having learned certaing problems and aenigmas of the muses disposed her selfe in the mountaine Phycaeus The riddle that she proposed to the Thebans was this What creature is that which hath one distinguishable voice that first walkes upon four next two and lastly upon three feet and the more legs it hath is the lesse able to walk The strict conditions of this monster were these that so often as he demanded the solution of this question till it was punctually resolved he had power to chuse out any of the people where he best liked whom he presently devoured but they had this comfort from the Oracle That this Aenigma should be no sooner opened and reconciled with truth but they should be freed from this misery and the monster himselfe should be destroied The last that was devoured was Aemon son to King Creon who fearing lest the like sad fate might extend it selfe to the rest of his issue caused proclamation to be made That whosoever could expound this riddle should marry Jocasta the wife of the dead King Laius and be peaceably invested in the Kingdome this no sooner came to the ears of Oedipus but he undertook it and resolved it thus This creature saith he is man who of all other hath only a distinct voice he is born four footed as in his infancy crawling upon his feet and hands who growing stronger erects himselfe and walkes upon two only but growing decrepit and old he is fitly said to move upon three as using the help of his staffe This solution was no sooner published but Sphinx cast herselfe headlong from the top of that high Promontory and so perished and Oedipus by marrying the Queen was with a generall suffrage instated in the Kingdome He begot of her â—wo sons and two daughters Eâ—eocles and Polâ—nâ—ces Ismâ—ne and Antigone though some write that Oedipus had these children by Rurigenia the daughter of Hyperphantes These former circumstances after some years no sooner came to light but Jocasta in despair strangled her selfe Oedipus having torn out his eies was by the people expulsed Thebes cursing at his departure his children for suffering him to undergo that injury his daughter Antigone lead him as far as to Colonus a place in Attica where there is a grove celebrated to the Eumenides and there remained till he was removed thence by Theseus and soon after died And these are the best fruits that can grow from so abominable a root Of the miserable end of his incestuous issue he that would be further satisfied let him read Sophocles Apollodorus and others Oâ— him Tyresias thus prophesied Neque hic laetabitur Calibus eventis suis nam factus c. No comfort in his fortunes he shall find He now sees clearly must at length be blind And beg that 's now a rich man who shall stray Through forrein Countries for his doubtfull way Still gripping with his staffe The brother he And father of his children both shall be His mothers son and husband first strike dead His father and adulterate next his bed Crithaeis SHE was wife to one Phaemius a schoolmaster and mother to Homer Prince of the Greek Poets Ephorus of Coma in a book intiteled the Cumaean Negotiation leaves her story thus related Atelles Maeones and Dius three brothers were born in Cuma Dius being much indebted was forced to remove thence into Ascra a village of Boeotia and there of his wife Pâ—cemedâ— he begot Hesiodus Atelles in his own Country dying a naturall death committed the pupillage of his daughter Crithaeis to his brother Maeones but comming to ripe growth she being by him vitiated and proving with child both fearing the punishment due to such an offence she was conferred upon Phaemius to whom she was soon after married and walking one day out of the City to bath her selfe in the river Miletus she was by the stood side delivered of young Homer and of the name thereof called him Mâ—lesigines But after losing his sight he was called Homer for such of the Cumaeans and Ionians are called Omouroi Aristotle he writes contrary to Ephorus that what time Neleus the son of Codrus was President in Ionia of the Collony there then newly planted a beautifull Virgin of this Nation was forced and deâ—â—oured by one of the Genius's which used â—o dance with the Muses who after remâ—ved to a place called Aegina and meeting with certain forragers and robbers that made sundry incursions into the Country she was by them surprized and brought to Smyrna who presented her to Meonides a companion to the King of the Lydians he at the first sight inamoured of her beauty took her to wife who after sporting her selfe by the banks of Milâ—rus brought forth Homer and instantly expired And since we had occasion to speak of his mother let it not seem altogether impertinent to proceed a little of the son who by reason of his being hurried in his childhood from one place to another and ignorant both of his Country and parents went to the Oracle to be resolved concerning them both as also his future fortunes who returned him this doubtfull answer Foelâ—x miser ad sortemes quia natus utramque Perquiris patrians matris tibi non patris câ—â—tat c. Happy and wretched both must be thy fate That of thy Country dost desire to heare Known is thy 〈◊〉 clime thy father 's not An Island in the sea to Creet not neer Nor yet far â—ss in which thou shalt expire When 〈◊〉 a riddle shalt to thee propose Whose dark Aenigma thou canst not acquire A double Fate thy life hath thou shalt lose Thine eies yet shall thy lofty Muse ascend And in thy death thou life have without end In his later daies he was present at Thebes at their great feast called Saturnalia and from thence comming to Ius and sitting on a stone by the water port there landed some fishermen whom Homer asked what they had taken but they having got nothing that day but for want of other work only lousing themselves thus merily answered him Non capta afferimus fuerant quae capta relictis We bring with us those that we could not find But all that we could catch we lâ—ft behind Meaning that all such vermine as they could catch they cast away but what they could not take they brought along Which riddle when Homer could not unfold it is said that for very griefe he ended his life This unmatchable Poet whom no man regarded in his life yet when his works were better considered of after his death he had that honour that seven famous Cities contended about the place of his birth every one of them appropriating it unto themselves Pindarus the Poet makes question whether he were of Chius or Smyrna Simonides affirms him to be of Chius Antimachus and Nicander of Colophon Aristotle the Philosopher to be of Ius Ephorus the Historiographer that he was of Cuma Some have been of opinion that he was born in Salamine
a City of Cipria others amongst the Argives Aristarchus and Dyoâ—isius Thrax derive him from Athens c. But I may have occasion to speak of him in a larger work intituled The lives of all the Poets Modern and Forreign to which work if it come once againe into my hands I shall refer you concluding him with this short Epitaph An Epitaph upon Homer the Prince of Poets In Colophon some think thee Homer borne Some in faire Smyrna soâ—e in Ius isle Some with thy birth rich Chius would adorn Others say 〈◊〉 a first on thee did smile The Argives lay claim to thee and aver Thou art their Country man Aemus saies no. Strong Salamine saith thou tookest life from her But Athens thou to her thy Muse dost owe As there first breathing Speak how then shall I Determine of thy Country by my skill When Oracles would never I will try And Homer well thou give me leave I will The spatious Earth then for Country chuse No mortall for thy mother but a Muse 〈◊〉 the sister of Nereus the Sea-god was by him stupratedâ— of whom he begot the Nymphs called Nercides Ovid in his sixt book Metamorph telleth us of Philomela daughter to Pandion King of Athens who was forced by Tereus King of Thrace the son of Mars and the Nymph Bâ—stonides though he had before married her own dear and naturall sister Progne the lamentable effects of which incest is by the same Author elegantly and at large described as likewise Beblis the daughter of Miletus and Cyane who after she had sought the embraces of her brother Caumus slew her selfe Mirrha daughter to Cyniras King of the Cyprians lay with her father and by him had the beautifull child Adonis Europa the mother and Pelopeia the daughter were both corrupted by Thyestes Hypermestra injoied the company of her brother for whom she had long languished Menephron most barborously frequented the bed of his mother against whom Ovid in his Metamorph. and Quintianus in his Cleopol bitterly inveigh Domitius Calderinus puts us in mind of the Concubine of Amintor who was injoied by his son Phaenix Rhodope the daughter of Hemon was married to her father which the gods willing to punish they were as the Poets feign changed into the mountains which still bear their names Caeleus reports of one Policaste the mother of Perdix a hunts-man who was by him incestuously loved and after injoied Lucan in his eight book affirms that Cleopatra was polluted by her own brother with whom she communicated her selfe as to a husband Nictimine was comprest by her father Nictus King of Aethiopia Martial in his twelfe book writing to Fabulla accuseth one Themison of incest with his sister Plin. lib. 28. cap. 2. speaks of two of the Vestals Thusia and Copronda both convicted of incest the one buried alive the other strangled Publius Claudius was accused by M. Cicero of incest with his three sisters Sextus Aurelius writes that Agrippina the daughter of Germanicus had two children by her brother Claudius Caesar Cornalius Tacitus saith that she often communicated her body with her own son Nero in his cups and heat of wine he after commanded her womb to be ripped up that he might see the place where he had laien so long before his birth and most deservedly was it inflicted upon the brutish mother though unnaturally imposed by the inhumane son Ansilaena is worthily repoved by Catullus for yielding up her body to the wanton imbraces of her uncle by whom she had children Gidica the wife of Pomonius Laurentius doted on her son Cominus even to incest but by him refused she strangled her selfe The like did Pheora being despised by her son Hippolitus Dosithaeus apud Plutarch speaks of Nugeria the wife of Hebius who contemned by her son in Law Firmus prosecuted him with such violent and inveterate hate that she first sollicited her own sons to his murder but they abhorring the vilenesse of the fact she watcht him sleeping and so slew him John Maletesta deprehending his wife in the arms of his brother Paulus Maletesta transpierc'd them both with his sword in the incestuous action Clepatra daughter to Dardanus King of the Scythians and wife to Phinaeus was forced by her two sons in law for which fact their father caused their eies to be plucked out Plutarch reports of Atossa that she was doted on by Artaxerxes insomuch as that after he had long kept her as his strumpet against the Laws of Persia and of Greece to both which he violently opposed himself he made her his Queen Curtius writes of one Si simithres a Persian souldier that had two children by his mother Diogenian also speaking of Secundus the Philosopher saith that he unawares to them both committed incest with his mother which after being made known to them she astonied with the horror of the fact immediately slew her selfe and he what with the sorrow for her death and brutishnesse of the deâ—d vowed never after to speak word which he constantly performed to the last minute of his life Manlius in his common places reports from the mouth oâ— D Martin Luther that this accident hapned in Erphâ—rst in Germany There was saith he a maid of an honest family that was servant to a rich widdow who had a son that had many times importuned the girle to lewdnesse insomuch that she had no other way to avoid his continuall suggestions but by acquainting the mother with the dissolute courses of the son The widdow considering with her self which was the best course to childe his libidirous purpose and divert him from that lewd course plotted with the maid to give him a seeming consent and so appoint him a place and time in the night of meeting at which he should have the fruition of what he so long had sued for she her selfe intending to supply the place of her servant to school her son and so prevent any inconvenience that might futurely happen The maid did according to her appointment the son with great joy keeps his houre so did the mother who came thither on purpose to reform her son but he being hot and too forward in the action and she overcome either by the inticements of the devill the weaknesse of her Sex or both gave her selfe up to incestuous prostitution the young man knowing no otherwise but that he had enjoied the maid Of this wicked and abominable congression a woman child was begot of whom the mother to save her reputation was secretly delivered and put it out privately to nurse but at the age of seven years took it home When the child grew to years the most infortunate sonne fell in love with his sister and daughter and made her his unhappy wife what shall I think of this detestable sinne which even beasts themselves abhor of which I will give you present instance Aristotle in his history Animal who was a diligent searcher into all naturall things affirms that a Camel being bliâ—ded
sons but if none of their issue be leâ—e alive they chuse out of the people the most beautiful and warlike withall whom 〈◊〉 create their Prince and Soveraign Even amongst the 〈◊〉 M. Aâ—relius Commodus so dearly affected his sister that being called by his mother to divide their 〈◊〉 patrimony betwixt them he conferred it wholly upon her contenting himselfe with his grandfathers revenue Pontanus de lib. cap. 11. I will end this discourse concerning sisters with one History out of Sabellious l. â— cap. 7. the same confirmed by â—â—â—gosius lib. 5. cap. 5. Intaphernes was say they one of these confederate Princes who freed the Persian Empire from the usurpâ—tion of the Magician brothers and conferred it upon Darius who now being established in the supreme dignity Intaphernes having some businesse with the King made offer to enter his chamber but being rudely put back by one of his grooms or waiteâ—â— he took it in such scorn that no lesse revenge would satisfie his rage then to cut off his ears and nose of which the King having present notice his indignation exceeded the others rage for he gave commandment That for his insolence and outrage done in she Pallace and so neer his presence that not only Intaphernes the Dâ—linquent but all the male issue of his stock and race whatsoever should be laid hold upon and after to the dread and terror or the like offenders by mercilesse death cast the terror of the Kings incensement The sentence of their apprehension was performed and their execution hourly expected when the wife of Intaphernes cast her selfe groveling before the Court gate with such pitiful ejaculations and clamours that they came even to the ears of Darius and much penetrated him being uttered with such passionate and moving acceâ—ts able to mollifie the Flint or soften Marble Imprest therefore with her pitious lamentations the King sent unto her That her teares and clamours had so far prevailed with him â—hat from the condemned society they had ransomed one and one only to continue the memory of their Name and Family chuse amongst them all whose life she most favoured and whose safety with the greatest affection desired but further then this to grant her his sentence was unalterable None that heard this small yet unexpected favour from the King but presently imagined she would either redeem her husband or at least one of her sons two of them being all she had then groning under the burthen of that heavy sentence But after some small meditation beyond the expectation of all men she demanded the life of her brother The King somewhat amazed at her choice sent for her and demanded the reason Why she had preferred the life of a brother before the safety of such a noble husband or such hopeful children To whom she answered Behold O King I am yet but young and in my best of years and I may live to have another husband and so consequently by him more children But my father and mother are both aged and stricken in years and should I lose a Brother I should for evermore be deprived of that sacred Name At which words the King exceedingly moved to see with what a fraternall zeal they were spoken he not only released her brother but added to his unexpected bounty the life of her eldest son Of Matrimony or Conjugall Love IT was inserted in Plato's Lawes That what man soever lived a Batchelor above five and thirty years of age was neither capable of Honour of Office Alexand. ab Alex. lib 4. cap. 8. Licurgus the Lawgiver amongst the Lacedemonians as the same Author testifies to shew the necessity of marriage made a Decree That all such as affected singlenesse and solitude of life should be held ignominious They were not admitted to publike Plaies but in the winter were compelled to passe through the Market-place naked and without garments The Law of the Spartans set a fine upon his head best that married not at all next on him that married not till he was old and lastly on him they set the greatest mulct that married an evill wife or from a strange Tribe Stobae Sermon 65. Fuigosius cals the Judgements Cacogamia and Opsigamia lib 2. cap. 1. So laudable and reverent was Marriage amongst the Lacedemonians procreation of Children and fertility of issue That whosoever was the father of three children should be free from Watch or Ward by day or night and whosoever had four or upward were rewarded with all Immunities and Liberty This Law was confirmed by Q. Metellus Numidicus Censor after approved by Julius Caesar and lastly established by Augustus Memorable are the words of Metellus in a publike Oration to the people If we could possibly be without wives O Romans saith he we might all of us be free from molestation and trouble but since Nature excites us and necessity compels us to this exigent That we can neither live with them without inconvenience nor without them at all more expidient it is therefore that we aim at the generall and lasting profit then at our own private and moment any pleasure â—ruson lib 7. cap. 22. The Athenians the Cretans the Thuâ—â—ans all in their Statutes and Ordinances encouraged Marriage and punished the obstinary of such as took upon them the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and sollitaude either with amercement or disgrace To that purpose was the Law Julia instituted that incited young men in their prime and flourishing age to the marriage of wives propagation of issue and education of children and that such should be encouraged by rewards and the opposers thereof to be deterred with punishments Tiberius Caesar deprived one of his Quaestorship because he divorced himselfe from his wife having been but three daies married alledging That he in whom there was such lightnesse could not be profitable for any thing Claudius Caesar caused the Law Papia to be abrogated giving men of threescore years and upwards the free liberty to marry as at those years of ability to have issue Theodoretus lib. 1. cap. 7. and Sozomenus lib. 1. cap. 10. both write that in the Nicene Council when certain of the Bishops would introduce into the Church a new Decree before that time not known namely That all Bishops Prelates Priests Deacons and Spirituall or Religious men should be made uncapable of Marriage as also all such as in the time of their 〈◊〉 before they took the Ministry or any service of the Church upon them should be separated from 〈◊〉 wives of whom they were then possest One Paphnutius Confessor who was likewise Bishop of a City in the upper Thebats stood up and with great fervency opposed the motion yet a man of approved chastity and great austerity of 〈◊〉 who though he were mightily opposed yet at length so far prevailed with the Synod of the Fathers that it was definitively concluded That though the marriage of Priests were â—â—â—dicted and singlenesse of life in joined them yet all such as had wives were dispensed withall till
full power and vertue therefore Dante the famous Italian Poet thus writes Come la neve al sole se distilla Cosi al vento nelle soglie leve Si perdea la sententia de Sybille I cannot here pretermit Ovids expression of this Sybill who when Aeneas having received from her that great curtesie to enter Hell and to come safe thence and for that would have sacrificed to her and done her divine adoration she thus answered him Nec dea sum dixit nec sacri thuris honore c. I am no goddesse goddesse sonne 't is true Nor are these divine honours to me due I had been such and darknesse not have seen Had I a prostitute to Phoebus been For whilst he courts my love and day by day Hopes with large gifts mine honour to betray Ask what thou wilt oh bright Cumaean maid It shall be granted thee Apollo said Iâ— willing that my daies should ever last Prostrate upon the earth my selfe I cast And graspt as much dust as my hand could hold Let me then live said I till I have told So many years as there are bodies small Lockt in this hand The god could not recall Nor I unsay I had forgot in truth To insert in my rash boon All years of youth Even that too to have yielded to his will I might have had but I a virgin still Have to this houre remain'd my happier daies Are all forespent Decrepit age now laies His weak hand on me which I must endure Long time to come seven ages I am sure Are past nor shall my thread of life be spun Vntill the number of these sands be run The houre shall be when this my body here Shall small or nothing to the sight appear This time and age have power to doe and when I shall not lovely seem as I did then Nay doubtlesse Phoebus will himselfe deny That e'r he cast on me an amorous eie Save by my voice I shall no more be known But that the fates have left me as mine own Ovid hath fabulated that she was changed into a Voice the word Sybilla importing Vox She prophesied much of the Roman wars and the successe of their Empire Sybilla Hellespontica SHe hath the denomination of Marrinensis and as most Authors affirme derives her selfe Ex agro Trojano from Troy in Asia She sung of the wars betwixt the Trojans and the Greeks I will be briefe with her because I fear I have been too tedious in the former her Prophesie of Christ I have included in these few lines When Atlas shoulders shall support a star Whose ponderous weight he never felt before The splendour of it shall direct from far Kings and Wise men a new light to adore Peace in those daies shall flourish and stern war Be banisht earth lost mankind to restore Then shall the Eastern Monarchs presents bring To one a Priest a Prophet and a King And so much for Sybilla Hellespontica Sybilla Phrygia SHe was called Vates Ancirrae and as most will have it this was Cassandra the daughter of King Priamus and Hecuba their female issue are thus numbred Creusa Cassandra Ilione Laodice Lycaste Medesicastis Polixena Climene Aristomache Xenodice Deimone Metioche Pisis Cleodice and Medusa Amongst which she only attained to the spirit of Prophesie and predicted of the destruction of Troy but her Augurie was never credited Apollodorus as also Higinus gives this reason Apollo inflamed with her beauty promised if she would prostitute her selfe to his pleasure he would inspire her with the spirit of Divination which he accordingly performed but she failing in her promise to him he in revenge of that injury caused that her Prophesies howsoever true should never have credit which makes her in her divination thus complain The world to Troy I sitly may compare Erected first by Neptune and the Sunne These two the aptest Hieroglyphicks are For water and for fire The buildings done Laomedon their right the gods denies For which by water Troy was first destroi'd So was the world for mans false perjuries In the great Deluge where but eight enjoi'd The benefit of life Troy happy were If it by water could forewarned be So were the world but oh too much I feare In their like fatall ruin they agree Troy must be burnt to ashes woe the while My mother in her womb conceiv'd a brand To give it flame he that shall many a mile Travell by water to bring fire to land Lust is the fuell Lust and other sinnes Are the combustible stuffe will bring to naught The worlds great fabrick since from them begins All desolation first to mankind brought The world like Troy must burn they both before Suffered by water so they must by fire We Prophesie these things what can we more But after our predictions none inquire Vnlesse in scorn This doth Cassandra grieve To speak all truth when none will truth beleeve The better to illustrate this Oracle know that Laomedon about to build the wals of Troy borrowed much coine of the Priests of Neptune and Phoebus to accomplish the work upon promise of due paiment when the wals were finished But breaking his faith and denying â—estitution of those sums lent the gods inraged at his perjury Neptune brought up his wave so high that he in a deluge utterly destroi'd the City whilst Apollo by the scorching of his beams made the upper Countries barren For the burning of Troy it hapned after the ten years siege elaborately described by Virgil in his Aenâ—idos when Aeneas discourses the whole desolation of the City to Dido in which he speaks of the Prince Chorebus to be much inamoured of Cassandra who rescued her when she was dragg'd by the haire from Apollo's Altar and was slain in the attempt The death of Cassardia is thus reported by Higinus in Fabulus when the spoiles and prisoners of Troy were divided amongst the Princes of of Greece Cassandra fell by lot to the Arch-Duke and Generall Agamemnon with whom he safely arrived in Mycene of which place he was King and governour But Clitemnestra the daughter of Tindarus sister to Hellen and wife to Agamemnon being before their landing possest by Oâ—aces or as some call him Cethus the brother of Palamedes that Cassandra was the prostitute of Agamemnon and had supplanted her from his love which lie he had forged to be revenged of the Generall for his brothers death before Troy Clitemnestra therefore surprized with jealousie complotted with Aegistus the son of Thiestas to murder them both the first might they lodged in the Pallace which was accordingly performed but Electra the daughter of Agamemnon stole thence her brother Orâ—stes then but an infant who else had perished with his father and conveied him to be safe kept to one Sthophius of Phocis who had before been married to Astichaa the sister of Agamemnon he brought him up to manhood till Orestes found fit opportunity to revenge himself on the two Regicides his mother and Aegistus Sybilla Europaea SHe
The Queen of women and the best of Queens whose magnanimity in war and gentlenesse in peace resolution in the one and generous affability in the other have so sweet a correspondence that when the Canon roared loud at the gates and the bullet forced a passage even through the Palace where she lodged was no more danted in courage nor dismaied in countenance then when the gentle and soft musick melodiously sounded at the celebration of her espousâ—ls Sacred Oh Princely Lady for ever be your memory and fortunate and happy your hopefull posterity may your womb prove a bed of souldiers and your breasts the nursery of Kings may the sons victories redeem the losses or the father and the daughters surmount the fertility of their mother may your future fortunes be answerable to your former vertues that as you have the earnest praiers of all good men so you may have the successe of their wishes which millions that never yet saw you desire but all that understand you know you worthily deserve And to conclude that as you are the last of these in this my Catalogue by order posterity may reckon you the first amongst the Illustrious by merit Of divers Ladies famous for their Modesty OH thou chastity and purity of life thou that art the ornament as well of man as woman from whence shall I invoke thee thou diddest first help to kindle the sacred fires of Vesta where virginity was made Religion Thou that was wont to frequent the chambers of great Ladies with sinlesse and undefiled hands make the beds of the City Matrons and to be obsequious about the Pallats strowed in the Countrie Cottages where I shall find thee now to direct this my pen in her large and unbounded progresse or to tutor me so far that I may know what on this argument thou thy selfe wouldest have done Livy Florus Plutarch and others speaking of the wonder of the Roman chastity Lucretia accuse fortune or nature of error for placing such a manly heart in the breast of a woman who being adulterated by Sextua Tarquinius after she had sent to her friends and to them complained her injuries because she would not live a by-word to Rome nor preserve a despoiled body for so noble a husbands embraces with a knife which she had hid under her garment for the same purpose in presence of them all slew her selfe which was after the cause that the tyrannicall Monarchy of Rome was transferr'd into a Consular dignity Armenia the wife of Tygranes having been with her husband at a sumptuous banquet made by King Cyrus in his Palace Roiall when every one extoll'd the majestie and applauded the goodlinesse of the Kings person at length Tygranes askt his Queen what her opinion was of his magnitude and person She answered I can say nothing Sir for all the time of the Feast mine eies were stedfastly fixt upon you my dear husband for what other mens beauties are it becomes not a married wife to enquire Cornelia the wife of Aemilius Paulus when a great Lady of Campania came to her house and opening a rich casket as the custome of women is to be friendly one with another she shewed her gold rings rich stones and jewels and causing her chests to be opened exposed to her view great variety of costly and pretious garments which done she intreated Cornelia to do her the like curlesie and to shew her what jewels and ornaments she had stored to beautifie her selfe which hearing she protracted the time with discourse till her children came from school and causing them to be brought before her turned unto the Lady and thus said These be my jewels my riches and delights nor with any gayer ornaments desire I to be beautified Fâ—â—i bonae indolis parentum lauta supellex Viz. No domestick necessaries better grace a house then children witty and well disposed Many have been of that continence they have imitated the Turtle who having once lost her mate will ever mourn but never enter into the fellowship of another Therefore Ania Romana a woman of a Noble family having buried her first husband in her youth when her friends and kinred continually laid open the solitude of widdowhood the comfort of society and all things that might perswade her to a second marriage she answered It was a motion to which she would by no means assent For saith she should I happen upon a good man such as my first husband was I would not live in that perpetuall feare I should be in lest I should lose him but if otherwise Why should I hazard my selfe upon one so had that am so late punisht with the losse of one so good It is reported of Portia Minor the daughter of Cato That when a woman who had married a second husband was for many vertues much commended in her presence Peace saith she That woman can neither be happy well manner'd nor truly modest that will a second time time marry But I hold her in this too censorious yet the most ancient Romans only conferred on her the Crown of modesty and continence that was contented with one matrimony as making expression of their uncorrupted sincerity in their continued widdowhood Especially such were most discommended to make choice of a second husband who had children left them by the first resembling their father To which Virgil in the fourth book of his Aeneid seems elegantly to allude Dido thus complaining of the absence of Aeneas Siqua mihi de te suscepta fuisset Ante fugam soboles c. Had I by thee any issue had Before thy slight some pretty wanton lad That I might call Aeneas and to play And prate to me to drive these thoughts away And from whose smiling countenance I might gather A true presentment of the absent father I should not then my wretched selfe esteem So altogether lost as I now seem Plutarch much commends the widdowhood of Cornelia the illustrious mother of the Gracchi whose care having nobly provided for her children and family after the death of her husband she exprest her selfe every way so absolute a matron that Tiberius Gracchus of whom we spake before was not ill counselled by the gods by preserving her life to prostrate his own for she denied to marry with King Ptolomeus and when he would have imparted to her a diadem and a Scepter she refused to be stiled a Queen to keep the honour of a chast widdow Or the like purity was Valeria the sister of Mssâ—lar who being demanded by her kinred and deerest friends why her first husband dead she made not choice of a second answered that she found her first husband Servius to live with her still accounting him alive to her whom she had ever in remembrance A singular and remarkable sentence proceeding from a most excellent matron intimating how the sacred unity in wedlock ought to be dignified namely with the affections of the mind not the vain pleasures
other insomuch that the horse opprest with hunger devoured her hence came that Adage 〈◊〉 upon Diogineanus More cruel then Hyppomanes Gregorius Turonensis remembers one Deuteria fearing lest her young daughter now grown ripe and marriageable who might be deflâ—ured by King Theodebertus cast her headlong into the river that runs by the City Viridunum where she was drowned Orchamus finding his daughter Leucothoe to be vitiated by Apollo caused her to be buried alive Lucilla the daughter of Marcus Antonus and Fausta as Herodian reports was slaine by the hand of her brother Commodus against whom she had before made a conjuration Lychione the daughter of Dedalion because she durst compare her selfe with Diana was by the goddesse wounded to death with an arrow at the celebration of whose exequies when her body was to be burnt her father likewise cast himselfe into the fire Hylonome the she Centaur seeing her husband Cillarius slain in the battell betwixt the Centaurs and the Lapithes fell upon his sword and so expired Anmianus and Marcellus lib. 16. have left recorded that Mithridates King of Pontus being overcome in a battell by Pompey committed his daughter Dyraptis to the safe custody of the Eunuch Menophilus to be kept in a strong Cittadel called Syntiarium which when Manutius Priscus had straitly besieged and the Eunuch perceived the defenders of the Castle dismaid and ready to submit themselves and give up the fort he drew out his sword and slew her rather then she should be mode a captive to the Roman General Sextas Aurelius writes of the Empresse Sabina the wife of Adrian who having suffered from him many grosse and servile injuries gave her selfe up to a voluntary death when she considered she had supported so inhumane a tyrant and such a contagious pest to the Common weal. Pontus de Fortuna speaks of a virgin amongst the Salattines called Neaera who grieving that a young man to whom she was betrothed had forsaken her and made choise of another caused her veins to be opened and bled to death Cleopatra after the death of Anthony lest she should be presented as a Captive to grace the triumphs of Augustus gave her arm to the biting of an Asp of which she died for in that manner was her picture presented in Rome of whom Propertius lib. 3. thus speaks Brachia spectavi sacris admorsa colubris Neaera and Charmione were the two handmaids of Cleopatra These as Plutarch and others report of them would by no perswasion survive their Queen and mistresse who perceiving as they were gasping betwixt life and death the Crown to be falne from the temples of their dead Lady raised themselves from the earth with the small strength they had left and placed it right again on her forehead that she might the better become her death which they had no sooner done but they both instantly fell down and breathed their last an argument of an unmatchable zeal to the Princesse their Lady Monima Miletia and Veronicha Chia were the wives of Mithridates who understanding of his tragicall fall and miserable end gave up their lives into the hands of the Eunuch Bochides Monima first hanged her self but the weight of her body breaking the cord she grew somewhat recovered and fell into this sad acclamation O execrable power of a diadâ—â— whose command even in this small sad service I cannot use which words were no sooner spoke but she offered her 〈◊〉 to the sword of the Eunuch who instantly dispatched 〈◊〉 both of life and torment Veronica drank oft a 〈◊〉 of wine tempered with person which dispersing into her veins and keeping her in a languishing torment her death was likewise hastned by the Eunuch Bochides A strange madnesse possest the Virgins of Milesia these as Aeltanus and others have writ gave themselves up to voluntary deaths many or the most strangling themselves this grew so common amongst them that scarce one day past in which some one or other of them were not found dead in their chambers To remedy which mischiefe the Senators of the City made a decree That what maid soever should after that time lay violent hands upon her self the body so found dead should be stript naked and in publick view dragg'd through the streets freely exposed to the â—ies of all men The impression of which shame more prevailing then the terror of death none was ever after known to commit the like outrage upon themselves Phaedra the step-mother to Hippolitus her son in law and wife of Theseus when she could not corrupt a young man her son in law to make incestuous the bed of his father despairing hung her selfe yet before her death she writ certain letters in which she accused Hippolitus to his father of incest which after proved the speedy cause of his death Amongst many strange deaths these of two mothers are not the least remarkable most strange it is that sudden joy should have much power to suffocate the spirits as the power of lightning The rumour of the great slaughter at the Lake of Thrasimenes being published one woman when beyond all hope she met her son at the City gate safely returned from the generall defeats cast her selfe into his arms where in that extasie of joy she instantly expired Another hearing her son was slain in the battell after much sorrow for his death sitting in her own house and spying him unexpectedly comming towards her safe and in health she was so overcome with sudden joy that not able to rise and give him meeting she died as she sate in her chaire Most strange it is that joy should make speedier way to death then sorrow these mothers Zoe remembred by Valerius Maximus lib. 9. cap. 12. So much I hope shall suffice for women that have died strange deaths for I had rather hear of many to live well then that any one should die ill I only intreat patience of the courteous Reader that as I have begun this book in sadnesse so he will give me leave to conclude it in jest Some no doubt though not justly will tax me for my too much intermixtion of history and say there be many things inserted not pertinent to my project in hand which might better have been left out then put in They in my conceit do but dally with me and put such a trick upon me as a Gentleman did upon a Country hostler My tale is but homely but it hath a significant Moral This traveller often using to a thorowfare Inne was much annoied by reason that betwixt his chamber and the stable where he commonly used to see his horse drest and meated there lay great heaps of pullens dung in his way which much offended him and being willing either to be rid of that inconvenience or punish him that might remedy it he took occasion to ask the hostler what dâ—nghill that was which was so offensive He answered him his
write them all at large they cannot exceed that piety of which I have read in women Suetonius and Cicero in an Oration pro Caelio speaking of Claudia one of the Vestall Virgins thus report of her She seeing her father in his triumphant Chariot riding through the streets of Rome and by the Tribunes of the people who envied his glory pluckt and haled from his seat she with a wondrous dexterity and a masculine audacity freed him from the hands of their Tribunes and their Lictors and maugre all their opposition lifted him up into his chariot nor sook him till she saw him in all magnificent pomp received into the Capitol insomuch that it was questioned amongst the Romans which of them merited the greater triumph he for his vertue and valour in the Forum or she for her zeal and piety in the Temple of Vesta nor can it yet be decided which may claim a just prioritie the Father for his victory or the Daughter for her goodnesse Plin. lib. 7. cap. 36. and Solinus speak of another Roman Lady of a noble Family who when her mother was condemned at the judgement-seat by the Praetor and delivered up to one of the Triumviri to be committed to strait prison and there for her offence to be privately executed But the keeper of the Goale commiserating the Matron so sentenced either because he pitied her gravity or suspected her innocence did not cause her to be instantly strangled according to the rigour of her sentence At the importunacy of the daughter he gave her leave to visit and comfort her mother but narrowly searcht before her entrance into the prison lust she should carry with her any food or sustenance to her relifefe rather desiring she should perish by famine and die that way then himselfe to have any violent hand in her execution The daughter having daily accesse to the mother who now had past over more daies then the keeper thought was possibly by nature and wondring in himself how she should draw her thred of life out to that length without any means to maintein it he casting a more curious eie upon the young woman and watching her might perceive how she first drew out one breast and after another with her own milk relieving her mothers famine At the novelty of so strange and rare a spectacle being amazed he carried newes to the Triumvir he to the Praetor the Praetor related it to the Consuls they brought it before the Senat who to recompence what was good in the daughter pardoned all that was before thought ill in the mother For what will not love devise or whither true zeal not penetrate What more unheard or unexpected thing could be apprehended then for a mother to be fed from the breast of her daughter Who would not imagine this to be against nature but that we see by proof true naturall piety transcends all bounds and limits The like of this we may read â—f in Pliry of another young married woman who when her father Cimon was afflicted with the same sentence and subject to the like durance prolonged his life from her breasts for which she deserves equally to be memorised Our parents in no danger or necessities are to be by us abandoned and that by example of Aeneas in whose person Virgil thus speaks as to his father Anchises Aeneid 2. Eia agâ— chare pater cervici imponere nostrae Ipse suâ—â—bo numeris nec me laboriste gravabit c Come my dear father and get up for see No burthen to my shoulders you can be No weight at all and hap what can betide One danger or one safety we 'll abide Sabellâ—â— lib. 3. cap. 6. remembers us of Rusticana a noble Matron of Rome and the daughter of Synnarchus who with his brother Boetius the famous Philosoher being put to death by Theodoricirs King of the Gotâ—s She after the Tirants miserable end was the cause that all his Statues in Rome were demolished and ruined purposing utterly if it were possible to extirp his memory that was the imhumane murderer of her father for which fact of hers being called in question before King Totila who succeeded him she was so far from excuse or deniall that she approved the deed with all constancy whose not le magnanimity and resolution proved more available to her safety then any timorous evasion could have done for he not only dismissed her unpunished but highly applauded and commended Fulgos Sabellicus and Egnâ—tius writing of Alboinuâ— King of the Longobards who at his first entrance into Italy having subdued and slain Tâ—rismundus whom some call Cunimundus son to Cunimundus King of the Gepidanes and after taken his daughter Rosamunda to wife the History faith he made a bole of her fathers scul in which one night having drunk somewhat lavishly he caused it to be filled with wine and sent to Rosamunda then in her chamber with this message Commend me to thy Queen aâ—d â—ay I command her to drink with her father 〈…〉 though she knew him to be slain by the 〈◊〉 gobards receiving his death by a common casualtie and chance of 〈◊〉 by this assuring her selfe that he â—ell by the â—and oâ— her husband betwixt 〈…〉 and conjugall love being for a time distracted the bond of her affectiâ—n towards her father prevailed above those nuptial setters in which she was tied to her Lord insomuch that to revenge the death of the one she resolved to take away the life of the other to bring which about she devised this project she had observed one Hemegâ—ldus a noble man amongst the Lambard to be surprized with the love of one of her waiting Gentlewomen with whom she dealt so far that when her maid had promised to give this Hemegildus meeting in a private and dark chamber she her selfe supplied the place of her servant after 〈◊〉 congression she caused lights to be brought in that he â—iâ—ht know with whom he had had carnall company and what certein prejudice he had the 〈◊〉 incurred protesting 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 he would join with her in the dear 〈…〉 she would accuse him of rape and outrage The Lambâ—â—d to prevent his own disaster undertook his soveraign â—eath which was accordingly betwixt them performed The murder done they sled together to Ravenna she preferring the revenge of a slaughtered father before the life of a husband the title of a Queen State Sovereignty oâ— any other worldly dignity whatsoever Something is not amisse to be spoken in this place concerning the love of mothers to their children which as Plutarch in his 〈…〉 saith was excellently observed in 〈…〉 Prince of the Athenians who was wont to say That he â—new no reason but that this young son whom his mother most datâ—ngly affected should have more power and command thâ—n any one man in Greece whatsoever and being demanded the reason he thus answered Athens saith he commands all Greece I Themistocles have predominance ever Athens my wife over swaies me and my
part of it may at this day be seen as an antient Monument in the Castle of Dover Saturn made Money of Brasse with inscriptions thereon but Numa was the first that coined Silver and caused his name to be engraven thereon for which it still retains the name in the Roman Tongue and is called Nummus Aspasia was a Milesian Damosel and the beloved oâ— Pericles she was abundantly skilled in Philosophicall studies she was likewise a fluent Rhetorician Plutarchus in Pericles Socrates imitated her in his Facultas Politica as likewise Dâ—otima whom he blushed not to call his Tutresse and Instructresse Of Lasthenea Mantinea Axiothaea and Phliasia Plato's scholers in Philosophy I have before given a short Character Themiste was the wife of Leonteius Lampsucenus and with her husband was the frequent Auditor of Epicurus of whom Lactantius saith That save her none of the Ancient Philosophers ever instructed any woman in that study save that one Themiste Arete was the wife of Aristippus the Philosopher and attained to that perfection of knowledge that she instructed her son in all the liberall Arts by whose industry he grew to be a famous professor He was called Aristippus and she surnamed Cyrenaica She followed the opinions of that Aristippus who was father to Socrates She after the death of her father erected a School of Philosophy where she commonly read to a full and frequent Auditory Genebria was a woman of Verona she lived in the time of Pius the second Bishop of Rome Her works purchased for her a name immortal She composed many smooth and eloquent Epistles polished both with high conceits and judgement she pronounced with a sharp and loud voice a becomming gesture and a facundious suavity Agallis Corcyrua was illustrious in the Art of Grammar Caelius ascribes unto her the first invention of the play at Ball. Leontium was a Grecian Damosel whom Gallius cals a strumpet she was so well seen in Philosophicall contemplations that she feared not to write a worthy book against the much worthy Theophrastus Plin. in Prolog Nat. Hist Cicero lib. de Natur. Deorum Dama the daughter of Pythagoras imitated the steps of her father as likewise his wife Theano her husband the mother and the daughter both proving excellent scholars Laert. Themistoclea the sister of Pythagoras was so practised a studient that in many of his works as he himselfe confesseth he hath implored her advice and judgement Istrina Queen of Scythia and wife to King Aripithes instructed her son Sythes in the Greek Tongue as witnesseth Herodotus Plutarch in Pericte saith That Thargelia was a woman whom Philosophy solely illustrated as likewise Hyparchia Greca Laert. Cornelia was the wife of Africanus and mother to the noble family of the Gracchi who left behind her certain Epistles most elaborately learned From her as from a fountain 〈◊〉 the innate eloquence of her children therefore Quintil. thus saith of her We are much bound to the Mother or Matron Cornelis for the eloquence of the Gracchi whose 〈…〉 learning in her exquisite Epistles she hath bequeathed to posterity The same Author speaking of the daughters of Laelius and Quint. Hortensius useth these words The daughters of Laelius is said in her phrase to have refined and excelled the eloquence of her father but the daughter of Q. Hortensius to have exceeded her Sex in honor So likewise the facundity of the two Lyciniaes flowed hereditarily from their Father L. Crassus as the two daughters of Mutia inherited the learning of either parent Fulvia the wife of M. Antonius was not instructed in womanish cares and offices but as Volater lib. 16. Antrop reports of her rather to direct Magistracies and govern Empires she was first the wife of Curio Statius Papinius was happy in a wife called Claudia excellent in all manner of learning Amalasuntha Queen of the Ostrogoths the daughter of Theodoricus King of those Ostrogoths in Italy was elaborately practised in the Greek and Latin Tongues she spake distinctly all the barbarous languages that were used in the Eastern Empires Fulgos lib. 8. cap. 7. Zenobia as Volateran speaks from Pollio was Queen of the Palmirians who after the death of Odenatus governed the Kingdome of Syria under the Roman Empire she was nominated amongst the thirty Tyrants and usurped in the time of Gallenus but after being vanquished in battel by the Emperor Aurelianus was led in triumph through Rome but by the clemency of that Prince she was granted a free Pallace scituate by the river of Tyber where she moderately and temperately demeaned her selfe she is reported to be of that chastity that she never enterteined her husband in the familiar society of her bed but for issues sake and procreation of children but not from the time that she found her conception till her delivery she used to be adored after the majestick state and reverence done to the great Sophies of Persia Being called to the hearing of any publick Oration she still appeared with her head armed and her helmet on in a purple mantle buckled upen her with rich jems she was of a clear and shril voice magnanimous and haughty in all her undertakings most expert in the Aegyptian and Greek Tongues and not without merit numbred amongst the most learned and wisest Queens Besides divers other works she composed the Orientall and Alexandrian History Hermolaus and Timolus her two sons in all manner of disciplines she liberally instructed of whose deaths it is not certain whether they died by the course of nature or by the violent hand of the Emperor Olympia Fulvia Morata was the ornament and glory of our later times the daughter of Fulv. Moratus Montuanus who was tutor in the Arts to Anna Pâ—ince of Ferrara she was the wife of Andreas Gunthlerus a famous Physitian in Germany she writ many and elaborate works in either tongue at length in the year of our Lord 1555 in the month of October being of the age of twenty nine years she died of Hedelburgh Saint Helena may amongst these be here aptly registred for thus Stow Harding Fabian and all our modern Chroniclers report of her Constantius a great Roman Consul was sent into Britain to demand the tribute due unto Rome immediately after whose arivall before he could receive an answer of his Embassie Coil who was then King died therefore the Britains the better to establish their peace dealt with the Roman Embassador to take to wife Helena the daughter of the late deceased King a young Lady of an attractive beauty adorned with rare gifts and endowments of the Mind namely Learning and Vertue the motion was no sooner made but accepted so that Constantius having received the Brittish tribute returned with his new Bride to Rome and was after by the Senate constituted chiefe Ruler of this Kingdome After twenty years quiet and peacefull government which was thought her wisedome Constantius died and was buried at York in his time was Sâ— Albon married at Verolam since called St. Albons as John
hand against him he retired himselfe into his Country and laying aside his victorious arms which won him fame and honour abroad he abandoned himselfe to ease and the private pleasures of his fathers house and now wanting other imploiment as idlenesse is the greatest corrupter of vertue he began to entertein such unusuall flames and unaccustomed cogitations as before he had no time to feel or leisure to think on for now he cast his incestuous eie upon his sister His passions much troubled him at the first and all possible means he used to shake them off but in vain he lived in the same house with her they dieted at one table had liberty of unsuspected conference and he having nothing else to do had only leisure to meditate on that which was fearful to apprehend but horrible to enterprize To this purpose Ovid with great elegancy in remed Amor. lib. 1. speaking of Aegistus who in the absence of Agamemnon adulterated his Queen Clitemnestra thus writes Queritur Aegistus quare sit factus adulter In promptu causa est desidiosâ—â— erat c. Doth any man demand the reason why Aegistus an adulterer was Lo I Can tell Because that he was idle when Others at Troy were sighting and their men Led stoutly on 〈◊〉 to which place were accited The Grecian Heroes with a force united He no imploiment had There was no war In Argos where he lived from Troy so far No strife in Law to which being left behind He carefully might have imploi'd his mind That which lay plain before him the man prov'd And lest he should do nothing therefore lov'd As Ovid of Aegistus so may I say of Leucippus whom rest and want of action in a stirring brain and body wrought this distemperature Ashamed he was to court his sister first because he knew her modest a second impediment was she was elsewhere disposed and contracted to a Gentleman of a Noble family besides she was his sister to whom he wishâ— all good and then to corrupt her honor he could devise for her no greater ill he considered that to perswade her to her own undoing would shew ill in a stranger but worse in a brother In these distractions what should he do or what course take the thing he apprehended was preposterous and the means to compass it was prodigious for he came to his mother told her his disease and besought her of remedy his words as they were uttered with tear so they were heard with trembling for they foavered her all over Being in to the knees he cared not now to wade up to the chin and proceeded That if she would not be the means for him to compasse his sister notwithstanding all obstacles whatsoever he would by speedy and sudden death rid himselfe out of all his miseries desiring her speedy answer or with his naked poniard in his hand he was as ready for execution as she to deny her assistance I leave to any mothers consideration but to imagine with what strange ambiguities his words perplexed her what convulsions it bred in her bosome even to the very stretching of her heart strings but as she knew his courage to dare so she feared his resolution to act therefore more like a tender hearted mother then a vertuous minded matron rather desiring to have wicked children then none at all she promised him hope and assured him help and after some perswasive words of comfort left him indifferently satisfied What language the mother used to the daughter to invite her to the pollution of her body and destruction of her soul is not in me to conceive I only come to the point by the mothers mediation the brother is brought to the bed of his sister she is vitiâ—ted and his appetite glutted yet not so but that they continued their private meetings insomuch that custome bred impudence and suspition certain proof of their incestuous consociety At length it comes to the ear of him that had contracted her with attestation of the truth thereof he though he feared the greatnesse of Leucippus his known valour and popular favour yet his spirit could not brook so unspeakable an injury he acquaints this novell to his father and certain noble friends of his amongst whom it was concluded by all jointly to inform Xanthius of his daughters inchastity but for their own safety knowing the potency of Leucippus to conceal the name of the adulterer They repair to him and inform him of the businesse intreating his secrecy till he be himself eie-witness of his daughters dishonor The father at this newes is inraged but arms himselfe with patience much longing to know that libidinous wretch who had dishonored his family The incestuous meeting was watcht and discovered and word brought to Xanthius that now was the time to apprehend them he cals for lights and attended with her accusers purposes to invade the chamber great noise is made she affrighted rises and before they came to the door opens it slips by thinking to flie and hide her selfe the father supposing her to be the adulterer pursues her and pierceth her through with his sword By this Leucippus starts up and with his sword in his hand hearing her last dying shreek prepares himself for her rescue he is incountred by his father whom in the distraction of the sudden affright he unadvisedly assaulted and slew The mother disturbed with the noise hasts to the place where she heard the tumult was and seeing her husband and daughter slain betwixt the horridness of the sight and apprehension of her own guilt fell down suddenly and expired And these are the lamentable effects of Incest the father to kill his own daughter the son his father and the mother the cause of all ill to die suddenly without the least thought of repentance These things so infortunately hapning Leucippus caused their bodies to be nobly interred when forsaking his fathers house in Thessaly he made an expedition into Creet but being repulst from thence by the inhabitants he made for Ephesia where he took perforce a City in the province of Cretinaea and after inhabited it It is said that Leucophria the daughter of Mandrolita grew enamored of him and betraied the City into his hands who after married her and was ruler thereof This history is remembred by Parthenius de Amatoriis cap. 5. Of incest betwixt the father and the daughter Ovid. lib. Metam speaks of whose verses with what modesty I can I will give you the English of and so end with this argument Accipit obscoeno genitor sua viscera lecto Virgeneosque metus levat Hortaturque timentem c Into his obscene bed the father takes His trembling daughter much of her he makes Who pants beneath him ' bids her not to fear But be of bolder courage and take chear Full of her fathers sins loath to betray The horrid act by night she steals away Fraught that came thither empty for her womb Is now of impious incest made
narratur toto notissima Coelo Mulciberi capti Marsque Venusque dolis c. This Tale is known to all and spoken still Of Mars and Venus took by Vulcans skill The god of war doth in his brow discover No more a frowning souldier but a lover To his demands what could the Queen oppose Cruel or hard alas she 's none of those How oft the wanton would deride his trade Polt-foot and hard-hand black with Cole-dust made He 's pleas'd to see her imitate his pace â—hat e'r she doth her beauty seems to grace At first their meetings they conceal'd with shame None to their bashfull sins could scarce give name The tel-tale Sun who can deceive his sight Sees and to Vulcan doth of all give light Oh Sun what bad example hast thou lent Ask her a bribe she hath to give content So thou wilt secret be Vulcan down sits And his obscure wires to the place he fits The work so fine that it beguiles the eye About their bed he plac'd them low and high He makes as if to Lemnos he would scoure The Lovers keep appointment just at th' houre And catcht together in his wiery snare Naked and fast bound Mars and Venus are He cals the gods to witnesse they are spi'd Soft hearted Venus scarce her tears can hide Their hands to vaile their cheeks they cannot git Or shadow that which to behold's unfit One of the gods said smiling If they be Tedious good Mars bestow thy bonds on me Scarce at thy prayers Oh Neptune th' are unti'd Mars hasts to Creet to Paphos Venus hi'd What by this gott'st thou Vulcan what they two Before with shame did now they boldly do Their lusts it did encourage not asswage And thou hast since repented of thy rage Of her love to Adonis the incestuous issue of Mirrha and her father Cyniras how he was slain of the boar and how his blood was turned into a purple flower by the power of the goddesse her doating upon Anchises the father of Aâ—neas it might appear superfluous to insist upon Therefore to avoid all prolixity I will briefly come to the mysteries included Because some creatures are born of corruption and others by copulation the Poets by Venus would illustrate what is requisite and convenient to both To those which are bred of corruption the mediocrity of heat and clemency of the heaven is very necessary to their breeding Againe to those that are begot by conjunction male with female most convenient is the temperature of the aire for the matter of generation being of the most subtile part of the blood it acquires a moderate heat which is chiefly helped by the Spring for the temperature of the Spring is called the baud to all procreation and therefore the ancient writers to expresse the matter of the seed and moderation of the air both necessarily to meet in the appetite of generation have fabulated That Venus was born of the generative parts of heaven as also of the Sea For these parts are the mediocrity of heat by motion which is usefull and necessitous in the begetting of all creatures whatsoever Minerva SHE is likewise called Pallas born of the brain of Iupiter she is the goddesse of Wisdome Discipline and Arms and therefore called Bellona and therefore translated into the number of the gods because the invention of arts and sciences are attributed to her The places celebrated to her deity were Ithinas a hill neer to Athens where she had a Temple erected the mountain Pâ—â—eas in Attica in Aracinthus a place in Aetolia from which as Statius writes she was called Aracinthia Pliny saith that Nea one of the Islands called Cyclades was peculiar to her But Athens was her place of most honour which City she is said to have built From thence she hath the name of Athnaea Attica Cecropia and Mosopia Horace Carm. lib. 1. The great City called Alcomeneum scituate in Boeotia hath likewise by the Testament of the first founder submitted it selfe to her patronage Of Scira a Prophet of Elucina she was called Sciras The solemnization of her festivals were called Panathenea There were certaine wrestling contentions which Theseus in Athens first instituted to this goddesse as Plutarch hath delivered She had likewise her Quinquatria yearly celebrated which were kept sacred five daies after the black day and therefore so called the black day was immediately after the Ides In her sacrifices it was their custome to offer a Goat because as Pliny hath left recorded The biting of the Goat is prejudiciall to the Olive tree whose fruit Minerva best loveth the very licking of the rind with their tongues makes it barren She slew the beast Alcida a monster that from his mouth and nostrils breathed fire Aelianus writes that when Alexander brought his army against Thebes amongst many other prodigies that the image of Minerva sirnamed Atalcomineides was burnt by a voluntary flame no fire being neer it At Assessum she had two Temples from that place she was called Minerva Assessia From other places where she was worshipped she took the name of Pallenides and Pedasia Alea from her Temple amongst the Tegeates Tutelaris she was called by the inhabitants of Chios and honoured as an Oracle amongst the Aegyptians she had only a poâ—ch amongst the Scians In some places her statues were covered with gold in others they were of plain stone She had a Temple in Sigeum three others Siâ—adis Aegis and Crastiae she was by some called Minerva Vrbana and Minerva Isliadi Herodotus writeth that when Xerxes transported his army into Greece passing by Troy and being perusing the antiquities thereof and upon his departure thence at the Altar of Minerva he sacrificed a thousand oxen one day Many things are fabled of her by Poets as of her contention in weaving with Arachne which I purposely refer to her story as it fals in course She is the Hieroglyphick of Wisdome and therefore the Poet Martianus writes that she was born without a mother because that in women there is scarce any wisedom to be found in a Hymn upon Pallas he is thus read Hanc de patreferum sine matris saedere natam Provida coâ—silia quod nescit curia matrum Of father therefore without mother born Because learn'd Courts the womens counsell scorn The Maclies and the Auses are two nations that border upon the spacious Fen Tritonides Their virgins in the yearly feast of Minerva in celebrations of their rights to the goddesse divide themselves into two armies and fight one part against the other with stones clubs and other weapons of hostility such as perish in the conflict they hold to be no true and perfect Virgins because not protected by the goddess But she that hath born her selfe the most valiant in the conflict is by common consent of the rest â—â—ichly adorned and beautified with the best armour according to the manner of the Greeks her head beautified with a Corinthian crest or plume and seated in a Charioâ— dâ—awn
and others infinite besides fourescore whose names are remembred there are others scarce to be numbered for as Zetzes saith in his History Elatos animo enim omnes omnes strenuos Filios amicos dicunt amatos à Neptuno All that are high minded and strong men were esteemed as the sons and friends and beloved of Neptune Amphitrite signifies nothing else but the body and matter of all that moist humour which is earth above below or within the earth and for that cause she is called the wife of Neptune Euripides in Cyclope takes her for the substance of water it self Orpheus cals her Glaâ—cae and Piscosa that is blew and ful of fish being attributes belonging solely to the goddesse of the Sea And by the Dolphins soliciting the love of Neptune to Amphitrite and reconciling them is meant nothing else but to illustrate to us That of all the fishes that belong to the sea he is the swiftest the most active and apprehensive Thetis or Tethies HEsiod cals her the wife of Oceanus who is stiled the father of all the floods creatures and gods because as Orpheus Thales and others are of opinion all things that are bred and born have need of humour without which nothing can be beget or made corruptible Isacius hath left recorded that besides her he had two wives Partenope and Pamphoâ—â—â—e by Parâ—â—nope he had two daughters Asia and Libia by Pampholige Europa and Thracia and besides them three thousand other children for so many Hesiod numbers in his Theogonia This Thetis was the daughter of the earth and heaven and therefore as Oceanus is called the father of the 〈◊〉 so is she is esteemed as the mother of the goddesses 〈◊〉 cals one Thetis the daughter of Chiâ—on the Câ—ntaure and Homer in his hymn to Apollo the child of Nereus which 〈◊〉 confirms as also Euripides in Aphigema and in 〈◊〉 she was the wife of Peleus and of all women living the most beautiâ—â—ll of whom Apollodorus thus speaks They say Iupiter and Neptune contended about her Nuptias but she not willing to incline to Iupiter be-because because she was educated by Juno therefore he in his rage allotted her to be the bride of a mortall man Homer writes that she was angry being a Marine goddesse to be the wife of a man therefore to avoid his embraces she shifted her selfe into sundry shapes and 〈◊〉 but Peleus being advised by Chiron notwithstanding all her transformations as into 〈◊〉 into a Lion and others never to let go his hold till she returned into her own naturall form in which he vitiated her and of her begot Aâ—â—illes the last shape she took upon her was a Sepia which is a fish called a Cuttle whose blood is as black as ink now because this was done in Magnesia a City of Thessaly the place as Zertzes in his history records is called Sepias Pithenaetus and others say that she was not compelled or forced to the marriage of Peleus but that it was solemnized in the mountain Pelius with her full and free consent where all the gods and goddesses saving Discord were present and offered at the wedding for such hath been the custome from antiquity Pluto gave a rich Smaragd Neptune two gallant steeds Xanthus and Ballia Vulcan a knife with an hast richly carved and some one thing and some another By Peleus she had more sons then Achilles which every night she used to hide beneath the fire that what was mortall in them might be consumed by which they all died save Achilles who was preserved by being in the day time annointed with Ambrosia therefore as Amestor in his Epithalamium upon Thetis 〈◊〉 relates he was called Piresous as preserved from the fire additur hinc nâ—men Piresous She was the sister of Titaa and brought forth Ephire who was after married to 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 who as Ovid relates in his book de Fastâ— was the 〈…〉 Atlas These are likewise numbred amongst the daughters of Oceanus and Thetis Acaste Admete Asia that gave name to a part of the world till now called Asia Climâ—ne Idyâ—a Ephire Eudora Eurâ—ome Jamra 〈…〉 Plexame Primno Rhodia Thea Thoe 〈…〉 who was beloved of Apollo but being jealous or his affection to Leucothoë she had discovered it to her father Orchamus Apollo therefore left her in griefe of which she vowed an abstinence from all sustenance whatsoever onlâ— with fixt eies still gazing upon the course of the Sun which the gods commiserating changed her into an Helâ—â—aropiâ—n which is called the Suns flower which still inclines to what part soever he makes his progresse But whether she be Tethies or Thetis she is no other than the reputed goddesse of the Sea her name importing that huge masse of water or element as Virgil in his Pollio saith necessary to the generation of all creatures whatsoever Towards the East she is called Indica towards the West Atlanticaâ— where she divides Spain and Mauritania towards the North Pontica and Glaciatis as likewise Rubra and Aethopica for so Strabo relates as also Rhianus in the navigation of Hanno the Carthaginian Stiphilus in his book de Thessalia hath bequeathed to memory That Chiron a wise and skilfull Astrologian to make Peleus the more famous consulted with the daughter of Acloris and Mirmidon and betwixt them published abroad that he by the consent of Jupiter should match with the goddesse Thetis to whose nuptials all the gods came in great showers and tempests for he had observed a time when he knew great store of raine would fall and from that the rumour first grew That Peleus had married Thetis But Dailochus and Pherecides report that Peleus having purged himself of the murder of his brother Phocus murdered Antigone others say that he first took Antigone and after her death Thetis and that Chiron being an excellent Chirurgeon was so called for the lightnesse and dexterity of hand which is an excellent gift in the searching and dressing of wounds in any of that profession Apollodorus saith that Thetis after many windings and turnings and transhapes to preserve her virginity was at length comprest by Iupiter The Nymphs called Dorides were her Ministers and handmaids Nereides THey were the daughters of Nereus and Doris he is said by Hesiod to be the son of Oceanus and Thetis he is stiled a Prophet or South saier who as Horace tels us did predict to Paris all the calamities that were to succeed at Troy Apollonius tels us that his chiefe mansion or place of residence is in the Aegean sea The same is that Hercules being sent to fetch the golden apples of the Hesperides and not knowing where abouts they grew went to the Nymphs that dwel by the banks of Eridamus to be resolved by them they sent him to demand of Nereus who thinking to delude him by shifting himselfe into sundry shapes was notwithstanding held so fast by Hercules that he was forced to assume his own
Thither Europa comes sweet flowers to cull Her Jove transports to Creete in shape of Bull. Cadmus her brother by Aegenor charg'd To see his sister by some means inlarg'd In his long search a monstrous Dragon slew From whose sown teeth men ready armed grew With these he founded Thebes after laments Actaeons fall born to such strange events Who by Diana to a Hart transform'd Was worried by his hounds Then Cadmus storm'd At his neer Kinsmans death This Juno joies Who in her hate faire Semele destroies The shape of her Nurse Beroe she assumes By whose bad counsell Semele presumes To ask her own death Now some few daies after Jove with his Queen dispos'd to mirth and laughter Dispute of Venus and desire to find Which Sex to pleasure should be most inclin'd Tiresius who before both sexes prov'd Judgeth the cause on Joves side Juno mov'd Deprives him fight to recompence his eies Jove fils him with spirit of Prophesies His augury Narcissus first made good Who ' gainst all womens loves opposed stood ' Mongst whom the faire Nymph Eccho by her sorrow Lost all save voice which she from voice doth borrow He pining with selfe-love was the same hower â—â—â—ing his sorm transhap'd into a flower Pentheus the sage Tâ—resius doth deride Though he before the truth had prophesied 〈◊〉 when god Bacchus writes were celebrated One of his Priests who had before related Of saylers turn'd to fishes he keeps bound Receiving from the Bacchides many a wound This makes the wine gods Orgyes of more fame Alcathoe with her sisters mock the same And at their distaffes many tales they tell First what unto the blacked Moors besell Of Phoebus to Eurinome transverst By which all lets and troubles are disperst That he may freely with Leucothoe lie For which the jealous Clytie seems to die But turns into a Turnsole they relate Hermophraditus next by wondrous fate And Salmacis both in one body mixt This done the sisters in their madnesse fixt Convert to Baâ—â— their spindles change to vines Their webs to leaves made by the god of wines At which whilst Agave rejoic'd her glee Is turn'd to discontent so she may see Ino and Arâ—amas of great renown Run headlong to a rock and thence leape down These being made sea gods whilst the Theban dames Lament their new change and invoke their names Amidst their sorrowes and sad funerall mones Part are made birds and part are turn'd to stones Cadmus with these calamities distrest Leaves Thebes and in Illyria he seeks rest Where with his wife debating ' midst the brakes They soon may see each other turn'd to snakes Alone 〈◊〉 still remains instated Of all that Bacchus and his Oryges hated Perseus his grand-child of faire Danae bred With crooked harp cuts off Gorgones head Whose purple drops as to the earth they fall Turn into Serpents and before him crawl Atlas he changeth into a mountain hie â—nd all those shackles that Andronia 〈◊〉 Are into stones converted many a â—old guest Intends to interrupt his bridall feast Where Phineus Pretus and their furious band Are chang'd â—o Marble and before him stand Pallas till now the noble Perseus guide Leaves him and through the aire doth gently glide To Helicon there doth the goddesse mean To view the famous Well call'd Hippocrene The nine Muse sisters of the Pyrens tell And what to the Pyerides befell How they contending with the Muses were Tran form'd to Pies still chattering every where By whose example Pallas soon puts on A Beldams shape transports her selfe anon To Ariachne who with her compares And having after strife wrought sundry chares Pallas transhapes her to a spider leaving Her antient Art to take delight in weaving This moves not Niobe who late had lost Her children and in divers turmoils tost Is chang'd to stone Now when the people knew This portent they the memory renew Of the base Lysian rusticks turn'd to Frogs And by Diana doom'd to live in bogs They Marsias likewise can remember still Who ranks his musick with Apollo's quill But he that ' gainst the gods sought praise to win In this contention lost both lawd and skin When all the neighbouring Cities came to chere Distressed Thebes the Athenians absent were And to their sorrowes can no comfort bring Being at home aw'd by a tyrant King Tereâ—s who the faire Philomel ' deflowring Turns to a Lapwing in the aire still towring As Philomel ' into a Nightingale And Progne to a Swallow This sad tale Vnto Pandion told he dies with griefe In whose sad Kingdome next succeeds as chiefe Ericteus Orithea the faire His daughter Boreas to his Kingdome bare Of her 〈◊〉 Calâ—in and Zâ—thus got Amongst the Argonauts these took their lot There Jason the white teeth of serpents sew Of which men arm'd in compleat harnesse grew The waking dragon made to sleep the Fleece Of gold from Phasis after brought to Greece Medea he bears thence She by her art Makes young old Aeson promising to impart Like good to Peleâ—s to his daughters showing From a decrepit Ram a young lamb growing But slew him by her fraud Transported thence She with Aegeus makes her residence Against whom Minos wars having collected Men from all places by his skill directed As some from Paros which long time before Arne betrai'd for which she ever wore The shape of Daw. King Aeacus supplies With Mirmidons that did from Pismires rise King Minos Cephalus these forces led Who seeking to adulterate his own bed Prevaiâ—â— with Procris whilst his dogs in chace Of a wild Fox both in the selfe same place Are chang'd â—o sione Minos Alchathoe won Nâ—â—us and Scylla are in shape foredone He to a Hawk she to a Larke is shifted And through the aire with their light feathers listed Thence he returns to Creet all sad and dul Where liv'd the Minotaure halfe Man halfe Bull Him Thâ—seus slew and after doth beguile Faire Ariadne left in Naxos Isle With her god Bacchus enters amorous wars And placeth on her head a Crown of stars Young Icarus with his old father flies And down into the sea drops from the skies His death whil'st Daedalus laments this sees The Patridge new transformed Now by degrees Theseus wins fame scarce spoken of before Being call'd to hunt the Calidoman Boare Which Mealeager slew and died by th' hand Of his own mother in the fatall brand His sisters with loud shreeks his death proclaime Being all chang'd into birds that bear his name He visits Acâ—elous in his way And all these Islands that but th' other day Were Nymphs and Nai'des which appeared true Since the like transformation Lelex knew In Baucis and Philemon whom he sees Growing before him in the shape of trees Their cottage made a Temple for their sakes The village where they dwelt all standing lakes Achelous adds to these the transformations Of Proteus and of Mestra with the fashions That he himselfe appeared in when he prov'd His strength
agreeing The interior eie of the Mind The sight of the Bodie and hair accommodated and apt for the entertaining of sounds Banisht the the from the integrity and perfection of Plato's love are all the refore instâ—mmations of fiery lust and 〈◊〉 of unlawfull pleasure Even Socrates who by the Delphick Oâ—acle was judged the wisest of his time profett himselfe 〈…〉 oâ— this love In Athens as of as any sacreds were made to Pallas so oft were they to the statue of love which was placed in the same Temple In the popular ceremonies Love was honoured of all men The Lâ—cedemonians before they affronted or encountred the forrein enemie made their oblations to Love as it he had the power to give them both safety and victory The bâ—nd or company which among the Thebans was called Sâ—cred consisted on Lovers and such as were beloved They had besides a School or an Academy dedicated to Love 〈◊〉 in Phedâ—a proclaimed Love to be a god and 〈…〉 with gods and men as it is in his Symposi Love 〈…〉 and wonderfull both to men and gods and 〈…〉 and gods and besides many other things 〈…〉 generation and birth 〈◊〉 speâ—king in his Thâ—â—gonia saith that Châ—os was first 〈…〉 Earth and 〈◊〉 next created and immediately after them Love this is to be understood in an allegoricall sence and mysticall and obscured for he doth not by love understand the son of Venus for how can he be born when his mother was not yet come into the world We must understand 〈◊〉 Love more ancient which is significanâ— in the name of this 〈◊〉 called Erato therefore Hâ—siod define him both of Chaos and the Earth Oâ— the same opinion is Dâ—â—us Dionysius Areopagita for thus he saith Love 〈◊〉 you term it divine or angelicall or spirituall lively according to creatures or naturall you must understand an inherent and commixt vertue which doth insinuate or intice the superior things to the inferiour which doth reconcile things equall amongst themselves making them sociable and equally communicating and lastly doth pleasantly provoke such things as are infinite to be converted to matters more sublime and greatlier to be desired that like things combustable added to fire already kindled may make them sparkle and burn afresh Worthy he is no doubt who is commended of all men not only for the nobility of his birth but the antiquity of his house as is observed from Plato but great must he needs be of force to whose Empire both gods and men are subjected He is besides to be wondred at for his shape and feature because every man admires that beauty which he best loves Lastly he is to be commended and Encomiasticks to be sung in his praise for the utility and profit that ariseth from him Therefore from those before us for his nobility from these present with us for his magnitude and potency and from those that shall succeed and come after us for the expected utility this Love is to be held in great honour and adoration But the opinion of Ovid doth no way assent with the words of Hesiod who saith Nunc Erato tu nomen amoris habes deriving the son of Venus from the foresaid antiquity by which he would make him much more elder then his mother But to speak according to the Greeks it is delivered unto us by them that Erato was the mother of Thamira she that was the first Inventresse of the Amatorious Poem or love-verses The Arâ—adians will not allow Erato in the number of the Muses only they give her the character of a prophetesse who was married to Archas the son of Calâ—sâ—o begot by Jupiter and that she was the first publisher of Pans Oâ—acles Patroclus that commented upon Hesiod confers upon her the invention of Poesie but the Poet himselfe saith that she first devised dancing as may appeare by that which I have before interpreted Plâ—ctra gereâ—â— Erato saltat pede carmine vultu Some of the Greek authors allow her dancing others musick Pharnuâ—us writes that she was so called from demanding and resolving which is more plainly from questions and answers which two are much frequent amongst disputants Fulgentius derives her from the invention of Similies because that after Science and Memory is requisite that we devise something resembling that which we have learned To conclude therefore Erato is a certaine Love born by nature which the wise men received from the gods Or to speak according to Areopagita a certain institution by which Socrates being elevated and as it were rapp'd into an higher element sung and declared his divine mysteries before which time as he hath of himselfe delivered he was altogether ignorant of things Superior or Inferior Coelestiall or Inâ—ernall Therefore with Erato I thus conclude The force of Love is in all creatures miraculous but in man especially Polymnia THis Muse purchast to her selfe the famous and reverend name of Mother or one more condigne and excellent and was of old held in great honour amongst Generals Princes Optimates and Emperours Her name importing nothing else but Memory Thâ—mistocles of Athens as Tully affirms had learn'd the names of all the Citizens Cyrus with no lesse happy retention having an infinite army yet knew every one of his souldiers and call'd him by his proper name Homer in his Iliads speaks the like of the Arch-Duke Agamemnom who commanded his brother Menelaus from him to goe to evey particular souldier in the camp and by name to salute them Nicias the Athenian before he attempted that infortunate navall battell against the Syracusans spake to all the Captains and Masters of ships not only by their own names but the names of their fathers and of their Tribes exhorting and incouraging them to fight valiantly for this Thucidydes writes of him Againe he called every ship-master by his own and his fathers name remembring the very tribes from whence they were descended Many have excelled in memory but especially the Poet Simonides of whom I have thus read That being invited by one Scopa a fortunate and rich man to a great feast where a multitude of his acquaintance friends and allies were then present so that all the Tables in his large Hall were furnished and thronged with guests and every man had took his place and he amongst the rest suddenly a hasty message was brought unto him that two young men attended without to speak with him upon businesse of great urgence and importance he presently arose from his fear but comming to the gate saw no man In this interim whilst he expected them without the whole structure with the roof and battlements fell upon those within and slew them all not leaving one alive only Simonides by this prodigie escaped Now when the friends of those that perisht came to the place of slaughter intending to give their allies and acquaintance the due rights of funerall according to their degrees but by reason of that confused massacre and multitude of persons there shattered almost
rest Three Principles God World and Creature fram'd Creator Parent Issue these are nam'd In all production Into Three we cast Mans age two legs next three then foure at last Physitians three things to observe are sure First to preserve prevent and then to cure Three governments are famous in Romes state That of the Tribunes and Triumvirate Three sorts of people they distinguish can The Senate Souldier and the common Man In the taking height of stars w' observe these Three First Distance then the Form next Quality But which of us observes that sacred Trine Three persons in one Godhead sole divine That individuall essence who dares scan Which is shall be and ere the world began Was in eternity When of these Three One of that most inscrutable Trinity The second person Wisedome shall intombe All majesty within a Virgins wombe True Man true God still to that blest Trine linckt True light shall shine and false stars be extinct Sybilla Erythraea SHe is the twelfth and last born in Babylon of the Assyâ—ian nation and daughter to Berosus a famous Astrologian She writ in Greek a book called Vasillogra which some interpret Penalis Scriptura which as Eugenius in his Res de Sicilia testates was transferred into Latin She prophesied of all the Greeks that came to the siege of Troy designed the places whence and how long they should continue there In those books she spake of Homer and that he should write of those wars partially according to his affection and not truth In the same volume she prophesied of Christ after this manner The times by the great Oracle assign'd When God himselfe in pitie of mankind Shall from the Heav'n descend and be incarnate Entring the world a lamb immaculate And as himselfe in wisedome thinks it meet Walke in the earth on three and thirty feet And witâ— six fingers all his subjects then Though a King mighty shall be fisher men In number twelve with these war shall be tride Against the devill world and flesh their pride Humility shall quell and the sharp sword With which they fight shall be the sacred Word Establisht upon Peter which foundation Once laid shall be divulg'd to every Nation The onely difficulty in this prophesie is Trenta tre piede which signifies thirty three year sand Mese dito six fingers intimating the time of six months And thus I take leave of the Sybils Of the Virgins Vestals FEnestella in his book entituled de Sacerdotiis Romanis proposeth Numa Pompilius to be the first that devised the form of this Vestall adoration though the first institution thereof was held to be so ancient that Aeneas transferred it â—rom the Trojans to the Albans as Virgil. witnesseth in these words Vestamque potentem Aeternumque aditis adsert penetralibus ignem To this goddesse Vesta whom some call the earth others the Mother of the gods Fire perpetually burning was consecrated and to this observation and custome certaine Virgins pickt out of the noblest families were chosen as directors and chiefe overseers of that Order by whose negligence if by chance at any time that sacred fire was extinguished their judgement was to be beaten to death with strokes by the hand of the chiefe Priest or Flamin Valerius Maximus reports that the same judgement was executed upon the same negligence by P. Licinius Crassus then in the high Priesthood All such as were found guilty of incest were condemned to be buried alive nor was it lawfull as Labeo Antistius writes for any under six years or above ten to be admitted into that service besides she must not be the only child of her father and mother neither must she have a lisping or stammering tongue be deaf of her eares nor marked with any blemish about her body neither such an one whose parents one or both have lived in servitude or have been conversant in any base offices neither such a one whose sister hath been elected into the Priesthood all these are excused from the service of Vesta neither she whose father is a Flamin a South-saier or one of the Decemviri in the sacrifices or of the Septemvirate in the banquets There is likewise a dispensation with the daughters of Kings and Priests as uncapable of this ministery neither can that mans child be admitted that hath not a known house and an abiding place in Italy for so Capito Atteius writes so likewise the children of all such as are restrained as have the number of Three or more By the edict of the Praetor that no Virgin Vestall or Dialis which belongs to the sacrifices of Jupiter shall be compelled to any thing these be the words of the Praetor by the mouth of the crier Through all my jurisdiction I will not urge or force an oath from the Vestall Virgins nor from the Flamin Dialis in the chusing of the Vestall these things were observed There is a caution by the law called Lex Papia That by the approbation of the chiefe Priest and by his speciall appointment twenty virgins were selected out of the people but this ordinance with many other were abrogated and abolisht by Time insomuch that it was sufficient if any of free parents and honestly descended petitioned or made means to the high Priest she might without more difficulty enter her oath and be admitted into the sacred order being received by him as one snatcht and taken violently from the hands of her enemies The words he used were these This vestall Priest whom I enter into this holy office according to the institution of the best law I receive by the name of Amata to make her intercessions for the Nobility and people of Rome It was a custome to admit them all by the name of Amata because she that was first chosen by King Numa was so called and with these Ceremonies she was as it were hurried to the Temple of Vesta In Labeons commentaries it is thus found recorded The Vestall virgin is incapable to be made heire of any man or woman that dies intestate her goods likewise after her death return to the common treasury Pomponius Laetus in his book de Sacerdotiis agrees with Fenestella That Aenâ—as first brought the Vestall fire from Troy into Italy and Lavinium being built he there erected a Temple to her honour After this Ascanius consecrated another in a part of the hill Alba beneath which or at the foot thereof was a thick grove in which Mars vitiated Illia the mother of Romulus These Ministers of Vesta were tied to an oath of perpetuall viginity for it was a custome among the Latines to make choice of the most noble and chast virgins After many years Romulus devised all the chast ceremonies belonging to that Order and as Varro declares to us created threescore Priests to those publick services selected by their Tribes and Families but of the most noble and unblemisht stocks amongst the Romans The Temple of Vesta is built round and is betwixt the Capitol and the Palace in
this is kept the perpetuall fire for the Etymology of Vesta is nothing else but Purus ignis i. pure Fire Some are of opinion that in that Temple are kept the remembrances of many both sacred and secret monuments some strange and unknown even to Priests and Virgins Some speak of two tuns of no great quantity the one continually shut the other open and empty some of the Virgins have reported that the Palladium that fell from Heaven and was received into Troy is there still to be seen The first Virgins appointed by Numa were foure Gegania Berenia Camilla Tarpeia two others were added by Servius Tullius Their vowes of virginity were unalterable for thirty years In the first ten yeares they were to learn the ceremonies and to be as ministers aud handmaids in the rest she was to govern and instruct others and the thirty years expired she had liberty if she pleased to marry If any of these Vestals had wantonly offended she was to be chastised by the Priest but such â—s were found incestuous were punished after this manner Being first bound she was laid upon a Beer like a coarse already deceased and so carried through the mid Forum to the port or gate called Collina for there betwixt two wals is the grave of the unchast Vestals still apparant there is a cave hollowed under the earth the descent is with a ladder by the mouth which is of no great widenesse in this vault is a bed ready prepared a light burning with bread milk and oile these things being all made ready for the purpose the delinquent is set down her hands loosed and her head covered the high Priest whispering certain secret things in her eare the other Priests turning their faces from her which is no sooner done but she is let down into the cavern earth thrown upon her the grave filled and she stifled alive and that day on which this execution is done there is a generall silence and sadnesse through the whole City Oppia SHe was one of the Vestall virgins who being taken in whordome and the fast manifestly proved she was convented convicted and had her doom to be buried alive Upon whom Strozza filius inscribed this Epitaph Vestalis virgo laesi damnata pudoris Contegor hoc vivens Oppia sub tumulo I Oppia once a Vestall that For sinne my judgement have Condemn'd for lust am living shut And covered in this grave Claudia There were two of that name as Livy in his 22 book reports who were addicted to the ceremonies of Vesta Fonteia was the sister of Marc. Fonteius who being a Prefect or Governour amongst the Gauls was accused before the Senate of injustice and misgovernment as transgressing the lawes and edicts of the Romans Marcia was a Vestall virgin and one that attended upon the sacred ceremonies she was condemned of incest and as Oppia was before her buried alive Minutia also a minister of Vesta's sacrifices who for her elegant feature and extraordinary beauty and withall because the costly ornaments with which she used to attire her selfe exceeded the precise custome of her Order she was brought within the suspition of lust and inchastity for which being call'd into question and not able legally to acquit quit her selfe she was brought within the compasse of the law and for her supposed offence had both the sentence and execution due to the like delinquents Justin in his 43. book commemorates this history Aeâ—eas after many tedious travels landing in Italy was by marrying Lavinia the daughter of King Latinus made partner with him in the Kingdome for which marriage war was commenc'd betwixt them two of the one party and Turnus King of the Rutilians on the other In which combustions Turnus being slain and Latinus yielding to Fate Aeneas both by the right of victory and succession became Lord of both the Kingdome and people erecting a City called Lavinium in remembrance of his wife Lavinia In processe he made warre against Mezentius King of the Etruscians whom having slaine Ascanius the son of Aeneas succeeded in the principality Ascanius leaving Lavinium built the City Alba which for three hundred years space was the Capitall City of that Kingdome After many descents the regall honours were conferred upon Numitor and Amulius These two Princes emulous of each others greatnesse Amulius the younger having opprest his brother Numitor surprised also his sole daughter Rhaea who was immediate heir to her fathers honours and regall dignities all which he covetous to ingrosse to himselfe and fearing withall left from her issue might in time descend some one that might punish his insolencies and revenge her and her fathers injuries devised with himselfe how to prevent both and fearing lest by putting her to death he might incur a generall hate amongst the people in whose love he was not as yet fully setled he apprehended as his safest course to shadow her wrong beneath a veile of honour and so caused her with a strict vow of virginity to be elected into the sacred service of Vesta Being thus confin'd into the grove celebrated to Mars whether begot by Mars himselfe as was then beleeved or otherwise adulterously conceived it is uncertain but she was delivered of two sons This being know to Amulius increased his fears who commanded the infants to be cast forth and Rhaea to be loaden with irons under whose severe sentence expiring she yielded to Fate The two children ready to perish were miraculously nursed by a she wolfe and after found by the shepherd Faustulus were by him brought up and called Remus and Romulus and so much of Rhaea Tranquillus and Cornelius Tacitus both of them remember one Rubria a Vestall virgin who was forceably defloured by Nero. Another whose name was Pompilia because by her inchastity she prophaned the sacred orders of Vesta was buried alive the same death for the like offence suffered Cornelia Floronea the Vestall was convicted of whoredome but she to prevent one death made choice of another For taking to her selfe a brave Roman spirit she with her own hands boldly slew her selfe Posthumia taxed for her too curious habit and gaudiness in attire as much transcending the custome of that more strict Order was suspected of Lust and accited before the Senate and there arraigned she wittily and nobly answered to whatsoever could be objected against her so that being found guiltlesse she was absolved by the sentence of the high Priest or Arch-Flammin Sextilia sped not so well as this Posthumia for she being suspected of inchastity and found culpable suffered according to the law made for the punishment of the like offenders The like suffered Tutia the Vestali for her unlawfull prostitution Plutarch in Gracchis in the Catalogue of these consecrated virgins numbers Licinia And Pliny relates that when Clodius the Emperor was in opposition with his wife Messalina that sink of lust and most incontinent
attended them while they waked but finding them in their better temper ministered unto them all such necessaries as the City yielded and sent them though the wives of their enemies in the charge and safe conduct of their own husbands peaceably home to their own Cities Comparable to their modesty was the magnanimity of Megisto an eminent Ladie of the City Elis. Aristotemus the Tyrant having by the power of Antigonus usurped the Franchises and Liberties of that City oppressed the people with infinite calamities amongst which that of Philodemus was not the least who having a beautifull daughter called Micca when Lucinus one of the Captains of Aristotemus in the heat of wine and lust would forceably have ravisht her and the poor innocent virgin fled for refuge into the arms of her father he there most inhumanely transpierced her mixing the teares of the revend old man with the blood of his daughter The horridnesse of this nothing moved the Tyrant but that if greater possibly could be devised he gave countenance even to such mischiefs causing many of the prime Citizens to be slaine and to the number of eight hundred banished But fearing in regard of their number he might be in time subverted he made Proclamation That all such women that had a desire to visit their absent husbands should with such gold and treasure as they could conveniently carry with their children have peaceable passage from the City into Aetolia where many or the most of their exiled friends then sojourned Many of the women encouraged by this Edict being to that purpose assembled and with such goods as they had departed the City he sent after them his horsemen who not only rifled them but stampt their children beneath their horses feet where many of the infants perished and so in confused heaps hurried them back into the Town bearing the spoile into the Tyrants treasury These outrages were the least of many which I purposely omit There lived at that time an ancient Noble man in the City called Hellanicus who entered into a combination with the exiles about the suppressing of the Tyrant and by reason of his years was neither by him feared nor suspected by the encouragement of this Hellanicus the confined Citizens assembled themselves into a City most convenient for their design called Amimona to whom many of their allies and friends copartners in the publique calamity resorted Aristotemus somewhat affrighted with this new faction repaired to a place of publick assembly whither he had caused all the chiefe matrons to be before called and there in a premeditated oration stuft with many threats and menaces protested to inflict upon them racks tortures and lingring deaths unlesse by speedy letters they did not only perswade but prevaile with their husbands instantly to abandon the place where they had fortified To whom Megisto the wife of Tymoleon a Lady amongst the rest most respected not daigning the Tyrant the least honour or so much as rising to do him reverence but sitting with a bold and undanted courage thus spake Wert thou a true spirited man as nothing less appears in thee thou wouldst not threaten women in this base kind to betray their husbands but wouldest rather have negotiated with them who have entire power and command over us and that in smoother and more deceitfull language then such by which thou hast hitherto beguiled us But if thy cowardise and desperation compell thee to this exigent as thinking by our means to complot their ruines thou art in that hope destitute of all comcomfort let that day never be callendred to memorise them among men so void of counsell and discretion that by sparing the lives of their wives and children they should betray the sacred liberty of their countrie for the mischiefe is not so great to lose us altogether whom they have already wanted so long as the good and profit that must necessarily accrue by redeeming the Cities from thy insolency and tyranny These words were no sooner uttered but Aristotemus distracted with rage and fury commanded her young son to be sought and brought whom he purposed to massacre before the mothers face and whilst his lictors and serjeants were inquiring for him amongst others that were then busied about their childish sports she spying him of her own accord called him to her with these words Come hither to me O my son and now in thy childhood before thou hast apprehension or passionate feeling of tyrannie be freed both from the terror and burden thereof or mine own part I had rather see thee innocently dying then basely and ignobly serving The Tyrant at her last speech more inraged then the former drew out his sword on purpose to have slain her when Cylo one of his familiar friends but indeed a chiefe man in the confederacie with Hellanicus staid his hand and by gentle words so tempered his spleen that he departed thence without any act of murder yet purpose of a future revenge Upon a day as he was sporting upon the bed with his wife untill dinner was prepared and disposed upon the table it hapned that an Eagle soaring above the Palace let fall a great stone upon the battlements just over the bed where the King then lay and alighting there made such a fearfull and prodigious noise that it not only amased the King within but was wonderfull to all that beheld it without The Augurers were sent for to know what omen should succeed they flatter the Tyrant and promise nothing but what is good and prosperous Hellanicus the same night in his dream imagined his son appeared to him which son was by Aristotemus before murdered with his brother who spoke to him to this effect O father arise is this a time to sleep when the whole government of the City must depend on you to morrow with this dream incouraged he comforted his adherents all attending the opportunity of revenge Aristotemus mean time hearing that Craterus was marched as far as Olympius with a great army leavied for his safety and support grew so bold upon the rumour of so great a power that without his guard accompanied with Cylo only he adventured into the market place whom Hellanicus meeting by chance and almost extasied to see him so weakly attended with both his hands advanced and with an audible and cleer voice he made this clamour Where be you you good and long oppressed Countrymen a brave Theatre is this for so noble a contention as our liberty being seated in the middest of our Countrie and centre of our City This Cylo invaded the next man to the King and slew him Thrasibulus and Lampides assaulted the Tyrant who fled to the Temple of Jupiter where they fell upon him and killed him then dragging his body into the market place proclaimed their libeâ—ty The women issued out of their houses with joy and clamour embracing their husbands fathers and friends with loud and glad acclamations thence in multitudes they made concourse to the Pallace The
with life who was seen to enter there Therefore when Theseus came to Minos he sent him to be devoured by this Minotaur of which Ariadne having notice being enamoured of Theseus she sent him a sword by which he slew the monstrous Homicide and that was the clew so often remembred by the Poets which guided Theseus out of the Labyrinth Canace Canusia Valeria Tusculana MAcareus and Canace were brother and sister the sonne and daughter to Aeolus King of the winds for so the Poets feigned him because the clouds and mists arising from the seven Aeolian Islands of which he was King alwaies pretended great gusts and tempests he is reported to be the son of Jupiter and Alceste daughter to Hyppotes the Tyrian of whom he had the denomination of Hippotides This Macareus and Canace having most lewdly and incestuously loved one another covering their bedding and bosoming under the unsuspected pretext of consanguinity and neernesse in blood It could no longer be conceal'd by reason Canace at length brought forth a son which as she would secretly have conveied out of the Court by the hands of her trusty Nurse who had been before acquainted with all their wicked proceedings the infant by crying betraied it selfe to the grandfather who searching the Nurse examining the matter finding the incest and miserably distracted with the horridnesse of the fact instantly in the heat of his incensed anger caused the innocent infant to be cut in pieces and limb by limp cast to the dogs and before his face devoured This Macareus hearing took sanctuary in the Temple of Apollo but Canace by reason of her greennesse and weak estate not able to make escape and shun the violence of her fathers threatned fury he sent her a sword and withall commanded her to punish her selfe according to the nature of the fact Which she receiving writ a passionate letter to her brother in which she first besought him to have a care of his safety and next to cause the bones of the slaughter'd infant to be gathered together and put into an urn with hers this having done with the sword sent her by her father she transpierc'd her self and so expired The like weread of Canusia daughter of Papirius Volucris who being found with child by Papirius Romanus her own naturall brother when the heinousnesse of the fact came to the knowledge of the father he sent to either of them a sharp sword with which they as resolutely slew themselves as they had before rashly offended The like successe of her incestuous affection had Valeria Tusculana who as Plutarch relates by the counsell of one of her handmaids comming privately in the night into the arms of her father and the deed after made known to Valerius he in detestation of the act slew her with his own hand Julia the Empresse THese abominable sins that have been punisht in inferiour persons have in great ones been countenanced Sextus Aurelius and Aelius Spartianus both testifie That Antonius Caracalla Emperour doting upon his stepmother Julia was often heard to say in her presence I would if it were lawfull at length apprehending his purpose to these his words she made this reply What you list to doe O Emperour you may make lawfull Princes have power to make Lawes but are not tied to keep any by which words imboldned he took her to his bed whose son Geta but a while before he had caused to be slain Herodotus remembers us of one Opaea the stempmother to Scithes King of the Scythians who likewise took her to his bed and made her his Queen So Berenices the sister of Ptolomaeus Evergetes was made partner both of his bed and Kingdome Arsinoe the sister of Ptolomaeus Philadelphus became his concubine The like did Herod Antipas unto Herodias the wife of his brother Philip. We read also of one Leucon who slew his brother Oxilochus King oâ— Pontus for the love of his wife whom he after married Faustina the sister of Marcus Antonius Emperour became her brothers paramour on whom he begat Lucilla whom he after gave in marriage to his brother L. Antonius Theodoricus King of the Frenchmen married the daughter of his own brother whom he before had slain And Pontanus remembers us of one Johannes Ariminensis who espoused his own sister Philip the brother of Alphonsus the tenth King of Spaine forcibly married Christiana daughter to the King of Dacia his own brothers wife all Christianity and Religion set apart Volaterranus remembers us of one Stratonice who being devishly doted on by Antiochus Soter King of Syria his own father at his importunity gave her up into his sons incestuous embraâ—es Virgil in his tenth book speaks of Casperia stepmother to Anchemolus the son of Rhaetus King of the Marâ—ubians who was by him adulterated These prodigious acts have been encouraged by Kings drawing their presidents from Jupiter who vitiated Ceres and married his sister Juno when in my opinion the industry of the Poets in illustrating the escapes of Jupiter and the other gods was aimed at no other end then to manifest unto all men That such deities were not worthy adoration that were calumnized with so many whoredomes adulteries and incests The sisters of Cambyses THese might seem fearfull enough before related but I will give you a short taste of some more abominable I have shewed the examples of Lust but these following are besides lust polluted with unheard of Tyranny Herodotus in his third book speaking at large of the life and acts of Cambyses the great Persian King and son of Cyrus relates that having shewed his puissance abroad in Egypt Greece and other places to the terror of the greatest of the world he caused his innocent brother Smerdis to be secretly made away by the hand of his most trusted Praxaspes The next inhumanity which he purposed to exemplifie unto the world was the death of his sister who followed him in his Camp to Egypt and back again being not only his sister by parents but his wife also The manner how she came to be his Queen was as followeth Before his time it was not lawfull but punishable amongst the Persians to marry into that proximity of blood but Cambyses surprized with the love of his sister and having resolved by what means soever to make her his wife yet to colour his purpose he sent for those honourable persons who were stiled the Kings Judges being selected men for their wisedomes and of great place and quality as those that enjoy their offices Durante via unlesse some capitall crime be proved against them besides they are the expounders of the Lawes and to their causes all matters of doubt and controversie are referred These being convented The King demanded of them Whether they had any one law amongst so many which licenc'd a man that had a will so to do to contract matrimony with his sister to whom the Judges thus ingeniously answered We
have indeed no Law which gives licence for a brother to marry with a sister but we have found a Law O Soveraigne which warrants the King of Persia to do whatsoever liketh him best Thus they without abrogation of the Persian Laws soothed the Kings humor and preserv'd their own honours and lives who had they crost him in the least of his designs had all undoubtedly perished This he made the ground for the marriage of the first and not long after he adventured upon the second The younger of these two who attended him into Egypt he slew whose death as that of her brother Smerdis is doubtfully reported The Graecians write that two whelps the one of a Lion the other of a Dog were brought before Cambyses to sight and try masteries at which sight the young Lady was present but the Lion having victory over the Dog another of the same â—itter broke his chain and taking his brothers part they two had superiority over the Lyon Cambyses at this sight taking great delight she then sitting next him upon the sudden fell a weeping this the King observing demanded the occasion of her teares she answered it was at that object to see one brother so willing to help the other and therefore she wept to remember her brothers death and knew no man then living that was ready to revenge it and for this cause say the Greeks she was doom'd to death by Cambyses The Egyptians report it another way That she sitting with her brother at table out of a sallet dish took a lettice and pluckt off leafe by leafe and shewing it to her husband asked him Whether a whole lettice or one so despoiled shewed the better who answered a whole one then said she behold how this lettice now unleaved looketh even so hast thou disfigured and made naked the house of King Cyrus With which words he was so incensed that he kicked and spurned her then being great with child with that violence that she miscarried in her child birth and died ere she was delivered and these were the murderous effects of his detestable incest Of Livia Horestilla Lollia Paulina Cesonia c. IT is reported of the Emperour Caligula that he had not onely illegall and incestuous converse with his three naturall sisters but that he after caused them before his face to be prostitued by his ministers and servants thereby to bring them within the compasse of the Aemilian Law and convict them of adultery He vitiated Livia Horestilla the wife of C. Pisonius and Lollia Paulina whom he caused to be divorced from her husband C. Memnius both whose beds within lesse then two years he repudiated withall interdicting the company and society of man for ever Caesonia he loved more affectionately insomuch that to his familiar friends as boasting of her beauty he would often shew her naked To add unto his insufferable luxuries he defloured one of the vestall virgins Neither was the Emperor Commodus much behind him in devilish and brutish effeminacies for he likewise strumpeted his own sisters and would wittingly and willingly see his mistresses and concubines abused before his face by such of his favourites as he most graced he kept not at any time lesse then to the number of three hundred for so Lampridius hath left recorded Gordianus junior who was competitioâ— with his father in the Empire kept two and twenty concubines by each of which he had three or foure children at the least therefore by some called the Priamus of his age but by others in derision the Priapus The Emperor Proculus took in battell a hundred Sarmatian virgins and boasted of himselfe that he had got them all with child in lesse then fifteen daies this Vopiscus reports and Sabellicus But a great wonder is that which Johannes Picus Mirandula relates of Hercules as that he lâ—y with fifty daughters of Lycomedes in one night and got them all with child with forty nine boies only failing in the last for that proved a girle Jocasta APollodorus Atheniensis in his third book De deorum origine records this history After the death of Amphion King of Thebes Laius succeeded who took to wife the daughter of Menocoeas called Jocasta or as others write Epicasta This Laius being warned by the Oracle that if of her he begat a son he should prove a Parricide and be the death of his father notwithstanding forgetting himselfe in the distemperature of wine he lay with her the same night she conceived and in processe brought forth a male issue whom the King caused to be cast out into the mountain Cytheron thinking by that means â—o prevent the predicted destiny Polybus the herdsman to the King of Corinth finding this infant bore it home to his wife Periboea who nursed and brought it up as her own and causing the swelling of the feet with which the child was then troubled to be cured they grounded his name from that disease and called him Oedipus This inâ—ant as he had increased in years so he did in all the perfections of nature as well in the accomplishments of the â—ind as the body insomuch that as well in capacity and volubility of speech as in all active and generous exercises he was excellent above all of his age his vertues being generally envied by such as could nor equall them they thought to disgrace him in something and gave him the contemptible name of counterfeit and bastard this made him curiously inquisitive of his supposed mother and she not able in that point to resolve him he made a journy to Delphos to consult with the Oracle about the true knowledge of his birth and parents which forewarned him from returning into his own Countrie because he was destined not only to be the deaths-man of his father but to add misery unto mischiefe he was likewise born to be incestuous with his mother Which to prevent and still supposing himselfe to be the son of Polybus and Peribaea he forbore to return to Corinth and hiring a Chariot took the way towards Phocis It hapned that in a strait and narrow passage meeting with his father Laius and Polyphontes his Charioter they contended for the way but neither willing to give place from words they fell to blowes in which contention Polyphontes kill'd one of the horses that drew the Chariot of Oedipus at which inraged he drew his sword and first slew Polyphontes and next Laius who seconded his servant and thence took his ready way towards Thebes Damasistratus King of the Plataeenses finding the body of Laius caused it to be honourably interred In this interim Creon the son of Menecoeus in this vacancy whilst there was yet no King invades Thebes and after much slaughter possesseth himselfe of the Kingdome Juno to vex him the more sent thither the monster Sphinx born of Eâ—hidna and Tiphon she had the face of a woman the wings of a fowle and the breast feet and taile of a Lion she
by his keeper was brought to horse his dam but in the action the cloth falling from his eies and he perceiving what he had done presently seised upon his keeper and slew him in detestation of the act he had committed and to revenge himselfe upon him that had betraied him to the deed The like the same author reports of a horse belonging to a King of Scythia who could by no means be brought to cover his dam but being in the same fashion beguiled and the cloath falling away and perceiving what he had done never left bounding flinging and galloping till comming unto an high rock he from thence cast himselfe headlong into the sea If this sinne be so hatefull in brute beasts and unreasonable creatures how much more ought it to be avoided in men and women and which is more Chrisioans Cyborea the mother of Judas Iscariot THis that I now speak of is remembred by Ranulphus Monke of Chester Jerome and others There was a man in Jerusalem by name Râ—uben of the Tribe of Isachar his wife was called Cyborea The first night of their marriage the women dreamed that she was conceived of a sonne who should be a traytor to the Prince of his own people she told it to her husband at which they were both sad and pensive The child being born and they not willing to have it slain and yet loath to have it prove such a monster to his own nation they in a small boat cast it to sea to try a desperate fortune This vessell was diven upon an Island called Iscariot where the Queen of that place had then no child This babe being found she purposed to make it her own and put it to be nobly nursed and educated calling his name Judas and Iscariot of the Island where he was taken up But not long after she was conceived of a son who proving a noble and hopefull Gentleman Iudas whose favour in Court began to wane and his hope of inheritance which but late flourishe now quite to wither he plotted against his life and privately slew him but fearing lest the murder in time might be discovered and he compell'd to suffer according to the nature or the fact he fled thence to Jerusalem where he got into the service of Pontius Pilatus and found means to be protected by him being then in the City Deputy Governour of the Romans Iudas because their dispositions were much of one condition grew into his especiall familiarity and favour The Palace of Pilat having a faire bay window whose prospect was into Râ—ubâ—ns Orchard he had a great appetite to eat of some of those ripe Apples which shewed so yellow and faire against the Sun This Iudas understanding promised him to fetch him some of that fruit and mounting over the Orchard wall he was met by his father who rebuking him for the injury Iudas with a stone beat out his brains and unseen of any conveied himselfe back Reubens death was smothered and the murderer not known Cyborea being a rich widow Pilate made a march betwixt her and his servant Iudas who being married to his mother was now possest of his own fathers inheritance Not long this incestuous couple had lived together but Cyborea being upon a time wondrous sad and melancholy and Iudas demanding the cause she began to relate to him her many misfortunes First of her dream them of her son in what manner he was put to sea then how she lost her husband being slain and the murderer not found and lastly how by the authority of Pilat she was now compell'd to match against her will who had protested to her selfe a lasting widdowhood By these circumstances Judas most assuredly knew that he had slain his father and had married his mother which acknowledging to her she perswaded him to repent him of these great evils and to become a Disciple of Jesus who was then an eminent prophet amongst he Jewes It shall nor be amisse to speak a word or two or Pilat It is said that a King whose name was Tyrus begat him on a Millers daughter Lyla whose father was called Aâ—us who from his mother and grand-father was called Pylatus at four years of age he was brought to his father who by his lawfull wife had a Prince just of the same age These were brought up together in all noble exercises in which the Prince having still the best Pilat awaited his opportunity and slew him loath was the King to punish him with death lest he should leave himselfe altogether issulesse therefore he sent him an hostage to Rome for the paiment of certain tribute which was yearly to be tendred into the Roman treasury Living there as hostage he associated himselfe with the son to the King of France who lay pledge in Rome about the like occasion and in a private quarrell was also slain by Pilat The Romans finding him of an austere brow and bloody disposition made him governour of the Island called Pontus the people were irregular and barbarous whom by his severity he reduced to all civill obedience for which good service he was removed to Jerusalem bearing the name of Pontius from that Island there he gave sentence against the Saviour of the world Tiberius Caesar being then Emperor was sick of a grievous malady who hearing that in Jerusalem was a Prophet who with a word healed all infirmities whatsoever he sent one Volutianus to Herod to send him this man but Christ was before condemned and crucified There Volutianus acquainted himselfe with one Veronica a noble Lady of the Jewes who went with him to Rome and carried with her the linnen cloth which still bore the impresse and likeness of Christs visage upon which the Emperour no sooner looked but he was immediately healed The Emperor then understanding the death of this innocent and just man caused Pilat to be brought to Rome who being called before Caesar the history saith he had at that time upon him the robe of our Saviour which was called Tunica insutilis a garment without seam which whilst it was about him nothing could be objected against him to his least dammage or disgrace this was three times proved and he still came off unaccused but when by the advise of this Veronica and other Christians the garment was took off he was then accused for causing guiltlesse men to be slain for erecting statues of strange nations in the Temple against the ordinances of the Jewes that with mony wrested and extorted from the holy treasures he had made a water-conduit to his own house that he kept the Vestments and sacred robes of the Priests in his own house and would not deliver them for the service of the Temple without mercenary hire of these and other things being convicted he was sent to prison where borrowing a knife to pare an apple he slew himselfe his body after was fastned to a great stone and cast into the river Tiber. Of Adulteresses FRom the Incestuous I proceed
is long He seems to faint and she appears more strong The bold Neptunian Heroe from his hand One of those golden apples on the strand Before her bowls she stoops amaz'd and won With th' riches of the â—â—well is out-run Stooping to take it up he now gets ground Whilst loud applausive shouts the people sound At which her slacknesse she redeems and time Lost in that small delay she as a crime Now in her speâ—d corrects and like the wind Flies towards the goal and leaves the youth behind Again he drops another and again She for the second stoops whilst he amain Strives for the start and gets it but her pacâ— She still maintains being formost in the race The last part of the course lies plain before He now begins fair Venus to implore And the third fruit pluckt from the golden tree He further casts yet where she needs must see The apple shine 't was thrown out of the way The ground uneven to move the more delay The warlike â—asse though tempted with the show Doubts in her selfe to take it up or no. Venus peâ—rswades in favour of her Knight And made it weighty which before seem'd light Which as from th' earth she labours to divide He gains the goale and her for his fair bride It is said by Palephatus Apollodorus Ovid and others That for their ingratitude to Venus he was turned into a Lion and she into a Lionesse The probability is that being in the chase they retired themselves into a cave which proved to be a den of Lions were they were torn to pieces and devoured They being mist by the people who after saw two Lions issue from that place the rumour grew that they were transform'd into beasts of that shape This Atlanta had by Metamion or Hyppomanes or as some write by Mars Parthenopaeus who after made war upon the Thebans Of other warlâ—ke Ladies ABout Meroe reigned the Queen Candaces and had principality over the AEâ—hiopians a woman of a mighty spirit who in all their conquests in person led her people to the field amongst whom she obtained that dignity and honour that as amongst the Kings of Aegypt from the first of that name that was renowned and beloved they were for many successions called Pharaos and after Ptolomies and since the time of Julius all the Roman Emperours have in memory of hiâ—â— taken upon them the sirname of Caesar so for many years after her decease the Queens of Aethiopia were called Candaces The women of Lacena imitated the men in all things in schools in hunting and in arms These in the war commenc'd against the Messenians adventured equally in the battell with their husbands by whose assistance they purchased a noble victory It is reported of Valasca a Queen of the Bohemians that having made a conjuration with the women of her Country to take away all the prerogative and jurisdiction from the men she instructing them in Military exercises levied an army of her own Sex with which they met their husbands and overthrew them by which means they atteined the soveraign principality as the Amazons had before times done for many years space managed all affairs as well for offence as defence without the help or counsell of men The women of Bellovaca being long and fearfully besieged by Charls the Great Duke of Burgundy most resolutely defended the wals rumbling the assailants from their sealing ladders into the ditches to the everlasting honour of their Sex and the reproach of the enemy Lesbia a virgin being besieged by the Turks hazarded her selfe to discover their works and mines and when the Citizens were deliberating to surrender up the Town to the mercilesse enemy she opposed their purpose and presented her selfe upon the waâ—s to the violence of their arrowes and engines by whose only valour and encouragement the City was preserved and the assailants repulsed with dishonour Amalasuntha Queen of the Goths kept her principality neer to Ravenna and as Volateran hath left recorded by the help of Theodotus whom she made competitor in the Empire the expelled from Italy the Burgonians Almains and Ligurians Teuca the wife of Argon took upon her the soveraignty she was Queen of the Illytians a warlike nation whom she wisely governed by whose valour and fortitude she not only opposed the violence of the Romans but obtained from them many noble victories Hasbites was a warlike Virago and lead armies into the field of her Sylvius lib. 1. thus speaks Haec ignara viri vacuoque assueta cubili Venatu silvis primos defenderat annos c. She knew not man but in a single bed Vpon an empty pillow cast her head Her youth she spent in hunting to th' alarm Of the shrill bugle on her sinowie arm She ware no Oâ—â—er basket would not know Or teach the fingers how to spin or sow To trace Dictinna she did most desire And in swift course the long breath'd stag to tire c. The same author lib 2. speaks of one Tiburna Saguntina the wife of one Muâ—â—us a brave and bold female warrior Zenobia Queen of the Palmyrians after the death of her husband Odenatus took upon her the imperiall regency and made tributary the Kingdome of Syria neither feared she to take arms against the Emperour Aurelianus by whom she was overcome and led in triumph but when it was objected to Caesar as a dishonour and reproach that he had triumph'd over a woman he answered It was no disgrace at all being over such a woman as excelled most men in Masculine vertue Of whom Pontanus thus speaks Qualis Aethiopum quondam sitientibus arviâ— In fulvum regina gregem c. As did the Aethiopian Queen In the dry fields of old Incounter with the yellow heards whose rough hairs shin'd likegold Opposing the stern Lions paw Alone and without aid To see a whom wrestle men aloof stood quaking and afraid Such â—â—ween two warlike hosts appears this Amazonian Queen Zenobia with her strong bow arm'd And furnish'd with shafts keen Hypsicrataea the wife of Mithridates was still present with him in battell and left him in no danger cutting her hair short lest it should offend her when she put on her beaver Artimesia Queen of Caria after the death of her husband was admired through Greece who not only in a navall expedition overcame the invading Rhodians but pursued them even unto their own coasts and took possession of the Island amidst whose ruines she caused her own glorious statue to be erected of whom Herodotus thus writes I cannot wonder sufficiently at this warlike Queen Artimesia who unforced and uncompelled followed the expedition of Xerxes against Greece out of her own manly courage and excellency of spirit She was the daughter of Lydamus her father was of Halicarnassus her mother of Creet she furnished five ships of her own charge with Halicarnassaeans Coeans Nisirians and Calidnians in the great
and feature they were most frequent amongst the inhabitants of Tenedos and Lesbos Heraclius Lembus writes That in Sparta with great admiration and reverence they observe the fairest man or woman and commonly the Spartane beauties are the most illustrious Therefore of the King Archidamus it is left registred That being to make choice of a Queen when one singularly beautifull but of small doweâ— and another wondrous rich but extraordinary deformed were placed before him he cast 〈◊〉 upon the goods of Fortune and neglecting the treasures of Nature preferred bondage before beauty For which the Ephori which in Athens were the same Officers that The Tribunes were in Rome called him to account and put him to an extraordinary great 〈◊〉 saying This man in stead of Soveraigns would beget subjects and for Princes leave peasants to succeed and raign over us Euâ—ioides saith That beauty hath the first place in the claim of Empire therefore those that in Homer were admirers of Helens beauty spake to this purpose Indignum nihil est Troâ—s sortes Achivos Tempore tam longo perpessos esse labores Ob talem uxorem cui praestantissima soâ—ma Nil mortale refert superisque simillima dâ—vis The Greeks and Trejans who can say were base So long and so great labours to endure For such a wife whose most excellent face Shewes nothing mortall but all God like pure This made the Spartans the place from whence Helen was ravished as the greatest 〈◊〉 to entertain a stranger to shew unto them their Virgins naked A custome they had likewise in the Isle of Châ—os in certain times of the yeer after the same manner to behold the young men and maids in publick wrastle together Nitetis CAmbyses hearing that the Aegyptian women did much differ from other nations in manners and behaviour especially from the custome of the Persians sent to Amasa King of the Aegyptians to demand his only daughter in marriage The King something troubled at this Embassie as fearing he would rather keep his daughter as a concubin then to give her the right of her birth and to honor her with the titles of a Queen and Bride he devised this policy to delude Cambyses and still to conserve her chastity he had there in his Court a young Lady called Nitetis the daughter of Aprias an Aegyptian whom because he had been defeated in a battel against the Cyrenaeans Amasa had caused to be slain This Nitetis being the prime and choice beauty of the Court in all her lineaments so exquisite that he presumed she would not only content but much delight the King he instructed her how to take upon her the name of his daughter and in every circumstance and complement how to demean her selfe so with a Princely train accommodates her for the journie Being arrived in Persia she was reially enterteined by the King her behaviour and beauty more pleasing him then any of his choice damosels selected out of his many Provinces insomuch that he hastned the marriage which was with no small pomp according to the manner of the Persians Nitetis lying in the Kings bosome and knowing how much she was endeared to him as now not casting his eie or affection upon any other began to call to remembrance her fathers death and what a plain and smooth way lay open to her to be revenged on him that slew him and forgetting the honours she had received by Amasa's means in preferring her to be Queen of Persia not rating that good equall with the ill she received in the shedding of her fathers blood she opened to Cambyses all the whole imposture withall importuned him to revenge the death of her father Aprias The King as much pleased with her plain and seeming simplicity as incensed with so great an injury done to him by Amasa as well to revenge her father as his own wrongs with an invincible army invaded Aegypt Dinon in his book of the Persian History and Lynceas Naucratica in his Aegyptian History they agree that Nitetis was sent to Cyrus and that by him she was the mother of Cambyses and that after the death of Cyrus the Army with which he went against Amasa and invaded Aegypt was to revenge the wrongs of a mother and not a wife Bersane SHe as Curtius and Gellius both assent was the widdow of one Daâ—aseus of that singular aspect that Alexander the great became enamoured of her above all other so that when neither the rare beauty of Darius his wife and daughters could tempt him nor the whorish blandishments of Thaâ— and others corrupt him indeed where his in desty and temperance is preâ—â—rred before many other Princes almost all yet with her he was intangled For those that write of him affirm that he was never known to enter into the familiar embraces of any save his own wife and this Bersane whom he made one of the Queens women It is not to be questioned but that Berseba she was a goodly faire woman and of extraordinary fâ—â—rure which pierced so deep into the brest of that wise King and Prophet David that all religion and sanctity set apart he for her love committed the two most heinous and horrible sins of adultery and murder for he caused her husband Vriah to be slain and after married her a great blemish to his former holinesse of whom Strozzâ— Pater thus writes Ille sacri vates operis Jessâ—â—a proles Prafecit populo quem Deus ipse suo Bersabeae captus forma The Psalmisl born of the Jesseian Line The famous Author of that work Divine Whom God made Ruler 〈◊〉 his people he Dotes on the feature of faire Bâ—â—sabe Lycaste one of the daughters of Priam. was faire above measure insomuch that Polydamus the sonne of Anthenor whom he begor of Theano the sister of Hecuba of a Concubine made her his wise There was another Lycasle that we read of who for her perfection in all degrees of comliness had the name of Venus bestowed upon her The wise of Candaules THis Candaules whom the Grecians call Myrsilus was King of the Saâ—dians and descended from Alcaeus the son of Hercules having a wise whom he affectionatly loved and therefore judging her to be the fairest of women could not contain his pleasures but comming to one Gyges the son of Dascylus a servant of his to whom he vouchsafed his greatest familiarity he to him exâ—ols the beauty of his wife above measure and because saith he I would have thee truly know that she is no otherwise then I have reported her and that mens ears naturally aâ—e more incredulous then their eies I will devise a means that thou shalt see her naked To whom Gyâ—es replied O roiall Sir What words be these you speake thee which rather â—avours of a man distract then well coâ—â—sulled and advised women that put off their garments with them put off their modesty therefore it was well determined and provided by our fathers wherein
great congregation complained of the murder of her father capitulating all their insolencies and her own injuries which she did with such feeling words and passionate tears that she not only attracted the eies of every one to behold but moved the hearts of all to pity which perceiving and how the multitude was affected towards her she gave to every of the murderers a particular nomination both of the families from whence they came and the places where they had then their residence The rioters this hearing and finding how the people were animated and incens'd against them they fled to Orchomenus but were not there admitted but excluded from forth the gates from thence they fled to Hippota a small City neer Hellicon scituate betwixt the Thebanes and the Corineans and were there received To them the Thebans sent that these murderers and ravishers might be surrendred up to their justice But being deni'd they with other Booetians made an expedition against them of which forces Phaedus then Pretor amongst the Tâ—ebans was made Captain the City Hippota was bravely besieged and assaulted so likewise as resolutely defended but number prevailing they were compelled to yield themselves with their City The murderers now surprized they were condemned to be stoned to death and had the execution of their judgement the rest of the Hippotenses were brought under bondage and made slaves their wals and houses demolished to the earth their fields and possessions being equally distributed betwixt the Thebans and the Corineans It is said that the same night before the surrender of the City that a voice was often heard to call aloud from Helicon Adsum Adsum i. I am here I am here which the thirty suitors affirmed to be the voice of Phocus as likewise the same day of their executions and at the instant when they were stoned saffron was seen to distill out of a monument which was erected in the City Glisantes Phaedus being newly returned from the â—ight a messenger brought him newes of a young daughter that day born whom for omens sake he caused to be called Nicostrate The wives of Cabbas and of Phaiâ—lus A Preposterous thing and almost against nature at least humanity and good manners it is that I read of these two who after the example of Domitian and Commodus those monsters of nature have not only made their strumpets but their own wives either for servile fear or abominable lucre prostitutes to other men This Cabbas a Roman worthy for ever to be branded with base Wittoldrie had a Lady to his wife of incomparable beauty insomuch that all men beholding her apprehended what happinesse he was possessed of above others The report of her rare accomplishments amongst many attracted Mecenas then a great favourite of the Emperor of Augustus to invite himselfe to his house where he was nobly feasted Mecenas being of a corrupt and licentious disposition and much taken with her beauty could not contain himselfe but he must needs be toying with her using action of plain Incontinence in the presence of her husband who perceiving what he went about and the servants it seems for modesty having withdrawn themselvs from forth the chamber the table not yet being taken away Cabbas to give Mecenas the freer liberty casts himselfe upon the bed and counterfeits sleep Whilst this ill-managed businesse was in hand one of the servants listning at the door and hearing no noise but all quiet with soft steps enters the chamber to steal away a flaggon pot that stood full of wine upon the Table Which Cabbas espying casts up his head and thus softly said to him Thou rascall Dost thou not know that I sleep only to Mecenas A basenesse better becomming some Jeaster or Buffoon then the noble name of a Roman In the City of Argis grew a contention betwixt Nicostratus and Phaillus about the management of the Common-weal Philip of Macedon the father of Alexander comming then that way Phaillus having a beautifull young wife one esteemed for the very Paragon of the City and knowing the disposition of the King to be addicted to all voluptuousnesse and that such choice beauties and to be so easily come by could not lightly escape his hands presently apprehends that the prostitution of his wife might be a present Ladder for him to climb to the principality and have the entire government of the City Which Nicostratus suspecting and many times walking before his gates to observe the passage of the house within he might perceive Phaillus fitting his wives feet with rich embroidered Pantoffes jewels about her haire rings on her fingers bracelets about her wrists and carkanets upon her arm in a Macedonian vesture and a covering upon her in the manner of a hat which was onely lawfull for the Kings themselves to wear And in this manner habited like one of the Kings Pages but so disguised that she was scarce known of any he submitted her to the King There are too many in our age that by as base steps would mount to honour I could wish all such to carry the like brand to posterity Chloris was the daughter of Amphion and the wife of Neleus the son of Hyppocoon as fruitfull as beautifull for she brought twelve sonnes to her husband of which ten with their father were slain by Hercules in the expugnation of Pylus the eleventh called Periclemenes was transformed into an Eagle and by that means escaped with life the twelfth was Nestor who was at that time in Ilos He by the benefit of Apollo lived three hundred years for all the daies that were taken from his father and brothers by their untimely death Phoebus conferred upon him and that was the reason of his longevity Aethra the daughter of Pytheus was of that attractive feature that Neptune and Aegeus both lay with her in the Temple of Minerva but Neptune disclaiming her issue bestowed it on Aegeus who leaving her in Troezene and departing for Athens left his sword beneath a huge stone enjoining Aethra That when his son was able to remove the stone and take thence his sword she should then send him to him that by such a token he might acknowledge him his son Theseus was born and comming to years she acquainted him with his fathers imposition who removed the stone and took thence the sword with which he slew all the theeves and robbers that interposed him in his way to Athens Danae the daughter of Acrisius and Aganippe had this fate assigned her by the Oâ—â—cle That the child she bore should be the death of her father Acrisius which he understanding shut her in a bâ—â—zen Tower â—estraining her from the society of men but Jupiter enamoured of her rare feature descended upon her in a shower of Gold of which congression Perseus was begot whom Acrisius caused with his mother to be sent to sea in a mastâ—â—lesse boat which touching upon the Island Seriphus was found by a fisher-man called Dyctis who presents the desolate
pay day came but their hopes proving abortive the souldiers mutined to conjure down which spirit of insurrection messengers are dispatched to the Emperor to certifie him of the neglective abuse of his roiall word and fear of sedition this newes overtook him at Larissea in Judea Selymus inraged at this relation sends for Bassa Jonuses and examines the cause of his neglect in such and so weighty a charge Jonuses somewhat abashed as being conscious yet withall high-spirited gave the Emperour a peremptory answer at which being mightily incensed he commanded his head to be cut off which was forthwith done and thus justice suffered not innocent Manto to die unrevenged The wife of Agetus the Lacedemonian HErodotus l. 6. thus writes of this Lady the daughter of Aleydes the Spartan first wife to Agetus and after to the King Ariston She of the most deformed became the excellentest amongst women Her nurse to whose keeping she was given for the parents were asham'd of their Issue went with her every day to the Temple of Helena which stands in Therapne neer to the Church of Apollo and kneeling before the Altar besought the goddesse to commiserate the child and free her from her native uglinesse and loathsome deformity Upon a time returning from the Temple a woman appeared to her of a venerable aspect and desired to see what she carried so tenderly in her arms the nurse told her it was an infant but such an one as she was loath to shew and therefore desired to be excused the rather because she was enjoined by the parents not to expose it to the sight of any The more the nurse put her off with evasions the more importunate the strange woman was to behold it At length prevailing she gently with her hand stroaked the face of the child and kissing it thus said Go nurse and bear her home to her parents who shall in time become the most beautifull of all the Spartan Ladies From that time forward her deformity began to fall away and a sweet grace and delightfull comelinesse to grow as well in face as every other lineament Comming to marriage estate she was solicited by many but only possest by Agetus yet after by the craft of Ariston she was divorced from Agetus and conferred upon him Dion in Augusto speaks of Terentia the wife of Mecaenas to be of that rare beauty that she dared to contend with Livia the wife of Augustus Caesar who was held to be the most amiable and exquisite Lady of those daies Of Terentia the daughter of Cicero I have thus read Titus the son of Milo and Appius the son of Clodius were as remarkable for their noble friendship as their fathers notorious for their irreconcilable hatred Titus was for his fathers sake welcome to Cicero but Appius much hated in regard of enmity betwixt him and his father Clodius for Cicero was of Milo's faction Titus had long and dearly loved the faire Terentia but understanding that his friend Appius was likewise exceedingly enamoured of her he left his own suit and earnestly sollicited the Lady in his behalfe who was easily perswaded to the motion having long before cast an effectionat eie upon Appius but durst make no expression thereof much fearing the displeasure of her father Titus so well managed the businesse for his friend that he brought him privily into the house of Cicero where the two lovers had mutuall conference her father comming home by accident and finding them together in the heat of his impatience excluded him and lockt her up in safe and close custody Which the poor Lady took so to heart that she fell into an extream feaver and languishing daily her father now when it was too late desired to know what he might doe to minister to her the least comfort she only besought him that before her death she might take her last and loving leave of Appius who was instantly sent for at his sudden comming in she was extasi'd with his sight and expired in his embraces which the noble youth perceiving he drew out a short dagger which he then wore about him and in the presence of her father and his own deer friend slew himselfe A more comicall conclusion hath that which I shall next tel you An old Vicar in the Countrie having a wondrous fair wench to his daughter it hapned that a young scholler that for want of means had left the University was preferred to the serving of a cure some what neer him by which he had opportunity to woo the maid and after had the parents consent to marry her It hapned not long after this young man had a Parsonage bestowed upon him by his patron the father and the son meeting upon a time at a Market Town with divers gentlemen of the Country being at dinner amongst other discourse cavilling about an argument they fell into controversie which should be the Better man many rough words passed insomuch that the Gentlemen were forced to come betwixt them to keep the peace The old man stood upon his gravity and the name of father the young man pleaded That in regard he was a Parson and the other but a Vicar he was the better of the two This raised the uprore afresh which the Gentlemen had much ado to appease at length the young man demanded audience but for a few words in which saith he if I do not convince him and make it plain and palpable before you all that I am the worthier of the two for name place and antiquity I will yield him priority and precedence for ever after The words of Name and Antiquity the old man heard with much impatience at length audience being granted and silence obtain'd Now young knave saith the old Vicar what canst thou say for thy selfe I only desire answered the young man to be resolved in one question propound it saith the other Marry thus saith he When the world was destroied in the generall deluge all save eight persons tell me where were the Vicars then The old man was blank the Gentlemen smiled and the young man carried it so that ever after the old man took place of the father and the faire daughter of the mother I will only remember you of a fair young Gentlewoman a Country woman of mine and so conclude with my Fair ones A Gallant newly come to his lands became a suiter to a proper young Virgin her fathers only child and heire He having had conference with her father conditions on both sides were debated the match concluded and the day of marriage appointed the father and the son in law riding abroad one morning to take the air the ancient Gentleman was mountâ—d on an easie paced Mare which he kept for his own saddle this beast the young Gallant was so enamoured of that he 〈…〉 at any rate though never so unreasonable but 〈…〉 man intreated him to hold 〈◊〉 excused because the beast was 〈…〉 gentle fitting his
Friday was born So that he was the fore-runner of Christ both in his Conception his Birth his Baptism his Preaching and his Death A woman goeth with child two hundred threescore and sixteen daies for so long by computation was Christ in the womb of the blessed Virgin though all women goe not so long with child S. Augustine observes lib. 4. de Civitate Dei cap. 5. So that Christ was longer in the womb by a day and more then St Iohn Baptist Iohn also was born when the daies began to shorten and wane and Christ when they began to wax long Concerning these Antiquities I conclude with a sentence of St Augustins Against Reason saith he no sober man will dispute against the Scripture no Christian man contest and against the Church no religious man oppose And so I proceed to the History Of Mary the blessed Virgin LEt it not be held unnecessary or appear out of course amongst these Virgins to insert a history memorable for the rarenesse thereof to all posterity Iohannes Wyerius in his book intituled de Praestigiâ—s demonum hath collected it out of Suidas In the mean time that Iustinian was Emperor there was a Prince amongst the Jewes whose name was Theodosius He having great aequaintance and familiarity with one Philippus a Christian a bancker or one that dealt in the exchange of monie for he was called Philippus Argentarius this Philip did often sollicite and exhort him to leave his Judaisme and be a convert and turn to the Christian religion to whom he answered Indeed he must ingeniously confesse he made no question but that Jesus whom the Christians adored was the same Messias of whom the holy Prophets foretold yet he could not be perswaded to relinquish the honours and profits that he had amongst his own Nation and give himselfe up to a name which they knew not or at least would not acknowledge yet that he beleeved so of Christ he was not only perswaded by the Oracles of the holy Prophets but he found it approved by a certain mystery namely a writing most charily stil kept amongst the Jewes in a place most safe and secret where their choice records with the especiallest care and trust are reserved which was of this nature It was a custome amongst the Jewish Nation at what time the holy Temple was yet standing in Jerusalem to have continually the number of 22 chief and selected Priests just so many as there be letters in the Hebrew language or books of the old Testament and so often as any of these was taken away by death immediately another was elected to succeed in his place and being chosen in a book kept in the treasury for that only purpose expressly to write down his own name and the names of both his parents with the daies punctually set down of the decease of the one and the succession of the other Now in the time that Christ was conversant in Judaea and yet had not shewed himselfe to the world nor preached the Word openly to the people it hapned that one of the Priests of the foresaid number died neither after many voices and sundry nominations was any agreed upon or thought fit to be ascribed into his place At length was propounded JESUS the son of the Carpenter Ioseph for so they termed him a man though young yet for the sanctity of his life his behaviour and doctrine above all the rest commended This suffrage standing as having generall approbation from all it was convenient to send for his mother for his father Ioseph was late dead into the Consistory only to know their names and to register them in the aforesaid book She therefore being called and diligently questioned of her son and his father thus answered That indeed she was the mother of JESUS and brought him into the world of which those women are testates that were present at his birth but that he had no father from earth in which if they desired to be further instructed she could make it plainly appear For being a Virgin and then in Galilee the Angel of God saith she entred the house where I was and appearing unto me not sleeping but thus as I am awake he told me That by the Holy Ghost I should conceive and bring forth a son and commanded me that I should cal his name JESUS Therefore being then a Virgin by that Vision I conceived I brought forth JESUS and I still remain a Virgin unto this day When the 〈◊〉 heâ—â—d this they appointed faithfull and trusty Midwiveâ— with all diligence and care to make proof whether Mary were a Virgin or no they finding the truth most appâ—â—ant and not to be contradicted delivered up to the Priests That she 〈◊〉 Virgin pure and immaculate Then they sent for those women that were known to be at her delivery and were witnâ—sses of the Infants comming into the world all which did attest and justity That she was the mother of the same JESUS With these things the Priests amazed and astonished they presently entreated Mary that she would freely professe unto unto them what his Parents were that their names according to custome might be registred amongst the others To whom the blessed Virgin thus answered Certain I am that I brought him into the world but know no father that he hath from the Earth but by the Angel it was told me That he was the son of GOD He therefore is the son of GOD and me This the Priests understanding called for the book which being laid open before them they caused these words to be inscribed Upon such a day deceased such a Priest born of such and such Parents in whose place by the common and unite suffrage of us all is elected Priest JESUS the Son of the living GOD and the Virgin MARY And this book Theodosius affirmed by the especiall diligence of the most noble amongst the Jewes and the chiefe Princes was reserved from the great sack and destruction of the City and Temple and was transferred into the City of Tiberias and there kept a long time after Suidas testifies that he hath heard this discourse from honest men who delivered it to him word by word as they themselves have heard it from the mouth of Philippus Argentarius This most blessed and pure Virgin Mary the mother of our Lord and Saviour was born of the holy Matron St Anne in the year of the world 3948 and in the year before Christ fifteen Of him Claudian thus elegantly writes in one of his Epigrams Proles vera Dei cunctisque antiquior Annis Nunegenitus qui semper eras True Son of God older then time that hast Thy birth but now yet from beginning wast Author of Light and Light before all other O thou that art the parent of thy mother And by thâ—ne equall-aged father sent From Heaven unto this terrene continent Whose word was made Flesh and constrain'd to dwell In the streight prison of a Virgins cell And in a narrow angle to
remain Whose power no limit can no place contein Who being born did'st now begin to see All these great works created first by thee The work and workman of thy selfe not scorning T' obey those weary hours of Ev'n and Morning Of which th' art Lord and tell each minute o'r Made by thy Wisdome for mans use before And took'st on thee our shape only to show To us that God we did till then not know c. Petronilla VVHen Peter the Apostle had by his faith cured all infirmities and diseases and in all places yet he suffered his daughter Petronilla to be grievously afflicted with a Feaver and being demanded why he that had cured others did not help her he answered Because he knew her sicknesse to be most behoofful for her souls health for the weaker she was in body she was so much the stronger in faith setling her cogitations on the joies of heaven and not the pleasures of the world desiring of God that she might rather die a chast Virgin then to be the wife of the Counsull Flaccus by whom she was at that time most earnestly solicited whose praier was heard for she died of that sicknesse and the Consull was prevented of his purpose who had long insidiated her chastity Marul lib 4 cap. 8. The like we read of Hillarius Pâ—ctaviensis Episcopus who having long trained up his daughter Appâ—a in chastity and sanctity of life fearing lest time might alter her vowes and tempt her with the vain pleasures of the world he besought the giver of all graces that he might rather with joy follow her to her grave then with sorrow to her marriage bed which was accordingly granted as the same Author testifies Eustochium the daughter of Paula a Noble matron of Rome is celebrated by Saint Hierom for the only president of Virginall chastity Tora the virgin was of that chast and austere life that having took a vow and once entred her profession she never put on her back any new garment or so much as changed her shooes Maria Aegyptiaca lived the life of an Hermit in the solitude of an unfrequented desart some write of her that as aften as she was seen to pray she seemed to be lifted up from the Earth into the Aire the height of a cubit Columba a Virgin of Perusina is reported to be of that chastity and abstinence that she never tasted any other food then the bare fruits of the earth from the years of her discretion till the hour of her death Amata was a professed Virgin who in forty yeâ—rs space never set foot over the threshold of that Cloister wherein she had confined her self in which time she never tasted food save bread and roots Sara lived in the time of Theodosius the elder she made a Vow never to lodge beneath any roof but inhabiting the bank of a certain river removed not from that place in threescore years The like is read of Sylvia a Virgin the daughter of Russinus a Prefect or Ruler in Alexandria who betook her selfe to solitude for the space of threescore years in which time she never washt any part of her body save her hands nor reposed her selfe upon any bed save the ground It is reported by Edward Hall John Leisland John Sleyden and others of S. Ebbe Abbesle of Collingham That to preserve her own and her sisters chastities and keep their vowes inviolate because they would seem odible to the Danes who had done many outrages both against Law and Religion and then tyrannized in the Land she cut off her own nose and upper lip and perswaded all the other Nuns to do the 〈◊〉 for whâ—â—h act the Danes burnt the Abby with all the 〈…〉 Fulgos lib. 4. cap. 3. speaks of Ildegunda a Germane Viâ—gin born in Nassau who after many temptations to which she feared her beauty might subject her in the year 1128 she changed her habit got to be entertein'd in a Priory neer unto worms called Scuâ—na beu Hiem in which she lived long by the name of Joseph in singular continence and modesty stil conversing amongst the learnedst and best approved schollers even till the time of her death neither was she then known to be a woman till comming to wash her body her Sex was discovered In the same Monastry and amongst that Covent lived Euphrosyna a Virgin of Alexandria by the name of Smaragdus as also one Marina who called her selfe Marinus both dissembling their Sex Gunzonis daughter to the Duke of Arboa was possessed by an evil spirit but after by the praiers of holy men being recovered she vowed perpetuall Virginity And after being demanded in marriage by Sigebertus King of the French men she was delivered unto him by her father who debating with her concerning his present purpose she humbly desired to be excused by his majesty in regard she had already past a pre contract The King demanding To whom she answered She was a betrothed Spouse to her Redeemer At which the King being startled forbore to compell her any further but suffered her to take upon her a religious life she preferring her Virgin Chastity before the state and title of a Queen And these shall suffice for Religious Virgins I now proceed to others that grounded their vertue on meer morality Baldraca was a Virgin but of mean parentage and of a dejected fortune yet to her never-dying honour and president to all ages to come notwithstanding she was not able to supply her selfe with things needfull and necessary either for sustenance or ornament neither by threats or menaces promises of worldly honours or promotion she could not be tempted to prostitute her selfe to the Emperor Otho Saxo Grammaticus writes of Serytha the daughter of Synaldus King of the Danes to be of that modesty that when the fame of her beauty had attracted a confluence of many suitors to the Court of her father yet she could never be won either to converse with or so much as to look upon any of them Tara was a French Lady of a noble and illustrious family she lived in the time of Heracâ—ius who when her father Hagerticus and her mother Leodegunda would have compell'd her to marry she fell into that excesâ—e of weeping that with the extraordinary flax of â—eares she grew blind soon after Dula was â— Virgin famous for her chastity who chose rather to be slain by the hand of a Souldier then to be despoiled of her Virginity Statyra and Roxana were the sisters of 〈◊〉 King of Pontus who for the space of forty yeers had kept their vow of Virginity inviolate these hearing the sad fate of their brother and fearing to be ravished by the enemy at least to fall into their captivity by taking of poison finished both their daies and sorrowes Plutarch writes of one Roxana drowned in a Well by Statyra It is reported of an
chast life Infinite to this purpose are remembred by Fulgosius Marullus Albertus Cranzius c. as of Maria Desegnies Margarita Aegypta Cecilia Virgo Kâ—nâ—gunda Augusta wife to Henry of that name the first Emperor 〈◊〉 espoused to Julianus Antiâ—chenus Stamberga the Niece of cloâ—ovius married to Arnulphus a noble Frenchman 〈◊〉 and others without number which is somewhat difficult 〈…〉 wedded bended boarded lien and lived together yet went as pure Virgins to their graves as they came first to their â—â—adles Of these I may say as Ovid 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 Sh' abhorr'd the nuptiall bed and held it sin With modest blushes did the tender skin Of her fair cheek then to her father growes And her white arms about his neck she throwes And saith Deer Sir this one thing grant your child That I may live from lustfull man exil'd A voteresse 〈◊〉 Diana this desired And from her father had what she required I will produce one history or two at the most from our modern Histories and so cease further to speak of our married Virgins It is reported in the Legend That after Editha the daughter of Earl Godwin was married to King Edward otherwise called St Edward they mutually vowed betwixt themselves perpetual chastity and therein persevered to the end of their lives There continued in them saith the Legend a Conjugall love without any conjugall act and favourable embraces without any deflowring of Virginity for Edward was beloved but not corrupted and Editha had favour but was not touched she delighted him with love but did not tempt him with lust she pleased him with discourse and sweet society yet provoked him to no libidinous desire It is moreover in that Treatise recorded That they used to call marriage a shipwreck of Maidenhead comparing it to the fiery furnace of the Chaldaeans to the Mantle that Joseph left in the hâ—nd of a strumpet the wife of Potiphar to the lascivious outrage of the two wicked Elders who would have oppressed and vitiated Susanna the wife of Ioachim and lastly to the enticements of drunken Holoâ—ernes towards faire Judith one of the deliverers of her people And so much for the Legend But Richardus Davisiensis saith That being awed by Earle Godwin â—nd for the feare of hazarding his life and Kingdome Edward was compelled by threats and menaces to the 〈◊〉 of Editha Moreover Polidore 〈◊〉 That for the haâ—e he bore her father who had not long before most trâ—iterously slain his brother Alphred he caused himselfe to be divorced from her seizing her goods and dower to his own use and pleasure Ranulphus and one that 〈◊〉 himselfe Anonymos as willing to conceal his name say That she was disrobed of all her Queen-like honours and confined into the Abbey of Warnwel with only one maid to attend her and so committed to the strict custody of the Abbâ—sse William of Malâ—sbury and Marianus Scotus have left remembred That he neither dismissed her his bed nor carnally knew her but whether it was done in hatred to her Kindred or purpose of chastity they are not able to determine Robert Fabian confesseth as much in his Chronicle Part. 6. cap. 210. Howsoever the effects of that abstemious life were not only prejudiciall but brought lamentable effects upon this distracted Kingdome namely Innovation and Conquest for Edward dying without issue England was invaded and opprest by the Normans and the people brought to that miserie that happy was that subject that could say I am no Englishman And in this agree Matthew Paris Capgrave Fabian and Polydore As I hold it not necessary for married folk to tie themselves to this strict kind of abstinence so I hold it not convenient for any such as have to themselves and in their souls taken upon them the strict life of Virginity to be compelled to an enforced marriage as may appeaâ—â—y this discourse following recorded by Gulielm â—â—â—sburien Simeon Danelmens Matthew Paris Roger Hovedâ—â— Capgrave c. Henry the first of that name King of England and crowned in the year of Grace 1101 was by the instigation of Anselm once a Monk of Normandy but after by William Ruâ—us constituted Archbishop of Canterbury married unto Maud daughter to Malcolm the Scottish King she having taken a Vow and being a profest Nun in the Abbey of Winchester Much ado had the King her father the Queen her mother her Confessor Abbesse or the Bishop to alienate her from her setled resolution or perswade her to marriage but being as it were violently compelled thereunto she cursed the fruit that should succeed from her body which after as Polydore affirms turned to the great misfortune and misery of her children for afterwards two of her sons William and Richard were drowned by Sea Besides her daughter Maud who was afterwards Empresse proved an untortunate Mother and amongst many other things in bringing forth Henry the second who caused Thomas Becket to the slain it thus hapned All forreign wars being past and civill combustions being pacified in the year of our Lord 1120 Henry the first with great joy and triumph left Normandy and came into England But within few daies following this great mirth and jollity turned into a most heavy and fearfull sorrow for William and Richard his two sons with Mary his daughter Otwell their 〈◊〉 and Guardian Richard Earl of Chester with the Countesse his wife the Kings Neece many Chaplains Chamberlains Butlers and Servitors for so they are tearmed in the story the Archdeacon of Hereford the Princes play-fellowes Sir Geffrey Rydell Sir Robert Maldvyle Sir William Bygot with other Lords Knights Gentlemen great Heirs Ladies and Gentlewomen to the number of an hundred and forty besides Yeomen and Mariners which were about fifty all these saving one man which some say was a Butcher were all drowned together and not one of their bodies ever after found Many attribute this great Judgement to the heavy curse of Queen Maud others censure of it diversly Howsoever in this King as Polydore saith ended the Descent and Line of the Normans Of this Anselm before spoken of there are divers Epistles yet extant to many women in those daies reputed of great Temperance and Chastity as To Sister Frodelina Sister Ermengarda Sister Athelytes Sister Eulalia Sister Mabily and Sister Basyle To Maud Abbesse of Cane in Normandy and Maud the Abbesse of Walton here in England He writ a Treatise about the same time called Planctus amissae Virginitatis i. e. A bewailing of lost Virginity So far John Bale And so much shall serve for Chast wives in this kind being loth to tire the patience of the Reader Of Women Wantons DIon the Historiographer in Tiberio saith that Livia the wife of Augustus Caesar beholding men naked said to the rest about her That to continent and chast matrons such objects differed nothing from statues or images for the modest heart with immodest sights ought not to be corrupted The unchast eie more drawes
Almighty that she might not so vively love so their chast bodies might not be separated in death As she earnestly praied so it futurely hapned 〈◊〉 died in one day and were both buried in one Sâ—pulchre â—â—ing â—ellowes in one House 〈◊〉 bed and Graâ—â— and now no question 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 Kingdome Thus 〈…〉 But now to return 〈…〉 have been kind to their parenâ—◠〈…〉 Sicilia when the mountain Aetna began first to burn Damon snatcht his mother from the 〈◊〉 Aeneas in the fatall massacre of Troy took his father upon his back his son Ascanius in his hand his wife Câ—â—usa following him and pasâ—ed through the sword and fiâ—e We read like wise in Hyginus of Cleops and Bilias whom Herodotus cals Cleobis and 〈◊〉 who when their mother Câ—dâ—ppe the Priest of Juno Are you should be at the Temple at the appointed hour of the Sacrifice or failing to furfeit her life but when she came to yoke the Oxen that should draw her Châ—rior they were found dead her two sons before named laid their necks under the yoke and supplying the place of those beasts dâ—ew her in time convenient unto the place where the sacred Ceremonies were according to the custome celebrated The Oblations ended and she willing to gratifie theâ—â— filiall duty besought of the goddesse That it ever with chast and undefiled hands she had observed her sacrifice or iâ— her sons had born themselves prouâ—ly and religiously towards her that she would grant unto them for their goodnesse the greatest blessing that could happen to any 〈◊〉 or humane creatures This Praier was heard and the two zealous sons drawing back their mother in her chariot from the Temple unto the place where she then sojourned being weary with their travell laid them down to sleep The mother in the morning comming to give her sons visitation and withall thanks for their extraordinary and unexpected pains and travel found them both dead upon their Pallers by which she conceived That there is no greater blessing to be conferred upon man then a fair death when Love good Opinion and Honor attend upon the Hearse These I must confesse are worthy eternall memory and never dying admiration But hath nor the like piety towards their parents been found in women I answer Yes How did Pelopea the daughter of Thâ—estes revenge the death of her father Hypsile the daughter of 〈◊〉 â—ave her father life when he was utterly in despair of hope or comfort Calciope would not lose her father oâ— leave him though he had lost and left his opinion 〈◊〉 the daughter of Harpalicus restored her father in battel and after defeated the enemy and put him to slight Erâ—gonâ— the daughter of Icarus hearing of the death of her father strangled her selfe Agave the daughter of Cadmuâ— slew the King 〈◊〉 in Illyâ—i and pastest her father of his before usurped Diadâ—m Xantippe fed her father Nyâ—onus or as some will have it Cimonus in prison with milk from her breasts Tyro the daughter of Salmoneus to relieve her father slew her own children Who will be further resolved of these let him search Hyginus And so much shall suffice for filiall duty towards their Pâ—â—eâ—ts Of Sâ—sters that have been kind to their Brothers THE Poets and Historiographers to impresse into us the like naturall piety have left divers presidents to posterity Innumerable are the examples of fraternall love betwixt Brother and Brother To illustrate the other the better I will give you 〈◊〉 of some few Volater lib. 14. cap. 2. dâ— Aâ—ropo relates how in that war which Cai. Cornelius Cinna Tribune being expelled the City with Calus Marius and others commenced against the Romans there were two brothers one of the Pompey's army the other of 〈◊〉 who meeting in the battel in single encounter one slew the other but when the victor came to rifle the deâ—d body and found it to be his own naturall brother after infinite sorrow and lamentation he cast himselfe into the fire where the sloughtered carcasâ—e was burned M. Fabius the Consul in the great conflict against the Heâ—rutians and Veâ—entians obtained a gloâ—ious victory when the Senate and the people of Rome had with great magnificence and cost at their own charge prepared for him an illustrious triumph he absolutely refused that honour because Q. Fabius his brother fighting manfully for his Countrie was slain in that battel What a fraternal piety lived in his breast may be easily conjectured who refused so remarkable on honour to mourn the losse of a beloved brother Valer cap 5. lib. 5. We read in our English Chronicles of Archigallo brother to Gorbomannus who being crowned King of Brittain and extorting from his subjects all their goods to enrich his own Coffers was after five years deposed and deprived of his roiall dignity in whose place was elected Elidurus the third son of Morindus and brother to Archigallo a vertuous Prince who governed the people gently and Justly Upon a time being hunting in the Forrest he met with his brother Archigallo whom he lovingly embraced and found such means that he reconciled him both to the Lords and Commons of the Realm that done he most willingly resigned unto him his Crown and Scepter after he himselfe had governed the Land five years Archigallo was re-instated and continued in great love with his brother reigning ten years and was buried at York after whose death Elidurus was again chosen King What greater enterchange of fraternall love could be found in brothers To equall whom I will first begin with the sisters of Phaeton called by some Heliades by others Phaetontides who with such funerall lamentation bewailed the death of their brother that the gods in commiseration of their sorrow turned them into trees whose transformations Ovid with great elegancy expresseth lib. 1. Metamorph as likewise Virgil in Cutice their names were Phaethusa Lampitiae Phebe c. Antigone the daughter of Oedipus when her brother Eteocles was slain in battel she buried his body maâ—gre the contradiction of the Tyrant Creon of whom Ovid lib. 3. Tristium Fratrem Thebana peremptum Supposuit tumulo rege vetante soror The Theban sister to his Tomb did bring Her slaught'red brothers Corse despight the king Hyas being devouted of a Lyon the Hyades his sisters deplored his death with such infinite sorrow that they wept themselves to death And for their piety were after by the gods translated into stars of whom Pontanus Fratris Hyae quas perpetuus dolor indidit asâ—ris Thus you see how the Poet did strive to magnifie and eternize this Vertue in Sisters No lesse compassionate was â—lectra the daughter of Agameâ—nâ— on her brother Oâ—estes and Iliona the issue of Priam when she heard of the death of young Polydore Stobaeus Serm. â—2 out of the History of Nicolaus de morib gentum saith That the Aethiopians above all others have their sisters in greatest reverence insomuch that their Kings leave their succession not to their children but to these sisters
husbands name and with all the force she had plucked the great and ponderous Tomb-stone upon her the weight whereof forced the breath out of her bosome And by this means she purchased the honourable name of a most chast wife at which her life still aimed and a common grave with her husband which even in death she most desired one stone being the cover to both their Hearses Bernard Scardeonus lib. 3. Hâ—stor Patavinâ— Variety of discourse concerning Women APollo or the Sun is said to have five Daughters which by their names appeare to be no other then the five Sences The first is called Pasiphae or Sight of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Omnibus apparens â— Visible to all for the Sight is a Sence that hath inspection into all the rest for the eie sees him that cals or clamours beholds him that feels observes those that taste and intend such as smel The Suns second Daughter is Medea or Hearing of the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Nullam visionem The the third Phaedra or Odoratus of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Afferens suavitatem i. Affoording sweetnesse and pleasantness Dâ—â—ce is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Sapâ—â—is Judex To judge by taste or Acre Judcare that is To censure acâ—â—ely The Syrens weâ—e the daughters of the flood Achelous and the Muse Mâ—lpâ—mene so saith Hyginus others derive them from Calliope They are by the Greeks called Tractatoriae as attracting or insinuating into the ears of man by their severall illecebrations or enticements by Song by Sight by Custome They are three in number the first excels in Voice the second in the Harp the third in the Pype it was so ordered by the Fates that whosoever listned to their musick should instantly perish but when any one escaped their incantations they themselves should live no longer which destiny of theirs was made good in Vlysses For stopping his own ears and the ears of his sailers with wax by the counsel of Mercury and causing them all to be tide to the Masts of the ship when these Syrens perceived that they were prevented they tumbled themselves from the Rocks headlong into the Seas and were so drowned The place stil bears their name and is called Syrenides it lies betwixt Cicilie and Italy Some think that by these Syrenes were intended no other then strumpets who by their inchanting insinuations and luxurious flatteries have been the ruin of many eminent and excellent men as likewise of others meanlier degreed and qualified but whatsoever he be that by his wisdom can prevent them is his own preserver and their destroier Their bodies upward were feminine withal fair and from the navel downward beastial or fishie denoting unto us the uglinesse of sin and deformity of lust Divers differ about their number These are reckoned unto us Aglaosi Telsipoi Pisno Iligi some think the City Parthinope to take denomination from Parthenopaea once numbred amongst these Mermaids because she was there buried Others reckon amongst them the two Nymphs Leucosia and Lygia Plutarch in Amator speaks of Oenanthe a she-minstrel and a dancer as also Aristonica Aglais and others These and the like of their alluring profession to these Syrens may not unfitly be compared Some women have to honest purposes changed their garments and dissembled themselves in mens habits laudable it was in Theodora a Virgin of Antioch who when a rude and rough hewed souldier was sent unto her into prison forcibly to despoile her of her virgin chastity she with her modest looks and becomming tears mixt with passionate perswasions not only mollified his obdurate heart and deterred from his wicked purpose but won him to change habits with her by which fortunate stratagem she escaped out of prison and so prevented the threatned slaughter intended her by the tyrant Dioclesian Ambros lib. 2. de Virgin Euphrostna a maid of Alexandria took upon her a mans habit and for the space of thirty six yeers dissembled her Sâ—x unknown to any all which time she spent in a religious monâ—stery only for devotion sake Valaterran Dicearchus apud Caelium testates That only for the love of learning and to be truly instructed in the grounds of Philosophy Lasthenia Martinea Ax o hoa Phliasia came disguised in mens habits into Plato's School and were his daily auditors into which place women were not to be admitted Pelagia a woman of Antioch being in her youth solely given over to voluptuousness and pleasure at length was so retired from all wordly delights and vanities that abandoning humane society she assumed the shape of a man lest her Sâ—x might be discovered and so betaking her selfe to the sollitude of a most desolate wildernesse led a contemplative and devout life till she expired her last The like I have before related of Marina who with her habit changed her name to Marinus and Eugenia to Eugenius Here I might fiâ—ly introduce Johanna Anglicana but I have reserved a place for her amongst the learned Not to the like commendable purpose we read how Semiramis betâ—aid her Sex and for many years together beguiled the eies of her people took upon her the stile of a King and reigned in the person of her son Aâ— those before remembred have dissembled their shape so there be some recorded in history that have miraculously changed their Sex In Phestus a City of Creet lived one Lictâ—â— or Lignus of a noble family who being married to Telethusa a Lâ—dy of equall birth both nobilitated as wel in wealth as parentage he as an addition to the rest being honourable above others by his place and office his wife being great with child and something neer her delivery â—e â—ot only besought her at the first but after injoined her upon her life of two things the one was that she should bring him a male child to inherit the other that if it proved to be a girle she should instantly bâ—reave it of life Hard was the imposition to a mother and iâ— somewhat penetrated the heart of the father for he no lesse wept to speak it then she moistned her cheâ—ks to hear it it drew tears from both yet by reason of a vow solemnly mâ—de to the gods notwithstanding all her passionate intercessions he stood obstinate from being removed and she altogether in despair because he would be no further intreated All her small hope was now in the hazard as not knowing what her issue would prove if a male the joy of her life if a female her double death as not intending to survive her infant The night before her delivery she was comforted in her dream in which a Vision appeared to her to command her to save the child howsoever for the gods would take it into their protection this somewhat cheared 〈…〉 A girl is born the Sex is conceal'd betwixt her 〈…〉 the father is proud of his young 〈…〉 the mother and performs the ceremonies of the vow before 〈…〉 doth the countenance of
the infant any way betray the Sex for as Ovid Metamorph. lib. 9. saith of it Cultus erat 〈◊〉 facies quam sive puellae Sive dares pueri â—icrat formosus uterque The habit of a Bâ—y she wore And it had such a face As whether she were Boy or Girl It either Sex would grace Lictus gives it the name of the grandfather and cals it Iphis a name that may belong equally either to man or woman the mother holds it as a fortunate Omen The infant growes to be ripe for marriage and the father is as ready to provide a wife for his supposed son Ianthe is found the daughter of Dyctaeus and Thaleste a young damosel of large dower and commendable beauty Iphiâ— and Ianthe were of equall years and alike in feature they were bred together brought up and schooled together and as they had like instructions so they had like affections they were paralell'd in love but not in hopes Ianthe expected to be possessed of Iphis Iphis was in despair ever to enjoy Ianthe as her fear stil growes greater so the marriage day approacheth neerer the fathers joy and comfort is the mothers dread and grief the ones exaltation to bliss the others dejection to sorrow The Contract is past the Nuptial day come there are two Brides and no Bridegroom notwithstanding Hymen is present Juno at hand Vâ—nus not far off and Lucina the goddesse of Child-birth in hope of future imploiment The mother retires to her praiers the daughter to her tears Where humane hope fails and Nature opposeth or at least helpeth not whither should we slie but to the gods for assistance So they repair to the Altar where they humbly kneel and as devoutly pray Praiers are said to be the daughters of Jupiter and have at all hours accesse to the ears of their father Their Orisons ended the mother and the daughter returned if not helped yet in their resolutions armed against hurt In the way back as Ovid my Master tels me it thus hapned Mater abit Templo sequitur Comes Iphis euntem Quam solita est majore gradu c. The mother from the Temple Iphis guides She followes her but yet with larger strides Then when she thither went and thinks it strange To find within her self such sudden change Because she feels about her something grow The like she never saw nor yet doth know The whitenesse in her cheek begins to fade She seems more swart besides more breadth is laid Vpon her spreading shoulders she is now More strong then erst and in her modest brow A look more manly her fair hair that hung Below her Waste still shortens and her Tongue Hath got a bigger tone nor marvel when Iphis the Maid may now be rank'd ' mongst men What and how great joy this prodigious change was I leave to them that can truly apprehend the happinesse of such a hopelesse and unexpected fortune betwixt two Lovers but whether this was done meerly by the miraculous work of the gods or were possible in Nature might be disputed To this purpose he that collected the Memorable Histories of these times hath quoted an Author in many things beleevable That the like hath been known in our later ages yea children have been born that by the Midwives Nurses and Parents have been mistaken for daughters and so continued for some years But growing to the age of twelve or thereabouts and are able to distinguish of good or evil being capable of passions and subject to affections whether Love or Time hath produced these strange effects I am not certain but those manly parts that were before inverted and concealed within the body have burst forth and been made apparent insomuch that they have been forced to change their womens names into mens with the exchange of their habits and after made choice of wives and as this Iphis to Ianthe have been joifully married Ovid in his twelfth book of Metamorphosis remembers the like transhape from the mouth of Nestor Caenis saith he the daughter of Elataeus one of the most beautiful virgins of Thessaly and of such fame that even Peleus the father of Achilles amongst many others was an earnest suitor unto her to have made her his Bride and Queen but the proud Girl despising both his proffers and person gave him a like repulse with the rest pretending a perpetual vow of Chastity At length Neptune grew enamoured of her and encountred her at such opportunity and advantage that maâ—ger all resistance she was by him vitiated and devirgined To recompence which injury he bad her ask whatsoever was in his power being a god to grant and she should be recompenced to the fulnesse of her wishes and desires She fearing lest the temptation of her incomparable beauty might bring her in danger of the like violence and to base prostitution which she above all things hated to him she thus answered Magnum Caenis ait facit haec injuria votam Tale pati jam posse nihil da femina ne sim Omnia praestiteris c. My injury doth make me Caenis said To ask a mighty 〈◊〉 which grant I pray That I no more in this kind be betraâ—'d Make me to be no woman from this day 'T is all I beg The last words that she spake Seemd to be utter'd with more manly sound Then were the first Great Neptune for her sake Had granted it which in her self she found And added more to recompence this deed Never shall that smooth skin by weapon bleed After which time she proveth invulnerable changed her name to Caneus practised arms and proved a famous souldier She was in that great battel betwixt the Centaurs and the Lapithes where fel by her hand Stiphilus Bromus Antimachus Helimus and Pyrachmon five valiant Centaurs Now though this may seem somewhat to savour of fabulous Poetry may not she leaving out the compression of Neptune or being made wound free by the former probability so late remembred being born of a warlike race and having in her the inherent seeds of hereditary valor though she was first thought a damosel yet when time produced her virility make shew of that imperfect Nature had not til then ripened and practise Aâ—ms agreeable with the brave spirits of her ancestors And because either her good fortune assisted her or 〈…〉 her that she never received any apparant wound in battel may she not therefore and without any palpable absurdity be thought invulnerable And so much to Apology in the way of discourse for those supposed impossibilities only producing these Histories least any thing that savors not of immodesty that can be spoke of women should be left unremembred 〈…〉 Polyhimnia FINIS THE EIGHTH BOOK inscribed VRANIA Intreating of Women every way learned of Poetresses and Wiâ—ches c. POlyhimnia remembers me to look up to her Sister Vrania whose contemplation is in the Stars and Planets where me thinks I behold the tâ—â—lve Signs as Maniâ—us in his first book Astronomicon thus
Lâ—dgate Monk of Buty testifies who in English heroical verse compiled his History Constantius saith he the younger succeded his father Constantius as wel in the Kingdome of England as divers other Provinces a noble and valiant Prince whose mother was a woman religious and of great sanctimony this young Prince was born in Britain and proved so mighty in exploits of war that in time be purchased the name of Magnus and was stiled Constantine the Great a noble protector and defender of the true Christian Faith In the sixt year of his reign he came with a potent Army against Maxentius who with grievous tributes and exactions then vexed and oppressed the Romans and being upon his match he saw in a vision by night the sign of the Cross in the air like fire and an Angel by it thus saying Constantine in hoc signo vinces i. Constantine in this sign thou shalt conquer and overcome with which being greatly comforted he soon after invaded and defeated the army of Maxentius who flying from the battel was wretchedly drowned in the river Tiber. In this interim of his glorious victory Helena the mother of Constantine being on pilgrimage at Jerusalem there found the Crosse on which the Saviour of the world was crucified with the three nails on which his hands and feet were pierced Ranulphus amplifies this story of Helena somewhat larger after this manner That when Constantine had surprized Maxentius his mother was then in Brittain and hearing of the successe of so brave a conquest she sent him a letter with great thanks to heaven to congratulate so fair and wished a Fortune but not yet being truly instructed in the Christian Faith she commended him that he had forsaken idolatry but blamed him that he worshipped and beleeved in a man that had been nalled to the Cross The Emperor wrote again to his mother That she should instantly repair to Rome and bring with her the most learned Jewes and wisest Doctors of what faith or beleefe soever to hold disputation in their presence concerning the truth of Religion Helena brough with her to the number of seven score Jewes and others against whom Saint Silvester was only opposed In this controversie the misbeleevers were all nonplust and put to silence It hapned that a Jewish Cabalist among them spake certain words in the ear of a mad wild Bull that was broke loose run into the presence where they were then assembled those words were no sooner uttered but the beast sunk down without motion and instantly died at which accident the judges that sate to hear the disputation were all astonished as wondring by what power that was done To whom Silvester then spake What this man hath done is only by the power of the devil who can kil but not restore unto life but it is God only that can slay and make the same body revive again so Lyons and other wild beasts of the Forrest can wound and destroy but not make whole what is before by them perished then saith he if he will that I beleeve with him let him raise that beast to life in Gods name which he hath destroied in the devils name But the Jewish Doctor attempted it in vain when the rest turning to Silvester said If thou by any power in Heaven or Earth canst call back again the life of this beast which is now banished from his body we wil beleeve with thee in that Deity by whose power so great a miracle can be done Silvester accepted of their offer and falling devoutly on his knees made his praiers unto the Saviour of the world and presently the beast started up upon his feet by which Constantius was confirmed Helena converted al the Jews and other Pagan Doctors received the Christian Faith and were after baptized and after this and upon the same occasion Helena undertook to seek and find out the Cross Ambrose and others say she was an Inne-keepers daughter at Treverent in France and that the first Constantius travelling that way married her for her beauty but our Histories of Britain affirm her to be the fair chast and wise daughter of King Coil before remembred The perfections of the mind are much above the transitory gifts of Fortune much commendable in women and a dowry far transcending the riches of gold jewels Great Alexander refused the beautiful daughter of Darius who would have brought with her Kingdomes for her Dower and infinite treasures to boot and made choice of Barsine who brought nothing to espouse her with save her feature and that she was a scholer and though a Barbarian excellently perfect in the Greek tongue who though poor yet derived her pedigree from Kings And upon that ground Lycurgus instituted a Law That women should have no Dowers allotted them that men might rather acquire after their Vertues then their Riches and women likewise might the more laboriously imploy themselves in the attaining to the height of the best and noblest Disciplines It is an argument that cannot be too much amplified to encourage Vertue and discourage Vice to perswade both men and women to instruct their minds more carefully then they would adorn their bodies and strive to heap and accumulate the riches of the Soul rather then hunt after pomp Vain glory and the wretched wealth of the world the first being everlastingly permanent the last dayly and hourly subject to corruption and mutability Horace in his first Epistle to Mecaenas saith Vitius Argentum est Auro virtutibus Aurum Silver is more base and cheap then Gold and Gold then Vertue To encourage which in either Sex Plautus in Amphit thus saies Virtus praemium est optimum virtus omnibus Rebus anteit profecto c. Vertue 's the best reward and before all Justly to be preferr'd That which we call Liberty Life our Parents Children Wealth Our Country Reputation Honour Health By this are kept though by the bad despis'd All that is good in Vertue is compris'd Moreover all that are Noble Vertuous Learned Chast and Pious have their places allotted them above when on the contrary their souls are buried lower in the locall place of torment then their souls that are laid to sleep iâ— the grave At the blessednesse of the good and future glory assigned unto them Lucan most elegantly aimed at lib. 9. de bello Civili where he thus writes Ac non in Pharia manes jacuere favilla Nec cinis exiguus tantum compescuit umbram c. Which I thus English In th' Pharian flames the bright Soul doth not sleep Nor can so small a Dust and Ashes keep So great a Spirit it leaps out of the fire And leaving the halfe burnt menbers doth aspire And aims up to the place where Jove resides And with his power and wisdome all things guides For now no air his subtil passage bars To where the Axle-tree turns round the stars And in that vast and empty place which lies Betwixt us and the Moon the visible
instructing your Tongues I come next to your Attires but having touched it elsewhere I will only speak of the just Taxation luxurious habit or prodigality in Apparell hath been branded with all ages and reproved in all persons especially in such whose garments exceed their estates which argues apparant pride or such as pretend to be meer Fashion mongers pursuing every fantastick and outlandish garb and such may be justly reproved of folly but since they are both so common in our Nation to discover both too plainly I should but contend against custome and seeking to please a few offend many There was a law amongst the Grecians that all such as vainly spent their patrimony either in riotous excesse or prodigality in attire as well women as men were not suffered to be buried in the sepulchers of their fathers Alex. lib. 6. cap. 14. So hatefull was spruceness in habit and effeminacy amongst the Macedonians that Philip the father of Alexander deprived a Nobleman of Terentum of all his Honours and Offices because he but delighted in warm Baths thus reproving him It seems thou art neither acquainted with the customes nor manners of the Macedonians amongst whom thou hast not once heard of a woman though great with child that ever washt but in cold water I see not how that which is so reprovable in men can be any way commendable in women What shall we think then of those affected pleasures now adaies so much in use as Riots Revels Banquet Pride Suâ—fets Vinocity Voracity which as in men I mean being used in excesse they appear oâ—ious so in young Virgins in whom should be nothing but affected modesty in married Wives that ought to be presidents of Chastity and temperate and grave Matrons that should be the patterns and imitable objects of sincere Vertue they cannot but shew abominable The inconvenience of these Excesse Silius Italicus well observed lib. 15 de bello Punici when he thus said Inde aspice late Florentes quondam luxus quas vertitit urbes Quippe nec Ira Deum tantum nec tela c. Thence look abroad and see How many flourishing Cities ruin'd bee Famous of old since neither the Gods Rage The hostile Weapon nor the enemies strage Hath ruin'd Man in that abundant measure As Riot hath mixt with unlawfull pleasure These are the sins that punish themselves who as it is said of Lust carry their own whips at their girdles I was bold in some part of this Work presuming on the goodnesse of your Sex as to say There was no excellent gift in man which was not in some sort paralleld by one woman or other Therefore if any of you have been or are still addicted to these enormities I entreat them but to remember what is writ of Themistocles who in his youth was so wholly given over to all dissolutenesse namely these two excesses Wine and Women that his father banished him his house and his own mother through griefe strangled her selfe Valer. Max lib. 6. cap. 11. But after Miltiades was made Generall and fought that memorable battel at Marathon in which against infinite ods he defeated the Barbarians there was never any thing seen or known in him which was not modest and comely And being demanded how he came so suddenly changed Militia inquit c. The thought of War saith he will admit neither sloth in me nor wantonnesse Plutareh in Grecor Apophtheg Would you but entertein into your thoughts as setled an enmity against all Vices your publique enemies as he did against the Persians the forreign invaders you would undoubtedly after the battel of the mind constantly fought against all barbarous temptations be ranked equall with him in all his triumphs It is likewise recorded of Isaeus an Assyrian Sophist who in his youth being given to all voluptuousnesse and effeminate delicacies but comming to riper underderstanding assumed to himselfe a wondrous continency of life and austerity in all his actions insomuch that a familiar friend of his seeing a beautifull woman passe by and asking him if she were not a fair one To him he answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. De sii laborare de oculis i. I am no more sick of sore eies To another that demanded What Fish or Fowl was mow pleasant to the taste he replied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. I have forgot to look after them and proceeded I perceive that I then gathered all my Fruits out of the Garden of Tantalus insinuating unto us that all those vain Pleasures and Delights of which youth is so much enamored are nothing else but shadows and dreams such as Tantalus is said to be fed with Of severall degrees of Inchastities and of their Punishments PHilip of Macedon making war against the Thebans Aeropus and Damasippus two of his chiefe Captains had hired a mercenary strumpet and kept her in one of their tents which the King hearing he not only cashiered them from their commands but banished them his Kingdome Polynaeus lib. 4. In Germany Chastity and Modesty is held in that reverent respect that no mean Artificer though of the basest trade that is will entertein a Bastard into his service or teach him his science neither in the Academies will they permit any such to take degree in schools though it bee a strange severity against innocent children who gave no consent to the sins of their parents yet it is a mean to curb the libeâ—â—ies of men and women deterring them from the like offences Aeneus Silvius lib. 1. of the sayings and dâ—eds of King Alphonsus tels us of one Manes Florentinus who being in forbidden congression with a strumpet was adjudged 〈◊〉 pennance which was not altogether as our custome in England is to stand in a white sheet but naked all save a linnen garment from his wast to the knees after the fashion of Basex the Priests comming to strip him in the Vestrie would have put upon him that robe to cover his shame which he no way would admit but was constantly resolved to stand as our phrase is stark naked but when the Church Officers demanded of him If he were not ashamed to shew his virile parts in such a publique assembly especially where there were so many Virgins marriried Wives and widow Women he answered Minime gentium nam pudenda haec quae peccaverunt ea potissimum dare poenas decet i. By no means quoth he most fit it is that those shamefull things that have offended and brought me to this shame should likewise do open penance Pontius Offidianus a Knight of Rome after he had sound by infallible signs his daughters virginity to be deâ— poiled and vitiated by Fannius Saturnius her School-master was not to content to extend his just rage upon his servant and punish him death but he also slew his daughter who rather desired to celebrate her untimely exequies then follow her to her contaminated Nuptials Val. lib. 6. cap. 1. Pub. Attilius Philiscus notwithstanding in his youth he
Judges called the Areopagitae when they deprehended a Witch and were to deliver her to death if she were with child staied the execution till she were delivered of her Infant because they would not punish the innocent with the delinquent Aelian de var. Histor lib. 5. The Law to punish Witches amongst the Persians was to bring them to a place where their heads were beaten to pieces betwixt two Rocks So suffered Gyge the hand-maid to Parisatides the mother of Cyrus Plutarch in Artaxerxes Charls the seventh King of France or the Frenchmen caused Prince Egidius de Roxa Marshall of France to be first hanged then burnt because he confessed himselfe to be a Witch and professor of Magick and withall to have been the death of an hundred and twenty children and women great with child A Witch of Avern was burnt alive for killing young infants and salting their flesh and putting them into pies and baking them for publique sale Fulgos lib. 9. cap. 2. Johannes Bodinus lib. Mag. Demonomaniae 4. cap. 5. tels us that there is a Law sacred in France that if any Magician or Witch or Soothsaier or Mathematician that shall go beyond the true rules of Astrology or expounder of Dreams shall frequent the Court be he never so great in favor or potent in office he shall be immediately degraded from all his honours and put to the rack and torture And this Law is fitting saith he to be writ in golden Characters upon every Court gate because there is no greater Pest extant to Prince or people then this viperous brood therefore above our Christian Princes he commends the Ethnick Kings In the time of Marius an Inchantress whose name was Martha who pretended to foretell to the Roman Senat the successe of the Cimbrian war was banished Plutarch in Mario Claudius Caesar condemned a Knight of Rome to death and forfeited all his goods to the people because he wore about him a Cocks egge as a Charm to dispence of Religion and that all the causes which he had in controversie should in despight of the Judges paste of his side Even fellowes that were scarce of any name or opinion in the world that were but suspected of Negromancy were condemned to death under Tiberius Caesar The Emperor Caracalla adjudged all such as but used inchanted herbs to the curing of Agues and Feavers Spartian in Caracalla The Scripture saith Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live Bodinus contrary to Wyerius who will scarce beleeve there be any such accounting all those Judges 〈◊〉 condemn them to the Stake or Gallowes no better then Executioners and Hangmen he shewes divers probable Reasons why they ought not to live The first is Because all Witches renounce God and their Religion now the Law of God saith Whosoever shall forsake the God of Heaven and adhere to any other shall be stoned to death which punishment the Hebrews held to be the greatest could be inflicted R. Maymon lib. 3. The second thing is That having renounced God and their Religion they curse blaspheme and provoke the Almighty to anger The law saith Whosoever shall blaspheme their sin shall remain with them and whosoever shall take his name in vain or in contempt shall be punished with death The third thing is That they plight faith and make covenant with the Devil adore him sacrifice unto him as Apâ—lâ—ius testifies of Pamphila Larissana a Witch of Thessaly as liâ—ewise a Witch of the Laodunensian suburbs in the month or May 1578. who blushed not to do the like before many witnesses now the Law saith Who that shall but incline or bow down to Images which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be punished with death The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 and the Chaldaean Fisgud which all our Latine Interpreters translate Adorare imports as much as to incline or worship now these Witches do not only incline unto him but invoke and call upon him A fourth thing is which many have confessed That they have vowed their children to the Devil now the Law saith God is inflamed with revenge against all such as shall offer their children unto Moloch which Josephus interprets Priapus and Philo Satanus but all agree that by Moloch in signified the Devill and malignant spirits A fifth thing is gathered out of their own confessions That they have sacrificed Infants not yet baptized to the Devill and have kill'd them by thrusting great pins into their heads Sprangerus testifies that he condemned one to the fire who confessed that she by such means had been the death of one and forty children A sixth thing is That they do not only offer children in the manner off sacrifice against which the Holy Ghost speaks That for that sin alone God will extirp and root out the people but they vow them in the womb A seventh is That they are not themselves blasphemers and Idolaters only but they are tied by covenant with the Devil to allure and perswade others to the like abominations when the Law teacheth That whosoever shall perswade another to renounce his Creator shall be stoned to death An eighth is That they not only call upon the Devil but swear by his name which is directly against the Law of God which forbids us to swear by any thing save his own Name A ninth is That adulterate incests are frequent amongst them for which in all ages they have been infamous and of such detectable crimes convicted so that it hath almost grown to a Proverb No Magician or Witest but was either begot and born of the father and daughter or the mother and son which Caâ—ullas in this Distick expresseth Nam Magus ex Matre gnato gignatur oportet Si vera est Prâ—sarum impia Religio Infimating that if the impious Religion of the Persians were true Witches of necessity should be the incestuous issue of the mother and son or else è contra A tenth That they are Homicides and the murtherere of Infants which Sprangerus observes from their own confessions and Baptista Porta the Neapolitan in his book de Magia Next That they kill children before their baptism by which circumstances their offence is made more capitall and heinouâ— The eleventh That Witches eat the flesh of Infants and commonly drink their bloods in which they take much delight To which Horace seems to allude when he saith Nâ—u pransae Lamiae vinum pucrum extrahat Alvo Noâ— from the stomack of a Witch new din'd Plucks he a yet live infant If children be wanting they dig humane bodies from their sepulchers or feed upon them that have been executed To which purpose Lucaâ— writes Liqueam nodosque nocentes Ore 〈…〉 corpora carpsit Abrasit 〈◊〉 c. The Felons strongling 〈◊〉 she nothing fears But with her teeth the fatall Knot she tears The hanging bodies from the 〈◊〉 she takes And shaves the Gallowes of which dust she makes c. Apuletus reports That comming
in the presence of the Damosel that 〈◊〉 freely kisse and embrace her at his will and 〈…〉 so whom she instantly replied upon his words 〈…〉 the Emperors pardon That she had made a Vow 〈◊〉 she would never kisse any man save him whom she 〈◊〉 knew should futurely be her husband Which answer the 〈…〉 in such good part as that he purposed her vertue should not passe without reward who asking If she were yet contâ—â—cted to any and she answering No Then saith the Emperor give me leave to provide thee of a husband when calling to him one Guido Germanus a noble young Gentleman and one in his especiall favour to him he presently contracted her a man as he was approved in Arms and Vertue so he was eminent in his Stock and Family being nobly descended and gave her for her Dower all that large Valley which lies beneath the Hill Caâ—entinus in the fields that are called Aretini Agâ—â— and made it an Earldo ne which Title he bestowed on him And from them two proceeded the famous family of the Earls Guidons whose eminence endured many herediâ—ary successions Fulgos lib. 6. cap. 1. I could amplifie the Reward due to Temperance and illustrate it with as many modest and chast women before remembred as I have Magnanimity in the Heroick Queens and Warlike Ladies But to avoid proâ—â—â—xity which I labor to shun let this one suffice for many The reward due to Fertility or many Children with such as have restored their decaâ—ed Families THere was a law amongst the Spartans that whosoever had three sons that family should be quit from watching and warding and such common service but he that stored the Common-weal with five he claimed immunity in all publike offices Aelian lib. 6. de Var. Histor Amongst the Persians those that had the most numerous off-spring were capable of the most honors to whom the King yearly sent rich presents Herodot lib. 1. What merited honors then deserved Regina the daughter of Mascinus Scaliger and Thaedaea Carroriensis who being married to Prince Barnobonus Viscount of Mediolanum had by him four sons and twelve daughters The first and eldest was married to Peter King of Cyprus the second to Lewis Dolphin and first born son to the French King the third to the Duke of Bavaria the fourth to the Duke of Austria the fifth to Vicount Gallentius the sixth to Leopoldus of Austria grandfather to Frederick the third Emperor the seventh to another Duke of Bavaria the eighth to Frederick King of Sicilia the ninth to Frederick Gonzage the tenth to Duke Ernestus Monachus the eleventh to Frederick his younger brother the twelfth and last to the Earl of Kent eldest son to the King of great Brittain from whose generous off-spring most of the roialest houses of Christendome such as still flourish in their pristine honors claim their descent so that this fruitfull Queen may be called Cybele or mother of the gods Bernardus Scardeonus lib. 3. Hâ—stor Pat. Pliny confers great felicity upon a Lacedemonian Lady called Lampedo because she was the daughter of a King the wife of a King and mother to a King when a certain rich Lady of Ionia came to Lacena and with great boâ—sting and pride shewed her her pretious jewels and rich garments she pointed to her four fair children whom she had liberally and vertuously educated and sâ—id These are treasures only in which modest and discreet women ought to glory Plutarch in Apophtheg Laconic Eumele the wife to Bâ—silius Helenopontanus of Pontabus as Nazianzenus testifies had by him some five sons of which three at one time were learned Bishops stout champions for the Gospel namely Gregorius Nissenus Basilius Magnus Caesariensis and Petrus Sebasta then I blame not Epaminondas who in all his noblâ— exploits and prosperous successes in war was often heard to say That nothing was so pleasing and delightful to him as that both his parents were yet alive to participate with him in his honors he in the great battel called Lâ—uctricum had a glorious victory over the Lacedemonians Plutarch in Graec. Apophtheg So Basilius Magnus Bishop of Cesarea gloried of nothing so much with daily thanks to God as that he was born of Christian parents namely Helenopontanus his father and school-master and Enâ—â—ele Capadoce his mother and that he was nursed by Macrine who had been a zealous and frequent auditor of Gregory Naeocae Soriensis his grandfather in that bloody persecution under the Emperor Maximinus with his kinsmen and family retired himselfe into a Cave in a moat where with bread only he miraculously fed himselfe and the rest for the space of seven years and after for the Faith of the Gospel suffered a blessed and glorious Martyrdome Licosck in Theat Human. Vitae Saint Hierom commends Paula the religious Roman matron for her nobility of birth as being begot by Rogatas a Grecian who derived himselfe from Agamemnon King of Mecene and roiall Generall of those famous expeditions against Troy and born of Blesilla Romana of the ancient family of the Scipios and the Gracchi and was married unto Toxilius illustrious in his blood as claiming his descent from Aeneas and the Julian pedigree but nobility of birth not being our own but our ancestors it is not my purpose to insist of it any further It followes that I should speak something of such as have been the restorers of ancient and decaied Families even when they were at the last gasp and ready to perish and be as it were swept from the face of the Earth Vitalis Michael Duke of Venice returning with his weather beaten Navy out of Greece where almost for the space of 2 years together without cessation he had opposed Prince Emanuel Constantinopolitanus being so exhausted that scarce Commanders Marriners or navall protection sufficiently accommodated was left to bring back his fleet whether by a pestilentiall mortality or that Prince Manuel had poisoned the Springs and Fountains where the Venerian souldiers had furnished themselves with fresh water is 〈◊〉 certain but most sure it is besides many other disasters and discommodities that which he held to be the greatest was that there was not any of male issue of the Justinian Family left alive but all of them in that infortunate expedition perished to one man not any of that noble stock surviving by whom the memory thereof might be restored to posterity This the Duke Michael often pondering with himself in great sadness and sorrow at length he bethought him of one Nicholaus a young man who had devoted himselfe to a sequestred and religious life and was of the order of the Benedictian Friers he had besides one only daughter whose name was Anna her he had a great desire to confer upon Nicholaus so he could any way admit a dispensation from Alexander then Pope therefore to that purpose he earnestly petitioned him and made great friends to sollicit him in that behalfe who willing to repair the ruins of so noble a family now
bar of your censure have power to command them at your pleasure then saith Paris for my better satisfaction I desire to see them naked Mercury then said Strip your selves to your skins O you goddesses for it behooves him to see that judges for mine own part I am neither one that sits upâ—n the bench to censure nor stand at the bar for witness therefore whilst you shew all I will see nothing but 〈◊〉 my face and look another way At this Juno first began 'T is right O Paris and see as most presuming I first unâ—ace my selfe and behold these are small and slender fingers blew vained wrists white arms and fair and 〈◊〉 shoulders look upon my round Ivory brests proportioned wast smooth and soft skin nor do I only boast the splendor of my amiable face and cleer and pleasant eies for the lower thou lookest thou wilt the more commend my feature for I know I am the Queen and goddess of marriage totally equally and uniformly fair all over This said Paris bad Venus expose her selfe to his free view to which Minerva replied Not O Paris before she have unloosed and cast aside that golden and embossed girdled for she is a Witch and it is not fit that thou being a judge shouldst be effascinated by her neither ought she to have come to this place so neatly accommodated nor so painted and plastered with colors temptations rather beseeming a strumpet then a goddess when in the deciding of so weighty a contention it is fitting that all our lineaments should be exposed without addition simply and of themselves To whom Venus replied If I be compelled to put off my virginall girdle that which all young married men use to unloose from the wasts of their fresh and flourishing brides before they can enter into the new Elysium and of virgins make them women why dost not thou then Mineâ—â—a lay by thy helmet by which it may be thou hopest to seem terrible to the judge and so awe him to thy will thou oughtest to shew thy head and forehead bare as mine is but perhaps thou thinkest with thy broad and threatning burgonet to shadow thy faint and blew eies which to thy pretended beauty will appear no smal or ordinary blemish Then saith Minerva There lies my helmet and Venus And there my girdle and so they presented themselves before him all three naked at which sight Paris being extasi'd broke forth into this acclamation Oh Jupiter thou monster-maker and tamer what spectacle is this what pleasure what delight what pulchritude what beauty is this in her what regall state and majesty In the second what affright what terror yet withall what amiablenesse in honor and what sweetness in victory In the third what tempting and looks and alâ—â—ting smiles what enticing effeminacies and bewitching blandishments able to melt Iron and soften Marble O who shall then be vanquished when every one is worthy to overcome I have enough of felicity for I swim in a vast and boundless ocean of rapture and surfeit in a riot of superabundant delicacies When no longer able to contein himselfe from saciating his heightned appetite with one of them at least or had it been possible with all he desired that they would singly appear unto him as not knowing how justly to determine when his two eies were distracted three waies at once It was then ordered by Mercury that Minerva and Venus 〈…〉 depart for the present and Juno have the first 〈…〉 thus began Thou hast beheld me O Paris from 〈…〉 the heel neither in all my body canst thou 〈…〉 least 〈◊〉 then judge me the fairest Scepters 〈…〉 and Kingdomes Potentates Empires and dominiâ—â—◠〈◊〉 in my gift I will first make thee Emperor of all 〈◊〉 of which thy father hath but a nook or corner and if 〈◊〉 satisfie not thy ambition Lord and Ruler of the world Who told her he would consider of what she had said but 〈◊〉 he had heard all he could not determine of any thing 〈◊〉 so dismissed her assured of the prize for selfe love is ever confident Minerva next appeared and thus accosted him O thou fair Phrygian Swain do me this honor in all 〈◊〉 Conflicts and Combustions thou shalt ever 〈◊〉 victorious and never vanquished thy brother Hector 〈◊〉 shalt excel in fame and thy father Priam in honor in 〈◊〉 combats thou shalt overcome and in all battels triumph of a Shepherd I will make thee a Souldier and to Command more armies then thou keepest herds Farther she was proceeding when he interrupted her thus I have no need Minerva of martiall Discipline or military prowess Asia is in Peace Phrygia and Lydia without disturâ—â—â—â— my fathers Empire fearless of hostility nor do I 〈◊〉 your great and godlike offers nor would I have you 〈…〉 but you may now put on your helmet for I have sufficiently beheld you all over She departed and smiling Venus lastly presented her selfe with an amorous look and moving â—â—â—ability thus saying Behold me Paris look on me considerately and view me in all and every part exactly let 〈◊〉 thine eies wander loosely but stedfastly dwell and insist upon every lineament with judgement This Face these Eies this Neck these Arms and spread them wide in which he could not chuse but wish himselfe lockt these Paps this Womb this c. and what thy eies see not let thy thoughts feelingly apprehend Hast thou not perused me enough yet consider me further what are Kingdomes but cares or thrones but troubles what are battels but bloodsheds or victories but triumph over slaughter To love and be beloved is content and conteins a Kingdom in it selfe to war and here to vanquish combat and thus to come off is honor without harm and conquest without cruelty nor is this feature on which thy eies dwell with such admiration the guerdon proposed thee for my victory but a Face fairer Eies brighter Hands whiter Flesh softer Skin purer 〈◊〉 more imitating gold and Lips more lively resembling 〈◊〉 Think on such kisses Paris Hellens Hellens of 〈◊〉 she is the daugher of Leda whom Jupiter in the shape 〈◊〉 a Swan defloured white therfore she must needs be and 〈◊〉 as hatched by so beautiful a bird This is that Hellen whom Theseus thought worthy of a rape and roiall Menelaus of the Pelopidan family his Hymenean contract if thou fearest and doubtest to attain to this superabundance of happinesse loe I have two children Amability and Love these I will deliver unto thee who shall be captains of thy Voâ—â—ge under thee their generall Cupid my eldest shall inflame her and Amability shall make thee gratious and amiable in her eies I will moreover intreat the Graces to be companions with thee in thy journie These words were so sweetly delivered by her and so inflamedly apprehended by him that by giving the golden apple to her she had the glory to be esteemed the fairest and worthiest Now what greater reward for Beauty then to be preferred before
and out the room who seeing him to be a man of fashion and therefore likely to be of means they thought to make of him some booty being it seems set on by the Grandam of the house for as it proved it was a common Brothel house The youngest and handsomest amongst the rest was put upon him who entreated him not to be seen below where every Porter Carman and common fellow came to drink but to take a more convenient and retired room The Gentleman suspecting the place as it was indeed to be no better then it should be and being willing to see some fashions took her gentle proffer and went with her up the stairs where they two being alone and a bed in the room beer being brought up she began to offer him more then common courtesie being so far from modesty that she almost prostituted her selfe unto him Which he apprehending asked her in plain terms If these were not meer provocations to incite him to lust which she as plainly confessed To whom he replied That since it was so he was most willing to accept of her kind proffer only for modesty sake he desired her to shew him into a darker room To which she assented and leads him from one place to another but he still told her that none of all these was dark enough insomuch that she began at length somewhat to distaste him because in all that time he had not made unto her any friendly proffer At length she brought him into a close narrow room with nothing but a Loop-hole for light and told him Sir unlesse you purpose to go into the Cole-house this is the darkest place in the house How doth this please you To whom he answered Unlesse thou strumpet thou canst bring me to a place so palpably â—enebrious into which the eies of heaven cannot pierce and see me thou canst not perswade me to an act so detestable before God and good men For cannot he that sees into the hearts and reins of all behold us here in our wickednesse And further proceeding told he the heinousnesse of her sin towards God that her prostitution was in sight of him and his Angels and the everlasting punishment thereto belonging Or if irreligious as she was she held these but dreams and fables he bad her consider her estate in this world and what her best could be a Whoâ—e the name odious the profession abominable despised of the indifferent but quite abandoned of those confirmed in Vertue That she was in her selfe but a meer leprosy to destroy her self and insect others a Sink of Sin diseases Or if her extraordinary good fortune were such to escape the Spittle and the Surgeon yet she was a continual vassal to every Constable and Beadle never certain of her Lodging if not in the Stocks in the Cage but the chiefest of her hopes in Bridewell c. To conclude he read unto her so strict and austere a Lecture concerning her base and 〈◊〉 life that from an impudent Strumpet he wrought her to be a repentant Convertite Her brazen forehead melted at his fiery zeal and all those scales of immodesty like a mask plucked off fel from her face and she appeared to him in her former simple and innocentious life When further asking her of her birth and Countrie she freely confessed unto him That she was born in the North Countrie her father a Gentleman once of fair revenue but being impoverished by peevish suits in Law her mother first and he whether by age or grief she knew not soon after died She being an Orphan and left distressed loth to beg of those whom her parents had before relieved finding charity there cold and willing rather to appear base any where then where she was known sold such small things as she had to come up to London with the Carriers where she was no sooner alighted at her 〈◊〉 but she was hited by this Bawd altogether unacquainted with her base course of life who by degrees trained her to such base prostitution but withall protested with tears that course of life was hatefull unto her and had she any friend or kinsman that could propose her any means to relinquish that Trade which in her soul she detested she would become a new woman desiring that one month of her lewdnesse might be forgot for from that hour she protested Chastity all her life time after Her apparant tears and seeming penitence much perswading with the Gentleman he protested If it lay in him he would otherwise dispose of her according to her wishes and withall charging her That if he sent unto her within two or three daies with monie to acquit her of the house that she would attire her selfe as modestly as she could possibly not bringing with her any one rag that belonged to that abominable house or any borrowed garment in which she had offended but instantly to repair unto him at his fiâ—st sending and this being agreed betwixt them for that time they parted The Gentleman wondrous careful of his undertaking because she was now his new creature câ—me to a Matron-like Gentlewoman a kinswoman of his 〈◊〉 off with whom and her husband he had familiar acquaintance and by that means daily accesse to the house who had pretty fine children and were of fair revenue and told her there was a civil maid a kinswoman of his lately come out of the Countrie who wanted a service whom if she pleased to enteriem it might prove a great good to her and no less courtesie to him Briefly the motion was accepted she sent for according to appointment and after he had tutored her in all things which shâ— should answer accepted and enterteined Her modest behavior and fair carriage with her tender love and diligence about the children won her in short time a good opinion of her master a greater affection from her mistresse and a generall love of the whole household insomuch that within lesse then a year she was raised from a Chambermaid to be a Waiting Gentlewoman and the only bosome friend of her mistresse who falling sick even to death ready to expire her last so much doted on her new servant that she sent for her husband and besought him if it stood with his good liking so to dispose of himselfe after her decease to make that woman his wife and mother to his children for one more loving and carefull he should not find and search England thorow and thorow The Gentlewoman soon after dies he is left a widower and the charge of the whole house committed to our new Convertite with the bringing up of his children Which she executed with such fidelity that he casting a more curious eie upon her youth and beauty and withall remembring his wives last words not knowing for the present how better to dispose of himselfe Time Place and Opportunity all things furthering her preferment he contracted himselfe unto her and they were soon after married But before any of
present contract for if he refused her to wife she vowed never to have other husband acknowledging that all her fortunes next to the Divine Providence came by his goodnesse omitting the former circumstances and that shee knew no way better to expresse her gratitude then to confer them on him by whom they first came Thus the close proved better then the beginning and the banquet of Sweet-meats made amends for the harsh Feast for they found this last of all the other passages to be only serious They were there contracted the suitors witnesses and soon after married And thus his vertue and her conversion had one joint reward Cura ONe woman I had almost forgotten but better remember her at last then not at all and strange it is I should do so since she is still present with the King in his Thronâ— with the Generall in the Camp the Tradesman in his Shop and the Plowman in his Cottage she is with the Scholler in his Study and the Statesman in his Closet she is still at the elbow of every Father or Mother and no family can exist without her In this my work she hath risen early with me in the Morning and again sate up with me till past Midnight she will leave no man Waking nor forsake him till he his fast Sleeping This womans name is Care the grandmother of Fears and Doubts who passing a river and finding a vein of bituminous and clammy clay being full of thoughts she began to fashion a part thereof to the true semblance and shape of a man and deliberating with her selfe what she had done and being enamored with her late workmanship and casting how best to dispose it Joves Herald Mercury comming that way by accident saluted her whom she intreated to be an intercessor to Jupiter in her behalfe to give that picture life He at Mercuries entreaties did so There was then question made how to name it Cura would have it called after her own name Care but Jupiter would not agree to that but give it his next up start Tellus i. The Earth and pleaded the name belonged to her because from her it first proceeded The deciding of this controversie was put to Saturn who thus ended it You Jupiter shall take charge of it and after death receive the Spirit back that first gave it Care because she first fashioned it Care shall all the life time possesse it But because the difference is about the name Homo vocetur quia ex humo factus esse videtur i. Let it be called man because made of the Earth And therefore with great elegance Tibull 3. lib. 3. Eleg. 3. thus writes Nam grave quid prodest pondus mihi divitiâ— auri Arvaquae si findant pinguia mille â—oves c. What profit golden heaps weigh'd by the pound Or if a thousand Oxen plow my ground What profits me my house although it stand On Phrygian columns wrought by curious hand Digg'd first and fetcht from the Tenarian Mine Or else Caristus whether brought from thine Or woods beneath my roof planted for state Which seem the sacred groves to imitate My golden beams and â—loors with marble pav'd Or my Pearl-shining vessels so much crav'd From th' Erichthraean shores what all my pride In wooll that 's in Sydonian purple di'd Or what besides the vulgar sets on fire Who still most envy where they most admire These but the temporeall gifts of fortune are And 't is no pomp can fâ—ee my thoughts from Care Reward due to Philosophers Orators and Poets IN what honor all Philosophers have been of old with Princes and Emperors lies next in me to speak of as Agathe Pythagoricus with Arcesilaus King of Macedon Plato with Dionysius Aristotle with Philip and Alexander Xeno Citâ—eius the son of Mnasenus with the Athenians Theophrastus honored by Demetrius Psaleraeus with golden statutes Posidonius entired to Cneius Pompeius Magnus Ariston to Julius Caesar Zenarchas to Augustus Apollonius Tyanaeus to Bardosanes King of Babylon Dion Prusienis to the Emperor Trajanus Arrius to Alexander Heliodorus to Adrianus Sopater to Constantinus Magnus with infinte others of which it is not necessary now to insist Plutarch remembers us in the life of Alexander That he having taken ten of these Gymnosophists that were the cause of the falling off of the Sabbea a people of Arabia who had done many outrages to the Macedonians because they were esteemed Philosophers and famous for their ready and acute answers he therefore to those ten propounded ten severall questions with this condition that he who answered the worst of them should be first slain and so in order the rest and of this he made the eldest judges Of the first he demanded Whether in his judgement he thought there to be more men living or dead who answered Living because the dead are not The second Whether the Earth or the Sea harbored the greatest Monsters Resp The Earth because the Sea is but part thereof The third What beast of all creatures was the most craftie That which to man is best known The fourth Why did the Sabbae revolt from Macedon Resp That they might either Live well or Die ill The fifth Whether the day was before the night or the night before the day Resp The day for one day was before another The sixth What was the best way to make a man generally beloved of all Resp To be the best man and no tyrant The seventh How might a man be made a god Resp By doing that which a man is not able to doe The eighth Whether is Life or Death the stronger Resp Life because it beareth so many disasters The ninth he demanded How long he thought a man to live Who answered â—ust so long as he desired not to see Death When the King turning to the judge bad him give just sentence he said that one had answered more impertinently then another then saith the King thou art the first that oughtest to die for so judging But he replied Not so O King because it was your own condition that he should suffer first that made the worst answer This said the King dismissed them bounteously and roially rewarded If then for ambiguous answers to such slight and yet doubtfull questions Alexander thought them worthy of such gifts and presents with what Memories what Praises what Crowns Columns and Statues ought we to dignifie and celebrate the names of Queen of Zenobia Amalasuntha Aspatia Fulvia Morata and others This Solomon the wisest not only of Kings but of men well knew when having made proof of the wisedom of Nicaulis Queen of Aethiopia he sent her back into her Country so liberally furnished and so roially rewarded What I have spoke of these may be pertinently apply to our women studious in Divinity Oratory and Sophistry and laboriously practised in all other liberall Arts and Sciences Nor can I more fitly in my mind conclude this work then as I begun with goddesses so to end with good women