Noctes atque dies patet atri janua Ditis.  
 
Unto this Island and great Pluto's Court,  
none are denied that willingly resort,  
Charon o'er Phlegeton will set on shore,  
and Cerberus will guard you to the door:  
Where dainty Devils dressed in humane shape,  
upon your senses soon will make a rape.  
They that come freely to this house of sin,  
in Hell as freely may have entrance in▪   

HOLLAND'S LEAGUER: OR, AN HISTORICAL DISCOURSE OF THE Life and Actions of Dona Britanica Hollandia the Arch-Mistris of the wicked women of UTOPIA.  
Wherein is detected the notorious Sin of Panderism, and the Execrable Life of the luxurious Impudent.  
LONDON, Printed by A. M. for Richard Barnes. 1632.   

HOLLAND'S LEAGUER: OR, AN HISTORICAL Discourse of the Life and Actions, of Dona Britanica Hollandia, the Arch-Mistris of the wicked Women of Utopia.  
THis History, Tale, or telltruth, (take it in which sense you please) is dedicated to the World, whither all discourses wander, to the reformation of vice, which is Good men's wishes, and to the advancement of virtue, which is the aim of all honest affections so that making my sum just with mine account, I doubt not but I shall discharge myself, of that which I owe to posterity, to the ruin of sin, and the immortal safe-guarde of piety.  
But you will tell me, to detect sin is to teach sin, the discovery of vice like Hydra's heads, doth rather increase then decrease the vicious, for virtue is seldom found to spring from Lacedaemonian Tables, and chastity much less from Aretine's pictures; that wicked persons, and wicked actions, should rather be damned in obscurity, then preserved for eternity, that it is a sin against piety, to give wickedness any life of memory, for so the villain became lost that set fire on Diana's Temple, and Manlius was forgot in Rome, that did injury to Rome: wicked names dishonour fair report, and if by compulsion the pen must glance upon them, they ought ever to be accompanied with curses, and execrations; unrepentant sin is the Devil's Godson, and when we talk of capital wickedness, we ought to give it no other name but devil; Yet Brutus and his confederates are not forgot in Livy; Sinon lives in Virgil, and Pandarus in Homer, we have a Layis memorable in Corinth, a Lamia in Athens, and a Lestrigon in great Britain, why should we then lose this Eutopian Legend of Britanica Hollandia, who exceeds all in insolence, instructs all in impudence, and runs through a World of damnable actions, with improvidence; no, as she is without parallel in her profession, so I will strive to delineate her to the life, that she may ever live hateful to all after succession.  
In the Kingdom of Utopia, near the fair city of Maugsun, some few Leagues distant, their lived a Gentleman of indifferent Fortunes, neither so high that ambition did assail him, nor so low that contempt might follow him, but Anchoring in a smooth low tide, and a safe harbour, made himself content only with things necessary; he married a wife suitable to his estate, and agreeable with his affections, for she had comeliness enough to content an honest eye; cleanliness sufficient for a chaste bed, or a frugal Table, and discretion at will to govern and dispose all things committed to her Stewardshippe; These had issue one daughter whom they named Britanica Hollandia, 
Hollandia her birth.  by reason of some near allyances betwixt them and the Neatherlands. A maid in the time of her innocence, and ignorance, so accomplished and accommodated with all the ornaments of Nature and education, that she far surpassed all those of her rank, and might without the offence of modesty challenge equality with those which were accounted excellent; for she had a fair Eye, full of strong enchantment; a modest cheek, rich with bashfulness; and a face so generally clothed with beauty, & blushes, that there was an infinite promise of much ensuing virtue: her stature was but low, yet composed with such true Cymetrie, and so agreeable with every other lineament through the whole Fabric of her body, that had Appelles beheld her, he would have forsworn his Idol to have made her his goddess; but to leave off all further circumstance, let it suffice me to say she was truly handsome, exceeding hopeful, and had not the Devil been too ambitious, she might have been most happy, but where the house is cleanest, there Satan desires to entersoonest; and if the guard of Grace be Idle or unwatchfull, repentance may follow, but it cannot prevent surprisal, and so it fares with this Creature, for as heaven had bestowed upon her all outward embellishments to attract virtue unto▪ her, so had some sinister power, or the corruption of her own flesh married to those bodily beauties, such a wicked spirit, that all goodness became to her an utter stranger▪ she was of such a proud, haughty, and disdainful nature, so Masculine in her disposition, and so mad to encounter any cross to her best loved cogitations, that like the Spider, which turneth all things to poison which it tasteth, so she became an utter Atheist, and would acknowledge no God but her own pleasure; She had from men's praises, women's envies, and her glasses plaindealing, her parent's tenderness, her friend's carefulness, and her companions amazedness, got such a true knowledge of her handsomeness, that she did not only believe it, and love it, but mightily doted upon it; neither did this foolishness of selfe-affection so bind her to the admiration of her own beauty, as a proud and furious conceire of the excellency of her wit, (above the sphere of other women's capacities) did bind and slave her to embrace to herself this conclusion that she only was excellent  
Now she begins to grow in hate with her father's house, the Country is unpleasant, unhabitable, obscure and dirty, that house-wifely employments, were slavish engagements; to live with parents, was but to lie with bondage, that all common dements were curses, and obedience only a figure of simplicity, and ignorance; she would often say within herself, what is beauty, if not seen, what seen, if not admired, what admired, if not desired, and what any, or all if not enjoyed; and where shall these be gathered from the blossoms of trees, heaps of stones the overflows of fountains, or the dull rabble of Clowns and herdsmen? No, it is the City that is the sphere of beauty, there are her Temples, there live her votaries, and there burns her sacrifice, the Country is but a rotten chest that conceals holy relics, let me live in the City, where if I cannot outshine all, or at least equal all, yet a tworst I shall be hid in an handsome Cabinet.  
Upon these, and the like resolutions she throws herself into a deep melancholy: all meats are but course for her diet, she forsakes them; sleep is too near a kinsman to death, she hates it; all company seems rude, she loathes it; all discourses are unpolished, her ear will not receive them; and to conclude, as an exanimated carcase, she walks with no soul, and but half a motion.  
Her parents quickly perceive this alteration, and like noble Physicians labour to find out the cause to make the cure more easy, more speedy, more certain; but she that had a locked up soul in a fort impregnable, what through disdain, the handmaid of Pride, & Pride itself the Lord of stubborn resolution, she became so impenetrable, that sooner might they bring the Poles together, then separate her from one tittle of her private resolution, so that finding her fixed, they leave to molest her, only observe all occasions, and all circumstances, every passage, and every Action, that might give any light to those designs on which she laboured with such difficulty; in the end, finding her set one day in a private Room, without any companion, but solitude & her own thoughts, her Father stealing within the distance of her speeches, might hear her utter these words. O life, which hast deceived so many, seduced so many, blinded so many, thou art nothing at thy beginning, thy light is nothing but a shadow, thou art but smoke at thy height, thou art sweet to fools, thou art bitter to the wise, who loveth thee, knows thee not, who knoweth thee, contemns thee; and here with a deep sigh she made a full period, when her father pressing upon her, demanded the cause of this quarrel betwixt her and life, urging her with much ingratitude, to condemn that, from which herself had received so much lustre, applying her beauty, her youth, her wit, and all her inward, and outward faculties, as unrefellible arguments of infinite beholdingness to life, who had brought them into the World, & made them beloved of the World; but she with a silent bashfulness (fuller of deceit than innocence) forbearing to reply gave him occasion to assail her with all the strength that nature, love, & a father's authority could collect together, and did so urge her to display, and lay open the Cabinet of her dearest counsels, that she either unwilling to lose so fair an opportunity, or to apparel her envious grief in the robes of obedience, with a seeming unwilling willingness, did disburden her heart of that load of grief, which so long had afflicted her: yet not without many disguises, and false habits, as not being weary of the Country for its solitude, but careful to discharge him of much cost, and encumbrance; that the City was more hopeful for her advancement, because the two columbes of posterity, honourable Marriage, and wealthy employment had there a settled residence, and threw away their favours blindfold, like the children of Fortune.  
There did need small debatement, 
Her coming to the City.  When both the parties did agree upon one proposition, for he seemed to outrun her in willingness, and as if their thoughts had been cast in one mould, an equal diligence made preparation for her speedy departure, the mother's consent was not wanting, so that all drawing by one link without hindrance, strife or advantage, the work was in a trice effected, the daughter was brought to the City, and settled in an honest Magnificos service.  
Here, after the expense of some small time, living as it were in a Burse of resort, where men and their minds were continually trucking for new commodities, it was impossible for this rich jewel, which was without foil; because it knew no Art, and without fraud by reason of an innocent ignorance, should either stand gaping for a chapman, or like an idle prentice, with his hands hid in his cap, cry, Sir, what lack you; No, unsullied beauty like the Sun will give light to a whole Hemisphere▪ and this damosel had so shot her beams through every corner of the City, that her Suitors were like Coriscas smocks, infinite in number, many in good opinion, and but one at one time in employment, yet with such severity she governed her passions, that the strictest eye of modesty could hardly detect her government, and she was the rather induced to this Austerity, by beholding the pictures of two famous Courtesans, which did hang in her Master's Gallery; the first, which was less fair, but more fortunate, had this inscription, Si non Cast tamen Caute, the other which was far beyond all for beauty, and inferior to none for Misery, had written over her. Nec caste, Nec caute; on these two plain songs her resolution made sundry descants, but the close of every strain was, That to sin wisely, was to sin safely, that after-thoughts were foolish, and had I wist childish; hence it came that amongst the unnumbered number of her Suitors, she chose one whom she knew honest, 
Her marriage.  by all men's report, frugal in her own experience, industrious in his affairs, and painful in every circumstance of his profession, one that was handsome enough to love, and stout enough to control, yet such an Idolater to her beauty, & such a slave to her commandments, that neither his eyes, nor ears could carry credit beyond her sufferance; of this man she made a husband, and had not the devil and woman's weakness conspired to make ship wrack of her virtue, they might have lived and died with fair reputation; but now she shakes hands with bashfulness, and fear, & the manliness of her courage, 
Her falling from virtue.  meeting with the liberty of a bold wife's rudeness, she dare both entice and lend an ear to enticements. 'Tis true, that love in her friends, made them call impudence an high spirit, and looseness a pleasant behaviour, but those which had been brought up in the same school where she learned her compliment, knew that the gate was wide enough, and the way plain enough which lead to the ruin of her virtue.  
Many assault were given to this fair Fort, 
Her subtlety.  but some she withstood, to gain an opinion of goodness, and they were great ones; some she durst not entertain for fear of after repentance, and they were loose ones, some she held at a distance to draw on benefit, and they were the rich ones, and some she scorned, and they were fools, Fiddlers, or base ones: But behold, at last, the devil himself fearing to lose so rich a prize, which he knew would not come to his kingdom alone with her own lading, but with the spoils, and triumphs of a world of unfortunate creatures of both sexes, he sent to assail her one Ignatius a Puritan jesuit; 
The first that made her a whore.  a fellow, whom Lucifer had so instructed, and adorned with all the deceivable qualities and inchauntments of a seeming goodness, that virtue herself could hardly have discovered him, without the use of her divinest spectacles; he had all the amiablenesses of a good face, and a well-shaped body, which he made more glorious with gravity & good clothes, he had an excellent wit, prompt and ready, which he witnessed in his discourses, being full of delight and learning, he was full of Bounty, and liberality; a world of poor deceived people (especially women) maintaining his exchequer, and when the fire of lust was kindled in him by the devil's bellowes, he was so full of delicate Petulance, and enchanting dalliance, that a cold half buried Anchorite would have engendered a flame from his embers.  
This great General for Hell (not alone in this, but in a world of other damnable actions) comes with his Legions of enchantments to besiege this Redoute, or weak Sconce, even at the time when there was a mutynie raised betwixt her and her best soldiers; for indeed, Modesty was in disgrace, and accused for a Coward, Chastity was scorned as a shadow & no substance, Bashfulness was reputed weak and childish, Honour a Chimaera, Good-fame a dream; and indeed, all the Virtues stood cashired as enemies unto Pleasure; so that there was left none to withstand him but Frailty, a Cannon-law, and a Penal Statute.  
Against these he raised such a battery of sweet discourse, and enchanting persuasions, that she stood amazed, and staggering at the first onset, till fear of the Law, and a little love to good report, stepped betwixt her and the enemy, and beat him back with these, or the like arguments. First, that her Reputation (not God or his judgements) were so dear and tender unto her, that she durst not give ear to his sorceries: but he with a smile (wherein a good eye might have discerned scorn) asked her what Reputation was; She told him it was the very Manna, and Nepenthe of generous Spirits, the Goddess of great courages, and the triumph of all Noble Actions; she said it was a thing so delicate, so pure, and so unspotted, that the least excess did blemish it, any unjust action dishonour it, indiscretion, negligence or Idleness deface it, but Prostitution that did wholly ruin it; it is a constant friend that will follow and go with any good action, but if once forsaken, no inquisition, no search, no prayers, or tears, can ever again find it: Believe it Sir, (said she) there is no such misery as to outlive Reputation, nor any follies like that which puts it in hazard. But he, to whom Blasphemy was familiar, & Atheistical propositions more frequent, then holy sentences, had soon brought her to a Nonplus; so that forsaking her guardians, she was content to hearken to composition. This capitulation assuring him of future conquest, he now began to sing his own triumph; and to make his conditions more glorious, the assurance of her affections more serious, and his lascivious pleasures, of a long lived endurance, he began to discourse unto her the lives & Legends, (but not the deaths and disasters) of diverse famous and renowned Courtesans; 
The tale of Lol●ca Paulina.  but especially above all the rest, and as a History best agreeing, and paralleling with her own Fortunes, as also seeking to cover his own luxurious wickedness, and the wickedness of his own coat and calling, under a greater man's wantonness, he insisted most upon the life and fortunes of Lollea Paulina, the greatest Courtesan, the basest Whore, and the deceitfullest Bawd, that ever Rome did acknowledge; But here you must understand, that this subtle Engineer, played but the flattering Historian, for he only touched at her felicities, but either forgot, or leapt over her infinite miseries; he showed how she was borne in the City of Fano in Italy, 
Rome.  of good, but poor parentage: how after her Father's death, necessitty brought her to seek shelter, being accompanied with nothing but a divine beauty, an unmatchable personage, a boundless wit, and an infinite spirit.  
Here Hippolito the great Cardinal of Est, and brother to the Duke of Ferara, beholding her, grew enamoured on her, bought her at an infinite price, and maintained her above the rank of the greatest Princes: Insomuch that at an interview of Ambassadors, before the Pope, in Mount Angelo (being by torchlight) she came amongst the Ladies so covered, and onercovered with Diamonds, and the richest jewelry, that excepting her face, (which the Sun itself was not able to darken) there could nothing be discerned but a moving flame of most glorious fire; and those which had skill did value her at more than a Million.  
It is not to be expressed with what greediness of spirit, and earnest delight, Britanica's ears drunk in this Story, for she was infinitely covetous; not as Misers to cram her chests, but as a discreet Prodigal to fill her pockets, placing her delight in giving, and spending, Riot, Revels, Plays, Feasts, and all manner of wasteful delights, were to her such dear companions, that rather than lose them, she would lay both life and soul in pawn for their ransom; nay, she was such a true admirer of pleasure, that albe she knew there was no true pleasure upon earth, and that only Grief Went up & down, covered in pleasures outside, yet was her soul so ravished with delight, that she became dead flesh, and would not feel vexation as long as her eyes stood fixed on Pleasure's garments.  
This Ignatius saw, this he knew, and finding her Spirits take fire at his words, he again pursued his Story, and showed her how Paulina having nothing but the revenue of Lustre, a little beauty, was three times the richest, the greatest and the most respected Lady of all Rome; and here he pauled, for had he followed the truth of the Story, it would have showed him that she was three times also the poorest, the most dejected & basest, miserable, despised creature that Rome, or the world had ever reserved for memory: nay, so exceeding hateful was her condition, & so infinite her contempt, that she gave her body in prostitution to the common hangman, for one meal to sustain her; and in the end died without pity, and was buried without Ceremony, had he amplified any thing upon this Text, he had marred his own market, and made a Convertite: But they were whites beyond his Aim; confusion was only within the reach of his Arrow, and that he hit, for his words did so well please her, and his rich promises so assure her, that freely she gave him her body in possession; and he enjoyed her for some short space, with out competitor.  
But Lust is a Gangrene, 
Her multiplicity of prostitutions.  & having once poisoned a member, never leaves spreading till the whole body be confounded, she hath now broken one link in the golden chain of Chastity, and she cares not though all the rest be molten with confusion; hence it comes that she entertains more devils, variety is pleasant, one ship yields small custom, great Navies fill large Treasures, & her revenues came in with such full Tides, that false Pleasure made her believe there would never come ebbing.  
In this unchaste Progress, she took an essay or taste of all degrees, all professions, and all conditions, from the Noble, to the Gentile, from the Camp to the City, her ears had heard all languages, her purse had received all Coins, and had not her fortune been more favourable than her affections, her body had been confounded with all manner of putrefactions.  
But in the end, 
She determines to turn Bawd  looking back into herself, and beholding into what a crazy and rotten Bark she had shipped herself, on a rough and tempestuous Sea, where infinite diseases lay gaping upon her, the terror of the laws ready to devour her, shame and beggary striving to overtake her, and lastly the curse of all curses, to make her last will on a dunghill, or at the best in a spital, this did so perplex her, that being cloyed with satiety, and sin as weary of her, as she was weary of sinning, she began to turn over the leaf of her wickedness, and though she had no thought of amendment, yet she will take a new course for the safety of her health and person.  
She will no more be a Layis, but a Lena, no more a bewitching Whore, but a deceiving Bawd, the Sinnes of others shall maintain her Sin, she will no more trust herself on the Surges, but will traffic by Factours, and according to the wealth of her Wares, so shallbe the increase or decrease of her Revenues.  
She had no sooner settled herself in this resolution, and sealed it before Hell and her own evil Conscience, but presently she puts it in execution, and that she might frame all accommodations suitable to her design; she looks forth for a better house, for her own wanted elbow room, she must have many Meanders, and many passages, many holes, and many hides, deeds of darkness do ever require many dark corners.  
At last she lights upon an old ruined Castle newly repaired, so commodiously placed both for her homebred customers and Foreign visitants, as well for the Hawk, or Buzzard, that Hies by day, as the Owl, or Bat, that flutters in the night, that her heart could not wish a place of better convenience; The Sea on one side did bear against the walls, and both tall Ships, Flye-boates, and Pinnaces, might there Anchor in a safe Harbour; on the other side, it had some sleight intrenchments, which albe they were but weak and assayleable, yet the Sea upon all assaults, did grant her both Munition, victual, and avoidance. And that a good Name might patronise her many evil actions, she caused it to be called by a good old Duke's Title. 
As we say Duke's place Duke Humphrey, or the like.   
Of this house by contract, she got possession, and her purse being well filled, and wide open, emptied itself to give it adorment, there wanted nothing for State, nothing for Magnificence, nothing for Delight, nothing for Beauty, nothing for Necessity, howsoever the bones that lodged in it were rotten and unwholesome, yet the Monument itself was wondrous Gaudie, and handsome; there was nothing now for her to search for, but living furniture, and that she divided into three stations.  
The first, 
A Bawd's furniture  a stout Ruffian to guard her, the second, lusty strong Queans, to supply offices, and the third, petulant painted, and half guilt Mimics, to give entertainment; The first of these she saved from the Gallows, the second she hired from the Stews, and the last, she had bought up by whole sale from the Country: there needed not much search, sin is found in every corner, and these creatures like troublesome watermens plying a rich fare, will thrust themselves into the devil's arms beyond hope, 
With whom she trades.  beyond redemption.  
There was not a Carrier that had a cracked piece, but she had coin to exchange it, there was not a Poulterer, that brought up a young or tender pullet, but it was bought for her diet, she had charms to entice the simple, money to bewitch the needy, rich clothes to adorn proud spirits, ease for Idleness, pleasure for wantens, and indeed any thing, or all things to keep her Commonwealth from falling.  
Being thus accommodated, and her Mart proclaimed, there was no doubt of customers, every man hath a penny for a new Tavern, and every Lecher hath a dolor for a renowned Brothel, and then this, there was none so famous; and her visitants came flocking so fast for entertainment, that her Kitchen was like Aetna, ever flaming, her Hall was like Augeus' stable, ever stinking with broken meat, and Marrowbones, her dining-room, was like Babel, a mixture of nothing but confused noises, and her inward and private Lodgings, like Hell itself, where wicked creatures lay bathing themselves in Lust, as the damned souls do in Sulphur, thus she continued her riot for a long season, boasting herself in the strength of her wickedness, and not grieving for any thing more, then that she could be no more wicked.  
But there are judgements Registered above, 
Her sins calling in question.  and shame and disgraces preserved below, and when either the one, or the other falls, Woe to the offender; judgement may forbear, and justice may sleep, but neither will pardon, it is only to raise the Arm higher, that the Thunder may fall with greater fury; And now the noise of these offences have awakened Authority and that joining with piety, both send forth their Ministers to apprehend her; At first she plays the Rebel, and withstands their Summons, but finding herself at last environed on all sides, and that neither Sea, nor Land, afforded her safety, however unwilling, yet with a seeming willingness, she yielded up herself and her retinue, into the hands of Mercy; From thence they were brought to the bar of justice, where her Ruffian was perpetually condemned to labour at the Hempe-beetle; 
A place like our houses of correction.  The rest whom she had seduced, 
A place like Bridewell.  were sent for ever to the house of Repentant Strumpets, only herself, who was the chief author and framer of all this Iniquity, 
A place, like Newgate.  she was sent to the loath some dungeon of Capitol offenders, there to remain till her cause were heard, and due punishment put in execution.  
All this as it was decreed, 
Her carriage in prison.  so it was performed, and each one went to their several place of sadness, but Britanica, who although she range in a superlative way of wickedness, yet did she not want friends, neither was she without her daily visitants, for there is a correspondency amongst the worst, and wicked ones are said ever to hold together. She had Counsels of all manner of creatures, Quirks to avoid Statutes, Quillets to defraud judgements, and Demurs to protract and put off the days of her Trial; She wanted no Suitors to plead for compassion, no advocate to blanche her offences, and make her black sins white ones, there did need no tears, she commanded more Crocodiles than Nilus, and for bribes, her Coffers were full, and she was willing to unloade them: But all these and a World of others, being bound up together in a Bundle, and put in the scale against her intolerable mischiefs, were so light and unvaluable, that but despair and disgrace she could find no comforters; Finding herself thus hard beset, she now begins to call unto her the strength of a woman's wit, and concludes in herself, that as the Serpent deceived the first woman with his flattery, so he may (for amends) give her some relief with his subtlety, and indeed her cause was so foul, that there was no hope but in stratagem, and to that course she only now bends her study, and in this sort she effects it.  
Some few days before her trial, 
Her escape from prison.  there came to visit her a Gentleman of very grave and portly carriage, one that had in his looks and behaviour, both reverence and Authority, he salutes her by the name of Niece, and she with low humility, and a river of well coined tears, blushing that she could not blush faster, returns his Salutations, with the name of an Uncle, she casts down her countenance as ashamed to look upon him, he gives her comfort, but so mixed with severe and bitter counsel, that the standers by might perceive he came neither to flatter nor deject her; these compliments finished, they fell to private discourses; those ended, according to the custom of those places, and the use of such visitants, he calls for Beer, for Ale, for Wine, and a World of other junkets, there is no spare of cost, his gold flies, the Keeper carouses, his servants supply things wanting, and no man near them, but hath busy employment.  
After this conflict ended, and the Gentleman preparing for his departure, he bestowed upon the Keeper, a Ring of pretty value, upon his servant's Gold, and on the poorer sort of prisoners a Bountiful Largesse, descending down the stairs he offers to take his leave of his Niece, but she will attend him as far as the limits of the house will give her sufferance, and so she brings him down to the lowest hall, then offering to leave him, he told the Keeper how sorry he was to depart with dry lips, and calling to mind a Tavern that stood at the next door, he woos the Keeper there, by all means, to take another Pottle.  
The Keeper is willing to attend him, and why (quoth the Gentleman) may not my Niece take share with us? for mine own part, I know not her Trespass, therefore I dare not urge unlawful favour. Sir, (quoth the Keeper) her offence is neither Felony, nor Treason, she is neither liable to B●nd, nor Execution, and therefore myself will be her Guardian, and she shall wait upon you; and so together they go all three to the Tavern; the Uncle calls for Pottle upon Pottle, the Niece fills bowl upon bowl, and the Keeper drinks them up as if his thirst could never be quenched; In the midst of these quaffings, the Keeper and the Uncle, fall into a discourse of such seriousness, that they neglected all things but their own speeches; Britanica taking advantage at this Oblivion, rises from the Table, and as if the Wine had stirred in her some Office of secret occasion, steals out of doors, and knowing that at the very entrance of the back door, stood a Monastery of Grey Friars, looking back, and seeing her Argus more and more enchanted with Mercury, like light Salmacis having her heels at liberty, away she runs, and finding the door of the Monastery open, like a poor affrighted Dove, shot from the Talents of an eager Falcon, In she enters for safety; to the first Brother she meets, she falls upon her knees, and having taught her eyes to weep at her own pleasure, she delivers him so pitiful a story of her misfortune, that h●d he been as cold as his profession, yet it would have moved in him a Flame of infinite Compassion, he takes her up, and being, as all his Order are, faithful and helpful to women's afflictions, he promises her all relief, all safety, which done, he conveys her through the dark corners, and intricate passages of their cloister, whether he showed her his own Cell or no, it is uncertain; But it is an apparent truth, that he never forsook her, till he had placed her in that safety, which herself desired.  
By this time her Uncle and the Keeper having tired themselves with needless compliments, began to give their tongues a little ease, that their eyes might with more liberty look about them.  
The Uncle perceiving that his work was effected, feigns occasion of hasty departure. The Keeper supposing his prisoner had been with the Mistress of the house, conducteth him to the door, and there shakes hands till their next meeting; then calling for his Charge, he finds that she is utterly missing; it is vain to trouble your ears with the Keeper's amazement, his fury, his fretting, and his inquisition, let it suffice she is gone; her escape is known, the Monastery stands upon Privilege, and had the Keeper all the charms of Medea, or Circe's, they were too weak to open one boult in those places.  
Britanica being thus escaped, and by the help of her Confessor, brought to the place of her own safety, she there lies hid like the Minotaur in the Labyrinth, yet however her body lay concealed, her mind was full of Action, and busy molestation, and now she sets all her Emmets, and labouring acquaintance on work to sue, if not for a pardon, yet at least for some fair composition; and having the experience of former occasions, she knew there was no way so safe or speedy as that of Bribes, therefore like a prodigal she casts away her wealth, and would not suffer any man to be employed for her, but his pockets were filled with gold by her; In the end her Project proved prosperous, and upon strong Security of a new life to come, and a true Repentance for Crimes past, her peace was made, but yet at so dear and high prized conditions, that looking into that infinite wealth, of which but little before she stood possessed, she now found herself scarce able to subsist or to bestow one good Meal upon her Belly.  
There was not a Curse, 
Her miseries.  an affliction, a Plague, or what else is more bitter, that ever was foretold, or predestinate to a Strampet, but she had her share thereof in a downe-pressed and overflowing measure; she saw her kindred loathe her, Friends forsake her, her Companions mock her, her Slaves command her, and which is an Hell above all other, none but her enemies to pity her.  
These afflictions, 
A new falling.  every one thought to be Adamants, powerful enough to draw her Soul to heavenly Meditations; But the effect proved quite conry, for she ever carried the Devil's Balm in her Bosom, and could anoint over every disaster of Fortune, with, what will be shall be; She had got this Adage, in her mouth, Things past cure, past care, and whether it were Envy, or Fury, or both, she became so desperate, that she cared not to trust herself in the Seas, on a hurdle.  
After some small time thus spent in languishment, looking at no mark, but the old one, (for she could with the least trouble hit it) she labours all her Spirits, all her Imaginations, puts her Friends, Flatterers, and Companions, to the Test, leaves no way or means unassayed, how she might advance and set up again her old occupation; she hath framed to herself, new laws of severer condition, she will have Taxes of a higher, and more profitable Nature, she will have Riot clothed in Frugalities shadow, her Wine, though more in Measure, yet shall be drunk in less Glazes; her Music shall speak sharply, and sweetly, but not loud; her Wench●s shall be fair and handsome, yet but few in number; for when Supplies are wanting, she knows how to fetch them from places of fair Reputation; her Ordinary servants, shall be comely and industrious, and when extremity comes upon her, she will have disguises to make them appear half Angels; In brief, her old Commonwealth shall be turned topsie-turvie, and this new one, made so strong and permanent, that it shall be to all the Impudent creatures of the earth, an everlasting precedent.  
Upon these Resolutions, she thought her work was half finished, till looking better into her design, she found the Base and groundwork whereon she was to build the foundation of her proceedings, was yet to find out, and utterly beyond both her reach and compass, and that was a convenient house; she will no more trust Old Ruins, or Religious Neighbours, the one will endure no Battery, the other will abide no Bad dealing; She will have a house of Strength, a Fort, a Bulwark, a place so impregnable, that when all shall be vanquished, it shall stand in defiance; and that she might attain such a safety, she ranges through every part, and promising place of the City, but all in vain, those buildings are so linked one to another, that all are to be surprised; She than surveys the Suburbs, but finds none to content her; at last she betakes herself to the Sea, and makes a discovery upon the water, there she finds many Rocks, many Islands, to which, Nature had lent much Strength, but Art must be employed, and that was too costly; half tired with her search, and thinking to return, she is informed of a place fit for her purpose, 
Like the Bank side.  being wondrous commodiously planted for all accommodations; it was out of the City, yet in the view of the City, only divided by a delicate River, there was many handsome buildings, and many hearty neighbours, yet at the first foundation, it was renowned for nothing so much as for the memory of that famous Amazon, Longa Margarita, who had there for many years kept a famous infamous house of open Hospitality.  
She no sooner heard this report but presently turning her Sails, she made for that coast, where she found such abundance of Natural and Artificial intrenchments, that ever the house seemed to be in itself a little City.  
here she inquires, what strong hold, 
The site of her house  or Fort, was to be let for yearly Revenue, and presently she was brought to a Fort, Citadel, or Mansion House, so fortified, and invyroned with all manner of Fortifications, that had Impregnable Rhodes taken thence its pattern, neither the Turks wealth, nor the Traitor's wit could ever have betrayed it, for e'er any Foe could approach this, he must march more than a Musket-shot, on a narrow Bank, (where three could not go on Breast) betwixt two dangerous ditches; then enter a Port, bulwarked on every side, and cross immured both before and behind, with deep ditches, a Draw-bridge, and sundry Pallysadoes, than another passage, in all points like the former, Sluced with ditches, and Barricaded with strong Rampires.  
Then another ditch of of much larger continent than any before spoke of, which ran like a circumference, and girded in its Arms all the whole Mansion, than a World of other Bulwarks, Rivers; Ditches, Trenches, and Outworks, which hemmed in the Orchards, Gardens, Base-courts, and Inferior Offices, making every one capable of a several fight, and every fight able for many hours to play with an Army; when she had taken a full survey of this Forcelet, and seen how commodious and fit it was for her purpose, she than inquires what other benefits were appertaining unto it, as Neighbourhood, pleasant walks, Concourse of Strangers, and things of like Nature, in all which she received a full satisfaction; especially, and above all the rest, she was most taken with the report of three famous Amphytheators, which stood so near situated, that her eye might take view of them from her lowest Turret, one was the Continent of the World, because half the year a World of Beauties, and brave Spirits resorted unto it; the other was a building of excellent Hope, and though wild beasts and Gladiators, did most possess it, yet the Gallants that came to behold those combats, though they were of a mixed Society, yet were many Noble worthies amongst them; the last which stood, and as it were shaked hands with this Fortress, being in times past, as famous as any of the other, was now fallen to decay, and like a dying Swan, hanging down her head, seemed to sing her own dierge; With these reports, Dona Hollandia was ravished beyond measure, so that fearing to lose the instant opportunity without further debatement, she presently struck up the Bargain, possession is given, the Keys delivered, and when she please she may enter.  
After these proceedings, 
Her new preparations.  she returned home to prepare Men, and Munition for defence, Wenches for use, and victual for maintenance, as for household Ornaments, those she intended to increase, according to the strength of her Coffers. Her desires were so great, that her haste in the execution could not be little, she will not lose a minute, but (according to the old saying) running from post to pillar, and making Hay in the Sunshine, she foreslows no occasion, till she have all things fit for her new work; which obtained, she imbarkes herself, and makes for her wished harbour, where in a little space of time she landed with one Ruffian, whose name was Cerberus, and rightly, for he was monstrous both in shape and condition, and to him she gave charge of the gate, the Draw-bridge, and Portcullis, she had four wantoness, the first Beta Breslonia, a huge Bona-Roba, one impudent above measure, and insolent beyond comparison; the next Eliza Caunce, for by chance her father got her, by chance he forsook her, by chance she turned Whore, and by chance this Bawd light upon her, she was young, little▪ but a wondrous wanton, she had a white skin & a well shaped foot, only her hair was Coral, but covered with a white Periwig, the third was Longa Maria, a wench of a good handsome carriage, not so Rampant as the rest, not so rude in behaviour, but being seasoned with better education, she could boast of some parts, for she had a good voice, and could touch the Viol; the last was Maria Petit, a small handful of woman, yet pleasant and witty she was all Motion, and Action, nothing was more irksome to her then sleep and silence, for by her will she would be ever dancing, or singing; She had three household Officers, a Cooke-wench, a Laundrey-lasse, and a Girl Scullion.  
Being thus landed with this Luggage, she presently placed every one in their true equipage, gave them their several charges, read them the Laws, and Ordinances of the house, Proclaiming a strict penalty for the breach of every condition; this done, she hangs forth her Flag for custom, Proclaims her preparations, and invites all the world to a general entertainment.  
Did you ever see Eagles prey on dead carcases, Crows feed upon carrion, or hungry dogs devouring filthy entrails, in double that abundance, came creatures of all qualities to be undone by her, only the empty purse was expulsed, and could get no admittance, nay a reasonable stock many times perished in the midway, and could not get to the end of his purpose, her Taxes and customs were so many, and so mighty: for Cerberus at the first port had a double impost, one for the gate, another for the Draw-bridge, the household officers had Fees for the Hall, for the dining-room, and the withdrawing chamber, the rest which were peculiar to the Bawd herself, report hath affirmed they are sans number: thus every day came some tall Ships, some Fly-boats, some Caravels, and some Frigates, wealthily laden, but at their return, they had not so much as Ballast, but came forth poor and empty.  
All her entertainments had a Protean condition, full of variety and changes, and she would ever suit them to the nature of him that was entertained; if he were of worth and respect, he was respectively used, if otherwise, besides the expense of his coin, his clothes were forfeited for his rude behaviour, & diverse have been seen to return from thence, both day and night half naked.  
These mildews could not choose but breed her an infinite world of honey, 
Her new wealth  and true it is, that her bags were so many, and so m●ssy, that she had scarce chests enough to contain them, this wealth made her proud, and pride taught her to be curious, she will not live at so low a rate as she hath done, but as she hath plenty of means, so she will have plenty of attendants, and hereupon presently she contracts and hyres sundry retainers; as first, a Surgeon that took care of her spital, than a Tyre-woman of Fantastical Ornaments, a Sempster for Ruffs, Cuffs, Smocks, and wastcoates, and a Tailor for clothes, of all shapes, and all fashions, and these have confessed their livings only to come from her Coffers.  
But this Sunshine must not be without some clouds, 
The cause of new uproar.  for now the crew of those Queans whom she hath cast off, and consumed, the accusations of those whom she had robbed, and reviled, and the detestable enormities which spring from such wicked examples, come all with one voice before the throne of justice, appealing for satisfaction; The plaint is received, approved and pitied, and presently potentes scent out for her apprehension, and the razing down of her Castle  
A corporal is forthwith chosen, 
She is besieged.  and a stout band of Halberdiers and Billmen, 
A Corporal in war is a Constable of peace.  sent to beleaguer this fortres; she stands upon her guard, hangs out a Hag of defiance, and bids them enter at their peril; They which had a double Armour a good cause, and lawful authority, scorning to be outbraved, prepare for an assault, she on the other side with her man devil, & her she furies, stand to receive them, and to make her triumph more glorious, she sets open the gate, puts down the Bridge, and draws up her Portcullis, the enemy bravely enters, and coming on in good order, they were no sooner on the Bridge, and had filled it from one end to the other, but by a secret device which she concealed, down fell the Bridge, and the Corporal and his soldiers were half drowned in the water; where, to see how they lay plunged in mud and mire, how one to help another, became worse and worse encumbered, but above all, to hear her scoffs, her Whores taunts, and her dogs revile, and recount them, would make a Tracte double this volume, to tell the difficulty of their escape, their tedious and dirty passage to safety▪ what shame they felt in themselves, and what mocks they received from others, would be pleasant to fools, but in wise men it would stir up anger.  
The Corporal complains of this defeat, 
The continuance of the Leaguer.  but yet still continues the Leaguer, when presently a Provost is sent with new supplies to assist him, 
A Provost is called Provost Martial.  but she is as careless of him, as of the other, draws him into as great dangers, and derides him past sufferance, past measure, daily new forces come to their aid, but all in vain, they dare not assault her, she is held half immortal, and it is thought of her enemies, (that were they surviving) she was able to encounter with Bradamant, Marphysa, and Clardana; To conclude, they dare no more assault her, but with a continual Leaguer, mean to tire her out, or famish her, how things will proceed, is uncertain, only it is supposed, that if this Leaguer last not so long as Troy, yet it will far exceed ostend in continuance, and so in this martial business, I must leave her, concluding her to be the most famous that ever the Sun did look upon, in her most damned profession, and that she may write Annals, and Commentaries to teach Rome, Venice, Florence, and the Turks Seralia; for us here in great Britain, we neither either read, heard, or bred a creature of her temper, our clime is too cold, our instructions too severe, and our punishments too sharp and piercing, let Hollandia then live still in Utopia, and as it was worthy to give her breath so let it write her Epitaph,  
FINIS.  
Nicholas Goodman.