The first part of the nature of a Woman. Fitly described in a Florentine History Composed by C. M.  
LONDON Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shop at the little North door of Paul's. 1596   

To my very good friend Master T. A. Gentleman of the middle Temple.  
SIR, the Author of this Book, willing to shroud his unperfect work, under the covert of some such well minded Gentleman, that might defend it from the greedy gripe of such bolde-faced bussards, as commonly use to prey upon the works of young wits: and of himself altogether unprovided for that purpose, hath entreated me to make some means for his help herein: at whose instant request, I have presumed to commit to yourself, this unperfect work: which, please it you but to accept, in part of payment, for that debt of duty, wherein I stand bound unto you: it shall encourage me when his idle hours shall better furnish some more substantial subject, to pleasure you with that: who now am bold to presume upon your patience with this. I cease: being, I am that I am, and while llive, will live, to love you.  
Yours in all love, C. K.   

The life and death of the old Duke The first Chapter.  
BEfore the many spacious parts of the wide Roman Empire, had subjecteth themselves to the government of one principal head, there lived in those parts of Italy which now men call Florence, a Duke named Radulpho, one whom nature had beautified in every external part of the body, and wisdom adorned with all internal gifts of the mind, who from the first spring of his happy birth, to the ripe years of his hopeful age, so effectually prospered, as that he lived no less renowned for his worthy achievements abroad, then admired for his wise government at home, being generally for them both accounted the principal Peer that then that part of the world did afford: So that as from the heart the beginning of life proceedeth vigore to every several organ of the body: so from him as the fountain of matchless honour, daily issued such Crystal streams of magnanimous behaviour towards his foes, and courteous humanity to his friends, as made him the wonder of that world, being then but newly reduced from the barbarous behaviour of the savage Satyrs, to the civil government of obedient subjects. This blessed prince in the prime of his prosperous years, chose to wife a Lady of his own Country called Dorabella, a woman as virtuous as beauteous, and as plenteously replenished with commendable behaviour, as gloriously adorned with matchless feature, so that it might be judged how gods and nature had in these two only exceeded themselves, in affording none, whose love might countervail the matchless lineaments of that more than earthly creature, he only excepted, nor any beauty of such power as to conquer his maiden affections, if she to that purpose had not especially been selected. Many sunshine days full of blessings over their heads, and every year seemed to exceed another, in heaping still renewing pleasures into their plentiful laps, walling them round about with impregnable felicity, that they might proudly oppose themselves against the hardest brunts of Fortune's extremity. Amongst all which favours one especially, not the least, though almost the last, was this, that at one birth, this worthy duchess brought into the world two male twins, the right patrons of their royal parents, whose coming was not a little welcome to the secure inhabitants of that very well governed Dukedom. In that heavens, and their happy stars had so effectually answered their longing hopes, in the issue of those loving princes. These joyful parents carefully foreseeing, that their forward children might answer their toward growth in commendable qualities, fitting such royal pesonages, thought it most convenient, when the stealing hours of ever running time had made them able to conceive the principals of learning and knowledge, to provide for them such men of skill, as well in good letters, as arts and sciences, as also fit directors as might tutor their tender years, in the timely practice of such worthy exercises, as are best in esteem with men of so high estate: which done, they spent the process of their pleasant days, favoured of gods, and beloved of men, blessing that golden age wherein they lived, for that no former days had felt so favourale aspects of smiling heavens, to eternish their memory through all succeeding posterities, until the date of their smiling days 'gan to grow out, and the forerunners of ensuing death, 'gins to admonish them of the speedy end of their so pleasant life, Whenas now the old king, spending those pleasant hours in melancholy contemplation, as best fitting the humour of grey heads which he was wont to overpass in delightsome contentation, fitly agreeing with the unripened thoughts of young wits, calls to his drooping mind the fickle estate of this worldly felicity, of which men persuade themselves there is no certainty, but this that is uncertain, soon sprouting like a summer's flower, after the spring dew of a pleasant morning, proudly spreading the sweet leaves, to the warm beams of the comfortable Sun, and when the heat of one day is overworn, faintly decays, and blots the former show as though it had never been borne: alluding his former life to the pleasant travail of a wayfaring man, that having overpassed a great deal of the day wandering in a pleasant dale, at last must work up his way to the high top of a weary hill, from whose height he may again look at the overcome pleasures of his forenoon's journey. And thus sighing to himself often recites in his aged memory, the pleasant days of his youthful jollity: the very thought whereof had been sufficient to have drowned himself in a gulf of sorrow, had not his lively picture perfectly portrayed in the youthful behaviour of his young sons persuaded him, that part of his soul was divided into their bodies. And thus feeding his old conceit with the hope of his forward children, he so pleasantly spent the painful days of his unpleasant age in the very remembrance of his succeeding heirs, as though himself had shaken off the silver cognisance of unwieldy age, and felt again the warm springing blood of adventurous youth, till after the revolution of many years, as every beginning of necessity hath his end, every day by course his night, and every spring by kind his fall of leaf, so attendant upon his life was the all ending time of too timely death, whose approach prefigured by many infallible tokens, makes him wisely and warily provide against his uncertain coming, lest at unawares he might be suddenly taken in his secure living.  
And as the first and greatest care that troubled his weary mind, he calls before him his two sons, the pillars that were after to support the heavy burden of the good government of that common wealth, which yet lay upon his own shoulders: who coming to the bed side where their father lay, performing such duty as naturally belongeth to parents from the children: and sorrowful to behold their old father labouring so earnestly with the weary assaults of never tired death, swelling sorrow plentifully flows out at the crystal condites of their star like eyes in pearl-like drops of briny salt tears. Which when their old sire beheld, giving charge to some of his attendants there by to set him up in his bed, for by this had the bloody conflicts of all devoring death almost drunk up all the moisture of his sometimes well moistened members, and using some persuasions to his grieving sons to desist from their weeping, he thus begins to dispose of his earthly riches. Since (quoth he) the common course of continual years in the flourishing and fading fruits of our mother Earth daily decipher to our therefore grieving thoughts the unconstant state of our here abode may sufficiently persuade and induce you to conceive the occasion that hath brought me your old father to be a weak soldier as here you see in the lists of death, who have past the spring of my growth, the summer of my flourishing, the Autumn of my fading must now like a dried leaf fall in the comfortless bosom of cold kill winter, at whose end you must begin, whose death must be your life, and whose fall the step wherein you must tread to arise: then take truce a while with the unbridled course of nature, and learn with patience to lose that which care can not keep, your many tears may occasion some hurt to you, but were they more than they are, they could not all help me, when this conquering captain, under whose cruel hand lieth vanquished your sometimes vanquishing father, proudly triumphed in the triple victory of your worthy grandsire, to whom myself was sole heir, he, though rich, yet left me poor, and though I succeeded in the possession of much wealth, yet was I than but slenderly stored with wisdom, so that what he had carefully got I at the first as carelessly spent, till the experience of some few years, though it were somewhat long, yet was it not too late, enriched me with the one, as he had stored me with the other: both which I leave more amply to you then I did plentifully receive them of him. Then taking in hand his crown, this heaven, quoth he, which I like Atlas have long supported, must I now lay upon your shoulders, and on you two disloade this heavy burden which hath so long been only borne by me. Break it I may not in twain, whose golden circle closeth so many in one, containing the welfare of as many people within this ring, as the Atlantike sea compasses in her greedy arms. Division brings forth discord, discord confusion, confusion desolation which woeful end to prevent by a good beginning, I have thus contrived: Twins you are both, and therefore in birth equal. Thou (quoth he) Perseus to his eldest son art a scholar richly adorned with the great gift of godlike learning, and therefore mightest challenge a prerogative above thy brother: but that Theseus speaking then to his youngest son, hath as far exceeded thee in the practice of a soldier, as thou him in the profession of a scholar: so that being joined together, you would make one perfect man, but severed, are two maimed members. It is reported of the Pelican, that with her own blood she revived her dead young, and so I though wanting blood to recall you from the dead pleasures of young secure delights, yet shall my latest breath counsel you to the careful desire of virtuous deeds. The Raven so long as she is able to provide meat for her young, will never let them fly from her sight, and so fares it with me, willing still to enjoy your desired companies as long as I might: but sith I am now too weak to swim against so great a currant as is this sea of death, that drowneth in eternal oblivion whatsoever the world hath brought forth since her first creation, I must here urged of necessity leave that which willingly I would prolong. And therefore in a word I bequeath to you this crown and kingdom, which your forefathers for many years have royally upholden, be as one soul in two bodies, two men, but one mind, two hands governed by one head. Let thy wit direct his weapon, and his weapon defend thy wit. There is a root in Libya that beareth two bulks, which as long as they cleave together prosperously flourish, but being severed they soon fade. Great streams that forcibly break forth of the bowels of mighty mountains, keeping their course together within compass of two banks, forcibly prevail against all oppositions, but being separated, their force decreases, and themselves in the end decay. There are two friendly fishes always keeping company together, opposing themselves against the mightiest monsters that the sea affords, but when by any sinister occasion they are separated, then are they easily overcome by smaller creatures than themselves. Be not proud lest you be hated, nor too humble, for than will you be despised: hear the complaints of the poor, and then shall you be beloved, and punish the misdeeds of the wicked, and so shall you be feared. Surfeit not with drinking much wine, for that will breed folly, nor accompany with many women, for thence comes all iniquity. Use your sports in measure, and defer not your weighty affairs for the love of vain pleasure. Do justice with all sincerity, and let not your punishment taste too much of severity. Take heed of the cry of Orphans, for that ascends to heaven, and procureth speedy vengeance: and incur not the curse of widows, for that ways down to hell, from whence there is no redemption. Well could I wish that my now decaying breath were not so sore urged by impartial death, to leave this concave castle of my panting breast, that I might more enrich you with that good, whereof you shall have far more need than of much gold: but what heaven provides, cannot by us be prevented, and therefore must I leave you to your fortunes, which prove as prosperously as your father wisheth it hearty. And so kissing both his sons, and making some signs still of more matter, when his weak tongue had denied any more to perform his office, and shortly after turning his face to the wall, ended his days.   

The mutual succession of his sons in his Dukedom. The second Chapter.  
AFter whose death, his sons carefully provides to order all things in the best order for the adorning of their father's funeral. All which done, the funeral rites solemnized, and every thing fully brought to end, all which after, they, according to the solemn custom of their civil country, sumptuously had performed, they took order for their coronation, which was also in every part effectually discharged, as they had orderly devised, so that now it rested for them jointly to go forward in the peaceable government of that quiet common wealth, which their deceased father had left unto their careful furtherance. Long time did they mutually agree, and with brotherly love increaseed, by their more and common accord, aswell the obedient duty of their home-born subjects, as the admirable love of foreign strangers. Their lives were delightful objects to every eye, and sweet subjects to the talk of every tongue, no Country, but imitated to live by them, nor any people were they never so far distant, that longed not to see them. But as none are more subject to great falls▪ then they which travel upon high hills, no tree so soon smitten with the thunderclap as jupiters' Oak, no, nor any Pine sooner moved, than they that grow on the mountains: so is there no state likelier to be trod down with the adverse chance of cruel confusion, then that which standeth above all, if it be not the better supported with the strong props of prudent advice.   

The marriage of the young Princes, and the birth of their children, and the accidents that followed betwixt their wives and children. The third Chapter.  
Soon after these two young Princes were thoroughly seated in the stable throne of their dead father, matched themselves in marriage with wives fitting their Majesties, with whom also they long and very lovingly lived, and in time their fortunes sorted to such effect, as that Perseus his wife, whose name was Emelia, brought forth a goodly son which they named Adrian. And not long after fortune blessed Theseus the other brother with the like good luck, that Livia (for so was his wife called) bore to him a fair daughter, naming her Berea, of whose birth as much joy was hoped, as by the blessed reign of their fathers and forefathers, happiness of that land had been received. But as often it falls out in the fairest days, that they are soon foiled with the close vail of many clustering clouds: the forwardest spring either burned with the extremity of great heat, or drowned with the abundance of much wet: so fared it with the hie puffed up glory of these peerless princes. For they thus prodigally rifling in the treasure of earthly felicity, were soon bankrupts of their so pleasant prosperity. The envious pride of these two queens (a thing as proper belonging to women as death to men) could not content themselves to divide the even glory of that equal kingdom, but either of them climbed for superiority, sought to cut the golden thread of their husband's unity, which when their weak womanish devices could by no means effect, but that still their ambitious attempts were politicly prevented. Livia sorting a fit time when she might take Theseus her husband at the best advantage, finding him one time solitarily walking in a pleasant garden under a high overspread vault of top-spreading vines, 'gins thus to unfold the pestered rancour of her malicious swelling heart.  
Husband (quoth she) seest thou not how envious fates, and our hard bending stars, hath unluckily crossed the springing hopes of our aire-mounting thoughts in the succession of this kingdom, of which, for our offspring is a female, and theirs a male, of necessity they must succeed, and our name and lineal descent lie buried in the misty forge of slavish obscurity. Then since there is no hope of equality in our succession, lift up thy Eagle-mounting thoughts, and challenge some superiority in this present possession, equal thy brother in blessing, since ye are equal in birth, and enjoy that thyself whilst thou livest, that thy child shall lose when thou art dead. Me thinks it were but right to thee, & just in the brother, to yield that now to thee, which he shall afterward enjoy in another. Means hast thou many to effect this thing, time and thy state offer fit occasion, and reason may lead thee to consider the equity of this cause by my former persuasion. Thee hath fortune richly blessed with the manlike like knowledge of martial affairs, and to thy custody is committed the tuition of as many men, as were able to overrun the wide face of the spacious world, if but thou wouldst but join thy exceeding wil Then being fenced with such a force, if induced thereunto with forcible arguments of persuading truth, he would not consent, thou mayst forcibly assail his with conquering arms, which he can no ways prevent.  
And thus breaking off her persuasive oration, she silently attends to hear her husband's answer: when the good king not a little grieved to hear the bad disposition of his wife, thus painted forth by her envious tongue, 'gins to persuade her from those traitorous thoughts (as then he called them) which stirred her up to this inhuman rebellion.  
Ah (quoth he) Livia, hatred is a thing hated of God above all sin, a fault betwixt two enemies, a sin betwixt two friends, but betwixt two brethren more than most wicked. Shall the branches of one bulk better prosper by beating down each others fruit Can the legs of one body support their burden by spurning each other? And can the one soul of two brother king, knit fast by the dying precept of one old father, prosper their well ordered wealth by disordered war? Wish not our fall for ever, to satisfy thy aspiring mind for a while: for whilst we mutually accord, both of us shall flourish: but when we break the golden cord wherewith our old father knit his two sons, then shall our state soon fall. Leave any further to urge the thought of this thing, which to think is more sin than many thousand other misdeeds. Never shall his heavy curse light on my head, that committed this care to my charge.  
And thus abruptly▪ breaking off his dissuasive Oration, in great fury he leaves the Garden, and cloisters up himself in his private study, giving strait charge that no man should be so bold as to interrupt his melancholy meditation, till such time as himself should command the contrary, where for a while we must leave him, labouring to suppress the still renewing sorrow that this bold attempt of his wicked wife had brought to his before quiet mind, and follow the never dying pride of this aspiring woman, who seeing her husband to reprove her so bitterly for moving a suit, wherein she hoped to have him most sure, determined with herself, to use other means for the performance of her intended purpose, though she had thus failed in her first attempt, which long she studied to bring to effect, fearing to use any other counsel then her own, lest she should be bewrayed, and leaving to use any help more than her own, lest thereby she might be betrayed.   

The pretended murder of Adrianus by his Aunt and her servants, and what happened thereof, with his life in the Lion's den by whom he was found. The fourth Chapter.  
AFter many confused plots for her purpose, she called unto her an old servant of hers, in whom, for his age and long dutiful service, she reposed much trust: and after she had adjured him by all the benefits and good turns that he had plentifully received at her liberal hands, that he should secretly conceal and surely effect what she was now about to commit unto his charge: which for that the slave was as bloodily affected to perform any villainy, as she boldly addicted to devise this treachery, he did not only swear to conceal this her counsel, and effect her devise, but also offered himself as most ready to spend limb and life in an●● sort that might do her service. This pleasing answer so pleased the working humour of this wicked woman as that taking aside this ready prepared varlet for the execution of her bloody devise, gins thus to instruct him in her intent. Many (quoth she) are like to be the calamities likely to ensue upon our stock and offspring, which in time to prevent I have thus timely invented a mean to prevent their beginnings, and so quite remove the fearful event of so unlucky an end as is likely to ensue thereof. Dost thou not (quoth she) observe the unequal hope of our future happiness in the possession of this present kingdom, I mean in our heirs? and thinkest thou not I have reason with timely prevention, to resist their untimely purpose, would it not grieve thee, when the uncertain hour of most certain death, shall cut the golden thread that holdeth the lives of these two kings, to see thy masters, and my husband's daughter, who should equally enjoy the succession of this crown, disinherited from the possession thereof by our brother's son. If this so inwardly touch a stranger, ah, would it not much more grieve me that am her mother. Our sorrows are more than our words are any wise able to express: And therefore greater than the common help of ordinary comfort can in any part redress. Woes showed in tears are washed away with the same sorrow, painted forth by the tongue vanishes to air with the words: But the incarnate care of almost remediless evil cannot so lively be in outward action expressed, as in the inward closure of a true sorrowful heart they are fully possessed: which care the unhappy course of ever ruling heaven hath thrown heavily upon my head, whereof to discharge myself there is no remedy but one, and no one can effect it but thyself, upon whose trust must I build as great 〈◊〉 foundation, as contains the quiet & good end of all this nation. More persuasions and they more persuasive too then these, could I use to thee, that might induce thee with more alacrity, to do what I shall devise: but relying upon the ready endeavour in the execution of this secret business, I will thus acquaint thee with my purpose. Thou knowest how heaven hath blessed our brother Perseus with a goodly son, to whom I could wish much good, if it were not to mine own harm. He, when the course of all outliving time shall take away his father, and my husband, must of necessity alone possess that which they now jointly enjoy, then shall the issue of our bodies live in subjection to him, who else should perform as much duty to them, which no ways we can eschew. But, and there she suddenly stopped, as though her faltering tongue had denied to proclaim the hellish practice she had plotted. Which when her servant perceived, imagining somewhat should follow that interrupt period, boldly attempted to continue her almost repentant speech. Nay (quoth he) let not your Majesty be afraid to commit to my secrecy any thing that shall tend to your acceptable service. For so fast hath the much meriting bond of your bounteous liberality, tied me to the dutiful obeisance of your Majesty, that should you impose a greater labour to my performance then juno to her Hercules, lay a far more heavy burden on my neck, than the heavens to supporting Atlas, commit a greater charge to my watchful care, than jupiter to his all eyed Argus, I would spend all my days in travailing with Alcides, my strength in bearing with Atlas, mine C. eyes in watching with Argos, but I would fully effect whatsoever you should thus faithfully commit to my diligent endeavour. So great is the love that I bear both to yourself the plentiful patron of my present estate, and your fair child, of whom I expect as much succeeding happiness, as I possess present hope, that were it to rid both your brother, and his hateful son, I should not only think my labour employed to a good end, but also my toil easy to be performed, and hope my soul should be everlastingly rewarded, for my no more than dutiful service. At which words the Queen now fully fleshed to adventure upon his so wild an endeavour, gins now in plain words to discover what before under a Curtain she had somewhat coloured, unripping the hidden thoughts of her self-known heart, to the longing ears of her ready attendant, thus began to inform him in her foreplotted mischief.  
Then (quoth she) since thou so willingly offerest what I did more than half fear to ash, and hast so rightly met with mine own meaning, I presume upon thy trust to tell what is the secretest wish of my unquiet wil My brother (quoth she) hath a son, which I wish either he had not, or myself were not: and yet not hate to him, but love to myself is it that urgeth me to do that to him, which else his life would effect in me. His moist blood is the liquor which only must quench my dry thirst: and the end of his days add new date, to the decaying number of my years, which if thou wilt but effect, as I will advise, I will clearly acquit thee of his death, and richly reward thee for that deed. Remember to what I may prefer thee, from which his life doth deferve thee: what profit thou mayst gain by the one, and what misery thou art like to incur by the other. For assure thyself, that it thou now deny the performance of my request, when I have uncovered the effect of my drift, I will not only work thy utter disgrace, but hasten thy shameful decay. At which words, the fellow standing as one in a trance, loath (as it should seem) so heinously to offend, though he had rashly made so ready an offer, would neither affirmatively at the first answer her demand, nor negatively deny her desire, till she waking him out of his drowsy dump, asked him if he would boldly go forward with his fore-pretended purpose, which for that his promise afore past (as he thought) though wickedly concluded, yet could not well be recalled, made him again (after she had roused his drowsy spirits with the golden sound of rich rewards) make a solemn vow to effect what business soever she should appoint him. And she taking her time to strike upon an hot iron, thus followed her forepurpose.  
This night (quoth she) for longer we may not delay it, I have devised ready means how the boy should be delivered into thy hand, and yet thou never suspected as any way accessary to this privy massacre. A Gentlewoman here attendant upon me, whom I also have sworn to our purpose, shall when the sable mantle of the silent night covers the lightsome face of all seeing heaven, for that she is well acquainted, and most familiar with those to whose watchful charge our careful brother hath wholly referred the trustful tutorage of his child, being in the government of an easy nurse, resort down to the nursery, and being there, merrily addicted to spend the long hours of the winter evening, at her fittest time, when she hath busied both the eyes and ears of those simple people, with some such pleasant conceit, as well she knoweth will best fit their vain humour, with the pleasing show of some such vain delight, as fitliest agreeth with the wanton disposition of a harmless child, draw him forth of the doors, where in a long dark entry adjoining thereunto, shalt thou privily stand to attend his coming. And when she hath alured the child from the sight of his attendants, she shall again return to her company, and proceed in her former mirth, busying their idle heads with the vain prattle of some obscure riddle, a thing with such people in great esteem, whilst thou (like the greedy puttock) hastily seizing upon that goodly prey, shalt forthwith make all possible speed, to convey him into the vast bosom of a solitary desert, near adjoining the City. Where when ehou hast brought him, without any remorse by some quick means, make a hasty end of his betrayed life, and disfiguring his body, leave his dead carcase to be the hungry prey of some empty beast, whence thou mayst safely return without the blushing mark of jealous suspicion. Fear not what may iusue the event of this action, for that none can accuse thee so much as of suspicion. The speechless child made breathless by this means, shall never live to learn thy name: and for all other eyes, the dark sable vale of still silent night, will either lull them into a secure slumber, or pen them up in the strong enclosure of their quiet homes, through whose hard flinty walls, the feeble sight of their weak eyes cannot work.  
And thus having enticed the seely fool to consent to her folly, after they had fully agreed upon the time, place, and other necessary circumstances, she with many fair promises of rich rewards, sent him away, where the cruel caitiff still iterating in his mind the hope of reward, and never respecting the fear of such punishment, as by the just judgement of the highest heaven, hang heavy over the sinful heads of so great offenders, spent away all that day, till the weary Sun having finished his still running journey, and that all things 'gan now leave their daily labour, and betake themselves to their nightly rest, he still mindful of his vow, resorted accordingly to the place and time afore appointed, where he had not long attended, before the gentlemwoan appointed to play the prologue of this sudden murder came by, and having in all points duly observed she straight charge of her subtle mistress, in the secret enticing forth of the weak limmed child, she at length effected it. And delivering him over into the bloody hands of this butcherly beast, returns again herself, to consort her former company: where after they had spent a great part of the night in such chat as lose tongued women commonly accustom at their idle meetings, at last, for that the night was somewhat spent, or for some other occasion, they broke off their talk.  
When the betrayed nurse looking for her charge, miss the child, suddenly using means to inquire all about the house, wherein they spent so much time at home, that their harmless infant without all contradiction was easily conveyed abroad. Hard news were these to those woeful parents, that in the midst of their Summer sun, were so suddenly countervailed with a winter's storm. Much search was made, many examinations were had, and all other means were used that might any wise tend to the finding out again of this so strangely lost Prince, that being safe in his father's house, strongly guarded with the sure diligence of faithful servants, carefully kept by the dutiful service of diligent attendance, notwithstanding in the midst of all his father's men, the surest place of his princely house, and in the bosom of his nearest nurse, should be so strangely conveyed: which what grief it was to those so loving parents, I leave to their consideration that have tasted the loss of so sweet children.  
And now to return again to our more than deceitful Sinon, who by this time had quite passed the bounds of the City, and tracing up and down the obscured ways of an unpeopled forest, could find no fit place to execute this detestable murder, till at the last the pale faced Queen of the shady night 'gins in her silver coach to search the secret corners of the darkest dens, obscure shadows, when he tracing up and down to find out some fit place for his purpose, at the length happened upon a thick groan of broad Cypress trees, the fatal covert of whose envious branches seemed unto him as the fiftest place he could find for to execute his abominable practice, There setting down the pretty child. who although his tender years had not yet afforded him so much reason, as to guess at the event of this forced journey, yet did the unacquainted manner of his carriage, the unusual time of the night, and the unpleasant temperature of the cold air▪ urge vehement the cries of the silly infant to yield such dreadful exclamations, from every resounding Echo of these unpeopled plains, as would have stirred the hateful hearts of unrelenting savages to have pitied his childish complaints, till this more than bloody minded beast, stripping the poor infant from the most of his outward attire, as meaning not only to deprive him of his life, but also to leave his princely body so naked, that no man should by any outward appearance discern what, or from whence he should be conveyed. Long it was or his unaccustomed hands could find the way to unfurnish the poor infant of his outward attire, when in the midst of his troublesome business he suddenly heard, as it had been the furious approach of some hasty beast. When he looking through thin branches of a young leaved Laurel, might by the light of the Moon, which by this had climbed the highest point of the ●●wling sphere, perceive a hasty Lioness, secretly searching the hidden bottom of every several bush. For as it should seem the recovery of some late losses, which by the sequel might be judged none otherwise, but that some watchful woodman taking the advantage of her absence, had cunningly conveyed away her young whelps, while she was journeying abroad to provide some speedy relief for their sustenance, who returning back to her desolate den, and finding herself deprived of her young, was woefully searching what she had unwillingly lost, with fearful approach so affrighted the guilty conscience of this murdering miscreant, as that leaving the young child to the greedy prey of this angry beast, made all speedy haste to save himself from her fearful fury, which he so speedily performed, that in short time he rid himself from the fear of the forest. But as every sin cannot escape his several punishment, so had the just censure of all judging heaven appointed a worthy reward for this his wicked work. For even at the furthest bounds of the broad plained forest, a hungry bear seeking sustenance, to relieve her insatiate desire of meat, suddenly encountered him so near, that though his footmanship was more than ordinary, yet it nothing prevailed to help him from this extremity. For so near the bold beast followed his still flying steps, that ere he could get almost my way from their first meeting place, she had eagerly seized on his now feare-falling body. And she now as far from mercy, in piecemeal tearing him, as he from pity in rigorously abusing the other, had in short time buried in her beastly belly, his sinful members that had justly deserved such equal measure, remunerating him in this fashion, for the vengeance meriting transgression. By this the woeful Lioness for her unexpected want, had by traversing round about those spacious plains searching every shadow, & boldly ransacking the covered bottom of every bush, eagerly following her hot pursuit, came at length to the place, where the young forsaken infant lay pitifully complaining and weakly struggling to seek that succour which that barren place did not afford. Which when the savage beast had suddenly espied, leaving her further pursuit, 'gan contrary to her kind, quietly to view the forsaken estate of that forlorn infant, whose pitiful case did, as it should seem, work more remorse in that reasonless creature, than it had done in his nearest kin: for after she had with her feet in the easiest manner that she could, turned it up and down sadly overlooking this woeful loss, differing from her natural kind, and forgetting both the sorrow and fear of her own young, making shift as she could to lap again the child in those clothes which the fugitive murderer had for fear left behind, made such means, as that taking up the child by those clothes, she in her teeth conveyed him to a sorrowful den, meaning to supply her former loss, by this new found spoil, where we will a while leave Adrianus son to this the forenamed worthy Perseus in the unkindly covert of a lion's den to the tutorage of a wild beast, that was naturally descended from the offspring of civil men, and return to see their sorrow at the court for this sudden loss, which was no less grievous than the thing itself was great. Many posts were every way dispatched to make inquiry, lest peradventure by the sly deceit of some subtle enemy he might have been stolen for a pledge: proclamations in every place were made, and promises of rich reward for them that could bring any tidings of this lost child, which being without help, perished without hope: wherein when they had spent much time to small purpose, they surceased their search, hoping that one day the length of time would discover the effect of this truth.  
In the mean while the subtle Queen, by whose means this pretended murder was thus closely wrought, would be nothing behind in the often resorting to her sorrowful sister, using much persuasive counsel, as well to decrease her grief, as shedding many womanish tears, to seem as it were a great partaker of her sorrow, thinking by this means to remove the blemish of suspicion from herself. But that which troubled her most was, that many days being overrun since the deed was supposed to be done, she heard no word of the return of her servant, whom to this end she had appointed. But persuading herself by many circumstances, that the thing itself was effected, she grounded her conceit upon this, the fellow wisely foreseeing how the hardest thing hid is the easiest found, surest counsel sometime soonest disclosed, and faithfullest trust proves many times the foulest treachery, had left this country, and betaken himself to live elsewhere, where he might be free from whatsoever calamity might come upon it. From whom she secretly desired to hear, though she were out of all hope to see him. And thus leaving no circumstance unsought into, no devise undealt withal, no plot unperformed, that might remove from her the envious eyes of jealous suspicion: She spent many days until such time as this untimely loss was almost forgotten of them all. Thus having brought every thing to the bent of her own bow, and feeding herself with successive hope of her daughter, who now was only heir to that rich dowry, she determined no more to assay any other assault, for the quick dispatch of her other brother, thereby the sooner to possess solely to herself, wherein she was strongly counterchecked by an other. But as in the fading time of drooping Autumn, no wind seldom riseth without more foul weather, no cloud that bringeth not with him a present storm, and neither wind nor storm, but are still renewing, till they have quite disarmed trees of their leaves, fields of their flowers, and flowers of their fruits: So did the unconstant course of their malevolent aspects, power dwne upon them such winter storms of continuing calamity, as never left their unhappy house, till it had quite nipped all their flowers, lopped their leaves, and almost rend up the original roots.   

The pretended purpose of Livia for the murdering of her brother's daughter, and the event thereof. The fift Chapter.  
Now the same malcontented mind that drove this sister to the devilish devising of so damnable an endeavour, 'gan also to work the like in the other. She now perceiving all her rest quite bereft, her growing hope so soon turned to dying mishap, and her merry thoughts to mournful sighs, thus spoiled of all her pleasure, 'gins devise how she might get a partaker in her pain. Long wandered her weary thought in the tedious labyrinth of many, no less doubtful than dangerous endeavours, sometimes studying on this thing, another time standing on that thing, like the unacquainted travailer, that meeting with the many windings of several ways, for want of some instruction is half doubtful where his way lies: so she, seeing with the eyes of her affections many ways, as good as herself can wish wants, means to affect them according to her will, yet as there is nothing so obscure, but with much labour may be learned: no work so weary, but toil will overturn: no time so tedious, but it may be outworn: so she at length by overcasting the count of her several cares, found a means (as she thought) to quiet her conscience, which for that she certainly persuaded herself of the firm grounded friendship of her well meaning husband to his best beloved brother, she durst not be so bold as to whisper a breath of mislike, or word of wrong-dealing against him or his, yet notwithstanding, intending to act some farfetched policy, to bring her brother and sister, now in the bosom of all earths blessings, to become fellow mourners with her in these many miseries, she thus wrought means to effect her long framing form.  
These two princes in the beginning of their peaceful reign, had for their diversity of delight, about some two or three mile from the City, planted a fair vineyard, where for their disport themselves in the pleasant time of all pleasing Summer, would oftentimes resort. There besides the pleasant shades of broad leaved Vines laden with the heavy burdens of cluster bending Grapes, the apish imitating workmen, chosen from the chiefest parts of all that country, had cunningly drawn in the many searching streams of near adjoining rivers bounding each other in their crickling arms, whose gliding currants full fraught with many sorts of silver coloured fishes, and banks bordered with all sorts of fruitful flourishing trees, plains peopled with the curious work of mutating art as the luckless love of learned Apollo, compassing within the circle of his art framed arms the transformed substance of his dearest Daphne curiously out of a laurel bush. By that on the side of a pleasant hill, under the covert of an artificial rock stands trembling Actaeon viewing the well fashioned bodies of many naked nymphs, whose lively portraiture shadowed under the transparent substance of the silver coloured stream, affright the wanton fishes at the sudden sight. Many curious conceits, as forests of wild beasts framed out of the big bushes timorous hares prosecuted with the speedy course of well fashioned greyhounds, cut out of the sweet plants of still springing rosemary, that shaken with the cold breath of a sweet southern blast beguile the dazzling eyes of the steadfast beholder, as though the fast rooted trees livelily followed the artificial frames with their resembling forces there, upon Hebars swift streams swims Orpheus mourning harp, whose silver strings softly touched with the easy stroke of the cunning conveyed water with many tragic strokes bewails the unfortwate act of her master's end, many curious arbours framed of the diverse sorts of ever springing plants cunningly joined and closely covered with their broad shady leaves, and fresh blown buds, whose ground richly spread with the fair wrought tapistry of many sweet flowers might ravish the unacquainted senses of any mortal beholder: besides the several musics of sundry birds, seated upon the tender sprays that overspreades these heavenly houses in this earthly paradise, whose skill exceeding the artificial form of sweet tuned strings feedeth the loving desire, with continual delight thither. This wily woman, though envying at another's end, yet under colour of recreation and desire of fresh air, persuaded her husband and his brother with all their trains to resort: who as glad to satisfy her pleasant seeming conceit which not long ago had sustained the hard brunt of fell misfortune, as also to drive away such melancholy matter as yet troubled all their moody minds, soon assented to her desire, where when they came, she had foreappointed many several kinds of sundry delights to draw away the earnest affection of their more serious affairs: as at their first entrance stood a savage satire trimmed up in the broad leaves of an oak branch, whose fierce countenance artificially framed, as though he had meant to affright their sudden approach, naturally counterfeited what their Art had coloured, and thus boldly begins to entertain their first entrance:  

Fair coloured frames of fortunes better sort,  
Whom Apish art hath decked with others plumes,  
Drawn with delight, dainties to resort  
Unto this sweet balmed air with earth's perfumes,  
Where nature form in fashion of these springs,  
Braves colouring skill in richest courts of kings,  
How may the hope of country's power content  
Feed the self pleasing souls of clownish swains,  
When civil kings leaves cities merriments  
To solace them upon the pleasant plains?  
Where the green beauty of the fading grass  
Presents their shades as through transparent glass,  
That when they look, their inward souls may see,  
Their bodies borne of earth as well as we.  
And when the course of nature cuts the thread  
Of this time's servant soon decaying state:  
Then kings and base borne beggar being dead,  
Princes and peasants prized at one rate,  
Where, by succeeding ages shall be found,  
All bodies buried in one self same ground:  
Whose dust decayed bodies wanting breath,  
Tells the sure sentence of impartial death.   
Thus as this discontented resembling savage was about to extend the vain of his satirical verse: the company as it should seem not affecting that melancholy method departed. And journeying further into the pleasant walks of that flourishing field at the turning corner of a music murmuring spring were suddenly, encountered with a troop of Tritons finely flourishing in their silver sounding trumpets, till the master Neptune was behind them, eagerly enticing, & strongly struggling with fair Andromeda, upon the senseless side of a ruthless rock. From this they were conveyed into a spacious Arbour, situate in the midst of many shady trees, whose sheltering boughs served as a covering curtain, to keep away the parching heat of the summer's sun, then at his highest meridional zenith, where was a curious table richly spread and fully furnished with all manner of several services, where after they were orderly placed, & had somewhat satisfied their hungry appetites, suddenly they were presented with the natural show of nine almost naked virgins, representing the nine Muses, who decently placed upon the sweet side of a flowery bank, 'gan tune their solemn instruments unto the sweet strains of their angelical voices, amongst whom a goodly fair creature, whose more than earthly semblance containing in her fair countenance, more carnation coloured beauty, than graced all the goddesses in the vale of Ida, when they proudly appareled, set forth the richest forms of their enticing faces, whose golden tresses curled in cunning knots, dangling down her cherrie-stained cheeks, waving abroad with the sweet blast of the mildly moving air, seeming cunningly to kiss her vermilion countenance, whose majestical moving looks forcibly drew all the idle eyes of that present assembly, to wonder at that so welframed beauty, till she with her fingers the delightful organs of all ruling fancy, sweetly gins strike the trembling strings of an ivory lute, and echoing with her angelical voice to the silver sound of her well tuned instrument, sung this following ditty:  

The soon enticed Grecian Dame,  
Whose lustful love with Priam's joy,  
Kindled the fire where grew the flame  
That after burned fair blooming Troy,  
When brine-salt tears had burnt away  
That pleasant bait of sweet delight,  
Which made the youthful prince assay  
To steal her from her husband's sight:  
Looking within a mirrors view  
Upon her withered wrinkling skin,  
Then all too late gins to renew  
The sorrow for her former sin,  
And sending out as many showers  
Of tears, that swiftly trickled down,  
As would have quenched the flaming towers▪  
Which lighted Pyrrhus to the town,  
That night when Troy was overturned,  
And Grecians swan in Troyans' gore,  
When Ilion's buildings all were burned,  
That never felt fires force afore.  
Then 'gins she praise a maiden's life,  
The golden time of all content  
Cursing that day made her a wife,  
That wrought her this disparagement:  
For if (quoth she) I had traced the wood,  
With sacred Diane's maiden train,  
Then had my vestal life been good,  
Who now must pine away in pain,  
But be my fall a means to move  
Those fair borne creatures of my kind,  
To shun in time enticing love,  
That captivates a free borne mind,  
For if in time I had foreseen  
The end my unbridled will,  
This dismal day had never been,  
And all Troy's towers had then stood still.   
Thus as the heavenly harmony of those earthly goddesses had drawn away the minds of the ravished beholders, a treacherous slave tutored before, by her unhappy counsel, closely seized upon the other child her brother's daughter, and being cunningly conveyed from them at a back gate, which led forth toward the high stéep rocks that severs the neighbour lands from the fierce invasion of the furious sea, he in all hast hied him thitherward, which for that it was not far distant, he soon attained, and for that the water was then somewhat low, and that flood had yet covered again the naked bosom of the broad sands, seeking in the secret bottom of the unsearchable sea, to bury the small body of this pretty babe, he was forced to go lower down then willingly he would have adventured, but that of necessity he must do it, to act that which before he had invented. Near adjoining to that place within the strong compass of a nature walled cave, hewed out of the hard bosom of a flinty rock, was the abode of many exiled people, who for that the laws of their country had denied them the benefit of peaceful living in their quiet country, by reason of some great offences by them committed, had there settled themselves, whereof some being then placed as Sentinels upon the highest promontory of all the borderig shore, looking every way to espy some passengers, upon whom they might make their prey, at the length espied this posting companion hasting to the execution of this harmless child, and loath to let them escape their hands, some who were readier than the rest, in haste followed down towards him apace, who by this time was come to the water side, and being busied about the disfurnishing of the babe, and thinking himself secure from any approaching company, until at length turning his face suddenly about, whether to lay away some of the clothes, or reach some necessary thing as he then wanted, he espied this exiled company hastily coming upon him, whom for that himself was borne within the confines of that Country, he straightway knew: and being somewhat acquainted with their manners, that they were bloody minded men, given over to the rigorous desire of unrighteous living, and bound under the subjection of no law, 〈◊〉 fearfully leaving the child half naked, and half clothed, lying sprawling upon the wet sands, for such was the number of her tender years, that she could neither speak to implore relief, neither go to ease herself of that unaccustomed order wherein he had left her: but he swiftly taking the advantage of his nimble legs, made all possible speed to escape their coming, who in his hasty flight, not regarding to take the right way that might readiest direct him out of the danger of those doubtful sands, was ere he were aware, insconsed within the trustless compass of a soft hollow ground which we call quicksands, where he suddenly sinking down, was by and by buried in the bottom of the salt flowing sea, a just reward for his so devilish desert.  
Now were the other, who prosecuted this bad attempt of so shameful a sin, come unto the place where the helpless child lay, piteously betrayed in the sandy mire of that moist ground, whose hearts although they were closed up in unrelenting breasts, and were men exercised in nought but murders, and massacres, yet seeing so goodly a forward child, richly adorned with many garments of much worth, they took more compassion over it then commonly they used in the like cases, and carefully carrying it home to their cave, took such order as the child was well relieved again, that with fear & cold was almost dead. Her must we leave to accompany them in their savage Celestina, and return to the Princes, who now were swimming in all delight in the pleasure of their Garden.   

Of the accidents that happened these Kings after the death of their children. The sixth Chapter.  
THeir dinner being done, she music withdrawing, and all their sport fully ended, for that the swift paced Chariot of the Sun drawing through the Crystal skies, with fiery breathing horses, had now well nigh attained the end of their weary journey, when these merry disposed people gathering together, all their company intended to leave the country delights, and return again to their palace, where when all were gathered together ready to departed, suddenly was miss the young child. Who first for that they imagined she had been borne forth for delight, by some of their household servants into the cool shadow of those Summer groves, where with all speed they duly searched, but in vain, for none could find though almost all of them were busied in seeking of her, so that at length, hopeless to find what they so unluckily had lost, they were forced to return home with as many weeping tears, as they came forth with smiling joys. Heavy were the discomforted parents for their lost child, sad the poor subjects for their Prince's pain, and generally these unexpected accidents, did drive all minds into a deep muse, what strange fortune should so foully foil the settled estate of these princely peers, two beautiful babes even in their cradles so cunningly conveyed from the watchful eyes of their weary nurses, and no means of suspicion apparent, that might induce any probable conjecture of their escape. Well, to be short, as the greatest burdens must with patience be overborne, the hardest haps with humility be helped, and the saddest sorrows with some salves be severed: so these royal personages, considering the changeable estate of unstable chance, that like the fading flourish of an April day, soon laughing, and soon lowering again, considering that the misfortune of ill chancing change, often times in fair flourishes presented, though they may be often foreseen, yet are they seldom prevented, made them patiently to rely upon hope of all helping heaven, whose ready power would one day either restore them to their former hopes, or by the just doom of all ending death, restrain them from all future mishaps.  
Thus being both of them divorced from of cherishing children, whose pleasing presence might recreate the melancholy dispositions of their world wearied minds, they sadly spend the weary remnant of their woeful days, abandoning all means that might move their mirth, refusing all counsel of comfortable friends, and delighting in nothing but desperate despair, using their tongues to tell no tale but tragedies, nothing entered into their ears but the harsh harmony of pitiful pains, frequenting no pleasant places but the dismal shows of black Cypress shades, from whose concave bulks bounds the harsh hellish noise of the ill boding Owl, fasting the days with sad sighs, and watching the night with sorrowful slumbers, representing by their lives the true image of lifeless death.   

The still lasting hate of the proud Queens, the means they wrought to separate the love of their husbands, and the event thereof. The seventh Chapter.  
WE heard in the beginning of this history, how Lydia wife to this worthy Theseus, had assayed with urging arguments of some persuading force, to untwine the wel-spun thread of fast linking love, betwixt these peaceful and princely brethren, blessed in all worldly wealth, except the unfortunate choice of two wicked wives. Now as such are the roots, such are the fruits: such as is the cause, such likewise is the effect: so fares it with the wil-working wits of these unkindly creatures, both wicked, because both women.  
Emelia likewise boldly presuming upon the patience of her unpatient husband, sorting a time when for his melancholy recreation, he had severed himself into a garden, whether he often resorted: where sitting him down under the broad branches of a bleeding Mulberry, and supposing himself to be safe from disturbing approach of misliking company, he taking in his heavy hands a sad tuned instrument, unto whose tracet strains he solemnly sung this sad song.  

Some Poets say there is a hill,  
Where sits the Ladies of delight,  
Composed of musics sacred skill,  
And teaches every man t'indight.  
Thence doth my mind return again,  
For she can find no solemn muse,  
Whose discontented tracet strain,  
Will fit the Anthem she must use,  
They sing of joy, and she of woe,  
They of delight, she of unrest,  
There let their merry Muses go.  
Whom fairer days have better blest,  
A sad tuned heart's my instrument,  
Whose strings all out of tune I strain,  
Striking great dumps of discontent.  
Till all be plucked in two with pain,  
My Music is a sorrows song,  
Where discords sound is smart delight,  
My ditty, life that lasts too long,  
To see desire crossed with despite,  
Unpleasant harmony God knows,  
When out of tune is every string,  
Bad sounds that all of discord grows,  
And sad the Muse that so must sing,  
But some poor souls must merry make,  
Whose else dead drooping cheer would die,  
Lest sorrow should asunder break,  
There groaning souls with misery.   
Which ditty after he had solemnly sung, and that the trickle tears stopped up the pleasant passage of his sorrowful song, easily rising from melancholy seat, 'gins with sad sigh to reiterate to himself the hard mishaps of his malcontented life. When turning him back, & seeing his wife hasting towards him, would fain have shunned her coming, as loath to be disturbed in his discontent, but she entreating him stayed his escape, and thus 'gins cunningly to insinuate with his sorrow.  
Husband (quoth thee) will't thou still suffer this canker of discontent to eat away in despair, the sweet Summer of thy chiefest days? Sorrow exceeding cure, must also be past care. Hurts that cannot be avoided, must by means be amended. Shall the patient let his sore fester, because he cannot abide the surgeon should search it? And wilt thou die in despair, because thou sufferest none to dissuade thee from this discontent? It is an old saying, Nothing is nearer the tree than the bark: and should there be any thing more dear to a man than his wife? Therefore was she taken out of his breast, because she should be always in his bosom. Suffer me to unrip the sore, for I will be a gentle surgeon, and being ransacked I will minister sovereign salve to mitigate thy malady: why dost thou then this in discontent, turn from me as weary of my company? who hath divorced thy liking from my love, or orawen thy desire from my delight? Whereat the wearied king faintly answering his dissembling wife 'gins thus mildly to answer: My woes (quoth he) more than the sands upon the shores, will hardly by counsel be qualified, though it were more than the drops of water in the sea: the which despair of comfort drives me from desiring counsel: but if thou canst bring any balm that will expel this grief, any salve that will search this sore, or any thing else that will work mine ease, I will (for thy sake) hear it, though peradventure I shall not use it. Let me (quoth she) see thy disease, and then shalt thou hear my devise. That (quoth he) can I in a word, though it be as much as a world, the discontented harm of an over charged heart, having all things, and yet enjoying nothing, pleased of all except myself, and by myself displeasing all but myself. Thus have I shortly (quoth he) told thee my grief, though I despair, by thee to receive any relief: why quoth she have so many years run over my woeful head, and thinkest thou I never tasted the sharp dealing of discontent: yes, thyself canst witness to my woe, with what grief I have overgone the loss of our chiefest comfort, so strangely ta'en away which patience did cure in me: but greater helps hast thou for remedy. Is not sour meat digested with sweet sauce? cold humours expelled with hot sweats? soft iron filled with hard steel? and shall not discontentive despair be dispersed with the sweet counsel of contented comfort? let's guess (quoth she) at thy malady, and then I will give thee a sovereign remedy: loosely hast thou let overslip the pleasures of many fair days by thine own neglect. air unmoved straightways corrupteth: and water that standeth quickrly stinks: keen edges not used wax dull: and good qualities not exercised wax dead. Moths eat the unworn garment, and grass confusedly overgrown the untrodden pavement: better had we want wit, than not use it. The soldier that cowardly keeps fast his weapon when he should use it against his enemy, were far better have none at al. How I should compare thy state I know not, except to the miserable estate of a muddy miser, that having much, will use nought. How great gifts hath heaven and thy forward endeavour endued thee withal? and since then, how little hast thou employed them? Oh there is a branch sprung from thine own root, that had he but a small quantity of thy qualities, a modill of thy mind, would long ere this have cured in himself that grief whereon thou now gronest, and long since have pleased himself by plaguing thee: but that the just God considering thy quiet contented disposition, that rather desirest to suffer injury then to challenge equity. He is a soldier forsooth: what then? but thou a scholar, a thing far more in account among men. Did Ajax his big braves overbear Ulysses his wise words? No. And shall thy brother's furious looks overturn thy friendly dealing? Thy displeasing despair is his delightsome content, and thy passion his pleasure. Rouse then thy sleeping conceit, shake off the sad earthly melancholy wight from thy light airy spirit, and boldly brave him, that so basely overbears thee. Happily thou thinkest these words proceed fro some envious intent forethought by me, but God, and all good men can witness with me, how I loved and honoured him and his. And therewithal shedding a few womanish tears, which as bountifully fall from their eyes, as words plentifully flow from their mouths, drew the moody mind of this malcontented king into such a labyrinth of weary thoughts as had almost quite tired his melancholy imagination, yet wisely repressing the furious rage of rigorous woes would not in bitter terms exclaim, but rather determined with himself to cover the fury of his choler with some show of patience, till time and opportunity should minister some better occasion, to acquit his intended injuries, as he then conceived by this persuasion of his perverse wife, and so showing not withstanding some show of discontent: which not a little pleased his wife, that she had yet some hope to separate their so sure joined affections. And thus having ended their parley, they both departed from thence, and betook themselves to their private chambers.   

❧ How Emelia wife to Perseus wrought subtle means to set at odds the two brethren, and what ensued thereof, with the flight of both the dukes, and the banishment of their wives. The eight Chapter.  
EMelia in the mean time, albeit in some part her bloody thirst of warries was quenched, yet not so fully satisfied as she earnestly desired, she oft times devised with herself how she might fully effect her long looked for intent, in the end, privily packing with a servant of hers, whom to such an end she had long reserved, and bounteously rewarded. One morning seeing her brother Theseus taking the benefit of a private walk, whither he continually every morning resorted, sent down unto him by her foresaid servant, desiring him as he conceived any good opinion of her, and favoured the welfare of themselves, that he would in all secret sort commit himself unto the trust of that her servant, to be conveyed by him into her chamber, where she had very secret affairs to impart unto him, such as near touched his credit and estate. This credulous Prince attributing more affiance to his sister then provident foresight would have permitted, gently condescends to her cunning contrived treason. The suspicion whereof was as far from his well-meaning mind, as the highest part of heaven from the lowest centre of the earth. But as with fair stales trustful birds are easiest taken: with bright baits the seely fish is soon deceived: so with the fair flattery of a wicked disposed woman, this fair prince was foully betrayed, to the dishonour of him, to the discredit of her, and the utter subverting of that steadfast established common wealth for ever.  
At last following the direction of a subtle slave pointed for the nonce to betray this peerless Prince, he was innocently brought into a sudden snare. For coming into her chamber, he found his sister in laws in her bed, a thing, than which nothing was less looked for at his hands. Which when he saw, he adventured to go nearer her, supposing her to have been sick, because the day being somewhat spent, she was not yet got from her nightly resting place. At whose coming she suddenly starting up, exclaims with so loud a voice, as that she was easily heard to the furthest places of the palace. To whom incontinent flocks a number of diligent attendants, to understand the cause of her so sudden cry, to whom she feines a forged tale, how her brother, and their king had boldly adventured to approach the entrance of her Chamber, and violently assayed to have ravished her in her bed, for which cause she was constrained to use the means of her tongue, for that the weak force of her womanish hand, was scarce able to defend his fierce assault. To witness whereof she calls the false treacherous villain, whom before she had made a mean to draw him thither. He as subtle as the dissembling Greekish slave, that enticed the trustful Troyans' to their cruel end, thus tells a substantial discourse, how the king entering the chamber, offered such violence unto his sister. And then with much counterfeit action, he begins to show the manner of his behaviour.  
By this time had the report of these unwelcome news come to his brother's ears, who hastening to the place where all this assembly were gathered together: where when he came, he found his wife with blubbered cheeks, and lose dishovelled hair reiterating her former feigned tale, and her hired slave vilely affirming the same with many deep oaths, the truth of this truthless treachery, which so incensed his furious mind, as he looking upon his innocent brother, 'gins thus bitterly break the sure linked chain of true brotherly love, which they both till that time had so mightily maintained.  
Ah (quoth he) hast thou so soon forgotten the good precepts of our dying father, whose strait charge might have even (as it were) chained thee from this foul offence of sensual fin, but the just heavens seeing into the secret corners of thy dissembling heart, wherein was nothing but deceitful double dealing, have for thy more than sinful hypocrisy, rewarded thee with the just punishment of double iniquity, from whom I here before God, and all these our servants and subjects, disjoin myself, vowing hereafter to be so far from gracing thee with the friendly name of brother, as that I mean to prosecute thee with the deadly hate of an enemy, and so I leave thee, that never meaneth in courtesy again to resalute thee.  
When as Theseus, about for to reply in his own defence, was interrupted by the confused noise of the murmuring people, by whose whole assent he was generally condemned, as the wicked worker of this villainous practice, who standing as it were in a swoon to see this unexpected exigent would have spoken in his own defence, but being interrupted by the means of some of his enemy's confederates, he was forced in silence to departed, who coming down to his wife, and declaring the whole truth of this treachery, and taking the advantage of the time, lest that delay might again reconcile them, following on the angry disposition of her husband, for to levy speedy arms, both for the better fortifying of himself against his brother's fury, as also if in time he took the matter in hand, he should gather together the chiefest and best part of the country, whose counsel he with all speed followed.  
But his expedition in gathering forces together, was not so great as his brothers was sudden, so that in few days, betwixt them they had equally divided both the men and munition, of that their now infortunate country. And forcibly assailing one another, prodigally consumed the precious blood of their own countrymen, who were not so blessed afore in their peaceful reign, as they are cursed now in their untimely rage. Which the grave Senators of that almost dispeopled Country, diligently foreseeing, made of themselves such means to levy men, and provide munition, as the remnant of their already gathered forces would afford. Intending either to make some accord betwixt them again, or else to subvert them both, whose furies were so fierce, that there was almost no hope of any reconciliation left betwixt them. Which when they had done, before they would with open alarm proclaim the uncivil sort of their coming, they sent to them many interchangeable Heralds, to certify them of the urging occasions of their gathered forces, which was in the dutiful defence of their Country, to save as much as in them lay, all, or the most of that their natural blood, which was like in these civil tempests of homebred storms to be pitifully spilled. But such was the incensed fury of these two unkindly foes, as that neither the love of their Country, the threats of their foes, nor the entreats of their friends, could refrain them from their resolution of revenge. So that the Country men who were there gathered together, thought it the best course, both for the safety of themselves, and the after quiet of their Country, to join battle with both at once, being more in number then both the king's battles, which determination they effectually followed. And all confusedly without form rushing together, joined their disordered battles, where some labouring for the good of their Country, other for the hateful hope of bloody revenge, till in the end, the battles of the kings, by reason of their confusion and disorder, were so impoverished, that for fear of further danger they were both forced to fly.  
After the end of which bloody battle, the Senators gathering together the bodies of their dead Countrymen, as was their duty, afforded them honourable burial. And then having rid, as they well hoped, their quiet Country of those civil dissensions, they again betook themselves to their former several businesses. Where we must now a while leave them to their own government till time and their happy stars shall again reduce into the civil form of a peaceable kingdom.  
Old Radulpho after his happy reign in his quiet grave: Adrianus in the Lion's den: Berea amongst the savage Bandettes at the sea side: Perseus after the slaughter of his men fled for succour to the mountains: Theseus escaping toward the plain forest, as intending to departed his Country: and their wives by the just censure of the new judging Senate, banished, to find out the several husbands. Whom we must leave to their better fortunes, till time and our idle hours shall again bring them all to their former estate.  
FINIS.