AN APOLOGY FOR WOMENKINDE.  
Odi prophanum vulgus et arceo  
Favetc linguis, Catmina non prius  
Audita Musarum Sacerdos,  
Virginibus Faemimsque canto.  
LONDON Printed by Ed. Allde for William Ferebrand, and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Alley near the Royal Exchange. 1605.   

TO THE QVEENES' MOST SACRED MAJESTY.  

GReat Queen, at first this task I took in hand,  
Thinking Eliza and yourself to sing,  
And for examples your sole names to bring,  
As mighty Princes of the women's band,  
As two choice rulers of our Britissh Land:  
As splendent mirrors of dame Nature's wealth,  
The poors, afflict, and th'oppresleds health.   

But when my strength a space I tried had,  
Str●●in● in deep conceits to pen my mind:  
My wit stark dull I found my sight mere blind,  
My hands did tremble and my words were bad,  
Not one rich sentence gallantly was clad.  
Nor wonder was it: form books I find,  
Some Birds, the suns bright beams do fear by kind.   

Wherefore, soon as I came to see my fall  
From Sky-built hopes which had borne up my heart,  
I strait resolved on another part,  
Briefly to writ in sense more general  
An Elegle, in The me unmystical;  
And h●●g it by your Princely Altars light:  
Where Lamps of grace might keep it still in spite.   
Your Majesty's humble & obedient servant: I. G.   

AN APOLOGY for Womankind.  

Muses' divine which on Parnassus dwell,  
Bathing yourselves in Pegasaean well;  
Infuse high thoughts into my dullard spirit.  
And guide my trembling hands, whilst I indite  
The sacred honours of your fellow Sex,  
Which men's unlawful tyranny doth vex.  
And you three Sisters whom we Graces name,  
Fair spotless Virgins without fault or blame,  
Bestow some beauties on my rugged rhymes  
That they may please our more than carping times,  
And in full health preserve themselves (at least)  
From sharp-tongue darts of many headed beast.  
Immortal Nectar in my mind distill,  
That I may write (with favourable quill)  
women's admired glories and then praise.  
That may be read in our next nephews days.  
And you bright Lamps which to the world give Light,  
(Mighty Commanders of the greatest might)  
Brave Ladies, sage Matrons, comely Damoselles,  
Whose armed thoughts resist all wicked spells,  
Be you my Load-starres, guide me without sail,  
Direct this little Bark (wherein I sail)  
That it may scape the sands of high disdain,  
And to the port of favours safely game.  
Full well I wots, this subject was more fit  
For peerless Homers or for Virgil's wit,  
The Florence-petrarkes', Tassoes, or Ronsardes,  
Sidnyes or Spencers; unto whom, rewards,  
Garlands of Bays by Poets granted are.  
Yet sithence one whose temples still are bare,  
Whose fruitless brain is like a barren rock,  
A stony ground, or over-dryed stock,  
Can thus much sing: what might some others say!  
swans notes excelling on their dying day.  
Nor is it pride that makes me thus presume  
A great Atlantic burden to assume.  
A labour which might Hercules beseem,  
Or one whose same the world should more esteem.  
It's just duty, to a cause neglected,  
By all abler persons unrespected,  
That makes me take this Pencil in mine hand  
(The most unskilful Painter in our Land)  
And on this plained table undertake,  
Of your high worth some portraiture to make.  
Would God I had renoum'd Apelles' skill,  
Then might my work well answer to my will.  
But why do I the arts of men desire  
Who Chymons are, unless first set on fire,  
By kindly heat, whence all their science flows,  
Which afterwards so bright resplendent shows?  
Within this Labyrinth I hope to tread  
With fearless foot led by your beauty's thread,  
So as no ugly Minotaur, of spite  
Shall dare with hellish mouth at me to bite.  
Nor 'gainst me snarling dog toothed Momus bark,  
But say I chaum like to the morning Lark,  
In music strains a measured harmony  
For womenkind, Nature's Epitomye.  
And as for me: one loving kind regard,  
Or friendly look, shall be my sole reward.  
Now muse no longer stay, thy race begin,  
Declare dame Euahs' state before her sin  
Was by the Thunder-darter punished,  
By pains enjoined unto all women-head.  
Show what in Eden's garden she hath been,  
Let at the least her glories passed be seen.  
When other creatures God created had,  
And saw that all were good and none were bad,  
all's careless man, whom he as best did prize  
Seated to dwell in earthly Paradise:  
Then, there he framed passing fair the rest  
With knowledge and with wisdom chief blest.  
Woman replenished with excellence,  
Conceit, and gloden streaming eloquence.  
Her splendent hairs were Amber coloured.  
And like fresh flowers in April savoured.  
Her smooth forehead that no art did borrow  
Was like the sea which no wind doth furrow,  
Her vaulted eyebrows made of Ebeny,  
The horned Moon resembled in the Sky.  
Her sparkling eyes as two clear stars did shine,  
Full of sweet grace and majesty divine.  
Her cares, whose shape my thoughts do far surpass,  
Were like two Roses in a Crystal glass,  
Her white pretty Eagle-nose descended,  
As a mount amidst a plain it hanged.  
Envy herself beholding it had shame,  
Because therein she-nothing found to blame.  
Two red flowers set in milk, her cheeks did seem,  
Where his strong hold the Shooting-Boy did deem,  
Her mouth which did embalm the air about,  
At Coral lips did send hersweete breath out,  
Showing two ranks of pearls well polished,  
Which hedged her tongue by Suada furnished.  
But what mean I, in short words to comprise,  
That which in ample theme I might devise?  
Her body beauty's storehouse, God did make  
And not from mud, but Adames side did take,  
The matter whence he did the work compose,  
(Dirt was over base a subject to be chose.)  
So as her essence, though not different,  
(As two times flood) was more excellent  
Than adam's was, my speech I will confirm,  
Lest that I seem it vainly to affirm.  
Being the first things God did only give,  
The second plancals life the third did live,  
Endued with sense: reason the fourth obtained,  
And so the last more worthiness still gained.  
This certainly well understood the man,  
When at the first sight boasting he began  
To say, out of his flesh she had been took:  
(So soon as from his brazen sleep he woke.)  
This perfectly the subull Serpent knew,  
When her he tempted, with his: Is it true?  
To win the man he thought it was no doubt,  
That was his fear the woman would stand out.  
Wherefore to her he did address his wiles,  
Wherewith mankind he daily still beguiles.  
Who though at first she did well shun his sleights,  
Yet (ah) at length he catched her by his baits.  
Well what did Adam? he did not deny,  
But cat the fruit forbidden readily,  
And after deemed his case could not be bad,  
Telling by Euahs' means he sinned had  
To high lehovah punisher of vice,  
Which called them forth hidden in Paradise,  
And took the rule out of the woman's hands,  
Making her thrall unto subjections bands.  
That was before man's powerful governess.  
His mistress, love, his wife, his Empress.  
Yet did he not her cast in slavery,  
Nor any base foul seruilitye.  
But lest her guidance to her husband's will,  
Only for order yielding to him still  
So Abel was subjecteth unto Cain,  
Yet Cadets judge th'authority is vain.  
And 'tis a point that every one can tell,  
The younger borne, most what do far excel.  
Now let some Tyger-bred clown speak his mind,  
Railing his fill against all women kind,  
Terming them wanton, lustful, lecherous,  
Mincing decemblers, sly, fine, vicious.  
Let some grim Sire his Dame in fury strike,  
Which is his pleasure's mate, his half his like,  
In whose fair face Roses and lilies meet,  
Whose look is smiling and whose speech is sweet.  
Sith 'gainst all laws and justice such do deal,  
From malefactors well may one appeal.  
Yet would I fayne their proper vice once learn,  
Which makes men's talk to be of them so stern.  
Are they accustomed to that filthy sin,  
Which is extolled by beastly Aretin?  
The shame of Greece, Spain, Italy and France,  
Where men 'gainst kind do spend their chevisance.  
Ah, ah Noah. Nor is it Venery,  
Men brag of that in greatest bravery:  
But faults in divers subjects altar not,  
A blame in one in each one is a blot.  
Besides, the men are causers of those crimes.  
That women weakly do commit some times.  
Witness their careful suits, their instruments,  
Their Siren's Songs, their silent allurements.  
Bribed speakers, inventions curious,  
Iustes, dances, presences, letters amorous,  
their feigned frenzies, harder hearts tomove,  
Their oaths, their vows, their sickness grown from love  
Doth one deny all these and lend none care?  
With some base Peasant she doth make good cheer.  
Plasso reports, which sought to make her sin,  
'tis must keep out, there is a key within.  
So as to hinder sinister bad talk,  
Many do choose full secretly to walk.  
In wickedness: thinking faults hidden small,  
Though eyes there are which plainly see them all.  
Well; sundry times of women I have read,  
Which for their honours, now long since are dead.  
As Lucia and chaste Lucretia,  
The Damsels hip and Orythia▪  
But of one man as yet I never heard,  
Who for his chastity took such reward.  
Then foundlings cease the female sex to blame,  
None truth can speak that turneth to their shame.  
Their very pains by God to them enjoined,  
Show how their minds to goodness are inclined.  
For 'tis a rule; God sends his troubles such  
As be his creatures able, less or much.  
Atlas' alone hath charged the heavens to bear,  
Rich Carbuncles in gold men only wear,  
And virtues unto women proper are.  
Are you affected unto piety,  
Devouter godliness or charity?  
Example take the Virgin blessed Mary,  
Whose womb conceived our healthful mystery.  
Here might I say women did honour more,  
Christ low abased, in all appearance poor,  
Then his Disciples or Apostles durst,  
'Tis manly wisdom still to sear the worst.  
And here to tell, the labour were not spilled  
How many Schools and Hospitals are built  
By women's wondrous liberality,  
The true perfect patterns of high bounty.  
Als' ' might I well from Pagan writers show  
Who only rules of blinded reason knew  
The famous zeal which they in women deemed,  
And therefore judged them by their Gods esteemed.  
Hence in large sort to honour them they reigned,  
Many the place of Goddesses had gained.  
As juno, Cibell, and Minerva,  
Venus, Themis, Ceres and Diana.  
Hence some alive to heaven they have up borne,  
Whose blessed minds this earthly mud did scorn.  
Hence all the virtues female have they named,  
As, Peace, and justice, Truth, with Faith unblamed,  
And honesty which never makes ashamed  
But I an hundredth other points do see  
That in my judgement far more needful be.  
And now me thinks myself am like unto  
Some one who doth into a Garden go,  
Of green herbs a Posy for to gather,  
Yet there knows not which to take most rather.  
So I the best things strive for to propound,  
Yet which are they my wisdom cannot sound '  
Wherefore me pardon dear Minerva's brood,  
If that my choice or order be not good:  
Of women's love to men first will I tell  
Reasons apparent why to prise them well.  
For by these two Gods law is full defined,  
Love unto him and unto human kind.  
And of this love our Country claims chief part,  
The next our Parents look for in our heart.  
Yoke mates and Children do a third require,  
The fourth our neighbours at our hands desire.  
Now in all sorts women more loyal are  
Then any men. Long circumstance I spare:  
Eke many Histories I will omit,  
Which to declare this argument are fit.  
To aid her Country, fair Macaras  
Her life did spend also Protogeus,  
Pandora, Pleria and Theopa,  
Pasithea with brave haired Eubula  
Did less respect their own prosperity.  
Then their dear Countries sweet felicity.  
The beautiful Dame Cratissiclea,  
(King Cleominos mother of Sparta  
Herself an hostage dared to present,  
And undergo a willing banishment  
From servitude her City for to save.  
Such acts as these, some losty strains do crave.  
Where were the men which voluntary died  
When these occurrents fearful did betide?  
Where were become their big Thrasonicke words,  
Their glistering armours, and their thrilling sword?  
'Tis true I see, as I have seen most oft:  
The heart's most hardy dwell with tongues most soused.  
Solynus saith, there was a Roman wife  
Who with her dugs preserved her mother's life,  
Into the prison having leave to enter,  
Daily to view her poor starving mother.  
So Nicon old Xantippe nourished  
Her Father, whom the jailor famished.  
Show me more love, show me more constantness  
In any men: show me more faithfulness.  
I silently pass by Hypsipila,  
With hundreds more like young A●igena,  
That have excelled in trusty loyalty,  
The very band of all society.  
Chelon● is by Plutarch honoured,  
For perfect friendship to her spousal bed.  
Who more esteemed her husband then a Crown,  
Was't ever seen mens pride did so come down?  
The Spartan Dames their Theseaus did conserve,  
And from deaths present danger them preserve:  
Changing their garments with them secretly,  
And so restoring them to liberty,  
Remained themselves fell, fierce rage to endure,  
(For nothing else to look for were they sure)  
Alcestis did to save her husband die,  
Admetus' King of wealthy Thessaly,  
Canna no longer cared for lives breath  
Then that she might revenge Sinatus death.  
Saxo the Dane, Gunilda doth extol,  
Porcia the Roman, Livy doth enrol,  
Pliny doth praise the fickely fisher's wife,  
Who for to ease his pains despised her life.  
So Alexander ab Alexandra,  
And Aelian, commend full many more,  
Which for to work their husband's case and joy;  
Their own grief nought regarded, or annoy.  
But understand, it is not mine account  
The suns bright beams in number just to count.  
Likewise a Fountain that is never dry,  
Doth need many buckets it to empty.  
Further how Children dearly they affect,  
Or else their neighbours friendly do respect;  
For me to show were mere simplicity,  
Sith all confess thereof the verity.  
To prove that fire hath heat, or water cold,  
Is in no doubt or danger to be bold.  
Wherefore I'll túrne me to another theme,  
Long while enough I sowed have this seam.  
In Prudence, justice, liberality  
(Whereof Kings boast) and magnanimity:  
Hereby some short examples i'll declare  
That in no point women ought wanting are.  
Those that can govern well, no virtues want,  
But of brave Queens the number is not scant  
That in times passed with glory and renown,  
Many a Kingdom rules have and town.  
The warlike Almains this do testify,  
So doth the Carthaginian History.  
The Black Moors brag of hardy Meroe,  
The Bohemians of their Valasque,  
Large Syria commends Zenebia,  
The grim stern Goths their Amalasuntha.  
Sage Theodora did the Empire sway,  
And men unworthy, thence did chase away.  
Semiramis dry Egypt did possess,  
Whom Nilus ouce-flowing still do bless.  
And doth not England sing Eliza's praise,  
Who far excelled all before her days?  
Was never Prince which ruled with more peace,  
Or did more gently subjects pains release,  
And terrors unto proud high minds increase.  
Out Zoilus and all thy hellish train,  
'Tis not foul spite that can pure virtue stain.  
Whiles Sun and Moon their courses keep in ure.  
women's heroïcke praises shall endure:  
Well have their worthy spirits this merited,  
In whom all fine inventions first were bred.  
The seven Arts that men call liberal,  
Were by the Sister's nine first found out all.  
Gesture seemly and demeanours comely,  
We attribute to the Graces only.  
Cumea wrote the Roman policy.  
Sappho never like for Poesy.  
In Rome a Statue dedicated was  
To Gracchus' mistress that well speaking Lass.  
Pythagoras learned of Theocia,  
Wi●e Socrates of fair Diotina,  
Plato none judged like Archenassa.  
With thousands more, which men themselves do note  
And I it needless judge them all to quote,  
Whose famous science was by men admitted,  
As if that God their knowledge had inspired.  
Yea at this day how many may we see,  
That here in England now still living be,  
Whose pens and tongues (when as it is their will)  
far do excel each other human skill?  
I silently of purpose pass their names,  
Sith nought my speech can add unto their fames.  
Ah but men blame all women's secrecy,  
Their fearful minds, changing and cowardly,  
'Tis true that malice never wants a mark,  
And huge great fires arise oft from a spark.  
For if by reason we this matter try,  
We nothing find therein save forgery;  
Not that I mean all women to excuse,  
all's for some few I would not all abuse.  
We say in sin he seldom ought to move,  
who fitly can another well reprove.  
What thing more common than disloyalty  
'Mong greatest friends professing amity?  
Ours is the golden world: the love of gold  
Is more this day than it hath been of old.  
A some of Coin buys honours, love and friends,  
Men are no longer wolves to men, but fiends,  
that which you tell to him is to a stone,  
Yet all he babbles so soon as you are gone.  
But in times past, that hardy female band,  
Which in one night, of Danes did free our land;  
She who from kind Pisistratus concealed,  
That which her torments might have well revealed,  
The banquet Cryassau, and Brutus wife,  
Show in what silence they can spend their life,  
As for to fall together by the ears,  
With Guns, and sword, with Halberds or with spears  
For some small toys not worth the speaking off,  
A icast in mirth, or merry nipping scoff,  
It is not women's custom I profess,  
Ill should I do a truth not to confess,  
'tis true they judge the fight of arms is least,  
Man by his reason differs from a beast;  
Likewise Sage nature hath not wrought so strong,  
Their Corpses, nor arms, ne yet their legs so long,  
As mens she hath: but framed them most fit,  
To entertain each combat with their wit,  
And mids ' a thousand merry pretty sweets,  
Repel an onset twixt a pair of sheets,  
Their hands are made for music instruments,  
Not for to brandish warlike compliments,  
Further I deem such hommasse fortitude,  
In woman kind small virtue doth include,  
Better doth Venus' kerchief to them sit,  
Or lunoes state, with wise Minerues wit,  
Then brutish, rude, and cruel kill arms,  
Of bloody Mars, from whom comes nought but harms  
And truth to say, without all spite or hate,  
Those mannish quean sare most degenerate:  
Yet if some others ask for hardiness,  
With stout courage, and undaunted boldness,  
Well can I show, so as each one will grant  
Women at need can be full valiant.  
Call me to mind brave lasses of old days,  
Who gained prizes in Olimpicque plays,  
Remember we their green bank Tritonida,  
For fencing, for riding Themerinda,  
Where also 'twas their ordinary guise,  
To wrestle, run, and leap for excercise.  
Forget not we how Archidamia  
With her great crew, beat Pyrrhus from Sparta.  
Nor yet the same of one-dugd Amazons,  
Who in large compass planted their Cantons.  
who hath not heard of lewish Deborah?  
judith, and jael that slew Sisara?  
I blush to name the maid of Orleans  
(Ah shame) which dressed our armies out of France.  
The fixed King Henry's daughtet of our land,  
Preserved her father from a murdering hand.  
But what mean I to sail thus far from shore?  
Storms oft arise, which none did doubt before.  
If that a thousand tongues possess I might,  
And eke ten thousand hands well skilled to write,  
A breast of strong brass with some Steutors' voice,  
Yet would I rather if I had my choice,  
The Starts and sands to number undertake;  
Then of all women true rehearfall make,  
Which for admired virtues mertit praise,  
A subject large to task an hundroth days.  
Better I think it here to stay the course  
Of my weak pen, untired in this discourse,  
men's hardiness I pleased am to sed,  
Their knowledge, strength, and wisdom liketh me,  
Their massy corpse I mean not to dispraise,  
Nor ought besides whence praises just they raise.  
Yet when they needs comparisons will make,  
And women's glories violently take.  
I say that valour with magnificence,  
honoured virtue and all excellence,  
In that sweet kind do principally shine,  
Ca●sing it seem to be the most divine.  
Therefore wise men that choose in verity  
Wives, amore, ne'er, over, et re  
Ought them as equals in each point t' esteem,  
And but for order them inferiors deem,  
Wherefore fine Ladies, grave Mattons', Damsels,  
Let your pure minds withstand all wicked ipels,  
Yield you yourselves to ordinance divine,  
That your high worth may still more brightly shine,  
And thou Dame-Fortune never do them bless,  
Which by injustice do thy sex oppress.   
FINIS.