Morando The Tritameron of Love: Wherein certain pleasant conceits, uttered by divers worthy personages, are perfectly dyscoursed, and three doubtful questions of Love, most pithily and pleasantly discussed: Showing to the wise how to use Love, and to the fond, how to eschew Lust: and yielding to all both pleasure and profit.  
By Robert green, Master of Arts in Cambridge.  
At London Printed for Edward White, and are to be sold at his shop, at the little North door of S. Paul's Church, at the sign of the Gun.  
1584.   

To the Right Honourable, Philip Earl of Arundel, Robert green wisheth increase of honour, with the full fruition of perfect felicity.  
THE Emperor Domitian (Right Honourable) made him nets to catch flies, least happily he might be found idle. Caligula being wearied with weighty affairs, would (to pass away the time) gather Cockles. The Persian Kings semetimes shaved sticks. Virgil chose rather to r●…ade rude Ennius, then to be found without a book in his hand. Time wisheth rather to be spent in vain toys, then in idle thoughts, the one driveth away fantasies, the other breedeth Melancholy. Mercury vouchsafed once to drink of philemon's Earthen pot. Apollo gave Oracles at Delphos, as well to the poor man for his mite, as to the rich man for his treasure. Philip thought well of the water which a poor shepherd offered to him, in a greasy Bottle: duty binds the Subject to present, and courtesy the Prince to accept, in the one, will is an excuse, in the other, courtesy a bountiful reward. Apelles (right Honourable) presented Alexander with the counterfeit of Campaspe, the face not fully finished, because he liked the picture: and I offer this pamphlet unto your Lordship, not well furnished because you are a lover of learning.  
Zewxes painting Triton, drew only his face, the rest he hid with the tumbling waves of the Sea. And I setting forth Morandos discourse, show only his bare talk, the rest I rudely shadow with an imperfect tale. The Persians caused their Apes always to mask in cloth of Gold, to cover their deformetie. Timocles caused his popinjay to perk under a Dragon of Brass, that the portraiture might defend her from the Vulture's tyranny: and I seek to shroud my simple work, under your Honour's wings, thinking one dram of your Lordship's favour, sufficient to fence me from the venomous teeth of those biting Vipers, who seek to discredit all, having themselves no credit at all. Achilles made it not strange to take a view of Phidias clownish work, because it was the image of Mars: and I hope your Honour will vouchsafe to cast a glance on this silly Book, for that it represents the discourse of divers worthy personages, although of itself, it is like Zewxes' counterfeits, which seemed at a blush to be Grapes, but being thoroughly viewed, were bare shadowed colours. The Physicians prescribe in their diet, that sometimes bitter Pills, do as much profit the sto●…acks, as sweet Potions. Augustus sometimes would solace himself, as well with Ennius' dross, as with Maros Gold: and it may be your Honour passing over many learned works, will at the last stumble at this fond toy, and laugh as Sigismonde did at the Pomegranate, not that he smiled at the fruit, but at the simple meaning of the man which presented him with so small a gift●… Resting upon this point, I commit your Lordship to the Almighty.  
Your Honours humbly to command Robert Greene.   

To the Gentlemen Readers Health.  
Demosthenes' Gentlemen) always sought to win the goodwill of the Senate, by unfolding the equity of the caze, and I seek to obtain your favour by appealing to your courtesy, hoping to find you as ready to grant me the one, as the Senate to grant him the other. Protagenes found the more favour in setting forth his simple Pictures, in that he did what he could, and I hope to find the more friendship at your hands for this imperfect work, in that I do what I can. Yet I know I shall be compared of some to Damides Parrot, which prated nothing but that she heard her master speak. Well though some be Savage, all are not satires, though divers be sturdy, all are not Stoics. Let flearing Sycophants carp at my want, yet I doubt not but courteous Gentlemen will account of will, and as it is folly to reject the favour of the one, so it is fondness to respect the friendship of the other. But to them that shall pardon my offence, and spare to spite at my fault. I wish them such prosperous hap, as they can desire, or I imagine: to the rest, I will to them as they wish to me, and yet I bid them both farewell.  
Robert Greene.   

The Tritameron of love.  

THere dwelled in Bononia a certain Knight called signor Bonfadio, whose Prowess in Martial exploits, did not only win him wealth to maintain his worship, but also honour to countenance, and countervail his substance: and immortal glory as the only guerdon due for such a doughty Champion. So that he was generally honoured of all for his valorous magnanimity, & particularly loved of each one for his bountiful courtesy, being no less liberal to the poor to defend them from want, then courageous for his country to maintain them in weal. This Bonfadio shrouded thus under Fortune, and shrined up by Fame, tried at last by proof, which long before he had heard by report, that the stiffest metal yieldeth to the stamp, the strongest Oak to the Carpenter's axe, the hard Steel to the file, and the stoutest heart doth bow, when Nature bids him bend, that there is no Adamant, such which the blood of a Boat can not make soft, no Tree so sound which the Scarabb fly will not pierce, no Iron so hard which rust will not fr●…t, no mortal thing so sure which time will not consume, nor no man so valiant which cometh not without excuse when Death doth call. The Phoenix hath black pens as well as glistering feathers, the purest Wine hath his Lecs', the luckliest year hath his canicular days. Venus' had a Mole in her face, and Adonis a scar upon his chin, there was sometime Thunder heard in the Temple of Peace, and Fortune is never so favourable but she is as fickle: her prosperity is ever sawsed with the sour sops of adversity, being const●…nt in nothing but in inconstancy. Scipio escaped many foreign broils, but returning home in triumph was slain with a tile. Caesar conquered the whole world, yet cowardly slain in the Senate. So Bonfadio having by his Prowess long prevailed against his foes, was at last most unluckily slain by his supposed friends. For as in an evening he passed through a blind lane of the City, he was suddenly shot through with a Pistol: which murder was so secretly committed, that the perfourmer of so devilish a fact could never be detected. But the report of this ruthless Tragedy being come to the ears of Lady Panthia (for so was his wife called) she forthwith fell into such perplexed passions, and was so surprised with sudden sorrow, that before the tale could be half told she fell down in a trance, being hardly brought again to life by the company. Yet at last being come to herself, after she had wept so long that the very fountain of her tears was dried up with continual pouring out of sorrowful plaints, she then (womanlike) began somewhat to listen to the comfortable counsel of her friends, and to apply to her sore that salve that might soon mitigate her malady. For through their friendly persuasions very shortly she began to consider, that as to wish for an impossible thing was but a sign of small wit: so to sorrow without ceasing for that which could not be redressed did import but mere folly: the one being a foe to desire, and that other a friend to death. She therefore resting upon this point, thought with most solemn Obsequies to celebrate her husbands Funerals, that both the sequel of her works might confirm her former words, and her tears be●…●…ought to come more of care then of custom. Whereupon she framed a very sumptuous Sepulchre, intombing her husband's bones with such pompous magnificence, that all Italy thought Bonfadio happy for so good a wife, and her worthy of so good a husband. The Funerals finished, Panthia for a time lived more sorrowfully being a widow then merely being a wife, till at last seeing her mourning Weed began to wax bare, she thought best both to cast away her outward coat and her inward care, wisely weighing with herself that it is in vain to water the Plant when the root is dead, to ask counsel when the case is distrust, to wish for rain when the Corn is ripe, and to sigh when no sorrow can prevail. The Cedar tree remaineth without leaves but twelve days, and the Date tree but seven. Circe's love never continued above one year, and the Tapers in the Temple of janus burned only but nine nights, the call of a Quail continueth but one quarter, and a widows sorrow only two months: in the one sad for her old mate, and in the other careful for a new match.  
Panthia in this state having past this term (I do not say with like affection) thought now she had a greater care and more charge being a widow then a wife. For she had by signor Bonfadio three daughters, the eldest named Lacena, the second Sostrata, and the youngest Fioretta, all so adorned with beauty and endowed with bounty, so framed in body and formed in mind, each of them being both in outward complexion and inward constitution so singular, as hard it was to judge which held the Supremacy. Panthia placing all her felicity in the exquisite perfection of her three daughters, sought to bring them up so charily and chastened, that all men might like them for their beauty and love them for their virtue, imitating the good Lapidaries, which in the purest gold set the most precious stone. While thus solitarily and sadly she passed away the time amongst her children, signor Morando a Knight, who in his life time had oft served in the wars with Bonfadio, between whom there had long been a perfect League of amity, willing to show in the brood h●… well he loved the old bird, was so friendly to Panthia as familiar with Bonfadio, comforting her as a desolate widow, and counseling her as his friends wife, driven to the one by conscience, and to the other by courtesy. Seeing therefore she did wholly absent herself from company, which made her dream on sundry melancholy motions, he did invite her and her three Daughters to a grange house of his seven miles distant from Bononia, whether also divers gentlemen were bidden, thinking this the fittest means to drive her from her sorrowful dumps. Panthia desirous to let signor Morando understand how greatly she did account of his courtesy, came at the day appointed to his house, where both she and her Daughters were not only well welcome to Morando, but to all the rest of the company. Amongst whom was signor Peratio, Messier Aretyno, and signor done Syluestro, with others, who sitting down to dinner and passing away the time with pleasant parley, it chanced after dinner as they sat talking that signor Peratio spied hanging in the Parlera Table most curiously painted: wherein both the Sea and Land was most perfectly portrayed. The Picture was of Europa, the Sea of the phoenicians and the Land of Sydon: On the shore was a beautiful Meadow, wherein stood a troop of dainty Damosels: in the Sea a Bull, upon whose back sat a Dame of surpassing beauty sailing towards Candie, but looking to the crew of her companions from whom by Sinister means she was separated. The Painter by secret skill had perfectly with his Pencil deciphered the feature of their faces, as their countenance did seem to import both fear and hope. For seeing their peerless Princess a pray to such a prowling Pirate, they rushed into the Seas (as willing to be partakers of their Mistress misery) as far as fear of such fearful surges would permit them, but pushed back with the dread of present danger, they stood viewing how cunningly and caresully the Bull transported his charge: How Europa arrayed in Purple Robes sat securely and safely holding in her right hand his horn and in her left his tail. About him the Dolphins seemed to leap, the Sirens to sing, and Triton himself to triumph. Cupid also in the form of a little boy was there most curiously painted, having his wings spread, a Quiver by his side, in one hand a flame of fire, in the other a chain●… of gold, where with he drew the Bull as by constraint, and turning his head towards jupiter seemed to smile at his folly and to despise his deity, that by his means he had made such a strange Metamorphosis.  
signor Peratio having long gazed on this gorgcous Picture, both praised his perfect skill that had so cunningly made a counterfeit of Nature by Art, and also mused at the force of Love that had by conquest caught so worthy a Captive, that at length as one forced by affection he sighing said: O Gods that a child should rule both the Heaven the Sea and the Land.  
Don Siluestro seeing Peratio so suddenly passionate with the view of a simple Picture, taking occasion hereupon to enter into further parley began to cross him on this manner.  
Why how now Peratio (quoth he) do you sigh to see jupiter so fond as for lust to abase his deity, or Cupid so presumptuous as by Love to increase his dignity: the one showing himself worse than a man for his folly, the other more than a God for his power.  
No sir (quoth Morando) you mistake his meaning, for it fares with him as with Narcissus, that was never in Love but when he looked into the water, or like the Fish Mugra which only leapeth at the sight of the North star: Hyparchion never saw any Musical Instrument but he would sing, nor he any a●…rous Picture but he must sigh, the one showing thereby his affection to Music, the other bewraying his passions in love.  
In deed sir (quoth Peratio) I remember Sylenus would always lead his Ass in a string, that when he waxed weary he might ride, and Amphion played ever best on his Harp when he heard poor Stheneus blow on his Oaten pipe: So sir you keep me for a plain song: whereupon to descant showing your fine wit always to be most sharp when you find my dull head to be most gross. But Calchas never prophesied Dearth to the Grecians but when his own Lands were barren: Nor Tiresias had never given a verdict against juno, but that he himself had been once a woman. Thrasos age could not bereave him of his parasitical affections: neither was Battus a less ulabb being old then in his youth: The whiter the Leeks head is the greener is the blade. The Angelica beareth seed always when it gins to whither: Dry sticks are soonest consumed with fire, and doting age soonest caught with fancy, divining that of others whereof they themselves do most dream: but they follow the old Proverb, Similes habent labra lactucas.  
By my faith signor Morando, quoth Madam Panthia, if you have pushed Peratio with the pike hath hit you with the jaunce: but it seems he hath been burnt in the hand, that cannot abide to here of fire. Apollo would never willingly avide the noise of the Crow, because he had believed her to lightly. Sylenus was ever most angry when any told him of good wine, because he would oft be drunk. Peratio likes not to be touched where he is galled, nor to be accused so strictly, when his conscience feels the crime: and yet I go too far, for it is no off●…nce to love.  
Yes Madam, quoth Aretyno, as Jupiter loved Europa craving only to crop the bud of her beauty, and to spoil the fruit of her honesty, seeking for the gain of his fading pleasure, to procure her lasting pain: Is not such fancy a fault, when it springeth up without honest affection?  
Truth sir, quoth Panthia, but I count liking without Law, ●…o love but lust. Was Scipio thought a friend to Numantia, when he sought to spoil the Citie●… or Chronis to Ceres, who robed her Temple of her treasure? The Turkey having lost his colour is of no value. The fairest flower with out his smell is counted but a weed: and the maid that by mischance loos●…th her virginity, though never so fair is most infortunate, her chiefest treasure is then but trash like the Ore in the isle choose, which is puer in the mynge, but dross in the furnace, for beauty without honesty is like deadly poison preserved in a box of gold. Considering this Arctyno, do you count him to love, that wisheth his Lady such loss.  
Madame, quoth Morando, you misconstrue of his mind, for Aretyno coumptes, that what soever is fancy, that is love.  
'tis good then (quoth she) to bring him from his heresy, for fancy is Vox aequivoca, which either may be taken for honest love, or fond affection, for fancy oftimes cometh of wealth or beauty, but perfect love ever springeth from virtue and honesty.  
Marry, quoth Peratio, that is the cause that women love so much and men so little, wherein by your own judgement they are altogether blameless, for women find in us honesty without wealth, and we in them beauty without virtue. Sir, quoth she, your censure is no sentence, neither can this broken coin stand for sterling: for to excuse yourself before you be accused, is to find a fowl crack in a false conscience. 'tis hard to cover a great rent with a small piece, or to hide Vulcan's poult foot with pulling on a strait shoe. Honesty is always painted like a woman, as signif●…yng that it is most predamynaunt in that sex. And sir to give you a venie with your own weapon, as you said bef●…e, like lips, like lettuce, as the man is, so is his manners, cat always goeth after kind, and 'tis hard to find men without small honesty, and great deceit.  
Do you speak by experience, quoth Morando, was your husband in the number of those that are cumbered with this consumption.  
He was, quoth she, by nature, but that he did amend it by nurture, and yet, quoth she, my husbands honesty cannot conclude generally, but that there must be large exceptions.  
I am glad Madam Panthia, that you are so pleasant, and all the rest of my good guests so merrily disposed, I hope you will not deny me of a request, that generally I shall crave of you all.  
If it be reasonable, quoth Panthia, I dare promise for the gentlewomen.  
And I, quoth Syluestro for the men.  
Why then I will have you tell me your opinions, whether this our country proverb be true or no, which is commonly spoken Amor fa molto ma argento fa tutto. Love doth much but money doth all.  
In men quoth Panthia, and that we will prove.  
In women, quoth Peratio, and that I will defend.  
Two fit champions, quoth Morando, to try such a doubtful combat.  
Nay sir, quoth Panthia, I myself refuse his proffer but my daughter Lacena shall perform my challenge, for it is not a mourner's part to discourse of such pleasant points.  
A fit match, quoth Peratio for so honest a man, and to put you out of doubt I had rather sip with your daughter then sup with you: for an inch of a kid is worth an ell of of a cat, but to leave these cutting blows: how say you Lacena, are you content to defend so false an heresy.  
Sir, quoth she, where duty drives, there denial is a fault, and where nature infereth, obedience there to resist is to war against the Gods: the young Lamb cometh at the bleating of the old sheep: the Signett at the call of the Swan: the Faun followeth fast after y● Do: creatures without reason, and brute beasts by mere instinckt of Nature follow their dams, and should not I then obey my parents: yes no doubt, or else I might be counted more brute than a beast, or less natural than a reasonable creature. This considered, if I adventere rashly to discuss so hard a case being unfit by nature and art, the duty I hope that I own unto her, who hath power to commamnd me, shall be sufficient to excuse my small skill and great enterprise, and the common saying so ●…uerally vs●…d here in our country doth somewhat encourage me. A ●…ure truth, quoth they, need no subtle gloze: nor a clear case a shifting Counsellor. Well (quoth Peratio) I doubt your feigned simplicity, will prove a non to be sinewishe Sophestrie, and therefore thus to the purpose. The case (quoth he) which we have to discuss, is a maxim holden as true as a holy Oracle: but the doubt is, whether it is to be averred in men, or verified in women: If the perfection of the body, and the constitution of the mind, forceth men to love, more than the greedy desire to gain, than we have won the field, and you lost the combat: and if women love more for beauty and virtue, then for wealth and riches, we have taken the foil, and you won the conquest. But it was hard for Achelous with his shifts to prevail against Hercules because of his strength, and it will be as hard for you to resist my reasons because they be true. Who so readeth the romish Records, and Grecian Histories, and turneth over the volumes filled with the report of passionate lovers, shall find sundry Sonnets, sawsed with sorrowful passions, divers Ditties declaring their dumps, careful complaints, woeful wailings, and a thousand sundry hapless motions, wherein the poor perplexed lovers do paint out, how the beauty of their mistress, hath amazed their minds, how their fancy is fettered with their exquisite perfection: how they are snared with the form of her Feature: how the gifts of Nature so bountifully bestowed upon her, hath entangled their minds, and bewitched their senses, that her excellent virtue, and singular bounty, hath so charmed their affections, and her rare qualities hath so drowned them in desire, as they esteem her courtesy more than Caesar's Kingdoms, her love more than Lordships, and her good will more than all worldly wealth. Tush all Treasure is but trash, in respect of her person. Yea, they prefer the enjoying of her perfection, before all the riches of fortunate Croesus. Thus the poor passionate lovers whose life hangeth on their Mistress love, crave only to feed their fancies with her beauty, and to please their minds with her virtue. But let the most injurious Dame, who hath best skill to breath out slanderous speeches against men, say (if she can) that she hath ever heard, or red, of any lover that hath desiphered in his ditties, the earnest desire he had to entoye his Mistress, or painted out his passions, that he suffered to gain his Lady's possessions: now it is a fault committed of most, and omitted of few, that men in their love look before they leepe, and therefore oftimes fall in the ditch, never gaping after the desire of greedy gain, nor building their fancy upon the fading goods of Fortune: so that oft they win such a wife as he may put her Dowry in his eye for hurting his sight, and her wealth may be cast without any great count: whereby it is evident, that if a man once fix his fancy upon any Dame, no want of wealth, no lack of living can impair his love, but he remaineth faithful in despite of Fortune, wearing this Posy in his Shield, Non aurum sed amor.  
In truth (quoth Siluestro) if I had a case in the law thou shouldest be my Counsellor, for I doubt thou baste put in such a Plea, as it will be hard for Lacena to a●…swere.  
Tush sir (quoth she) though the Castle be sharply assaulted it is not strait won, and the field is not lost at the first Alarm. ajax valour was no whit the less for Ulysses v●…ine babbling, and though by his words he won the prize, yet all men knew it was more by prating then by Prowess: so if you foil me by your subtle fallations, every one shall perceive that it is not because I defend the wrong, but because I cannot wrangle. Boetius in his Books De consolation, noting the sundry affections which force the mind, either to mislike greatly or to love fervently: saith, that in making a choice of their love women do most err, in that they suffer their minds soonest to be subdued by the gifts of Nature: wherein although I confess they offend by fixing their fancies on such a fickle subject: yet it is evident, that they more respect the person than his purse, and rather like his perfection then his lands and livings. For if women in their choice were more wedded unto wealth then to wit, and respected more their lovers Possessions then his person, no doubt an infinite number of Damosels ●…hculd lead their lives in more plenty and less penury. But as the softest wax soonest receiveth impression: as the tender twig is most easy to bend, and the finest glass most brittle: so the pure complexion of women is most subject unto Love, being quickly inflamed by the force of affection but never quenched: like to the Abeston stone which once set on fire can never be put out. For when as Cupid a●…th to allure the mind of a se●…e maid to offer Incense at his Altar & so become his subject, he seeketh not to draw her with worldly trash or treasure, nor to persuade her with the gift of Gems or Jewels, but covereth his hook with the sugared bait of beauty, wherewith she being once blinded he carrieth her away into perpetual captivity. The affection of women is always f●…ttered either with outward beauty or inward bounty, either builded on the perfect complexion of the body or pure constitution of the mind: they always way his worthiness and not his wealth, his comeliness and not his coin: and rather seek to settle their minds upon his virtue then on such fading pelf as is not permament. For after that they have imprinted in their minds the form of their lovers feature, and that beauty hath so bewitched their senses as they are wholly at her beck, than they carefully poor souls conslder the condition of their Lovers: and as they have viewed their outward substance, so they divine of their inward qualities. If he be valiant they love to hear of his Martial exploits: his Prowess pleaseth them: his manly deeds drowneth them in delight: yea, they are so besotted in this fond imagination, that they think no man so able to attchive any enterprise as he, vaunting of his victories, as if she herself bade won the conquest: If he be wise his wit setteth them more on fire: If Eloquent, his sugared speech inchaunteth them: If learned, his secret skill draweth them into an endless Labyrinth: so that they wholly feed their fancies with his beauty, or delight their minds with his qualities, neu●…r resepecting his riches nor weighing his wealth: wher●…by oftimes when poverty pincheth them they cry Peccavi. But signor Peratio, to come more nearer to the purpose, tell me but what you would think of her that would carefully covet that which she cannot at her own will enjoy, or seek greedily to gain that thing which an other properly shall possess, were it not to seem either fond or frantic: In the same case should women consist if they liked more for living then for love. For after they be once married is not her husband's wealth his own to dispose? May he not either wisely keep it or wilfully consume it, either spare or spend at his own pleasure? Yes no doubt, her Dowry is then grown to be his due, & her Patrimony wholly his proper possessions: so that it may consequently be concluded, that women are not so wi●…lesse as to wish for that which if they get yet their gain shall be nothing, but they observe this rule as a principle, Omnia vincit amor, & nor caedamus amori.  
How now (quoth Panthia) hath not my Daughter said prettily well to the purpose? Did she not as well play the defendant as he the plaintiff?  
In deed (quoth Peratio) she hath done prettily but not pithily. For to conclude upon supposes is but slender Sophistry, and to calculate upon conjectures is but bad Astrology. For though Boetius doth find women faulty for firing their fancies on the outward shape of beauty, yet he denieth not but that wealth may be the final cause which kindleth their fond desire, as he doth blame them for gazing to much on the gifts of Nature: so he doth not excuse them from gaping to greedily after the gifts of Fortune: so that to use this reason in this case, is to pull on Hercules' hose on a ch●…ldes foot. What the natural cause is of women's unnatural covetousness I know not, sith I am not skilful in such secret Philosophy, but this I am sure that they are so deeply addicted to this dross, and so greedily given to the gain of gold, that there is no love such which coin cannot change, no affection such which fading pelf can not infringe: nay, almost no chastity so chary which desire of wealth cannot wrack: which Virgil wisely weighing said: Auri sacra fames quid non Muliebria pectora cogis. And to prove these my premises by a manifest instance. How was Danae the Daughter of Acrysius sought and sued to by divers and sundry suitors, whose parentage & progeny, whose beauty and bounty, whose singular feature and famous qualities deserved to be mates to the bravest Dames of the world: and yet because their comeliness was without coin, their worship without wealth, and their singular perfection without sumptuous possessions, although she had sufficient wealth of a poor Peasant to make a mighty Prince, yet she was so greedy after the desire of gain, that she esteemed more fading pelf then all the beauty and virtue in the worlde●… yea, such was her covetous mind, that although jupiter himself sought to sack the Castle of her chastity, and to crop the bud of her beauty, yet she despised his deity, until to obtain his desire he was feign to fall into her lap in the shape of a shower of gold. Procris whose fervent affection was such toward Shafalus, as her parents were constrained unwillingly to marry her as they thought to an unfit match, because her senses were so besotted with the beauty of this Shafalus, and his worth●…e qualities had so bewitched her mind that he was the only Saint whom in heart she desired to serve. After that they long had led a happy life, Shafalus intending to make a trial of his wives constancy, absenting himself for a while, and coming in disguised apparel made suit unto her, that in her husbands absence he might have the fruition of her person: but such was her settled faith and affection, that neither sighs, sorrow, sobs, complaints, prayers, promises, nor protestations could prevail, until he gave the last assault with the proffer of many precious jewels: whereat she was forced to give over the Fort, and so Courtizanlike make a sail of her constancy. What should I speak of that golden girl Eriphile, who being the Mistress of many rich Possessions, was notwithstanding so addicted to the desire of pelf, that she rejected poor passionate Infortunio, and chose that doting old Peasant Amphiarus, whom after she betrayed to the Greeks for an ouch of gold. Beauty nor virtue could not win the love of Tarpeia, but for a Bracelet she betrayed the Capitol. Tush, whom beauty cannot bend riches will break: whom virtue cannot obtain wealth will win: For it is not the man that women respect but money: not his person but his purse: not his Lineage but his living: That as the Serpents Hydaspes, the more they drink the more they thirst, and so are never satisfied: so women, the more coin they have the more they co●…et without satiety. So that I conclude, were I as mighty as Alexander, as beautiful as Paris, as valiant as Hector, as wise as Ulysses, as trusty as Troilus, yet I shall see the sentence of Ovid stand for an Oracle: Si nihil attuleris ibis Homer for as.  
Morando and the rest of the Gentlemen hearing how runnyngly Peratio did prattle, laughed to see how stoutly he stuck to his tackling, saying that they thought his reasons were so forcible, as they could not be infringed, and that it were best for Lacena, to give over the fight in the plain field. Which dry frump drive her into such a fuming choler, that she made Peratio this sharp reply.  
Sir (quoth she) it were hard for Vulcan to call any man Cripple, because he himself had a poult foot, and Venus should be thought impudent to condemn any of lightness, sith she herself was so lewd: and as unsite for you to condemn me of folli●…, sith your own reasons are so fond, for as you say it is bad Astrology to calculate upon conjecture, so I say it is worse Philosophy to prove a general Axiom by a particular instance, whereas you aver that women are naturally covetous, and know not the cause, your affection seemeth to proceed rather of rancour then of reason, and of wilful spite, more than of due proof, for wanting a sure author to uphold your heresy, you are feign yourself to bring in the verdict, but in this Ipse dixit shall stand for no pay, neither shall your censure be set down for a sentence, we will not allow you to be a coynor of conclusions, unless your premises had been of more puissance. But I remember very well that Horace noting the fond affections of men, and wisely describing the greedy desire they have to gain: did cunningly carp at their covetousness, saying: Quaeranda pecunia primum post nummos virtus meaning that in all their actions, they first seek to pray upon pelf, counting such fading trash, their only treasure: preferring wealth before wisdom, and riches before virtue, gaping greedily after gold, as the only guerdon they desire for their deserts, yea, in their love they always aim more at the money, then at the maid, and count her dowry the best saint that deserveth their deepest devotion, although they can cunningly conterfete, that they are drowned in the desire of her person, when in heart they mean her purse, playing like the Elophant that rather chooseth to lean against the strong Oak then against thsweet Briar, or like the Tiger that chozeth his pray, not by the fairness of the skin, but by the fatness of the flesh, whereas poor gentlewomen either only respect the out ward property or his inward perfection, either the comeliness of his person, or the courtesy of his mind, detesting that filthy dr●…sse, as a thing not so greedily to be desired. For was it the wealth of Aeneas that Dido so much doted on, or his worthienesse, who came to Carthage as a poor straggling Stranger, being ready to take of all and being able to give to no●…e? Was it the pelf of Demophon or his person that Phillis so deeply desired? was it the riches of Paris that AEnone wished, or his beauty when she knew him for no other but a poor Shepherd? Was it the wealth of Ulysses, or his wisdom that Circe's sought after, when she saw him to be but a wanoring Pirate? Did not Campaspe prefer poor Appelles before mighty Alexander, and that lovely Lady Euphinia choose Acharisto her Father's bondman. Tush who seethe not if he be not either senseless, or sotted with self-will, that women respect goodwill and not gain, courtesy and not coin, yea, love only and not lands or ●…ynges. And sir whereas you bring in Danaae as an instance to prove women's covetous desire, if you wrist not the sense, it is small to the purpose, for Jupiter changed not into geld to obtain her chastity, but to corrupt her keepers that so he might make a rape of her virginity, neither was Tarpeyae persuaded to love for gold, but to betray the Capital for gain. And though Eriphile did amiss and Procris offend, will these two examples infer a general conclusion: No, for as one Swallow maketh not summer, nor as one withered tree proveth not winter, so one woman's offence is not sufficient to prove all faulty. Your rash reasons, therefore are like Tantalus Apples, which are fair to the eye, but being touched, they turn to Ashes. Or like Apelles grapes, that seemed to be such, till they were narrowly viewed. So your subtle arguments import great force till they be sifted, and then they are like Cornelius shadows which seemed like men but were none. Retire therefore before you come at the trench, sith you have followed the sound of a wrong March, for it is proper to a man to be deceived, but to percist in an error, is the sign of an impudent mind, and upon this condition, although you have broadly blasphemed against women, you shall escape unpunished, and fully pardoned.  
Morando hearing how connyngly Lacena had resisted Peratios' reasons, began to be half blank, because Panthia pulling him by the sleeve said.  
Sir (quoth she) although my daughter hath concluded in an imparfect Mood, yet it is hard to reduce it but Per impossible: your Champion is chafed and seeketh revenge, but he plays like Phineus that sought to meet his foe in the ●…elde, and yet he himself took the first foil, but as it is no shame for him that gazeth against the Son to wink, so Peratio that strives against the truth, may take the mate and yet have good skill at the Chess.  
Why (quoth Aretino) is he always the best man that gives the last stroke, or she won the victoier, that speaks the last word, Peratio hath but yet played his quarters, he now means to lie at his ward, and I believe so warely, that Lacena shall have good luck if she scape without a loss.  
Tush gentlemen (quoth Peratio) Madam Panthia thinks that where Venus sits there Mars must lay down his Helmet, that no Birds can sing where the Peacock displays her golden Feathers: but I am not so fond, as with Hercules to become a slave to Omphale, nor with Mars to tie myself to Venus will. Lacenas fair looks, nor her painted speech shall not so charm me, as I shall so lightly give other the challenge, for I am not in love, and therefore may speak at liberty. Truly (quoth Morando) sith the controversy is such, as it cannot without a long discourse be decided: I will at this time become a mediator and yield my verdict because time calls us away. Upon this sentence, this therefore is my censure, that as Philip of Macedon said there was no City so surely defenced, whereinto an Ass laden with gold might not enter: so the Temple of Vesta is never so well shut, but a key of gold will speedily unlose the lock.  
Sir (quoth Panthia) and I by your leave will conclude to your premises, with the picture which Phidias the Painter drew of Mars and Venus in this form: representing Mars tied unto Venus by the eye, his breast open, wherein appeared a heart all of gold. But Venus having her sight vailed, her heart pierced through with an arrow, and chained unto Mars with a silver thread, wherein was written this posy Sans Aultre. Well (quoth Morando) it was hard to find Diana without her bow, or Apollo without his harp, or a woman's crafty wit, without a clerkly shift. But when Hercules had conquered Orithia he could not vawt of the victory, because she was a woman: so therefore I will not strive to confute Madam Panthia, sith in getting the conquest I should rather reap discredit, then purchase praise or honour: we will therefore now end our discourse, and sit down to supper, where whatsoever your cheer be, yet I pray you think yourselves hearty welcome. The Gentlemen and Gentlewomen finding their fare no worse than their welcome was, gave Morando great thanks for his courtesy, and being all pleasantly disposed, they passed away the supper with many pretty parleys, Don Siluestro only excepted, who was in his dumps: for the beauty of Lacena had already so battered the bulwark of his breast, and had so quatted his stomach with her excellent qualities, that he only fed his eyes in noting the exquisite perfection of her person, which Aretino partly perceiving, he began to pluck him from his passions, in this manner. I have often marveled and cannot yet cease to muse gentlemen (quoth he) at the madness of those momentary lovers, whose minds are like the state of Minerva's Owl, that how heavy socuer her head was, would ever prune herself at the sight of Pallas, or like Narcissus that had scarcely looked into the water but was in love with his own shadow: but I think these violent passions are nothing permanent, their sparkling heat never proves to perfect coals, much like to Jason's Warriors th●…t faded before they were fully formed.  
What moves you (quoth Morando to pop forth so suddenly this dark problem, do you think there is any man here that is pinched with such passions, or would you see by the measure of an other man's foot, where you own shoe wrings you.  
No sir (quoth he) the picture of Andromeda and Perseus, which hangs here before mine eyes, brought this to my remembrance, for me think either Andromeda was passing beautiful or Perseus very amorous, that soaring aloft in the air he did firmly love before he did fultie look, his eyes were scarcely fixed ere his heart was fet●…red, and how think you signor Siluestro is not this strange.  
Siluestro doubting that Aretino shot at an other mark then his talk did pretend, thought to shadow his fault with a false colour, and with the Lapwing to cry farthest of from her nest, he framed him therefore this answer. Truly Aretino (quoth he) it were folly to question with Pigmalio●… about Esculapius secrets, or to demand of Polydemon wha●… solemnity Hymeneus observed in his Sacrafices, because the one was unskilful in Physic and the other as ingnorant in Marriage, and mere fondness it is for the ●…o ask my opinion of fancy, when I cannot by experience yield a v●…rdit of affection, it is hard for him to give a censure of Painting that hath but looked into Appelles' shop, and as difficult for me to set down my sentence of Love which a●… but newly entered into Cupid's School. For I confess I am not of Tianeus opinion, to despise Beauty, nor so dogged as Diogenes, to condemn women, sith the one shows a crabbed nature, and the other as ill nurture. But it may be you guess another man's bow by your own bent, and play like Ewritius that accused Andremon of love, when he himself was before fettered with lust.  
What (quoth Aretino) shall Pygmalion be angry with him that said he was a Carver, seeing it was his profession by art, or shall a young gentleman take offence for being named a lover, sith it is proper to him by age. But I leave with your melancholy humour Syluestro, sith I see that 'tis hard to find a suspicious man without jealousy, and a lingering lover without Dumps.  
Gentlemen quoth Peratio, me thinks it is folly to talk about so fond a trifle as love, which I can rightly compare to Perseus wings, which being given him by jupiter, carried him always into perilous dangers, or to Midas gold, which he counting his bliss, proved at last to be his b●…le. Let not then such a frivolons question cause friends to give such biting quips.  
Tush (quoth Aretino) these cuts can not cause Syluestro and me toiarre, every blow draws not blood, nor every word inferreth not wrath, that friendship is of a brickle mould, that a little Table talk will crack. In troth (quoth Syluestro) I take not such offence at Aretinos' folly as I do Peratio at thy extreme fondness, that makest so light account of love. But Proteus never remained long in one shape, neither was jola seen to wear one garment twice. The 〈◊〉 Cassiopea remaineth in one sign but ten days, and thou in one mind but ten hours, being now hot now could, first as courteous as trajan, and then as currish as Timon, one while a defender of lust, and an other time a contemner of love. But as it is hard to catch the Polipe fish, because she ●…ourneth into the likeness of every object, so it is folly to credit thee which framest thy talk after every new fantasy.  
Stay then Syluestr●… (quoth signor Morando) lest you prove yourself more fond in taking such small occasion of anger, than they in ministering the cause, we met as friends, and loath I were we should part as foes. Therefore for this night I commend you all as my guests, to keep silence, and to morrow if you please in close field to try the combat, Madam Panthia, and I will sit as judges to assign the conquest: the question shallbe, whether it be good to love or Noah, and in the mean time, sith it is far in the night, I commit you to God. Madam Panthia, and the rest giving their good host the Adieu, parted quietly without any more quips to their lodging.   

The second days discourse.  
THE night being passed, & the gl●…string beams of Phoebus calling these Courtiers from their drowsy beds, Signior-Siluestro who all this night had slept with a flea in his ear, being pinched with the quips of Aretino, but more passionate with the exquisite qualities of Lacena, rose before all the rest, and walking alone into the Garden, began there to muse on these painful passions which so diversly perpiexed him, feeling the force of Love so furiously to assail him, as either the mercy of his new Mistress must mitigate his malady, or else his care must be ended by untimely death: the one he doubted of as being in fear, the other he dreaded not as one in most hapless distress, wavering thus between two waves as he sat in his dumps, Morando Madame Panthia and all the rest of the companic missing Siluestro, went to seek him: whom they found as a solitary Saint sitting in a sorrowful plight: which they espying began to laugh at his folly, that upon so small a cause (as they surmised) had entered into such choler. But as their aim was ill, so they missed the mark: For Siluestro was offering his sighs to an other Saint than they could conjecture: yet whatsoever the cause of his care was, Panthia thought to drive him out of his dumps in this manner.  
signor Siluestro (quoth she) you accused yesternight Peratio of fickelnesse, and I allow it the better, because I see by this chance you yourself willbe no changeling: you went to bed in choler and rise full of melancholy, resembling the bird Osyphaga, who if she perketh at night chatting, checketh all the morning till the Sun be up: but I cannot blame you sith Aretino and his fellow came over your fallows with such cutting blows.  
I see Madam (quoth Peratio) you are no cunning ginger, that can by calculation conjecture no better of Silvestro's disease. Would you have Zetus merry as long as he heareth Amphion harp? Can poor Polypheme play on his pipe as long as Galatea frowns? Or Apollo laugh when Dryop lours? No, Appelles must be sad as long as Campaspe is coy: It is good reason that Lovers should be solitary to bewray their sorrow, and full of dumps to signify their dolor: Accuse not Siluestro then if he be not pleasant, being troubled with such amorous pass●…ons: for the poor Gentleman is in love I see by his look.  
Siluestro hearing with what bitter taunts Peratio began to bob the fool, and how he sought like a Sycophant to play with his nose, entering somewhat into choler shaked him up with this sharp reply.  
I remember Peratio (quoth he) that Cadmus for his cont●…nnelious mind was turned into a Serpent, and Arachne for her proud presumption was transformed into a Spider: I marvel if the Gods to wreck their wrath would use their ●…ide Metamorphosis, whether they would turn thee into an Ass or an Ape: for by y● one they might tipically figure forth thy blockish reasons, and by the other paint out thy apish qualities. Did Apollo never lower but when he was in love? Nor was Appelles never sad but when he was a suitor? No doubt then the God was very gamesome before he knew Daphne, and the Painter passing pleasant before he saw Campaspe. Surely your Astrological reasons be of small force in that they have force: I mean not to prove me a Lover but thyself a fondling. Well, if I love it is the sign of good nature: if I love not, of a Cynical nurture: but whether I love or no it cannot profit thee nor displeasure me, and yet not to love is the sign of a discourteous Peasant.  
M●…rando hearing what bitter blows were given between these two Gentlemen, parted them with this parley.  
If (quoth he) Hercules and Achelous had not fallen out, the Nymphs had never gotten their Cornucopia. Had not Circe's and Ulysses jarred, his men had never returned to their sh●…pes. 'tis an ill flaw that bringeth up no wrack, and a bad wind that breedeth no man's profit. Had not Syluestro and Peratio fallen out about love, we had never brought it in question whether it be good to love or no. But now we will have it tried out in the plain field to see the event of the battle. For truly I am of Silvestro's opinion, that to live without love is not to live at all.  
Sostrata who from her birth was vowed unto Vesta, and offered her Sacrifice at the Shrine of Diana, hearing Morando take Silvestro's pa●…te, with blushing face made this maidenly answer.  
Sir (quoth she) although I may seem impudent in my mother's presence to enterparle, and may be thought half inmodest without command to come to counsel, yet I hope the equity of the cause and the necessity of the defence, will excuse me to the one and clear me from the other. To have fond love honoured as a God were gross Idolatry: to consent to such schismatical opinions were palpable Heresy: therefore if it please my mother to give me leave, I will prove that the worst course of life is to love.  
Daughter (quoth Panthia) if you think yourself strong enough to withstand so stou●…e an Heresy, my good will shall be quickly granted: but take heed least in venturing in an unknown Ford you slip over the shoes.  
T●…she (quoth Peratio) it was easy for Achilles to conquer Hector, when he himself by the means of Thetis was invulnerable, and as easily may Sostrata withstand Siluestro 〈◊〉 she is armed with the truth, which may well be assaulted, but never utterly sacked.  
Your good word (quoth Siluestro) is never wanting, but if Sostrata would be ruled by mine advise, she should not yield her verdict against Venus: but for my part let her do as she please: for I am sure prattle she may, but prevail she cannot.  
Sostrata hearing the short censure of Siluestro, began to defend the walls with this Rampire.  
Ovid (quoth she) the Master of this Art, who busily bet his brain about setting down of amorous principles, being demanded what Love was, answered that it was such a vain and inconstant thing, such a fickle and fond affectionate passion, that he knew not what it was, from whence it came, nor to what end it tended: Only this he was assured of by experience, that to the unhappy it was a hell, and to the most fortunate (at the least) the loss of freedom. Anacreon said that it was the forgetting of a man's self: whereby his senses are so besotted and his wits inueagled: he is so suared with vanity, and so fettered with folly, as he greedily seeketh to gain that thing, which at last turneth to his extreme loss. For who so yieldeth himself as a slave to love, bindeth himself in fetters of gold: and if his suit have good success, yet he leadeth his life in glistering misery. For love according to the definition of the Philosophers, is nothing else but the desire of Beauty: so that the beginning, midst, and end of love, is to crop the bitter sweet bud of Beauty: which how pleasant so ever it be in the mouth, yet so perilous in the maw, that he never or seldom digesteth it, without danger both of his purse and person. Beauty the only ●…ewell which Lovers desire to enjoy (although you may object against me, that it is a foul bird defiles their own nest) (yet conscience constrains me to aver the tr●…th) is like to the Baaran flower, which is most pleasant to the eye, but who so toucheth it feeleth present sinarte. None ever rid on Sejanus horse but he came to ruin. Who so possessed but one dram of the gold of Tholossa perished. He that with unwashed hands touched the Altar of janus, fell down presently dead, and few or none which only fix their fancy upon Beauty, escape without mishap or misery: so that I conclude, the Lover in lieu of his toil getteth such gain, as he that reapeth the beautiful Apples of Tantalus, which are no sooner touched but they turn to Ashes. If this trash them be the treasure which Lovers desire so greedily to gain, no doubt their winnings shall be much like to his, which supposing to embrace juno, caught nothing but a vain vanishing Cloud. This considered, he hath either his senses besotted, or else is blinded with selfwill, which seethe not the abuses in Love and folly of Lovers: whose life is so pestered with continual passions and cumbered with such hapless cares, as it is to be counted nothing but a very mass of misery: They spend the day in dumps and the night in dolor, seeking much and finding little: gaping after that which they seldom gain: and which if they get proveth at length but loss.  
'tis true in troth (quoth Peratio) for of all follies, love is the greatest fondness, and especially in those which are counted truest Lovers: who if they want of their will, and miss of their wish, pine away in hellish penury, and though their mistress reward them with hate, yet they never make an end of their love but by death. Such love in my opinion, no wise man either will or can commend, for if to love were good, as is now in question, yet 'tis a proved principle Omne nimium vertitur in vitium, therefore if ever I love I will keep a mean, neither to high lest I suspect with Shafalus, nor to low lest I mislike with Minos, and especially I would not exceed, for I think of Lovers, as Diogenes did of Dancers, who being asked how he liked them, answered: the better the worse.  
This pleasant conceit of Peratio made Morando and all the company to laugh, seeing how bitterly he began to bob Siluestro on the thumbs, who thoroughly chafed, burst forth into these terms.  
Peratio (qd he) you come to counsel before you be called, and set down your sentence, before any man craves your censure, your verdict is of less valour. Your slender opinion is not to be taken for a principle, and therefore learn thus much of me, that so apishly to carp at every cause is a sign of great immodesty, and small manners, but leaving you to your folly, thus much to the purpose. The Philosophers who have sought precisely to set out the perfect Anatomy of pure love, who set down by pen that which before they tried by experience, weighing wisely the strange affects and force of love, and feeling in themselves the puissance of his power, justly cannonised that sacred essence for a God, attributing unto it the ●…itle of deity, as a thing worthy of such supernatural dignity. For it doth infuse into the minds of men such virtuous and valorous motions, kindling in men's hearts such gowing coals of natural affection (which before the force of love had touched them, lay buried in the dead cinders of hate) that it doth knit the minds of friends together with such perfect and perpetual amity, as we may justly say with Socrates, they be two bodies and one soul, yea, the common people although their minds be sotted and almost senseless, yet they have had love in such sacred estimation, that they carefully rewarded them with the title of Honour and Dignity, which have excelled in that holy affection, esteeming this only virtue (if so basely it may be termed) sufficient of a man to make one a God. But to aim more near the mark, if we rightly consider the force of love, we shall find that there is nothing which so pleasureth a man, and proffitethe the Common wealth as love: Tully being demanded why the Common wealth of Rome did oft fall into many calamnities at that time, especially when S●…illa and Marius Tyranously shed so much innocent blood, answered because the temple of love was defaced, and being demanded what caused the Commonwealth so to flourish in prosperous estate, answered love: alleging to the old Italian proverb Amor è la madre del bu●…n citta. What causeth virtue to rain and vice to come to ruin but love? What delighteth in good and despighteth ill but love? Yea, what causeth a man to be honoured for a GOD but love. It maketh the valiant to venture amidst most perilous dangers: neither to be feared with the loss of life, nor to respect the dint of Death, t●…inkyng no adventure hard to be achieved, nor encounter cumbersome, no danger perilous, so he be fully armed with the shield of love, to defend him from the furious force of his enemies. So many Grecians had never been slain of H●…ctor had not Andromache looked over the walls. Troielus had never made such a Massacre among his fo●…s had not Cr●…ssed buckled on his Helmet. Nay Achilles had never slain them both, had not Briseida been the Mistress of his thoughts. To conclude, in all age's Chivalry had never so bravely flourished if Love had not been the guerdon for their deserts. Love maketh a man which is naturally addicted unto vice to be endued with virtue, to apply himself unto all laudable exercises, that thereby he may obtain his lovers favour: He coveteth to be skilful in good letters, that by his learnyug he may allure her to excel in Music, that by his melody he may entice her to frame his speech in a perfect phrase, that his Eloquence may persuade her, yea, what Nature wanteth he seeketh to amend by nurture, and the only cause of this virtuous disposition is love. And to prove this premises with a particular instance, I remember that our countryman Boccace in his Decameron bringeth in one Chymon ●… Lacedaemonian, who was more wealthy than witty, and of greater possessions then good qualities, given from his birth to be a servile drudge by nature, and could not by his friends be haled from his clownish state by nurture: his delight was to toil at the Plough, although a Nobleman borne, and civil courtesy was the only thing he contemned. This Chimon who by no art could be brought to have any wit, by chance as he passed through the streets, cast his eye on the glittering beauty of a Ladyin Lacedemonia, whose singular perfection so deeply imprinted into the heart of this witless Chimon, as he felt the flame of fancy to fric within his entrales, yea, the force of affection had so furiously assaulted him, as perplexed with these unacquainted passions. Love drive him so to his shifts, that he seeking to obtain his mistress favour, he began to apply himself to all bertuous exercises, that within short time love being his loodestone, of a witless fool he became to be a wise Philosopher, of of Clown to become a Courtier, yea, love made such a strange Metamorphoses of her new Novice, that in prowess and courtesy he exceeded all the Courtiers of Lacedemonia. Tush who rightly can deny that Love is not the cause of glory honour profit and pleasure which happeneth to man, and that without it he cannot conveniently live, but shall run into a thousand enormities. Whereof I conclude, that not to love is not to live: or else to lead a life repugnant to all virtuous qualities.  
Well said Siluestro (quoth Morando) thy reason is good: for in truth he that is an enemy to love, is a fo●… to nature: there is nothing which is either so requested of men, or desired of brute beasts more than mutual society, which neither the one can gain nor the other attain without love: Is not he then more senseless than a beast, or less natural than a reasonable creature which would de●…pise it? Yes no doubt, I would count him like to a Aparmantus, that had no other reason to hate men but for that they were men: he himself being like a man, but in nature a very Monster.  
Sir (quoth Sostrata) if you weighed well what love were you would yield an other verdict. Is there any thing which man esteemeth more than liberty: Nay, doth he not account it dearer than life: and is not Love the loss thereof, and the means to lead him into an endless Labyrinth? Doth it not fetter him that is free, and thrall the quiet mind in perpetual bondage? Is there any thing to be found in Love but lowering, care, calamity, sorrow, sighs, woe, wailings, complaints and misery? What breedeth frenzy and bringeth fury but Love? What maketh the wise foolish, and fools more fond but Love? What besotteth the senses? What bruiseth the brain? What weakeneth the wit? What dusseth the memory? What fadeth the strength? Nay, what leadeth a man to ruth and ruin but Love? And yet forsooth no less than a GOD Dido had ended her golden days with joy in gallant Carthage. Phillis had never desperately procured her own death. Ariadne had not miserably died in the solitary Deserts. Medea had reigned royally as Queen of Colchos. Yea, innumerable others had enjoyed more felicity or tasted less misery, if this cruel monster Love had not wrought their mishap. For as soon as it once inueagleth the wit and bewitcheth the senses, it maketh strait a Metamorphosis of the poor lovers mind: he than rageth as though he were haunted with some hellish Hag, or possessed with some frantic Fury, like one enchanted with some Magical charm, or charmed with some bewitching Sorcery, yea, he is perplexed with a thousand sundry passoons: first free, and then fettered: alatc swimming in rest, and now sinking in care: erewhile in security, and then in captivity: yea, turned from mirth to mourning: from pleasure to pain: from delight to despite: hating themselves and loving others, who is the chief cause of this their calamitic. Fulfilling the saying of Propertius, that to love howsoever it be is to lose, and to fancy how chary soever the choice be is to have an ill chance: For Love though never so faithful is but a Chaos of care, and fancy though never so fortunate is but a M●…sse of misery. Whereof I conclude, that who so is entangled with the snares of Love, or besotted with the beams of baleful Beauty, enjoyeth more care than commodity: more pain than profit: more cost th●…n comfort: more grief then good, yea, reapeth a tun of dross for every dram of perfect gold.  
Nay, stay (quoth Siluestro) conclude not so readily before the premises be granted: for though you have (Sostrata) sh●…dowed the table, yet till the colours be laid on with a perfect Pencil it is no certain picture. Zewexes deceived birds with painted grapes, and yet they were no perfect fruit: and though ye fill their ears with your fond reasons, yet after I have pulled back the vale, every one shall see they are but mere shadows. You reason first of the definition of love, saying: that it is no other thing but the desire of Beauty: which if I grant, what then forsooth: by an odd induction you conclude that Beauty is the breeder of mishap, and therefore Love the bringer of misery: but I neither affirm the one nor grant unto the other. For Plato being demanded in what things we most resemble the Gods, answered in Wisdom and Beauty: esteeming Wisdom the only gem which enricheth the mind, and Beauty the only jewel that adorneth the body. Yea, Severe Socrates said, that the Gods in framing of Beauty skipped beyond their skill, in that the maker was subject to the thing made: for the Gods themselves have been so subject to the glittering hue of Beauty, as they have been forced to forsake their celestial Spheres, for to enjoy so precious a treasure, yea, to make a Metamorphosis of their deity into human shape: as jupiter did by turning into a Bull to crop the beauty of Europa: And think you then (Sostrata) you have not both committed an heinous offence in blaspheming so divine a thing, and also been greatly deceived in thinking light of Love, which tendeth to no other end but to the obtaining of so divine a treasure. Further, you count every virtue in Love to be vanity: every straw to be a stumbling stock: every little Molehill to be a great M●…untaine: concluding because it is fraught with care, therefore it is to be contemned: because it is subject to trouble and mishap, therefore to be utterly misliked: but your opinion is vain, and therefore your reasons is of no value: they carry small sense in that you are so subject to self-will. For did not 〈◊〉 compare virtue to the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is small at the foot but broad at the top: meaning that to obtain virtue is very painful, but the possession thereof passing pleasant: Yea, do not the wise Philosophers endeavour much travel to attain virtue? Do not Martial minds who gape after glory sleep little and labour much: hazard their li●…mes and venture their lives to attain honour. Do not M●…rchaunts yield themselves to the mercy of the furious Seas, and try the rage of stormy Tempests, suffer perils by Sea and post by Land to possess riches? Shall therefore the Philosopher's life be contemned, because it is fraught with trouble? Shall the merchants stay, or the Martial state be despised, because the one is subject to danger, and the other to death? No, if this may be concluded it will breed a confusion in all estates. Shall then Love be thought lewd, because poor passionate Lovers be ready to bear the burden of all misfortune, to the end to attchive so royal a reward as Beauty? No, for he is to be thought a fearful dastard whom any worldly muck doth deceive, whom any hard attempt doth withdraw, or any humble prayer doth withhold from attaining the top of his desire. Cease then (Sostrata) to blaspheme against Beauty sith it is divine. Leave of to inveigh against Love, since it is a labour fit for the Gods: otherwise thou shalt be thought to be more wilful than wise, and to spit out these bitter speeches more of cankered spite then of any just cause.  
Well (quoth Aretino) if that testy Tyanens were alive, who was the contemner of Beauty, the despraiser of Love, despiser of fancy, and the detester of all such amorous society, and heard Siluestro tell this tale, no doubt he would not only turn his tippet, recant his heretical opinion, and persuade others to honour beauty, but he himself would become a Lover.  
Truly (quoth Panthia) for my part I confess that Siluestro hath so cunningly confuted my Daughter's reasons, as I must needs say he is worthy to have the verdict go on his side. For though Diana hath reaped renown by her chastity, yet juno hath gained more honour by her Marriage.  
Why Madam Panthia (quoth Peratio) will you bring Siluestro into a fools paradise by allowing his opinion, I can but smile to see how cunningly you can claw him where he itcheth: but he knows you do but flatter, and thinks that women's thoughts and their tongues runs not always together.  
Truly quoth (Aretino) that is the cause that Siluestro bears so much with Lacenas' folly: for he thinks she plays like the Consul Attilius, that was wont to cover the picture of his Concubine with a curtain: wherein was embroidered the story of Diana and Actaeon.  
What Lacena doth (●… Sylnestro) I know not, but I am sure Peratio speaks more of crabbedness then of conscience, resembling herein Apollo (I mean not in pure complexion, but in peevish condition) who inveighing greatly against Venus and Cupid, did himself the next night ravish poor Clymene.  
Well (quoth Morando) Madam Panthia, sith you have heard this doubtful question so thoroughly discoursed, give your Censure and your verdict shall stand for a sentence.  
Sir (quoth she) if I should pass against Syluestro, than all might think I either never loved my husband, or else that I spoke of affection, therefore that I be not accused of the one, nor condemned of the other, this is my opinion, that Syluestro speaking of those loyal lovers, which fix their fancy and place their affection first upon the virtue of the mind, and then upon the beauty of the body defendeth the right in saying that to love, is a virtue, and that my daughter Lacena (in touching the excessive love, nay rather lust of those fond and fantastical lovers, who only respect the complexion of the body, and not the perfection of the mind, having their fancy so fickle, as they are fired with every new face, respecting pleasure more than profit, and yet refusing no pains to satisfy their fleshly desires) saith well that such love is a vice.  
Panthia having yielded her judgement was greatly praised of all the company for giving so wise a verdict. In deed (quoth Aretino) it made me to marvel when I heard Lacena so far out of square, sith that by natural constitution women are more subject unto love then men.  
Not so (quoth Panthia) you speak by contraries, for women are hard to be snared in love like the stone Ceraunon, which will hardly receive any stamp, but being once printed never looseth the form. Marry if I might be so bold, I could aptly compare men to Spanielles, that will faun of every one that carrieth bread in his fist.  
Stay there (quoth Morando) it is now dinner time, and this question asketh along discourse, we will now dine, and the rest of the day to exercise ourselves we will spend in Hunting, but to morrow we will have this doubt debated of Aretino and Fioretta. I will be the plaintiff (quoth Aretino.) And my Daughter shall be the defendant (quoth Panthia.) Why then (quoth Morando) let us ply our teeth as we have done our tongues: and with that they all sat down to dinner.   

The third days discourse.  
PAnthia and the rest of the company having pleasantly passed away the day in sport, and quietly spent the night in sleep, no sooner saw that Aurora had forsaken the watery bed of her Lover Titan, but they remembering that Aretino and Fioretta were to perform their challenge, hasted up to be hear●…rs of this doubtful discourse. But seeing Morando was not yet stirring, they walked into the Garden to take the fresh and flagrant air, where Flora presented unto them a Paradise of odoriferous flowers, greatly pleasing the eye & sweetly delighting the sinell, enticed with the verdue of these flourishing plants, they all rested them in an Arbour made of Roses, whereby Peratio taking occasion to be pleasant entered into this parley.  
I now (quoth he) see by experience Mantuans principle to be true, that weal is never without woae, no bliss without bale, each sweet hath his sower, every commodity hath his discommodity annexed: For you see by proof the sweetest Rose hath his prickles.  
And what of this (quoth Panthia) what infer ye of these principles?  
Marry (quoth he) I can aptly compare a woman to a Rose: for as we cannot enjoy the flagrant smell of the one without sharp prickles, so we cannot possess the virtues of the other without shrewish conditions: and yet neither the one nor the other can well be forborn, for they are necessary 〈◊〉.  
O sir (quoth Panthia) you are very pleasant, poor women must be content to suffer the reproof though 〈◊〉 the reproach: but if they were as little virtuous as men are greatly vicious, no doubt than you would write volumes of their vanity: but (quoth she) as bad as they be when you sue to obtain their favour, than you account them as heavenly creatures, and canonize them for Saints, commending their chastity, and extolling their virtues: whereof I conclude, that either they are faultless or you flatterers.  
Tush (quoth Peratio) what others think I know not, but I was never of that mind: for truly this is my verdict, be she vert●…ous, be she chaste, be she courteous, be she constant, be she rich, be she renowned, be she honest, be she honourable, yet if she be a woman, she hath sufficicent vanities to countervail her virtues.  
Truly (quoth Siluestro) as the Inhabitants of Lemnos were turned into Frogs for railing against Latona, so Peratio thou deservest to be changed into a Cur, for barking out such currish blasphemous speeches against women. Niobe inveighed against Venus for her lightness, and yet she herself more lewd: and thou railest against women for their vanity, thou thyself being thrice more vicious: but as it was impossible to tell a tale to a Cretian and not to talk to a liar, so it is impossible (Peratio) to speak of thee and not to name a slanderer.  
With that Morando being newly risen, and missing his guests went into the Garden, and hearing these bitter blawes thought quickly to part the fray, he severed them therefore with this salve.  
Gentlemen and Gentlewomen (quoth he) in that I will not be tedious in one word, I bid you all good day. The achieving of yesterdays challenge between Aretino and Fioretta, hath made me rise thus early. Cease of therefore from your supposes, for I enjoin you all to Silence, and let us hear what a plea our plaintiff will put in to aver his doubtful Problem.  
The company first requiting Morando with the like courtesy, and then returning his salve with the like salutation, held their peace to hear Aretino parley, who seeing they listened attentively to hear his talk, began his tale in this manner.  
It is a principle (quoth he) amongst the natural Philosophers, that men by their constitution are endued with a more perfect and stronger complexion than women, being more apt to endure labour and travail, and less subject to effeminate pleasure and pastime: having their hearts more hardened to withstand any kind of passion, and less mollified to receive any pathetical impression. Whereof I infer that men having their hearts indurate by natural constitution, are more able to withstand the force of Love then women, whose effeminate minds are enclosed within a more tender and delicate complexion. For as the perfect Gold which is of a pure substance, receiveth any form sooner than the sturdy Steel which is of a gross & massy mould, so wemen effeminate minds are more subject to sudden affection, and are sooner fettered with the snare of fancy then the hard hearts of men, which beein●… rubbed with the Adamant stone are apt to withstand any violent passions. Tiresias who had by his hard hap the proof of both Natures: and Scython who at his pleasure was either a man or a woman: the one being demanded by Jupiter and the other by Bacchus, whether men or women were most subject unto love, framed this answer: that the Arms which Venus gave in her shield were sufficient to discuss the doubt: meaning that as Doves who are Venus' darlings, are more prone unto lust then any other fowls: so women are more subject unto Love then any other mortal creatures.  
Truly sir (quoth Fioretta) you seem by your sentences to be a subtle and secret Philosopher: for I think you bring in such dark problems, as you scarce understand your own reasons. Is this your skill in natural Philosophy to bring in unnatural principles? Or think you by Sophistry to shadow the truth? No, words are but wind, and a few dry blows shall not carry away the conquest. Aristotle and Albertus both set down this infallible Axiom, that the natural constitution of men is choler hot and dry, having of all the four Elements fire most predominant in their complexions: So that as Galen affirmeth in his Book De partibus corporis humani this fiery constitution doth make them full of passions, soon hot soon cold, easily inflamed and quickly quenched. Whereas women be Phlegmatic cool and moist, having water most predominant in their constitution, a●…d therefore less subject unto any fiery affections. Whereof I infer, that the minds of men which are hot and dry, are sooner scorched with the heat of Venus and fired with the flame of fancy: yea, Love hath more power to set on fire their affections, being already of a hot constitution, then to scorch or scald the hearts of women, which naturally are of so moist and cold a complexion. The dry Bavin is sooner set on fire then the watery Beech: the withered Ha●…e sooner burneth then the moist Grass, and the fiery heart of Mars sooner scorched then the cold mind of Diana.  
Nay Mistress Fioretta (quoth he) seeing you urge me so strictly, I will prove my premises with most approved instances. W●…s not Dido almost consumed in the flame before Aeneas touched the fire? Was not she fettered at the first sight, whereas Venus could hardly induce her son to Love. Demophon was not so soon drowned in desire as Phillis: for be no sooner set foot on l●…nd but she was over shoes in love, whereas God knows all her flattering allurements could hardly train him to the Court of Cupid. The Nymph Echo no sooner saw●… Narcissus but she was inflamed: whereas he neither by tears, prayers, promises, nor protestations could be alured to yield himself a su●…iect unto Venus. Tu●…he, what should I recount the passionate love of Salmacis, Circe, Biblis, Hylonome, and of infinite other, whose lives are sufficient proofs and precedents to confirm my former reasons. Cupid intending to revenge himself upon Apollo, for discovering the adultery between his mother and Mars, was feign to spend many of his chiefest darts ere he could strike him in love with Daphne: but as the blind boy pleasantly sported with his mother, by chance he razed her breast with the tip of his arrow, which no sooner touched her but she was deeply in love with her darling Adonis. In fine, all ages and estates have yielded sufficient proofs to confirm my premises, so that I need not allege any more reasons, but conclude with the saying of martial, which affirmeth three things never to be parted Mulier, Amor, & inconstantia.  
Tush (quoth Fioretta) all this wind shakes no corn, your Antecedent infers no necessary Consequent, for if I grant that divers Dames have been suddenly suprised with fancy, may you therefore conclude, that women are more subject unto affection then men, this were Aretino to absurd an argument: But to confirm my reasons with a plain proof which we both see and know by daily experience. Are not men feign, being themselves once fired with fancy to seek and sue, to watch and ward, to prate, to parley to, pray, to protest, to swear, to forswear, yea, to use a thousand sundry shifts to allure a simple maid unto love: Do they not seek to hale her unto their hook, with divers new devices. Some practice music to inveigle their minds, playing in the night under their windows, with Lutes, Citrons, and Bandoras. Some Tornay and just: that by their manhood they may allure them to love. Some paint out their passions in Songs and Sonnets, to move them unto mercy: none saying they are to pitiful, but all exclaiming of their cruelty. The poor woman notwithstanding, is so unwilling to yield unto love, that she is hardly induced to fancy by all these flattering allurements, whereas the man is fired with every new face, fettered with every new fancy, in love at every look, yea, they cannot Accedere ad ignem, but they do strait Galescere plus quam satis so that it is hard to find a man, but he is either fraught with love or, flattery.  
Not so Fioretta (quoth Siluestro) conclude not so strictly, for to love (I grant) is proper to men, but to flatter belongeth to women.  
Why (quoth Peratio) dare you blaspheme so broadely against that noble sex, take head, if your mistress hear of this fond censure, she hang not the lip.  
This is small to the purpose (quoth Morando) whether men feign or women flatter, it is not the mark we shoot at. Sith Madam Panthia, these two champions have so manfully behaved themselves within the lists, that as yet the combat hangeth in suspense, to which of them shall we judges of this quarrel assign the conquest?  
Truly sir (●… Panthia) to speak my mind freely without affection, in this case this is my opinion. That love being no mortal passion, but a supernatural influence allotted unto every man, by destiny charmeth and inchaunteth the minds of mortal creatures, not according to their wills, but as the decree of the fat●…s shall determine, for some are in love at the first looké: As was P●…rseus with Andromeda: Some never to be reclaimed, as was Narcissus: Others scorched at the first sight, as Venus herself was of Adonis: Some always proclaimeth open Wars to Cupid, as did Daphne. Thus I conclude; that men or women are not more or less subject unto Love, respecting their natural constitution, but by the secret influence of a certain supernatural constellation.  
Morando and the rest of their company, greatly praised and allowed the wise verdict of Panthia, commending the mother for her perfect modesty, and the daughters for their passing chastity. The discourse thus ended and the sentence set down, Morando and his guests went to dinner, which being ended as well with pithy devices as pleasant dainties, Panthia constrained by certain urgent affairs, yielding Morando great thanks for his courteous entertainment, went home to Bononia accompanied with the three Gentlemen: who likewise leaving Morando in his dumps for the loss of such good companions departed, and for a time stayed with Panthia at Bononia: where what success Siluestro had in his love I know not: but if I learn look for news   
Finis.  
Robert Greene●…   

¶ Imprinted at London by I. Kingston for Edward White, dwelling at the little North door of S. Paul's Church, at the sign of the Gun.