till her time in ignorance did wander Yet afterwards acknowledge none their betters In History Philosophy or Phraise Of eloquence deseruing worthy praise 156 Aretha was in learning so profound That she in Athens publike schoole did read Philosophie with iudgment graue and sound VVherein she did the learnedst man exceed VVhose Auditors as Pollio doth declare Philosophers aboue a hundred were 157 VVhen Lucius Scilla was condemn'd to die Who falsely had three thousand Romains slaine That did vpon his word their liues relie His daughter Loelia did his life obtaine With one oration which she made in Rome Whereat the Senate did reuoke their doom 158 Senobia was in learning so repleate Both Greeke and Latin to her sons she taught And did a rare epitome repeate Of all the warres wherwith the East was fraught Athenian Pericles who soar'd so high Did from Aspasia learne Philosophie 159 Cornelia a famous Roman dame Such eloquent Epistles vs'd to write That Cicero a man of rarest fame Cōmends her workes with wonderful delight With Pallaes help to end rare Lucan broght The battaile Caesar and great Pompey fought 160 Alexandra the wife of Alexander In Iury liu'd a Bishop many yeares Whose learned wisdom like a wise commander Was reuerenc'd both of common-wealth and Peeres Dona the daughter of Pithagoras In sciences a famous scholler was 161 Two Gretian women deepely learn'd indeed The loue of Plato did so highly win That seated in his chaire about to read Before they came he seldome would begin In them saith he sage wisdom doth remaine And memory graue maxims to maintaine 162 In France a sect of women did remaine Cal'd Druides to whom Aurelian came From Rome to France their counsells to obtaine So much their wisdom was renownd by fame Mirrha Queene of Lydia men did call Agiant for her wit in stature small 163 In Rhodes a Roman and a Greeke fell out Who both desir'd their cuntries worth to raise The Greeke cōtest the Romans were more stout But vnto Greece for learning gaue the praise Wherin said he our women more doe know Then you in armes whereof you boast of so 164 Vpon which words a mortall warre insu'd 'Twixt Rome Carthage til the Rodians came VVho earnestly intreate they would conclude To make them empires in this worke of fame To whose request whē they had both agreed The noble Rhodians in this wise proceed 165 Ten Greacian women they in Rhodes ordaine VVith ten of Rome shall disputation hold which they with such rare learning did maintain In leaues of brasse deserues to be inrol'd For with the Rhodiās to their great renown with Lawrell wreathes these famous women crown'd 166 For sollid sentences and learning graue Vnto the Grecians they the praise decreed True eloquence they to the Romans gaue Wherin they thought they did the Greeks exceed But from each side such vertue rare did flow As mē could hardly who were victors know 167 The worthy Rodians in perpetuall praise That after ages might their vertues see To each of them a monument did raise VVhereby their loue shall intermixed be Twenty huge Pillers of victorious fame Whereon was writ each seuerall womans name 168 Two famous Theban virgins being told The Oracle had said they should enioy A conquest from the Orchymenians bold If two chast virgins should thēselues destroy Their country with victorious praise to kill Coragiously their dearest bloud they spill 169 Braue Celia that King Porsenna tooke VVith whom in hostage diuers virgins were With courage stout by night his camp forsook Gat horse and swame a riuer void of feare VVhereat the King amaz'd without delay Did raise his siege and went with shame away 170 Hermonia a Siracusan maid To saue her country did her life defie The wife of Asdruball was lesse afraid VVhen Scipio conquered then himselfe to die Great Mithridates wife and sisters three Shew'd farre lesse feare of death then he 171 Resolued Portia hearing this sad newes Her husband and her father both were slaine That tyrannizing sorrow should abuse Her noble spirit did so much disdaine The burning coales to eate she doth deuise Thus made herselfe a liuing sacrifice 172 The pride of Aegipt that most glorious Queen Did so much scorn great Caesars campe to grace With captine bands wher she shold ly between Dispaire and hope in a contemned case With poisoned Asps whose touch to death doth hie Brauely resolu'd she rather chose to die 173 Philip proclam'd at Scyo euery slaue That would come forth with his army hold With liberty their masters wiues should haue Which when the women heard like lions bold They sally out and to their great renowne Beate Phillip and his army from the towne 174 The Scyots by th' Egiptian sore opprest Vnarm'd to leaue the towne with them agree which when the womē heard they could not rest Vntill they made them change this base decree With sheild and speare vncloth'd they march away Telling their foes that this was their aray 175 Among the Amasons two Queens they chose The forraigne and domestique state to guide Abroad Marpesia did subdue their foes At home Lampeda all things did decide VVith equall iustice void of loue or hate VVhich made them florish in a happy state 176 Constantinople being round beset With furious Gothes that ment it to destroy The Empresse bold to the wall did get VVhere valiantly she did them so annoy That many by her noble hands did die The rest were forst to raise their siege fly 177 Simeramis deserues to be inrold In brasen leaues of euerlasting praise Who by her vallour like a Tygresse bold Her hardy foes inforst their campe to raise From Babilon they surely thought to take Which she with shame compeled them to forsake 178 Senobia forst Aurelian to confesse With whom a famous war she long maintain'd To conquer Xerxes was a taske far lesse Whose greatnesse with the name of feare was stain'd Thē stout Senobia who with speare sheild Came like the God of bataile to the field 179 Penthiselia that couragious queene Encountered braue Achilles hand to hand Then which a brauer combat nere was seene Hippolita stout Theseus did withstand In single fight their honors to maintaine VVhereby they did immortallglory gaine 180 The Queene of Carryall like the God of war Did chase the Rhodians like a hare with hounds Against whose valor nothing was a barre She burnt the wals sackt their cheifest townes Whereby she forst thē to her endlesse fame To build her image and inscribe her name 181 Immortall Tass◠thou canst neuer die So worthily Clornidaes fame to write Who boldly durst that champion braue defie Renowned Tancred euen at single fight And so perform'd that men could hardly know The conqueror suruiu'd his conquered foe 182 Vndanted Hector hadst thou liued now Howmuch thy hardest soule wold blush to see That earths great monarch should be made to bow And
doth them conuay And to the woods aduisd them take their flight That so the spies might misse them on the way For which good deed as God had thē inspir'd They faithfully performe what she desir'd 25 His care of women he doth here expresse With speciall charge the widowes to defend And not to hurt the children fatherlesse For I shall heare saith he their cries ascend Then with the sword I wil your liues bereaue And children orphants with your widows leaue 26 A most renowned woman next we find A famous Iudge and sacred Prophetesse She vnto euery Israelite assign'd His equall portion were it more or lesse Vnder a Palme in Ephraim she abode And iudg'd according to the will of God 27 To field she doth the Prophet Barak call Against the King of Canans mightie band Foretelling him that Sisera should fall For God will surely giue him to thine hand And Barak answering said I will not go Except thou likewise go with me also 28 Then Deborah with Barak went along Vnto mount Tabor where a while they stay Till Sisera with men and chariots strong Did call him downe where Deborah did say To Barak feare not God for thee doth fight And Sisera this day shall put to flight 29 But to a woman he shall giue the fame For thy weake faith which else thee was due The wife of Heber Iael was her name That with a naile this famous Captaine slue For which the Lord hath said she shal be blest Aboue all women that in tents doe rest 30 Thus God deliuered Canan to the hands Of Israel to Deborahs great fame Who while their townes depopulated stands An happy mother she to them became For many kings went forth with her to fight And Israell grew happy in her sight 31 A cheerful song she with the King doth strait Vnto her God with warbled notes record Hearken ô Kings giue eare you Princes great The mountaines melted from before the Lord Yea euen Sinai at his voice did melt The heauens did drop the earth his thunder felt 32 The wife of Monoah being barren long God by his Angells most diuinely blest With such a sonne as is not found among The Nazarites with heauenly strength possest Where with he shal begin to break the bands And Israell saue from the Philistians hands 33 Now Monoah as the Angell did commaund Vnto the Alter with his offering came Where while it burnt his wife he did stand The Angell loe ascended in the flame And Monoah told his wife there standing by We haue seene God and wee shal surely die 34 The faithfull woman comforts him and saies And if the Lord intended vs to kill He would not then accept the thanks praise Wee offer here according to his will Now God did blesse this child to be a man And made him mighty in the host of Dan. 35 Of Naomy and Ruth what tongue can tell The tender loue they each to other beare Together would they goe together dwell Together they the Lord did serue and feare Together they would laugh together cry Together liue and eke together die 36 And Naomy with feruent zeale did pray Vnto the Lord that of his mercie great He would on Ruth his louing fauour lay Who heard her prayer from his tribunall seate And graciously his blessings he bestowes As she was gleaning in the field of Boez 37 A mightie man with riches great possest VVhom God inspired with an ardent flame Of faithfull loue which could not be supprest Vntill an husband he to Ruth became Frō whō by his decree whose acts are wise A blessed generation doth arise 38 A liuely patterne of rare faith indeed In barren Hannah we may here behold With teares which frō a contrite heart proceed Vnto the Lord she doth her griefe vnfold VVith feruent prayer she might a son obtain Vowing to giue him to the Lord againe 39 God heard her praier and granted her request She doth conceiue and eke bring forth a sonne Wch brought her discontēted thoughts to rest She magnifide the Lord for what was done And to the Altar where all knees do bow She brought the child there performd her vow 40 A true Idea of a vertuous wife In Abigail is worthily exprest VVho by her wisedome sau'd her husbands life From Dauids iust reuenge and all the rest Whē he had vowd of Nabals house there shal Not one be left to pisse against the wall 41 And shortly after God did Nabal smite VVith sicknesse whereof presently he died Then Dauid said Blest be the God of might That hath my hands to shed his blood denide By her aduice whose loue he now pursues And for her vertue to his wife doth chuse 42 Vnspotted Tamar in a brothers power On whō she thought she might her life depend Whilst he inhumanely did her defloure See how she mourns for what she cānot mend Her clothes the rent dust ashes throws Vpon her head thus desolate she goes 43 Bathsheba by the Prophet is inspir'd To moue the King that Salomon might raigne Alone no doubt the highest heauens desir'd Ordaining her the subiect to obtaine VVhich well appear'd by his diuine successe God did with wisedom riches honor blesse 44 So rare that from the wild Arabian south The Queene of Sheha iournied many daie s To learne sage wisdom frō that sapie nt mouth To her immortall euerlasting praise which whē she did with wonder great behold She gaue him spices precious stones gold 45 And blest saith she be God which doth delight In thee O King and of his mercy great That so his people may be iudg'd aright Hath thee inuested in the iudgment seate This womā shal saith God in iudgment rise Against those people did their Lord despise 46 How highly God of women doth esteeme The widow of Sarepta sheweth plaine which widow poore the Lord doth worthy deeme The holy man Eliah to fustaine When famine sore the country did oppresse By miracle he doth this woman blesse 47 A little oyle she had within a cruse And meale likewise to make a cake withall VVhereby herselfe she iustly doth excuse Vnto the Prophet who for bread doth call Loe this is all is left my sonne and I VVhich I am dressing we may eate and die 48 Eliah said woman be not afraid Make first a cake and bring it vnto me The meale is in thy barrell God hath said Nor yet the oyle shall euer wasted be Vntil the time the Lord doth send forth raine The earth with plenty to possesse againe 49 And she vnto Eliah brought a cake Then for her selfe sonne did likewise dresse And many daies did this prouision make And yet her meale and oyle was not the lesse And to confirm her faith stil more more Her sonne deceast he doth to life restore 50 An other widow straight the Lord hath found On whom he doth most plenteously bestow A miracle for euer to
be crown'd Her vessells all with oyle doth ouerflow And ceased not vntill the woman said My vessells all are full and then it staid 51 Then came she to the man of God and told The blessings which she had receiu'd that day Eliah said straight let the oyle be sold Wherewith thou mai'st thy creditors go pay And as the Lord this day thy state hath blest So keepe thy selfe children with the rest 52 The faithfull Shunamite deserueth well To be recorded with this sacred crue Who did the holy man of God compell To eate with her at euery season due And seriously her husband doth inuite To build a roome where he might lodge all night 53 Wherefore Eliah prayed vnto the Lord She being barren and her husband olde To make her fruitfull and he doth accord The Prophet cald the Shunamite and told For this good deed which thou to me hast done Thou shalt conceiue eke bring forth a son 54 And in due time this miracle was wrought By his great power that rules the starrie skie A ioyfull sonne into the world she brought Which shortly after happened to die Hereby to show his loue doth neuer cease To life he doth this child from death release 55 What title shall I giue this happy Queene Whose sacred worth her state doth far exceed No eare hath heard nor waÌ„dring eye hath seen An act more bloudy then is here decreed Her people all should be destroyd and slain Whose prayer and fasting did their liues obtaine 56 Of Prouinces one hundred twenty seuen The Iews should die the King had giueÌ„ seald Which was opposed by the powerfull heauen And at this gracious Queenes request repeal'd And to a shamefull end the man she brought That should this bloudy massacre haue wrought 57 Thus Hester by the Lords out stretched arme Who neuer failes them that in him doe trust Preseru'd her people from this wofull harme And brought their foes euen down in the dust For as they thought the Iewes to deale withall The same reuenge vpon their heads did fall 58 When Sarah whom her fathers maides dispise Was ouercome with hearts oppressing griefe Vnto the Lord for succour strait she flies Who heard her prayer granted her releife And husband of his grace he doth ordaine which into mirth her mourning turn'd again 59 If wisdome valor worth and zeale were lost And this rare patterne onely did remaine The world can scarce of such another boast Whereby it might redeeme them all againe Who by her prayer obtain'd from Gods high hand To saue a Cittie and preserue a Land 60 First dust and ashes on her head she throwes And all in sackcloth she doth fast and pray Then into Olofernes campe she goes Where she this famous Captaine doth betray With courage stout wisdom rare she vs'd His head she brought which al the land excus'd 61 Then did she call the Elders of the Towne Saying behold what God for you hath done With stately wreathes they did her straight way crowne And euery where with shoutes of ioy did run The riches great of Olofernes tent With one accord they doe to her present 62 Thus while she was extold and magnifi'd Whom euery eie with wonder did behold Vnto the Temple of the Lord she hi'd And off'ring all this wealth of plate and gold With humble zeale before the Alter bowes Vnto the Lord thus perform'd her vowes 63 A mirrour of a chast religious wife Is faire Susanna being fore distrest Who rather chose to loose her dearest life Then yeild vnto the Elders vild request Loe thus resolu'd aloud for helpe did cry And false accus'd she is condemned to die 64 But see how God did graciously prouide To saue this woman by a childes decree Who did the Elders seuerally deuide And found them both in seuerall tales to be For which vnworthy deed their liues they pay To her great honor who they did betray 65 A woman more then wonderfull behold Whose resolutions so vndanted are As by no earthly power can be control'd More permanent then any fixed starre Within the Spheare of that celistiall round To whom fames trumpet giues the loudest sound 66 Seuen sons she had who by the Kings coÌ„mand Because they would not his behests obey To violate the custome of their land Were all adiudg'd their dearest liues to pay By sundry tortures which she seeing plaine Imboldned them still constant to remaine 67 When six of them the Tirant had destroy'd He wild his mother moue the seuenth to turne That so he might this cruell death auoid In stead whereof she bids him boldly burne And Martyr-like the Tirants rage defie Thus with his brothers he doth brauely die 68 Like Hecuba for death of Pryam old The mother now all tearmes of life defi'd VVith courage greater then Sheuola bold And thus this euer honored Martir di'd Where we wil leaue theÌ„ to the world to mourn And to our Grandame Eue againe returne 69 And there behold the race poore man had run VVhen God Angells did him both forsake Fit for precipice thou wert vndone And could'st no way a good attonment make Till this rare creature thou dispisest so VVas chosen out to mittigate thy woe 70 Assist me now ye sacred Sisters nine That I with reuerence may her praises sing VVho was elected by the powers deuine A sanctifi'd and blessed birth to bring VVhen man to sin was subiect to thrall Became a sweet redemption for vs all 71 For euer blessed be that glorious name Which God Angells haue pronounced blest FroÌ„ whose deare loins our happy Sauiour came That to the world brought loue ioy peace and rest And did not spare his precious bloud to spil Condemned mans saluation to fulfill 72 All honor praise and glory due be done To her whose seed hath conquered death hel A happy mother of a royall sonne Before whose throne she doth in glory dwell Where she with Angells Ark-angells sings Sweet haleluiah to the King of Kings 73 This blessed woman if I could not find An other subiect to defend their case Might well perswade men if they were not blind With enuious malice vold of humaine grace To striue as much their honor to maintaine As they pursue theÌ„ with such foule disdaine 74 A second Mary doth this first succeed Whose loue zeale throughout the world is spred The teares would make a marble heart to bleed VVhich for her deare deceased Lord she shed Deep plung'd in woes in sorows great opprest Her minde amaz'd her sences dispossest 75 In this sad passion to the place she goes VVhereas she thought our blessed Sauiour lay No pen so dolefull can expresse her woes VVhen she perceiu'd the body stolne away A fresh she wept down her head she hung Like lapwings that are robbed of their yong 76 The precious ointment that with her she brought That glorious body to imbâ—lme and keepe She nought respects since it was gon she
sought She sighes sobs doth not cease to weepe Like Niobe this wofull womans feares As if she would dissolue herselfe in teares 77 Then came the good Apostles to the graue Frō whēce they foūd his corpes cōuai'd away Feareing the Iewes were glad thēselues to saue And soone return'd not daring long to stay Whē Mary stil stood weeping at the tombe And would not stirre for deaths most cruell doome 78 But down her head she bowed into the graue Scarce giuing credit to her wofull sight Where loe at either corner of the caue She saw an Angell cloathed all in white Whereat agast she would a side haue stept Had they not spake askt her why she wept 79 For him I wept ful fraught with greife she said Whose like on earth shal neuer more be foūd VVhom cursed Iewes most cruelly betray'd And now haue stoln him frō this blessed groūd They comfort her say thy teares refraine For he thou seek'st is rais'd to life againe 80 But she continues still her wofull cheere And to her woes no comfort would allow Vntill our Sauiour did himselfe appeare And askt her woman wherefore weepest thou She taking him the Gardner sure to be Said sir if thou hast hid him giue him me 81 And Iesus answered Mary I am he Thou seekest so wherefore be not afraid Goe to my brethren and report of me That thou hast seene heard what I haue said And will them into Galile to goe VVhere I will shortly meete with them also 82 Twixt greife and ioy she stood amaz'd a while Then downe she falls and worships at his feet And with a louing entermixing smile VVith teares of mirth she doth our Sauior greet And to perform his wil with reuerence due She rose she went she ranne she rather flue 83 Vntill she came where the Apostles were Deep plung'd in sorow with griefe opprest To whom she did this ioyfull newes declare All she had heard and seene she there exprest VVhich done she strait returned back to find The company that she had left behind 84 Another sacred Mary with her came And with them also many women more For saue the Apostles to their lasting fame VVere none but women did his death deplore Earely they rose before the breake of day Meaning frō thence to take the corps away 85 A fourth most sacred woman of this name Doth with the rest preceding well agree A woman filled with religious fame At Iesus preaching she would euer be In humble maner seated at his feete To heare his wisdome his doctrine sweet 86 Her sister Martha must not be forgot A most renowned woman full of faith Whose loue vnto our Sauiour ceased not And as the holy Scripture plainly saith Christ Iesus likewise loued them againe Whō men would seem so slightly to disdain 87 One only brother these two sisters had Who accedentally fell sicke and di'd But hearing Christ was cōming they were glad For on his power these women much reli'd Which did alay and mittigate their griefe Hoping by him they might yet find releife 88 Martha went forth her louing Lord to meete And humbly prostrate at his feete she fell Saying ô Lord and my redeemer sweet Hadst thou bin here my brother had bin well But this I know vndoubted truth to be What ere thou askest God will giue it thee 89 Then Iesus said thy brother shall arise Yes at the resurrection Lord know I am the resurrection he repli'd Both of the liuing and the dead also Who this beleife shall stedrastly retaine Though he were dead yet shal he liue again 90 Beleiu'st thou this Lord I beleeue it all And that thou art that Sonne of God now sent That should redeem poore sinful man frō thral If he beleeue becomming penitent O rare beleife and faith of women kind Proceeding from a pure vnspotted minde 91 Then backe she came and did her sister call Who hastely went forth her Lord to meete And with an heart opprest with griefe doth fal With bitter teares before her Sauiours feete And with a mournful voice O Lord she cri'd Had'st thou bin here my brother had not di'd 92 Be present with me euery wofull wight Whō doleful griefe hath turn'd to dust mold Euen in your saddest most mournfull plight Let me your gastly visages behold I may expresse the agonie he felt And marble hearts into compassion melt 93 VVhen in the spirit he did grone with paine VVhich did his sad and heauy heart molest How with a troubled soule he gron'd againe Oh wherewith can his torments be exprest VVho could not be disburthned of his cares Vntill his passion burst it selfe in teares 94 Oh the mine eyes to conduit pipes would turne I might his teares perpetually deplore VVeepe sinfull man do not cease to mourne Christs tears although thou neuer weptst before Shed now a teare from thy obdurate eye Or else hereafter be for euer dry 95 In this sad plight vnto the tombe He went VVhereas deceased Lazarus was laid VVhere first he pray'd to God which had him sent Then Lazarus come forth alow'd hee said who strait came forth boūd hand foote also Christ willed them to loose and let him goe 96 Who can expresse the faithful thanks they giue To magnifie this miracle he wrought Whereby they saw their dearest brother liue Which was a worke impossible they thought With ioyfull harts they doe not cease to sing Continuall anthems to their heauenly King 97 Now shortly after Iesus came againe To Maries house as he had done before With heauenly ioy she doth him entertaine Who for her brother lou'd him more more And as at meate with Lazarus he sat Vnder the table to his feete she gat 98 Whereon she doth a costly oile bestow VVherwith she washt those euer hallowed feet Too pure she thought on mortall groūd to go And kindly giues him many kisses sweet Not knowing how she shold her loue declare This done she takes and wipt them with her haire 99 But his Disciples murmuring him told This precious oile should be esteemed more VVhich for 3 hundred pence might haue bin sold And better far bin giuen to the poore But Iesus sharply them rebuking said Let her alone why trouble you the maid 100 The good that she had done he doth vnfold Saying the poore shall daily on you call But me you shortly shall no more behold She brought this balme to bury me withall Where ere mē preaching shal the Gospel name This shal be spoken to her lasting fame 101 The faith of women all men may behold As in this following subiect well appeares Who had a bloudy issue long and could Receiue no helpe by phisicke many yeares Beleeued if she might lesus garment touch She should be whole her faith zeale was such 102 With this strōg hope she thrust into the prease And touching but his very garments hemme Immediatly she felt the issue cease O famous faith in estimable iemme
This holy Lambe they neuer cease to pray Such gracious loue they did frō him obtain They know not how to show their loue againe 129 And after his decease the Apostles found Most vertuous women still in euery place Priscilla was a woman much renown'd VVho taught Apolloes rare heauenly grace For as this good Apostle plainly saith She tooke him home made him strong in faith 130 Saint Peter also doth as much commend Tabitha for her charitable deeds Of almes that she vnto the Lord did lend Which frō her loue vnto good works proceeds Who being dead by prayer he doth obtaine She is restored vnto life againe 131 Behold what wonders God by womē wroght As holy Paul doth worthily declare To Macedon he is by vision brought VVhere those that heard him only women were ' Mongst whom with admiration he doth tell Of Lydia who there did purple sell 132 A saithfull woman one that God ordain'd To saue a kingdome by her good desert VVho in the seruice of the Lord remain'd For it is said God opened her heart And she beleeu'd our words was baptiz'd With all her houshold as we them aduis'd 133 This done we were determined to goe Along the coasts to make some further tryall But she coniur'd vs not to leaue her so Her earnest suite would suffer no deniall And lo together as we went to pray A certaine virgin met vs on the way 134 Possessed with a spirit of diuining By which her master much aduantage got To vs she was with feruent zeale inclining And for her masters proffitt cared not She follow'd vs and cride these men are they That to saluation teach the ready way 135 And many daies continued in the same Till Paul was grieu'd for her and turn'd about And to the Spirit said in Iesus name I charge thee from this woman get thee out And it obey'd that all commanding power Departing from her at that instant houre 136 An other woman he doth straight recite He did in Athens at his preaching find Cald Damaris a most beleeuing wight VVith whom Triplena may be wel combin'd Triplena doth with Persiis well accord All faithfull women labouring in the Lord. 137 Amongst this crue he highly doth commend Phoebe a seruant of the Lord saith he For whom he doth vnto his brethren send That in the Lord we might receiued be And ayded by them in what ere she needs For she hath done most charitable deeds 138 The blest Euangelist Saint Iohn doth write Vnto a Lady whom he calles elect A virtuous woman who doth much delight The lawes of her Redeemer to respect And taught her children likewise to fulfill Our blessed Lord and Sauiours holy will 139 For which saith he I doe not onely loue This most renowned woman of our dayes But all those Saints that loue the truth approue Her zealous workes with euerlasting praise Which they in greater estimation hold Then Tagus wealth or Ophirs purest gold 140 Thus in this sacred booke of bookes we see The blesings God on women did bestow VVhich worthyly they did deserue saith he From whom such faith such loue such zeale did flow Such courage braue such resolutions rare As monuments of marble shall out weare 141 The histories that doe their praise recite In euery age so plentifull appeares That if I had ability to write I should not finish liuing Nestors yeares Such monumēts vnto their fame they build A magasine might with the bookes be fil'd 142 Yet to auoid the captious base report Of Puritant or Bible bearing poet As likewise to content the wiser sort On whom alone I freely doe bestow it I will insert of womens vertues rare A stanze or two what histories declare 143 For chastitie behold that Roman dame That proud Tarquinius basely did subdue Disdaining to out liue her forced shame Did in her dearest bloud her hands imbrew For which she is throwout the world renownd And by the pens of Lawreat Poets crown'd 144 Vnmatched Ouid doth as much commend Penelope Vlisses constant wife Whose widowed hands the hanging web doth rend Whilst he in Lacedemon leades his life Euen like the Turtle that hath lost his mate She doth bewaile her desolate estate 145 Vnspotted Daphue would not be allur'd By powerfull loue from whom amaine she flies When fainting breath her honors losse assur'd Alowd for chaste Dianaes helpe she cries Whose iust consent vnto her earnest prayer The lawrell doth perpetuall witnesse beare 146 The daughter faire of Agamemnon King Whose loue and beauty was desir'd of many Held chastitie so virtuous a thing That she would neuer condiscend to any But constantly their ardent suites deni'd And thus this spotlesse virgin liu'd and di'd 147 The virgin Lucia doth all praise exceed With whom the tirant King was far in loue VVhen she perceiu'd it was so sure decreed What friendship could not force at last shoud proue Her star-like eyes she to the tirant sent That thus she might her honors losse preuēt 148 Sage Fedons daughter doth amaze my minde VVhose father being at a banquent slaine By sauage men who likewise had combin'd This vertuous virgins chastitie to staine She to auoid this Tyrants fury fell Did headlong cast herselfe into a well 149 Saint Ambrose of Pelagia writes as much VVho with her famous sisters and her mother That no rude hād her honors worth might tuch Themselues did likewise in the water smother Such deare respect to chastitie they owe Their precious liues they doe for it bestow 150 The Lady Bona to her lasting honor Whose husband to the holy warres was sent Disguis'd to follow him she tooke vpon her Both shield speare mou'd with a chast intent Wher brauely she his faithles foes did threat And rescued him from many dangers great 151 Braue Francis Sforsas souldiers to him broght A virgin rare of birth beauty great Whom she with friendship prayer words besoght Then tyrant like the silly maide did threat But finding nothing could her honor staine With gifts praise he sent her home againe 152 The women of Tutonicaes request When noble Marius had their husband slaine VVas that they might haue leaue to spend the rest Of their vnhappy liues in Vestaes traine Where they like chastest turtles wold deplore Their fatall losse beholding men no more 153 In Rome a woman being made aquainted With treason was ' gainst Nero great conspir'd VVhereof she happened first to be attainted Of whom the Iudges all the rest inquired With cruell torments she her life did pay Yet neuer any party would betray 154 Renowned Loena did in sunder bite Her tongue and spit it in the tyrants face Because she would no secret bring to light For which th' Athenians to her lasting grace From whom such rare vnmatched virtue sprung A Lionesse set vp without a tong 155 Rare Nicostrata mother to Euander Did first vnto the Latins shew their letters VVho
by a womans hand subuerted be Whose valiant head she froÌ„ his body drew And did the same in his owne blood imbrew 183 Euen aâ— a Lyonesse doth range the coast When she perceiues her whelps are made a pray So Thamaris doth breake through Cyrus host And brauely with her sword did make her way And to her frieÌ„ds his royal head she brought Like Pallas with the spoils of Gergon fraught 184 Amongst these Queenes oh let me not forget That Queen of Queenes which in our age did raigne Who like a Comet in the skie was set Vnparalleld for euer to remaine To write her praise I neuer shall aspire Whom euery eye with wonder did admire 185 The worlds great Artist nature did complaine Such beauty rare the earth did not enioy And that no other might the like obtaine She doth againe this heauenly stamp destroy Then all the powers supernall freely came And gaue perfection to this matchles dame 186 Imperious Iuno at her feete did lay That all commanding Scopter which she bare Wherewith she did the pride of Spaine allay Supported France the Royall crowne to weare And Belgia her peerelesse praise may sing Whose famous acts all Christendome doth ring 187 Arete for her Temple chose her breast And with faire vertues did it freely fill Religious Vesta with chast thoughts her blest Minerua gaue her sacred wisedome still And royall Ceres who with a liberall hand With great aboundance did inrich her land 188 The faithlesse Pagan misbeleeuing Turke Virginian heathen with the Indian Moore In whoÌ„ doth nought but secret mischeife lurk They all with reuerence did her state adore Great giftes they offer to her sacred shrine So was she blest euen by the powers diuine 189 An happy fight this blessed woman fought Whilst here she liu'd wore the royall crown Her subiects all to peace and loue she brought The humble spar'd beat the haughty down Thus left her thron which time shal quit destroy An euerlasting kingdome to enioy 190 But now me thinkes I heare some whispering say This fellow sure is fearefully in loue Whilst other straight vnto my charge doe lay Some mercinary hire doth him moue No no my friends it is a case more coÌ„mon which you forget my mother was a woman 191 Whom nature taught me tenderly to loue And thinke it is a duty which I owe To her and women for her sake to proue The praise on them both God men bestow No art so excellent hath euer bin But women haue bin famous actors in 192 T is true say they there was a time of olde When women sure were better far then now Through this opinion diuers men doe hold I doubt not but the wiser will allow This costome nature doth to all men giue To thinke that age is worse wherein they liue 193 Virgill and Ouid many yeares agoe Do testifie that then the world was nought In stately stile of verse from them did flow Their sober lessons publickly they taught Homer might come with musike to his whores Yet wanting mony get him out of dores 194 Either these men haue spirits of diuining Or else the world stands now as then it did If worse it is by enuious mens repining Which if they would conuert from ill to good ThousaÌ„ds of womeÌ„ this bad age might name That want rare pens to eternize their fame 195 Like Romes Colassae I might write a booke Or the Egiptian Piramid of old If I should strictly striue to ouerlooke The vertues rare that are of women told Which I referre to men of better skill Who can this taske more worthily fulfill 196 VVherein my pen already is growne dull VVanting that tinckture of heroicke straine VVith which braue spirits of our age are full Let this but animate their flowing vaine While my poore Muse shal wel contented be Her humble valley once againe to see 197 Where she with pleasure did behold the Beare The Wolfe the Swan the Dragons head taile The no meane Lion and the fearefull Hare The dart which ' gainst the Griffen did preuaile The King of Egipt and his stately Queene Who for her beauty now in heauen is seene 198 The crowne which Ariadne did obtaine From Venus for becomming Bacchus loue The harpe of Orpheus whose melodious straine Made careles beasts senceles trees to moue The sonne of Danaae that Medusa slue The waggener that lustfull Phedra flue 199 The son of Ioue whoÌ„ Satan would haue slaine The serpent holder bright Appolloes sonne The fish that sau'd Orion in the maine Alcides after all his labor done The horse of Bacchus forst his masters loue The bird that brought faire Ganymede to Ioue 200 The flying horse sprang from Medusaes bloud Bellepheron did vndertake to ride Who for his paines was drenched in the floud The horse flew vp to heaueÌ„ wher he doth bide The triangle which Ceres did request The Gods to place in heauen amongst the rest 201 The wife of Perseus and the monstrous whale The crow which by the wel the serpent found Ixions wheele with Venus daughter pale The riuer wherein Phaeton was drownd Chyron that taught Achilles great in Greece The ship that brought home Iasons golden fleece 202 The Rambe with Phirxes and her sisters went Ore Hellespont Europaes roring Bull The twinns of Loeda Iunoes crabe she sent To Hercules who did in peeces pull The Lion iustice slue from earth to Heauen Who by her ballance found mens acts vneuen 203 The Scorpion slue Orion with his sting Euthemiaes Sonne that with the Muses slept Disguised Pan the Boy Ioues bird did bring The fishes Venus from the Giant kept All these the Gods haue stellifi'de in heauen With Pleiades whose number once was seuen 204 Vntil Electra seeing Troian fire Shrunke in her head and neuer since was seen Whose griefe doth make my pittying Muse â—tir Casting her eies vpon the louely greene Where she will mourne among the shepheards swaine Admires high hills but loue she lowly plaine FINIS Gen. 24 25. Gen. 29. 30. Exo. 1. Exod. 2. Ios 2. Exo. 22. Iudg. 4. 45. Iudg. 5. Ruth 34. 1. Sa. 1. 1. Sam 25. 2 Sam. 13. 1. Kin. 1. Kin. 10. Luk. 11. 10. 31. 1. Kin. 17. 2. Kin. 4 Hest 14 Tob. 3. Iudith 13. Luk. 1. 10. 27. 28. 29. 30. Mat. 28. Ioh. 20. Mar. 16. Ioh. 11. 15. Ioh. 12. Mat. 15 Luk. 7. Luk. 1. â—k 36. Mat. 8. 14. 15. 16. Mat. 9. 23. 24. 25. Luk 7. 10. 13. 14. Iob. 3. Luk. 1. 3 27. 28. Act. 9. Act. 16. Act. 16. 16. Rom. 1. 16. 2. Ioh. 1. Iustin Ouid. Ouid. Thucidides Domitian Thucidides Guiceâ—â—din Cor. Tac. Plime Pollio Cicero Pollio Cornelia the wife of Africanus Mother to the Greechi Eicsebius Plato Lasterna Axiothe Strabo Eutropius Salust Plime Portia the wife of Brutus Herodat Iustine Cassads Iustine Iustine