To the Right Honourable & virtuous his very good Lady and Mistress, the Lady Margaret Countess of Cumberland: and to the no less Honourable and virtuous the Lady Anne Countess of Warwick: Robert green wisheth increase of Honour and Virtue.  
Socrates' (Right Honourable) being forced by the Athenians to send presents to Apollo, offered not up, as others did, the superfluity of wealth, but the Aenigmaes of Hermes Tresmegistus, yielding this reason, that Apollo was not poor but wise. Achilles' beautified the Temple of Palace with Spears and Helmets, in that the Goddess was patroness of Soldiers. Diana's present was a bow: And I by chance finding so precious a monument as the Web of Penelope, the only trophy of her chastity, was persuaded to bestow it upon your Honours, as upon two Ladies, whose virtues deserves among the best the patronage of such a famous antiquity. For if truth be the daughter of time, and time the Herald that best imblazeth affections. The report that the Grecians made of the Princess of Ithaca, may seem but a fiction compared with the fame of your ladyships virtuous resolutions: which are such and so rare, as your very enemies (if you have any) are forced maugre their teeth to be true discoverers of your virtues. Homer penned his Odissea comprehending the life of Ulysses because he was wise. And I (may it please your Ladyships) have attempted the discourse of Penelope's Web, for that sh●e was chaste, that as divers reading the Poet's works did imitate his wisdom spoke well of his policy: so some by glancing at this toy may take a precedent of her chastity, & give thanks to your Honours, whose chaste & virtuous life brought this work to light. But some may object that Homer's pen deawd forth such sugared eloquence, as beseemed the discourse of Ulysses travails: whereas my harsh style and method makes the Web that of itself was as soft as the Seres wool, be as rough as goats hair. I confess my fault, and therefore by custom clamme pardon of course: yet thus far dare I answer for myself, that although Demosthenes had a Plaudi●e for his Oration because it was curious: yet Nemius got the sentence for the truth of his plain tale. Penelope herself was more chaste than eloquent. Virgil was seen to have Ennius in his hand. The Roman Ladies spurned at the sweet verses of Ovid, when they read over the satires of Inuenall▪ And I hope your Ladyships w●l vouchsafe of Penelope's Web, at least for the virtue of the wowan that first wrought it, though the Cloth workers art have given it so bad a gloss. Damydas caused his Parrot to pea●ke under a Dragon of brass to defend it from the Vulturestyranny: and I shroud this simple work under your honours patronage, that the envious, whose tongues cut like Swords, may like the Serpent fear to offend that herb, whereon the beams of the Sun doth rest. Thus hoping your ladyships will▪ ●r Penelope's sake vouchsafe of such a homely present, though otherwise unworthy the patronage of 〈◊〉 Honourable personages▪ I commit your honours to the Almighty.  
Your Ladyships in all dutiful service to command, Robert Greene..   

TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS HEALTH.  
SO oft (Gentlemen) have I relied upon your courtesy, and found you so favourable, that still I adventure to present what I 〈◊〉 to your judgements, hoping as my intent is to pleaseall, if it might be without offence, so I shallbe pardoned of all, though presumiug to far: It may be the forehead is not always a true herald of affections, neither the rules of Physiognomy infallible principles: for they which smiled at the Theatre in Rome, might assoon scoff at the rudeness of the Scene, as give a Plaudite at the perfection of the action, and they which pass over my toys with silence, may perhaps shroud a mislike in such patience, if they do, yet soothing myself in the hope of their courtesies, I sleep content like Phid●as in mine own follies, thinking all is well, till proof tells me the contrary. I was determined at the first to have made no appeal to your favourable opinions, for that the matter is women's prattle, about the untwisting of Penelope's Web. But considering that Mars will sometime be prying into Venus' papers, and gentlemen desirous to hear the parley of Ladies, I thought rather to write a line to much, and so be counted forward, then by leaving out one title, incur your displeasures, and so be judged froward: but whatsoever I have done or written, I only desire for my pains your favourable acceptance, and so wish to you, as to myself, to live fortunate, and die happy.  
Yours to use, Robert Greene..   

To the Courteous and Courtly Ladies of England.  
AFter that (Gentlewomen) I had finished this work of Penelope's Web, and was willing to commit it to the Press, I ●ell to parlye with myself, whether I should stay it as Apelles did Venus' picture, half unfinished in the Printers forms: or thrust it out as Myson did a ragged table bescratcht with a pencil. Apelles was froward, and Myson too forward, both faulty, and every man hath his folly. It may be some will think me of Antisthenes' faction, that laid platforms of every man's life, and yet the Philosopher was more wise in his precepts then wary of his own government: and count me very economical that seek to set down the duty of a wife, & to deliver principles to such a purpose. If I have intermeddled too far, it is (Gentlewomen) in discovering the virtues of your sex, not in censuring severely of your actions: for I present but the view of those virtues that naturally are, or incidently aught to be as well in virgins that sacrifice to Vesta, as in wives▪ that make secret vows to Lucyna. I reprehend not (as one thinking all generally to be virtuous,) but persuade as one wishing particularly every one should live well and die better. If any that are envious grudge at my doing, I strait for refuge fly to your good words, which I count as a sufficient defensory against such as love to backbite. Committing therefore my Book to your patronage, lest the gates being too big for the City, the Mountain should seem to swell and bring forth a Mouse, I wish you all such happy success as you can desire and I imagine.  
Robert Greene..   

Penelope's Web.  
When as the stately City of Troy was sacked by the Grecians, & all the Princely brood of Priamus either utterly extinguished by the sword, or fatally exiled the place of their native residence: Ulysses, Prince of Ithaca, who had remained ten years at the siege, resolved to leave the confines of Asia, & to return to the government of his own Monarchy: but especially to see the mistress of his thoughts chaste Penelope, from whom these broils had so long frowardly detained him: thinking as it was the part of a friend to accompany Menelaus in revenge, so it was y● duty of a husband by small delay to bewray his affection: that it was the office of a Prince as well to study in Pallas as to cry Alarm with Mars: that as great honour did depend in the Sceptres as in the sword: than the green Laurel in the Senate house, was as pleasing an object to y● eye, as glittering armour in the field: Consideration, there preventer of bad I wist, tied him so to the performing of these forenamed premises, that causing his weather Ships to be warped out of the Haven assoon as they were made tight, rigged and trimmed, able to brook wind & weather, be ●oysed sail and thrust into the main, converting his course toward Ithaca: but Fortune the enemy to prosperous resolutions, willing to bewray herself, having commission from angry Neptune to show her inconstancy, kept him still in the Court of Ithaca, for that Nature had made her beautiful by a superficial glory of well proportioned lineaments, and virtue had made her wise by aiming after fame with well ordered actions, these two perfections the special friend to fancy, armed with the long absence of Ulysses, & with many rumours of his death, brought all the Peers of Ithaca to become suitors to Penelope. She whom Love had arrested for a subject, but never brought to any servile obedience, whom the Idea of Ulysses printed in her thoughts, had resolved to die the wife of so good a Prince, refused their proffers, & with the warrant of her chastity sought to appease their humorous persuasions. But the Noble men whom delay and time had made impatient of denial, fell in to flat terms and craved an answer. Penelope seeing that fortune had conspired her mishap, by breeding such a restless importunity to her wooers, was driven to seek a knot in a Rush, and with policy to prevent that which the honest and honourable pretence of her chastity was not able to defend. She therefore beguiling time with labour, having begun a web wherein she spent the day, to keep herself from idleness, knowing that Otia si tollus 〈◊〉 cupidinis arcus, gave answer, that when her work was finished she would make a choice of some one of them for her husband. The Noble men who knew that as the work was not great, the dated time could not be long, contented themselves with this reply, which somewhat eased the mind of Penelope: but when she fell into consideration with herself, that the longest Summer hath his Autumn, the largest sentence his Period, and the greatest labour his performance, she began to be melancholy till Love had learned her a shift to make her work endless, by untwisting as much in the night as she wove in the day: this policy put in practice, (for that the night the friend of sweet and golden sleeps grudged that her benefits should be despised by the restless labour of such a politic housewife) she determined accompanied with her Nurse and two Maids, to pass away the time in parley, thinking thus both to further her content, and procure pain to be mitigated by such pleasing delights: seeing therefore that her Nurse began to nod and her Maids to wink, she wakened them out of their dreams with this mercy chat. I can but smile (Nurse) to see how time maketh a distinction of ages by affections, and the disposition of the senses follows truly the temperature & constitution of their bodies, as a particular instance makes manifest: for the time of the night (growing to rest) summons both you and my Maids to sleep: yet though the affect is all one the effects are divers▪ for age whom nature hath stored with imperfection and disease, and therefore freed from the tax of disquieted thoughts, teacheth the senses by the desire of sleep, how the number of your years are dated unto death: that with Antisthenes we may say how the bed resembles the grave, and the closing of the senses the dissolving of life: my maids whom youth persuades unto rest, and want of care, proves that the black Ox never trod on their feet, only cares how to serve time▪ for that no other care hath yet bitten them by the heel, & so resolving their minds in quiet by such content, seeks to pleasure the senses by sweet slumbers: but I poor soul whom fortune hath set as a subject, whereon to work the variable points of her inconstancy, find my senses so countermanded with disquieted thoughts, as desire of content draws me into a labyrinth of restless passions.  
Eubula one of her Maids that was most familiar with her Lady, made this pretty and pithy reply: I remember (Madam) that Ph●dias, drawing the counterfeit of youth, f●gureth labour as the taskmaster of his actions, & ease as the paymaster of his deserts: meaning as I can conjecture by the Emblem, that as it behoveth youth to spend the day in work, whereby to avoid the sugared snares that idleness layeth to entrap the senses: so the guerdom for such forward inde●ours is to consume the night in sweet and quiet slumbers, lest the vital spirits overcharged with too much labour, should either grudge at too sore an impost, or else fall to inconvenience by overlong toil and watchings: Extremity is ever a vice, too much in every thing is hurtful, and the greatest prodigality is the expense of the eye: I mean not (Madam) in gazing wantonly, but in watching over niggardly: which when I consider how prodigal your honour is in this point, I cannot but (as ever I have done) merua●le at your wisdom and virtue, so now to wonder at your love and constancy: forthinking with myself that your Grace is seated in a Throne of Majesty, adorned with a Sceptre and a diadem, honoured with the possession of a Kingdom & the title of a Queen, rich, beautiful and young, the very advocates of vanity: and seeing that the affection your Highness bears to Ulysses, the love to your Husband, the vow to your Lord, though in long absence still qualifies the forenamed pleasures with the sweet dew of a modest chastity: I must (Madam) without flattery say, that in requital of such constant affection, the Gods in justice must crown you with immortality, and the world reward you with fame and honour.  
Indeed quoth Vygenia (for so was her second Maid called) when I see majesty a contented copartner with labour, and a resolute farewell to ease: the chosen companion to a Queen, I cannot think but love is a great Lord, that in a woman's affections worketh such strange effects. Take heed quoth Ismena (which was the last and youngest of the three) that in this word love, you deceive not yourself: for there is an Amphibological equivocation in it, which drowneth the hearer's oft in a labyrinth of perplexed conceits. As how quoth Penelope, let us hear you make this distinction? Ismena that was young and very quick witted, willing to content her Lady's humour by beguiling the night with prattle, applying as well her fingers to the web as her tongue to the tale, went forward thus in her description. Although (Madam) experience hath not taught me to set down the divers effects of Love, yet the Physician by reading▪ oft knoweth the nature of the Simple as well as the Gardener that planteth it: & he which seeth Fortune standing on a Globe, may judge she is fickle though he try not her inconstancy: many speak of the Crocodiles tears that never felt her deceits, and divers condemn Diogenes for a sinick that saw not his Tub: The Shoemaker corrected Appelles' picture, yet he kn●w not the use of the Pencil: & I may by your honour's patience talk of Venus' Temple that never smelled the fume of her Sacrifice: but to say what I have heard, thus to the matter. Anacreon, Menander and Ovid, with others, who were studious in this amorous Philosophy, have as they set down principles, so penned down precepts, whereby the fond and variable effects of love is manifestly deciphered, calling it by the name of a God, as under that title bewraying the forcible efficacy that by a predominant quality, it doth infuse into human minds: other whiles a Fury, as discovering the sorrows, griefs, and disquiets that proceeded from such a furious humour, painting Cupid blind, as noting the selfconceipt in choice, like a little boy, as figuring small government, not leveled by the proportion of reason, winged, as absolutely pourtaying inconstant and fickle passions of Lovers, whose thoughts are variable, whose joys are momentary, like to the shadows which juno presented to the Giants, bringing forth like the Ceader trees fair leaves but no ●●ui●es, and as the Date having soft rinds, but with in stones as hard as steel: This love (Madam) presented by Venus as an inveigle object, no sooner entereth the eye but he pierceth the heart, not accompanied with virtue to persuade, but armed with the outward hue of beauty to constrain, which what effect soever ensueth, waxeth at last sorrow and repentance: Such was the love of Dido to Aeneas, that seeing the curious form of the dissembling stranger, through too over hasty affection, did both ruinate herself and her Kingdom. Ariadna by crediting the sweet tales of Theseus, Med●a of jason, Phillis of Demophon, and infinite other, which entering into this passion runs headlong after endless repentance.  
This love is like the Baaran Leaf which seen pleaseth, but touched pierceth the skin, this love is that which overruling young heads, sotteth the senses, dulleth the wits, hindereth quiet, and maketh a passionate confusion in the mind of man called by the title of love, which indeed is méer● lust and vanity: whereas true and perfect love hath his foundation upon virtue only, aiming at the inward perfection of the mind, not at the outward complexion of the body, which decreaseth not but increaseth with time, uniting the hearts with such strict leagues of amity, that it accounteth all labour a pleasure, to show endless desire by effects, as (Madam) to infer yourself for an instance▪ who not possessed with this fond fury, which men fain to come from Venus, but that settled fancy, which we are sure proceeds from virtue, although the Prince Ulysses hath ten years been absent at the siege of 〈◊〉, and report in this space hath made sundry and time nor pretence of love can ever be able to reconcile where De●●●pita 〈◊〉 old age whom diseases hath tied to the Crouch, will now with the babe return to the Cradel: that stoo●ing to the grave by burden of over many years, will yet offer a toothless Sacrifice to Venus for a young husband: this well may becalled a marriage of Labour, where the married couples so inequal in match, are continually troubled with a spirit of dissension▪ for as the four Elements are different in their properties, so are these disagreeing in their manners: the earth & air are not placed well in one balance: the fire and water brooks not the self ●amelimites: age and youth may conjoin in law but not in love, sith the sanguine complexion of the one, & the melancholy & saturnine constitution of the other, are always in thoughts, effect, and desires opposite ex dyametro: so that by the opinion of Aristotle they be as it were immediate contraries: which Dyonisius the elder noted very, well, when seeing his Mother passing old and over grown with age, desirous to marry a young stripling, told her that it was in her power to violate the laws of Syracuse, but not the laws of nature: this affirmeth Plato in his Androgina, & agreeth to the censure of Dionysius, affirming that marriage in old Women is with the Giants bellum ger●●e, cum Diis, which the Roman Lady Valeria well noted, who always had this saying in her mouth, that her husband died to others, but lived to her forever. And herein can I commend my good daughter Penelope, that hating such marriages of labour, doth intend both tolive and die to Ulysses. Nay good Nurse quoth Penelope, let's hear your last distinction, I mean the marriage of grief: 'tis Madam quoth she, where the old proverb is sulsiled, better one house troubled then two, I mean where a bad husband is coupled with a bad wife, where the one striveth to overcome the other, not in virtuous actions, but in disquiet and murmurings. I cannot think quoth Penelope, that there is any husband so bad, which the honest government of his wife may not in time reform, especially if she keep those three special points that are requisite in every woman, Obedience, Chastity, and Silence, three such grace's Nurse, as may reclay me the most graceless husband in the world: and because my maids are young, and may in time try the fortune of marriage, we will this night discourse of this point, to discover the effects and efficacy of obedience: which (for that I will be first in this new devised disputation) I will take in hand to discourse of, that both we may beguile the night with prattle, and profit our minds by some good and virtuous precepts.  
The maids hearing their Lady in so good a vain were glad, and therefore setting their hands to the Web, and their ears to her talk, Penelope began in this manner. Zenobia the wife of Radamysius, King of Armenia, being demanded of a Lady in her Court, how she procured her husband so deeply to love her as he feared in any wise to offer her occasion of displeasure, answered by fearing ot displease him, meaning that the chiefest point of wisdom in a good wife, is to make a conquest of her husband by obedience. Aristides the true and perfect Iusticiari● of his time, caused the portraiture of a woman figured on her knees, to be carried before the Brides' at their espousals, to signify that they meant now to obey & submit, not to rule or command, for quoth he, such fond and fanastick women as make choice of effeminate Husbands, thereby to challenge a sovereign superiority over them, may rightly be compared to choose presumptuous fools that had rather be masters of blind men, than servants to the discreet and learned, which caused Plato in his Androgina to say that a wise woman ought to think her husband's manners the laws of her life, which if they be good, she must take as a form of her actions, if they be bad, she must brook with patience: His reason is thus. As a looking glass or Crystal though most curiously set in Ebony, serveth to small purpose if it doth not lively represent the proportion and lineaments of the face inspicient: so a woman, though rich & beautiful, deserveth small praise or favour, if the course of her life be not directed after her husband's compass. And as the Mathematical lines which Geometricians do figure in their characters, have no motion of themselves, but in the bodies wherein they are placed, so ought a wife to have no proper nor peculiar passion or affection, unless framed ans, providing Soldiers, money and Munition, took her journey as far as Athens, where she received letters from Anthony to return back to Rome, which she with great obedience performed, sending him all the forenamed necessaries, although she perfectly knew that Cleopatra was with him in the field: But when the wars betwixt him and Augustus were ended, he sent strait to command Octavia that she should depart from his house, which she did so obediently, that Rome after her death would have erected an Image in her praise, but that Augustus would not suffer it, keeping Anthony's children, that he had by his first wife, with such care and diligence, as it did well note to the world her love and obedience. To confirm which more at large, I will rehearse a pleasant history.  

Penelope's Tale.  
SAladine the soldan of Egypt, who by his prowess had made a general conquest of the Southeast part of the world, took to wife Barmenissa the only daughter and heir of the great Chan, who amongst sundry Suitors not inferior to him in parentage and progeny, yet made such a careful choice of this young Egyptian Prince, not for his beauty (for that Nature had denied him that favour) but for his virtue (sith he was wise and valiant) that imprinting the perfection of his mind with a deep insight into the deepest place of her heart, and sealing the knot of fancy with the signet of marriage, she never so much as in thought crossed him with any discourtesy: yet for that men are the subjects of Fortune and therefore variable, and the true disciples of time, and therefore momentary, he began to loathe that in the fruit which he loved in the bud, & to spurn at that in the saddle, which he secretly used in the cradle, repaying the faith of Bermenissa, not with flattery to inveigle her, but with foul language t●e better to manifest his hate: which although Nature forbade her to brook, yet obedience the Herald the best imblazeth love, taught her that against such sorrow there was no better salve than patience: that revenge in a woman was not to be executed by the band, but by the heart, and yet not with rigour but with clemency persisting in this opinion, Olinda the Concubine which Saladine so greatly loved, sent a letter to this effect.  
Olinda to Saladine health.  
IF the inward affects of the mind be manifested by outward effects or the brow the bashful bewrayer of secrets, and yet the true discoverer of thoughts, may be credited, the Emperor of Egypt in his loves resembleth the Pine tree, whose leaves remain in one colour but one day: Well might the censures foe wise Clarks have been caveats of my likely misfortune: for they say Princes affections as they are glorious so they are brittle: that he favour of Kings hangs in their eye lids ready with every wink to be wiped out: that as they are full of Majesty and above law, so they are full of inconstancy, because without law: this which other spoke by proof, now I allege by experience: for your Highness abridgeth me of my wont allowance, not only in expense but in looks, so that I account that day happy when Saladine but glanceth at Olinda. The mistress of my mishap is thy injurious wife Barmenissa, to whom I wish thy ill fortunes & my miseries: she with a feigned obedience seeketh to inveigle thee with a conceit of her love, who if she did love, could not content, for she wants the eye pleasure, beauty: thou tickled with an inconstant humour dost listen to the melody of the old Siren, whose neck shadowed with wrinkles affords but had harmony: Keep not (Saladine) fire and water in one hand: in running with the Hare hold not with the Hound: bear not both a Sword and an Olive. Paris gave sentence but on Venus' part, affection brooketh no division? therefore if thou love Olinda, hate Barmenissa: follow the example of Anthony, who after his choice of thy Countrywoman never favoured Octavia: 'tis beauty that mertis a Crown, and as well would the Diadem of Egypt beseem they Lemons head, as thy wives: I should, and yet were loath to flatter in saying what I would not: but if I may have free liberty to speak what I think, my verdict shall be soon given. I confess that what pleaseth the father ought to content the son: and therefore I count the will of Saladyne a law to Garinter: yet as obedience wisheth a consent, so Nature willeth with a friendly denial to dissuade from things that offend not only men, but that are even hateful to the Gods. I say therefore that Saladyne should get more honour by exiling Olynda, not only from Babylon, but out of all the confines of Egypt, then if he had obtained more triumphs then that invincible Caesar. No doubt your Grace shall soon, nay I fear to soon, find my words to be true, that in hoping to get a sweet content you gain a sour mislike: like to them which pleased with the colour of the tree Lotos, are poisoned assoon as they taste of the Apples.  
Barmenissa, hearing how sharply her son shook up the Emperor, with a modest countenance, as nothing grudging at the injury of fortune, at her last farewell gave him this charge: Although son the law of nature wills thee to be partner of thy mother's misfortunes, yet the Gods, whose laws are above nature, commands that thou gainsay not the Edict of thy father: For as Proclus the Academic affirms, there is nothing which we ought more to regard then duty and obedience: the command of the father is not to be limited by the conceit of the child, for as their superiority is without proportion, so their wills ought to be without denials, first the frown of a father (saith Epictetus') is like the elevation of a Comet which foreshows ever some fatal and final ruin. Then Garinter offend not thy father in thought, lest the gods grudging at thy secret disobedience plague thee with an open revenge: further son, thou art his subject, and be thy sovereign, what duty is due to such a mighty potentate thou must by law and conscience offer unto him. And seeing by the consent of the Egyptian laws I am deposed, and O●●nda invested with the regal crown: if a mother's command may be a constraint to the son. I charge thee that thou show her the same obedience that belongs to a Princess, and thy father's wife, Philarkens the son of Psamnet●chus●beyed ●beyed Rhodope, whom his father raised from a common courtesan to a Princess. Antiochus the son of Demetrius built stately Sepulchres for his father's Concubines: Revenge (son) ought not to go in purple, but in white, & the salve for injuries i● not choler but patience: for mine own part Garinter I set thee down no precept but the which myself mean to hold for a principle, and thou by imitating thy mother's actions, show thyself to be dutiful, which if thou perform, I will continnually pray to the Gods of thy good, otherwise, if for my cause thou intent revenge, I wish thy ill: & so wishing to thy father as to my sovereign, & to the Princess as to one honoured with a Diadem, I take my leave at that Court, as well content with my adversity, for that it is the kings command, as ever I was wi●h prosperity: And with this the Princess departed, leaving both her son and the Nobles passing pensive for her present disgrace, The soldan not satisfied with this injury, caused presently Proclamation to be made, that the Princess should have no relief, but what she earned with her hands, that her ladies should be labour, and her maintenance, no other than her own endeavour could provide: This edict commanded to be published, the King solemnized his marriage with sumptuous shows and triumphs, & Garinter that he might show how careful he was to obey his mother's last command, brought in Masks and comical delights to finish up the solemnity of the nuptials. The festival time being past, Olinda puffed up with a sweet conceit of her prosperity, so ruled and overruled in her government, using such tyranny in words, and persuading her Husband to such disordered actions, that she generally fell in hate of all the people, in so much that the soldan himself grudged at her ambitious presumptions: Well leaving her to her follies, again to the Lady Barmenissa, who fallen from a Crown to a Cottage, and from a Sceptre almost to a Scrip, still salved her want with labour and her pavertie with patience, bearing as princely a mind in adversity, as she did in prosperity, neither grudging at injury, nor gaping after revenge, stayed thus upon this virtuous foundation, 
The happy fates thy sorrow's have withstood,  
By syning want and poverty thy share.  
For now content (f●nd fortune to despite)  
With patience lows thee quiet and delight.   
Barmenissa had no sooner ended her madrigal, but that she heard a great noise, which at the first amazed her, but at the last she perceived it to be the voice of men: desirous therefore to be a partner of their secrecy, she kept herself silent within the thicket, when she perceived certain of the nobles of Egypt that were retired to that solitary place, to confer of the ambitious supremicy that Olinda used since her Coronation, and amongst the rest one of the Lords, whose name was Aegisthus, burst forth into these terms.  

Aegisthus' Oration to the Lords of Egypt.  
IT is not unknown (right Honourable Lords of Egypt) not only to us, but to the whole Empire, how the King, seduced by the flattering allurements of a Strumpet, hath not only violated the law of our Gods, in profaning the nuptial Bed, made sacred by the holy law of Matrimony, but also the law of Egypt, which forbiddeth divorce without cause: but sith in a Monarchy the wills of Princes may abide no ch●ck, but their reasons (how soever unreasonable) are the principles that may not be infringed, it resteth only for us to complain, but not to redress: 〈◊〉 aiming more at the weal of our country than our own lives, we set our rest on the hazard and so desperately throw at al. First let us consider that Saladine the mighty soldan of Egypt, puffed up with the Highness of his Majesty, and number of his ●errisories subject to his government, hath been so tyrannous to his commons from his first Coronation, that unless his unmoderate pride and presumption, had been mitigated by the virtuous clemency of his wife, the burden of his cruelty long time since had been intolerable: but now having deposed that peerless Princess, whose virtues made her famous, and us happy, and married a Concubine, whose vanities breeds her envy and our mishap: we are to look for no other event but our particular ill fortune, and the general ruin of the weal public. Then my Lords, lest we should be spotted with the stain of ingratitude, in suffering the Princess injury unrevenged: and lest we should seem to be borne more for ourselves then our Country, let us attempt the restitution of the Queen, and the fatal overthrow of the insolent Concubine, although death and danger were the end of our enterprise: The plot my Lords I have laid by empoisoning her cup at the next supper: but with this provison, that no intent of treachery, shall so much as in thought be pretended to the person of our Sovereign, whom next under the Gods we are bound to love & reverence. This my Lords is my purpose, whereto if you consent, I mean this night to put it in practice: otherwise to crave that my speeches may be buried in silence.  
Aegisthus having ended his Oration, the Lords not only gave their free consent, but also swore to be secret, and to be aiders in his defence, if any injury should be offered for his enterprise: and upon this resolution they departed. Barmenissa (who all this while held herself close in the Covert) having heard their determination, was surprised with such sudden joy, that at last she burst forth into these speeches.  
Now Bermenissa, thou seest that delay in revenge is the best Physic: that the Gods are just and have taken thy quarrel as advocates of thine injury: now shalt thou see wrong over ruled with patience, and the ivyne of thine enemy with the safety of thine own honour▪ time is the discoverer of mishap, and Fortune never ceaseth to stretch her strings till they crack: shame is the end of treachery, and dishonour ever foreruns repentance, Olinda hath soared with ●ca●us, & is like to fall with Phaeton: sooner are bruises caught by reaching too high, then by stooping too low: Fortune g●udgeth not at them which fall, but envy bites them which climbs; now shall the Lords of Egypt by revenging dound to both your contentments: and then she made manifest the pretence of those Noble men.  
Olinda amazed at this sudden news (as base minds are ever fearful) desired the soldan that they might high home, lest some treason in that place were intended: for (quoth she) I know, whatsoever she says, that Barmenissa was the author of this treachery, whose life, how long so ever it be, is the continuance of my sorrows. The soldan whom conscience began now to sting at the very heart, turned his back without farewell, and no sooner came at the Court, but caused the Lords that were favourers of this treason to be apprehended, who willingly confessed their intended determination, with resolution either to die or to perform it. The King, perceiving their obstinacy, committed them to ward: and now to make proof of Olyndas patience, he counterfeated a more deeper affection than ever he did, and for confirmation thereof, he gave her free liberty to make choice of three things without denial whatsoever she would crave: which Olynda taking kindly, desired this grant to be solemnly given before the peers of Egypt: Upon this request the soldan made Proclamation throughout all his Empire, that the Nobility should within fifteen days appear at Memphis, where then he kept his Court with notice also that upon that day the Queen should freely ask three things of the soldan without denial. The commons greatly grudged at this grant, and began to mutiny, that a graceless Concubine should reap such favours without desert. The old Empress, partaker also of this news, willing to forewarn the Princess of ambition, determined with herself to send her certain verses, as a caviar for so wary a choice. Wellleaving her to her Poems: the Nobility and many of the Commons at the dated time came, where in the Parliament house the soldan revealed the cause of their coming: namely, to be witnesses of his grant and her demand▪ Olynda fearing the worst, caused the King solemnly to swear, that he should not revoke whatsoever he had promised. The soldan taking advice, made this solemn prostetation, and swore by the God of the Egyptians, that whatsoever he had promised to the right and lawful Queen of AEgipt, he would perform. Olynda settling herself to utter her mind, was interrupted by a messenger that came from Barmenissa with a scroll. The Shuldan understanding to what effect it tended, caused it openly to be read: the contents whereof were the verses following, over which was written this latin sentence. Tempora mutantur, & nos mutan●or in illis.  

Aspiring thoughts led Phaeton 〈◊〉  
Proud Icarus did fall he soured so high:  
Seek not to climb with fond Semiramis,  
Lest Son revenge the father's injury.  
Take heed, Ambition is a 〈◊〉 ill  
That fortune lays, presumptuous minds to spill.   

The bitter grief that frets the quiet mind,  
The sting that pricks the froward man to woe:  
Is Envy, which in honour seld we find,  
And yet to honour sworn a secret foe.  
Learn this of me, envy not others state,  
The fruits of envy is envy and hate.   

The misty cloud that so eclipseth fame,  
That gets reward a Chaos of despite,  
Is black revenge which ever winneth shame,  
A fury wild that's hatched in the night.  
Beware, seek not revenge against thy foe,  
Lest once revenge thy fortune overgo.   

These blazing Comets do foreshow mishap,  
Let not the flaming lights offend thine eyes:  
Look ere thou leap, prevent an after clap:  
These three forewarned well mayst thou fly.  
If now by choice though aimest at happy health,  
Eschew self-love, choose for the Common Wealth.   
heard his melody & divers landed at Samos that sails not to Corinth, 〈…〉 is not the discovery of affection: neither to the talk of a husband the proof of marriage: but feeling where your own shoe 〈◊〉 ye, you aim at the straightness of my last.  
Ismena hearing her fellows at such dry blows, told them that how 〈◊〉 so ever they made it, their s●ken throats would easily digest such 〈…〉 (quoth she I dare swear the precisest of you both had rather a husband than hear of him, seeing your years are enough and your minds not vowed to Minerva.  
Penelope could not but smile at the choleric prattle of her maids and yet for that the night was far spent & her Nurse in a sound sleep, she took up their controversy, concluding with the opinion of her maid Ismenia, that they had rather follow juno to the Temple then Diana to the Woods: and rather sing with Himenius than weep with Vesta. Well, the maids whose conscience told them their Mistress propheste was truth, agreed to her principles with silence: and Penelope waking her Nurse, mannerly folding by her 〈◊〉 went quietly to her rest.    

The second night's discourse.  
AFter that the day was come, & the Suitors had filled the stately Palace of penelope with their several trains, the Princess put on hermourning attire, which alwa●●s she was accustomed to wear since the absence of Ulysses: showing herself (as Antisthenes commanded) a good wi●e discontent in her husband's absence, that thereby she might both bewray the perfection of her love, and qualify the passionate d●sires of her Suitors: which seeing her daily busy about her Web, and yet her labour (like Belyde● Daughters to power water into bottomless Tubs) endless, could not comprehend within the compass of their imagination▪ what the reason of this should be, seeing so carefully she endeavoured herself to bring her work to an end. Well, resting in hope the time should ease their longing, they spent the day in sundry pleasant pastimes and several discourses, till the Sun declining to the West, they departed.  
Penelope glad of their absence, seeing that Phoebus had lodged himself with Ty●an, and Venus the sweet messenger of the silent night appeared in the Sky, accompanied as before with her Nurse and her maids, she went to her old talk, untwisting that in the night, which before she had with great labour wrought in the day. Sitting thus busily at their work, the old Nurse (who by the last night's prattle had found the length of Penelopes●oote ●oote) began to waken them out of their dumps in this manner. I marvel, when I consider with myself that the Romans' who covetto surpass the Grecians in all honourable & virtuous actions, did not see into their own follies, when they erect temples unto Flo●a, as a Goddess worthy of divine Sacrifice, appointing in honour of her funeral day certain lascivious sports and pastimes, called after her name Floralia, she being a most vile and infamous Courtizane, and discrediting the state of their Common wealth with her incontinency: & yet grudge to erect an Image in the memory of Lucrece, that with her inviolable chastity, not only honoured the Roman virtue, but freed y●●ittie from the burden of a Tyrant. The reason as I guess (quoth Penelope) is for that the nature of man is so corrupt & addicted too vice, that what vanity presents, they still (be if never so had) keep it as an object to their eyes: but what is veriously performed they commit to oblivions charge to reward. In deed (quoth Is●enia) now I perceive that my doubt is absolved, which long hath held me in suspense: for long have I mused why only in all the whole world Diana hath a Temple in Ephesus, and Venus is commonly honoured as the household God ●ar, that hath a corner in every man's kitchen: for in Paphos, Cypress, Athens, Samos, Rome, and infinite other Cities, her Temples stand in the streets, discovering the erecters devotions by the costly and sumptuous buildings. And yet (quoth Eubula) the Vestals in Rome, who were dedicated to virginity, bare Palm above the rest: for the Senators appareled in their Robes of Majesty, never met any of them in the street but they gave them credit then voluptuousness, so nothing getteth more honour & glory then chastity. The consideration whereof, moved julius Caesar rather to suffer a divorce, than an incontinent wife, wishing if Gracchus had lived in his days, that he might have made an exchange of the empress for his chaste wife Cornelia so highly did that Monarch esteem of that virtue Chastity saith Epictetus is the very fair and redolent blossoms that the tree of true and perfect love doth afford, yielding so sweet and fragrant a ●●uour that the most vicious and unbridled ●us● and 〈…〉 by the smell of such a divine perfume. Euripedes entering into the consideration of this virtue, crieth out, as wondering at the excellency thereof. O how is chastity to be esteemed, that is the cause of such great glory and honour amongst woman: for it showeth the fear she oweth to the Gods, the love she beareth to her husband, the care she hath of same, the small desire to inordinate affections, and maketh her a woman, a very pattern of supernatural perfection. Hipsicratea being demanded what was her richest jewel, answered chastity, alluding to the opinion of Crates the Philosopher, who was wont to say: this 〈◊〉 ornament that adorneth, & that thing adorneth a woman which maketh her more honourable: and this is not done by jewels of Gold, Emeralds, Precious stones or sumptuous attire, but by every thing that causeth her to be accounted honest, wise, humble and chaste. The Emperor Aurelius made certain laws to inhibit superfluity of attire, affirming y● such y● curiously paint out themselves with 〈…〉, sweet perfumes, and strange ornaments of pomp 〈…〉 nobility of birth urge them to such bravery) make men most dissolute and subject to folly: especially if such sumptuous shows be aided with a rolling eye and unchaste look whereas a wise woman through her honest behaviour and modest countenance, lead as many as cast their eyes upon her, to a continent reverence of Chastity. Socrates was wont to say, that when a married wife holdeth her looking glass in her hand, she should speak thus to herself, if she be foul: what then should become of me if I should be also wicked? & if she be fair: how shall my beauty be accounted of, if I continue wise and honest? for a hard favoured woman that is renowned for her chastity, is more honourable than she which is famous for her beauty: The records that speak honourably of the Roman Ladies, tell us that the wife of a poor Smith meeting the Empress Faustina, took the wall of her in the streets, whereat the Empress grudging, complained to the Senate, who sending for the poor woman, & demanding of her if she committed the deed? she denied it not, and therefore her husband was condemned in a certain sum▪ upon which sentence the woman appealed from the Senate to the Emperor, who asked what she could say for herself? As muchquoth she, as (if thou be just and wise) may suffice. For although I am not so honourable as thy wife, yet I am more honest, and the Citizens of Rome ought to esteem virtue before dignity: the Emperor upon this discharged the woman of the sentence Alexander the great having at the conquest of Babylon taken a very well favoured Egyptian Lady, a widow whom for her beauty he did greatly affectionate, at night commanded one of his Captains to bring her to his Tent, which she boldly refused, willing him to say to the King, that captivity was no privilege to infringe chastily, and if he went about to dishonour her, she would pervert such violence by death: this answer returned ●o Alexander; he not only moderated his desire, but sent her his Signet, as a warrant of her safety▪ Portia the wife of Brutus, was told by one of her servants, that certain Embassadore of Samos were come, which were passing beautiful and well proportioned men: hold thy 〈◊〉 fool quoth she, wouldst thou have ince prepare a poison for mine honour by the means of mine eye? Cyrus' King of Pe●s●a making wars against the Sythians, had for his Prize of the triumph a very fair woman called Panther, who being the wife of Ab●adatas his enemy, being desired of Cirus for his concubine, she told him that she was chaste, the king little respecting this short answer, demanded a further resolution, why quoth Panther? can there be any other answer, that is not comprehended in this word, chastity? hereby noting that the Antidote against, the envenomed thoughts of men's alluring enticements, and the surest corrosive to root out such unbridled desir●● 〈◊〉 draw them to inordinate affection is this precious jewel of chastity, the which the more to confirm, I will rehearse unto you ● pleasant History, which happened not long since within our dominions of Ithaca.   

Penelope's second tale.  
IN this Country of Ithaca not long sin●e, there dwelled a Nobleman called Calamus, of parentage honourable, as allied to the blood Royal: of possessions rich, as one of the greatest revenues in all the Country: but therewithal so wedded to the vain suppose of pleasure and delight, that his friends sorrowed at the course of his unbridled follies, & his poor tenants groaned not under the burd●n of his covetous desires, but were taxed with the grief of his voluptuous appetite, for such was the incontinency of his life, as s●ciety of wanton aff●ctions never glutted his mind with content: But as the Serpent Hida●pis, the more he drinketh the more he is ● thirst, & as the Salamander, th● more he lieth in the fire, ●●e more desirous he is of the flame, so Calamus, the more he offended in this intemperate concupiscence, the more his thoughts were addicted to the vice, so as all his neighbours did wish he might fall headlong into the Centre of some deep misfortune. Wallowing thus in the sel● conceit of his wickedness, on a day as he road on hunting with certain of his gentlemen, he stumbled by chawnce at a ●armers house, whether as he road to taste a cup of their small wine, for that the well her was hot, where he espied a woman homely attired, of modest countenance, her face imported both love and grau●ty, who seeing t●e Noble man approach, dying her crystal cheeks with a vermilion ●ue, after humble salutations brought him in a country cruse such drink as their cottage did afford. Calamus narrowly marking the proportion of this country housewife, courteously took his leave & departed, but the sparks of lust that had kindled a flame of desire in his fancy, perplexed his mind with sundry passions: For calling to mind not only her exterior be aviy, adorned with sundry and several graces, but also her inward perfection, bewraing that she was both wise and honest, he ●ell into this consideration with himself: For shame (Calamus) let not thy thoughts w●nder in a labyrinth to be endless: Seeing the flower of thy youth hath 〈◊〉 spent in vice, let the fruit of thine age only 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 if the Gods had not the firstlings of thy years, yet let them have thy grey head in pawn of a Sacrifice: time is 〈…〉 from vanity and vice: thy foot is stepping to the grave, & opportunity ●ids thee take hold of repentance. Venus is printed without wrinc●●os, as signifying she is the Goddess of youth what of this, ●ond ●oole, suppose thou wert young, shalt thou therefore 〈…〉: Do not the Gods forbid thee to crave y● y● i● another man's due: Are not volupivous 〈◊〉 to be suppressed as well in the young 〈◊〉 as in the old tree: Is thy malloy so fickle as 〈◊〉 must be viewed with affection: 〈◊〉 man, think this th●● the poor man maketh as great account of his wife, as the greatest Monarch in the world both of an Empress: that honesty harbours assoon in a cottage, as in the Court● that their minds oppressed with want, are freed from the 〈◊〉 of love▪ Then Cala●us, cease from these trinolus 〈◊〉, and seek no● so much as in thought to offer wrong to so modest a woman, whose honest behaviour foreshews that she is poor, so she is chaste, and holdeth as dear the price of her same as the state of her life. No doubt Calamus, thou art become a holy Prelate, that hast so many precepts to re●ell that thou hast always followed: Is not love a Lord as well amongst Beggars as Kings▪ Cannot Cupid assoon hit a shepherds hook as a Sceptre: Doth not poverty by natural insight yield to the desires of Nobility: Are women's faces always Calendars of truth: or are their ●ookes (as Ovid affirmeth) evermindglasses: No, the thoughts of women hang not always in their eyes: dissimulation is sister to Ia●us, and wanton appetite oft jetteth under the Ma●ke of Chastity: Hast thou he thereto not been rep●lied with any resolute denials, and shalt thou now be overthrown with alooke? No, forward Calamus in thy purpose, triumph man and say as Caesar did in his Conquests, veni, vidi, vici: The Nobleman resting upon this wicked resolution, hearing of her husband's mishap, powered out such continual fountains of tears, ●s not only Cala●us, but all men took pity of her plaints. Bu● the unbridled 〈◊〉 of lust, that 〈◊〉 it runs headlong into a labyrinth of mischiefs feeleth no remorse, had no consideration of her daily sorrows, but resolved i● not by entreaty, a● least by force to come to the end of his 〈◊〉 desire. Which resolution being known to Cratina: from prayers she went to policy, and therefore on the sudden became more courteous, desiring Calamus that he would give her some space to forget her old love and entertain a new choice: He whose fancy was some what appeased with this good speech, granted her the term of a month▪ with free liberty to walk in the garden and else where at her pleasure. Cratina enjoying her wish so fortunately, taking time by the 〈◊〉, early in a morning stole secretly from the Palace and fled into the Country, where in the day time hiding her amongst bushes, and in the night traveling as fast as she could, at last she came to the place where her husband was with the Collyeriand there changing her apparel into the attire of a man, and her head bravely shorn, she became a handsome stripling▪ The next day coming to the Coalpits she demanded service. The Master colyer seeing the youth well faced, had pity of his want, and entertained him: and for that Lestio his man wanted one to drive his Cart, he appointed Cratina to attend upon him: She thanking the Gods that blessed her with so favourable a service, was brought to the sight of Lestio and committed to his charge. Lestio pitying the poor estate of such a young youth, noting narrowly the lynamentes of her face, fell into sighs, and from sighs to fears, for the remembrance of his sweet Cratina: who indeed pitying her husband's plaints, in that she was a true de●iner of his thoughts, could not (as women's secrets oft hang at the tip of their t●ngs) but bewray to her husband what she was: who when he perfectly knew his wife so strangely metamorphosed, what for joy of her presence, and sorrow that Fortune had made them both thus unhappy, he fell into deeper complaints, till appeased by his wife, they went merrily to their work.  
But Calamus missing Cratina, and after diligent search perceiving she was stole away, fell into such a melancholic humour, that his servants thought him half in a frenzy: He commanded horse to be made out into every high way, all passages to be stopped, every woman to be examined, but in vain: which so increased his fury, that taking his horse he road up and down the Country as one halfmad, but found not that which he sought for: at last Fortune envying the happiness of Lestio and his wife, brought him where the Collier's were at work, and a pretty space before he came at the pit he met Cratyna: who seeing Cala●us, although he had disguised himself, because he would ride unknown, yet perfectly perceived what he was, and therefore would willingly have been out of his company: but he called unto her, and she having her leather coat all dusty, & her sweet face all he smeared with coals, was the bolder to go, and demanded of him what he wanted? Calamus inquired if such a woman passed not the way: Yes mary (quoth Cratyna) there past such a one in deed, who as she reported fled from Cala●us, for that the Noble man would have rest her of her chastity. Canst thou tell my friend (quoth he) whether is she gone? & if I could (quoth Cratyna) think 〈◊〉 so little courtesy in me as to bewray her: for by thy strait inquiry I perceive thou art servant to that dishonourable 〈◊〉, that spareth neither wife nor widow to satisfy his vnbr●led lust. Calamus not brooking these hard speeches alighted from his horse, thinking to have ●oel bū●asled the boy: who as fault as he could fled to the Coal-pit. The Collier's seeing their boy (whom for his good behaviour they all generally loved) to be misused by a servingman, took their whips in their hands and demanded of Calamus what he meant to offer violence to any of their company: for y● (quoth he) the boy hath greatly abused me. Crauna told them at the whole matter: which known, the Collier's wished him if he were well to be packing, Calamus seeing amongst such an unruly company he could not mend himself, went his way with a flea in his ear: and as he road, perceived where Lestio lay a sleep, who was not so disguised but he knew him perfectly therefore thinking when he did wake to learn some thing out of him, & so turning his horse into a Close hard by, rested himself behind a bush: Long he had not sitten before Cra●ina came merrily whistling with her Cart, & told her husband all what had happened, who both smiled that the Noble man had such rough entertainment, as also that she was so clean out of favour. Calamus who overheard them, and perceived that the youth whom he took for a stripling was Cratyna the poor man's wife, felt such a remorse in his conscience for offering violence to so virtuous and chaste a mind, that assoon as they were gene he posted as fast as he could to the Court, where Menon the Grandfather of my Lord Ulysses then reigned as Prince, and revealed unto him the whole matter: who greatly pleased with the discourse, desirous to see so honest a wife, presently dispatched a pursuivant to command the Collier to bring his man Lestio and his boy before the King. The Pursuivant sparing no horseflesh, came so fast from the Court that he found them all at dinner: who after they heard his message, were amazed, especially poor Cratina, who feared some new misfortune: yet cheering herself, the better to comfort her husband, they went with the Pursuivant to the Court: where being brought before Menon and Calamus, he there complained of the Collier how he had abused him in maintaining his boy to give him ill●anguage. The Collier (as a man amazed) confessed his fault, but unwittingly, for that he knew him not: and therefore desired Calamus to be his good Lord and master. Menon, who all this while had his eye on Cratina, askew her what he was: May it please your grace (quoth she) I 〈…〉 to this man who is owner of the pit, but under this other who is overseer of my work: So then (quoth the King) you 〈◊〉 two maisiers, the one by day, the other by night: Nay my 〈…〉 but one master, for we make small account of any service that is ●●ne in the night. How say you 〈◊〉 (quot● the ●ing to 〈◊〉) is not this boy your man: No my Lord (quoth he) only my 〈◊〉, and th●t is all the service I crave at 〈◊〉. At this answer the King and Calamus smiled, and 〈◊〉 fearing she was discovered began to blush: which Menon 〈◊〉, demanded of her of what age she was? About eighteen my 〈◊〉 (quoth the) Menon willing to try then what the event would be: told the Collyar that he and his man, for that their faults were shorow ignorance, might get them home: but for your boy (quoth the King) seeing he is so young and well saced I mean to ●alie him my page. The Collyar was glad he was so dispatched, but poor Lestio through abundance of grief was almost driven into anextasie, so that changing colour he could scarce stand on his legs: which Cratina perceiving, seeing now Fortune had done her worst, resolved to suffer all miseries whatsoever, f●ll down upon her knees, and unfolded to the King what she was, and from point to point discoursed what had happened between her and Calamus, intermeddling her speeches with such a fountain of fears, as the king pitying her plaints, willed her to be of good cheer: for none in all his kingdom should offer her any violence. Calamus in the behalf of Cratina thanked the King, with promise before his Highness that the virtuous and chaste disposition of her mind had made such a met amorphosis of his former thoughts, that not only he was content to bridle his affections, but to endow her with such sufficient lands and possessions, as might very well maintain her in the state of a gentlewoman. The King praising Calamus for his good mind, willing to be an actor in this Comedy, commanded his Steward to furnish them with apparel, and afterward to convey them to Calamus Palace, where they lived long after in presperous and happy estate.  
The tale was long and the night was too far spent to run any further descant onso good a plain song, and therefore Penelope having finished her task went to her lodging.   

The third night's discourse.  
THe day no sooner appeared, but according to their old custom, the Noble men of 〈◊〉 repaired to the Palace of Penelope, who feigning herself▪ not well, kept her Camber, which her son▪ 〈◊〉 ●spying, carried the Lords with him of certain women washing of their clothes, where they talked of a certain place in the town that was weak and worst defended. Many inconveniences grow of the intemperancy of the tongue, as dissension and strife in a house, whereas chose nothing more appeaseth choler nor showeth modesty then silence. To confirm the which, I will rehearse a pleasant and delightful History.   

Penelope's third tale.  
THe Historiographers whose Annual Records makes mention of that ancient City of Delphos, where Apollo delivered his Oracles, sets down as Chronicled for truth, that sometime there reigned as chief and Governor of the City, one Ariamenes, a Prince, wise, as seated in a place where the meanest inhabitant was able to discourse of wisdom: rich, as endued with such and so large possessions that all his bordering neighbours were inferior to him in wealth and revenues: and fortunate, for that he had three Sons: honourable, as descended from such parentage, and virtuous, as savouring of their father's prudent education. Ariamenes blest thus every way with earthly favours, seeing his grey hairs were summons unto death, and that old age the true limiter of time, presented unto him the figure of his mortality, that he was come from the cradle to the Crouch, and from the Crouch had one leg in the grave: knowing that the kingdom of Delphos was not a Monarchy that fell by inheritance, but that be might as well appoint his youngest son successor as his eldest, being affected to them all alike: was perplexed with contrary passions, to which of the three he should bequeath such a Royal Leagacy, sith by such an equal proportion Fortune had enriched them with favours. Nature, who is little partial in such peculiar judgements, was by the several thoughts that troubled Ariamenes head, almost set at an non plus; insomuch that the old King driven into a dilemma, fell into this consideration.  
That all his sons were married to women descended from honourable parents, and that sith his Sons were so equal in their virtues, he was to measure his affection by the conditions of their wives: for he knew that kings in their government proved oft such justiciaries as the good or ill disposition of their wives did afford: for the greatest monarchs have been subject to the plausible persuasions of women, and Princes thoughts are oft tied to the wings of beauty. The Emperor Commodus had never been so hated in Rome for this tyrannies, had he not been pricked forward to such wickedness by his wife. Ma●cus Aure●us the true & perfect precedent of a Prince, confessed, that hardly he could with stand the allurements of Faustina. The envy of a woman hangs in the brow of her husband, and for the revenge of an enemy the passeth not for the loss of a friend. These things considered, Ariamenes was thus resolved for himself, to bestow the kingdom on that son whose wife was found to be most virtuous Therefore after this determined resolution he presently dispatched messengers to his sons in their several Provinces, that they particularly accompanied with their wives should meet him at Delphos, with general command also that his Nobility should make hasty repair to that City. The King's command being put in execution, his sons to signify their dutiful obedience, sped them to the Court, where being come before their father, Ariamenes after he had sit a while in a muse with himself, fell into these speeches.  
Nature (Sons) the perfect mistress of affection tieth the father to his children with such a strict league, that love admieteth no partiality, nor fancy brooketh any difference, but a ●ust proportion of good will is ministered if the parties have 〈◊〉 in their virtues. Maicus Po●●i● Cato who was a father 〈…〉 children, was wont to say, that the love of a father as it was Royal, so it ought to be impartial, neither declining to y● 〈◊〉 nor to that other, but as 〈◊〉 do merit. 〈…〉 who ha● sixteen children of his own body, at his de●th made equal distribution both of goods & lands alike to them 〈◊〉 being demanded why he did not give his eldest Son the greater portion, made this answer. And is not the youngest also the son eat. To avorde which, supposition, you refer his Highness to the general fame of the Country, that above the rest you exceed in obedience and chastity: Take heed Sister, fame hath two faces, and in that resembleth time, ready as well to backbite as to flatter: therefore they which build their virtue upon report, do allege but a bad proof. But leaving your reasons to his highness consideration, thus for myself. I set not my good name at so small a price, as to hazard it upon the chance of the tongue, that of all other members is most uncertain: although I am sure my bordering neighbours of esteem of my doings, as they take my virtues for a precedent of their actions: but I hope your Highness doth consider that such tree such fruit, that the lively portraiture of the parents is as in a Crystal manifested in the children: that nature is the best touchstone of life: that education and nurture are as good as the Chrisocol to discern Minerals: so they of manners. Then right mighty Prince, I first for proof of my virtuous disposition lay down the honourable & happy life of my Parents so well ordered, that ●ame and envy blusheth to stain them with any spot of infamy: what care they had to bring me up in my youth, with what instructions they passed over my tender years, I refer to your Majesty, as by willing your second son to match in so mean a family: since the rites of marriage were celebrated my husband's disposition shall manifest. The eldest Sister hearing how cunningly & yet crookedly this pretty Oratresse aimed at the matter, could not suffer to hear so long a tale without reply, and therefore went thus roundly to the purpose.  
Sister ill might Phillis have blamed Dido for her folly sith she herself entertained straggling Demophon for a friend: The Cynics that inveighed against other men's faults were seldom culpable in the same crime: they which will have their censures peremptory, must not build their reasons on uncertain principles therefore wipe your nose on your own sleeve, and if you spy where my shoe wrings me, look to the length of your own last: for in objecting self-love to me you fall a sleep in the sweet conceit of your own praise: which indeed wisely you frame to hazard on the chance of fame, sith your deserts are so small as report is blind on the side which looks to your virtues: the force of your reasons drawn from the authority of propagation, alleging nature and nurture for proofs of your virtues, are too light to counterpoise with a Crown: for we oft see that Nature's only error is found in the dissimilitude of lineage: so that the tree bringing forth fair blossoms, yet the blomes may either he nipped in the bud with untimely weather, or hindered with caterpillars, that it never prove good & perfect fruit. The Cedar tree is fair of itself, but the fruit either none or very bad: 'tis no opinion to say a good father a good child, in that time oft maketh an alteration of Nature. But your husband was commanded to have pleaded your interest: mary I fear his conscience tells him the Crown hangs too buy for his reach, sith he must be fain to attain to it by your virtues.  
The youngest Sister hearing how unreverently they brabled before the King, began to blush: which Ariamenes espying, noting in her face the very portraiture of virtue, demanded of her why hearing her sisters so hard by the ears for a Crown she said nothing? her answer was thus brief and pithy. He that gaineth a Crown getteth care, is it not folly then to hunt after loss? The King looking for a longer discourse, and seeing contrary to his expectation that she was only short and sweet, prosecuted still inquestioning, and demanded what virtues she had that might deserve so royal a benefit? This quoth she, that wh●● others talk, yet being a woman I can hold my peace. Ariamenes and all the Nobility of Delphos wondered at the modesty of the young Lady, that contrary to her natural disposition could so well bridle her affections. Therefore dehating the matter betwixt them which of the three were most virtuous: although they found by proof that the other Ladies were both obedient and chaste: yet for that they wanted silence, which (said Ariamenes) comprehended in it all other virtues, they missed of the cushion, and the King created his youngest Son heir apparent to the Kingdom.  
PEnelope having ended her tale, the old Nurse greatly commended the discourse, and b●cause she would be pleasant at the parting blow, knowing that Isme●a was a quick wench of her tongue, told her that this tale was a good precedent for her to direct her course, seeing silence was so profitable. Tush quoth Ismena, fear not you Madam: for when I have such a proffer as a Crown, I will gaze so fast at that, that I will forget my prattle▪ but in saith my lips are too course for such Lettuce, and so high hangs the Grapes that the Fox will eat none. Well Madam, I know your meaning, but for all t●e crack my penny may be good silver, sith silence is a virtue amongst women: but yet I see no reason of necessity, seeing nature hath been so niggardly in that ●auour. It may seem quoth the Nurse, that she hath been rather too prodigal, for thy tongue wants no metal. As thus they were about to part with these merry quips, a messenger came hastily rushing in, who told Penelope that Ulysses, was arrived that night within the port of Ithaca: This word so amazed them all with sudden joy, that lea●ing the endless Web, Penelope●●lled ●●lled for her Son, and that night sent him in post to the Sea: where what news he heard of his father I know not. But thus abruptly this night was the discourse broken off: but for that fell out after his home coming, I refer you to the Paraphrase, which shortly shall be set out upon Homer's Odissea: till when let us leave Penelope attending the return either of her Husband, or Son, or of both.  
FINIS.