A petite Palace of Petty his pleasure: Containing many pretty Histories by him set forth in comely colours, and most delightfully discoursed.  
 Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci.  

To the gentle Gentlewomen Readers.  
GEntle Readers, whom by my will I would have only Gentlewomen, and therefore to you I direct my words. May it please you to understand, that the great desire I have to procure your delight, hath caused me somewhat to transgress the bounds of faithful friendship: for having with great earnestness obtained of my very friend Master George Pettie the copy of certain Histories by himself upon his own and certain of his friends private occasions drawn into discourses, I see such witty & pithy pleasantness contained in them, that I thought I could not any way do greater pleasure or better service to your noble sex, then to publish them in print, to your common profit & pleasure. And though I am sure hereby to incur his displeasure, for that he willed me in any wise to keep them secret: yet if it please you thankfully to accept my goodwill, I force the less of his ill wil For to speak my fancy without feigninge, I care not to displease twenty men, to please one woman: for the friendship among men, is to be counted but cold kindness, in respect of the fervent affection between men and women: and our nature, is rather to dote of women, then to love men. And yet it lieth in your powers so to think of his doings, and to yield him such courteous consideration for the same, that he shall have more cause to thank me, then think ill of my faithless dealing towards him. Which if your courtesies shall perform, you shall increase my duty towards you, and his good will towards me: you shall make me show my will and him his skill another time to pleasure you: you shall bind both of us to remain ready at your commandments. For mine own part, I can challenge no part of praise or thanks for this work, for that I have taken no pains therein, neither by adding Argument, Note, or any thing, but even have set them forth as they were sent me: only I have christened them with the name of a Palace of Pleasure. I dare not compare this work with the former Palaces of Pleasure, because comparisons are odious, and because they contain Histories, translated out of grave authors & learned writers: and this containeth discourses, devised by a green youthful capacity, and reported in a manner ex tempore, as I myself for divers of them am able to testify. I dare not commend them because I am partial, I dare dedicated them to you Gentlewomen, because you are courteous. And that you may the better understand the drift of these devices, I have caused the letter also which my friend sent me with this work, to be set down to your sight. Thus commending mine own faithless enterprise, and my friends fruitful labour and learning, to your courteous protection, I wish you all, beauty with bounty, and cumlinesse with courtesy, from my lodging in Fleetstreet.  
Yours readily to command. R. B.   

The Letter of G. P. to R. B. concerning this work.  
FOrced by your earnest importunity, and furthered by mine own idle opportunity, I have set down in writing, and according to your request, sent unto you certain of those Tragical trifles, which you have herded me in sundry companies at sundry times report, and so near as I could I have written them word for word as I then told them: but if any of them seem better unto you now then they did then, you must attribute it to my lisping lips, which perchance did somewhat disgrace the grace of them: and if any seem worse now than than, you must impute it to this, that perchance there was then some Pallas in place which furthered my invention. For I am in that point of Ovid his opinion, that, Si cupiat sponte disertus erit. But whether they seem unto you good or ill, I trust you will take them as a token of good will, and that is the only commodity I look to reap by them. I pray you only to use them to your own private pleasure, and not to impart them to other, perchance to my prejudice, for that divers discourses touch nearly divers of my near friends: but the best is, they are so darkly figured forth, that only they whom they touch, can understand whom they touch: yet to avoid all captious constructions, I pray you in any wise let them be an object only for your own eyes. If this mislike you in my discourses, that I make Camma, use the example of the countess of Salisbury, the Duchess of Savoy, and such who were of far later years, than the ancient CAMMA is, with the like in divers other of the stories: you must consider that my Camma is of fresher memory than any of them, and I think in your judgement, of fresher hue than the fairest of them. Likewise, if you like not of some words and phrases, used contrary to their common custom, you must think, that seeing we allow of new fashions in cutting of beards, in long wasted doublets, in little short hose, in great caps, in low hats, and almost in all things, it is as much reason we should allow of new fashions in phrases and words. But these faults, or whatsoever else, I care not to excuse unto you, who are the only cause I committed them, by your earnest desire to have me set down these trifles in writing. And as my words hitherto have tended to this end, that you should take these trifles well, so now I am to exhort you that you will use them well: that with the spider you suck not out poison out of them: that by some light example you be not the sooner incited to lightness. For believe me (I speak it friendly, therefore take it friendly) I think it more needful to sand you a bridle then a spur that way. And if my example may be a bridle to restrain you from vanity, do but imitate me hereafter, or if my counsel may contain you in continency, do but follow this advise: if you be free, that you come not into bonds: if you be bond, ut te redimas captum quam queas minimo: for trust me, the broad blasphemy of Pygmalion, and the sudden Apostasy, or rather right conversion of Alexius, have settled me in this faith, that I think him Terque quaterque beatum, qui a consortio mulierum se cohibere potest. You marvel, I am sure to hear these words of me, and that I should so soon turn my tippet and recant, who but yesterday, as it were, entered into heresy. But believe me (my B.) nunquàm nimis citò est ad bonos mores via. Qui non est hodié, cras minus aptus erit.  

Principiis obsta, serò medicina paratur,  
Cum mala per longas convaluere moras.   
Errare humanum est, in errore perseverare, belluinum.  

sins often assayed, are thought to be no sin:  
So sin doth soil the Soul it sinneth in.   
Thus have I sent you in that book some fruits of my former folly, and in this letter the profession of my present faith, desiring you to use the one to your honest pleasure, and to follow the other to your godly profit. I mean▪ god willing, the next spring to go on pilgrimage with Alexius, and if you were so devoutly disposed, I should think myself most happy to have such a companion. Fron my lodging in Houlburn this. 12. of july.  
Tuus semper, aut suus nunquàm: Omnia in mundo, immunda. G. P.   

The Printer to all Readers of this Book.  
Having sumtime in my custody this Book in written hand, which by means of a special friend of mine was committed unto me, I was by him eft 'zounds earnestly solicited to publish the same in print. Who being such an one, whose request I would not willingly deny, I fallen to perusing the work, and perceived at the first by the auctors letter, that he was not willing to have it common, as thinking certain points in it to be to wanton to be wrought by that wit which by this work appeareth to be in him: which, as I conjecture, moved him to writ to his friend to keep it private to his own use, as may appear by his friends Epistle, and his Letter going before. Nevertheless, to accomplish the desire of the one, and not to incur the displeasure of the other, as also to pleasure you, the friendly Readers hereof, I have put the same in print, using my discretion in omitting such matter as in the Authors judgement might seem offensive, and yet I trust not leaving imperfection in the discourse, whereof if I have not gelded to much, I think I have deserved the less blame. And considering that in matters of pleasure, the printer may sooner offend in printing to much, then in publishing to little: I have applied myself to the contrary, hoping that how much the less I have printed, reserving the discourse perfect, so much the less I shallbe blamed for the deed. As for the Gentleman that written this work, and his friend that procured it to be published: as they are unknown to me both, so had I conference with neither, whereby the less I could use their advice in abridging any thing, which may be some cause of the disgracinge of that, which doubtless the Author had penned with great excellency, and eloquence. If herein, as I fear, I have offended, I am willing, being advertised thereof, to be reformed, craving pardon of him especially, and of all other friendly Readers, for the oversights whatsoever herein committed: for whose pleasure and profit I have left undone, and done, what soever I have done in this behalf. I have also of myself added an argument to every history, that the effect of the discourse may be the more easily carried away.  
Far ye heartily well.   


¶ Sinorix and Camma.  
SINORIX, chief governor of Sienna in Italy, glancing his eyes upon the glittering beauty of Camma, wife to Sinnatus, a Gentleman of the same city: falls into extreme love with her, and assayeth sundry ways to win her goodwill. But perceiulnge his practices to take no wished effect, and supposing the husbands life to hinder his love, causeth him to be murdered by a russian. Camma, to the intent she might be revenged upon the chief conspirator, in grauntinge him marriage, dispatcheth herself in drinking to him, and him in pledging her in a draft of poison, which she had prepared for that purpose.  
AS amongst all the bonds of benevolence and good will, there is none more honourable, ancient, or honest then Marriage, so in my fancy there is none that doth more firmly fasten, and inseparably unite us together then the same estate doth, or wherein the fruits of true friendship do more plenteously appear: In the Father is a certain severe love and careful good will towards the child, the child beareth a fearful affection and awful obedience towards the Father: the Master hath an imperious regard of the servant, the servant a servile care of the master. The friendship amongst men is grounded upon no law, and dissolved upon every light occasion: the good will of kinsfolk is commonly cold, as much of custom as of devotion: but in this stately state of Matrimony, there is nothing fearful, nothing feigned, all things are done faithfully without doubting, truly without doubling, willingly without constraint, joyfully without complaint: yea there is such a general consent and mutual agreement between the man and wife, that they both wish and will, covet and crave one thing. And as a scion grafted in a strange stalk, their natures being united by grothe, they become one, and together bear one fruit: so the love of the wife planted in the breast of her husband, their hearts by continuance of love become one, one sense and one soul serveth them both. And as the scion severed from the stock withereth away, if it be not grafted in some other: so a loving wife separated from the society of her husband, withereth away in woe, and leadeth a life no less pleasant than death, as the sequel of this history shall show, wherein you shall see a marvelous Mirror of blessed Matrimony, and a terrible type of beastly tyranny.  
In the City Sienna was a married couple, the husband named Sinnatus, the wife called Camma, who as they were by estate worshipful, by virtue honourable, and by goodness gracious, so were they in riches fortunate, in children fruitful, in friends flowrishinge, and in love so loyal each to other, that they long time led a loving and quiet life together: but either fortune envying their prosperity, or the devil displeased with their virtuous life, or God disposed to try their truth, and make them patterns to their posterity, converted this happy life to heavy estate, and raised up one Synorix to raze and beaten down the firm foundation of their faithful building and bydinge together. For this Sinorix glancing his gazing eyes on the blazing beauty of Camma, received so deep an impression, of her perfection in his heart, that immediately he fixed his fancy upon her comely corpse. And being the chief ruler of the city, he persuaded himself that there was none in the city so stout but would stoop to his lure, nor none so fair but would feign employ themselves to pleasure him: but on the other side the renowned virtue of Camma came to his mind, which persuaded an impossibility to his purpose: and floating thus between hope and despair he entered into these terms.  
O miserable wretch that I am, to whom shall I address my complaints, is it the heavenly powers and gods of love that have deprived me of my senses, and showed their divine working in me, or is it the hellish Hags and spirits of spite that have bereeved me of reason, & executed their cruelty on me? is it love that leadeth me to this lust, or is it hate that haileth me to this hurt and mischief, no not the gods guide us to goodness, the furies of hell it is that force us to silthynesse: neither doth it any way deserve the name of love, which bringeth such torment to my troubled mind, that all the devils in the world could not do the like. But see my rashness why am I so blindly bold beastly to blaspheme against that which proceeds altogether of nature, which nature hath imparted to all men, and which I aught to follow without repining or resisting: for so long as I follow nature as my guide I cannot do amiss, & sing nature hath taught us to love, why should I not rather prove her precepts, then reprove that which by nature's lore is allowed: and touching torment of mind, or either inconvenience that it bringeth, is it all able to impair the lest joy which I shall enjoy in imbracinge my Camma, is it not meet that he which would reap should sow, he that would gather fruit should plant trees, he that would reach the sweet rose should now & then be scratched with the sharp briars? I mean it is meet if I purpose to possess so proper a piece, as Camma is, that I should sly no labour or refure any peril in the pursuit thereof. And here upon he determined to follow the fury of his fancy what pangs or perils soever he incurred thereby: and having revolved many ways in his mind how he might aspire to his purpose, at length he resolved upon this to institute a sumptuous Banquet, whereto he invited the chéeif of the city, among whom Synnatus and his wife Camma were not forgotten, to wit the only authors of the feast. Now for the more royal receiving of his guests he met them at the entry into his Palace, and gave them this greeting.  
Fair Ladies as I am right joyful of your presence, so am I no less sorrowful for the pains which you have taken in undertaking so great a journey this dark and misty evening, for the which I must accounted myself so much the more beholding to you, by how much greater your labour was in coming, and by how much less your cheer shallbe able to countervail it now you are come: & taking Camma by the hand, he said softly unto her, I pity the pains of these gentlewomen the les for that you were in their company, whose piercing eyes as celestial stars or heavenly lamps might serve for lights in the dark, whose sweet face might parfume the air from all noisome smells which might annoyed them: and by beholding your lovely looks and perfect shape they might take such delight, that the wearynesse of the way could nothing molest or grieve them.  
Camma hearing herself so greatly praised of so great a personages as he was, could not keep the Roseal red out of her Alabaster cheeks, and thinking no such serpentine malice to lie hide under these merry and sugared words, she gave him this courteous answer.  
If Sir the company had made no better provision for lights and other things necessary than such as you speak of, they might soon have slipped into the mire, but as I perceive by your words you are disposed to jest and be merry, so I am content for this once to be made the instrument thereof, thereby to ease some part of the pains which you are like to take in receiving such troublesome guests as we are: and for our cheer you need take no thought, for it shallbe so much to good for us, by how much less we have deserved any at all at your hands.  
After this amarousin counter, he caused the company to sit down to the banquet, and so disposed the matter, that Gamma sat right over at the table against him, whereby he freely fed his eyes on that meat which converted rather to nourishment of sickness, then to wholesome humours of health. For as the finest meats that be, eaten by one in extremity of sickness, resolve not to pure blood to strengthen the body, but to waterish humours to feed the fever and disease: so though her face and looks were fine and sweet, and brought delight to all the beholders else, yet to him they wrought only torment and trouble of mind: and notwithstanding he perceived her beauty to breed his bane, & her looks to procure the loss of his liberty, and that as the Cockatrice by sight only sleath, so she by courteous countenance only killed and wounded his heart, yet could he not refrain his eyes from beholding her, but according to the nature of the sickly patient, which chiefly desireth that which cheiflye is forbidden him, he so incessantly threw his amorous glances towards her, that his eyes were altogether bleared with her beauty, and she also at the length began to perceive his loving looks towards her, which made her look pale in token of the little pleasure she took in his toys, and of the great fear she had lest, some other should mark them, whereby her good name might come in question. The banquet being ended, every one prepared themselves to hear a stage play, which was then ready to be presented. But Synorix being able to play but one part, which was of a poor passionate lover, determined to go forward with the tragedy already begun between Camma and him, and seeing her set out of the husbands sight, placed himself by her, and entered into reasoning with her, to this purpose. If (fair lady) this simple banquet had been so sweet and pleasant to your seemly self and the rest, as your sight is delightful to me, I am persuaded you would not have changed your cheer for Nectar and Ambrosia, which the poets feigned to be the food of the gods: but seeing there was no cause of delight in the one, and the other containeth that in it which may content the gods themselves, I shall desire you in good part to accept the one, and courteously to account me worthy to enjoy the other. And though I have not here tofore by dutiful service manifested unto you the loyalty of my love, yet if my poor heart could signify unto you the assaults it hath suffered for your sake, I doubt not but you would confess, that by force of love I had won you, & were worthy to wear you. For albeit by human laws your husband only have interest in you, yet by nature's laws, which being more ancient aught to be of more authority, he aught to enjoy you which joyeth most in you, which loveth you best, & endureth most pain for your sake: & for proof of nature's laws, it may please you to consider the quality of the she wolf who always chooseth that wolf for her make who is made most lean and foul by following her: besides that, my title marcheth under the ensign of justice, which is a virtue giving to every one according to his desert, and that the desert of love is only love again, I know you are not to know: for all the goods in the world are not able to requited good will, the one belonging to the mind, the others incident to the body, but from the equity of my cause I appeal to your good grace and favour, and at the bar of your beauty I humbly hold up my hands, meaning to be tried by your courtesy and mine own loyalty, and minding to abide your sentence either of consent unto life, or of denial unto death. Camma hearing this discourse, assote looked read for shame, as soon pale for anger, neither would disdain let her make him answer, neither would her grief give her leave to hold her peace, but standing a while in a maze between silence and saying, at length she broke of the one and burst out into the other in this sort.  
If (Sir) your banquet had been no better, than this your talk is pleasant to me, I am persuaded the dishes would have been taken whole from the Table without touching, but as the one was far better than the company deserved, so the other for a far worse woman might more fitly have served, and if your sweet meat have such sour sauce, the next time you sand for me, I will make you such answer as was made to Cratorus the Emperor by Diogenes, when he sent for him to make his abode with him in his court, who answered he had rather be fed at Athens with salt, them live with him in all delicacy: so for my part I promise' you, I had rather be fed at home with bread and water then pay so dearly for dainty dishes. Touching the pains you have endured for my sake, I take your words to be as false towards me, as you would make my faith towards my husband, but admit they were true, seeing I have not willingly been the cause of them, I count not myself bond in conscience to countervail them, only I am sorry they were not bestowed on some more worthy your estate and less worthy an honest name then myself, which being the chief riches I have, I mean most diligently to keep. The interest which cavilingly you cleime in me as it consists of false premises, so though the premises were true, yet the conclusion which you infer thereof followeth not necessarily, for were it so that your love were greater towards me than my husbands (which you can not induce me to believe) yet seeing my husband by order of law hath first taken possession of me, your title succeeding his, your success and suit must needs be cold & nought: for as yourself say of laws, so of titles the first are ever of most force, and the most ancient of most authority. Your Wolves example, though it show your Foxely brain, yet doth it enforce no such proof to your purpose, but that by my former reason it may be refelled, for that the Wolf is free from the proper possession of any: but therein truly you observe decoran very duly, in using the example of a Beast in so beastly a cause: for like purpose, like proof: like man, like matter. Your manly marching under the ensign of justice, if reason be your captain general to lead you, I doubt not, but soon to turn to a retire: for if it be goodwill which you bear me, I must needs grant you duly deserve the like again: but when you are able to prove it goodwill to deflower my chastity, to béeréeve me of my good name, to despoil me of mine honour, to 'cause me to transgress the bounds of honesty, to infringe my faith towards my husband, to violate the sacred Rites of Matrimony, to pollute the Temple of the Lord, with other innumerable enormities, when I say you are able to prove these to proceed of good will, then will I willingly yield consent to your request. But see the unreasonableness of your suit, would you have me in showing courtesy towards you, commit cruelty towards myself? should I in extending mercy to you, bring myself to misery? should I place you in pleasure, and displace myself of all joy? for what joy can a woman enjoy having lost her chastity, which aught to be the joy jewel and Gem of all Gentilwomen of my calling and countenance? your appeal from your own cause to my courtesy bewrayeth the naughtiness thereof, for if it be not ill, why stick you not to it? if it be good, why appeal you from it? but seeing you have constituted me judge in this case, you know it is not the part of a judge to deal partially, or to respect the man more then the matter, or to tender more mine own case then your cause: therefore indifferently this sentence definitive I give, I condemn you henceforth to perpetual silence in this suit, and that you never hereafter open your mouth herein, being a matter most unseemly for your honour, and most prejudicial to my honesty: and in abiding this sentence (if you can be content with honest amity) for the curte●ie which I have always found at your hands, and for the good will which you pretend to bear me, I promise' you, you shall enjoy the second place in my heart, and you shall find me friendly in all things, which either you with reason can ask, or I with honesty grant.  
Synorix having herded this angel thus amiably pronouncing these words, was so rapt in admiration of her wisdom, and ravished in contemplation of her beauty, that though she had not enjoined him to silence, yet had he not had a word to say: and lest his looks might béewray his love, and his countenance discover his case, he secretly and suddenly withdrew himself into his chamber, to study what face to set on the matter: & casting himself upon his bed, after he had dreamt a while upon his doting devices, at length he awaked out of his wavering thoughts, and recovered the possession of his senses again: by which time the play was ended, and his guests ready to departed, whereupon he was driven to come forth of his chamber to take his leave of them: and bidding his Mistress good night, 〈◊〉 gave her such a look, that his very eyes seemed to pled for pity, so that what his tongue dared not, his eyes did. His guests being go, he disposed himself to rest, but love, which was then his good Master, willed him otherwise to employ that night, which was in examyning particularly every point of her answer. And though the first part seemed somewhat sharp and rigorous, and the second contained the confutation of his cause: yet the third and last part seemed to be mixed with metal of more mild matter, which he repeated to himself a thousand times, and there upon, as upon a firm foundation, determined to raise up his building again with the two former parts of her answer had utterly ●ansakt to the ground. But mistaking the nature of the ground whereon the foundation was laid, his building, as if it had been set in sands, soon came to ruin: for by that promise of friendship, which she friendly made him, he sinisterly conceived hope of obtaining that which she neither with honour could promise', neither with honesty perform, and feeding himself with that vain hope in great bravery, as in a manner assured of the victory, he written unto her to this effect.  
Albeit good Mistress, you have enjoined my tongue to silence, yet my hands are at liberty, to bewray the secrets of my heart: and though you have taken my heart prisoner, yet my head hath free power to pled for release and relief. Neither would I you should count me in the number of these cowardly Soldiers, which at the first Canon that roareth, give over the siege of the city they assaulted, for I have been always settled in this opinion, that the more hard the fight is, the more haughty is the conquest, and the more doubtful the battle, the more doughty the victory. And as it is not the part of a politic Captain to put himself in peril, without hope of pray, or praise: so to win the Bulwarks of your breast I count it a more rich booty then Caesar had in ransacking so many Cities, and a more rare praise then ever Alexander had in subduing so many nations. And though my presumption may seem great in practising one of so high a calling as your sweet self, yet sing in all degrees of friend ship, equality is chiefly considered, I trust you will clear me of crime that way: neither would I, you should think my flight so free to stoop at every stolen, for as the haughty Hawk will not pray on carrion, so neither will courtely silks practise country sluttes. But because I know that to be in you, which both concerneth my calling, and consenteth with my fancy, I have choose you for the Goddess of my devotions, humbly beséechinge you with pity to hear the prayers, which I with pain power forth before you, that it may not be said your name hath been called on in vain, whereby you may loose that honour, which others of duty, and I of devotion do unto you. The benefit which you bestow on me in granting me the second place in your heart, as I must acknowledge though somewhat unthankfully, so must I crave a greater though somewhat impudently: for seeing my whole heart and body are yours, me thinks a piece of your heart is a poor piece of amendss. Way the matter uprightly, consider my case courtiously, and take compassion on me speedily. Yours altogether, Don Sinorix de Sienna. Camma having received and read this letter was assailed diversly, sometime with sorrow in thinking on the time she first see him or he her, sometime with repentance of her former promise made him, sometime with pity on his part, sometime with piety on her own: but at length piety vanquished pity, and caused her to sand this rough reply to his letter.  
The little account you make of me and my goodwill, I perceive by the little care you have to satisfy that which I gave you in charge, you would ill have done as the knight Virla did, who at the commandment of his lady Zilia, forbore the use of his tongue & remained dumb the term of. i● years: but as you subtly think to discharge yourself of my charge by writing and not speaking, so by writing I simply do you to understand, that from henceforth you look for no more at my hands then at a strangers, I will not say an enemies, for seeing my promise was but upon condition, the condition being broken, my promise is voyde: And seeing you have played the pelting Merchant ventrer, to hazard that goodwill and credit you had with me to get more, the tempest of my just displeased mind hath driven your suit against the rough rocks of repulse, and you have made shipwreck of all: your courageous persisting in your purpose proveth you rather a desperate sot than a discrete soldier: for to hop against the hill, and strive against the stream, hath ever been counted extreme folly: your valiant venturing for a pray of value proceeds rather of covetousness then of courage, for the valiant soldier seeketh glory, not gain, but therein you may be more fitly resembled to the Caterpillar which cleaveth only to good fruit, or to the Moth which most of all eateth the best cloth, or to the Canker which commonly breedeth in the fairest Rose, or to the Wolf which by his will will kill the fattest sheep. The equality which you pretend to be between us is altogether unequal, for both you exceed me in degree, and I excel you in honesty, so that neither in calling nor quality is there any equality beetwéen us. Whereas you have choose me for your goddess, I beseech you suffer me to remain an earthly creature, and serve you that god which can bridle your wanton desires, and give you grace to give your neighbours leave to live honestly by you. Lest you take his name in vain, who will verily punish your vanity at the length, though for a time he suffer you to wallow in your wickedness, for it is the prudent policy of god to suffer the sinful long time to swim in their sin, to make their sinking more sorrowful, by their sudden shrinking from prosperity to adversity. For adversity is ever most bitter to him who hath long time lived in prosperity: neither must you think that that which is deferred is taken away, for as yourself or any other that oweth m●ny, though you defer your creditor for a time, yet you defraud him not altogether of does due, so though God take days with you for a time, yet assure yourself he will pay you truly at the length, yea and perchance with large usury besides the due debt. For as a hawk the higher pitch she flieth from the ground with the more force she stoopeth down upon her pray and can the more easily command it, or as a stroke or blow the higher it is lifted the hevier it lights, so gods vengeance the longer it is deferred, the more it is to be feared. And this good counsel take of me as the last benefit which you shall ever receive at my hands. Yours nothing at all Constantio Camma. Sinorix having seen this rigorous resolution of his Mistress, went another way to work, he suborned an old woman of the city, well seen in soliciting such suits, to go unto her and to present her from him with many rich tewels, and which he willed her to tell, he would willingly bestow for one simple consent of her good will. The old woman having done his shameful message without shame, said of herself in this sort.  
Surely, Mistress Camma, if the experience which old years have given me, might crave credit for the counsel which I shall give you, I would not wish you to refuse the friendship of such a one as Sinorix is, who is able to fill your purse with pearls, and fulfil you with pleasure every way: neither is it wisdom for you to spend your golden years but in golden pleasure, and not to be tied to one diet which bringeth satiety and loathsomeness, but to have choice of change which breeds appetite and lustiness. The chaste ears of Camma not able to endure this course discourse, she cut of her ghostly counsel with these cutting words, gentlewoman, if you were endued with as many good conditions as you have lived years, you would never have undertaken so shameless a message and were it not more for reverence of your years, then respect of your errant, I would make your filthy trade of life so famous, that you should ever hereafter be ashamed to show your face in any honest company. What do you think, though money can make you a bawd, that it can make me a harlot, and though you for gain fly no filthiness, that I for glory follow no faithfulness, either towards my spouse and husband, either towards my ● Lord and god? Do you judge me so covetous of coin, or so prodigal of min● honour, that to get theone I will lose the other? Or doth he that sent you think so abjectly of me, that gain may more prevail with me then goodwill, money more than a man, coin more than courtesy, jewels more than gentleness, Perls more than perils and pains which he hath endured for my sake: not let him understand, if any thing could have caused me to serve from my duty, love of luker should not have alured me thereto. But as I am fully resolved, faithfully to keep my vow and promise' made to my husband, so I béeseeche him not to bestow any more labour in attempting that, which he shall never attain unto: for before this my resolution shallbe reversed, he shall see the dissolution of my body into dust. But if he will not thus give over his suit, he will 'cause me to make those privy to his dealing, who will make him ashamed of it: and for your part, you may pack you hence with this your trash and trumpery to those, which measure their honour by the price of profit, and their glory by the guerdon of gain. This honest woman being go a way with a slay in her ear, Camma began to think of the matter with advised deliberation, and entered into reasoning with herself in this sort.  
What fearful folly is this in me to contemn the friendship of so great a lord as Synorix is, whom the greatest Lady in this land would willingly receive for husband, and yet I rigorously refuse for servant? What is that honour whereon I stand so stiffly, shall it not rather increase mine honour to have so honourable a servant? And what is that chastity which I seek so charily to keep, do not some men say that women always live chastened enough, so that they live charily enough, that is so that they convey their matters so covertly that their doings be not commonly known, for otherwise to incontinency were added impudence: likewise, for a woman to enter into conversation with a rascal of no reputation, can not but be a great blemish to the brightness of her name, (for a foul adultrer is ever worse than the adultery it self) and it is a great sign she greatly loatheth her husband when she liketh one better, which is every way worse: but to have a friend of reservation whose very countenance may credit her & her husband, me thinks can be no great dishonour to either the one or the other. What dishonour was it I pray you to Helen when she left her husband Menelaus & went with Paris to Troy? Did not the whole glory of Greece to her great glory go in arms to fetch her again And if she had not been counted a piece of price, or if by the fact she had defaced her honour, is it to be thought the Grecians would have continued ten years in war continually to win her again? But to leave honour and chastity, and come to commodity and safety, what do I know what perils will follow of this repulse: is it likely Sinorix will put up this reproach patiently? may I not justly lok● to have his love turned to hate, and that he will either by tyrannous means seek the subversion of my husband & his whole household, either by treacherous means work the overthrow of me and my good name? For the first, Edward a king of England may serve for an example, who when the countess of Salesbury would not consent to content his incontinent desire, he so raged against her parents and friends, that the father was forced to persuade his own daughter to folly: & the mother as a bawd to prostitute her to the kings lust, & bring her to his privy chamber. For the second, the Earl of Pancalier may serve for testimony who when the duchess of Savoy would not yield to his lasscivious lust, wrought such wiles, that she was condemned for adultery, and judged to suffer most shameful death by burning. Now to prevent either of these perils it lieth in my power, & sing of evils the lest is to be choose, I think it better than to hazard life, living, or good name, to loose that which shallbe no great loss to my husband or myself, for as the sun though it shine on us here in Italy, yet it giveth light likewise to those that are in England and other places: or as the sea hath fish for every man, or as one good dish of meat may well suffice two people though very hungry, so is there that in me where with Synnatus may be satisfied, and Synorix sufficed. And this encourageth▪ me hereto the rather, for that I see by experience in most of my neighbours, that those are ever most made of by their husbands, who that way deal most falsely with their husbands. Besides that how openly soever they deal in these affairs, their husbands never hear of it, and though they do hear of it, yet will they not hearken unto it, and though they do in a manner see it, yet will they not believe it, and though they do béeleeue it, yet will they love them the better to have them leave it the sooner. Again, what know I whether my husband deal falsely with me & row in some other stream, which if it be so, I shall but save my soul in paying his debts, & oxercise the virtue of justice in requiting like for like. And touching corrupting of my children's blood, I think it made more noble in participating with a blood more noble than my husbandsis. But canst thou harlot call him husband, whom the meanest so wickedly to betray? Am I in my wits to use these witless words? Is it my mouth that hath uttered this blasphemy, or was it the devil within me that delivered it forth? Not, if I were guilty but in thought hereto, I would restore the fault with criminal penance, yea if I felt any part in me apt to any such evil, I would cut it of for fear of infecting the rest of the body. Good god, whether now is honour fled, which was ever wont to be the fairest flower in my garland? Whether now is chastity chas●d, which hath been always the chiefest stay of my state? Shall the sun of my shining life be now eclipsed with an act so filthy, that the very remembrance thereof is no less grievous than death? Why, was Helen for all her heavenly hue, any other accounted then a common harlot, and was it not only to be revenged on her and her champion Paris, that the Grecians continued their siege so long? And touching the inconveniences I may incur by this refusal, is any evil worse than honesty? Is there any thing to be fled more than offence? Is not the loss of goods less, then of one's good name? Is not an honourable death to be preferred before an infamous life. And touching the Countess before rehearsed, had she ever married with the king if she had not continued in her constancy to the end? And for the Duchess of Savoy what hurt sustained she by that false accusation? Did it not make her glory and virtue show more splendently to the whole world? Yes not boubt of it, for like as streams the more you stop them the higher they flow: and trees the more ye lordship them the greater they grow, or as Spices the more they are beaten the sweeter scent they sand forth: or as the herb Camomile the more it is trodden down the more it spreadeth abroad, so virtue & honesty the more it is spited, the more it sprouteth and springeth, for honour ever is the reward of virtue, and doth accompany it as duly as the shadow doth the body. And as the sun though it be under a cloud keepeth still his brightness though weo see it not, so virtue though it be dimmed with devilish devices, yet it keepeth her strength and power still, though to us it seem utterly to be extinguished, so that so long as I remain virtuous & honest, I need not care what man, malice or the devil can devise against me. Not no dear children you shall not by my means be suspected to be bastards, neither will I make thee sweet husband ashamed to show thy face amongst the best of them: and I will let thee understand the villainy which that viper Synorix endeavoureth to death. And shall I deal so fond in deed, is not the repulse punishment enough, unless I be wray his doings to my husband and so procure him further displeasure? Yea I might thereby be occasion to set them together by the ears, whereby it might fall out (as the event of battle is always doubtful) that my husband might be hurt or slain, and then the common report would be (as the people are ever prove to speak the worst) that I being an ill woman had conspired his confusion and seh Synorix to slay him. And though no such thing chauncet (as God forbidden it should) yet this at lest I should be sure to get by it, that my busbande ever after would be jealous over me, and right careful would he be to keep that which he see others so busily to seek. And such is the malice of men, perchance he would judge some light behaviour in me, to be the cause that encouraged Synorix to attempt my chastity. For men have this common opinion amongst them, that as there is no smoke but where there is some fire, so seldom is there any fervent love, but where there hath been some kindness showed to kindle one's desire. Moreover this toy may take him in the head, that it is a practice between us two to prevent suspicion & cloak our love, & with the firm persuasion of my invincible chastity, to lull him a sleep in security, and than most to deceive him, when he lest suspecteth guile: and if at any time he hear of it by other, I may stop his mouth with this, that I myself told him of it, which if I had meant to deal falsely with him, I would not have done: yea what know I whether he will like the better or the worse of me, for breeding such a bees nest in his brain: lastly I should derogate much from mine own virtue, and in a manner accuse myself of proneness to fall that way, as though I were not strong enough to withstand his assaults without the assistance of my husband. Yes, god in whom I repose my trust, shall fortify me against the fury of my foes, and give me grace with wisdom to escape his wiles, with charines to eschew his charms, and with piety to resist his pravity.  
Now to return to Synorix, so soon as that old Pandarina had related unto him at large the answer of his Mistress, he fell from the place he sat, flat upon the ground, and lay in a trance a great while, and now those sparks which before love had kindled in him, were with continual sighs so blown, as it were with a pair of bellows, that they break forth into fiery flames, and that which before was fancy, was now turned to fury: for being come to himself, or rather being quite past himself, with staring looks, with pale countenance, with fiery eyes, with gnashing teeth, with trembling tongue, in rage he roared forth these words.  
And shall I thus be frustrate of my desire? shall I with words and works, with prayers and presents, pursue the goodwill of a dainty disdayninge dame, and receive but labour for my love, and gréeif for my goodwill? But ah frantik fool, why do I in my rage, rage against her who is the most fair and courteous creature under heaven? Not it is that churl Synnatus that soweth the seed of my sorrow, it is his severity towards her, that causeth her cruelty towards me: the fear she hath of him, is the cause she dareth not take compassion on my passions: and shall he swim in bliss, and I lie drenched in deep despair? Shall he be ingorged with pleasure, & I pine away in pain? Not I will make him feel that once, which he maketh me feel a thousand times a day. And hereupon determined with himself by some means or other to procure the death of Synnatus, thinking thereby the sooner to obtain his purpose of his wife. And calling unto him one of his swearing swash buckler servants, he laid before him the platfourme of his purpose, and told him plainly if he would speedily dispatch Synnatus out of the way, he would give him a thousand crowns in his purse to keep him in another Country. His servant, though altogether past grace, yet for fashion sake began to advise his master more wisely, saying.  
For mine own part it maketh no matter, for another country is as good for me as this, and I count any place my country, where I may live well and wealthily, but for your part it be hooueth you to look more warily to yourself, for that your love towards Camma is known to divers of this city, by reason whereof, if I should commit any such act, it must needs be thought that you must needs be accessary thereto, which will turn, though not to your death, for that none hath authority above you to execute the rigour of the laws upon you, yet to your utter shame and reproach it can not but convert.  
Tush (says his master) the case is light, where counsel can take place: what talkest thou to me of shame, that am by injurious and spiteful dealing deprived the use of reason, and dispossessed of my wits and senses. Neither au● I the first that have played the like part, did not David the choose servant of God, being blasted with the beauty of Bersabe, cause her husband Urias to be set in the forefront of the battle to be slain, which done he married his wife? And why is it not lawful for me to do the like? But I know the worst of it, if thou will't not take it upon thee, I will either do it myself, or get some other that shall.  
The man seeing how his Master was bend both to satisfy his mind, and to gain so good a sum of money promised to perform his charge which with opportunity of time and place he did. And seeing Synnatus on a time, (in ill time) passing thorough a blind lane of the City, he shrouded himself in a corner, and as he came by, shot him thorough with a Pistol: which done he forthwith fled the country. Camma hearing of the cruel murder of her husband, and by the circumstances, knowing Synorix to be the author thereof, tearing her heir, scratching her face, and beating her body against the ground, s● soon as the floods of tears had flown so long that the fountain was dry, so that her speech might have passage, which before the tears stopped, she began to cry out in this careful manner.  
O God, what unjustice is this in thee, to suffer the earth remain polluted with the blood of innocentes? Didst thou curse Cain for kill his brother Abel, and will't thou not crucify Synorix for slaying Synnatus? Is thy heart now hardened that thou will't not, or are thy hands now weakened that thou canst not preserve thy servants from the slaves of Satan? If there be no safety in innocency, wherein shall we repose ourselves? If thou be not our protector, who shall defend us? If the wicked vanquish the virtuous, who shall set forth thy honour and glory, or who will so much as once call upon thy name? But what mean I wretched wight to exclaim against God as the author of my evil, whereas it is only I myself that am guilty of my husbands death? It is I that pampered up my beauty, to make it glister in the sight of every gazing eye, in the thriftless thread whereof this Tyrant was so entangled, that to unwind himself thereout he hath wrought all this mischief. It is I that would not detect his doings to my husband, whereby he might have prevented the peril which hung over his head. And seeing I have been the cause of his death, shall I being a murderer remain alive? Did Alcyone seeing the dead carcase of her husband Ceix cast on shore, willingly cast herself into the Sea to accompany his death. And shall I see my sweet Synnatus slain, and not drink of the same cup? Did true Thisbe gore her gorgeous body with the same sword, wherewith princely Pyramus had pricked himself to the heart: and are not my hands strong enough to do the like? Did julietta die upon the corpse of her Romeo, and shall my body remain on earth, Synnatus being buried? Not gentle death come with thy direful dart, and pierce my painful heart, and with one death rid me out of a thousand deaths at once. For what thought do I think on my Synnatus, which doth not procure me double death? What thing do I see belonging to him, which is not a triple torment unto me? But it is cowardliness to wish for death, and couragiousnesse valiantly to take it. Yes I can and will bestow my life for my Synnatus sweet sake: but O God shall that Tyrant remain alive to triumph in his treachery, & vaunt in his villainy? Shall I not see his fatal day before my final end. It is his blood that willbe a most sweet sacrifice to the ghost of Sinnatus, not mine: and then can I end my life contentedly when I have offered up this acceptable sacrifice: and until such time as I have opportunity hereto, I will prolong my doleful days in direful grief, and only the hope of revengement, shall heavily hold my loathsome life and sorrowful soul together? For other cause why I should desire life I have not, for that I am utterly deprived of all joys of life. For as the bird that is bruised with some blow lieth aloof on the leaves, and hears his fellows sing, and is not able to utter one warbling note out of his mournful voice, but rather hates the harmony which other birds do make, so I, my heart being bruised and broken, sit solitarily alone and see some hang about their husbands necks, some closely clepe them in their arms, some trisle with them, some talk with them, all which sight redoubleth my pain to think myself deprived of those pleasures: yea to a wretched wounded heart that dwells in dole, every pleasant sight turns to bitter spite: and the only object which shall ever content my eyes, shall be the destruction of that tyrant, which hath brought me to this desolation.  
Now Synorix thinking that time had taken away her tears and sorrow, and supposing that neither she, neither any other had suspected him for the murder of her husband, began to enter into the lists of lust again, and with a new incountry of incontivency to set upon her. But she so much abhorred him, that if she but herded his name it caused her nature to fail in her, and all her senses to faint: so that when he see no posibility to impel her to impiety, he meant to move her in the way of marriage and caused her near kinsfolk and friends to solicit his suit unto her, who partly for fear of his displeasure, partly for that they known it would be greatly to her advancement, laboured very earnestly in the matter, and were so importunate upon her that no answer would satisfy them. Now Camma seeing she could not be rid of her friends, and foreseeing that by this means she might be rid of her enemies, agreed to take him to husband. And the day of the solemnizing of the marriage being come, they went together to the temple of Diana where all things according to custom being consummated, the bride wife (as the use was) drank to her husband in drink as he thought, but indeed in poison which she had provided of purpose: and when she see he had drunk up his death, she said unto him go now and in steed of thy marriage bed get thee a grave, for thy marriage is turned to murder, a punishment most just for thy outrageous lust and cruel tyranny ' for vengeance asketh vengeance, & blood blood, and they that sow slaughter, shallbe sure to reap ruin and destruction. Now Synorix hearing these words and feeling the force of the poison to work within him, assayed all the remedies he could to cure himself, but all in vain. Camma also feeling the poison to prevail within her, fallen upon her knees before the altar of Diana uttringe these words.  
O goddess, thou knowest how since the death of my sweet husband, this life hath been most loathsome and sour unto me, and that the only offering up of this sacrifice kept me from him, which now in thy presence I have performed I think myself to have satisfied my duty, and purchased thereby a passport to pass to the place and Paradise where my husband hath his habitation.  
Immediately upon this so well as she could she crawled home to her house, where she was no sooner, but she had certain tidings brought her that Synorix was dead. Wherewith with great joy she cast herself down upon her bed, and called her little children about her, and blessing and bussing them said.  
Alas pretty Imps who shall now defend you from your foes, who shall redress your wrongs▪ Your father is go, your mother is going, and you poor souls must bide behind to abide the brunt and bitter blasts of this wretched world. Ah if the love which I bore my husband had not been exceeding great, nature would have caused me to have had some care of you, & for your sakes to have suffered myself sometime longer to live, but now as I have showed myself a loving wife, so have I scarce showed myself a natural mother. But alas it was reason I should prefer him before you, who was the author of you, & who blessed me with you. Well I see now my time is come, my tongue gins to fail, come dear children, & take your last congee of your lost mother, god shield you from shame, God preserve you from peril, God sand you more prosperous fortune than your poor parents had. And thus farewell my fruit, farewell my flesh, farewell sweet babes, and O welcome my Synnatus, whom I see in the skies ready to receive me, and so in sorrow and joy she gave up the ghost.  
Now I would wish you blazing stars which stand upon your chastity, to take light at this lot, to take heed by this harm, you see the husband slain, the ruffian fled, the lover poisoned, the wife dead, the friends comfortless, the children parentlesse. But it is naturally incident to women to enter into extremities, they are either to loving or to lothinge, to courteous or to coy, to willing or to wilful, to merciful or to merciless, to forward or to froward, to friendly or to féendly, the mean they always meanly accounted of. Otherwise she might with reason sooner than rigour have repressed his rage. But howsoever my words run, I would not you should take them to tend altogether to her dispraise, for as I must condemn her cruelty, so can I not but commend her constancy, & chastity, and think her worthy to be compared to Lucrece, Penelope, or what woman soever that ever had any pre-eminence of praise for her virtue. And I would wish my gallant youths, which delight to gaze in every garish glass, and to have an Oar stirring in every beautiful boat, not to row past their reach, not to fix their fancy upon impossibilities, not to suffer themselves to be blasted with the beams of beauty, or scorched with the lightning of loving looks: such love towards the married is ever without law, such fire is without fear, such suits are without shame, such Cankers, if they be not at the beginning cured, grow to the confusion of the whole body. Therefore Gentlewomen I leave it to your judgements to give sentence, whether be more worthy reprehension, he or she. He had the law of love on his side, she had the law of men and of marriage on her part: love led him, which the gods themselves cannot resist, chastity guided her, which the gods themselves have lost: he killed him whom he counted his enemy, she killed him whom she known her fleshly friend: she with reason might have prevented great mischief, his wings were to much limed with lust to fly forth of his folly.   

Tereus and Progne.  
¶ TEREUS King of Thrace, enamoured of Progne, daughter to Pandion Prince of Athens, obtaineth her in marriage, and conveyeth her into his own country. Progne, desirous to see her sister Philomela, moveth Tereus to go to Athens, and to get licence to bring her into Thrace, who on the way falling into unlawful liking of her, forceth her to his pleasure, and cutteth out her tongue, that she might tell no tales. Progne, having hereof secret intelligence, in lieu of that foul fact, murdereth his and her own Sun, young Itys, and dresseth him in meats for his Father's mouth, Which horrible deed when Tereus would have revenged upon the Mother and Aunt, they escape his hands, and are transfourmed into Birds.  
IF it were meet for mortal creatures to complain of their immortal creator, then truly may we justly prepare complaint against our maker, for that of all his creatures he hath made man most miserable. Herbs, Trees and plants he hath framed without sense, whereby they neither feel the force of winter's blasts, neither the fire of summers blaze: fowls, fish and beasts he hath be reaved of a reasonable soul, whereby they bear the brunt of their bodies only, and are not molested with the motions of the mind: but man he hath made subject to infirmities of the body, to miseries of mind, to all storms of strie●e and pangs of pain:: And as the Chameleon changeth himself into the colour and hue of every thing he doth view, so man is made apt to be transfourmed into any misfortune, and to receive any evil that reigneth upon the face of the earth: yea, if we consider the whole course of our life, we begin with cries, and end with cares: for we are no sooner out of our mother's womb, but we forthwith cry to signify the sorrow which will ensue in our succeeding age: in our infancy our tender bodies are subject to many infirmities: in our childhood our weak minds are troubled with many toys: we are plied sore to silence, which is of hard digestion to us, we fear the masters lowringe lore, which is a continual torment unto us: but o, the sea of sorrow and waves of woe which then overwhelm us, when we once arrive to man's estate, what vain desires? What fantastical follies? What careless and spareless spending? What prodigal pride? What fiery flames of love? What harebrained heats of hate? What pensife fear of parent's displeasure? What solitariness in single life? What mind to marry? What misery in marriage? What charge in children? What care of their instruction? What fear of their destruction, and touching our own bodies, what often surfetinges? What perilous plewrises? What fearful fevers? What danger in war? What peril in fight? Yea what sorrow which this age is not subject to? Lastly in old age we covetously cark for coin, we toil for trash, we think we never have enough, we think all to much that is spent, we take little pleasure in any thing, we think the world is changed, and that it is far worse than it was when we were young, only because our bodies are changed, and our vital heat so vanished away, that nothing seemeth pleasant unto us, though it be the same it was wont to be, so that we think the alteration to be in the thing, when it is in ourself. And then not only our memory faileth, our wits wax weak, and return to infancy again, but our bodies also are broken with cares, taken with cramps, shaken with paulseys, tormented with the stone, lamed with the gout, dried with dropsies, our sight waxeth dim, our hearing deaf, our smelling small, our tasting untoothsome, our feeling feeble, yea all our senses are almost without sense: & yet we are loath to die & leave our worldly muck, the fear of approaching death doth daily daunt us, and at length his deadly darts do utterly destroy us. And surely the consideration of this our miserable estate doth so resolve me into sorrow, that if your presence did not sprinkle me with some dew of delight, I should hardly frame my wits to procure you pleasure by any pleasant history, but rather continue a dolorous discourse of our calamity. And yet the history I mean to tell shall not be altogether estranged from the argument of my former discourse, but though it manifest not our manifold misery, yet shall it at lest set forth the frailty of our felicity. The history is this.  
The flourishing common wealth of Athens had to their prince one Pandion, whose estate both fortune beautified with great wealth, and God blessed with goodly children, to wit two daughters of excellent beauty, the elder named Progne, the youngest Philomela. Now fame being a tattling Goddess, blazed the brute of Progne abreade into divers countries, until at length the rumour of her reno●me rung about the ears of Tereus' king of Thrace, who being a young lusty gallant, made no great account of the commendations which were given her, knowing, if he were disposed to marry, he might make his choice among a great number as good as she was, and more near neighbours unto him then Athens was. But destinies so drove that shortly after this, on a night in his sleep he seemed to see her stand apparently before him (only a strong imagination assuring him that it was she) which sight sunk so deeply into his heart and brought him such excessive delight, that he presently awaked, and missing the party that procured him such pleasure, his joy was turned to annoy: neither could he ever after that find any contentation in any thought or deed, but only in this determination to go have a true sight of her, whose seeming shadow had so dazzled his eyes: and with all speed repaired his ships, and prepared all things necessary for such a voyage, and by the help of good wind and will, shortly arrived there where his heart had already cast anchor: and sent ambassadors to the king to certify him of his coming, who received him with royalty fit for his regal estate. And at the first incountry of the two princes Tereus said.  
My coming unto you O noble prince is not as an open enemy to invade you, for you see I am unarmed, neither as a secret traitor to entrap you, for you know I am your friend: but that you may not marvel at my sudden coming, you shall understand it is to see your daughter the Lady Progne, for you shall soon perceive I pretend well unto her. Pandian answered.  
As (most worthy prince) the cause of your coming is friendly, so can I not but friendly accept it, and how much I think myself honoured thereby so much I count myself bond unto you.  
And after a little parley passed between them of the estates of their realms and manners of their countries, Pandion preferred him to the sight of his daughter, whom after Tereus had saluted with a courteous congee, he entered into discoursing with in this sort.  
If fair Lady, I should tell the truth of my coming into this country, I think you would take it but for a trifling toy, yea if I should in words plainly set down the cause of this my enterprised journey, and the case which through your means I remain in, I doubt you would neither believe the cause, neither relieve my case: for that the strangeness of the one would breed great incredulity & for the other the small acquaintance I have with you & less deserts towards you can crave small courtesy: yet if it please you to know, neither the desire to see this country, neither the renown of your virtue & beauty brought me hither, for though the report thereof be great, yet now I see I must needs say, the fame hath rather framed your praise maliciously then reported it truly, for one good part reported to be in you, I perceive by your countenance such confluence of good conditions, that I can not but count the rumour which run of you, rather sparing speech then right report. But the cause of my hasty coming and heavy case is this, it pleased the gods to present your seemly self to my presence, in the same lovely likeness wherein you are at this present, what time I took such view of your sweet face, that approchinge this day to your father's palace, before I known who you were, what you were, or where you were, as you looked if you remember it, out at your chamber window, I said to my servants, lo yonder stands the peerless peragon princely Progne: and since the sight in my sleep, I take the heavens to witness I never enjoyed one quiet sleep, but continued in contemplation how I might be placed in possession of that parsonage which drove me into such admiration. Now seeing it pleased the gods thus miraculously to move me to travail to see you, and seeing the sight of your sweet face hath fast fettered my fancy in links of love, these may be humbly to desire you, neither to resist the motion of the gods, neither to reject the devotion of my good wil And if I have preferred your love before all the Ladies of my own land, if I make you that proffer which many princes have pressed for, if neither weariness of way, neither perils of sea could prohibit me from pursuing your good will, if I be content to resign my kingdom, liberty and all that I have into your hands, I shall desire you not to contemn my courtesy, but to countervail my pain and to return my goodwill with like love and affection. This request also rests to make unto you that you drive me not of with trifling delays, for neither will the extremity of my perplexity permit long delay, neither will the estate my kingdom standeth in, suffer me long to be away.  
Progne hearing the earnest suit of this prince, and seeing nothing in him to be misliked, considering also what haste his request required, stood not upon the nice terms of her virginity, but with a reverence of majesty made him this answer.  
Most worthy prince whatsoever were the cause of your coming into this country, the king my father hath to hold himself much beeholding to your majesty, that it would please you too do him the honour to visit him: but touching the cause you pretend, I doubt not but your wisdom knoweth that dreams are doubtful, and visions are altogether vain and therefore I must crave pardon if I hardly believe, that upon so light a cause you would undertake such heavy travail: and I much muse that in your sleep the gods had no seemelier sight than myself to present unto you: but whether before you came hither, the gods moved your mind, or whether being here your own fancy forced your affection towards me, assure yourself this, if your love be as loyal, as your words seem wonderful in showing the original thereof, you shall not find me either so discourteous as to contemn your goodwill, either so ungrateful as not to requited it, marry as I may, which is for your hearty goodwill to give you my heart, for any benefit of my body it is not in me to bestow on you: for if you do me that injury to exact any thing at my hands lasciviously, honesty will not allow it, whose bounds I mean not to transgress, and if you do me that honour to pursue my good will in the way of marriage, perchance my parents will not permit it, who only have power to place me at their pleasuer. So that as the one half and moiety of me is not mine, so the other part, if your goodwill be as great as you pretend, shallbe yours. Presently upon this he preferred his suit to her parents, who were no less glad of such a son in law, than he of such a wife? And so out of hand the marriage with great solemnity was celebrated. Which done he joyfully departed from his sorrowful father in law, and in short time safely land with his wife in his own land, where they lived together the space of five▪ years in such joy as they commonly enjoy, who carry fortune as it were upon their shoulders, and abound in all things which they can wish or desire. But see the frailty of our felicity, mark the misery which mortal men are subject to. A man would have thought this married couple in love so loyal, in estate so high, in all things so happy, had been placed in perpetuity of prosperity. But alas what estate hath fortune ever made so invencible, which vice can not vanquish? Who hath ever been established in such felicity, but that wickedness can work his overthrow? What love hath ever been so fast bond, but by lust hath been loosed? Yea the most faithful bond of friendship between Tytus and Gysippus, thorough lust was violated: the most natural league of love between Antiochus and his own son, through lust was broken: and this most loyal love between Tereus and Progne through lust was turned to loathsome hate. For it fortuned that Progne after they had been married together a while entered into great desire to see her sister Philomelia, and lay very importunately upon her husband to go to Athens and request her father Pandion to let her come unto her. Tereus loved his wife so entirely that he would deny her nothing, but presently imbarkte himself and went to fetch Philomela unto her. And being arrived at Athens, he made Pandion, privy to the cause of his coming. The old man was assailed with great sorrow to think he must part from his fair Philomela the only stay and comfort of his old years, but Tereus entreated so earnestly that he could not deny him easily, and Philomela was so desirous to see her sister that had so lovingely sent for her, that she hung about her father's neck kissed him and used all the flatteries she could to force him to yield his consent to her departure, wherewith he being vanquished with weeping eyes in great grief and dolour delivered his daughter to Tereus saying.  
It is not my daughter only I deliver you but mine own life, for assure yourself my life can not last one minute longer, than I shall hear she doth well, and if her return be● not with speed, you shall hear of my speedy return to the earth from whence I came.  
Tereus desired him to be of good cheer promising to be as careful of her well doing as if she were his own sister or child. Where upon the old man blessing his daughter gave her unto him. But like a simple man he committed the silly sheep to the ravening Wolf.  
Nay, there was never bloody tiger that did so terribly tear the little Lamb, as this tyrant did furiously far with fair Philomela. For being in ship together, he began filthily to fix his fancy upon her, and casting the fear of god front before his eyes, rooting the love of his wife out of his heart, contemning the holy rites of matrimony, and the sacred state of virginity, he fallen to fleshly dalliance with her, and attempted to win that point of her, which she held more dear and precious than her life, and which aught to be of curious regard to all women of honest behaviour. But having no other weapon but weeping to defend herself, by pitiful exclemations and cries she kept him from satisfying his insatiable desire. But as the ravening Wolf having seized in his tearing claws some silly Lamb, seeks some den to hide him in, that nothing hinder him from quietly injoyinge his prey, so he was no sooner arrived on the coasts of his own country, but that he secretly conveyed her to a grange of his own, far from any town or city, & there by force filthily deflowered her. The poor maid thus piteously spoiled, so soon as her grief would give her leave to speak, spit forth her venom against his villainy in this sort.  
Ah most tirrannous Traitor, hast thou thus betrayed my father and sister, hadst thou no other to work thy wickedness on but me, who was the jewel of my father and the joy of my sister, and now by thy means shallbe the destruction of the one, and the desolation of the other? O that my hands had strength to tear these staring eyes out of thy hateful head, or that my mouth were able to sound the trumpet of this thy trumpery, either to the court of my sister, or country of my father, that they might take revenge on thy villainy. O cursed be the womb from whence thou camest, and the paps which gave thee suck: O cursed be the cause of thy conception, and the Father that begat thee, who if he never otherwise in his life offended, yet doth he deserve to be plonged in the most painful pit of Hell, only for begetting so wicked a sun.  
Tereus not able to endure this talk, and fearing lest her words might bewray his wickedness, made no more a do but took his knife, and like a bloody butcher, cut her tongue forth of her head. This done he caused her to be locked fast in a chamber, taking every thing from her whereby she might use violence towards herself, and so went home to the Queen Progue his wife, with this forged tale.  
I am sorry sweet wife it is my chance to be the messenger of such sour news unto you, but seeing of force you must hear it, as good I now impart it, as other here after report it unto you. And seeing it is an accident which ordinarily happeneth to mortal wights, I trust of yourself you will give such order to your sorrow, that you will suffer it to sink no depelier into your heart then wisdom would it should: carrying this in your remembrance that we are born to die, and that even in our swath clouts death may ask his due. Alas (says she) and is Pandion departed? Not (saith he) Pandion liveth, but his life is such that death would more delight him.  
Then farewell my Philomela (saith she) thy death I know is cause of this desolation, and thy death shall soon abridge my days. In deed (saith he) so it is the gods have had her up into heaven, as one to good to remain on earth. Ah unjust gods (saith she) she is to good for them also, what pity, what pieti, what right, what reason is in them, to deprive her of life now in the prime of her life, before she have tasted the chief pleasures of life, or any way deserved the pain of death?  
Ah sweet wife (saith he) I béeséech you by the love which you bear me, to moderate your martyrdom & assuage your sorrow, & only in me to repose your felicity: for I protest by these hands & tears which I shed to see your sorrow, that I willbe to you in steed of a father & a sister: yea if you had a thousand fathers & a thousand sisters all their goodwills together, should not surmount mine alone.  
These loving words caused her somewhat to cease from her sorrow, and she began, to take the matter as patiently as her pain would permit her. But to return to Philomela who being kept close prisoner determined to pine herself to death, but the hope of revenge altered that determination, and she began to cast in her head how she might open the injury to her sister, which that Tyrant had offered them both: at length she went this way to work, she wrought and embroidered cunningly in cloth the whole discourse of her course and careful case, which being finished, fortune so framed that a gentleman riding late in the night had lost his way, and seeing a light in her chamber a far of, drew near to the window, and called to Philomela inquiring the way to the next town, whereupon Philomela opened the window, & seeing him to bèe a gentleman whom she thought would not stick to put himself in some peril to redress a Lady's wrong, showed him the cloth which she so cunningly had wrought, and in the first place thereof was plainly written, to whom it should be delivered, and from whom. The gentleman took it at her hands, and plighted to her his faith, safely and secretly to deliver it to the queen. See the just judgement of god, who will suffer no evil done secretly, but it shallbe manifested openly, as in times past he made the infant Daniel an instrument to detect the conspiracy of the two judas judges, who falsely accused the good Lady Susanna, and other times other ways: but this tyranny of Tereus was so terrible that the very stones in the walls would have béewrayed it, if there had been no other means used. Now Progne having this cloth conveyed unto her, and fully understanding how the case stood, not withstanding her grief were great in the highest degree, yet (a marvelous thing a woman could do so) she concealed the matter secretly, hoping to be revenged more speedily. But yet her husband's villainy towards her, caused her to inveigh against him in this vehement sort.  
O devilish deep dissembling of men, who would have thought that he which pretended so great goodwill towards me, would have intended so great ill against me? Why if my person could not please him, could none but my sister satisfy him? and if he thought her most meet for his mischief, yet was it not villainy enough to vanquish her virginity, but that he must mangle and dismember her body also? but what pity is to be looked for of such Panthers which pass not of piety? He showeth his cursed careless kind, he plainly proves himself to proceed of the progeny of that traitor Aeneas, who wrought the confusion of the good Queen Dido, who succoured him in his distress. It is evident he is engendered of jasons race, who disloyally forsook Medea that made him win the golden fleece? He is descended of the stock of Demopheon, who through his faithless dealing forced Phyllis to hang herself. He seems of the seed of Theseus, who left Ariadne in the deserts, to be devoured, through whose help he subdued the Monster Minotaur, and escaped out of the intricate Labyrinth. He cometh of Nero his cruel kind, who carnally abused his own mother Agrippina, & then caused her to be slain and ripped open, that he might see the place wherein he lay being an infant in her belly. So that what fruits but filthiness is to be gathered of such grafts? What boughs but beastliness grow out of such stems? no I will never make other account but that faith which a man professeth is nothing else but forgery: truth which he pretendeth nothing else but trifling: love lust, words wiles, deeds deceit, vows vanities, faithful promises faithless practices, earnest oaths, errant arts to deceive, sorrows subtleties, sighs slights, groans guiles, cries crafts, tears treason: yea all their doings nothing but baits to entice us, hooks to entangle us, & engines utterly to undo us. O that my mouth could 'cause my words to mount above the skies, to make the gods bend down their eyes to take view of the villainy of this viper, than no doubt but either the city would sink wherein he is, or the earth would open & swallow him up, or the at lest some plague should be thundered down upon him, which might most painfully punish him. Or why may not the gods use me as an instrument to execute their vengeance on him? The wife of Dionisias the tyrant wrought the will of the gods on her husband, and miserably murdered him, and why is it not lawful for me to do the like? Yes I can and will devise such exquisite punishment for this tyrant, that it shall fear all that come after from the like filthiness.  
Now to further her fury she had this opportunity offered her, it was the same time of the year that the sacrifices of Bacchus were to be celebrated, what time the use was for the women to go about the country disguised as if they had been mad, where upon the Queen took a troop of women with her and got to the grange where Philo. was, broke open the doors, and brought her home with her to her Palace, and there they two, the one with signs, and the other with words, entered into consultation how to be revenged on the treachery of Tereus: and surely if a man be disposed to do his enemy a displeasure in deed, if he follow my counsel, let him follow the counsel of a woman, nay all the Devils in Hell could not so have tormented Tereus as they did, so that I think yourselves will say her fury exceeded his folly, and her severity in punishing his cruelty in offending. For he had by her one only sweet sun named Itys. My tongue is not able to tell, a●d my heart rends in twain to think, that a reasonable creature should so rage's in rigour, that a woman should so want compassion, that a mother should work such mischief to her own child. For as I was about to tell you, she had by her husband one only son, and she his own mother miserably ment to murder him, thereby to be revenged on her husband. O ruthless rage, O merciless mother: I have read of a woman named Althaea who wrought the death of her own son Meleager, for that he before had slain two or three of her brethren, likewise Agave helped to tear in pieces her own son Pen●hey, for that he would not do honour to the god Bacchus: but for a mother to murder, to mangle, to make man's meat of her own child being an innocent, an infant that never did or thought amiss, who ever herded any thing more monstrous in nature, more beastly in Tyranny, or more bloody in cruelty? For mark the manner of this murder, as her sister and she sat in her privy chamber meditating of this mischief, in came Itys the pretty elf being two or three years of age, and seeing his mother sit sadly said unto her, Mam how dost, why dost, weep, and took her about the neck and kissed her, saying I will go call my dad to come and play with thee: but she like a tyrannous Tiger ●long him from her saying: Away imp of impiety, how like thy father thou art, not only in favour, but in slattery also: I will make thee make thy Dad sport shortly: the infant rose again, and came run dugling to her saying, why do you beat me mam, I have learned my Criscrosse to day so I have, and my father saith he will buy me a golden ceate, and then you sha'not kiss me so you sha'not, but this trisling dalliance could not turn her devilishness. But (O dreadful deed, O lamentable case) she took her pretty babe by the hear of the head, and drawn him into a privy corner provided for the purpose, and first cruelly cut of his harmless head, then butcherly quartered his comely carcase, and between her sister and her dressed it in order of meat, which done, (as the custom was in those feasts of Bacchus) she sent for the king her husband to sup with her, and set before him for the first service his own sun. Who after he had fiercely fed on his own flesh, and filled his belly with his own bowels, he asked for his little son I●ys: the queen answered, why do you not see him? I am sure you feel him, and as he stared about the chamber to have seen him, out stepped Philomela from behind a cloth of Arras, and slang the child's head in the father's face: whereby he known what banquet he had been bid to, and so soon as his senses were come to him, which that sour sight had taken away, he drawn his rapier and thought to have offered up the blood of his wife and her sister for a sacrifice unto his son, but they fled from him, and as Ovid reporteth were turned into birds, meaning they were not worthy humane shape or the use of reason, which were such cruel monsters altogether devoid of ruth and reason. It were hard here gentlewoman for you to give sentence, who more offended of the husband or the wife, seeing the doings of both the one and the other near in the highest degree of devilishness, such unbridled lust and beastly cruelty in him, such monstruous mischief and murder in her, in him such treason, in her such treachery, in him such falseness, in her such furiousness, in him such devilish desire, in her such revengful ire, in him such hellish heat, in her such haggish hate, that I think them both worthy to be condemned to the most botomles pit in Hell.   

Germanicus and Agrippina.  
¶ GERMANICUS, a young Gentleman of small living▪ of the kin, and in the court of Octavian the Emperor, becumming amorous of the Lady Agrippina, through great suit getteth her to wife: and through his valiencie winneth to be proclaimed heir apparent to the Empire. Whose state Tiberius his cusin envying, dispatcheth him privily with poison: and Agrippina for grief thereof refusing all bodily sustenance, most miserably famisheth herself to death.  
THe Astronomers are of this opinion that the Planets have pre-eminence over us, and that the Stars stir us up to all our enterprises, but I am rather settled into this sentence that not the Planets but our passions have the chief place in us, and that our own desires not the destinies drive us to all our doings: which opinion I may justify by the example of a Gentleman named Germanicus, whose fortune, neither the Fates fixed, neither the Planets planted, neither the Stars stirred, neither the destinies drove, neither the Shies caused, but first his own fond fancy framed, and then his own ambitious desire finished as by the sequel of this History you shall see. For this Gentleman Germanicus frequenting the court of Octavian the Emperor, chanced to fix his eyes on the face of a noble Gentlewoman named Agrippina, the daughter of M. Agrippa, and as the Mouse mumpeth so long at the bait, that at length she is taken in trap, so he bitten so long at the bait of her beauty, that at length he was caught in Cupid's snare: and on a time as she was at Cards in the Presence chamber, this youth stood staring in her face in a great study, which she perceiving to bring him out of his study, prayed him to reach her a boale of Wine which stood upon a Cupboard by: and as he approached therewith to the place of her presence, his senses were so ravished with the sight of her sweet face, that he let the boale fall forth of his hands: and retiring back with seemly shamefastness, went for more, and being come therewith she thanked him for his pains saying, I pray God that fall of the Wine hinder not my winning and bring me ill luck, for I know many that cannot away to have Salt, or Drink, or any such like thing fall towards them.  
Madam says Germanicus I have often herded it disputed in schools that such as the cause of every thing is, such willbe the effect, and seeing the cause of this chance was good, I doubt not but the effect will follow accordingly: and if any evil do ensue thereof I trust it will light on my head through whose negligence it happened. Agrip. answered. As I know not the cause, so I fear not the effect greatly, and in deed as you say hitherunto you have had the worst of it, for that thereby you have been put to double pains.  
If that be all (says he) rather than it shallbe said any evil to have ensued of this chance, I will persuade myself that every pain which you shall put me to, shallbe double delight and triple pleasure unto me. You must use (saith she then) great eloquence to yourself to persuade you to such an impossibility. O if it please you (saith he) there is an orator which of late hath taken up his dwelling within me, who hath eloquence to persuade me to a far greater matter than this.  
If (saith she) he persuade you to things no more behouseful for yourself then this, if you follow my counsel, you shall not give him house room long. Madam (saith he) it is an assured sign of a free and friendly mind to give good counsel, but it is hard for one in bondage and out of his own possession to follow it. For what knoweth your honour whether he have already taken entire possession of the house wherein he is, which if it be so, what wit is able to devise a writ to remove him from thence? If sir (saith she) he entered by order of law and paid you truly for it, it is reason he enjoy it, marry your folly was great to retain such a tenant, but if he intruded himself by force you may lawfully extrude him by strength.  
In deed (saith he) he entered vi et armis forcibly, but after upon certain parlance passed between us, I was content he should remain in peacible possession: marry he hath paid me nothing yet, but he promises so frankly that if the performance follow, a house with beams of beaten gold, and pillars of precious stones will not countervail the price of it: yea if I were placed in quiet possession thereof I would think myself richer, I will not say then the Emperor, but which is most than god himself who possesseth heaven and earth: and as the hope of obtaining the effect of that promise, heaveth me up to heaven, so the doubt to be deceived thereof driveth me down to hell.  
And what jolly fellow (saith she) is this that promises so frankly, will he not promise' golden hills and perform dirty dales? Would to god (saith he) your seemly self were so well acquainted with him as I am, than would I make you judge of the worthiness of the thing he hath promised, for that you know the goodness thereof none better? The lady smelling the drift of his devices, and seeing the end of his talk seemed to tend to love and that touching her own self, thought not good to draw on their discourse any longer, but concluded with this answer.  
As I am altogether ignorant what your obscure talk means, so care I not to be acquainted with any such companion as your Landlord is, for so methinks by you I may more fitly call him, then term him your tenant: and so departed away into her lodging: Germanicus likewise his Mistress being go got him to his chamber to entertain his amorous conceits and being alone broke forth into these words.  
O friendly fortune if continually hereafter thou furiously frown upon me, yet shall I all the days of my life count myself bond unto thee for the only pleasure which this day thou hast done me, in giving me occasion of talk with her, whose angels voice made such heavenly harmony to my heavy heart, that where before it was plunged in perplexity, it is now placed in felicity, and where before it was oppressed with care, it is now refreshed with comfort. Yea every lovely looks of her is able to cure me if I were in most deep distress of most dangerous disease, every sweet word proceeding from her sugared lips, is of force to fetch me from death to life. But alas how true do I try that saying, that every commodity hath a discommodity annexed unto it, how doth the remembrance of this joy, put me in mind of the annoy which the loss of this delight will procure me? Yea it maketh all my senses shake to think, that some other shall enjoy her more worthy of her then myself: and yet who in this court, nay in all Christendom, nay in the whole world is worthy of her? Not if she never have any until she have one worthy of her every way, she shall never have any. And shall I then being but a poor gentleman seek to insinuate myself in place so high? Shall I by my rude attempt purchase at lest the displeasure of her friends and parents, and perchance hers also, whom to displease would be no less displeasant unto me then death? Alas and must love needs be rewarded with hate? Must courtesy needs be countervailed with cruelty? Must goodwill needs be returned with displeasure? Is it possible the bounti should not abide where beauty doth abound, & that courtesy should not accompany her comeliness? Yes I am sure at the lest she will suffer me to love her, though her young years & high estate will not suffer her to love me: & though she will not accept me for husband, yet I am sure she will not reject me for servant: and though she will not receive my service, yet I doubt not but she will courteously take the tendringe thereof unto her. And touching her parent's displeasure, what care I to procure the ill will of the whole world, so I may purchase her good will. Yea if I should spend the most precious blood in my body in the pursuit of so peerless a piece, I would count it as welbestowed as if it were shed in the quarrel of god my prince or country. For she is the goddess whom I will honour with devotion, she is the prince whom I will obey with duty, she is the country in whose cause and quarrel I will spend life, living, and all that I have. Neither is there much cause why her friends should storm much at the matter, for though my lands & revenues are not great, yet am I of the blood royal, & near kinsman to themperor, who will not suffer me to want any thing pertaining to my estate & degree. Why Alerane, a youth like myself, practised the mighty emperor Otho his daughter & darling Adalesia, stolen her away & married her, and do I stick to attempt the like with one of far meaner estate, though of far more worthiness? And though frowning fortune tossed him for a while in the tempestuous seas of adversiti, yet at the length he arrived at the haven of happy estate, and was reconciled to the good grace and favour of the Emperor again. And though at the first my ship be shaken with angry blasts, yet in time I doubt not but to be safely landed on the shore, and have my share of that which the showers of shrewd fortune shall keep me from. He is not worthy to suck the sweet who hath not first savoured the sour. And as the beauty of a fair woman being placed by a foul, blazeth more brightly, so each joy is made more pleasant by first tasting some sour sops of sorrow. Did not the peril which Leander ventured in the sea, and the pain which he took in swimming, make his arrival to the haven of his heavenly Hero more happy and pleasant? Yes not doubt of it, for besides the feeling of the present pleasure, the remembrance of the peril past delighteth. Besides that by how much more a man hazardeth himself for his mistresses sake, by so much the more he manifesteth the constancy of his love, and meriteth meed at her hands the more worthily. This saying also is no less tried then true that fortune ever favoureth the valiant, and things the more hard the more haughty, high, and heavenly: neither is any thing hard to be accomplished by him which hardily enterpriseth it.  
With these and such like sayings incouraginge himself, he purposed to pursue his purpose, and failed not daily to attend upon his Mistress withal duty and diligence and sought all occasions he could to let her understand his loyal love and great good will towards her, which she perceiving disdained not acknowledge by her amiable and courteous countenance towards him, wherewith he held himself as well satisfied as if he had been made Monarch of the whole world. And though he were often determined in words to present his suit unto her, yet when it came to the point he should have spoken, fear of offending her altogether disappointed his purpose, and made him mute in the matter he minded to utter, but at length perceiving that delay bred danger, for that she had many other suitors, and feeling by experience, that as fire the more it is kept down, the more it flameth up, so love the more he sought to suppress him, the more fiery forces he expressed within him, he began to set fear aside and to force a supply of courage in his faint heart, and seeing his Mistress sit in the presence alone, he entered into reasoning with her in this manner.  
Madame for that I see you without company I am the bolder to presume to press in place, whereof though I be altogether unworthy, yet am I altogether willing to supply it, and if my company may content you as well as your sight satisfieth me, I doubt not but you will accept it in good part: and so much the less I hope my company shallbe cumbersome unto you, for that you are busied about nothing whereto my presence may be prejudicial. And verily when I consider the common cource of life which your sweet self, and other maids of your estate lead, methinks it is altogether like the spending of your time at this present, which is with your leave be it spoken, idly, unfruitefully without pleasure or profit, and if my credit were such with you to crave credit for that which I shall speak, I would not doubt but to persuade you to another trade of life more commendable in the world, more honourable amongst all men, and more acceptable in the sight of god. For believe me I pity nothing more than virgins vain piety, who think they merit meed for living chastened, when in deed they deserve blame for spending their time wastly.  
Sir (saith she) as your company contenteth me well enough, so your talk liketh me but a little, for though I must confess I sit at this present without dooinge any thing, yet in my fancy it is better to be idle, then ill employed, as yourself are now in reprehending that state of life, which excels all other as far as the sun both a star, or light darkness, and wherein I mean for my part to pass the pilgrimage of this my short life, if either god dispose me not, or my friends force me not to the contrary.  
God forbidden (Madam says he) you should continued your time in any such trifling trade of life, which indeed is to be counted no life at all, as the Graecian Ladies most truly testyfie, who (as Homer reporteth) count their age from the time of their marriage, not from the day of their birth: and if they be demanded how old they be, they begin to reckon from their marriage and so answer accordingly. For then only (say they) we begin to live, when we have a house to govern, and may command over our children and servants.  
Tush (says the Lady) this is but the sentence and proper opinion of one peculyer people, who perchance by the nature of their country, or otherwise are more desierus of husbands than other, neither is it any more reason that we should be tied to their example, them they be bond to follow our virgin Vestals or other, who consume the whole course of their life without contaminating their corpse with the company of men. Nay rather (saith he) without receiving their perfection from men, according to the opinion of Aristotle. But Madam I did not produce that example as necessary for all to follow, but as probable to prove and show, what course a count they made of virginity, which you so highly esteem of. But to leave particular opinions, and come to general constitutions and customs, I mean both natural, humane and divine laws, and you shall see them all to make against you. And first if you consider natures laws, which in the doing of creatures without reason are plainly set down you shall see no living wight in the universal world, but that so soon as by age they are apt thereto, apply themselves to that life whereby their kind may be conserved and number increased. Behold the high flying Falcon which soareth so high in the air that a man would think she would stoop to neither Lure nor lust, yet she is no sooner an entermuer or at the farthest a white Hawk, but that of her own accord she cometh to the call of the tassel gentle her make. Likewise the Do which s●ingeth so freely about the woods as though she made no account of the male, yet she is no sooner a sores sister, but that she seeks the society of the buck. Yea if it would please your seemly self to enter into the consideration of your own nature, or if your courtesy would account me worthy to have the examination of your secret thoughts, I doubt not but you would confess yourself to ●lee a fiery force of that natural inclination which is in other creatures, which being so you must grant to deal unnatural in resisting that natural motion which cannot be ill or idle, because nature hath planted it in you: for God and nature do nothing vainly or vilely. And in that some do amiss in rebelling against nature, their own scrupulous niceness is the cause, when they will lay on themselves heavier burdens than they are able to bear, and refuse to bear those burdens which nature hath appointed them to bear: which are but light.  
What talk you sir (saith she) so much of nature and of creatures without reason, as though we aught to follow either the instinct of the one, either the example of the other. I have been always taught that reason is the rule to direct our doings by, and that we aught to say before us the actions of creatures endued with reason to follow and imitate. For if you stick so strictly to the example of reasonles creatures, you should use the company of women but once or twice at the most in the year, as most of them do, with their females, whereto I am sure you would be loath to be tied.  
Madam (saith he) a gentlewoman of this city hath answered this obiction already for me. Why then (says she) will you condemn their doings in some points, & place them for patterns to be practised by in othersome?  
Yea why not (saith he) otherwise you might generally take exception against the example of men, for that some men in some matters do amiss. The good ever is to be used, and the ill refused. But to come to the doings of men which you seem to desire, doth not every man so soon as his daughter is arrived to ripe years, travel to bestow her in marriage, whereby she may enjoy the fruits of love, & participate with the pleasures incident to that estate: whereby they plainly show that the cause why they begotten them with pleasure, and bring them up with pain, is to have them enter into that trade of life, wherein not only themselves may live happily abounding in all pleasure, but also by the fertile fruit of their body, make their mortal parents immortal: that when they with age shallbe wasted and withered away the seed of their seed may begin gréenely to grow and flowrishingly to spring, to the great comfort of both the father and daughter. For what pleasure the grandfather takes in the sporting pastime of his proper daughters pretty children, I think you partly understand, and what delight the mother takes in the toys of her little son, you soon shall perfectly perceive, if it please you friendly to follow the friendly counsel which I frankly preach unto you. For do you think if virginity were of such virtue, that parents would not rather pain themselves to keep their dear daughters modest maids, than strain themselves and their substance to join them in junos' sacred bond? Yes persuade your sweet self if your mother were so persuaded she would rather lock you up close in her closet, then suffer any to enjoy the sovereign sight of your beauty, or once aspire to your speech whereby you might be persuaded to some other kind of life. But she experienced by years knoweth best what is best for your behouse and would you should follow her example and make no conscience to lose that which she herself hath lost, which except she had lost we had lost so rare a jewel as your seemly self are, with what a loss it had been to myself I dare not say jest you count verity vanity, and truth trifling and flattery. But to our purpose, you perceive as I said your parents pleased with the access of gentlemen unto you, whereby you may conceive their mind is you should accept such service as they proffer, and partake with those pleasures which they prefer unto you.  
Why sir (saith she) you altogether mistake the meaning of men in this matter, for when father's tender marriages to their daughters, it is not for any mind they have to have them married, but only for fear lest they should fall to folly otherways, for knowing the fickle frailness of youth, and our proclivyty to pravity and wickedness, they provide us marriages to prevent mischiefs: and seeing of evils the lest is to be choose, they count marriage a less evil than lightness of our life and behaviour.  
Alas good Madam (says he) why do you so much profane the holy state of wedlock, as to count it in the number of evils, whereas the gods themselves have entered into that state, where as Princes pleasantly pass their time therein, whereas by it only mankind is preserved, and amity and love among men conserved, of the worthiness whereof I am not worthy to open my lips.  
Sir (says she) I speak it not of myself, but according to the opinion of the most wise and learned Philosophers that ever lived, amongst whom one Aminius so much misliked of Marriage, that being demanded why he would not marry, answered, because there were so many inconveniences incident to that estate, that the lest of them is able to slay a thousand men.  
Why Madam (says he) you must consider there is nothing in this mortal life so absolutely good and perfect but that there be inconveniences as well, as commodities incurred thereby: by that reason you may take the S●une out of the world for that it parcheth the summer's green, and blasteth away the beauty of those that blaze their face therein. But to leave natural & humane laws and come to the divine precepts proceeding from Gods own mouth: doth not God say it is not good for man to live alone, and therefore made Eve for an helper and comforter? Likewise in divers places of Scripture he doth not only commend Marriage to us, saying, Marriage and the bed undefiled are honourable, but also commandeth us to it, saying: you shall forsake Father and Mother and follow your wives.  
Why sir (says she) and doth not God say it is good for man not to touch a woman, and if thou be unmarried remain so. But why allege you not this text, it is better to marry then to burn, whereby is plainly showed that Marriage is but a mean to medicine the burning in concupiscence and lust, and as I said before of two evils the lest, and therefore preferred. But because we be entered into divine mysteries, I could refer you to a place of scripture, where it is reported that in Heaven Virgins chéeifly serve God and set forth his glory. And Mahamet the great Turk (who was in heaven) says he see there Virgins, who if they issued forth of Heaven would lighten the whole world with their brightness, and if they chanced to spit into the sea, they would make the whole water as sweet as Honey, but here is no mention of married folk.  
Belike (says he) those Uyrgins be like yourself, and then no marvel though God be delighted with the sight of them, which perchance is the cause he hath them in Heaven to attend upon him, as first Heue and after Ganymedes did upon jupiter. But generally of women the scripture saith that by bringing forth of children they shallbe saved and enjoy a place in heaven, which must be by marriage if honestly. But because I am persuaded that it is only for argument sake that you disallow marriage, and that you pretend otherwise in words than you intent to do in works, I am content to give you the honour of the field, and thus far to yield my consent to your opinion, that virginity considered of it own nature simply without circumstance is better than Matrimony, but because the one is full of peril, the other full of pleasure, the one full of iepardy, the other full of security, the one as rare as the black swan, the other as common as the black crow, of good things I think the more common the more commendable.  
If (saith she) I have got any conquest hereby I am to thank mine own cause not your courtesy who yield when you are able to stand no longer in defence.  
Nay Madam say not so (saith he) for in that very yielding to your opinion, I proved marriage better than virginity for that is more common: neither would I have you turn my silence in this matter, into lack of science and knowledge, or reprehend me if I spare to enforce further proof in a matter sufficiently proved already, no more than you would rebuke a Spaniel which ceaseth to hunt when he seeth the Hawk seized on the Partridge. But you may marvel madame what is the cause that maketh me persuade you thus earnestly to marriage, which as mine own unworthiness willeth me to hide, so your incomparable courtesy encourageth me to disclose, which maketh me think that it is no small cause which can make you greatly offended with him who beareth you great goodwill, and that what suit soever I shall prefer unto you, you will either grant it or forgive it, pardon it or pity it. Therefore may it please you to understand that since not long since I took large view of your virtue and beauty, my heart hath been so inflamed with the bright beams thereof, that nothing is able to quench it, but the water which floweth from the fountain that first infected me, and if pity may so much prevail with you as to accept me, I dare not say for your husband, but for your slave and servant, assure yourself there shall no doubt of danger drive me from my duty towards you, neither shall any Lady whatsoever have more cause to rejoice in the choice of her servant then yourself shall, for that I shall accounted my life no longer pleasant unto me than it shall be employed in your service.  
Agrippina dying her lily cheeks with Vermilion read, and casting her eyes on the ground gave him this answer.  
As I am to yield you thanks for your goodwill, so am I not to yield consent to your request, for that I neither mind to marry, neither think myself worthy to retain any such servant: but if I were dispoled to receive you any way, I think the best manner mean enough for your worthiness.  
Immediately here upon there came company unto them which made them broke of their talk, and Agrippina being got into her chamber began to think on the suit made unto her by Germanicus, and by this time Cupid had so cunningly carved and engraved the Idol of his person and behaviour in her heart, that she thought him worthy of a far more worthy wife than herself: and perswadinge herself by his words and looks that his love was loyal without lust, true without trifling, and faithful without faygninge, she determined to accept it if her parents would give their consent thereto. Now Germanicus nothing dismayed with her former denial for that it had a courteous close, so soon as opportunity served, set on her again in this sort.  
Now Madam you have considered my case at leisure I trust it will stand with your good pleasure to make me a more comfortable answer.  
I béeseech you sir (saith she) to rest satisfied with my former answer, for other as yet I am not able to make you.  
Alas Madam (saith he) the extremity of my passion will not suffer long prolonging of compassion, wherefore I humbly beseech you presently to pass your sentence either of bale or bliss, of salvation or damnation, of life or death: for if the heavens have conspired my confusion, and that you mean rigorously to reject my good will, I mean not long to remain alive to trouble you with any tedious suit, for I accounted it as good reason to honour you with the sacrifice of my death, as I have thought it convenient to bestow upon you the service of my life.  
Alas sir (saith she) this jesting is nothing joyful unto me, and I pray you use no more of it for the remembrance of that which you speak of in sport, maketh me seel the force thereof in good earnest: for a thousand deaths at once can not be so dreadful unto me, as once to think I should live to procure the death of any such as you are.  
If saith he you count my words sport, jest and dalliance, assure yourself it is sport without pleasure, jest without joy, and dalliance without delight, as tract of time shall shortly try for true. But if you love not to hear of my death, why like you not to give me life, which you may do only by the consent of your good will.  
Why sir (saith she) you know my consent consists not in myself but in my parents to whom I own both awe and honour: therefore it be hooueth you first to seek their consent.  
Why Madam (saith he) shall I make more account of the meaner parts then of the head, you are the head and chief in this choice, and therefore let me receive one good word of your good will, and then let heaven and earth do their worst. It is not the coin, countenance, or credit of your parents that I pursue for to win, such wealth as your good will. I could be content to lead a poor life all the days of my life, so that you be maintained according to your will and worthiness.  
Well (says she) seeing I am the only mark you shoot at, assay by all the means you may to get my friends good will, and if you level any thing straight you shall not miss me.  
Germanicus upon this procured the emperors letters to her father in his beehalfe, who having perused those letters said he trusted the Emperor would give him leave to dispose of his own according to his own pleasure, and that his daughter was to near and dear unto him, to see her cast away upon one, who for lack of years wanted wisdom to govern her, and for lack of lands, living to maintain her: and calling his daughter before him, he began to expostulate with her in this sort.  
Daughter, I ever here tofore thought you would have been a solace and comfort to my old years, and the prolonger of my life, but now I see you will increase my hoary hears and be the hastner of my death. Doth the tender care, the careful charge, and chargeable cost which I have ever used in bringing you up deserve this at your hands that you should pass a grant of your goodwill in marriage without my consent? Is the piety towards your parents, and the duty of a daughter towards her father so utterly forgotten, that you will prefer the love of an unthrift before my displeasure, & to please him care not to displease your parents, who travail to bestow you with one worthy your estate and ours? Not never think Germanicus shall enjoy you with my goodwill, nor never take me for your father if you grant him your goodwill.  
Agrippina hearing this cruel conclusion of her father, with bashful countenance and trembling tongue, framed her answer in this form.  
I beseech you good father not to think me so graceless a child as once to think, mutchlesse to do any thing which may heap your heaviness or hasten your death, the lest of which two, would be more bitter unto me then death. For if it please you to understand, I have not granted my good will to any, unless your consent be got thereto. Neither have I, as you say, preferred the love of an unthrift before your displeasure, but as I cannot let that noble gentleman Germanicus to love me, so can I not, to confess the truth, but love him: marry in heart only, for my body as you gave it me so shall you dispose of it: and as I faithfully promise' you by the love which of duty I own you, that I will never have any to husband without your good will, so I humbly beseech you for the affection which by nature you bear me, that you will never force me to any without my good will.  
For if for the transitory life you have given me, you make me pay so dearly as to be linked with one against my liking, I must needs count it a hard pennyworth, and well may I wish that I had never been born. I béeseche you sir consider the inconveniences always incident to those marriages, where there is more respect of money then of the man, of honours then of honesty, of goods then of good will of the parties each to other.  
What strife, what jars, what debate at bed & at board, at home and abroad, about this about that, never quietness with contentation, never merry countenance without counterfeiting, never loving deeds without dissembling. And whence but from this rotten root springeth so many dishonest women, so many ill living men? Is it not the loathing of never liked lips that maketh women stray from their husbands to strangers? And is it not either the difference of years, either the diversity of manners, or disagréement of natures, that maketh the husband forsake his wife and follow other women? And where are any of these differences or in equalities béetweens the married, but where the force of friends not liberty of love linketh them together? These things by your wisdom considered, I trust as you restrain me from one whom I love, so you will not constrain me to any whom I love not. In so doing doubt you not but you shall find in me modesty meet for a maid, virtue fit for a virgin, duty meet for a daughter, obedience fit for a child. Her father having mildly herded her modest talk, told her he meant not to force her to any, but would provide her a husband whom he doubted not should like her better every way than Germanicus did, and therefore willed her to put out of her mind the likeinge she had conceived of him, and so gave her leave to departed. And being in her chamber she began to devise all the means she could to root out of her heart the love she bore Germanicus: and assoon revoked to her memory his lack of living his little countenance and credit, assoon her father's displeasure, and her own preferment, with many other discommodities arising that way. But nothing prevailed, for as the bird caught in lime, or coney in hay, or dear in toil, the more they strine the faster they stick, so the more diligently she laboured to get out of the Labyrinth of love the more doubtfully was she intricated therein. And as one climbing on high his feet failing and he in danger to fall, more firmly fasteneth his hold then he did before: so love seeing himself ready to be dislodged out of her breast, took such sure hold and fortified himself so strongly within her, that no force was of force to fetch him from thence. Which the good gentlewoman perceiving thought best for her ease and quiet to yield to the sommonce of love to be disposed at his pleasure. Wherein no doubt she had reason, for as the swift running stream if it be not stopped runneth smoothly away with out noise, but if there be any dam or lock made to stay the course thereof, it rageth and roareth and swelleth above the banks, so love if we obey his lore and yield unto his might dealeth gently with us and reigneth over us like a loving Lord, but if we withstand his force and seek to stay the passage of his power, he rageth over us like a cruel tyrant. Which this gentle woman as I said perceiving, without any more resistance determined in her heart to love Germanicus only and ever.  
Now Germanicus notwithstanding the angry looks of the father, the frowninge face of the mother, and the strange counterfeit countenance of the daughter, followed his suit so effectually, used such apt persuasions to the maid, and in short time insinuated himself so far into her familiarity, that her parents lowered not so fast, but she alured as fast, and thought she received no other contentation in the whole world but in his company: which her parents perceiving, and besides dreading the emperors displeasure, thought as good by their consent to let them go together, as by severity to keep them a sunder whom the gods seemed to join together. And so much the rather they were induced thereto, for that they see their daughter so affected to Germanicus, that the hearing of any other husband was hateful and hurtful unto her. And hereupon the marriage was concluded and consummated: and to this bargain only the fancy of Germanicus forced him, now see whither his ambitious desire drove him: for being in proper possession of his proper wife, he was not able to maintain her according as his princely mind desired, for that his own living was little, and her parents would not part with much, because she had matched herself not any thing to their mind: where upon in hope of preferment and advancing his estate, he applied himself diligently to the emperors service, and in short time with valiant exploits achieved in war, and great wisdom and discretion showed in time of peace, he won such credit with the Emperor, that he held him most dear unto him, and caused him to be proclaimed heir apparent to his crown & Empire. With which news Germanicus congratulated his new married wife in this sort.  
It is not unknown unto me (dear wife) that for my sake you have somewhat sustained the ill will and displeasure of your friends and parents, it is not unknown likewise to you that for your sake I have sustained some labour in seeking our preferment and getting the emperors good will who only may prefer us: now as the one hath made your life less pleasant than I desire or you deserve, so the other shall advance our state so high, as yourself can wish, or I be able to wield: so that the commodities of the one, shall countervail the inconveniences of the other. For you shall understand that the Emperor doth not only for the present time provide for me as if I were his own child, but also for the time to come hath proclaimed m●e sole heir to his Diadem and realm. Which estate as I never sought so much as in thought for myself, knowing me to be altogether unworthy of it, so I think myself most happy to have aspired thereto, only for your sake whom I know worthy of all the honour in the world. For as it would have been a hell and horror to my heart to have seen you live in meaner calling than you are worthy of, so will it be a heavenly mirth to my mind to see you a prince in state as well as in stature beauty and virtue.  
Master Germanicus (saith she) I promise' you by the love which I bear you, for greater bond I have not to confirm my words by, that it doth me more good to see you thus pleasantly disposed then to here the news which you have imparted unto me, for th'one I am sure cannot hurt you, but what harm the other may procure you I fear to think and faint to say. Alas my Germanicus are you to know the perils which princely stat bringeth, the falsehood in friends, the treason in nobilyty, the rebellion in commonalty, the envy of the weak, the injury of the strong. Besides you see boisterous winds do most of all shake the highest towers, the higher the place is the sooner and sorer is the fall, the tree is ever weakest towards the top, in greatest charge are greatest cares, in largest seas are sorest tempests, envy always shooteth at high marks, and a kingdom is more easily got then kept. For to get is the gift of fortune, but to keep is the power of prudency and wisdom, especially where there be many that catch for it, yea and when a man shall have no faithful friends in saving it. For Ennius says flatly, there is no friendly or faithful dealing to be looked for at any man's hands, in matters pertayninge to a kingdom: and Euripides makes it in a manner lawful for a kingdoms sake to transgress the limits of law, nature, and honesty. Which opinions I may justify by many examples, as of Numitor and Amulius etc. who though they were natural brethren, yet Amulius being the younger deposed his elder brother from the kingdom of Rome, s●ue his sons and made his daughter's virgin Vestales that they might not marry and have issue male to succeed the crown: likewise of Romulus and Remus who being brethren born at one birth, yet because Remus should enjoy no part of the kingdom, Romulus found means to make him away. The like is reported of Eteocles and Polynices, of jugurth towards Hyempsal and Adherball: all which were brethren and by nature's laws most nearly linked together. But of others that by blood have not been so near, which in cases of kingdoms have dealt far worse, the examples are in strangeness wonderful, in number infinite, and in success so sorrowful, that it maketh me cold at heart to consider of it. I spoke not this my Germanicus to forespeak you, you may enjoy the Empire quietly, and so I trust you shall, but I know not what the matter is, methinks my mind gives me some mischief will ensue thereof. Alas (good husband) was it for my sake you sought the Empire? Do you think I can not be content with th'estate which fortune shall assign to you? Yes if it were to beg my bread from door to door as Adalesia did with her Alerane, I could be contented therewith, so you were not tormented therewith? It is you (sweet husband) that are the riches which I seek to possess, you are the only honours which I look for, you are the only kingdom which I care for, for so long as I may enjoy you, come poverty, come mean estate, come sickness, yea come death itself so I may die between your arms. Therefore (good Master Germanicus) if you follow my counsel, resign your title to the Emperor again to bestow on some that hath more need of it then (thanks be given to god) we have: for for my part I think myself endued with the greatest riches in the world, to wit your person and mine own contented mind. And besides the evils before rehearsed incident to a kingdom this inconvenience is commonly incurred thereby, that it altereth the nature of the person which taketh that name upon him, for honour's change manners, and no doubt the diversity of delights which a prince possesseth be but pricks to pleasure, inticementes to folly, and allurements to lust. Was not Saull (I pray you) in the beginning of his reign a good prince, but after declined to impiety? Solomon began his reign godly, but afterwards gave himself in prey to women. Caligula, Nero and Hannibal began to reign like good princes, but after the whole world was troubled with their tyranny. I could allege infinite other examples to like purpose, but these shall suffice, neither do I allege these, for that I fear the change of your good nature, but to fear you from the change of your estate: and yet the better I know your nature to be, the more cause have I to fear the alteration thereof. For freshest colours soon fade, & ripest fruit are rifest rotten. But to leave the louringe lots which light on high estate, which are more than I am able to rehearse, let this request take place with you, that seeing for my sake only you coveted the empire, at my suit only you will forego it again.  
Ah (sweet wife says he) embracing her in his arms, what is it under the Sun which you may not command me to do without desiring? But I béeseche you suffer not the tender care you have of me, to deprive you of the honour due to you? For to cast the worst of it, though open enemies or treacherous traitors, or rude rebels shall set me besides my regal seat, and deprive me of life, yet shall you remain a princess, and be matched again with some other more worthy your estate, and so long I care not what béetide of myself.  
Alas (sir says she) I be séeche you use no more of those words, unless you count my great grief your great good. Can I live when you are dead, shall I be married again and you made away? In deed (says he) I need not use such extreme doubts in a matter nothing dangerous for the numbers are infinite of those who have wielded far more weighty empires then this without hazarding themselves any way, as the Emperor Octavian hath consumed the whole course of his life without peril, and Alexander being but five and thirty years of age took upon him the Monarchy of the whole world. Besides if I should now refuse the Empire offered me, it were a sign of a base and ignoble mind, and the Emperor would think I made no account of his good will. Well says she do as God shall put in your head, & of me make this account, that though you be the meanest man in the city yet will I honour you as if you were the Emperor: and though you make me a Princess, yet will I be as obedient to you as if I were your hired hand maid. Ah good wife (says he) leave those terms of humility to those that like them, or look for them, for for my part I have you in such reverent estimation, that I think the best state which ever I shallbe able to bring you to willbe to base for your worthiness, and if it shall please you to rest satisfied with the service I can do you, to remain content with the calling I can give you, to return lovingly the good will which I will bear you▪ it is all that ever I will look for at your hands, and the only felicity I force of in this life.  
God forbidden (master Germanicus says she) that I should either look for service of you, or mislike the lot which you shall allow me, or not restore with interest the good will which you shall bear me. Yes persuade yourself this, though you surmount me in all other things, yet will I not fail, if it be possible, to exceed you in good wil Shortly upon this the whirling wheel of Fortune turned their talk to tears, their words to wailing, their gladness to sadness, their happiness to heaviness, yea their life to death. For a certain thirst of the kingdom, began to assault one Tiberius a Gentleman in the emperors court, who being of the blood royal, persuaded herself if Germanicus were made away, the Emperor being dead, he should succeed in the Empire. Which greedy desire of the kingdom so blinded his understanding, that he passed not to pervert both humane and divine laws for the accomplishing thereof, no rules of reason, no bond of friendship, no care of kindred, no fear of laws, no pricks of conscience, no respect of honesty, no regard of gods or men could prohibit him from his pestiferous purpose. For if friendship had been of force with him, why they were familiar friends. If kindred, why they were near kinsmen. If laws, he known his deed contrary to all laws. If conscience, he known it terrible. If honesty, he known it most wicked. If gods or men, he known it abominable in the sight of both the one and the other. But too true it is, desire of a kingdom careth neither for kith nor kin, friend nor foe, God nor the devil, as by this traitorous Tyrant may be plainly proved, who by poison procured the death of this worthy Gentleman Germanicus, to the intent to enjoy the kingdom of Rome. Now Agrippina seeing her sweet husband so suddenly dead, was surprised with such sudden sorrow, that for a long time she could neither speak word, neither let fall tear, but at length she cast herself upon the corpse of her Germanicus, kissing his cold cheeks, and embracing his breathless body, sighing & sobbing forth these words.  
Alas wretched wight that I am, whose misery is like to mine, whose grief so great, whose life so loathsome? no flowing tears, no gripping groans, no careful cries, no throbbing sighs can sufficiently set forth my sorrows. My life my love, my hope my husband, my joy my Germanicus is miserably murdered and made away. Ah vain desire of worldly dignity, ah devilish deed of bloody cruelty. But in vain it is to complain, when my care is without cure, and none can redress my wrong. For gods I know there are none, otherwise I know the good should not be so made away by the ill: and men there are none that can medicine my malady, and raise my Germanicus to life again: so that nothing rests for me but by death to be rid of the most bitter pangs of death. I could prolong my life and seek by some means to hasten the death of that tyrant Tiberius, but alas his death can not bring Germanicus to life, no let him live still on earth where I doubt not but he shall ten thousand times in his time, feel the force of death. For he wilbée so tormented with his own example, that (as the poets report of Suspicion) to be plonged in all the pits of hell will not be so painful unto him. Well the gods (if there be any) give him as he hath deserved, and give me leave to go to the ghost of my Germanicus. Here upon she resolved with herself, that as her husband indeed his life by receiving into his body that which he should not, so she would end her days by not receiving that which she should, and so defrauding herself of food, distilling herself as it were into tears, pitifully pined away. And when the Emperor Octavian caused meat to be thrust in her throat, she cast it up again saying, sorrow was the only sustenance, and moan the meat which she either could or would take, and so in short time died.  
I shall not need here (gentlewoman) to exhort you to take the death of your husbands when you shallbe married, and when it shall happen more patiently, for that I know your wisdoms to be such that you will not so wilfully work your own confusions, neither do I think you are to know that we must live by the living not by the dead, and that there hath been never any one husband so good, but there may be others found as good: yea and though they be not perfectly so good, yet in respect of change which most women delight in, they are commonly counted better: as yourselves if you were once married perchance would say, or at least think. But I think this needful to put you in mind, that by the example of Agrippina you counsel your husbands to content themselves with their calling not to soar to high, and sty above their seat, and with foolish Phaeton and youthful Icarus come to confusion. It is your parts also to way your husbands wealth, and not to deck your heads and necks with gold when he hath none in his purse, not to swim in silks when he is drowned in debt, not to abound in bravery when he is pinched with poverty. For you know it is your part to take such part as he doth, whither it be poverty or riches, woe or wealth, pleasure or pain. But surely in my fancy that man is to be begged for a fool who will prefer his wives pleasure before his own and her profit, her will before his own wealth, her vanity before his own ability. And as it is great incivilyty and churlishuesse in a man to deny his wife any thing which is reasonable, so is it great imbecility and childishness to grant her any thing which is unreasonable, and hereof cometh the utter undoing of a great number of young gentlemen. And as it is wise and loving carefulness to provide well for one's wife, so is it fond and doatinge curiousness to seek and provide better for her then Bee would do for himself, whereof came the confusion of this noble Gentleman Germanicus.   

Amphiaraus and Eriphile.  
AMPHIARAUS a Gentleman Argive, sueth for marriage to Eriphile a widow, either liking others possessions better than people. Infortunio, burning in fond affection toward the same trull, seeing Amphiaraus land preferred before his loyalty, is at point to destroy himself. Amphiaraus hiding himself to escape from the wars, is betrayed by Eriphile for covetice of reward: and setting foot within the Theban soil, the earth openeth and swaloweth him up. Eriphile eftsoons a widow, proffereth her love to her old suitor Infortunio, by whom being repulsed, in choler she consumeth away and dieth.  
THe ancient Ppilosophers are of this mind, that there is nothing that doth more argue and show a base mind, then covetous desire of coin & riches, and nothing more sign of a noble heart, than not to desire wealth if one want it, and liberally to bestow it, if he have it. But I am of this mind, that nothing doth more argue a mad mind, then to desire goods which never did good, but which have been always the cause of all our calamities. What a world of men hath desire of wealth wasted in war? What huge heaps hath it drowned in the Sea? What infinite numbers hath it caused Physicians to kill? How many hath it moved Lawyers to undo? How many hath it driven Divines to send to the Devil? Of how many Murders, thefts, flaughters, parricides, patricides, treasons, rebellions, perjuries, forgeries, adultries, fornications, hath it been the cause? As jupiter himself abused gold and pelf to abuse Danae that virgin. But you will say though the desire of goods be detestable, yet the possession is profitable. Whereto I pray you? to maintain us in bravery, in gluttony, in venery, in security, in impunity, in pride, in prodigality, yea to bring us to perdition and destruction as king Midas wished that every thing which he touched might be gold, whereby he was starved to death.  
Fabritius an ancient Roman weighed wealth so little, that though he had been Prince and Consul of Rome three or four times, yet at his death he had not so much goods as might suffice to bring him honourably to his grave, but was feign to be buried at the common charge of the city. But though the immoderate desire of riches be to be reprehended, yet must I needs say that moderately to accounted of them is not be misliked, for they are given us by God to pass the pilgrimage of our life withal, and we may use them and yet not abuse them, we may make of them and yet not make our Gods of them. And as by duly desiring and truly using them, they convert to our commodity, so by greedy covetinge and naughty consuming them, they turn to our trouble, care, and confusion: as partly before hath been showed, and plainly here after by the history following is proved, which is this.  
In Greece among the people called Argives dwelled one Amphiaraus, who being a man of great possessions and wealth, herded of a Widow in the same country of like living unto himself, her name was Eriphile, and her nature was such, that she thought gain sweet how so ever she got it. It fortuned this Gentleman to come to her house to see and assay her in the way of Marriage, and not withstanding he had more liking to the living then will to the woman, yet he laboured his suit as earnestly, as if he had loved vehemently: and at convenient time commenced his suit in this sort.  
Gentlewoman I think it not needful to enter into terms in commendation of marriage thereby to persuade you the sooner thereto, for that you know the dignity thereof, and have already tasted the pleasures and commodities béelonginge to the same: but this chiefly lieth me upon earnestly to persuade, and humbly to request at your hands, that when it shallbe your good pleasure to enter into that life again, you will count me worthy (though altogether unworthy) to serve you in steed of a steward to order and dispose your things as your seemly self shall please to appoint, and to ease you of the trouble of travailinge in your own affairs: which I am sure for that you have not been accustomed thereto, must needs much molest you. For it is not meet your young years should be tied to any trouble or travail, but to pass your time in pleasure according to your bringing up and calling, and according to the custom of your kind, and sex. And that you may not think my suit to proceed of any desire to your goods, yourself I think partly know and by little inquiry may perfectly understand, that my lands and livings are sufficient to maintain the port and countenance of a Gentleman of worship: all which I willingly yield into your hands to be disposed at your pleasure, if it shall please you to yield your body into my arms to be embraced at my pleasure: so that in accepting my offer you shall not only increase your substance, but also have a gentleman at your commandment, who shall make more account of you then of all the goods in the world. His talk ended Eriphile smylinge made him this smooth answer.  
Sir, by how much more I know the inconveniences and infinite troubles mixed with marriage, by so much less do I like to enter into that estate again. And as I was once linked with one according to my liking, so look I not to be placed again with any, in whom I can take such pleasure: And as by holy oath I firmly bound my faith unto him, so in this mind I am in, only my death shall dissolve that bond: and the sour remembrance of my sweet husbands death, shall take away the renewing of all pleasures of life, and altogether mortify in me the mind to marry any more. For his love was so exceeding great towards me, that I fear to find the like at your hands or any man's else. For where you profess to be my steward and servant, I am sure if you were once sure of that you seek for, you would think yourself good enough to be my Lord and master, and you would dispose my goods neither at my pleasure, neither to my profit, but that which is mine should be yours and yours your own. And where you pretend to prefer me before all worldly goods, I take it rather for words of course then talk of troth, for as in the fairest rose is soon found a kanker, so in fairest speech is falsehood and feigning rifest. For I know the fashion of you men is by your subtlety to deceive our simplicity, and by a few filled words to bring us into a fools paradise. Yea you have set it down as a settled sentence among you, that he which knoweth not how to dissemble, knoweth not how to live. Therefore I yield no other faith to your words then their feigned falsehood deserves, nor no other consent to your request, than the small acquaintance you have with me, may justly crave. But if hereafter in deeds I shall see as plain proof of perfect goodwill, as your words import likelihood of earnest love, perchance I shall be as zealous to cast liking towards you, as now I am jealous to cast doubts of you. By this time dinner was served in, whereupon their talk ceased, and presently after dinner the Gentleman had occasion to departed. Now Eriphile being alone in her own house, began to discourse upon this matter by herself, and notwithstanding she had no great mind to the man, yet she felt in herself a great lust to his lands, and thought herself more then happy if she might have them safely assured and made over unto her: and in this thought, uttered words to this sense.  
Why what though I can not find in my heart to love and like him above all other. Is it requisite that every marriage be grounded on love, as though we see not daily some to marry in respect of riches, some in respect of honours, some by constraint of friends, & some upon sundri other considerations: and for my part I count it sufficient to have married once of mere love▪ and having lost him whom I did love entirely, I think it not lawful, or at lest not possible, ever to love any again heartily. For true love ever decayeth, when the party truly beloved dieth. And as my heart is hardened to take his death patiently, so will it not be mollified to suffer the love of any other to sink therein deeply. Like as the potter's clay being once hardened in the Oven, will not be made soft again to receive the impression of any other form. But to speak my fancy freely, I see not how we women are bond to love our husbands so much, we are only commanded to honour and obey them, which I count sufficient, and more than for my part I mean to perform. Besides that love consists in the heart, now it is our bodies only that are bond to our husbands as by joining of hands before the congregation is plainly showed. But if I determine not to love him, how can I look for any love at his hands? Tush that is the lest matter amongst a hundred, so long as I may abound in bravery, ruffle in riches, and participate with his goods, I care not to communicate in love with him: I am to old now to live by love. And yet wherefore is women's wit counted full of wiles, if I be not able so to dissemble the matter that he may think I love him deeply, though I hate him deadly. But if it should come to the worst, that he should perceive my dissembling towards him, and reward my cold kindness, with heat of hate, why I know the worst of it.  
So that all things considered I see not how I can do better than to accept this gentleman's offer, whose large lands and revenues are able to supply all other wants whatsoever. For what disease is so desperate which money may not medicine? what wound so deadly which coin can not cure? What life so loathsome which goods can not make gladsome? Shortly after this there made repair unto her house▪ a youth more wilful than wise, named Infortunio, who having seen her once or twice before, was so bleared with her beauty that it dazzled his sight, and took away his foresight in all things: and coming to her presence he proffered such lamentable suit, and ghostly resemblances unto her, that a rigorous repulse seemed sufficient to procure him a present death. The Gentlewoman seeing the furious assaults of this fresh water soldier, known how to train him to the field of her falsehood, and to make him march under the ensign of a marciles Mistress and cruel captain: and sometimes fed him with words of comfort, to put him in hope, and by and by feared him with doubts of denial, to drive him into despair. And as the North East wind first gathereth up the clouds, and then by puffs putteth them abroad again, so she first by lovely looks alured to bring him in, and then with frowninge face lowered to drive him away: the only end being to sport herself in his pain, yea and if she could of his good will to make some gain. The poor gentleman perceiving these haggard tricks, and that assoon she would be well coming to the lure, and by and by check at it and soar away, was so amazed there at that he known not what to resolve upon. And as a tree hewn round with axes ready to fall with a blow or twain▪ tottereth every way, being uncertain which way to fall▪ so his mind distracted with doubtful devices, wavered unconstanly, now bending this way, now bowing that way, willing to retire his desire, but not able to set his fancy free. And not with standing her perverse dealing pitifully perplexed and terribly tormented him, yet he persuaded himself that as from most sharp thorns, to wit the Rose tree, spring most sweet flowers, so from bitter annoy would come pleasant joy, and of his heavy suit happy success. Tush (says he) the Merchant often sliceth the seas, though not sure to return with gain. The soldier often ventreth his body in the field, though not sure of booty: the husband man still tilleth the ground though not certain to save his seed: but yet hope of good hap carrieth all these to their enterprises, and why should not the same hope work the same effect with me? Yes nothing venture nothing have, I will pursue my purpose whatsoever come of it.  
Now the gentlewoman (as I said) ceased not to bait him continually with courtly banquets, as dissembled favour, uncertain hope, courteous congees, amiable looks and such like: but he on the contrary as one that meant truly, ceased not to feed her with fair words, with faithful promises, with earnest oaths, with many a rich jewel and costly gift, which she willingly received without condition, and wilyly kept with out restitution. In this mean while came the other wooer again to renew his suit a fresh, and seeing this young Gentleman, as he thought in great favour, began greatly to fear his own part, and thought the grass had been cut from under his feet: and as a cunning Pilot seeing the seas rough and the wind contrary to his course, casts anchor lest his ship be driven against the rocks, or into some coast contrary to his mind: so this Gentleman fearing lest wilful waves in the gentlewoman, should set her fast in the sands of slipper subtlety, and dash his suit against the rocks of repulse, hauld in the main sheet of her mind, and by the anchors of advise so stayed her course, that no wind which my wilful youth could blow, could 'cause her any thing to bow or waver: and by assuring her to a large jointer he was choose to rule her stern, where the other was kept still under the hatches. Who all this while that they were concluding the contract, was in his chamber busily devisinge verses in the praise of his Mistress: but hearing of the sorry success of his suit, by a handmaid of the Gentlewoman, he was so confounded in himself, that his invention was clean marred, and his devise utterly dashed: yea he was so far from writing that he had not a word to say or a thought to think. And surely in my judgement he reaped the right reward of his doatinge desire, for there only grafts of grief must needs grow, where such raw conceit doth set, and such rash consent doth sow. For neither was his love grounded upon virtue, wherewith she was not endued, neither upon beauty wherewith she was not adorned. For neither can cruelty be cloaked under virtue, neither the treason of untruth covered under beauty (for the disposition of the mind followeth the constitution of the body) so that it was his own self will and fond fancy that drew him into such depth of affection, and therefore with grief was feign to gather the fruits of his folly. And being come to himself he began to rage's in this sort.  
And is my true love thus triflyngly accounted of? Shall he with his trash more prevail than I with my truth? And will she more respect gain then good will? O iniquity of times, O corruption of manners, O wavering of women. be these the fruits of thy fair looks? Is this the hap of the hope thou puttest me in? Is this the delight of the dalliance thou usedst with me? Here in truly thou mayst be fitly resembled to the Cat, which playeth with the Mouse, whom strait she means to slay: or to the Panther who with his gay colours & sweet smell allureth other beasts unto him, and being within his reach he ravenously devoureth them. But if I should set thee forth in thy colours I think the savage beasts would be loath to be likened unto thee: for cruelty thou mayest compare with Anaxarete, who suffered Iphis to hang himself for her sake: for inconstancy with Cressida, who forsook her trusty Troilus: for pride with Angelica who contemned all men: for treason with Helen, who ran away with Paris from her husband Menelave. But what rashness is this in me to rage and rail against her, whereas it is love, and the destinies that have decreed my destruction. For Marriages are guided by destiny, and God hath endued women with this property, to be wedded to their wills: Neither doth love learn of force the knots to knit, she serves but those which feel sweet fancies fit: for as streams can not be made to run against their course, so unwilling love with tears nor truth cannot be wone. So that this only choice is left for me either to die desperately, or to live loathsomely: and as the bird enclosed in cage, the cage door being set open, and the Hawk her enemy sitting without, watching for her between death and prison piteously oppressed standeth in doubt whether it be better still to remain in prison, or to go forth to be a prey for the hawk, so stand I in doubt whether it be better by losing life to get liberty, or by living to become thrall and bond, and live in continual torment and vexation of mind. For love hath taken so deep root in me, that neither reason can rule, neither wisdom wield my witched will. But as the biting of a mad dog rageth and rankleth until it have brought the body bitten to bane, so the poison of love is so spread into every part of me that it will undoubtedly bring me to death and destruction. O cruel captain cupid is this the pay thou givest thy soldiers? O vain Venus is this the victory thou vouchsafest thy champions? Wouldst thou have been content thy darling Adonis should rigorously have rejected thee, when thou wert furiously inflamed with his love? But the parish priest forgetteth that ever he was clerk, and those that be in happiness themselves way not the heaviness of other. Yea perchance thou favour the falsehood of this woman the rather, for that thou thyself playedst the false harlot with thy husband Vulcan the smith, and madest him a forked tool more than before he had in his shop: but remember yet how he took thee and the adultrour Mars tardy in your treachery and lechery together stark naked in an iron net, and then called all the gods to take view of your victous conversation, to thy utter shame and confusion. And so it may fall out that this your pupil may so long delight in deceit, that she may be taken in the net which she layeth to entangle other. But what mean I to blaspheme against the gods who do but punish me justly, for loving so lightly and ovely mine own careless fault, is the cause of this cureless fate. Wherefore O death to thee I make earnest request, that thou will't speedily sand Atropos unto me, to cut in sunder the twist of my troublesome life: and sing my love doth loath me, good death do thou desire me. I know thou sent'st out process for me even in my swath clouts, and now I beeseeche thee serve it on me, when I am most willing and ready to appear before thy presence. While this foreldrue gentleman continued in these careful contemplations, the marriage was consummated between the widow and Amphiaraus, who lived quietly together about a year or two, she shewing a presentiall obedience towards him, and he bearing an ordinary affection towards her: but in short time it pleased god to give occasion to try the treachery of the one, & to work the destruction of the other. For it fallen so out that Adrastus king of the Argives was upon urgent causes moved to infer war upon the Thebans, and in mustringe his men he thought Amphiaraus a meet man to make one of his captains, and willed him to prepare himself for that voyage, who being well seen in astronomy and other secret sciences, known if he went to the wars he should not return alive: for which cause he covertly hide himself in his own house, making only his wife privy thereto. Now the king taking muster of his men miss Amphiaraus, and knowing the cause of his absence, was in great rage, saying he thought he had had no such cowards in his kingdom, and promised great rewards to them that could bring tidings of him: Eriphile having intelligence of this rich reward promised, was marvelously set on fire in the desire thereof: & notwithstanding she was plentifully endued with riches, yet was she in desire as greedy as if she had been in estate most needy: and as dropsy patients drink and still be dry, neither is any liquor able to allay their thirst, yea the more they drink the more they desire it, so she continually heaped in wealth and yet was never satisfied: yea the more she had the more she desired to have. And being possessed with this loathsome lust of lucre she entered into reasoning with herself in this sort. Who unless they be out of their wits will refuse offered gold? no the savour of gain is sweet of what thing so ever it be got. Why Tarp●ia a Roman maid did betray the Tower of Rome for a few Bracelets to the Sabines that laid siege to the city, and shall not I for great Duchess of Gold bewray my husband to the King, who means by his means to preserve our city? for if it come to the worst, that he never come home again, why I know the worst of it, two or three days weeping will wash away all woe & sorrow, and then shall I be Lady of his lands and livings, and be married again to some that perchance shall better content me every way than he doth: and who is so foolish that will not be content to change for the better? and in this good mind got to the King, and told him, that preferring the safety of his person, and the profit of the common wealth before her own private pleasure, she was constrained to detect her loyal mate unto his royal majesty (which her deed she humbly desired him to conceal) and not withstanding the absence of her loving husband would greatly annoyed her, yet the commodity of her country, which she hoped through her husbands help should be procured, would as greatly joy her. And that she might savely see her sweet husband again, with a few feigned tears forcibly wroung forth, she humbly requested the King that he might be placed in such part of the battle, that he might not be subject to the shot, and lie open to the army of the adversary. The King plainly certified by her of the den wherein the fore was hidden, giving her the promised reward went forth with to unkenuell him: who hearing of the Kings coming, and by what means he was discovered, fallen to raging against his wife and other like women for her sake in this sort.  
Ah fond fool that I was to repose any trust or confidence in women, whose sex is subtle, whose kind is cruel, who are constant only in unconstancy, who are witty only in wiles, who as Aristotle says are monsters in nature, altogether imperfect, weak vessels, ignorant in all things, yea (which we may most lament) they are naturally endued with baits to allure men, with poison to infect men, and with charms to change men from men to beasts, as Cyrces' did the servants of Ulysses: yea what man hath ever been so wise but by women hath been seduced to folly? as Pharo his daughter caused Solomon to fall to idolatry: what man hath ever been so godly but by women hath been depraved? as Bersabe drove king David to devilishness: what man hath ever been so strong, who by women hath not been made to stoop? as Dalila took away the force of Samson by cutting away his heir: who hath ever been so perfect, but by women hath been drawn to imperfection? as Adam by the means of Eve lost the perfection of Paradise: who hath ever been so faithful, but that women have enforced them to infidelytie? as a handmaid made Peter deny his master Christ: who so valiant, but by women hath been unquished? as Omphale made Hercules serve her and spin among her maids: and after by Dynira was done to death: who so learned, but by women hath been taught new points of school? as Tully by Terentia, Marcus Aurelius by Faustina, and Ovid by Cornina were often abused: with infinet other. But if the wise, the godly, the strong, the perfect, the saithfull, the valiant, the learned, have been bewitched beguiled & abused by women, is it reason I should challenge any proper or peculiar fortune to myself, and not remain content with the lot which is common to al●yes I am content my rage in rule to bind, but not withstanding the comfort by other man's calamity be miserable, yet it doth me good to think that other have been as sluttishly served by women as myself, as Tullia conspired the death of her own husband Tarqvinius, then of her Sister, and lastly married the brother of her own husband who before was husband to her own Sister: as the fifty daughters of Danae all but one slew their husbands the first night of their marriage: as Candaules by the counsel of his wife was slain by Gyges, who after married her: as Dyonisius notwithstanding his wary watch and watchful warenesse for the preservation of his life, was by his own wife Aristomacha miserably made away.  
By this time the king was come into his house where upon he was driven with shame to show and present himself to his majesty, humbly craving pardon for his offence, and seeing no remedy, made preparation for the wars, disposing his living so well as the shortness of time would give him leave, and dispossessinge his wife of so much as he could possibly. Which done amongst the rest he mournfully marched forward, but he no sooner set foot in the Theban soil, but that the earth opened, & swallowed him up. Of which news so soon as his wife was partaker, for fashion sake she put finger in the eye, and attired herself in mourning apparel: but she quickly cast it of again and began to cast in her head how she might be sped of any other husband: and calling to mind the deep affection wherein Don infortunio was drowned towards her, she thought none more fit to make a fool of then him, and therefore by letters did him to understand, that considering his former goodwill towards her, she thought herself bond in conscience to counternayle his courtesy, by any convenient mean she might: and in that before time she set so light by his love, the cause was for that before his coming she had betrothed herself to Amphiaraus, so that as then she was not able to yield him the meed of his merit: but now if his affection were not altered, & if he were disposed to deal with her by order of honesty & limits of law, he might be paid his due debt with double interest. Now the young gentleman by the aid of absence, by the assistance of time, by the change of diet, by remembrance of his repulse, by dregs of disdain by the virtue of necessity, and by the help of reason being fully cured of his folly: having herded also of the treachery which she used towards her other husband, rejected her offer, returning her answer, that being at liberty he meant not to come in bonds, and being now set free from her fraud & falsehood, he would no more be trained to her treison. Neither (saith he) doth that hold or castle merit mercy, which yieldeth rather for want of fresh supply, then at the suit of the beseiger. Neither is y● prisoner to be pitied, who being judge, joyed only in staerity and cruelty: neither is that clientes cause to be considered, who being a counsellor, dealt in the cases of other without conscience. The gentlewoman seeing herself thus reproachfully repulsed, in very colorike conceits consumed away and died.  
I am here gentlewomen to admonish you not to suffer yourselves to be carried away with covetousness, you see to what miserable end it brought this married disloyal couple: and as well for your sakes as mine own I would wish you who are endued with wealth sufficient to make a man (as they say) & who are at your own disposition and choice, not to yield yourselves as a pray to any who hath no need of your wealth, neither will gratefully accept your goods, but rather frankly to bequeath yourselves to some poor younger brother, who may think himself made by marrying you, who may thank his wise only for his wealth, who may impute his happiness only to having you: whom you may bind to you by benefits, who will no doubt endeavour to counterpoise your living with his love, and your goods with his good will: who will rather serve you, then seek superiorytie over you: who will rather be your man then your master: your Liege, than your Lord: your subject then your sovereign: whereby you shall live as you list, your profits shall pleasure you, your goods shall do you good. And what so ever be your common saying, that you must as well love to live, as live to love, yet surely in my fancy I think it far better for a married couple to live together without living, then without love: for what little living will suffice nature, who knoweth not, but what loathed lives be where love doth lack, look but into the lives of the parties, but now reported unto you. And if you credit not my report of them, no more but mark your poor neighbours how quietly and merrily they pass their time in poverty, assisted only by the calm of contentment and love: and then convert your eyes to the view of many other estates, and look how unpleasantly and uncontentedly they spend their days, molested by the storms of strife, debate, and hate. Which contemplation I hope will so confirm your judgements that you will always prefer love before living: or at lest not so to respect th'one, as to neglect the other: or at lest, if it be possible, to join the one with the other. Another thing also the death of Eriphile may drive into your minds, that you rage not like tyrants over those, whom your beauty hath made your bonslaves: for you must know that it is more glory to use the victory moderately, then to get it mightily: and far more holds have been won by clemency, then by cruelty. For when the inhabitants know the captains courtesy, they will rather yield to his assured mercy, then stand to the doubtful event of battle: so gentlewomen if you mind to make breach into the hearts of many, and to win the fort of their faiths unto you, if you crave to conquer the goodwilles, and to be courted with the service of suitors, you must with modesty make much of them, with courtesy countervail their kindness, with gratefulness accept their good will, with liberality requite their love, and with honest plainness answer to their demands: you must not feed them with falsehood, draw them en with delay, and torment them with trifling as Eriphile did her Infortunio, to her own infortunate hap as it luckily afterwards did light: for it is God's word and will that such measure as is met shall be measured again, and they that delight to drown other in dolour, shall not swim long in pleasure themselves: I know not what effect my words will take, for that I know not how you courtly dames account of my cunning: but before mine own face I am able to assure you this, that the girls of our parish think that welsh Sir Richard himself can not make a better preach than I can: but it may be you will think me over saucy with my lisping lips to prefer persuasions to them, who are as void of folly every way as myself of wit any way. Yet considering how quietly you took the rude railing of Amphiaraus against you, I need not doubt but that you will take in good part words which are well meant towards you, and if not follow them, yet not mislike them, and rather weigh the will of the speaker, than the worth of the words.   

Icilius and Uirginia.  
ICILIUS a young Gentleman of Rome, falling in love with Virginia, is refused by her friends for want of sufficient wealth, but privily contracteth himself unto her, and departeth into the wars. Appius Claudius burning with unchaste lust of the same maiden, the better to obtain her, causeth Clodius his client to claim her for his bondslave, and giveth wrongful judgement on his side. But Virginius her father, at her earnest request, slayeth her with his own hands to preserve her virginity from the villainy of Appius, who for that fact is cast into prison, where desperately he doth himself to death.  
IT is a doubt often debated but not yet decided, whether love descendeth from the heavens, deriveth of our own nature, proceedeth of the similitude of manners, cometh of acquaintance and familiarity, taketh original of our education and bringing up together, whether it ariseth of beauty or of virtue, whether it entereth in at the eyes, or first be rooted in the heart, whether the cause come from the party that loveth or the party loved, or whether it be in our power to love or to leave, I leave to other to resolve upon, for for my part (I yield god thanks for it) I have as yet been so little troubled with love, that I know not what it is, nor from whence it cometh, and when I muse thereon I am as bad troubled as Simonides was to think and say what god was: but if an opinion grounded upon reason without any proper experience on mine own part may take place, I think love chiefly to be grounded upon the similitude of manners showed and signified by familiarity and abode together. For it is daily seen that those parties who at the first incountry and view have rather disliked than loved each other, by continuance of conversation and by conferring each others conditions and nature together, have fallen into the fire of most fervent affection. For true love and faithful friendship is to will and to nill one thing, to have one object of appetite, and to have like effect of affection. I know there are infinite instances to be given to this assertion, for that some have been surprised with love only upon a loving look, some upon a courteous word, some upon a single sight, some upon a vain vision, some upon a doubtful dream, some upon an uncertain report, and some some other way. But as one swallow makes not summer, so one particularity concludeth no generality. And as an Aethiopian is said generally to be black though his teeth be white, for that for the most parts of him he is black, so I think love may be said generally to proceed of the similitude of manners, for that for the most part it doth so. And besides infinite other examples which I can allege for proof hereof, the history which you shall presently hear shall also confirm it.  
In the renowned city of Rome made his abode one Icilius, who though he were a gentleman of a worshipful house, yet by reason that his parents were yet living, his patrimony was not great, neither his living more than might suffice to maintain the port of the place and countenance he carried in the city, by reason whereof he remained unmarried, as being not able to maintain a wife according to the estate of his calling. It was his chance amongst other youthful company to pass the time for the space of a seven-night in feasting and making merry at the house of one L. Virginius, a worshipful gentleman of the same city, who had to daughter a damsel named Virginia, who as she was of ripe years, so was she of ripe judgement and discretion in every point beelonginge to a virtuous virgin & modest maid. Her shape though it were not precise, yet was it perfect: her face though it were not blazing, yet was it beautiful: her corpse though it were not curious, yet was it comely: and as nature plentifully planted perfection in her, so God super abundantly bestowed his benefits upon her, such gravity in gesture, such modesty in manners, such courtesy in conversation, such troth in talk, such wit in reasoning, that Minerva herself could not have mended her: that it was doubtful whether men were more rapt into admiration of her wisdom, or ravished in contemplation of her beauty, the one containing contentment for the body, the other solace and delight for the mind. Now Icilius being in the company and society of this saint used little other behaviour towards her above his common regard to all the Gentlewomen of the troop, but spent his time in dauncinge, dysinge, cardinge, and other such pastimes. And notwithstanding this while he often felt a certain restraint of liberty in his affections, an alteration of mind and as it were a civil assault and discord within himself, yet by reason of his young years and small practice in the pangs of love, he could not conjecture the cause of his sudden passions: but this made him most to muse, that when he was in his most dumps, if she chanced to present herself to his presence, his heart was presently lightened of that which lay so heavy in his stomach, and as when the sun shines the clouds vanish away, so when her beauty blazed in place, the clouds of care were clear consumed. Likewise being often desirous to talk with her, & enjoy the present pleasure of her pleasant speech, his senses were so ravished with the sight of her, that he could not utter one word unto her. Sitting also at the table with her & casting a gazing glance round about him, his sight was never satisfied until he had lent her a look, and seemed only to resolve his fancy upon her face. But notwithstanding all this he did not thoroughly perceive the cause of his sudden trouble of mind, and thought it as it was a toy lightly taken so would it be lightly left again, and therefore departed from her father's house without preferring any suit unto her, or adding execution to the advantage of the time and place. But being go home, and got solitarily to his chamber, good god what mountains of smoke did scaldinge sighs sand forth of his mouth, what drops of blood did galdinge grief make his heart to bleed, what flouddes of tears did flow from his eyes, what careful complaints did he sand unto the skies? saying O heavens why heap you my heaviness? O planets why plant you my pain? O destinies why decree ye my destruction? O Gods why deprive you me of liberty, now my young years challenge to live most freely. O fortune why dost thou mix my sweet meat with such sour sauce that is more bitter than gall, and nolesse pleasant then death unto me? Must the little delight which I took in the company of Virginia (whereof I fully understood not her to be the cause neither) be countervailed with such direful despite? and for the pleasure which her presence procured me, must her absence purchase me such displeasure? then to true do I find that every dram of delight hath a pound of spite, and every inch of joy, an ell of annoy annexed unto it: then well may I curse the chance, the cause and the company which caused me to come to that place, which hath caught me in such bondage. And may I term it bondage to live in the service and contemplation of my Virginia? Is it slavery to be thrall to virtue? It is her bounty not her beauty that bindeth me, it is her courtesy, not her comeliness that I care for, it is her perfection not her person that I pass of, it is her condiditions not her colour that I account of: for beauty bideth not, comeliness continueth not, parsonage perisheth, colour fadeth, but bounty, courtesy, perfection, and conditions remain for ever. So that if I live in bondage, it is to virtue, if I be a slave I am virtues slave. But doth virtue use to torment men thus, béelike that is the cause there are so few honest and virtuous? Not I aught not to count my trouble a torment, but the fine gold must be purified in the flaming fire, & white silver is wrought in black pitch: glory must be got thorough depth of danger, and pleasure must be purchased with the price of pain. And though absence now be some torment to try me, and though dolour now drown me in the seas of sorrow, yet doubt I not but shortly to swim in the floods of feliciti, and take land there where my heart hath already pitched his abode. But O presumptuous fool, whether doth folly force mec? do I hope to win her whom my unworthiness willeth me not so much as to wish for? Yea which way soever I go to work, I am sure to have a cold suit of it: for if I proffer her my service dishonestly, why her virtue abhorreth it: if I make love in way of marriage, her estate and riches refuseth it. O god and shall goods be more accounted of then goodwill? lucre more than love? Is the counsel of Themistocles altogether rejected, who willeth men rather to marry their daughters to a man that wanteth money, then to money that wanteth a man to use it? Is the world so blinded in covetousness to prefer living before learning, wealth before wit? Then farewell true friendship if it be not grounded upon love: then farewell true love if marriage be not the end of it: then farewell true marriage if money make it: then rests for me only to beewayle my evil hap, to lament my luckless love, and never to attempt that I am like never to attain unto.  
By this time the earth was covered with a dark mantel, and by reason that the Sun was departed out of our Horizon, the light of the stars which the Sun dareth them, began to appear in the firmament, where upon this poor passionate lover wearied with woe, disposed himself to rest: but he whose bane love hath brewed, neither by night nor by day, neither in company nor solitary, neither sleeping nor waking, can take any rest or quiet. For he was no sooner in a slumber but the goddess of his devotions presently presented herself before him, saying: Mine own, why dost thou thus torment thyself for my sake, who suffer no little grief to see thy great sorrow, wherefore be bold to ask any thing at my hands honestly, and be sure I will grant it willingly: for I persuade myself the heavens have reserved me for thee. Icilius hearing (as he hoped) this heavenly voice, and seeing (as he thought) that saint by his bed side, with open arms reached to embrace her, but being awaked with open eyes he see he was deceived: which sudden fall from heaven to hell took away his breath from him for a while, but being come to himself he began to cry out in this careful manner.  
O God, is it not sufficient to vex me with vanities in the day time, unless thou torment me with visions also in the night? have I not woe enough awake, but that besides I must have sorrow in sleep? What grievous offence have I committed, that deserveth such grievous punishment? if this be the reward of them that love, woe, woe be to them that hate: thou hast commanded us all to love one another, and if thou thus punish the fulfillers of thy law, what shall become of the transgressors thereof? but if thou be disposed to punish me, and displeased with my deeds, never suffer me hereafter to do any thing but cast me into such a sleep wherein I was erwhile, and therein let me continued continually. O happy was Endymion, who long time enjoyed the like sleep. O ten times happy are the dead, if death be any thing like this sleep. But O hundred times unhappy am I, to whom waking is waylefull, whereas to all things else it is joyful. But was this but a vision which deluded me? was it but a dream which I doted on? And if it were but a dream, doth it portend nothing? and may there be effect in dreams? Yea god wots commonly the contrary: or (as Cato says) we see sleeping that which we wish for waking. So that neither in dreaming nor doing, neither in sleeping nor seeing, neither in thinking nor saying, find I any cause of comfort or see any sign of solace. This youth passed his time so long in these and such like passions, that the careful carriage of his eyes bewrayed his careful mind, and his pale countenance his painful case. Which a special friend of his perceiving, took such compassion and pity on his painful state, that he sought all means possible to sift out the cause of his sorrow, to the intent to seek some medicine for his malady. And having opportunity of time and place, he broke with him in this sort.  
Good friend, if I should show you what great sorrow I sustain by your heaviness, you would perchance judge my words to proceed rather of flattery and trifling then of truth: but no more but try how willing I willbe to ease your pain, and by that judge how greatly it grieveth me. But how great so ever my gréeif be, my wonder is more than great to see you transfourmed from the estate of a pleasant Gentleman into such solitary regards, that you seem rather a Timon of Athens, than a courtier of Italy: and so much the more cause I have of marvel, by how much less I see any apparent cause which should work any such alteration in you. For if want of worldly wealth could work your woe, why you want nothing: if you would eat gold (as they say) you might have it. If loss of friends molest you, why you have an infinite number which love you entirely. If you be disposed to travail to see strange countries, your parents willbe well pleased with your departure. If you be weary of your single life, your friends will forthwith provide for your Marriage. If any repulse received of any dainty dame do daunt you, why the Gods themselves have suffered the like: as Daphne a silly damsel refused the God Phoebus: Syrinx a simple maid rejected the God Pan, with infinite other. If you have fixed your fancy in place you think impossible to possess, why you have reason to rule your affection, you have wit to compass your desire, you have friends to further it, you want nothing to finish it. With this his colour began to change, and he fetched a deep sigh or two, whereby his friend perceived he had touched the cause of his calamity, and sore of his sorrow, praying him very earnestly to unfold the secrets of his thoughts unto him, saying two wits are better than one, and that which you blinded perchance by love can not see, I stirred up by desire to do you good, may perceive. And for secrecy in your affairs, assure yourself, that never Pythias to his Damon, Pylades to his Orestes, nor Gys●ppus to his Titus was more true, than I will be to you. And though your learning and wit to know what is best for your own behalf be far better than mine, yet the simpleness of my wit shallbe supplied with the sincereness of my will, which shallbe always so ready priest to pleasure you, that if my service may satisfy you, you shall command me, if my company may content you, I will never be out of your sight: if I may any way stand you in any steed, accounted me your own only.  
Icilius hearing this friendly discourse could not but say in his heart, O friend unfeigned, O love most loyal, O courtesy incomparable and imbracinge fast his friend in his arms said, if all the miseries in the world did muster in multitudes about me, yet this thing only is of force to fence me from their furies, to think I enjoy so firm a friend as yourself are, and if I may live but to requited some part of your good will, it is the second felicity I look for in this life. But touching the cause of my perplexity I must crave pardon if I make courtsy to disclose it, for that many evils carry this nature, rather to be concealed with grief, then revealed in hope of relief. And as a green wound by taking the air spreadeth farther abroad and is the hardlier healed, so I think my torment and grief being once discovered, would not be so easily cured. If (saith his friend) the original of your evil proceed of love as in my fancy it doth, then undoubtedly the more it is uncovered the sooner is it cured, for as coals of fire covered close with ashes keep their heat long time, but lying open soon wax cold and black, so the fiery flames of love raked up in silence, burn furiously within a man, but being by discourse disclosed they soon convert from flame to fume and smoke. Wherefore (good friend) stick not to impart unto me this matter which doth import you so near, promising you by the inviolable bond of friendship to travail so earnestly in your affairs, that what wanteth in power, you shall find in the pains which I will take in your cause. Alas sweet friend (says Icilius) rather than you should think I have any diffidence or distrust in you, or think you unworthy of credit in any cause whatsoever, I will make you privy to the cause of my pain what pang or peril so ever I incur thereby. Wherefore you shall understand that since the time I was at the house of L. Virginius, as you partly know, the conditions of his daughter did so well content me, her nature agreed so well with mine, her affections were so framed to my fancy, that I am constrained to resign my liberty captive unto her, and to make her person the prison of my heart. And the less hope I have of obtaining her, the more do I love: and the more deeply I do desire her, the more deadly do I despair of her: which is the cause of all my care and sum of all my sorrow: yea this is it which hath made me an enemy to myself, a stranger to my friends, to abandon all good company, to sit in solitariness, and this is it which, if it be not in time provided for, will prevent by death all other mischiefs. God forbidden good friend (saith his friend) that so light a cause should so deeply distress you: what, do you think either so superstitiously of her, either so abjectly of yourself, that you deem this matter so impossible to be brought to pass? Why her person is not of such perfection, but that yours may match it: her friends are not of such state, but that yours may stand by them: her portion is not so great, but your parents are able to make yours equal unto it. Not, doubt not but your love shall sort to lucky end, and have such success you seek for: and I am heartily glad, that seeing it was your chance to lose your liberty, it is lodged in such a place, which is rather to be counted a Paradise of pleasure, them a prison of pain, of whose worthiness I would somewhat say, but that perchance you will think me partial to the party, and besides that I should rather kindle new coals in you, then quench old flames. But because I persuade myself I may do somewhat with the party which putteth you to this pain, doubt not to commit this charge to me, and I warrant you I will discharge it to your contentation. Ah dear friend (saith Icilius) if I thought you as well able to give order to my sorrow and redress my woe, as I see you willing to comfort my carefulness and keep me from despair, I should think myself the happiest wight in the world, and I would accounted of you as the preserver of my life, but I can not tell what the matter is, méethinkes the more fervent is my fire, the more faint is my fear. fie (saith his friend) you show yourself to very a coward, fortune you know favoureth not the faint hearted, neither are they worthy to win the pray you press for, and therefore for shame take a good heart unto you, and do your endeavour, and let me alone with the rest: there is no hawk soareth so high but she will stoop to some pray, neither any so rammishe and wild but in time she may be reclaimed and made to the lure. And if you follow my advise, I think good you solicit her by letters until such time you have convenient time to go thither yourself. Which counsel he forthwith put in execution, and indicted a letter to his Mistress in this manner.  
Good Mistress, to set forth in words the fervency of my affection, & vehemency of my passion, I think would be both tedious to you, and I am sure grievous to myself for that the remembrance of my passions would be as it were a renewing of my pain, and though I altogether use silence therein, yet the loathsome life which I lead, may by report advertise you of my luckless love, and my drowsy looks to all which see them, are signs sufficient of my drooping heart. Therefore may it please you plainly to understand, that being at Master Virginius your father's house, I received such contentation in your company and sight, that since I have been deprived thereof, I think myself deprived of all the pleasures of life: And unless your courtesy surmount my deserts, and that you vouchsafe to pity my painful estate, I shall have just cause to say, that at your fathers I received in steed of meat misery, for drink dolour, yea I may count my fare fire, and my cheer very dear which must cost me no less than the loss of my liberty at lest. But if yet at the last course it shall please you to sand and serve in to the table of my troubled mind some confectes of comfort with the fruits of friendship, I shall think myself to have fared most daintily, whereas otherwise I shall count myself entreated disdainfully. Look not good Mistress to my living but to my love, way not my wealth but my will, mark not my money but my meaning in the way of honest and lawful marriage, and speedily sand the messenger of present consolation to him, which pineth away in pain and is yours only and ever: ICILIVs.  
Virginia having viewed this letter, and liking it never the worse for his sake that sent it, replied unto it in this short and sober sort.  
Sir, because I know in myself no such due desert any way, to drive you to such deep desire, I am the hardlyer induced to believe your words, and though I adhibited full credit unto them, yet perchance as yet my fancy is not fully framed to like so well of you as you either desire or deserve: and though I could find in my heart to like you above all other, yet I know not whether my friends will yield their consent thereto. So that it is in me only to thank you for your goodwill, but not to satisfy your request. Yours as she may: VIRGINIA.  
This letter bringing some comfort to his careful mimde, made him make haste to repair in person to the place of her presence, where he presented her his suit with such assured signs of perfect love and loyalty, that she thought with good conscience she could not contemn his good will. But her parents for that he was not able, his father being alive to make her such jointer as they enjoined him to, deferred the consummation of the marriage from time to time, hoping that time would mortify the affection of either the one or the other lover. But as the smith his forge by casting on cold water burneth more fiercely, so their love by these delays increased more vehemently, which caused them to betrothe themselves each to other. But Icilius endued with a courageous mind, perceiving the lack of living to hinder his happiness, determined to go to the wars and by dint of sword to win either coin or credit, or to lose life and love. And being on point to take his journey he gave his Mistress this farewell. If ever woeful creature had cause to complain his careful case, then undoubtedly may I duly press for the foremost place. The horse now and then ceaseth from his travail, the Ass from bearing the Ox from drawing, and so of all other creatures, but my poor heart is never at rest, but as the wheel continually turneth, so my mind continually tosseth, still devising how I may aspire to the end of my desires, and be placed in full possession of your perfect person. And having revolved many ways in my mind, I am now resolved upon this to go to the wars and there to win with prowess and pain, that which god and fortune have denied me: where the remembrance of your seemly self shall arm me with such courage, that I shall count nothing dangerous to attempt or hard to attain. And whatsoever worthy feats you shall hear I shall enterprise, I shall desire you to persuade yourself that they are done for your sake. And if in my absence it shall please you to continued constant in goodwill towards me, it is the only shield that shall shadow me in field and fight. Remember Penelope passed twenty years in the absence of her Ulysses, and assure yourself Ulysses never hazarded himself in more perils, than I will put myself to for your sake.  
Virginia having herded this short and sour discourse, casting herself into his arms, after she had beedewed his face with the tears which fallen from her eyes, replied in this sort.  
Ah (Master Icilius) my tongue is not able to tell the hurt which my heart sustaineth by the covetous cruelty of my parents, who in a greedy desire of goods, go about to stay me from that whereupon my life doth stay and depend, and were it not that your great courtesy and love towards me did somewhat moderate and mitigate my martyrdom, I should never be able to bear the unsupportable burden thereof. But now I understand by you I shall loose your company, which was my only comfort and consolation, what rests for me, but notwithstanding I was never married, yet to continued and lead a woeful widows loathsome life, and to spend my golden years in galding greeife. I could rehearse unto you, and you yourself can better tell, the infinite and imminent perils which always wait on war, but that I doubt thereby I should rather increase your gréeif, then altar your determination, but this request at lest, yea and perchance the last, let me make unto you, that in war you be wary, in battle rather to backward then to bold in field rather to flying then to forward, and if you take no care of yourself, yet make some spare of me. For persuade yourself this, out of every wound which your body shall receive, will issue as well my blood as yours.  
And for constancy in your absence assure yourself, Virginia will always be the vowed vassal of Icilius. And as the Laurel or bay tree ceaseth not to be green, notwithstanding the parching Summer, and pinching Winter, so will I never cease to be fresh in friendship, and green in godwill towards you, notwithstanding the sharp storms of absence, the distance of place, and difference of time. But here tears stayed the talk of the one, and time took away any longer abode of the other, whereupon they were constrained after a few careful kisses, to give each other a fainting farewell. Neither is it easy to point forth the pain wherewith this parting pinched both these poor lovers, but surely in my fancy of all griefs it is most gripping when friends are forced to part each from other, when one heart is placed in two places, when one member is torn as it were from another, when owns self is separated from himself, or at lest his second self. But their parting was not so painful, but that shortly after their meeting was as mournful. For not long after the departure of Icilius: as Virginia walked abroad somewhat to recreate and solace her sorrowful self, it was her fortune unfortunately to be seen by one Appius Claudius, one of the Decemuirs, who were the chief rulers of the city, who by the furies of Hell was so set on fire in libidinous lust towards that virgin, that he sought all the means possible to win her to his wicked will: but seeing her to firmly fortified in virtue, to be by consent vanquished by villainy, he determined by force to force her to his filthiness. And as nothing is so impossible which frantic fury will not enterprise, nothing so shameful which unbridled desire will not undertake, nothing so false which fleshly filthiness will not forge, so to bring his purpose to pass he coined this devise, he caused one Marcus Cloudius a client of his, to lay claim to the maid as his bond slave: Who partly for awe of the tyrant, partly being apt of himself to undertake any evil, took the matter upon him, and the next time he took her out of her father's house, he laid hands upon her, commanding her to follow him home, to the end Appius might have had his pleasure of her. But by the pitiful exclamation of the maid and her nurse, a great multitude of people began to muster about them, who hearing whose daughter she was, and that she was béetrothed to Icilius, thought it unseemly that in the absence of her father and friend (who were both in the wars) she should be violently carried into bondage, the title being not discussed by the laws, and thereupon with held M. Cloudius from having her away. Who seeing his might overmatched by the multitude, told them he meant not to deal by force, but his mind was for the plain proof of his title and interest in her, to have her before the chief magistrate of the city, and only judge in civil controversies, who was Appius Claudius the only author of this evil.  
Being come before him, he told a solemn tale for the confirmation of his right in the maid, saying she was the daughter of a bond woman of his, that in her infancy she was stolen from her mother, conveyed to Virginius, and from that time brought up at his house and taken for his natural child, and for proof hereof he brought in two or three knights of the post to depose. The friends of the maid not able to refel this forged tale, desired of the judas judge that the matter might be adjourned until the coming of her father Virginius. Apias answered that he thought it good the matter should hang in suspense until the return of her supposed father, but it was no reason but that he who pretended, yea and had proved to have such right to her, should have her in his custody, until the matter were more examined: and upon his honour he promised she should be forth coming to appear at the time of her father's approach. The people hearing this injurious judgement of Appius, rather murmured at it, than dared make resistance against it, by reason whereof Marcus Cloudius began to draw the maid to be deflowered, as the tiger in Hyrcane woods haileth the lamb to be devoured. But god the righter of all wrongs and protector of all pure virgins, prevented the peril which hung over her head, & sent home from the wars to secure her, her uncle Numitorius, and her spouse Icilius: who hearing the heinousness of the matter, presently presed to the place where Appius sat in judgement, but he commanded his officers to keep Icilius back, whereupon Icilius inveighed against him in this sort.  
Albeit (O Appius) by force you keep me from keepeinge mine own out of your hands, yet shall you not stay my tongue from detecting the villainy which you endeavour to do. For the truth is, this virgin is betrothed to me, and my mind is to marry her a chaste maid, therefore assure yourself if it lie in me to let, she shall not remain one minute of an hour out of her father's house. Is it not sufficient for you to deprive the people of the chief pillars of their liberty, but that our wives and children also must live in slavery to your tyranny? Exercise your cruelty on our bodies, at lest let chastity be in safety.  
Aught princes to give light of life to their people, and will you make yourself a mirror of mischief to your posterity? But if you mind to take her away from us by force and from her, her virginity, never think to do it while I have any breath left in my body, for in this just cause and quarrel of my wife, life shall sooner leave me then loyalty. Appius thinking the power of Icilius would prevail above his, for that the multitude marvelously inclined to his side, said he would have another time to repress the rebellious rage of Icilius, and touching the maid for her father's sake he was content to defer the pronouncing of sentence against her, until the next court day that her father might be present, in the mean while he would entreat Marcus Cloudius to forbear his right: but if her father came not by the next court day, he would defer the execution of justice for no man's pleasure. Presently upon this he dispatched letters to the captain general of the army, that he should not in any wise dismiss Virginius or suffer him to come home: but Icilius had sent for him with such speed that he had leave to departed before those letters came to the captain, so it pleased god to prevent the policy and wicked purpose of Appius. Now Virginius being come to Rome, went with his daughter to the judgement place, and did there lamentably implore the help of the people, saying: while I with the rest of the soldiers have hazarded our lives in the defence of you and your children, I am in danger to have mine own daughter despoiled: & whereas by my help our city is preserved from enemies, I myself am brought to such misery, as if it were taken by our enemies and utterly razed to the ground. For what greater villainy can be done to the vanquished, then to see before their eyes their wives and children desloured and defiled? But neighbours and friends if you suffer me to sustain this injury, assure yourselves your staff standeth next to the door, and look no longer to be husbands over your wives, and parents over your children, than it shall please these tyrants to give you leave. Any evil at the first entering in of it may easily be avoided, but let one or two presidents pass patiently without resisting, and it will run into a custom, and from thence to a law, and you will never be able after to rid your hands of it. And if your own safety drive you not to secure me, yet let my old years, my hoary heirs, the honest port which I have ever maintained, and the chaste life of my daughter move you to put to your hands to help redress my wrong. By this time Appius was come to the judgement place with a great troop of armed men, and seeing Virginius there contrary to his expectation, and perceyning no colour of law could cloud his doings, he set down his own will for a law, and said he would defraud Marcus Cloudius no longer of his right, and seeing the maid was convicted by proof and witness to be his bond maid, he gave sentence that he should presently have her away, not suffering her father to allege any thing for her freedom. Virginius seeing this extreme dealing of Appius threatningly shook his hands at him, saying, I have béetrothed my daughter to Icilius not to thee (O Appius) & I have brought her up to be an honest married woman, not thy harlot. What dost thou think under the pretence of bondage, to make her bond to thy beastliness? Appius not regarding his railing caused his officers to make the multitude give place to Marcus Cloudius that he might quietly carry away his bond maid, by reason whereof Virginia was left void of help and rescue, which her father perceiving and seeing himself not able to deliver her out of her enemy's hands, to defer the time hoping still for help, he used this policy: he desired Appius he might have his daughter aside, and between her nurse and her examine the matter, that if it were found he were but her feigned father, he might the more willingly departed with her. Which being by Appius granted, they three went aside together, where Virginia fallen down upon her knees and made this ruthless request unto her father.  
I perceive (dear father) it is not without great cause that the philosophers were of this opinion, that the greatest felicity is never to be born, and the second soon to die, now seeing by your means I am deprived of the first I beseech you by your means let me enjoy the second: and to countervail the luckless and loathsome life which you have given me, vouchsafe to bestow on me an honourable death. And as by your fatherly care I have continued a continent virgin hitherto, so by your furthering aid I pray you let me dye an honest maid presently: lest my life hereafter, contaminate the commendation of my life heretofore: and seeing I can be no longer suffered to live honestly, good father let me die honourably? For an honourable death is always to be preferred before an infamous life, of evils the lest is to be choose, and death of body is to be counted a less evil, than destruction of body and soul. I think I may by more right crave your help herein, for that partly by your means I am fallen into this extremity, for that you would not agreed to the consummation of the marriage between Icilius and me, and how you can deliver me, but by delivering me to death I see not, for that your power is to weak to wreak the wrong which is offered me, and your force is to feeble to fence me from the fury of my foes. Therefore seeing he will needs have my body (sweet father) let him have it dead, that I may not feel the filthiness which he purposeth to force me too. Her father melting into tears at her pitiful suit, carefully kissing her, commended her courageous mind, rather confirming her in her constant couragiousnesse, than disswadinge her from her purpose. By this time the tyrants train began to flock about them to have her away, which Virginius seeing snatched a butcher's knife from the shambels and thrust therewith his daughter to the heart, saying: O daughter, by this only mean whereby I may do I make thee free. Icilius seeing his spouse thus spoiled, spent no time in trifling tears, but by the help of his father in law Virginius, prosecuted the matter so earnestly against Appius that he was thrown into prison, where for shame of his deed and dread of deserved punishment, he did himself desperately to death.  
You see here Gentlewomen, a most lamentable death of a most virtuous virgin, wherein you may note a noble mind in her to desire it, a stout courage in her father to do it, and most outrageous tyranny in Appius to drive them to it: whereby you may learn that virtue and chastity is to be preferred before world or wealth, before friend or father, before love or living, before life or death. Therefore, if I were either in wit able or otherwise worthy to give you counsel, I would advise you to avoid the trains of such tyrants, to keep you out of the sight of such seedsuckers, and to fly from such Senes fornecatores: such raveninge wolves in sheeps cloathinge are readiest to devour such sweet sheep, such old dogs ever bite forest, such gravity for the most part containeth most incontinency. For if their lust were not more than outrageous, either their great discretion would repress it, either their many years would mortify it, either their own wives would satisfy it. But use of evil maketh us think it no abuse, sins often assayed are thought to be no sin, and these gray-headed gamesters have the habit of this mischief so deeply rooted in them, that concupiscence will fry their flesh, till breath do leave their bodies.  
And as I would you should avoid these old youths in the way of wickedness, so if my wish might wield your wills, you should neither meddle with them in the way of marriage. For perfect love can never be without equality, there can be no good agreement of affections, where there is such difference of years. Can fire & water, can flowers & frost, can warmth and winter, can mirth & melancholy agree together? Not surely Gentlewomen but if you will have it so, I will believe this matter moveth you nothing: Yet what say you to another point, & that a most perilous point, when to impotency shallbe added jealousy? This is a pill of hard digestion, this is a pill which if it be a little chewed, it will be so bitter that you will never be able to abide it. For when such an one shall measure your deeds by his own desire, and your life present by his own life past, when he shall think you to be nought, because he himself hath been nought: good god how closely then will he mew you up? how carefully will he look to you? How loathsomely will he cloy you with his company? Then will you wish you unmarried, then will you wish you had married with a young man: they will love and not dote, they will be zealous and not jealous. And if your parents in some curious or covetous respect go about otherwise to dispose of you, humbly request them you may choose where you like, and link where you love, that you may be married to a man rather than money, to quiet rather than coin. Dutifully tell them that such presinesse of parents brought Pyramus and Thisbe to a woeful end, Romeo and julietta to untimely death, and drove Virginius miserably to murder his own daughter Virginia.   

Admetus and Alcestis.  
ADMETUS son to ATYS king of Lybla, falling in love with Alcestis, daughter to Lycabas king of Assur, who recompensed him with femblable affection, are restrained each from other by their parents, but being secretly married, wander in wildernesses like poor pilgrims. Atys shortly after dieth, whereof Admetus being advertised, returns with his wife, and is established in the kingdom. The destinies grant him a double date of life if he can find one to die for him, which Alcestis herself performeth: for whose death Admetus most woefully lamenting, she was eftsoons by Proserpina restored to her life, and lover again.  
IT is a saying no less common than commonly proved true, that Marriages are guided by destiny, & among all the contracts which concern the life of man, I think they only be not in our own power or pleasure: which may plainly appear by this, that when the choice of such marriages doth chance unto us as we ourselves can wish, when they may by their parents & friends countenance us, by their dowry and portion profit us, by their person and beauty pleasure us, by their virtue and perfection every way place us in paradise, yet it is often seen that we set little by them, neither make any account of such profitable proffers, but by a contrary course of the heavens and destinies, are carried, as it were against our wills, some other way, and caused to settle in affection there where heaven and earth seem to withstand our desire, where friends frown on us, where wealth wants, where there is neither fecilitie in pursuing, neither felicity in possessing: which the history which you shall hear shall more plainly set forth unto you.  
There reigned in the land of Lybia one Atys, who had to his neighbour more near then was necessary one Lycabas king of Assur, which princes rather coveting their neighbour's dominions, then contenting themselves with their own, encroached each one upon others right, and continued continual war one against the other. But at length Atys, whether he were wearied and wasted with war, or whether he had occasion to bend his force some other way, or whether he were disposed to enter into league and amity with his neighbours I know not, but he sent his one son Admetus to Lycabas to parley of a peace. Now Lycabas either thinking he had him at some advantage, either not minding to put up injuries before received, would accept no conditions of peace, but by Admetus sent his father flat defiance. So that the war continued between them in as great rage as it had done the former time of their reign. But yet hate caused not such hot skirmishes between the parents, but that love forced as fierce assaults between the children. For it was so that Lycabas had a daughter named Alcestis, who what time Admetus was in her father's court to entreat of peace, chanced out at her chamber window to have a sight of him, and he at the same time happened to encounter a view of her. And as small drops of rain engender great flouddes, and as of little seeds grow great trees, so of this little look and sight grew such great love and delight that death itself could not dissolve it. For as women be of delicate and fine metal, and therefore soon subject to love, so Alcestis after this first sight was so overgone in goodwill towards Admetus, that she fixed her only felicity in framing in her fancy the form of his face, and printing in her heart the perfection of his person. And as nothing breeds bane to the body sooner than trouble of mind, so she persevered so long in such pensive passions, and careful cogitations, that her body was brought so lo for lack of the use of sleep and meat, that she was fain to keep her bed: and by reason that she covertly concealed her grief, it burned so furiously within her, that it had almost clean consumed her away. Her father seeing her in this heavy case, assembled all the learned physicians he could learn of in the country, who having seen her were all altogether ignorant of her disease, and were at their wits end what medicine to apply to her malady. Some thought it a consumption, some a burning fever, some a melancholy humour, some one thing, some another. And her father examyning her how it held her, and what disease she thought it to be, she answered that it was a sickness which it pleased god to send her, and that it was not in the help of Physic to heal her, but her health was only to be had at gods hands. Now Admetus on the other side having the proffer of many princes made him in the way of marriage, made very careless account thereof, and seemed in his mind to be very angry with those offers: and as the sight of meat is very loathsome to him whose stomach is ill or hath already eaten his fill, so that little sight which he had of Alcestis had fed his fancy so full, that to see, or so much as think, of any other woman was most grievous unto him. And notwithstanding the griping pain of love caused some grafts of grief to begin to grow in his heart: yet by reason that he had the conducting of the army royal under his father, he was so busily occupied that he had no great leisure to lodge any loving thoughts within his breast. But see how the destinies dealt to drive this bargain thorough. There aroase a quarrel béetwéene the two armies touching certain points wherein the law of arms was thought to be broken, to decide which controversy Admetus was sent post to Lycabas: who sitting by his daughter's bed side, had word brought him that Admetus was come to the court to impart matters of importance unto him. Now at this instant there chanced one of the Physicians to hold Alcestis by the arm and to feel her pulses, and where before they beat very féebly as if she had been ready to yield to the sommance of death, she no sooner herded that message brought up to her father, but that her pulses began to beaten with great force and liveliness: which the physician perceiving persuaded himself he had found the cause of her calamity: but for more assured proof he whistered the king in the ear desiring him that Admetus might be sent for thither and there to make relation of his message unto him: which the king caused to be done accordingly. Admetus was no sooner admitted into the chamber, but her pulses began to beat again with wonderful swiftness, and so continued all the while he was in the chamber. Who seeing his love in such danger of her life, though he understood not the cause thereof, yet he cast such a careful countenance towards her, that she easily perceived he did participate in pain with her: which made her cast such glances of goodwill towards him, that he easily understood it was for his sake she sustained such sorrow and sickness. But the fear of her father, who was his mortal foe, and the urgent necessity of his affairs, forced him to departed without manifesting unto her the manifold good will he bore her. And though his departure were little better than death to the damsel, yet for that she known her love to be encountered with like affection (whereof before she stood in doubt) she began to drive away the dark clouds of despair and to suffer the bright light of hope to shine upon her. Admetus' being go, the Physician took the king a side and told him his daughter's disease was not derived of any distemperature of the body but only of the disquietness of the mind: and to tell you the truth plainly (says he) it is only the fervent affection she beareth to that young prince Admetus your enemy that forceth this feebleness and faintness in her. And told the king by what means he tried the truth thereof. The king at these words was marvelously disquieted persuading himself that it was so in deed, and that Admetus on the other side bore affection to his daughter, for that all the time of his talk with him, he continually turned his eyes towards her bed, and would often times give him answers nothing pertinent to the questions which he proposed unto him, as having his cogitations conversant in other matters. Upon this the king went to his daughter, & as the physician first ministereth to his patiented bitter pills and purgations to expel gross and ill humours, and then applieth lenitives and restoratives to breed and bring again good blood, so he first used sharp threatenings unto her to expel the force and fury of her love, and then used gentle persuasions to restore her to her former health and quiet of mind. But neither the sourness of the one, neither the sweetness of the other could prevail, for salves seldom help an overlong suffered sore, it is to late to shut the stable door when the steed is stolen, it booteth not to stop the breach when the town is overflown: it is to late to dislodge love out of one's breast, when it hath infected before every part of the body. For as sowning mortifieth every member, as pestilence infecteth every part, as poison pierseth every vain, so love if it be not in time looked too, will bring both body and mind to utter confusion. For this virgin was so vanquished by love, that she neither forced her father's fair words, neither feared his fierce threatenings, but told him plainly she would not deny the love she bore Admetus, neither could cast out of her mind the liking she had conceived of him: and therefore humbly craved pardon if (saith she) it be an offence to love him honestly, which deserveth it worthily. But her father in a fury flung from her saying, she should never enjoy him with joy, and that she should never find any more fatherly furtherance at his hands, than the greatest enemy he had. The young princess perceiving her father's goodwill thus alienated from her, reposed her only comfort and confidence in Admetus, hoping that he would stand her in steed of both a friend, fere, and father. And with as convenient speed as she could, wrought a letter to him to this end.  
If (most peerless prince) necessity or love had law, I might be thought perchance to transgress the law and limyttes of modesty in first giving the onset where as I aught not easily to have yielded being assaulted. But seeing necessity and lack of opportunity, by reason of the rigour of the wars perchance causeth you to conceal that which you would discover, and vehement love and fervent desire forceth me to discover that which I should conceal, I think it less offence by this means to supply your want and satisfy mine own desire, then, by standing upon the nice terms of my maiden's estate, to suffer both of us to pine away in pain for lack of being privy to each others mind and purpose. Therefore you shall understand the cause of my writing is this. What time your good hap (I hope) was to be at my father's court, I did perceive (if desire to have it so did not deceive me) that your affection was great towards me, and that you seemed not a little to be pinched with my pain, to ease you of which grief I thought it my duty to certify you, that the certain hope which I thereby conceived of your love and good will, did presently restore me to perfect health, and further to let you understand, that the only cause of my sickness was the first sight which I had of you, and the despair that I should never be so fortunate as to obtain you. Now as the same hand which did hurt me, did help me, so if I have any way wounded you, I shallbe ready to make you what plaster it please you to heal your hurt? And judging the sincerity of your mind by the clearness of mine own conscience, I commit myself wholly into your hands, presuming thus far of your perfect love towards me, that you will not any way seek the disparagement of mine honour (which I hold far more dear than love or life) but accept me for your lawful and loving spouse. And that way you only and at any time shall dispose of me at your pleasure. My father by ill fortune hath found out our love, and stormeth greatly thereat, so that I think his haggard heart is by no means to be reclaimed. But I think indirect dealing by the daughter may be used, when the father by rage rather than reason is ruled. Therefore if you think so good, I will secretly convey myself to what place you will have me, but I commit this matter to your wisdom, and myself to you, remaining yours only and ever: ALCESTIS.  
Now Admetus ever after his return from the court of Lycabas was driven into such doleful dumps, and governed his charge of men with such heavy cheer, that his father examining him very stractly of the cause thereof, enforced him to confess his careful case. Which he no sooner herded, but he forthwith discharged him of his charge, saying he was fit to be one of Cupid's carpet captains, then to march under the mainly ensign of Mars: and that he would have no such lascivious knights is his army. For (saith he) if any part of the body be putrefied, it must be cut of for fear of infecting the whole body. And told him plainly if he went forward with his folly, he would never take him for his son, neither should he ever succeed in the kingdom by this consent. The young prince withdrew himself out of his father's presence, and got him to his pavilion or tent, where he was no sooner sadly set down, but he was presented by a trusty messenger with the letter of Alcestis, which so soon as he had read, he seemed to be rapt into the third heaven: but considering on the other side the difficulty of reaping the fruits of his love, and wayinge the peril of his father's displeasure, he was thrown into the deepest dungeon of hell. And as a boat born by the tide against the wind, feeleth double force, and is compelled to yield both to wind and wave, so this young prince, being driven by the force of love against the mind and pleasure of his father, felt double dolour, and was tormented with both. But at length love got the victory, and all other doubts cast aside, he returned his Mistress this answer.  
Who was ever exalted to the highest degree of happiness, and driven to the deepest extremity of evil at once but I? who ever flourished in felicity, and faded in misery together but I? who was ever placed in paradise and plunged in perplexity jointly but I? for heaven itself cannot yield me better bliss than the consent of your goodwill and love, (most peerless prince & princely piece) and hell itself cannot yield me more bitter bale, then to be destitute of means to enjoy the fruits of your favour and benefit of your beauty. If Croesus came and offered me all his wealth, if Alexander yielded me his empire, if juno came from heaven with her kingdoms, Pallas with her wisdom, or Venus with her Helen, assure thyself (sweet Mistress) that neither any one of them, neither all of them together, should be so gratefully or gladly received of me, as the proffer which your letters have made me. And canst thou (dear wench) prefer my love before thy own life, my pleasure before thy father's displeasure, my contentment before thy own commodity, and shall any doubt of danger drive me from the duty which I aught to do unto thee? Not let father fret, let friends frown, let living be lost, let kingdom be made from me, let hap what hap will, thou hast promised to be mine, and I protest by the heavens to be thy. What though the king your father be greatly incensed against me, what care I for any man's friendship if I have your favour? What though the way unto you be long and dangerous? What pass I to pass a thousand perils to pleasure you? what though mine enemies lie in wait for me? What way I to be hewn in an hundred pieces in your presence? Yea if I had a thousand lives I think the loosinge of them all little enough to requited the great goodwill and courtesy you have showed me. But methinks I hear you say, the spending or loss of my life, is the greatest loss and evil that possibly can happen unto you, and therefore I must take heed how I hazard it. Well I will (sweet wench) preserve my life only to serve thee, and the care I have of you shall 'cause me to have care of myself. But touching the convey of our affairs I am at my wits end which way to work, for if your father chafe at this matter, mine rageth and stormeth, and watcheth me so narrowly that not so much as my looks but he looketh to them. But I will ease him of this labour ere it be long, for this life I am not able to endure long: yea I had rather live with you in most misery (if he may possibly be miserable that enjoyeth such a jewel as you are) then here in most happiness (which of me is not to be had without you) therefore wayward fortune hath only left us this way, if it please you so much to dishonour yourself, and to do me so much honour, as meet me the tenth of this month at the chapel of Diana, standing as you know six leagues from your father's court, I will there god willing meet you, and a priest with me to marry us, which done we will shifted ourselves into Pilgrim's apparel, and so disguised endure together such fortune as the fates shall assign us. And thus till then I bid you farewell.  
Yours ever, or his own never: ADMETUS.  
Now see the valiantness of a virgin, or rather consider the force of love which maketh the weak strong, the witless wise, the simple subtle, yea and the most cowards most courageous. For the day prescribed in the letter of Admetus being come, the young princess before day attired herself in one of her Page's apparel, and trudged out of the city as if she had been sent to the Camp on some message: and so fast as her faint legs (but strengthened by love) could carry her, she hasted thorough the desert and wayless woods to this forlorn chapel, where the God whom she only honoured was ready to receive her: Who though at the first he known her not, but thought she had been Cupid or Mercury fallen from the heavens, yet at length by her loving looks cast upon him, he known who it was, and embracing her fast in his arms said, if jupiter (sweet wench) should see thee in this Page's apparel, no doubt but he would forego his Ganymedes, and take thee up into heaven in his steed. O most sovereign Lady and mistress, what service shall I ever be able to do you, which may countervail this kindness? What duty can be a due recompense to this goodwill? If I by any means can quite this courtesy, I never doubt to be deemed ungrateful while I live. But accept (good Lady) I beseech you that which is in me to perform, which is the faithfullest heart that ever was vowed to Lady: which when it swerveth from you, let all the torments of Tantalus, Tytius, Sisyphus and all the rueful rout of hell be heaped upon me. Alcestis hearing him so earnest said:  
Few words (most worthy prince) are enough to win credit to a matter already believed: for only upon confidence of your constant and faithful heart towards me, I have thus unadvisedly adventured mine honour as you see, destringe you not sinisterly to think of this my attempt, being boldened thereto by the great love which I bore towards you, and by the loyalty which I look for of you towards me. Ah saith Admetus, if I should make any ill interpretation of your virtuous love and sincere affection towards me, I were the veriest villain on earth, for I take god to witness I take your forward will for such friendly good will, that I doubt my deserts will never be able so to answer thereto as I desire. But here he aptly ended his talk upon her mouth, and they entered into such privy conference, their lips being joined most closely together, that I can not report the meaning of it unto you, but if it please one of you to lean hitherward a little I will show you the manner of it. Now having continued some time therein, they at the length entered into the temple, where the marriage according to the sacred rites was solemnly celebrated: which done they entered into a poor cottage, in steed of a princely palace, joining to the temple, where long they dared not tarry for fear of apprehension by posts which pursued them. Therefore putting on their pilgrim's apparel again, they went hand in hand and heart in heart, waylfully and wilfully, wandering out of their own native country, to avoid their parent's punishment and displeasure. O lamentable lots of love which drove two princes from their pleasant pallaices, from their flourishing friends, from their train of servants, from their sumptuous fare, from their gorgeous garments, from variety of delights, from secure quietness, yea from heavenly happiness, to wild wilderness, to desert dens, to careful caves, to hard cheer, with haws and hips, to pilgrims peltes, to peril of spoiling, to danger of devouring, to misery of mind, to affliction of body, yea to hellish heaviness. O pitiles parents to prefer their own hate before their children's love, their own displeasures before their children's pleasure, to forget the themselves were once young and subject to love, to measure the fiery flames of youth, by the dead coals of age, to govern their children by their own lust which now is, not which was in times past, to seek to altar their natural affection from their children upon so light a cause, shewing themselves rebels to nature, to endeavour to undo the destinies and disappoint the appointment of the gods, showing themselves traitors to the gods. But the one of them, the father of Admetus reaped the just reward of his rigour. For Atys after the departure of his son took the matter very heavily, abandoned all pleasures, avoided all company, and spent most part of his time in discoursinge with himself in this sorrowful sort.  
If nature by the divine providence of god did not move us to the maintenance of mankind, surely the charge of children is such a heavy burden, that it would fear men from entering into the holy state of matrimony. For to omit the inconveniences of their infancy, which are infinite, when they draw once to man's estate, what time they should be a stay to our staggering state, good God what troubles do they torment us with? What cares do they consume as with? What annoys do they afflict our old years with all? They say we are renewed and revived as it were in our offspring, but we may say we die daily in thinking of the desperate deeds of our children. And as the spider feeleth if her web be pricked but with the point of a pin, so if our childred Bee touched but with the lest trouble that is, we feel the force of it to pierce us to the heart. But how well this tender care is by them considered, alas it maketh my heart bleed to think if we look for obedience of them, and that they should follow our counsel in the convaighe of their affairs, why they think we dote, and that their own wits are far better than ours: if we warn them to be wary and thrifty, they think it proceedeth rather of covetousness then of kindness: if we provide them no marriages, it is because we will depart with no living to them: if we persuade them to marriage, it is because we would have them forsake all good fellowship, & live like clowns in the country by the Plough tail: If we persuade them to learning it is that they might live by it without our charge: if we persuade them to one wife rather than another, it is because the one is richer than the other: if we look severely on them, we love them not: if we use them familiarly, we feed them with flattery because we will give them little: and so of all our loving doings they make these lewd devices: yea when we have brought them up with great care and cost, when we have travailed all our time by sea and by land, early and late, in pain and in peril, to heap up treasure for them, when we have by continual toil shortened our own lives to lengthen and enlarge their livings and possessions, yet if we suffer them not to roist and to riot, to spill and to spoil, to swash and to lash, to lend and to spend, yea and to follow the fury of their own frantic fancies in all things, this forsooth is our recompense, they wish an end of our lives to have our livings. Alas a lamentable case, why hath not nature caused love to ascend as well as descend? Why hath she endued the Stork with this property to feed his dam, when she is old, and men with such malice to wish their parent's death when they are aged? But I speak perchance of mine own proper grief, god forbidden it should be a common case, for my son (Ah why do I call him son) hath not only wished my death but wrought it. He known he was my only delight, he known I could not live he being out of my sight: he known his desperate disobedience would drive me to a desperate death. And could he so much dote of a light damsel, to force so little of his loving father? Alas a wife is to be preferred before father and friend. But had he none to six his fancy on but the daughter of my most furious foe? Alas love hath no respect of people. Yet was not my goodwill and consent to be craved therein? Alas he see no possibility to obtain it. But now alas I would grant my goodwill, but now alas it is to late: his fear of my fury is to great ever to be found, his fault is to great ever to look me in the face more, and my sorrow is to great ever to be saluted. And thereupon got him to bed and in five days space his natural moisture with secret sorrow was so soaken away, that he could no longer continued his careful life, but yielded willingly to desired death. So it pleased God to provide for the poor pilgrims, who having past many a fearful forest and dangerous desert, were now come to the sea shore minding to take ship and travel into unknown coasts, where they might not by any means be known, and being on ship board they herded the master of the ship make report that Atys king of the Lybians was dead. Whereupon Admetus desired to be set on shore again, and dissembling the cause thereof, pretended some other matter and got to the next town wherewith the money and jewels he had about him, he furnished himself and his lady with the best apparel could be provided in the town, and with such a train of men as he could there take up: which done he made the greatest expedition he could unto his own country where he was royally received as prince, and shortly after joyfully crowned King. And being quietly, settled in the regal seat, he presently dispatched Ambassadors to Lycabas his father's foe, and his father in law, whose ambassade contained these two points, the one to entreat a peace for his people, the other to crave a pardon for his wife, who willingly granted both the one and the other. Whereby he now lived in great quiet and tranquillity. A marvelous mutabylity of fortune which in the space of a month could bring him from happy joy to heavy annoy, and then from annoy again to greater joy than his former joy. For as the sun having been long time overwhelmed with dark clouds, when it hath banished them from about it, seems to shine more brightly then at any time before, so the state and condition of this prince having been covered with the clouds of care, now it was cleared of them, seemed more pleasant and happy then at any time before. And verily as sharp sauce gives a good taste to sweet meat, so trouble and adversity, makes quiet and prosperity for more pleasant. For he knoweth not the pleasure of plenty, who hath not felt the pain of penury, he takes no delight in meat, who is never hungry: he careth not for ease who was never troubled with any disease.  
But notwithstanding the happy life of this prince, albeit he abounded in as great riches as he required, albeit he had as many kingdoms as he coveted, albeit he had such a wife as he wished for, yea and enjoyed all things which either god could give him, fortune further him to, or nature bestow upon him: yet to show that there is no sun shines so bright but that clouds may over cast it, no ground so good but that it bringeth forth weeds as well as flowers, no king so surely guarded, but that the gamesome god's fortune will at lest check him, if not mate him, no state so plentiful in pleasure, but that it is mixed with pain, he had some weeds of woe which began to grow up among his flowers of felicity, & some chips of sorry chance did light in the heap of his happiness. Yea fortune presented herself once again upon the stage and meant to have one fling more at him. For this prince possessinge such a pleasant life, took great delight in good house keeping, and gave such good entertainment to strangers that his fame was far spread into foreign countries: yea the rumour thereof reached to the skies, in so much that Apollo (as the poet's report) having occasion to descend from heaven to the earth, went to see the entertainment of Admetus: who was so royally received by him, that the god thought good with some great kindness to requited his great courtesy. And as Philemon and Laucis, for their hearty house keeping, were preserved by the gods from drowning when all the country and people beside were overflown, so the god Apollo meant to preserve his life, when all his country and people then living should lie full lo in their graves. And of the destinies of death obtained thus much for him, that if when the time and term of his natural life drew to an end, if any could be found who would willingly die & lose their own life for him, he should begin the course of his life again, and continued on earth another age.  
Now when the time of his natural life drawn to an end, there was diligent inquiry made who would be content to abridge their own days, to prolong their princess' life. And first the question was put to his friends (who were nearest to themselves) then to his kinsfolk (whose love was asmutch of custom as of kindness) then to his subjects (whose affection was as much for fear as for favour) then to his servants (who thought their life as sweet as their master did his) then to his children (who thought it reason that as their father did first enter into this life so he should first departed out of this life) so that there could none be found so frank of their life to set this prince free from the force of death. Now Alcestis seeing the death of her dear husband draw near, and knowing her own life without his life and love would be but loathsome unto her, of her own accord offered herself to be sacrificed for her husbands sake, and to hasten her own death to prolong his life. O loyal loving wife, O wight good enough for god himself. And yet had she a husband good enough for herself, for he loved her so entirely that though by losing her he might have gained life long time, yet would he not by any means consent to her death, saying, without her life his life would be more grievous unto him then a thousand deaths. But she persuaded with him against herself all that she could saying, I would not (O peerless prince) you should take the matter so kindly at my hands, as though for your sake only I offered up my life, for it is in deed the commodity of your country and mine own, being under your dominion, which driveth me hereto, knowing myself unable to govern them you being go. And considering the daily war, the spoylefull wastes, the bloody blasts, the troublesome strife which your realm is subject too, I thought you had not loved me so little as to leave me behind you to bear on my weak back such a heavy burden, as I think Atlas himself could scarce sustain.  
Again, considering that death is but a fleeting from one life into another, and that from a most miserable lifë to a most happy life, yea from bale to bliss, from care to quiet, from Purgatory to Paradise, I thought you had not envied me so much, as to think me unworthy of it. Do you not know that Cleovis and Byton had death bestowed on them as the best gift which God could devise to give them, and do you think it can do me harm, especially seeing I may thereby do you good? Alas sweet wife (saith Admetus) this your piety is unprofitable which is subject to so many perils. But if death be so good (good wife) let me enjoy it, who am enjoined to it, and to whom only it will be good, for death is only good to me whom it is given, not to you who are not appointed to it. For it is not lawful for any to leave this life without special permission of the gods. And as in our court it is lawful for none to have access unto us unless by us he be sent for, so neither is it lawful for any to appear before the heavenly throne, unless by the gods he be summoned. Neither will death be so easy to you as to me, whose nature is apt to yield unto it. For you see fruit which is not ripe, will scarce with strength be torn from the tree, whereas that which is ripe falls easily of it own accord. Therefore (good wife) give me leave to die to whom it willbe only good and easy to die. Why sweet husband (saith she) the god Apollo allowed any that would to die for you, otherwise to what purpose was that which he obtained of the destinies for you? And for the uneasines of death, nothing can be uneasy or hard unto a willing heart. But because your pleasure is so, I am content to continued my careful life, and with sorrow to survive you. And so left her husband and went privily to the Altar and offered up herself to death to prolong her husband's life. Which when the king known, he would presently have spoiled himself, but his hands had not the power to do it, for that by the decree of the destinies he must now of force live another age on earth. Which when he see, he filled the court with such pitiful wailing, such bitter weeping, such hellish houlinge, that it pierced the heavens and moved the gods to take remorse on his misery. And Proserpina the god's of hell especially pitying the parting of this loving couple (for that she herself known the pain of parting from friends, being by Dys stolen from her mother Ceres) put life into his wife again, and with speed sent her unto him. Who being certified here of in his fleepe, early in the morning waited for her coming sing her come a far of he had much a do to keep his soul in his body from flying to meet her. Being come he received her as joyfully, as she came willingly, & so they lived long time together in most contented happiness.  
This seemeth strange unto you (Gentlewoman) that a woman should die and then live again, but the meaning of it is this, that you should die to yourselves and live to your husbands, that you should count their life your life, their death your destruction: that you should not care to disease yourselves to please them: that you should in all things frame yourselves to their fancies: that if you see them disposed to mirth, you should endeavour to be pleasant: if they be solemn, you should be sad: if they hard, you having: if they delight in hawks, that you should love Spaniels: if they hunting, you hounds: if they good company, you good housekeeping: if they be hasty, that you should be patient: if they be jealous, that you should lay aside all light looks: if they frown, that you fear: if they smile, that you laugh: if they kiss, that you cléepe, or at lest give them two for one: and so that in all things you should conform yourselves to their contentation: so shall there be one will in two minds, one heart in two bodies, and two bodies in one flesh. Methinks I hear my wish, wish me such a wife as I have spoken of, verily (good wish) you wish your wealth great wealth, and God make me worthy of you wish and your wish and if I might have my wish I am persuaded you should have your wish. But if I be so good a husband as Admetus was, if I forego father, friends, and living, if I be content to change joy for annoy, court for care, pleasure for pilgrimage for my wives sake, if I had rather die myself then she should, if she being dead, with mournful cries I move the Gods to raise her to life again, I shall think myself worthy of so good a wife as Alcestis was. I shall hap to have a wife who with Cleopatra will sting herself to death with serpents at the death of her Antonius: who with Hylonomo will slay herself at the death of her Cyllar: who with Singer will vanish away into air for the loss of her Picus: and who with Alcestis will be content to loose her life to preserve her Admetus.   

Scylla and Minos.  
SCYLLA, daughter to Nisus king of Alcathoé, disdaynefully rejecting the humble suit of Iphis, a young Gentleman of her father's Court, becometh unadvisedly amorous of king Minos, her fathers and countries mortal foe, lying in siege about the City. To whom by the counsel of Pandarina she beetrayeth her father, in stealing away his golden hair, and presenting it unto Minos in token of her love, which he reprochefully rejecteth. And being embarked to departed homewards, she assayeth to swim after him, and is drowned in the Sea.  
MAny are of opinion that the virtues of love are very many, & that it is of force to reduce us from savageness to civilnesse, from folly to wit, from covetousness to liberality, from clownishness to courtlinesse, yea from all vice to all virtue. But if the effects thereof be rightly considered, I see not but that we may more justly say, that the inconveniences of love be infinite, and that it bringeth us from modesty to impudency, from learning to lewdness, from stayed firmness to staggering fickelnesse, from liberality to prodigality, from wariness to wilfulness, from good behaviour to dissolute living, from reason to rage, yea from all goodness to all vanity. As may be justified by the gods themselves, by the godliest men that ever were, by the wisest men that ever were, and by the valiantest men that ever were. Who by love have been brought to most outrageous impiety, to most extreme folly, and most vile villainy. But Gentlewomen, because most of you be maids (I mean at lest taken so) I will manifest unto you the mischief of love by the example of a maid, in that estate (though I hope not every way) like unto yourselves, that admonished thereby, you may avoid the like inconvenience in yourselves.  
Therefore you shall understand that over the town Alcathoé reigned one Nysus, who had to daughter a damsel named Scylla, a proper sweet wench, in goodliness a goddess, in shape Venus herself, in show a saint, in perfection of person peerless: but in deeds a dainty deign, in manners a merciless maid, and in works a wilful wench, as by her life you shall perceive. For there was attendant upon her father in his court a proper youth named Iphis, who, as the freshest colours soon fade the hue, and as the finest metals soonest break, so the more noble blood he came of, and the finer wit he was endued withal, the sooner was he made thrall and subject to love: And the more courageous mind he had, the more haughty conquest did he endeavour to achieve. For being in the daily sight of Scylla, he began firmly to fix his fond fancy upon her fine face. And by reason of his young years being ignorant that under most green grass lie most great snakes, and under intisinge baits entangling hooks, he bitten so greedily at the bait of her beauty, that he swallowed down the hook of hateful hurt●, and hurtful heaviness to his heart. But like a man he sought means to subdue his sorrow and to vanquish this virgin, and first like a bashful young man he solicited his suit by pitiful looks, thinking thereby to let her understand his desire. But she on the other side perceiving his intent, cast coy countenances upon him to drive him to despair: so that where before his own ●fulnesse kept him from discovering his purpose, now her coyness caused him to cover it. Yet extreme love drove him to this extreme shift, he imparted his purpose to an uncle of his, a noble man of great countenance in the court, humbly desiring him either by counsel, countenance, pain or policy to stand him in some stead to the attaining of his purpose: his unckel gravely advised him to avoid such vanity and not to attempt any such enterprise whereby he should incur the King's displeasure, and per consequens his own undoing. But he told this tale to one that had no ears to hear, for the deepness of his love caused deafness in him to hear any thing which might help to heal his harebrained head, for forward he would with his folly whatsoever came of it. The old Gentleman seeing his unaduisednes, told him he would so far as he dared feel the fancy of the young Princess, and thereby he should perceive how likely he were to prevail in his purpose. And having convenient time he fell to sifting her thoughts in this sort.  
Fair Lady, we have letters come to the Court containing this news, that two or three young Princes have directed their course into this Country to see and assay you in the way of marriage: wherein I doubt not but you will deal to the kings majesties contentation, and to our countries commodytie: and to consider that the stay of the whole kingdom standeth upon your marriage, for the he which marrieth you must after the king's decease succeed as lawful heir unto the crown. Now if you match yourself with a stranger, it is greatly to be feared that we shall be greatly molested with the fury of foreign force, for that the King's guard and court for the most part shallbe of his own Country: and so strangers shall be preferred to offices, and we set beside our living, whereas if it shall please you to take to husband some of your own country you shallbe as it were King & Queen yourself, and he as it were your servant and subject. And so shall you reign in great soveraignitie and we live in great tranquillytie. His talk being ended the Princess made him this proud answer.  
My Lord, touching my marriage it toucheth me more nearly than you, and my father the kings counsel I mean chiefly to follow therein: neither will I so respect your commodity to neglect mine own honour, neither will I have more consideration of the stay of my Country, then of the state of my calling, neither in that point by your leave will I prefer the common wealth before mine own private will: for that it is only I must marry, which if I do to my liking, I am like to live pleasantly, if otherwise I am sure to live sourly all the days of my life. And for marrying any of mine country, I promise' you for my part I know never a Prince in all this country my father excepted. Meaning she would match with none under the degree of a Prince. Immediately after this the noble man called his nephew unto him telling him he thought it as easy a matter to climb to heaven with ladders, as for so mean a man as he to aspire to the height of her haughty mind. The young Gentleman thinking that his ●kle for fear of displeasure dared not deal in so dangerous a matter, neither gave great credit to his words, neither yielded him any thanks for his pains, but determined notwithstanding of himself to pursue his suit. And knowing that proper Gentlewomen delight in pretty jewels, and that the Gods themselves are pleased with gifts, he got the most precious Pearls & dearest Diamonds in the country, and caused them to be presented unto the Princess from him. But disdainful rigour so ruled her, that she would not so much as look upon them, saying she had no need of his gifts, that he might better bestow them on those who were not his betters, and that she thought it shame a Prince's person should be purchased with pearls. The Gentleman though greatly dismayed to see both his goodwill neclected, and his gifts rejected, yet like a valiant Soldier he gave a fresh onset upon her with friendly loving Letters which he written in this wise.  
Most peerless Princess, though love hath almost blinded me in all things, yet I humbly beseech you not to think me so forgetful either of the meanness of mine own estate, either of the majesty of yours, as to presume to practise you in the way of marriage, for in my judgement I think no man on earth worthy that honour, but my pitiful petition is this, that you will accept me for your slave and servant, and the what country soever you shall be married into, I may give attendance upon you, to the intent still to enjoy the sight of your sweet face, & feed my fancy in the contemplation of your beauty. For I am so vowed to your virtue, that only the sweet remembrance of you shall mortify in me the mind to any other woman whatsoever. For I persuade myself to find more felicity in one friendly look of yours, then in any others faithful love. And though these blotted words be to base an object for your heavenly eyes, yet weighing the cause in the scales of courtesy, I trust you will take them in good part. The cause of the blots was the tears which fallen from my eyes at the making hereof, the cause of the words is the good will of the writer. Thus praying you to pity the one and to accept the other, I leave, lyving only to do you duty and service.  
Yours, though not yours: IPHIS.  
The Princess having this letter delivered unto her, by one of her waiting women, so soon as she known front whence it came, floung it from her, saying she had nothing to deal either with him or his letters, and straightly charged her women not to salute her with any thing from him. But Fortune so framed that as she fling the letter from her, in came the king her father & caused the letter to be reached unto him, and knowing the contents thereof, sent for my youth Iphis, shook him up with sharp threatenings, and charged him upon pain of punishment never after to be seen at the Court. The young Gentleman seeing the ground which he tilled altogether barren, and that it yielded him but care for Corn and grief for grain, determined to bestow no more cost or labour thereon: and besides fearing the King's fury and displeasure, with as convenient speed as he could coveied himself in to the country, and there assuaged his sadness with solitariness: & setting her cruelty towards him against his courtesy towards her, her visdainfulnes, against his own dutifulness, he soon set himself free from his folly. This matter thus enued, greater storms began to brew, & such a tempest arose that Scylla who before kept other in bands, was now herself set in the sands, & where before she sailed in ship with top and top gallant, setting out flag of defiance, now she was driven to strike sail and vail bonnet even to her father's enemy. For it fallen so out that King Minos, moved justly thereto for the murder of his son, waged war and came with a puissant power against King Nysus, and laid so hard to his charge that he made him keep his Castle. Now while Minos lay at the siege thereof, it fortuned the young Princess to have a sight of him out at the window of the tower wherein she lay: and now Cupid meant to be revenged on the cruelty which she used to his Captain Iphis who fought so faithfully under his banner: and shot such darts of desire into her towards King Minos, that unless she might have him to husband she thought herself but a woman cast away: and after a sobbinge sigh and trickling tear she fallen out with herself in this sort.  
Ah fond foolish girl, and canst thou find in thy heart to bear friendly affection to thy father's feendly foe? Can I love him kindly, who seeks to spoil my country cruelly. Could I valiantly withstand the assaults of a flourishing young man, and shall I cowardly yield to a fading old man without any assault? O love without law, O rage without reason, O will without wit, O fancy fraught full of fury and frenzy. Good God where are now become those lofty looks I was wont to use to lovers? Where are the coy countenances, the haughty words, the solemn salutations, the dainty dealings, the curious congees, and such like? Alas now I am made to stoop without stolen, to come without call or lure, yea to the empty fist. But alas who is privileged from the force of love, no there are none so stout but love maketh them stoop, none so wise but love maketh them fools, none so shamefast but love maketh them bold. And though I should first bewray my affection and make love to king Minos, the offence is rather to be pitied then punished. Yea the more frankly I offer him my goodwill, the more friendly no doubt but he will accept it: and the less he hath deserved it, the more will he endeavour himself to be thankful for the same. Neither can he but take it as an undoubted sign of deep goodwill if I give the first onset in this skirmish: neither can it any way redound to my shame, the end being honest and my meaning in the way of marriage. And if it be lawful to follow the example of creatures without reason, doth not the Cow lo to the Bull, doth not the Mare neigh to the Horse, doth not the Yeaw blea to the Ram, doth not the Falcon call to the tossell gentle, the gerfaulcon to the Gerkin, the sparehauke to the Musket? And so of all other creatures the females are more forward that way then the males. Besides that by how much weaker women are then men, by so much the more they are to be born with all, if they be less able to bear the heavy burden of love then men. Again by how much more the love of women is more fervent then of men, the more fiery flames of force must fry within us, which without great grief cannot be concealed or covered. And whereof springeth this error that women may not first make love but only of a precise and curious custom, nay rather a preiudicall and careful custom I may term it to us women: for whereof cometh it that so many of us are so evil matched in marriage, but only hereof, that we are tied to the hard choose of those that offer their love unto us: where as if it were lawful for us to make love where we liked best, we would never marry but to our mind and contentation. Lastly I am not the first that have played the like part, and that which is done by allowable example is lawfully done. For Venus herself yielded herself to her darling Adonis without any suit made on his part: Phaedra made suit to Hippolytus: Oenone pleaded her right with Paris: Dido did Aeneas to understand how deeply she desired him: Bryses besought the goodwill of Achilles: Adalesia by her governess made love to Alerane: the Duchess of Savoy went on pilgrimage to the Knight Mendoza: infinite like exampls I could allege, and why is it not lawful for me to do the like, and make love to King Minos, who perchance would first have sued to me, if he had first seen me? yes let the world judge what they will, I will do what I shall judge best for myself, and with as convenient speed as I may I will either by letters or deeds do Minos to understand what mind I bear him. And as she was busily beating her brains here about, one of her most trusty and loving women came▪ unto her, humbly requesting her to make her privy to the cause of her perplexity. Alas good mistresses (says she) if you want any thing, let your friends understand it, and it shall be provided. If my poor service may any way serve your turn, assure yourself neither respect of honour, living or life, shall let me from doing any thing, which may deliver you out of distress: if you have imprisoned your liberty any where, and gived yourself in the fetters of fancy, I know a Gentlewoman, my familiar friend, who can stand you in as much steed for the obtaining of your purpose as any gentlewoman in this Court.  
The princes desirous of aid in her distress, prayed her woman to procure the coming of that Gentlewoman with all possible speed. Whereupon the waiting woman caused one of the princess' gentlemen to go to this honest woman, and in her name to desire her to come to the princess. You shall understand this gentlewoman's name, who was sent for, was Pandarina, in her youth a serving woman, and one which knew more fashions than was fit for honest women. But now married to an honest Gentleman, she entered into a new religion seeming to renounce her old faith, & settling herself in such hipocrysy, that she rather counterfeited cunningly than lived continently. But to paint her out more plainly she was more coy than cumly, more fine than well favoured, more loftly than lovely, more proud than proper, more precise than pure, more superstitious than religious, more of spight then of the spirit, and yet nothing but honesty would down with her, more jealous than zealous, either judging her husband by herself, or judging herself unworthy the several use of so commodious a comen as her husband was. Well such as she was this young gentleman of the young princess was sent for her, & at the first coming according to the fashion he kissed her, and having done his message, with frowning face she told him she could not go to the princess, and though she could yet would she not go with him. The Gentleman somewhat abashed hereat, returned to the gentlewoman that sent him, and told her what answer this honest woman made. Who marveling much thereat went presently herself unto her, desiring that gentleman to accompany her. being come to her lodging, after a few salutations, Pandarina prayed the gentlewoman either to sand unto her a more modest messenger than the gentleman she sent, or else to teach him to kiss more continently. The gentlewoman blushing for bashfulness, told her she had not the skill to teach men to kiss, she thought that cunning concerned common harlots, or at lest married women rather than her, but, saith she, I will tell him of it, that of himself he may amend his fault, and calling the gentleman aside unto her, she asked him how he had misused himself towards Mistress Pandarina in kissing her. No way (saith he) that I know for, but if I kissed her boldly, I trust she will attribute it to young man's bashfulness, and if I kissed her kindly, I trust she will impute it to good will. Yes marry (saith the gentlewoman) it was more hindely than she cared for or liked of. verily (saith he) if it were over kind, it is more than I know, or more than I meant for to speak my fancy freely, I know never a gentlewoman in this land, that I like of worse: and if she be afeard I be to far in love with her, I will be bond in what bond she will, to hate her no man more. But gentlewoman, if you adhibite any credit to my counsel, fly her familiarity, eschew her company, such saints in show are Satan's in deed, such feigned holiness is double dive lishnesse, such counterfeit continency I count little better than bawdry. For sure this is a most sure mark to know dissemblers by, that they will always far exceed the mean, for fear of being found in their feigning. As those that fain to weep, howl out right: those that fain to be friendly, show themselves plain Parasites: as those that fain to be valiant, brag most gloriously: and as she counterfaytinge continency, showeth herself altogether curious and hipocritiall.  
But notwithstanding I have had no knowledge of her life and conversation, yet dare I lay my life on it, that either she hath been nought, is nought, or willbe nought whensoever she can get any foul adultrour fit for so filthy an adulteress. The Gentlewoman hearing him so earnest, prayed him to put up the matter patiently, saying she thought it was but a shift to excuse her not coming to the princess: and so went to Pandarina telling her the Gentleman was sorry he had offended her, and so away they went together to the princess. I have wandered, Gentlewomen, somewhat besides the path of my promised purpose, but yet not clean out of the way of mine own will and intent. For though this digression pertain little to the history I have in hand, yet it may serve to admonish you that you take not executions of curiosyty against kisses which are given you of courtesy: and if there chance to be any fault in them, either modesty to conceal it, or presently to return the kisses again to him, which gave them. But in excusing my former digression, I shall enter into another digression, therefore to the matter and purpose proposed. Pandarina being preferred to the presence of the Princess, having done dutiful reverence humbly craved to know her pleasure. Nay rather answered the princess, it is my pain Gentlewoman which I mean to make you privy to: and blushing either for giltinesse or for bashfulness, she unfolded that secrets of her thoughts to Pandarina in this sort.  
Gentlewoman, but that I know to whom I speak, I should perchance be in doubt what to speak in this matter, which is somewhat unmeet for my maidenly estate. But considering you are a woman, and one who no doubt in your time have felt the force of love, I persuade myself I may boldly impart unto you the pangs of my passion, as to one who (I hope) will rather seek a salve for my sore, then think sinisterly of my doings. Therefore you shall understand that the sight of King Minos, who layeth siege to our city, hath made such a breach into my heart, that I lie altogether open to his assaults, and am fain to yield myself his prisoner and captive. And though it may seem strange unto you that his forces being not bend against me, should have such force over me, yet it is often seen that a dart leveled at one, lights on another. And though you may marvel to see me yield before any onset be given, yet no doubt that city merits more mercy which yieldeth without assault, then that which standeth to the doubtful event of battle, and after much effusion of blood, yieldeth when it is able to stand no longer in defence. For here the loss in the siege, taketh away the gain in the conquest, the pain in pursuing, taketh away the pleasure in possessing, and the hardness in winning drowneth the happiness in wearing. And surely if maids would follow my counsel, I would not wish them to set such solemn looks, to use such nice denials and dainty delays to those, whom they think worthy of them, and whom they mean only shall enjoy them. For they gain nothing hereby but defer their own relief, and increase their lovers grief. besides that when they are so hardly won, it is a sign they yield rather by importunity of the wooer, than by any inclination of goodwill on their own part. But what need I use this defence, where no body charges me with any offence? This rather lieth me upon, earnestly to crave your aid & assistance in this my distress, and that you will either by counsel cure my disease, either by pain or policy put me in possession of my desire.  
I am thus bold to commit this matter unto you, presuming of your good wit, and goodwill towards me. And if you show such faithful freindlynesse herein, as I verily look for, assure yourself I will in such friendly manner requited it as you shall very well like of. Mistress Pandarina having attentively attended her talk, dutifully replied in this sort.  
Most excellent Princess, I am humbly to thank you that it pleaseth you to repose such credit in me as to discloase your secrets to me, and I shall think myself most happy, if my duty may any way do you good, or my service satisfy your expectation. And touching your love it is such that you need not be ashamed to show it, yea in my judgement it is rather to be commended every way, than condemned any way. For first in that your fancy is fixed on a prince, you show your princely mind in liking your like: then in that you seek to join yourself to him in marriage, you show your godly disposition, in desiring to quench the desires of your heart by that godly mean which god hath made and appointed. Thirdly in loving your fathers so, you follow gods commandment, who willeth you to requited good for evil. Yea and by this means you may be a mean to make peace and amity between two enemies, and save your city front siege and sack. Lastly in that you yield so quickly to the alarms of love, you show your fine nature and wit which are soonest subject to the impression of love. And for your opinion touching the dealing of dainty damsels, you are no doubt (Madam) in the right. For those which are so coyishe & wild, or so haggard like, that scarce in seven years suit they will be reclaimed, they plainly show themselves either to be of base metal, as not to be capable of love, either of gross wits as not to understand when love is made unto them, either of slender judgement as not to accept good offers, either of incontinent conversation as being loath to be tied to one diet, either of inconstaunt conditions, as judging men as light of love as themselves are lend of life, or else some way imperfect that they are not meet for the holy state of matrimony.  
Now whereas you crave my counsel and help to the bringing of your good purpose to pass, good Madam would I were as well able as willing to do you good: but so far as my simple wits can see in the matter, I think this way the best to work your will: you know your father hath on his head a golden hair whereon dependeth the stay of his state and puissance of his power, no more but when your father is a sleep, pull of the the heir and present king Minos therewith and no doubt but he will embrace you as the author of his victory, and receive you for his lawful and loving wife, so shall you redress your own distress, and preserve the life of your father and his people, who perchance by the continuance of this war, may come to confusion. The princess liking reasonably well of this practice of Pandarina, gave her thanks for her good counsel, and departed into her chamber by herself to think more of the matter, where she entered with herself into these contrarieties.  
I see there is no disease so desperate, but if it be taken in time physic may help it: no matter so hard but policy can prevail in it, nor no policy so good but experience will put into our heads: as may be seen by the sound advice and perfect policy of Pandarina. I warrant I am not the first client that this counsellor hath had, I am not the first Pupil that she hath practised for, this is not the first sluttish suit that she hath been Solicyter in, this is not the first honest match that she hath made. But stay, let me not commend her cunning and counsel to much, before I consider better of the goodness thereof▪ I must forsooth pull of my father's golden hair and present Minos therewith: a light matter it seemeth to pull of a hair, but alas, that hair containeth my father's help, his hope, his hap, his strength, his power, his conquest, and his kingdom. Shall I then so much transgress the laws of nature to bring him to a miserable plight, who was the cause that I came into this joyful light? Who from my infancy carefully cherished, and fatherly fostered me up, whom by humane and divine laws I am bond to obey honour and love? Not, avaunt unlawful love, thou art rated at to high a price to be reached: avaunt foul beastly ba●de, thy counsel is without conscience, thy advice without honesty: they which cleave to thy help shall be served as he which ready to fall from a hedge, catcheth hold of a sharp briar to stay himself: they that follow thy physic shall do as he which to heal his ag●e, slay himself: they which provide for their father's peace and preservation as thou wouldst have me to do, shalt with the Daughters of Pelias kill their Father to make him young again: They which love their Father as thou wouldst have me to do, shall with Thais to her Phaedria shut him out of the doors, and out of his kingdom for love. But what, do floods drown fields before they find a b●ack? can one be exalted without another's wrack? Can I be preferred to pleasure without some others pain. But it grieves me my father should be pinched for my pleasure. Why it is reason the grief should be there's, whose is the gain. But it is perilous for me to enterprise so great a matter. Why is it not reason the peril should be mine in pursuing, when the pleasure shall be mine in possessing? but alas it nippeth me near to loose my father the victory, to win myself my love. Why alas grievous wounds must have smarting plasters, and those medicines ever soonest heal us which most grieve us. And shall I then prefer mine own pleasure before my father's profit? why every one aught to be nearest to themselves, and their wisdom is nothing worth which are not wise for themselves. Nay rather shall I prefer the commodytie of King Minos before the commodytie of King Nysus? why Nysus is my father: why Minos will be my Fere: why Nysus gave me life: Why Minos will yield me love: Why Nysus made me a maid: Why Minos will make me a mother: Why Nysus cherised me being young: Why Minos will make much of me being old: why nature bindeth me to love my father: why God commandeth me to love my husband: Ah fool, do I call him husband who will not have me? do I call him fere who forceth not of me? Is it likely he will receive a runagate from her city, a beetrayer of her Father? Can he think to find me faithful towards him, that am faithless to mine own father? Tush he will attribute all this to love, and love me the better for it. He will excuse & bear with my doings by the example of his own daughter Ariadne, who betrayed him to her lover Theseus': by the example of Medea, who betrayed her father to jason: by the example of Hyppodamé, who procured the death of her father by matching with Pelops And therefore all doubts done away, I will without delay put the policy of Pander▪ in practice. The night following (such hast her hot love required) she showed herself Mistress of her word though not of herself, and performed that which she said she would. For her father being a sleep, she got softly to him and cut of his precious hair which had in it such virtue. Which done, she went to King Minos and presented him therewith, who in most reproachful words reprehended her deed, and in most disdainful sort rejected her love. But she not meaning to leave her love while she had life, leapt into the sea to swim after him as he sailed away. And so quenched her desire in the bottom of the sea.  
You see here, Gentlewomen, she that would not look upon her Iphis, could not be looked upon by her Minos. She that would make no account of her inferriour, could not be accounted of by her superior. For it is a plain case, (and therefore look to it) that they which deal rigorously with other, shall be rudely dealt withal themselves. But I am by this story chiefly to admonish you that you pull not of your father's hair that is, that you pull not their hearts out of their bodies, by unadvisedly casting yourselves away in matching in marriage with those who are not meet for you. That is to pull of your father's hair, when you shall cast of the bridle of obedience, rashly run at random, rudely neglect his precepts, and presumptuously place yourselves in marriage contrary to his pleasure: that is to pull of your Father's hair. But (Sovereign) now your father is go, I will give you more sound advice: I will admonish you all not to pull of your own hair, that is not to bind yourselves to the froward faust of your politic parents, but to make your choice in mar riage according to your own minds: for over widows you see Fathers have no pre-eminence of power touching their marriages: and you are not to know that marriage is a contract consisting of the free consent of both the parties, and that only is required in the consummation of marriages: and the Rodians have this law, that only the mothers have rule over the Daughters. But mum, lupus in fabula. I must (I say) admonish you that as your parents gave you your bodies, so they may dispose of them. That you requite all their love, care and cost, at lest with obedience. I must tell you that if you honour not them your days will be short on earth: I must tell you that Ravens will pull out the eye that blindeth the Father, and neglecteth the good instruction of the mother, as Solomon said.   

Curiatius and Horatia.  
CURIATIUS a young Gentleman of the City of Albania in ITALY, falling into extreme love with Horatia a young Gentlewoman of the City of Rome, after long suit, and many delays, obtaineth her grant to be his wife. But in the mean time, contention falling out beetwene the two Cities. Curiatius is slain in the field by Horatius, brother to the said Gentlewoman, to whom he was assured. Whose death Horatia most pitifully bewaylinge, her brother greatly disdaineth thereat, and cruelly thrusteth her to the heart with his Sword.  
SUrely Gentlewomen, either according to Ovid his opinion Forma numen habet, Beauty hath some divinity or Godhead in it, or else contrary to the common opinion, love is some heavenly influence and no earthly accident. For of every earthly and mortal motion there may some probable reason or natural cause be given: as every lyving creature desireth that which is good and agreeable to it nature, because every thing is dear to itself, and desireth the conservation of itself in it kind. As the earth draweth downward, because it is heavy, the fire flieth upward because it is light, the water contrary to it nature oftentimes ascendeth to the top of high hyls to avoid vacantnesse. The air for the same cause often times descendeth into the pores of the earth: as choleric complexions are soon intensed to anger, because they abound with heat, as women are not so subject to anger as men because they are more cold of nature. And so of all humane actions & natural effects, there may be some probable reason and natural cause yielded. But of love it is so far without the compass of reason and bounds of nature, that there can no reason, no cause, no coniectur be given of it. Neither what it is, working such divers effects, neither whence it is, proceeding of so divers causes, neither whether it will being never satisfied. Therefore no earthly thing but some supernal power sure it is, as yourselves (I think) will say by that time you have hard the History of Curiatius who was suddenly strucken therewith as if it had been with some thunder or lightning from heaven. For you shall understand this gentleman dwelling in a town named Albania, situate near unto the City of Rome, he made daily repair unto Rome, both in respect of profit, as to deal with merchants in matters of weight, and in respect of pleasure, as to frequent the fellowship of lusty young Gentlemen which flourished in that City. Now it was his chance as he strayed about the streets, to see a proper Gentlewoman named Horatia, sitting at her Father's door to take the air, and to recreate herself with the sight of those that passed by: and notwithstanding he had never seen her before, yet through the divine power of love, he was so blasted with her beauty, that he presently proclaimed her the sovereign of his thoughts, and governess of all his doings. And having passed by her twice or thrice with looks showing his love, and salutations signifying his suit, he could not be so satisfied but banishing bashfulness, he courageously encountered her in this manner.  
Gentlewoman, God save you, and sand you that which you wish, and to wish that which I would. God Mistress may it please you to know that though my feet have force to carry my body from this place, yet my heart will not suffer me to turn my head from beholding your sweet face, which is the cause that hath made me thus boldly to intrude myself into your company. But setting your goodness against my rudeness, I doubt not but you will attribute it rather to abundance of goodwill, then to want of good behaviour, and rather take it for good meaning then ill manner. But if it please you not thus friendly to interpret it, yet at lest I beseech you not to impute it to my boldness, but to your own beauty: for as the Larketaker in his day net hath a glass whereon while the birds sit and gaze they are taken in the net, so your face hath such a glistering glass of goodliness in it, that while I gazed thereon I was caught in the snares of Cupid. Or as the Spider in her web doth fast wind the little Fly, so your beauty doth so fast bind me in the beams thereof, that I am feign presently to yield myself a prey to your good pleasure: humbly béeseeching you to accounted of me, not according to my deserts which as yet are none, but according to the loyal service which I faithfully vow hereafter to do unto you. Neither mean I to crave other reward for my service, but only that it will please you in good part to accept it. Horatia having hearkened to this talk with a certain disdainful and solemn silence made him this waspish answer.  
Gentleman, this liberty of speech in you showeth the lightness of your love, for as I have hard those that love most speak lest, as hearing their cogitations conversant in the contemplation of the Saints whom they serve, but your smooth tale and fine filled words show that your practice is rather feignedly to pretend love then faithfully to love. And for my part I would not you should think me either so simple as to believe your coloured words, either so overgone in liking of myself, but that I take the commendation which you give me, rather for trifling mocking then true meaning, and I promise' you I had rather you would use some other to exercise your eloquence on then myself, for that I neither like of your unlykely love, neither mean to be framed to your folly. Your coming to me upon no acquaintance contenteth me well enough for that I may leave your company when I list, and so turned in at the door from him. The Gentleman seeing her rigorousnesse to exceed his own rudeness, laying aside a little more good manner, took her fast by the arm desiring her to stay a word or twain which he uttered to this effect.  
O good Mistress, go not about to torment him so terribly which loveth you so entirely, deprive me not of that sight which doth only work my delight, absent not yourself from him whom nothing under the Sun pleaseth but your presence. And whereas you challenge my liberty of speech, may it like you to understand that though this sudden love hath made me lose in a manner the remembrance of myself, and caused me to be careless and negligent in all other affairs though of never so great importance, yet the beeholdinge of your seemly self doth so revive my senses and quicken my spirits that it maketh all my parts to do their part in praying for pity and praising your person: wherein if I should be speechelesse, I might justly be thought to spare the truth and spight your perfection, And that my love is modest without mocking, true without trifling, and vehement without vanytie, I take the heavens to witness: and beesids let this be practised for proof, that if it please you to employ me, you shall find me as speedy to end my life to do you good, as ready to spend my time to do you service. Marry (says she) perchance so, for I think I shall find you neither speedy in the one, neither ready in the other. But they that have once passed the bounds of shamefastness, may ever after lawfully be impudent, and you that have beegunne to scoff and gibe, think by authority you may continued in it: such a one I count you to be and so I accounted of you. And so left my youth without doors. Who seeing himself so coarsely accounted of, fallen to raging to himself in this manner.  
Ah the bravery of these fine girls, the more they are courted the more they are coy, the more humbly they are sued unto, the more loftyly they look. And if a man practise them in the way of marriage, good God what show of shamefastness will they make, what visors of vyrginitie will they put on, what colours of continency will they set forth, what chariness will they make of their chastity? they never forsooth mean to marry, saying that single life is the only sweet life, that marriage is invented rather for necessity then for any goodness that is in it, that their years yet require no haste of marriage, & that if God would give them grace, & their friends would not force them to the contrary, they would never know what man means while they live. Whereas in very deed they desire nothing more than marriage, neither covet any thing more than the company of men. Again if a man making love in way of marriage do but so much as touch one of these tender pieces, they cry fie away, away, but let one that is married, or one that means not marriage dally with them, why they are as loose of their lips and as free of their flesh as may be: For let a man behave himself towards them according to the common course of courtesy, he shall obtain any thing of them, for they know he is soon lost if he be not soon loved, but let one direct his doings by the line of love, and be drawn into great depth of affection towards them, why they will reign like princes over him: yea they will make him glad of one glance of goodwill given by the eye: for they know a little thing pleaseth a fool, and they think him to fast hampered in folly to give them the slip on the sudden. And because they count the number of suitors a great testimony to their bentie & proof of their perfection, they use twenty shifts to have if it be possible twenty suitors, some they feed with looks, some with love, some with promises some with practices, some with vows some with views, some with trifling some with truth, some with words, some with works, some with kisses some with courtesy some with wit some with wiles, some with faith some with fraud, some one way some another, so that by their wills they will have as many suitors as themselves have sleights to entertain them. And yet these girls on God's name are to young to have a husband, they are loath to leave sucking their dame. But ah blasphemous beast that I am to cast such devilish doubts of her honesty, whose very countenance containeth continency in it, whose visage seems to be without vice, and looks without lust. Is it likely she will yield her body to be abused by any, who will not suffer herself to be used by any? And she that will not enter into modest matrimony, is it likely she will fall into filthy fornication? Not I think her to be as free from folly, as I think myself far from wisdom who seem to doubt of her honest dealing because she will not yield consent to my hasty meaning. What know I whether she be consecrated already to some other saint, which if it be so, with what reason can I look to reap any thing at her hands but a repulse? For as gorged hawks will stoop to no lure, so a woman vowed already to another man, the sickness of other suitors will not cure: or it may be thus, that as the Fauconer when he first draweth his Hawk out of the mew, giveth her washed and unpleasant meats to make her after like better of better meats, so perchance her policy be first to feed me with bitter broths, that hereafter dainty fare may more delight me: and now to toss and torment me with the rigorous storms of repulse, that hereafter the caulme of her consent may the better content me. For springe time would never seem so pleasant unto us, but by reason of the sharp winter which went before: peace would not so much please us, but by reason that war before spoiled and wasted our country. So that if she be coy of consent to make me enjoy the greater joy, may I think myself misused? Again would I have her so light of love to yield to the first onset? Not she deserveth to be pursued with endless pain, yea and I will travail in continual toil but her good will I will attain. Now as the good Spaniel having sprung the partridge ceaseth not to range the fields and beat the bushes until he have retriued it again to serve the Hawk which flew at it, so he having once seen this saint sought all occasions to come to the sight of her again, and if it were possible surely to seize upon her. Now it pleased fortune to be thus friendly to further his purpose with this opportunity.  
There was in the city a very solemn wedding sumptuously celebrated, where he by inquiry learned that his Mistress was, whereupon he assembled his companions together, and prepared themselves the same night to go thither in a mask: and being come to the house, after they had marched up and down the great chamber, the first masker having taken the bride, he being the second addressed himself to his Mistress with great devotion, and when the sound of the instruments ceased, he entered into reasoning with her in this sort.  
Good Mistress, you have allowed to your lot in steed of a masker a mourner, and for one to delight you with pleasant discourse you shall have one to weary you with rueful requests: for you shall understand I am your careful Curiatius whom nothing but the consent of your good will can cure, and having no other way to aspire to your speech, I thought best under this disguised sort to decipher plainly unto you the constancy of my good will towards you. And if I could in words set forth but half the heaviness which since the first sight of you hath sunk into my breast, I hope your heart would not be so hard frozen but that the shining sun of pity would thaw it again. For if plaints may prove my pain, I have still continued in careful cries: if sighs may show my sorrow, the smoke of them hath reached to the skies: if tears may try my truth, the water hath flown as a 'slud from my eyes. And as these things have passed heretofore to my pain, so if hereafter the shedding of my blood may show my constancy or work your contentation any way, assure yourself I will be so prodigal thereof, that yourself shall have just cause to say I lived only to serve you, and died to do you good. By this time the instruments swooned another measure, at the end whereof she began to reply in this sort.  
Sir, I am sorry you have taken so great pain for so little thank, for if the end of your mask be to make me march under Venus' banner, yea or juno's either, your success willbe such that you shall have cause to count this your labour lost, and that you have cast away so much cost. And for my part I promise' you I had rather have been matched with a merry masker than a lewd lover, for the one might delight me, whereas the other doth ut spite me. And if (as you say) you mask without mirth so assure yourself on the other side I dance without delight: neither can it but greatly grieve me to be troubled with so unreasonable a suitor, whom no reasonable answer will satisfy. This rigorous reply of his Mistress converted him from a masker to a Mummer, for he was struck so dead herewith that the use of his tongue utterly failed him. But at length being come to himself again, he entered into this vehemency with her.  
O Gentlewoman, suffer not the bright sun of your beauty to be eclipsed with cruelty: contaminate not your cumlinesse with coyness: remember beauty and cumlinesse continued not, whereas courtesy and clemency remain for ever. Consider that virtue is the true beauty which carrieth commendation with it at all times, which maketh men love those whom they have never seen, and which supplieth all other wants whatsoever. Did not Antonius that lusty gallant of this city prefer Cleopatra that black Egyptian, for her incomparable courtesy, before all the blazing stars of this city? and did not the puissant knight Persey, in respect of her virtue, fetch Andromade from the black Indians. Whereby you see that bounty before beauty is always to be preferred. Which bounty I beseech you embrace both to preserve my life and your own good name. Alas what renown shall you reap by killing cruelly him that loved you entirely? What glory shall you get by driving into despair him that was drawn into desire towards you? Not, pity is the only patheway to praise, and mercy is the mean to make you immortal. At the end of the next measure she replied in this sort.  
Why Gentleman, do you think it cruelty not to condescend to the requests of every one that maketh love? Do you count it vice not to yield to the assaults of every lascivious young man? Do you make so mean a count of marriage that you think it meet for a maid so rashly to enter into it, without sufficient knowledge of yourself, ignorant of your life and conversation, not knowing your state, parents, or friends: again without the consent of my friends, without their good will and furtherance, and which is most of all, without mine own love and liking? Not, I will have more trial of him whom I mean to marry then I have had of you▪ and I will feel in myself more fervent affection towards him, then as yet I do bear you. You must consider it is not for a day or a year that man and wife must continued together, but even for the whole term of their life: and that they may not for any respect change, being once chained together: but must remain content the one with the other in solace and in sorrow, in sickness and in safeness, in plenty and in penury. Way again that the happy life of the wife only consists in the loyal love of her husband, and that she reposeth herself only in the pleasure she hath in him. She for the most part sitteth still at home, she hauketh not, she hunteth not, she diseth not, she in a manner receiveth no other contentation but in his company. He is the only play which pleaseth her, he is the only game which gladdeth her, he is the field she delighteth to walk in, he is the forest she forceth to hunt in. So that in my judgement in taking a husband, no heed can be to wary, no choice to chary. And therefore you must make a count that marriage is a matter neither so rashly to be required as you do, neither so easily to be granted as you would have me to do. And if you adhibite any credit to my counsel, I would wish you to sow the seed of your suit in a more fertile soil, for in me no grafts of grants, or flowers of affirming will by any means grow, but only double denialles and ragged repulses. His reply here to with divers other discourses which passed beetwéen them, I will omit, jest I should weary you with the weary toil which he made of it. And beside I would not you should take example by her to hung of so strangely, when you are sued to so humbly: and not to feign disliking so deeply, when in deed you love entirely. For notwithstanding all his earnest su●e he could not receive so much as one good word of good will. At length the dauncinge being done, the banquet was beegunne whereupon their talk ceased, but his love daily increased: in so much that he fully resolved with himself (hoping thereby somewhat to be eased of his grief) to forsake country, friends, living and all that he had. And there upon written a letter unto her to this effect.  
seeing (most merciless Mistress) neither my person can please you, neither my living like you, neither my calling content you, neither my singular affection towards you cause you to requited it with like love, I mean utterly to abandon the place of your abode, and to bestow myself in some such fare country, whither not so much as the report of your virtue and beauty shall come: hoping thereby somewhat to appease my pain, and to assuage the rigour of my raging love. For as the sense of seeing is most sharp, so is that pain most pinching, to see the thing one seeketh, and can not possess it. Like as the Greyhounde is grieved to see the Hare if he be kept in slip, and the Hawk the Partridge if she be tied in lunes, and as the common saying is, the which the eye seeth, the heart giveth. Likewise to hear of your happy marriage with some other, would be little better than death unto me, to think any other should enjoy that which by law of love is proper to myself: and to hear of your unlucky linking with any, would be death itself unto me, to think that my only joy should live in annoy. Therefore I think the best way to mitigate my martyrdom, is to absent myself from both hearing and seeing. I could reave myself of life, and so rid myself of strife, but alas to imbrue my hands with mine own blood, would but bring to my body destruction, to my soul damnation, to my friends desolation, and to yourself defamation. Where as by contynuinge my carefulll life, I may at lest or at last make manifest the constancy of my love to the whole world▪ and some way employ myself to do you service. For assure yourself this, that what land soever I shall lodge in, my heart and body shall be dedicated to do you duty and service. And thus ready to go to seaward, I stay only to know whether it stand with your good pleasure to command me any service.  
yours while he is, CURIATIUS.  
Horatia having read this letter and thinking, she had sufficiently sounded the depth of his devotion towards her, returned him this comfortable answer.  
Albeit sir, I nothing doubt of your departure out of your country, for that nothing is more dear to any man then his own native soil, and beside I know you use it only for a mean to move me to mercy, yet to confess the truth the secret good will which long since I have born you, will not suffer me to conceal from you any longer the secrets of my thoughts. Therefore you shall understand I have not used this strangeness towards you for that my mind hath been enstraunged or alienated from you, but only to try the truth of your good will towards me. For if for one repulse or two (like an ill hound which for one loss or twain giveth over the chase) you would have given over your suit▪ I might have judged rightly that you had loved but lightly. But now I see you continued to the end, there is no reason but you should be saved, if I may term it saving, the having of so worthless a wife as myself. But assure yourself this, I have not showed myself heretofore in love so cold and faint, as hereafter you shall find me in affection fervent and faithful. I think your labour shallbe little to get my friends good will, for if their judgement agree with mine they will think you worthy of a worthier wife, and rather thankfully accept you then daintily delay you. Thus ready to restore the injury I have done you with any courtesy convenient to my maidenly estate, I cease, not ceasinge daily to record the depth of your goodwill in the bottom of my heart, and in devouring by all means possible to show myself thankful for the same.  
Your●, and her own if yours: HORATIA.  
This letter so loving, so unlooked for, so sweet, so sudden, raised him from heaviness to happiness, from hell to heaven, from death to life. And presently hereupon he procured her parent's consent who were so willing thereto that they gave him great thanks that it would please him to match in their stock and kindred, thinking perchance that he had been a man of a higher calling then in deed he was, and prayed to god that their daughter might become a wife worthy of such a husband. And hereupon the day of the solemnizing of the marriage was appointed, but many things (as the saying is) happen between the cup and the lip, many things chance between the board and the bed: man purposeth and God disposeth, and it is the fashion of fortune commonly thus to frame, that when hope and hap, when health and wealth are highest, than woe and wrack, disease and death are nighest. For in this manner it happened this marriage to be marred. There arose a quarrel béetwéen the town Albania and the city of Rome, which not with words but only with weapons must be decided: great hurly burly there was in either town, nothing but war, war, war, the Cannons roared, the barbed horse neighed, the glittering armour shined, the boisterous bills and piercing pikes pressed forward, the darts were dressed, the bows were bend, the women wept, the children cried, the Trumpets swooned Tan tara, tara the Drums stroke up the mournful marching forward, and the soldiers on both sides marched in battle array unto the field. Among whom Curia. as one of the most courageous captains and boldest bloods of the Albans, was the foremost. But to leave the battle and come to the conflict which Horatia had with herself when she heard that her beloved was in arms against her city. She fallen forsooth to reasoning with herself in this sort.  
O most doubtful distress that ever poor damsel was driven to. For whom shall I offer up sacrifice, for whom shall I make my vows? For whom shall I pray for victory, to whom shall I wish the overthrow? on the one side fighteth my friend, on the other side my father: on the one side the city wherein I am is in danger to be sacked, on the other side the town whither I must go is in peril to be spoiled, on the one side I am like to lose my love, on the other side mine own life. So that I know not to whether part, I aught to incline in heart. No can? Why a woman aught to forsake father and mother and follow her husband. But aught any thing to be more sweet unto me, than the city to be counted mine, we being both one flesh? But life is sweet to every one: full sour God knoweth to me without his love and life. So that if my will might work effect, I would rather wish that of the two, Rome might run to ruin. But alas, dareth he lay siege to the city wherein I am? Is he not afraid to overthrow the house that harboureth me? Doubteth he not lest some piece should pierce my tender breast? Yes not doubt of it, he deeply doubteth it: but alas, they that are bond must obey, he must follow of force his general captain, unless he will incur the suspicion of cowardliness, or treason, or both. Like as Ulysses was greatly defamed because he feigned himself to be mad, for that he would not go to the siege of Troy. Not god shield my Curiatius from shame, god send him either friendly to enter into the city, all quarrels being ended and truce taken, either valiantly to venture into the city, and with triumphant arms to embrace me. By this time both the armies were met, and to avoid the effusion of blood, the general Captains entered into this agreement. There were in either army three brothers of great courage and countenance, the Romans were named Horatij, brothers to the Gentlewoman before spoken of, the Albans were called Curiatij, whereof one was the gentleman before mentioned. Now it was concluded that these brothers on both sides should by dint of sword stint the strife between these towns: and if the Hor. conquered the Curiatij, that then the Albans should remain under the rule and empire of the Romans, if otherwise, then otherwise. Hereupon these sire valiant champions at the sound of the Trumpets entered the lists, and fallen to furious fight: within short time two of the Horatij were slain, and all the three Curiatij wounded: the Roman remaining alone to withstand three, retired somewhat back, to the intenfe to single his enemies one from another, which done, he slew them all one after another. This valiant victory achieved, with great joy & triumph he returned into the city, & among● the rest ready to receive him, was his sister Horatia, who known nothing particularly of the which was done in the field, but only that the Romayns were victors. But sing a far of about her brother's shoulders the coat armour of her Cur. which she herself with needle work had curiously made, being thereby fully assured of his death, she was driven into these doleful plaints. O Heavens, what hellish sight do I see, far more dolorous and dangerous then monstrous Medusa's head? And is my Curiatius slain? then care come cut in sunder my corpse, them dole deliver me to the dreadful darts of death. For what life (alas) in this life is to be counted life, without his life and love? for so to live, as not to live: why should I long any longer to live? What joy in this common joy can I count joy, and not him enjoy who was my only ●oy? Not though the whole City sing in triumph, I must sorrow in torment: though the Romans vaunt of victory, I must complain of overthrow: though they flourish in prosperytie, I must fade in adversity: though they swim in bliss, I must bathe in bale: though they live in peace, I must lead my life in war: though they possess pleasure, I must pine away in pain. For my triumph, my victory, my prosperytie, my bliss, my peace, my pleasure, is perished. Yea now my marrying is turned to mourning, my wedding to weeping, my wealth by war is wasted, my slowre of joy by the cold frost of cankered fight is defaced. Yea what flower can flourish where no Sun doth shine? what Sun can shine enclosed close in earth? My sun alas is dead, and down for ever rising again, and the world with me is at an end and done for ever joying again. W●e w●rth the cause, the quarrel, the conflict, that brought my Curiatius to this cureless case. O would to God my City had been sacked, my friends spoiled, and my brothers brought to bane, rather than my Curiatius should have come to this careful end. O brother y● hast not only slain thy foes but thy friends, thou hast not only killed Curiatius but thou hast wounded thy own Sister to death. Her brother passing by her and hearing her heavy plaints, being therewith rapt into great rage, and with pride of the victory almost besides himself, drawn his sword and forgetting all laws of nature and humanytie thrust his Sister therewith to the heart, saying: get thee hence to thy kind spouse with thy unkind love, who forgettest thy brothers that are dead, thy brother that is alive, and the conquest of thy country. And so come it to every Roman that shall lament the death of an enemy to the Romans.  
You have hard (Gentlewomen) that one harmful hand made a hand of two harmless wights, and that hand had hanged himself to, if his father by his pitiful petition had not purchased his pardon. Now I would hear your indgementes to whom you think this lamentable end of these lovers aught to be imputed. Surely I think Horatia chiefly in fault for holding of so long before she would accept and acknowledge the love of her beloved. For if she would by any reasonable suit have been wóon, they had been married long time before this war begun. They had dwelled quietly together in Albania, and Curiatius being a married man should not have been priest to the wars, but should have been suffered to try his manhood at home with his wife. So that her lingering love hastened her and his death, her self-will wrought herself and him wrack. And for her Brother his offence was little, for in kill Curiatius he procured conquest to his Country and commendation to himself: and in killing his Sister, he eased her of so much labour, and saved her soul from damnation. For he known she would desperately do herself to death and considering the misery she was in, he thought he could not do her a greater pleasure then to 'cause her to die for her Curiatius his cause.   

Shafalus and Procris.  
SHAFALUS a lusty young gallant, and PROCRIS a beautiful girl, both of the Duke of VENICE Court, beecum each amorous of other, and notwithstanding delays procured, at length are matched in marriage. Shafalus pretending a far journey and long absence, returns before appointed time, to try his wives trustiness. Procris falling into the folly of extreme jealousy over her Husband, pursueth him privily into the woods a hunting, to see his behaviour: whom Shafalus heeringe to russhell in a bush wherein she was shrouded, and thinking it had been some game, slayeth her unwares, and perceiving the deed, consumeth himself to death for sorrow.  
IT is the provident policy of the divine power to the intent we should not be to proudly puffed up with prosperity, most commonly to mix it with some sour sops of adversity, and to appoint the river of our happiness to rung in a stream of heaviness, as by all his benefits bountifully beestowed on us, may be plainly perceived, whereof there is not any one so absolutely good and perfect, but that there be inconveniences as well as commodyties incurred thereby. The golden glistering sun which gladdeth all earthly wights, parcheth the summers green, and blasteth their beauty which blaze their face therein: The fire which is a most necessary element unto us, consumeth most stately towers and sumptuous Cities: the water which we want in every thing we do▪ devoureth infinite numbers of men and huge heaps of treasure and riches: the air whereby we live, is death to the diseased or wounded man, and being infected it is the cause of all our plagues and pestilences: the earth which yieldeth food to sustain our bodies, yieldeth poison also to our bodies: the goods which do us good, often times work our decay and ruin: children which are our comfort, are also our care: marriage which is a mean to make us immortal, and by our renewing offspring to reduce our name from death, is accompanied with cares in number so endless and in cumber so cureless, that if the preservation of mankind, and the propagation of ourselves in our kind, did not provoke us thereto, we should hardly be alured to enter into it. And amongst all the miseries that march under the ensign of marriage, in my fancy there is none that more torments us, than that hateful hellhound jealousy, as the history which you shall hear shall show.  
You shall understand in the Duke's Court of Venice, spent his time one Shafalus, a Gentleman of great calling and good qualities, who at the first time he insinuated himself into the society of the Ladies and Gentlewomen, made no special or curious court to any one, but generally used a dutiful regard towards them all, and showed himself in sport so pleasant, in talk so witty, in manners so modest, and in all his conversation so cumlye, that though he were not specially loved of any, yet was he generally liked of all, and though he himself were not specially vowed to any, yet was he specially viewed of one, whose name was Procris. a proper Gentlewoman, descended of noble parentage. And though at the first her fancy towards him were not great, yet she seemed to receive more contentation in his company, then in any other Gentleman of the troop. But as material fire in short time groweth from glowing coals to flashing flames, so the fire of love in her, in short time grew from flytting fancy to firm affection, and she began to settle so surely in goodwill towards him, that she resolved with herself, he was the only man she would be matched to, if she were ever married. And being alone in her lodging, she entered with herself into this reasoning.  
How unequally is it provided that those which worst may, are driven to hold the Candle? That we which are in body tender, in wit weak, by reason of our youth unskilful, and in all things without experience, should be constrained to bear the loadsome burden of love, whereas riper years who have wisdom to wield it, and reason to repress it, are seldom or never oppressed with it? Good God what fiery flames of fancy do fry within me? what desire, what lust? what hope, what trust? what care, what despair? what fear, what fury? that for me which have always lived free and in pleasure, to be tormented therewith, seemeth little better than the bitter pangs of death. For as the colt the first time he is ridden snuffeth at the snaffle, and thinketh the bit most bitter unto him: so the yoke of love seemeth heavy unto me, because my neck never felt the force thereof before, and now am I first taught to draw my days in dolour and grief. And so much the less I like this lot, by how much the less I looked for it, and so much the more sour it is, by how much the more sudden it is. For as the Bird that hops from bough to bough, and uttreth many a pleasant note, not knowing how near her destruction draweth on, is caught in snare before she be ware: so while I spent my time in pleasure, assoon playing, assoon parling, now dawncing, now dallying, sometime laughing, but always loitering and walking in the wide fields of freedom, and large leas of liberty, I was suddenly enclosed in the straight bonds of bondage. But I see & I sigh, and sorrow to see, that there is no cloth so fine but moths will eat it, no iron so hard but rust will fret it, no wood so sound but worms will putrefy it, no metal so course but fire will purify it, nor no Maid so free but love will bring her into thraldom and bondage. But seeing the Gods have so appointed it, why should I resist them? seeing the destinies have decreed it, why should I withstand them? seeing my Fortune hath framed it, why should I frown at it? seeing my fancy is fast fixed, why should I altar it? seeing my bargain is good, why should I repent it? sing I loose nothing by it, why should I complain of it? sing my choice is right worthy, why should I mislike it? seeing Shafalus is my Saint, why should I not honour him? seeing he is my joy, why should I not enjoy him? seeing I am his, why should not he be mine? yes Shafalus is mine, and Shafalus shall be mine, or else I protest by the Heavens, that never any man shall be mine.  
Ever after this she observed all opportunities to give him intelligence, as modestly as she might, of her goodwill towards him. And as it happened a company of Gentlewomen to sit talking together, they entered into commendation of the histories which before had been told them, some commending this Gentleman's stories, some that, according as their fancy forced them, but Pro. seemed to prefer the histories of Shafalus, both for that (says she) his discourses differ from the rest, and beesids, that me thinks the man amendeth the matter much. Shafalus though out of sight yet not out of hearing, replied in this sort. And surely (Gentlewoman) the man thinketh himself much mended by your commendation, and assure yourself you shall as readily command him, as you courteously commend him.  
The Gentlewoman blushing hereat, said she thought he had not been so near, but touching your answer (says she) I have not so good cause to command you, as commend you: for as I think you well worthy of the one, so I think myself far unworthy of the other: but be bold of this, if at any time I command you, it shall be to your commodytie. I can not (saith he) but count your commandment a commodytie, only in that you shall think me worthy to do you service: neither will I wish any longer to live, than I may be able, or at lest willing, to do you due and dutiful service. If sir (says she softly unto him) it were in my power to put you to such service as I thought you worthy of, you should not continued in the condition of a servant long, but your estate should be altered, and you should command another while, and I would obey. It shall be (good mistresses says he) in your power to dispose of me at your pleasure, for I wholly commit myself to your courtesy, thinking my estate more free to serve under you, then to reign over any other whatsoever: and I should count myself most happy, if I might either by service, duty, or love, countervail your continual goodness towards me. Upon this the company broke of, and therewith their talk. But Shafalus sing her goodwill so great towards him, began as fast to frame his fancy towards her, so that love remained mutual between them. Which her father perceiving, and not liking very well of the match, for that he thought his daughter not old enough for a husband, nor Shafalus rich enough for such a wife, to break the bond of this amity went this way to work. He wrought so with the Duke of Venice, that this Cep. was sent post in ambassade to the Turk, hoping in his absence to altar his daughter's affection. Which journey, as it was nothings joyful to Shafalus, so was it so painful to Procris, that it had almost procured her death. For being so warily watched by herwaspish parents, that she could neither see him nor speak with him before his departure, she got to her chamber window, and there heavily beheld the Ship wherein he was sorrowfully sailing away. Yea she bend her eyes with such force to behold it, that she see the ship farther by a mile than any else could possibly ken it. But when it was clean out of her sight▪ she said: Now farewell my sweet cephalus, farewell my joy, farewell my life, ah if I might have but given thee a careful kiss and a fainting farewell before thy departure, I should have been the better able to abide thy abode from me, and per chance thou will dost the better have minded me in thy absence, but now I know thy will, will waver with the winds, thy faith will fleet, with the floods, and thy poor Procris, shall be put clean out of thy remembrance. Ah why accuse I thee of inconstancy? Not I know the seas will first be dry, before thy faith from me shall fly. But alas, what shall constancy prenayle, if thy life do fail? me thinks I see the hoysinge waves like a huge army to assail the sides of thy Ship: me thinks I see the prouling pirates which pursue thee: me thinks I hear the roaring Cannons in mine ear, which are shot to sink thee: me thinks I see the ragged rocks which stand ready to reave thy Ship in sunder: me thinks I see the wild beasts which ravenously run with open mouths to devour thee: me thinks I see the thieves which rudely rush out of the woods to rob thee: me thinks I hear the trothless Turk enter into conspiracy to kill thee: me thinks I feel the furious force of their wicked weapons, piteously to spoil thee. These sights and thoughts, deprived her both of seeing, and thinking, for she fallen herewith down dead to the ground: and when her waiting woman could not by any means revive her, she cried out for her mother to come help: who being come, and having assayed all the means she could for her daughter's recovery, and seeing no sign of life in her, she fallen to outrageous outcries, saiing: O unjust Gods, why are you the authors of such unnatural and untimely death? O furious fiend, not god of love, why dost thou thus devilishly deal with my daughter? O ten times cursed be the time, that ever Shafalus set foot in this Court. At the name of cephalus the maid began to open her eyes, which before had dazzled, which her mother perceiving, said, behold daughter thy Shafalus is safely returned and come to see thee. Wherewith she start from the bed whereon they had laid her, and staring wildly about the chamber, when she could not see him, she sunk down again. Now her parents perceiving what possession love had taken of her, thought it labour lost, to endeavour to altar her determination, but made her faithful promise she should have their furtherance and consent to have her cephalus to husband at his return, wherewith she was at length made strong to endure the annoy of his absence. It were tedious to tell the prayers, the processions, the pilgrimages, the Sacrifices, the vows she made for his safe return, let this suffice to declare her rare good will towards him, that hearing of his happy coming towards the court, she feared lest his sudden sight would bring her such excessive delight, that her senses should not be able to support it, and therefore got her into the highest place of the house, and beheld him coming a far of, and so by little and little, was partaker of his presence, and yet at the weeping, she was more free of her tears then of her tongue, for her greeting was only weeping, word she could say none.  
Shafalus inflamed with this her unfeigned love, made all the friends he could to hasten the marriage between them. But the old saying is, haste maketh waste, and bargains made in speed, are commonly repent at leisure. For married they were, to both their inexplicable joy, which shortly after turned to both their unspeakable annoy. For the increase is small of seed to timely sown, the whelps are ever blind that dogs in haste do get, the fruits full sun do rot, which gathered are to sun, the malt is never sweet unless the fire be soft, and he that leapeth before he look, may hap to leap into the brook. My meaning is this, that Shafalus his share must needs be sorrow, who would so rashly and unadvisedly, enter into so intricate an estate as wedlocks is.  
The Philosophers will us to eat a bushel of salt with a man before we enter into strict familiarity with him, but I think a whole quarter little enough to eat with her with whom we enter into such a bond that only death must dissolve. Which rule if Shafalus had observed, he had preserved himself from most irksome inconveniences. But he at all adventures ventured upon one of whom he had no trial, but of a little trifling love. I like but little of those marriages which are made in respect of riches, less of those in respect of honours, but lest of all, of those in respect of hasty, foolish, and fond affection. For, soon hot soon cold, nothing violent is permanent, the cause taken away, the effect vanisheth, and when beauty once fadeth (whereof this light love for the most part ariseth) goodwill strait faileth. Well, this hot love she bore him, was the only cause of his hasty and heavy bargain, for womanlines she had none (her years were to young) virtue she had little (it was not used in the court) modesty she had not much (it belongeth not to lovers) good government and stayed wit she wanted (it is incident to few woomen) to be short, his choice was grounded rather upon her goodliness then godliness▪ rather upon her beauty then virtue, rather upon her affection then discretion. But such as he sowed, he reaped, such as he sought he found, such as he bought, he had, to wit, a witless wench to his wife. Therefore I would wish my friends, ever to sow that, which is sound, to seek that which is sure, to buy that which is pure. I mean I would have them in the choice of such choice ware, chiefly to respect good conditions and virtue: that is the only seed which will yield good increase, that is the only thing worthy to be sought, that is the only thing which can not be too dearly bought. And who soever he be that, in any other respect whatsoever, entereth into the holy state of matrimony, let him look for no better a pennyworth than Shafalus had, which was a loathsome life, and desolate death. For within a year or two after they had been married, his fancy was in a manner fully fed, and his disordinate desire of her began to decay, so that he began plainly to see and rightly to judge of her nature and disposition, which at first the parciality of his love, or rather outrage of his lust, would not permit him to perceive. And seeing her reckless regards and light looks, which she now used towards all men, remembering therewithal how lightly he himself won her, he began greatly to doubt of her honest dealing towards him, and having occasion of far journey and long absence from her, he wrought this practice to try her truth. He told her his abode from her must of necessity be forty weeks: but at the half years end by that time his hair was wildly grown, he appareled himself altogether contrary to his wont guise, and by reason of his hair so disguised himself that he was not known of any, which done, his necessary affairs dispatched, he returned into his own country, and came to his own house in manner of a stranger which travailed the country, where he found his wife in more sober sort than he looked for, and received such courteous entertainment as was convenient for a guest. Having sojourned there a day or two, at convenient time he attempted her chastity in this sort.  
If (fair Gentlewoman) no acquaintance might justly crave any credit, or little merits great méed, I would report unto you the cause of my repair, and crave at your hands the cure of my care: but seeing there is no likelihood that either my words shallbe believed, or my woe relieved, I think better with pain to conceal my sorrow, then in vain to reveal my suit. The Gentlewoman somewhat tickled with these trifling words, was rather desirous to have him manifest the mystery of his meaning, then willing he should desist from his purpose, and therefore gave him this answer.  
I am (Sir) of opinion, that credit may come divers ways beside by acquaintance, & I myself have known much good done to many without desert: and therefore if your words be true, and your desire due, doubt not, but you shall be both credited, and cured.  
For the trueness of my words (saith he) I appeal to the heavens for witness, for the dueness of my desire I appeal to your courtesy for judgement. The words have to utter are these.  
There chanced not long since to travail thorough the country wherein lieth my living, a Knight named Shafalus, and though the report of the port and house which I maintain be not great, yet it is such, that it sendeth me many guests in the year: it pleased this Shafalus to sojourn the space of three or four days with me, and in way of talk to pass away the time, he made relation at large unto me of his country, of his condition and state, of his special place of abode and dwelling, of his lands and living, and such like. I demanded of him whether he were married, saying, all those things before rehearsed, were not sufficient to the attaining of a happy life, without a beautiful, saire, and loving wife. With that he fetched a deep sigh, saying, I have (Sir) I would you known, a wife, whose beauty resembleth the brightness of the sun, whose face doth disgrace all the ladies of Venice, yea Venus herself, whose love was so exceeding great towards me, that before I was married unto her, having occasion to go in embassage to the Turk, she almost died at my departure, and never was rightly revived till my return. Good God, said I, how can you be so long absent from so loving a wife? How can any meat do you good, which she giveth you not? How can you sleep out of her arms? It is not lawful (saith he) for every man to do as he would, I must do as my business bindeth me to do. Besides that, every man is not of like mind in like matters. Lastly, it is one thing to have been happy, it is another thing to be happy. For your business (said I) it seemeth not to be great, by the good company, which I thank you, you have kept me this four days. For your mind, I know no man that would willingly be out of the company of such a wife. For your present happiness, in deed it may be your wife is dead, or that her love is translated from you to some other. Not (saith he) she liveth, and I think loveth me, but what good doth gold to him that careth not for it? And can you (said I) not care for such a golden girl? Then may I say you have a wife more fair than fortunate, and she a husband more fortunate than faithful. Alas (saith he) with tears in his eyes, it is my great care that I do so little care, but no more hereof I beseech you. But my blood being inflamed with the commendation which he gave to your beauty, and pitying your case to have so careless a husband over you, I lay very importunately upon him to impart the whole matter unto me, & with much ado I wrung these words from him. Sir (saith he) I shall desire you to impute my doings not to my fault, but to the fates, and to think that whatsoever is done ill, it is done against my wil It is so, that I remained married with my wife the term of two whole years, what time I did not only make of her, but I made a goddess of her, and rather doltishly doted on her, then duly loved her: now whether it were the punishment of the gods for my fond Idolatry committed unto her, or wehther they thought her to good for me, or whether the destinies had otherwise decreed it, or whether love be lost when fancy is once fully fed, or whether my nature be to like nothing long, I know not, but at the two years end I began suddenly in my heart to hate her as deadly, as before I loved her deeply: yea her very sight was so loathsome unto me, that I could not by any means endure it. And because her friends are of great countenance, and I had no crime to charge her withal, I dared not seek divorcement, but privily parted from her, pretending urgent affairs which constrained me thereto. Hereafter I mean to béestow myself in the wars under the Emperor, not minding to return while she liveth. And for my maintenance there, I have taken order secretly with my friends, to convey unto me yearly the revenues of my land. Thus craving your secrecy herein, I have revealed unto you my careful case. The strangeness of this tale made me stand a while in a maze, at length I greatly began to blame his disloyalty, to conceive without cause so great disliking, where there was so great cause of good liking. But Gentlewoman, to confess the truth unto you, my love by this time was so great towards you, that I never persuaded him to return unto you, meaning myself to take that pain, and knowing him better lost then found, being no better unto you. Shortly after this he departed from me toward the emperors court, and I took my journey hither as you see. And this is the tale I had to tell you.  
Procris having herded this forged tale, with divers alterations and sundry imaginations with herself, sometime fearing it was true, for that he rightly it divers points which had passed between her husband and her, sometime thinking it false, for that she had firm confidence in her husbands faith and loyalty towards her, assoon casting one likelihood one way, assoon another another way, at length fully resolving with herself that his words were utterly untrue, she replied unto them in this sort.  
Good God, I see there is no wool so course but it will take some colour, no matter so unlykely which with words may not be made probable, nor nothing so false which dissembling men will not feign and forge. Shall it sink into my head that Shafalus will forsake me, who did forsake all my friends to take him? Is it likely he will leave country, kinsfolk, friends, lands, living, and (which is most of all) a most loving wife, no cause constraining him thereto? But what use I reasons to refel the which one without eyes may see is but some coined devise to cozen me? No sir knight, you must use some other practice to effect your purpose, this is to broad to be believed, this colour is so course that every man may see it, and it is so black that it will take no other colour to cloud it, the thread of your hay is so big that the Coneys see it before they come at it, your hook is so long that the bait can not hide it, and your devise is to far fetched to bring your purpose near to an end. Gentlewoman (saith Shafalus) I see it is some man's fortune not be believed when they speak truly, and others to be well thought of when they deal falsely: which you have verified in your husband and me, who doubt of my words which are true, and not of his deeds which are false. And this I thought at the first, which made me doubt to discloase this matter unto you: for I know it commonly to be so, that travaylors' words are not much trusted, neither great matters soon believed. But when the time of your husbands return is expired, and he not come, then will you say that Sir Sulahpec (for so turning his name he termed himself) told you true. For my part not withstanding, the great good will I bore you, would not suffer me to conceal this matter from you that you might provide for yourself, yet I am very well content you should give no credit to my words, for I would not you should believe any thing which might grieve you any way, and I would wish you to think well, till you see otherwise: for every evil bringeth grief enough with it when it cometh, though the fear before procure none. Therefore I crave no credit for my words, my desire is that you will believe that which you see, which is, that for your sake I have travailed with great peril and pain out of mine own country hither, to your house, that upon the report of your beauty I was so surprised therewith, that I thought every hour a year till I had seen you, that having seen you, I have resolved with myself to live and die in your service and sight. Now if in consideration hereof it shall please you to grant me such grace, as my goodwill deserveth, you shall find me so thankful and grateful for the same, that no future fortune shall force me to forget the present benefit which you shall bestow upon me, and if it chance that your husband return, you shallbe sure always to enjoy me as your faithful friend, and if he never come again, you shall have me if you please for your loving spouse for ever. Yea marry (saith Procris) from hence came those tears, hereof proceeded your former fetch, this is it which hath separated my husband from me, which hath sent him to the wars, which will 'cause him never to return, a fine fetch forsooth, and cunningly contrived. Did that report which blazed my beauty (which god knoweth is none) blemish my name (which I would you known is good) in such sort, that you conceived hope to win me to your wicked will? Were you so vain to assure yourself so surely of my vanity, that only thereupon you would undertake so great a journey? Not, you are conversant with no Cressida, you have no Helen in hand, we women will now learn to béeware of such guileful guests. Not, if you were as cunning as jove, that you could convert yourself into the likeness of mine own husband, (as jove came to Alcmene in the likeness of her husband Amphitrion) I doubt how I should receive you till, the pray fixed time of my husbands coming were come: much less shall your forged tales or importunities constrain me to receive you into that credit, and admit you into that place which is and shallbe only proper to my husband. And this answer I pray you let suffice you, otherwise you may leave my house when you list. Shafalus liked this gear reasonably well, and persuaded himself, that though he had a wanton wife, yet he had no wicked wife. But knowing it the fashion of women at first to refuse, & that what angry face soever they set on the matter yet it doth them good to be courted with offers of courtesy, he meant to prove her once again, and went more effectually to work, to wit, from craft to coin, from guiles to gifts, from prayers to presents. For having received great store of gold and jewels for certain land, which he sold there whither he travailed, (the only cause in deed of his travail) he presented it all unto her, saying, he had sold all he had in his own country, minding to make his continual abode with her, and if she meant so rigorously to reject his goodwill, he willed her to take that in token thereof, and for himself, he would procure himself some desperate death or other, to avoid that death which her beauty and cruelty a thousand times a day drove him to.  
The Gentlewoman héering those desperate words, and seeing that rich sight, moved somewhat with pity, but more with pension, began to yield to his desire, & with Danae to hold up her lap to receive the golden shower. O god gold, what canst thou not do? but O devil woman, that will do more for gold then goodwill? O Gentlewomen, what shame is it to cell vilely that which God hath given freely, and to make a gain of that which is more grateful to women than men, as Tiresias gave judgement. Hereof came that odious name of whore, which in Latin is Meretrix, a merendo, of deserving or getting: a thing so unnatural, that very beasts abhor it, so unreasonable, as if one should be hired to do one's self good, so unhonest that the common stews thereof took first their beginning. But to return to our story, Shafalus seeing the lewdness of his wife, bewrayed himself unto her who he was, whereupon she was surprised with such shame, and he with such sorrow, that they could not long time speak each to other: at length she fallen down upon her knees, humbly craving his pardon. Shafalus knowing women to be to weak to withstand the might of money, and thinking that her very nature violently drawn her to him, whom being her husband, though to her unknown, she loved entirely, he thought best for his own quiet, and to avoid infamy, to put up this presumption of this evil in his wife patiently, and to pardon her offence, and so they lived quietly together a while. But within short time she, partly for want of government, & partly thinking her husband would revenge the wrong which she would have done to him, fell into such a furious gelosy over him, that it wrought her own destruction & his desolation. For this monstrous mischief was so marvelously crept into her heart, that she began to have a very careful and curious eye to the conversation of her husband, and with herself sinesterly to examine all his words and works towards her. For if he used her very familiarly, she supposed that he flattered her, and did it but to colour his falsehood towards her: if he looked solemnly on her, she feared the alteration of his affections, and the alienation of his goodwill from her, and that he rowed in some other stream: if he used any company, and frequented any man's house, she thought by and by that there dwelled the saint whom he served: if he lived solytaryly, & avoided company, she judged forthwith that he was in love some where: if he bid any of his neighbours to his house, why they were his goddesses: if he invited none, she thought he dared not lest she should spy some privy tricks between them: if he came home merely, he had sped of his purpose: if sadly, he had received some repulse: if he talked pleasauntlye, his mistresses had set him on his merry pings: if he said nothing, she remembered it was one of the properties of love to be silent: if he laughed, it was to think of his love: if he sighed, it was because he was not with her: if he kissed her, it was to procure appetite against he came to his mistresses: if he kissed her not, he cared not for her: if he achieved any valiant enterprise at arms, it was done for his mistresses sake: if not, he was become a carpet Knight: if he fallen out with any, it was some open enemy to his privy friend: if he were friends with all men, he dared displease none, lest they should detect his doings to her: if he went curiously in his apparel, it was to please his mysteries: if negligently, he lived in absence: if he ware his hair long, he mourned because he could not be admitted: if short, he was received into favour: if he bought her any apparel or any other pretty trifling tricks, it was to please her, and a babble for the fool to play with: if he bought her nothing, he had enough to do to maintain other in bravery: if he entertained any servant, he was of his mistresses preferment: if he put away any, he had some way offended her: if he commended any man, he was out of question his bawd: if he praised any woman, she was no doubt his whore: and so of all other his thoughts, words, and deeds, she made this suspicious suppose, and jealous interpretation: and as the Spider out of most sweet flowers sucketh poison, so she out of his most loving and friendly deeds towards her, picked occasions of quarrel, and conceived causes of hate. And so long she continued in these careful conjectures, that not only her body was brought low, by reason that her appetite to meat failed her, but also she was so disquieted in mind, that she was in a manner besides herself, whereupon in great pensiveness of heart, she fallen to preaching to herself in this sort.  
Ah fond fool, will't thou thus wilfully work thy own wrack and ruin? if thy husband commit treason against thee, will't thou commit murder upon thyself? if he consume himself away with whores, will't y● then consume thyself away with cares? will't thou increase his mischief with thy own misery? if he be so wickedly bend, it is not my care can cure him, for that which is bread in the bone will not out of the flesh. If he be disposed to deal falsely with me, it is not my wary watching which will ward him from it, for love deceived Argus with his two hundred eyes. If he should be forbidden to leave it, he will use it the more, for our nature is to run upon that which is forbidden us, vices the more prohibited, the more provoked, and a wild colt the harder he is reigned, the hotter he is. If I should take him tardy in it, it would but increase his incontinent impudence, for being once known to have transgressed the lawful limits of love and honesty, he would ever after be careless of his good name, which he known he could never recover again. And why should I seek to take him in it? should I seek to know the which I aught not to seek, not not so much as to think on? was ever wight so bewitched to run headlong upon her own ruin? So long as I know it not, it hurteth me not, but if I once certainly known it, God knoweth how suddenly it would abridge my days. And yet why should I take it so grievously, am I the first that have been so served? Hath not juno herself sustained the like injury? But I reason with myself, as if my husband were manifestly convicted of this crime, who perchance, good Gentleman, be as innocent in thought, as I wrongfully think him to be nocent in deed: for to consider advisedly of the matter, there is not so much as any likelihood to lead me to any such lewd opinion of him, he useth me honestly, he mantayneth me honourably, he loveth me better than my lewd dealing toward him hath deserved. Not it is mine own unworthiness that maketh me think I am not worthy the proper possession of so proper a Gentleman: it is mine own lustful desire that maketh me afraid to lose any thing: it is mine own weakness that maketh me so suspicious of wrong: it is mine own incontinency which maketh me judge him by myself. Well, the price of my prejudicial doings towards him is almost paid, and if pain be a punishment, then have I endured a most painful punishment, but let this dear bought wit do me some good, let me now at length learn to be wise, and not to think of evils before they come, not to fear them before I have cause, not to doubt of them in whom is no doubling, nor to mistrust them in whom is no treason, and faithfully to love him that unfeignedly loveth me. After this she endeavoured to do such fond toys forth of her head, for a while she lived lovingly and quietly with her husband, but suddenly by reason of one look which he cast upon one of his neighbours, she fallen into her old vain of vanity again. And as second falling into sickness is ever most dangerous, so now her folly was grown to such fury, and her disease so incurable, that she could not conceal it any longer, but flatly told her husband to his teeth, that she thought he did misuse her. Shafalus knowing his own innocency, and seeing her imbecility, gently prayed her not to conceive any such evil opinion of him, saying: If neither regard of God, neither respect of men, neither reverence of the reverent state of marriage could fear me from such filthiness, yet assure yourself the loyal love I bear you, would let me from such lasciviousness. For béeleeve me, your person pleaseth me so well, that I think myself sweetly satisfied therewith. Yea if Venus herself should chance unto my choice, I am persuaded I should not prefer her before you. For as her beauty would intisingly draw me to her, so my duty would necessarily drive me to you. Therefore (good wife) trouble not yourself with such toys, which will but breed your own unrest and my disquiet, your torment & my trouble, yea and in time perchance both our untimely deaths. Let Deinyra be a precedent for you, who suspecting her husband Hercules of spouse breach, sent him a shirt died with the blood of the Centaur Messus, who told her that shirt had virtue to revive love almost mortified, but Hercules had no sooner put it on, but it stock fast to his flesh, & fried him to death, as if it had been a fury of hell. Which when she known, with her own hands she wrought her own destruction. See the unworthy end which that monster jealousy brought this worthy couple too, & foresee (sweet wife) that it bring not us to the like bane. These words could work no effect with her, but rather increased her suspicion, persuading herself, that as in fair painted pots poison oft is put, and in goodly sumptuous sepulchres rotten bones are rife: so fairest words are ever fullest of falsehood. Yea, the more courteous he showed himself, the more culpable she thought him to be. Which Shafalus seeing, because he would take away all causes of suspicion, abandoned all good company, and spent his time so lytarily, hunting in the woods, and seeking the spoil of spoylinge savage beasts. But this hellhound jealousy, did so haunt and hunt her that she could in no place be in rest, but made her plod from her Palace to the woods, to watch whether he there hunted a chaste chase or not. And one day as she dogged him, where he was laid down to rest amongst the green leaves, she heard him utter these words: Come gentle Air and refresh my wearied spirits, with such like words of dalliance, which he being hot, spoke to the gale of Wind which pleasantly blew upon him: but she thought he had spoken to some woman with him, whereupon she furiously fell to the ground, tearing her hair and scratching her face, and though her grief would not give her leave to speak, yet to herself she thought this: And can the traitor thus treacherously deal with me? Had the sorrow which I sustained only for his absence before I was married to him, or any way owed him any thing, almost cost me my life, and now shall his presence procure my death? Did I pour out pensive prayers for his safe return from the Turks, and doth his return return my good will with such despite? O would to god the Turks had torn him in pieces, that he had never come home to martyr me in this manner. But Wolves never pray upon wolves, his fraud was nothing inferior to their falsehood, and therefore it had been in vain for them to have haulted before a cripple: but me, being but a simple sheep, see how sun this subtle▪ Fox could deceive. Is this the fruit of my fervent love? is this the felicity I expected in marriage? had I known this, I would never have known what the subtle sex of man had meant: I would rather, as they say, have led apes in hell after my death, then have felt all the torments of hell in my life. But had I wist, is ever had at the worst, they that cast not of cares before they come, can not cast them of when they do come. It is to late to cast Anchor when the ship is shaken to pieces against the rocks, it booteth not to sand for a physician when the sick party is already departed. Well, I will yet go see the cursed cause of my careful calamity, that I may mitigate some part of my martyrdom, by scratching her incontinent eyes out of her whorish head: and thereupon roused herself out of the shrub wherein she was shrouded. Shafalus hearing somewhat rush in the bush, thought it had been some wild beast, and took his dart, and struck the tame fool to the heart. But coming to the place, and seeing what he had done, he fallen down in a sown upon her, but with her striving under him with the pangs of death, he was redused to life, and said, Alas my Procris by myself is slain. Which she (not yet dead) hearing, said, Alas your Air hath brought me to this end. With that he understood how the matter went, and said, Alas (sweet wife) I used these words to the wind. Why then (saith she) not you, but that wind gave me this wound. And so joining her lips to his, she yielded up her breath into his mouth, and died. And he with care consumed, tarried not long behind her, to béewayle either his own deed, or her death.  
Now Gentlewomen, let the casual end of this Gentlewoman be a caveat to keep you from such wary watching of your husbands, it is but a mean to make them fall to folly the rather, as the thoughtful care of the rich man causeth the thief the sooner too seek the spoil of him. But if you will know the chiefest way to keep your husbands continent, it is to keep yourselves continent: for when they shall see you which are the weaker vessels strong in virtue and chastyty, they will be ashamed to be found faint in faith and loyalty, when they shall see you constant in good will towards them, they will fear to be found fickle in faith towards you, when they shall see you love them faithfully, you shall be sure to have them love you fervently. But if you shall once shake of the shéet of shame, and give yourselves over to choice of change, then assuredly make account your husbands will eschew your companies, loath ●your lips, abandon your beds, and frequent the familiarity of they care not who, if not of you.   

Minos and Pasiphae.  
Minos' King of Crete, regarding the beauty of Pasiphae, a waiting gentlewoman in his Court, falls in love with her, and maketh her his Queen. Whom VERECUNDUS, a young Gentleman also of the same Court, having solicited to lewdness, for fear of the King's displeasure, escapeth away by flight▪ MINOS entereth into such rage of gelousy over his wife, that in his absence he setteth spies over her, to bewray her doings. Pasiphae beecumminge unnaturally amorous of a Bull, by means of the Carpenter Dedalus, bringeth forth a monstrous Child, in part resembling the Sire, and in part the Mother.  
OF all the ordinary accidents incident to the life of man, there is none of more moment to our prosperytie, or misery, than marriage: which estate if we advisedly enter into, it maketh us in happiness equal to Angels: but if we rashly run into it, it prolongeth us in the pains of the furies of hell. And among all the inconveniences, which are to be foreseen in this bargain, there is none more dangerous, than inequality of estates between the parties: for, what agreement of affections can there be, when the one shall be of a mean mind, the other haughty, the one lowly, the other lofty? how can there be one heart in two bodies, when the one wisheth one thing, the other willeth another? When the one is disposed one way, the other inclined another way, according to the secret instinct of their proper and peculiar natures? For the nature of nothing may be altered: that which nature hath given, cannot be taken away: and that which is bread in the bone, will not out of the flesh. So that for one of mean parentage, to be married with one of princely race, I think as good a match, as béetweene Lions and Lambs. And as well they will agree together, as Dogs and Cats, and as the saying is, the Mastiff never loveth the Greihounde. Besides, unequal Oxen draw not well together in one yoke, Coks unequally matched, make no good battle in the pit, meats of contrary qualities, digest not well in the stomach: and parties of contrary callings, agree not well together in the bond of blessed matrimony: as the history I will tell you, shall show you.  
In the Country of Crete, reigned one Minos, a King and Monarch of great might, to whom the blind god's Fortune assigned a wife of far more meanness, than was meet for the majesty of his mightiness. For there chanced to be in his Court attendant upon a noble woman, a proper piece, named Pasiphae. Who by birth was but the daughter of a Knight, but by beauty seemed to be a heavenly wight. On her cheeks, the Lily and the Rose did strive for interchange of hue, her hair cumly curled, glistered like gold: her pierceinge eyes, twinkled like stars: her alabaster teeth stood as a rank of precious pearls: her ruddy lips, were soft and sweet: her hands fine and white, yea all her parts so perfectly proportioned, that nature sought to win great commendation in carving so cunningly so curious a carcase. But as a rusty Rapier is no trusty Rampire to defend a man, though the Scabbard be of fine velvet: so a woman with foul conditions is coarsely to be accounted of, though her face be fair, and body beautiful. But destinies so drove, that this King by chance cast a glance upon this gorgeous gods, and at the first view was so vanquished by vanity, that he thought his life no longer pleasant unto him, than he was in her sight: And failed not daily familiarly to frequent the mistresses company, for the maids cause. And having attempted her chastity by showing her his great goodwill, by beestowinge on her great gifts, by large promises of preferment, and many other means, and nevertheless failing of his purpose, in pensive perplexity fallen to parley with himself, to this purpose.  
I ever heretofore thought a Prince's life to be void of strife, and that they had always passed their time in pleasure without pain: but now I see we are subject to sorrow, so soon as the meanest subject we have. Likewise before this I was of opinion, that number of friends, abounding in wealth, abiding in health, and such like things which pertain to the body, were sufficient to attain to a happy life in this life: but now I see, it is the mind which maketh mirth, and stirreth strife, yea the contented mind is the only riches, the only quietness, the only happiness. Good God, how unsavoury seem those sweet meats unto me, wherein I was wont to delight? how unpleasant are the sports, wherein I was wont to take pleasure? how cumbersome is the company, which was wont to content me? no game glads me, no dancing delights me, not justing joys me, no plays please me, no triumphs, no shows, no hawking, no hunting, no nothing under the Sun doth solace me. And would I know the cause? why, I have not a contented mind: the perfect parts of Pasiphae do so diversly distracted my mind that only her sight is sweet, only her company is comfortable, only her presence is pleasant unto me. And would I know the cause? why, in her the fates have fixed my felicity, in her the heavens have heaped my happiness, with her must I live, and without her must I die. Why, I have pursued her goodwill with prayers and with presents, with love and with liberality, with gifts and with goodwill, and yet am never the near. And would I know the cause why? I sought not her goodwill in the way of marriage. Only marriage is the mean, only wedlock must lock, and link us together. And shall I so much debase the height of my estate, as to match in marriage with so mean a mate? as though many princes have not as meanly matched themselves: as though the Gods themselves have not married with earthly creatures. And for my Pasiphae, though she be inferriour to me in parentage, yet in parsonage, she is good enough for God himself. And for her dowry or wealth, what need I way it, who have the most part of the world under my dominion? no, there shall no regard of honour, or respect of riches, detain me from that which doth only contain the contentment of my mind. And in this mind meant to attempt her in the way of marriage: but running from Charybdis, he rushed upon Scylla: flying from one rock, he fallen upon another: thinking to quench the coals of his desire, he fallen into hot flames of burning fire: as hereafter you shall hear.  
Now so soon as he had opportunity offered him, he made Pasiphae partaker of his purpose in these terms.  
Seeing the only touchstone to try true and loyal love from loathsome lust, is marriage, I mean, if you be content, to consent thereto, to seal the sincere affection I bear you, with the sacred ceremonies and holy rites of matrimony: and as I have preferred your love before all worldli respects, so I trust you will return my love with such loyalty, that I shall have cause to count myself as well matched, as if I had married with the greatest princess in the world. Pasiphae hearing these words, was so ravished with joy, that she could not on the sudden make the king an answer, but having changed colour twice or thrice, from read to white, and from white to read, in token of a mind moved with hope, assailed with fear, and passioned with pleasure, at length she said unto him. As (most worthy prince) I ever thought myself far unworthy of any such honour, so if it please your highness plainly to hear the truth, I ever thought myself far to worthy, to yield to your desire in the way of wickedness: which was the cause I made so course account of your courtesy heretofore. But seeing it hath pleased you to lodge your love thu● low, and to think me worthy the honour of wedlock with so worthy a wight: assure yourself your majesty shall find me in love so loyal, and in obedience so dutiful towards you: that in the one, I will supply the part of a loving wife: and in the other, satisfy the duty of a diligent handmaid. Neither would I you should think, that it is the name of a queen, or estate of a prince, that winneth me thus willingly to your will, for I know that name to be vain, and that estate full of pain: but it is your exceeding love towards me (O noble prince) that linketh my liking with yours, it is your incomparable courtesy which forceth me to yield the fort of my faith and virginity into your hands.  
For as the sun the higher it doth ascend in the firmament, the more heat it doth extend to the earth, so virtue and courtesy, in the more high and princely person it is placed, the more force it hath to win the wills, & bind the hearts of people to embrace it. And as my love is grounded upon your virtue, so I trust so to behave myself, that hereafter you shall have as great liking to my conditions and virtue, as now you have love to my colour and beauty: that when years shall take away the pleasure of y● one, you may take delight & solace in the other. The king was so deeply delighted with this dutiful discourse, that he had not a word to reply, but satisfying himself for the time with a few sweet kisses, presently gave commandment to his officers, to make preparation for the sumptuous celebrating of his marriage, which shortly after was consummated with such royalty, as is requisite in a matter of such majesty. So this married couple, consumed two or three years in the highest degree of happiness. But the sun being at the highest, declineth: and the Sea being at full tide, ebbeth: caulme continueth not long without a storm, neither is happiness had long without heaviness, as by this couple may be seen. For when the kings fancy had been once fully fed, the vehemency of his desire began to vanish away, and he began to love his new married wife rather with reason then with rage: by reason whereof with indifferency of judgement, he could now note her naughty nature, which at first partialyty of love, would not permit him to perceive. For what Gentleman soever she see in the court, endued with a virtuous disposition and noble mind, she would with the king hinder his preferment by all means possible, still advancing the vilest, to type of dignity. If any Gentlewoman were famous for her honesty and chastity, by some sluttish slights or other, she sought to slander them. So that those in whom the king did only delight, she endeavoured with all diligence to molest and spite. Which the king perceiving, and considering how from low estate, he had brought her to height of honour, thought he might more boldly reform her faults, and began (with severity sufficient, and in deed, more than was meet between man and wife,) to admonish her of her malicious disposition, towards those which were of virtuous inclination: and made no curiosity though without courtesy, to tell her, that she being ignoble herself, could not like of those which were noble. But to much familiarity had bread so much contempt in her, that she began impatiently to pout, to louvre, to snuff, to chase, to think herself much injuried by those words, and said plainly she would like of whom she list, shewing her rude bringing up, her want of wit and government, her currish nature, her cursed conditions, and how unfit she was for the place she was in. Well, the king was fain to make a virtue of necessity, and to take patiently, that which he could not take away easily. For she still persevered in her perverseness, and hated those chiefly, whom her husband loved especially. And amongst all other, there was one proper young gentleman named Verecundus, attendant upon the king, and in great favour and credit with him, whom when she could by no means bring into displeasure or disliking, she went about to entrap by this train of treason: she began to cast glances of good will towards him, and by alluring looks to thrall him in the thread of her beauty. The young gentleman being made of fine metal, and therefore very apt to receive the impression of love, in short time was so framed to her fancy, that he yielded faith to her fraud, and requited her feigned looks with unfeigned love. And as a pleasant pray soon enticeth a simple thief: so he thought her beauty such a booty, that in his opinion, no young man in the world but would hazard hanging to have it. And hereupon fallen to debatinge the matter with himself in this sort.  
It is a common opinion amongst men, that he which is once chained in the links of love, is forthwith restrained of his liberty and freedom, but if true liberty be to live as one list, I cannot but think myself to live in most large and licentious liberty, for that I lust not, or desire to lead any other life then that which I do: which is, in the secret service and continual contemplation of my princely Pasiphae. Yea I think every sorrow sweet, and every pain pleasure, which any passion proceeding of her beauty procureth me: and I think myself more then happy, that the heavens think me meet to suffer any martyrdom for her sweet sake. And if I might end my days in doing her service, I should think it the only beginning of joy, the way to life, and the ready and perfect path whereby to pass to the pleasures of Paradise. O that fortune would minister some occasion whereby I might manifest unto her the manifold goodwill I bear her: and if without prejudice to her person it might be done, would to god she were drowned in some such depth of danger, that nothing but the hazarding of my life could preserve her from peril: then should she see the service which I have sworn to do her, than should she see the duty which I have vowed to own her, than should she plainly perceive, that neither the pleasures of the world, neither the solace of friends, neither the sweetness of life, neither the sourness of death should withdraw me from shedding the dearest drop of blood in me to do her good. And then would she say (if any courtesy be contained in her) that my love is most loyal, and my friendship most faithful, then would she pay (if any gratefulness be grafted in her) my danger and peril with the price of her person. But alas, how can she pay me with that which is not in her own power? There is another only who hath interest therein, she hath already paid her person as a price of a prince & his whole kingdom: so that I plough the barren rocks, and set my share into the shore of the Sea: I till with toil such a kind of soil, whereof another by right must crop the corn. But admit she were disposed to incroche somewhat upon her husbands right, yet is it likely she will look so low, as let so mean a man as myself grow into so great acquaintance with her? Not, fortune denieth me any such favour, my good will as yet hath deserved no such guerdon, my desire is far above my deserts, my ambition above my condition. Why, my birth is better than hers, why should she then neglect me? But her calling is better than mine, why should she then respect me? My desire proceeds of love, why should she not then accept it? But alas, it is contrary to law, why should she not then reject it? I am of noble blood, why should she refuse me? But she hath a noble prince to her husband, why should she misuse him? Yea if I myself were not a villain, altogether devoid of virtue, I would not suffer it so much as enter into my thought to abuse him, who hath always used me honourably, who hath sought my prefermente by all means possible, who from my childhood hath brought me up like a loving lord & Master. Shall I requited his liberalytie towards me with such disloyalty? shall I deceive the opinion which he doth conceive of me, with such destable villainy? shall I return the trust which he reposeth in me, with such treason? shall I defile my faith towards him, by seeking to defile his bridly bed? But (alas) love is above lord or laws, above Prince or privilege, above friend or faith. Where love leadeth no master is made account of, no King cared for, no friend forced of, no duty respected, no honesty regarded, but all things done according to the passion which prevaileth over us. And seeing it is not in our power to prevent that passion, for it is either derived of our own nature, or descended from the heavens, there is no reason I should require any proper or peculiar fortune to myself, and seek to be dispensed withal from that which is common to all: and so much the rather I am induced to yield to the instinct of love, and to pursue my purpose, for that I perceive by the wanton looks of the Queen, that she is determined to entertain some secret friend, besides the King her husband, and if I flatter not myself, her very countenance towards me imports some lykelyhood of love she bears me: therefore I think it wisdom to strike while the iron is hot, and if it be possible to ease my heart of the grief, which her beauty hath bread me. And if she be disposed to arm her husband with horned harness, as good I be the instrument thereof, as some other of meaner calling and countenance. After this, he sought all means possible to insinuate himself into her familiarity, & courted her continually with dutiful service and secret signs of sincere affection: he so bribed her maids with benefits, & corrupted them with coin, that they made him a God unto their mistresses: she could not look out at her chamber window, but that she see him walk solitarily underneath, casting up countenances which seemed to contain humble prayers for pity and compassion, and throwing up such sighs as might plainly signify the sorrow of his thoughts. If she chanced to walk abroad, he would meet her like a ghost in such ghastly manner, with such a pale countenance, and pined carcase, that it would have moved the stoany rocks to ruth. But the Queen seeing him so fast fettered in folly, had that she desired, and now she left her loving looks towards him, and the more painfully she perceited him tormented, the more disdainfully she lokt upon him, and would not by any signs which he did show of his affection, seem to know it, to the intent he should by writing make manifest his meaning unto her. The young Gentleman, seeing the hope which at the first he conceived of her goodwill, altogether without hap, and in a manner despairing of his purpose, he could take no longer days with his desire, but that he must know a final resolution one way or other: And being driven to careless desperatnesse, he feared not to commit his life to a tell tale piece of paper, and beewrayed his misery to his mistresses in this manner.  
Because (most sovereign Lady) my duty and service heretofore hath been nothing acceptable to you, I have devised a new way to work your contentation, which is by writing to do you to wit, that since it liketh you not to give me life, I mean to beestowe upon myself a desperate death, the only thing I think which may procure you pleasure: and so long as it may delight you, I way not how much it spite me. Yea love hath dealt so extremely with me, that though I would myself, I cannot keep my corpse from confusion. For as the fretting Fistula past all cure, runneth in the flesh from place to place, and maketh the sound flesh as rotten as the rest, so the deadly poison of love first entered in at my eyes, and after spread into every part of me, hath now dangerously infected my whole body unto death. But yet my death will be nothing so grievous unto me, as to think what a blemish it will be to the brightness of your beauty, when your tyranny shall be taken to be the cause thereof, yea and when you shall have no cloud at all to colour your cruelty. For if you allege for yourself, that you dared not make so deep a wound in your honour, as to commit your body to any, but to him who by marriage hath merited it: why a lovely look only would have satisfied me, yea one glance of goodwill going from your eyes, will more content me then all the actual pleasure in the world, received of any other woman in the world. But seeing fortune doth will, and you do wish my destruction, I am content to obey the decree of the one, and satisfy the desire of the other: beeseechinge you to take these witless words for a final fainting farewell, wishing you continuance of beauty, with increase of bounty.  
Neither yours, neither his own: VER●CVNDVS.  
This Letter besprinkled with tears, he gave to one of her maids of honour to give her. But true the proverb is, that fish bred up in dirty pools will taste of mud, one descended of mean race, cannot be endued with virtue fit for princely place: set a beggar on horseback and he will never alight, extol one of base stock to degree of dignity, and who is so haughty? who is so proud? for this crafty coy Queen having read his letter, though she were right glad thereof, for that thereby she meant to purchase his utter discredit with the King, yet she seemed to be in a great chafe, calling him traitor, that dared injury her eyes with such lewd letters, with divers other imputations of reproach, and went presently to the King and showed him this letter: who in a great rage sent his guard to apprehend him, but he having intelligence thereof, was feign to fly the country. See the force of fraud and the end of lawless love, but mark moreover the reward of her treachery and tyranny. Her husband ever after this, was so jealous over her, that he would never suffer her to be out of his sight, and doatinge somewhat of her beauty, but doubting more of her honesty, he never road forth any journey, but that he set wary watch and ward over her at home, yea this furious fiend of hell did so torment him, that he could take no rest day nor night, but his fancy still ran either upon them Gentleman that would have done him that injury, either upon some other that should be like to serve him in like sort: so that the pleasure which her proper person procured him, was drowned with the doubt, jest she would not remain proper unto him, and that she would be as common in possession, as she was proper in parsonage. Alas, (says he) now my joy is at an end, the clouds of care have quite covered my sun and light, of solace & delight: yea the greater pleasure I take in practising with my Pasiphae, the greater fear I have that others deeply desire to participate with the pleasure. And the more free she is in such friendship towards me, the more frank I doubt she will be towards other. Ah, would to God I had never been married, rather than to be thus martyred, or else would I had matched with some such, whose princely nature would have participated only with Princes, and whose royal blood and birth might have feared the base sort to presume to practise her to their purposes: but my chance was to choose one, who if (as the saying is) like, like best of their likes, is like to like better of any other then of myself, for that in nature and conditions there is such difference beetwéene us. But repentance now cometh to late, this only rests to be foreseen, that unto the great grief which mine own conceit procureth me, her abuse add not infamy and dishonour. And if the heavens have assigned me such heavy fate, as due to my doatinge desire, yet this at lest let me take heed, that with the loss of her own honour, she procure not the loss of my life. And hereupon appointed certain of his assured friends, to have the custody and keeping of the queen: who seeing herself thus disloyally without cause abridged of her liberty, began to curse the time that ever she came to be queen, wishing she had continued in meaner calling with fruition of liberty, rather than to sit in chair of dignity, with suspicion of dishonesty. What pleasure, saith she, doth my princely estate procure me, which must live as a prisoner? Who will honour me for queen, which am suspected for a quean and harlot? How shall I dare to show my face in the Court, when the king doubteth of my dealing towards him? My looks have not been so light, my courtesy hath not been so common, my glances have not been so garish, whereby he should enter into this sinister suspicion of me. But love (they say) is light of beeleefe, and jealousy is grounded upon love. avant fond foolish love, God sand my husband rather to hate me, then to bear me any such love, which bereveth him of rest, and me of renown, which breaketh the bond of faithful friendship and entire amity between us, which causeth him to doubt me, and me to dread him, which maketh both our lives so loathsome, that I wish death to dispatch either the one of us or the other. But this froward fate, I must ascribe only to mine own fault, and fraud towards Verecundus, who hath now just cause to triumph that I myself am fallen into the pit I digged for him. Well, I must retire to patience perforce, and hang in hope of some good hap to redress my woe and misery.  
But you shall understand (Gentlewomen) this was not all her punishment, nay this was but a trifle in respect of that which after followed, a matter in heinousness so horrible, in desire so detestable, and in lust so loathsome, that it is no less strange to be told, then hard to be believed: so that I think my words will rather carry wonder then credit with you. For, whether it were gods plague for the husband's jealousy, or for her jollity, pride, and subtlety, I know not, but thus it pleased him to suffer the devil to deal with her. Being by her husbands commandment in his absence kept from company, her chief solace was to walk in a pleasant grove joined to her palace, where used to feed a herded of beasts, amongst which was a goodly white bull. I dare not say she fallen in love with the bull, lest I should drive you rather to laughing at my story then listninge to it, but surely so it was. Yea she was not only in love with the beast, and went every morning and with her own hands broke down boughs for him to browse upon, but, which was more, she was jealous over him: for what cow in all the herd she see he liked best, she caused to be had from the herded and killed, as she pretended for sacrifice, but in deed for fatisfiing her jealous mind. And as the beast was opening, she would take the inwards in her hand, saying, now go thy way and please my love if thou canst. And taking delight a while in this dalliance, at length her lust grew to such outrage, that she felt in herself an impossibility to continued her cursed life, without the carnal company of the bull. And notwithstanding she assayed the assistance of reason, the policy of persuasions, the help of herbs, and the mean of medicines, to mortyfy her beastly desire to the beast, yet nothing would prevail, yea being often in mind to make herself away, her heart would not suffer her hands to do it: not that death feared her, but that desire forced her first to fulfil her filthy lust. But Gentlewomen, because you shall not enter into colorick conceits against me, for publishing in this presence, a history which seemeth so much to sound to the shame of your sex, I mean not to justify the truth of it, but rather will prove it false by the opinion of one Servius, who writeth, that Pasiphae indeed played false with one Taurus (which signifieth a Bull) secretary to her husband in the house of Dedalus, and after being delivered, had two sons, the one like Minos, the other like Taurus, and thereupon the Poets feigned the fable aforesaid: but whether being a woman she used the carnal company of a beast, or whether like a lewd wife she gave her husband the badge of a beast, her offence was such, that I cannot (though gladly I would) excuse it. Yet must I needs say that in my fancy her husband deserved some blame: for no doubt his suspicion without cause, caused her in such sort to transgress marriage laws. For seeing her honesty doubted of, and her good name as good as los●e, she thought as good to be nought for somewhat as to be thought nought for nothing. And surely the experience is to common, the suspicion and slander maketh many to be that which they never meant to be. But some are of this foolish opinion, that it is simple and sottishe folly, for a woman to deal truly with him, which dealeth ielously and cruelly with her: some again lewdly think, that if a woman cannot conceive by her husband that she may lawfully enter into conversation with some other: some wickedly ween, that if the husband be not able to satisfy the insatiable desire of his wife, that to avoid concupiscence, she may communicate with some other: but surely (Gentlewomen) I am settled in this opinion, that no suspicion or jealousy aught to 'cause a woman to transgress the bounds of honesty: that rhastitie is the only jewel which women aught to be chary of, that women having lost their chastity, are like broken glasses which are good for nothing, that they make shipwreck of all, if the cabels of constancy be once cracked, & the anchors of honesty slipped: that it is better for than to be fools then false, to be simple then subtle, to be doves than devils, to be abused then abuse: that it is better for than to be barren then beastly, to be without fruit than faith, children than chastity: that concupiscence is only to desire other besides their husbands, that they which burn in such desire, shall burn in hell fire, that no adulteress shall inherit the kingdom of heaven: that all women aught to be like the matroness of Rome, which known the savour of no man's breath but of her husbands, like the wife of Fuluius Torquatus, who died with longing, rather than she would go forth of her chamber in her husbands absence, to see a wild Aegiption with one eye in his forehead, whom she longed to see: that women aught to spin with Penelope, to spill with Camma, to kill with Lucrece, to be slandered with Susanna, with Savoy, and with others, to endure any torment, rather than to loose one jot of their chastity and honesty.   

Pygmalion's friend, and his Image.  
PYGMALION, a Gentleman of Piemount, continuing the space of certain years, in honest affection, and virtuous love with PENTHEA, wife to Luciano a noble gentleman of the same country, is at length by her rejected, in respect of a base stranger. Pygmalion, abandoning the company of all women, and giving himself to the art of Carving, burneth in love with an Image, which himself had fashioned: whom, at his earnest suit Venus transformeth into a fair Maid, and he taketh her to Wife.  
TO make the reckoning without the host, is the way soon to be▪ overshot in the shot: to resolve certainly upon incertenty, is the way never to be in any certainty: to look for constancy, of those that like of inconstancy, or to determine of those things which are not in our powers to perform, is nothing else but to be deceived of our expectation, and to be driven to altar our determination: as the History which you shall hear, shall yield example of both the one and the other.  
In the country of Piemount had his being one Pygmalion, a gentleman descended of noble birth, endued with perfection of person, & perfectly portrayed forth with the lineaments of learning, so that it was dooubtful whether he were more indebted to fortune for his birth, to nature for his beauty, or to his parents for his learning. But as beauty, birth, riches, and the rest must needs give place to learning, so no doubt but his parents deserved the pre-eminence of praise. For the other are but dim stars, where learning giveth light. And as when the sun shines, the light of the stars is not seen: so where learning appeareth, all other gifts are nothing to be accounted of. Besides that, beeside his learning, he was endued with a great dexterity in all things, in so much as nothing came amiss unto him, which was meet for a Gentleman: in feats of arms no man more courageous, in exercises of the body none more active, in game or play none more politic, among the ancient who more grave? among the youthful, who more merry? so that there was no time, no person, no place, whereto he aptly applied not himself. By reason whereof, he was acceptable to all good companies, & well was he that might entertain him in his house. But most of all he frequented y●hous of one Luciano a noble Gentleman of the same countri, & in continuance of time grew so far in familiarity with his wife, that he reposed his only pleasure in her presence. Yea she had made such a stealth of his hearts, that neither Father nor Mother, Sister nor Brother, nor all the friends he had in the country beside, could keep him one week together out of her compani. Yea this faithful love he bore her, seemed in a manner to extinguish all natural love towards his allies, and kinsfolk: Who being (as they were wont) desirous of his company at hawking, hunting, and such like pastimes, could not by any eraving or importunity obtain it: but being ignorant of the cause, they thought it had proceeded of this, that his mind upon some occasion had been alienated from them, which caused them on the contrary, somewhat to withdraw their goodwills from him. But he forced little thereof, he cared not whom he displeased, so he might work her contentation: she was the star by whose aspect he did direct his doings, she was the haven wherein he sought to harbour, she was the heaven whither he coveted to come, she was the saint to whom he did lend such devotion, that he could find in his heart to bend no liking to any other whatsoever. In so much, the having the proffer of many rich marriages, he always refused them, as having his heart so replenished with the love of her, that there was no roomth for the love of any other to remain within him. Now she, on the other side, whose name was Penthea, being a courteous courtly wench, gave him such friendly entertainment, and used him so well in all respects, that, her husband excepted, she seemed to hold him most dear unto her of any wight in the whole world. She never made feast, but he must be her guest: she never road journey, but he must be her companion: she never danced, but he must direct her: she never dised, but he must be her partner: she, in a manner, did nothing, wherein he did not something. Her Husband all this while being fully assured of her virtue, and very well persuaded of the honesty of the Gentleman, susspected no evil between them, but liked very well of their love and familiarity together, neither in deed had he any cause to the contrary. For Pygmalion known her to be endued with such constant virtue, that he thought it impossible to allure her to any folly: and besides that, his love was so exceeding great towards her, that he would not by any means be the cause to make her commit any thing, which might make her less worthy of love than she was. And if at any time (as the flesh is frail) the vehemency of his affection forced him to persuade her to folly, he did it so faintly, that it might plainly be perceived he was not willing to overcome. For he deeply doubted, that if by the force of her love towards him, or of his persuasions towards her, she should have yielded the fort of her faith and chastity in to his hands, his love towards her (with the sun being at the highest) would have declined and decreased, which would have been the greatest grief to him in the world. Not, he lived with such delight in the contemplation of her chastity and virtue, that he was void not only of Libidinous lust towards her, but also towards all other women whatsoever. Yea, he received more pleasure of her by imagination, then of any other woman by the act of generation. So that between these friends was no cause of suspicion, no cause of jar, no cause of jealousy: but they lived together the space of three or four years in most heavenly haven of most happy life. The flood of their felicity flowed from the fountain of most faithful friendship, the building of their biding together was raised on the rock of virtue, so that it was to be thought, no seas of subtlety, or floods of fickelnesse could have undermined it. But what perpetuity is to be looked for in mortal pretences? What constancy is to be hoped for in kites of Cressida's kind? may one gather Grapes of thorns, Sugar of Thistles, or constancy of women? Nay if a man sift the whole sex thoroughly, he shall find their words to be but wind, their faith forgery, and their deeds dissembling. You must not (Gentlewomen) take these words to come from me, who dare not so much as think so much, much less say so much, for that truth getteth hatred, I mean such as tell not the truth, as he in no wise should not do, which should blow forth any such blast of the most faithful and constant feminine kind. But you must take these speeches to proceed from Pygmalion, who, to speak uprightly, had some cause to discommend some in particular, though not to condemn all in general, as you shall forthwith hear. For it fallen so out that an Ambassador came out of a strange country into Piemount, and was appointed to lie at the house of Luciano the time of his abode in the country. Now amongst the company which came with him, there was une young Gentleman, in whom though there were nothing worthy of commendation any way, yet whether it proceeded of the daintiness of women, who (as Pygmalion thought) wilbée soon weary of one diet, or of their wavering (who are constant in nothing) or of their imperfect nature (which tendeth always to the worst) I know not, but this lady began to conceive a very good opinion of him, and in short time in affection far to prefer him before her old faithful friend. Which Pygmalion perceiving, being in their presence, drunk up his sorrow in silence, but having withdrawn himself out of their company, into his solitary chamber, he entered with himself into this raging railing.  
O feigned fawning, O counterfeit courtesy, O deep dissembling, O honey mixed with gall, O heaven turned to hell. Now do I perceive thy friendship heretofore was nothing but flattery, thy love, lewd thy courtesy of course, now am I assured thou madest of me a virtue of necessytye, to serve thy turn for lack of other company. Did I prefer thee before father and friend, and canst thou prefer before me a stranger, whom thou never sawest before, of no countenance, credit, or constansy, but wavereth with the wind? Did I bear thee faithful and entire affection, and canst thou bear greater goodwill to him, who careth not for thee? who beareth steadfast affection to none, in whom is nothing but flitting fantasy, and mere vanity? & canst thou thus prefer lewdness before learning, trifling before truth, clownishnes before courtlynesse, vanity before virtue? then farewell reason, thou restest not in woman's head: then farewell wit, thou wieldest not women's doings: then farewell faith, thou art no woman's fere: then farewell women, you are no mates for me. And hereupon verily determined with himself utterly to abandon her company for ever: but reprehending his own rashness, he meant to have a further troyall of her trifling towards him, and also to look more narrowly into the doings and behaviour of that other Gentleman, that if he could see any thing in him whereby he worthily deserved to be preferred before himself, he might more patiently endure it. Whereupon dissembling his grief so well as he could, he made repair again unto her house, and there noting her love by her looks, her fancy by her face, and her conceits by her countenance, he easily perceived to whom she bend her best devotion, and who was her holiest Idol. Likewise, diligently considering the conversation of the gentleman, he persuaded himself that in indifferent judgement, where affection did not make blind, the best gifts either of body or mind which were in him, were not to be compared to the worst which were in himself: the one being not perfect any way, the other imperfect noway. So that seeing neither his own worthiness, neither the others unworthiness, could settle her affection as it should be, he utterly apealed from her unworthy & unequal judgement, and giving her the bezolas manos, he altogether estranged himself from her society. See the marvelous power of his love, who notwithstanding he never enjoyed the use of her body, and certainly knew that the other had not wone that point of her neither, yet he took it so grievously, that she should seem to bear greater goodwill towards the other than him, that he fully resolved with himself, to esche we the company of all other women for her sake, and never to suffer the love of any to sink again so deeply into his heart. And surely (Gentlewomen) this Pygmalion may be a president and proof to confute the error of those, who think there can be no hot and fervent love between a man & a woman, unless it▪ proceed of some pleasant practice between them. And if they see any friendly familiarity between a young Gentleman and Gentlewoman, they forthwith conceive an evil opinion of their honest affection. Which error, as it is most gross, so may it be defaced by sundry reasons. For how it is possible that of an ill cause, can come a good effect? That firm friendship can flow from fading fancy? That the heavenly consent of minds, should proceed of the brutal conjunction of bodies? Which, if it were so, those men (if I may call them men) which daily deal with common women, should be very faithfully and friendly affectioned towards them: but it is so far of, that in my fancy after the fact, they rather loath them, then love them. Both for that a loathsome repentance followeth it, and also (as Aristotle says) men thereby are made less perfect. So that I think the conjunction of bodies, rather a disjunction of mind then otherwise. And true friendship béetweene man and man, or man & woman, is grounded only on that which is good and honest. Yea, I am persuaded, that the wanton lover himself, is as well satisfied with the good countenance, loving looks, and perfect agreement of his mistresses mind with his, as with the use of her body. Which, although he oftentimes earnestly desire, yet I think it be as much to know thereby her unfeigned goodwill towards him, to confirm it with a natural bond, and to procure her contentment, as for that he reposeth the fullness of his felicity therein. So, if then a lewd lover altogether vowed to vanity, can love without lust, how much more easily may a faithful friend be fervent in affection, and yet cold in desire? And as Pygmalion may be a plain precedent, that a man may love loyally, and yet not desire laciviously: so may Florinda be a fruitful example to the feminine sort, to do the like, who bearing such fervent affection to her friend Amadour, that she held him more dear than her own life, that she received more contentation in the company of him, then of husband, father, mother, friend or whosoever: yet she was so far of from filthy affection towards him, that she avoided, so near as she could, all occasions which might draw him into any disordinate desire towards her. In so much, that having occasion of privy conference with him in a privy place, before she came, she foully defaced her face, and bruised it with a stone, that he might not be inflamed with the feature thereof, and divers other ways at divers other times, valiantly withstood all alarms of lust. Therefore they are no doubt deceived, which think that love cannot be without lust, neither fervent affection without fleshly fancy. And I would not wish any to judge so injuriously of the familiarity of friends, such light judgements, prove but a light judge: such suspicious opinions, for the most part proceed from suspected people: and they are commonly such themselves as they think other to be: for mala mens, malus animus: an evil disposition breedeth an evil suspicion. But to return to Pygmalion, who, for all his fervent love, being frustrate of the fruits thereof, and not encountered with the like, got from the house of his fickle friend, and being alone in his own lodging, he entered with himself into this discourse. Notwithstanding my love hath been always guided rather by reason then rage, and my fancy never at any time turned to fury, by reason whereof I have not been greatly pinched with the pangs thereof, yet when I consider the common course of lovers, and of love, surely of all punishments inflicted on mankind, there is none that doth more afflict us, than the lewd lots thereof, and the fiery darts of Cupid. For all other evils by nature we fly from, by reason we redress, by policy we prevent, by pleasure we mitigate, by patience we moderate, by labour we lighten, by pain we appease, by counsel we cure, by time we take away, or by some means or other set ourselves free from. But this hateful love by nature we follow, it beréeneth us of reason, policy hath no place in it, pleasure doubleth our dolour, patience purchaseth no ease, labour is lost, pain prevaileth not, counsel conduceth not, time tieth and entangleth us, not, nothing is able to lead us out of this intricate Labyrinth: And though▪ the pleasures pertayving to love, seem great: yet who so ever purposeth to purchase them, let him assure himself to buy them at an unreasonable rate. Every peck of pleasure shall cost him a quarter of care, for every pint of honey he shall taste a gallon of gall. Yea though the entry which leadeth to the lodging of love seem easy, & the porch paradise unto him, yet shall he find the hall a hell, and the whole house a hateful prison and place of bondage. For as Mariners that under a show of calm wether, commit themselves to the sea, are oftentimes with tempests so tossed, that rushing against the rocks, their ships are shaken to pieces, and they devoured in the depth of the sea: so he that under the courteous countenance of a wavering woman yieldeth himself to love, is commonly so wrapped in the waves of wiles, that he is altogether drowned in the depth of deceit, and hardly escapeth with the loss of his liberty and living. We see the fly playeth so long with the flame, that he is scourched therewith, and the experience is no less common than lamentable, that men dally so long with dainty dames, that at length they are scorched in the flames of fancy, and the wings of their free will quite burned away. And then, good God it is strange to consider their case, how carelessly they deal in all things, how lewdly they spend their time, how prodigally they consume their goods, how negligently they regard their friends, how loathsomely they like good counsel, how resolute they are in their own fond determinations, how dissolute in their behaviour, how solytaryly they sit in silence, how secretly they conceal their grief, how sorrowfully they spend their days, how fantastically their minds are troubled, how feebly their bodies are weakened, what broken sleeps, what doubtful dream, what vain visions they have. And touching their beeloved, how curiously they commend them, how partially they praise them, how doltishly they dote on them, how wilfully they are blinded in them, how superstitiously they think of them, how idolatroucly they worship them, how zealously they love them, how ielously they look to them, how warily they wach them, how willingly they serve them, how painfully they employ themselves to pleasure them, how readily they run under their commandments, how obediently they bow at their beck & cum at their call, how deadly they hate their enemies, how deeply they love their friends, how charily they seek their goodwill, how childishly they fear their ill will, how gladly they take a good look, how sadly they receive a sour countenance, how foolishly they fulfil their desires, how fond they frame themselves to their fancies, how with looks they show their love, & with signs signify their goodwill, how it grieveth them to have any other looked upon or spoken to, how in the presence of their ladies they fry as hotly as Mount Aetna, how in their absence they freeze as coldly as the Hill Caucasus, how present they prefer suits, how absent they sand salutations, how present they flourish, how absent they fade: to conclude, how present they live, how absent they die. But on the other side, to weigh the dealings of their darlings towards them, it makes my heart sore to think, that any man should be so mad, as not utterly to abhor them. For, first while they see a man free from folly and without the compass of their cozenage, they fetch many a windlas to drive him into the nets of naughtiness, & to entrap him in their treachery: and if they perceive him so strongly armed with wisdom, that their bolstered beauty cannot blear his eyes, than forth with they go about to compass him with their sergeant courtesy, then, forsooth, they frame such friendly countenances towards him, and pretend to bear him so great goodwill, that he cannot (unless he will show himself altogether ungrateful and discourteous) but frame his fancy towards them again. Now, so soon as they see him reasonably well reclaimed to the lure of their alluring looks, they by and by stop the lure upon him, and 'cause him to hover in hope and teach him to fly a high pitch, for a pray of little profit or pleasure. For than they cast very coy countenances towards him, yea they will not so much as with a glance give any sign of goodwill: but when they have made him lie so long in the air, that he is ready either to take a stand, or soar away, they fling forth a train of treason, and cast some slattringe hope, and feigned fawning for him to feed on, jest his kindness by their coldness should quail, and so he retire his desire. But if they see him to be so sharp set, that he will stoop at every stolen, or know him to be an eyesse which will never away, then they make him fly and never serve him, they bangle him out and bob him as they list, than they keep themselves out of his sight to make him more sharp, then in his presence they lend loving looks to other, than they make the matter so strange, that he is driven to beegin again, and to renew his suit afresh. And the end of all this is, to sport themselves in his pain, to glory in his grief, and to triumph in his torments. Such malice they bear him that beareth them great goodwill. Yea he which loveth them best is sure to be handled the worst, for they know he is armed with love to endure the force of their fraud, & like an Ass to bear any burden which they shall lay on his back. Yea they will not stick to yield their bodies to some course quidem in a corner, rather than they will bestow on him one courteous countenance, such is their ill nature to cleave to the worst, and proudly to disdain him that humbly desireth them, and openly to reject all men though never so noble, and secretly to refuse no man though never so base. And as the Humble be flieth all the day in the pleasant air, and thinketh much to light even upon the sweet flowers, but at night taketh no scorn to lodge in a cows foul shared: so these dainty dames, in company think scorn to yield love to any, but in corners they care not to practise with some loathsome scullion, or horse boy. But if they think this lover, whom they have so daintily dealt withal, have oil to coal their furious flames, and be every way fit for their folly, he shall perchance, after this tedious toil, and long suit in the court of courtesy and conscience, be advised and admitted for a more speedy dispatch of his living, to enter his action in the common place: I mean, he shallbe received into their good grace and favour, and be now and then feasted with the best banquets in their bodies. But by that time the reckonning be paid, he shall find his cheer▪ so chargeable, that all things considered, he might have fared better far better cheap, at the most cutthroat Inn in a country. Then must the Chains, the Bracelets, the jewels, the Kings, the Diamonds, the Pearls, be provided: then must he buy for every part a piece, for every finger a fangle, for every toe a toy: then must their maids be moneyed, their bawds bribed, their scouts considered, their servants satisfied, and ever as they lie open to him so his purse must lie open to them and there's. And hereof cometh the spoil of a number of noble & lusty young Gentlemen: yea and the nobler blood and the franker heart they are of, the sooner & sorer is their decay & confusion. For like as the fire having stones cast into it doth only altar their colour and make them black, but cannot consume them, but having wood thrown into it, it wastes it clean away: so these cozening Curtizanes, if some hard metaled lover light unto their lot, they only altar his estate, and bring him from very wealth to somewhat needy, but if a free and frank child chance upon them, they wholly consume him body and goods. A thing surely on our part rather to be punished then pitied, who being by God endued with greater wits, should suffer ourselves so villainously to be vanquished by the weakness of women. But verily as Spiders convert to poison whatsoever they touch, so women infect with folly whom so ever they deal withal. And I think them made of God only for a plague and woe unto men, as their name importeth. And as Eve caused Adam to be deprived of Paradise, so I think her sex is ordained to deprive Adans' posterity of prosperiti. Yea in marriage itself where only they are counted necessary, I see not but that they are accompanied with more care than commodity, more cost than comfort, more pain than gain, more grief their good. Such falseness if they be fair, such silthinesse if they be foul, such wiles if they be witty, such fondness if they be fools, such proudnesse if they be noble, such rudeness if they be base, so nice if they be virtuous, such vice if they be vicious, such lustiness if they be young, such loathsomeness if they be old, such lightness if they be merry, such sullenness if they be sad, such often desire of sport if they be healthy, such seld in quietness if they be sikly, such unholsomnesse if they be barren, such quesinesse if they be with child, such longeing, such daintiness, such waiwardnesse: at all times in fare such fineness, in apparel such costlines, in household stuff such curiousness: at most times so immodest, such pouting, such lowringe, such chiding, such chafing, that to conclude with scripture, I think best for man not to touch a woman.  
Gentlewomen, you must understand, this Gentleman was in a great heat, and therefore you must bear with his bold blasphemy against your noble sex: for my part, I am angry with myself to have uttered it, & I shall like my lisping lips the worse for that they have been the instruments of such evil, neither shall I think them savoury again, until it shall please some of you to season them with the sweetness of yours. But yet he himself was so fully confirmed in this faith and belief, touching the frailty and fraud of women, that I think no torment, not not the fury of fire could have forced him to recant his opinion. For ever after, he fled all occasions of women's company, persuading himself, that as he which toucheth pitch shallbe defiled therewith, so he that useth women's company shallbe béeguiled therewith. And as the mouse having escaped out of the trap, will hardly be alured again with the enticing bait, or as the Hawk having been once canuassed in the nets, will make it dangerous to strike again at the stolen: so he having been caught in the snares of crafty counterfaytinge, and now having unwound himself thereout, and wone the fields offreedome, avoided all occasions which might bring him eftsoons into bondage. But man purposeth, and God disposeth, men determine, but the destinies do: for what shallbe, shallbe: no policy may prevent the power of the heavens, no doings of men can undoethe destinies. For he was so far of from being able to keep himself from bééinge in love with women, that he fallen in love with a senseless thing, a stone, an Image, (a just punishment for his rash railing against the florishinge feminine sex. For continuing (as I said before) his solitarily life, separated from the society of women, he consumed the most part of his time in carving & graving Images, & amongst all other his works, he made out of Marble the likeness of a proper wench (as by like) notwithstanding the new religion he was entered into, having most fancy to a feminine form, & having fashioned and finished it in the finest manner, he fell to looking on it: and as love first entereth in at the eyes, and from thence descendeth to the heart, so he looked so long thereon, that at length he fell in love with it, yea he was so wonderfully bewitched with it, that he fallen to embracing, kissing, and dallying with it. A monstrous miracle no doubt, and rather to be wondered at then credited: And yet I have herded of some that have been so possessed with melancholy passions, that they have thought themselves to be made of glass, and if they had go in any street, they would not come near any wall or house, for fear of breaking themselves: and so it may be that this Pygmalion thought himself some stone, and knowing that like agreed best with their like, he thought he could make no better a match, then to match himself to a stone. Or it may be he was one of those, whom after the general flood (as Ovid reporteth) Deucalion & his wife Pirraha made by casting stones at their backs: and then no marvel though he bear marvelous affection to stones, being made of stones. Or whether his religion were to love images, I know not: neither is it any more to be marveled at in him, then in an infinite number that live at this day, which love images right well, & verily persuade themselves the images have power to pray for them, & help them to heaven. Or whether it proceeded of this, that every one is lightly in love with that which is his own, I know not: but this I read reported of him, that when neither by the feeling of his senses, neither by the force of reason▪ neither by the assistance of time, neither by any other mean he could rid his tender heart of this stoany love, he took his image and laid it in his bed, as if it had been his bird, which done, he went to the temple of Venus, & there sending up sighs for sacrifices, and uttering his passions in steed of prayers, ruefully repenting his former rebellion against the majesty of the Goddess Venus, for that he had blasphemed wickedly against women, and neglected the laws and lore of love, and sought to lodge himself in liberty, he humbly requested her now to rue his ruthless case, and he would remain her thrall all the days of his life after. And that if it seemed good to her godhead to give him a wife, that she might be (he dared not say his image) but like unto his image. Venus' very well knowing what he meant by this request, remembering also the wrong which Penthea before had profred him, for that he loved her loyally the space of three or four years with out any reward, except it were double dissembling for his singular affection, & therefore had some reason to rage against women as he did, she thought herself bond in conscience to cure his calamity, and seeing how Idolatrously he was addicted to his Image, she put life into it, and made it a perfect woman. The like miracles we have had many wrought within these few years, when images have been made to bow their heads, to hold out their hands, to weep, to speak, etc. But to Pygmalion, who having done his devotions, returned to his lodging, and there according to custom fallen to kissing his Image, which seemed unto him to blush thereat, and taking better taste of her lips, they began to wax very soft and sweet, and entering into deeper dalliance with her, she bade him leave for shame, and was presently turned to a perfect proper maid. Which he seeing, magnified the might and power of Venus, joyfully took this maid unto his wife. And so they lived together long time in great joy and felicity.  
You have herded (Gentlewomen) what broad blasphemy the fickleness of Penthea caused unworthily to be blown forth against you all: wherefore to avoid the like, I am to admonish you that you prefer not newfangle friends beèfore old faithful friends: that you neither lightly leave the one, neither lightly love the other, for it is great lightness to do either the one or the other. And besides the incurring of the blot of inconstancy and wavering, it is very perilous for you to commit yourselves & your secrets to those, of whose trustiness you have made no trial. For all is not gold which glistereth, counterfeit coin showeth more goodly than the good: and it is most easy to deceive under the name of a friend. The common saying is, the change is seldom made for the better, and your own saying is, that of your servants you had rather keep those whom you know, though with some faults, then take those whom you know not, perchance with more faults. How much more than aught faithful friends to be kept and accounted of, whom you know to be perfectly good? They are not surely for any chance to beè changed, they are not for any respect to be rejected, they are the only jewels to be joyed in, the only pearls to be preserved, the only pillars to be trusted to. We like a picture made in marble, better than in wax, because it will last longer: we like the rich Diamond chief because it lasteth long, and will not lightly loose it bright hue: so likewise, you aught to like those friends best which last longest, & have lived longest with you. For you must consider, true friends are not like new garments, which will be the worse for wearing: they are rather like the stone of Scilicia, which the more it is beaten the harder it is: or like spices, which the more they are pounded, the sweeter they are, or like many wines, which the older they are the better they are. But to leave true friendship, and come to trifling friendship, consisting in pleasant privy practices, I would wish those women which deal that way (although they be no sheep of my flock, yet for their sex sake, I wish them well) I mould, I say, advise them to use wary heed in ridding away those friends they are weary of. It is a dangerous piece of work, and importeth as much as their good name cometh to, for if they shall, without discretion and great cause, disclaim a man's friendship, it is the next way (unless his government of himself be very great) to make him proclaim what friendship he hath had of them in times past. This was it which made Fausline so famous as she was: thi● is it which blazed the bruit of Blanch maria thorough out the world. And surely I know not well what counsel to give in this case, it is a matter of hard digestion to a man to see her become strange to him, who was wont to be most familiar with him, to have her his enemy, who was wont to be his friend. Therefore I would advise them to stick to their old friends still, but if they cannot frame their fickle nature to such firmness, the best way is, by little and little to estrange themselves from their friends, to pretend some earnest or honest cause, to profess that never any other shall possess that place with than, to promise' that in heart they willbe there's during life.   

Alexius.  
ALEXIVs given earnestly to follow the study of his book, and the knowledge of the liberal Sciences, is diligently exhorted by his father to take a wife, whereunto though unwillinge, he applieth himself, and is matched with such a one that in respect of her good graces, he uttereth great commendation of woman kind. But shortly after, falling into lothinge of that which before he most loved, he repenteth himself of his bargain, and forsaking both house, & wife, and all worldly pleasures, consumeth the remainder of his life in Pilgrimage, and travail.  
CIcero was of this opinion, that the greatest doubt which doth most deeply distress a young man, is to determine with himself, what life in this life it be best to enter into: wherein no doubt he had reason, for besides the diversity of lives which are to be choose, there is such a confused Chaos of conceits in young man's heads, that our wits are confounded with them, are lost as it were in a Labyrinth, not finding any way out: so that if we chance to enter into this deliberation, we are assoon in one vain, as soon in another, and so many veins so many vanities: if virtue draweth us one way, vice driveth us another way: if profit persuade one way, pleasure provoketh us another way: if wit way one way, will wresteth another way: if friends counsel one way, fancy forceth us another way: yea some like Horace his guests are so daintily disposed, that no life at all will like them. Kingdoms (they say) are but cares, in honour is envy, no majesty in mean estate, penury in poverty, in single life solitariness, in marriage troubles, and touching studies and faculties, divinity is contemptuous, Physic filthy, law laboursome, touching other trades of life, merchandise is but base, the country life is clownish, warfare is dangerous, in travail is peril, living at home is obscure, yea what life so ever it be they count it loathsome: so that it is hard sore them to resolve upon any one, who can frame themselves to fancy none. But for such as couét to be of the corporation of the common wealth, and to be profitable members thereof, I think these two points in this choice of our life chief to be considered. First, that we apply ourselves to that life whereto by nature we are chiefly inclined, for it is not possible well to go forward in any thing, Inuita Minerva, nature not consenting thereto. Then, not so to addict ourselves to any one life, but that we may adopt ourselves to another, if need shall require. For no man is so surely settled in any estate, but that fortune may frame alteration: like as no ship saileth so directly to the wished haven, but that some contrary wind may convert her course against the wrackful rocks. Which may be justified by the example of a young Gentleman named Alexius, who being settled in a steadfast state of life, as was to be thought, yet was he driven to change, and change again. For first being desirous to pass the pilgrimage of this short life in pleasure, he avoided (so near as he could) all worldly vanities, reposing his chief pleasure in searching out the sacred skill of learned books, so that study was his only pleasure in prosperity, his only solaco in adversity, his only exercise being fresh, his only refreshing being weary, his only sport, his only play. And notwithstanding he had good skill in hawking, hunting, dicing, carding, with such like, and sometime for recroation sake used them, yet he counted all those pastimes a pain, in the respect of the pleasure which study procured him. His Father seeing him settled in this solitary life, seemed to mislike thereof, and dissuaded him from it, in this sort.  
I see, son, there is nothing so good, but by ill using may be made nought, and true, that saying is, that every excess is turned into vice. I mean your study, which of itself is laudable, yet the immoderate use thereof makeeth it rather to be reprehended, then commended: and while you seek your own careless security, you neglect your country's commodity, and live (like a drone by the honey) of other man's hands, and by the sweet of other man's sweat. For you must know, all the praise of virtue consists in doing, from the which to be withdrawn with the doubt of danger or trouble, is a sign of one which prefereth his own private safety, before the common society. And yet he that will not endeavour to defend other, is commonly left destitute of help himself. What won Archimedes by his earnest study, who while Marcellus won his city Syracusis, was so busily drawing figures of Geometry in the ground, that he known not the city was taken, and Marcellus sending for him to come unto him, he answered he would not come, until he had finished his figures, whereupon the messenger in a great rage finished his life: An end fit for all such, who to satisfy their own minds, will not satisfy their duties to their rulers, Country and common wealth. Therefore I think good, you leave this labourlesse life, and to enter into the world, and take a wife, whereby you may become a profitable and fruitful member of your country. You know the law maker Lycurgus valued in a manner with man●ears, those which would of set purpose abide barren, saying, that he did in a manner deprive a man of life, which did not help to bring a man into this life, when he might: and the difference is little, beetween doing an injury, and suffering an injury to be done, when one may prohibit it. You know also the reproach which he suffered that ancient unmarried captain Dercillidas to receive, who passing by a young princocks, had no reverence done unto him (which among the Lacedæmonians was the greatest dishonour that might be) the Captain complaining hereof, the young man answered him, why sir, you have got none which may do reverence to me when I come to age, and therefore it is no reason you receive that honour at my hands: which answer Lycurgus allowed of, thinking none worse Citizens than such as would not marry. Wherefore if you will avoid the like inconvenience, and frame yourself to enter into that honourable state, I will departed with such part of my living unto you, that you shallbe able to live in good credit and countenance in your country, and have cause to think your life as pleasant as this you now lead.  
Alexius having diligently given ear to his father's words, dutifully made answer in this sort.  
Sir, if it please you, I am of this opinion, that a good thing, can not be to much used, and that the more common it is, the more commendable it is, neither is it possible to seek learning to much, whereof there was never any man yet but had to little: and I think it shame to cease from seeking, when the thing sought, is the only thing worthy to be thought. For what toil can seem tedious to find the way to wit, and path to prudency, the line of life and vain of virtue? And for the commodity of my country. I doubt not, but you know, that the studious standithe common wealth in as great steed, as the industrious otherwise. Yea who first brought men within the compass of a common wealth but only the learned? Who brought them from savagenes to civilnes, was it not the learned? Who reduced them from rage to reason, was it not the learned? Who brought them into the society of a city, who prescribed them laws, who taught them religion, who invented marriage itself, which you are so earnest to have me enter into, was it not the learned? Yes not doubt, learning is the life of the common wealth, the maker and mayntainer of it. I must confess that those which use trades of travail in the common wealth, do much good to the common wealth, but I must say, the learned do more good. I must confess that soldiers often defend the common wealth: but I must say that learning must lead them, otherwise they will sooner offend it, then defend it. I must confess that soldiers often win wealth to their country: but I must say that Senators must keep it, and the cunning to keep, is no less comen dabble then the courage to get, and courage god knoweth is little worth abroad, unless there be good counsel at home. For what worthy exploits did any captain ever achieve abroad, but by the advise of counselors at home? As the valiant victory which Themistocles had over Salamis, was achieved by the counsel of the Senate which Solon had constituted. The overthrow of Carthage was wrought by the advise of Cato a counsellor. The destruction of Troy was wrought not by lusty prowess, but by learned policy. The taking of Babylon by Darius, was not done by the strength of his army, but by the skilful subtlety of his servant Zopyrus. And so almost in all notable victories, policy prevaileth above power. Which was the cause that Agamemnon in the siege of Troy, wished rather for ten such as Nestor (who was a grave counsaylour) then for ten such as Ajax (who was a valiant captain): that Traianus the Emperor, when he went into the camp, ever had Dion the Philosopher with him in his own chariot: that Alexander never went into the field without the philosopher Calisthenes' with him: Zerxes never without Damarathus: that Alexander had evermore Homer his Iliads lying under his bed's head: that julius Caesar studied in the night, and set down in writing, the which he did in the day: that Epaminondas, Mithridates, Themistocles, Adrian, Marcus Antonius, Marcus Aurelius, Alcibiades, Scipio, Brutus, Hannibal, Alphonsus, Solomon, David, with infinite other, who were courageous Capitains and Kings, gave themselves most earnestly to study and learning. For they very well knew he could not be a perfect captain, which was not perfectly seen in all sciences and learning. In Grammar, to attain to the latin tongue, and by it to the knowledge of other tongues, whereby he may not be deaf and dumb among those with whom he shall have to deal in war. In Rhetoric, cheerfully to persuade his soldiers to such enterprises as he would have them attempt. In Logic, probably to reason with his soldiers in doubtful matters, which are to be discussed amongst them. In Arithmetic to number his soldiers, to divide them into bands, as best may serve for the battle. In Geometry, to measure the ground, to judge of the distance of places, whereby he may cast his trenches, raise his bulwarks, & place his ordinance and munition to most advantage. In Astronomy, to know the course of the stars, the place of the Poles, the sight of the Zones, and such like, whereby he may be able to direct his army by night (either on sea or land) into what coasts he shall have occasion. In Music, to recreate himself being weary, to sing Psalms praises to God for the victory. And as these seven liberal sciences are showed to be most necessary for a captain: so is there no art or knowledge but aught to be known unto him. Philosophy, to take away the terror of death, to ease the evil of grief, to cool the heat of hate, to bridle rage with reason, to turn rashness to stayednes, as it did in Fabius the noble captain qui cunctando restituit rem: to mortify the desires of the flesh, as it did in Alexan. towards the wife & daughters of Darius: to increase abstinency, as it did in the same Alexa. who having been three or four days without food, would eat nothing himself till all his soldiers were satisfied: to make patient in pain as it made Marius abide martiring without binding: to teach to endure hardness, as it made Agesilaus to go almost naked in the midst of winter, that his soldiers by his example might do the like: to teach to set little by riches, to despise vain glory, to avoid infamy, with infinite other commodities, wherewith philosophy doth furnish us. Cosmography, to know the situation of cities and countries, to take the opportunity of mountains, woods, and waters. Surgery, to beale his wounds. Physic, to cure his diseases, and keep himself in health. Law, to Minister justice to his soldiers, to divide the booty indiffently amongst them, to observe inviolably the law of arms. Divinity, to dehort his soldiers from swearing, from blaspheming, from drinking, from whoring, and in the hour of death from despairing. So that counsel, learning and knowledge aught to be the chief weapons and complete harness of a captain, yea knowledge is the armour of proof which neither Cannon, Hargabus, nor Pistol can péerce. And what commodity is in courage without counsel, may be seen by many rash coustictes of many raw captains. And not to touch any of f●esh memory, it may please you only to call to your remembrance one Callicratides, who being captain of the Lacedæmonians, in an expedition against the Athenians, was advised by the Senate not to encounter with them, but to remove his navy from them, till more convenient opportunity might be taken: but he thinking it would have been some derogation to his manhood somewhat to have retired, at all adventure ventured upon them, to his own utter overthrow, and to the great weakening of the wealth of his common weal and country. If then learning be so necessary to war (whereto many think it rather a hindrance, as the french nobility forsooth at this day scarce dareth deal with it, for fear of marring their martial feats) how needful must we think it to other parts of the common wealth? Can the Prince set forth God's glory, and see to the realms safety? can the nobility provide for the preservation of their prince and country's commodity? can divines truly preach the gospel? can judges duly minister justice, can lawyers defend the innocent, can Physicians heal the sick, yea in war can the surgeons cure the wounded without learning? Can merchants safely pass the dangerous seas without skilful Pilots? Can they mutually traffic and bring in necessaries into the realm without skilful interpreters? To be short, there is nothing done to the country's commodity, whereto there is not had the help of skill and learning. So that learning and wit is the only wealth of each country, the only conqueror in war, the only preserver of peace. Litigiousnes without learning can do no good, Mars without Minerva can make no good mart. Therefore (sir) well you may restrain me from study, but you shall never dissuade me from it. And whereas you persuade me to enter into the state of matrimony, I can not but think that the great desire you have to do me good, doth so dim your understanding, that you perfectly know not what will do me good, otherwise you would not go about to bring me (as they say) out of God's blessing into a warm sun. For if you known the commodities of this life, which I now lead, & considered the discommodities of that life you would have me to lead, I know you would never counsel me to cleave to the one and leave the other. In this such quiet, in that such care, in this such purity, in that such pravity, in this such virtue, in that such vanytie, in this such contentation, in that such vexation, in this such caulmes, in that such storms, in this such safety, in that such jeopardy, in this such felicytie, in that such misery, that I much muse that you yourself murmur not at the miseries in marriage, and seek to be settled in the sweet solace of single life again.  
The people called Massagetes living in mountains without houses, enacted this law among them, that every inhabitant should have two tons, or fat's, in the one should lie the husband, sons, and men servants, in the other the wives, daughters, and maid servants, they never eat together but on holy days, and may not lawfully lie together, but only once a week. Pompeius' having occasion to travel that way, demanded of them, why they lived in the separated sort? They answered him, The gods had given them but short time to live on the earth, which they meant to spend quietly, which being together with their wives, they said they could never do. And Lycurgus himself, whom you allege in commendation of marriage, was almost of the Massagetes mind, for he willed men not to lie continually with their wives, but to use their company seldom and by stealth, whereby you may see that marriage is a dangerous thing, and daintily to be dealt with all, and that he had need to be armed with more years than I am, that shall venture upon it. For my part, if you be so content, I mean to continued as I am, and not to change for the worse, and with Glaucus to give golden harness for Diomedes his brazen, or a precious stone for a barley corn with Aesop's cock. His Father seeing how he was bend, willed him to do as he would, and half angry, left him to his own liking.  
I have hitherto (Gentlewomen) done you some wrong in framing my talk to the condition and capacity of these Gentlemen, who, as you hard at dinner, held so hotly that learning was not necessary for a captain, now I will perform my promise to you, and I will not only pay you the principal, but because you have so quietly forborn your due so long, you shall hear I will yield you some interest beside.  
May it please you then to know, that Alexius seeing how desirous his Father was to have him marry, thought it the part of an obedient child, to apply himself to the pleasure of his parents, and to enter into that trade of life wherein his father before him had trodden: whereupon he somewhat intermitted his earnest study, and began to peruse those books, which treated but of little learning, & in steed of schools, frequented those places where at the first being a fresh man for the principles of his science, he was taught with looks, not with letters, and with the eyes, not with the mouth: well in short space it fortuned one of his good instructors, by lending him a look to learn him such a lesson (as best wits are soon caught by Cupid) that he could not be quiet till he had got out alone by himself perfectly to con it: where he said it without book in this sort.  
I perceive now that saying is true, that the greatest clarks are not the wisest men, and that in respect of experience, learning is little to be accounted of. For I see the foolishness of my Father (if it were possible there should be any in him) to be far better than all my wisdom and learning. He only knoweth what is profitable, what is pleasant for me. He knoweth and he told me, but I would not then béeleeve him, that the married life is the only life. Well, now I see it to be so indeed. Good god what good did those loving looks only, which that lovely wench cast upon me, do me? what then may I judge of the rest, if only looks like me so well? no never any work of other man's, or invention of mine own, never any History, Comedy, Oration, or Verse, have procured me half the pleasure, as this beautiful book hath. Therefore now farewell Minerva, welcome Venus, farewell Aristotle, welcome Ovid, farewell Muses, welcome maidens, farewell learning, welcome Ladies. But what shall I thus neglect God's commmaundement, wisdoms lore, my fathers he●es, and give myself over to fond and foolish love? Why, as though God allowed not of marriage, as though Pallas herself were not subject to love, as though my father himself did not in a manner force me hereto? Yes I will evidently let this my goddess understand my goodwill, I will humbly crave her love again, I will make my father privy to my practice, I will 'cause all the friends I have to further the marriage between us.  
Now this young Pun● having perfectly learned his first lesson, and liking it very well, was taken forth another lesson, he was taught now forsooth his parts of speech, he was driven to speak for himself, to prefer many pitiful prayers, to feign, to flatter, to vow, to promise', to swear, to make verses, to writ letters, and to use all means to prove his own love, and to purchase hers, and this lecture also liked him well enough, for that in that he was otherwise a good scholar, & endued with a good wit, he was well able every way to discharge it, & besides that the gentlewoman seemed at length almost willing to be won to his wil Then he proceeded further in his learning, and came to numbers, he was driven to number and tell out his coin, and to buy rings, tablets, chains, and such like, to send to his mistresses, as tokens of true love, to link liking, and to bind fast the bargain. After this, he attained to the knowledge of the articles, for now articles must be drawn of their agreement, her jointer must be appointed, all the conveyances concerning this contract are concluded. This lesson neither disliked him, for that his father was able every way to perform it. Immediately upon this, the marriage day was appointed, and he must needs take forth one lesson more, to be fully instructed, and now forsooth he is come to the conjunction of cases, and joining of genders together. And this was the lesson in deed that liked him, this he thought the lesson of all lesson, that only lesson which led to perfect learning, that only instruction which truly taught right construction, the only lesson of life, the only pathway to Paradise. This lesson he soon had learned, and yet thought with himself that he never had sufficiently learned it, which made him in short time make repetition of it a thousand times. And for recreation after his study, his exercise always was either to triumph of his own happiness, either to trifle and talk with his mistresses, either in verse curiously to commend her, or else in prose lively to paint forth the praise of women, and among many other his frantic fancies, he presented in writing to his wife, this much in effect.  
As it somewhat easeth the afflicted to utter their annoy, so no doubt, it greatly increaseth our happiness to express our joy. And I am persuaded that all the delightful things we see, all the joyful things we hear, and all the pleasant things we feel, would procure us little pleasure, if we had no means to manifest them, or friends to impart them to. Therefore I will unfold my joys to my joy, my pleasures to my Peragon, my mirth to my mistress. For who ever swam in such seas of delight? who ever bathed in more perfect bliss? for first, what could I have wished more of God then to have mine own Father the author, the béeginner, the persuader, the practiser, the furtherer, and the finisher of my felicity? to impart unto me his counsel, to departed with his coin, to give me his goods, to leave me his lands, & to do more for me then I had either reason to require, or so much as dared to desire? O Father, thou only knowest how to bless thy children? then what more happiness could hap unto me then to have a wife, whose countenance coveteth only to content me, whose looks are framed only to my liking, whose words are only wrested to my will, whose deeds are only directed to my delight, whose beauty then the sun beams is more bright, whose bounty, wit and virtue is more rare then to be comprehended in a mortal wight, who in shape Venus, in wit passeth Pallas herself, who is the only star which giveth right light, who is the only worship of the world, the only honour of her age, the only Phoenix of the earth, whose government is such, that she can guide herself wisely in all companies, in all causes, whose discretion is such, that she can apply herself fitly to all times, to all places, to all people, who loveth me so loyally, that I cannot but like it, who honoureth me so dutifully, that I cannot look for more, who at all times entertaineth me so courteously, that I cannot but be content with it, who daily filleth my ears with such sugared words, that they can not but delight me, who at board feedeth me so daintily that a prince would be pleased with it, who at bed feasteth me so delicately that Cupid himself would be glad of it? O Mistress, thou only knowest how to make thy husband happy. But what marvel is it to see a good tree bring forth good fruit? what wonder is it to see one woman good, when there are none ill? And how is it possible there should be any ill, when the matter whereof they are made, & causes whereof they come are right good? For first they are made of the purified metal of man, whereas man was made of the gross earth: And as in stills out of herbs is got pure water: so out of man was got the pure metal of women, as may be plainly perceived by the fineness of their form, by the softness of their flesh, by the clearness of their colour & such like. Then for the constitution of their bodies, they are most commonly cold, by reason whereof they are most patiented, modest, mild, and merciful, most constant without lightness, most continent without lewdness, neither offend, either in excess of meat, either in fleshly heat, so often as men of fiery and hot complexions do. Besides that, the purity of their bodies may be perceived by this, that no corruption coming by the grossness of meat or otherwise, can continued long within them, but that they have continually evacuation of all ill humours: such force hath that which is fine, to expel that which is filthy. And as their bodies are most perfect, so also their souls are most pure. For whereas men receive from Adam original sin, women are altogether void of that infection, which may be partly conjectured by the excellency of many of their complexions, & clearness of their skins: so that no man almost would think that there could lurk any loathsomeness to be misliked of, under so cumly a covert as their fair faces are, but only they that have proved the contrary. But notwithstanding this perfection wherewith they are endued, yet (as things most excellent are ever most envied) their want not those which want so much government, that they will not stick earnestly to inveigh against the noble feminine sex, and amongst the rest (as who is so bold as blind bayard.) Mantuan like a mad man, most rudely and rashly raveth and raileth against them. But his words are so void of wit, and his railing so without reason, that if he were alive, I think him rather with torments to be confounded, then with arguments to be confuted. Before him Aristotle, as an Ass sotted with over much study maketh a great speak, saying: women are monsters in nature, and he allegeth a profound reason to prove it, for that nature, forsooth, always intends to bring forth that which is most perfect, and therefore would bring forth only men if she might. Apythy argument, he reasoneth as though it were granted him, that men were more perfect then women, which with all his philosophy, he shall never be able to prove. And if he make this reason, that the male is ever more perfect than the female, nature herself will quickly confute him, who in most of her creatures hath made the female far more perfect than the male. And not to use many instances, what need we go any farther than consider the kind of Hawks, where we shall see the Goshauke far better than the Tossell, the Gerfaulcon than the Gerkin, the Lanar then the Lanaret, the Spar●hauke than the Musket, and so of all the rest. But Aristotle can make a better reason, for that women by mutual conjunctions receive their perfection from men, a reason truly without all reason. What woman was ever more perfect then the virgin Mary, who never known man? Then the Roman vestal virgins? Then our vowed virgins, who continued the whole course of their life without the company of men? But Ceny forsooth being a maid desired to be made a man. But will you know the cause? Not for that she coveted to be of the kind of man, but that she might be free from the filthiness which men did force her to (for before she had been ravished by Neptune) like as the little chick being caught by the kite, would wish with all his heart he were a Kite, and yet the kind of Kites is not to be thought better than of the chicken. But to leave Aristotle his railing reasons, and to reason indifferently of the matter, what one perfection any way are men endued withal, that women want? Do men (I say) either in natural wit, either in politic government, either in valiant courage, either in skill and learning, either in virtue and living, any thing excel them? And first for wit, Aristotle himself proveth them to be more apt in wit, for that they are more soft in flesh, and we ourselves have a common saying among us, that women are never without an excuse, which is a sure sign of a most sharp and ready wit. And if I were driven to allege examples of witty women, I could recite whole countries, to wit, Flaunders, Holland, Zealand, and most of the low countries, where the women wittily deal in all things, discreetly order their households, courteously entertain strangers, and wisely wield most weighty affairs, whereas the men deal only with drink, and like drunken dolts lie under the board. In France also, the Gentlewomen generally are more witty in words, and eloquent in talk them the men. The like no doubt may be truly reported of divers other nations. Then for politic government, is it likely that they, who can govern themselves and their affections discreetly, their families and households orderly, are to seek in the polytike government of public matters? For (no doubt) it is far more easy to see wittily into other man's affairs then into our own: and Solon saith, that they only are fit to govern other, who can well guide themselves, neither is the difference so great between a private family and public society, but that they which can govern the one, may wield the other. Again, seeing in matters of love (which blind the wisest men that are) women can deal so politicly, that though they themselves bear great affection to a man, yet they will so handle the matter that they shall humbly make suit unto them, and earnestly desire them to it, which they of them selves most earnestly desire, seeing in privy stealths they can practise so politicly that their husbands, though never so wary, shall never be ware of it, but rather the more they are deceived, dote the more of them. Is it to be thought they are to learn of men, or any way inferior to them, in the convaigh of ordinary accidents, and matters of common moment? But women are not admitted to the administration of the common wealth: but what forsooth is the cause? For soothe the malicious spite of men: and I may say it to myself, it standeth us upon so to do, for if they should be allowed to execute public offices, whereby their discreet and good government might be generally known, it were greatly to be feared that we should be set to the clout and kitchen another while, and they placed in those offices, which we now, not so worthy of them, wrongfully usurp. And yet to the intent all such bright lights should not be put under a bushel, it hath pleased god to set some of them on the hills of high estate, to give light of life and good government to the whole world: as namely the wife of Aeneas, named Lavinia, after his death governed the most turbulent state of Italy, with such policy and wisdom, that though the title of her husband to the kingdom were very tickle, being a Trojan & stranger, though her neighbours on every side were given to spoiling, encroaching, oppressing, and usurping, yet she kept her people in peace, and her kingdom quiet, until her son Ascanius came to ripe years, & then safely set him in the regal seat and royal dignity of his father. As Deborah for her wit and policy was appointed judge over the Israelits, by whose counsel and courage that courageous captain & capital enemy to the Israelits, named Sysara was subdued. But what should I rehearse examples of the politic government of women, whereas laws (the only ground of all good government) were first invented and made by Ceres, a woman?  
Therefore to the third point, which is valiant courage: wherein we ourselves confess them to be nothing inferriour unto us, in that we say women are always desirous of sovereignty, which evidently argueth a noble and haughty mind. besides that, how much weaker their bodies are then man's, so much the more strength and virtue is contained in their minds. For it is the justice of God commonly, to supply the debility of the body, with the might of the mind. Again, how much shorter lived are they then men, according to Aristotle his opinion, so much the more virtue of body and mind they are endued withal. Like as by daily experience, we see that those children which are destined to death in the prime time of their life, are far more witty, discreet, & perfect every way, than those who have long time granted them to live on earth. Lastly, if particularyties might prove a generality, what man was ever more courageous than Semiramis, who in the habit & apparel of a man governed the Assyrians, most courageously? then Tomiris, who slew the mighty King Cyrus most valiantly? then the wives of the city of Scio, who repulsed their enemies most reprochefully? with infinite other, who in stoutness of stomach, and couragiousnes of mind, have been equal to any man, that ever had any praise for his prows and virtue. The fourth point is learning, which to be proper as it were to women may be proved by this, that the Muses the authors of all learning were women. It may be said that the people called the Latins lent us much learning, but it must be said that a woman named Nicostrata first taught them their letters. It may be said that Athens hath been the author of many arts, but it must be said y●▪ Aspasia instructed Pericles the Duke thereof in learning. Solomon was most wise and learned, yet Saba was able to dispute with him. Zenobia had learned sons, but she herself taught them. So that it is evident that women are rather the author of learning, than any way inferior to men in learning. The last point is virtuous life. Alas it grieveth me to think how far we come behind in this comparison. How strange is it to hear a woman to be a swearer, a stealer, a murderer, a traitor, a rebel, an extortioner, a perjurer, a cosener, or any such like▪ To our shame I speak it, we wallow in those wickednesses. How hard again is it to find a man of continent conversation, of modest manners, of mild mind, of gentle disposition, of courteous inclination, of pitiful heart? To their praise I speak it, women abound in those virtues. So that to speak indifferently, between the life of men and women, is as much difference as between light and darkness, beetween virtue and vice, between God and the devil. Therefore, seeing women excel men in perfection of body & soul, in wit and government, in courage, in learning, in life & conversation, what marvel is it if my mistresses make me happy? what wonder is it if she win me to her will? what meed do I deserve, if I serve her all the days of my life? For duty no doubt is due unto her, and I think my service not sufficient to show the goodwill which I am bound to bear her.  
You have hard (Gentlewomen) what praise Alexius for his mistresses sake hath bestowed upon you all, which I doubt will drive you into so good an opinion of yourselves, that you will think so mean a man as myself not worthy of your company: but I would wish you to take heed, for in so doing you might show yourselves to want that wit and courtesy which Alexius hath attributed unto you, and if you prove him false in one point, it is as likely he hath lied in all the rest. But to speak my fancy freely of the praise which he hath given you, though some particular examples be so manifestly true, that all the world doth acknowledge them, yet his general reasons are altogether sophistical and full of fallacies, set forth without any lively colour, only with feigning & painting: and the fine Marble you know needeth no painting, that is needful only for ragged walls. I mean not that he meant women were ragged walls, and therefore painted them out in such sort, but surely the sequel of his doings was such, that it evidently appeared he thought not so well of women in deed as he set forth in words. For having (as I said before) often said his lesson of the conjunction of cases & genders together upon the book, and either seeing it impossible to attain it without the book, either being weary with the often repetition of it, either sing there was no end in it, or else being desirous to learn farther and take forth a new lesson, he left this lesson with despair, and proceeded to the declensons, he began now to decline, which lesson he said to himself in this sort.  
Good God I see there is satiety of all things, & Honey itself, if one have to much of it, seemeth nothing sweet unto him. How unpleasant now seemeth the pleasure of practising with my mistresses, which but even now I thought heavenly happiness? How are my fiery flames vanished to dead coals? How is my lust turned to lothsomenesse? but what should be the cause of this sudden alteration? The beauty of my mistresses blazeth as brightly as ever it did, her affection towards me is as fervent as ever it was, and my flesh as apt to follow folly as ever it was. The cause is this, I perceive by this pleasure of the body my mind to be molested. I see that by this vanity vice hath vanquished virtue in me, I see hereby my wit dulled, my understanding blinded, my memory weakened, my senses sotted, and all my parts able to play but one part, which is pleasantly to practise with my mistresses. I see hereby all exercise of virtue, all respect of religion, all care of godliness utterly extinguished in me. I see pleasure the very pathway to perdition, I see women the way to wrack and ruin. Which seeing I see, shall I wilfully work mine own destruction? shall I greedily devour the bait, which I know hath a hook hidden in it to hurt me? shall I frequent the pleasure, which I know will turn to poison? shall I continued her company, which will convert to my confusion? shall I with the Dog redire ad vomitum? shall I with the devil, dessendere ad infernum? shall I prefer a fair wife before a verthous life? my goddess before my God? transitory pleasure, before eternal bliss? Not, let me first seek my beloved, who is gone down into his garden to the beds of his spicery to gather up Lilies, and then shall I know how to love my earthly beloved as I aught to do. First let me lay up for myself treasure in heaven, and then shall I enjoy true pleasure in earth. First let me seek the heavenly kingdom, and then shall I abound in earthly bliss. First let me learn to serve my Lord aright, and then shall I serve my Lady without any vain delight.  
Ever after this, this Gentleman gave himself to such godliness, that he gave over all vain delights of the flesh, reposing his chiefest pleasure in divine contemplations: and seeing the sight of his sweet Mistress to be a great hindrance to his heavenly cogitations, he altogether separated himself from her company, left friends and country, and spent the remaindour of his life in pilgrimage & travel.  
You Gentlemen may learn hereby not to dote to much of wives or women, but to use them as necessary evils, and that if you be bidden to the heavenly banquet, you aught not to return answer that you have married a wife, and therefore cannot come, but rather to forsake wife and wealth, & take up the cross of Christ and follow him as Alexius did.  
You Gentlewomen may also learn hereby, not to repose any permanent pleasure in practising with your husbands, but only to use their company as a solace, to sweeten the sourness of this life withal, and to think that such superstitions love towards your husbands, doth withdraw you from the true love which you aught to bear towards god. But I could preach better to you in a more pleasant matter, I will leave this text to master parson, who while he is unmarried I warrant you will dissuade you so earnestly from such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doting on your husbands, that he will not stick to tell you besides that you aught to have no respect of people▪ 〈◊〉 to love an other man or himself so well as your husband●▪   
FINIS.   

Printed at London, by R. W.