Earth before With that she rose about her Neck she flung A Silken String and in that String she hung Her Parents to her Chamber did repair Calling her forth to take the fresh sweet air Supposing it might do her Health some good And at her Chamber door long time they stood But when they call'd and knock'd no answer made She being sick they ' gan to be afraid Their Limbs did shake with age Nerves being slack't Those Nervous Strings with fear were now contract At last though much a-do they had to speak They Servants call'd to open or to break The Lock No sooner done but with great fear They entred in and after they were there The horrid sight no sooner struck their Eyes But it congeal'd their Hearts and straight both dyes The Fame of their sad Fates all round was spread The Lover heard his Mistress then was dead His Clothes his Hair he tore his Breast did beat His Spirits issu'd out in a cold Sweat Said he O cursed Death come kill me quick And in my Heart thy Spear or Arrow stick Because my Love in thy cold Arms doth lye I now desire nay am resolv'd to dye But O! Love is a powerless God in vain He strives with 's Flame to melt Death's Icy Chain For though with Love my Heart so hot doth burn Yet cannot melt I fear Death's Icy Urn. Then he all in a rage to the Earth fell And there invoking up the Devils of Hell Saith he Ye Powerful Terrors me assist For to command or force Death when I list That by your help and pow'r my Love may rise From the dark Vault or Grave wherein she lies Or else by Death's cold hand alone Convert me into Marble-stone Then running as distracted in and out By Fancies Visions strange saw all about And crying loud My Mistress she is there He seem'd to catch but grasp'd nought else but air See see her Ghost how it doth slide away Her Soul is pure and shines as glorious Day But my foul Soul which is as black as Night Doth shadows cast upon the Soul that 's bright Which makes her walk as in a gloomy shade Like Shadows which the Silver Moon hath made Hark how my Love sings sweetly in the Skye Her Soul is mounted up to Heavens high And there it shall be made a Deity And I a Devil in Hell tormented lye His spirit being spent fell to the ground And lying there a while as in a swound At last he rose and with a sober pace He bent his steps as to her burying-place And with his Cloak he muffled him about His Hatpull'd o're his Brows his Eyes look't out To guide his way but far he had not gone That straight he saw the Funerals coming on Three Hearses all were born as on a breast Black cover'd two with white the third was drest A Silver Crown upon that Hearse did stand And Myrtle-boughs young Virgins bore in hand The graver sort did Cypress-branches bear The mournful Parents death for to declare With solemn Musick to the Grave them brought With Tears in-urn'd their Ashes in a Vault But he before the People did return Did make great haste to get close to the Urn His Hat pulls off then bows le ts loose his Cloak With dropping Eyes countenance sad thus spoke You charitable Friends whoe're you be To see the Dead thus buri'd solemnly The like to me your Favour I do crave Stay all and see me buri'd in this Grave Giving himself a private wound there fell Into the Grave and dying there did tell Of his sad Love but now said he Our Souls nor
Soldiers in the Warrs to fight His Tongue that silenc'd is by Death's cold Hand In Life mov'd wisely and could well command It Knowledg gave to those that little knew And did instruct what was the best to do His Heart lyes still no Motion doth remain Ceas'd are the Thoughts in his well-temper'd Brain Where in his Heart all Virtues did abide And in his Brain strong Reason did reside But all is vanquish'd now and Life doth seem No better than a Shadow or a Dream 'T is strange in Nature to observe and see The unproportion'd Links in Destinie For Man's the wisest Creature Nature makes And best Extracts to form his Figure takes And yet so short a Life to him she gives He 's almost dead before he knows he lives Yet she from Man receives the greatest praise He doth admire all her curious ways With wonder he her sev'ral VVorks doth see And studies all her Laws and each Decree Doth travel sev'ral ways within his Mind His Thoughts are restless her Effects to find But in his Travels Death cuts him off short And leads him into dark Oblivion's Court. Thus Nature is unjust Heaven unkind Which strikes the Best the Worst do favour find My Father's Merits might have challeng'd still A longer Life had it been Heavens will But he is dead and I am left behind Which is a torture to my troubled Mind If Soldiers pity have grant my desire Here strike me dead and let my Breath expire Said the Victorious Prince Heaven forbid all horrid Acts we shun For in the Field the purest Honour 's won We stake our Lives for Lives and justly play A Game of Honour on a Fighting-Day Perchance some Cheats may be among the Rout But if they 're found the Noblest throw them out But since you cannot alter Destiny Nor none that live but have some Misery Raise up your Spirits unto Heaven submit And do not here in Grief and Sorrow sit Your Father was a Soldier of great Fame His Valiant Deeds did get an Honoured Name And for his sake judg us which Soldiers be To have Human'ty and Civility Your Father he shall safely be convey'd That he may be by his Ancestors laid But you must stay yet not as Prisoner You shall Command and Rule our Peace and War She answered not in words her Tears did plead That she with her dead Father might be freed But her clear Advocates could not obtain Their humble Suit but there she must remain With the Victorious Prince but he deny'd As Victor in a Triumph for to ride For though the Battel I have won he said Yet I am Prisoner to this Beauteous Maid She is the Conqueress therefore 't is fit I walk as Prisoner she Triumphant sit Then all with great Respects to her did bow So doth the Prince and plead protest and vow To be her Servant and to yeeld his Life To Death's sad strokes unless she 'ld be his Wife But she still weeps his Suit no favour gains Of Fates and Destiny she still complains Why said the Prince should you my Suit deny Since I was not your Father's Enemy Soldiers are Friends though they each blood do spill 'T is not for Spight nor any Malice ill But Honour to maintain and Power to get And that they may in Fame's House higher set For those of greatest Pow'r to Gods draw near For nought but Pow'r makes Men like Gods appear But had I kill'd your Father in the Field Unto my Suit in Justice you might yeeld But I was not the Cause your Father dy'd For Victory doth still with him abide And though that Death stid strike him to the heart Yet his great Name and Fame will never part Men will suppose the Loss is loss of Life And had he liv'd there would be greater strife Between our Armies but if you 'l be mine Our Kingdoms in a Friendly Peace shall join Then she began to listen and give ear She of her Countrey in distress took care And in short time they were both Man and Wife Long did they live and had a happy Life The next a Virgin 's turn her Tale to tell Her Youth and Modesty did fit it well The Surprisal of DEATH A Company of Virgins young did meet Their Pastime was to gather Flowers sweet They white Straw-Hats upon their Heads did wear And falling-Feathers which wav'd with the air Fanning their Faces like a Zephyrus Wind Shadowing the Sun that strove their Eyes to blind And in their Hands they each a Basket held Which Baskets they with Fruits or Flowers fill'd But one amongst the rest such Beauty had That Venus for to change might well be glad Her Shape exact her Skin was smooth and fair Her Teeth white even set a long curl'd Hair Her Nature modest her Behaviour so As when she mov'd the Graces seem'd to go Her Wit was quick and pleasing to the Ear That all who heard her speak straight Lovers were But yet her Words such Chast Love did create That all Impurity they did abate And every heart or head where wild Thoughts live She did convert and wise Instructions give For her Discourse such heavenly Seeds did sow That where she strew'd there Virtues up did grow These Virgins all were in a Garden set And each did strive the finest Flowers to get But this fair Lady on a Bank did lye Of most choice Flowers which did court her Eye And every one did bend their heads full low Bowing their Stalks which from the Roots did grow And when her hands did touch their tender Leaves Each seem'd to kiss and to her Fingers cleaves But she as if in Nature 't were a Crime VVas loath to crop their Stalks in their full prime But with her Face close to those Flowers lay That through her Nostrils those Sweets might find way Not for to rob them for her head was full Of Flow'ry Phansies which her wit did pull And Posies made the World for to present VVith a more lasting and a sweeter Sent. But as she lay upon this pleasant Bank For which those Flowers did great Nature thank Death envious grew she such delight did take And with his Dart a deadly wound did make A sudden Cold did seize her every Limb With which her Pulse beat slow and Eyes grew dim Some that sate by observ'd her pale to be But thought it some false Light yet went to see And when they came she turn'd her Eyes aside Spread forth her arms then stretch'd and sigh'd and dy'd The frighted Virgins ran with panting-breath To tell the sadder story of her death The whilst the Flowers to her rescue bend And all their Med'cinable Virtues send But all in vain their Power 's too weak each Head Then droop'd seeing they could not help the Dead Their fresher Colours did no longer stay But faded straight and wither'd all away For Tears they dropp'd their Leaves and thought it meet To strew her with them as a Winding-Sheet The Airy Choristers hover'd above And
Arguing Thoughts were Logicians the Doubting Thoughts Scepticks the Hoping Thoughts Physicians the Inquisitive Thoughts Natural Philosophers the Humble Thoughts Moral Philosophers the Phantastical Thoughts Poets the Modest Thoughts Virgins the Jealous Thoughts Wives the Incontinent Thoughts Courtesans the Amorous Thoughts Lovers the Vain Thoughts Courtiers and the Bragging or Lying Thoughts Travellers And when all these Thoughts were met the Soul feasted them with Delight and the Senses with Pleasure presenting them with Reason and Truth The Travelling Spirits THERE was a Man went to a Witch whom he entreated to aid his Desires for said he I have a curiosity to travel but I would go into such Countreys which without your power to assist me I cannot do The Witch asked him What those Countreys were He said He would go to the Moon Why said she the Natural Philosophers are the only men for that Journey for they travel all the Planets over and indeed study Nature so much and are so diligent and devout in her Services that they despise our great Master the Devil and would hinder us in our ways very much but that they travel most by Speculation Then said he I would go to Heaven Truly said she I cannot carry you thither for I am as unpractised in those ways and have as little acquaintance there as the Natural Philosophers have for they believe that there is no such Kingdom But if you desire to travel to that Kingdom you must go to the Divines who are the only Guides yet you must have a care in the choice for some will carry you a great way about and through very troublesome and painful places others a shorter but a very strait narrow way others through ways that are pleasant and easie and you will find not only in Natural Philosophers but also in Divines such Combats and Dissentions amongst them that it is both a great hindrance and a trouble to the Passengers which shews they are not very perfect themselves in their ways for many Travellers go some a quarter and some half and some three parts of the way and then are forced to turn back again and take another Guide and so from Guide to Guide until they have run them all over or are out of breath and yet be as far to seek of their way as when they first set out Why then said the Man carry me to Hell Truly said the Witch I am but a Servant extraordinary and have no power to go to my Master's Kingdom until I dye although the Way be broad and plain and the Guides sure yet being the Devil's Factor to do him service on the Earth I can call forth any from thence although it were the King himself Well then said he carry me I beseech you to the Center of the Earth That I can do said she and so obscurely that the Natural Philosophers shall never spye us So she prayed him to come into her House for said she it is a great Journey therefore you must take some repast before you go Besides said she your Body will be too cumbersome wherefore we will leave that behind that you may go the lighter being all Spirit So she went out and came and brought a Dish of Opium and prayed him to eat well thereof So he eat very heartily and when he had done his Senses grew very heavy insomuch as his Body fell down as in a swound remaining without Sense in the mean while his Spirit stole out and left the Body asleep So the Witch and he took their Journey and as they went he found the Climate very intemperate sometimes very hot and sometimes very cold great Varieties they found in the way in some places monstrous great and high Mountains of the Bones of Men and Beasts which lay mixed with one another Then he saw a very large Sea of Blood which had issued from slain Bodies but those Seas seemed very rough whereupon he asked What was the reason She answered Because their Deaths were violent And there were other Seas of Blood which seemed so smooth that there was not a wave to be seen Whereat he ask'd How comes this to be so smooth and calm She said It was the Blood of those that dyed in peace Then he asked her Where was the Blood of other Creatures as Beasts Birds Fish and the like She said Amongst the Blood of Men for said she the Earth knows no difference And as they went along they came through a most pleasant place which she said was the Store-house of Nature where were the shapes and sub stances of all kind of Fruits Flowers Trees or any other Vegetables but all were of a dusky colour There he gathered some Fruit to eat but it had no tast and he gathered some Flowers and they had no smell Of which he asked the reason She said That the Earth gave only the Form and Substance but the Sun was the only cause of the Tast Smell and Colours Going farther they saw great Mines Quarries and Pits but she being vers'd and knowing the way well did avoid them so that they were no hindrance in their journey as otherwise it would have been But going down further it began to grow very dark being far from the face of the Earth insomuch that they could hardly see the plainest way whereupon he told the Witch That the Hill was so hideously steep and the place began to grow so dark that it was very dangerous No said she there is no danger since our Bodies are not here for our Spirits are so light that they bear up themselves So they went a great length until the place grew so strait that it began to be a pain even to their Spirits and so he told the Witch His Spirit was in pain She said He must endure it for the Center of the Earth was but a Point in a Circle So when he came to the Center of the Earth he saw a Light like Moon-shine of which when he came near he saw that the first Circle about the Center was Glow-worms Tails which gave that Light and in the Center was an old Man who did neither stand nor sit for there was nothing to stand or sit on but he hung as it were in the Air nor ever stirr'd out of his place and had been there ever since the World was made for he having never had a Woman to tempt him to sin never dyed And although he could never remove out of his place yet he had the power to call all things on the Earth unto him by degrees and to dispose of them as he would But being near the old Man the Witch excused her coming and prayed him not to be offended with them for there was a Man desired Knowledg and would not spare any pains or industry to obtain it For which he praised the Man and said He was welcome and any thing he could inform him of he would The old Man asked him about the Chymists that lived upon the face of
tell you said the Mind Nature builds some Minds like a curious and stately Palace and furnishes them so richly that it needs neither Time nor the Senses laying Reason as the Foundation and Judgment for the Building wherein are firm and straight Pillars of Fortitude Justice Prudence and Temperance is paved with Understanding which is solid and hard walled with Faith which is roofed with Love and bows like an Arch to embrace all towards a round Compass is Leaded with Discretion which sticks close keeping out watry Errors and windy Vanities it hath passages of Memory and Remembrance to let Objects in and Doors of Forgetfulness to shut them out likewise it hath Windows of Hopes that let in the Light of Joy and Shutts of Doubts to keep it out also it hath large Stairs of Desire which arise by steps or windings up by degrees to the Towers of Ambition Besides in Architecture of the Mind there are wide Rooms of Conception furnish'd richly with Invention and long Galleries of Contemplation which are carved and wrought with Imaginations and hung with the Pictures of Fancy Likewise there are large Gardens of Varieties wherein flow Rivers of Poetry with full Streams of Numbers making a purling Noise with Rhymes on each side are Banks of Oratory whereon grow Flowers of Rhetorick and high Trees of Perswasion upon which a Credulous Fool helped by the Senses will climb and from the top falls on the Ground of Repentance from whence old Father Time takes him up and puts him into the Arms of Expence who carries him in to the Chyrurgeon of Expence and is healed with the Plaster of Warning or else dyes of the Apoplexical Disease called Stupidity But Wisdom will only look up to the top viewing the growth and observing what kind they are of but never adventures to climb she will sit sometimes under the Branches for Pleasure but never hang on the Boughs of Insinuation While they were disputing in comes grim Death whose terrible Aspect did so affright the Mind that the very fear put out its Light and quenched out its Flame and the Body being struck by Death became sensless and dissolved into Dust. But old Father Time run away from Death as nimbly as a light-heel'd Boy or like those that slide upon the Ice but never turned to see whether Death followed or no Death called him but he made himself as it were deaf with Age and would not hear A Tripartite Government of Nature Education and Experience NATURE Education and Experience did agree to make a Juncto to govern the Monarchy of Man's Life every one ruling by turns or rather in parts being a Tripartite Government The Soul the Senses and the Brain where Nature creates Reason as the chief Magistrate to govern the Soul Education creates Virtue to govern the Appetites for Virtue is bred not born in Man And Experience creates Wit to govern the Brain for Wit though native without Experience is defective As for the Soul which Natural Reason governs it hath large Territories of Capacity and Understanding and many Nobles living therein as Heroick Passions and Generous Affections Subtil Enquiries Strong Arguments and Plain Proofs The Senses which Virtuous Education governs are five great Cities and the various Appetites are the several Citizens dwelling therein which Citizens are apt to rebel and turn Traitors if Virtue the Governess be not severe and strict in executing Justice with Courage cutting off the Heads of Curiosity Nicety Variety Luxury and Excess and though Temperance must weigh measure and set Limits yet Prudence must distribute to Necessity and Conveniency the several Gifts of Nature Fortune and Art The third is the Brain wherein Experienc'd Wit governs which is the pleasantest part and hath the larrgest Compass wherein are built many Towers of Conceptions and Castles of Imaginations Grounds ploughed with Numbers and sowed with Fancies Gardens planted with Study set with Practice from whence Flowers of Rhetorick grow and Rivers of Elegancy flow through it This part of the Kingdom hath the greatest Traffick and Commerce of any of the three parts and flourishes most being populated with the Graces and Muses Wit being popular hath great power on the Passions and Affections and in the Senses makes Civil Entertainments of Pleasure and Delight feeding the Appetites with delicious Banquets NATURE's HOUSE THE whole Globe is Nature's House and the several Planets are Nature's several Rooms the Earth is her Bed Chamber the Floor is Gold and Silver and the Walls Marble and Porphyrie the Portals and Doors are Lapis-Lazarus instead of Tapistry Hangings it is hung with all sorts of Plants her Bed is of several precious Stone the Bed-posts are of Rocks of Diamonds the Bed's-head of Rubies Saphires Topasses and Emeralds Instead of a Feather-bed there is a Bed of sweet Flowers and the Sheets are fresh Air her Table is of Agats and the like yet the Roof of the Chamber is Earth but so curiously Vaulted and so finely wrought that no Dust falls down it is built much like unto a Martin's Nest the Windows are the Pores of the Earth Saturn is her Gallery a long but a dark Room and stands at the highest Story of her House Sol is her Dining-Room which is a round Room built with Heat and lined with Light Venus is her Dressing-Room Cynthia is her Supping-Room which is divided into four Quarters wherein stand four Tables one being round at which she sits being furnished with all Plenty the other are Side-board Tables Mercury is her Room of Entertainment The Rational Creatures are her Nobles The Sensitive Creatures are her Gentry The Insensible Creatures are her Commons Life is her Gentleman-Usher Time is her Steward And Death is her Treasurer A DISPUTE THE Soul caused Reason and Love to dispute with the Senses and Appetites Reason brought Religion for whatsoever Reason could not make good Faith did Love brought Will for whatsoever Love said Will confirmed The Senses brought Pleasure and Pain which were as two Witnesses Pleasure was false Witness but Pain would not nor could not be bribed Appetite brought Opinion which in somethings would be obstinate in others very facil But they had not disputed long but they were so entangled in their Arguments and so invective in their Words as most Disputers are that they began to quarrel as most Disputers do Whereupon the Soul dismist them although with much difficulty for Disputers are Captains or Colonels of ragged Regiments of Arguments and when a Multitude are gathered together in a Rout they seldom disperse until some Mischief is done and then they are well pleased and fully satisfied The Preaching-Lady Dearly Beloved Brethren IHAVE called you together to Instruct Exhort and Admonish you My Text I take out of Nature the third Chapter in Nature at the beginning of the fourth Verse mark it dearly Beloved the third Chapter beginning at the fourth Verse The Text In the Land of Poetry there stands a steep high Mount named Parnassus at the top
call nay think him Valiant Honest and Wife Sir said he to the Duke Pray flatter Fortune and offer some Prayers and Praises to her Deity in my behalf though it be but for your own sake for he that hath not a feeling interest in the business can never pray with a strong devotion for a good success but their Prayers will be so sickly and weak that they can never travel up far but fall back as it were in a swoun without sense In the mean time the Vice-Roy and the Unkle had drawn up Articles and had concluded of the Match without the young Lady's consent but the Unkle told her afterwards She must prepare her self to be the Vice-Roy's Bride and said he if you consent not never come near me more for I will disclaim all the interest of an Unkle and become your Enemy His words were like so many Daggers that were struck to her heart for her grief was too great for tears But her Maid who had ventured her Lady's Anger for Gold had conveyed the Duke into such a place as to go into her Chamber when he pleased He seeing her stand as it were without life or sense but as a Statue carved in a Stone went to her which Object brought her out of a muse but struck her with such a maze as she fixt her Eyes upon him as on some Wonder and standing both silent for a time at last she spake Sir said she this is not civilly done to come without my leave or my Unkle's knowledg nor honourably done to come like a Thief in the night to surprise me Madam said he Love that is in danger to lose what he most adores will never consider Persons Time Place nor Difficulty but runs to strengthen and secure his side fights and assaults all that doth oppose him and I hear you are to be married to the Vice-Roy but if you do marry him I will strive to make you a Widow the first hour cutting your Vows asunder and your Husband instead of his Bride shall embrace Death and his Grave shall become his Wedding-bed or I will lye there my self shrowded in my Winding-sheet from the hated-sight of seeing or knowing you to be anothers But if Knowledg lives in the Grave think not your self secure when I am dead for if Ghosts as some imagine can rise from the Earth mine shall visit you and fright you from delights and never leave you until you become a Subject in Death's Kingdom But if you are cruel and take delight to have your Bridal-Health drunk in Blood marry him where perchance we may be both dead-drunk with that warm red Liquor Sir answered she It is an unheard-of malice to me or an impudent and vain-glorious pride in you neither to own me your self nor let another but would have me wander that the World may take notice and say This is your forsaken Maid and I live to be scorned and become friendless for my Unkle will never own me which will prove as a Proclamation to proclaim me a Traitor to Gratitude and Natural Affection by committing the Treason of Disobedience The Duke said You cannot want an Owner whilst I live for I had nor have more power to resign the Interest I have in you than Kings to resign their Crowns that come by Succession for the Right lies in the Crown not in the Man and though I have played the Tyrant and deserved to be uncrowned yet none ought to take it off my Head but Death nor have I power to throw it from my self Death only must make way for a Successor Then said she I must dye that your Duchess may have Right and a free Possession Nay said he You must claim your own just Interest and place your self where you should be What is that said she Go to Law for you Yes said he If I be cast said she it will be a double shame You cannot plead and be condemned said he if Justice hears your Cause and though most of the Actions of my Life have been irregular yet they were not so much corrupted or misruled by Nature as for want of good Education and through the Ignorance of my Youth But Time hath made me see my Errors And though your Beauty is very excellent and is able to enamour the dullest Sense yet it is not that alone disturbs the peace of my Mind but the being conscious of my Fault which unless you pardon and restore me to your Favour I shall never be at rest I wish there were no greater obstacle said she than my Pardon to your Rest for I should absolve you soon and sleep should not be more gentle and soft on your Eyes than Peace to your Mind if I could give it but my Unkle's dislike may prove as fearful Dreams to disturb it though indeed if his Anger were like Dreams it would vanish away but I doubt it is of too thick a Body for a Vision The Duke said We will both kneel to your Unkle and plead at the Barr of either Ear I will confess my Fault at one Ear whilst you ask Pardon for me at the other And though his Heart were Steel your Words will dissolve it into compassion whilst my Tears mix the Ingredients My Unkle said she hath agreed with the Vice-Roy and his Word hath sealed the Bond which he will never break The Duke said I will make the Vice-Roy to break the Bargain himself and then your Unkle is set free besides you are mine and not your Unkle's unless you will prove my Enemy to deny me and I will plead for my Right Heaven direct you for the best said she it is late Good-night You will give me leave said he to kiss your Hand I cannot deny my Hand said she to him that hath my Heart The next day the Duke went to the Vice-Roy and desired to have a private hearing about a business that concerned him And when he had him alone he shut the door and drew his Sword which when the Vice-Roy saw he began to call for help Call not nor make a noise if you do Hell take me said the Duke I 'le run you through What mean you said the Vice-Roy to give me such a dreadful Visit I come said the Duke to ask you a Question to forbid you an Act and to have you grant me my Demand The Vice-Roy said The Question must be resolvable the Act just the Demand possible They are so said the Duke My Question is Whether you resolve to be married to the Lady Delicia Yes answered he The Act forbidden is You must not marry her Why said the Vice-Roy Because said he she is my Wife and I have been married to her almost nine years Why said he you cannot have two Wives No said he I will have but one and that shall be she And what is your Demand My Demand is That you will never marry her How says the Vice-Roy Put the case you should die you will then give me leave to
Kings being jealous are apt to suspect the worst which made him observe with a stricter Eye setting Spies and Watches on all his Actions until he catcht him in the Trap of his Rebellion for speaking some dangerous and seditious words he was cast into Prison until further trial A day being appointed for his hearing a Council was called of all the Peers of the Land which were his Judges and the Witnesses being brought he was cast and condemned to dye Great Preparations were made against the Day of Execution Scaffolds were set up Windows were pulled down that People might behold him Guards were set at each corner of the Streets and the multitude did so throng that when this Noble-man passed along every Eye strove to out-stare each other and every Neck stretch'd to out reach his fore-standers head and every Ear listned to hear if he did speak and every Tongue moved with Enquiries every Mind was filled with expectation of the Event and every one as busie as a Judg to condemn him or a Hang man to execute him and those that profest most Friendship to him in his Prosperity were his greatest Enemies upbraiding him with the Name of Traytor though truly yet not seemly from former profest Friends But he with a slow pace and a sad countenance habited in Black went on until he came to the Scaffold Then turning his Face to the People he thus spake I do not wonder to see so great a Multitude gathered together to view the Death of a single Person although Death is common to every one and that there is as many several ways to dye as Eyes to look on yet Beasts do not gather in Troops to see the Execution of their Kind But I wonder Men should change their Opinion with the change of Fortune as if they did applaud her Inconstancy hating what she seemed to hate and loving what she seemed to love calling them Fools which she casts down and those Wise which she raises up although it be without Desert for had I been prosperous in my evil Intention I should have had as many Acclamations as now I have Accusations had been called Wise Valiant Generous Just and all the Names that Praise could honour me with and not only they would have called me so but have thought me to have been so But O odd Man how art thou made To have so much Ambition as to desire the Power of Gods and yet to be more foolish than Beasts and as ill-natur'd as Devils of Hell For Beasts follow the Laws of Nature but Men follow their own Laws which make them more miserable than Nature intended them to be Beasts do not destroy themselves nor make they Laws to entangle themselves in the Nets of long strong Suits but follow that which pleaseth them most Unless Men vex them they weary not themselves in unprofitable Labours nor vex their Brain with vain Phantasms they have no superstitious Fear nor vain Curiosity to seek after that which being found they are never the better nor strange Opinions to carry them from the Truth nor Rhetorick to perswade them out of the right way And when Beasts prey upon one anothe it is out of meer Hunger not to make Spoil Man who is so disorderly as that he strives to destroy Nature her self and if he could pull Jupiter out of Heaven But when we come near to be destroyed by Death then we have a seeming-Repentance and flatter the Gods to have pity on us And though my Nature is so bad as being of Mankind that I may dissemble so nicely as not to perceive it in my self yet I hope the Gods will have as much mercy on me as I think I am truly sorrowful for my Fault and then kneeling thus said O Jupiter how should weak and frail Men agree amongst themselves when there have been Quarrels in thy Heavenly Mansions envying thy glory and being ambitious of thy Power conspiring against thee And since Ambition hath been in Heaven pardon it on Earth for it was not against thee my Maker but against my Fellow-Creature O Jupiter check thy Vice-gerent Nature for making me of such an aspiring quality coveting to be the chiefest on Earth for she might have made me Humble and Lowly and not of so proud and haughty a Disposition for it was in her power to have made me in what temper she had pleased I do not expostulate this out of a Murmuring-discontent but to draw down thy pity for my unhappy Nature which in a manner enforced me thereunto But I submit as thou hast commanded me and am content to obey thy will and either to undergo Pulto's Punishments or to be annihilated But if thy Judgment may be diverted send me to the blessed Elyzium Then turning to the Block he was executed No sooner was his Head off but all his Acquaintants Friends and Kindred forgot him as the living usually do any the dye And although most rejoyce at the fall of those that are most Eminent as if the chiefest Ingredient of Man were Malice and Spight which produceth Cruelty yet when the Multitude saw all was done and that their greedy Appetite was satisfied with Blood then a lazy and sleepy Pity seized on them and with yawning wishes would have had him alive again But King Oberon and Queen Mabb after the Execution having given Order for his Quarters to be set up on the Gates of the City rid to their Palaces in State hoping they should have no more such Traiterous Subjects disturb their Peace Assaulted and Pursued Chastity PREAMBLE IN this following Tale or Discourse my endeavour was To shew young Women the danger of Travelling without their Parents Husbands or particular Friends to guard them for though Virtue is a good Guard yet it doth not always protect their Persons without other Assistance for though Virtue guards yet Youth and Beauty betrays and the Treachery of the one is more than the Safety of the other for Young Beautiful and Virtuous Women if they wander alone find but very often rude entertainment from the Masculine Sex witness Jacob's Daughter Dinah which Shechem forced and others whose Forcement is mentioned in holy Scripture and in Histories of less Authority sans nombre which shews that Heaven doth not always protect the Persons of Virtuous Souls from rude Violences neither doth it always leave Virtue destitute but sometimes sends a Human Help yet so as never but where Necessity was the Cause of their Dangers and not Ignorance Indiscretion or Curiosity for Heaven never helps but those that could not avoid the Danger nay if they do avoid the Danger they seldom avoid a Scandal for the World in many Cause judges according to what may be and not according to what is they judg not according to Truth but Shew nor by the Heart but by the Countenance which is the cause that many a Chast Woman hath a spotted Reputation But to conclude I say Those are in particular favoured by Heaven that are protected
into a great Passion and great Controversies she had with her self whether she should lose her Honour and live or save her Honour and dye Dishonour she hated and Death she feared the one she blusht at the other she trembled at But at last with much strugling she got out of that Conflict resolving to dye for in Death said she there is no Pain nor in a dishonourable Life any Content But though Death says she is common to all yet when it comes not in the ordinary ways of Nature there must be used violence by Artificial Instruments and in my Condition there must be used Expedition And considering what ways to take she bethought of a Maid-servant that used to make clean the Rooms and such kind of works to whom she had often talked as she was about her Employments and had gotten much of her Affections Her she called and told her that a Wife Wizard had advised her That ever on her Birth-day she should shoot off a Pistol and in so doing she should be happy so long as she used the same Custom but if she neglected she should be unfortunate for by the shooting thereof said she I shall kill a whole Year of Evil from doing me hurt but she told her withall That it must be that day and it must be a small one for fear of making a great noise and done privately for fear her Mistress should know of it or any Body else for it will be of no effect if above one know of it besides my self The simple Wench easily believing what she said was industrious to supply her wants and in a short time brought her desires which when she had got her dejected Spirits rose with an overflowing joy and setting down with a quiet Mind since before she could not stand nor set still for her troubled and rough Thoughts drove her from one end of the Room to the other like a Ship at Sea that is not anchored nor ballasted or with storm tost from Point to Point so was she but now with a constant Wind of Resolution she sailed evenly although she knew not to what Coast she should be driven But after some expectation in came the old Bawd and the Prince who was so struck with her Beauty as he stood some time to behold her At last coming near her earnestly viewing her and asking her some leight Questions to which she answered briefly and wittily which took him so much as he had scarce patience to bargain with the old Bawd for her But when they were agreed the wicked Bawd left them to themselves where he turning to the young Lady told her That of all the Women that ever he met with his Senses were never so much delighted for they had wedded his Soul to Admirations She answered That if his Senses or his Person did betray her to his Lust she wished them all annihilated or at least buried in Dust but I hope said she by your Noble and Civil Usage you will give me cause to pray for you and not to wish you Evil for Why should you rob me of that which Nature freely gave And it is an Injustice to take the Goods from the right Owners without their consents and an Injustice is an Act that all Noble Minds hate and all Noble Minds usually dwell in Honourable Persons such as you seem to be and none but base or cruel Tyrants will lay unreasonable Commands or require wicked things from the Powerless or Vertuous Wherefore most Noble Sir said she Shew your self a Master of Passion a King of Clemency a God of Pity and Compassion and prove not your self a Beast to Appetite a Tyrant to Innocents a Devil to Chastity Virtue and Piety and with that Tears did flow from her Eyes as humble Petitioners to beg her release from his Barbarous Intention But he by those Tears like Drink to those that are poyson'd grows more dry and his Passions more violent He told her No Rhetorick could alter his Affections Which when she heard and he ready to seize on her she drew forth the Pistol which she had concealed bending her Brows with a resolute Spirit told him She would stand upon her Guard for why said she it is no sin to defend my self against an Obstinate and Cruel Enemy and know said she I am no ways to be found by wicked Persons but in Death for whilst I live I will live in Honour or when I kill or be kill'd I will kill or dye for security He for a time stood in a maze to see her in that posture and to hear her high defiance but considering with himself that her words might be more than her intentions and that it was a shame to be out-dared by a Woman with a smiling-countenance said You threaten more Evil than you dare perform besides Honour will be buried with you in the Grave when by your Life you may build Palaces of Pleasure and Felicity With that he went towards her to take away the Pistol from her Stay stay said she I will first build me a Temple of Fame upon your Grave where all young Virgins shall come and offer at my Shrine and in the midst of these words shot him With that he fell to the ground and the old Bawd hearing a Pistol came running in where seeing the Prince lye all smeared in blood and the young Lady as a Marble Statue standing by as if she had been fixt to that place looking stedfastly upon her own Act she running about the Room called out Murther Murther Help Help not knowing what to do fear had so possest her At last she drew her Knife thinking to stab her but the Prince forbid her saying He hoped he should live to give her her due desert which if the Gods grant said he I shall ask no more So desiring to be laid upon the Bed until the Chirurgeons came to dress his Wounds stenching the blood as well as they could the mean time But after the Chirurgeons had search'd his Wounds he ask'd them Whether they were mortal They told him They were dangerous and might prove so but their hopes were not quite cut off with despair of his recovery But after his Wounds were drest he gave order for the young Lady to be lockt up close that none might know there was such a Creature in the House nor to disclose how or by what means he came hurt Then being put in his Litter he was carried into his own House which was a stately Palace in the City The noise of his being wounded was spread abroad and every one enquiring how he came so making several Tales and Reports as they fancied but none knew the truth thereof After some days his Wounds began to mend but his Mind grew more distemper'd with the love of the fair Lady yet loath he was to force that from her she so valiantly had guarded and kept and to enjoy her lawfully he could not because he was a married Man and had been so
five years for as the years of Twenty by his Parents Perswasion being a younger Brother at that time although afterwards he was lest the first of his Family by the death of his Eldest Brother he married a Widow being Noble and Rich but well stricken in years never bearing Child And thus being wedded more to Interest than Love was the cause of his seeking those Societies which best pleased him But after long Conflicts and Doubts Fears Hopes and Jealousies he resolved to remove her from that House and to try to win her by Gifts and Perswasions And sending for a reverent Lady his Aunt whom he knew loved him he told her the passage of all that had hapned and also his affection praying her to take her privately from that place and to conceal her secretly until he was well recovered entreating her also to use her with all the Civility and Respect that could be Going from him she did all that he had desired her removing her to a House of hers a Mile from the City and there kept her The young Lady in the mean time expecting nothing less than Death was resolved to suffer as valiantly as she had acted So casting off all care she was only troubled she lived so idly But the old Lady coming to see her she prayed her to give her something to employ her time on for said she my Brain hath not a sufficient stock to work upon it self Whereupon the old Lady asked her If she would have some Books to read in She answered Yes if they were good ones or else said she they are like impertinent persons that displease more by their vain talk than they delight with their Company Will you have Romances said the old Lady She answered No for they extol Virtue so much as begets an Envy in those that have it not and know they cannot attain unto that perfection and they beat Infirmities so cruelly as it begets pity and by that a kind of love Besides their Impossibilities makes them ridiculous to Reason and in Youth they beget Wanton Desires and Amorous Affections What say you to Natural Philosophy said she She answered They were meer Opinions and if there be any Truths said she they are so buried under Falshood as they cannot be found out Will you have Moral Philosophy No said she for they divide the Passions so nicely and command with such severity as it is against Nature to follow them and impossible to perform them What think you of Logick She answered It is nothing but Sophistry making Factious Disputes but concludes nothing Will you have History No said she for they are seldom writ in the time of Action but a long time after when Truth is forgotten but if they be writ at present Partiality Ambition or Fear bears too much sway Will you have Divine Books No said she they raise up such Controversies that cannot be allayed again tormenting the Mind about that they cannot know whilst they live and frights their Consciences so that it makes men afraid to dye But said the young Lady Pray give me Play-Books or Mathematical ones the first said she discovers and expresses the Humours and Manners of Men by which I shall know my self and others the better and in shorter time than Experience can teach me And in the latter said she I shall learn to demonstrate Truth by Reason and to measure out my Life by the Rule of good Actions to set Marks and Figures on those Persons to whom I ought to be grateful to number my days by Pious Devotions that I may be found weighty when I am put in the Scales of God's Justice Besides said she I may learn all Arts useful and pleasant for the Life of Man as Musick Architecture Navigation Fortification Water-works Fire-works all Engines Instruments Wheels and many such like which are useful besides I shall learn to measure the Earth to reach the Heavens to number the Starrs to know the Motions of the Planets to divide Time and to compass the whole World The Mathematicks is a Candle of Truth whereby I may peep into the Works of Nature to imitate her in little It comprises all that Truth can challenge All other Books disturb the Life of Man this only settles it and composes it in sweet Delight The old Lady said By your Beauty and Discourse you seem to be of greater Birth and better Breeding than usually ordinary young Maids have and if it may not be offensive to you pray give me leave to ask you From whence you came and What you are and How you came here She sighing said I was by an unfortunate Warr sent out of my Countrey with my Mother for safety being very young and the only Child my Parents had My Father who was one of the Greatest and Noblest Subjects in the Kingdom and being employed in the Chief Command in that Warr sent my Mother not knowing what the Issue would be to the Kingdom of Security where he had been formerly sent Embassador So my Mother and I went to remain there until the troubles were over But my Father being killed in the Warrs my Mother dyed for grief and left me destitute of Friends in a strange Countrey only with some few Servants I hearing a Peace was concluded in the Kingdom was resolved to return to my own Native Soil to seek after the Estate which my Father left me as his only Heir When I embarked I only took two Servants a Maid and a Man but by an unfortunate Storm I was cast upon a Shore belonging to this Kingdom where after I was landed my two Servants most treacherously robb'd me of all my Jewels and those Moneys I had and then most barbarously left me alone where afterwards my Host sold me to an old Bawd and she to one of her Customers who sought to force me whereas I to defend my self shot him but whether he be dead or alive I know not afterwards I was brought hither but by whose directions you I suppose can give a better account to your self than I yet I cannot say but that since I came hither I have been civilly used and courteously entertained by your self who seem to be a Person of Worth which makes my fears less for I hope you will secure me from Injuries though not from Death And since you are pleased to enquire what I am and from whence I came I shall entreat the same return to instruct me in the knowledg of your self and why I was brought hither and by whose Order The old Lady said She was Sister to the Prince's Mother and a tender lover of her Nephew and to comply with his desires she was brought there to be kept until he should dispose of her Then she told her what he was but never mentioned the affection he had for her but rather spoke as if her Life were in danger So taking her leave she left her telling her She would send her such Books as she desired Thus passing
you give Innocency no protection nor let Chastity live undefiled Cruel Fates to spin my Thread of Life to make me up a Web of Misery Accurst Fortune that brake not that Thread with an untimely Death And you unjust Powers to torment poor Virtue making it a sin to free it self for bad I leave to dye I would not live in shame for to dwell bere committing Acts dishonourable although I am forced yet shall I seem a Party guilty and though no outward Accusers yet my Conscience will condemn me But O you Gods of Light Since you regard me not nor will not hear me You Powers of Darkness hearken unto me and wrap me up in your dark Mantles of perpetual Night that no Eye may see me and cast me into black Oblivion where no remembrance is The old Man her Father who was come from the Water-side where he had been for the directing and ordering the building of a new Ship came to her in the midst of her Complaints and asked her What she lacked or If she were sick I would I were said she then might I hope Death would reprieve me But I am worse for I am miserable having Torment like to those of Hell within my Mind My Thoughts are Vultures eating on my Carrion-Infamy or like the restless Stone that cannot get up to the Hill of Peace but rolleth back with fear and sad remembrance Then she told him what she was which he did never know before and what had pass'd since the first of her Misfortunes to that present and how he had ignorantly discovered her Which when he heard he cursed his Tongue for telling how and where he found her Father said she What is past cannot be recalled wherefore I must strive to help my self in what 's to come and since I have been dutiful and you so loving and kind as to save me from the Jaws of Death help me now to protect my Honour convey me hence let me not live here to please his Appetite but cast me to some unknown place where like an Anchoret I may live from all the World and never more to see the face of Man for in that Name all Horror strikes my Senses and makes my Soul like to some furious thing so much affrighted it hath been Her Father said Heaven give you quiet and me aid to help your Designs But you must said he dissemble to compass them wherefore rise and put on a smooth and pleasant face and let your Discourse be so compliant that you may have a free liberty for if a Doubt should cross his Thoughts you may chance to be restrained and kept by force which will break that assistance I may give you Whilst they were thus discoursing the Prince came to them who had not patience to be long from her for her Absence was his Hell and her Presence his Heaven flattering the old Man My Father said he for so I may call you now let me entreat you I may be your Son and she your Daughter since she you thought a Boy is proved a Girl and since Fortune hath brought us so happily to meet let us not despise her Favours but make the best use of them to our advantage Then telling the old Man how that Island might be made a Paradice and in what felicity they might live there if their peevish Humours did not overthrow their Pleasures The old Man seemed to approve of all the Prince said whereupon the Prince took him to be his dear Friend and secret Councellor for the old Man did not omit to give him Counsel concerning the setling and advancing of his new and small Monarchy because he thought in doing so he might the better work out his own Design by taking away those suspitions that otherwise he thought might be had of him Then the Prince bid the old Man to have a care and to order his Maritime Affairs in over-seeing his Ships and Boats built for said he our chief Maintenance will be from the Sea the whilst I will perswade these Men I have here to make this place the Staple and Port of their Prizes and Dwelling Then taking Travelia along with him the old Man and he parted for that time and going to the rest of the Company he perswaded so well with his Rhetorick that they resolved to stay and build them Houses there to live and also Ware-houses to lay their Prizes in and from thence to traffick with them into safe and free places Whereupon every one put himself in order thereunto some cut down Wood others digg'd up Stones some carried Burthens and some builded Thus like Bees some gathered the Honey and Wax whilst others made and wrought the Combs The mean time the old Man made himself busie at the Coast side about Ships and Boats as being the chief Master employed in that Work But oft-times he would go out a fishing in a Fisher-boat all alone bringing several Draughts of Fish and when he thought he should be least mistrusted conveyed Victuals therein and then gave Travelia notice to steal to the Water-side who watching her opportunity when the Prince was busie in surveying and in drawing the Platforms of the City he would have built stole away and as soon as she came her old Father went as if he meant to go a fishing carrying his Nets and the like with him to the Boat his supposed Son busie in helping him and so both being put out to Sea and not gone very far were taken by the Sympathetical Merchants who trafficking into the Kingdom of Amity sold them there to other Merchants who carrying them to the chief City the Queen of that Countrey who was an Absolute Princess in the Rule and Government thereof seeing Travelia who was brought to her as a Rarity took such a liking to him that she received him into her Family as also to attend near her Person wherein he behaved himself so well that he became her Favourite and the old Man was treated very well for his Son's sake In the mean time the Prince was in a sad condition for the loss of his Mistress who searched about all the Island for her but could hear nothing of her until he sent to the Sea-side for the old Man to enquire for her and had answer back That the old Man and the Youth went out a fishing but were not as yet returned Which he no sooner heard but guesled a-right that they were fled away Whereupon he grew so enraged that he lost all Patience swearing tearing stamping as if he had been distracted But when his Fury was abated his Melancholy encreased walking solitary accompanied only with his sad Thoughts casting about which way to leave that hated place for all places seemed so to him where his Mistress was not yet he knew not very well what to do because he had perswaded the rest of the Company to abide there and make it their home and in order thereunto he knew they had taken great pains besides
by rage confirms it by melancholy destroys it by desperate fury as self-murther Likewise as the Sun doth not only contract and dilatate it self but contracts and dilatates the several Creatures on and in the Earth the same doth the Mind the several parts of the Body it dilatates the Body into several actions postures and behaviours to strike to kick to stretch out the Body to spread out the Arms to fling out the Legs to stare to call or cry out to hoop to hollow and it will contract the Body into a silent musing close the lips shut up the eyes fold in the arms bow or bend in the legs and as it were wind up the Body by fear grief anger melancholy joy wonder admiration and the like and as the Sun doth suck and draw from the Earth and dissolve and expel the Creatures therein so do the Passions the Humours of the Body for as some Sun-beams suck moisture from the several Springs that rise in the Earth so divers Passions suck out moisture from the several Veins that run in the Body or as such Beams which pierce the Earth make the face thereof wither and pale so will some sorts of Passions and as some other sorts of Sunny-beams for all work not the like effect draw Sulphureous Vapours from the Bowels of the Earth towards the Middle-Region which flash out in Lightning so do the Passions draw from the Heart a flushing-colour to the Face which flushes in hot blushes And as the Sun-beams draw Salt Vapours from the Sea which fall in pouring showers so do the Passions draw Salt Vapours from the Bowels which fall in trickling tears for the Passions are the beams of the Mind and have as great an influence and power over the Body as the Sun-beams have upon the Earth and as the Sun 's bright Rays cause the Elements to appear clear and light so doth the Mind's tranquility cause the countenance to look cheerful and fair Then they asked her of the Four Cardinal Virtues She said That Prudence and Temperance were two Virtues which belonged more to the Wise than the Heroick Men for Prudence barrs Generosity and Magnanimity and doth not only forewarn dangers but restrains from dangerous actions when Heroick Honour is got in Danger more than Safety and Courage is made known thereby likewise Temperance forbids Magnificence but Fortitude and Justice belongs most to Heroick Men. Then they asked her If she thought Beasts had a Rational Soul She answered That if there could be no Sense without some Reason nor Reason without the Sense Beasts were as Rational as Men unless said she Reason be a particular Gift either from Nature or the God of Nature to Man and not to other Creatures if so said she Nature or the God of Nature would prove partial or finite As for Nature in her self she seems unconfined and for the God of Nature he can have no Biass he ruling every thing by the straight Line of Justice and what Justice nay what Injustice would it not be for Mankind to be supream over all other Animal-Kind or some Animal-Kind over any other Kind Then they asked her Why no Creature was so shiftless at his birth as Man She answered There were other Creatures as shiftless as Man as for example Birds are as shiftless before their Wings are fledged For as Infants want strength in Arms to feed themselves and Legs to go so Birds want strength of Bills to feed themselves and Feathers in Wings to flye Then they asked her Whether she thought there were a Heaven and a Hell She answered That in Nature there was a Hell and a Heaven a God and a Devil good Angels and bad Salvation and Damnation for said she Pain and Trouble is a Hell the one to torment the Body the other the Mind Likewise said she Health and Pleasure is a Heaven which gives the body rest and the mind Tranquility also said she the natural God is Truth the natural Devil Falshood the one seeks to save the other to deceive the good Angels are Peace and Plenty the evil are Warrs and Famine Light is the Beatifical Vision Darkness the natural Dungeon Death is the Damnation Life the Salvation and Moral Virtue is the natural Religion and Moral Philosophers are Nature's Priests which preach and seem to practise a good life Then they asked What Government for a Commonwealth was best She answered Monarchical for as one Sun is sufficient to give Light and Heat to all the several Creatures in the World so one Governour is sufficient to give Laws and Rules to the several Members of a Commonwealth Besides said she no good Government can be without Union and Union is in Singularity not in Plurality for Union is drawn to a Point when Numbers make Division Extraction Substraction which often-times brings Distraction and Distraction Confusions Then they asked her Whether she was of that Opinion That those that had good Understandings had weak Imaginations She said She was not of that Opinion for said she from the pureness and cleerness of the Understanding proceeds the subtilty and the variety of their Imaginations and the Understanding is the foundation of Imagination for as Faith is built upon Reason so is Imagination upon Understanding Then they asked her If the Faculties of the Mind or Soul had their uses or proceeded from the temper of the Brain and Heart She answered That the uses and faculties of the Mind proceeded from the Motions of the Vital and Animal Spirits which I call said she the Sensitive and Rational Spirits which is the Life and Soul and from the regular motions and full quantity thereof proceeds a perfect Memory a clear Understanding and a sound Judgment from the quick motions proceed a ready Wit and from the various and regular motions proceed probable Imaginations or Opinions from the scarcity proceeds dulness and stupidity or insensibility from the irregularity proceeds Extravagancies or Madness and where the Scarcity and Irregularity meets it produceth a stupid dull Madness The Fourth sort that visited her were Scholars that studied Theology and they asked her Whether she was of opinion that Man hath Free will She answered That she was not so proud nor so presumptuous as to think that Man had Free-will for said she if Jove had given Men Free-will he had given the use of one of his Attributes to Man as free Power which said she Jove cannot do for that were to lessen himself To let any Creature have free power to do what he will for Free-will is an Absolute Power although of the narrowest limits and to have an Absolute Power is to be a God and to think Man had it only and no other Creature were to think Jove partial but said she Man's Ambition hath bred this and the like Opinions But said they Jove might permit Man or suffer Man to do some things She said That was as ill or a worse Opinion for to think Jove permits Man to cross his