who did nothing but sing Sonnets The Melancholy were Tragedians The Envious were Satyrists who describe the World a Hell and the Men therein Devils The Amorous run all into Blank-Verses putting them into such Numbers as to raise the Voice to a passionate whining folding their Arms fixing their Eyes But a Grave Moral Philosopher walking that way seeing a Company together out of a Curiosity went to them The first that he saw was blind Homer acting of Paris who hearing one come towards him imagined straight it was a Woman because his desire would have it so and would have him act the part of Helen The Philosopher told him He was not fit to make a Courtezan Why said Homer Pythagoras was one in his Transmigrations Whereat the Philosopher was very angry and left him and went to see who the rest were The next he met was Virgil acting of AEneas who as soon as saw the Philosopher would needs take him up for his Father Anchises The Philosopher desired to be excused for though said he I am old enough to be thy Father yet I love not the few remainder of my days so well as to have them be a cause to burthen my Son nor am I so uncharitable as he was to his Daughter-in-law to expose her to danger and so to be lost whilst he rid lazily upon his Son's Shoulders The third Person he saw was Ovid transforming Gods Men and Beasts As soon as he saw the Philosopher he would needs have him Europa and himself Jupiter and lay tumbling upon the Grass feigning himself like a Bull and would have him get upon him as Europa did and bid him lay hold upon his Horns The Philosopher said He thought them all Horn'd-mad and so left him The fourth he met was Lucan describing the Battel between Caesar and Pompey and when he saw the Philosopher he would have him stand for Pompey whilst he represented Caesar and so would have had them fight But the Philosopher told him He was a Man of Peace and not for Warr my study said he is To conquer unsatiable Ambition and not to fight and kill for Power and Authority by Usurpation The fifth he met was Martial who was writing Epigrams and would needs write one of the Philosopher But he prayed him to forbear for said he my ways are so dull and sober that they will not produce such Fancies as must go to the making of Jestings-Epigrams The sixth he met was Horace who was describing in his Discourse a Countrey-Life and would needs have the Philosopher a Countrey-Lass he would have had him sit down upon a Bank by him that he might make love to him by repeating of Amorous Poems But after much strugling the Philosopher got from him and growing weary of their Company left them to their vain Fantasms and Fantastical Humours LOVE's CURE THERE was a Man Amorous by nature and of a Courtly Behaviour who made love to a young Lady and she returned him Affection for his kind Professions but after a while he forsook her and made love to another of whom he had also the good fortune to be beloved as oft-times Amorous Men have by reason they address their Suits to Credulous Women who are self-conceited and opinionated easily believe and soon perswade themselves That Men's Praises and Promises Vows and Protestations are real and that their Affections are unalterably fix'd when they address themselves as Suitors and Servants But this Gallant left her as he did the other and made love to a third for it is the nature of Amorous Persons to love variety and seek for change being soon weary of one and the same Object Whereupon these two forsaken-Ladies became very melancholy and though they were Enemies whilst he made love to either yet now became dear Friends since he made love to neither and every day they would visit one another to condole and bewail their Misfortunate Loves But the second forsaken-Lady having been some time in the Countrey and returning thence went to visit her Friend with a Face clothed in a sad Countenance and veiled with dull Eyes and seeing her Friend who had wont to have as mourning a Face as she to have now a merry Countenance a lively Behaviour and a healthful Complexion began to be jealous thinking her unconstant Lover had renewed his Love-suit to her for Friendships made by Loss dissolve when either get what they before did lose and think they had a right to or at least a share in it But to be resolved she asked her the reason she seemed so well disposed to be pleasant for when she parted from her last she seemed to be like one newly raised from the dead or like a Statue made of Stone that had no Life nor Motion Truly said she my Mind is in such peace that my Thoughts take a harmless freedom to sport and play and it gives also my Body leave to nourish Life The second Lady said Would my Mind could find the same tranquillity The first said Truly if your Mind be troubled still and finds no rest I pity you by what I have felt my self for when my Mind was troubled there was a Civil-Warr amongst my Passions such Factions Side-takings and Disputations with Anger Spight Spleen and Malice against Love Hope and Jealousie that it caused many Tears to be shed and Groans to be sent forth But how came you to be cured said she I tell you answered she After a long Civil-Warr amongst my Passions my Body became almost wasted to skin and bone for want of rest and nourishment for my Passions had devoured Sleep and banished Appetite whereby my Mind began to be infected with a Feverish Distemper which Reason perceiving came to the rescue bringing an Army of Arguments of which Understanding and Truth were chief Commanders and after many Skirmishes those Passions being often foiled and put to a rout they grew weak and so dispersed several ways But after these Warrs a dark Melancholy cover'd my Mind like a Cloud which eclipsed all the Light of Comfort and made it murmur against the Gods Decree and complain against Nature's Works and curse Fortune's Instability at which poor Virtue whom Education had put to be my Governess was very angry and said The Gods had been too merciful Nature too bountiful and Fortune too favourable unless I were more thankful Yet she commanded Patience and Charity who were two of her Handmaids to stand by me But as my Mind was musing in came my grave and sober Companions the Sciences and seeing me in that posture began to counsel me perswading me to follow their Studies for said they nothing can compose and settle the Mind more than we do My Mind bowing to them gave them thanks for their advice But as soon as they were gone in came my Domestick Acquaintance the Arts who offered me all their Industry and Ingenuity to do me service But I told them I was past the cure of any Art Whereupon they very
said This Tale I will requite To vindicate our Sex which you did slight A Man in love was with a Lady fair And for her sake would curl perfume his Hair Professions thousands unto her did make And swore for her a Pilgrimage would take I swear said he Truth shall for me be bound Constant to be whilst Life in me is found With all his Rivals he would Quarrels make In Duels fought he often for her sake It chanc'd this Lady sick was like to dye Of the Small Pox Beauty's great Enemy When she was well her Beauty decay'd quite He did forsake her and her Friendship slight Excuses made her did not often see Then asked leave a Traveller to be And thus poor Lady when her Beauty 's gone Without her Lover she may sit alone Then was the third Man's turn his Tale to tell Which to his Company he fitted well A Description of Constancy THere was a Noble Man that had a VVife Young Fair and Virtuous yet of so short life That after she had married been a year A Daughter 's born which Daughter cost her deer No sooner born the Mother laid in bed Before her Lord could come his VVife was dead Where at the sight he did not tear his Hair Nor beat his Breast nor sigh nor shed a Tear Nor buried her in state as many do And with that Funeral-Charge a new Wife wo But silently he laid her in a Tomb Where by her side he meant to have a Room For by no other side he meant to lye In Life and Death to keep her company The whilst he of his Daughter care did take And fond he was ev'n for his dear VVife's sake But Grief upon his Spirits had got hold Consum'd him more than Age that makes Men old His Flesh did waste his Manly Strength grew weak His Face grew pale and faintly did he speak As most that in a deep Consumption are Where Hectick-Fevers do with Life make warr And though he joy'd he had not long to live Yet for to leave his Daughter young did grieve For he no Kindred had to take a care Of his young Child and Strangers he did fear They would neglect their Charge not see her bred According to her Birth when he was dead Or rob her of her Wealth or else would sell Her to a Husband might not use her well Or else by Servants brib'd might her betray With some mean Man and so to run away These cares of his his Mind did much torment And her Ill Fortune to his Thoughts present At last he did conclude If any be True Just and full of Generosity They 're such as are like to the Gods on high As Powerful Princes and Dread Majesty The Soveraign was dead but left to reign His Widowed-Queen whose Prudence did maintain The Government though Forreign Warrs she had Which was a Charge and oft-times made her sad This Noble-man sent to the Queen to crave That she upon his Child would pity have To take her to the Court there to be bred That none might wrong her after he was dead The Queen most willingly his Suit did sign And so in Peace his Soul he did resign This Lady soon did to the Court repair Where she was bred with tender Love and Care And Youth that 's bred in Courts may wisest be Because they more do hear and more do see Than other Children that are bred obscure Because the Senses are best Tutors sure But Nature in this Maid had done her part And in her frame had shew'd her curious Art Compos'd her every way Body and Mind Of best Extracts that were to form Mankind All which she gave to Time for to distill And of the subtil'st Spirits the Soul to fill As Reason Wit and Judgment and to take The solid'st part the Body for to make For though that Nature all her works shapes out Yet Time doth give strength length and breadth about And as her Person grew in stature tall And that her Beauty did encrease withall So did affection in her Heart grow high Which there was planted in her Infancy There was a Subject Prince within the Land Although but young the Army did command He being chose for Birth Wealth Valour Wit And Prudence for to lead and martial it The whilst his Father did the Queen assist To manage State-affairs as knowing best The Kingdom 's Constitutions Natures bad Of Common-People who are sometimes mad And wildly in Distempers Ruins bring For most Rebellions from the Commons spring But he so just and loyally did serve His Queen and Countrey as he did preserve Himself within her Favour and her Love As great Respect and honour'd Praise did prove And in the Warrs his Son such Fame did get That in Fame's Chariot he triumphant set For he was Valiant and of Nature free Courteous and full of Generosity His VVit was quick yet so as to delight Not for to cross or in Disputes to fight For gallant Sword-men that do fight in warr Do never use with Tongues to brawl and jarr He was exact in Body and in Mind For no Defects in either could you find The Queen that had a Neece both young and fair Did strive to match her to this Prince and Heir Of all his Father's VVealth who had such store As all the Nobles else did seem but poor And the young Princess lik'd so well the choice That thoughts of marrying him did her rejoice And through her Eyes such Messages Love sent On smiling-rays and posting-glances went The other Lady did hear the Report For every one did talk of it in Court Besides she saw his Person still attend Upon the Princess and did Presents send And every day to visit her did go As being commanded by his Father so At which she sad and melancholy grew Yet her Disease not thorowly she knew Like as a Plant that from the Earth doth spring Sprouts high before a full-blown Flower it bring So did her Love in Bud obscurely lye Not any one as yet did it descry Nor did the Prince the least affection find She being reserv'd in action and in mind Sober she was and of a bashful look Of but few words yet she good notice took And much observ'd for Love hath a quick Eye And often by her Countenance doth spy The hidden Thoughts that the Tongue dare not tell For in the Mind obscurity doth dwell But yet she did espy something lay cross To his Desires but guess'd not what it was But griev'd that any thing should him displease For those that love do wish their Lov'd much ease Nay so much ease they Torments would endure If these for those they love might good procure But she grew restless and her Thoughts did run About him as about the VVorld the Sun For he was her sole VVorld and wish'd her Love Had influence as Planets from above To order his affections and to bring From several Causes one Effect to spring And the Effect that he might
will be commanded too but in the mean time I hope you will be ruled by me and here is a great Match propounded to me for you the like I could not have hoped for which is the Vice-Roy he is rich Yet said she he may be a Fool. O he is Wise and Discreet said he I have heard said she he is ill-natured and froward Her Unkle answered He is in great Power and Authority He may be said she never the Honester for that He is said he in great Favour with the King Sir said she Princes and Monarchs do not always favour the most deserving nor do they always advance Men for Merit but most commonly otherwise the unworthiest are advanced highest besides Bribery Partiality and Flattery rule Princes and States Her Unkle said Let me advise you not to use Rhetorick against your self and overthrow a good Fortune in refusing such a Husband as shall advance your place above that false Duke's Duchess and his Estate with yours joined to it will be greater than his with which you shall be served nobly attended with numbers of Servants live plentifully adorned richly have all the Delights and Pleasures your Soul can desire and he being in years will dote on you besides he having had experience of vain Debaucheries is become staid and sage Sir said she His Age will be the means to barr me of all these Braveries Pleasures and Delights you propound for he being old and I young will become so jealous that I shall be in restraint like a Prisoner nay he will be jealous of the Light and of my own Thoughts and will enclose me in Darkness and disturb the Peace of my Mind with his Discontents for Jealousie I have heard is never at quiet with it self nor to those that live near it Come come said he you talk you know not what I perceive you would marry some young fan'tastical prodigal Fellow who will give you only Diseases and spend your Estate and his own too amongst his Whores Bawds and Sycophants whilst you sit mourning at home he will be revelling abroad and then disturb your rest coming home at unseasonable times and if you must suffer you had better suffer by those that love than those that care not for you for Jealousie is only an overflow of Love Wherefore be ruled and let not all my Pains Care and Cost and the Comfort of my Labour be lost through your disobedience Sir said she I am bound in Gratitude and Duty to obey your Will were it to sacrifice my Life or the Tranquillity of my Mind on the Altar of your Commands In the mean time the Duke was so discontented and melancholy that he excluded himself from all Company suffering neither his Duchess nor any Friend to visit him nor come near him only one old Servant to wait upon him all former Delights Pleasures and Recreations were hateful to him even in the remembrance as if his Soul and Body had taken a Surfeit thereof At last he resolved she should know what Torment he suffered for her sake and since he could not see nor speak to her he would send her a Letter He called for Pen Ink and Paper and wrote after this manner Madam THE Wrath of the Gods is not only pacified and they do not only pardon the greatest sins that can be committed against them taking to mercy the Contrite Heart but give Blessings for Repentant tears and I hope you will not be more severe than they Let not your Justice be too rigid lest you become cruel I confess the sins committed against you were great and deserve great punishment but if all your Mercies did flye from me yet if you did but know the Torments I suffer you could not chuse but pity me and my Sorrows are of that weight that they will press away my Life unless your Favours take off the heavy Burthen But bomsoever pray let your Charity give me a Line or two of your own writing though they strangle me with Death then will my Soul lye quiet in the Grave because I dyed by your hand and when I am dead let not the worst of my Actions live in your Memory but cast them into Oblivion where I wish they may for ever remain The Gods protect you Sealing this Letter he gave it to his Man to carry with all the secrefie he could bidding him to enquire which of her Women was most in her favour and to pray her to deliver it to her Mistress when she was all alone and to tell the Maid He would be in the Street to wait her Command The Man found such access as he could wish and the Letter was delivered to the Lady which when she had read and found from whom it came her Passions were so mix'd that she knew not whether to joy or grieve she joy'd to live in his Thoughts yet griev'd to live without him having no hopes to make him lawfully hers nor so much as to see or speak to him her Unkle was so averse against him and the greatest grief was to think she must be forced to become anothers when she had rather be his though once forsaken by him than to be beloved by another with Constancy Then musing with her self for some time considering whether it was fit to answer his Letter or no If my Unkle should come to know said she I write to him without his leave which leave I am sure he will never give I shall utterly lose his Affection and I had rather lose my Life than lose his Love but if I do not write I shall seem as if I were of a malicious nature which will beget an evil construction of my Disposition in that Mind in whose good Opinion I desire to live If I believe as Charity and Love perswades me that he speaks truth I shall endanger his Life and I would be loth to murther him with nice scruples when I am neither forbid by Honour nor Modesty Religion nor Laws to save him Well I will adventure and ask my Unkle pardon when I have done My Unkle is not of a Tyger's nature he is gentle and a Pardon may be gotten but Life when once it is gone will return no more Then taking Pen Ink and Paper writ to him after this manner SIR I Am obedient as being once tied to you until you did cut me off and throw me away as a worthless piece only fit to be trodden under the feet of Disgrace and certainly had perished with shame and been left destitute had not my Unkle own'd me And though you are pleased to cast some thoughts back upon me yet it is difficult for me to believe that you that did once scorn me should humbly come to sue to me and I fear you do this for sport angling with the Bait of Deceit to catch my innocent youth But I am not the first of my Sex nor I fear shall not be the last that has been and will be deceived by Men who glory
Fool and a Disease most Men have being married young But a Man in years is solid in his Counsels sober in his Actions graceful in his Behaviour wise in his Discourse temperate in his Life and appears as Nature hath made him Masculine Whereas a young Man is rash in his Counsels desperate in his Actions wild in his Behaviour vain in his Discourses debauch'd in his Life and appears not like his Sex but Effeminate A fair Forehead and a smooth Skin a rosie Cheek and a ruby Lip wanton Eyes and a flattering Tongue are unmanly appearing like Women or Boys let them be never so Valiant and as if they would sooner suffer the Whip than handle the Sword In an ancient Man every Wrinkle is a Trench made by Time wherein lies Experience to secure the Life from Errors and their Eyes are like active Soldiers who bow and sink down by the over-heavy Burthens of their Spoils which are several Objects that the Sight carries into the Brain and delivers to the Understanding as Trophies to hang up in the Magazine of the Memory His white Hairs are the Flage of Peace that Time hangs out on the Walls of Wisdom that Advice and Counsel may come to and fro safely Nay the very Infirmities of Age seem manly his seeble Legs look as if they had been over-tired with long Marches in seeking out his Foes and his Palsey-Hands or Head the one seems as if they had been often used in beating of their Enemies and the other in watching as if they knew not what Rest meant Sir said the Duchess you commend Aged Husbands and dispraise young ones with such Rhetorick torick as I wish the one and hate the other and in pursuit of my Hate I will cross my Husband's Amours as much as I can In the mean time the Duke was gone to the old Gentleman the young Lady's Unkle who when he saw him enter he started as if he had seen an Evil he desired to shun Sir said he What unlucky occasion brought you into my House First Repentance answered the Duke and then Love and lastly my Respect which I owe as a Duty My Repentance begs a Forgiveness My Love offers you my Advice and good Counsel My Respect forewarns you of Dangers and Troubles that may come by the Marriage of your Neece to the Vice-Roy Why what danger said he can come in marrying my Neece to a Wise Honourable Rich and Powerful Man and a Man that loves and admires her that honours and respects me But said the Duke put the case he be a Covetous Jealous Froward Ill-natured and Base Cowardly Man Shall she be happy with him But he is not so said he But answered the Duke if I can prove him so Will you marry her to him Pray said he spare your Proofs of him since you cannot prove your self an Honest Man Sir said the Duke Love makes me endure a Reproach patiently when it concerns the Beloved but though it endures a Reproach it cannot endure a Rival Why said the old Gentleman I hope you do not challenge an Interest in my Neece Yes said the Duke but I do and will maintain that Interest with the power of my Life and never will quit it till Death and if my Ghost could fight for her it should Heaven bless my Neece said the old Gentleman What is your Design against her Is it not enough to fling a Disgrace of Neglect on her but you must ruin all her good Fortunes Is your Malice so inveterate against my Family that you strive to pull it up by the Roots to cast it into the Ditch of Oblivion or to fling it on the Dunghill of Scorn The Duke said My Design is To make her happy if I can and will oppose all those that hinder her Felicity disturbing the content and peace of her Mind for she cannot love this Man besides he disclaims her and vows never to marry her Sir said the Gentleman I desire you to depart from my House for you are a Plague to me and bring an evil Infection Sir said the Duke I will not go out of your House nor depart from you until you have granted my Request Why said the Gentleman you will not threaten me No said the Duke I do petition you The Gentleman said If you have any Quarrel to me I shall answer it with my Sword in my hand for though I have lost some strength with my years yet I have not lost my Courage and when my Limbs can fight no longer the heat of my Spirits shall consume you besides an Honourable Death I far prefer before a baffled Life Sir said he I come not to move your Anger but your Pity the Sorrows I am in for the Injuries I have done you being extream great and if you will be pleased to take me into your Favour and assist me by giving my Wife your Neece leave to claim the Laws of Marriage and Right to me all my Life shall be studious to return Gratitude Duty and Service to you Yes answered he to divulge her Disgrace declaring your neglect in an open Court and to make my self a Knave to break my Promise Sir said the Duke your Disgrace by me is not so much as you apprehend but it will be a great Disgrace when it is known the Vice-Roy refuses her as I can shew you his hand to it and if he deserts your Neece you are absolved of your Promise made to him and to let you know this is a Truth here is his Hand The whilst the old Gentleman was reading the Papers the Vice-Roy comes in O Sir said he you are timely come Is this your Hand says he Yes answered the Vice-Roy And do you think it is honourably done said the Gentleman Why said the Vice-Roy Would you have me marry another Man's Wife Well said the old Gentleman when your Vice-Roy-ship is out as it is almost I will give you my Answer till then fare you well But the Duke went to the young Lady and told her the progress he had had with her Unkle and his Anger to the Vice-Roy After the old Gentleman's Passion was abated towards the Duke by his humble submission and the Passion enflamed towards the Vice-Roy he hearkned to the Law Suit being most perswaded by his Neece's Affection which he perceived was unalterably placed upon the Duke And at last advising all three together they thought it sit since the Parties must plead their own Cause to conceal their Agreements and to cover it by the Duke's seeming dissent lest he should be convicted as a Breaker of the known Laws and so be liable to punishment either by the hazzard of his Life or the price of a great Fine Being thus agreed of all sides the Law-suit was declared which was a business of discourse to all the Kingdom and the place of Judicature a meeting for all curious inquisitive and idle People When the day of hearing was come there was a Barr set out where the Duke
or rather resolution for Love is obstinate and if it finds not a like return but a neglect grows spightful rather wishing evil to what they love than another should enjoy what they would have and hate themselves out of a displeasure in not having what they desire So did he and was impatient until he was shipt and gone who steered his course towards the Kingdom of Riches as believing she was sailed towards her own Countrey and resolved he was to find her out or to end his days in the search his Life being a burthen to him without her company Thus Love sailing in the Ship of Imagination on the Ocean of the Mind toss'd on the troubled Waves of discontented Thoughts whilst his Body sailed in the Ship on the Sea cutting the salt Waves they were set on by Pyrates and taken Prisoners so that he was doubly captivated his Soul before now his Body At first they used him but roughly according to their barbarous natures but by degrees his noble Disposition and affable Behaviour got indifferent entertainment It chanced some time after in the sharing of those Prizes they got with him and some others they had got before they fell out and from rude words they fell to ruder blows The Prince apprehending the danger that might befall to himself strove to pacifie them giving them such Reasons in elegant words that it charmed their Ears and softned their Hearts and ended the strife amongst them and begot from them such love and respect that they made him their Albitrator and Divider of the Spoils which he performed with that Justice and Discretion to each one that they made him their Governour and chief Ruler over them which Power he used with that Clemency and Wisdom that he was 〈◊〉 father as their God than their Captain giving him all Ceremonious Obedience And thus reigning in his Watry Kingdom with his three-forked Trident we leave him for a time and visit the old Man and adopted Son who now began to grow weary of their Divine Honours and like wise Men that seek a retired and secured life from the Pomp of dangerous Glories bethought themselves how they might get away and to return into their own Countreys again for an humble and mean Cottage is better beloved by the Owner than the bravest and stateliest Palace if it be another's Thus putting their Designs in execution they invited the King and People to a solemn Meeting in the Temple where Travelia standing in his usual place thus spake THE Gods said he will have us to return from whence we came and to you Great King their Command is To love your People and to distribute Justice amongst them guarding the Innocent punishing the Offendor and not to use any cruel Ceremony to destroy your own Kind but to instruct them in the Right and to lead them into the ways of Truth as being their High-Priest amongst them Also To make as Warrs against your Neighbouring Kingdoms but as a defence and guard to your own for in Peace lives Happiness when Warrs bring Ruin and Destruction and in doing this Tranquillity shall be as a Bed of Ease for Life to sleep on and Length of Days as a Chariot for Life to ride in to Heaven where your Souls shall dwell in the height of Bliss And in this World Fame shall Crown your Deeds and your Posterity shall glory in your Name And to you beloved People the Gods command Piety in your Devotion Obedience to your King Love to your Neighbour Mercy to your Enemies Constancy to your Friends Liberty to your Slaves Care and Industry for your Children Duty to your Parents and in doing this Plenty shall flow in amongst you Mirth shall dance about you Pleasures shall invite you Delight shall entertain you Peace shall keep you safe till the Gods call you to partake of the Glories of Heaven and my Prayers shall always be That Jove may preserve you all Then going off from the place where he stood they went to the King to take their leaves whereat the King and People wept and wish'd the Gods had given them leave to dwell amongst them But since they could not have their desire therein they travelled to the River-side in attendance on them offering them great Riches to carry with them But they desired nor took they any more with them than they thought would defray their charges in a time of necessity Neither did they build a new Ship to sail in but went in the same Boat they came which had been kept as a Relick safe for the old Man considered with himself that a bigger Vessel would be more dangerous without Sea-men than the small Boat which they could manage themselves And so with great sorrow of either side the one to lose their Angels as they thought them to be the others for the dangers they were to run through And thus they parted from the Kingdom of Fancy putting forth their Boat from the shore the old Man who was very skilful at Sea observing what Angle they came in returned the same way where after six days they were upon the Main Sea the Winds being fair and the Waters smooth the Boat went as swift as an Arrow out of a Parthian's Bow and as even as if it meant to hit a Mark but if by a fresh Gale the Waves did chance to rise the Boat would as nimbly skip each ridg as a young Kid over a green Hillock being as leight as Mercury's winged Heels So Joy filled their Hearts with Hopes as Winds filled their Sails But various Fortune causing several changes in the World did raise such Storms of Fears as drowned all their Joys for a Ship fraughted with Pyrates like a great Whale seized on them Pyrates let nothing escape which they can get to make advantage of so ravenous is their covetous Appetite But finding not such a Prize as they did expect but such as might rather prove a burthen consulted to put the old Man into the Boat again and to keep only the young Youth whom being very handsom they might sell for a Slave and get a Sum of Money But when the old Man was to depart Travelia clasped about him so close that his Tears and the Tears of the old Man mix'd and joined and flowed as Waters through a Channel swell'd with several Brooks But when he was forced to leave his hold down on his kness he fell begging he might go or keep his Father there Pity said he my Father's Age Cast him not out alone to sail on the wide and dangerous Sea for though my Help is weak yet I am a Stay and Staff for his decayed Life to lean upon and I hope the Gods have destin'd me to that end but if no pity can move your Hearts for Him O let it do it for Me Cut me not from the Root though old and dry For then poor Branch I wither shall and dye Nay said he I will dye when I can no longer help him
Travelia was with her he grew so jealous that had not Honour forbid him having past his word unto her they should all there be safe he should not have let him live to have been his Rival In the mean time the Messenger had caused the Prince to repair to the Court who was much troubled how to behave himself for said he in his thoughts if I should make my self known unto my Mistress she will straight convey away her self either by death or stealth and if I go disguised although I may make the reason known unto the King yet the Court will talk and think it is for some ill design against the State so bring an aspersion upon my Loyalty Thus musing a long time with himself at last he thought it best for to take counsel of the King and being come to him the King with great joy embraced him saying O my Friend thy Company is a Kingdom to me He humbly kissing his hand said He thought Fortune was so much his Enemy as that she had shut him out of his Royal Favour But Sir said he it was none of my fault I did not win for the Gods Jupiter Mars and the rest are such Lovers of the fair Mortal-Females that they will never be against them for wheresoever they are Victory is there also The King thinking he meant it of the Queen told him how unkindly she used him and how he perceived she loved the young General even to a dotage and withall asking his counsels what he should do he smiling yet sighing said O Sir said he there is no cause to fear for that Person you do suspect is a Woman which I believe the Queen knows not Then he told him all the story of his Love and all the several accidents thereupon and ask'd his advice what he should do The King was overjoyed at his relations discovering she was a Woman and his joy gave so many several Advices that the number confused the Counsel and confounded the Choice But while they were thus talking a Messenger came to the Prince which brought him Letters from his own Countrey by Merchants that were lately come in that his Wife was dead for although they knew not where he was yet they sent Letters into several Countreys in hope some might light into his hands which when he heard his Doubts were turned into Hopes With that the King and he embraced with joy making no question now but Cupid was turned their Friend and that he would shoot two Golden Arrows into their Mistresses Hearts from the Forts of their Affections The time being come when the King and Queen and the Councellors of both should meet about the Peace they being all set ready to treat the King entreated the Queen she would give him leave that the Prince might be one of his Council which said he without your own consent he shall not be since he hath been your Prisoner She told the King He was not bound to her since she had given him a Release and your Councellors are to be chosen by your self and not by me After her answer he sent for him who came being not disguised but as he was himself and Travelia looking upon his face as he was coming in and seeing the Man she most did fear she fell into a swound at which accident the Queen being extreamly afflicted thinking it was done by some design wrought from the jealousie of the King broke up the Juncto for that time taking all the care she could for his recovery But Travelia being recovered out of her swound was still sick in Mind though not in Body and kept her Bed as if she had been very ill Whereupon the Queen's suspition was more encreased and fear'd some Poyson had been given him and with that conceit could not endure to see the King The King being much troubled that the Queen was more severe to him than she was used to be and perceiving that it was Travelia that was the cause complained unto the Prince and with seeminganger said merrily Dispose of your Mistress some way for I am jealous said he although she be a Woman Sir said the Prince I have as much reason to be jealous of the Queen as you have of my Mistress setting her Masculine Habit aside At last they did agree to discover her to the Queen Whereupon the Prince went to the Queen and desired her by a Messenger to grant him half an hours Conference She desired to be excused He sent her word It was something concerning his own Affairs Whereupon she gave him admittance When the Prince came to her he said Madam I should not press thus rudely on your thoughts but that I think I am part of the cause that makes them melancholy Sir said she You take upon you to know much for it is hard to know the Mind or Thoughts of our selves much less of others Madam said he I will be so presumptuous to guess at them if you will give me leave Take it said she Then Madam said he I must tell you You are in love and the Person you love although most excellent yet cannot return such love as you desire for you have placed your Affection upon a Woman who hath concealed her Sex in taking the Habit of a Man and hath more confirm'd your mistake by the actions of a Soldier I know not said the Prince how kind you have found her but I have found her cruel Then told her the story from the first time he saw her until that present When the Queen had heard his relation her Colour came and went moved by her mix'd Passions Anger and Love angry that she was deceived yet still did love and wish'd she had been a Man Then the Prince began to move unto her the Suit of the King But she was so impatient and troubled in her Mind being crost in her Love that she would hear nothing concerning Love more at that time Which he perceiving took his leave for the present But as soon as he was gone Tears from her Eyes flow'd out as if they meant To make her there a Watry Monument And her oppressed Heart such sighs sent forth Like Gusts of Wind that blow from South or North. After this furious Storm a Calm did rise Her Spirits like a still smooth Water lyes Then laying down her gentle Head to rest Thus to the God of Love her Prayers addrest Thou powerful God of Love that shoots from high One Leadden Arrow in my Breast let flye To quench that scorching Heat thou mad'st to burn Unless a Woman to a Man can turn With that the God of Love did pity take Quench'd out the first and did a new Fire make Yet was it weak as being made but new But being kindled it much hotter grew At last the Flame got hold upon the King Which did much Joy unto each Kingdom bring After a sweet and refreshing sleep she rose and went to Travelia's Chamber and told her how she was discovered
Then chiding her gently for not making her self known unto her said that she had caused her many unquiet rests But Travelia begged her pardon telling her it was the cause of her misfortunes that concealed her and not out of any evil design she had to deceive her Then desired her assistance and help to secure her Whilst they were thus talking the King and the Prince came to see the sick Person to whom the Queen with a smiling-countenance said She was courting her hard-hearted Lover The King answered That he hoped she would take pity on him by what she had felt her self The Queen told him She was likelier to love him now than if she had never been a Lover before for said she there is something pleasing in Lovers Thoughts be their Fortunes never so adverse and I believe said she the Prince will say as much Madam said he It is a pleasing-pain as being mix'd with Hopes and Fears but if our Hopes do cease all Pleasure is gone and nothing doth remain but Pains of Hell Then said the Queen your Mistress should be in a sad condition if she loved you as you seem to love her you being a Married-Man No said the Prince I am now a Widower but I doubt said he that doth not advantage me in my Mistress's affection But when Travelia heard he was a Widower her Heart did beat like a Feverish Pulse being moved with several Passions fearing it was not so hoping it was so joying if it were so grieving that she ought not to wish it so But the Queen asked the Prince How that he came to know of it Whereupon he told her She said I have promised your Mistress to protect her against your outragious Assaults but since your Suit is just and your Treaty civil I will yeeld her to you upon that condition you carry her not out of my Kingdom for since I cannot marry her and so make her my Husband I will keep her if I can and so make her my Friend With that Travelia rises up in her Bed and bowed her self with a pleased countenance giving the Queen thanks The Prince said You have given me as much as the Gods could give which is Felicity Madam said the King You have given me nothing The Queen with Blushes answered That if her Council would agree she would give him her self The King for joy kneeled down and kiss'd her Hand Now said he I am like to the Gods they can but have their wish Thus passing that day in pleasing-discourses the next day they caused their Councils to meet where they concluded the Marriage of the King and Queen and that the Queen should live with their King in the Kingdom of Amours and that her first Son should be Heir to the Crown and her second should be Heir to the Kingdom of Amity but in case there were no Sons or but one then Daughters should inherit In the mean time the Prince and his Princess that was to be should be Vice-Roy or rather that she should rule who was so beloved of the People as if she had not only been a Native born but as if she had been born from the Royal Stock But they thought it fit she should make her self known unto the Army by word of mouth that she was a Woman otherwise they might think she was made away by a violent Death and that the report of being a Woman was only a trick to deceive them and from thence arise such a Mutiny as might bring a ruin to both Kingdoms When all was agreed they prepared for the Marriages In the mean time Travelia goeth to the Army attended by the Prince where the King and Queen came soon after that the Soldiers might see they were there as Witnesses of what she told them And being all in a Circle round about her she being upon a place raised for that purpose thus spake Noble Friends and Valiant Soldiers I Am come here at this present to declare I am a Woman although I am habited like a Man and perchance you may think it immodesty but they that will judg charitably will enquire the Reason before they give their Censure for Upright Judges never give Sentence before they examine Wherefore I believe you will not condemn me because Necessity did enforce me to conceal my Sex to protect my Honour for as the love of Soul and Body is inseparable so should the love of Chastity and the Feminine Sex and who can love and not share in danger And since no danger ought to be avoided nor Life considered in respect of their Honours and to guard that safe from Enemies no Habit is to be denied for it is not the outward Garment that can corrupt the honest Mind for Modesty may clothe the Soul of a naked Body and a Sword becomes a Woman when it is used against the Enemies of her Honour for though her strength be weak yet she ought to shew her good will and to dye in the defence of Honour is to live with Noble Fame and therefore neither Camp nor Court nor City nor Countrey nor Danger nor Habit nor any worldly Felicity must separate the love of Chastity and our Sex for as Love is the sweetest so it is the strongest of all Passions and true Love proceeds from Virtue not from Vice wherefore it is to be followed by Life and to be maintained till Death And if I have served my Queen honestly condemn not my Modesty Then she bowed her Head down low first to the King and Queen then to the Army Whereupon the Army gave a shout and cryed out Heaven bless you of what Sex soever you be After she had spoke this Speech she went into her Tent and drest her self in her Woman's Robes and came out again and standing in the same place thus spake Noble Friends THUS with my Masculine Clothes I have laid by my Masculine Spirit yet not so but I shall take it up again if it be to serve the Queen and Kingdom to whom I owe my Life for many Obligations First To my Queen who bought me as a Slave yet used me as a Friend and loved me with that Affection as if Nature had linked us in one Line for which Heaven reward her with Glory and Renown Besides her Love did bestow upon me great Honour made me Protector of her Kingdom in her absence and you her Subjects out of Loyalty obeyed all my Commands although I am young and unexperienced And 't is not only what your Loyalty enforces but I have found your Affections of Love to be such as it shewed they came freely from your Souts expressing it self in grieving for my Sickness taking care for my Health joying in my Company mourning for my Absence glorying in my Fame in so much as you would lessen your own to give it me What shall I do to shew my Gratitude Alas my Life is too poor a Sacrifice Had I the Mansion of the Gods I would resign it for your
they asked her What course of life was best for Age to live She said Piously temperately soberly easily peaceably pleasantly and sagely to be Pious in serving the Gods duly and to be Compassionate and Charitable for the Aged many times seem as if they were tired in the Service of the Gods making their Age a lazy excuse for their omissions And Age having the Experience of the changes of Fortune the accidents of Chance the Miseries and Cruelties in Nature and the Havocks and Spoils Death makes grow hard-hearted for as Time hardens a tender Plant with the growth so Custom hardens a tender Heart with frequency As also having observed the false Natures the malicious Dispositions the subtil Designs the Self-ends the cruel Actions in the generality of Mankind they are apt to censure mistrust and condemn all which makes their Charity cold and Assistance slow They should be Bountiful for Age seeing the many Miserie 's that Poverty brings and the Power that Riches hath become oft-times so covetous and so sparing that they become miserable making their Stores their Prisons their Gold their Shackles lashing themselves with the Rods of Scarcity and Inconveniency and though their Blood streams not through a porous skin yet are their Veins shrunk up and dry within they feed on Thoughts as Lovers do and their Gold is their Mistress admiring it as the fairest of Nature's Works worship it as a Deity believe all happiness lives therein and good is produced thereby But those that have a generous Soul by Nature and have been accustomed to relieve by Practice encrease in Humanity Compassion Charity and Liberality as in years also their Love and Piety is fuller of Fervencies and though the Lamp of their Life is blinking yet the Flames of their Zeal are more clear for as their Oil of Life wasts their Oil of Devotions encreases continually pouring in Glory Praises and Thanksgiving Likewise said she Age should live soberly and temperately As for Temperance said she Age is a Distemper in it self and therefore they should have a greater care in ordering themselves but some are so far from patching the Ruins of Time or propping or upholding a sagging sinking Life that they make the rents greater and pull down the Building sooner than Nature intended disturbing their bodily rest and peaceable mind by their unseasonable Hours and unnecessary Cares as also by their unwholsome Diets and disordered Appetites which weakens Nature and disturbs Health more than otherwise they would be But those that are prudently wise survey themselves and industriously maintain Life in as good Repairations as they can placing shelters before it or laying covers upon it to defend and keep it from boisterous Storms and nipping Colds Likewise they repair it with nourishing Food comfortable Cordials and quiet Rest which makes them appear like a famous Monument or an ancient Palace whose stately Structure cannot be buried in the Ruins They should also live soberly gravely and reservedly for an aged Body with a vain Mind fantastical Humours extravagant Actions apish Behaviours and idle Discourses suit not well together they appear both uncomely undecently and unnaturally for Can there be any thing vainer than for Age to rant and swagger brag and boast or to be vain-glorious or Can there be any thing more phantastical than for Age to be inconstant and various pining and spightful gossipping and thwarting amorous and wanton And can there be more phantasticalness than for Age to be fooling and toying sporting and playing dancing and singing flanting and revelling posting and travelling searching and seeking sharking and fawning crouching and creeping Or Can there be more apishness than to see Age full of imitation as to affect a dancing jetting strutting stragling gait a pruning jointing wreathing rowling posture a simpring fleering jeering mopping mewing Countenance or leering fleering winking gloting Eyes And what can be idler than to hear Age talk lasciviously buffoonly impertinently falsly amorously vain-gloriously maliciously factiously and wickedly But sober Age hath a setled Mind quiet Thoughts well governed Passions temperate Appetites noble Resolutions honest Designs prudent Actions rational Discourses and Majestical Behaviours For an easie life said she Age should shun all troublesome Offices painful Employments tedious Travellings long Speeches impertinent Talkers hard Couches uneasie Garments sharp Colds burning Heats also Surfeits or unpleasant or loathsome Meats or Drinks for it were better to dye than live in pain and the infirmities of Age is pain enough without any addition to encrease them Likewise Age should strive to live a peaceable life as neither to hear Quarrels or make Quarrels or be a Party in Quarrels or quarrelsome business should abate all turbulent Passions restless Cares endless Desires vexing Thoughts It should also avoid all Clamours or mournful Noises cruel dreadful or pitiful Objects they should forgive Injuries freely suffer Injuries patiently submit to Power willingly or at least readily for Life is a torment when Peace is banished and to have an unquiet Life a troubled Mind joined with a weak Body would be as bad as Hell's torments The last is To have a pleasant Life for Age being apt to be melancholy it ought to please it self to divert its saddest Thoughts and raise its drooping Spirits Besides Age hath most reason to please it self having by nature the shortest while to live and they are most unwise that make not the best use or take not the most profit of Time But some may say That Age cannot take pleasure by reason that Pleasure lives in the Senses and the Senses which are the Strings Organs or Pipes of Pleasure are broke or out of tune and the Mind they will say is subject to ruinous Time as much as the Body and Senses for Knowledg which is the Foundation thereof and Understanding the Building thereon and Memory the Doors thereto and Remembrance the Windows therein is apt to decay which forceth the Inhabitant which is Delight to forsake its Mansion But I speak not to those that are so old or so infirm as to be past thinking as it were for those are but breathing-Carcasses not living-Men but I speak to such whose Knowledg is more and Understanding clearet by Time's Experience for though the Body hath a fixt time to arrive to a perfect growth and perfection yet the Mind hath not for the Mind can never know nor understand so much that it might not know and understand more neither hath Time such a Tyrannical Power over the Mind as over the Body Wherefore said she the Mind may have delight when the Body is past Pleasures and the Thoughts which are the Children of the Mind may have more various Pastimes and Recreations to delight them than the Senses can have Varieties of Substance to work Pleasures out of for they can create Delight in themselves which the Senses cannot for they become dull and grow as dead when they have nothing to work on When the Thoughts are like Spiders or Silk-worms that can spin out
melancholy words all hopes do vail As Golden dust on written lines strewn were Your written lines seem sprinkled with a Tear As by the Heat of Passion spread about For fear that Cruelty should blot it out But let me tell you That my love is such As never Lover loved half so much And with so fervent Zeal and purest Flame Nay something above Love that wants a Name For to express it like to Gods on high For who can comprehend a Deity And though I honour all your Sex yet my Having another Mistress I deny Besides your self and though I do obey To visit the fair Princess nothing say Concerning Love nor yet Professions make As common Lovers promise for her sake Wonders and yet my Life to her will give To do her service but whilst I do live My Heart and Soul is yours and when I dye Still will my Soul keep yours in company Though by Honour my active life is bound Unto your Sex you only will be found Within my Heart and only Love to be From whence my Brain doth Copies take of thee On which my Soul doth view with much delight Because the Soul sees not with vulgar sight For Souls do see not as the Senses do But as transparent Glass the Minds quite through Or rather as the Gods see all that 's past Present or what 's to come or the World vast Or what can be all unto them is known And so are Souls to one another shown And if our Souls do equally agree Our Thoughts and Passions to each known will be But after this Letter they both did get An opportunity by which they met No Complemental-wooing they did use True Love all flattering words it doth refuse But they agreed and both did think it fit Their love to hide not to discover it At last the Queen and Father did agree The Prince and Princess straight should married be Ne're made a question for they doubted not But Youth and Beauty had each other shot With Amorous Loves But when the Prince made known How that his heart was now none of his own His Father seem'd with trouble discontent But the enraged Queen with malice bent Did strive all ways she could for to disgrace The sweet young Lady oft disprais'd her Face Her Person Dress Behaviour and her Wit And for to match with such a Prince not fit The Prince's love so firm no words could break Impatiently did hear but little speak But the Princess heard the Prince to be A Lover to another then did she Tear rail and rave as if she frantick were And of her Rival words she would not spare One day a Company of Nobles met And in a Room they were together set The Prince and his Fair Mistress she did spy And often at them cast a spightful Eye At last her Malice set a-work her Tongue And at the Prince she evil words out flung Which he receiv'd with a submissive face Turning those scorns as favours of her grace But when she had with Scorns his Patience try'd She for to vent her Spleen in Passion cry'd Some of the Company there jesting by The other Lady ask'd if she would cry She answer made she had not the like cause Nor had she broke the Modest Civil Laws But if her Passion had misled her Tongue She would have wept to water or else flung Her self to dust for want of moisture dye Unless her life could issue through her eye But when the Prince perceiv'd such storms to rise And showring tears to fall from beauteous eyes He did absent himself and shun'd to be A trouble to the Princess Company But when the Queen had try'd all means she could To alter his affections nothing would She then their Marriage strove for to prevent And to the Army she the Prince soon sent Then order gave Not to return again But with the Army there for to remain He to his Mistress went his leave to take Perswading her a Journey she would make Unto the Army and there to agree When they should meet straight-way married be At last she did resolve to leave the Court And privately with great speed to transport Her Person to the Prince where he was gone For ne're till then she found her self alone When the Army began for to retire To Winter-Quarters he did there desire His Mistress Company and then did write To those he had entrusted how they might Convey her safely but by some mistake The Queen had means this his Letter to take Which when she read all in a rage she grew And then his Letter into the fire she threw Which when sh' had told her Neece they both did strive And both in Council sate for to contrive To hinder her wish'd-meeting wherefore they Did think it best the Lady to convey Unto some private place and then give out That she was dead which soon was spread about And every one in censuring spent some breath And most did judg she dy'd a violent death But the Queen's anger only would destroy Their Loves because her Neece then should enjoy The Prince on whom her heart in love was set And us'd all means she could his love to get But though at first they thought the Prince might mourn Yet when his grief had been by time out-worn He then might take the Princess for his Wife Concealing the young Lady all her life And though they did not murther her yet they Did strive to grieve and cross her every way Wherefore they did agree that some should tell Her that the Prince in Battel fell The report of her death spread far and near And at last came unto the Prince his ear The news struck him so hard as it did make His strength grow weak and all his limbs to shake But when his strength return'd his mind sad grew And from all company himself withdrew No Orders he would give but left the care Of all the Army to an Officer And from th' Army without the Queen's consent He did return and to his Father went And told him he all worldly things did wave Had buri'd them all in his Mistress Grave And the remainder of his days would spend In holy Devotion his Prayers would send Unto the Gods and my dear Saint said he Will be a Mediator there for me His Father did disswade him all he could But all in vain a Hermit be he would Instead of Palaces he chose a Cell Left Courts and Camps did solitary dwell Instead of Clothes that rich and costly were He wore a Garment made of Camel's hair Instead of Arms a Hermit's Habit took And for a Sword he us'd a Prayer-book Instead of treading Measures in a dance And wanton Eyes that oft would side-ways glance His knees upon hard stone did bowing bend And his sad Eyes unto the Earth descend Instead of flattering words to tempt Maids fair No words did speak but what were us'd in Prayer All wild wandring thoughts were now compos'd And the dead
his Service did address His Love by Words and Letters did express Though she seem'd Coy his Love she did not slight But Civil Answers did in Letters write At last so well acquainted they did grow That but one Heart each other's Thoughts did know Mean time their Parents did their Love's descry And sought all ways to break that Unity Forbad each other's company frequent Did all they could Love's Meetings to prevent But Love regards not Parents nor their Threats For Love the more 't is barr'd more Strength begets Thus being cross'd by stealth they both did meet And Privacy did make their Love more sweet Although their Fears did oft affright their Mind Lest that their Parents should their Walks out-find Then in the Kingdom did Rebellion spring Most of the Commons fought against their King And all the Gentry that then Loyal were Did to the Standard of the King repair Amongst the rest this Noble Youth was one Love bade him stay but Honour spurr'd him on When he declar'd his Mind her Heart it rent Rivers of Tears out of her Eyes grief sent And every Tear like Bullets pierc'd his Breast Scatter'd his Thoughts and did his Mind molest Silent long time they stood at last spake he Why doth my Love with Tears so torture me Why do you blame my Eyes said she to weep Since they perceive you Faith nor Promise keep For did you love but half so true as I Rather than part you 'ld chuse to stay and dye But you Excuses make and take delight Like cruel Thieves to rob and spoil by Night Now you have stole my Heart away you run And leave a silly Virgin quite undone If I stay from the Warrs what will Men say They 'l say I make excuse to be away By this Reproach a Coward I am thought And my Disgrace will make you seem in fault To set your Love upon a Man so base Bring Infamy to us and to our Race To sacrifice my Life for your content I would not spare but Dear in this consent 'T is for your sake Honour I strive to win That I some Merit to your Worth may bring She. If you will go let me not stay behind But take such Fortune with you as I find I 'le be your Page attend you in the Field When you are weary I will hold your Shield He. Dear Love that must not be for Women are Of tender Bodies and Minds full of Fear Besides my Mind so full of Care will be For fear a Bullet should once light on thee That I shall never fight but strengthless grow Through feeble Limbs be subject to my Foe When thou art safe my Spirits high shall raise Striving to get a Victory of Praise With sad Laments these Lovers did depart Absence as Arrows sharp doth wound each Heart She spends her time to Heaven-high doth pray That Gods would bless and safe conduct his way The whilst he fights and Fortune's Favour had Fame brings this Honour to his Mistress sad All Cavaliers that in the Army were There was not one could with this Youth compare By Love his Spirits all were set on fire Love gave him Courage made his Foes retire But O ambitious Lovers how they run Without all guidance like Apollo's Son Run out of Moderation's Line so he Did through the thickest of the Army flee Singly alone amongst the Squadrons deep Fighting sent many one with Death to sleep But Numbers with united strength at last This Noble Gallant Man from Horse did cast His Body all so thick of wounds was set Safety it seems in fight he did forget But not his Love who in his Mind still lyes He wish'd her there to close his dying-Eyes Soul said he if thou wandrest in the Air Thy Service to my Mistress by thy care Attend her close with her Soul Friendship make Then she perchance no other Love may take But if thou sink down to the Shades below And being a Lover to Elyzium go Perchance my Mistress Soul you there may meet So walk and talk in Love's Discourses sweet But if thou art like to a Light put out Thy Motion 's ceas'd then all 's forgot no doubt With that a sigh which from his Heart did rise Did mount his Soul up to the Airy Skies The whilst his Mistress being sad with care Her Knees were worn imploring Gods with Prayer A Drowsie Sleep did all her Senses close But in her Dreams Fancy her Lover shows With all his Wounds which made her loud to cry Help help you Gods said she that dwell on high These fearful Dreams her Senses all did wake In a cold sweat with fear each Limb did shake Then came a Messenger as pale as Death With panting sides swoln eyes and shortned breath And by his looks his sadder Tale did tell Which when she saw straight in a swoun she fell At last her stifled Spirits had recourse Unto their usual place but of less force Then lifting up her Eyes her Tongue gave way And thus unto the Gods did mourning say Why do we pray and offer to high Heaven Since what we ask is seldom to us given If their Decrees are fix'd what need we pray Nothing can alter Fates nor cross their way If they leave all to Chance who can apply For every Chance is then a Deity But if a Power they keep to work at will It shews them cruel to torment us still When we are made in Pain we always live Sick Bodies Grieved Minds to us they give With Motions which run cross compos'd we are Which makes our Reason and our Sense to jar When they are weary to torment us must We then return and so dissolve to Dust But if I have my Fate in my own Power I will not breathe nor live another hour Then with the Gods I shall not be at strife If my Decree can take away my Life Then on her feeble Legs she straight did stand And took a Pistol charg'd in either hand Here Dear said she I give my heart to thee And by my Death divulg'd our Loves shall be Then Constant Lovers Mourners be when dead They 'l strew our Graves which is our Marriage-Bed Upon our Hearse a weeping-Poplar set Whose moistning-drops our Death's-dri'd Cheeks may wet Two Cypress Garlands at our Head shall stand That were made up by some fair Virgin 's hand And on our cold pale Corps such Flowers strow As hang their Heads for grief and downward grow Then shall they lay us deep in quiet Grave Wherein our Bones long Rest and Peace may have Let no Friends Marble-Tombs erect upon Our Graves but set young Mirtle-trees thereon Those may in time a shady Grove become Fit for sad Lovers Walks whose Thoughts are dumb For Melancholy Love seeks place obscure No Noise nor Company it can endure And when to ground they cast a dull sad Eye Perhaps they 'l think on us who therein lye Thus though w' are dead our Memory remains And like a Ghost may
than life Thought to be happy in a VVife But O Suspition that false Thief Seiz'd on my Thoughts ruling as Chief Suspition Malice Spight commanded still To carry false Reports thy Ears to fill My jealousie did strive thee to torment And glad to hear when thou wast discontent I strove always my love for to disguise ' T was said I married was when all were lies But Jealousie begets all actions base And in the Court of Honour hath no place Forgive me Soul where ever thou dost rest For of all VVomen I did love thee best Here I do offer up my life to thee Both dead we in one Grave may buried be Swifter than Lightning straight his Sword he drew Upon the Point himself he desperate threw And to his panting Breast made such dispatch That I no help could bring on hold could catch Turning his pale and ghastly eyes to me Mix both our ashes in one Urn said he With that he fell close by his Mistress side Embrac'd and kist and groan'd and there he dy'd Which when I saw I drest my Clothes put on To celebrate their Funeral-Rites alone First I did lay a heap of Cypress dry With striking Flints I made a fire thereby Laid both their Bodies thereupon to burn Which in short time did into ashes turn And being mixt I took them thence away And digg'd a Grave those ashes in to lay Then did I gather Cockle-shells though small With art I strove to build a Tomb withall Placing some on others in even Lays Others join'd close till I a Tomb did raise And afterwards I planted Myrtle green Where Turtle-Doves are daily building seen And there young Nightingals come every Spring To celebrate their Fames do sit and sing A Merry Lass amongst the rest Began her Tale and thus exprest A Master was in love with his fair Maid But of his scolding Wife was sore afraid For she in every place would watch and pry And peep through every Key-hole to espy And if she found them out aloud would call And cry she was undone her Maid had all Her Husband's love for she had none sh' was sure Wherefore this life she never would endure But he did woo his Maid still by his eye She apprehensive understood thereby And oft would find some work to come in place Because her Master should behold her Face Excuses make that business she had great Her business was her Master for to meet With pretty smiles she trips it by And on him casts a kind-coy eye To all the House besides would seem demure Oft singing Psalms as if she were right pure Repeating Scripture sigh turn up her eyes As if her Soul straight flew unto the Skies And that her Body were as chast cold Ice And she were only fit for Paradice Though her words were precise her thoughts were not She with her Master Scripture quite forgot She then a Goddess was prayed unto Her Master did as Priests with Offering woo Her Mistress like to Juno fret and frown'd When that her Husband and her Maid she found And in the Clouds of Night would seek about Sometimes she mist them sometimes found them out But when she did Lord what a noise was there How Jove and she did thunder in the air She with an Ishmael big away was sent Like unto Hagar out of doors she went Where he like Abraham good a Bottle ty'd And gave her Means for the Child to provide Whereat her Mistress angry was and cry'd And wisht her Maid like Ishma'l might have dy'd Another man amongst the rest Said they their Tales bad well exprest BUT they that study much and seldom speak For want of use of words are far to seek Their Tongue is like a rusty Key grown rough Which hardly turns so do their words come forth Or like an Instrument that lies unstrung Till it be tun'd cannot be plaid upon For Custom makes the Tongue both smooth quick And moving oft no words thereon will stick Like to a flowing-Tide makes its own way Runs smooth or clear without a stop or stay That makes a Lawyer plead well at the barr Because he talks there four parts of the year That makes Divines in Pulpits well to preach Because so often they the People teach But those that use to contemplate alone May have fine thoughts good words t' express they none Good language they express in black and white Although they speak it not yet well they write Much thoughts keep back the words from running out The tongue 's ti'd up the sluce is stopt no doubt For Fancy's quick and flies such several ways For to be drest in words it seldom stays Fancy is like an Eele so slippery glides Before the tongue takes hold away it slides Thus he that seldom speaks is like to those That travelling their Mother-tongues do lose Now says a Lady that was sitting by Pray let your rusty Tongue with silence lye And listen to the Tale that I shall tell Mark the Misfortunes that to them befell A Description of Love and Courage A Gentleman was riding all about As in a Progress he chanc'd to spy out Growing upon a rising-Hill a Wood In midst whereof a little House there stood It was but small yet was it wondrous fine As if 't were builded for the Muses Nine The Platform was so well contriv'd that there Was ne're a piece of ground lay waste or spare This House was built of pure rich Marble-stone And Marble-Pillars wholly stood upon So smooth 't was polish'd as like Glass it show'd Which gave reflection to the Wood there grow'd Those Trees upon the Walls seem'd painted green Yet every Leaf thereon was shaking seen The Roofs therein were arch'd with artful skill Which over-head hung like a hanging-Hill And there a man himself might entertain With his own words rebounding back again The doors to every room were very wide And men like Statues carv'd on either side And in such lively postures made they were They seem'd like Guards or Porters waiting there The winding-Stairs rising without account Of any steps up to the top did mount It on the Head a Cap of Lead did wear Like to a Cardinal's Cap 't was made four-square But flat it was close to the Crown did lye From Cold and Heat it kept it warm and dry And in the midst a Tower plac'd on high Like to Ulysses Monster with one eye But standing there did view through windows out On every side fine Prospects all about When that his eyes were satisfi'd with sight And that his mind was fill'd with such delight He did descend back by another way Chance was his only Guide which did convey Him to a Gallery both large and long Where Pictures by Apelles drawn there hung And at the end a Door half ope half shut Where in a Chamber did a Lady sit To him so beautiful she did appear She seem'd an Angel not a Mortal here Cloth'd all in white she was and from her Head Her
Hair hung down and on her Shoulders spread And in a Chair she sate a Table by Leaning theron her Head did side-ways lye Upon her Hand the Palm a Pillow made On which being soft her Rosie Cheeks she laid And from her Eyes the Tears in show'rs did fall Upon her Breast sparkling like Diamonds all At last she fetch'd a sigh Heart break said she Gods take my Life or give me Liberty When those words were exprest she was constrain'd He courage took on what she there complain'd And boldly entring in she seem'd afraid He kneeling down askt pardon and thus said Celestial Creature do not think me rude Or want of Breeding made me thus intrude But Fortune me unto this House did bring Whereby a Curiosity did spring From my desires this House to view throughout Seeing such shady Groves to grow about And when I came near to the Gate not one Was there to ask or make opposition The House seem'd empty not a Creature stirring But every Room I entred still admiring The Architect and Structure of each part Those that design'd were skilful in that Art VVandring about at last Chance favouring me Hath brought me to this place where I do see ABeauty far beyond all Art or any That Nature heretofore hath made though many Of all the Sex creates she sweet and fair Yet never any of your Sex so rare This made me stand and gaze amaz'd to see What wondrous glorious things in Nature be But when I heard your words for to express Some grief of heart and wisht for a redress My Soul flew to your service here I vow To Heaven high my life to give to you Not only give my life but for your sake Suffer all Pains Nature or Hell can make Nor are my Proffers for a base Self-end I 'm to your Sex a Servant and a Friend Pure is my Zeal and my Flame being clear Chuse me your Champion and adopt me here If I cannot your Enemy destroy I 'le do my best no rest I will enjoy Because my Fortune Life and Industry I 'le sacrifaice unto thy Liberty When that the Lady heard him speak so free And with such passion and so honestly I do accept your Favour Sir said she For no Condition can be worse to me Than this I now do live in nor can I My Honour hazzard in worse Company VVherefore to your protection I resign Heaven O Heaven prosper this Design But how will you dispose of me pray tell I will said he convey you to a Cell Which is hard by and there will Counsel take What way is best to make a clear escape With that his Riding-Coat which he did wear He pull'd straight off which she put on her Hair She ty'd up short and covered close her Face And in this posture stole out of that place An old ill-natur'd Bawd that did wait on her Being then asleep did never think upon her But when sleep fled awak'd she up did rise Sitting upon her Bed rubbing her eyes That were seal'd up with Matter and with Rheum When that was done she went into the Room VVherein the Lady us'd alone to be Straight missing her cry'd out most piteously Calling the Servants to search all about But they unto a VVake were all gone out The Peasant's Ball is that we call a VVake VVhen Men Maids do dance and love do make And she that danceth best is crown'd as Queen VVith Garlands made of Flow'rs Laurel green Those Men that dance the best have Ribbans ti'd By every Maid that hopes to be a Bride Youth loves these kind of Sports and to a Fayre 'T will venture life rather than not be there Which made the Servants all although not many To be abroad and leave the house for any To enter in which caused this escape And to the Owner brought so much mishap A Lord came galloping as from his Palace With pleasing thoughts thinking alone to solace Himself with his fair Mistress who admired Her Beauty more than Heaven and desired Her Favour more than Jove's her angry words Did wound him more than could the sharpest swords Her Frowns would torture him as on a Rack Muffling his Spirits in melancholy black But if she chanc'd to smile his joys did rise Much higher than the Sun that lights the Skies But riding on the Castle coming nigh The VVoman running 'bout he did descry His heart misgave him with doubts he alighted Asking the reason she was so affrighted She shak'd so much no answer could she make He being impatient unto her thus spake Devil said he what is my Mistress dead Or sick or stole away or is she fled She kneeling down cry'd out O she is gone And I left to your Mercy all-alone With that he tore his hair his breast did beat And all his body in a cold damp sweat Which made his Nerves to slack his Pulse beat slow His strength to fail so weak he could not go But fell upon the ground seeming as dead Until his Man did bear him to a bed For he did only with him one Man bring VVho prov'd himself trusty in every thing But when his diffus'd Spirits he did compose Into a deep sad Melancholy he grows Could neither eat nor drink nor take his rest His thoughts and passions being so opprest At last this Lady and her Noble Guide Got to a place secure yet forc'd to hide Her self a time till such Friends could make That would protect Vertue for Vertue 's sake Because her loving Foe was great in Power Which might a Friendless Innocent devour This Noble Gentleman desir'd to know From what Misfortunes her restraint did grow Willing she was to tell the Gentleman The story of her Life and thus began After my birth my Mother soon did dye Unto my Father leaving a Son and I My Father nor my Brother liv'd not long Then was I left alone and being young My Aunt did take the charge to see me bred To manage my Estate my Brother dead I was the only Child and Heir but she Was married to a Lord of High Degree Who had a Son and that Son had a VVife They disagreed led an unhappy Life VVhen I was grown to sixteen years of age My Aunt did dye her Husband did engage To take the charge and see me well bestow'd And by his tender care great love he show'd But such was my Misfortune O sad Fate He dy'd and left me to his Son's VVife's hate Because this younger Lord grew much in Love VVhich when his VVife by circumstance did prove She sought all means she could to murther me Yet she would have it done with privacy The whilst her amorous Lord fresh Courtships made VVith his best Rhetorick for to perswade My honest Youth to yeeld to his desire My Beauty having set his heart on fire At last considering with my self that I Having a plentiful Estate whereby I might live honourable safe and free Not subject to be betray'd to slavery Then to the
Lady and the Lord I went As a respect I told them my intent The Lady my Design she well approv'd He nothing said but seem'd with passion mov'd But afterwards when I my leave did take He did rejoice as if 't were for my sake And so it was but not unto my good For he with Treachery my ways withstood For as I travell'd he beset me round And forc'd me from my Servants which he found To be not many when he had great store For to assault but my defence was poor Yet were they all disguis'd no Face was shown Such unjust acts desire to be unknown VVhen I was in their power Help help said I You Gods above and hear a VVretch's Cry But no assistance from Heav'n did I find All seem'd as Cruel as the mad Mankind Then he unto the Castle me convey'd The Lord himself discovering thus said Cruellest of thy Sex since no remorse Can soften thy hard heart I 'le use my force Unless your heart doth burn with equal fire Or condescend to what I shall desire I for my own defence 'gainst this abuse Soft flattering words was forced for to use Gently entreating his Patience that I A time might have my heavy heart to try That by perswasions it might entertain Not only Love but return Love again He seem'd well-pleas'd his temper calm did grow VVhich by his smiling-countenance he did show He said If in your Favour I may live A greater blessing Heaven cannot give Then to a VVoman old he gave the charge For to attend but not for to enlarge My Liberty with rules my Life did bind Nothing was free but Thoughts within my Mind Thus did I live some half a year and more And all this while the Gods on high implore For still he woo'd and still I did deny At last h'impatient grew and swore that I Deluded him and that no longer would He be denied but yeeld to him I should With much entreaty I pacifi'd his Mind With words and countenance that seemed kind But Prayers to Heav'n more earnestly I sent With tears and sighs that they would still prevent By their great power his Evil Design Or take away this loathed life of mine Although at first they seem'd to be all deaf Yet now at last they sent me some relief The whilst the Champion Knight with his fair Prize Was struck with Love by her quick-darting Eyes Yet mov'd they so as Modesty did guide Not turning wantonly or leer'd aside Nor did they stern or proudly pierce But gentle soft with sweet commerce And when those Eyes were fill'd with watry streams Seem'd like a Brook gilded with the Sun-beams At last perswading-perswading-Love prevail'd so far As to present his Suit unto her care Fair Maid I love thee and my Love so pure That no corrupted thoughts it can endure My Love is honest my Request is just For one Man's fault do not all Men mistrust I am a Batchelor and you a Maid For which we lawfully may love he said Wherefore dear Saint cast not my Suit aside Chuse me your Husband and be you my Bride I am a Gentleman and have been bred As to my Quality my Father dead Me his Possessions left which are not small Nor yet so great to make me vain withall My Life is yet with an unspotted Fame Nor so obscure not to be known by Name Amongst the best and most within this Land Favours receiv'd yet none like your Command She stood a time as in a musing-thought At last she spake Sir said she you have brought My Honour out of danger and civilly Have entertain'd me with your company For which I owe my life much more my love Should I refuse I should ungrateful prove 'T is not for Wealth that I would marry to Nor outward Honours that my Love can woo But it is Virtue and a Heroick Mind A Disposition sweet noble and kind And such a one I judg you for to be Wherefore I 'le not refuse if you chuse me When they were thus agreed they did repair Unto his House and went to marry there The whilst the Lord the Kingdom all about He privately had sent to search her out At last news came with whom and where she dwelt With that much grief within his heart he felt That any Man should have her in his power He like a Devil could his Soul devour But when he heard the Messenger to say There 's preparation gainst her Wedding-day He grew outragious cursed Heaven and Earth The Marriage of his Parents and his Birth At last he did resolve what e're befell That he would have her though he sank to Hell When he had got a Company together Such as he fed that would go any whither No act they would refuse that he desired Obey'd most desperately what he required Unto his House they went in a disguise Intending then the Lady to surprise But be'ng upon her Wedding-day were there A Company of Guests that merry were This Lord desir'd to part them if he might 'Cause lye together they should not that Night So in they went the Servants all did think Them Maskerades and made them all to drink But when they went into an inward Room Where all were dancing Bride and the Bridegroom The Bride acquainted with that Maskard-sight She ran away as in an extream fright The Bridegroom soon imagin'd what they were And though unarm'd his Courage knew no fear Their Swords they drew aim'd only at his life That done they thought to get away his Wife His Hat and Cloak Arms of Defence did make The Tongs for to assault he up did take The Women scriecht Murther Murther cry'd out The Men flung all the Chairs and Stools about With which they did resist and did oppose For some short time the Fury of his Foes It chanc'd a Sword out of a hand did fall The Bridegroom straight took 't up fought withall So well did manage it and with such skill He many of his Enemies did kill Yet he was wounded sore and out of breath But heat of Courage kept out dull cold Death At last his Friends got Arms to take his part VVho did th' oppression of his Foes divert The Vizzard of the Lord fell off at length VVhich when the Bridegroom saw with vigorous strength He ran upon him with such force that he Struck many down to make his passage free The trembling Bride was almost dead with fear Yet for her Husband had a listening ear At last the noise of Murther did arrive O is he dead said she and I alive With that she run with all her power and might Into the Room her Husband then in fight With her great Enemy and where they stood The Ground was like a foaming Sea of Blood Wounded they were yet was each other's heart So hot with Passion that they felt no smart The Bride did pass and re-pass by their Swords As quick as flashing Lightning and her words Cryed out Desist desist and let me dye
sung her last sad Funeral-Song of Love The Earth grew proud now having so much honour That Odoriferous Corpse lying upon her When that pure Virgin 's Stuff dissolv'd in Dew Was the first cause new Births of Flowers grew And added Sweets to those it did renew The Grosser Parts the Curious soon did take Of it transparent Purslain they did make Her Purer Dust they keep for to refine Best Poets Verse and gild every Line And all Poetick Flames she did inspire So her Name lives in that Eternal Fire A Mock-Tale of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle CUPID Love-birding went his Arrow laid Aiming to hit a young fresh Countrey-Maid Being pur-blind his Arrow it did glance And hit an Old-old Woman there by chance She presently with Love sighs shorter breath Groan'd so as all the Neighbours thought her Death Little she had of feeling nor no ground To guess where Cupid us'd to make the wound A long forgetfulness there was no doubt Of what was Love and all those thoughts worn out At last Love rub'd her Mem'ry up and then She thought some Threescore years ago and ten Was wounded so but then was in her Prime The Surgeon cured her was Father Time But he 's not skilful for Love's wounds all those Though they seem cured yet they 'l never close But break out still again not Winter's cold Will freeze them up nor Age though ne're so old She with Laborious Hands and Idle Breech Us'd to weed Gardens and for her grown rich Some Twenty Pounds she 'd got which she did hide For her great great great Grandchild when a Bride O powerful Love to see thy fatal Curse Now to forget her Noble Race and Purse Enquires out the best Taylors in the Town To make her Wastcoats Petticoats and Gown New Shooes of Shoo-maker she did bespeak And bids him put three-penny-worth of Creak Into the Soles that Dew when them it fills Like Hero's Buskins chirrup through the Bills Hunts Pedlars out and buys fresh Ribbans blew To shew that she is turn'd a Lover true And now those Hands not white as Venus Doves Not to preserve but hide with Dog-skin Gloves Takes keener Nettles up that by her stood To rub her Skin and Cheeks but found no Blood No dangling Tresses there could any find Sister to Time no Locks before behind Yet smooth she was not as the Billiard-ball But bald as it all over you might call When met her Love he thought she smil'd to grace Her self when 't was but wrinkles in her Face And all Love's arts she try'd and oft she met him This lusty young and labouring-man to get him His Poverty with her Purse join'd their hands And so did enter in the Marriage-bands But to describe their sumptuous Marriage Feast Their richer Clothes and every honour'd Guest Their melting Love-Songs softer Musick 's t'uch Are not to be express'd not half so much As you may now imagine all my Skill And fainter Muse too weak nay Virgil's Quill With that description it would blunter grow And Homer's too with all his Furies so They blush'd for shame when saw this lovely Bride Put them all down thus triumphs she in Pride Now after Supper when they were both fed Your Thoughts must go along with them to bed There being laid he mounted now Love's Throne She sigh'd with Love then fetch'd a deeper groan And so expir'd there in height of Pleasure And left him to enjoy her long-got Treasure Nay so belov'd she was that now lies low That all the Women wish'd for to dye so Then came a Lady young that had not been In that Society and coming in They told her she a Tale must pay Or as a Bankrupt she must go away Truly said she I am not rich in Wit Nor do I know what Tales your Humours fit Yet in my young and budding Muse Will draw the Seasons of the Year Like ' Prentice-Painters which do use The same to make their skill appear But Nature is the Hand to guide The Pencil of the Brain and place The Shadows so that they may hide All the Defects or giv 't a grace Phansie Draws Pictures in the Brain Not subject to the outward Sense They are Imaginations vain Yet are they the Life's Quintessence For when Life 's gone yet they will live And to the Life a Fame will give The Tale of the Four Seasons of the Year THE Spring is dress'd in buds blossoms sweet And Grass-green Socks she draws upon her feet Of freshest air a Garment she cuts out With painted Tulips fringed round about And lines it all within with Violets blew And yellow Primrose of the palest hew Then wears an Apron made of Lillies white And lac'd about it is with Rays of Light Cuffs of Narcissus her fair hands do tye Pinn'd close with Stings of Bees which buzzing flye To gather Honey-dew which thereto cleaves And leave their Stings when they do prick the leaves Ribbons of Pinks and Gilliflowers makes Roses both white and red for Knots she takes When she 's thus dress'd the Birds in Love do fall And chirping then do to each other call To sing and hop and merry make And joy'd they are all for the Spring 's sake But of all Birds the Nightingal delights To sing the Spring to bed in warmer Nights Because the Spring at Night draws in her Head Into the Earth for that she makes her bed And in the Morning when asleep she lies The Nightingal doth sing to make her rise And calls the Sun to open her fair Eyes Who gallops fast that he might her surprise But when the Spring is past her Virgin 's prime And married is to old bald-Father Time The Nightingal for grief doth cease to sing And silent is till comes another Spring The Summer 's cloth'd in glorious Sun-shine bright And with a trailing-Veil of long-day-light Some Dust as Powder on her Hair doth place And with the Morning's Dew doth wash her Face A Zephyrus-Wind she for a Fan doth spread To cool her Cheeks which are hot-burning-red And with that Heat so thirsty she doth grow As she drinks all the fresh sweet Springs that flow Then in a Thundring-Chariot she doth ride For to astonish Mortals with her Pride Before her Chariot flashing-Lightning flyes A fluid Fire that spreads about the Skyes As Princes great that in dry ways do travel Have Water thrown t' allay the Dust and Gravel This Fire allays cleanses all Vapours gross Lest rising they should stop the Thunder's force And when she from her Chariot doth alight Then is she waited on by Sun-beams bright Or else the Rays that from the Moon do spread As Waxen Tapers light her to her bed And with refreshing-sleeps a while doth rest There sweet air breathing from her panting breast Yet Summer's proud ambitious high and hot And full of action idle she is not Chol'rick she is and oft doth Quarrels make But yet sometimes she doth her Pleasure take At high-noon with the Butter-flyes doth
our Lover was arraign'd to stand Condemn'd to Bus'ness that in Ireland Necessity doth urge him That word Part So cruel was it struck each other's heart Which inwardly did bleed with sorrow's grief Since nothing now but hopes were their relief Sadly he goes aboard Love fills his Sails And Cupid with his wings fanns gentle Gales To waft him over he thus thought to please His wounded Lover o're those Rocky Seas Love would not leave him nor was he content Unless this dangerous passage with him went In the mean time his Mistress did commit Her self to sorrow and with her to sit As her close Prisoner this was all her end And grieved more than Widows do pretend Safely is landed now our Lover o're And Cupid with him on the Irish shore Love is so various which some Lovers see Now Love an Irish Cupid's turn'd to be And takes all memory thus from our Lover Of his first Mistress and doth now discover Love's new Plantation in the Irish Pale In Love's rich Island there which doth not fail To take our Lover and inflame him more Under an Irish Mantle than what 's store Of Gowns of Cloth of Gold Curls painted Art Cheats Love when simple Nature wounds Love's Heart This change of Love is blown so up and down By Fame's loud Trumpet through all Chester Town The Women gossip'd it and could not hold Till to his former Mistress they it told This was the first time that she smil'd to see Impossible Reports of him to be They might as well say Phoebus gives no light Or Starrs to fall or make a Day of Night As he inconstant was yet Love doth doubt Not doubting yet enquires all about And sets her Love-spies to enquire a-new But those reports each minute stronger grew So she resolv'd her self to know the truth And was disguis'd in Clothes now like a Youth And went in Cavalier The gentle Wind Did favour her and landed to her mind The Port was Dublin and could not forbear To make enquiries for her Love and there She found him at an Inn. He then began To take such liking to his Countrey-man All his Discourse enquiring for his Ends To know the welfare of his English Friends Which she so fully satisfied as he Was now enamour'd of her company And was so fond in her took such delight As supp'd and lay together too that night Never suspecting her his Mistress then Blindly went on and took her for a Man So full of Love and Friendship could not hold But to her all his Irish Love he told Desiring her to go along and see This Miracle of Beauty which was she And so she did Her Love turn'd now disdain To see his Falshood and no love remain So base unworthy and unconstant too As now began to think what she should do She quench'd her Passion which is wise and better Than Love's Complaints so writ to him a Letter Of her whole Voyage and Love's constant Hist'ry All her Designs disguises in Love's Myst'ry And left this Letter in the Window so Three or four days it was 'fore he did know Or found it out In the mean time she 's gone And shipp'd for England leaving him alone When found her Letter was such Passions grew Stronger upon him than e're Lover knew Resolv'd the foaming Billows to embrace Those liquid steps of hers he meant to trace And lay himself in pickled tears of Love Now at her feet to see what that would move But all in vain he thought too long had tarri'd When landed found the same day she was marri'd Fell in such extasies cursing his Fate The Ship and Winds that made him come so late With Love's new hopes his Sails he fill'd and then Invok'd God Neptune to go back again And all the passage as he went along Challeng'd the Mermaids in a loving Song With Love's assurances so over-joy'd As now his loving heart was not annoy'd But fill'd with Pleasure and with all Delight Thinking t' embrace his Irish Love that night No sooner landed so he thought to woo His Mistress but he found her marri'd too Cursing the Starrs of his Nativity Thus short of Wedlock at both ends to be Made him grow desperate and as they say Then in despair he made himself away Upon a Wench and some swear without doubt That there he knock'd the Brains of 's Cupid out So murther'd Love and there he did enroul Each one a Fool with a Platonick Soul And so despis'd and scorn'd the old God Hymen That with so easie words so long did tye men To make them Galley-slaves in Marriage so Ti'd in his Chains condemn'd for life to row In Wedlock's Galley Give me freedom then Thy Godhead I invoke whilst foolish Men To Love and Hymen's Prisons there do sit Justly committed for their want of Wit For he 's a Fool that 's ti'd when might be free And thus he rav'd and talk'd Non-sense you see As he that writ this Story you may mend it So for his sake and yours and mine I 'le end it A Lady said His Tale of Love did tell She with a Tale of Death would fit it well For Death said she unties the Lover's knot When deadly Arrows from his Bow are shot A Lady on her Death-bed panting lay She call'd her Friends and thus to them did say Farewel my dearest Friends for I must go Unto a place which you nor I yet know May be my Sp'rit will wander in the shade Of glimmering light which is by Moon-shine made Or in my Tomb in peace may lye asleep So long as Ashes in my Urn do keep Or else my Soul like Birds may have its wings Or like to Herc'les Flyes that want their stings But howsoever Friends grieve not nor cry For fear my Soul should be disturb'd thereby Clothe not your selves with Melancholy black Call not your Grief unto remembrance back But let your Joys a Resurrection have Call'd forth by comfort from the sorrowful Grave Let not Delight intombed lye In the sad Heart or weeping Eye Let not pale Grief my Soul affright Shrouded in Melanch'ly's dark Night But Death said she I fear him not So turn'd her head and Death her shot Then on a Cypress Hearse was laid forth dead As scorning Death aside was turn'd her head By cruel Death her arms were careless flung Her hands over the sides as strengthless hung Her eyes were clos'd as if she lay asleep Though she was pale her face did sweetness keep Her Elogie was thus Tears rain a-pace and so a River make To drown all Grief within a watry Lake Make Seas of Tears for Wind of Sighs to blow Salt Billows up the Eyes to overflow Let Ships of Patience traffick on the Main To bring in Comfort to sad Hearts again The next turn a Man And he thus began THE Silk-worm and the Spider Houses make All their Materials from their Bowels take They cut no Timber down nor carve they Stone Nor buy they Ground to build their Houses
on Yet they are Curious built with Art and Care Like Lovers who build Castles in the Air Which ev'ry puff of Wind is apt to break As Imaginations when Reason's weak They said His Tale was short He Answer made I 'le piece it out And thus he said THE Silk-worm digs her Grave as she doth spin And makes her Winding-sheet to lap her in And from her Bowels takes a heap of Silk Which on her Body as a Tomb is built Out of her ashes do her young ones rise Having bequeath'd her Life to them she dyes They only take that Life to spin a Death For as they wind up Silk they wind out Breath Thus rather than do nought or idle be They 'l work and spin out Life's small Thread we see When all their work is done ready to dye Their Wings are grown for Life away to flye The Silk-worm is first a small Seed then turneth into a Worm at last grows to have Wings like a Flye but lives not to make use of them As soon as she is big enough she spins a Ball of Silk all about her self wherein being grown to be a Fly she makes a hole to come out to leave Seed for the generation of her young ones After which she immediately dyes The Women said the Men made quick dispatch In telling Tales like Dogs that Bones do snatch But howsoe're a Woman did begin To tell a Tale and thus she entred in A Description of the Passion of Love misplaced A Lady on the Ground a mourning lay Complaining to the Gods and thus did say You Gods said she why do you me torment Why give you Life without the Mind's content Why do you Passions in a Mind create Then leave it all to Destiny and Fate With knot and snarls they spin the Thread of Life Then weave it cross and make a Web of strife Come Death though Fates are cross yet thou' rt a Friend And in the Grave dost peace quiet send It chanc'd a Gentleman that way came by And seeing there a weeping Beauty lye Alas dear Lady why do you so weep Unless your Tears you mean the Gods shall keep Jove will present those Tears to Juno fair For Pendants and for Neck-laces to wear And so present that Breath to Juno fair That she may always move in perfum'd air Forbear forbear make not the World so poor Send not such Riches for the Gods have store I 'm one said she to whom Fortune's a Foe Crossing my Love working my overthrow A Man which to Narcissus might compare For Youth and Beauty and the Graces fair Do him adorn on him my love is plac'd But his neglect doth make my life to wast My Soul doth mourn my Thoughts no rest can take He by his scorn doth me unhappy make With that she cry'd O Death said she come quick And in my heart thy Leaden Arrow stick Take comfort Lady grieve and weep no more For Nature handsome Men hath more in store Besides dear Lady Beauty will decay And with that Beauty love will flee away If you take time this heat of Love will wast Because 't is only on a Beauty plac'd But if your Love did from his Virtue spring You might have lov'd though not so fond have been The love of Virtue is for to admire The Soul and not the Body to desire That 's a gross Love which only dull Beasts use But Noble Man to love the Soul will chuse Because the Soul is like a Deity Therein pure Love will live eternally O Sir but Nature hath the Soul so fix'd Unto the Body and such Passions mix'd That nothing can divide or dis-unite Unless that Death will separate them quite For when the Senses in Delights agree They bind the Soul make it a Slave to be He Answered If that the Soul in Man should give consent In every thing the Senses to content No Peace but War amongst Mankind would be And Desolation would have Victory No Man could tell or challenge what 's his own He would be Master that is strongest grown Lady love Virtue and let Beauty dye And in the Grave of Ruins let it lye With that she rose and with great joy said she Farewell fond Love and foolish Vanity The Men condemn'd the Tale because said they None but a Fool would preach so Wise men pray But Ladies hear me did another say TO love but one is a great fault For Nature otherwise is taught She caus'd Varieties for us to taste And other Appetites in us she plac'd And caus'd dislike in us to rise To surfeit when we gormandise For of one Dish we glut our Palat Although it be but of a Salat When Solomon the Wise did try Of all things underneath the Sky Although he found it Vanitie Yet by it Nature made us free For by the change her Works do live By several Forms that she doth give So that Inconstancy is Nature's play And we her various Works must her obey A Woman said that Men were foolish Lovers And whining Passions Love oft discovers They 're full of Thoughts said she yet never pleas'd Always complaining and yet never eas'd They 'l sigh they mourn they groan they make great moan They 'l sit cross-legg'd with folded arms alone Sometimes their Dress is careless with despair With hopes rais'd up 't is costly rich and rare Setting their Looks and Faces in a frame Their Garb's affected by their Mistress Name Flattering their Loves forswearing then each boasts What Valiant Deedsh ' has done in Forreign Coasts Through what great dangers his adventures run Such acts as Hercules had never done That every one that hears doth fear his Name And every Tongue that speaks sounds forth his fame And thus their Tongues extravagantly move Caus'd by vain-glorious foolish amorous Love Which only those of his own Sex approve But when their Rallery was past The Tale upon a Man was cast Then crying peace to all that talking were They were bid hold their Tongues and lend an Ear. The Man more than the rest was somewhat old They said to him Your Tale you have not told Alas said he my Memory is bad And I have none so good as you have had He musing a short time thus did begin I hope said he my Tale may credit win A Description of Civil-Warrs A Kingdom which long time had liv'd in Peace Her People rich with Plenty fat with Ease With Pride were haughty grown Pride Envy bred From Envy Factions grew then Mischief spread And Libels every where were strew'd about Which after into Civil-Warr broke out Some for the Commons fought some for the King And great Disorder was in ev'ry thing Battels were won and lost on either side Where Fortune ebb'd and flow'd like to a Tide At last the Commons won and then astride Fierce Tyranny on Noble Necks did ride All Monuments pull'd down that stood long time And Ornaments were then thought a great Crime No Law was pleaded but the Martial Law The
Sword did rule and keep them all in aw No Prayers offer'd to the Gods on high All Ceremony in the Dust did lye Nothing was done in Order Truth and Right Nought govern'd then but Malice Spleen Spight But mark how justly Gods do punish Men To make them humble and to bow to them Though they had Plenty and thereof did eat They relish'd not that good and savoury Meat Because their Conscience did them so torment For all their Plenty they were discontent They took no rest Cares so oppress'd their Mind No Joy nor Comfort in the World could find When drowsie sleep upon their Eyes did set Then fearful Visions in their Dreams they met In Life no pleasure take yet fear to dye No Mercy can they hope from Gods on high O serve the Gods and then the Mind will be Always in peace and sweet tranquillity A Woman said A Tale I mean to tell That in those Warrs unto a Cross befell AN ancient Cross liv'd in our Father's time With as much Fame as did the Worthies nine No harm it did or injury to none But dwelt in peace and quietly alone On Times or Government did not complain But stood Stone-still not stirr'd in no King's Reign Both Winter's Snow and Summer's scorching Sun It did endure and Urin'd was upon Yet peaceful Nature nor yet humble Mind Shall not avoid rude Ignorance that 's blind That superstitiously beats down all things Which smell but of Antiquity or springs From Noble Deeds nor love nor take delight In Laws or Justice hating Truth and Right But Innovations love for that seems fine And what is new adore they as Divine That makes them so neglect the Gods above For Time doth waste both their respect and love And so this Cross poor Cross all in a rage They pull'd down quite the fault was only Age. Had it been gilded gloriously and brave They Vanity for an excuse might have But it was poor its Mortar all off worn Which Time had eaten as when Dogs have torn The Flesh from Bones of Hares or harmless Sheep Or like to Skeletons that Scholars keep If they had pious been it might have stood To mollifie the Minds of Men to good But they were wicked hating every thing That by example might to goodness bring Then down they pull'd it leaving not one stone Upon another for it to be known To after-ages for the Ground lies bare And none can know that once the Cross stood there Then said a Man I can this Tale well fit For I a Tale can tell that 's like to it IN old times when Devotion false did reign A Church was built although to use prophane Was Consecrated as Diana's right Who was their Goddess of the Moon-shine bright But afterwards when Truth with Zeal did flame It Christned was and bore Jove's mighty Name And dedicated to the Sun above Then married was became his Spouse and Love Long did she live in Duty Peace and Zeal Became an Honour to the Commonweal Was curiously adorn'd within without The Quoire all hung with Hangings rich about With Marble Tombs and Statues carv'd and cut Wherein the Bodies of good Saints were put There polish'd Pillars long the Iles did stand And Arched Roofs built by a skilful hand With Painted Windows plac'd on either side At every end were Gates large open wide And all the inside was most bravely gilt As all the outside with Free-stone were built There Choristers did sing each several Note And Organs loud did answer ev'ry throat And Priests there taught Men how to pray and live Rewards and Punishments which Jove did give But mark this Temple was destroy'd by sin Since they did leave to worship Jove therein Because this Church profan'd by sinful Men Was made a Stable and for Thieves a Den. No surer mark of Wrath when Gods do frown Then to give leave to pull their Temples down A Lady said these VVarrs her Soul did shake And the remembrance made her heart to ake My Brother then was murther'd in cold-blood Incircled round with Enemies he stood Where he like to a fixed Starr shin'd bright They like to black and pitchy Clouds of Night He like the Sun his Courage like that Heat Their Envy like bad Vapours strove to beat His Light of Honour out but pow'rful Fame Did throw their spight back on their heads with shame And though they struck his Body not his Mind For that in Death through all their Malice shin'd He valiant was his Spirits knew no fear They never chill'd when they in Battel were And strove to give more blows than safety sought His Limbs most vigour had when most he fought He spoke not loud nor sung his fear to hide With silence march'd and quietly did ride Viewing the Armies with a watchful Eye And careful was advantages to spye If that his Soldiers chanc'd to run away He ran not after them to make them stay As some Commanders which will call and run After the Soldiers when the Flight's begun But when once gone seldom return again But with their Soldiers they will safe remain But he amongst his Foes like Earth was fix'd Or like to Fire himself was intermix'd And their great solid Bodies did divide Pulling their Fabrick down on either side Until his Mercy did for Favour pray Unto his Courage so to run away He made them know he was a Soldier good Train'd up in Warrs which Art he understood Besides his Genius was prompt thereunto Wit Skill Invention knew what best to do Which made the Foe more fierce his Life to take For fear that he their ruin soon would make For they so soon as he was in their pow'r Like greedy Vulturs did his Life devour He stood their Rage his Courage knew no fear Nor on grim Death with terror did he stare But did embrace her with a Generous Mind VVith Noble Thoughts and Kisses that were kind Vollies of Shot did all his Body tear VVhere his blood 's spilt the Earth no Grass will abear As if for to revenge his Death the Earth VVas curs'd with barrenness ev'n from her birth And though his Body in the Grave doth lye His Fame doth live and will eternally His Soul 's Immortal and so is his Fame His Soul in Heav'n doth live and here his Name The next time had a Man his turn to speak Who said That Civil-Warrs made Rich men break Populous Kingdoms that do flourish well In Peace and Plenty then to ruin fell WHen I with grief unto remembrance bring The blessed time men liv'd with a goodKing To think at first how happy such do raign And in what Peace such Kingdoms do remain VVhere Magistrates do sit in Justice Throne Few Crimes committed Punishments scarce known The Nobles liv'd in state and high degree All happy even to the Peasantry Where easie Laws no Tax to make them poor All live Plenty full is every Store They Customs have to recreate the Mind Not barbarous but civil gentle kind
Humours and obeyed his will in every thing Next I have been a Thrifty Cleanly Patient and Chast Wife Thirdly I brought him a great Portion And lastly My Neighbours say I am handsome and yet my Husband doth neglect me and despise me making Courtships to other Women and sometimes to vex me the more before my Face He said Your Husband is not worthy of you therefore if I may advise you I would cast aside the affection I had placed upon him and bestow it upon a Person that will worship you with an Idolatrous Zeal and if you please to bestow it on me I will offer my Heart on the Altar of your Favours and sacrifice my Services thereupon and my Love shall be as the Vestal Fire that never goeth out but perpetually burns with a Religious Flame Thus speaking and pleading he made courtship to her which she at first did not receive But he having opportunity by reason her Husband was much from home and using importunity at last corrupted her and she making a Friendship with this Gentleman began to neglect her Husband as much as he had done her which he perceiving began to pull in the Bridle of his loose carriage and finding that his Acquaintant was her Courtly Admirer he began to woo her a-new to gain her from him but it would not be for she became from a Meek Modest Obedient and Thrifty Wife to be a Ranting Flanting Bold and Imperious one But her Husband grew so fond of her that he sought all the ways he could to please her and was the most observant Creature to her that might be striving to please her in all things or ways he could devise insomuch as observing she was never pleased but when she had Gallants to court her he would invite Gentlemen to his house and make Entertainments for them and those she seemed most to favour he would make his dear Friends and would often be absent to give them opportunities to be with his Wife alone hoping to get a favourable Look or a Kiss for his good services which she would craftily give him to encourage him But the other Gentleman that made the first addresses to her being a Married-man his Wife hearing her Husband was so great a Lover of that Lady and that that Lady's Husband was reformed from his incontinent life and was become a doting fond Wittal loving and admiring her for being courted and made love to esteeming that most which others seemed to like best she began to imitate her which her Husband perceiving gave her warning not to do so which she would not take but entertained those that would address themselves to her Whereupon her Husband threatned her but she was at last so delighted with variety that she regarded not his Threats whereupon he used her cruelly but nothing would reclaim her only she would make more secret meetings wherewith she was the better pleased for secret meetings as I have heard give an edg to Adultery and it is the nature of Mankind to be most delighted with that which is most unlawful But her Husband finding no reformation could be made he parted with her because he thought it a greater dishonour to be a Wittal than a Cuckold although he was very much troubled to be either for though he was willing to make a Cuckold yet he was not willing to be one himself Thus you may see the different natures of Men. The Converts in Marriage THERE were four young Gentlewomen whose Fathers were near Neighbours whereupon there grew an Acquaintance and so a Society between them The first was Reserved and Coy The second was Bold and Ranting The third was Merry and Gay The fourth was Peevish and Spightful She that was Reserved and Coy was Generous and Ambitious She that was Bold and Ranting was Covetous and Wanton She that was Merry and Gay was Vain and Fantastical She that was Peevish and Spightful was Cross and Unconstant It chanced that the four Fathers by reason they had good Estates were offered four Husbands for their four Daughters all at one time The Husband that was to marry the first Lady was Covetous Miserable and Timorous as all Miserable Covetous Persons for the most part are but being very Rich the Father to this Lady forced her to marry him He that was to marry the second Lady was Temperate Prudent and Chast. He that was to marry the third Lady was Melancholy Solitary and Studious And he that was to marry the fourth Lady was Cholerick and Impatient After they had been married some time the Covetous and Timorous man became Hospitable Bountiful Valiant and Aspiring doing High and Noble Deeds And she that was Bold and Wanton became Chast Sober and Obedient He that was Melancholy became Sociable Conversable and Pleasant and she Thrifty and Staid But he that was Cholerick and Impatient who married her that was Peevish and Spightful they live like Dogs and Cats spit scrawl scratch and bite insomuch as they were forced to part for being both faulty they could not live happily because they could never agree for Errors and Faults multiply being joined together AGE's FOLLY THERE was a Man and his Wife that had been married many years together and had agreed and lived happily loving each other wondrous well but at last after they were stricken in years the Husband was catch'd with a crafty young Wench like a Woodcock in a Noose or Net wherein he was entangled in Love's Fetters and though he fluttred and fluttred to get loose yet she kept him fast not that she loved Age but Wealth for Amorous Age is prodigal and though more self-conceited than those that are young or in their prime of years yet are easily catched which is strange for most commonly those that are self-conceited are proud disdainful despising thinking few or none worthy of their love But Amorous Age although they are self-conceited take a pride and brag that they can have a Love as well as those that are Young which makes each smile and every amorous glance from youthful eyes to be snares or rather baits which Age doth nibble at But his Wife observing her Husband to prank and prune to jet and set himself in several postures to be extravagant in his actions fantastical in his dress loose in his discourse wondred to see him on a sudden transformed from a Sober Grave Staid Wise Man to a Jack an-apes At last concluded with her self That for certain he was mad with which opinion she became wondrous melancholy But by chance finding him making amorous addresses to a young Woman she then perceived the Cause was Love and nothing but Love I mean Amorous Love that powerful Amorous Love which blindfolds long and wise Experience with a foul false appetite making not only Young but Old Men Fools His Wife like a discreet Woman moderated her Passion for a while hoping it was but a sudden flash or faint blast that would soon dye But when she perceived his Amorous Humorou
five years for as the years of Twenty by his Parents Perswasion being a younger Brother at that time although afterwards he was lest the first of his Family by the death of his Eldest Brother he married a Widow being Noble and Rich but well stricken in years never bearing Child And thus being wedded more to Interest than Love was the cause of his seeking those Societies which best pleased him But after long Conflicts and Doubts Fears Hopes and Jealousies he resolved to remove her from that House and to try to win her by Gifts and Perswasions And sending for a reverent Lady his Aunt whom he knew loved him he told her the passage of all that had hapned and also his affection praying her to take her privately from that place and to conceal her secretly until he was well recovered entreating her also to use her with all the Civility and Respect that could be Going from him she did all that he had desired her removing her to a House of hers a Mile from the City and there kept her The young Lady in the mean time expecting nothing less than Death was resolved to suffer as valiantly as she had acted So casting off all care she was only troubled she lived so idly But the old Lady coming to see her she prayed her to give her something to employ her time on for said she my Brain hath not a sufficient stock to work upon it self Whereupon the old Lady asked her If she would have some Books to read in She answered Yes if they were good ones or else said she they are like impertinent persons that displease more by their vain talk than they delight with their Company Will you have Romances said the old Lady She answered No for they extol Virtue so much as begets an Envy in those that have it not and know they cannot attain unto that perfection and they beat Infirmities so cruelly as it begets pity and by that a kind of love Besides their Impossibilities makes them ridiculous to Reason and in Youth they beget Wanton Desires and Amorous Affections What say you to Natural Philosophy said she She answered They were meer Opinions and if there be any Truths said she they are so buried under Falshood as they cannot be found out Will you have Moral Philosophy No said she for they divide the Passions so nicely and command with such severity as it is against Nature to follow them and impossible to perform them What think you of Logick She answered It is nothing but Sophistry making Factious Disputes but concludes nothing Will you have History No said she for they are seldom writ in the time of Action but a long time after when Truth is forgotten but if they be writ at present Partiality Ambition or Fear bears too much sway Will you have Divine Books No said she they raise up such Controversies that cannot be allayed again tormenting the Mind about that they cannot know whilst they live and frights their Consciences so that it makes men afraid to dye But said the young Lady Pray give me Play-Books or Mathematical ones the first said she discovers and expresses the Humours and Manners of Men by which I shall know my self and others the better and in shorter time than Experience can teach me And in the latter said she I shall learn to demonstrate Truth by Reason and to measure out my Life by the Rule of good Actions to set Marks and Figures on those Persons to whom I ought to be grateful to number my days by Pious Devotions that I may be found weighty when I am put in the Scales of God's Justice Besides said she I may learn all Arts useful and pleasant for the Life of Man as Musick Architecture Navigation Fortification Water-works Fire-works all Engines Instruments Wheels and many such like which are useful besides I shall learn to measure the Earth to reach the Heavens to number the Starrs to know the Motions of the Planets to divide Time and to compass the whole World The Mathematicks is a Candle of Truth whereby I may peep into the Works of Nature to imitate her in little It comprises all that Truth can challenge All other Books disturb the Life of Man this only settles it and composes it in sweet Delight The old Lady said By your Beauty and Discourse you seem to be of greater Birth and better Breeding than usually ordinary young Maids have and if it may not be offensive to you pray give me leave to ask you From whence you came and What you are and How you came here She sighing said I was by an unfortunate Warr sent out of my Countrey with my Mother for safety being very young and the only Child my Parents had My Father who was one of the Greatest and Noblest Subjects in the Kingdom and being employed in the Chief Command in that Warr sent my Mother not knowing what the Issue would be to the Kingdom of Security where he had been formerly sent Embassador So my Mother and I went to remain there until the troubles were over But my Father being killed in the Warrs my Mother dyed for grief and left me destitute of Friends in a strange Countrey only with some few Servants I hearing a Peace was concluded in the Kingdom was resolved to return to my own Native Soil to seek after the Estate which my Father left me as his only Heir When I embarked I only took two Servants a Maid and a Man but by an unfortunate Storm I was cast upon a Shore belonging to this Kingdom where after I was landed my two Servants most treacherously robb'd me of all my Jewels and those Moneys I had and then most barbarously left me alone where afterwards my Host sold me to an old Bawd and she to one of her Customers who sought to force me whereas I to defend my self shot him but whether he be dead or alive I know not afterwards I was brought hither but by whose directions you I suppose can give a better account to your self than I yet I cannot say but that since I came hither I have been civilly used and courteously entertained by your self who seem to be a Person of Worth which makes my fears less for I hope you will secure me from Injuries though not from Death And since you are pleased to enquire what I am and from whence I came I shall entreat the same return to instruct me in the knowledg of your self and why I was brought hither and by whose Order The old Lady said She was Sister to the Prince's Mother and a tender lover of her Nephew and to comply with his desires she was brought there to be kept until he should dispose of her Then she told her what he was but never mentioned the affection he had for her but rather spoke as if her Life were in danger So taking her leave she left her telling her She would send her such Books as she desired Thus passing
some Weeks in the mean time the Prince recovered resolving to visit this young Lady having heard by his Aunt the relation of what she was whose Birth made him doubt she would not be so easily corrupted as he hoped before and she knowing his Birth had more hopes of honourable usage Yet sitting in a studious posture with a sad Countenance and heavy fixt Eyes accompanied with melancholy Thoughts contemplating of her Misfortunes past with a serious consideration of the condition she stood in advising with her Judgment for the future in comes the Prince whom she no sooner saw but she trembled for fear remembring her past danger and fore-seeing the trouble she was like to run through But he with an humble Behaviour and civil Respect craved pardon for his former Faults promising her That if she would be pleased to allow him her Conversation he would never force that from her which she was not willing to grant for there was nothing in this World he held dearer than her Company and sitting down by her began to question her of Love as Whether she had engaged her Affection to any person of her own Countrey or any where else She told him No. By which Answer he being jealous before imagining she might be so valiant as to wound him more for the sake of her Lover than out of a love to Honour or Reputation received great content and joy esteeming it the next happiness that since she loved not him she loved no other I wonder at your Courage said he for usually your Sex are so tender and fearful and so far from using Instruments of Death as Swords Guns or the like that they dare not look at them but turn their Head aside She answered That Necessity was a great Commandress And thus discoursing some time at last he took his leave until the next day But when he was gone how glad she was O what a torment will this be said she to be affrighted every day with this ravenous Lyon But said she I must get a spell against his Fury and not only against him but against all such like and by her industry she got a subtil Poyson which being put in a very small Bladder she fastned to her Arm that when any occasion served she might have it ready to put in her mouth which in great extremity she might use and crushing it but betwixt her teeth she was sure it would expel Life suddenly The next Morning the Prince sent her a Present of all kinds of rich Persian Silks and Tissues fine Linnen and Laces and all manner of Toys wherewith young Ladies use to make themselves fine and gay But she returned them with great thanks bidding the Bringer tell the Prince That she did never receive a Present but what she was able to return with advantage unless it were from those to whom she had a near relation as Parents and Kindred or the like But he when he saw them returned thought it was because they were not rich enough and sent her another Present of Jewels of great value which when she had viewed she said They were very rich and costly but returning them back she said I dare not trust my Youth with the Riches and Vanities of the World lest they may prove Bribes to corrupt my free and honest Mind wherefore tell the Prince I am not to be catch'd with glorious Baits and so returned them back The Prince when he saw he could fasten no Gifts on her was much troubled yet hoped that Time might work her to his desires so went to visit her and when he saw her he told her He was very unfortunate that not only Himself but even his Presents were hateful for he could guess at no other reason why she should refuse them since they were neither unlawful nor dishonourable to receive She answered That the Principles that she was taught were That Gifts were both dangerous to give and to take from Designing or Covetous Persons He said He was unhappy for by that he saw she would neither receive Love nor give Love Thus he daily visited her and hourly courted her striving to insinuate himself into her favour by his Person and Services used Powdering Perfuming and rich Clothing though he was so personable and well-favoured and had such store of Eloquence as might have perswaded both Ears and Eyes to have been Advocates to a young Heart and an unexperienced Brain His Service was in observing her Humour his Courtship in praising her Disposition admiring her Beauty applauding her Wit and approving her Judgment insomuch that at the last she did not dislike his Company and grew to that pass as to be melancholy when he was gone blush when he was named start at his approaching sigh weep and grow pale and distempered yet perceived not nor knew her Disease Besides she would look often in the Glass curl heir Hair finely wash her Face cleanly set her Clothes handsomely mask her self from the Sun not confidering why she did so But he as all Lovers have watchful Eyes observed she regarded her self more than she used to do which made him more earnest for fear her Passion should cool protesting his Love vowing his Fidelity and Secresie and swearing his Constancy to death She said That he might make all that good but not the Lawfulness Can you said she make it no sin to God no dishonour to my Family no infamy to my Sex no breach to Virtue no wrong to Honesty no Immodesty to my self He answered It was lawful by Nature Sir said she It is as impossible to corrupt me as to corrupt Heaven But were you free I should willingly embrace your Love in lawful Marriage He told her They were both young and his Wife old almost ripe enough for Death and a little time more would cut her down Wherefore said he let us enjoy our selves in the mean time and when she is dead we will marry No said she I will not buy a Husband at that deer rate nor am I so evil as to wish the death of the living for any advantage unless they were Enemies to Virtue Innocency or Religion But he was so importunate as she seemed displeased which he perceiving left off persisting lest he might nip off the young and tender Buds of her Affection But it chanced not long after there was a Meeting of many Nobles at a Feast where Healths to their Mistresses were drank round and the Prince who thought it a sin to Love to neglect that Institution offered with great Ceremony and Devotion for his Mistress's Health sprinkling the Altar of the Brain with Fume and burning the Incense of Reason therein After the Feast was ended he went to see his Mistress whose Beauty like Oyl set his Spirits in a flame which made his Affection grow to an intemperate Heat Whereat she became so afraid as she puts the Poyson into her Mouth the Antidote of all Evil as she thought and then told him her intention But
he had such a Gift to present to the King which Present he knew his Royal Master would prize above all the World which made him chuse to go with it for had the Spoils been less he had sent them with some Messengers but being so Rich he durst trust none to guard it but himself The King hearing of their coming made all the Preparations of State that could be sending the Prince a Triumphant Chariot and his own Robes to wear which Chariot coming as they were ready to enter the City the Prince sets the Queen thereon and walks on foot by the Chariot-side as being Mistress to the King his Master And the King being attended by all his Nobles of the Kingdom met the Queen and with great respect led her to his Palace where when she came the King kissed her Hand and smiling said The Gods had brought her thither for certainly said he the Gods by their Fates have decreed and destin'd you to be my Queen in which Gift the Gods have made me like themselves to enjoy all Felicity She with a Face clothed in a sad Countenance answered Fortune was his Goddess and if he were like her he might prove unconstant and then said she you may change from Love to Dislike if so I may chance to have liberty either by Death or to be sent into my own Kingdom again If you will accept of me said he you shall not only have your own Kingdom but mine wherein you shall be adored and worshipped as the only She in the World She answered I had rather have what I adore than to be adored my self Then was she conducted to a strong and safe but a pleasant place to be kept in where the King visited her often treated her civilly courted her earnestly loving her with an extraordinary Passion The Prince in the mean time was in high favour with the King who asked and took his Counsel in every thing And sending for him one day when he came hung about his Neck as was his Custom so to do saying to him O my Friend for that was his usual Name he gave him my Cruel Prisoner said he you brought me despises my Affection slights my Addresses condemns my Suit scorns my Proffers hates my Person What shall I do to gain her Love Alas said the Prince I have had so ill success in Love that what I doted on most did hate me worst which is the cause I have left my Countrey Friends and Estate and lost the peace of Mind the joy of Mirth the sweets of Pleasures the comfort of Life hating my self because she doth not like nor love me Jealous I am of Light Darkness Heat Cold because they come so near as to touch her I wish her dead because none should enjoy her but my self yet I cannot live without her and loath I am to dye and leave her here behind Thus hang I on a tortur'd Life and bear my Hell about me Whilst they were thus lamenting their hard Fortunes in Love a Messenger brought News that their Forces were beaten that were sent into Amity How can that be said the Prince Most of the Nobles being here and none but Peasants left behind who have no skill in Warrs and only fight like Beasts But the Alarms came so thick one after another to tell that they had not only beat their Forces but were entred into their Kingdom With that the King in haste dispatched the Prince with a fresh Supply added to those Forces he brought the Queen with so march'd out to meet the Enemy For Travelia hearing the Queen was taken Prisoner was highly enraged which Choler begot a Masculine and Couragious Spirit in her for though she could not have those Affections in her for the Queen as a Man yet she admired her Heroick Virtues and loved her as a kind and gracious Princess to her which Obligations made her impatient of Revenge Then calling all the chief of the Kingdom together thus spake unto them Honourable and most Noble You have heard the sad News of the Queen's being taken Prisoner which cannot chuse but strike your Hearts through your Ears and make them burn in flames of high Revenge and may those Flames be never quenched until you fetch her back and set her in her Throne again She went to keep you safe and nothing can be more ungrateful than to let her live amongst her Enemies Nor can you here be free whilst she is made a Slave your Wives and Children will be bought and sold and you be forced to do their Servile Work What Goods you now possess your Enemies will enjoy Then let your Hands and Strength redeem your Countrey 's Loss or sacrifice your Lives in the Service After she had spoke they proclaimed her with one Voice General raising new Forces making Vows they would never forsake their Queen but dye or be Conquerors Then sitting themselves in order thereunto Travelia as their General and chief Governour caused a solemn Fast and Procession sacrificing to the Gods for good Success After that she took a view of her Arms and Ammunition selecting out the ablest and youngest Men to fight making the better sort Commanders that Envy might not breed Disobedience The Aged she chose for her Councellors her old Father being made one the most Mechanicks as Smiths Farriers Pioneers Cannoneers Sumpter-men Wagoners Cooks Women and the like went with the Bag and Baggage Neither did she omit to take good Chyrurgeons Doctors Apothecaries and Druggists to help the Sick and Wounded At the Army 's going out she caused a Proclamation to be read That all the Women and Children and infirm persons which were left behind not being fit to go should pray incessantly to the Gods for Victory and safe return for said she Women and Children and the Infirm are the best Advocates even to the Gods themselves being the most shiftless Creatures they have made wherefore the most aptest to move Compassion Thus setling the Kingdom in a devout and orderly posture they marched on re-taking their Towns Forts and Castles lost beating the Enemy out of every place insomuch as they did not only clear their own Kingdom of their Enemies but entred into theirs And being gone some days journey their Scouts brought them word there was an Army coming to meet them and after a short time the Armies were in view of each other Whereupon she drew up her Forces the right and left Wings she gave to be commanded by two of the Valiantest and Experienced Commanders the Rear unto another the Van she led her self the Reserve she gave her old Father in charge to bring in as he saw occasion praying him he would not stand with it so far off but that he might come soon enough to their aid nor yet to stand so near as to be annoy'd with their present Fight Father said she I give you this part to command because I dare trust your Faith as well as your Judgment Courage and Skill Then
to the creation of the Mind or Soul the Sensitive to the Body But said she Opinion creates one way and Nature another way which Opinions except there be sense and reason in them are the false Conceptions in Nature But the learned Students study so much the Parts that they never consider the Parties that work therein The Authoress of these Opinions of the Rational and Sensitive spirits says she brings Sense and Reason to dispute for their truth which no other Opinions do and they that will not believe Sense and Reason will believe nothing but express by their incredulity that they have but a small quantity of that innated Matter in their Brains Whatsoever treats of innated Matter as the Sensitive and Rational spirits is to be compared to my Philosophical Opinions Then they asked her Whether she thought there could be Repetitions in Nature She said Yes for said she if anything in Nature cannot be so dissolved as to be annihilated it may be repeated for if the same Matter and same Motions are in being the same Figures may be repeated and if there can be in Creations said she a repetition it is probable there are repetitions of one and the same Creature only the time and changes of time makes a difference and obscurity in which obscurity the Creature is ignorant of it self and its former Being whereby one and the same Creature may come to envy his own Renown which was kept alive by Records from Age to Age as if Homer should be created again and envy his own Works or at least strive to out-work them or that Alexander and Caesar should be created again and should envy their own Actions Victories and Powers or at least grieve and repine they cannot do the like for if they were created again they might miss of the same Occasions Opportunities or Powers Birth or Fortunes for though the Body and Soul may be the same as also the Appetites and the Desires yet the outward concurrence may not be the same that was in the former Being for though the Concurrents as well as the Creature may be repeated yet perchance not repeated in one and the same Age or Time but if they should fall out to be repeated in one Age the same Actions would fall out to be as Caesar's or Alexander's were to conquer the World again as they did before and there would be the same Warr betwixt the Grecians and Trojans if the same Occasions were but Homer would not write the same Poems if they were on record for though it be an honour to conquer what was conquered although after the same manner yet it is no honour to Wit to write what was writ before upon the same Subject nor indeed upon any other Subject for both the Wit and the Subject must be new at least the Wit to gain as great and lasting Renown Then they asked her What Fire was She said That Fire was not only the quickest motion but it is a perpetual quick motion that hath no intermission by which it hath a strange power over every thing so that it hath a stronger power by the continuance than by the quickness The Third sort that visited her were Moral Philosophers The Moral Philosophers asked her If it were possible to alter or abate the Passions No said she you may pacifie or imprison them and enforce them to conceal themselves in the heart not only from outward appearance but from the very understanding in the head but never alter or change their natures to weaken their natural strength or abate their natural vigour for Passions said she are like the Sun they may be eclipsed or clouded but never can be alter'd and as the Sun saith she draws forth Vapour from the Earth so do the Imaginations draw forth Passions from the Heart and as a Bucket draws up Water from the bottom of a Well so do outward Objects draw up Passions from the Heart Then they asked What was the difference betwixt the Passions and the Appetites She said The Appetites were the Passions of the Body and the Passions the Appetites of the Mind and the Mind is as apt to surfeit of the one as the Body of the other Likewise saith she the Mind is as seldom pleased as the Body is seldom at ease being both restless and never satisfied for the height of sensitive Pleasure is the beginning of Pain and the height of Passion is the beginning of Desire and Desire hath no Period no Pleasure no Center Then they asked her What sort of Love was the perfectest She said That Love that descended for Love that descends is more solid than that which ascends and draws more towards perfection as being most contracted for that which ascends is airy and disperses soon like smoak but that which descends is like falling showers of Rain that join into a River or Sea of Love running with force to perfection This is the reason Parents love their Children better than Children can love their Parents This is the reason Nature loves her Creatures better than the Creatures can love Nature This is the reason The Gods love Mankind better and more perfectly than Mankind loves the Gods Thus the perfectest Love is from the Gods to Men for the greater the descent is the more force there is The like said she is Hate for that Hate which descends is more inveterate and malignant than that which ascends for we are easily perswaded to pardon the Injuries or Wrongs we receive from our Superiors but seldom are pacified without a high revenge for the Wrongs we have received from Inferiors I mean not only the Inferiors of Birth or Fortunes but Merit This is the reason Noah could not forgive his Son Cham for the disgrace which he received for no Hate is like to that of Dishonour This is the reason that Heaven hates Hell more than Hell can hate Heaven Then they asked her Why the Passions forced the Body to weep to sigh to groan to laugh to sing to complain to rail to curse to commend to extoll to implore to profess to protest to look pale to look red to shake to tremble to strike to embrace She said That the causes in the mind did work their Effects upon the Bodies as the Causes in Jove did work their Effects upon Nature Or in a lower Comparison said she the Mind is as the Sun and the Body like the Earth the Sun having several Faculties as the Mind several Passions it gives life and light strength and growth it comforts and warms it weakens corrupts withers and decays it burns and destroys it dilatates and contracts it doth digest and expel it sucks it draws and confirms so doth the Mind it gives the Light of Knowledg and the Life of Understanding it comforteth and warmeth by Invention it strengthens by Judicious Advice it encreases by Temperance it weakens withers and decayes by unsatiable Intemperance it drys and parches it by grief inflames it by anger burns it
will and let him do that which he would not have him do were to make Jove less than a God as if his Decrees were to be alter'd by Man's Humour and Will or said she to think that Jove requires of Man such things as his Nature suffers him not to do and so as it were to force him to disobey him or to think Jove suffers Man to do evil when he could prevent it or to think Jove permits Man to provoke his Justice or to damn Man when it is in Jove's power to save him were to think Jove unjust and cruel or to think Jove made Man yet knew he would be damned and might have saved him in not making him were make a malignity in the nature of Jove for to make and take delight to punish is to be malicious which cannot be said she for Jove is a God in Goodness as well as a God in Power and a God in Justice as well as a God of Wisdom for Justice and Knowledg is the Basis of Wisdom but said she the Opinions Men have of Jove are according to their own natures and not according to the nature of Jove which makes such various Religions and such rigorous Judgment in every Religion as to condemn all but their own Opinion which Opinions are so many and different as scarce any two agree and every Opinion judges all damned but their own and most Opinions are That the smallest Fault is able to damn but the most Vertuous Life and innocent Thoughts not sufficient to save them Then they asked her If she did believe Predestination She said She believed that Jove did order all things by his Wisdom and that his Wisdom knew how to dispose to the best as also that Jove's Will was the only fixt Decree and that his Power establishes all that his Will decrees Then they asked her What she thought Jove required from Man She answered She thought Jove required nothing from man but what he required from Nature as Love Praises Admiration Adoration and Worship to love his Goodness praise his Justice admire his Wisdom adore his Power and to worship all his Attributes and Jove said she requires not only this in man but of all the Creatures in Nature for said she it were a sinful opinion to think none but man did love praise admire adore and worship Jove Then they asked her If there were no Evil She said there was but said she all Evil lives in Nature as all Good in Jove for in Nature said she is Discord in Jove Concord by Nature Confusion by Jove Method and though said she Jove's Goodness and Power will not suffer Nature to run into a Confusion yet Nature faith she struggles and strives like an untoward Jade that would break loose to run wildly about and her skittish tricks said she are the sins against Jove but said she all things in Nature are guilty as much as Man in one kind or other Then they asked her What were the sins in Nature against Jove She said Many but the greatest sins the Creatures in Nature commit against Jove are Not to believe he is above Nature or to think it is the Nature of Nature and not the Knowledg and Power of Jove that governs so wisely that orders so prudently that produceth so orderly that composes so harmoniously and all with a free Will a pure Goodness and Infinite Bounty likewise as not to believe that Jove hath an infinite Generosity to forgive and pardon all the Evils and Defects in Nature Also to dislike or murmur at the Government of Jove And the Submission in Nature is to repent to be humble to agree to be content and to think all that cannot be avoided is for the best And as Nature is apt said she to commit sins against Jove so Nature is apt to disorder cross and vex it self by Excess Mischief and Cruelty as to strive to destroy to no use to obstruct to no purpose to hinder the Creations to displace Creations to oppose Right to defend Falshood to conceal Truth to obstruct Knowledg to delude Ignorance to wrong Innocency to hurt the Helpless to destroy the Hurtless likewise to overcharge the Appetite to exasperate the Passions to deceive the Affections to abuse Time to be unnecessarily busie or lazy or idle And thus all the Creatures of every Kind that are made in Nature do in one manner or other but the Goodness and Power of Jove said she doth still hinder Nature from running into Confusions and rectifies the Disorders therein for Warr lives in Nature said she and Peace in Jove Then they asked her What natural Evils there were She said Nature was an infinite Lump of Evil but the natural Evils to Animals said she are Pain Sickness Sorrow Fear Famine Warrs Darkness and Infamy Then they asked her If there were no natural Good She said None in Nature for all that is good said she is caused by Jove's wise ordering and composing harmoniously for said she Health is an harmonious Composition Pleasure and Delight is an Harmonious Composition Rest an harmonious Composition Peace an harmonious Unity As for Life said she it is an Evil were it not ordered wisely by Jove and would be a perpetual torment did not Jove by his Wisdom order Nature so as to ease it with that we call Death which is only as a change of Notes in Musick or Harmonious Measures and the several Measures Life danceth are several Transmigrations which Jove orders as it moves and the Notes are the several Creatures that are made which Jove's Wisdom sets and Health is the Cords that Jove's Wisdom tunes and the several Pleasures are the several Lessons that Jove's Wisdom causeth Nature to play and Peace is the Harmony that Jove's Wisdom makes So that all that is thought Good in Nature is but Good as it is ordered by Jove Jove measures the Matter marks out the Figures and appoints the Motions what Work to do Likewise Jove's Goodness and Wisdom qualifies and tempers by several mixtures and temperaments the vicious malignant Evil of Nature or Natural Evil. Thus said she there would be a perpetual Warr in Nature if Jove's Wisdom Power and Goodness did not order Nature Then they asked her If there were not Punishments and Rewards ordained by Jove She answered Yes for said she Jove hath ordained Virtue shall be a Reward to it self and Vice a Punishment The Fifth sort that visited her were the Fathers of the Church who desired her to speak which she did as follows You Holy Fathers said she you will pardon me for what I shall speak since it is your desire I should speak The Preachers for Heaven said she ought not to preach Factions nor to shew their Learning nor to express their Wit but to teach their Flock to pray rightly for hard it is to know whether we pray or prate since none can tell the purity of their own heart or number the Follies thereof or cleanse out the muddy Passions that
Throat into the Stomack to feed the Body to maintain the life thereof and the natural Capacities digest those several Objects and Subjects into Knowledg and Understanding as the natural heat into Flesh and Blood And the Brain is like the Body sometimes more strong and sometimes more weak which makes the Understanding sometimes more sick and sometimes more healthy and sometimes also the Brain will be stuft with Fancy as the Body with Humours But some Brains are like an unhealthy Body that will never thrive and others like Stomacks that are nourish'd but with some particular sort of Meat when Variety will corrupt but never digest And others are like Stomacks that the more Varieties are received the better Concoction where particulars would cause a Surfeit Likewise said she young Brains are like tender Slips not grown to bear Fruit but length of time brings them to maturity And some Brains are like barren Grounds that will not bring Seed or Fruit forth unless it be well manured with the Wit which is rak'd from other Writers or Speakers Others are like unplowed ground for the Senses which are as the Husband-man either neglect through laziness or are so poor that they have not a sufficient stock of Objects or Subjects or Matter or Form to work with or sow in the Brain Others are like foolish Husband-men that either sow or reap too soon or too late that know not how to sett and graft to prune or to cherish which makes the Brain unprofitable Others like ill Husbands run wandring about unconstantly and never regard their Affairs but let the Brain run to Weeds which with good Husbandry might bear fruitful Corps And some are so rich and fertil that if they be not plowed nor sett yet they will be fat Meadows and rich Pasture wherein grow wild Cowslips Prim-roses Violets Dazies and sweet Thyme Marjoram Succory and the like Then they asked her How they should govern their Servants She answered With Employment for said she idle Servants like idle Subjects grow factious and so rebellious for want of good Employments to busie their heads with Then they asked her How Masters ought to use Servants She answered As good Princes do their Subjects with a Fatherly care for their well-being well-doing and subsisting they must have a Protector 's regard for their safety be just Judges for their Rights and Priviledges for their Condemnations and Punishments honest Friends to advise them wise Tutors to instruct them prudent Governours to order them powerful Generals to command them bountiful Gods to reward their painful Labours their dutiful Obediences their honest Services their faithful Trust and their constant Fidelity Then the Wives asked her If it might not be as lawful for Wives to receive and entertain Love's Courtships as for Husbands to make Love-Courtships She said No for said she unconstant Women are the ruin of a Commonwealth For first It decays Breed for though many be barren by Nature yet there are more become barren through Wildness Secondly It corrupts Breed mingling the Issues of several Men. Thirdly It decays Industry for a Man that doubts the Children be none of his will never take pains to provide for them or at least not to enrich them Fourthly It makes dangerous and deadly quarrels for the Cuckold and the Cuckold-maker can never agree Then they asked her What they should do in case their Husbands did kiss their Maids or their Neighbour's Maids Daughters or Wives She said To take as little notice of it as they could to give them as much liberty as they would have to praise their Mistresses more than they deserved and to cause them to be as jealous of them as they could be First said she To take no notice makes them to live quiet and makes their Husbands to be more shye lest they should perceive it otherwise said she there will not only be quarrels but she will receive often affronts and disgraces by himself and Whores Secondly said she To give them liberty will glut their Appetites surfeit the Humour and quench their Affections Thirdly said she A superlative Praise will abate the Truth and out-reach the Admiration Lastly said she To make them jealous by discoursing That no Woman is to be trusted or relied upon for their constancies in Love when they have forsaken their own Honour their Modest Nature their Honest Birth their Lawful Rites their Civil Customs and their Pious Zeal to Heaven for Jealousie saith she turns Love into Hate Then they asked her What they should do if their Husbands Whores did enslave them by being as Mistresses to command and they as Drudges and Slaves to obey making them as Bawds or Witnesses to their Lascivious Acts She said There was nothing for that but parting for said she a Noble Mind cannot play the Bawd nor live with impudent Vices But said they if the Wife have Children how shall they part then 'T is better said she to part with the Goods of the Body than the Goods of the Soul wherefore it were better to part from Children or Life than with Honour and Virtue for though Virtue said she may wink at an Infirmity and Honour may excuse a Fault yet not be made as a Party or brought to the publick view or be made a Slave thereto Then they asked her What was the best way to keep their Husband's Love and cause them to be constant She said The best way to keep their Husband's love was to be honestly modest cleanly patient prudent and discreet but said she a man may love dearly and tenderly his Wife and yet desire to kiss his Maid wherefore to keep him constant said she a Wife must act the Arts of a Courtizan to him which is very lawful since it is to an honest End for the Arts honest and lawful but the Design and End is wicked but said she to learn those Arts you must be instructed by such as have practised or seen them for I have not nor cannot guess or devise Arts. The Twelfth sort were Nurses with their Nurse-Children And they asked her How Children should be ordered She said Young Children should be handled gently watched carefully used kindly and attended prudently The gentle handling said she is most requisite for Children have rather Grissles than Bones more Jelly than Flesh whereby the least oppression or wrenching or turning may deform them causing some Members to be deformed that otherwise would be in perfection and by reason Nurses handle not Children tenderly there is so many lame and crooked as they are Likewise Nurses should give their Limbs liberty not swaddle nor tye them too hard or to suffer their Coats to be too little or their Shooes or Stockings too short nor to pin too many Pins about them lest they should prick them Likewise not to toss nor tumble them nor to dance nor rock them too violently for a weak motion may displace an unknit Grissle-Joint and what Pains soever they feel or Hurts they get
love her so As love her best or at least he might know How well she lov'd him for she wish'd no more Than love for love as Saints which do adore The Gods in Heaven whose love is wholly pure And nothing can of drossy flesh endure At last she and her Thoughts in Councel sate What was best to be done or this or that They all agree that she her Love should own Since innocent and pure and make it known By her Epistles and her Pen to write What her pure Heart did dictate and indite No forfeit of her Modesty because She had no Ends but only Virtuous Laws Then took she Pen and Paper and her Wit Did tell her Love the truth and thus she writ Sir You may wonder much that I do send This Letter which by Love doth recommend It self and suit unto your judging-ear And that it was not stopt by bashful fear But let me tell you This pure Love of mine Is built on Virtue not on base Design It hath no dross nor proudly doth aspire A Flame inkindled by immac'late Fire Which I to th' Altar of your Merits bring From whence the Flame to Heaven high may spring Your glorious Fame within my Heart though young Did plant a Slip of Honour from whence sprung Pure Love and Chast Desires for I do crave Only within your Heart a place to have I do not plead hoping to be your Wife Nor 'twixt you and your Mistress to breed strife Or wish I that her Love you should forsake Or unto me a Courtly Friendship make But only when I 'm dead you would inshrine Within your Memory this Love of mine Which Love to all the World I may proclame Without a blush or check or spotted-fame 'T is not your Person I do so admire Nor yet your Wealth or Titles I desire But your Heroick Soul and Generous Mind Your Affability and Nature kind Your honest Heart where Justice still doth raign Your prudent Thoughts and a well-temper'd Brain Your helping Hand and your industrious Life Not to make broils but to decide all strife And to advance all those are in distress To help the weak and those are powerless For which my Heart and Life to Love is bound And every thought of you with Honour crown'd These are not feigning Lines that here I write But Truths as clear and pure as Heaven's Light Nor is it Impudence to let you know Love of your Virtues in my Soul doth grow Her Love thus innocent she did enroll Which was the pure Platonick of her Soul Though in black Characters the Envious may Call the sense clear as is the Morning's day And every word appear unto the sight To make her smoother Paper yet more white Thus she infolded Honour and more Truth Than ever yet was known in Female-youth Blush-colour'd Silk her Letter then did bind For to express how modest was her Mind And Virgins Wax did close it with her Seal Yet did that Letter all her Love reveal Then to her Nurse's Husband she did trust These loving Lines knowing him faithful just To all her Family he obey'd her will And would have done no doubt though 't had been ill For his Obedience never ask'd the cause Nor was he Casuist in Divine Laws But faithful and most trusty so was sent With this most Sacred Letter then he went In the mean time that she her Letter sent The Prince to her a Letter did present By a Servant in whom he put much trust As finding him both dextrous prudent just In all Employments he this Letter brought Which'mongst this Lady's Thoughts much wonder wrought Even so much as she could not believe But thought he did mistake and did conceive She was the Princess Whereupon said she I doubt this Letter was not writ to me But he confirm'd to her that it was writ She to her Closet went and open'd it With trembling hands the VVaxen Seal she broke And what he writ with a faint Voice thus spoke Fairest of all your Sex for so you are Unto all others as a Blazing-Starr VVhich shews it self and to the VVorld appears As a great VVonder once in many years And never comes but doth portend on Earth Either the fall of Princes or their Birth O let your influence only at me aim Not for to work my Overthrow or Fame But Love to make me happy all my life Then yeeld your self to be my Virtuous VVife But if you this Request to me deny The Gods I hope will grant me soon to dye She when she this had read was in a maze And senslesly did on the Letter gaze By which her Spirits discomposed were In quarrelling-disputes 'twixt Hope and Fear At last Hope got the better then did they Triumph with joy and in her Heart did play For when the Spirits mutually agree Both in the Eyes and Heart they dancing be Then to the Gentleman that came she went And told him civilly that she had sent Unto the Prince and that she could not fit So well an Answer to return as yet The Prince as Melancholy sate alone But all the while his Mistress thought upon Staid for the Messenger's return for he Till answer came refus'd all Company At last one of his Pages to him ran To tell him Without was an ancient Man That would not be deny'd for speak he must Unto the Prince or else must break his trust He was in charge with and rather than so Would venture life before he back would go And not his Message to the Prince to tell Whereat the Prince liking his Courage well Sent for him who came with Humility The Letter gave upon his bended knee The Prince the Letter read and pleased so As by his smiling-countenance did show Which made all Cloudy Thoughts disperse clears His Mind as in dark days when Sun appears Sure said the Prince the Gods our Loves decree And in our Unions they do all agree They joyn our Hearts in one our Souls so mix As if eternally in Heaven would fix Then soon he all delays for to prevent Another Letter writ which to her sent In answer of her own this Letter gave Unto her Foster-Nurse who was as grave As old bald Father Time of Courage stout A Rustick plainness and not eas'ly out Of countenance trusty to be employ'd And in her Lady's service would have dy'd The Prince commended her Fidelity And pleas'd he was at her blunt Quality But with the Letter quickly did return For she though old yet every step did run And then the Letter which the Prince had sent She to her Lady did in mirth present Who then the Letter broke with joyful speed And to her Foster-Nurse she did it read Sweetest You have exprest your Love to me With so much plainness and sincerity And yet your stile severely have you writ And rul'd your Lines with a Commanding-wit Heroick Flourishes your Pen doth draw Or executes as in a Martial-Law Then solemnly doth march in Mourning-trail And