Upon the Frontispiece.  

HE that in words explains a Frontispiece,  
Betrays the secret trust of his Device:  
Who cannot guess, where Mott's and Embl●…mes be,  
The drift, may still be ignorant for me.   
  

THE ARCADIAN PRINCESS; OR, THE TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE:  
Prescribing excellent rules of Physic, for a sick justice..  
Digested into four Books, And Faithfully rendered to the original Italian Copy,  
By RI. BRATHWAIT Esq.  Uulnera clausa potius cruciant. Greg. 
LONDON, Printed by Th. Harper for Robert Bostocke, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Church yard, at the sign of the King's head. 1635.   

〈◊〉 7. 1634.  
REc●…nsui hanc Versionem Operis Mariani Sile●…ii Florentcu●… 〈◊〉, The Arcadian Princess, or Physic for a sick Iustice, &c: unà cum vita author is annexa, quae continet folia 75. aut circa, in quibus nihil reperio sanae doctrin●… aut bonis ●…oribus contrarium quo 〈◊〉 cum p●…blica utilitate imprimatur, sub ea tamen conditione ut si non intra annum proxime sequentem typis mandetur, haec licentia ●…it omnino irrita.  
〈◊〉 HAYWOOD.   

TO The excellent Model of true Nobility; the Right Honourable, Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, Baron Herbert, Lord of Chepstow, Ragland and Gower; all correspondence to his recollected'st thought.  
SIR;  
I Have here sent you an Italian plant, translated to an English plat: whose flower will not appear half so delightful to your Smelling, as the fruit will become 〈◊〉 for preserving. You shall here meet with an Author walking in an unbeat path. One, who discurtains the vices of that Time so smoothly, though smartly, as his continued Allegory pleads his Apology. A right Italian wit shall your Honour find him, quick & sprightly: & of eminent race and rank in his Country. And it is my joy, to address a Work so richly intervened with strains of wit and judgement, to one, whom descent and desert have equally ennobled; and who with so clear and discerning a spirit can judge of it. Now, if this new dress do not become him, all that I can say in mine own defence is this, and no other; there is great difference betwixt Tailor and Translator: Sure I am, that the Loom is the same, if not the Lustre; the Stuff the same, though not the Colour: wherein He freely appeals to your Censure, who hath professed himself  
Your Honours in duest observance,  
RI. BRATHWAIT.   

TO THE DESERVING READER.  
DEserving Reader; every Author, as this scribbling age goes, may find a Reader well worthy his Labour; but very few Authors publish such Works as deserve the labour of a discerning Reader. Like to some of our PorcupineTheatrall Pantomimes, who dare adventure in their spongy Labours, begot of a barmy spirit, and other no●…ious vapours, to display a Gentlewoman in her compleatest Nature; though they err egregiously in her favour, figure and feature. Peruse this, and return me answer, if it be not worth thy Labour to bestow an hour or two in the Reading of this Author. Foreign he is, and yet familiar; choice and dainty his conceits, yet allayed with so sweet a temper, as they retain in them the relish of a good nature. So free his invention, and so clear from invection, as it admits no sinister inver●… nor intention. Whatsoever he 〈◊〉 inserts, holds apt proportion and connexion with 〈◊〉 Subject whereo●… he treats. So as, being not only a Stranger, but so discerning an Author, he can expect no less than a Candid censure from so deserving a Reader.   

THE TESTIMONY OF SABAEUS AMNIANUS, touching Mariano Silesio; with his judgement of his Work, entitled, The Arcadian Princess; or, The triumph of justice..  
WHat pregnancy of conceit, and gravity of judgement, that Learned Florentine Silesio expressed, may appear by those excellent Labours of his: wherein he addressed his Pen to Subjects of diverse natures, according to those occasional employments, wherein he stood engaged. His youth he bestowed in Poesy; wherein he showed that vivacity and quickness: as the Court of Florence resounded with the fame of his ●…imensions. In his riper years, he became employed in affairs of high consequence: being twice elected by the vote and suffrage of the whole State for an Ambassador to the Genueses: where he demeaned himself in such sort, as he was with no less cautious observance admired abroad, than with all honour entertained at his return home. But growing old, and wearied with the mannagement of public affairs: he desired to retire, and in his retirement to address the remainder of his days to some profitable works which might live in his death, and to posterity reviuè the memory of his life. Amongst which, he composed a work (in my judgement) of exquisite wit, entitled the Arcadian Princess: wherein both language, and Invention discovered their Masterpiece. He died An▪ Dom. 1368. And interred with great solemnity in the Latmian arch.   

THE OP●…ION OF Corranus Amnensis touching Silesio: with his judgement of his works; and of those, his high approvement of that Masterpiece, entitled The Arcadian Princess.  
WIth what pregnancy of wit, and solidity of judgement the everliving Silesio, whom to silen●… were to detract from the fame of Florence, was endowed, may sufficiently appea●…e by his exq●…isite Labours. In which Art and Nature so sweetly contend●…d, as they erected such trophies in hi●… lines, which exceeded the bounds of Fate, or Time, to be by oblivion blemished; or by neglect seized. He was descended of a noble Family, which he renowned by his own actions, by making his own pen the surviving Annual of her memory. He was twice elected by the general voice and vote of the State, for Ambassador to the Genue●…s: where he demeaned himself with such cautious reservance and judicious prudence, as he became no less admired abroad where he stood interessed, than honoured at home when he returned. But wearied with affairs of State, and desiring much retirement, he privately withdrew himself into the Country; where willing to publish some Works, by leaving to the world, before he left the world, such legacies of his love, in his life, as might live in his death; he composed div●…rs Subjects of infinite benefit and approvement to the State. Howbeit, in his younger years he stood much affected to Poesy; wherein he so excelled, as his Poems were held equal with those enlivened composures of Tasso's. His Invention was much employed in his youth, (which time he bestowed in observance of the Court) in Court-Maskes and other theatral presentments; wherein none ever contended with him, who in the end did not ingenuously veil unto him. But growing to riper years, he retired from these, and accommodated his style to the maturity of his time. In which serious studies such accomplishment seconded his retirement, as his private recluse could not be free from concourse: so highly did such as perused him, lov●… him, as they desired nothing more than to live with him. Amongst others of his Labours, during his retire, he wrote a Book entitled the Arcadian Princess, which he caused to be transcribed and sent to Florence; a Work in my opinion, of incomparable worth, for Language and Invention. That Parthenius, of whom he makes such honourable mention, was such a favourite of the Muses, as so many Poems of his as are extant, have equalled, if not surpassed those Moenian Measures of Petronius. Having thus flourished for many years, with much fame in Florence, and enjoyed the sweetness of many retired hours in his Country repose, He bade the world farewell with a smile. Anno Dom. 
This Aut●…or differs from the f●…rmer 〈◊〉 th●… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  1368. And was interred with all solemnity in the Lemnian arch.   

THE TESTIMONY OF Adrianus Barlandus, touching Silesio: in his Historical observations on Florence.  
SIlent I should be touching Silesio; but being daily versed in the perusal of his Labours, I might seem conscious to myself of envying his worth, if I should seek to obscur●…, what my judgement doth so highly admire. Truth is, he lived long before us, yet lives he still with us. For though he die, his Annals live. Now, to render him in his true effigies and expressive Character; He was an Eloquent Orator, an Elegant Poet, and in the maturer close of his time, an eminent Patrician. In his writing, he was witty without scurrilous lightness, serious without censor●…ous sourness. Accurate without affectation; passionately moving beyond imitation. He had the happin●…sse to gain friends, and to retain them: which facility in gaining, and felicity in retaining, may be ascribed to his discretion, who in the whole passage of his life was never known to lose his friend for a jest: nor entertain a jealous conceit of his trust without apparent cause. During his abode at Court, he was much honoured; in his retire, he was much frequented: in both generally loved. Many princely favours were shown him by the Duke, which with a native modesty he rejected. And being demanded by some of his friends, why he accepted not such gracious tenders, being assured arguments of his future advancements; he was wont to answer them: That those glorious favours were golden fetters, which might endanger to restrain the liberty of his better part. Being on a time importuned in his youth by two complete Courtesans, to write a Poem in the praise of beauty; he made answer: That he could go near to paint them out, but he thought his Pencil might be well spared, for they knew better how to paint themselves. He could never endure to comply with a light friend, saying, That he who entrusted himself with a Faun, brought his discretion in question. He was affable to his friends, reconcileable to his foes, affectionate to all. Abstenious in his diet, civil in his habit, temperate in his delights. He lived to a ripe age; and was entombed in a Monument of Thracian Marble, within the Lemnian arch.   

THE JUDGEMENT OF Conradus Minutius, touching Silesio: and the surviving memory of his Labours.  
SVfficiently we cannot admire, much less imitate these exquisite composures of that Florentine Silesio. By so much more famous for his Learning, because borne in a time, almost ignorant of learning. He was of pregnant wit, present conceit, solid judgement and retentive memory. He scorned nothing more, than to imp his wings with others feathers; for his usual saying was this: He does himself dishonour, who makes himself witty by another's Labour. In the time of his reside at Court, there were no Transcripts held so precious as his Poems. In his r●…per years, bidding adieu to those trifles of youth, (for so was he pleased to style them) he addressed his employments to more serious studies: for observing, how the State took especial notice of him, he held it indiscretion to bestow his oil on aught less, than what might redound to the benefit of the State. Albeit, in his latter years, being much addicted to privacy, He retired and withdrew himself from the grandeure of public affairs: resolving to dedicate the remainder of his days to a contemplative life, which he called his soul's love: where he breathed forth many divine fancies full of spirit and moral profit. He died, Anno Dom. 1368. and was honourably buried in the Lemnian arch, with a pyram●…dall Monument erected over him.   

A Summary of the Contents: WITH An Explanation of every distinct Subject, and personal Name, contained in this Allegorical discourse, entitled, THE ARCADIAN PRINCESS, OR, THE TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE.  Composed at first by that incomparable Ornament of Florence, MARIANO SILESIO, in the Italian tongue. 
This Summary was by the 〈◊〉 ●…refixed, that these Names●…uiting ●…uiting with the Natures of these Persons here pres●…nted, might be explained.  
THE MISTA the Arcadian Princess, and Sovereigness of justice, in her supposed descent from Heaven, and visit of Earth, makes a Survey or Scrutiny of her Praetorian; which State in six distinct Persons, ingeniously presented, she finds miserably distempered. For the preservation of her judicial Sovereignty, she addresseth her Care for their recovery: whence the Author properly entitles his first Book, THEMISTA'S CARE.  
She finds METOXOS her first Consul in this representative Body, and personating Partiality, taken with a Squinancy. EPIMONOS, personating Pertinacy, with an Apoplexy. VPEREPHANOS, presenting 
H●… displaye●… these nu●… distempers, by branching them into d●…stinct fi gure, as may appe●…re in the second Book.  vainglory, with a Frenzy. MEILIXOS, personating Pusillanimity, with an Epilepsy. VPOTOMOS presenting Severity, with a Pleurisy. AMERIMNOS, personating Security, with a Lethargy: whence it is, that he styleth his second Book, THE STATE-SOARE.  
These several distempers she recommends to the Cure of AESCULAPIUS; who, after the discovery of their Griefs, applies proper Receipts to the quality of their distempers, and restores them to their health: whence it is, that his third Book bears the Title of THE CONS●…LS CURE.  
THEMISTA transported with their unexpected recovery, seems doubtful at first of such good News: which to strengthen with more certainty, and enliven her depressed spirits with more alacrity; ISOTES, personating Equity, inapt-composed measures becomes Relat●…r of METOXOS recovery.  
EPIEICES, personating Moderation, becomes Relator of EPIMONOS recovery.  
TAPEINOS, presenting Humility, becomes Relator of VPEREPHANOS recovery.  
ISCUROS, personating Fortitude or Constancy, becomes Relator of MEILIXOS recovery.  
ELECMON, presenting Mercy, becomes Relator of VPOTOMOS recovery.  
EPIMELES personating Industry, becomes Relator of AMERIMNOS recovery.  
And to second Her longing hopes, She causeth her ●…ate distempered Consuls to come before her to describe the manner of their Cure, the highest Object of her Care: This done, THEMISTA delivers her CHARGE to her restored and re-estated Consuls; wherein she recommends to them the love of justice and Equity: closing with a thankful remonstrance to AESCULAPIUS: 〈◊〉 to erect lasting Trophies of living memory, to gratify his successive Care in her Consul's recovery. So as, from the expression of her Charge, and the apprehension of this universal joy, Silesio entitles his fourth and last Book,  
THE CONSULS CHARGE, with THEMISTA'S TRIUMPH.   

The Arcadian Princess, OR, The triumph of justice; Prescribing excellent rules of Physic for a sick JUSTICE.  

THEMISTA'S CARE.  
The first Book.  

Argument.  
THemista descends from heaven, purposely to revisit earth: expressing in apt measures, what desire the heavenly powers have to see justice executed. The Excellency of justice, properly styled the Epitome of all virtues.  
POESY I.  

THus long in heaven; now must we down to Earth,  
To see what fruits that hopeful Soil brings forth,  
How justice thrives, from whose divinest birth  
All sacred virtue do derive their worth,  
W●…ose presence makes the earth resound with mirth:  
" Harsh is the accent of that melody,  
" Where justice doth not keep her jubily.   

Nor do those glorious powers which shine above,  
And dart their beams upon th'inferior sphere,  
On any Object fix their eye of love,  
More than on that, where justice doth appear;  
Whose graceful beauty like a golden grove,  
Adorns the Earth, and like a Conqueror,  
Empals their heads with wreaths that follow her.   

How heavens do smile, to see good men reputed!  
How goodness shines, when Error is suppressed●…  
How earth revives, when Justice's executed!  
How Worth appears, when virtue is r●…freshed!  
How ●…tate endears, that's with true honour su●…ted!  
These bear no other Frontispiece than this,  
" the Excellence of justice what it is.   

justice! a virtue styled properly  
By those which know the goodness of her n●…ture,  
" Virtue's choice Abstract or Epitome,  
Who lives above the reach of any Satire,  
And scorns a name that's got by infamy.  
Blessed is that State; her Sciens heirs of honour,  
Who hath so bright a star to shine upon her.  
For to the L●…st of justice she's confined,  
" But such a Bird, I fear, is rare to find.    

Argument.  
Themista bewails the corruption of the time; what miseries befall that State, where justice is not administered; She laments Arcady, (where she is supposed to descend) for suffering the Seat of justice to be so defiled: the comely face of so promising a State disfigured.  
PROSE I.  
PItifully perplexed Themista, who can see thee, and not suffer with thee? who can endure to take a view of thy grief, and not afford thee the tribute of one poor tear for thy relief? She, who was sometimes more beautiful than the Evening Star; more amiable than the curiousest and choicest feature upon earth; how is she become darkened? how is her beauty blemished? her glory obscured? her favour perished? her feature blanched? Observe but the corruption of the time, and then see if my sorrow be groundless! Consider this universal contagion, & how should my sorrow but be endless! Hear the mercenary guilded tongue, who stands not much upon the cause, so he may receive his coin, how he coins untruths, belies his own knowledge, inveighs against a subject of innocency, to delude the credulous Ear of his too easy judge: and all this to enrich his seldome-thriving posterity, with the injurious revenues of his partiality! There, another seconds a great man's cause with a brazen face; where the better cause must far the worse, because the worse cause hath the better purse. So as justice becomes so perverted, as she may be compared to the Celedonie stone, which retaineth her virtue no longer, than while it is rubbed with gold. The precious stone Diocletes, though it have many rare and excellent sovereignties in it, yet it loseth them all, if it be put in a dead man's mouth: so justice, which is the sole ornament and accomplishment of State, that sacred-secret cement to knit up all breaches and divisions, though it have many rare and exquisite virtues in it, yet doth this sovereigness of all princely virtues, lose them every one, when she is put into a corrupt mouth, or a deceitful heart; who guilds justice over with pretences; or assuming upon him some awful command, binds her to peace, purposely to cram his own purse. And what is this but Wormwood justice, making that bitter, which is sweetly relishing of its own nature?  
What excellent Hieroglyphics were conceited by the ancient Ethnics, to design (amongst other expressions) the right office of justice? The Athenians erected images of judges without hands and eyes: implying, that Rulers and Magistrates should neither be infected with bribery, nor any other way drawn from that which was lawful and right. Lame they should be in receiving a fee, blind in discerning friend from foe. But alas! all ages could ever better prescribe, than observe: yet of all ages, none more irregular than 
* Here the Original transcribed Ann. Dom. 1368. fr●…ely g●…anceth at the corruptions of that pres●…nt state: which by a long cessation f●…om Arms with the Cilic●…ans abroad, and Genueses at home, was grown to that fulnesor surfeit, rather, of peace; as plenty the fostermother of Security, had begot in them with their affluence of wealth, a confluence of vi●…e. Vid. vit. Mar. Sil.  this, where Corruption becomes a custom, and no greater foe to a good cause, than poverty, or a powerful adversary.  
Nor can that State be secure, where such injustice reigns. Though the Night silence her, the walls encompass her, the curtains of 〈◊〉 shroud her: there can be no darkness so thick and palpable, (were it like the Cimmerian shade) that the p●…ercing eye of heaven cannot spy thorough it. Vain is thy hope, thou Scarlet peccant, by sinning secretly, to sin securely. Impiety plays the sycophant with herself, when she promiseth herself impunity. That State cannot choose but be to misery engaged, where justice is not duly administered.  
Should she pride it with the Babylonian, brave it with the Theban, trade it with the Tyrian, sport it with the Sydonian, or spell it with the Egyptian; her bravery shall turn to rags, her glory to contempt, her wealth to want, her sport to discontent, her knowledge to folly; the whole fabric of her state, to an universal misery. And this is thy miserable estate, poor Arcadia! for how is thy former beauty blemished, the comely face of so promising a State disfigured, by suffering the seat of justice, (Astraeas throne) to be so defiled, the ornaments of virtue stained? Shall we bemoan thy disconsolate State, while thou senseless of thine own misery, perceives not that thou art wounded? yes, thy want of sense aggravates our sense of sorrow. O that we were turned all a Niobe, and resolved into tears, so we might but extract from thee one sigh, to argue thou hadst a sense of thy sin! Reflect, we pray thee, upon thy former beauty; and what it was that thus hath blemished thee. Want of consideration makes thee thus senseless of thy affliction. Let us wipe thine eyes, that thou mayst see thyself, and seeing, loath that which hath made thee so unlike thyself. Hither are we come to revisit thee, and hopeful were we to have found thee in the same state, wherein we did leave thee. But corruption hath seized on thy Bench; thy Scarlet hath got a stain; this is thy state; hence is our grief.   

Argument▪  
Themista recollects her spirits; comforts herself with the conceit of her own innocency; she bethinks her how she may take away this stain, and restore the light of justice to a disconsolate State.  
POESY II.  

But whence come these sloods of tears?  
Ease they may, but cannot cure;  
Free thy breast of fruitless fears,  
Joy thou mayst in being pure;  
This corruption of the time,  
Is man's fault, it is not thine.   

Is not thy! no, heaven knows;  
Strive then to attemper grief;  
Do not waste thyself with woes,  
Tears can tender ●…mall relief:  
They that nought but sorrow vent,  
ne'er can cure their Patient.   

Let it be thy care to heal,  
As thine art hath found the sore,  
And restore a Commonweal  
To that health it had before:  
So mayst thou support that State  
Which lies now disconsolate.   

Artists, when they search a wound,  
And do find th' incision deep,  
Must not fall into a sound,  
Nor like Babies pule and weep:  
The distemper's now descried,  
Let some physic be applied.    

Argument.  
Themista directs a message by her servant Euphorbus to the Counsel of State.  
PROSE II.  
But present necessity of cure, admits no time of complaint. So as, call forthwith of her servant Euphorbus, who was there attending her, she delivered to him her message in these words.  
Come hither Euphorbus, we have ever had sufficient proof of thy diligence, being at all times no less ready to discharge our trust, than we to impose our command. Nor are we ignorant of thy approved care in performing whatsoever may either redound to our honour, or benefit of the Republic, wherein we are highly interessed. Thou shalt therefore receive these directions from us (as we solely rely on thee) the substance whereof we shall deliver thee in these particulars.  
Thou art presently to repair to our Counsel of State; acquainting them with our command, that forthwith all frivolous delays & unnecessary excuses set apart, they repair to our Palace, and there attend our pleasure, in behalf of the public service. Wherein, if they become inquisitive what the business may be: Thou mayst answer them in general terms, that we are to expect an account from them, in their affairs of judicature; wherein, if any of them prove defective, they are for Example-sake to receive condign censure. Some complaints we have already heard against them, which how justly exhibited, we will as yet suspend, till more frequency of proof evince them. Inform them likewise, since our descent to Earth, how we have visited their Praetorian, wherein we found nothing but confusion: Their comitial Courts like Deserts, wild and unexercised; only some surreptitious Proctors were there fishing, who knew no methodical course of pleading, nor any Law-Intergatory, but the demand of their undeserved Fees; whereof receiving no presét discharge, with a Stentors voice, they reeccho their vouchers and double vouchers in a clamorous Replication. Some decayed remnants, or useless instruments of discording justice, we likewise found: who had got so much tongue, as Parachito-like, they could cry, Commit him, Commit him, before ever they had heard what he had done. From whence we gathered, that many had aspired to that place, before ever they knew what the definition of justice was: so as, they usually caused the nocent and innocent to cast lots whether of them should be punished. Innumerable such Objects of sorrow have we viewed, since we descended; the sad memory whereof renews our grief, and leaves us ever with a tear in our eye, a sigh in our heart: nor should we be comforted, but that the knowledge of our own innocency hath so fortified us, as no censure can deservedly touch us. Make haste Euphorbus, and deliver our Message with a courage: mean time, we shall expect their attendance, with a due and formal account of all their actions. With this Message her faithful servant Euphorbus departed, while she taking her Lute in her hand, to expel melancholy with a strain of melody, and retain a constant remembrance of her servants fidelity, chanted out the●…e Lays.   

Argument.  
Themista rejoiceth in the enjoying of so faithful a servant; She recounts the benefits redounding from such: and reproves the uniustnesse of unthankful Masters, who come short in recompensing such.  
POESY III.  

WEll! Euphorbus, thou art he  
With thy service comfortsed me.  
When I am surprised with grief,  
Thine advice affords relief:  
Thou finds solace when I joy,  
Suffers with me in annoy:  
Be it mirth or discontent,  
Thou art for that Element:  
So as I may well aver,  
Having such a comforter;  
" There's no Treasure may compare  
" With a faithful Servants care:  
Who is early up and late  
To increase his Master's state.  
he's a Crane for vigilance,  
An Emmet for his providence:  
he's no Sea-Maw, that can show  
Any tempest in his brow:  
He is legal, loyal, just,  
Sworn unto his Master's trust:  
Graceless are such thankless men,  
Who such servants can contemn,  
For they take far more delight  
To receive than to requite:  
Curtsies they retain not long,  
Yet can recompense a wrong.  
Any one will cheer his Cur  
When he barks and makes a stir,  
And gives warning to his house  
If he do but hear a Mouse:  
What is he, pray tell me than,  
Cheers his Cur, & checks his man!    

Argument.  
Euphorbus returns answer to Themista, that the whole body of her Council of Sta●…e is become infirm, as they cannot without apparent danger of death, repair to her Grace. He shadowingly delivers unto her, in what manner they are handled, and how long they have continued.  
PROSE III.  
NO sooner had Euphorbus dispatched his message, than he returned answer unto his Lady: humbly showing to her Grace, that her whole Council of State was grown so infirm, some through distempers, others through weakness of nature, as they could not without apparent danger of death, attend her Grace. What, is their infirmity so universal, (answered Themista) as none of all our Conscript Fathers, whose reverend judgements were sometimes held Oracular, can now tender us their Observance? Pray thee relate, Euphorbus, how are they handled, or whether they pretend but this only, to free them from attendance.  
Truly, (answered Euphorbus) so please your Grace, I think they do not counterfeit. For I am persuaded, little did they expect my coming, yet found I some of them raving, as if taken with some dangerous frenzy: Others so melancholy and lumpish, as I could scarcely force one word from them in an hour; and when it came, as good as no thing, for it was to no purpose. Others infinitely given to laughter; but none so discreetly sober as might deserve admittance to your presence. Several were the humours did surprise them, yet not one temperate humour among them. Some were altogether silent, and they the wisest, for they spoke nothing: Others too liberal and lavish of tongue, whose discourse was so disjointed, as the Scene of one of their distracted sentences, lay in all the four parts of the world.  
Heavens bless me (said Themista) is Arcadia, once a seat of Justice, a Treasury of prudence, and a fruitful Nursery of all liberal and free borne studies, become a Fatuano or Bedlam of distracted persons? Be our hopes so quickly blasted? But inveterate sores are hardest to be cured; tell us then Euphorbus, how long may report give out, that these distempers have continued?  
Not long, as I hear (answered Euphorbus) nor these neither continuate, for they admit intermissions. More dangerous are they (replied Themista) these interspirations minister new matter to their distempered humour to work on. But pray thee what times are held most violent.  
Some of them (answered Euphorbus) are in good temper till after noon; their pulses beat moderately, their conceits full of quickness and pregnancy, their understandings poized with serious solidity; They can walk, talk, and converse no less gravely than gracefully. But the Meridian hath no sooner overshadowed them, than they have quite lost their former alacri●…y. Talk they cannot without stammering, nor walk without supporting; yea, they clean forgot what they did i'th' morning; and should your Grace ask them a question, they cannot answer you without sleeping. What a soporiferous humour is this (replied Themista?) Sure they have drunk Oppium or Nightshade, or they could never be so heavyheaded: but how stand the rest affected?  
Truly Madam (said Euphorbus) some of them are so fierce and violent, as their gates are ever kept bolted; where, if you would be admitted, you must pay the Porter. Upon your admittance, if you desire to go farther, you must liberally reward the Doorkeeper; by whom being brought into their presence, you shall find them like so many State-Idols reered up, beckoning nothing but awful reverence. Which made me remember the saying of Cineas, That he never came in presence of the Roman Senators, but he verily thought he came before so many magnificent Emperour●… Bigge and boisterous are they in their salutes, as thus; Fellow, approach nearer. Whereas poor Snakes, their affrighted Supplicant●… fearing to come within their reach, or draw near the side of their grate, (for it may be supposed, they have heard the description of a Cannibal) double their reward to that commodious Keeper of the Ward, to procure their escape. Yet are not these always thus cruel and untractable. For there were diverse mollifying plasters and other suppling oils to allay their distemper, and b●…ing them (as I heard after) to a more pleasing and affable humour: but these were privately applied, and by their most intimate follower●… practised, or el●…e they could work no cure. Trust me (quoth ●…hemista) howsoever their Natures are to be suppled, these distempers are worst to be cured: for they partake of two incorrigible humours; immoderate inflammation of the heart, and insatiate extension of the hand; their blood therefore must be cooled, and the nerves of their palms straitened, or they can never be cured; but how are the last disposed?  
Clear of an other humour (answered Euphorbus) for these seem ind●…fferent how the world go; They are sparing in dispatch, but speedy in repast; the height of their humour is a plenteous dinner: free they are from anger, or any passionate distemper: only, they feed so liberally, as they g●…ow unwealdy: they hate nothing more than business, so as their judgements ever close with a reference: yet are they of good dispositions, but through discontinuance grown so useles●…e, as they cannot possibly give the Grace attendance. Well done, Euphorbus; thou hast freely, though shadowingly, discovered their maladies: it rests, that amidst these discomforts we conceive through their misery, we comfort ourself with the continuate remembrance of our own integrity.   

Argument.  
Themista continues her comforts in dilated measures, upon reflex had to her own integrity; She imagines her absence to be the greatest cause of these maladies: for whose Cure, she bestows her whole Care.  
POESY FOUR  

GRieve may we well, yet in our grief may we impart  
Some equal measure of relief unto our hart.  
We suffer in their misery, yet when we view  
Our well-approved integrity, we then renew  
Those comforts we conceived before and still retain;  
" Such may sit safe and sing a shore have past the Main.  
No treasure to a spotless mind, whose virtues are  
In an untainted heart enshrined, which cures all care.  
Yet was not Phoebus free from blame to make his Son  
A Coachman ere he knew the same, proud Phaethon.  
Nor we to leave our Throne to these, who cannot keep  
Their lips from Cup●…, their hands from fees, nor eyes from sleep.  
Our absence was the cause, I fear, through want of us,  
Which made these Conscript fathers here distempered thus.  
It rests, that we partake a share, (though we're secure)  
In their distress, and have a Care upon their Cure.    

Argument.  
Themista resolves to go visit her langu●…shing justiciaries: Euphorbus dissuades her from it: showing what danger she might incur by such a visit: No plague more infectious to the body, than the corruption of vice to the mind.  
PROSE IU.  
But Cures of this nature (said Themista, require present relief. There is more advan●…age in dispatch, than delay; for by neglect of opportunity, we ever lose the benefit that accrues by it. It is not so hard to give comfortable counsel to the afflicted, as to find a fit season when to give it. Expedition is the best season in extremes: lest by delaying of our Cure, we dispatch our Patient. It shall be our first resolve then to go visit our languishing justiciaries, and to employ our best Care for their Cure. It is their inward estate that we tender, for in that consists their highest honour. We are not afraid, (to use the words of our sententious Petrarch) to see the ●…uinous houses of their decayed bodies shaken; for we know well their condition, with the necessity of their dissolution: so their souls, vessels of pur●…r substance, though guests of their bodies, farewell. We ever hold Critolaus balance for our direction; who poizing the Goods of Body and Fortune in one Scale; and the Goods of the Mind in the other, found those precious & inestimable Goods of the Mind so far to weigh down the other, as the Heaven doth the Earth & Seas. We stand still for that rich and curious Cabinet of the Soul; which, so long as it is not rifled by that vicious Crew of inordinate affections, all is safe, all secure: but once soiled, hardly restored to her former beauty But alas for sorrow! we cannot choose but sigh, to see old men so senseless of their misery. Grieve they cannot for themselves, though they see themselves now descending to their Graves. Uncomfortable is that affliction, which conceives for itself no sensible Compassion: and such is these men's case. Their bodies are by age weakened, with rumerous infirmities enfeebled; there is scarce a day but threatens ruin to their crazy Cottages. Yet are they as fresh and youthfully green for vice, as if they but lately entered this Theatre of vanity, and might promise to their sparkling youth more years, than they can hours, by all possibility. On then, Euphorbus, we will vi●…t them, lest they perish through our neglect. Desist Madam (answered Euphorbus) from a resolve of such infinite danger. I understand their disease to be infectious; sure I am, their whole family seems to have a spice of the same malady; Be not then such an enemy to yourself, as to expose your Honour to apparent danger, and so perish through your own Error. This, Madam, will turn your visiting of them, to a visitation in yourself. Who will go into an infected house, or tempt the divine providence, by subjecting himself wittingly to inevitable peril? And no plague more infectious to the Body, than the Corruption of vice●…o ●…o the mind. Of what strong Constitutions were some of these, who now lie mortally languishing? Able they were to the sight of man to repel all crudities; yet see how soon they were vanquished, and to the inbred corruption of their own vicious nature, miserably captivated. I know, Madame, that you partake of immortality; yet is there something mortal in you; that may bring you to stoop to that Lure, which, although you now loath, by consorting with them, you may hereafter love. And what then safe amongst us, if you should fail, or fall from us? Good Madam then, intent your own safety: Too much affection may bring you to an infection: Prevention is the life of Policy. He is an indiscreet General, who lies his own person open unto peril: for his fall makes an end of the battle. Secure yourself by retiring to your Palace: Let Artists, whose Profession it is to intend these Cures, search their griefs, and expose their persons unto danger; Be it your Care, our joy, to enjoy the safety of your Honour.   

Argument.  
Themista concludes, that a pious disposition ever carries with it a preservative against all vicious infection: She continues her purpose of visiting distempered S●…atists, and prepares a Confection against all Corruption.  
POESY V.  

THough vices like diseases run in blood,  
A freeborn disposition that is good,  
May amongst vicious persons p●…rest live,  
And in her breast wear a preservative  
Against all infection." Herepels all vice,  
" Who looks to have God still before his eyes.   

The sighing Hart being wounded, strait doth fly  
By mere instinct, for cure to Ditany:  
So will the Bear, if she feel any grief,  
Fly to the herb Acanthus for relief:  
Balme-mint delights the Bee, to which amain  
She makes recourse, to ease her of her pain:  
Right well her Celandine the Swallow knows,  
Whereto, if ought distemper her, she goes.  
And shall these creatures, which have only sense,  
Challenge above us a preeminence?  
No; we've the herb of grace, whose sacred stem  
Affords such native vigour unto men,  
As where it is applied, they need not fear  
That any foul infection can come there.   

Surcease to move us then; we must prepare  
To visit these who so distempered are:  
Weak Conscript-fathers'! Like's that State to fall  
When such Night-Birds do keep the Capital.  
But that we may ourself the stronger make,  
Confection against infection we will take●…  
Which shall be this:" a pure untainted breast,  
With oil of Grace, the better to resist.     

The State-Soare.  
The second Book.  

Argument.  
Themista having visited and felt the pulses of her languishing Council, bemoanes their desperate estate; She adviseth for their recovery; but finds the height of their distemper, to exceed the compass of her Cure; She resolves to send her servant Euphorbus for Aesculapius to procure their recovery, and prevent their relapse into the like infirmity.  
PROSE I.  
NO sooner had Themista felt the pulse of her diseased Statists, than she perceived their distemper to be of that nature, as being a desperate Soar, i●… required a desperate Cure. Some of their pulses beat faintly; as if Nature were spent in them, & their wasted Lamps near the snuff. Others clear of an other temper, for they beat so violently, as it might be easily gathered, that their enraged humour rather laboured of fury and frenzy, than any other indisposed quality. Diversely found she her languishing Senate affected; but none of them rightly tempered; which drove her into these and such like perplexed resolves.  
Where (said she) shall we turn us, and see not some heavy Object or other to afflict us? Every where do we see a distempered State; every where a growinggroaning malady. And what way may we cast for their recovery? He that visiting his friend, finds him sick, and will not minister unto him; heavy, and will not comfort him; needy, and will not relieve him; such an one may be rather said to mock him than bemoan him, scoff him than cheer him, scorn him than secure him. But alas! we fear much that the nature of their disease far exceeds the measure of our art. Maladies of this quality require an experienced hand to afford them remedy. And so tenderly affected are we to their persons, as we shall not have the heart to search their wounds, as a pitiless Artist should do: for these griefs cannot be cured, unless they be to the bottom searched. Mean time, how worthily may we bemoan this distracted Estate; when those who should be the Guardidians of the Republic, are so besotted and benumbed; or otherwise with some exorbitant passion so transported, as they, who should guard the public State, cannot guide their own persons: but like children, go by holds, to keep themselves from false? Where may the wronged find redress, when he that doth the wrong, is exempted from censure; either by Corruption, which seals up the mouth of Justice: or Ignorance, which knows not how to distinguish of the quality of an offence? Happy were those days wherein Ba●…il the Emperor of Constantinople lived: for so peaceful was his State in the gracious progress of his time, that whensoever he came to his judgement-seat, he neither found Party to accuse, nor Defendant to answer. But we, to live both in these factious & unpeaceable times; and to be distitu●…e of such as should censure these crimes, where connivance gives impunity to impiety, and greatness becomes a Subterfuge to guiltiness; who can justly blame us, to vie in tears with the Errors of the time; and bemoan that State with a compassionate pity; which we cannot by our own Endeavours remedy! Now, should we leave them to théselves, how should they possibly cure their own Soars, who are insensible of their effects? True it is; that as the Scorpion hath in her the remedy of her own poison; so the Evil man carrieth always with him the punishment of his own wickedness: which never leaves to torment and affli●…t his mind, both sle●…ping and waking; as it fared with Apollodorus, Hipparchus, Pausanias and many others; who were so conscious of their own enormities, as they were ever in pursuit by their own Furies. But what of all this? Neither personal shame, nor apprehension of their own guilt, nor any other subsequent effect, could afford to the public State, a sovereign Cure; till these vicious ones were weeded, virtuous ones elected, and the whole form or model of the State changed. O my perplexed Spirit, how justly may we take up the complaint of our divinely-morall Seneca! who writing to his friend Lucilius, discovered the face of a corrupted State in this sort: Our news from Rome are these; the walls of Rome are ruined; the Temples not visited; the Priests fled; the Treasure robbed; old men are dead; young men are mad; and vices are Lords over all. O my good friend Luciliu●…, if these things seem great faults, there be greater yet than these in Rome: and they are, that no man will confess himself culpable of any of these things: but the Dictator layeth fault upon the Consul; the Consul upon the Censor; the Censor upon the Praetor; the Praetor upon the Aedile; and the Aedile upon the Questor: in so much as; because no man will confess his fault, we have no hope of amendment.  
But fruitless are these complaints; our griefs require a speedy hand, and a resolved heart; de●…terity in the one, and constancy in the other; speedy in applying, and happy in performing. We shall do well then in resolving to send our Servant Euphorbus for Aesculapius; by whose incomparable skill, not only means may be made for their recovery; but directions had for preventing their relapse into the like infirmity. Haste then with winged speed, Eup●…orbus, to that prime Artist of Physic; present our Love unto him; the desire we have to see him; how much we rely on him; the necessity of his repair: which shall individually tie us to him.   

Argument.  
Themista descants on the birth and worth of Aesculapius, the admirable effects of Physic; with a just and judicial reproof of all Empirics.  
POESY I.  

BEtwixt such men there is great odds  
Whose parents are immortal Gods and have their birth above;  
And those who take their birth from men,  
Or from low Earth, derive their stem, as their own acts approve.   

Great Aesculapius, who was bred  
Of heavenly not of earthly ●…eed doth his rich gifts impart;  
Nor is he honoured in scorn  
By Pagans in a Serpent's form,  
But for his divine art.   

For as the Serpent's watchful care  
Exc●…eds all other Creatures far  
In wit and polic●…e:  
So Aescu●…apius doth exceed  
All Artists sprung of mortal seed  
In his dexterity.   

Thrice sacred Art! which d●…st restore  
To life, what was decayed before,  
And re-infusest breath  
To breathless souls, by giving health '  
The rich & poor man's chiefest wealth '  
To stay th'arrest of death.   

But hapless they, who deadly ●…icke,  
Rely upon an Empiricke  
Whose physic makes them worse,  
For what ●…e doth apply to them  
Agrees not with the state of men  
But rather with his h●…rse.   

" You then, on whom distempers make surprise,  
" Be known to such, have practice and advice.    

Argument.  
Aesculapius offers his best service to Themista; She discovers unto him the cause of her grief; She remembers the endeared name of her Parthenius; His Poem; the many virtues which did enrich him: She entreats Aesculapius his best succour; and he promiseth his best art and assistance unto her.  
PROSE II.  
NO sooner had Euphorbus delivered his Lady's Message to Aesculapius, who was then engaged in sundry Cures of great difficulty, by means of Priapus and his dissolute followers, (who had brought a dangerous d●…ease into that Province where he resided:) then pre●…ently, this divine Artist repaired to Themista, offering to her his best service; which was accepted by her with much thankful entertainment and affectionate solace. And sitting together in a delightful Arbour, without more delay, She discovered the cause of her grief unto him, in this manner.  
Renowned Sir, to impart unto you, the grounds of our grief in every particular, would require an ample volume of Iliads: Neither would time suffice, nor your numerous employments admit, any such copious relations. In one word, if miserably-perplexed Hecuba, whose fortune in her time had no parallel, expressed such discon●…olate effects in the sad ashes of her ruined Troy, and her slaughtered Children; We are sure the sorrowful Scene of our Tragic mishaps, may deserve some Annals to memotize them, lest continuance of time might bury in oblivion, the heavy issue of such doleful occurrents. We well remember, how Polo the tragedian, acting the part of Electra upon the Stage; and being mournefully to bring in the bones of her brother Orestes in a pot, he brought in the bones of his own Son lately buried, that the sight of them might wring forth true tears indeed; and by their passionate presentment of them, act it more feelingly: for obj●…cts of Ocular passion cannot choose but work in the actors person. The same part may we be truly said to personate: Nor may we possibly so display them to life, whom we a●…e here to present, as our afflicted breast conceives: so that, as Pictures receive their life from shadows, so are you Aesculapius to conceive them shadowed, when our tongue cannot reach so high as to have them fully expressed.  

For murdering wounds do ever lose their tongue;  
" Small griefs do speak, when greater griefs are dumb.   
But you will say, true passion admits no Rhetorical introduction; 'tis true; yet fares it with us in this discovery of our fresh-bleeding woes, as it doth with such, on whom the judgement of death being now pronounced, and now come to that fatal place, where they are to satisfy the Law, and disburden their conscious souls of many secret facts, which till then, never came to light, nor admitted a discovery: many trifling delays will they pretend, purposely to protract time, and enjoy the sweet society of an expiring life: But omitting these, we will now descend to a free delivery of these our captived and restrained griefs: in discovery whereof, pardon our effeminacy, if we drop some tears, to ease the surcharged relapse, of our afflicted heart.  
Know (quoth she) thou divine Artist, that we were sometimes styled the Sovereigness of justice; and in person, intended our care to the execution of it. During which time, our imparaleled State flourished, Laws were duly administered, good men were rewarded, the evil justly punished; the State of ●…ustice so equally poized, as Satur's age seemed to be revived.  
Having thus planted our State, we held ourselves see: cure: but too much security gives vice opportunity to make her entry: for no sooner were we removed (recommending our government to such, whose fidelity we held so inviolably firm unto us, as nothing could divide them from us:) then that blessed State, where before never corruption reigned, no Oily nor Sycophant tongue ever pleaded, no malady nor distemper raged; became universally diseased. Not one sound Member left uninfected. Sundry vicious and malignant humours distilled from the head to the body: which so distempered the whole State, as nothing could be more ●…eared than an Epidemical contagion. To give some woeful instances herein, that my grief may appear real without dissembling; truly passionate without feigning: what a number of Conscript-fathers' lie now desperately languishing; & what small hope have we of their recovering? Sick, & heart sick they are; yet like Children, rather would they have their Soars to rankle, corrupt, and putrify, than have their wounds searched, and so find remedy. One we had (and only one) who was sound at heart, whose name (and blessed be the memorial of so untainted a name) was Parthenius: to them only odious, who 
No greater argument of ●… corrupt State, ●…han 〈◊〉 of M●…rit.  were vicious; by them proscribed, who were contagious; by all esteemed, who were truly virtuous. Him they banished in our absence, nor since could he ever be admitted to our presence. Whose pregnancy may appear by that Poem which his nimble Notary Ephepomenos in his person, ingeniously composed, and by a petitionary way in his Exile presented, to express the wrongs he had ●…uffered, and how injuriously the Censure of his proscription had been pronounced; nor shall it a little comfort us, to repeat it, now in his absence (whose memory is so precious to us) who first addressed it:  

Exiled! stern State, what was the cause?  
Corruption, or neglect of laws?  
For th'first, I may be bold to swear,  
I had least share in all the shear.  
Ten years & more I served the State;  
Yet all that time I nothing got:  
And for the last, I never slept,  
While other Birds the Capitol kept.  
Speak Pig, Lamb, Chicken, Capon, Goose,  
If ere I wronged ASTRAEAS ho●…se,  
Or made it Errors Rendezvous,  
Or ever minced a Mittimus;  
Or e'er was of that nasty Tribe  
To slight a brawl, to take a Bribe;  
Or sought a wrong cause to advance,  
Or e'er suppressed Recognizance:  
If any these against me call,  
I'll lose Man, Cognizance and all.   

But trust me, State, while I complain,  
My loss, me thinks, becomes my gain:  
Now may I freely walk at large,  
And ne'er be put to any charge:  
And view what weaklings cannot see,  
The secrets of Philosophy:  
Or with my Muse in private meet,  
Lest ●…ustice set us both by th'feet●…,  
While we bemoan ASTRAEAS throne  
To see a stone sit on a stone.  
Thanks then not to my friend but foe,  
Whose loving hate hath freed m●… so.  
" Just is my brethren's Bench I trust,  
" And I've within a Breast as just.   
Nor was he more pregnant in wit, than rich in the supply of all virtues: for all that knew him, will give this testimony of him, that his constancy in opposing strong delinquents, did exile him. For like an impregnable Rock, he stood stoutly against all Opposition; or like a sweet cooling Spring in a desert, refreshed both himself, and others in their affliction, Or like green Bays in hoary winter, flourished still in the most violent and tempestuous season. Such men have our corruptedst time's brought forth, but those were rare, as Soranus and Cannius, Photion and Socrates; whose surviving virtues preserve their memory to posterity; and whose steps our Parthenius hath so well traced in acts of justice and piety.  
But to you Aesculapius, must we address our request; it is your succour we entreat; whose Experienced art hath wrought such admirable effects. Be it your Care to tender our Senate's Cure. So shall you find us just in our requital ofso ample a benefit, whensoever opportunity shall so offer itself that we may show it.  
Whereto Aesculapius replied; As pity moves me to commiserate your Estate (Noble Lady) so shall it appear, that my zeal to your Honour is unfeigned, by the expression of my Cure. Let it suffice, Madam, that I do here promise my best art and assistance in the accomplishment of your desires: Mean time, comfort yourself with expectance, till time come that we present to your Honour some manifest tokens of success, by the effects of your practice.   

Argument.  
Themista bemoans Parthenius his banishment; wishing him some rays of comfort amidst those clouds of discontent: How meditation of others miseries, is a sovereign Balm to attemper, if not to cure any one's affliction.  
POESY II.  

WHat age is this, when such are forced  
Who live the best, to far the worst?  
What better may a State befit  
Then wisdom, honesty and wit?  
Which in Parthenius were compiled,  
The only cause he was exiled.  
Had he played Buffoun, Fawn or knave  
To Pander, flatter or deceive,  
He had far more respected been,  
Nor felt those perils he is in:  
For he by soothing great men's crimes  
Had been a Minion for these times.  
But he still scorned such base extremes  
To gather wealth, by servile means:  
He rather did the Gods beseech  
Pure to live poor than basely rich.  
Well then, though thou an Exile be,  
Thou hast a breast to comfort thee:  
Choice virtues to thy Cell frequent,  
To clear those clouds of discontent  
With sacred rays, to crown my wish,  
" That Exile may become thy bliss.   

But while our doleful Ear applies  
Herself to others miseries,  
A sovereign Balm they do procure  
To temper ours, if not to cure:  
For when we others woes express,  
They heal our own, or make them less.  
But so it fareth not with mine,  
For they're increased with thought of thine.    

Argument.  
Aesculapius delivers his opinion touching his Patients; their wounds must be discovered, before they be cured; He enjoins them one by one to show unto him how they are handled, that receipts to the quality or distemper of the Patient may be seasonably ministered.  
PROSE III.  
THis exquisite Artist Aesculapius, having duly observed their distinct humours, passions, symptoms and dispositions; freely in this manner delivered his opinion, touching his Patients.  
It is easy (said he) to collect by the outward Physiognomy, that there is an inherent Malady: but there is some difficulty in discovering, the true nature or effects of that infirmity, by any conjecture derived externally. We of our profession receive especial notions by the Patient's urine, and by other practic means, whereof our experienced Artists make singular use: yet may we err in these, be our judgements never so clear; because the Water doth not ever discover the quality of the humour: yea, I myself have heard of one within these few years, who was esteemed an Eminent Professor in our art, and of excellent judgement in waters, to have returned his opinion, that such a water as was brought unto him, (rather indeed to try him, than any necessity they had to employ him) was the water of one who was deeply fallen into a Consumption, yet was it the Stale of a fat Palfrey, as appeared afterwards upon discovery. I hold it then very needful in the whole course of our Practice (if the Patient be not altogether insensible of his own grief, by reason of the height or extension of his Malady, or incapably of any such discovery in respect of his infancy) that he freely disclose the nature or condition of his own grief: by showing in every particular how he is handled; at what times most distempered; how in his Siege, how in his stomach affected: all which are ever by the Patient himself best discovered, and upon his relation, by Physical directions best attempered. My Conclusion then shall be this; forasmuch as no wound can be possibly cured, unless it be first discovered; nor salved, unless to the bottom searched: I hold it not only fi●…, but necessarily consequent, that one after another he brought forth in a Chair, and before they receive their means of Cure, disclo●…e truly how they feel themselves handled▪ that a receipt to the quality of the disease might be seasonably ministered.  
Whereto, after Themista had condescended, her distempered Statists were brought forth one after another, according to their degree and order; whom Aesculapius his Boy comforted with a musical measure after this manner.   

Argument.  
Harmonious, Aesculapius his Boy, comforts the dejected Patients; recounting what innumerable difficult Cures his Master had effected.  
POESY III.  

TAke courage to you Sirs,  
Of this you may be sure,  
Who has you now in hand  
Hath done as great a Cure.  
When Nonius that same scab  
Did of a Strume complain,  
He cured th' imposthume quite  
By opening of a vain.  
Demosthenes was hoarse  
And could not raise a note,  
Yet cured he him, and pulled  
An Ox out of his throat.  
Stesichorus, whose vein  
Was fluent and divine,  
The only Lyric strain  
Reputed in his time,  
When he had lost his eyes  
Through Helena's disgrace,  
My Master them restored  
And set them in their place.  
Theotmius was choked  
With Helleborian fume,  
Yet he his gullet swept,  
And brought his pipes in tune.  
Diaphanus as clear  
As ever christ all was,  
That any one might view  
His guts as he did pass,  
Was by his art so closed  
With Cement that he made,  
That nought could be descried  
Within his solid shade.  
Stilpho a man of note,  
But fiercer than a Lion,  
More wanton than a Goat,  
He made more chaste than Dian.  
Lime-twigs were Brusons' hands,  
They were but touch and take,  
His pilfering was his Lands,  
Yet them so stench did make  
By oils which he applied,  
As theft did him displease:  
Thus hath his art been tried  
With thousands more than these.  
Take courage then; that care  
Which he in these did show,  
His wisdom will not spare  
To any one of you.    

Argument.  
Themista causeth Metoxos, the ancientest of her Senators to be brought forth; She acquaints him with her Care for his Cure; She wils him to declare unto Ae●…culapius, how he feels himself handled, and to what distempers most subject; Metoxos discovers his grief, with the effects of his distemper, in each particular.  
PROSE IU.  
NO sooner had that admirable Artist told Themista, what necessity and consequent utility there was in the discovery of a Patient's griefs; and how none, were he never of so quick and piercing a judgement, could come so fully to the knowledge of their distemper, as when the Sufferer himself became the Relator; then this equal Sovereigness of justice; Themista, caused Metoxos, the antientst of all her Senators to be brought forth, acquainting him with her Care for his Cure: Which done, after some comfortable exhortations to prepare his feeble and uncomposed mind, She wiled him to declare there unto Aesculapius how he felt himself handled; how in the state of his body disposed, and to what distempers most subject. Themista was not more ready to command, than Metoxos was to obey; so as, raising himself a little in his Chair, and borne up with pillows to give him more ease, with the best voice that his enfeebled spirits could afford, he begun to discover his grief, with the effects, in these particulars.  
Seeing Madam▪ (said he) that it is your sacred pleasure, that I disclose mine own griefs, which by con tinuance, are grown so habituate, as I solace myself in my sufferings, I will humbly observe your command. 1 First then, I must ingenuously confess, there is such a secret sympathy betwixt my nature and the temper of that metal, as I can see no gold but my teeth water. 2 There is such an extension likewise of my sinews, as mine hand is ever open, nor can I for a world shut it together, till some powder of the foresaid Mineral close it. 3 I fear too, a decay in my Lungs; for I am become of late very asthmatical: and am oft times troubled with a swelling in my throat (when Saturn is predominant) so as I cannot for the whole world speak for my Client. 4. I am a little troubled with the Migrim, which makes me I cannot look steadily upon a just Complainant. And albeit, I must confess, that I am an old man, and that the very Lamp of my life is nearly spent, yet do I 5 affect dalliance, and am infinitely taken with three Courtesans, Philia, Dusnoia, Aneleutheria: the immoderate haunting of whose company hath so weakened my spirits, as it hath driven me into a Consumption.   

Argument.  
Themista laments the misery of their condition, who make gold their god; or proportions justice by amity, Enmity, or commodity; Nothing so precious to a composed mind, as integrity.  
POESY IU.  

WRetched are worldlings, who their hopes dosettle  
On the base rubbish of an earthly mettle,  
Which like to bright glass, though it shine, is brittle  
When it is used.   

Like Midas blinded with an endless hunger,  
They rear an Idol to their Isis' honour,  
Gold is their sole God, and they dote upon her  
Shameless abused.   

Yet worse are they far, who do Justice measure  
By profit, hatred, or unequal favour,  
Where he that gives most, may respective have her  
As he desireth.   

Like to a fresh Rose in a Spinet closed,  
Nothing's so precious as a mind composed,  
Pure and untainted is her heavenly Closet  
Where she retireth.    

Argument.  
Themista causeth Metoxos to withdraw; Epimonos is called forth, who after some reluctancy (sorting well with the pertinacy of his Spirit) shows after what manner he is handled.  
PROSE V.  
MEtoxos having so freely discovered his distemper, Themista caused him to withdraw, and keep apart from consorting with any (being told first by Aesculapius, that his disease was very contagious) and acquainting him withal, that Aesculapius would take course for h●…s recovery as well as the rest, after he had heard a free and particular discovery of every one's distemper & infirmity. Which done, Epimonos was called forth, who discovering at his very first approach his refractory nature, after some reluctancy, suiting well with the Pertinacy of his spirit, showed after what manner he was handled, in this sort.  
Since I must perforce, (said he) address myself to do what mine own nature will hardly incline un●…o (though, I must confess, I had far rather labour still of my supposed distemper, than be put out of my humour;) I will for once, Madam, become mine own Anatomist before your Honour, and this reverend Artist, whom you so highly tender. 1. I feel very usually such a stiffness or unpliablenesse in myself, as I would not willingly be either led or driven. 2. The more I am moved, the less I feel. 3. I have got such a buzzing in mine head, as I can hear no man's opinion but mine own. 4. And now of late, grown so insensible of my malady, as I greatly fear, ere long, to fall into an Apoplexy.   

Argument.  
Themista justly reproves such, as being wed●…ed to their own opinion, will not incline to Reason, but prefer a precipitate wil●… before a deliberate Judgement.  
POESY V.  

LIke to a Top which runneth round,  
And never winneth any ground;  
Or th' dying ●…cien of a vine,  
That rather breaks than it will twine:  
Or th' Sightless Mole, whose life is spent,  
Divided from her Element:  
Or Plants removed from Tagus' shore,  
Who never bloom, nor blossom more:  
Or dark Cimmerians, who delight  
In shady shroud of pitchy night:  
Or mopping Apes, who are possessed  
Their Cubbes are ever prettiest:  
So he, who makes his ow●…e opinion  
To be his one and only M●…nion:  
Nor will incline in any season  
To th' weight of proof or strength of rea●…on,  
But prefers will precipitate  
'Fore judgement that's deliberate:  
He ne'er shall lodge within my roof,  
Till rectifide by due reproof,  
He labour to reform this ill,  
By giving way to others will.    

Argument.  
Themista causeth Vperephanos to be brought forth; who after some arrogant passages, sprung from an insolent humour, is at last content to disclose the nature of his distemper.  
PROSE VI.  
SHortly after, upon Themista's especial command, was Vperephanos brought forth; who, after some arrogant passages distemperately uttered, in holding himself exempt from others command, was at last content (with much seeming discontent) to disclose the nature of his distemper.  
Although (said he) I know no Sovereignty whereto I am subject, unless my own disposition in mere curtsy, give way unto it; or this absolute Sovereigness of justice enjoin it, I will deign to rank myself with others, (though much inferior to my rank) in this naked discovery.  
So it is with me, 1. that I verily think myself (especially at the full of the Moon, and when the Dog— star rageth) to be Atlas, and that the weight of the whole world lies upon my shoulders. 2. I fear much, that this life shall no sooner leave me, than the world will make an Idol of me. 3. I feel a perpetual tinkling and sowing in mine Ears; and these I hold to be the tongues of the State, who are chanting my praises. 4. I wonder how the world was governed before I came into it. 5. I neither see nor hear any, but they admire me; and were I Isis Palfrey, they would adore me. 6. I find a windy or flatuous matter near to the Orifice of my stomach, which gathers like a purse, and falls into my bladder. 7. I am troubled with many humorous and fantastic dreams, amongst which, that I have a shuttlecock in my brain; and am swallowing Gudgeons. 8. And when I awake and walk abroad, I am so taken up with favour and fancy, as when I am myself, and in good temper, I doubt verily I shall fall into a phren●…ie.   

Argument.  
Themista wonders how any one should be so much transported with vainglory, as to be wholly forget●…ull of their own frailty. The only way to humble man, is to con●…ider how many imperfections accompany him, and how short he comes, in aught that may truly accomplish him.  
POESY VI.  

Why should man be transported with conceit  
Of fame, strength, beauty, excellency of wit?  
Or catch himself with a vainglorious bait?  
Or make his soul a servile prey to it?  
Why should he th'ro●…e of frailty so forget?  
Which like a mirror or true chry stall glass,  
Presents his native face wheresoever he pass.   

Should he conceive what imperfections are,  
In Checkroule his attendants; which obscure  
Those glimmering virtues in him few and rare;  
What poor defence to keep his fort secure;  
How he's hemmed in with danger every hour;  
How he exceeds in Compliments of sin;  
How short in that which should accomplish him.   

O than I know this painted Butterfly  
Would hang his wing, and yield himself a man!  
A man! the Emblem of mortality;  
Who, if he would but imitate the Swan,  
And eye his feet, he would be humbler than!  
Since his best virtues, if to life expressed,  
Are but resplendent vices at the best.    

Argument.  
Themista calls forth Meilixos; who in all submissive manner shows the weakness of his Constitution by nature.  
PROSE VII.  
NO sooner was that vain glorious Statist removed, being to retire to a private Cell or recluse divided from the rest; fearing, belike, his distemper, which was sometimes furious beyond measure; than Themista (whose Care was ever addressed for their Cure) calls forth Meilixos; who in all humble and submissive manner showed; 1 That from his very childhood, he was of a weak constitution; 2. Of an ea●…ie and facile nature; 3 Ever cold & aguish; 4. Subject to bleeding; 5. And sinew-shrunk: 6. He●… was grown so feeble, as he could scarcely support himself: 7. He found a great decay in his sight, and could go no way but as others led him. He would freely submit himself to any extremity, so he might enjoy the least hope of recovery; but he greatly feared an hereditary Malady, descending to all his family, and that was an Epilep●…ie.   

Argument.  
Themista comforts Meilixos; She assures him his disease is not desperate; Cordials rather than Corrasives are to be applied: wherein she submits herself to Aesculapius' opinion.  
POESY VII.  

BE of good comfort, thy weak state  
Meilixos, is not desperate.  
Let thy dead spirits be reversed,  
By recollecting them dispersed.  
Thou ha●…t a feeling of thy grief,  
Which promiseth more quick relief  
Than those, whom sharper fits assail,  
And cannot tell us what they ail.  
This Expert Man, thou mayst be sure,  
By his Experienced Care, and Cure,  
Will thy di●…temper take away,  
Or by his Art the grief allay.  
" For such as have both skill and will,  
" Do often Cure, but seldom kill.  
Now, my conceit is that these grieves  
Crave Cordials more than Corrasives:  
●…n which opinion I submit  
To Aesculapius, as is fit.    

Argument.  
Themista sends for Vpotomos; She commands him to discover his grief, which he performs with much discontent.  
PROSE VIII.  
NOt a little was Meilixos comforted, by these sweet measures; so as his very Countenance gave promising hopes of his recovery. But being commanded to retire, and with patience at●…end the opportunity of his Cure; Themista forthwith sent for Vpotomos; who presented himself with a stern and rough Countenance: indifferent he seemed who were pleased, who displeased: full of discontent was his visage: nothing but fire and fury sparkled from his eyes: small was the reverence he showed in the presence of his Sovereigness. In one word, he seemed as if he had fall'n at odds with himself; so cloudy was his Countenance, so distasteful his appearance. Being at last commanded to discover his grief (whereof he retained an Index in his face) and in what sort he felt himself distempered; as one incensed with that command, and fixing his Ferret eyes in a furious and dispassionate manner, with much avers●…nesse returned this answer.  
It is not my condition to thaw or resolve into tears, nor come with an Humble complaining, like that white-livered Senator, whose effeminate nature discovers the Baby to be of a poor & irresolute téper. I can disclose my grief without a groan; and my pain without a plaint: which, to satisfy myself, next your command, Lady; to whom by our Official degrees we owe some Sovereignty, I shall briefly unfold. For my Constitution, it is strong and full of vigour, unless some violent fit of anger bring it to distemper. From whence some incident Maladies arise, which enfeeble the strength of nature; and whereof I shall here return a relation more punctually particular. 1. First then, I can justly complain of nothing more than inflammation of mine eyes, and heat of stomach. 2. And I verily think, that my too long familiarity with one Eris, a near acquaintance of mine, hath so infected my blood, as it is impossible to bring it to a right temper; so as this exquisite Artist of yours (Madam) may save that labour. For I never yet saw that object, which gave me delight; nor that Subject, wherein I took content. 3. I am subject to fearful dreams, which so startle and distract me, that albeit I am but seldom drunk, yet am I never mine own man, neither sleeping nor waking. 4. I am grievously troubled with stitches, and with that incessancy of passion, as they admit no intermission. All which together, heat my blood so intemperately, as I much fear a dangerous Pluri●…ie.   

Argument.  
Themista condemns these fiery and furious Spirits, who ever labour to distemper: and before ever they hear the cause, pronounce their Censure. As wounds are to be searched, so are they with Oil to be suppled, and with Balm healed.  
POESY VIII.  

YE fiery furious spirits, sons of thunder,  
Who fill judicial seats with nought but wonder;  
Ye labour of distemper; rack our Laws,  
Pronouncing judgement ere you hear the cause!  
Know ye shrill Bonargs, for to you we speak,  
Whose State-recov'ry is the goal we seek,  
Thunder spoils fruits when they are in their setting,  
Sharp dooms indurate natures most relenting.  
The glorious Sun works by divine reflex  
On several subjects, several effects;  
For when he's pleased his tresses to display,  
" Same beams which soften wax, do harden clay.  
For howsoe'er all of one mass be made,  
Yet equally all are not tempered.   

This than my counsel is, lest ●…ustice wither,  
Favour and rigour must be mixed together;  
So wounds well searched, ('tis folly to conceal them)  
There's Oil to supple, and a Balm to heal them.    

Argument.  
Themista sends for Amerimnos to come unto her, whom her faithful servant Euphorbus finds sleeping in a corner▪ Being asked the ground of his distemper, after a nod or two, he returns her t●…is answer.  
PROSE IX.  
THat sullen discontented Malevolo, had no sooner upon Themista's command retired, being close penned up in a Cave, lest he should quarrel with the light (a Consort much different to his unsociable humour) for privacy was his Lawn, and discontent his Lure: then Themista sent her faithful servant Euphorbus for Amerimnos, the very last of her Patricians, to come unto her; whom he took napping, for he found him sleepingin a corner. Long did he whup and hollow, but all in vain; 
* Endymion vero si fabulas audire volumus, n●…sclo quando in Latm●… obdormivit, nondum ut opinor experrectus. Cicero lib. 1. Tuscul▪ quaest.  Endymion never slept soundlier on Latmus' mount, than this State-crickit did in his Chimney nook. Many ways he used to awake him forth of that Lethaean slumber, by cramping, tickling under th'ear, applying fumes to his nose; but fruitless was all Euphorbus practise: till at last, starting suddenly out of his dream, he called aloud Sympotio, Sympotio, (for so was the Yeoman of his Cellar called) bring me a lusty Cup of Frontineack, to clear mine eyesight this morning; but he was much mistaken both for the time o'th' day, & his liquor; for it was now drawing towards the Evening; and for his Frontineack, there was none such in all his Cellar. Howsoever, Euphorbus had prevented his Carouse by his Message; being then to deliver unto him his thankless errand.  
Long was it, after such time as Euphorbus had acquainted him with T●…emista's pleasure, before this dreaming man could call to mind what that Lady might be; so much had sleep dulled him, or his darling Sack besotted him, as a mindless▪ oblivion had seized on him, and made him quite forget who first advanced him. At last, rubbing his over-steeped noddle, & sounding a retreat to his wand'ring senses, who were gone a woolgathering, he gave ear to Euphorbus message; and with an indented pace (with two Bonsocio's to support him) addressed himself with best speed he could, towards Themista: by whom being asked the ground of his distemper, after a nod or two, he returned this drowsy answer.  
Madame, I took very good rest, before your Servant called me, and should shortly do so again, if you would but dismiss me. Truth is, I am neither greatly sick nor well: for mine appetite to eat, drink and sleep, did never yet fail me; but it fares with me as with them that are taken with an Atrophy, though I feed well; 1. I thrive ill. In the afternoon, I am ever taken with a 2. dry Hecup: which makes mine head so heavy, as i'm enforced to lay my Chin on my Breast: I know not what familiar hath thrown his Club over me, but questionless, there is some Gipsy trick in it, for I can never hear justice talked of, but I must have a 3. nap. I am ever 4. dreaming on the Bench, that I am shooting at rovers, which makes me to pronounce judgement at hap hazard: wherein (like a just man) I am ignorantly innocent whether it pass for Plaintiff or Defendant. The greatest fault I find with myself, is my 5. defect of memory; so as I verily think, I shall play Messala Corvinus, and forget my own name, and so by degrees fall into a Lethargy.   

Argument.  
Themista concludes, that there can be no secure State, where Security fits at the Stern. She solicits Aesculapius' Care, and recommends them to his Cure.  
POESY IX.  

HOw can that State be secure,  
Or true freedom ever earn,  
Where Security hath power,  
To direct and guide the Stern?  
Haplesse-hopelesse is that Clime,  
Which is of this humour sick,  
And in sleep consumes her time,  
Ruin to States politic.  
" States are ever most secure,  
" When they hold themselves least sure.   

But you grave Artist, we solicit  
Who deigned our Patients to visit,  
Neither care nor cost to spare,  
So you cure them by your Care.  
" For we to that skill of yours  
Recommend our S●…natours:  
Praying heavens your Cure to bless,  
And to crown it with success.     

The CONSULS Cure.  
The third Book.  

Argument.  
Aesculapius admires the difference of their distempers; and after some discourse of his travail and practise, préscribes Phy●…icall directions to Metoxos.  
PROSE I.  
WHen the Learned Aesculapius had heard this free delivery of their infirmities; turning to Themista, Madam (said he) I never found more different distempers in any State. Through most parts of the whole World have I travailed, and in my travail practised either in my own person or by mine Agents. Where in my Survey of this Universe, and the exercise of my Profession, I encountered with diverse Maladies, which had made Fools of the best Physicians: yet with Cures of more difficulty than these, have I seldom grappled. Personally stood I engaged for the service of Athens, when that great Plague so universally raged, as there sufficed not among the living to bury the dead. Even then, I say, when that flourishing Treopagus, where those jud●…cious Senators (surnamed Areopagites) exercised judgement was not only left desolately unfrequented, but the very Seats of justice were with brambles over-shadowed; the public Market place where such Confluence of people from all Coasts and Countries resorted, with grass covered; those sumptuous buildings, wherein A●…t seemed to contend with herself, utterly re●…inquished; and those glorious Temples of the gods, by rea●…on of shady Coverts so obscured, as their magnificence could not be discerned. When (I say) nothing but an universal desolation had seized on that disconsolate City, so as her very enemies, who sometimes maligned her happiness, now melted into tears to see her glory so eclipsed, and to misery reduced. Even than did I happily arrive at Pylae, and by my art so purified the air (which was then so infected, as the very Birds fell down dead with corruption of it) as in very short time, the City recovered, the Senators returned, the Citizen's reinhabited their relinquished Mansions.  
The like service I did to the flourishing State of Sparta, where they erected a Temple to mine honour; and retain to this day the memory of me in a sumptuous Statue, which they reared for me. Byzantium will acknowledge the like courtesy; and so will all States, who have at any time been surprised with any raging malady.  
But this I do not speak of to set myself at Sale, or like our Mercenary Mountebank, to erect a Stage for discovery of my Cures; and by a Comic Interlude with a servile Buffoun, fool my self into popular esteem: or set up in some frequented place, a fictitious Catalogue of my incredible Cures; Or hang up my Picture, to enforce a deeper impression in the taking eye of the vulgar; Or with sophisticated oils, delude the sight of a bleere-eyed Spectator. No; I do value more the honour of my Profession, than to set it at so low a rate as to beg estimation: or by sordid means s●…rue myself into opinion. True worth can never admit of Ostentation. It shall be my glory to afford my best art to others necessity; wherein their health shall be my highest gain, their recovery my wished goal. And to you, Madam, do I speak it, who●…e virtuous fame ●…hall ever endear me to your memory (nor was I ever conscious of flattery) that my Practice hereupon these your distempered Statists shall manifest to the world, that effects give the best approvement to all Professions. But delay ministers fuel to a growing disease; this Preamble, Madam, was but to acquaint you with the method of our Profession, who must aggravate the difficulty of their Cure, to procure them the more credit.  
Whereat, Themista smiling, replied; Renowned Sir, Leave that Method to such novice Artists, who stand in need of a public Crier of their Cures; for yourself, we dare avouch, that so much are you indebted to fame, or she rather endeared to you, that you cannot be more highly possessed of opinion than you are. That fame of Pergamus, your Scholar Galen, hath dispersed your glory by the excellency of his art. That joint name of Six renowned Physicians, Hypocrates hath with no less repute advanced you. That surviving glory of Anazarba, Dioscorides, whom the familiarity shown him by those princely but unhappy Amourists, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra, so highly raised; hath with no less art improved your fame. The universal opinion which all Nations retain of you, may be probably gathered, by those many Temples erected to your Honour, and entitled by your own Name, the more to dilate your honour. What Statues have been reared, what Shrines erected for you? and how severely have punishments been inflicted on such as have either detractively inveyed against you, or sacrilegiously dishonoured you? Which might be instanced in the misfortunes of Dionysius; who, though he made a jest of Sacrilege, and gave easy reins to all profaneness, yet his exile from the flowery boundiers of his Empire, rewarded him for his impious designs towards the Gods: amongst which, for the dishonour he did unto you, Aesculapius, in cutting off your beard, and clozing up his Sacrilege with a jeer, saying, it was unfit, for you the Son to have a beard, and your Father Apollo to have none.  
It is true, Lady, (answered Aesculapius) just was the censure inflicted on Dionysius; but undeserved was his impiety towards me, for those many favours which his Country had received from me. Howsoever, you shall know (Madam) that I was never ambitious after fame; which, for the most part, is soon procured, when it is least desired: for where virtue is the sole ground of our actions, it ever draws to her some discerning Spectators to crown them with a deserving applause. Ever to do good hath been mine aim without affectation; for actions done for vainglory, lose their desert; but protraction in Cures; gives life to distempers. It is more than high time, that we now address ourself to our Practice: wherein, though most of our surreptitious Empirics, gain them experience by the death of their Patients; our Patients (so heavens breath on our Endeavours) shall suffer no such fatal prejudice by our Experience.  
Nor do we fear it, Aesculapius, (answered Themista,) where Theory, Practice, and Honesty meet together in one Subject, the Cure cannot but promise success; proceed then happily to your succe●…ding fame, and your Patients cheerful recovery.  
Aesculapius having thus received Themista's charge, for the Care and Cure of her Consuls; prepares proper receipts to be seasonably applied to every Malady. He craves Eucrisius assistance; whose presence assures him of success in his Practice. And first, because first in order, and a distemper of infinite danger, and therefore requisite to have the expeditest Cure, he calls forth Metoxos, to whom he gives these directions.  
Metoxos, you have a foul body, full of vicious and malignant humours, my opinion therefore (drawn from the seldom erring rule of judgement and practice) is this; that you first be purged, that your body may be better prepared. Secondly, you must be blooded, that all corrupt, clotted and congealed blood may be removed. Thirdly, you must have a vomit, that all crudities which lie rotting about your stomach, may be exhaled. The necessity of which Experiments shall appear (said Aesculapius) by the effects, which each of these produce.  
1. For your Siege, the Lake Cocytus, or Stimphalus were odoriferous Baths unto it. The whole History of Ajax cannot show the like: for the luscioused nutriment ever renders the loath somst excrement.  
2. Secondly, for your blood, it is so thick and corrupt, as Bull's blood is of a pure, simple, and subtle quality in comparison of it: which may appear by the standing colour, or jewish tincture you have in your face, which being laid on with an Aurum technicum, cannot blush.  
3. Thirdly, for the Crudities of your Stomach; they are so numerous, and those so onerous, as they that see your Eiectments, will hold them mere deceptions of the Sight: for sometimes, you shall cast up a whole Ox (equal for proportion to Milo's Bull) which stuck so in your throat, as you could not speak, but brought you by means of this Obstruction, in great danger of a Squinancy; other times, a Massy Basin and Ewer, all partiall-guilt; Now an hundred or two of Rixe dollars; and in the end, when your stomach is disgorged of these, you shall cast up a whole Covey of Partridge, Duck and Mallard, Crammed Capons, with much other both wild fowl and tame; all which lay fluttering on your queasy stomach, unconcocted. And all this by the sorcery of your Courtesan Analeutheria.  
Having prescribed you these directions; and prepared for you a pectoral of Herb of Grace: with a Plaster of Liver-wort; (for I conceive all these distempers to proceed from an ill liver) I must advise you to be patient in your Cure; which if you do, I make little doubt, but to work a rare Cure upon you. For this hath been ever my positive Conclusion in the whole course of my Practice, that there is nothing, which makes diseases more incurable, than the negligence or impatience of the Patient: as might be instanced in Sisambres; which Story, Harmonious, it is my pleasure you relate in a Musical strain, while I prepare his Physical ingrediences.   

Argument.  
Harmonious relates how Sisambres one of King Cambyses judges, and taken with like infirmity as Metoxos was, would not be persuaded to take a purge, nor be cured of those corrupt humours, wherewith he was oppressed: which cost him his life, being by Cambyses Command flayed, and his skin nailed to the judicial Seat, upon which his Son, succeeding him, was to sit, to put him in mind of his duty.  
POESY I.  

OFt would Cambyses that great Persian King  
Acquaint Sisambres with's disease,  
And to his Couch his choice Physicians bring,  
Yet he'd incline to none of these.  
Purge, purge (said one) Sisambres, ●…r you die,  
Look to't by time, you're one of note;  
A vomit take (said this) for I descry  
A stallfed Ox stick in your throat.  
You're rank in blood, Sir, you must blooded be,  
An other Artist to him said,  
There is no Cure like to Phlebotomy,  
To have your humour right allayed.  
But none of these could any way prevail,  
Sisambres their opinions s●…eighted;  
Knows any (said he) better what I ail  
Than I myself? that Art's quicksighted  
That sees more in us than ourselves do feel;  
That we're distempered thus or thus,  
Wherea●… our temper steers the Commonweal;  
" Physicians cure yourselves not us.  
Your purging pills, vomits, phlebotomy  
Shall work no practic Cure on me;  
He that is well how can he better be?  
Be gone, your art deserves no fee.  
" He that can feed and sleep, and take his ease,  
" He may be sick, but 'tis a sweet disease.  
But poor●… deluded judge, he could not find  
That which most distempered him,  
Those rank corrupting humours of his mind,  
Which caused him after lose his skin.  
For when no Art nor Counsel could persuade,  
Cambyses held it very meet,  
Sisambres for example should be flayed,  
And's skin nailed to the judgement seat,  
That his succeeding Son might thence rememb●…r  
The duty was imposed on him,  
To do what's just to all, as he did tender  
The future safeguard of his skin.  
" His grief, Metoxos, much resembled yours,  
" Purge then by time, & please Superior powers.    

Argument  
Aesculapius prescribes directions to Epimonos; diseases insensible are most incurable; He is confident of his Cure, if he freely submit himself to his Care: with the danger he may incur by declining from his prescriptions. Small griefs in an untoward patient, become in short time mortally desperate. This he instanceth in the misfortunes of M. Caelius, the relation whereof he recommends to Harmonious.  
PROSE II.  
DIsposed had this judicious Artist no sooner of Metoxos, whose violent distemper required present relief; than, leaning a little on his Elbow, as one deeply engaged to some serious contemplation, he in the end burst out into these words.  
Madam (quoth he to Themista) it is an usual Proverb in these parts, that the Ship had need be free from leaks, where the Pilot is drunk.  
What do you mean by that (answered ●…hemista) Mary thus (quoth Aesculapius:) your Grace hath here a fair, ample, & flourishing estate; of a large extent is your government; but the members, whereof your State consists, had need be well disposed, when their heads be so distempered. How do you think of us (answered ●…hemista) we should be the Head? do you find any such distemper in our affections? Excuse me, Madam, (replied Aesculapius) There is none that knows you, but truly honours you; your actions are rightly squared; your affections sweetly tempered; your Scale of Justice equally poized: but a sinister hand perverts it. The fountain is not to be blamed, if any troubled or brackish water, partaking of the Earth, not of the Spring, corrupt it. Pure is her nature, and had so continued, had not some impurer mixture soiled her; which is merely contingent, and no way inherent to her. And how (said Themista) might we restore these corrupted Conduits of ours to their former purity? By preserving and retaining your own (answered Aesculapius:) The Unicorn's horn being dipped in water, clears and purifies it. In our applying Cures to Subjects of this nature, it must be our work to imitate, but yours to perfect. Equal prejudice befalls justice, either through your absence, or connivance. Where, if a flux of humours be not timely prevented, the whole body will become shortly endangered. Trust me, Noble Lady, had my Patient Metoxos been begun with in time, he might have been cured with lesser difficulty and danger: for there is nought that more hazards us, than giving way to an humour. Which I shall return manifest proof of in the Cure of my next Patient, ●…hose habituate infirmity will force me to the utmost of mine art; in trying many conclusions, ere I shall bring him to a perfect recovery. The more are we tied to your attendance (answered Themista) being so full of practice, and those so powerful and eminent Patients, which remain under your ●…ure, in all parts where you reside: but Themista knows how to requite a Curtsy of such high consequence; which shall appear in a more real and expressive recompense. Presents and ample promises are moving objects to mercenary Professants (answered Aesculapius) but as Nature hath enabled me with gifts of knowledge, so hath she given me a contented mind, to confine my desires to my present fortune. To do good shall be my greatest gain; more than this I little need, and to obtain this shall be mine highest aim. And so turning him towards Epimonos, who all this while sat bolt upright in a chair, without any sensible appearance of pain, he freely imparted his mind unto him, in this manner.  
I am not ignorant, Epimonos, what danger you are in; yet let not this amate you: the more danger in the Cure, the more shall be my Care. Be you confident in hope, as I constant with my best help. My directions shall be useful, & withal, so experimental, as being carefully observed, they shall in very short time, become (in your particular) sovereign and healthful.  
First then, forasmuch as I very well know the pertinacy of your humour to be such, as it must be corrected, before any medicine can be properly applied, or usefully ministered: I am of necessity to take this course (for milder receipts might prove worse) that Lenitive and mollifying plasters be used to foften the 1. Stiffness of your arteries; to lay Cantarides to your neck, to suck away those 2. Crude humours, which by concretion so benumb and stiffen your neck, as you cannot bow it. I am to apply likewise, Goat's blood, to dissolve that 3 adamantine humour congealed within the Membrane or thin skin which encloseth your heart. And because, diseases insensible are most incurable, I must use a little s●…arifying, to bring you to a 4. feeling of your grief, and perfecting my Cure Nor is this all, sundry other ingrediences are to be prepared, before a Cure of this difficulty can be possibly effected. I am therefore to prescribe you a diet drink, strongly tempered with the juice of Morphasmos and Aisthema, herbs of sovereign virtue for your Malady. These must be daily applied, and as hot as you may suffer them: Wherein I intent to be personally employed, that nothing may be omitted, for the expediting of your Cure. Neither let the long continuance of your Physic any way dishearten you; it is a constant Maxim amongst us;" No task of difficulty can be effected speedily. Though our course be slow, it will prove more sure. Our running Empirics, who kill an hundred ere they come to so much experience as to cure one, would hold you in hand that this were but an easy Cure; yet twenty to one, they would kill you before they cured you. For their art is to heal the wound, but never search the Cause: so the skin be whole, they never think of rankling within: But to the honour of your Princess, to whose service I have devoted my best art, and the benefit of my Patient whom I take in hand, you shall receive a more safe and sovereign Cure from me. For I may assure you, out of my confiden●…e of art, and his assistance, who gives prosperous success to all arts, that by observing my directions, you shall not only prevent falling into an Apoplexy, (a spice whereof you have already) but Cure any o●…her infirmity that hath befallen you, through your own opinionate pertinacy. For the Physician conceives hope in Cures most difficult, where he hath to deal with a temperate Patient. Whereas, if you will not freely submit to my prescriptions, but with a violent swinge decline from my directions, look upon the danger you incur, and then thank your own opinionate error. Small griefs in an untoward Patient, become in short time mortally desperate: which might be instanced in the misfortunes of M. Caelius; the relation whereof, that his fate may be your Caveat, I recommend to you Harmonious.   

Argument.  
Ha●…monius reports in these Musical dimensions, how M. Caelius, because he could not endure any one to speak but himself, nor hear any one's opinion but his own, nor use his hand in the pleading of any one's cause but his friends, became dumb, deaf, and lame: And being advised before, he fell into the height of this extremity, to seek for remedy, refused all advice, a●…d so by being deprived of all sense, 〈◊〉 into an Apoplexy.  
POESY II.  

THose, who their opinion prize  
By their esteem, not others eyes;  
Those, who prefer their own conceit,  
And hold all other judgements weak:  
Do run their ship upon such shelves,  
They still bring ruin to themselves.   

So Caelius to opinion tide  
Could scorn all other men beside,  
And rudely interrupt their speech,  
And treat of things above his reach.  
None their disourse could so contrive,  
Nor their opinion freely give,  
Nor ought determine, but his wit  
Must newly form and alter it.   

But see the issue of this man,  
And to what end he after came!  
He, who himself would only hear●…,  
And to another stop his Ear;  
Who was to that perverseness grown,  
He'd slight aliudgments but his own;  
Who would no good man's cause intent,  
Nor plead for any but his friend;  
See heavens just judgement! he became  
By sacred doom, domb●…, deaf & lame.  
And being advised to look betime  
E'er strength of Nature did decline,  
Still solely-wise he would despise  
Their wholesome council and advice:  
Till at the last deprived of sense  
And Reasons sacred influence,  
An Apoplexy seized each part,  
Till death besieged and took his hart.  
" The way to purchase wisedom●…s prize  
" Is never to be overwis●…,  
" And will appear diviner still  
" By the resigning of our will.    

Argument.  
Aesculapius acquaints Vperephanos with the difficulty of his Cure; the quality and variety of his receipts; He exhorts him to patience, or his grief will grow to more violence: This he instanceth in Py●…heas, whose heavy fate he leaves to the quick touch and descant of Harmonious.  
PROSE III.  
surely (said Aesculapius to Harmonious) thou hast deblazoned the Tragic Scene of Caelius misfortunes in right colours: for he was ever said to have a good right hand, but an ill left hand, because he could plead against a man better than for him. Which procured him no less hate, than his mercenary Eloquence purchased him gain. But our Cures are many, and the day runs on: we must now address our best endeavours for your recovery (quoth he to Vperephanos:) wherein I must tell you freely (nor would I have it to discourage you) that your Cure is of greatest difficulty. Your very action, gesture, and discourse puts me in mind of Rhemnius Palaemon, that arrogant Grammarian, or rather Grammatist; who vainegloriously boasted, that good Literature had first life by him, and should after dye with him. Or like Gorgias the Orator, who ever advanced himself to the highest place, and arrogated to himself the deservingst praise. You have hit his humour rightly (answered Themista) heavens grant you may fit him with as proper a remedy: but in good sadness, Sir, how do you find him affected? Distracted, you would say, Madam, (replied Aesculapius.) The Oetean Hercules had never a more violent beating pulse, after he had put on that empoisoned shirt of Nessus. Observe the madding motion of his Eyes; how wildly he looks! In what a disjointed Circuit his discourse runs on! I can assure you, Madam, for all his silence, he verily conceits at this instant, that the wisdom of all politic States is confined within the empty circumference of his brain. A dangerous head-piece, trust me! This I am sure of, were the government of the Universe left to the guidance of his Sconce, we should have a mad State. Yet I can tell you Sir, (said Themista) that since our unhappy absence from these parts, he was held the only Oracle of our Court. Nothing was definitely decre●…d; no Censure pronounced; no judgement delivered; nor any public Act promulgated; unless it were first by him approved: so universally was he reputed. This it is, and only this (answered Aesculapius) that hath madded him. Had he been opposed in his will, we had never been put to this work. So dangerous it is to sooth or second some humours, as it fares with these, as the Ape dealt with her darling: They kill them, while they college them. Shady honours are their beauties; applause is their minion; nor do they care so much for desert, as opinion. This humour is long rankling before it come to burst out: but this Ery●…ipelas or wild fire being once kindled, the flame is not so soon to be quenched.  
All this time, sat Vperephanos upright in his Chair, showing a Supercilious kind of State: and expressing a kind of humorous action or apish formality, in wink●…, nods, and other strange gesticulation: which ●…lapius well observing, and drawing near him; asked him how he did?  
Excellently well (quoth Vperephanos) for how is it possible I should do otherwise? The greedy eyes of the vulgar are fixed upon me; The whole Counsel-chamber relies on me; The public State, hath recommended the helm of her government unto me. If I fail, she falls; her grandeure lies on my shoulder; in the wounding of whose honour I suffer equally. Go to (quoth Aesculapius) you know not what you suffer: you are madded with an overweening opinion of your own wisdom. Assure yourself, the State stands in no such need of you; should you perish, she would flourish. She hath other shoulders to support her; other Lights to direct. her than your addle brain. Go to Sir, would you have yourself displayed in your own native colour? I must do it, and roundly too, or I shall never bring you to a discovery of yourself. I will tell you then what I fear, though you feel no such occasion of fear in yourself.  
I find as well by your Cra●…is as Chri●…is (with the gradual courses of your Paroxysmes, Symptoms, and other concurring distempers) that you have been bit by a ma●… dog; so as you must 1. eat a piece of his Liver: which must be stuffed with the leaves of the low shrub Tapeinotes. You are like wise for certain days together to be 2. tied Chinne-deepe in Lazarello's pool; where you are to be kept to a low diet. Neither can I find any means better to cure your distemper, than to 3. remain there, till all those Bedlam fools laugh you out of your humour. Howsoever, you must be patient, or your grief will grow more violent, as it fell out with Pytheas; whose heavy fate I leave to you Harmonious, to descant on in your wont manner.   

Argument.  
Harmonious chants out the misfortune of the Athenian Pytheas; who became so self-conceited, as he was wont to lay his Ear to Crannies in walls and portells, to hear himself applauded: to wean him from this humour, he was oft advised; but being deaf to counsel, and growing as in years, so ever higher blown with the bladder of arrogancy, he declined at last to a Frenzy.  
POESY III.  

HOw blind is he, who labours to be known  
To all men's imperfections but his own?  
How can he have an Ear to any cause,  
That is engaged to popular applause?  
This, Pytheas found, who grew in time so strong  
Through self-conceit in Eloquence of tongue,  
As he supposed, each place that he came in,  
There was no other talk but praising him.  
To walls and portels would he lay his ear,  
Through creeks, & crannies too, that he might hear  
His much desired applause, which having done  
And heard his praise, he held his prize halfe-won.  
Many dissuaded him from this madding course,  
But all in vain, his humour still grew worse,  
Deaf was his Ear to counsel, all his art  
Was to gain praise, no matter for desert.  
Ripe were his years and mellow, yet age-grown,  
With arrogancy was he bladder-blowne:  
So as, when neither reason could persuade,  
Nor he by wholesome counsel would be swayed,  
But so admired his self-conceited worth,  
As he had been some Deity on Earth:  
He, as I've heard some of his Nation tell,  
Into a fearful frenzy, after fell.  
Whence I conclude," 'tis better far to want  
" Wit, and to know't, than to be arrogant.    

Argument  
Aesculapius prescribes Meilixos cordial and comfortable things, to restore Nature so much decayed in him. He gives him assured hope of his recovery, for that he finds him of so tractable a nature, so pliable a quality. He wils him to keep home, till he be perfectly restored to his health; And that those Epilepticke passions, to which he is subject, might endanger him, by coming abroad, or walking near any steep place, as it fell out with Melotes, which Story he commends to Harmonious.  
PROSE IU.  
MAdam (said Ae●…culapius, turning himself to Themista) this was a mad piece to make a Consul of; but there was never any good wit without some egregious folly. They that would suffer themselves to be troubled at the sight of every mad Statist, would have some thing to think on. Wise men can never be discovered, but by others folly. Venus never showed more beauty, than when Nais sat by her, and showed her deformity.  
All this is true (answered Themista) but nothing troubles us so much, as to see one, whose judgement should have ministered advice to others, so bleered and blemished in his own. Surely, had you known this Vperephanos, when we first knew him, you would have admired him for pregnancy of wit, solidity of judgement, and generality of worth. Nothing was spoke by him, but infinitely became him; ripe he was of conceit, and rich in fancy.  
And it was that (said Aesculapius) and nothing but that (as I said before which brought him to this dangerous Frenzy. I must tell you, Madam, for mine ancient experience hath found it true: That person had need of a composed spirit, and to have a constant and stayed wit, who preserves it untainted, when he is hugged in the Court, honoured by the State, and humoured with applause. The axiom is," it is rare to be great and good; but no less authentic is this, rare it is to be popular and wise. Many have been 
As Sergius Galba.  thought fit to govern, before they came to govern; wise they were in managing, constant in pursuing, and prosperous in achieving, but all this, while they were private men. The Bowl●… changed her Bias, when it came to run on more steep grounds.  
Promotion is the Touchstone, 
Chi ha bianco ●…avallo, & bella moglie No vive may sansa doglie.  which tries every man's metal. These pregnant-piercing wits, have commonly dangerous diving conceits: which become subject to cracks or flaws, if they be either by competition opposed, or by arrogancy and applause too much tickled. I could instance you many eminent Personages here in Arcady, who became subject to this distemper, though during their time of privacy, most sober. The wise Ithacus had the herb Moli in store, for an antidote against such sirens.  
But let this nothing amate you (Madam;) we have so disposed of him; as we hope to leave him in far better temper, than we found him.  
He had no sooner spoken this, than Meilixos was presented to him, whom he received with an affable entertain; and drawing near him, and gently stroking his temples with his hand; Take heart of grace to you (quoth he to Meilixos) my life for yours; there is no such violence of distemper, but I shall quickly allay the decreasing heat of this humour. I could wish that my Patient, whom I had last in hand, were in no greater danger. Look up man, be not dejected; within few days I doubt not, but to set you on your feet. Mild and moderate hath been your humour, and I shall fit you with Receipts of like nature. Alas, good man, how he trembles before ever ought be applied unto him! These be Symptoms of a weak and pusillanimous spirit. I am verily persuaded, one might work strange conclusions on such a subject: So easily were he to be deluded, if any one would bestow so much time, as to practise upon his weakness: Such strong impressions may conceit work upon a feeble Subject.  
It is not to be doubted (answered Themista) but very many have been brought to their graves through conceit, before ever they came to be sick: as might be instanced in that white-liveted Emperor Dioclesian, one 
Diocl●…siā Dalmata.  unworthy of so imperial a title; with other persons of inferior quality.  
To confirm this (said Aesculapius) I have heard (Madam) of some rare conclusions tried upon condemned persons: who were hoodwinked, with their arms laid bare for incision, as if they had been to be blooded to death. Luke warm water was applied and sprinkled upon their untouched veins, by the supposed Chirurgeon; a strange kind of whispering or muttering was used about him, as if the delinquent were even then expiring. Nothing left undone to delude him: Nor were their endeavours fruitless; for conceiving this to be true, as they surmised, with an easy credulity vanquished, meekly but simply he expired. Or like that Cobbler of Mantua, who was brought to be sick by persuasion, when there was no distemper nor weakness at all in his constitution.  
As they were thus discoursing, Meilixos (whether through conceit of his own distemper, or long fasting, I know not) became sensibly fainting▪ which, Aesculapius quickly perceiving, run to him: and ministering to him out of an Amethyst box, which he held in his hand, two or three small pellets of sovereign virtue to break wind, and give way to respiration; used these words unto him.  
What's the matter, Meilixos; will you dye in despite of Physic? you should wrong Nature much, to enfeeble that by conceit, which she hath so well strengthened and fortified for your content. Will you dye, because you are not sick? Or, will you be sick, because a groundless fear tells you, you are not well? Fie Sir, reflect upon yourself, and tender your own estate! Children can play, till their heads ache; and will you lie down and dye, and feel nothing? But admit you were subject to some exuberant humours, or dangerous distempers (as all humane respiration passing through such earthen pipes, cannot but by their rubbish receive sometimes▪ obstruction, or some mouldy, & earthly infection) these being seasonably disclosed, may be no less speedily prevented, than perfectly cured; e●…pecially, to such easy Cures as yours, which are not grown indurate nor habituate, and consequently with more facility salved. Give good attention then to my directions, and hold yourself for safe, if you observe them.  
My purpose is (Meilixos) to prescribe you cordial and comfortable things; to restore Nature, rather weakened than decayed in you. I perceive your sight likewise, by too much depression of the Op●…icke part, to be much darkened, so as I must wash your eyes with Eye bright water, to 1. ●…ecover your sight. Bleeding you are ●…ubject to, which I must stench. 2. Anointed must your sinews be with Nerveoyle, to 3. supple and strengthen them; and all this, to bring you to a better feeling of your ●…elfe. I am likewise, to apply certain 〈◊〉 to your temples, and other affected places, to 4. keep you from cold faint sweats and swoon, to which I find you naturally subject. Nor (to your comfort) am I any way doubtful of your recovery, for that I find a tractableness in you, to follow my directions. Yet withal Sir, observe this Caveat, (for declining from it may highly endanger you;) keep home, for these Epileptic passions, to which you are subject, might engage you to manifest perils by coming a broad, or walking near any steep place, as it fell out with Melotes; the discovery of which Story I commend to Harmonious.   

Argument.  
Harmonious rehearseth, how Melotes one of Consul-order, of a weak constitution, weaker apprehension, but weakest in dispatch, became much subject to swoon, and in the end by a weakening or failing of the vital spirits, to Epileptic passions. He was enjoined by his Physician, to keep himself close for aseason, for the air was too subtle, and piercing for his weak constitution: but especially, to avoid walking alone near any steep or precipitious place: but he, either forgetting, or neglecting this direction, being one day walking on an high Mount in his Garden, untimely perished.  
POESY IU.  

HE that can instructions give,  
And will no directions take,  
he's not worthy for to live,  
Nor himself a Censor make.  
Such an one Melotes was,  
To a Consul order raised,  
Who for weakness did surpass,  
And for nothing truly praised.  
Of a constitution weak,  
Apprehension weaker too;  
Nothing could he undertake  
But dispatch did weakness show.  
Subject was he oft to Swo●…nes,  
Till his vital spirits failed,  
And Epileptic passions  
Him incessantly assailed.  
His Physicians, artists rare,  
Did enjoin him to keep close  
For a season out o'th' air,  
And a private Stove to choose:  
Subtile-piercing (would they say)  
Is the air, and it will make  
Strange impressions many way  
On a constitution weak.  
But you're specially to shun,  
We advise in any case,  
To walk private or alone  
Near a precipitious place.  
But how's ere he was directed,  
By these rules of art to do,  
He forgot or else neglected,  
Which procured Melotes woe.  
For h●…e walking on a day,  
(As I've heard it oft times sai●…d)  
On a Mount ranke-set with Bay,  
He untimely perished.  
For deprived of all s●…nse,  
While th' vertigo took his brain,  
He fell headlong down from thence,  
And did ne'er revive again.   

Well deserves that man, like fate,  
Who knows to prevent all ill,  
In a steep and slippery state,  
Leaves advice & love's self-will.  
" Such one may conceit him strong,  
" But his safety holds not long.    

Argument.  
Aesculapius causeth Vpotomos to be bound: He tells him, he must use the art of Chirurgery as well as Physic, in the dispatch of his Cure: He wils him by all means to avoid the company of Eris, whose familiarity had so infected him; And the renewal of whose acquaintance, would bring him to a relapse, and make his disease desperate: ●…his he confirms with the Story of Aeacus, the relation whereof he leaves to Harmonious.  
PROSE V.  
YOu see, Madam, (said Aesculapius to Themista) what dangers hence occur, by means of a remiss Patient. Who, albeit, he holds nothing more precious than health, and seemingly neglects all outward respects for purchasing of it: yet are directions of health no sooner given, than forgot, no sooner prescribed, than neglected. So apt is man to forget what most imports him, and entertain that with delight, which fruitlessly delights him; and in the end destroys him.  
It is true (said Themista) present delights so captivate the Sense, as it will seldom or never suffer us to converse with Reason. We love nothing better than life, yet by living ill we prevent all means of living long.  
Nature dictates this unto us (answered Aesculapius) that we should tender nothing more than health, nor value any directions like those which tend to the conservation of it; yea, the Poet himself could sing:  
Nor house, nor ground, nor any store of wealth,  
Can relish his distaste, that h'as no health.  
What a miserable thing is a rich sick man? His gold (which he made his god) cannot allay his distemper, nor afford him one minutes ease ●…or all his treasure. Yet see deluded souls! How they prise the end, and slight the means! How Self-will exposeth them to millions of extremes! Live they would; and to lengthen their hopes of living, they express their bounty to their Physician, by endowing him with an ample pension; his Receipts, so long as they relish their sickly appetite, they receive: but stricter Directions they utterly reject, at least, intermit, because they comply not with their humours. Much like that fool of Milan, who preferred a sugar pil before his life.  
These may be truly said (answered Themista) to have their whole understanding placed in their Sense. They prefer what may please, before what may ease; their will before their weal.  
And such is the desperate state of your distempered Statists (said Aesculapius.) Infinitely credulous (besides all this) they are apt to be deluded, by whatsoever shall be (though never so improbable) to their blinded affections suggested. So as they may well seem to be ranked, and endenized amongst that credulous Plebeian Society of Margant; who were made 
☜  to believe, upon the ruins of a sumptuous and magnificent Abbey-spire, that the State intended their Spire (though many miles distant) should supply it: to divert which intendment, in all humble and petitionary manner, with joint consent, according to their weak conceit, they beseeched the State (with ample gratuities to some interceding favourites for their better success) to commiserate their case, and spare their Spire. To which the State, pretending them all favour, after much laughter, pleasantly condescended.  
Is it possible (said Themista) that any rational Society should be so deluded? Very easily (answered Aesculapius) as I could instance with many modern examples: but (Madam) I must crave your patience a little; for I have now to deal with a violent Patient: One, whose imperious▪ disposition hath at all times made his will his law.  
Which Aesculapius had no sooner spoke, than he forthwith caused Vpotomos to be called forth: full of fire and fury were his eyes; fierce and revengeful were his threats; bloody and truculent were his hands; rigid and relentless was his heart; full of passionate distemper were his answers. Which Aesculapius well observing, willed Vpotomos to be bound; for till such time as he were fast tied, he could neither practise upon him, nor the Patient suffer such experiments, as were to be practised on him. All which being done, according to his command, and taking him by his strong-beating pulse, he used these words unto him.  
Sir, I must freely tell you, that such is the nature of your distemper, that I must use the art of Chirurgery as well as Physic, in the performing of this Cure. For you must be 1. opened, and a Worm taken out of your gall; the main cause of your distemper. I am likewise to prepare Cupping-glasses to 2. cool and temper your brain. Then, make a drink well-mixed with the juice of Metriot and Euchrasia, to 3. remove your Pluriticall stitches. Which done, I am to apply Oppian plasters, with a certain quantity of the juice of Sunneideses infused, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  to 4. repel those fearful dreams which so startle and distract you.  
But what availeth it to minister these Receipts, if you do not observe them? or to bring you to your feet, if you, through neglect of what is here prescribed you, make way to recidivation, and consequently to your own undoing? Though Physicians have the body in cure, if the Patient second not their Cure with his care, the Cure is lost, and all those Receipts they so artfully prescribed, reduced to nothing. It is one of our Maxims; Art is long in purchasing; Life short in continuing; and Experience subject to deceiving. But Art is never more lost, than when bestowed on a careless Patient; nor Life more short, than with a Recreant; nor Experience more deceiving, than when exercised on him, who admits no government. For, to use the proverb of that ignorant man, had you as many lives as Plutarch, all would be quickly lost, where directions are not observed. How many have we known fall back irrecoverably ill, because they presumed they were well: saving their Physician a labour, by their too speedy payment of their debt to Nature! The only means to preserve health recovered, is to avoid all occasions of incurring a relapse.  
I remember, there were 
〈◊〉 hominem fragilem non faciu●…t, sed qualis si●…, ostendunt. Kemp.  two Philosophers of sev●…rall opinions in this kind: the one irrefragably, though paradoxal●…y, held, and set his rest upon't, That he, who would shun occasion, was less than a man: concluding, that he, who could not see Beauty without tempting, nor Honour without aspiring, nor Gold without coveting, came far short of a Reasonable man; because Sense was his guide, and the acquisition thereof his goal. Therefore would he expose himself to the liberty of all occasio●…s, that he might better soveraignize over Sense by the government of Reason.  
But the other was of a far more cautelous nature, and (perhaps) of as resisting a temper: for he would not presume too much upon his own strength, nor grapple with tentation in her height, but wisely standing on his own guard, prevent the means of being tempted, lest temptation might chance to give him the foil in the end. Playing too long with the Candle, ●…ver ends with a cinged wing. All this I mean to close up in one word, by way of application to your own particular.  
Upon your recovery (as I cannot promise it, lest you become too secure in the purchase of it, yet shall my best art labour it) I could wish you by all means to avoid the company of Eris, whose familiarity hath so infected you. For I must tell you, such acquaintance upon renewal, will bring you to a relapse, and make your disease desperately mortal. Which might be confirmed by the Story of Aeacus, the relation whereof I leave to Harmonious.   

Argument.  
Harmonious shows, how Aeacus son to jupiter and Europa, not only for his own natural severity, but through his ancient acquaintance and near familiarity with Eris, was made one of the three judges in hell.  
POESY V.  

Stern Aeacus, joves' and Europa's son,  
Who once as judge sat on an ear●…hly throne,  
In all his acts of justice did appear  
So per●…mptory-rigid and severe,  
As all that he pronounced to th' world's wonder,  
Resolved itself to nought but threats & thunder.   

One comes b●…fore him, and he was his hrother,  
Who had but stollne a judgement against another,  
And he was hanged for't; and th' Attorney too,  
For stealing judgement 'fore th' Defendant knew.   

Celsus a thievish Poet brought to bar,  
And was arraigned as other Felons are,  
Sans bail, without least hope of his r●…prive,  
For stealing Suckets from an others hive.   

Cacus an errand Thief, was judged to dye,  
Which judgement suited well with equity;  
Where Aeacus then sitting on the Bench  
Uttered these words, recorded ever since.  
" Sirrah, to you I speak, ere I have done,  
" I'll cause all falsehood to that period come,  
" That th' Grazer shall not need his Herds to keep,  
" A very bush shall serve to shield his sheep.  
Yet f●…r all this, Cacus that thievish knave  
Broke out of jail, and hid him in his Cave,  
To which ●…arke r●…cluse there repaired such restore,  
As there increa'st more Thiefs, than e'er before.   

●…xions wheel, and Sisyphus his stone,  
Pro●…etheus Eagle, were the proper doom  
Of this rough judge; with Tantalus his thirst,  
Who might not drink, although his gall should burst:  
For his degree of punishment was such,  
He might not tast●… that which h●… lips did touch.   

Nor was h●… on●…ly thus ●…y nature cruel,  
For he a Consort had, who plied fresh ●…uell  
To his enraged Spleen; Eris was she,  
One, who was full as furious as he:  
And in her House he lodged, and her he loved,  
Nor woul●… do aught, unless by her approved.  
Till taxed in th' end for to this end it came)  
Of being naught with that cursed Courtesan,  
As much familiarity did show,  
(Though I'll not say if this be true or no)  
He was deprived of honour and of favour,  
And made one of Hell's judges for his labour.  
Thus 'cause he bore himself on earth so well,  
He became reft of Earth, and thrust to Hell:  
That as he had expressed his rigour here,  
He might continue th' practice of it there.   

Much good may't do him! but for all his reign,  
He might be moved, I think, to come again.    

Argument.  
Aesculapius wils Amerimnos to rouse himself up. He compares him to the Ostrich, both for stomach and action. He prescribes him a diet. He parallels him to Messala Corvinus, and Margites; the report of whose State he recommends to Harmonious.  
PROSE VI.  
NO doubt of that, an●…wered Aesculapius, in ●…eply to the last Stanza o●… Harmonious: but he is now in for all the week. These be the fruits of all severe Mammothrepts, who relish nothing but justice, justice; but never supples it with oil of mercy. Now, if I should be judge, all these fiery incendiaries or Lawrackers should be all made Readers of the Anat●…my Lecture in Pluto's Court. There might they find subjects fit to work on, and to exercise their relentless spirits withal. There might the Stage-scourger lash poor Roscius till he smoked again, and he himself choked again with the steam of sulphurous powder, to gratify him for his thankless labour. There might he spend his spirits in the survey and display of others miseries.  
Here, a sly Symonist poring through a window, impained with flaming Lights, and searing his nose with drops of scalding Cement. There, an ambitious fire-flye, catching at an empty cloud, which resolving itself into a flashing vapour, falls down, and cingeth his braving Mouchatoes for his labour. Here, a frisking flesh-fly, leaping at a painted Leg of Mutton, and falling back, drencheth himself over head and ears in a Cornelian tub, where he leaves all his hair. There, a prodigal Land-gull playing at Duck and Drake in Acheron with his imaginary pieces; till his father's Ghost haunt him, and the Furies find him, and so ends his pastime. here, an hydropicke Earthmoale, who being made Tankard-bearer to that forlorn family, is put to an endless task, by filling Danaus' tubs with water, wherein he consumes his endlesse-dying life to a fruitl●…sse labour. There, a light liquorish luscious Laundress, who set a bucking Pluto's and Proserpina's linen, and found▪ faulty with one of the Scullery, is enjoined this Penance, by a judicial ●…entence; to be publicly whipped with knotted rods of glowing steel in Phaëtons' Cart, till she entered sureties to furnish with fresh and clean Nappery, all the infernal Court.  
Surely (said Themista) you have made such a free discovery of Pluto's family, and those proper penalties which are inflicted on the whole Livery, as they shall need no better survey for their society: yea, we should verily think, but that we are better conceited of your temper, that you have now and then a month's mind to play the Satire: not that it complyes with your nature, but purposely to allay more serious studies with the pregnancy o●… so piercing an humour.  
No surely (answered Aesculapius) I could never much affect that Study: It was my desire rather (Madam) to intimate unto your Grace, the remorseless natures of such, as my last Patient was: who ever mixed wormwood with Justice; racking up your Laws to the highest pin: and in a word, preferring Execution before judgement. These I hold fittest for those Places, where there inhabits none but notorious Delinquents, and exquisite punishments. Nor do I miss their humour far: for one of this Rank, as I remember, sticked not publicly to profess, and confirm it too with a solemn protest," That it was his jubilee too" hang many: & that a great Execution, was his Recreation.  
It was great pity (said Themista) but he should make one of the number, seeing an action of that nature, afforded him such infinite pleasure.  
It is observed by our Physicians (answered Aesculapius) that none die of an ague, nor without an ague. But sure I am, that these fiery and furious Spirits are ever possessed of an hot fever: and such an one, as partakes no intermissions. So as, in my opinion, these may be in some respect resembled to Aristides, (though one more temperately just, and judiciously temperate) who dying of the bite of a Weasel, exceedingly lamented it was not a Lyon.  
As their ambitious spirits are unbounded, and with fury ever distempered; they can endure nothing worse than a contemptible affront, nor receive aught better than a foil from an imperious foe. With what a braving domine●…ing command, have I observed some of these bear themselves, amongst their Inferiors! How prompt were these to command; and how ready those to obey? So highly had their purple transported them, as they assumed more than could become them. Whereas, no sooner had they put off their Lion's case, and adjourned the Court, than they would deign to embrace those, whom before they contemned; & communicate themselves to such, as before they slighted. Especially, where either private ends, or some other particular respects wrought upon the copy of their countenance. But admit, these were to their inferiors never so soveraignizing, they knew well when to be supple, and how to veil to the shadow of Greatness. No surly look, nor cloudy aspect; no bended brow, nor contracted front, were then to be seen. Low Congees, humble Salutes, Earth-touching ducks, gave these powerful Magnificoes all promising entertain.  
Now, what poor Protean Patriots are these! Mere slaves to the time, and stains to the face of justice.. How easy were these to be wrought to any impression! And these V●…cers must be lanced, or the whole Body must be necessarily distempered.  
It is most true (said Themista!) and hence a●…e our tears! For, when a precious or gorgeous Case altars the equity of the Cause, what a case are we in? These were not the directions which we gave them, when we last left them. Nor were these, those Conscript fathers we left sitting, when we took leave of Earth, to mount to Heaven. For what a sweet union of minds; what fixed resolves for advancing justice; what a discreet temper in the whole current of all their actions, appeared then amongst them? No powerful adversary could overbeare our Sage and impartial Senate. Blind was she in respect of person; lame in respect of Bribes. Constant was she in executing what was right; resolute in suppressing what was unjust. Choice was that harmony, where neither affection could draw, nor power over-awe, nor any sinister respect deprave.  
Would your Grace (answered Aesculapius) have your JUSTIARIES blind and lame? you need not wish it, Madam, for you shall find variety of defects among them. For some of these grave Senators, your Grace shall perceive to be so blind, as they can hardly find the right way to the Bench, during all your Sessions. Others so lame, as they will vouchsafe to go hand in hand with their Constables, and both go down of one side, and hal●… in their office.  
You make yourself pleasant (said Themista) with our Cr●…pples: but all this applies no salve to our sore; no Cure to our Care.  
But in convenient time, doubt it not, Madam (answered Aesculapius) but my art shall produce some sovereign effect: I have hitherto gone through all your distempred Statists, One only excepted; to whom, as I have done to the rest, I shall apply such Receipts, with such useful directions for preserving health, as the Cure may every way answer your Expectance, and restore them to their former temper, to your honour, and the advancement of justice..  
Which Aesculapius had no sooner spoken, than he bids Amerimnos (the last, though not least of all this distempered Tribe) to rouse himself up for shame. And the sooner to awake that drowsy & remiss spirit of his, wherewith he was so much depressed, as nothing sounded well in his ear, that might put his body to any toil; he caused one to play upon a jew Trump, and to apply the instrument close to his ear, purposely to keep him awake: which done, he used these words unto him.  
Sir, I must tell you, I can compare you to no one thing more fi●…ly, than to the Ostrich, both for stomach and action. For the Ostrich can digest aught, yet neither fatter nor fuller: and for action, though he seem to have the wings of an Eagle, yet he never flies up. This is just your condition, whose long habituate sloth hath made you the very Emblem of a Snail, who leaves no other print nor impression of pace nor place, but a little slime. But to prevent all growing occasions of a further malady, & apply a seasonable Cure to your stupid and insensible infirmity, I must prescribe you this diet. Your broth every morning before you go to Hall, must be made of spinach, Day-nettles, and burdock's, to 1. sharpen your intellect. And to 2. keep you after noon awaking, I will prepare for you an Antiopian plaster, with an Epimeleian julip, to lay warm unto your temples. I must enjoin you at all hands to 3. abstain from all strong drinks; and never to drink betwixt meals, but with your teeth shut. I mean to provide you a Nightcap strongly chafed with the perfume of Cornucopia; purposely to 4. make your sleeps shorter, and your conceit sharper. And because I find by your Urine, and other soporiferous symptoms, that your kidneys are overlarded with oil of Dormice, I mean by sweating and suffumigations to 5. extract all those viscid & oily humours; for these, by arising from the stomach, and fuming up into the brain, caused Messala Corvinus, by acquainting himself with Amnestes, to forget his own name; And Margites, through a careless security, to fall by degrees into a cureless Lethargy. The report of whose state, I recommend to Harmonious strain.   

Argument.  
Harmonious, after he hath touched a little upon Corvinus his want of memory, with the supposed occa●…ion of his infirmity, displays the reckless condition of Margites; whose discourse was fruitless, life useless, end ruthless. He slept till he eat, and eat till he slept; till such time, as falling asleep with meat in his mouth, he was choked.  
POESY VI.  

COrvinus was a Roman borne,  
And to the Consul order sworn,  
One of such fame, as only he  
Had then the art of memory.  
Each Sign from th'mount Capitoline  
Unto the mountain Exquiline,  
He could their names distinctly tell,  
With what occurrents as befell;  
No Table-book he used at all,  
His Brain was his Memorial:  
So as to style him, some did please,  
The Ages Ephemerideses.  
But note th'Catastrophe of this,  
All's frail what●… ever humane is●…  
Walking alone upon a time  
Near to the Mountain Aventine,  
Where Choughs and Fuskites bui●… their nest,  
He there reposed to take his rest;  
One of these Birds at this same time  
Gathering leaves, sticks, stones, moss●… and lime  
With other like materials,  
To build her nest; a stone let false  
From her injurious hapless claw,  
Which gave Corvinus such a blow,  
As one day when the Censor came,  
With others to enrol his name,  
Corvinus had his na me forgot,  
And did confess he knew it not.   

But some say, his infirmity  
Came by Amnestes company,  
With whom he was acquainted long;  
" But I must not forget my Song.   

More reckless was Margites state,  
His came by sloth, but this by fate:  
His forenoon questions were these two; 

1. First, whar's a clock, I fain would know.  
2. Next, what provision? I would dine.    
Then would he sleep till supper time.  
So as, that character of his,  
In my opinion, might be this:  
" A fruitless tongue, a●… useless life,  
" A ruthless end, a tearless wife.   

Cambletes that lose Lydian King,  
Who spent his time ●…n rioting,  
Was sober, if compared to him,  
A very slave unto his skin;  
〈◊〉, he, of whom'tis said  
That lying with his wife in bed,  
He in a dream devour'●… his Bride,  
While she poor soul, slept by his side;  
But waking from his ravenous sloth,  
Finding his wife's hand in his mouth,  
And nought of all but that left on her,  
He slew himself to shun dishonour.   

But This was worse far than he,  
Devouring wife and family;  
So as two such would cause a dearth,  
To glut themselves, & starve the earth.   

Ericthous' bowels they were vast,  
Yet were they far by Him surpassed;  
His would be fi●…'d, these could be never;  
From such ●… Gulf the State deliver.   

But see! he who no measure kept,  
But sle●…ing a●…e, and eating slept,  
A●…●…naw ●…res was ●…apping taken,  
And 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 world's gain:  
" For eat●…ng-sleeping (this is troth)  
" He was found choked with meat in's mouth.  
Fared Lollards in each Country so,  
I wot well how the world would go.    

Argument.  
Themista returns Aesculapius thanks for his care, with a confident expectance of his cure: to whose diligence and success she vows (as she is just) an ample recompense: She exhorts them to have patience in their Cure: Mean time, she resolves, with her own presence, to discharge the place of justice, till their recovery shall better enable them for that service.  
PROSE VII.  
Rendering of thanks is but a naked tribute (said Themista) for so ample and extended a curtsy, as you have offered us; for your known Experience hath laid on us so confident an Expectance, that nothing less than a fair and promising Cure may be expected from one of such exquisite art, seconded with such constant care. Yet shall not thanks be all; we have a mind as ready to requite, as to receive: So that we vow, as we are just, (for so our title and actions shall ever render us) to return an ample recompense to your successive diligence. Arts deserve their rewards: for else should their edge be rebaited, and their spirits amated, who do profess them.  
Madam (answered Aesculapius) I am neither so weak in fortunes, nor servile in my thoughts, nor remiss in my desire of doing good, as to make reward my Object: for my part, I never yet reared a Stage to vaunt myself, or vent my stuff. Doing good shall be ever my goal; and the health of my Patient, my gain. Neither is that fame deservingly purchased, which is got by mere Ostentation, or desire of popular praise; Nor that gain well grounded, nor that art well employed, which exposeth itself to a price.  
O that we had many Professants of your art and of your mind (said Themista to Aesculapius!) Then should not mercenary Artists so delude the State, nor asperse upon the Republic so foul a stain. Where Experiments generally take life from the death of their Patients.  
But we must withdraw ourself, and address our discourse to these our distempered Statists; whose present infirmity, as it requires your help, so it rests that we use our exhortation to move them to patience in their Cure, with hope of recovery by submitting themselves to your Care.  
Wherewith, she presently caused her sicke-languishing Consuls to be brought forth; and being disposed in several Couches, according to their degrees, imparted herself unto them in this sort.  
Servants, and you our sometimes Deputed Assistants in the Execution of justice: Even of that Justice, which is the Summarie & absolute beauty of all Cardinal virtues. But alas! how much have you detracted from the glory of so divine a Sovereign? How far have you run astray? yea, how foully have you abused our Commission? When the wronged Widow with tear swollen eyes cried for relief; you either slept and could not hear; or were Corrupt and would not hear; or sensel●…sse of an higher judgement, and did not fear; what your ●…isguided course had given you just occasion to fear.  
But see the fruits of your labour! Observe what you suffer! A fearful distemper for your precipitate Error! Now are you fall'n into the hand of the Physician, by making so continued a league with▪ your transgression: But far be it from us to insult upon distress, or enliven your griefs with fresh repetition of your crimes. As we have hitherto intended our best Care for your Cure, so it rests that we exhort you to suffer with patience the hand of so experienced an Artist, that he may the better perfect his Cure.  
The resigned will of a Morigerous Patient makes that Cure easy, which to a perverse Patient would become desperate. Your Physician, whose dispersed fame ha●…h made him admired, where he was never kno●…ne, gives us good hope of your recovery; albeit your distempers are of several quality; which implies, that some of your Cures will be more easy, others of more difficuly. Now as our Exhortation tends to this purpose, to move you to patience, so our desire shall be that upon your recovery, you redeem your lost time with redoubled diligence. For should you become remiss in your Care, upon the perfecting of your Cure, it had been much better that you had continued still in your distemper, than to recover health to your more dishonour. Plutarch reports▪ that Antigonus had in his Army a valiant Soldier, but of a sickly body. Antigonus observing his valour, and grieving that so stout a resolution should be seconded by so weak a constitution, procured his Physicians to take him in hand; and he was healed. Now, being sound, he began to fight in some fear, to keep himself a good distance from danger, no more venturing into the Van or forlorn place of the battle. Antigonus noting and wondering at this alteration, asked him the cause of this new cowardice. He answers, O Antigonus, thou art the cause. Before, I ventured nothing but a diseased corpse, and then I choose rather to dye quickly, than to live sickly: I invited death to do me a kindness: Now it is otherwise with me, for I have somewhat to lose. Be not you, like this recreant Soldier; upon recovery of your health: improve it to the public wealth. You have lost much time; bewail that loss with numerous tears; the most precious and propitious tribute for misspent hours. Feed not on a diseased State; neither rear your foundation on others ruins. It hath been the condition of many of your Profession (with grief we speak it) so they fattened themselves, they cared little how lean their starved Clients were. Which moved that Country Boor, far more wittily, than could be well expected from one of his breeding, to answer one of your rank, yet of far more integrity, in this manner. It happened that this Boor driving a Team of Horses upon the high way, was encountered by a pregnant Practitioner in your Profession: who observing his foremost Horse fat and fair, and bravely Caparisoned, with a garland in his topping, the more to beautify him; demanded of this conceited Boor, why his fore-horse was so gaily decked, and so fat, and those that came behind, so poor and lean? O Sir, (answered the Boor!) my fore-horse is a Lawyer, & these lean jades that follow him, his Clients.  
But such difference of feeding brings a flourishing State to ruin. Be it your care to neglect no means for recovery of your enfe●…bled health; nor to omit no time, wherein you may benefit the State by your health.  
Mean time, it shall be our resolution, with our own presence to discharge the place of justice, till your recovery shall better enable you for that service. So every one of you to his Couch, we to our judicial Seat: where we must first play Alcides part, by purging that Augean Stable of the State. Prune the luxurious Vine, that it may thrive the better, and vindicate Arcadia's late blemished honour.    

THE CONSULS CHARGE  
The fourth Book.  

Argument.  
Harmonious brings tidings to Themista of her Consul's recovery; the sundry symptoms and effects of every malady; the rare experiments used by Aesculapius in the cure of their infirmity; closing with a triumphant Paean in the honour of his memory.  
POESY I.  

HEalth to Themista, solace and content!  
To whom I am by Aesculapius sent,  
In humble manner briefly to relate  
Her late distempered Consuls good estate.  
A timely salve's applied to their wound,  
Their brains recovered, and their senses sound;  
What they admired before, they now despise,  
In each point grave, judicious and wise.  
They solely prise what gains them just esteem,  
All else they hold a mere deluding dream.  
O heavens to see, what I might ofttimes see,  
What strange effects sprung from each malady!  
What various symptoms from one Patient!  
Now was he jocund, straightway disc●…ntent.  
Now fierce as any Lion, straight would he  
Become as tame as any Lamb could be.   

With what an appetite Metoxos would  
Gape, if he chanced to see a piece of gold?  
And as't had sympathized with his nature,  
He ne'er could eye it but his teeth would water.  
His hand stretched out he used still to have,  
ne'er shut but open, hopeful to receive.  
Short was his breath, his Lungs decayed and wasted,  
Swollen was his neck, his corrupt breath distasted.  
A Migrim seized his brain, no cure was found,  
Where e'er he went, the world turned round.  
Yet though this Chrone could neither sleep nor feed,  
He had a wanton Colts-tooth in his head:  
And where some youths with one contented be,  
This useless Trunk was still in fee withthree.  

* Philia. Dusnoia. Aneleuteria.  Three famous Curtezaus, where he resorted,  
And more than age could promise, nimbly sported.   

Yet lo! what divine art can bring to pass!  
You would not know him for the man he was.  
Such choice receipts my famous Master used,  
As now he is unto himself reduced.  
His wand'ring eye is fixed, his fancy clear,  
No roving passion●… in his mind appear:  
Yea, his composed temper it is such,  
Nought can be spoke in's praise, may seem too much.   

But now it may be you desire to hear  
The manner of his cure! Lend but your ear,  
And I'll acquaint your Grace; though men of art  
Be ofttimes loath such secrets to impart:  
But Aesculapius is not such an one,  
What he professeth, he would have it known.   

To wean this Consul from desire of gold,  
He first contrived a curious antique mould,  
Wherein was pe●…sonate a man of note,  
With golden Laddles haling down hi●… throat;  
Which sight so terrified this Peer of State,  
A●… the mere object bred in gold an hate.   

Next, artful pills of gold, which gave delight  
far less unto the palate than the sight:  
For though the golden colour made him taste i●…,  
The bitter paste within did make him cast it:  
So as within short time, he could behold  
Nothing less pleasing to his eyes than gold.   

Can we then too much glory attribute  
To HIM, who having heard your Grace's suit,  
Employed his art, (an art which heavens affect)  
And to his art conferred such rare effect?  
I know not, I, for I am but a Boy,  
What may impart to Mortals highest joy;  
But sure I am, if benefit of health  
Preferred be 'fore honour, pleasure, wealth,  
" All Sacred Paeans we are bound to give  
" To HIM, by whom we love, by whom we live.   

NEXT him, Epimonos, one of such awe,  
He ever used to make his Will his Law;  
Inopposition both with Earth and Heaven,  
He ever stood, nor would be led nor driven.  
Stiff and unpliant were his Arteries,  
His acts to others mere Antipodes.  
The more you moved him, lesser did he feel,  
And wished his head had stood upon his heel.  
Such a strange buzzing in his ears was grown,  
he'd hear no man's opinion but his own.  
Nay, now and then he would not stand upon't,  
But to call Nature to a strict account,  
And tax her too for some supposed crime,  
Which was not Natures, but the fault of time.   

" I muse (quoth he) what Woodcock could prevail  
" With Nature so, to deck the Peacock's tail  
" With such a various lustre, beauteous pall,  
" And to the Ostrich give no tail at all.  
" And why the Ox's horns so bravely spread,  
" Should not stand on his shoulders bu●… his head,  
" Being the stronger part, as all may see;  
" Fare sitter then his armour there should be●….  
N●…r could he ere this Critic humour smother,  
But still find fault with one thing or another.   

But this rare Artist, when he had descried  
This strange distemper, and receipts applied  
To cure his malady, resolve▪ d to frame  
A Shrine, t'enforce Epimonos to shame.  
And his device was this: One Demophon,  
Who used to sweat i'th' shade, to shake it he Sun;  
Was in an artful Model featured,  
And in each part so nearly shadowed  
To this Epimonos, so like was he,  
As he himself unto himself could be.  
The more he eyed this model wrought so fit,  
The more he saw himself displayed in it;  
All jeered him to his face, to hear him hold  
Opinions which reason had controlled:  
So as to chastise this Opinionate,  
He was adjudged by censure of the State,  
Till he his perverse humour should disclaim,  
T'expose his person to a public shame.  
Which censure past, like birds about an Owl,  
The rabble rout enclose this humorous fool;  
Some strip him naked, some twitch him by the nose,  
Others do cramp him by the thighs or toes;  
Each has an hand in his just punishment,  
As if they had been by the Furies sent.   

All this Epimonos no sooner eyes,  
Than to himself with winged speed he flies.   

" Art sleep or wake, Epimonos, said he?  
" Or seeing, not observest what thou dost see?  
" Canst thou forget thyself, and see this shape?  
" Or to thyself thy self a stranger make?  
" Thy form and feature are (with this) the same,  
" Thy actions too do merit equal shame.  
" Who ever wedded more to his opinion?  
" Who to himself a more deluded Minion?  
" Who more averse from that which others thought?  
" Who more esteem from disesteem e'er sought?  
" Who less conceiving and perversely vain?  
" Who less admired, and higher hopes retain?  
" Who lives to be less loved, and more selfe-prized?  
" Who ever less affected, more despised?  
" Fie then recant; he has the happi●…st wit,  
" Who has discretion to attemper it.  
" And of all others, those the least do err,  
" Who in opinion are least singular.  
" Let Stoics be to opposition given,  
" Who to extremes in arguments are driven;  
" Submit thy judgement to another's will  
" Ifit begood; oppose it mildly, ill.  
" Discreetest tempers passion will forbear,  
" And make good use of what they see or hear.  
" These, strifes compose, but difference seldom stir,  
" Nor by rash answers, censurings incur.  
" Be thou the same, so mayst thou ever be,  
" While others suffer, from all censure free.   

Such rare effects this Model in him wrought,  
As affability did steer his thought;  
All his desires were how to give content,  
And frame his actions to another bent  
Than what he erst affected; as in fine,  
He was the choicest mirror in his time.   

If then 't▪ extol their Patrons, many please,  
Wh●… store them with inferior gifts to these;  
" All Sacred Paeans we are bound to give  
" To HIM, by whom we love, by whom we live.   

NEXT, vain Uperephanos, who still thought  
That th'world without him would be brought tonought;  
For whe●… the Dogge-starre raged, he used to cry,  
" No other Atlas has the world but I.  
" ay am that only He supports the State;  
" Cements division, shut●… up Ja●…us gate;  
" Improves the public f●…me, chalks out the way  
" How Princ●…s sh●…uld command, Subj●…cts ob●…y.  
" I am that Lesbian rule directs each action,  
" And rectifies the crooked line of faction.  
" Nought passeth my discovery, for my sense  
" Exten●…s itself to all intelligence.  
" Yea, I mperswaded, whensoe'er I die,  
" (As wisest men cope with mortality)  
" The greatest Statists that s●…rvivors b●…e  
" Will make an Idoll-D●…ity of m●…e.  
" For quickly would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fabri●…ke quail,  
" If my Atlantic shoulder●… sh●…uld ●…ut f●…ile  
" To give't supportance: this's the very cause  
" They s●…ile me the Lycurgus of just lawès;  
" Fame my renown, consume whole Summer-d●…yes  
" In the relation of my Consul-praise.   

This Aesculapius finds, and straight applies  
Receipts unto his temples and his eyes;  
A flatuous humour forthwith he extracts  
From his inflamed stomach, which distracts  
His intellect: and to recall ●…is wit,  
(For by a mad Dog he was lately bit)  
He makes the Liver of the Dog be min●…'d,  
And in a silver-valley-fountaine rin●…'d;  
Which he prescribes him drink from day to day,  
So by degrees his fury to allay.   

This done, exactly done, he causeth one  

* This Story is raised to his full height and postu●…e, in that Historical discourse, entitled, The Politic Leader.  To paint the plot of Tarquin and his Son;  
When he in hidden Characters did show  
How he should act the Gabian overthrow.  
Where th'highest Poppies in his Garden stood  
He politicly pruned with his rod:  
Implying th' ablest Statesmen that had watched  
O'er th' State the m●…st▪ should soon be dispatched.  
But for such Poppies as did under-g●…ow,  
Those Poppies were but Puppies, let them go.  
Under this Story he an Emblem made  
Of Atlas by the world overlaide;  
Who bore it up, but being out of breath,  
The world and her Supporter fell therewith.   

This Story having read, with th'emblem too,  
He found himself displayed, but knew not how.  
Yet more he read, the more he might perceive  
Himself so formed, no Artist could engrave  
His Sculpture to more life; which to discuss,  
He with himself in private argued thus.   

" What might this Story mean by Poppy flowers?  
" Or by those High-ones lopped by higher powers?  
" By Poppies, Consuls (sure) implied be,  
" And those pruned first, are highest in degree.  
" These tender-rising flowers which lowest are,  
" Imperious Tarquin bids his Sextus spare,  
" They are below his censure; those who were  
" Great in the world's esteem, and popular,  
" Must hop without an head, and learn to try  
" The fate of greatness being doomed to die.  
" Again, peruse this Emblem, and in it  
" The ruin of an overweening wit.  
" These, who presume in others disesteem,  
" To bring to pass whatsoever they vainly dream;  
" Or to partake with others hold a scorn,  
" Boasting that th' State is on their shoulders borne;  
" Are here by Atlas lively shadowed,  
" And in them thy vainglory censured.   

" See, see Uperephanos, thy condition  
" Debl●…zon'd in this Emblem of ambition!  
" Thou held thy shoulders only fit to bear  
" The State, and her declining body rear,  
" Thou deemed no action meriting applause,  
" Wherein thou wert not styled the moving cause.  
" Thou thought the public State could not subsist,  
" Unless it did on thy supportance rest.  
" Thus to thyself thy self an Idol was,  
" And more adored than Ifis golden Ass:  
" Whereas Themista well perceived by thee,  
" Thy private crimes were not from censure free.   

So well this Story and this Emblem wrought,  
Uperephanos was so humble brought,  
As he on Earth disvalue nothing more  
Than what his vainest humour prized before.  
More wise, but less conceited of his wit;  
More pregnant, but less apt to humour it;  
More worthy, ' cause he could agnize his want;  
More eminent, because less arrogant.  
In brief, so humbly-morally-divine,  
He was esteemed the Non-such of his time.   

If then for him who doth us outward good,  
We will not stick to hazard state and blood,  
" All Sacred Paeans we are bound to give  
" To HIM, by whom we love, by whom we live.   

Next him Meilixos, such a starved one,  
As he had nothing left but skin and bone.  
The shady substance of aliving man,  
Or object of contempt where ere he came.  
Yet had he able parts, and could discourse,  
Press moving reasons, arguments enforce,  
Expr●…sse his readings with a comely grace,  
And prove himself a Consul in his place.  
But weak he was, though for his judgement strong,  
And would not hold in any reason long:  
For though he could to secretest notions dive,  
He held himself the simplest man alive.  
So as in arguments he still would yield,  
And to one mean in judgement leave the field.  
Weak was his constitution, small his feature,  
Ofeasie-pliant temper, facile nature;  
Cold, aguish, and subject unto bleeding,  
His radical humour dried with too much reading;  
Yea, his weak health run on that dangerous shelf,  
His fe●…ble corpse could scarce support itself.  
And for his eyes, they did so ill bestead him,  
He could go no way but as others led him.  
So as, oft privately he would complain,  
And tax his weakness too, but all in vain,  
Why his desires in action fell so short,  
Which to himself he questioned in this s●…rt.   

" How is't Meilixos? must thou ever fall  
" From worse to worse by being Physical?  
" Is there no hope of Cure, no help to Care,  
" But still be ranked amongst those who weakest are?  
" Must thou in silence live, retired die,  
" And close thy days with this infirmity?  
" Others can walk, discourse and reason too,  
" And other noble actions bravely do:  
" Thou none of all these Offices retains,  
" But sittest Bench-mute with thy decayed brains.  
" Where's that Delinquent thou e'er censured yet,  
" That thou by Justice might opinion get?  
" Nay, wherein hath thy doom made defference  
" 'Twixt deepe-dyde guilt, and spotless innocence?  
" Put out thy lamp then▪ which her light so smothers,  
" It gives no lustre to thyself nor others.   

Great Aesculapius forthwith to prevent  
Occasion of ensuing detriment,  
Prepares his choice receipts to cheer his blood,  
Extracts what's ill, and renovat'st the good.  
Nought he omits to expedite his cure,  
Whereof such may despair, are most s●…cure.  
All which performed (what cannot art effect?)  
H●…e shows himself a curious Architect:  
Structures he frames, and in them Statues too  
Of Inus, Iphiclus and many more;  
Where he deviseth Iphiclus to stand  
On Inus shoulders; and at his command  
To steer the Pinnace of a troubled State;  
Meilixos looks, and laughs at this conceit;  
Consults with reason, questions every doubt,  
And longs to sift this Statue-morall out.  
At last he finds the morall's meant by him,  
And represents the state that he is in.  
Which found, he makes a moral application  
Unto himself, discoursing in this fashion.   

" What's meant, Meilixos, by this Statue here,  
" Where dwarfish Inus doth a Giant bear,  
" The nervie Iphiclus? O be not blind!  
" Thy feature in this Picture thou shalt find.  
" Each Consul is an Iphiclus of State,  
" Who, when by weakness he will derrogate  
" From th' honour ●…e retains; or judgement wave  
" What his own mouth definitively gave;  
" Or bend the model of impartial law,  
" To the imperious frown of fear or awe;  
" Or to Plebeian censure, ever rude,  
" Give way, because there is a multitude:  
" Then, than a Pygmies shoulders him support,  
" Because he falls in estimation short  
" Of what the State expected at his hands,  
" By giving way to popular commands.   

" Lay off this weakness then; know thine own place;  
" Let thine own actions give degree a grace.  
" Prefer the just man's cause; advance his right;  
" And censure favourites in Caesar's sight.  
" Poise thy opinion; if't with justice stand,  
" Maintained against the Chieftains of the Land;  
" But if it want in weight, incline to his  
" Whose scale more equal and impartial is.  
" For as great weakness in that man appears,  
" Who credulous, believes whatsoever he hears:  
" So do we hold him too opiniona●…e,  
" Who deems all wisdom treasured in his pate.  
" Be humbly modest, and discreetly wise,  
" Nor foolish, nor too prudent in thine eyes.  
" For ●…s the former strengthens ignorance,  
" So doth the latter taste of arrogance.   

'twere rare now to imagine how this wrought  
Upon Meilixos, and how soon it brought  
His weak-inclining spirit to aspire  
To reputation, and with strong desire  
To feed more noble thoughts than he e'●…e knew,  
Before this Artist his presentment drew.   

If we hi●… praises then so much display,  
Who gives us health, or adds to life a day,  
Or helps decayed beauty, or repairs  
Our chop-falne cheeks, or Winter-molted hairs:  
" All Sacred Paeans we are bound ●…o give  
" To HIM, by whom we love, by whom we live.   

NEXT him Upotomos, one more severe,  
ne'er purple wore in this inferior sphere;  
Rough and distasteful was his nature still,  
His life unsociable, as was his will.  
Eris and Enio his two Pages were,  
His train stern Apuneia used to bear.  
Terror and thunder E●…eho'd from his tongue,  
Though weak in judgement, in opinion strong.  
A fiery inflammation seized his eyes,  
Which could not well be tempered any wise:  
For they were bloodshot, and so prone to ill,  
As Basiliske-like, where e'er they looked, they kill.  
No Laws but Draco's with his humour stood,  
For they were writ in Characters of blood.  
His stomach was distempered in such sort,  
Nought would digest; nor could he relish sport.  
His dreams were full of melancholy fear,  
Bolts, Halters, Gibbets hallowed in his Ear:  
Fury fed nature with a little food,  
Which ill concocted did him lesser good.   

" I'll purge these Augean stables of the state,  
" (Thus would he say) and make these Locusts shake  
" Who hold themselves secure: where if our laws  
" Cannot detect them, I shall mint some cause  
" To bring them within lash of punishment;  
" Admit they be sincerely innocent.  
" If none should but Delinquents censured be,  
" Good would turn bad through much impunity.  
" Beside●…, that witty fable of the Cranes  
" Implies no less than what our purpose aims:  
"" If good be found in bad men's company,  
"" The good with bad must suffer equally.  
" For pregnant proofs, presumptions I will take,  
" And open guilt of mere suspicion make.  
" For trembling captives who are doomed to die,  
" I mean to triumph o'er their misery.  
" No word of comfort from my mouth shall come,  
" But domineering language to their doom.  
" For why! old age with new infirmities  
" Upon my crazy joints so strongly seize,  
" As long I cannot live: lose then no time,  
" But of an error m●…ke an heinous crime:  
" That these Decoys who hope to trample o'er thee,  
" May by thy rigid judgement go before thee.  
" I muse at his relenting spirit sheds tears,  
" When he the doom of any fellow hears:  
" My breast's of stronger temper; I would see  
" A subject work so strange effects on me.  
" No, no; my flaming eyes delighted are  
" To see a troop of Rakehells stand at bar  
" Accused for odious facts, and hear them frame  
" Fruitless excuses to their dying shame.  
" Wherefinde I none through th' circuit where I go  
" Or in those Counties I'm deputed to,  
" Want of employment doth me much displease,  
" Which makes me tax these supine Justices  
" Of their remissness; or to their disgrace,  
" They know not what belongs unto their place.  
" Or, as I'm wont t'interpret actions still,  
" People be there too simple to do ill.  
" For loath would I be attributes to give  
" Of doing good to th' purest men that live.  
" Nor be they worthy of those robes they wear,  
" Who in their office will not be severe.   

This our experien'st Herbist having found,  
And searched his strong distemper to the ground;  
Salves he applies to cure his rankling wound,  
And clear those vicious humours which abound.  
Amongst which, the rarest experiment of all,  
Was taking of a red-worme from his gall,  
Which fretted with such fury night and day,  
As no receipt this passion could allay,  
Till he h dop'ned him, and wrought his cure,  
While he impatient, would no art endure.  
No Parthian Tiger, mountain Lioness  
Who hunts for him, who made her issueless,  
Could show more boundless fury; but in vain  
Did this enchained Patient complain:  
For to be cured although he did refuse,  
Being fast bound, he could not will nor choose.  
This done, and his distemper well allayed,  
He caused a curious Orbell to be made,  
Where Syracusan tyrants were portrayed  
And all their cruelties to life displayed.  
Next this, Argestes in a frame lay under,  
By divine justice struck from heaven with thunder;  
One, who was thunder all, and ne'er could give  
Hope to an humhle penitent to live:  
But held this irrelenting Tenet still,  
" The way to cure a corrupt State s to kill.  
In curious artful manner these were drawn,  
And to Upotomos awaking shown:  
Whose now more piercing eye straight apprehends  
Both what the Story and the Shrine intends;  
Which to himself applied, he thus began  
To tax himself, clean l ke another man.   

" heavens bless me! I have had a fearful dream,  
" For I was swimming in a p●…rple sterame  
" Of blood which I have shed, and s●…ill me thought,  
" The more I sunk, the more I upward sought.  
" Peering at last a shore, from th'curled Maine,  
" A flash of fire straight pashed ●…ee down again.  
" And now awake, what see I but the same,  
" My self displ●…yed in Argestes, frame!  
" Here Syracusan tyrants show to me  
" What they affected, brutish cruelty.  
" There, stern Argestes tells me by his fate,  
" That cruelty's the object of Jove's hate.   

" OH then Upotomos, in time repent,  
" 
* Ista liquescens pluvia, lavet peccati diluvia. Doleat reus, ut deleat Deus.  And grieve thou art not throughly penitent!  
" Drench thy dry soul in rivulets of tears,  
" Enhearse thy sable soul in lasting fears,  
" Embathe thy panting heart in floods of grief,  
" enrol thyself amongst all mourners, chief;  
" Water thy bed with penitential showers,  
" And for wild weeds, bring forth delicious flowe●…  
" For never did the Sun yet shine upon  
" That wretch, who sinned more than thou hast do●…  
"" Thus for each drop of blood unjustly shed,  
"" Let sighs for sins with sands be numbered.   

Such were the fruits these choice receipts produc'●…  
He holds himself by Eris much abused:  
Her th●…refore he discards, and vows to be  
A p●…sident of affability.  
A milde-sweet presence forth with he puts on,  
And with that presence a delightful to●…gue;  
A melting heart, a moist distilling eye,  
An open ear to hear a Plaintiffs cry.  
If a Physician then such bounties have,  
From whom we hope we may some health receive;  
That if his purges do us any good,  
He means to purge our purse as well as blood:  
" All Sacred Paeans we are bound to give  
" To HIM, by whom we purely love, and live.   

NEXT Amerimnos, not the least, though last,  
Amongst these active spirits slept foe f●…st,  
As th' drowsy Dormouse in her shady cave  
Could more secure retirement never have.  
Two holes in's siege the Hedgehog reareth forth,  
One to the South, the other to the North:  
Now when the Southwind blows he stops that hole,  
And turns him Northward, to the Northern pole;  
Again, when th' Northwind blows, he leaves his booth,  
Steps up that hole, and turns him to the South.  
And such an Urchin Amerimnos was,  
Who littl●… cared how precious time did pass,  
So he might sleep secure, his palate please,  
And for his Honour get a Writ of ease.  
But so addicted was he unto sloth,  
he'd fall sometimes a sleep with meat in's mouth.  
His drivelling chin did with his bosom meet,  
With beard to belly, belly to his feet:  
Which was stretched forth to that extensive breed,  
His two Supporters did no Penthouse need.  
So as, none would have ta'en him at that time  
F●…r any other than a Porcupine.   

Wise Aesculapius caused his man to shake him,  
But no exte●…nall motion could awake him;  
So as he found all such enticements vain,  
For if he waked, ●…e fell asleep again.  
An Ep●…meilian Julip he applies  
Unto his breasts, his temples, and his eyes,  
With cheerful perfumes, wrought by choicest art,  
To re-dispose the intellectual part.  
All viscid humours he extracted quite,  
To give his understanding clearer light.  
And that his practice more success might have,  
He formed Silenus sleeping in a Cave;  
Fruits and delicious Liquors touched his lip,  
Yet would he not bow down his neck to sip.  
Near to Cave a speckled Aspic came  
With poisonous sting to wound the sleeping man,  
But an industrious Emmet did prevent  
The envious Aspics venomous intent:  
For she awaked him with a cheerful charm,  
So as the Aspic did him little harm.   

This Amerimnos eyes; which makes him see  
Into himself and his stupidity.  
This he finds meant by him, for now his sense  
Had shaken off her former drowsiness:  
Thus to himself then his discourse he fits  
By recollecting his dispersed wits.   

" Silenus' and an As●…icke! pray thee eye  
" This acquaint device, and see what't may imply.  
" Slothful Silenus' while he sleeps in sin,  
" Becom●…s assaulted by an Aspics sting.  
" But th' Emmet, by which diligence is meant,  
" Awakes Silenus, foils the Asps intent.  
" Apply this to thyself, let industry  
" Be still thine Harbinger to Usher thee;  
" Hate what thouer'st affected, barren sloth,  
" Take no delight in a delicious tooth;  
" Let State-employment reave thee of thy rest,  
" That thou with honour mayst repair thy nest;  
" Think thyself richest when thou livest best,  
" So shall this conscience be a cheerful guest.   

And his resolves he brought to such success,  
As all his actions famed his worthiness:  
Rich was the treasure of his well-spent time,  
Wherein no day without a virtuous line.  
Pure the composure of his well wrought mind,  
To public works of piety confined.   

What Trophies are we then for HIM to rear,  
Whose care hath cured these Statists we have here:  
And of distempered men brought them to feel  
Both their own griefs, and of the Commonweal?   

For if we them reward who have a care  
T'intend our bodies, or our States repair;  
Fare ampler bounties we▪ re to render HIM,  
Who gives repair unto our state within.  
" T●…iumphant Paeans then we're bound to give  
" To HIM, by whom we love, subsist, and live.    

Argument.  
Themista seems at first not to be persuaded that Cures of such difficulty could so expeditely be effected; She falls into an admiration of her own happiness, with a resolved tender of thankfulness, if Harmonious relation become seconded by success; She gives especial direction, that her Consuls be admitted to her presence, to express by their discourse, apparent arguments of their Cure; Metoxos, the ancientest of her Consuls, is called forth, and declares the manner of his Cure, which he ascribes to Aesculapius' incessant Care; He disclaims his former folly, and appeals to Isotes, whose company he only admits to relate his recovery.  
PROSE I.  
Do I sleep? or waking, am I deluded? Is it possible that our Metoxos should be recovered? Is that Sacred thirst of gold in him so soon quenched? Surely, cures so difficult and habitually inveterate, cannot so speedily be effected. We say," No task of importance may admit a speedy dispatch: Yet this, of all others, most intricate, is to a short limit confined. That he, who could distinguish of no other colour but gold; and held no other colour worthy use in Heraldry; should now hold it adulterate for abusing the State.  
Rare experiments, trust me, so they be ●…eall, and not delude me. We know not what to think of it, lest we should perplex our thoughts too much by embarking ourself upon it. Yet, we have heard, if any one infected with the jaundice, shall but look upon the bird Icterus, he forthwith recovers and regains his former beauty and colour; why should I then doubt, but upon these experiments, which the sacred secrecy of art hath discovered, that my long distempered Consul Metoxos should despair of recovery? Why may not these terrible Presentments work so much upon his fancy, as the impression of them may avert him from what he most affected; and adhere to tha●… which before he lest relished? which effect, should we see produced, to what height of admiration might we be raised? Nor should we close our receipt of happiness, without a resolved tender of thankfulness; could Harmonious relation (seconded with such native action) become seconded by an answerable succes●…e. But fit it were, that what we hear confirmed by report, we see made good by intercourse to those, with whom we are to address our discourse. We purpose therefore to give especial direction, that these our Consuls be admitted to our presence, to express by their discourse, apparent arguments of their Cure, and sovereign effects of our Care. And that this may be done the better, we will call each of our Consuls personally in their order.  
Having said thus, she gave especial directions, tha●… Metoxos, the ancien●…est of all her Consuls, should be called forth; whom she no sooner saw approaching, than she i●…agined how it was with him. For his very outward posture expressed an alteration in his temper. And al●…●…he better to try conclusions on her recovered Patrician; she caused sundry pieces of gold to be scattered in the way as he ascended up to their judicial Throne; purposely to see whether that metal, wherewith his captived af●…ections were ●…ormerly so much; not only restrained, but enchained, would take his eye or no; but all these were too inferior baits for so rectified a spirit. These he valued equally as dust; and with a noble command, or princely contempt of all despicable objects, advancing himself with a graceful presence towards Themista, applied himself to her command. Who desirous to gather by his discourse, what she had collected by his presence, willed him to declare the manner of his cure, to the e●…d ●…he migh●… render a more ample requital of Aesculapius care.  
Madam (quoth Metoxos) to relate every particular ingredience used by this divine Artist, would so enlarge the extent of my discourse, as the relation would appear no less useless to the Hearer, than tedious to the Relator. To avoid then all frivolous and fruitless ambages, which are usually so far from dir●…cting or enlightening the understandi●…g, as they are made rather for distracting or burdening our apprehension, I shall 〈◊〉 return u●…to your Grace●… ●… just account of the benefits I have received, the incomparable comforts I have conceived; all which may be easily gathered by those many infirmities whereto before I stood engaged, and whereof, (thanks to the Supreme Deity) I am now perfectly cured.  
It is not unknown unto my Soveraigness●…, with what distempers I was seized; insomuch as, I never came to the Bench of justice, but I showed some apparent argument or other of my weakness: Which caused some of my nearest to imagine, that I was surely either bewitched or possessed. Your Sacred Medal (the exquisitest Masterpiece of art that ever Arcady produced) being moulded of pure gold did so sympathise with my partiall-gilt nature, as I could never look upon the Statue, but my teeth did water: No other Object could take me, so much was I devoted to that Plebeian Idolatry. As for my hands, I could never shut them, so much had hope of gain enlarged them: for I imagined, if they were shut, how could they partake in any booty, or receive any compatible share in a Clients enforced bounty. For my Lungs, they were so decayed, as an Asthmatical Apnaea had surprised them. Besides, a dangerous swelling in my throat, when Saturn had predominance over the Clientall regiment; with a desperate Migrim, which averted mine Ear from the Suit of a just, but poor Complainant, daily threatened a dissolution to this my weak earthly Structure. Yet could these constant Nuntios of my frailty, little wean me from mine accustomed folly. For though age had wrought many deep furrows in my face; and sundry growing infirmities incident to age, had enfeebled nature, and engaged me to a continuate distemper: ye●… in this my decrepit doting ag●…, was I infinitely taken with three impudent Courtesans; whose wooing-winning enticements had so far prevailed with me, as that day seemed tedious, which I spent not in Philia's, Du●…noia's, or Analeutheria's company. Which, though some thought I did purposely to improve and enrich my state; sure I am, their amorous embraces, and incessant attendance, much weakened and impaired my strength. Now observe the rare effects of this divine art! By the benefit I received from Aesculapius, to whose especial Care your Grace recommended our Cure, I loathe nothing more than what I did formerly love; my thirst, which before was only for Gold, now extends solely to the public good. Now, would your Ladyship know the means which brought me first to an hate of this fury! Be pleased ●…o hear me, and you shall receive a true relation from me. After such time, as this divine Artist Aesculapius had prepared my body, and applied diverse sovereign receipts for my more speedy recovery; and amongst others, certain gilded pills, which procured in me so violent a vomit, as I could not for long time aft●…r look upon that Object, but I did highly distaste it: He bethought himself by what means he might work the deepest impression upon my imagination; which he observed to be so clouded and troubled, as nothing came from me, but distractedly and indisposedly uttered. He observed, as the Eyes were the members of the body, so they were the windows of the mind; nay, that the Eye was a living glass, or such a representative mirror, as by reflection of conceit, the Delinquent might soon come to the knowledge, acknowledgement & amendment of his error. For this end he d●…vised and artfully contrived certain curious Emblems presented to life; which were discovered unto me in an Oval; where I might apparently see a Picture, as near resembling mine own person, in favour and feature, as could be imitated by art, or first initiated by nature. No part of all mine habit undisplayed; no action or gesture by me used, but there presented. So as, in very truth, I either thought that there was some other Metoxos beside▪ me; or else that some had assumed Metoxos habit and person, purposely to delude me. But how do you think was the posture of this picture framed? In what manner disposed? This Metoxos, as he was thus portrayed and personated, seemed to me bound to a flaming stake; and those three Courtesans, on which I so much doted while I was distempered, standing there like distracted Furies, haled down whole Laddles of molten Gold down his throat; ever and anon bellowing forth these words with a fearful voice; Quench thy thirst Metoxos; here is gold for thee; partiality deserves such a partiall-gilt bounty. This Presentment did not a little startle me; so as comparing this feature with mine own; his action gesture and posture with mine own; those three Courtesans, which I tendered as mine own, with those exquisitest torments inflicted upon that Image which resembled mine, as nearly as I mine own; I begun to recollect my discatered senses, and in this manner to expostulate with myself.  
Metoxos so fully to life portrayed! And my whole life in this image of Metoxos so lively displayed? Sure there is something in it, which, as yet, I little dream of. There is, questionless, some secret mysterious Moral cov●…rtly shadowed in this Presentment: well, I purpo●…e to dive farther yet into the depth of this Enigmatical Riddle. Discuss then each particular, to the end thou mayst become the more authentic Expositor. What may seem to be meant by these three Courtesans, and those Laddles of molten gold, which they are incessantly pouring down the throat of this personated Metoxos? Are not these the real personages of those amorous Courtesans, which thou sometimes so miserably affected? Yet, are these they, by whom Metoxos becomes woefully tormented. But whence the cause? Eye the impreze, and it will inform thee: FOR PARTIALITY. Examine then every circumstance, and see if the shadow agree not with the substance. Reflect upon thyself, Metoxos, and observe well if these have not proper allusion to thee! Thine own form thou here seest undistinguishably concurring; thy three amorous Dalilahs' attending and tormenting; with Partiality, the cause producing, why these torments are inflicting. Consider likewise, how torments are ever inflicted, by that subject whereon we stand most affected. And what was it Metoxos, that in the whole course of thy distempered justice, thou most affected? What was it whereto thou stood most engaged? Was it not Gold, Metoxos? yes sure; that was the bait which did only take me: It was my use to poise the worth of the cause, by the weight of the purse. Gold was the Cement, which souldred Partiality with judgement. O divine Emblem! This shall work more rare effects upon my corrupted sen●…e, than any other Physical ingredience. It shall be my constant resolve to loath, what I did so miserably love; that I may fall in love, with what I did so desperately loath. Discretion shall give direction to my affection; I purpose henceforth never so intentively to fix upon the buy, as to become forgetful of the main. These presentments tendered me by so judicious and exquisite an Artist, shall by the power of him that made me, work such impr●…srons in me, as no time shall raze out the memory of so impressive a character; nor decline me from being just, for either lucre, fear or favour.  
Nor was this Emblem only there expressed; but Midas likewise, with his Ass' ears, to life presented; who desiring whatsoever he touched, might to Gold be turned, received his wish in his dish, and so for want of natural nourishment, became famished. But this wrought no such effect upon my conceit, as did the former: for so strangely was I unnaturalized, or estranged rather from my na●…ive and inbred disposition, as nothing appeared more distasteful to my sight, than the Object of Gold▪ ever dreaming of those fearful torments, which those my darling Dalilahs', complete Courtesans, inflicted upon tha●… Picture, which so nearly re●…embled Metoxos feature.  
These sovereign effects partly derived from those precedent Receipts, partly from these impressive Emblems; made me remember that Physical Maxim so often delivered, by Aesculapius our great Professor: When a man bleeds at the nose, and through abundance of blood, is brought in danger of his life, the Physician lets him blood in his arm, to turn the course of the blood another way: If love issue out in too violent a stream, it is to be cooled by a temperate expostulation with fancy: or else, by fixing our eye upon some more at●…ractive Object, divert the course of that madding Passion.  
Now Madam, such shall ever be my constant humility, as I must solely ascribe this incomparable benefit of my Cure, to Aeculapius incessant Care: Whose exquisite art produced this incredible work. It rests then, that howsoever my Sovereigness be pleased to dispose of me, i●… shall be my fixed intention, utterly to di●…claime my former folly: While I appeal to Isotes whose company I only admit to rela●…e my discovery.   

Argument.  
Isotes in musical airs relates the incredible effects of Metoxos Cure; the modera●…i on or attemperature of his desires; his distaste of all such meats as bred in him any distemper; And how much The mista might improve her own, by advancing his honour.  
POESY II.  

SEE, Lady, see, Metoxos state  
Transformed from what it was of late!  
That J●…undise eye, wh●…ch could behold  
No object but refined gold;  
That hand, which like a thirsty grave,  
Was ever open to receive;  
That heart, whose native tincture spilt,  
Was changed into a partiall-gilt;  
That tongue, which knew not how to speak,  
Till chink made way the string to break:  
Can look, touch, like, and make discourse,  
With free and unconstrained force.   

Such rare effects your Grace shall find●…  
In cure of your Me●…oxos mind.  
Virtue his spotless breast inspires  
With moderation of desires;  
Poor though in state, his mind is pu●…e,  
Stored with the sweet attemp'rature  
Of choicest graces that can suit  
A man to make him absolute.  
What meats in him distemper bred,  
His taste hath quite dis-relished.  
Naught he affects but what may give  
Means to direct him how to live.   

Receive him then into your grace,  
His virtues will deserve his place.  
Nor can you ever more improve  
Your honour, than by good men's love:  
For when your grace to these is shown,  
You give improvement to your own.  
Advance him then; it is not chance  
But choice which merit should advance.    

Argument.  
Themista, sufficiently persuaded by what she hears, joys much in M●…toxos recovery; She causeth Epimo●…os, her second Consul, to advance himself before her; he returns an ample testimony of Aescul●…pius divine Theory; in a sensible and passionate manner, he discovers the effects of his former infirmity, with pregn●…nt demonstrances of his recovery; and appeals to Epieices, whose society he only affects, to return his opinion.  
PROSE II.  
NO more, Isotes, (said Themista) we are now altogether confident of Metoxos successive Cure; whom to adva●…ce, (if his infirmity admit no relapse) shall be our especial Care. Nor can we joy in any melody comparable to this of Metoxos recovery. But we will see (quoth she) whether this happy effect hath befallen the rest of our Consuls; and with that, causing Epimonos, her Secondary, to advance himself before her; She willed him to return the manner of his recovery; with what especial receipts were applied to cure his Malady. Epimonos, whose long▪ grounded pertinacy, had made most of his friends despair of remedy; in an affable and generous manner, making three low Congees before he approached Themista's presence, addressed himself in this discourse unto his Soveraignnesse.  
Do not (imparalleld Princess) take me now for that peevish & perverse Epimonos, whom I did once too actually personate; which Presentment made me most unfortunate. I have now put off that habit; nor will I ever (by divine assistance) reassume it. I confess, Madam; nor shall it repent me to confess it, so I repent me of it, and resolve never to incur it, that my long habituate infirmity, by continuance, had brought me to a mere insensiblity. Such a stiffness, or unpliablenesse I found in every part: that though I felt myself unwealdly; every faculty most averse from performing her proper duty: yet in ●…his case (see my prevaricate misery!) would not I either be led or driven by any. The more I was moved, the less I felt; so insensible grew I of my present estate. An incessant buzzing I had got in my head, which barricadoed mine Ear from inclining to any one's opinion but mine own. This t●…at everliving Artist, to whose divine Cure we were all recommended, had no sooner observed, than he prescribed such choice Physical directions to cure my growing infirmity, that I became within short space to have some little feeling of myself, from which I was before so estranged, as I held myself most healthful, when most distempered; best resolved, when most distracted; and seemingly in my perplexed estate most happy, when most distressed.  
My Morning draughts, which used to be F●…ntineake, were resolved into Diet-drinks, strongly tempered with the cooling juice of Eucampes, with other simples immixed ●…o allay the distempered heat of my blood; and to restore nature so much weakened. Having made this introduction to his Cure, and now set me on my feet, by the continuance of his diligence and care; to the end I might come to a more full survey and discovery of mine own folly, he framed this device: That one Demophon, who was naturally of an humour different to all others, should be in a Shrine portrayed, and in a window presented, where I made my Prospect. But so nearly resembling mine own Person, was this featu●…e, as I should disclaim mine own P●…ysiognomy, to confess any resemblance liker. Long a●…d intentively did I eye the Picture. Nothing could I find in it, but might personate myself; nor ought in myself, which might not allude to it. So as, not able to contain myself any longer; nor to conceal my thoughts from my picture; like another Narcissus, not doting but doubting, or perplexedly discoursing with his shadow, I address my demands in this manner.  
How's this? One sweeting in ashade, and shaking in the Sun! This sure, is meant by Demophon, yet doth the Emblem bear the figure of Epimonos. And rightly so it may; for who ever, being man, was more averse from the nature, more contrary to the humour of man? What was it that eve●… yet plea●… thy conceit, which thou saw pleasing to another? Or what ever afforded thee delight, and complide wi●…h another's conceit? Nay, un rivet the secret Cabine●… of thy retired'st thought, and observe how much thou hast abused the State, depraved thy Consul-sea●… by adhering too much to thy sel●…e, and perverting justice, by opposing others to please thyself? What Edict didst thou ever hear published? What Direction for State government ever divulged? What judgement upon a convicted Delinquent pronounced? Or what Act soever publicly concluded, which thou traduced not, because by others more wise, but less opinionate, approved? What a strange Mould, Epimonos, was this, wherein thou wer●… casten, thus to dislike, what others liked; thus to affect, what others hated? was thy wit either so quick and pregnant? or thy judgement so strong and constant? Or thine experience so transcendent? Or thy p●…rson so precedent, as all others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to thin●… 〈◊〉? No, this was not it, but thine own●… 〈◊〉- will which made th●…thus opion●…te. O how harshis his condition, whose sole delight is Opposition! What can h●… 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 give content; when nothing but his own dev●…e pleaseth his con●…it? O the folly of a poor wo●…mlin? Who, i●…●…ise, can ●…teeme thee fo●… more wise, in seeing thee so desi●…ous to oppose? Woman's strength consists in Tongue; should a man's consist in Will? Protogenes could never hold his hand from the Picture; nor thou an envious eye from another's labour. Is it wisdom enough to traduce, or to oppose what others approve? Be the Antipodes in this only happier than we, because they walk in an opposite course against us? Say, say, Epimonos, how many poor Delinquents; nay, mere innocents, hath thy pertinacy doomed to death; for no other cause, but that thy Colleague●… lenity 〈◊〉 life? Again, to how many hath thy averseness breathed life, to whom Consul's vote, Commons voice, and the mouth of justice had doomed deat●…? It is the saying of a Philosop, that every one should have a f●…iend, and an enemy; that his friend may tell him the truth; and hi●… enemy make him mor●… observant of his ways. Yea, that his friend might seasonably correct him; and his enemy by his indig●…ities exercise him. Bu●… how ●…arre became I e●…tranged from this Philosophical Tenet! for as he●… could not possibly be my friend, who applied not himself to my opinion; so could he be no less than mine enemy, who sought to mould me to his instruction. My friend and Monitor he could not be; how might he then correct me? My Enemy and improver he could not be; how might he then exercise me? It is true, that th●… Prienean Sage wished rather to be a judge amongst ●…is ●…oes 〈◊〉 his friends: and his reason was, that the affection, and intimacy, he bore to his friends, might incline him to connivance; whereas, the jealousy h●…e had of his foes, would cause him to be more cautious in the ex●…cution of justice.. But what power had these respects with me? It was neither friend that I esteemed, nor foe that I feared, but my darling Will, whereto I beoame solely wedded; and which to second, my best endeavours were ever addressed. I have oftentimes wondered at the patience of an indulgent Magistrate, to give such 〈◊〉 of speech even to a pretended Delinquent: or to suffer himself to be opposed by way os reason; as if his place were not of sufficient strength to exercise his power without farther reason. And as children are tied to rules in their arguing; so I held th●…m childish Consuls, who stood confined to these restrictions in their judging. But now, (thanks to Aesculapius' d●…vinest Theory!) my outward conformity closing so sweetly wi●…h inward unity, may assure my Sovereigness of an infallible recovery. I am taught now, how to sweat in the Sun, and shake in the shade; to submit my opinion to others judgement; to disclaim mine own for insufficient; to desist from standing too long in argument, and to incline to reason, whensoever produced. All which, as ample testimonies of Aescul●…pius Care, and pregnant demonstrances of my Cu●…; I have here no less briefly, than plainly returned▪ to you, divine Lady, with the manner of my recovery, the benefit whereof I freely ascribe to your furtherance and bounty.  
Nor shall you ever have cause to tax me (if so you please to employ me) either of pertinacy, or of any il●…egality; for by all my hopes I vow, since these incredible effects were wrought on me; I have disvalue mine own opinion; been so jealous of mine own weakness; as I ●…ave applied myself to nothing more, than a seeming privacy or retiredness ●…rom business. Howbeit, as I am not borne for myself, but for her honour, by whose means I am now come to myself, Madam engage me, wherein, if you shall conceit that my employments may fall short from perfecting aught which may redound to your reputation: I shall here become silent, by a modest restraint of selfeapprovement, and ingeniously appeal to Epieices opinion.   

Argument.  
Epieices reports how much Epimonos is altered; how his unsociable nature is attempered; how observant he is to all, and how desirous to improve the good of all; and admiring how Art could possibly season pertinacy with so much Lenity: He assures Themista, that she may rest confident in the affiance of so constant a servant.  
POESY III.  

MAdam observe, if you can find a purer mind!  
Or with selecter graces filled or less self-willed!  
How much he's altered in state from that of late!  
Harsh was his nature, now as mild as any child;  
Unsociable once was he as one could be;  
Now he's full of sweet remorse and choice discourse,  
And of such a temper too as I may vow;  
None would take him, to see him pass, for th' man he was.  
Observant is he unto all that deign to call,  
Nought here on Earth more wins his love than to improve  
The good of all, which if be gain h●… he 〈◊〉 his aim.  
Much I admire how Art could season want of reason,  
Or that pertinatious spirit should inheris  
Such a true Candour by mere art as to impart  
Such rich rays to mortal man as he now can.  
Accept him then, dread Sovereigness, for Country bless,  
F●… now you may affi●…ce have nought can dep●…ave  
This constant confidence in him, who weaned from sin,  
" His noble temp'●…ature will show  
" His service to the State and You.    

Argument.  
Themista overjoyed to hear such a successive change; and wishing the like effect in the rest of her patient Consuls, wi●…s Vperephanos to appear in public presence; whose humble obeisance infinitely takes her. He is so far from preferring himself before others, as he esteems himself the unworthiest of all others. He blusheth at his former impertinences, and strengthens his intentions with Divine resolves; He vows to admit none but Tapeinos into his company, to whose judgement he appeals in his recovery.  
PROSE III.  
A Maxim there is (said Th●…mista) and we find it now fitly closing with our conceit:" what we affect, exceeds all estimate; Now, what was it on Earth we more affected, than to see this one selfe●…pinionate and distempered Epinomos so rectified. as to conform his will to another's bent? What might comparably so overjoy us as to become an ocular witn●…sse of such a successive, but unexpected change? Never did teeming moth●…r conceive more comfort in the view of ●…er long laboured birth; nor the hazardou●… Merchant in his safe arrival to land; nor the industrious Husbandman, who is frui●…full in hope, before he partake the benefit or fruit of his Crop, than we in the apprehension of this so much desired change. It is most true▪ that without the influence of divine grace, we can do nothing, no more than the bird can fly without wings, the ship sail withou●… wind or tide, the body move withou●… the soul. From which▪ how much is he estranged, whose opinionate pertinacy him confident of his own makes strength, and consequently a dangerous Pione●… to his own estate. We know right well, that it is one thing to fall into light sins through occasion only, or human●… frailty: and another thing ●…o fall through affected negligence and security: bu●… worst of all to fall through a precipitate will, and malltious obstinacy.  
Needs then must it overjoy us, to ●…ee one (and one whom we held so tender) after so perilous a fall to recover, and in his recovery, quite to shake off his distemper. And may heaven so propitiously smile on our wishes, that the like effect my bee produced from the rest of these our patientconsuls'; whose late infirmities, as they did much afflict us, so shall the visible arguments of their recovery, no less entrance us.  
This said, she willed Vperephanos, (whose Cure was conceived to be of greatest difficulty) to appear in public presence, and show some apparent effects of his attempered malady. Whose humble Obeisance, at the very first blush, infinitely took her: Wondering more at his lowly carriage, affable countenance, and winning observance, than at any of all her recovered Patients. But being again required by his Sovereigness to relate the mediate or effectual means for cure of his distemper; with a composed gravity, and well-seasoned humility, he proceeded in this manner.  
It is not unknown (Madam) to any personage o●… quality within your whole State, how that my distemper was not natural but accidental; for a long time did I sit in the seat of justice; du●…ing which time I appeal to such as then knew me, whether I discharged not my Place with all integrity and uprightness. Virtue I ever cherished; Vice I chastised; the good I encouraged; the evil I disheartened, and the public good secured. But being in that populous State where I was, retaining that name which I had, and transported with that applause I heard; one morning walking forth to take the air, (no common air, but the breath of popular applause) it chanced that I was bit by a mad Dog, (a prick eared Cur of Phro●…ema's Litter) whose poisonous fang begun so to rankle, as the venom dispersed itself thorough every part, till at last it seized on my very brain; and so drove me into a miserable distraction." I thought every shady-tufted branch, forced by a pleasing gale, bowed itself with a low salute to give me a Congee. Those airy Choristers, the Birds, chanted and chirped out my praise. In a word, so terribly was I madded, so highly distempered, as my fellow-Consuls forbore to sit with me; my intimately-professed friends withdrew themselves from me, after such time as they had laboured to win and wean me, but could not prevail with me. Only some Alleys of Thopeias', meer●… insinuating Foists, (as I afterwards well perceived) clunge near me, feeding, like Horseleeches, on my distemper; and raising themselves by my ruin and dishonour. Yet were these my friends on which I fawned; the shadows which I followed; the Snakes I fostered: all which found fresh fuel to my fury; new matter to my humour, to feed my distemper. Thus did I rove; thus did I range; no constant nor settled thought lodged in me. I was so blown up with the bladder of Alazoneuma, as I mounted aloft with the wings of self-conceit; imagining this inferior Orb to be a Spheere too low for my unconfined spirit. What others (were it never so useful to State, or conducing to public good) propounded, my irreiragable opinion slighted. For that dear Minion whom I so religiously served, and to whose observance I had endeared my nearest resolves, had so bewitched me, as no power could countermand the power of my will; or encroach so far on the bounds of my irresistible authority; as those whose better tempered thoughts well deserved priority in opinion, were disesteemed by the precipitate torrent of my ambition.  
Being thus carried on the wings of the wind, I became so hardened through the habit of mine infirmity, as nothing better relished me, than to feed my distemper with whatsoev●…r might best agree with the quality of mine indisposed humour. But this had our exquisite, and fame-eternized. Artist no sooner discovered in me, than according to your directions (most divine Sovereigness) he addressed himself to my Cure. Which to effect the better, he first sought out the cause of my distemper: this found, he applied such sovereign receipts to my long exulcerate sore, as the expeditenesse of his Cure, expressed the infiniteness of his Care: all which (to observe in my discourse some methodical decency or order) was performed in this manner. He first applied to me certain medicines of a corrading quality, to bring me to a more sensible feeling of myself; for all that time, wherein I laboured of my distemper, I had no feeling at all of my infirmity, and therefore indifferent, or rather secure for any remedy. For being bit (as I said before) by a mad Dog, whose rancorous and envenomed tooth had spread a dangerous malignant humour thorough every vein of mine infected body; that uncomparable Artist caused the Dog's liver to be smally minced, and with the prime leaves of the low shrub Tapeinotes, to be mixed: which was my breakfast for many Mornings together, till I begun to have some little feeling of my distemper. But subject I was ever and anon to fearful relapses and recidivations: Which my Physician soon perceiving, caused me for certain days together to be tied chi●…ne deep in Lazarllio's Pool, where I was kept to a low Diet, purposely to cool my inflamed blood, and qualify my violent distemper, occasioned by the infection of my Liver. For I must freely confess, that an ill Liver was the only occasion o●… all my distemper. By this time had I suffered many a cold Bath: so as my blood became cooled; my inflammation ceased, my corrupt Liver restored; while one day, in a private Arbour where I usually reposed, after my time of recovery, I might behold a curious Tablet, purposely devised by Aesculapius especial direction, as I afterwards perceived. Wherein was engraven Tarqvinius Superbus, to his full body; in his posture walking, and with a little rod lopping the tops of Poppies: while on the other side of this Tablet, stood Atlas supporting the world; but under his burden, at the first seemingly fainting, and afterwards utterly failing and falling.  
Having seriously fixed mine eye on these Statues, I begun to reflect upon myself, and to examine mine own thoughts, whether there were not something that might have proper relation to myself in the delineature of those features: And thus I privately conversed with mine own affections.  
Say, Vperephanos, is there nothing here presented to thine eye, which thou mayst not u●…efully convey to thine heart! Is not this very Tablet, a mirror of thy late distempered humour? Canst thou eye this Tablet, and not discern thyself in it? Or observe this Emblem, and peruse it without a blush, seeing it displays thine own shame? Canst thou eye these mounting Poppies, whose height surpass others, how soon they are pruned; and can thy boundless ambi●…ion or self-admiring hold itself secured? By these Poppies were shadowed eminent Peers, whose rising height was Tarquin's eternal hate; so as, their height was the sole occasion of their sinister fate. Inferiors were secure, while these ●…uffered; exempt from danger, while these perished. Had their heads never mounted above others, they had been as safe from peril as others. Apply this Emblem to thyself; for Narcissus never had a fuller view of his own beauty in the Fount, by which he perished; than thou hast here of thine own deformity, by which thou mayst be truly cautioned. For say, Vperephanos, who ever mounted higher in self-conceit? Who more self-admiring, or others less esteeming? yet in this thou fell short of their goodness and happiness, whom thou observest in this Emblem shadowed. For the●…e Pe●…res whom Tarquin gave direction to his Sextus, in so covert and dark a manner to cut off, were not only great, but good. Their glory was their Country's honour, which they ever laboured to advance by their own danger. Their desires had a more glorious Object, than popular praise: so as, with a sweet, though a sad Evening, they closed their days. Whereas, they delight was not to be really good, nor improve the State, but to be great, though it were to the ruin and subversion of the State. O the misery of an hot and high spirit! Where our own aims are merely titular, affecting nothing more than to be popular. Reflect then, unhappy Vperephanos upon thine own disposition, and in this Emblem, eye the discovery of thine own person. Desire rather to be ranked amongst those low Tamrisks, than rising Poplars. But if this Embl●…me, or historical allusion can work no deep impression on thee; observe that por●…raiture of Atlas, and then see if thy life be not personated in that Fable. Atlas is here shrinking under his burden: and to whom may this allude more properly than thyself? For how long, (miserably-deluded soul) hast thou supposed out of thine arrogant, and self-admiring conceit, that the whole Fabric of this Universe solely leaned on thy shoulders; and that it could not subsist without thy supportance? Resolve then into tears; Pride not thyself in thy distemper, seeing fools and madmen laugh at thine humour. Be so far now from preferring thyself before ot●…rs, that thou esteem thyself the worst of all others. Blush at thy former folly; and those friends which thou hast lost by pride, regain by humility. Strengthen thy intentions with divine resolves; that nothing may work more on thy mind, than redeeming of time: which, by how much more precious, by so much more carefully employed. In a word, seem not to be good, unless thou be'st that which thou ●…eemest: for semblance of goodness, howsoever it deceive the eye of the beholder, it ever asperseth most blemish on the owner, when Policy hat●… lost her vizard, hypocrisy her colour.  
Thus, Madam, to myself I discoursed; and thus eve●… since have I resolved. Nor is it my desire, that your Grace should only rely on my relation; or give such easy credit to my pretended conversion, as to receive no other approvement: for I shall no less humbly than f●…eely appeal to Tapeinos his judgement, whom I religiously vow, only to admit into my company, to deliver his opinion touching my recovery.   

Argument  
Tapeinos proves how happy it is to be humbled, that they may more sensibly feel the maladies to which they are affected; None more unhappy than he who never felt adversity; The way to weal, is ingeniously to acknowledge our own want; Cedars will never remember that they were once Shrubs; Promotion declares what men be, and humility informs them what they should be. He concludes Vperephanos happy by his fall: being thereby made apt to supply wherein before he did most fail. He admires his temper, and commends him to Themista's service, as one deserving honour.  
POESY IU.  

HOw happy is his fate  
Who humbled, becomes wise,  
Contented with his state,  
He seeks no more to rise?  
His fall hath made him feel  
Those maladies he, had,  
And sensibly to ●…eale  
Those humours which were bad:  
Else would they ne'er correct  
Those humours they affect.   

More hapless none 〈◊〉 he,  
Who Swims in worldly bliss,  
And holds adversity  
Estranged from him and his;  
The way to weal, is then  
In plenty and in scant  
By curbing Selfe-esteeme  
T'acknowledge our own want▪  
But Cedars brook the worst  
To hear they're Shrubs at first.   

Promotion is the glass  
Declares what mortals be,  
But how they hence should p●…sse  
Informs humility.  
Then rightly may I call  
Uperephanos State  
More happy by his fall  
Than he appeared of late;  
Made apt to reform  
What others held in s●…rne.   

It rests then I admire  
His temper, and commend  
His service to your Quir●…  
That's styled Virtues friend.  
And take this of my Word,  
His m●…re deserving parts  
Will such content afford  
They'll win the knowing'st hearts,  
And think him worthy too  
Of th' Honour you bestow.    

Argument.  
Themista commands Meilixos to be brought forth into the Presence-Chamber; where he relates the manner of his Cure; He reputes him of his time so remissely lost, and resolves to regain, what his Security had lost by neglect; He appeals to Iscuros, to deliver his opinion to his Sovereigness touching his Cure: and intends to redeem his many misspent hours with a redoubled Care.  
PROSE IU.  
PERPLEXED, and 'twixt hope and fear divided, stood all this time Themistâ, as one ●…earefull whether these so pleasing Objects were not mere Fantasies and deceptions of sight: but no one of all these enforced in her so impressive a motive of wonder and amazement as the strangely altered and me●…amorphos'd Condition of Vperephanos: the more she●… observed him, the less she believed what she saw in him: for she thought, how the Wolf might probably change his hair, but hardly his condition: especially, having been so strengthened by custom, and an in nate malevolency of disposition, as it promised less hope of recovery, by reason of the continuance of his infirmity. Wonder she could not sufficiently at his lowly Carriage, assable Countenance, and winning observance; wherewith she was more taken than with any of all her recovered Patients. For to see one, whose ambition had mounted the Clouds, and whose Self-conceit exceeded the confidence of Mortals, fall so far off from preferring himself before others, as to esteem himself the unworthiest of all others; Nay, to avert his Ear from his own praise, and make Humility his only prize; to knit his discourse so firmly with the Cement of discretion; and so sweetly sea●…on it with Moderation, as in a wise diffidence, to submit himself ever to others Opinion; to blush at his former impertinences, and strengthen his well-disposed intentions with divine re●…olves; Briefly, to relinquish all such infectious Consorts, as fed him most in his humour, and with the b●…llowes of Sycophancy, kindled th●… Flame of his distemper; and to supply them with the virtuous society of Tapeinos; one, whole humility well deserved esteem in the eminenst Family. I say, to see all these concurring in One, and one of whom there was least hope, could not choose but much transport her, and so much the more over joy her, as it was least expected by her. Desirous then to hear the happy iss●…e of this general Cure, after she had infinitely rejoiced in this unexpected recovery of her Consul Vperephano●…, which Cure she held to be of greatest difficulty, she forthwith commanded that Melixos should be brought into the Presence-Chamber; Who, upon his Princess command, related the issue of his Cure, after this mann●…r.  
How weak I was of constitution; how unconstant in my resolves; how desperately-diffident of mine own abilities; how flexiblyyeelding to any one's proposition, were it never so averse nor devious from reason, your Gr●…ce cannot be ignorant. Meagre, lea●…e and exhausted was my consumed body; no Faculty but desisted from preforming her due office, because in each of them I had a diffid●…nce. Go upon mine own legs I could not, for they would not support me; nor direct my course any way, but as others led me, I would not, so much had distrust wrought on me. Bleed I would, if I should but see any Spectacle of grief, for a whole day together: and with an effeminate effluence o●… tears, d●…cover my childish nature. This our Fame-crowned Artist, Aesculapius observed, and with Receipts duly applied, laboured by all means to effect, what his divine art hath now perfitted. Cordial and Comfortable things he prescribed, to restore Nature so much decayed; mine Eyes with Eye-bright water he daily washed, to recover my Sight almost perished; He staunched my incessant bleeding; strengthened my sinews weak and declining; And applied certain Fomentations to keep me from cold Sweats and Swooning. Nought was wanting to b●…ing my Cure to perfection. Patient I was of idleness, impatient of business. Nothing so relished me, so distempered was my palate; nothing digested with me, so raw was my Stomach. But having now at last by his especial Care, been brought to a Sense of my grief, and probable expectance of Cure; I was permitted, at certain seasons, to walk abroad and take the air; but never without a Guide, who still attended me, lest by being left unto myself, some disaster might befall me. One day, as I was walking in an open Gallery, my Keeper showed me an excellent piece in Porphyrite Marble; wherein was portrayed the dwarf Inus, bearing the Giant Iphiclus on his shoulders. Which Statue as I intentively eyed, so I personally applied, for I found myself presented in it: being purposely invented and erected by my Physician, that in it, as in a Mirror, I might see mine own Condition. Requesting therefore my Guardian to retire a little, and to leave me to myself: in a private & familiar discourse, after this sort I uttered mine own thoughts, wishing no Ear but the subtle Air to partake my complaints.  
A Picture! yes Meilixos; and in it thine own feature. How! Inus supporting Iphiclus! a weak Column for such a Colosse. The Moral without inversion may be thus applied. When a Statist suffers himself to be overswayed by a Pleibeian; or out of a settled jealousy of his own Weakness, inclines to every vulgar opinion; or out of a various wand'ring Conceit what he now decrees, he presently revokes; or out of a disesteem of his own judgement, will not maintain what he usefully propounds; he in his own person presents this Emblem.  
Now reply to thine own thoughts, Meilixos, and observe, if thou be not the Person here shadowed! How much hast thou ever relied on others opinions, were their judgements never so shallow nor defective; their Conditions never so obscure nor Plebeian? What judgement didst thou ever pronounce, which thine own Weakness did not make thee repent; or some inferior opposition did not cause thee recant? Tell me then, if thou see not here the Giant Iphiclus borne a loft on the dwarfish Inus his shoulders? Who ever more confident of another's opinion, or more diffident of his own? Who ever depended more on others Supportance, or trusted less his own strength; occasioned merely by his own remissness? Who ever managed a State with more coldness, or censured Delinquents with more indulgence? Who ever suffered himself to be more deluded by the advice of weakness, or misguided by simple directions? And what else was this, but to be borne on dwarfish shoulders? Irresolute was I ever in my designs; nothing could I do which seemed not better undone than done. For, whatsoever the preceding day effected, the following day ever distasted. In competition for offices, I stood ever divided, which to adhere to.  
Such a Neuter among the Romans, was that famous, but various Orator, who could not resolve, whether he should take Caesar's or Pompey's part. Such among the Grecians, was Titides, who could not determine whether he should join himself with Achilles or Hector.  
Thus like a Top which always rnnnes round, and never goes forward unless it be whipped, traversed I my ground in a doubtful Circuit: never less resolved than when I had least occasion to doubt.  
But lest I, should become too tedious to your Grace, by too much enlarging my discourse, you may understand by the effects, the proficience of his care. For as his Receipts, had prepared me, so these moving Emblems wrought such deep impression on me, as I now hate nothing more than Pusillanimity, to which I was formerly engaged, ●…steeming resolution and constancy the highest honour of a Consul. I neither approve of Draeco's Laws, writ in blood, nor Theano's writ in Sand. In all Politic States, I shall ever hold Law to be the Line, Execution the Life: but Law without Execution a Leaden sword in a Golden sheath.  
It now reputes me of my time so remissely lost; nor shall the remainder of my time be wanting in resolves, to regain by some industrious act, what my Security or Childish Lenity hath lost by neglect.  
But what are golden promises, but fair flourishes, being coldly seconded by actual performance? It shall be my constant task rather to practise than to talk. As your Grace's Care hath brought me to partake in the benefit of this Cure; it shall be my continued Endevourto address my employments wholly to your Honour. The infirmity of mine age may make me ●…aint, but my integrity shall never fail.  
Now to strengthen your conceit in my recovery; I shall willingly disclaim myself, and ingenuously appeal to Iscuros, to deliver his opinion to you my Sovereigness, touching my Cure; with an immutable resolve to redeem my many misspent hours with a redoubled Care.   

Argument.  
Iscuros imparts himself to Themista; He on firms her in the opinion of Meilixos conversion; he persuades her to encourage him in his virtuous designs; Good dispositions are rather to be cheered than checked, cherished than chastised; A sweet and well-disposed temper allays the sharpness of a rigid censure: He assures Themista with much confidence of Meilixos fidelity and diligence: and that his late alteration well deserves both her affection and estimation.  
POESY V.  

MAdam know  
Meilixos Cure is not in show;  
Then begin,  
Sweetly to encourage him  
With these times  
In hi●… virtuous de●…ignes.  
Good dispositions ●…heer'd, n●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
Cherished not chasticed, for pro●…ciencie.  
A sweet temper  
Sweet●…ns sharpeness●… of rough 〈◊〉.  
Rest assured  
Of Meilixos safely cured,  
That his care  
Will supply th●…se ●…ants that were;  
And with fidelity and diligence  
Regain his honour and your confidence.  
For of late  
Choice receipts have cured his state;  
Do●… not then  
Fear but he'll deserve esteem,  
Andrestore  
What depraved his life before.  
" Such d●…serve best who knowing good and ill,  
" Shunn●… ill, do good with a resolved will.  
Adverbs crown all our actions, which excel  
When we perform good acts, and act them well.    

Argument.  
Themista becomes infinitely taken with the ●…opefull recovery of her late distempered Consuls; She causeth Vpotomos to be called forth; who discovers himself by sundry arguments, to be much changed from what he was; He disclaims all familiarity with Eris, whose malicious nature had corrupted his blood; After much importunity he prevails with Elecmon, who attended on him during his infirmity, to relate to Themista the manner of his distemper, & grounds of his recovery.  
PROSE V.  
Receipts, said Themista! yes; these are choice receipts indeed, and such as minister no less comfort to the Agent than Patient. What exquisite Cures are effected, where art is by discretion seasoned? How variously were these our Languihing Consuls distempered? ●…d by what 〈◊〉 Experiments recovered? I●…alous we were (and Love it ●…as that made us jealous) of their recovery: wherein Art hath performed more than our hopes could expect; by making wisemen of Fools, and such as were utterly lost in an overweening Concei●… of their own wit, to becom●… sensible of their own●… want Sundry effects were produced from these distempers, and no less sundry recei●…s applied to cure their distempered humou●…s. Some were wise enough, had they no●… hrough too much arrogance, known it too well; others ●…oo were wise enough, but through too much diffidence, they knew it not well. Some so self-opinionate, as they could never brook opposi●…ion; others so selfe-diffident, as they ever appealed from their own opinion. Some were conceited of ●…aving what they had not; others of nothaving what they had. Some contemned all dangers, and death itself, with more courage, than judgement; others trembled at the shaking of a Reed, preferring the shadow of an opinionate fear●… before all judgement. But to what ●…nd do we spend th●… time in repetition of thei●… distempers? That dark Cloud of our Sorrow i▪ now dispelled, those duski●… vapours of ●…ur discomfor●… dispersed. Now may we cheerfully breath, when we live in th●…m, in whom the State may prosperously breath. All other are bu●… Secondaries to these comforts. Yet, howbeit we are persuaded of the recovery of some, we are not altogether confident of all. We are yet to take Survey of other two; the one whereof, for Severity, the other for Security, may equal if not surpass the Examples of any. Upon which words, turning her Eye aside, she caused Vpotom●…s to be celled forth: whom at his first approach, she thus encountered.  
Now Vpotomos, how goes the world with you? is your boundless fury ought attempered? your dispassi●…nate violence allayed? Can you converse with patience; or teach your unconfined spirit obedience? Can you suffer in another's woe; or rejoice in a●…others weal? Can you drop a tear with a sorrowful deli●…quent; or wi●…h that a poor arraig●…ed Captive may prove innocent? Can you favour life with a candid censure; and take no felicity in denouncing a sentence of rigour. Are you so far from insulting o'er a dejected offender, as you can partake in compassion with such a sufferer? Can you cheerfully brea●…h on the face of innocency▪ and with an attentive Ea●…e▪ hear a wronged Planti●…e without roughness? Can you put off the dress of an imperious presence; and entertain your Equals with mildness? Could you wish; while you sit on your judicia●…l Bench, to your prisoners a solemn jubilee; so the State might not suffer ●…hrough such impunity? Could you find in your heart, personally to suffer for the State; so the State might not suffer for impiety? In one word, could you wish rather to be private and retired; than to prejudice the State by being eminent or public? Could you forgo all honour, to improve your Country's fame by your dishonour? If so, then happy is Themista in her Vpotomos; if otherwise, she must cheerfully content herself with the hopeful recovery of the rest of her Patients.  
Vpotomos all this while with a grave and well-composed behaviour, gave all attention to his Sovereigness; and now with a low andre verend Salute, kneeling on his knee, as became the Majesty of such a Person, befo●…e w●…om he was to 〈◊〉 his discourse, he begun to relate the happy disposure and attemperature of his distem pered humour, after this manner.  
It is most true, Madam, that never any who sat a●… the helm, or st●…r'd the rudder of so ●…lourishing an estate 〈◊〉 a ever subject to more un●…uff rabble enormities than I have been. Never I say, was Stat●…sman more distempered ●…nd in his distemper mor●… domineered, for what wa●… it I more affected, than t●… have mine own humour satisfied: which to effect, how much hath the line and level of justice been made crooked. The course of equity perverted? Hence proceed my tears! Hence my fears! Tears, in a sensible remorse of my guilt; fears, lest the remainder of mine hours should no●… regain what my former foliys have lost. Nor is the remembrance, Madam, of mine actions to any on●… more distasteful, than they are to me hateful. Worthy was that answer of the invincible Alexander to his Mother; who desirous to execute an innocent-harmelesse man, the better to prevail with him, remembered him that herself for the space of nine months had carried him in her womb, nourished him with her own blood, and painfully laboured in his birth; and for these reasons he must not say her nay. Ask (saith he) good mother, some other gift of me, and I will grant it: for the life of a man can by no benefit be recompensed.  
But how far was this sentence of just compassion from me estranged; when I desired nothing more than to inflict punishment equally upon the innocent as on the delinquent? julian the Apostata once answered very wittily touching the liberty given accusers; If only to accuse, it were sufficient, who could be innocent? But wha●… a free ●…are have I ever given to accusers? What liberty to their suggestions? An●… how easily have I credited their improbable surmises? Nothing relished better than thunder and torture. Nor did I read any discourse with more delight, than the ex●… inventions o●… those Tyrants, who bestowed the●…r time, or allo●…ted large Pensions on others in their time, for contriving rare and unheardof torments, for their supposed Delinquents.  
Phereclus, and Perillus were ●…y Minions; thei●… projects were my parternes Dennis the ●…yrant (as Plutarch witnesseth) gave his Enemies no other torme●…t, but salt meat to eat, and no drink ro drink; and made them labour hard and not sleep. And these relations were my choicest Recreations at retired hours: When either business, or State gave way; or mine own desires affected repose. Yet see! Whatsoever affected me most by day, ever affrighted me most by night. Those two severe and cruel sentences which my fury had pronounced, were ever to me in my sleep in bloody Characters presented. Not withstanding all this, Demadis I ever taxed, for finding faul●… with Draco's laws, for being writ in blood: For (said I) if Offenders cover their foul actions with ink, why should not justice colour them with blood? But as the 
☞ Sicut pro●… probitas ipsa est prae●…ium: ita impro●… nequitia ipsa est supplici●…m. 〈◊〉. de Con●…ol Philos.  Scorpion hath in her the remedy of her own poison, by nature's secret infusion; so the evil man carrieth always with him the punishment of his own wickedness, which never leaves to torment and afflict his surprised mind, both sleeping and waking: all which in numerous instances occurred to me (if I could have made use of what was presented to me) in the tragic stories of Appollodorus, Hipparohus, Pausanias, and many others, recommended to the memory of approved Historians. Night ●…y night was I startled with fearful visio●…s; presenting the persons of such as had received any cruel censure from me. Yet did I fleight all these visions, as children dreams; th●… next day begot a new doom; the Scene wherein I acted, was ever tragical to the Delinquent. Thus I reigned, ranged and raged, till mine eyes grew inflamed, my stomach swollen up and puffed; my blood, by too much familiarity with Eris, a waspish Sorceress, infected. All out of temper; thus I continued for many months together: till your fame-spred Artist, to whose especial care, and effectual cure, we were all commended, sought out the grounds of my distemper. Intolerable pain I suffered, yet was I scarce sensible of the causeless which I suffered. All which time, he omitted no opportunity to restore me to myself; who, howsoever I was seldom drunk, yet was I never mine own man.  
Nor did he profess less Art i●… Chirurgery than Physic: for having by way of incision opened me, he took a worm out of my gall; the mainest cause of my distemper. Then he applied Cupping-glafses ●…o cool and temper my brain; the heat whereof had so enraged me, as no object, were it never so pleasi●…g no●… eye-taking, could delight me. A Diet-drink too, he prepared me, well mixed with ●…he Sovereign ju●…ce of Me triot and Euchrasia, to remove those Pluriticall stitches, wherewith I was incessantly annoyed: ●…pplying withal, Oppian Plaist●…rs, with a proportionable quan●…ity of the juice of Sunneideses infused to my stomach, to repel those fearful dreams, which so migh●…ly start●…ed and affrighted me, as not one hours' rest could secure me, one minutes quiet solace me. These receipts by degrees brought me to some little conceit or apprehension of mine own distemper; So as, in short time I was suffered to walk abroad, and to refresh my crazie-co●…sumed body with moderate recreation; of which I was before debarred, being fast tied, and t●… such strict restraint confined▪ as I was neither permitte●… to take the benefit of the fresh air, nor to enjoy the society of any; so intolerable was my rage, so boundless my fury.  
And being now in good hope of recovery, which enlarged my late restraint to more liberty; it happened one day as I walked in a private Garden, purposely a●…lotted me (for each of us had ou●… distinct walks, lest our distracted and distempere●…●…umours, upon our encoun●…ring one another, might beget some fearful inconvenience) that in the lowest border of the Garden, I might see a curious Orbell, all of Touch, wherein the Syracusan tyrants were no less artfully portrayed, than their several cruelties to life dsi played: Nothing was omitted, to discover Tyranny in her own naked feature; nor express cruelty in her truest nature. Diamater-wis●… on the other side of the Column stood Argestes struck with thunder, just as he was pronouncing his bloody censure.  
Twice had I pathed my border-walke, when this Statue first presented itself unto me; yet with a slight and careless eye I passed by it, as if the act of mine own li●… had no relation at all unto it. But in the end, being always in mine eye, which could not choose but convey some impressive conceit to mine heart; I began t●… discuss, by way of conjecture, the allusive meaning of these Emblems: which, a●…er some more serious expostulation with mine own thoughts, I returned in these words.  
What should this mean Vpotomos? Dost thou feel any shaking or shuddering in thine own flesh, that it should intend any relation to thy s●…lfe? Eye thine own nature, and compare it with the feature. Say, say, Vpotomos, what were these Syracusan tyrants? Cruel to their foes, and scarce constant to their friends. Exquisite for inventing torments to sat their 〈◊〉, but unapt to incline their ear to a sui●… of mercy. Prone to sp●…ll, but slow to spare. Such, as never joyed but in a bloody banquet. The Stage, where these acted their inhuman parts, was ever hung about with Blacks; their very private Arbours stuck with Ebon sprigs, to put them in mind of their black designs. But what are all these to thee? yes, Vpotomos, reflect upon thine own inhumanity, and in these thou shalt find thine own A●…atomie. Then actions, with change only of time and person, were thine. Indeed, they were more eminent, because advanced to an higher Orb of gov●…rnment. But this leffeneth nothing thy guil●…, but ra●…her aggravates thy shame. The higher these werein honour, the more they had to follow their humour. The body o●… greatness never walks without an extensive shadow. But thy command had no such boundier. Thy power was confined yet to the highe●…t pin o●… extremity screwed. Read then thyself in this Syracusan piece. But if this work not effectually with thee, nor enforce those bloodshot eyes to view thy insatiate cruelty; then look on that Statue of Argestes. Wherein observe his quality and vocation; and thou shalt find it to side with thine; his Ca●…astrophe and utter ruin, and beware it be not seconded by thine.  
Polo the Tragedian (whose living memory breathes yet to posterity) acting the part of Electra upon the Stage, and being mournfully to bring in the bones of her brother Orestes in a Pot, he brought in the bones of his own son lately buried, that the sight of them might wring forth true tears indeed, and by the passionate presentment of them, act it more famously. For objects of ocular passion, cannot choose but work in the Actor's person.  
Apply this, Vpotomos, and that impartially; here thou seest thine own life acted in an Emblem. Let it work so much true passion in thee, as the forepast memory of thyself may make thee hateful to thyself. Let that which thou here seest occularly presented, and to thyself properly applied, become a motive to d●…terre thee f●…om what thou formerly so much affected, an inducement to allure thee to what thou lately so much distasted; a wile to wean thee from what thou so dearly loved; a Lure to win thee to what thou so deeply loathed. Delay may b●…get dang●…r; take hold then of opportunity to prevent this danger.  
Nor did I remit what my resolution had fixed: for so well had Physic corrected mine h●…mour; and so strongly had these Emblems wrought on my conceit, as I forth with disclaimed all familiarity with Eris, from whom arose the very first ground of mine unhappiness. For her malicious nature it was, had corrupted my blood, infected my vital parts, and wholly estra●…ged me from the sensible ●…eeling or compassionating the infirmities of man. Since the slighting of whose favour, merely proceeding ●…rom ●…he correction of mine humour, I feel myself clear changed, and quite of another temper: for I am turned all Niobe, so as my la●…e relentless spirit is now resolved into tears; I can wish unto others as to myself: Commiserate others griefs, as if they had relation unto myself: truly imagining, that as I see ●…he image of every man in myself, so I am to partake i●… their affections, as if they were presented in myself. 〈◊〉 ay conceit, nor shall any pleasing pride, sprung from the knowledge of mine own weakness, make me less cautious in shunning all occasion of falling into like infirmities.  
Now Elecmon, to you I appeal, with whom friendly importunity is hopeful to prevail; that as you are best acquainted with these passages by me delivered, (seeing you attended on me during my infirmity) so to relate to Themista the manner of my distemper, and grounds of my recovery.  
To which Elecmon at the first seemed altogether unwilling, till long importunity had so won him, as addressing himself to Themista, in Aesc●…lapius honour, he related the circumstances of Vpotomos recovery, in this manner.   

Argument.  
Elecmon reports what apparent danger he incurred, so long as Vpotomos was distempered: and in his recovery how much he was comforted; He holds the time bestowed on his attendance, to be a task of incomparable happiness: and his absolutest solace, to live and die in his service, He much fears his desire of retirement from affairs of State; He could wish theref●…re Themista, as she tenders the fame and honour of her Court, to re-advance him to his former charge, which might conduce to the strength of the State, and her recovery.  
POESY VI.  

Just like Sea-tossed Port-encountred men,  
Recount those dangers which secured them,  
The n●…m'rous She●…ves, and fate-divining sands,  
Their strange delivery from Pirates hands;  
So I now fr●…ed from danger, may relate  
Those perils which environed me of l●…te.   

See HIM, whose boundless fury once as strong  
As any Tigress robbed of her young;  
Or like a raving Dog, if any vexed him,  
Without distinction bit at him stood next him,  
Till quite bereftof reason, sense and brains,  
Deprived of Liberty, confined to Chains,  
He might not feed of commonaire, nor eye  
That glorious Sun which cheers mortal●…ty!  
I brought him still to bed, and up again,  
And to afford him ease, refused no pain.  
The rank distemper of his strong disease  
I strove to curb, hi●… fury to appease:  
Thus grappled I with danger, to allay  
What Art and Physic now hath ta'en away.  
Nor am I l●…sse cheered in's recovery,  
Than grief enthralled through his infirmity.  
‛ The darker that our Critic days appear,  
" Whe●… Sun shuts out, do ever ●…hine most clear.   

For n●…w I hold the time which I bestowed  
On ●…is attendance (for so mu●…h I owed)  
To be a task of higher happiness,  
Than I in outward accents may express.  
Nor can there be more solace, still ●…ay I,  
Then in his service both to live and die.  
For lo! how his affections are disposed?  
How sweetly tempered, and how well composed!  
His boundless fury now h'as lost her sting,  
Triumphing in a glorious suffering  
Of injuries; which his conceiving heart  
Bears for improvement of his better pa●…t.  
His sole desires on goodness grounded are;  
His patience crowned; none in his wrongs must share;  
While he disvalues with a smiling please  
The pressing burden of his injuries.   

How sensibly it grieves him to retain  
The memory of Delinquents he hath slain  
By tyrannising c●…usure! which appe●…res  
By this," No minute but affords some tears.  
No walks but private solitary Groves  
Shut from frequent; his Contempl●…tion loves;  
No Treatise nor discourse so sweetly please  
As sacred-secret soul Soliloquies.  
No other resolution h●…e retains  
Than what proceeds f●…om firm and setl●…d brains;  
Nor is there aught w●…ich can distaste him more  
Than to affect what he admired before. (temp●…sts send  
" Th' Even crownes the d●…y; cl●…re M●…rnes may  
" And Comic shows may have a Tragic end:  
But th' sentence is inverted quite with him,  
Whose blosso●…s ever were less promising  
In's youth, which his distempered bound●…esse rage  
Brings to mature perfection in his age.   

Those choice chief v●…rtues which adorn a State,  
Should I with M●…rallistse numerate,  
I might conclude Upotomos hi●… breast  
The Cabinet, where rarest virtues rest:  
Confirmed by his av●…sion from those  
Who style them vices friends, but virtue's foes.   

But much I fear he has a fixed desire  
From State-affairs in private to retire;  
Which to prevent, Themista, as you tender  
Your fa●…'d-Courts honour, ●…nd h●…r ancient splendour,  
So re-advance him to his former place,  
And cheer his grief with p●…offer of your grace:  
Which may conduce to make the w●…rld known  
Unto your trophies, triumphs and renown:  
For a more knowing Sage you cannot crave,  
To store a State with what a State should have.    

Argument.  
Themista in this discourse of Vpotomos, conceiveth no small pleasure; She wonders at the strange alteration of his temper; She calls Amerimnos to come before her: Whom her servant Euphorbus found sometime sleeping in a corner; He acquaints her, how his decayed memory is restored; his dull and unactive spirits revived. He appeals to Epimedes, to deliver his opinion to his So veraignesse Themista, personally, and po●…itively▪ touching his nature, temper and recovery  
PROSE V.  
QVestionlesse (said Themista) under favour, this is not Vpotomos, whom you describe after this manner. Can a relentless disposition be so soon tamed, as to affect what he before so mortally hated? Who would not conceive infinite pleasure in the alteration of such a temper? What a glorious liberty that enfranchised mind enjoys, who puts off man to converse more freely with heaven? But if we must believe Vpotomos nature to be th●…s altered, we would fain know where his old condition is now seated. Sure, if that ancient Pythagorean opinion hold firm, that there is a transmigration of souls into other bodies, there is some body much distempered with his humour: having either left what he had unto another, or made an exchange with another's nature. But happy is such a loss, which brings the Los●…r gain! Precious such a change, which admits no change, but to the Republic a constant choice! Redoubled is our joy, to repossess what our conceit had utterly lost: and to find in him whom we held for lost, what we b●…fore all others incomparably prize.  
But let us not forget our last Consul, though (perchance) security hath made him to forget himself.  
Which said, she calls Amerimnos to come be●…ore her, whom her servant Euphorbus had sometimes found sleeping in a corner: whom she no soo●…er beheld approaching towards her presence, than she thus accosted him.  
Amerimnos, we should willingly address our discourse unto you, all the better to satisfy ourselves how those artful experiments have wrought with you; which have already produced such admirable effects in the rest of our Consuls, who laboured of no less dangerous distemper than yourself. But much we doubt your drowsy attention would damp our discourse with a sleepy conclusion. Much like that overwatcht Epicureall 〈◊〉, who being to give his opinion in a business of high consequence, betwixt Plaintiff and Defendant, but slept all the time it was in pleading; as one suddenly awaked, but unprepared of a discreeter answer; returned his opinion in the selfsame Element, whereof he had probably dreamt, in this manner: All Cumaea has not a piece of sounder Ra●…ie wine.  
This smooth, but smart conceit, caused all such as were there present to bite the lip, but with a secret silent smile to pass the j●…st over, for the reverence of their Soveraignnesse, and civil fear, lest they might dash Amerimnos out of countenance. But he little amated, though conscious enough of the quickness of the conceit, with a decent and well-composed gesture, after three low Congees made to her Honour, delivered his mind in these expressions unto her.  
It is said of the silkworm (Madam) that she surceaseth from spinning for certain days together, that she might after so retired a rest, spin the better. And Charity will judge that I have slept all this time, purposely to watch the longer.  
Though Endymion kissed 
He made recourse to the M●…one, to kn●…w the course of the Moon.  Luna on Latmos Mount, and for a long time together slept in her lap, yet did this sleepy Swain at last return to his flock, and redeem the time by redoubling his care, which his security had lost.  
I confess, Madam, the whole Progress of my life, hath been a continued sleep. Nothing was ever more opposite to my nature, than to impose myself a task, or some diurnal ●…abour. Long Epicur●…all feasts were my only delightful repasts; my sole task was to please my taste; which made me ofttimes sleep, when I should have watched for the public State: So as, those very Geese, who with their gagling preserved the Capitol, were more praise worthy in their generation, than the security of my remiss and state retired condition. In cases of judicature, such as were of necessity to make repair to my Bench, sticked not to say that they came thither as to a Lottery; ●…or causes were there determined at haphazzard, not by equity. For as Lawyers pleaded, while I slept and heard not; so awaking I gave sentence in what I understood not. In a word, the whole State both of my mind and body was grievously distempered. For though mine appetite increased, my digestion failed; my judgement became weakened; my memory decayed; and the whole fabric of this little man fearfully languished. All which Aesculapius, that inimitable Artist no less observed, and by your Grace's direction, seasonably prevented. For first, h●…e regulates me to a prescript diet, with Elixired broths every morning to sharpen mine understanding; He prepares me next, Antiopian plasters to keep me the afternoon awaking; After these, Epimeleian julips laid warm to my temples; whieh with fumes of strong liquor, were ever aching. These applied, he enjoined me to abstain from all strong drinks, and (what was most averse from mine hydropic nature) never to drink betwixt meals, b●… with my Teeth shut. Whic●… prescription I no less cu●… ningly eluded than evaded, for I practised with a profe●… Tooth-drawer, to pull m●… out two of my broadest teeth: by means whereof, and the benefit of a Can●… though my teeth were shu●…▪ to observe his direction, I plenteously flowed in mine afternoon's potation. He provides too a Night Cappe strongly chafed with the Lemnian powder of Cornu copia; purposely to make my sleeps shorter, and my conceit stronger. And because he found by my Urine, and other soporiferous symp●…omes, that my kidneye were overlarded with oil of Dormice (whose society I ever so much affected, as I admired their condition) by means of Sweating and Suffumigations, he extracted all those viscid and oily humours.  
By means of these receipts so physically applied, I begun to have some little feeling of myself; and to hold up my head, which before, like a perpetual Penthouse, hung drilling and dropping o'er my breast, leaving ever some asper●…ions on my venerable skirts. My Physician, who never tyrannised over his Patients, but upon their recovery, enlarged their restraint, to solace their weakened spirits with a discreet liberty; gave directions to my Keeper, that I should take the air, and refresh mine over-wasted, and wearied body with some temperate recreation. This granted me, and walking one day in a delightful Spinet, beautified with shady Poplars, I might se●… a curious piece of antique work, seemingly cut out of a natural rock, and overgrown with Ivy, to prove her antiquity. The Device was this; An aged man, bearing the name of Silenus, sleeping in a Cave, matted round with Moss; round about him were shadowed fruits of all kinds; and below him silver springs flowing with delicious liquours; yet still so desirous seemed he of rest, and so infinitely addicted to sleep, as he would not so much as heave up his head either to those luscious fruits, tha●… grew so delightfully dangling above him, nor inclin●… it to those delicious liquours that flowed so plentcously playing under him. Near to this Cave was por●…rayed a speckled Aspic, with a winding-circling pace, creeping towards him, and shooting out his venomous sting to wound him; which an industrious Emmet obse●…ving, seeks to prevent, by awaking him with a gentle touch, to preserve him from the Aspics mortal sting. Long I mused on the depth of this Emblem; wherein I fou●…d such intricacy, the more I dived into it, the shorter I came of it. Till one morning (whom we no less truly than properly cal●… the Muse's Minion, the conceits pregnantest Da●…ling) expostula●…ing with myself no less seriously than secretly, what this might mean; I fell into a parley with mine own thoughts, which I digested and delivered in this sort.  
Awake, Amerimnos, for thou seest here Silenus (and in him thine own Emblem) long since awaked. How! Silenus'! in a Cave sleeping, with fruits growing above him▪ Fountains flowing under him; an Aspic creeping towards him; and a wary Emmet with a friendly smart awaking him! What may all this mean? Thou canst not see thyself, Amerimnos, but thou must needs understand it.  
Silenus, that mirror o●… Security, whose whole life was an incessant sleep; whose Cave was his Commonweal; and whose sole delight was in a senseless sur●…er.  Silenus, who neither thought of combustions abroad, nor factions at home; desiring nothing more than to fare well without care taking; reap without labouring; live wi●…hout loathing; enjoy without ●…uffering. 
Now reflect upon thyself, Am●…rimnos, and see what affinity thou hast with Silenus! What hast thou done but spent thy time in a car●…lesse slumber? how remiss in thy charge? how respectless of thine honour? Didst thou ever (to unrivet this Emblem) partake of those rich fruits growing ab●…ve thee; State-affairs, employments o●… public safety? Or sip o●… those Chrystall-gliding Rivulets flowing under thee, those Low Rils, humble souls, objects of compassion and pity? No; thes were estranged from thee; thy only task was fruitless security. Thus thou slept, while the subtle Aspic takes advantage on thy mis-employed privacy. For lo! with a snaky pace he draws towards thee, purposely to sting thee, and that mortally: did not the Emmet (that native Emblem of industry) with a friendly remembrance raise and rouse thee. Make use of this then to thy benefit, lest by neglecting the opportunity offered, thou become irreparably lost and ruined. Which, the better to effect, make industry thine Harbinger; Temperance thy Caterer; Moderation thy Monitor: so shalt thou not only redeem the time thou hast lost; but bestow the remainder that is left, to the benefit of the State, and improvement of thine honour.  
Nor did the impression of this Emblem work on me, as other Presentments usually do; which, as in eyeing objects in a glass, are no sooner left than lost: for as by those Receipts formerly applied, my decayed memory became restored; my dull and unactive spirits revived; my love to employment inflamed: so the sight of tha●… ●…bleme hath so powerfully wrought on my thoughts, as I am rosolved (nor do I fear but Heaven will ever breathe on such divine resolves) with this small remainder of days that are left, to redeem the time I have lost. For I hold nothing less seemly than one who is ancient in years, and hath no other argument to show for his age, but his years. This then, seeing practice is the lise of knowledge, shall be my Position." No day without a line; no line wi●…hout a rule. This my couclusion:" I could wish, that as I spent my former time in sleep, I might now address me to continuate action without sleep: if it might stand with the conservation of natu●…e, without rest to endure labour.  
But modesty bids me to be spare in mine own approvement, being to r●…ceive life and light, not from ours but others judgement. I appeal then ●…o Epimeles, to d●…liver his opinion to you my Sovereigness, personally, positively, and impartially, touching my nature, temper, and recovery.   

Argument.  
Epimeles appointed Amerimnos K●…eeper, declares what long sleeps he had before he could be awaked, during his distemper; how shortly after his recov●…ry, he was a Cock to all the family; Lastly, in all submission upon reflex had to his diligence and discretion, he holds Amerimnos service not any way derogating from Themista's reputation.  
POESY VII.  

NAture bids us sleep and wake,  
Amerimnos did not thi●…,  
He a lasting nap would take,  
And to sleep●… confine his bliss:  
Long coutinued were his dreams,  
" Uices ever hunt extremes.   

In a silent shady Bower,  
Usually would he repose,  
Clad with sweet-breathed Sycomour,  
Chafed with buds of Damask Rose:  
Where secure, he quite forgot  
Both his own and public State.   

Till of late by secret art  
And inimitable skill,  
His Physician did impart  
Such a prom●…tnesse to his will;  
As 'tis rare what he attempts  
By his rich experements.   

For rest●…r'd security  
From all business estranged,  
Ranking now with industry  
Is to vigilancy changed:  
Crane nor Hind can either be  
Watchfuller in Lawns, than he.   

Resty and unactive once  
Was his body Earth-opprest,  
Clotted was his aged sconce,  
For employment now addres●…:  
For since his rec●…very,  
he's a Cock to th'family.   

Lastly, lowly with submission▪  
And reflex to diligence,  
I do hold that h●… discretion,  
Constance service, vigilance  
Shall no way detract but sut●…  
With Themista's high repute.    

Argument.  
Themista with a Princely affectionate grace receives her late distempered, but now recovered Consuls into her favour: and recalling Parthenius from exile, creates him prime Consul. She gives the CHARGE; wherein she declares what the State requires at their hands; and how they may advance their Country's glory by this their restauratio●… and recovery; Closing, she vows to erect a lasting Trophy to Aesculapius' memory.  
An Epitome of the whole.  
This Section trencheth mainly upon these two Subjects; The CONSULS CHARGE, With THEMISTA'S TRIUMPH; In the expression of her Consul's recovery and restauration.  
With PARTH●…NIVS his reduction from exile and reauguration.  
PROSE VII.  
CLouds so clearly dispersed; distempers▪ so sound cured joys so unexpectedly tendered (said Themista) cannot 
Eò N oganti fi●… p▪ r●…us 〈◊〉, quò tractas maris 〈◊〉. Niobis effi●…ies. 8.  not choose but work strange effects upon our conceit. For as griefs before thought lessen their burden; so 〈◊〉 reduced to joys, 〈◊〉 our affection. To find what probability tells us we may find, can never overjoy us; but to find what all possibili●…y discourageth us to find, must needs infinitely in●…rance us.  
Which spoke, with a Princely affectionate grace, she received her late distempered, but now recovered Consuls into her favour: conferring upon them, according to their distinct qualities, distinct honours. Which conferred, making a sudden stop, as if somewhat had been left undone, which she intended, she unfolded her resolves in this sort.  
We have read (quoth she) that an experienced General is worth a whole Army; an expert Mariner the succour of a Navy; a discreet Master the honour of his Family. Yea, that an Army of Hearts with a Lion to their Leader, is better than an Army of Lions with an Hart to their Commander. Lest therefore, you my revived Consuls, should like the Bird Ibis, receive the excrement you have egested, by returning to the vomit you have relinquished, our purpose is to recall our trusty and well-beloved Parthenius from exile, where he hath been too long de●…ained; and to create him Prime-Consul, as his actions have ever merited: seeing his defence of goodness was the only cause he became proscribed.  
Which directions given, that he should be forthwith called home, to the end, her late-reformed Senators might be better informed, and in their good resolves confirmed; with a graceful reverend aspect mounting her judicial Throne (having first commanded Cletor the Praetorian Crier, with three O's Ace to command silence) she addressed herself to a public prepared CHARGE, in the assembly of her Consuls, with an huge confluence of other Plebeians, after this manner.  
It is not unknown (grave justiciaries) how upon our especial trust reposed in you, we did sometimes make choice of you to be of our Commission, to execute justice, and to do your Country & us all faithful service. But how remiss you were in your Care, how neglectful of your Charge, we will not here relate: for it shall be our glory to see our perishing hopes revive in your recovery. But what is it to suffer incision, corroding powders, or experiments above humane sufferings; and through distemper to make all these receipts useless, by giving free issue to those rancorous wounds, which before were closed. If Statues be not daily wiped, they will with dust become blemished: so, if those impressures of manly virtues, which you now seemingly retain, be not afresh revived, and by all industrious means preserved, your glory will become darkened, your memory obscured.  
You hold it unseemly to stamp your Prince's image in base mettle: And what less do you, when you stain our purest robes of justice, with your impurest actions? O my Patritians; should you but consider how much we tender our honour, which receives not her beauty from any outward lustre, but from the inward purity of her divinest nature; no doubt but you would suffer the worst of all extremes, before you would incline by the crooked line of your actions, to blemish so royal and real a beauty. Yea, should you but think in what near obligements you stand engaged to ou●… bounty, 〈◊〉 whence, after your first-being, you ●…ave received your well-being; no doubt but you would ingenuously agnize (if thankfulness retained the least touch or tincture in you) that you stood more bound ●…o our Grace for your breeding, than to your natural 〈◊〉 for your first-being. For if any one love his carnal father, from ●…hom he only had a mortal body, how much ought he to love such an one, from whom he shall receive immortal glory? If so much a mother, who brought him a man full of miseries into this world; how much more one, who shall conduct him full of joys into another world? If so much your carnal brethren, who by partaking with you in an earthly inheritance, make you poorer; how much more on●…, who by conferring on you a●… heavenly inheritance, shall make you richer? If so much a son, for whom you so much labour, not knowing whe●…her you may perfect aught in him that may deserve your favour; or whether he will hereafter reverence you as a father; or whether he will oppose you, or render evil unto you for the good he hath received from you; how much more one, who will eternally reward & recompense you, for a few hour's service received from you? If so much a Wife, who (perchance) loves another better than you; how much more such an one, who will never estrange her from that love she bears you? For us, you are especially to love, without whom no civil society can either subsist or live. All which may be easily proved by this necessary consequence. For if you love him so much, who bestoweth a portion of his estate on you; how much more such an one, who could find in his heart to leave friends and kinsfolks, and to go into a strange Country; yea, to engage their own body to gain you liberty? Now have not we expressed our love amply in arguments of this ●…ature? Have we not left our own native Country (those beauteous Mansions of Astraeas glory) for your succo●…r, sa●…ety and security? Have you not recovered through us, what you had once lost; to the end you might become happy through that, which you valued least? But we will not upbraid you with our courtesies; be it your care now after the dispatch of your cure, that this judicial place, whereto you are now restored, may be by your actions dignified; the pulike State, where you are deputed, rectified; and your many neglected hours, with a numerous supply of virtues, carefully redeemed, which the better to effect, two things be solely necessary: an unspotted conscience towards yourselves; and an untainted fame in respect of others. By which means, you may not only redeem●… time, but improve your own fame, to the imitable example of others.  
Nothing, you know, more precious than time; ye●… what more disvalue? No thing more perilous than neglect of opportunity; yet how easily incurred? Be the expense then of your hours, your constantest cares. And because medicines ever work best by their contraries; and vices are ever best cured by their contrary virtues: Whatsoever you shall find in you irregular, prevent the growth by a seasonable remover. Vice's can never possibly be cured, unless they be kerbed: nor ever supplanted, unless they be timely weeded. Which the better to effect, it shall be now ou●… task briefly and plainly to address our discourse to each of you in particular; that by a more free survey or discovery of your nature, you may become Masters of your own passions, and better rectifi●…rs of your errors.  
And to you first, Metoxos, (to observe order) whose very name renders partiality, a vice whereto you have been addicted naturally. Lysander's saying was this, C●…ildren must be deceived by Dice and Blanks, men by oaths. Now Sir, open your own naked bosom, and there examine yourself, how your behaviour hath been in the management of your place! How many have you deluded with promises; nay, seconded those bare promises with bold oaths, that you would stand for them in the justness of their cause, by defending them against the enmity of powerful Opponents? But how soon were those golden promises dissolved, when apparent hope of reward was presented? So prevalent was the power of gain, as it caused innocence to give place to guilt. Now reflect upon this, Metoxos, with your clear eyes; for before they were bleared with rewards: and stretch out your hand to th●… relief of the poor, but draw it in from receipt of bribes. And take ever along with you those two sayings o●… two grave Sages; Do no thing for love of money: and, Stain not justice with partiality. 
Periand. Se●…c.  What untimely, but deserving fates, some, even of your Profession have encountered, whose tongues wer●…●…ipt with gold, and mad●… gain their goal; might be●… instanced in sundry Personages of eminent rank, bu●… ignominious life. Some whereof have b●…ene suddenly stabbed; others privat●…ly strangl●…d; others openly pistoled by their injured Plaintiffs, whose unredressed wrongs winged their enraged fury with too speedy revenge. Nor were these scarce bemoaned while they perished. And of these our Roman Annals are plenteous in examples. Amongst which, nothing more bloody than that slaughter which was made by the Germans upon ●…heir revolt from the Roman Empire, through the Woods a●…d Marshes; nothing more intolerable than the insultings of the barbarous, speci ally (to instance the evenging aims of popular fury) against the Pleaders at the Bar, plucking out the eyes of some, and lopping off the hands of othersome; one had his mouth stitched up, after his tongue was first cut out, which the savag●… Actor grasping in his hand, said to it; Thou Viper, at last give over hissing. So implacable was the fury of a barbarous Nation, upon innovation of government, against persons of your profession. Which, as it is an honour to that State, where justice is equally administered; so it detracts from her, where partiality is privileged.  
But admit, these foreign instances should not work strongly enough upon your conceit, Metoxos; Draw homeward, by recalling to mi●…de that tragic Story of Sisambres, so m●…sically descanted by Harmonious: with those pleasing Paeans of thankfulness delivered by Isotes.  
Now to you, Epimonos, whose very name displays your pertinacious nature; be never so tied to your own opinion, as to avert your ●…are from reason. How can he ever possibly improve himself, who shuts his attention from all but himself? To what purpose were Counsels or Assemblies of State, if one man's private opinion should be only delivered, and all others silenced? Learn then (for this lesson will infinitely profit you) to submit yourself to others judgement, to humble yourself in others approvement; for so by hearing others, you may become enabled in that wherein you are naturally most defici●…nt. Nor will it be amiss, while others read Books, for you to read Men; even that unhappiest of men, M Caelius, so passinately described by Harmoniu●…: with those soule-reviving Epods of your Epieicies.  
For you, Vperephanos, whose Name suited well with your thoughts; as your cure seemed to us of greatest difficulty, so you give us no less occasion to joy in your recovery. The foolish are ever taken most with arrogance and applause; and such was your condition. Whose unconfined greatness could not want his parallel shadows to follow it. But these deceitful Sycophants, who make pretences Employers of all their senses, are not unlike the Herb Sardonius, of which Solinus reports, that it maketh th●… eaters thereof to look as if they laughed, but in laughing die. Properly may we style them Brokers of old stuff, or Barterers of contemptible ware: who sell their Masters at any rare for their own advantage. Antisthenes' said truly of them, that it was better to fall into the claws of Ravens, than such ●…ame Rooks: for Ravens feed only upon dead Carcases, but flatterers upon living men. Alexander Severus (a great enemy to these) caused his corrupt Courtier Turinus in the open Market to be fastened to a stake, and and stifled with smoke; the Crier thus crying to the people, Let him perish with that he sold to the Parish. So dealt Dionysius with his Damocles, by ever putting him in peril of his life; lest his perilous practices should endanger the State.  
But a kind Physician ever contends with the disease, but never contests with his Patient; beware of these, Vperephanos; you are now set again on your feet: for inclining to them may bring you to an untimely fate." Deer are ever most fearful in their best Laires: do not in the fatness of your estate feed them, lest they feed on you, whose immeriting favour did first raise them. Lay aside the presence of contempt and disdain; put on an affable and humble countenance; be full of comfort to an oppressed Client: So shall these honour's re-conferred on you, become permanent. Envy, the soul's imposthume, eating up the heart and marrow of her Master, let it never nestle in your bosom: Rejoice ever in others risings; so may princely compassion steer your course, and shield you from ruin. In a word, demean yourself thus, and good men will love you; the evil stand in fear o●… you; and the whole State, upon acknowledgement of your integrity, honour you. Mean time, be not forgetful of the heavy fate of Pytheas, so pithily chanted by Harmonious: which, if it taste of too much heaviness, alloy it with those divine airs of your Tap●…inos.  
For you, Meilixos, whose very name resolves itself into Pusillanimity, the only ground of your infirmity, raise yourself from earth, and eye the place to which you are advanced. The Quail (a bird on whose nature reflect sundry mysterious Emblems) as he flies over the Sea, feeling himself begin to be weary, lights by the way into the Sea: then lying at one▪ side, he lays down one wing upon the water, and holds up the other wing towards Heaven: lest he should presume to take too long a flight at the first, he wets one wing: lest he should despair of taking a new flight afterwards, he keeps the other wing dry. Apply the moral to yourself; so shall you neither faint too much, by distrusting your weakness: nor pride yourself too much in the discharge of this public service. Which done, as we are confident of you, so shall you find us none of those unthankful ones, to suck your milk like Mules, and then to kick you with our heels. We know well how to bestow our favour to the proportionable merit of every one's labour. Look up cheerfully than Meilixos! Let not an imperious Grandee, who sets his face in his ruff; knits his brows; and with winks and nods deciphers his command, over-awe you; nor make your tongue falter in pronouncing his distasteful censure. For in any Cause wherein you desire to please us, you are not to fear evil men; whose course hath been ever opposite unto us.  
Thales compared Laws to Spiderwebs: but such are ever to be spun in a corrup●… State. Ours are 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Speaking Laws, that dare tax a Delinquent, be he never so potent▪ And herein show you●… resolution: that our State may see you truly changed, and worthy the supportance of that charge wherein you are entrusted. But especially retain in mind the sad Story of Melotes, sung so lately to you in such apt measures by Harmonious: whose pensive strains you may sweeten with tho●…e musical measures, of Iscuros.  
Now, for you, Vpotomos, in whose very Name was portrayed the rough Scene of your life; and whose steeled heart could sometimes, like a Spring-locke, shut itself, but never open to the least thought of compassion: as you have go●… a Niobe in your eye, and a Philomel's thorn to your breast: So address yourself to mercy, and never hereafter give receipt to cruelty.  
Demosthenes' being demanded what men had, that most resembled God? He answered, To be charitable, and embrace the truth. Retain in you this resemblance, so shall your place receive more honour from you, than you from it. For as justice is (as all other virtues be) a mean betwixt two extremes; Lenity & Severity: So we rather incline to his censure, who mixeth justic●… with favour, than his, who thundereth nothing but judgement & Rigo●…. O how hateful hath the very name of Cruelty been in all ages! Which, howsoever som●… Parasites, for the Tyrant's sake, have sometimes applauded, they as soon condemned? Antiochus was at one time saluted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a glorious Prince, and a furious Tyrant. And Plutarch reporteth, that when Dionysius the Tyrant, asked the Wise men of his Court which Copper was the best; Antiphon answered very readily, that in his opinion that was the most excellent, whereof the Athenians had made the Pictures of the two Tyrants, 
* Others report, that two Statues were erected in honour of these two Persons, for doing their Country such good service, as ridding her from the unsufferable tyranny of Pisistratus.  Armodius and Aristogiton: implying, that their Statues were to be preferred before their Persons; their Burial before their Government.  
There is nothing that may more highly content us, than to see the members of our 
* Nostra sit familia candide ●…ucunda, conditè secunda, prosperè faecunda, modicè irácunda, Crit●…l Oeconom.  family, affably pleasing, seasonably thriving, prosperously succeeding, mildly reproving.  
Yea, know Vpotomos, that it is the part of a good man, to be able to say, that he hath rather spared, where he might have spilt; than to have spilt, where he might have spared. Especially, where good natures are brought on the Stage, who are commonly won more by clemency, than severity; by affabilit y and favour, than extr●…mity and rigour. Put on then a more lovely look; ●…uit yourself with a more lightsome dress. Show l●…sse fire in your eye; less fury in your heart. Estrange yourself from the company of Eris; Enure your memory to the censorious fate of Aeacus, so lively chanted by Harmonious: Ever now and then refreshing your rectified disposition with those ●…ree and friendly expressions of Elecmon.  
Lastly, to you Amerimnos, a drowsy name for a watchful Sentinel; whose secure sleep would have ruined the most flourishing State. After so long a sleep, you must now prepare yourself for as long a Watch. Better w●…re it never to enjoy life, than to make life a continued image of death. Now sleep & death are termed two sisters; and Night the Mother of them both. The Poet called one of the sons of sleep, 〈◊〉, a terrifier of men. What then might you bestiled, Amerimnos, whose ●…ole felicity was security; and in a lasting dream, summed up the days of your mortality? What was this else, but to make a trifle of time; and to bestow the precious oyl●… of your life, on the 〈◊〉 delights of Sloth? Much better it were not to be, than fruitlessly to be. But where the Evening can make no good account of the day, Youth must needs run in great arrearages with Age. Now, such an one may more properly be said to have slept a long sleep, than to have led a long life. For what should life be but a continued day-taske? Where, as eternity depends on a moment; so should this moment of time ever address itself to eternity. For know, howsoever this temporal Sun which you here see with your eyes; and directs you in your journals and ways, after it hath set, may rise again: yet when the Sun of your life shall once set, never look for a rising of it here again: being once closed, it becomes for ever to this life darkened and benighted. Time lost cannot then be redeemed; nor the fruitless ex●…nce of your profuser hours regained.  
It is said of Demonax, a Philosopher who flourished in the time of Adrian, that he naturally eschewed money and solitariness: which we never remember, but we wish that Metoxos our first Consul, and you Amerimnos the last in order, had equally partaked of his nature: that as disesteem of the one might have begotten in him an hate to cove●…ousnesse: so your dislike of the other might sharpen your desires to a love of business.  
But as in him an●…●…he rest, so in you, Amerimnos, be our wishes crowned; for we see your desires how much they are to employment inflamed; and how your lateunactive spirits become now quickened. Nor do we doubt, but that these good re●…olves by your constant endeavours, will grow so richly improved, as we shall have cause to apply the saying o●… that famous Athe●…ian to you; You had perished, had you not perished. For as his youth was exposed to all sensuality, wantonness and lib●…rtie, so he excelled in the maturity of his time, in policy, martial prowess and virtue.  
Be it then your honour ●…o shun whatsoever may redound to your dishonour. Neglect no opportunity, whereby you may any way benefit the state. Apply you●… self to that public service; the discharge whereof may produce in you incomparable solace. Make choice only of such for your acquaintance, where you have hope either to better them, or to be bettered by them. A●…d be not too familiarly versed in the works of Aristom●…chus: they treat too much of Wine, but too little of wit. Lastly, remember that fearful distemper of Messala Corvinus, with the dishonour of lazy Margites, rendered in that dainty Canto of Harmonious: which you may discreetly temper with those industrious dimensions of Epimel●…s.  
Now, as out of our Princely and affectionate grace, we have received you our late distempered, but now recovered Consuls, into our favour: and here given you in CHARGE, how you are to demean yourselves in affairs of State; with a free declaration of what the State requires at your hands: and justified ●…ithall, upon all and every such particular defects, whereto you were formerly subject: so now our exhortation shall be, that you be cautious of a relapse. And to the end you may less err in your affairs, ever submit yourselves to the discreet advice of Parth●…nius; whom I have purposely placed over you, not only in matters of doubt and difficulty to resolve you, but in all your deportments of State, to inform you. Experience is a good Mistress; and so anciently and irreproveably hath he borne 〈◊〉 in business of State, wherein we have ever employed him (till in our absence some Libertines of our time had exiled him) to his honour, and our improvement; as none ever yet knew him, were they never such rigid Censors of others actions, who could justly tax him, eithe●… of partiality to friend, or pas sion towards his foe. Receiv●… him then; for it shall not derogate from your wisdoms 
It is the highest glory of a flourishing State, to reward a deserving Patriot.  to have embraced such a Patriot, who makes the public good his highest object.  
Now, whereas we have here set you as Beacons or Watch-to●…ers to foresee danger from a far, and timely ●…o prevent it before it come to our doors, you are hence to understand, how all men's eyes are on you; and how light errors in you are most irregular, because exemplar.  
Drops are but small things, yet joined together, they will in time rise to a River. Grains of Sand are but small bodies, yet if much Sand be heaped together, it not only presseth, but oppresseth the under-lyer. Y●…e say, you have a voided grand crimes; take heed ye be no●… overwhelmed with small Sands. Time is precious unto all, but most unto age: for where few hours are allotted, fit it were that they were well bestowed. Be ye then men of that settled▪ seasoned, and well-composed temper, as to fix and terminate your thoughts on that sole-Soveraigne good, which may fully close, s●…ale and sat your desires. For tell us, good fathers, what can be a more contemptible thing than man, if he erect not his thoughts above man! So, as the very Locust or Grasshopper (creatures of emptiness and fear) are no greater slaves to the wind than man. How varying in his resolves; how delaying in his performance; being ofttimes prevented by death, before he begin what he so long resolved? But of all ages, most varying is he in age: which we may properly illustrate by this similitude: when the Sun is in the Meridian, and the beams of it perpendicular to our bodies, shadows change not suddenly; but when it begins to decline to the fall, every moment almost, they vary. Man's life is a span; a narrow span, which he shall n●…ither fall short off, nor exceed; no, not one little or point of it; not the br●…adth of the smallest hair, or atom; no, not the 〈◊〉 Gothsimere▪ or any other extenuate or imaginary thi●…nesse whatsoever. Now, how should any man, if endued with natural capacity, think but this vapour of Smoke, this light-vading breath, may promise to itself any long continuance; especially, when the thread of life is not only spun thin, but worn small? When Age goes poring on the ground, as if he were looking for some place where he should lie? But hope of living long is that universal Antidote, that makes many a Mithridates venture on poison. Of this both Age and Youth do equally surfeit. For no decrepit groundling is so old, but he hopes he may live one year longer.  
But higher be our hopes in you, who hold that life to be most blessed, wherein whatsoever is best, is both loved and enjoyed. These, as most deluded Mor●…alls commonly be, being fed with a deceiving hope of living long, become altogether secure of living well: whereas you, who prefer a good life before a long life, and esteem nothing worthy prising here, but what may highly conduce to your safe conduct elsewhere: make no other aestimate of life, then as of a Scene; which being well and bravely performed, crownes th●… Exit with an applause.  
The best and principallest Blessing confirmed by the authority of Herodotus in Cleobulus and Biton, Trophonius and Agamedes? and that pithy conclusion of Silenus, who being taken Prisoner by King Midas, pai●…d this ransom, teaching the King the best thing, that might chance any man, was never to be borne, the next to die as soon as might be.  
What are we then to think of you, who being borne to the State, live to support it, love to advance it, and rejoice to see it? implying an auspicious birth, a gracious life, ever expiring with a glorious close. Be your lives then long or short, they cannot redound to your shame, because employed to the improvement of the State. Live you would not, but for it; and die you would willingly to secure it.  
The most potent Princes that ever breathed, have shown but weak prerogatives against fate; Nought but vanity was to be attributed to them, retained they never so much earthly glory on them, who dwelled in houses of clay, whose foundation was in the dust, which are crushed before the Moth. Were they never so numerously attended; with the banks and bars of the Sea surrounded; at home and abroad secured; yet could they not from mortality be●… exempted. Which no sooner seized on them, than they were soon left by those, who seemingly clove the closest to them. Now, what were these temporising Fawns, but such as made dials of their Masters? So long as the Sun shone on them, and could afford them a shadow, they looked on them; but no sooner had the Sun left them, than they were left by them. So quickly they passed by them with a careless neglect, from whom they expected no further benefit. But virtues are your attendants, which will survive the memory of all monumental structures.  
Thus you have heard (to draw in our Sails, and apply our Oars to the shore) how the reputation of a State is preserved by a wise Council; and how you may advance your Country's glory by this your restauration & recovery: 
Pacis olivam, Palladis palmam Parthenopis lauream quas omnes fluctuantis Status Hyems decerpserat, amae, niore cultu sereniore conditione, Aestus restituerit Hyacinth.  be it then your task to put in practice what you have heard. Never was their fairer opportunity offered: nor an ampler reward for a shorter service, t●…ndred. Now then, in this your Evening send out some beamelins of your deserving. That as justice, whom you serve, is compared in beauty to the Evening star, so you may show yourselves beautiful stars in the Evening. Short is your labour, perpetual shall be your honour. Cheerfully then entertain the one that you may more happily enjoy the other.  
Now to close with thankfulness (for ungrateful are they who will not ingenuously acknowledge such ample courtesies) we vow by Themista's Throne, to erect a lasting Trophy to Aesculapius' memory; that succeeding ages may record how ready we were to requite. So we leave you, but never leave to love you, so you love the State, for whose Service and Solace we have re-advanced you.  
So Themista ascended; her Senators descended; where their Office of justice became so well discharged, as it was well for the State that her Consuls madded, being ever after better managed, than before such time as they fell first distempered.    
FINIS.  Oper●… de nobis testantur nostra, etiamsi taceant nostri.  

The life of MARIANO SILESIO, the approved Author of this Worke.  
EXcellence of spirit is best expressed when most opposed; nor is there any better exercise than opposition, to set a true edge on resolution. This might be instanced to life in the life of MARIANO SILESIO; who ever armed himself with the smoothest brow against the roughest braves of fortune.  
A Florentine borne; generously descended; and gracefully endowed. Seasoned he was with the elements of all Learning; wherein he became so highly improved, as his rare expressions, relishing of no inferior spiri●…, rendered ●…im both admired and loved. Yet in that affluence of friendly observe●…s, He●… wanted not some priva●…e detractours; wh●… the mor●… they laboured to dirk●…n his lustre, the more they lost their labour: and (what they least expected) gave spreading wings to hi●… fame and honour. Much of his youth he spent in Court-attendince; where he bestowed more pretiou●… hours in useful observance, than youthful dalliance. So as that very 
As may likewise appea●…e by ●…is free reproof of Madam AlisiaLensona for her incontine●…t l●…fe: though at that time a Mistress to the Duke's especial favourite.  place, which commonly becomes an effeminatour of o●…hers, bec●…me an improver and rectifier of his manner●…. Comply he could not with corruption; nor affect that, which in the eye of virtue deserved not approbation. Insomuch as, being one day in the Court of Florence, and hearing a Lady of suspected fame m●…ch admired for her agility and quickness in dan●…ing, replied, my admiration shall close in this; O that a Soul so heavy, should present so light a body!  
An inimit able faculty he had for elegance of Phrase in prose and an incomparable facility for neateness●… of invention and ●…weetnesse of dimen●…onin v●…rse. Both which with such a free-streaming Current naturally flowed, as with a pleasing disdain they scorned to be forced. W●…ich caused him to he●… much employed in hi●… yo●…nger years, in the invention and setting forth of Court-maskes and other Princely presentments (impressiv●… objects of i●…finite d●…light to refined Spirit●…) all which he perf●…rmed with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Art; as no place but hold itself honoured by his person; nor, no 〈◊〉 too amply extended, to ●…nlarge hi●… pe●…sion. Albeit, o●…t of the freedom and largeness of his mind, He would ever re●…urne this ans●…r ●…o such liberal b●…stowers: It will d●…raact from the Muses to be Mercinari●…s: And, Liberal Art●… should have lib●…all Hearts▪ and slow re●…eivers. He could never 〈◊〉 vulgar prais●…, nor titular applause, drawn from selfe-●…ffectation or that ambiti●…us gro●…nd of g●…ining opinion. Th●… he styled Opini●…e Idol●…try, ●…hich transformed self▪ ●…y into a desperate Frenzy. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 w●…nt t●… say of Poggius and Pierus, two reputed Wits in those days; that he could not endure Poggius conceit, because it made too bold with Heaven; nor Pierus, because he ●…sted to much of Earth.  
So●…ne after his retire from Court, He matched himself in a Noble family. A Consort so exquisitely accommodated, and richly adorned with all graceful perfections, as her Name, like some precious perfume, still preserves her memory in Florence. But see the mut●…bility of humane happiness! Shortly made death an exchange with his choice: to whose vertuo●…s memory he addressed his continuate Anniverssaries. Poems of an high and enlivened Spirit: where every Stanza retains his own native weight; and expresseth its own th●…ught without an enforced state. With such obs●…quious tears, and choice funeral composures, He discharged that ex●…quiall office, which He, devoted to her memory, was owing, and of whose divine virtues he was so much enamoured, living: as h●… expressed (nor were his expressions feag●…d) in these lines by him addressed to her, during his remove from ●…er:  

Health crown mine hop●…s in thee, for in thine health,  
Mine health, help, hope consist; my weal, my wealth.   
After her death, he became a Recluse near to the Cliffs of Arpina, Northwest from Corcyra; where his friends resorted to him, in hope to weine him from that course, by propo●…ing to him many eminent favourites in Court, and to bring him back to Florence: but his fixed resolves on retirement, returned them this answer:  

Dissuade me not; for ne'er could I bestow  
Such freedom on my better part as now;  
Where th'Duke himself, were he not th'man he is,  
Would wish in's heart but to enjoy my bliss:  
Whose choice content affords me so much power,  
As I may vie with greatest Emperor.   
But fearing the solicitous importunity of such prevalent friends, (powerful Advocates to a relenting Nature) with much secrecy, ●…ee removed into a part more desert and remote, wherewith a selfe-contenting privacy, he bestowed the remainder of his days in Contemplation: s●…ling his portell with this inscription: INVISUS VIDEO.  
To describe him, ●…ee was of a middle stature; plea●…ing Countenance; grateful pres●…nce; present discourse; pregnant wit; rich fancy; rare memory; an affable disposition, though naturally a little subject to passion; which he ever so sweetly tempered with discretion, as it never overmastered reason. To such an excellent Soveraingty in the Command of his affections had he aspired, as his inner-house to no disquiets stood engaged.  
Sundry works▪ during the time of his retire; He composed; wherein were expressed such height of wit and clearness of judgement, as they received the Character of diverse tongues. Amongst which, He took especial care, that this Work should be fairly transcribed, and sent to Florence; where it was entertained with such esteem, as it received a double honour, both for its own Worth, and memory of the Author.  
His last dying words, or invitation of Death (as is reported) were these: I have got myself, as much out of the world as I could, though not so much as I would; Come then my friendly Messenger, and take me out of this Creek, where I have hitherto retired, that after so long bondage, I may be freed.  
He lived to a ripe age; being both in years and virtues numerous.   

Upon the Erratas.  
THe genuine Translator of this ingenio●… Author, was wholly absent from this. 〈◊〉. For Themista's Court, whereof this Subject tr●…ats, excluded thes●… Errors f●…om all cure. This may serve for his excuse. Besides, it was divided upon several Presses; no marva●…le if ●…e suffer in the one or 〈◊〉. Be it your Cand●…r to clear it; upon this ingenious condition, that the next Impression shall redeem it.  
Praelia militibus constant, & prela figuris; Hinc indispositis Error ubique lo●…is.  
Errata.  
IN ter. Test. Auth. in some Copies, for Fam●…. read Fawn. Lib. 1. pag. 35. lin. ult. for the r. your. ib. p. 42. ●…▪ p●…nult. for rumerous r. numerous. Lib 2. p 84. l. 15. for incapably r. incapable. ib. p. 86. l. 1. for he, r. be. ib. p. 88 for Theotmius, r. Th●…otimus. ib. p. 117 l. 8 for to, r. of. ib. p. 124. & 125. figures misplaced. Lib. 3. p. 130 l. 14 for Treopagus, r. Are●…pagus. ib. p. 135. l. 10. a word undivided. ib p. 159. & 160. figures misplaced. Lib 4. p 78. l. 10. for Epimomos, r. Epimonos, ib. p. 80. l. ●…. a line transposed. ib. p. 97. l. 12. for they, r. thy. ib p. 126. Stanza's undivided. ib. p. 144. l. 11. for causeless, r. cause for (a mere inversion of Sense.) ib. p. 162. letters in sundry lines disjointed. ib. p. 214. l. 21. for Epieicies, r. Epieices. ib. p. 211. l. 3: for. evenging, r. revenging. ib. 235. l. 15. for justified, r. insisted.  
For the literal errors, I leave them to the pen of the Candid Reader to amend them.