recompences besides the Honour they would acquire of all the World by the good doctrine wherein they would instruct the Prince These Philosophers having with merry hearts taken this charge by reason of the Divine Spirit which they knew to be in the young Erastus which gave them hopes that they should attain to great honour in the execution thereof and that they might the better execute it they made choice of a place without the City of Rome which was very well scâ—tuated and enriched with all things necessary for the entertainment of man for in the first place the Air was there very temperate there was very pleasant walks enriched with fair Fountains the playn was very considerable for the great number of Springs and Rivers which running through it at last met in a little lake which was furnished withall sorts of fishes there might you see all sorts of trees as well Fruit-trees as others and all the Fields enameled with Flowers according to the season all accompanied with a World of Birds who by their various Notes rendred a continual Harmony both night and day In this pleasant place was a Pallace built for the Prince Erastus that he might be at some distance from the noise of the City of Rome where he so plyed his study that you could hardly distinguish whose affection was greatest â—ither his in Learning or his Masters in instructing him and although he very well knew the greatness of his quality yet however he esteemed of no other greatness but that which vertue should instruct him in in such manner that he not only surpassed the hope which had been conceived of him but he also astonished his Masters because they could not reach him any thing but what he soon learne with advantage He was excellent in all the seven liberal Arts for first he was a good Grammarian by that means learning to speak properly and correctedly By Logick he found out reasons to discern a false proposition from a â—â—ne one he also profited so well in Rhetorick and Oratory that by his well speaking he perswaded what he pleased diswaded what he had a mind should appear ill he was also a good Arithmetician ready to cast up any account by Geometry he not only understood the dimensions of the Earth but also many other pleasant propositions as for Musick he could by his voice make an entire and perfect Harmony In fine he learned by Astrology not only the course of the Stars but also their influences which foretel things to come furthermore he had the knowledg of all things requisite to the perfection of man in such manner that in ten years wherein he was under the tuition of the seven Phylosophers he was not only a good Schollar but surpassed in knowledg those Masters that had instructed him Finally there did shine in him all the good graces as well of Body as of mind for he abhorred all Vices and on the contrary exercised all sorts of Vertue passing his time in Disputations with his Masters in which he took very much delight About this time it was that the Empress his Mothe departed this life and Erastus being advertised of it although he had as tender a love for her as any Child could have for a Mother yet nevertheless knowing that Death is a Natural thing and common to all and that all the Lamentations in the World will not restore life to those that are Dead he spent but few sighs and tears upon her but concluded with the Poet in this manner The glories of our blood and state Are shaddows not substantial things There is no Armour against fate Death layes his Icy hands on Kings Septer and Crown Must tumble down And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked Scyth and Spade All heads must come To the cold â—ombe Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossome in the dust CHAP. II. The Emperour Dioclesian being enduced by the Roman Senate took to Wife the Princess Aphrodisiâ— who having heard speak of Erastus became enamoured of him and acquainted him with her affection She also provided a looking-glass made of a pretious stone which represented all things as lively as any other looking-glass of Christal or Steel and was enchased with fine Gold so cunningly wrought and so artificially that it every where represented love stories these rich things being collected she likewise provided perfumes and essences that should be as agreeable to the scent as the others were to the sight and having locked them all up in a silver Cabinet so richly wrought that the workmanship was of more value then the materials she delivered all to her trusty Slave charging him to carry this present to Erastus as sent from the Emperour and herself and to recommend them both to him expresly commanding him to acquint him that she herself had wrought most of these works and above all to shew them to him one after another presenting her most affectionat commendation without forgâ—tting to declare to him the grievous pain she endur'd for his love praying him to have compassion on her and to find the means to come to Rome that she might enjoy the the fruit of her so much desired love The Slave being dispatched with his rich presents went directly to the Castle where Prince Erastus with his Masters resided by fortune he found him alone in the Garden contemplating on the secrets of Phylosophy he rejoyced at his good luck being of opinion that fortune had favoured him very much in regard he found the Prince so conveniently without Company whereby he might have the conveniency to let him see peice by peice the beauty and richness of his present and to have leisure to discharge himself of his whole message and although the sage discipline of the Prince and the great continence wherewith he was reported to be endowed might cause him to desist from prosecuting his design yet the gayety which he then saw him in and his Age being so propper for love affairs put him in hopes that he should perfect the desires of the Empress his Mistress however being cuning and crafty he purposed to manage the affair of her affections as he should find the young Prince affected to the beauty of the present which he brought him being thus determined having made his reverence he presented recommendations from the Emperour and Empress telling him he was expresly sent to him to visit him and to bring him certain presents as a remembrance which were for the most part wrought by the Empresses own hands who did bear as much affection to him as the Emperour himself and although by reason of her youthfulness she was not deserving of the name of Mother yet nevertheless she did assure him that she had as great an affection for him or more then if she had bore him of her body as in time she would make appear to him and having opened the Cabinet he took out the rich presents which the Empress
yeâ— the 〈◊〉 of which put me upon the dâ—sire of this revâ—â—◠〈…〉 thought it would have 〈…〉 â—â—â—dly said her Master for I know 〈…〉 the cause goes and by thiâ— me◠〈…〉 you will please me very much â—f 〈…〉 â—â—ur self instead of a reward I will inflict upâ—◠〈◊〉 a punishment so strange that I will make thee tell the truth by force The poor and unhappy Chamber-maid began to relate the love between her and the â—ervant how she was surprized by her Mistress beaten after a most grievous manner and how she purposed a reuenge should it cost her her life in short she omitted nothing that was past saying moreover that it was not the life of her Mrs. she desired but to have her as loâ—dly basted as she had been basted by her â—he Gentleman heaâ—ing this being all â—age and fury he â—an aâ— her and having râ—pâ— open her breast with that Dâ—ggâ—r he kill'd Henry with be toâ—e out her hâ—â—â— and stampt upon it pouring out all the curâ—es reprâ—aches and execrations he could think of over her wretched carcals cursing himself too for believing the treachery of her miscreant and now â—â—viâ—g sufficientâ— deplored and wept over the corps of his chaste wife and faithful servant Henry he askt of one and the other a thousand pardons saying since it is inpossible to remedy so great a crime as I have here committed so great in killing you both so wrongfully that it must not pass unpunisht and therefore I will appease it I can by sacrifising my self to your offended innocency begging that you will not deny me your Company in death since there was so much love and amity between us in life till treachery made this final seperation There is one thing left which affâ—ds me some comefort and contentment that before I dye I have had my just revenge although a thousand deâ—ths of such like Traytors is no fit reparation for the life I have deprived having said this he put a halter about his neck and having tyed it to a beam strait over the body of his câ—â—ste wife he wrote against the wall with his daggeâ— these verses under written which yet to this day are to be seen in the house of that miserable Gentleman By a rash act which had its rise from treason Incens'd by a maid servant without reason I wrongfully have stain my dearest wife And a male servant have depriv'd of life At length I knew the truth but 't was too late To stay the hand of my too rigid fate And then I stab'd the heart that was the cause In making me offend great Natures lâ—ws For which I hang my sâ—lf against this wall Cleanders boundless rashnâ—sâ— was his fall Having finisht this writeing he threw the dagger under him and pushing the stool on which he stood to tye the rope about the beam with which he intended to hang himself he there hung miserably ending his dayes for being over câ—edulous and puâ—ting too much confidence in his own eyes And now to return to the matter of fact which is the question I conclude Sir that you ought to take great heed in this matter and weigh it with serious consideration without levity believeing in the words of her who desires the death of Erastus without any reason thereunto inducing Consider then within your self that this affair may be otherwise that as it was represented to your eyes For there is no greater argument nor more proper instance for entring into jealousie then this Gentleman of Padua of whom we spake before who without questioning the matter took it for certain but knew in the conclusion but too late and to his utter ruin that a matter of such great importance should not rely on the believing of an other nay nor himself This oration of the Philosopher put all the Auditors into admiration for he spake so much to the purpose and with such vivacity that all the standers by could not refrain from bathing their cheeks in a Sâ—a of teares which wrought so effâ—ctually that every one Judged nothing waâ— more requisitâ— then staying the execution of the sentence oâ— Erastus untill the fact was more narrowly searcht into that in the end he might receive a righteous Judgment Whereupon the Emperour was constrained to condescend as well for that excelâ—â—t diâ—course the Philosopher hâ—â— delivered as for the supplications the Senate â—stâ—r'd up to his Majesty according to this conclusion Erastus was sent brâ—â— to his Dungeon and so had his life prolonged by the meaâ—s of hiâ— good Master Enoscopus This History or Example of Cleander is according to the originall in the Italian and French but in regard there is another History in another Book to this purpose I shall thus relate it THere dwelt in a certain City a Kinghâ— well striken in years who notwithstanding married a wife whose youth and beauty boâ—h conjoyned to make her the subject of every mans admiration these two things so endeared his affections towards her that their was noâ—hing to her by him more pâ—izable in the whole universe now least at any time he might be robb'd of this inesteemable Jewell after with his own hands he had lockt hiâ— doors he secured the keys under his beds-head By the way you are to understand that by the Lowâ— of the City at a certain hour of the night a Bell was usually rung after the sound of which if either man or woman was found gadding in the streets they were instantly seiz'd and having been detain'd in prison 〈◊〉 might the next morning they stood in the Pillory aâ— an object of shame and laughter to all the beholders This antient Knight by reason of his age was impotent feeble and altogether unable to give that satisfaction as youth required as well for procreation as delight and therefore his young wife found out away to supply his defects by taking the keys every night from under his head when fast asleep opening the doors went to her paramour who having lustfully enjoyed her sill returned and lay'd the keys in the same place from whence she took then It so happened but not expected that one night fafter she was gone to prosecute her accustomed delights that her husband awaked and m ssing his wife felt for the keys but finding them not he went down to the door which he found open therefore he bolted it and returned to his Chamber and suspecting his wifes levity he lookt out of the window to observe the passages which might happen in the street When it was very late or rather early his wife came from her lustfull â—allion but found the door bolted against her however she took the boldness to knock Hereupon the good old Knight looking out of the window and seeing it was his disloyal wife spake to her in this manner O thou wicked unchast woman have I now found you out how often may I not from hence conclude thou hast committed adultry defiled thy marriage bed for
that their case would alwayes prove as it did with a Damsel of Modena whose story I shall willingly relate which may serve as well to this purpose as another if I did not doubt to displease the Counsel with my tediousness no no replyed the Emperour proceed and you shall very much please me for time cannot be better imployed than in hearing those things from whence we may learn some good and profitable doctrine whereupon the Philosopher prosecuting his discourse thus began In times past at Modena one of the famousest Cities in Italy there was a Gentleman one of the Principal of his Country who having spent his youthful dayes in the study of learning and in several other exercises fitting his degree and quality without subj ctâ—ng himself to the yoak of wedlock being arrived to a declension in years purposed to marry as well out of complyance to the desiers of his friends as out of an effection to leave some issue behind him and thereupon he took a woman his equal in riches and the greatness of his Family but much different in age he being well stricken in years and she entring into the flower of her age who having lived with him for some time and having had some experience of the World she understood that although she had plenty of all manner of worldly goods yet she wanted a full enjoyment of that one thing which women most principally covet and understanding that her Husband could not give her a full satisfaction she purposed to look out for it else where so that by the assistance of her Chamber-maid she contracted love with a young man and having had tryal of his youth she so entirely placed her affection on him that she not only enjoyed him in private but was not ashamed to own him before all the World But knowing that this could not be done without great scandal so long as her husband liveâ— she therefore endeavoured to dispatch her old Husband out of the way that she might be Married to this young one who for his parâ— loved her with an equal affection hoping that it would not be long ere they had both their wishes accomplâ—shed in regard that the old man could not by the course of Nature live much lâ—nger These two Lovers having sevaral times discoursed upon this subjâ—ct with a recipâ—ocal promise of a câ—nstancy in affâ—ction the young woman at length resolved to hasten that which Naâ—ure had so long deferred which the young man understanding he told her that although he should be pleased with her husbands death yet it was necessary to consider that this hastning might wholy hinder that which they so earnestly desired for in câ—using the old man to dye of a vioâ—ent death Justice would take such an account of it thâ—t he should be forced to forsake his Country to save his life or to suffer a shameful death by that means losing the pleasure which they had already tasted and of which they hoped in time to have a full injâ—yment Upon this discourse the young woman did in part moderate her rage yet however she endeavoured to attain her ends but yet so as it might be thought he dyed of a naturâ—l death And thereupon being acquainted with an old woman who like many others commit much wickedness under the vaile of devotion she learned of her the receipt of a certain powder made of the roots of Herbs and many other ingredients which being taken either in Bolus or Licquor would cause a burning Feaver and having provided this powder she administred it to her Husband hoping that the Phisitians judging this Feaver did proceed from bad humours would cause her husband to be purged by means of which purgation and his weakness the Physick would bereave him of his life The powdeâ— performing its operation put the poor Gentleman into a Feaver which he being sensible of sent for an â—ld well experienced Phisitian who having examined his Patient and found by his answers that he had not at all disordered himself he attributed the cause of his distemper to his age and in regard he had a young woman to his wife whereupon he was of opinion that in straining himself more than his age would admit to pleasure his young wife he had caused this Feaver to seize on him and therefore he concluded not to purge him either with Medicines r Gâ—ysters believing that a restorative would be more prâ—per for the conservation of his Radical moisture than to weaken him further by evacuation seeing him already feeble enough as well in respect of hiâ— age as in regard of his straining himself with his wife The poor Gentleman having remained several dayes in this condition his wicked wife failed not to let him taste often of her powder sometimes she gave it him in Broth and other times after some other manner that she might continue him in his Feaver but finding that this caused him only to languish and not dispatch him as she intended for the restaurative which the Phisitian administrd to him was of such vertue that it exceeded the malignity of the Feaver and maintained his radical temper wherefore she determined to make use of absolute poyson to effect that which neither Age nor his distemper could performe and so as it might be supposed that his Feaver only did occasion his death and thereupon having purchased some strong Poyson She mixed it with some Broth which she gave gave him as a restaurative But fortune was at that instant so favourable to the old man that taking the Porringer with trembling hands he chanced to let it fall and it became a Medecine to the Cat which soon lick'd it up the woman was very angry at this accident pretending her displeasure to be at the loss of so precious a restaurative and having thus spent all her Poyson for resolving to make fair work she had given him as much poyson as would have killed a dozen Wherefore that being lost she was necessitated to give him of the true restaurative by vertue of which the good Gentleman recovered his former health the powder which the old she Devil had provided being likewise all spent Whereupon the wicked woman was mad with anger and therefore resolved whatever might happen to diâ—patch him out of the way she therefore procured a sleepy potion and gave it him one night at Supper so that the poor man began to sleep as he sate at the Table His wife perceiving that to express her kindness to her husband she undressed him for bed where she purposed he should take his last sleep and having pulled off his Clothes she very gently laid him on his Bed In the mean time her Paramour being sent for he attended her in an adjoyning Chamber where they were used to meet together She soon left her husband asleep to go to her waking friend in whose company she took her pleasure and having enflamed him to a height she fell upon the discourse of the long life of her
incumbrance of hers that he may speedily effect it But good and tender hearted Creature her affection was too great to suffer her to yeild to any thing conducing to his death and the more he strives to dis-engage her breast from his the closer she clings to him vowing withal thaâ— if he wounded himself it should bâ— by forcing the sword first through her body to which she added that she would not live to be so miserable as to loose so dear a person so soon and in the same place where she had been so happy to finde him unexpectedly that very gratitude forbâ—de her to consent to the taing away his life who had lately and miraculously preserved hers and as she had some reason to believe infused a new life into her that it would be less affliction to her to die before him than to survive and behold at once the dead bodies of two persons each of which she had loved infinitely above her owne life and that the death he so much dreaded from the Hangman was not so unavoidable as his fears had made him imagine but there were other wayes of evasion besides self murder and would he but follow her advice she doubted not to put him upon such a course as should procure both his owne security and her content The Soldier more effectually wâ—ought upon by this last clause than by all else she had said and remembring the old saying that Women are alwayes more subtle and ingenious at Evasions in suddain Exigences than Men he easily promise h as who would not in his case to listen to her Câ—unsel and pursue it also if it appeared reasonable Well then saith this Good woman since the body of the best and greatest of Mortals is but a lump of clay after the departure of the Soul which gave it life sense and motion that all Relations are extinguished in death all Piety is determined in the gravâ— that it is but Charity to use the Reliques of the Dead in case of necessity to preserve the Living why should not I dispense with the formality of post hume-respects to the putrifying Corps of my deceased Huâ—band and make use of it for the preservation of my living friend with whose life my own is insepâ—rably bound up and whose danger therefore is equally mine come therefore my Dear and let us take my Husbands body out of his Coffin and place it upon the Gibbet in the room of the Malefactors which you say hath been stolen away Death you know doth so change and disfigure the Countenance as to disguise it from the knowledg of even the most familiar acquaintance Who then can distinguish his naked body from the other besides we will besmear his face with blood and dirt and rather than fail in any part of resemblance break his arms and legs and make the same wounds in him the Executioner did in the Rogue 's so that his nearest Relations shall not be able to find a difference much less shall strangers who come to gaz-upon such horrid spectacles out of a â—avage Curtâ—sity and commonly stand a loof off The Souldier quickly approves the woman's project how to excuse him and having no time for now day was approaching to insist upon acknowledgment either of her great love or of the felicity of her wit he joyns his strength with hers and removes the Husband's Corps out of the vault to the Gibbet whereon he placeth it in the same posture he had left the villains omitting no part of those resemblances she had suggested as requisite to delude the spectators Which cone He and his incomparable Mistriss secretly retire to consuâ—t further not only of their present safety but also how they might continue that mutual hapineâ—s which Fortune had so unexpectly begun betwixt them And thus did they put an end to this nights Adventures which had been admirable to them both and we may from hence learn the instability of all sublunary things but more particularly the Mutability and Levity of women so that there is no great heed to be taken of them especially when they are in their passions as I may conclude the Empress is now possest of which rageth so extreemly that nothing but the death of your Son the Prince Erastus will quallisy whether her passion be Love or Hate I know not but believe in the conclusion you will finde that it is both and that Hate at present is the product of former Love but let it be which or how it will I am sure it is not commendable in her to let it proceed so far as to take away the life and honor of a Prince so vertuous as is Prince Erastus and who I hope if you please to spare from executing at present will very suddainly make it appear to you and all the world that he is not in the least guilty of the crimes whereof he hath been accused I have already told you that some others say this was the story or example which Lencus the Philosopher did write in a Letter and send to the Emperour but some agen say that it was the former of the Physitian of Millain they are both to one purpose and efect to shew the weakness instabillity and passions of women and may be and are well applyed to the Emperour in this occasion about his Son Erastus for the satisfaction of the Reader that nothing may be wanting to make this book as compleat as possibly as I can I have given the Reader an account of them both he may give credit to which he pleaseth and therefore I shall thus proceed After the Philosopher Lencus had sealed and subscribed this Letter he delivered it to one of the Soldiers that was set to gard him charging him above all things to deliver it that morning early to the Emperour and to tell him that it was an advertisement of very great importance This the Soldier promised faithfully to do and thereupon he went directly to the Castle to execute his charge the Emperour seeing the day break and that the Sun did already gild the tops of the mountains that he might be distant from a spectacle so miserable as that of the death of his Son and of seven Persons esteemed and reputed to be the wisest of that Age he therefore purposed to ride out into the fields to divert his melancholly as well as he could and as he was about to mount on horseback the Soldier which the Philosopher had sent making his reverence delivered the Letter to him He instantly opening it read it but not without great alteration which was taken notice of by those that were about him seeing that he often changed colour from thence beleiving that it was something concerning the Prince Erastus The Emperour having then read this Letter remained for some time very pensive without speaking one word yet withal concluding that he could do no less than to communicate this advertisement to the counsel he returned in some pâ—ssion to the
he arose and soon after him the Empress to whom a minute of an hour seemed to be a year so desirous she was to be satisfied in the death of the innocent Erastus and the seven Philosophers who took part with him to maintain the just quarrel of their Disciple and she was no sooner up but she sent in great haste for those who had Commission to execute the sentence of the Emperor against Erastus and the Philosophers CHAP. XXIII Prince Erastus declares in full Senate the necessity which had constrained him to be silent untill then and by an example of Hermogenes afterwards named Entichus whose Father had caused him to be cast into the Sea that he might not see him to be greater than himself Yeâ— however the same Entichus at length obtained the Crown of the Kingdom of Candia although he was but the Son of an ordinary Merchant according to the fatal destinies who had foretold that he should Arive at this dignity shewing that there is no prudence nor humane counsell that can hinder that which once hath been determined in Heaven and by the Caelestiall Influence And having declared the truth of the fact as it had passed between him and the Empress he and the Philosophers are acquitted and the Empress is cast into Prison The Jaylor having heard the Message of Prince Erastus went with all dilligence to the Emperours Lodgings yet he doubted that he should be derided for delivering a Message from one that was Damb but however he delivered what he had in charge to the Emperour who understanding this new Embassy remained very much perplexed and astonished by means of what had newly happened And although he believed that his Son had given that in charge to the Jaylor which he had delivered yet he thought it very strange that he now speaking he should all that time keep silent even in those great dangers wherein he had been and was still envolved So that he sometimes resolved not to make any reckoning of him considering the small esteem Erastus had for him not vouchsafeing to speak and justifie himself when he had been charged with so great a crime for which cause he believed he had just occasion to be angry with his Son who had so little respected him as not to pay him one civil salutation as in duty he was bound to and for that he had not answered one single question there having been so many propounded to him whe efore he had concluded that this his silence was sufficient proof of his guiltiness in so abominable a case as he had been charged withall And then again natural affection and instinct which induces Tygers to bear affection to their young ones although they disdaine hate all others induced and inclined the Emperour to give him audience And thereupon he gave command to the Jaylor that Erastus and the seven Philosophers should be brought bound before the Senate being however resolved that so soon as he had finished his discourse which in his opinion could be nothing but to aske mercy and pardon he should be publickly executed and with him the seven Philosophers according to the Sentence formerly given and the evening before confirmed the news was already spread throughout all Rome how that the Empress had the evening before obtained of the Emperour that without any process or delay the young Prince Erastus and his seven Masters should the next morning be publickly executed so that before day break the place of execution was full of Spectators to see the end and issue of this spectacle every one believing it impossible that so vertuous persons as the Philosophers should be miserably and publickly executed with the only Son and heir of a Roman Emperour and that their wisdome and vertue which was known to all could not save them not that none would engage in their rescue The people being thus gathered together some of them perceived the Jaylor when he went to the Emperour and therefore followed him being inquisitive after news but were hindred by the Guard from entring the Pallace only some Noble men and persons of quality were admitted and were present when the Emperour commanded the Jaylor to bring forth the Prince these relating this news abroad to others it was matter of novelty to all as being of so great importance that it could not be hid in obscurity so that at length it became so publick that not only all in the Pallace was acquainted therewith but also the whole City of Rome and principally the Senators who had upon this occasion been already sent for so that throughout the whole City there was a world of people of all sorts and qualities men and women great small who being every where met together made it their whole business all expecting the issue conclusion of the speech that Erastus would make before the Senate where every one strived to get a place that they might hear what would be said Only the Empress hearing of this news began to suspect her affair as well in respect of certain remorse of conscience which pressed her as for the novelty of the case so that being retired into her Chamber she ruminated in her thoughts the event of this discourse and she already repented of the rashness of her pursuit and then on a sudden she would take courage by a certain presumption that had possessed her and further enflamed her with malice and angâ—â— setting good spies upon the place to know when Erastus should be brought before the Emperour and to give her an account of all passages that should happen All the world being in this expectation the young Prince Erastus arived who went before his Masters all thâ—ir hands being fettered and as strictly guarded as if they had been going to execution as the Emperour had commanded which â—pectacle moved â—ll to compassion But on the contrary the young Prince marched with so much magnaminity and confideâ—ce that he appeared as if he had made a Triumphant entry rather then to go to execution And there did he see his Father sitting in the Senate purposing not to be overcome by fatherly love although his Son should beg pardon or favour but to leave him to the Justice of the Law Erastus being come to a convenient place with a voice high enough to be heard of all began as followeth I deny not my Lord and Father that the Creatures of this world every one in its kind do sometimes produce eff cts degenerating from their essence so that there is nothâ—ng here below that arives to an absolute perfection but when this miâ—fortâ—nâ— happens to man to see wicked Children issue from good Parents who however have taken pains to have them well bred up and instructed such as these may be reckoned not to be men but brute Beasts And therefore so much the more should I confess my self to be such if I should commit or think of committing so great a crime as that wherewith I am charged and should
to our selves without doing any good or availing any thing to the benefit of the dead as to recalling them to life agen and hazarding and endangering our own contrary to the laws of Nature whereby every one is obleidged to endeavour their preservation as much as in them lyes and if she had designed any thing against her own life as he doubted she had she ought instantly to retract it for as murder was the greatest crime humain nature could be guilty of so much the more criminal were they that should be murderers of themselves and that it was so detestable a crime that it was dangerous to presume that heaven would be so merciful as to satisfie it and that it was most certain the Ghost of her Husband could receive no satisfaction thereby but be rather displeased since if he loved her when living he could not allow of any violence she should offer to her self but rather abâ—or the society of so great a Criminal The woman hearing that her visitant had done replyed that indeed his discourses Were true but she had such a subject of sorrow as was not 〈◊〉 be parralled her loss had been so great thâ—â—â—lthough her grief were so too yet she rather deservâ—d pitty and excuse than to be reprehended or condemned and this short speech was accompanyed nâ—t only with a deludge of tears but another fit of fainting the man of War and Phisick for at this time he had acted the the Phisitian seeing his Patient so far frâ—m being cured that he feared a relapse had immediate recourse to his only Medicine the Antidote of the bottle and holding up her head with one hâ—nd with thâ— other he drencheth her with a consideâ— a â—e dose oâ— the remaining licquor which was â—o sooner in her stomach but she finding the warmth and vigour of it was at it were reannimated the fountains of her tears stopped her forehead smoothed and her face reducâ—d to her Native sweetness and this last draught did not only effect thus strangely on her body but her minde also seemed to be perfectly restored to its antient mildness and tranquillity for as if a new soul had been infused into her she became the most affable complaisant and cheerful Creature in the world and indeed there was not only a change of humor but also a perfect metamorphosis of her Person that she seems not to be the same woman for instead of a sorrowful widdow which she lately was she now appears to be a most pleased and contented Bride Her forehead seems to be smoothed d lated to a graceful largeness and spread with a sanguine dye Her eyes though little more than half open yet sparkling with lustre and their amiable whites turned upward and yet by stealth casting glances on her Visitant such as dying persons and lovers in the extasie of delight are observed to usâ— Her lips wâ—re swelled with a delicious vermillion â—â—ncture her cheeks overflowed with pleasing blushes her head a little dâ—clining as when modesty and desiâ—e have a secret conflâ—ct and she is wholly possâ—ssed with an impatient though gentle dispute and her spirits being highly agitated within so there was an effusion of them upon the outward parts a temperate and balmy sweat extilling from the Pores of her snow white skin so that there was reaâ—on to suspect that this Matron although still in the Chaâ—nel house and sitting upon the coffin of her dearest all whom she so lately lamented with so much violencâ— she I say we may suspect to be in Love and that she now burns as extreamly in the flames of amorous desires of the Soldâ—er as she was lately frozen in the Ice of sorrow for her husband her looks and gestures betray her and all the ayres of high content and pleasure appear in her face and that she may taste of those joyes â—he so much desires she throws her self into the Soldiers arms she embâ—acâ—th him she k sses him wiâ—h that violence as if she were unsatiâ—fied with thâ— bare touches of his lipâ— aâ—d l nged to leave the impression of hers upon them when she had feasted her lips with touching 〈◊〉 feasted her eyes with beholding their belâ—ved objâ—ct in a word there is nothing of liberty dalliance caresses indearments which this sportful woman dâ—th not use to make herself grateful and charming to her new Gallant and to kindle fresh desires in him so that we may conclude one of the Daughters of the beautiful Venus is now sporting with one of her beloved Mars's his Sones and that in the height of Solace neither was the Soldier wanting for being sensible of the Magick of her wanton enticements he is soon armed for an encounter which being to be done in the dark let us seasonably avert our eyes and leave these Votaries quietly to finish their Cytherian Rites they are going about especially since their Zeale is so Fervent as not to scruple the Nicietie of making the dead Hâ—sbands Coffin the Altar whereon to kindle and exhale the Incense they have brought Thus you see here was a great and suddain change in our Matron who is no longer Mourner or Widdow I shall not trouble you with a large discourse of what should be the cause of this suddain and prodigious Metamorphosis some attribute it to the Mutability and Levity of womens nature in general considering the softness and tenderness of their constitution is such as renders them like wax capable of any impressions but we have daily examples of the constancy in affection of some women who will loose their lives in defense of their honor so that I will not attribute this Mutability and Levity of women to be general to all women nor that this was the only cause of our Matrons Metamorphosis for some impute it to the force of the wine the Soldier gave her but I suppose this can at the most be reckoned to be but an Accessary and not the principal Agent for the quantity she drank though it was sufficient to renew her spirits cherish her vitals warmeth and quicken the motion of her blood yet was it too little to intoxicate her brain and enflame her to the heighth of desires so inconsistent and contrary to the fridgid temper and low condition it found her in and as to the quallity though good wine be the milk of Venus yet doth it sâ—ld me work effectâ—ally that way but where it meets with boyes prâ—disposed to admit and concurre with its sprightly and heightning influence wherefore it cannot consist with reason to aggravate the facility of this woman and transferre it wholly upon the innocent means of her refreshment and recovery so that the Mutability and Levity of women in general and the effâ—cts of wine not being the cause I know not what else to attribute it unto or charge it upon aâ— Love in general which we know is the Author of many wonderful Advetnures and is a kinde of Magick against which Nature hath given us no power of
resistance and which mastereth the greatest and wisest men in the world as may be proved by a world of examples which I shall omit and return to the Matron and her beloved Souldier who by this time had satisfied hers and his own desires and now after his pleasure in the Vault was desirous to know how his business at the Gibbet stood which although he found standing in the place he left it yet the body was removed this was a sight as unpleasing as that of his Mistress had been pleasant and he now becomes more despairing than she had been and he strives more to destroy himself than he had hefore to preserve her Being distracted with horror at the Gibbet he returns in a horrible posture to the Vault and there without speaking he falls to acting one while he casteth up his eyes that flame with fury beats his breast tears his hair stampeth upon the ground and useth all the gestures of a man transported to perfect madness which suddain and violent passion another while he stands unmoved and silent fixing his exeâ— upon the earth as if â—e were consulting the infernal spirits what to do with himself he exclaims against heaven despises fate to make him more miserable reproaches Fortune for her giddiness Curses his Malevolent Stars renounceth Providence sometimes he condemns his own negligence and then he reflects upon the innocent woman a the unhappy occasion of his wretchedness and thinkiâ—g he had met with the true cause of his mischeif he interpretates all the plagues in Nature upon the heads of the whole Sex and vomits out these blasphemies against them Ah Women women saith he why did Nature make you unless repenting the perfection she had given to man she found out you to lessen it For Man who otherwise would be more than half Divine only by being obnoxious to the corrupt temptations of Woman is made less than half Human What misery ever befel him in which Woman had not a hand What crime did He ever commit to which she did not incite him What Tragedy hath at any time been acted in the theatre of the world in which a woman had not her part what war what desolâ—tion what ruin hath not found its beginning in that mischeivous sâ—x How many mighty Nations flourishing K ngdomes prosperous Common-wealths populous Cities and noble Families have owed their destruction to either the Malice or Pride or Lust of Woman What are you Women but the poyson of Mans Innocence and Peace which Nature hath guilded-over with a splended out-side that we might swallow it down with the less suspition all your beauties all your châ—rms are but like the Apples of Sodom which have fair and inviting rinds and yet within are nothing but stinking dâ—â—â— you are the true Sirens that enchant us with the melody of your voice and then hold us captives in the chains of beastial slavery You are the true Hiena's that assure us with the fairness of your skins and when folly hath brought us within your reach you leap upon us and devour us You are the traiters to Wisdom the impediments to industry the obstacles to honour the softners of courage the perturbers of Tranquillity the cleg to vertue and goads that drive us all to vice impiety and ruin You are the Fool 's Paradise the wisemans plague and the grand Error of Nature What What shall I say I want words to express your pravity as I did my reason when I set my foot into this unlucky this fatal place Having thus belched out this virulent invective against poor innocent women who deserved much better language at his hands his wild imagination which catcheth at any thing wheels about and he thus vomits the remainder of his choler upon himself What damned spirit was it that conducted me into this Charnel-house made me quit my duty where was the care vigilancy of my good Angel when he left me to be seduced into this dismal vault would I had fallen into a den of Lions Tygres when I lighted upon this woman here then had dyed innocent without dishonour whereas now I have contracted a guilt whose punishment is an infamous death and that inevitable unless I prevent the stroke of justice and become my own Executioner Which being the only refuge my disaster hath left me why am I thus slow in addressing my self unto it why do I waste that time in weak and fruitless complaints which I ought to imploy in delivering my self from the extremity of misfortunes that is yet to come dye I must by sentence of the magistrate why then should I defer to fall by my own hand to vindicate ones self from extream and otherwise inevitable Calamity by Sui-cide is not certainly a crime but an act of Heroique Fortitude I am resolved therefore my sword shall prevent the ignominy of the Gallows and by forcing open the Gates of death I will stop up the way to publick shame Here he puts a period to his desperate Harangue and hasting to put one to his life also he suddainly draws his sword and beginning to set the hilt of it upon the ground that he may cast himself upon the point he is most seasonably prevented by the pious Matron Who being all this while ignorant of the cause of his fury hath been wholly possessed with amazement at the extravagant effects of it so that she minded not a word of all those bitâ—er reproaches he had cast forth against her whole Sex but quickly roused out of the stupifying fit of wonder wherewith she had been invaded by seeing him draw his sword she throws herself into his armes partly by grasping his hands pâ—â—tly by the charms of her kisses tears and entreaâ—ies she so far becalm's his rage as that he seems not unwilling to pâ—â—rouge at least the execution of that self-assasination he intended until he had convinced her of the necessity of it He tells her therefore in short that the body of a certain notorious villain which he had been appointed to guard was taken from the Gâ—bbet and conveyed away that the penalty of the like death ' denounced by the Governour against him and his fellows who had transferred the whole charge upon his care and vigilancy was certain and inevitable unless he hilled himself by way of prevention that if she could have any sentiments of kindness for so unfortunate a wretch as this sad accident had made him there was now no way left for her to express them but by permitting him qâ—ietly to pervert the infamy of a publick execution by a private with-drawing himself into the other world and that it was some content to him in this his Agony that he should leave his body to be dissolved into the same dust with that of her former Lover of whose singular worth fame hath defused so honourable a report And having thus hastily delivered to her the cause of his desperate resolution he begins again to free his hands of the