Deceit was very active to take advantage on the present opportunity and changed the place of their Cloaths those of ill fortune into the place of good and those of good into the place of bad In the morning Fortune as unwary as blind cloathed Vertue in the Garment of embroidered Thorns and made Vice gallant with his elder Brothers Flowers which being set out in the Sophistries of deceit made so glorious a lustre and beauty that all the World adored his footsteps and entertained him both in their Houses and Hearts believing it was Vertue they then received and though some at the cost of their own experience told and informed others of the Error yet few believed them for seeing Vice to be so gallant and gentile they could not be perswaded to judge amiss of that which they so much affected Since that day Vertue and Vice have been confounded and the World deceived for those who embrace Vice with low thoughts of Sensuality The beginning of Vice have speedily found themselves deceived and too late entertained thoughts of repentance But on the contrary those who being undeceived have closed with Vertue though the Thorns of his Garment have prickt and tormented them at the first embraces yet at the end they found the fruit of true content The Ends of Vertue and lived in the serenity of a calm Conscience How flourishing and fair seems their own beauty to some and how deformed after and disfigured with a thousand infirmities how wanton is Youth but how soon doth time benumb their Joints how plausible doth Dignity appear to the Ambitious and the weight of Government to be eased by estimation Changes Burdens but afterwards how burdensome do they find it and how to their shoulders faint under so heavy a pressure How pleasing do the Cruel imagine revenge and bathe themselves in the Bloud of their Enemies but afterwards their whole Life is pangs and pricks of Conscience to him whose Stomach cannot disgorge the draughts and surfets he hath made in Bloud Even stolen water is sweet and the rich is pleased to trample on and make a prey on the poorer Yet aftewards with how much violence is he compelled to make restitution Let the Glutton surfet himself in his curious Diet and please his Palate with delitious Wines but what satisfaction can these make for his Plethory of Body from whence proceed Dropsies and Gouts which twinges his Joints and enfeebles the Nerves of his whole Body The Lascivious will not loose his sensual copulation though he buyes his delight with the price of his own Body The Covetous embraces thorns in his Riches which torment and disturb his sleep and looseth his Heart in them without enjoying of them All these design to bless their Families with the pleasing appearance of delight which indeed is but a concealed evil and not a contentment but a torment and a deserved reward for their fond mistake But contrarily how difficult and steep is the ascent to Vertue at first yet afterwards what satisfaction is there in a good Conscience With how much trouble do we undergo an abstemious Temperance and yet in that consists the health both of Soul and Body How intollerable appears Continence and yet in that we enjoy Life Health and Liberty He who contents himself with Mediocrity lives the humble possesseth the Earth and makes his enemies to be at peace with him but above all what peace accompanies him and how savoury is the odour of his good fame What sweet Fruit hath sprang from the bitter root of mortification Though silence seems an effect oâ— Melancholy yet the wise never repented he had held his Tongue so that Vertue since that time went always cloathed outwardly with Thorns but inwardly with Flowers different to Vice which therefore let us distinguish under that Character and embrace in despight of common and vulgar deceit They were now come in sight of the Court when Andrenio looking on Madrid with a great deal of pleasure and attention The wise Philosopher asked him what he saw I see said he the * A true Spanish Rodemontado Royal Mother of so many Nations the Crown of the two Worlds the Centre of so many Kingdoms the Jewel of both the Indies the Nest of the Phenix it self the Sphear of the Catholick Sun crowned and encircled with Perfections as Rayes and with noble Arms as Lights But I see said Critilo a Babylon of confusions a Paris of dirt and filth a Rome of changes a Palermo of AEtna's smoaks a Constantinople of mists a London of pestilence an Algier of captives I see said the Philosopher Madrid the Mother of all perfections on one side Madrid not a Mother but a Step-mother and a Step-mother on the other for as the chiefest rarities address themselves to the Court so in like manner do Vices swarm there being introduced by those which know not how to bring other then the vitious habits of their own Countries For my own part I will not go in as I have already told you but bringing them to the Bridge Milvio he there left them But Critilo and Andrenio adventured in by the street of Toledo and presently they happened into a Shop where Wisdom was to be sold Critilo asked the Bookseller if he had a clue of golden Thread to sell them but he did not presently apprehend his question for those who only read the Titles of Books are seldom learned by them but another standing by a graduated Courtier both in years and experience said You little understand them for it is a compass they desire to sail by in this Ocean and Golf of Circes I understand you less said the Bookseller for here is neither Gold nor Silver sold but only Books a more pretious Commodity then either It is this replied Critilo we look after and one especially which may give us some Councils and Instructions how to govern our selves in this twining Labyrinth So then said the Bookseller it seems that you are Strangers and if so make use of this Manual it is no Tome but rather an Atome and yet it shall serve to guide you to the North of Felicity it self here take this which I have seen do Miracles it being that which instructs us in the art of being Men and teaches us to keep a society worthy of those who are so Critilo took it and read the Title which was Galateus of the Court What is the Price said he Sir said the Bookseller it hath no price it is above account and is worth more to him who carries it these Books we do not sell but pawn for two Ryals for the World affords not sufficient Riches whereby to make their estimation At this speech the Courtier gave such a loud laughter that Critilo admired at it and the Bookseller was put out of countenance and asked the reason why he so laughed To which he replied that the absurdity of what he said was worthy of it for the whole matter
unto every one his Order and apart all Kinds in their several and most natural Stations So he summoned all Creatures from the Elephant to the Fly and shewing them the several distinct Regions and Elements left the choice of all to their Free and voluntary Election The Elephant answered That he would content himself with a Wood the Horse with a Meadow the Eagle with one of the Regions of the Air the Whale in the Ocean the Swan in a Fish-pond the Barbel in the River and the Frog in a Pool The last of all came Man though the first in Dignity who to the Question propounded answered that he could not content himself with less than all and that too seemed but little for his enlarged desires This exorbitant Ambition struck no small wonder to those present though it was soon applauded by a flattering Sycophant as a demand agreeable to the greatness of his Mind though by one with better Judgment term'd the defect of his depraved corporeal composition The superficies of this Globe seemed too narrow a confinement for his enlarged desires until in quest of Gold and Silver he found a way to undermine and rip up the Bowels of the Earth His Pride makes him climb to possess the Air by the lofty Pinacles of his Edifices lest his Ambition should be suffocated and stifled in the lower Region He compasses the Seas sounds the Ocean dives for Pearls Amber and Corral to nourish his Folly and swell his Vanity He taxes each Element according to its quality to pay him Tribute the Air her Birds the Sea her Fish the Earth her Beasts the Fire its heat to entertain not to satisfie his Luxury And yet as if all this were unsufficient nothing can appease his Complaints of a Penurious Portion O monstrous Covetousness of Man The Supream Creator took him by the hand See said he and know that I have formed Man by my own Hands for my Servant and your Lord and like a King as he is pretends to Govern all But understand O man that this is to be with your Mind and not with your Belly as a Man not as a Beast You ought to be Lord of all Creatures and not a Slave to them they ought to follow you and not you attracted by them You ought to possess all with Knowledge and Acknowledgement that is contemplating in all these Created Mirrours the Divine Perfections making a step of the Creature to pass unto the Creator This Relation of Prodigies though a Lesson amongst us common to the meanest and most vulgar Capacities was yet strange and unheard of to Andrenio who recovering himself from his deep Contemplations thereon and passionate Aspirations towards the Divine Essence began to proceed in this manner My sleep said he prosecuting his former Discourse was the ordinary pastime of my hours and the chiefest ease of my Melancholy and Solitariness to that I inclined as a Remedy of my Discontent when one night for all to me were such a more than ordinary deadness of sleep possessed me an infallible Presager of Evil and so it was for startling from my Slumber awakened by the vehemency of a Gust burst from the deepest Caverns of yonder Mountain which shook the whole Fabrick and firm Pillars which support it and whistling through the Breach it made diffused it self into a general Tempest with so much Rage and Violence as to shake the foundation of the neighbouring Rocks as if its force had been sufficient to have shattered this grand Machine into their first nothing Hold said Critilo the Mountains themselves are not exempted from change but exposed to Earthquakes and Thunder their power of resistance being the cause of their subversion But if these Rocks shook said Andrenio what should I All the Joints of my Body seemed to be loosed and dissolved my heart ready to break with Throbs my Senses failed me that I found my self half dead and almost buried between the Rocks and my own fears whil'st this Eclipse of my Soul remained the Parenthesis of my Life neither can I know nor can any other inform me concerning it at length I know not how nor when I returned by little and little to recover my self from this total dereliction of my Spirits I unclosed my Eyes to the dawnings of the day a day clear great and happiest that ever my life hath seen a day which I have noted on the Stones and engraved on the Rocks I instantly perceived the Doors of my tedious Prison broke open a comfort so transporting me that I delayed no time to unbury my self and as one new-born in the World to leap into it through that Gap in which appeared the Rayes and Light of the chearful Heaven At first not fully satisfyed of the reality I went round the Rock still suppressing with what power I could the strong rebulliency of my Passions but at length well assured I returned to the confused Balcony of my Life and Prospect diffusing my Eyes in a general view over this grand Theater of Heaven and Earth the whole vigour of my Soul applying it self to the Windows of my Eyes with that Contentment and Curiosity that it disabled the rest of my Senses to perform their Function that for a whole day I remained immoveable unsensible and dead being overwhelmed by over-powering of too strong a Life I would here express but it is impossible the intense violence of my Affections the extravagant Raptures of my Soul I can only tell you that there still remain impressions thereof upon me and the wonder and amazement I then conceived are not so clearly forgotten but that the sense thereof do strongly affect me I believe said Critilo that when the Eyes see what they never espied the Heart feels what it was never sensible of I beheld proceeded Andrenio the Sea the Land the Heaven and each severally and altogether and in the view of each I transported my self without thoughts of ever ending admiring enjoying and contemplating a fruition which could never satiate me O! How much I envy thee said Critilo this unknown happiness of thine the only priviledge of the first Man and you the Faculty of seeing all at once Novelty and that with Observation the Greatness Beauty Harmony Stability and Variety of this created Fabrick Familiarity in us takes off Admiration and Novelty affects little those who have neither Knowledge or advertency to enjoy it For we enter into the World with the Eyes of our Understanding shut and when we open them unto Knowledge the Custom of seeing hath rendred the greatest Wonders neither strange nor admired at the Judgments disclosure Therefore the wise Worthies have repaired much of this defect by reflections looking back again as it were to a new Birth making every thing by a search and examination into its Nature a new subject of astonishment admiring and criticizing on their Perfections Like those who walk in a delicious Garden diverted solely with their own Thoughts not observing at first the artificial
an Enemy with whom to combate either with Victory or subjection all is with action and passion none assaults but his blows are returned by his Enemy The Elements command the Van-guard by whose example the mixed compositions are encouraged to Battel one destroying the other evils waiting to entrap our Goods and malice to ruine and overthrow our Fortunes Sometimes even the Stars have their Dissentions and Quarrels and though there is no Weapons or power in fight capable to hurt those invulnerable Bodies yet the damage of the War like that of Soveraign Princes redounds to the affliction of their sublunary Vassals and their natural Discords are converted to moral oppositions so that none on Earth is so peaceable and quiet but finds some whom he may hate or emulate for corrupt nature is pregnant with the innate seeds of dissention Thus in Age the old are Opposers of the Young in Complexion the Phlegmatick are averse to the Cholerick in Estate the Rich unsociable with the Poor in Climate the Spaniard unpleasing to the French thus in all forts of Qualities and Conditions some are contrary or in opposition unto others But what if I should tell you that within the very Gates of Man himself within the small compass of that earthly Cottage the fire of dissention should be kindled and he as an enemy oppose himself For he as a little World is compounded of all Contraries the Humours begin the Quarrel the Moisture resists the radical Heat still endeavouring to abate and quench it the inferiour parts are always offensive to the Superiour contradicting their Designs and Intentions and the Appetite subdues and tramples on Reason The Soul that immortal Spirit is not free from this Calamity the Passions quarrel amongst themselves Fear endeavours to abate Valour Melancholy Mirth sometimes we desire and then we abhor sometimes Vices triumph and anon Virtues all consists of Arms and War and the Life of Man on Earth is nothing but a continued Warfare But O! that wonderful and infinite Wisdom of the Creator who hath so moderated and attempered the Contrarieties of Creatures as to make their Discords their stay support and conservation and thereby to unite and sustain the whole Fabrick of the Universe This said Andrenio was none of my meannest Contemplations observing so much change in so much Permanency all things seemed to move in a continual progress to their natural end and yet the World as the stage of the Tragedy to remain the same constant and immutable The supream Artificer said Critilo hath so ordained that nothing should end but another should begin that from the ashes or ruine of the one should arise another that the corruption of one should be the generation of another when all things seem to be at an end a new Offspring begins Nature peoples again the World and older ages cast their Bill and grow young with a new Generation in all which is to be admired and adored the Wisdom of Divine Providence But here said Andrenio did not my thoughts and observation rest but still proceeded to consider the variety of times The Changes of Time and seasons the exchange of day with night of summer with winter by the moderate and gradual intervention of the temperate Spring Nature proceeding by degrees never makes so long a step as from one extream to another In this again said Critilo appears the Divine Government not only in appointing unto all Creatures their orders and situation but in accommodating fit times and opportunities agreeable to all occasions The day serves for labour and the silence of the night for quietness and repose the Frosts of Winter fix and extend the Roots of Plants and the Spring with a reviving warmth causes the branches to blossom and the Summer appears in Plentiful hopes and the Autumn crowns our Labours with the Fruits we reap and gather into our Barns But what do you think of the strange Miracle of the Rains This too I admired very much said Andrenio to see those sweet dews distil on the earth with gentleness and divided streams for a common refreshment and so seasonable added Critilo in the two Months of October and April which are productive of Fruit and serve the Plow and Seed with a kindly Moisture The changes also of the Moon contribute unto Plenty and favour by a wholesome influence the health of Creatures for some Months are cold others hot some moist and blustering others dry and serene according to the different Seasons the Waters cleanse and fructifie the Winds purge and animate the Earth immoveably supports the descending gravity of Bodies the Air is pliable not to hinder their motion and diaphanous not to obstruct and cloud the Sight Whence we may see that it is that Divine Omnipotency that Eternal Providence and that only immense Bounty which alone knows how to erect this vast Fabrick which we can never sufficiently admire contemplate and applaud These are certain Truths said Andrenio which I have often observed and yet ill conceived in my rude Understanding It was no unpleasant entertainment to me to traverse all the day from one place unto another from one prospect to another continuing to admire and view the Heaven the Earth the Seas the Fields and all with an unsatiable fruition But that point on which I much insisted was that admirable Art of the Divine Wisdom which with so much facility hath performed a Labour so difficult and in the first invention proceeded to the very height and top of all Perfection and Accomcomplishment How much art was there in fixing the Earth firmly on its Basis to be a secure foundation for the following Superstructure Nor less admirable are those perennal streams of Fountains which swell with an unexhaustible increase whose continued inundation is no more than a necessary Plenty How much power is there in forming the Tempests and those still whisperings of Wind which steal from unknown places and as much unknown the Stages to which they tend How much power was there in digesting those useful heaps of Mountains the ribs of this composure the Bay and Harbour for the Earth to shrowd it self under These as they are additions to the beauty of the Worlds variety so are they the Treasuries of the Snows the Mines from which Mettals are extracted are the the dissolvers or breakers of the Clouds the Head and original of Fountains and the dens of Beasts from them fall the lofty Pines to build our Ships and Houses in them we have refuge from the over-flowings of Waters in them we remain secure as in Towers or Bull-works from the sudden assaults or surprizal of our Enemies all which Miracles and Wonders what but an infinite Wisdom could sorm and dispose with Reason therefore must we confess that were all the best Heads and Judgments of the World united in one and all their Reasons and Discourses squeezed and distilled to the purest quintessence of Rationality it were not capable to amend the least circumstance or
nor dangers of Honour or Life but guided by the blindness of my Passion armed with my Sword or rather Thunderbolt pierced through the Quiver of Love and whetted with anger and jealousie I went in pursuit of my Enemy and now remitting disputes to works and our tongues to our hands we unsheathed our Swords without remorse and having made some few Passes cach at the other I soon pierced his heart depriving him both of Love and Life so that now I lay exposed to the Sentence of Justice whose Ministers desirous to content the Vice-king and covetous to engross my Estate were ready at hand to execute their Office I was presently sentenced to imprisonment in a dark Dungeon laden with Bolts and Irons the natural Fruit of my foolish rashness The Fruit of Vice The sad news soon came to the ears of my Rivals Parents who melted in their sighs and tears and resolving to revenge the injury continually thundred out threats against me The Vice-king also moved with the death of his Kinsman designed to prosecute Justice to the utmost extremity The report of our Combat was soon bruited abroad and as mens affections led them they either condemned or defended me but all were generally sorry that our Reason guided us not better than so unfortunately to ruine each other Only my Mistress was she alone that triumphed in my valour and celebrated the faithfulness of my affection and constancy The Charge was strongly prosecuted against me of which being convicted my Estate became their Prey and my Riches a sacrifice to their revenge venting their malice thereupon as the angry Bull doth on the Cloak of his escaped Enemy At the Sports of Bulls in Spain they avoid often the Horns of the Bull. by throwing their Cloaks away The sole support which remained unto me were some Jewels which providently I had entrusted within the sacred Walls of a Monastery the only Relique of my shipwracked Fortune The violence of this Storm stopped not at the ruine of my Estate but proceeded to a condemnation of my Life and having lost my Goods I lost also my Friends which are Companions inseparable each from the other but all this had not yet abated my Courage had not something more unhappy augmented my Misfortunes For the Parents of Felisinda discontented at the accidents and disgraces lately past resolved to leave the Indies and seek more quietness and preferment in Spain which they hoped to procure by the favour and recommendations of the Vice-king So that having converted their Estate into Money they embarked on the first Fleet leaving me With that his sighs interrupted his Speech and his tears gave a full stop unto his discourse At last said he they carried with them two Pledges of my Soul which doubled my grief and made it more fatal one was Felisinda herself and the other was the Burden which she bore in her Womb miserable only for being mine They being in this manner set to Sea had their Wind increased by the storms of my Breast whom whilst I leave engolfed in the Ocean I was drowned in the Sea of my tears remaining eternally condemned to darkness and a Dungeon poor and forsaken forgotten of all but the malice and hatred of my Enemies As he who falling from a Mountain scatters his spoils on every stone here his Hat there his Cloak there his Eyes and Hands till at last he looses his life and bursts in pieces at the bottom The Ruine which Love brings Even so I sliding from the dangerous Clifts of this Ivory Rock more to be feared because delightful rowled my self from one misfortune to another left on every stone testimonies of my Ruine in Goods Honour Health Parents Friends and Liberty till I arrived at this grave and prison the abiss and pit of my Miseries Yet I may truly say that though Wealth corrupted my happiness and raised enemies to throw troubles on me yet Poverty restored me to a better condition for here I found Wisdom unto which till now the extravagance of Youth had made me a Stranger here I undeceived my self and gained experience and health both of body and Soul and being abandoned of all living Society I conversed with the dead and by reading I began to understand and to become rational having only before led the sensitive life so that having extracted some knowledge my understanding was enlightned and my will was obedient to the dictates of it one being replete with Wisdom and the other with Virtue and so I opened my eyes when there was nothing to see ánd so it happens often I studied the noble Arts and sublime Sciences devoting my self with great affection to Moral Philosophy which is the Food of the Judgment the Centre of Reason and the Life of Discretion I reformed my self from the vain Society of my Companions instead of a wanton Youth I chose a severe Cato in place of a shallow Wit a wise Seneca sometimes I perused Socrates anon Divine Plato easing in this manner my tedious hours and recreating my self in that grave of the living and labyrinth of liberty Years passed and Vice-kings but still continued the rigour of my Adversaries for they prolonged the hearing of my Cause and since they could arrive no higher they resolved to linger out my days in Prison and convert my Dungeon into my Grave But at the end of some years miseries came an Order from Spain obtained by the secret Negotiation of my Mistress that my Cause and Person should be remitted thither The new Vice-king being less my Enemy and more favourable put it in execution and dispatched me away in the first Fleet committing me a Prisoner to the charge of the Captain of the Ship Thus parted I from the Indies the first from that place poor and necessitous to whom the dangers of the Seas seemed Entertainments and Pleasures My affable disposition soon gained me Friends and those that were delighted with Truth were attentive Auditors of my Lectures of Morality but above all the Captain of the Admiralship made me his Confident a favour which I much esteemed and verified the truth of that common saying That Fortune often changes with the place and that our designs can never be prosperous whilst we live under the influence of a malevolent Star But here sit and admire a prodigy of humane fraud an extremity of malice the spight and quarrel of a contrary Fortune and the full point and period to which the preamble of my miseries tended for this Captain being a Gentleman obliged in all points of honour to treat me civilly and fairly yet puffed with ambition and infected with the same rancour and malice which the former Vice-king my enemy and his Kinsman boar me or rather incited with a covetous desire to inherit the small remainder of my Estate which I had saved from the storms of my late Shipwrack was induced to put in execution the lowest and most unhumane of all unworthiness For standing together with him
nothing what they command and so armed with the Vertue of this Lesson which is to see and hear and be silent let us venture up this Street All the Street was rowed with the Shops of Handicrafts-men no Forraign Labourer appeared there whose simplicity was unpractised in the art of fraudulent Dealings through these Streets crost flocks of Crows which bred under the Eves of the Houses and maintained a sociable familiarity with their Landlords which Andrenio judged for an ill omen that presaged som future disaster But Proteus informed him and bid him not to wonder at this for that these had not been the antient Inhabitants of the City which Pythagoras in honour of his foolish opinion supposed to be the Souls of evil livers whom God for a just punishment had transmigrated into the Bodies of these irrational Creatures making their being now the same with theirs since their death whose actions they so fully imitated in their life the scarlet Souls of cruel Tyrants he transfued into Tygers the Proud into the Lions Skin and the Souls of the dishonest to animate the Boar but Souls of Artisans Mechanicks especially those that make our Cloaths were covered with Crows feathers for they having always used to say to their Customers to morrow it shall be done to morrow without fail hath aptly in punishment thereof put the same term into their Mouths that continual Cras Cras Cras signifies to morrow a time which eternity it self shall never overtake But having passed the Suburbs into the heart and middle of the City they saw most stately Palaces magnificent Buildings the first of which they said was Solomon's Seraglio before any asked the question for there he lay slumbering amidst of his Three hundred Concubines making Hell with these Sports and Pastimes equivocate a Paradise in one House which seemed a Fortress but was no other then a tottering Cottage founded on an unstabled Sand sate Hercules made effeminate spinning with his Omphale the shirt or winding-sheet of his dying Fame at the same Window peeped out Sardanapalus dressed in Womans habit and attire and Marc Anthony not far from him unhappy Man whose Fortune was both told and made by a Gipsie In another ruinous Castle did not live but died the Goth Roderigo since whose time the Nobles have been fatal to Spain Another Palace there was half Gold half Dirt cemented with Humane Bloud this was the House of extravagant Nero whose Reign began with the mild calm of a prodigious Clemency but ended with a storm of bloudy Cruelty within the next room sate Pedro the Cruel mad and enraged grating his Teeth and crackling Bones with anger There were other Edifices erecting in all haste but none could tell as yet for whom they were though diversly reported by the World certain it is not for the enjoyment of those whose pains and cost raised the Structure but for the possession of others who perhaps as yet unborn will reap the fruits of anothers labour but one in a green Coat standing by told them that in this part of the World live the deceived and in the other the deceivers these laugh at the others and the others at them again but at the end of the year they ballanced Accounts one having no more cause to laugh than the other Andrenio being weary of the company of the deceived The Deceivers deceived desired to see all and to divert his humour would needs pass to the quarters of the deceivers so that proceeding forward they found none but Merchants shops and those dark having no other but False which they called Shop-lights to set off their counterfeit Ware others sold false Teeth and Peruwigs and all sorts of Habits and disguises for Comedians There was one Shop full of nothing but Foxes skins which the cunning Citizen swore that they were more in demand and in esteem than the best Sables which they easily believed when they perceived the Shop so well customed by the famous Themistocles and other modern Heroes of our time It was really the only Fur in fashion here for want of the Lions skin which was grown a scarce Commodity because it was not in demand and it is said that the subtlest and greatest Polititians used to line their Garments therewith instead of Ermines In another Shop they sold Spectacles by the Whole-sale to blind Men so as neither to see nor to be seen and these were all Grandees who bought them for to blind their Porters which carried them on their Shoulders that they might be the more tractable and quiet as they do Horses to make them stand still The married Wives bought them up a pace to blind their Husbands with and to make them believe they loved them more than they did some were like multiplying Glasses which were of all sorts and sizes for Young and Old Men and Women and these were the dearest because most in demand another Shop was full of Cork heels to raise men in their Stature and make them seem more Personable than they are But that which most pleased Andrenio was to see Gloves an unknown invention and a novelty to him What means this said he these seem to be an useful contrivance for all occasions against the Heat and Cold the Sun and Air nay they are very convenient for those who have nothing else to do were it only to put them off and on Above all said Critilo they take most excellently a Perfume and is the cheapest way to conserve rich smells How well you understand it replied the Glover if you had said they serve to mask the Fingers that they should not behold the hands you had hit the difficulty for there are those who catch at their Prey with Gloves on How can that be said Critilo for that is against the Proverb The Proverb said he alas Sir all Proverbs now either lie or are belied for there are Gamesters now adays that hunt in Gloves and though the Proverb says the mousing Cat preys not with Mittens it here meets an exception and let me tell you that more is given now for Gloves than formerly for Cloaths Reach me one said Critilo that I may try it Having thus past the Streets of Hypocrisie Ostentation and Artifice they came at last to the Market-place on which was erected a famous Palace overtopping all the rest and situated in the Heart and Centre of the City it was spacious but not uniform nor of equal proportion but all angles and confusion had no prospect nor equality many Gates it had but all false and those shut and more Towers and Pinnacles than Babilon it self The Windows were green a grateful colour to the sight promising fair and deceiving most Here lived or rather lay undiscovered that hidden Monarch of the World who one day appeared in publick to honour certain Feasts which he had dedicated to the deceived Vulgar to whom it was not permitted to argue or ask questions His sacred Majesty sate retired under the cautious
cannot express with how much content and pleasure I was deceived I reflected again on my self and methought I was not yet so foolishly ignorant as I was contemplative The first thing I observed was this composition of my whole Body which is straight and direct not inclining to one side nor to the other Man said Artemia was created as a Servant of Heaven and so he ought to have his Mind and Body incline thither for the material rectitude of the body often simpathizeth and correspondeth with the Soul that where accidents and mishaps have made a deformity in the Members the Mind hath often been mishapen with them and both have become crooked and humoursome in their Actions It is true said Critilo for in a crooked composition doth seldom dwell a plain The Crooked and direct intention in the nooks and bendings of a Body we may fear some folds and doublings in the Soul The eyes which are dull and misty are accustomed to grow dim with Passion whom we do not compassionate as we do Blind-men but rather fear them as those who may kill with the Squints of an indirect glance Squint Eyes the Lame often stumble in the Road of Vertue and their Will halting between their Affections makes these maimed Cripples uncapable to walk with equal steps but Reason and Understanding in better Judgments hath prevented the Prognosticks of such sinister infirmities The head said Andrenio I know not whether I speak improperly I call the Castle and Fortress of the Soul the Court of her Powers and Faculties You have reason said Artemia for as God is assistant and present in all parts yet the Glory of his Court is most apparent in the Celestial Ierusalem so the Soul manifests it self most in her superiour Stations which is a lively resemblance of the heavenly Orbs. Who believes not this let him look into the Soul through the Windows of the Eyes hear its Voice through the Mouth and speak to it through the Crevices of the Ears the upper and most eminent place doth best become the Authority of the Head that its Office may be best executed in its command and rule over other parts and here I have observed said Critilo with much attention that though the parts of this Republique are so numerous that to every day of the year may be allotted a Bone yet this variety is with so much harmony that there is no number that may not be applied to it for the Sences are five the Humours four the Powers three and the Eyes two all which come to reduce themselves and terminate in one common Unity and Centre of the Head resembling the first and Divine Mover in whom the whole Series and Degrees of Creatures come to end by an universal dependance The Understanding said Artemia possesseth the most sublime and purest spirituality of the Soul and hath no small interest in the Government of the material Faculties but as King and Lord of the Actions of Life soars aloft penetrates subtiliseth discourses understands and hath fixt its Throne in a candid and flexible disposition the true Essence of the Soul banishing all obscurity and darkness from Conceptions all prejudice from Affections and as a good natured Creature encourages the gifts of docility with moderation and prudence The Memory looks on what is passed and eyes that behind as the Understanding doth that before so that what we pass we still see and because we cast that commonly behind which most concerns us every Wise man becomes a Ianus and sees as well behind as before The hair seems to me said Andrenio a Gift bestowed on Man more for his adornment than necessity They are roots replied Artemia of this humane Tree which radicate him in Heaven and by one hair he is drawn thither there ought his cares to be and there he ought to receive his substantial nourishment They are the Index and Almanack of our Age and change their colour as we our affections the Forehead is the heaven and sky of the Mind which is sometimes clouded anon serene and clear the Seat of the Sences where a shame of our Crimes discovers it self and is the place where Passions sport and delight Anger in the stretched Forehead Sadness in the fallen Countenance Fear in the Pase Modesty in the Sanguine Deceit in the wrinkled Brow Good nature in the Smooth Immodesty in the Bald and a good Capacity in the spatious Forehead But that which I most admired said Andrenio in this artisicial Fabrick of Man was his Eyes Do you know said Critilo with what name that great Restorer of Health stiles them Galen that retainer of flying Life and searcher into Nature he calls them Divine parts who in this spake well for if we observe they are invested with a kind of Divinity which infuseth Veneration they work with a certain Universality that they resemble Omnipotency producing the Images The Eyes have something Divine and Species of external Objects in the intimate and inward rooms of the Soul they seem to be indued with a kind of Infinity being present and assistant in all places and commanding at one instant the whole space and circumference of the Hemisphere At one thing said Andrenio I have been much amused that though the Eyes see all yet they see not themselves nor those Beams that usually obstruct them a Condition and Paradise of Fools who are acute Spies of disorders in their Neighbors house and Bats of Blindness in their own It were no small conveniency if Man could retort his own Eyes upon himself that he might start at his own deformity moderate his passions and compose himself again into the beauty of that form he hath destroyed with the loss of his original Perfection It were of much advantage said Artemia if the Cholerick could come to see the lowring Frowns of his own Brow and his own fury affright himself if the finical and amorous Lover could come to the sight of his effeminate Gestures and the rest of vain Fools to see their own Follies But wary Nature hath omitted these small advantages to prevent more dangerous inconveniencies for could the Vain reflect and retort his Eyes he would be enamoured of himself court and adore his own shadow which how deformed and monstrous soever yet his fond affection would still limit and confine to the sole prospect of himself it is sufficient he can behold his own hands before another or view his Life and attend to his Actions which may be as many as perfect that he can see his own Feet and know where to direct them that he knows where to fix his footsteps on a secure and firm Foundation this is the chiefest use to employ our Eyes It is true replied Andrenio but yet two Eyes seem to me too small a Light for so spatious a Prospect and this animate and lively Palace could not have been better adorned then with ranks of this precious Furniture which since they are but two their order
every manner ill treated When I saw them I presently knew and owned them recalling them to my mind and acquaintance and with much eagerness and delight I read them over because they lively represented to my Memory and Fancy the Verdures of my Youth which I found to be over affectionate to words and Romantick expressions howsover I observed that I kept close to the sence and that I was as faithful even in those years to the Author whom I translated as I was to the Charge and Interest which I afterwards undertook And though in my late perusal of this Book I have suffered it to pass with little alteration that so it might appear more like to a Product of my Youth yet having now ruminated with more serious and mature reflections on the subject of its discourse then I was capable to do formerly my Iudgment tells me that this Treatise is neither misbecoming my present years nor unseasonable to the present times It begins like a Spanish Novel placing the Scene of Discourse in the Ocean and in the Isle of St. Helen where a Man is strangely figured to have been enclosed in the darkness of a Cave and fed by Beasts until he arrived to some maturity of age which is purposely designed to introduce the Notions which a Man may by the mere light of his immaterial Soul without Sight or Conversation conceive of a Deity and of his own Being Then he Fancies a Whirl-wind or Hurricane to break open the Cavern of this natural Man and all on a sudden to represent a new Scene to him of Heaven and Earth and Sea and then he strives to express the Extasies of his Soul and the strange Conceptions he must entertain upon the view of such different Objects Thence he descends from the Natural to the Moral World drawing a Scheme of the Follies and Vanities of it in order to a true regulation of Life builded on the Foundation of Morality and Vertue I am of opinion that the Author of this Book might originally have deduced his fancy from the History of Hai Ebn Yokdhan wrote in Arabick by Ebn Tophail and Translated into Latin by Dr. Pocock and though there is much difference in the relation of one and the other yet the design of both is almost the same being only to show how far the Spiritual and Immortal Soul of Man is able in its natural capacity and by its own reflex acts to consider its proper being and the existence of something above it and by degrees and steps of exteriour Objects to proceed unto Rules for conservation of its own well-being and that of others The Subject of this fancy being much affected and enlarged by Arabians it is probable that from them it was derived to the Moors who have the same Language with little diversity of Dialect and accent common together And the Spaniards who for the space of 600 years had the same Country and Manners with Moors easily received their Fashions Learning Proverbs and every thing but their Religion So that as their Customs and way of living are different to other Nations of Europe and most resemble that of the Eastern Countries so their way of writing in Dialogues and Novels is much after that manner and is as well pleasant and diverting in it self as it is curious to us who follow another form and manner in all our Books and Treatises of Philosophy And thus Reader having given thee some intimation concerning the substance of this Book the occasion on which it was translated and the Reasons why after so many years it came to be published I leave thee to a perusal of it which I beseech thee to do with the same candour which is to be allowed to the Works of Youthful Fancies Farewel THE Spanish Critick The Spring of Childhood and the Summer of Youth The First CRISIS Critilo being Shipwrackt meets with Andrenio who renders a strange Account of himself NOW both Worlds had kissed the Feet of Catholick Philip their Universal Monarch and the Circle of his Royal Crown the greatest stage the Sun runs both in the one and the other Hemisphere within whose Crystaline Center lies enamell'd a small Isle or Pearl of the Sea or Esmerald of the Land to which the August Empress gave it her own Name that it might be Queen of all other Isles and Crown of the Ocean This Isle of St. Helena for so it is called in the passage from one World to the other yields refreshment to the grand Cargason of Europe and hath always been a Free-Port preserved by Divine Providence between those immense Gulfs to afford entertainment for the Eastern Catholick Fleet. To this place a Shipwracked person endeavor'd to make his Port who striving with the Waves and contending with the Winds but more with his own sad disastures a Monster of Nature and of Fortune a Swan in his Hoariness and Voice sinking on his Plank between the fatal Medium of Life and Death thus complained O Life thou shouldst never have begun but since thou hast thou shouldst never end there is nothing more desired nor yet nothing more frail than thou art and he who once looseth thee too late seeks to recover thee for ever after I esteem thee for lost Nature hath shewed her self a Step-mother to Man denying him a sense to rejoice at his Birth Life and yet to fill him with sad apprehensions at his Death to make him unsensible of the good he receives at his Beginning and yet to affright and torment him with a Combination of Mischiefs at his End O Tyrant a thousand times more cruel than Humane Nature is capable to be who first through a scandalous temerity trusted his Life to this inconstant Element on no better support than a frail Vessel They say his Breast was covered with Steel Illi robur aes triplex circa pectus erat c. but I think it was doubled with Iron In vain hath the Supreme Providence separated Nations with Seas and Mountains since Humane boldness hath found a Bridge to transport its Malice Whatsoever humane Industry hath invented hath been unfortunately retorted to its own destruction Gun-powder that horrible devourer of Lives hath been an Instrument of greatest Ruine and what other is a Ship but a Coffin to anticipate the Solemnities of Death The Land seemed too narrow a Theater to act the Tragedies of Death until man found ways to triumph on the Seas and find a passage to his fatal Destiny through both Elements By what other means needs unfortunate Man seek to perish than in the Hull of his own Ship which like a Scaffold seems erected for punishment of his boldness With Reason did Cato esteem amongst the three Follies of his Life his embarking to have been the greatest O Fate O Heavens O Fortune though I would perswade my self that I were something yet so dost thou pursue me that when thou beginnest thou knowest no end but mine O! that now it were possible
for me to be nothing that I might disclaim that Being which is confined with Eternity In this manner he beat the Air with Sighs whilst his Arms rowed the Waters accompanying his Art with Industry he seemed to rise above the reach of danger for Perils do both fear and respect great Persons whom Death it self is sometimes ambitious to spare and Fortune seeks occasions to advantage Thus the Serpents spared Alcides the Tempests Caesar the Sword Great Alexander and Bullets had no Commission for Charles the Fifth But alas how Misfortunes are enwreathed one is but the Introduction or but the Parent to another for when he thought to reach the secure Bosom of our Common Mothers he then began to apprehend new fears lest the enraged Waves should dash him against the Rocks which were as hard as his Fortune was cruel the Earth too catched at by his hands crumbled between them and tantalized his hopes when his Life seemed almost secured there being neither Water in the Seas nor Earth on the Land to assist the Miserable Thus floated he between both Elements in the Medium between Life and Death made a Sacrifice of his own Fortune when a sprightly Youth an Angel in his Appearance but much more in his Actions stretched forth his Arms to enclose him attracting him as the secret Virtue of the Loadstone doth the Iron and securing his Happiness together with his Life And being now in Safety on the Shoar he first kissed the Earth and casting his Eyes up to Heaven he gave thanks for his Deliverance and then returning to the Restorer of his Life with open Arms endeavoured to gratifie him with Embraces and Acknowledgments but he that had thus obliged him by Deeds could not answer him with Words but only gave demonstrations of the grand satisfaction he received at this accident and of an astonished admiration to see one so like himself The grateful Naufrague repeated the expressions of his thanks and seconded his embraces asking him of his Health and Fortune to all which the astonished Islander was silent wherefore he varied his Idioms and tryed him with some other Languages with which he was acquainted but in vain since he was a person void of Speech so that turning all into Signs and Actions he ceased not to behold and admire him mixing the extremes of Wonder with Contentment One might reasonably have believed him to have been some incult product of those Woods but that this Island being uninhabited by Mankind could not be the native Soil of Humane Race besides the fairness and length of his Hair and the equal proportion of his Mouth was an argument that he was an European the fashion of his Cloaths or Garments could yield no light to any Conjectures being no other than Nakedness the Livery of Innocence The Intelligent Naufrague reasoned with himself whether he was destitute of those two Servants of the Soul Hearing and Speech but his experience soon revolved him in that for he listned to the least noise and by his ready attention could so aptly imitate the Voices of Beasts and Chirping of Birds with such natural Propriety that he seemed better to understand Brutes than Men so prevalent is the force of Custom and Education From these sensitive Actions the vivacity of his Spirit darted forth certain Rays as through the twilight of Reason the Soul labouring to show that where Education is wanting Nature of it self is wholly rude and unpolished The desire of knowing each others Fortunes and Lives encreased equally in both but the want of a common Idiom was that which envied them this enjoyment for Speech is the grand effect of Rationality and he that cannot Discourse cannot Converse Speak Speech saith the Philosopher that I may know you for the Soul doth in a noble manner communicate it self by producing the Images of what it conceives in the Mind of him that hears which is Properly to Converse there is no presence where there is not Discourse nor can they be termed Absent who communicate by Writing Those Wise Sages live still though dead and discourse with us daily by their Immortal Volumes and Illuminate Posterity with a continued source and spring of Knowledge Speech is both necessary and pleasant which two wise Nature always conjoined in the Functions of Life Conversation is ever attended with Pleasure Conversation and thence is immediately derived the important Affair of Knowing which Speech only can administer Wise men by Speaking beget others like themselves and by Converse Knowledge is gently instilled into the Soul Hence it is that Men cannot live happily without some common Language both in respect of their Necessity and of their Pleasure For should two Infants be cast purposely into an Island they would invent a Language to Communicate and Converse with each other so that noble Conversation is the Daughter of Discourse the Mother of Wisdom the Ease of the Soul the Commerce of Hearts the Bond of Amity the Food of Contentment and the Employment of Humanity The experienced Naufrague being well assured of the truth hereof began immediately to teach this ignorant Youth to exercise Speech who being both desirous and docible was very apt to improve the flexibility of his Tongue He began by the Names of them both calling himself Critilo and the other Andrenio which fitted the ripe Judgment of the one and of the other in his natural Principles The desire of bringing those Conceptions unto light which had so long inwardly been suppressed and the curiosity of knowing the truth of what lay clouded and confused in his Understanding were strong Incitements to the docility of Andrenio so that now he began to Pronounce then to Ask then to Answer and endeavouring at length to Discourse accompanied his Words with Action that sometimes where his Words began his Gestures supplyed the want of other Expressions in the Conclusion The Account he gave of his Life was in short and abrupt Speeches so much the more strange by how much the less understood and oftentimes where the improbability of the matter could not gain Belief with Critilo there he pretended to want a true Conception of what he related but when he had learned to continue his Discourse and the number of his Words were equal to the greatness of his Thoughts at the earnest desires of Critilo who afforded him also somewhat of his assistance began to satisfie him in this manner I saith he neither know who I am nor who hath given me this Being nor to what End he hath given it me which Question I often without Words proposed to my self being as Ignorant Natural Conceptions of a Being as Curious but since Queries are caused by Ignorance I had little means to resolve my self yet so would I prove my self with argument that I might if possible exceed my self for as yet no affectation to any particular Good had so possessed me but that withdrawing my Soul out of Ignorance I might reach the limits of my
meer shadow or apparition of Mankind But tell me how is Man capable of doing so much mischief since Nature as seemingly negligent of him hath denied him those weapons with which she hath armed and defended Beasts He hath no claws like the Lyon or Tyger no Trunk like the Elephant no Horns like the Bull no Tusks like the Boar no Teeth like the Dog nor Mouth like the Wolf how then is that unarmed Malice able to wage such continual War For this very reason said Critilo hath provident Nature not delivered weapons into the hands of an enemy dangerous to himself and the rest of her Product whose hate knows no bounds for being let loose would destroy even Nature her self notwithstanding all which his malice hath found means to convert those parts which Nature hath given him for necessary uses into more bloudy and cruel Weapons than those of Beasts his Tongue is more sharp than the Lyons Claws by which he shatters the Reputation of others and wounds them in their name and honour His bad intentions are more perverse and crooked than the Bulls horns hurt at random and hit those it never aimed at his bowells are more poisonous than the Vipers his breath blasts more than the Dragons his eyes are more envious and dart more deadly emissions than the Basilisks his teeth are more sharp than the fangs of the Boar and his nose like the Elephants trunk wrings and turns it self into a thousand forms and shapes of derision so that all those offensive Arms which are sparingly delivered to other Creatures are not given to but usurped by Man and in him found as the store and Magazine of them all And that you may understand this the better know that Lyons and Tygers are capable of no other damage than what touches their Bodies but Man is liable to what misery fraud deceit treason theft homicide adultery envy injuries detractions and falsities can throw on his honour and cast on his peace estate content happiness conscience nay and to a malice which would proceed to the very ruine and destruction of his Soul Believe me there is no Wolf nor Lyon nor Tyger so unhumane as Man which is sufficiently verified if true what is reported That a Malefactor being condemned to die upon a legal Tryal was by Sentence of Justice to be cast into a deep Cave to be there devoured by ravenous Beasts it fortuned that a Stranger passing by and hearing the sighs and groans of the condemned person and yet ignorant of the punishment was moved by compassion to relieve him out of misery to which end opening the Cave suddenly with extraordinary nimbleness leaped out the Tyger which contrary to its nature and the expectation of the Traveller by way of salute and gratefulness kindly kissed and licked his hands next followed the Snake which twined about his Legs not to wound but to embrace them in like manner did all the rest most gratefully join to give him thanks not only for saving their lives but for rescuing them from a death accompanied with the loathsome Society of a wicked Man in recompence of which they seemed to advise him to fly and be gone least when that Miscreant came forth Mans Cruelty he should endanger his own life by saving his The Passenger though much amazed yet desired to see him whom he had so much obliged expecting some acknowledgements for so great a benefit instead of which the Malefactor coming forth and supposing that the Traveller carried some Wealth and Riches with him killed him and despoiled him of all a kind return of his Charity and Compassion And now judge which are most cruel Men or Beasts I am more astonished and amazed said Andrenio to hear this than the day I beheld the World You cannot fully conceive their Malice said Critilo and yet Women are worse and more dangerous If they be worse what must they be then In short they are Divels hereafter I will tell you more of them but above all I conjure you that by no means you tell who we are nor how I came hither nor how you proceeded to Light for by that means you may loose your Liberty and I my Life And though I distrust not your faithfulness and secrecy yet I am glad that I have not finished the Relation of my Misfortunes which in this only are fortunate that being as yet untold are not subject to that discourse which may sometimes inconsiderately fall from you Here therefore we will double down the leaf until the next occasion which cannot want in so long a Voyage By this time the near approach of the Fleet made their Voices more distinct and audible which they raised with greater acclamations with the joy conceived at their arrival Men always grow more wanton when their success promises fairest and their enterprizes have the face of a happy issue being come into the Road they furled their Sails and cast their Anchors and the Passengers began to land on the desired Shoar The meeting was as strange to the new-come Guests as to the two Inhabitants who in the relation they gave of themselves declared that having been asleep or negligent at the departure of the last Fleet they were left behind on that Island which account reconciled both their pity and their courtesie Having thus for some days entertained themselves in Hunting and furnished their Vessels with fresh Water and Wood they set to Sea directing their course to desired Spain Critilo and Andrenio embarked together on the same Gallion which sort of Vessel is a terror to its enemies the opposer of the Winds and a yoak of subjection to the Ocean The Voyage was as dangerous as long but the Relation which Critilo made of the many Tragedies his life had passed was a good entertainment for tedious hours which he prosecuted in this manner I was born as I have already told you amidst of this immense Golfe and of the dangers and continual motions of this turbulent Element The reason was that my Parents being both Spaniards by consent and favour of Philip the Great Critilo relates the History of his own Life the most universal and mighty Monarch embarked for the Indies with no small Wealth to improve their Fortunes My Mother at that time suspecting her self with Child carried me in her Womb and before the tedious Voyage was ended brought me forth whose untimely birth was hastned by the terrors of that Tempest in which I came to light that so the raging of the Seas might add pains to the pangs of her Travail My being born amidst this confusion was a bad omen of my future infelicities so early began Fortune to play with my life hurrying me from one part of the World to the other At last we arrived at that rich and famous City of Goa which is the Court of the Catholick Empire in the East the Imperial and August Seat of its Vice-kings and universal Emporium of the Indies and its Richness At
this place lived my Father whose Stock which he brought with him directed with Prudence and industry advanced suddenly both his Fame and Fortune But I being educated amidst the happiness of a plentiful condition and being the only Son of my Parents was tenderly nurtured with too much care and indulgence whose fondness to me in my Childhood produced the fruits of an exorbitant Youth Vicious Youth For being now entered into the green champions of springing years made wanton with delights loose and uncurbed by the reigns of Reason I fell into Gaming empairing my Estate and abusing the industry of my Parents whose cares obtained that with trouble which my folly squandred in pastime From this Vice I passed to the vain toyes of Gallantry and Fashions dressing my Body with borrowed Feathers whilst I neglected the true adornments and vertues of the Soul This vanity of mine was incited forward by the evil conversation of some pretended Friends Flatterers and Braves the vile moths of an Estate Honour and Conscience The Wisdom of my Father prognosticated the ruine of me his unfortunate Son and Family from whose rigour I appealed to the indulgent tenderness of my Mother whose protection defended me not but destroyed me But at that time my Father gave an end unto his days seeing but little hopes to recover me from my desperate condition especially as then being blindly entangled within the Labyrinth of love For I had cast my affections upon a Lady though noble beauteous and as perfect as Nature could make her The Amours of Critilo yet wanting the endowments of Fortune she shined not in that lustre to the World as to be adored and courted for them only I alone idolized her person and my devotion grew more zealous by the correspondence of her favours and though her Parents desired to admit me into their Family yet mine refused to admit her into theirs endeavouring by all means to wean my affections which they stiled my ruine and by proposing another Match more fitted to their convenience than my content thought to distract or divert my love which was so firm and blindly constant that nothing could overcome I thought I spake I dreamed of nothing but Felisinda for so she was called esteeming no small portion of my happiness to consist in the repetition of her name This and many other discontents were heavy troubles of my aged Father the ordinary punishment of Paternal indulgence which sate so heavily on him as to deprive him of his life and me of my protection But yet the ignorance of my Youth knew not how to make that estimate of my loss as the importance of so great damage ought to have affected me My tender natured Mother bewailed and performed the Obsequies of the dead with tears sufficient for us both but with that excess that her own life lasted not long after leaving me more free and less sad The undoubted hopes of obtaining my Mistress were now by the removal of those obstacles some remedy of my grief and recompence of my loss but those filial respects I owed to the memory of my dead Parents and my desires to comply with the censures of the World made me for some days to retard my intentions which seemed years and ages to my longing hopes In which interim my unconstant Fortune so changed the condition of these present affairs that the death of my Parents which at first seemed to facilitate my desires was that at last which put the obstacle and reduced them to an Estate of almost impossible For it fortuned that in a short time the Brother of my Mistress died a Gentleman well accomplished and noble the sole Heir of the Family leaving my Felisinda Inheritrix of all and Phenix in all Ornaments whose Beauty now joined with Riches The Misfortunes of Critilo's Loves made her glory to shine in the highest magnitude her fame was greatly spread in one day being become a person that suited with the most aspiring ambition of that Court This unexpected accident intervening things had a strange change and the face of my affairs looked different to what they formerly promised only the constancy of Felisinda was stable and changed in nothing but in greater kindness her Friends and Parents aspiring now unto higher Matches were the first who by cold entertainments discountenanced my pretensions which they had formerly invited this neglect proceeded afterwards to affronts and endeavours to move in her a hatred of my Person but she advised me of all that might disadvantage me made me of a Lover to become her Councellor Many other Rivals as powerful as numerous declared themselves but Lovers who were wounded more by those Arrows which were shot from the Quiver of her Portion than from the Bow of Love yet of all I was timorous and suspitious love being naturally jealous and like an effeminate Passion apt to be foiled with the least disappointment but that which gave me the greatest blow was the pretensions of a new Rival who besides that he was comely rich and youthful he was Kinsman of the Vice-king which is there as much as to be allyed to a Deity or to be a Branch of Divinity whose Will is his Law and whose intentions are as soon executed as conceived he I say began to declare himself a Pretender to my Mistress being as confident as powerful we both stood at open desiance he encouraged by the strength of his authority and I enabled with the Passion of Love but his own and the reason of others assured him that this long rooted affection of mine compleated with time and conversation was not easily eradicated unless diverted to which effect he promised his best assistance and favour to the industry and malice of my enemies whose Plot was by Law to pretend upon my Estate and thereby either to scare me out of the fits of Love or at least to affright the Parents of Felisinda from Matching her with me over whom hanged an apparent ruine I soon perceived my self entangled within two dangerous toils of Interest and Love but Love being that which most prevailed the fear of loosing my Estate was not strong enough to contend with the valour of my affection which like the Palm grew more under the heavy pressure But what this Plot wanted to avail with me it worked in the Parents of my Mistress who considering most the conveniencies of Interest and Honour contrived I know not how to proceed it will be better to leave off But Andrenio still pressing him to proceed Well said he in fine they resolved to kill me and to deliver that life to my Adversary which was already consecrated and devoted to my Mistress but she acquainted me with the design that night from her Balcony and according to her custom consulted with me concerning the remedy with which she let fall such a floud of tears as kindled in my breast a sire and hell of despair and fury so that the next day not considering the inconveniencies
in disguised Habits fashioned not only in the mode and cloak of Sin but in the white attire of Sanctity and Vertue whereby the credulous simplicity of some was deluded though the Wise clear-sighted Men knowing them well advised them to unmask themselves It is a thing very observable how desirous all were to cloath themselves in forraign Habits and some contrary or different to their Natures for the Fox put on the skin of the Lamb the Serpent the feathers of the Dove Feigned Men. the Usurer desired to paint his Avarice with the Twins of Charity the Adulterer to be stiled the familiar Friend of the Husband the Wolf ambitious to be esteemed Abstemious the Lion to be accounted as gentle and mild as the Sheep the Cat affected with a Roman Beard would hear of nothing but Rome's Customs the Asse would imitate the Lion whilst he is silent and the angry Dog that snarls affected to shew his Teeth in smiles and laughter This faithful Officer travelled in quest of Andrenio through cross-ways and by-paths and though he was skilful and wary enough to avoid errors yet so was he changed that he knew not Critilo himself for his Eyes were now clouded with a mist not fully open as formerly but dimmed and a little obscured for the Officers of Falismund do chiefly design at first to vitiate or debilitate the Sight of Strangers for that besides his Voice began here to fail him and to change both pronounciation and accent his Ears grew deaf and the rest of his Sences disturbed and distempered that if man each hour hath his Changes and in the evening is altered from his mornings Strength what can we expect but a Change in those who descend from Vertues more different Climate to the Centre of Error and Falsity But yet breaking through all difficulties with much industry and diligent enquiry he came at last to hear of Andrenio and one day found him employed in what he usually lost his hours in beholding others sport away their Wealth and make an end both of their Estate and Conscience for there he stood gazing at a Match at Tennis the most natural and fashionable Entertainment of the World which was performed in the high Street by Parties of different Natures and Conditions the one side was black and the other white one tall the other low these rich and the other poor and all dexterous Gamesters and accustomed to the sport in which they eternally consumed their time and thoughts The Balls were puft with wind in fashion like Mens heads which the Ball-maker had filled with blasts at the eyes and ears making them as hollow as empty thus one giving the word warned them to play with attention All said he is but sport and madness and with that gave the Ball so hard a stroak that it flew through the Air by the vertue of that violence which the blow had impressed on it which another taking at the rebound returned it again without suffering it to rest from its motion Thus all endeavoured to kick and foot away this common Ball for in that consisted their dexterity and Victory Sometimes it was tossed so high that it was out of sight anon so low that it bounded and trilled on the ground so as to bemire it self with the filth and ordure of the Earth some kicked it with their feet others stroak with their hands but the most with Rackets in the form of tongues The Game at Tennis that sometimes it mounted through the air and again descending quarrelled with the ground suffering great varieties and changes of Fortune one cried out he won Fifteen and so he did for at those years Men gain Vice and loose the Treasures of Vertue another said he had won Thirty and gave the game for his own but these years do conclude the Set. In this manner they sported with the Ball till at last it fell down and burst and then every one trampled on it Thus concluded the Game some winning at their own cost whilst others were entertained with the view of this pastime These said Andrenio turning himself toward him that sought for him seem to be the Heads of Men. And so they are said he and one of them is yours Men I mean who have lost their Brains and filled their Sculls with Air and Wind with Dregs and Cobwebs and fantastick Apparitions The World throws up her Balls of Vanity which the elevated and happy Souls catch and hurl down again to their contrary opposites Trouble and Calamity whilst miserable Man standing in the middle way sometimes depressed Our Life again then exalted and subject to the stroaks of both till at last he tumbles burst into the mire and filth of his Sepulcher What art thou said Andrenio that seest so much And what art thou replied he that seest so little Thus in discourse he began to insinuate himself into his favour and first to gain the Fort of his Will the better to command and over-awe his Understanding so that Andrenio discovered unto him his Breast declaring his hopes and those great promises were made of obtaining his pretensions But this cunning Artist seeing his time and season informed him that the course he took was vain and would never gain him admittance to see this King much less introduce him to a private Audience for to see him is to be effected by your own Will and the sole being of this Prince is to be unknown the way his Ministers take to give a view and prospect of him is to blind you first Consider but awhile how blind you are What will you give me if this night I shew him to you You do but jest said Andrenio No for I am most usually serious All I shall desire is that when I discover him you would view him well observe and eye his humour This said Andrenio is to desire me what I have so earnestly entreated So having appointed the hour both punctually complied with their promise one as desirous of this Novelty and the other as zealous of the others deliverance But whilst Andrenio believed he should be first introduced into the favour of some intimate Ministers he on the contrary perceived himself lead another way and carried always to a distance from the Court which made him give a stop willing to return backward suspecting a greater Fraud and Abuse in this then in those former Snares to which his Errors had betrayed him But this discreet Officer still detained him Observe said he and view through this Glass what is denied us at a nearer Prospect for ascending up this Hill a little raised from the ordinary level of the Earth we shall I know discover most hidden Secrets with that he perswaded him to ascend a little up and place himself just opposite to the Windows of Falismund I think said Andrenio I see more then I did before which much encouraged his Instructor who knew that to see and understand was the only remedy and cure for his
might have been better disposed one fixed before to see that which comes and the other behind to consider what we have past Some said Critilo have reproached Nature and accused her of this absurd oversight and faigning a Man more agreeable to their sense fixed his Eyes both behind and before which served only to make him a Man of a double Countenance and more double in his Actions then in his Sight Were I to correct the faults of Nature I would place these Lights of the Soul on each side and over the Port-holes of his Ears which should neither by day nor night close their Lids to the softness of Sleep that so they might see with whom they associate and link their sides in a friendly familiarity so would not many be easily subject to the deadly Plurisie a Disease as Epidemical as Mortal so might Man see with whom he speaks know with whom he sides Rules most important for the Government of Life it being better to be deserted and left to our own heads then to be subjected to the whispers of bad advice but know that two eyes well employed are sufficient for our necessities which looking forward spye the coming of bolder dangers and with a retorted glance see the timorous assault of backward Treasons One wink in an attentive beholder is sufficient to make discovery in the most hidden Secrets and therefore the eyes were made in the form of Spheres the most proper figure and fittest for sight they being of a square have no corners to dim any part or vertue of their light their situation is proper also both to look upwards and before them for if besides our proper Eyes others were set in the hinder parts of the head whilst some looked upwards towards Heaven others might look to the Earth and breed a schism and dissention in our Affections But another Wonder I have observed of them said Andrenio that in a foolish tenderness and good Nature they dissolve in tears for what remedy is it to Weep or can the showres of our Eyes prevent and drown our misfortunes let us not sigh but laugh at the World and where our Policy cannot avail us let our contempt and scorn despise its Malice Alas said Artemia the Eyes are the first Messengers of our bad news who having the first notice are the first lamenters who is not sensible of troubles is dead in a Stoick stupidity Proverbs and who heaps up Wisdom heaps up Sorrow common Laughter is most proper for the foolish Mouth and that which offends most often The Eyes are the faithful doors to let in Verity in disposing of which Nature was so scrupulous and cautious that she hath not only fixed them in the same order but united them in exercise of the same act she suffers not one to see alone but makes one a Witness for the other that they may consent in the same operation one cannot see white and the other black but are such twins both in colour and bigness that one equivocates the other and their agreement dissembles an Unity In fine said Critilo the Eyes are in the Body as those grand Luminaries are in Heaven and the Understanding in the Soul they supply the defects of other Senses but all are not able to make up the infirmities and imperfections of them They do not only see but hear speak demand answer contend affright embrace attract consider and perform the acts and offices of all and what is most considerable their vigor never abates by seeing as neither do the indefatigable pains of State Ministers who are the Eyes and sight of the publick Welfare Methodically hath provident Nature proceeded said Andrenio in reparting to every Sence their rank and order as befits the Dignity and Honour of their several Excellencies Some it hath disposed in the most honourable Seats and fixed the sublime operations of life in the publick view and eye of the World and contrarily seated the homely and mean Works of necessity in more occult places the better with Modesty to conceal their uncomeliness In this said Critilo she hath reconciled Honesty with Decency and particularly in that convenient disposure of the Mothers Breasts by which with much decency she tenders nourishment to the unweaned Infant In the next place to the Eyes said Andrenio the Ears challenge their degree which are well disposed in a rank so high but their being placed on each side seems I must confess inconvenient to me it being a means to lay them open and facilitate an entrance to introduce Deceit for as Truth always meets us face to face so Fraud Traytor-like crouds to one side and insinuates entertainment in to unwary Ears Would not the Ears be better and more securely seated under the Eyes by which means they might first examine treacherous Spies and call them to a Parly before they admit them into the Bowels of the City How well you understand it said Artemia were the Eyes in that place you speak of that small remainder of Truth would be banished out of the World The Hearing together with the rest let them rather be separated ten Fingers breadths from the Sight or placed in the hinder parts for that 's not Truth is flattered to our Faces but what proceeds from Sincerity and is without Passion spoken behind our backs How well do you think Justice would proceed should she see that decency which excuses her the riches that defend her the nobility which pleads her cause the authority which intercedes and the abilities of other Ministers whose Rhetorick charms her Adversaries It is better that she is blind and most convenient for her own and others advantage Our Ears stand well in this Mean not before lest they should hear too soon nor behind lest they should hear too late Another thing replied Andrenio hath busied and troubled my thoughts to resolve which is that being the Eyes have the conveniency of those fringed Curtains to bar out the importunate entrance of unwelcome Spectacles and to close themselves against the view of displeasing Objects Why should not also the Ears have the same priviledge and shut a door against the ribaldry of vain discourse become Serpents and deaf to Charms and so excuse impertinent Follies and intercept at the entrance relations of bad news and sorrow the chief destroyer and ruine of our Lives I cannot I must confess but condemn Natures Error in this especially when I see the Tongues rashness curbed within the Wall of Reason and as an unruly Beast imprisoned within the Grates of Teeth and Doors of the Lips Why then should the Eyes and Mouth have this advantage above the Hearing which seems more needful of it as being most subject to the danger of Errors Upon no terms said Artemia will Nature consent to shut the free and open passage of the Ears which should always be ready to admit an entertainment to the welcome access and entrance of Instruction So that Wise nature is not only content to
very difficult for every one to find his other half for all things are confused and shuffled together so that the half which belongs to the Chollerickman we give to the Phlegmatick that of the Melancholy to the Chearful that of the Handsome to the Hard-favoured and sometimes that of a young Man of Twenty to an old decrepid Dotard of Seventy which is the occasion that most married Men live in a repenting state But Mr. Matchmonger by your leave said Critilo you have no excuse in this for the inequality is sufficiently apparent between fifteen years and seventy What would you have me do replied he they are blind and will have it so and the reason hereof is Sir because that they being Girls desire speedily to be Women and the Men being old and doating turn Children and as ill luck will have it when they have not young Men by their sides they are displeased to have such lie by them who are troubled with Coughs Ptisicks and Rheumes But as to this Woman now there is no remedy take her as you desired but the Chapman reviewing her again found that she came short in two or three particulars both as to her Age her Quality and her Riches and willing then to disclaim his Bargain declared she was not agreeable to his desire Take her however said he for in time you may accommodate her to your Mind for otherwise she may become much worse but have a care you afford her not all that is necessary for in giving her that she will quickly come to arrogate that which is superfluous One being invited to see a Wife was much praised for his answer That he would not choose a Wife by his Eyes but by his Ears and in reward thereof obtained one who had a good Fame for her Dowry At length they were invited to the House of Good Chear where there was a Banquet prepared This must be the quarter of Gluttony said Andrenio It may be so replied Critilo but those that enter seem the Eaters and those that go forth appear to be the Meat that is devoured and here were rare Sights for there was a great Lord set up in State encircled with Gentlemen intermixed with Dwarfs Buffoons and Flatterers like the Ark of he eats well but the account was large for they avouched that he had eaten One hundred thousand Ducats a year Rent which account was passed without any question or scruple Critilo considering hereof said how can this be for he hath not eaten the hundred part of what they pretend It is true replied Egenio but what he hath not devoured these have Then according hereunto said he let them not say that such a Duke hath a hundred thousand Crowns a year but only a thousand and that the rest only consists in troubles and vexations of Mind There was a sort of people like Camelions that sucked in Air and pretended that they grew fat with it but at length all vanished into Air. Some eat all and some drank all some sucked in their Spittle and others chewed upon an Onion and at length those that eat were eaten themselves and that to the very Bone In all these Shops was sold nothing of substance or true benefit howsoever on the right hand were Wares of the most pretious quality and Truths of the purest Touch which were sold to Mens own selves such as these The Wise man is with himself and God is All-sufficient In this manner they came out from the Fare discoursing as they went Egenio being other then what he was before because now rich intended to return to his Lodging for in this life we have no House or abiding Mansion But Critilo and Andrenio resolved to pass the Gates of Virile Age in Aragon of which the famous King gave this testimony that he was born to make as many Knights of St. Iago as should be Conquerors of several Kingdoms and comparing the several Countries of Spain to the different Ages of Man attributed the robustious and manly Age to that of Aragon The Conclusion Being the Vniversal Reformation IF Men change their inclinations every seven years how much more must their Judgments alter in every Period of their four Ages He that understands little or nothing lives but by halfes the Faculties of our Souls are feeble in our infancy and the common or inferiour as well as the more noble Powers lie buried in an unsensible Infancy exercising only an animal Life and encreasing with a Vegetation like Flowers or Plants But the time comes when the Soul proceeding out of its Mantles enters into the Jovial Stage of Youth which being Sensual and Luxurious is most naturally expressed by such Epithites He that understands little indulges his Genius and pursues those Inclinations to which Youth and Nature prompt him neglecting the use of the sublimer Faculties Howsoever at length though late he arrives at the Rational Life which appertains to Man his Judgment being awakened he reasons and discourses desires to be esteemed The Employments of Manhood thirsts after great Actions embraces Vertue cultivates Friendships pursues Knowledge treasures up Wisdom and attends to every noble and worthy Action He that compared the life of Man to the swift current of a Stream did apply an apt similitude rightly fitted to the transient condition of Humane nature which glides away like a passing Water The life of Man compared to a Stream For Infancy is a lively Brook springing from amidst little Sands the Muck of our Bodies being produced from the Dust of nothing It twinkles as bright as a little spark it smiles but doth not laugh it runs after the little bubbles of Wind tumbles amongst the Pots and binds it self with the green Stays with which the Nurse keeps it from falling But Youth fallies forth like an impetuous Torrent runs leaps precipitates its Waters like Cataracts bubbles on the loose Pebbles turns into a thousand Eddies troubles the clearness of its Streams and casts all into Froth and Fume But the fury of this Brook tumbling into the Age of Manhood glides then with a more quiet Stream and is as smooth and still as it is deep It then diffuses it self without noise towards some good end or design it overflows the Meadows to make them fertile and rich it encompasses Cities to carry their Vessels of Provisions and fortifie them against their Enemies and in short enriches whole Provinces with all things necessary and useful But alas at length this placid River comes to discharge it self into the froward Sea of Old age emptying every drop of it self into the profound Abyss of Infirmities and Diseases Here it is wherein Rich men loose the vigour of their strength their pleasures and the remembrance of their very names Here it is wherein the shattered Vessel drives to Leeward leaking in a hundred places and being beaten on all sides with Gusts and Storms is at length cast away being shipwracked in the Gulf of the Grave and swallowed up in the Sands of perpetual Oblivion Critilo and Andrenio our two Pilgrims of Life were now arrived in Aragon which Travellers call The Good Spain Aragon the Good Spain where being entered they found themselves ingaged in the greatest stage and course of Humane life They had now insensibly passed the chearful and pleasant Fields of Youth and the plain and wanton Paths of Delight and were ascending upwards on the steep Mount of Manly age which was full of sharp Rocks covered over with Briers and Thorns and in every respect a most difficult and troublesome passage Andrenio like such who would arise unto Vertue strained hard to mount aloft he laboured and sweat and was out of breath whilst Critilo encouraged him with prudent remembrances and comforting him in a way where no Flowers grew with the prospect of Trees above laden and overcharged with Fruit which were more plentiful and in greater abundance then the leaves of those Books which they carried in their hands At length they were got so high that they seemed to be raised above all that this World contains and to rule and govern inferiour things What is your opinion said Critilo of this new Region Do not you think that we do now breath in a more pure Air Yes indeed replied Andrenio methinks we now carry another sort of Air with us We are entered into a good station where we may repose and recover our strength Let us now reflect said Critilo on the Journy which we have made Do not you observe those green and trampled paths which we have left behind us how mean how vile do all those matters seem which we have already passed How childish and vain appears every thing in respect of that great Province into which we are now entred How empty and void do past matters appear How little do they show from our sublime place of residence It were a madness to return to them again by the same steps which have wearied us already without satisfaction or contentment And here we will leave our Pilgrims in the Confines of Aragon having attained to the Virile and robustious Age of Manhood FINIS