GREEN IN CONCEIT.  
New raised from his grave to write the Tragic History of fair Valeria of London.  
WHEREIN IS TRULY DISCOVERED the rare and lamentable issue of a Husband's dotage, a wives lewdness, & children's disobedience.  
Received and reported by I. D.  Veritas non quaerit angulos, umbra gaudet. 
Printed at London by RICHARD BRADOCKE for William jones, dwelling at the sign of the Gun near Holborn conduit. 1598.   

To my dear friend, Master Thomas White of Corffe in Dorsetshire.  
THough in the spring-time of our lives year, there be no depth nor durance of resolution, because sound judgement our reason's ripeness, is then but in the bud; yet the affection which I bear you, whereto your own hopefulll forwardness did first give life, and your many courtesies add strength, albeit it were the child of my childhood, conceived where we both received the first grounds of learning, was even then so deeply rooted, that neither length of time, distance of please, nor discontents of mind, have been able, I will not say to abolish, but to diminish it: for an instance whereof, I have entitled to your name this naked humour, a Present not so worthy as I would, or as perhaps I could afford if some clouds were cleared: Yet howsoever this toy may prove, I presume, of your acceptance, both in regard of that affection that (I hope) you still do bear me, which may impetrate a toleration where no liking may be looked for: or of that well-meaning wherewith I offer it unto you, sith strangers of strangers, and greatest Princes of meanest peasants have taken in good worth as worthless things, because presented with good will. And I would that I might but half so far prevail with others, of whom some (I sear) will not only charge me with that which justly they may, but also aster the reading of my title and Proemium, deem me one of those against whom Horace doth well exclaim, O imitatores servum pecus, yet I protest that never anything was further from my thoughts, and that the rest was finished before that humour was suggested But I should grossly offend in troubling you with a long Epistle, whom I trouble with so long a toy. I will therefore conclude with this conditional promise, wherein I join with you the courteous Reader, whose patience I urge too much with my youths follies, that if my life be capable of riper years, and my state of better fortune, my labours shall not be wholly barren of desert: till when, and ever I rest,  
Yours assured, john Dickenson.   

An advertisement to the Reader.  
WHen night (friend to melancholy) had run the third part of her course, besprinkling the drowsy earth with Lethe's dew, I sitting solitary in my chamber, reading with some pleasure Lucian's Timon, on a sudden felt mine eyes heavy, and immediately all my powers were violently surprised by a slumber; whereinto I was no sooner entered, then me thought I saw standing before me, the shape of a well-proportioned man suited in death's livery, who seemed to write as fast as I could read. This ghastly object did much astonish me, and (as fancy in such cases is a fruitful nurse of superstitious fears) my amazement was the greater: being thus taken in the reading of that Author, who, besides his other impieties, is the greatest scoffer of apparitions. But when I had well noted the others mild countenance, my courage did soon recall itself, and I growing somewhat bold, demanded both who he was, and why he came: whereto he gently answered thus I am he, whose pen was first employed in the advancement of vanity, and afterward in the discovering of villainy. join these two, and they will serve thee for the Periphrasis of my name. In the former of which, I confess I have offended, yet who knoweth not, that Fiction the godmother of Poesy makes her the shadow of Philosophy; which if not sweetened by this heavenly mixture, may well have reverence, but small regard. This moved the Poet to write, and me to use for my familiar motto that quaint verse, Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci. But admit it as the most will have it, yet dare I boldly affirm, that my later labours have made a large part of amends for those former vanities. Here (me thought) I could no longer contain myself to going to embrace him, as both reason and humanity required.  

Sod frustra comprinsa manus effugit imago  
Par levibus ventu uoluer qu●…simillim a somno.   
Whereat being no less amazed than before, and casting back mine eyes, I espied him standing in like order at the other end of the chamber, when with a critical smile he thus proceeded: Hast thou tossed over so many Authors, & knowest not yet that ghosts are shadows? But to omit this which I impute to thine astonishment, and to answer the other part of thy demand, first, for thy better conceiting of my intent, know, that it is my wont to walk much from Elysium towards the mouth of Orcus, the cause whereof is this: Diogenes, Menippus, & all the ancient Cynics, with as many of our modern humorists as have jumped with them in their sour rain, do mightily frequent that place, who though of several countries and times, yet are so thoroughly acquainted each with other as if they had lived all together. Their order is, when any ghosts arrive, to run presently unto them, peer in their faces and board them currishly with a question touching their estates and fortunes while they lived: if they gather by their answers that any of them have flourished in the world for pomp, wealth, beauty, or whatsoever other like transitory gift, & that therein they have reposed their sole delight, oh then they sound frump and bait them for their wélcome with such bitter scoffs, that this new corrosive added to their other yet-bleding sorrow, makes them altogether impatient but if they find that their lives greatest part hath been distress and care, than they comfort them, bidding them rejoice in death. Marry this their comfort serves to small purpose, for I have heard the chief Seniors of this society oft solemnly protest, that for I know not how many hundred years, not three of all those wretches (though the number hath been infinite) have thanked them for their comfort but all bitterly exclaimed on death, and wished themselves again alive, with thrice as many miseries as they had endured: yet many of them died so old, that their sight, their taste, and generally all their senses and powers had of themselves failed them; so that the weakness of their spent nature could no longer have been capable of any pleasure: others so poor, that for pure 〈◊〉 & no devotion, they had fasted to death: some so grieved with Aches that they had long laine bedridden, or so peppered with diseases, that in many years they could reckon few days of rest: some had been rotten in prison, some new skipped from the gallows; others blind, many cripples, all miserable, which caused me deeply to marvel what secret deceit of nature made men thus dote on life. Sed ad propositum. walking there not long since, while those aforesaid odd companions were questioning with other ghosts, I saw one (& it was a woman's Ghost) pacing demurely, and with so seeled a countenance, that as it argued no joy, so it made show of little sorrow. Wondering at such moderation in so frail a sex, I went towards her, and in going eyed her so exactly, that in the end, though death had much desaced her, I knew who she was, and remembered that when I died, she lived at London in flourishing estate & as lewd a dame, as any in that City. This much increased my former admiration, who deemed it rare, that any of that sex, wealth, and wantonness could with such patience brook the loss of life. Being in this humour I discovered myself unto her, and earnestly requested her to show me the cause of this her more than manly courage: whereto she gently replied, that since my death her fortune changed by her folly had quited the former plenty & pleasures that she had whilom enjoyed, with a far greater measure of want and woe; and for she saw me extremely desirous to hear the manner of this change and sequel, she imparted that likewise unto me, concluding that sith death had rid her from distress, it were madness to lament, much more to desire life. this said, she left me in a strange humour: for I wished myself alive again, were it but for two days.  
Laughest thou? So mightest thou well have done, if this my wish had been the Ape of common error: but the only aim and end of my desire, was the good of those that live; for whose admonition, even in so small a time (for my wit was never long in performing such a task) I would have pend in manner of a caveat, alarge discourse both of her former lewdness which myself had known, and of her following miseries which she had then related. But finding my desires full accomplishment herein impossible, after long thought I conceited a likely course, for the effecting thereof in part; and this it was. To sue to Mercury that by the virtue of his charming rod qua manes evocat ●…co, this my bodies bloodless remnant might revisit the earth, to find some one who receiving from me the plot and groundwork of this rare subject, might perform thereon in my behalf, that which by reason of death's defects myself now cannot. In this resolution I gave long attendance, before the leisure of that busy God, (which as thou knowest is heavens Herald, and hell's carrier,) did afford me any opportunity: But in the end having purchased access and audience, I prevailde so far with him, that either for his good opinion of my intent, or for the love he bears unto Poetry wherein himself, as he is the God of eloquence, hath no small interest, he fully granted my desire, but with this proviso, that I should dispatch within an hour, by which time he will have ready a fresh convoy of ghosts for his return. To be short; I was with a trice in sight of London, whether running for joy in headlong haste as the way led me, I have by chance lighted on thee, and thereby know that this subject is reserved for thy pen. Listen then to my relation. Hear he somewhat paused: then with a deep sigh sorrows true preface, he began his sad discourse therein comprising the several branches that I have handled; this done, he thus concluded: Thou hast now heard the sum of all, which I had once begun to write, meeting by good hap with pen, ink and paper on the way; but the shortness of my time warns me to resign the office of my pen unto my tongue. Suffice it that I despair not of thy memory, nor doubt thy forwardness. This only I will add, let the world know it comes from me, that they who since my death have unkindly blamed me, may henceforth censure more charitably of me. Hereto (me thought) I thus replied: The charge that thou imposest, is (I fear) greater then I can well discharge: for neither the nature of my vein is like to thine, neither is it in suo genere so sufficient. Besides none will believe this, but rather deem it a blind devise of mine to beg a title for my book, & to pick up some crumbs of credit from another's table. Some again will charge me that I have stolen this conceit out of Lucian. And many marvel, that I who have a while forborn the press (save only in some sleight translations of general novelties.) because justly seating the over deep & piercing censures of this judicial age, should now in so bold an humour grow thus confident. Lastly there are sundry others both better known to thee and of far more sufficiency. Tush (quoth he) thou art too scrupulous; this is not modesty, but mopishness: leaving therefore these vain excuses, perform what I request: and thereto I conjure thee by the reverence thou bear'st unto the sacred Mules. Well (quoth I) sith thou hast so deeply charged me, I will perform it, and do thou likewise in requital grant me one demand, that I will make. I mean: nay (quoth he) I know thy meaning and the humour that boils now to thy brains, but I dare not play the blab again: for who would willingly fry in Phlegeton? Besides, the time doth fly and the power of Mer●…s caduceus draws me hence, farewell and fail not in thy promise: with these words me thought he vanished, leaving me extremely discontented; for I had ready a mint of questions. As first, how each hag and fiend doth take his place, when they are summoned to any assembly, All rauco suon●… de●…a tar●…area tromba. How Cerberus in these late years of dearth hath shifted for his diet, coming so oft short of his fee: for it is unlikely that they which being alive could not get themselves a dry crust, but starved miserably, for want of food, can after death be able to give him a sop: Whether the greedy Corne-hoorders be not generally cursed, even there also, for pluming so the silly ghosts before hand, that when they come thither they are not able to discharge the duties of the house, viz. to the ferry-man, the porter etc. Whether Charon do still cry out against gonnes for determining the fortune of battles before they come to handstrokes, and thereby cutting of the best part of his doings; whether Democritus do laugh still, & whether it be true that Heraclitus who while he lived, wept for the vanities of men, do now laugh at hims●…lfe for having been so foolish; whether it be likewise true that Aretine hangs by the tongue for having blabbed abroad the secrets of dame Lecheries darlings, what monsters were brought forth of late, & which of the old hags, are most in favour with Hecate. These & infinite other demands I would have made, had not his sudden vanishing prevented me, whereat in a rage I clapped my hand on the table and therewith did awake, having my brains so set on work by this strange slum slumber, that I could sleep no more all that night. The next morning, the plot being fresh in my memory, I went in hand with it, proceeding therein at times of leisure till I had finishedit, which (Gentlemen) Enough present unto your favours the only wished harbour wherein this my weather beaten vessel may rest safely shrouded from the tempest of disgrace.  
Besides sundry seapes of the Press in Orthography, and some more extraordinary of whole words mistaken, though in the fewest copies; these four are general: secrets for sorrows. p. 18. these, for those, p. 20. intent, for content. p. 21. deem ' for doomed. p. 27   

GREEN IN CONCEIT: New raised from his grave, to write the Tragic story of fair Ualeria of London.  
PEace fraught with plenty, waiting on the Sceptre of a gracious Sovereign, had now seated herself in Albion, whence at her arrival, rough-faced Bellona the nurse of broils, writing in blood, her baleful triumphs, fled disconsolate to foreign coasts, and there sounded her Tragic summons. At whose departure all things recovered their former quiet: As when the year having shaken of stormy winter's Ice badge, grows young again, greeting the earth with gladsome tidings of the Flower-clad springs approach. Silly Shepherds haunted securely with their harmless flocks, the western plains, chanting by turns sweet Roundelays, or tiring with long play their Oaten pipes: Toiling husbandmen joyed freely in the issue of their hopes, reaping harvests plenty the guerdon of their winter's pains. Each season had his success, each state his solace. In which tranquillity of time and truce of fortune, their lived in the famous city of Troynovant an ancient gentleman, son to a wealthy Citizen, who dying old, left him not young, his only child, sole heir of his goods, which, (besides money & other movables) yielded him an ample revenue of yearly rents. Giraldo, (so was he named) having enough, deemed it folly to toil for super fluous store, or not to use, what his Ancestors successful industry had already afforded him.  
He therefore conformed his life to luch a course, as might equal his calling, and not Impair his credit, or procure his discontent. Living thus at quiet (the more to Augmeut his ease,) love he esteemed so little, and marriage less, that he passed the most part of his time without a wife, in which Stoical humour he determined to persist, stiffly refusing many great offers, moved to him by sundry of good account and known sufficience; whether the care of housekeeping and fear to match with a mate of unlike conditions, had dismayed him; or the sweetness of a single life through long use besotted him; Howsoever this resolution seemed easy in regard of his years, yet did the sequel largely show, that no time, no temperature is exempted from loves tyranny; nor ought less to be trusted, than affections try all: The Sun oft shines not, till near his setting. Cynthia fills not her circle, till farthest from her brother's Sphere. Smothered Cinders may breed a flame, where we least suspect a fire; and winter fruits in growth less forward, are in lasting most forcible. The purest gold hath his dross; the clearest Wine his dregs; sweetest Roses their pricks; sourest Stoics their passions. Love hath his change of Arrows, his choice of objects, to entice every eye, to entangle every Age.  
It chanced in a fatal hour, that Giraldo with sundry his familiars was invited by a gentleman of the country (his dead Father's approved friend.) to accompany him home, & pass with him some days of pleasure at his house, situate in a gallant soil fruitful of all delights. They agreeing to his friendly motion, left the City, and arriving where he dwelled, found there such entertainment, as might assure their welcome, and warrant his goodwill: They were richly feasted, and frolic royally in all gentlemanlike disports, hunting, hawking, with what soever pleasant recreation their thoughts could aim at, and the country yield. Thus far lasted Giraldos comedy: but here (though in a borrowed hue) stepped in his Tragedies sad Proem masking his following sorrows in outward semblance of alluring sweetness: Such are the wiles of love and fortune, there first to smile, where they intent last and most to lower. This gentleman besides two sons of rare towardness, had one daughter, her name Valeria, young and fair, in discourse witty, but in life wanton; the fault and cause thereof, her education: for being the father's joy the Mother's Jewel, their last borne, and therefore most beloved, she was trained up by her parents in all liberty, and taught, not that which best beseemed, but which most delighted her; In stead of sowing, she could sing, writ, dance, and sweetly touch her ivory Lute, with whose weltuned strings, her fingers were more acquainted, then with her needle: Briefly what could she not, which lest she should, and all more exquisitely, than was meet for a modest virgin? If then the strongest Marble be in time worn by weak drops of rain, the hardest Adamant, (though otherwise impenetrable) pearc'dby Goats warm blood: what marvel is it, that these so mighty enforcements, wrought so effectually on her, whose few years, frail sex, and slight education made the couquest easy? Yet rau he headlongforward, not heeding how she was inclined, nor weighing as he should have done, the issue of his attempt, which these so many, and so manifest likelihoods did forethreaten: Such was his blindness enen when he first beheld her, to whom nature had leut a look so alluring, a tongue so enchanting, that it rests doubtful, whether her countenance could more entrap, or her words entangle. To those that never saw the Ocean, narrow straits may seem large seas the which till now had never viewed with curious regard, any such besotting object, deemed Valeria the western prragon. His greedy ever gazing eyes, fed like hungry Guests en her faces beauty, yet never glutted; for the more he looked, the more he loved; Affection was no sooner bred, than winged; no sooner warm, then flaming; (a thing in nature marvelous, but in love no miracle,) she was the only subject of his conceit, the only aim of his content: If she spoke, his partial ears deemed her voice more than Angelical; if she smiled, he was ravished: if she frowned, even frowning she seemed fairer, and her anger amiable. Thus were her words his ears music, her fair countenance his eyes harbour, herself, his transported souls supposed solace, while he though old, yet a Novice in the school of fancy fed his vain thoughts, with vainer hopes: But when beginning his wooing with signs, he saw portrayed on her looks, a deep misliking of his age, threatening a sequel of many sorrows, a century of sowltyring passions, than somewhat rousing his charmed senses, he began sadly to confer his former course of life, with his present crosses in love, weighing how before he joyed in content, now joyless through discontent, then free from faucie, now slave to beauty: And so far he waded in this pensive meditation, that sealing with many sighs, each clause of his complaints, he wished too late, than he had not come, or coming, had not seen; or seeing, had not affected; or affecting, had not so extremely doted. But finding moan a bootless method, a sleight medicine to cure hearts malady, he resolved to seek some surer remedy: which, (as he thought) was immediately to departed; hoping that absence should work his ease, and that his eyes not having whereon to gaze, his thoughts should want wherewith to grieve him.  
In the heat of which humour, he abruptly took his leave of the gentleman his friend, and the other his familiars, feigning sudden and extraordinary occasions of business, which drew him thence. They no less beleening his words, then loath to hinder his weighty affairs, did not importune his tarriance, yet urged with much entreaty his speedy return, which he promising, though then not intending, left them; but could not leave so his sorrow, for in himself he carried his own wound, the ever-fresh and perfect Idea of Valeria's far piercing beauty, a more inseparable companion to his thoughts, than the shadow to his body: the one waiting without, the other working so forcibly within, that by how much the more he strove to allay his passions, by so much the more he increased his pains: concluding by his own experience, that to attempt the quenching of love with absence, is to cherish fire with oyse. For as the course of a strong currant, counterchekt by a bar of earth, seeks with greater violence another issue, and having past his bounds, turneth the pleasant meadows, into unpleasant marshes: As the slowest flame, somewhat daunted by water, gathers immediately double force and brightness: so the frenzy of a lovers fancy, is then most outrageous, and feels greatest lack of wont ease, when the eyes do want their wont object. Giraldo therefore finding in the city less comfort than in the country content, wandered in this labyrinth of woe, feeling his soul's agony hourly augmented: In the day, he could not rest; in the night, he could not sleep; if he sat, he sighed; but sighs yielded him no solace: oft he walked to out we are his sorrow, but oft walking could not work it: At the table he sat a cipher; nor is it marvel, for how could he have any stomach to digest his meat that wanted strength to disband his melancholy, which was so fruitful in afflicting him, that not Hydra, foggy Lerna's fowl guest, could faster renew her seven heads, with seavenfoulde increase, than his each-passion doubled his perplexity, making his unquiet life, the perfect map of a lovers misery: His friends and neighbours mused much what might be the cause of his discontent, supposiug nothing less, than that love had been the occasion.  
Among this number, one of like years & long acquaintance, did on a time so far importune him, that Geraldo (though loath to utter his affection, yet able to deny him nothing, because he loved him dearly) discoursed the whole at large, peremptorily concluding to haste with all speed possible (if his speding might be possible) a marriage between Valeria and himself: For (quoth he) as Telephus wounded by Achilles' spear, could not be cured but by the rust of the same spear: And they which are stung by the Serpent Dipsas, feel an unquenchable thirst in the midst of water: so stands it with me, which have surfeited, yet am not satiate: but being wounded with Telephus, must likewise with him derive my help, whence I received my hurt. which word he had no sooner uttered, than his amazed friend deeming this humour in those years, the eight miracle; addressed himself to divert him from so fond a thought, and after some pause began thus: Were I as wise, as I am willing to discharge the duty of a friend, then would I with mighty Arguments dissuade you from a purpose so il beseeming: Can it be that Geraldo so stolen a bachelor, so strict a follower of the Stoiches philosophy, is in the wain of his age become a wooer? He which laughed at love, and scorned fancy, now droop for love, and dote through folly: resembling in repugnance to nature, the stone Gagates, whereon if water be powered it kindles fire, if oil, it doth quench the flame: Two things I have noted in many, and find both in you: the first rare and commendable, the second ridieulous, yet common: A young man wise, an old man wanten. Weigh yet with your sefe, what your friends will say, and the world censure, hearing of this sudden change: If marriage be a course so requisite, they will demand why you have so long deferred it; if not to be respected, why you should now determine it? know you not that love in old men is no less unsermely and unseasonable, than frost in April, snow in Summer, Ice in the entering of Autumn? But admit it necessary, yet this haste is needless: Rash beginnings have rueful ends: ripe counsels right success. The Elephant breeds not oft in age: The Phoenix (as some affirm) takes life from Ashes, but once in six hundred and sixty years: the one how mighty a beast? the other how matchless a bird? In Samos stood a Temple of Hymen, over whose door, on the outside, was set the portraiture of a Snail, to admonish the beholders, that with slow pace and deep advice they should proceed to a matter of such weight, importing their extraordinary weal or woe, Apelles drawing the picture of Folly, gave her wings, but not eyes; her ears stopped, thereby intimating, that fond men run headlong forward, not seeing what they do, nor hearing others, which foretell them, the issue of their unheedful actions. It grieves me Geraldo to think, that fond gazing on fair looks, which do commonly shroud false hearts, you are taken in beauty's trap, entangled like the fish, which leaping at the Sun beams, gild the waves, plays therewith, until the net have made him prisoner. Had you fancied some modest Matron, not for beauty a fading bliss; but for virtue a lasting value, your haste had been yet more hopeful; nor might any justly have accused your abstinence in youth, or your affection in age. But at these years, when the prime of fancy is past, to be won by a wanton glance, to dote on a silly Girl, whose continence or constancy you know not, how far unfit? The Cretans had a law made by Minos their just King, that if a youngman matched with an old woman, or an old man wedded a young maid, they both should forfeit whatsoever they possessed, and the elder of either sex so offending, lose the reverence due to their age. Well saw he, that true affection could find no residence, where the desires were so different; the one aiming wholly at youths delights, the other dull to wont dalliance, whence follows breach of wedlock. What is your Valeria that you so dote on her? say you she is young? then wavering: gravity is seldom in green years. But were she well inclined, yet might ill company corrupt her: Early buds are soon blasted; young sprigs do with the wind bend every way. The flower-rich spring is nature's firstborn, but not heir of autumns ripeness. Say you she is fair? then proud, for as the herb Fesula taken in wine, causeth the veins to swell: so beauty in women doth enhance the thoughts. I omit to infer her store of favourits, which will not fail to seduce her, if coin or counsel may subdue her. Is she witty? then wily; fraught still with new devices to cirumvent you. But she can dance, sing, finger a Lute, and all excellently: do not these argue her wanton education, or can you for these so highly fancy her? then what other instance need I save yourself, to prove that love is blind? Love, which hath the power of Lethe to induce oblivion, the windings of a Labyrinth to entrap the mind, the shape transforming juice of Circe's enchanting cups, to change thoughts, as she could alter bodies: Love which for a minute of pleasure, yields a million of pains; for a dram of Honey, an ounce of gall, resembling that tree in America, whose Apples are to the sight exceeding fair but to the taste, deaths food. Cease then betimes friend Giraldo, lest you repent to late, and sigh in vain, to think on my sayings, when your supposed joys shallbe smothered in surmising jealousy. There is for every sore provided a salve, yet no simple for hearts sorrow: But as the bay tree alone is never hurt by lightning, so wisdom ever unstained by wantonness, which is in you the ground of that woe. Against poisons we have preservatives: Storme-beaten seamen, wrestling with the fury of winds and waters, joy in the sight of Leda's twins: but thought sick lovers have only reason their sovereign refuge: divine reason the sole physic to cure loves folly, which strays from it so far, that where the one reigns, the other cannot rest: For Amare & sapere vix deo conceditur.  
Hear he pawsed and Geraldo thus replied: your counsel savours much of good will, little of conceit: yet for your courtesy I thank you, and for your kindness, I will think of you, as of a well intending friend. You deem it strange that I thus old, (though not so old as you urge) should now resolve on marriage, having before shaped a contrary course of life. True it is, that whilom my sole delight was to live single, but who knows not, that old opinions are oft concealed by new occasions? Must I be etter ill advised, because once not well advertised? Is love in old men so unseasonable, in youth only, (if at all) commendable? or rather as the herb Moly tempered with new wine doth much distemper the brains, and enfeeble the whole body; the same mingled with old wine, doth sooner effect the contrary, and relieve the over charged senses: So is affection in green years full of perils, urging youngmen to extremes, which cannot moderate their passions; but in riper years doth cheer the thoughts, glad the heart, awake the senses half dull and drooping. Admit the wants, the weakness, and whatsoever disabling defects incident to age. Tell me (I pray you) who more needs comfort than they which want it; or what greater comfort to men then kind women? How can you then with reason deny that to age; which doth ease the toylfull burden of age, or term that needless, which is so necessary, but you growing to farther dislikes, condemn mine haste, which resolve with speed to dispatch my purpose, know you not that delay is fraught with dangers, that occasion is bald behind? that they which defer, are oft prevented, and so circumvented? Such as observe not there times, do justly fail in there deserved trials. On the lilie-garnisht banks of Cephisus there springs a flower of rare effects, yet merely forceless, if not applied at the instant, when Phoebus doth in fiery majesty touch the meridian. In like sort, young virgins fancies, prone to affection by years and nature, must be assailed while time doth serve: for their favour once rooted (a thing easily performed) can never be recalled by threats of parents, or worlds of proffers. Speaking then betimes, I may perhaps speed: but deferring the one, I must despair of the other. Good wine needs no ivy bush: Fair women want no wooers. hereto you reply that you condemn not so much my age as Valeria's youth: to have wooed and wedded an ancient woman, had been a match more meet: and this equality of years, carried more likelihood of mutual love. For answer to which objection, I crave no greater instance than your own experience, that widows are wily and wilful; that many scarce wholesome morsels, do often usurp the attire and gestures of honest matrons: here is a Lerna of evils, a sea of dangers; which to encounter, I have no courage: to conquer, no fortune: But in one yet never matched, how can deceit be settled, or how is she acquainted with wiles, which thoroughly knows not the world? That Valeria is young, I yield, nor am I very old: but you will say that though a while I may entertain her with delight, yet I shallbe passed begetting, when she is in the prime of bearing: hereon you urge, that gifts and pleasures are mighty tempters, women and they young, frail vessels, and therefore weak resisters. Yet doubt not I, that with a gentle mind, the known kindness of a loving husband, shall more prevail, than the doubtful counsels of deluding strangers. That she is fair, I grant also; that therefore proud, I deny. It sufficeth not with Ovid to say partially, fastus inest pulchris, sequitur que superbia formam, unless you learn of Aristotle to prove the consequence, by a stroug coherence: It follows not that all are faulty, because some offend: but rather as the bird Rintaces bred in Persia, living by air and dew only, hath no excrements: so natures perfections polished by virtuous education, brook no excess.  
For where should inward graces be more resident, then where outward gifts are most resplendent? That she is witty, in discourse, expert in dancing, singing, and well fingering of a Lute, I confess: that therefore wily, or more apt for wantonness, I may in no sort grant. The best things may be wrested to bad uses: Such recreations not misintended, hinder melancholy, and hurt not modesty. Thus have I answered what you objected, showing reason the ground of my affection. Say then my friends what they list, censure the world what it will, I am resolute to attempt, nor doubt I to attain that, for which my soul doth long, and my heart languish. Stoics are stocks; senseless teachers that publish their own follies, by denying that to wise men which the senses work in all men. Till now I knew not what it was to live, because I felt not the power of love. Have not Planets their conjunctions the elements their mixtures, both their cooperant motions, which argue that nothing can be of itself sufficient? Say that sickness should enfeeble me, who could so kindly comfort me, or would so willingly attend me, as a loving wife: which would sit by me, sigh for me, share with me my sorrows, and use all means to procure my safety? If death should seize on me wifeless as I am, and childless, leaving my goods to unkind, or unknown heirs, with what discontent should I breathe out my drooping spirit? But to yourself I appeal which have in part experemented this facility, what joy it were, even in death, to behold, the fruit of my own body, the continuer of my name, living to possess what I leave: know you not that beasts void of reason do perpetuate, their several kinds by procreation? and shall men enriched by reason, be herein exceeded by beasts? if all were such as you counsel me to continue, where were the hope of posterity: And that taken away, where the spur of virtue? deserts guerdon, the task of fame, sounding to succeeding times true honours trophies in everliving notes? I omit to allege, that nature, and my country claim marriage of me as a debt: The Spartans among other laws made by Lycurgus, had this one, that the younger sort should at all times and in all places, reverence there elders: But to those of great Age wanting issue, this preveledg was not due: So that Brasidas a valiant chieftain never married, laden with many years, but honoured through more victories, passing by a young man, which sat still, not using to have any show of reverence, by moving his body, or his bonnet, and deeming it a great indignity, received this answer: Thou hast not quoth he a son which may do the like to me, if living to thy age. But whether run I, in so large a field of mighty reasons, warranting my resolution beyond all compass of contradiction? Sith then to marry it is not only seemly for any, but likewise necessary for all: in dissuading me from it, you highly injury me. That I have hitherto abstained, it was my fault; To persist in like humour, were deeper folly, Better is little, than nothing; late than never; not to be, then in vain to be. Nascitur is frustra, per quem non nascitur alter. Having thus said and fearing to be urged with a fresh reply, he broke of there conference, by a feigned occasion of business, leaving his well wishing friend in a deep amazement, no less petying his danger, then wondering at his dotage. But no sooner had Aurora in her next uprise moistened with her early tears, transformed Adonis, and cherished the forward springing of other flowers, than Giraldo mounting on his horse, galloped on the spur in that gladsome season of the year, toward his heart's wished harbour, where Valeria, (whom leaving, he so languished,) made her residence: By whose father (his assured friend) he there alighting, was by so much the more lovingly welcomed, by how much the less, his coming was then looked for, which yielded in outward show, no other likelihood of conjecture, but to be a bare journey of recreation: till he impatient of all delay did fully (though in few words,) deliver the soomme of his desire, which was to espouse Valeria; whereto the sooner to induce her father, to whom only he now communicated his affectious secrets, he promised to make her a large jointer, craveing of him no other dowry, than what himself would willingly assign. Theodoro (such was the others name) having much used-the father, and long known the son; of whose virtue, (besides his breath,) he was no less certain, then of his wealth assured: and perhaps somewhat moved by the voluntary offer of so large a jointer: yielded him his full consent: promising moreover, to work herein so effectually with his daughter, (adding to his words the weight of a father's authority) that she likewise, whom it most concerned, should grant his demand, or deny her duty: Which promise he failed not to perform, moving the matter to Valeria in such sort, that the wily girl which could by little gather much, and by a syllable conceive a sentence, was nothing ignorant of his intent herein, whom fearing to displease, & hoping by this match to reign as Mistress of all (for well she knew the mildness of Geraldoes nature) though at the first for fashion's sake somewhat sticking at his age, concluded her answer with the offer of her obedience, in yielding herself wholly to her father's disposing. To be short, Giraldo and she were solemnly contracted, Valeria's dowry assigned, her jointer set down, all things confirmed, and they soon after openly espoused. Now seemed he to himself infinitely happy, solacing in an earthly heaven of imaginary joys, a Paradise of thought-exceeding pleasures. But between seeming and being, there hath ever been a large difference: Cadmus seemed happy, but his lives sequel dashed his felicities vain Hourish with a Chiliade of cross Fortunes. Ante obitum nemo supremaque funera foelix. Had great Pompey with his third triumph finished his then-victorious life, he had not famous'de Pharsalia through his foil, nor made Egypt fatal through his fall. Had Giraldo been extinct in this the prime of his seeming happiness, he had not afterward died most hapless. But to proceed, the Nuptials being ended, and Giraldo on his return unto the City (whither he purposed to take with him his beauteous Bride) at the instant of their departure, Theodoro (whose misgiving heart did make him heavy) taking aside his daughter, thus gravely bespoke her.  
Valeria, thou now must leave me, and learn with all another course of life than thou hast led with me: thou must with thy estate change thy thoughts, no less earnestly now endeavouring to please thy husband, than erst warily shunning to displease thy father. Oh let it not be said of thee, which is too truly said of many, That living under their parent's awe, they make show of admirable virtue, but being exempted from that obedience, they unmask their abhorred vices, resembling in this change the Coral, which growing under the water, is of exceeding softness; but taking once the Air, takes therewith a stone-like hardness. These may to their shame learn duty of silly creatures wanting reason. Young Storks feed their old dams, which else should famish: The Turtle having lost her mate by death, joys not in the company of any other. Lo, in the one a precept of piety to the parents; in the other, a mirror of love and loyalty toward the husband. And think withal, that naked beauty not adorned by virtue, is like the Tree Daphnoides, whose leaves are white, but the berries being ripe, are black. Presume not then on the fairness wherewith GOD hath sufficiently graced thee: that must fade, being only the body's gift: but if, while it flourish, it be ill applied, what more is it then a painted tomb, a golden sheath closing a leaden Sword, or wherein is it more esteemed by the wise, than wisdom by the foolish; From the Country (a place of small resort) thou must now into the City, where thou shalt find sundry sorts of company and customs, as in a large plot among wholesome herbs, unwholesome weeds: The wounded Hart flies to the Forest, cropping Dictamnum to cure his hurt, knowing it by the smell among infinite other plants. The little Bee (Nature's great miracle) can suck sweet Honey out of the most unlikely flowers. I could wish in thee such distinguishing skill and knowledge, in discerning and using company; nor doubt I it, yet give me leave even without cause to fear, for therein likewise am I a father. All young Eagles can not steadfastly behold the Sun: All that seem virtuous, are not so: whom though by their looks thou canst not know, yet if for a trial thou temporize a while, the issue of their actions shall discover them. Shun these Valeria, lest they shame thee: Join acquaintance and use familiarity with them only, whose company may advance, or at least not impeach thy credit: And strive thou rather to merit this rare title of extraordinary praise, that being young in years, thou art old in manners, then to be noted of this common imperfection, that thy manners are as thy years, light I mean, what more should I say then this only, that on the hope of thy behaviour, my life and joys depend: So that in thee it rests by thy well doing to cherish them, or by thy ill demeanour to cut them off: if thy intent be good, then may these words suffice, if otherwise far more should be to few. This said, he oft kissed her, bedewing plentionsly her fair cheeks with father's tears; then committed her to her husband's government, and both to the almighty's guidance, through whose favour, they with their train, after some small journey arrived insafetye at Troynovant: Ask not whether Giraldos friends and neighbours mused to see him thus married: They were all in an extaste of admiration: but the roughest tempest is over blown: the greatest wonder lasts but nine days, and when the date of this was clean expired, he not feeling the least scruple of discontent, lived in the pleasures of love, seeking by all means to content his young wife, which hitherto rendered him like kindness, whether her thoughts were yet pure, until corrupted through bad company, or her natural humour of wantonness slept only, until awaked by ill counsel, (a thing to common in our age:) she bore him some pretty children, a deeper pledge of her yet-during loyalty: But alas it had to slight a permanence, for no sooner were three years past, than this vain flourish became fruitless, and she contemptuously neglecting or burying in careless oblivion, her father's counsel, was thoroughly settled in forbidden acquaintance. Pitch if touched defiles, Bad company corrupts good conditions: warm wax is apt for any impression, green thoughts soon led to any opinion, but most commonly to embrace the worst, for where virtue hath one affecter, vice hath many factors.  
Among sundry of her own sex, with whom Valeria did oft converse, there was one which in wit and wickedness did far exceed. She thought it not enough herself to offend, unless through her, others also became faulty. So that (as making a conscience of impiety) she strove more earnestly to seduce the simple, then many to reduce the sinful: and she had so cunningly demeaned herself, that Giraldos wife (circumvented by her overreaching wiles) deemed her a dear friend, communicating with her the chiefest of her thoughts. They had many meetings, especially at gossip's feasts, where always (the banquet being ended) while others held chat in common, they (somewhat withdrawing themselves) conferred in secret: and whereon soever they discoursed, this one point of her discontent, through daily feeling of more defect in her husbands declining years, was by Valeria slightly touched; yet so touched, that the other might well conceit her intent. Even to be absolutely wicked, it requires time and use. No marvel then that she having not yet entered into an habit of sin, was not so wholly impudent as to express her meaning in plain terms, though still expecting when the other would take the occasion by her presented. They oft met, oft talked, and Giraldos wife would still harp somewhat on that string: and having scarce begun, with a sleight sigh, abruptly ceased. Now was the path well trodden, and they meeting soon after in like place, on a day of great solemnity, used like matter of discourse, with the same occasion again offered. The other knowing her time, would not omit the advantage, but taking firm hold thereof, thus whispered to Valeria a Sirens tale. Should it then be thus, or have I thus deserved, that languishing through want of solace, you conceal from me your hidden secrets? I have often heard, that for every sore, Nature hath planted a simple; that against every sickness, Physic hath possibility of expulsive force. But well I wots, that reason contains no remedy for care and discontent, save only the company and counsel of a friend: such am I to you, and more I am, for your disease is to me known, though not by you disclosed: I know your youth, your husbands many years; your affection, his inclination; your desires, his defeets; your loss of time, his abuse of time. This only I fear, lest your faint courage bar you from accomplishing what you most covet. But listen with attention to my discourse, setting light by such suggestions: What is beauty, the sweetness thereof not tasted? What more is it to those which having it, can not use it, then to Tantalus the deceiving fruit and food: what more is it to those which admiring it, can not enjoy it, than music to the deaf, pictures to the blind, delicious meat unto the dead? Beauty is no eternal bliss: but as the spring hath his date, so hath she her durance limited by time: and (ay me) too short a time. Sweetest flowers, if not gathered, waist or whither even on the ground, whence they were cherished. These glories which now do grace us, must (if we live) receive the disgracious impression of wrinkled age: And therefore twice-ravisht Tindaris the wrack of Troy, long after her last recovery, beholding in a glass her aged face, did justly sigh, witnessing in her tears, how transitory a flourish her bodies late fairness did contain. To the Sun, the measurer of time, Poets have assigned a chariot drawn by four winged horses; thereby intimating, that our lives days post on each minute with irremorable precipitation. Time the father of Occasion, is (as his daughter) bald behind, and hath one only lock before, whereon unless yond speedily lay hold, you shall for ever miss your hold. But why do I term it yours, which if not used by you, can not be yours? Hereto you reply, that Giraldo is your husband, and you bound to him by the laws of God and men. True it is, had you bound yourself: but as enforced oaths are by many deemed merely forceless, so compelled matches are not by few thought nothing so material, as where both parties yield a mutually free consent. Oh how preposterous is the care of parents, which aiming more at goods then at their children's good, weigh not on what rocks of danger through incontinency and reproach they cast them whom they couple with those that abound in coin, though having nought else of worth: far more nobly minded was Themistocles, which in bestowing his daughter, preferred the virtuous and able poor, before the sottish impotent rich: whereof being demanded the cause, he made this generous answer: I had rather (quoth he) choose a man without money, than money without a man: wherein doubtless, he meant not only, that he is worthy the name of a man which embraceth virtue, but also that he is not to be thought a man, which can not perform the act of a man where it justly is required.  
What can be more unnatural, than such inequality of years and inclination? which granted, how (I pray you) can that be pleasing to God, which is so directly repugnant to the course of nature, whom he at first created in most absolute perfection of proportional regard, and hath ever since, and will till the end of this worlds times, preserve from confusion by upholding this equality? Think you that Myrobolan Trees, brought from Sunne-scorcht Susa, can prosper, if planted in frozen Scythia: or that the Northern pride of Flora can diaper the Southern fields? Would you deem that gardener skilful, whom you should see setting Coleworts near the vine, which shuns them so much by nature, that it winds another way and soon doth whither? Can that match be less unmeet, where green youth is yoked with groaning age? I have heard that Lycurgus the Spartan Lawgiver, did not only permit, but command it (as a service much meritorious to the Commonwealth) that a vigorous man knowing an able woman matched with an husband impotent through years or some natural defect, might lawfully demand and no less lawfully use her company to raise up issue in the others behalf, which he must acknowledge as his own. Had Giraldo and you been Spartans, living in these times, then had you enjoyed this pleasing privilege, your husband being now past procreation: and he, if discontent, in vain had muttered: who if he would needs marry, should have wedded some ancient matron, the widow of two or three husbands, which might by custom know how to fit the humour of his years, and brook quietly the loath some accidents of his age, by feeling in herself like insufficiency, baiting his ears with counter-coughes, and presenting to his eyes like nasty objects of filth and phlegm. Breach of wedlock had been in her a crime inexpiable: but where the state and person of the offender is changed, there likewise the quality of the offence is altered: nor can the crime be so directly pertinent to you, (which being a child must obey) as to Theodoro, which (being your father) might and did command.  
Bethen courageous boldly to imitate the infinite examples of former times: nor are you now alone, which have for precedents me, and such my friends, as seek with me abroad what is not afforded us at home: If herein you consort with us, you shall likewise share with us your part of pleasures; you shall be furnished with store of favourites, each of gallant & goodly parsonage, and (which most is) of rare agility in acting that secret sweet service, which we most affect. This only is required, that you remunerate with coin the authors of your intent, bolstering up with your bags their impoverishing braveries.  
Here Valeria half weeping, half wishing herself unwedded, seemed doubtful whereon to resolve: but the other following her advantage, gave not over till she had assured the conquest. To be short, there was a time & place determined for entering Valeria into the order: mean while the whole crew was summoned, there to assemble at the day appointed, being likewise thoroughly acquainted with the cause. The meetest corner for this covent was thought a gardin-house, having round about it many flowers, and within it much deflowering. Were not this age fruitful in stranger miracles, I should have deemed this an high marvel, that so small a plot of ground, could be so devowring a gulf of some men's get: yet who knows not that extortions fruit hath seldom fairer end? But I proceed; the day presigned being come, no default was through absence made by any: there met they with their minions, each having stopped her husband's mouth with a feigned tale, coined extempore, Valeria not slack to such devotion, came with the first, seeming to herself most fortunate, in becoming a sister of that society: They had there a costly banquet made at their common charge, so fraught with dainties, so furnished with variety of choicest delicates, that by their diet, there dispositions might be well discerned; for this is the fuel which feeds and cherisheth the fire of lust: Sine Cerere & Libero friget Venus, When they had stoutly carowsed and thoroughly pampered themselves, with these provoking preparatives, the table being now uncovered, they fell from quaffing to discoursing; then one of the dames and she most impudent, (if this their excess admitted any such degree of difference) called for her lute, which fingering too fitly, for so unfit a purpose, she accorded thereto with her voice, and bewrayed (as follows) in a Canzon, the occasion of there meeting.  

Happy lot to men assigned  
Hearts with hearts in love combined:  
Love the some of earthly sweets,  
Where with mutual love it meets:   

Not consisting all in looks,  
Like to Idols, laymen's books;  
But who tries, this true shall prove;  
Action is the life of love.  
Why slack we then to bathe in sweet delight,  
Before our day be turned to endless night?   

Fairest things, to nothing fade,  
Wrapped in deaths eternal shade:  
Hence I prove it beauties crime,  
Not to reap the fruits of time;  
Time which passeth swift as thought;  
Time whose bliss is dearly bought;  
dearly bought so soon to fail us;  
Soon, that should so long avail us.  
Why slack we then to bathe in sweet delight,  
Before our day be turned to endless night?   

Love and beauty fade together,  
Fickle both as changing weather:  
Age or sickness wastes the one,  
That doth fail, when this is gone:  
Let us then while both doth last,  
use them both, ear both be past.  
Sport we freely while we may,  
yet a while it will be day.  
Oh but this day draws on to endless night,  
And with our life, still wears our loves delight.   

Soon ah soon was Adonis slain,  
Bashful boy how fair in vain!  
Framed by nature to be loved:  
Framed, but why, himself not moved?  
Died he not in prime of youth,  
Prime of beauty, pray to ruth.   

Dye he did, himself preventing;  
sort, unworthy all lamenting.  
Oh think on him which changing safe delight,  
For certain danger, turned his day to night.   

But me thinks I talking see,  
How each minute slips from me.  
Loss I deem the least delay;  
Hast we then to this sweet play,  
Whence is sucked the sap of pleasure,  
Such as love by time doth measure:  
Love that guards his mother's fort,  
Peeping oft to see the sport:  
A sport how rare, how rich in sweet delight?  
But we how dull, how near our day to night!   
Scarce had she ended, when they began, whose courages too prompt by custom, were by wine whet on to wantonness. Caetera quis nescit? we may more than guess what was the sequel, by noting the precedence, both bad, but the latter a wrong inexpiable to the right of wedlock: a matter so offensive to modest ears, that even impudence might blush relating it: but thoughts blush not to whom I refer it. Lust stain to love, bane to beauty, path to shame, wanted here no effects: for Valeria thus entered into this exercise, like the game so well, that thenceforth she could never leave it. Boldness bred by use grew so absolute, in being dissolute, that it seemed in her a second nature: who committing sin with greediness, by offending in one, became faulty in many. For most vices are linked together in such an union of affinity, & cleave so sister-like in one knot, (each mutually depending on the other) that never any is employed alone. This lustful dame not liking her native beauty (though sufficient) would needs augment it with artificial braveries, leaving no device unplotted, no deceit unpractised, to make gracious her graceless self: And I fear she hath herein too many followers, which spoil there stommacks with unsavoury mixtures thereby to seem eye-sweete, though scarce hartsounde; or repair their ruinous faces, by overlaying them with a false gloss of adulterine fairness, whereas chaste beauty scorns acquaintance with apothecary's boxes. But why talk I of chastity, treating of a subject so unchaste; wherein whatsoever conceit, or custom might afford, she failed not to apply effectually: And the more to garnish these bastard glories, she ware always such oversumptuous attire, that many in desert, and dignity far exceeding her, were in this, as far behind her. No common fashion could please her fancy, but it must be strange, and stately, drawing many eyes to gaze on her, which aimed wholly at singularity, glorying to be peerless in her pomp, Never was any to her power more lavish in variety of wasteful vanities: never any so perverse in pride, and with such difficulty to be pleased: For were the least stitch in her Attire not as she would have it, though the garment most fair and costly, the Tailor most rare and cunning, yet would she furiously fling it from her, with purpose never to wear it; so that the silly workman set at his non plus, lost both her custom and the creedit of his workmanship. Next I note her gluttonous appetite, not in the quantity, but in the quality of of her fare, which was so delicate and over dainty, that this lust-pampering diet, was no decorum in her husbands state. To prevent ill smells, she always furnished her house and garments with choice perfumes, her eyes deigned no trivial objects: without music no meat would down, so mightily was this modest creature troubled (forsooth) with melancholy. Thus every sense, had his excess, and (which more is) her guileful looks shareing with the Adamant his attractive power, could by an odd trick whereto she had enured them, work petty wonders. If pacing in the streets she had seen any, whose outward semblance, might argue his inward sufficience, she would court him with a glance, whereto if he answered with the like, than was the match half made, and they needed but one meeting to assure the bergaine. Deem you this not wonderful, to plead passion in dumb action; to speak in silence, and speed by signs? oh why was sin thus Ingenious, to excogitateso close a method for the furtherance of misdoing, or why should wantoness exceed in wit, thereby to spur on there unbridled wills? Thus you see that nothing wanted, save only the cloaking of her crime, with the show of holiness and religion, whose outward pretext is now a practice of great import, and a mighty pillar of such carnal devotion. Sin appearing in his own colours, should soon be known. A smooth habit of hypocrisy is defined by some, an intellectual virtue, though a moral vice. But the haunting of private conventicles being then not heard of, this policy could have no ground. Yet Valeria though wanting, so great an help, wanted no favourites, whose number by other means she still augmented: they straining lustily their power in all sorts possible, (if any possible at full to please her) were oft enforced for supply of their exhausted pith, to diet themselves with drugs, and troth daily to th'Apothecaries for such trash. Of this crew the chief competitor was named Arthemio, whose advantage the wily Dame dissembling, did so temper hit intemperate looks, and thereby held him in such suspense, that though she somewhat graced him above the rest, because loath to leave him; yet could he not gather by her countenance any assurance of his content. Her policy was, by concealing his prerogative, to retain her sovereignty: Her fear, that by disclosing it, she should arm his thoughts with insolency, and he shake off that subjection wherein now she had him: Arthemio which looked for a better market by Giraldos death, then present maintenance in his life, failed not to embrace all likely means, to make use of all occasions, to apply each opportunity for the attaining and assuring of Valeria's favour to himself; still doubting his desires accomplishment, because not privy to his own desert. After many thoughts, he deemed this course the best, to seem ravished by her beauty; for well he knew, that herein to flatter women was highly to please them: In effecting which resolution, he did so quaintly counterfeit the drooping lover, both in his looks, and other gestures, that her wit blinded through self-conceit, was by his wiles far over reached. At sight of her he would seem so filled with joy, as if her presence, wear his only pleasure. when she left him, he would sigh, and feign such sorrow, as if his comfort began and ended with her company.  
Thus had he his sookes at such conunaundment, as women have their tears: when she talked he listued with such attention, as if her voice had been inchantingly melodious: oft, (but on purpose when she saw him) he would steal a broken look on her: then (as loath that she should note hint) cast down his eyes, and forthwith raise them to review her. He would invite her to sumptuous banquets, oft solicit her with amorous couceipts, of which so many, I have related two as instances of the rest, wherein you may clearly see her blindness, with his boldness.  
In the prime of their acquaintance it chanced that Arthemio was earnestly entreated to make one in a mask, for the gracing of a marriage; which request he merely granted, knowing that Valeria (though with her husband) should be there a guest, to whom intending some odd toy in writing, because assured that without suspicion he could not there employ his tongue, and for that cause would not presume to much on his vizard, he pend immediately some few extemporal lines, with purpose there to deliver them which might fully intimate his forged affection. The time came; the maskers in their disguise appeared, when Arthemio having first taken his mistress to the measures, and then withdrawing her the dance being ended, briefly whispered in her ear his name, and conveyed in to her hand these lines: which done, he left her. She finding that night an opportunity (for she could command occasions, having her husband at controlment) perused his slight passion which follows thus.  

As when a wave-bruisd bark, long tossed by the winds in a tempest  
Strays on a foreign coast, in danger still to be swallowed,  
After a world of fears, with a winter of horrible objects,  
Heaven in a week of nights obscured, day turned to be darkness,  
The shipman's solace, fair Leda's twins at an instant,  
Signs of a calm are seen, and seen are shrilly saluted:  
So to my drooping thoughts, when sorrow most doth await me  
Your subduing looks in fairness first of a thousand,  
(Stain to the brightest star, that gilds the roof of Olympus)  
Calmed with a kind of aspect, vouch safe large hopes to relieve me:  
Such is your beauty, which makes your bounty so powerful;  
Such to me your beauty, which makes your bounty so blissful;  
Whose each worth to relate, my worthless pen is unable:  
Hairs of a goldlike hew; (not purest gold so refulgent)  
Pearl-like piercing eyes (not purest pearls so relucent)  
Cheeks of a maiden die, with a snow white circle adorned:  
That rosy-redde as a rose, this Lily white as a lily;  
Not such a red, such a white, to be seen in a Rose or a Lily.  
Every part so replete with more than could be required,  
That to behold her work, even Nature's self was amazed.  
Muse not then that I love, but muse that I live, if I love not:  
Muse that I draw my breath, mine eyes, not drawn by thy beauty.  
Yet, shall I love in vain, in vain such beauty beholding,  
Deem'so to love, so to look, that looks & love be rewardles:  
Better it is to be dead, by death from cares to be cleared;  
Cares the records of love, sour love when slightly regarded.  
Grant me then (o fairest) assurance so to be fancied,  
That nor I droop dismayed, nor doubt, not fully resolved.   
Valeria having read this toy, smiled to think how he which had on her so mighty an advantage, was held by her at such a bay, because not privy to his own prerogative. Thus did they both dissemble; he in feigning great affection where little was, she in making show of little, where much was. Upon occasion of this toy Valeria at their next meeting thus saluted him. Servant you are welcome from the Sea: what news (I pray you) among shipmen? Arthemio smelling her drift, and liking well the motion, but dissembling it, replied thus: Mistress it were strange he should be welcome from the sea, which never saw the sea: But more strange (quoth she) that land men should in storms be driven to expect aid from stars; sith to them the greatest tempests are mere trifles, if we weigh the seas huge tossing. Yet (quoth Arthemio) such may the storms be, & such the stars, that the one may be as ruthful, and the other as requisite: That you mean (quoth she) by the sandy sea, where men are oft drowned in dust, and their bodies remnants become drugs. But it seems by your short return, and sound complexion, that you were not a passenger in those parts.  
Hereto Arthemio thus answered: the sea wherein I yet do sail, ready still to sink, if not supported by your favour, is no less strange than that of sand; for amidst the flame I freise: (such are my fears) amidst the flood I flame (such is the fervour of my affection,) my ship floats, yet not on water; the waves which beat on it are sobs: It sails, yet on no sea; the winds which breath on it are sighs. But by your leave (replied Valeria) are you still a seaman, and not yet on shore? then was my welcome ill bestowed, before yourself were well arrived: but to unmask this mystery, me thinks your sea is very metaphorical, & I muse that where the limits are so straight, the danger can be so extreme: It is (quoth he) generally observed, that the flood is roughest, where most restrained. And no less generally noted (quoth she) that the Sea is of Elements the most uncertain, whose waves are by each gale of wind raised in billows. If then your application hold as general, I rather commend your Metaphors conceit, their your minds constancy. But it were (said he) injustice to charge the Patient with the Agents fault. Although my thoughts (my fancy's Sea) tossed twixt vain hopes and fears, plunge my heart in dire perplerities: yet that my silly ship, ranging in this rockey Ocean of despair, though not having still one Current, strives still to keep one course: and amidst so many changes, remains unchanged, though tired with troubles, which are (some say) loves surest trials. Accuse not then, much less condemn that of disloyalty, whereto life shall sooner fail than it to love: and which sooner may by death be broken, then break those Adamantine bonds, wherein your beauty making through mine eyes a breach, holds it enthralled. But why talk I as if in me it rested to repeal my passions, which do share with the stone Abeston his retentive virtue? For as that being once hot is never after cold, so my fancy fettered in affections chains by your souleintangling fairness, is now not capable of liberty. Or rather (quoth Valeria) your thoughts masked under your deceiving looks disguise, resemble the Chameleon; and as that can in a moment be clad with any colour, but retains none; so your fancy can at the view of every pleasing face, forge new passions, but persist in none.  
Hereat Arthemio guilty to himself, did bite the lip, because knowing she spake the truth; yet comforted, in that she meant it not a truth, but only as terms of course, whereto as he would have answered, other company broke off their conference: and they with the rest fell from lose talk to lustful toying: dreading nothing less, then that their lewdness could be discovered.  
His second humour was this: Against Valeria's birthday he had of purpose penned this following Ditty, and on the very day sent it her by that trull, through whose counsel she was first seduced, and into whose familiarity he had of late insinuated, because knowing how much Valeria did love and trust her. She coming as a friend and neighbour, and being with all a notable hypocrite, had both easy access and private conference without suspicion: for it seemed a thing not to be doubted of, that the subject of their talk was only some gossip's matter, as among women it is ordinary. Being thus alone with her, after a large preface of Arthemios deep affection (for so had he before concluded) she delivered her on his behalf this welcomepresent, which Valeria forthwith unfolding, read as followeth.  

Let others use what Calendars they please,  
And celebrate their common holidays;  
My rules for time, my times of joy and ease  
Shall in my zeal blaze thy perfections praise:  
Their names & worth they from thy worth shall take;  
And highly all be honoured for thy sake.   

That day shall to my thoughts still holy be,  
Which first vouchsafed thy beauty to mine eyes;  
That day when first thou deigndst to favour me,  
And each from some peculiar grace arise:  
But 'mongst them all, my duty shall attend  
This more than all, on which they all depend.   

Hail happy day, to whom the world doth owe  
The blissful issue of that influence,  
Which from the force of best aspects did grow,  
In luckiest house of heavens circumference:  
Hail happy day that first didst show this air,  
To her whom Fairness self doth yield more fair.   

Near be thy brightness dimmed by wind or rain;  
No cloud on thee forestall Hyperions light;  
On thee no doom pronounced of death or pain;  
No death or pain endured; no bloody fight:  
But be thou peaceful, calm, and clear for aye;  
Let feasts and triumphs choose thee for their day.   

On thee I vow to rest from all affairs,  
To give large alms to poor distressed men;  
Not to profane thy joy by fretting cares;  
To send my saint some tribute of my pen;  
And when thou dawn'st, devoutly still to say,  
Hail happy, holy, high, and heavenly day.   

Such and so long may be to me her love,  
As I'll this vow religiously maintain;  
So may my plaints her heart to pity move,  
As from my heart I speak: let false hearts feign.  
Hail happy day; but then how happy she,  
Who makes this day thus happy unto me!   
Gentlemen, you need not doubt that Valeria, whose oversoothing humour made her interpret flattery for truth, was no less proud of this then of the former, howsoever she dissembled her inward content, even to her sins own secretary and chief director, lest Arthemio should by her means lay hold on that assurance, which by himself he could not gather. But mark (I pray you) how thick a mist of dotage Giraldos good nature had cast before his eyes. As the trull was readied departed, he would needs force her to tarry dinner, telling her merrily that this was his wives birthday, whereon he had provided an extraordinary dish, and thought none so meet as herself to taste thereof, being so kind and loving a neighbour, requesting her withal to repair oftener to his house, to visit and pass away the time with his wife, and when she walked abroad, to bear her company. They hearing these words, did in their looks argue each to other their high content, grounding (though falsely) on his simplicity, the safe continuance of their delights, as being thereby exempted from all dread and danger os discovery. But the highest flood hath the lowest ebb, the hottest Summer presignifies the coldest winter; tempests in the prime of Autumn, are least dreaded, but most dangerous. Shame sins guerdon, is then nearest, when through selfe-soothing security, the fear thereof is farthest. And as the fish Remora, though little, can stay the greatest ship: and the Crocodile though in the shell one of the least, proves afterward the greatest Serpent that haunts the shore os Nilus: so not seldom in this worlds accidents the detecting of deepest crimes, springs from the lightest and most unlikely occasions: for proof of which assertion, I need no farther instance than this subject whereon I entreat.  
Giraldo among other servants, had one named jockey, a silly boy borne in the North of Albion, and employed in basest errands, such commonly as concerned the kitchen: It chanced on a time, that as Valeria had left the house, gone forth of purpose to sport with her companions, immediately after her departure, this jockey was sent abroad, when (straying in a boyish humour to gaze on the gayest objects in some other street) he espied suddenly his Mistress before him, and stepped back as half amazed; but recalling forthwith his courage, and noting more exactly one of her company, whose lewd and dissolute life was commonly known, he began especially to suspect, that eeh of her other mates were likewise of the same mould. To confirm or confute which imagination, he followed them aloof; yet so warily, that he saw them housde, himself not seen: and closely hovering near the door, espied their minions entering in order, with other such apparent likelihoods, as he now no longer suspected, but certainly believed, that Giraldo his master was as sound armed for the head, as either Capricorn or the stoutest horned sign in the Zodiac. Having made this trial, he departed, doubtful what to determine: for on the one side, he foresaw his own most assured danger, in revealing what he had discovered, sith well he knew that one of his mistress words could overweigh, one of her tears wipe out a volume of accusations by him produced: which granted, what then might follow but this, that the guerdon of his tongues lavishness, should be laid on his shoulders? Besides, his Mistress by this means irreconcilable, for women which by nature embrace extremes, being therein only constant, persist not so in any as in malice: and what mischief that might effect, he though young, had for his own part experience enough. But on the other side well he saw, that his Master's credit already stained, and his disgrace daily augmented, would spread so itself, still gathering force by going forward, that if not now restrained, it must needs at last to his then greater shame, and incurable sorrow, either by others be detected, or of itself break forth: for never yet was sin long in league with secrecy. Tender twigs may with ease be bowed: the full grown tree sooner broken, then bend. The now-detecting of Valeria's crime, might recall her, and prevent Giraldos future reproach, but her offence if longer cherished by sin-noursing silence, would in the end become inexpiable. In regard hereof jockey courageously resolved to overpeaze the fear of danger with the care of duty. In which vain returning home, and being accused of loitering by such as sent him, he appealed to his master, by whom likewise being sharply demanded the cause of his long tarriance, he revealed to him in secret what he had seen, & proved to himself a true prophet, in receiving for his thankless service, that guerdon which before he justly feared. For Giraldo aiming amiss at his inclination, deemed this a villainous device forged by the boy to breed discord between him and his wife: whereof this was no sleight presumption, in that Valeria was ever sharp to him. But when locky (which would not cowardly give over having thus entered) continued his discoveries, still furnished with more friendly opportunities, & did oft constantly offer upon the hazard of the whip, to make his master eye witness of that, whereof his ears deigned no acceptance; Giraldo at last deeply revolving in his pensive thoughts the boys large proffer, and much desirous to know at full the state of his own forehead, wherein he seemed to feel already some alteration, agreed to his request, waiting a convenient time; & being then by him conducted, saw what he sigh d to see, & for ever sorrowed to remember. Now jealousy (of all hags most hellish) whose never closed eyes in number infinite, shun truce with sleep, whose tongues & ears equalling her eyes are still employed, these in listening, they in whispering. This fiend (I say) shedding herself into his thoughts, and pouring into every vain her venom, did by continual torturing of his caretired soul, gather up the losses other long delay: now wrought she on his entangled wits as on an anvil, hatching in his brains unwanted horrors. He that erst weighed not his friends words dissuading him from marriage, did now more than admire his truth presaging wisdom, & much bewailed his own folly, in not crediting such good counsel: he that erst doted in blindness, seemed now as clear-sighted in discovering Valeria's fault, as far-seeing Lynceus in descrying the Punic fleet. He that erst deemed all gospel which his wife spoke, did now dread deceit in every syllable, & mistrusted her each step, each look, each sigh, each smile: briefly, whatsoever by her was done, he deemed misdone. But how in nature could earthincinerating Aetna's womb big swollen with flames, brook enclosure, nor enforce an issue through violent eruption? The world circling Ocean, threatening in his foamy source a second deluge, if not let blood in hollow Caverns, & thence sucked up by the thirsty earth, would overflow the contivent: air restrained breaks forth in whirlwinds: wronged loves restless (if once raised) suspicion, the thoughts burning Aetna, boiling Ocean, & ever-blustering whirlwind, piercing thorough the ears unto the heart, must be in words expressed, or the drooping mind by woe suppressed Giraldo therefore, that he might disburden his overburdened self, no longer able to sustain his sorrows weight, failed not to embrace the first occasion; chose his time, made his trial, and thus sadly breaking silence he bespoke Valeria.  
Wife, I had thought until experience proved it false, that outward gifts were ever linked with inward graces; but now I find, that in the sweetest fruits worms are soon bred; that the finest cloth is so onest eaten with consuming moths; the freshest colours soonest tainted by defacing spots; even front fairest roses, spiders suck their fatal poison. Trothless Valeria (but I want a sharper Epithet) when first I saw thee, I affected thee, my love taking life from thy looks fairness, yet well hoped I of thy then seeming virtues forwardness, which hope long I held; but it now hath left me, & I too late have learned, that as Iris hath many colours but none continuing, Proteus at his pleasure any shape, but none certain; the sea many calms, but yet the wary shipman never secure; so thy wit wrested by wantonness, made, how fair a show of virtue, thyself still nothing less than virtuous! But when the substance fails, needs must the shadow fade. Time the father of truth, drawing from before mine eyes the vail of dot age which closed them as in a cloud, hath unclaspt the legend of thy lives shame, to we are out my life with sorrow. Shame (I say) which never shall have end; sorrow, which death alone may end. Muse not if that for which I still have loved thee, be now to me barren of delight, sith that which long I hoped in thee, had never harbour in thy thoughts. O thou of women the most unwomanly, say & sigh (if not all shameless) wherein have I deserved this injury? or by what wrong provoked (if any wrong sufficient to provoke an honest mind) hast thou yielded that to others which by the laws of God & men thou owest to me alone? Did I ever countermand thy desires, ever contradict thy designments; ever cross thee, or unkindly thwart thee in thy commandments? didst thou not always go when thou wouldst, whither and with whom thou wouldst, spend what thou wouldst, rule without controlment, disposing all things at thy pleasure? Oh therein I wrought thy wrack, strengthening thy corrupt nature with corrupting liberty. But ay me, my words work in thy countenance no change. What? have thy cheeks forgot to blush, thy heart to feel compunction, thine eyes to shed due tears? Tears they shed such as the crocodile, to ensnare the silly passenger, not tears to argue thy contrition. Thou which art for sin too fleshly, for repentance art too stony. Oh if thou wouldst but sigh, I should hope of thy amendment: but sigh thou wilt not, or thou canst not: wilt not, in that thou art too wilful; canst not, because long custom hath wholly corrupted thee. Here he pausd; for to proceed grief would not permit him: but Valeria though not looking for such a lesson, yet bearing it out with a bold face, wherein impudency was thoroughly settled, after a tempest of rough terms, urged him to produce the authors of his accusation: which when he had done, naming jockey & himself, she standing stoutly in defiance of them both, & renewing her railing vain, would in the heat of her womanish fury, have silly jockey thrust out of the house, as the breeder of their discord: But herein he withstanding her, began now in vain to use that which of right to him belonged, I mean, the husbands sovereignty, by her sere so much affected, by her still usurped with most advantage: for how could he now recover what his long sufferance had to her confirmed? The fault whereof resting wholly in himself, the effect thereof did likewise to himself wholly redound: which in over-fondly manifesting his entire affection! a secret by husbands warily to be handled and armed her impiety with impudency, her impudence with impunity. But while nature slept that jealousy might awake, there followed a mighty change: for the mildness in him so much commended, which appearing from his birth, wan to him the minds of all those which conversed with him, was now vanquished by modyrage; nor such rage to be condemned, if we weigh the ground whence it arose, They had therefore nought to marvel at, which saw their former discord, dashed by following disagreement, his love now, converted to loathing sith her love perverted by lust, or his wont kindness dying in unkind upbrading: the cause amply warants the effect. Giraldo oft inveighing, because seeing in her no amendment, yet had ever the disadvantage: For she openly defying and denying what soever he objected, hoping to bear out her crime with boldness, thought it not enough herself to over match him wearying his ears with outrageous scolding (for with her tongue she was as tall a warriouresse as any of her sex:) but which is worst, set on his own children, to revile their silly father: they though trained up from their cradle in all boldness and neglect of duty, were herein impiously obedient, too promptly conceiving and practising their wicked mother's death-worthie doctrine. Like examples few ages can afford, few countries yield, much less should Albion (polished so with civility, and native mildness of well ordered manners) harbour such unheard of heinousness, which is rare even to the barbarous Geteses. Giraldo having till then held out in changing bitter terms with her, was hereat so amated, that he now no longer wished to live: In his house he had no joy, sith there baited thus by them, which from his bowels had their being. But when shunning oft his home, he strayed abroad revolving in himself with many sighs his infinite forepassed cares, present corrosives, and likelihood of far greater ensuing grief; jockey in his absence never wanted blows, nor she a cause, though false, yet seeming just having a wit so rich to coin occasions, power so absolute, and a will so much inflamed with wrath to use them. Thus both the matter and the man, the one in mind, the other in body by this Tyranness outrageously afflicted, wished the first never to have wedded her; the second that his master had herein likewise been by her overmastered, when to thwart her fury, he would needs retain him still in service; But she not moved by her crimes discovery, proceeded daily in misdoing, with so stubborn unrelenting wilfulness, that sooner might the sun melt with his beams, the ever icy bulk of wayless Caucasus, over whose snow mantled shoulders they glance without reflection; Then her sinfrozen thoughts melt with true sorrow, or (which is less) her heedless ears, admit (though slightly) wholesome counsels; ears more deaf to friends reproving, then are the wrack rich Libique rocks, or the guestlesse ship swallowing Sirtes, to the cries of dying mariners: such force hath custom even against nature: Then how invincible where backed (as here it was) by native perversity? When Ulysses matesturned from men to beasts through the taste of Circe's potions, had it afterward in their own choice, whether they would so remain, or reassuming their former shapes, return from beasts to men again; they would in no sort be remetamorphosed, aleadging, that in this there brutish state, they were far more exempted from hart-gnawing grief, far more secure, then when their bodies were with human shape invested: which fiction moralised as Homer meant it, doth not only note our lives troubles fraught with infinite distressing dangers, but likewise, that when reason is by affection overruled, and the soul our better part, slave to the bodies tyranny, our base parts, such as are charmed with the love of sensual delights (wherein we wholly communicate with beasts & degenerating from our state's decorum, participate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their nature, which is altogether led by sense- bred appetits) are then so deeply be witched with wantonness, that they will sooner die for love of it: then while they live, in any sort assent to leave it: but as the biting of the Aspic, brings death as in a slumber, this assault thereof not being felt; so where defiling lust doth reign at full, they whose thoughts it hath polluted, have no feeling of their destroying follies, till plunged in the midst of their deserved pains. When the stood is at his highest source than takes the 〈◊〉 his turn, Valeria's crime fostered through long concealing, was now subject to finites destiny which is, to be as openly discovered, as it was before closely covered: Her offence erst privately revealed to her wronged husband, did soon after become public; & with her, the partnours of her impiety shared like fortune, for what can be more just, then that they which strive together, should participate the shame thereof together? And thus it was; After many meetings, many mischiefs perpetrated by that troup of trulls, it chanced that in one of their fleshly synods, news were told of a great solemnity, which within few days was to be celebrated, with much royalty at the court: whereupon at Valeria's motion, they immediately resolved, that suited in men's attire, they would meet there in a mask, there favourits; which promised without fail there to find them, and after one sport acted by themselves, to act on them another, with so much the more safety, by how much the farther they should be from their husbands: whose noses growing now with their horns somewhat long, could smell shrewdly any thing at hand. Was then there laying out of curled hear, (salving oft the wants of their almost hairless scalps) so light a crime? their busks, and that great hum of Paris, that vail of lechery, so slight a sin, (being so sovereign a remedy for big bellies, which oft at a pinch help forward the worlds increase with swelling zeal,) were there other former faults such venial offences, that to exceed them all, and hererein only able to exceed them, they must thus disguise there sex? But why marvel I at their desire to seem men, sith they so mightily affected men? yet could they not convey their ill contrived intent with such secrecy, but that sundry knew thereof (for amongst so many how could all be silent?) passing thus from one mouth to an other it came in the end to the hearing of certain courtiers, of which one, the greatest in account, deeply abhorring so odious an enterprise boldly revealed it to the prince of those times, who desiring to see the issue of their impudence, (though deeming it almost impossible, that any of that sex should be so shameless) commanded general silence, and such semblance, as if nothing were discovered. They going forward with their attempt, failed not to assemble at the day assigned, each being cased in her minions' best attire: then using the benefit of the dark, which is guilty of many mischiefs, they came to the court, and there suing for farther access, obtained it, thinking of nothing less, then that they were entrapped: But to dispatch the matter briefly; In the midst of their jollity, they were by the prince's commandment all forcibly unmasked, standing then before her, as stony Images, not blushing ought at this bewraying of their lewdness, though environed, and like monsters gazed on by many eyes, nor making any show of sorrow, for their sovereigns sharp rebukes, which conceiving no hope of their amendment, seut them home with open shame unto their husbands. The grief whereof pinched Giraldo so near the heart, that he fell through sorrow into a grievous sickness, which wasted so his enfeebled body, that all remedies failing, his last music was the sertons' unison, summoning him with a doleful sound, to make ready for his longest home. When no less defirous of death, then despairing of life, he caused all in the chamber to withdraw, (Valeria excepted) whom calling to him, he thus bespoke: Might these last words work that remorse in thee, which my former speeches never could effect: I should deem myself not wholly unhappy. That I am sick, thou seest: that dangerously sick, I feel: the cause thy folly: long have we lived together, in little joy, less agreement; our jarring grounded on thy falsehood, not my fault; unless it were a fault, with too much love to foster thy too much liberty: But I cease to relate former injuries, at thought whereof I may justly wish with Augustus, that I had lived wifeless, and died childless: be it a full amends for all these misdemeanours, heedfully to observe and follow, that which I now shall speak, not as a husband, (though in that name I should command) but as a friend, no less careful of thy soul, than thou careless of my safety: First, if thou caused contain thy lust, live still a widow; for who hearing of thy looseness, will marry thee for love; and to whom is not thy shame known? if than he wed thee for wealth, finding (as needs he must) thy sin grounded on my too much sufferance; how slavish shall thy life be under him? I omit to urge thy children's hindrance by an unadvised match. Next I counsel thee in no sort to change thefeat of thy abode; for what else should that argue, than a mere despair of recovering thy lost good name? continue then where now thou art, earnestly endeavouring to wipe out the blemish of thy former lewdness, by imbraceing henceforth, and persisting to the end, in an honest course of life: so shall the same place and persons that saw thee vicious, see likewise thy return to virtue; the report whereof received from others might justly be doubted, but their own witness to themselves must needs be authentical. Believe me Valeria thou canst not otherwise wear out the impression of thy shame; nor can it in such sort be so cured, that no scar will remain: This for thee: and thus briefly for thy children? sith the shortness of my time, warns me likewise to be short in talk: God lent us three all sons, one of which he hath taken again unto himself: that the happiest: Two he hath left to us, and I leave to thee: Reform them with thyself; see them well instructes, taught to embrace virtue, and abhor vice: Such hitherto hath been their education, that I grieve to remember it: but thou mayest joy to better it: Liberty is the bane of youth; not for a time, as the honey of Colchos, which doth inebriate those that taste it, & distract with one days madness those that greedily do eat it: But this soule-contami natinge poysson, strengthened by custom, grows incurable: Purge then from this infection their tender thoughts, while they yet are each way flexible. That thou lovest them I doubt not, but that thy love will cherish their lewdness, I justly dread, and therefore do thus warily admonish thee; be thou as wary and willing to perform what I require, tending so greatly to their good: In hope whereof I leave to thee, and after thee to them what so ever I possess: And on condition hereof I forgive both them and thee all the wrongs which you have done me: But if you fail herein; then, when my soul shall at the seventh Angel's sound, take again this my body and you be cited before the impartial Tribunal of the divine majesty, I will accuse you as guilty of them all chiefly of my death, whereof you jointly are the causers; death which I embrace so willingly, that could Nature for my words disclaim her due, and the inexorable destinies, for my laments reverse their doom, limiting to my days a longer date; yet would I enforce death, by not suing for longer life: And die I must, for now I faint even unto death; now fail my powers: now doth each sense deny his service; And gracious heaven seeming to exhale my soul, will resume it whence I received it: farewell Valeria, think on my words, as God shall think on thee. This said he, and sealed it with a sigh; then after many groans yielded the ghost: rendering his spirit to his maker.  
But his body was no sooner breathless, than jockey was turned to his shifts: whose good service, had not his kind master secretly guerdonized before his death, doubtless his estate had been very hard. Valeria, though having clean forgotten her husbands words, which she marked no longer, then while he spoke them, provided yet for his burial in the best sort; and so much the rather, because in his decease she joyed the fullness of her own desires.  
His corpses was with funeral pome conveyed to the Church: And there solemnly interred; nothing omitted which necessity or custom could claim; A sermon, a banquet, and like observations. Having thus laid him, where she wished him long before, she was now a lusty widow, and courted by that crew of gallants, whose braveries in her husband's lifetime she had upheld, draining out the quintessence of his bags to garnish with gay robes their backs. But Arthemio whose harvest of far greater hopes than these, was now come, which he so long had loockt for, and in regard thereof would not with the rest make profit of her former prodigality: seeing now time and occasion smile on him, slacked not his affairs, but to prevent the first in forwardness, and sooner than in reason he should, immediately on Giraldos burial, sued for access, which finding as he expected, and for his more encouragement veweing in his mistress countenance, no clouds of discontent, he thus began his wooing.  
It is a custom still in use with christians, to attend the funeral of their deceased friends with whole chantries of choice quire-men, singing solemnly before them: but behind follows a troup all clad in black, which argues mourning: much have I marveled at this ceremony, deeming it till now, some hidden paradox, confounding thus in one, things so opposite as these signs of joy and sorrow. But your late good fortune, enforced me to cancel this fond opinion: for if singing do with most right belong to joying, who may then so justly as yourself, set on work a world of fingers, to celebrate the day of your recovered liberty, from the tyrannous controlment of a jealous sot? To gratulate which your good hap, I have thus adventured, nor less to prosecute my own hopes, doomed to live or die at your disposing; herein resembling transformed Clitie, which as the angry Sun doth rise or set, opens or shuts (silly Nymph) her saffron-coloured breast: Sith then the making or marring of my hopes, doth wholly rest in you: deign rather to quicken them by a gracious regard, then to kill them by a disgracious repulse: make me rather the mirror of your clemency, than the martyr of your cruelty. If you fancy any worthier than myself, I shall droop for my defects: if any meaner than myself, you shall derogate from my deserts: But ay me, what deserts have I to allege, if true affection be no desert? This said, he pawsd, as feeling some deeper passion: but Valeria no longer able to dissemble, thus with a smile replied (for weeping was already out of season) Servant (quoth she) that true affection merits favour, reason grants; that not ever barren of desert, thy fortune shall yield sufficient proof; whose desires I have hitherto dieted with dismaying doubts, thereby to make trial of thy constancy: which finding each way faultless, I will not that through me it should be frutlesse: But to make amends for tiring so thy mind with long suspense, and to remunerate thy fancy's loyalty, with more than looks, I yield wholly to thy disposing, myself, my substance, & whatsoever to me is dearest: Thy coming was to speak, thy good hap to speed both of love and living, largely able to equal thy desires with thy deserts, and be this the earnest of my true intent: here she concluded her words with kisses, sealing on his lips her loves assurance: which kindness he requiting, did answer them with tenfold interest: Thence stepped they to the next degree of lovers dalliance, and so forward while lust had force. But having finished, and Valeria being now in the vein, Arthemio deeming it policy to strike when the iron was hot, least fortune should not ever rest so friendly, left her not, till before sufficient witnesses, they had each to other solemnly made themselves sure: Immediately after which contract, their marriage was in a morning betimes, hastily huddled up at a lawless Church: whose leaning Pulpit (a monument of many years, but of less use than a Cipher in Arithmetic) had fallen so far at odds with preaching, that, whether through age or ignorance I know not, it had long been like a bell without a clapper. The wedding thus dispatched, she vaunting to herself, her soul's delights, deemed this her Comedies Catastrophe, changing all former discontents into the fullness of her desires accomplishment. But how much she was deceived, let the sequel show. Fame the swiftest evil and lavish spreader of most unwelcome news, had now bruited to Theodoro's ears Giraldos death, his daughter's lewdness, her late public infamy and second match: The hearing of which report pierced so his heart, that he likewise full of sorrow, yielded his care-weakened body to the bed, and thence breathless to the grave: when at the instant of his departure, he employed some friend in writing, what himself thus with a fainting voice did utter, and as his last to her, intent.  
DOuble murderess, erst of thy husband, now of thy father, read what I writ, and may thy heart be rend with reading, as mine through thee is rend with ruth. Is this the memory which thou wilt leave, wherein thy name shall live to eternal obloquy? Is this the issue of my hope when last I left thee; or of thy mother's joy, when she had borne thee? Oh what floods of tears would she have shed, had she lived to have seen thy lewdness? or if the dead know what the living do, how doth her soul mourn for thy sins excess! deeply art thou bound to Nature which shortened herdaies by death, and so prevented thy causing likewise of her untimely end. Hadst thou an infant sucked some fierce Hyrcanian Tigress, or been fostered on the ridge of Pholoe by some ravenous Liones, yet couldst thou not have thus degenerated from thy kind, in more than brutish misdemeanour. Viper's dig their way to life, through the bowels of their dams, & of them the females do in conception kill the males; both which to do, it is their nature. But thou against the rites of nature, & thereinfar worse than vipers, quitst him with death, to whom thou owest thy life: & hast likewise before brought to his end thy harmless husband, to take into thy bosom the defiler of his bed: fatal to you both be your embraces, & thou in thy greatest need enforced to rely on those for succour, whom thy present injuries do most justly exasperate against thee: Oh whether hath passion carried me? It beseems not dying men to ban, much less fathers: yet how canst thou term me herein cruel, being thyself my death's contriver? But whereto wast I my words in vain, which will slightly pass thine ears like the weightles Cumaean writings tossed each way by the dallying winds? striving to reform an hopeless reprobate, I sow with succesles labour on the sand, and will therefore refer the issue to heavens execution, whose justice, in making him the instrument of thy woe, whom thyself hast made the subject of thy lust, is now imminent & will fall with greater force, then had it been before inflicted: yet wish I as a father thy speedy amendment or speedy end, that thy evils may be the less. And so I leave thee to thy deserts, if thou leave not thy lewd desires.  Thy dying father slain by thy fault, Theodoro. 
This subscription himself did write, whose feeble hand another guided: scarce had he written what he would, when he breathed out his enfranchised soul, ending almost at one instant his life and letter: which Valeria receiving, read without remorse, hearing likewise the manner of his death by the messenger discoursed at large, yet were her eyes still tearless: much it was that this could work in her one hour of melancholy, for she deemed it no decorum to blemish her yet-during pleasures with not availing sorrow. But had Theodoro's life been longer and his writing later, than could not his words have perished thus wholly without effect: for soon after the receiving of this letter, her preimagined joys failing by degrees, grew daily less: and she too late, seeing in the present issue of Arthemios former promises, nought but deceit, wished herself again at her own will, which now she justly wanted: nor so stayed her fortune's change, for to have wanted only herein her wish, it had been well; or howsoever, not wholly ill: But (which was worse) she beheld apparent likelihood of far greater imminent distress, than were her wonted outward delights. He knowing well her humour by his own so long experience, thought it better to graff horns on another's head, than himself to bear the impression: in preventing which misfortune he used this method: To reform her lewdness, he restrained her liberty.  
That was a day of favour wherein she might freely walk about the house, for commonly she was mewed up in her chamber: her loose-taild gossips which first enticed her to folly, were warned from approach: especially that arch-queane her greatest counsellor, to whose kindness himself also had been indebted. Those gallant younkers which long had fed her humour, by serving her insatiate lust, were barred from access. This was some corrosive to a wilful wanton, whose desire could erst brook no contradiction: but these are trifles, if we note her following troubles, so many and so mighty, that it past a woman's patience to endure them, if any way able to redress them. Although her walks were watched thus narrowly (as many eyes attending her steps as had Argus guarding transformed Io) yet he most lavishly addicted to lasciviousness, romd abroad at pleasure, wasting his own body and her substance on troops of trulls, whom he gorgeously maintained. Riches lightly gotten, are soon lewdly gone, for who weighs aright the worth of them, being not wearied with pains in gathering them? Pearls did then grow most in price, when they were first purchased with the dangers of many storms. His mind being thus wholly on feasting his Minions with sumptuous banquets, it needs must follow, that Gluttony made way and work for her sister Lechery, which without her furtherance were almost forceless. They having Sirens tongues and Crocodiles tears, thereby enticed him to entangle him, and prevailed: for as the Hemlock of Attica tempered with wine, is of all compounded poisons the most deadly: so of all enticements that is most dangerous, where wit and beauty lodged both in one subject, are so employed.  
All this while sat poor Valeria at home, surcharged with sorrow, not ruminating as yet, so much on repentance of former wantonness, as drooping through despite of present wants: for now wrathful heaven setting wide open the gates of vengeance, showered down on her sinful head heaps of deserved evils, infinitely exceeding the number of her years, yet not equalling her dire-offences, whose estate was not herein only hapless to be (as erst) restrained from company, and from the liberty of her wonted walks, but likewise in each respect most abjectly miserable: her allowance in attire, and at the table, scarce the shadow of what it was, and hardly fitting the baseness of her present fortune, her lust dieted with troubles leavings: her earst-imperious humour set all on sovereignty, stooped to the lowest step of slavery; and she that whilom controlled the master, was now subject without redress, to the checks and taunts of her own servants, which thereto authorized by Arthemios order, limited so straightly her very looks, that had she glanced her eye on any, though the meanest object, it forth with bred suspicion; and that no small complaint, yet must she in no sort (if loving her own case) cast on them an angry countenance to argue her offended mind, much less bewray in words her deepe-setled discontent, lest he in a fit of fury thundering forth an Alphabet of ugly oaths, should amaze her with his affrighting menaces: nor did he so contain his outrage, but oft martyring with blows her tender body, left on her bruised limbs for lasting monuments the irremooveable characters of his barbarous cruelty; so to verify the tenor of his threats, and repay with heaped measure those her marks of thankless remembrance, which she (earst-mercilesse) had lent, and laid on silly jockeys shoulders. I omit the daily objecting of former lewdness, and Giraldos death continually upbraided. At the memory of which so many miseries, the silly wretch did in sighs and tears discourse her sorrows, lamenting justly the fortune of her change, but more the folly of her second choice. Now thought she on her husband's words which then she weighed not, when he spoke them. Now felt she in herself the issue of his too true prediction: and as the weary Mariner seeing from far a storm, known by the seas loud roar, and flocking together of birds, prepares himself with courage and patience to entertain the peril: so she, whose mind weaned thus from wantonness, revolved with restless motion forepast woes, and in her fortune's map viewed the yetclouded tracts of following troubles, addressed herself to bear quietly these deserved crosses, and made nature scholar to necessity, but as yet woman's frailty could not fully digest the sour precepts, of such saintlike patience, which that she might the less endure, he slacked not his endeavour, still devising by what means he most might vex her; and had therefore changed his former custom into an order far more impudent: for in stead of banqueting his harlots abroad, he now feasts them at home. She was the drudge to prepare their dainties, and scarce thought worthy of the lowest room, when all their delicates were served in. Then would he in her sight kiss his queans and toy with them, thus daring her to impatience, that thereon he might coin some seeming cause to tyrannize with his fist: for well he knew, that the tongue the heart's herald, women's chief instrument of revenge and ease, could then hardly or not at all by her be bridled. Continuing this custom, he once invited his most affected Trull, to feast her privately with extraordinary cost; when after the banquet ended and the table uncovered, taking his Lute, he sang to a pleasing note this following ditty, more to cross his wife, then to content his wanton Mistress.  

Wave-tossing winds characterizing fear  
On marblefurrowes of the threatfull deep,  
Roused from their caves the lowering air to tear,  
And force the welkin floods of showers to weep:  
(Though stormy blasts do scatter common fire)  
Burn midst their stormy blasts in hot desire.   

Wind-tossed waves which with a gyring course  
Circle the Centre's overpeering main,  
And dare heavens star-bright turrets in their source,  
Can yet not ease their finny regent's pain:  
But though the flood, the fire in nature quench,  
They burn amidst the floods which them do drench.   

Oh whereto then in drooping hearts distresfe,  
Shall I a silly man my thoughts conform,  
Which can no more themselves, themselves redress,  
Then may some guideless Pinnace in a storm  
Encounter safely barking Sulla's rock,  
And safely dare Charibdis to the shock.   

Where force doth fail, the weaker needs must yield,  
Seing submissive that his smart may cease:  
Yet mayst thou gain a far more glorious field,  
Deigning to grant my care-fraught hearts release.  
The conquest this, t'excel in saving one,  
loves irrelenting God, which saveth none.   
Here Valeria all enraged and scarce able to forbear so long, flew on the others face, taking with her hands such sure hold, that the blood trickled down amain: which seeing & at sight there of insulting, she adds this bitter scorn. Now jolly mistress vanc if you list your beauty's conquest. Are you that dainty piece the rival of my right? this the face that hath wrested my husband's fancy? Then turning to Arthemio she thus proceeds. Bonster of inhumanity, speak (if thou canst without remorse) wherein have I deserved these many injuries, this of all the most intolerable? was it for loving thee? yea therein chief have I deserved them, yet not from thee, which hast thence received thy making. Canst thou: but here Arthemio interrupted her words with blows: then pausing he thus replied. Slanderous strumpet, say if thou canst without blushing (but that thou canst too well) what greater wrong herein sustainst thou, than thou hast offered to thy other husband? How then darest thou term justice iviurie: but sith this sight is so offensive, I'll hereafter to grieve thy heart, glut thine eyes with more abhorred objects, & now tame so thy tongue & devilish fingers, that henceforth thou shalt have cause to curse the use of them. This said, he fell again to blows, nor ceased he from beating, till she had ceased from shrewish answering. Soon after, to effect his first menace, & therein to effect the second, he proceeded more insatiately in heaping wrong on wrong, even to the carnal using of his whores before her face, whose presence he enforced, making her the unwilling bawd unto their beastliness: yet she remembering his late outrage, the marks whereof she had yet still to show, bore more quietly this the greatest injury, than those other which he before had offered. Now had she learned to smooth her looks with signs of mildness, although her care-worn heart were big with malice: now did she account patience her only gain, knowiug well that by speaking she could not only not purchase any remedy, but rather make her sorrows thereby more remediless, his delight being still in doing that which most did vex her, beside the penalty of her prating, set by him sound on her shoulders. Lo here an instance proving it not wholly impossible to overmaster for the time the miraculous valubilitie of a woman's tongue: which though not fearing a bravado of blows, yet shuns the brunt of a main revenge. But howsoever Valeria bridling nature by necessity, could in her husband's sight dissemble her deep sorrows, yet being alone she could not so contain her passions, but at thought of this so dire a wrong (matter enough to have moved a saints patience) she would oft thus unrip them. O Valeria, of all the unhappiest, thouwantest many tongues to express the many torments which wear thy body & weary thy mind: did thy stars bode thee these miseries, or thine own amiss breed thee these misfortunes: ah blame not them, accuse not heaven of injustice, but blame thyself, thy sin, thy vicious living; accuse thyself, thy lust, thy unlawful loving: weigh wretched woman with thy distress, thy deserts: in the one thou shalt find thy sorrows inexplicable, thy shame infinite: both known, neither pitied: thyself pointed at by passers by, if thou be seen abroad: baited with rebukes & blows, if thou remain at home: thy goods lavishly wasted to maintain the braveries of trulls usurping thy right, & insulting on thy ruth: thy children likewise sharing with thee their portion of deserved punishment: but in the other thou shalt see these thy miseries far less than thy misdeeds: what then mayst thou expect: ease of these evils? no no Valeria; but till death, think that thy cares shall never end: And that they then may cease, nor thou be doomed to eternal woe, sue while thou livest with ceaseless intercession, else shall thy suit be vain: remission, if not purchased ear life be past, is sought too late.  
The bodies each-sicknesse may be expelled by choice of simples: mercy only sought with true penitence, can salve the sin-sick soul. But what talkest thou of penitence which near wouldst lend one minutes listening to those that thereto would persuade thee; near humili ate with heart's contrition, thy minds haughtiness? Now is the morning past, the sun declining, the evening shadows have beset thee: Oh but despair not, leave that to those whose hopes have left them; Thy hopes are many; Hadst thou lived and died in wont ease, lulde so in deep security, than had thy state been wholly desperate: But these crosses are gentle summons to recall thee, directions to reduce thy straying steps, wounds which heal and so intended: Learn then thy use of these afflictions, sith to be happy, thou must be hapless. Tush fond Valeria thy talk is vain; wilt thou preach of abstinence to pining Tantalus, of wealth and pleasure to dyiug men, of patience, to thy impatient self: Think on thy husband and on thy father, dead through thee: on thy kindred justly hating thee: on thy children which still do live, but through thee have nothing left: After these think on thyself, thy sins, thy sorrows: Sins and sorrows innumerable, infinite, intolerable: What is now thy Theme of patience? Where thy hopes, or whence thy help? Here would she stop amidst despair, making that her passions period, then in the silence of tears and sighs, act anew her soul's distress. Once in the depth of her meditation, somewhat to recreate her care-duld spirits, she took her Lute, and thereto warbled with a fainting voice, this sleight ode.  

Having long revolved in thought,  
Long unto myself lamented,  
Since I first to sin assented,  
All the ill my sin hath wrought;  
Enforc'st I am with sighs to say,  
Mine eyes did plot my soul's decay.   

These all heedless of the harms,  
Guileful Sirens had intended,  
In like faults with them offended,  
Listening to their luring charms:  
Whereby enforced, with sighs I say,  
Mine ears did first my soul betray.   

Then began each other sense,  
Taught by them to wrest his use,  
Reaving me of all excuse,  
Sought to shadow sinews pretence,  
Whereby enforc'st with sighs I say,  
Mine ears did first my soul betray.   

Instruments of grief and shame,  
Sundering Isthmus of true pleasure  
chaste delights unspotted treasure,  
Wrack and death of my good name;  
Why force you me with sighs to say,  
That you did first my soul betray?   

But oh cease fond wretch t'accuse,  
Done, undone things cannot bee:  
More it now concerneth thee,  
Other mind and means to use:  
Lest thou too late with sighs do say,  
Thy sins have wrought thy soul's decay,   
Thus did she then express her humour, and oft in other sort: mean while Arthemio, which set not his mind on mourning. kept on his riot after such a rate, that Giraldos substance was soon consumed; and had his power matched the hugeness of his desires, not an India of wealth might have suffizd. Now were his lands all mortgaged which with the fairest and most worth of his household furniture, as also his own, and her attire, fell through forfeits into the hands of brokeing Usurers. Oh what a banquet was this for them, whose chief making, springs from the marring of such unthrifts; their rising, from the ruins of silly men! These are they whom (to omit their other titles) we may justly term the devils forerunners, preparing his ways before him. For when they have left a man as bare, as he left job, of whose goods by God's permission, he made large havoc, then takes he his turn of entrance, to dispatch the tragedy, which these his factors (coheirs of his infernal kingdom) have set so forward. His first plot is to induce the silly wretches thus turned out of all, to doubt of divine providence. Hereon he suggestes motions of despair, teaching them to number their crosses with curses, and in this humour packs them away, some to the beam, some to the water, each to a desperate end. If he meet with lighter spirits, not thus encumbered through melancholy, nor setting their misfortunes so near the heart, but resolute to live maugre fortunes frowns, These he fashions for his purpose in another mould, fitting them with a method for unlawful shifts: under such a Tutor working wonders even on leaden wits, how can there be a dearth of bad directions, or not plenty of devilish practices, whereto he sharpens their conceits and courages beyond their natural promptness? of this second fort Arthemio within few months became a member; Lo here the issue: for soon after, his house growing queasy stomacht through a long consumption of the movables, did in a general vomit spew out the master, the mistress, and all their train, Oh whereto in this distress should poor Valeria betake herself? Money she had none, should she borrow, who would lend her, or vouchsafe her one nights lodging? such was the rumour of her leavonesse: should she beg? who would give her? I omit her native haughtiness, her education and former state, all abhorring so abject a profession. But necessity which tames the mightiest, had soon mastered her afflicted mind, enforcing her to crave of those, which before had craved of her: yet found she none, which would in words, pity her woes; A slender comfort, but such as other wretches have. O you whom sin charming with security, veils from your eyes the sequels of your shame and sorrow: you which trace Valeria's steps in all lasciviousness, hither I summon you to read with sighs, in these her fortunes sad records, your own fore-threatned ruin. This is the looking glass which more beseems you, then that whereon you daily poor, practising your alluring looks, and marshalling your body's pride, thereby toattract more gazers on your garishness. Had I the mellifluous vein of Orpheus, rich in divine conceit; and garnished with the spoils of Helicon, whose ravishing virtue, he held prisoner to his enchanting Hymns and harmony: Then should I with sweet passion treat this subject, and, or win your from your wantonness by displaying to the full Valeria's woes: or prove your hearts to be more frozen then the winter mantle of Thracian Hebrus, melting through his melody; more stubborn than the lofty trees bearing Hemus and high Rhodope to wait on him; more brutish than the savage beasts attending him, more stony than theflinty rocks which followed him, for all these he moved: but move he could not those brainsick beldames of your sex; which confounding his harmonious notes, with howling noise, tore piecemeal the silly Poet: These only in not relenting should you resemble. Look on the crosses of this wretched creature, & by them look to yourselves, turning so her evil to some good: Weigh in what mizery she needs must live, whose costly robes were now changed to rags, her dainty fare to hard crusts, her chambers richly furnished, to base corners, her beauty's flourish blasted, more by cares then years. She which whilom scorned to look, and almost to tread upon the ground; Now durst not raise thence her blubbered eyes, fearing to look to wards heaven, such was her sin: blushing to look on men, such was her shame. She which erst on highest days would keep the house, judging her attire for such times to mean (how costly soever) did now shame to be seen on any day. But when night (the veil of earths vanities) had drawn her sable curtains over the welkin, in this general hue of horror, bereaving eyes and ears of days objects: See of all the most unhappy and now wholly the guest of darkness. wandered alone making music to her moans, with deepefetche sighs: nor bewailed she only her own estate, but lamented likewise her children's distress, justly feared although not known: for they not accompanying their careful mother, shifted for themselves, but where or how, she knew not. After many days of such distress many weeks of woe, many months worn out in misery, it was her hap to here of her man jockeys' abode and fortune, which having married a poor widow, kept a simple victualling house in an out part of the city: At the heereing of which news she was long and much perplexed, wavering in uncertainty of resolution: For when she weighed the caussesse wrongs, which she had offered him in words and blows: How she had oft incensed her husband, oft others, injuriously to revile and beat him, nor ever granted him one hour of quiet; See could no less than fear that her repair to him, should rather aggravace her present grief, in receiving some reproachful answer, than any way attain desired case. But weighing the extremity of her need, and well knowing that not imploring his relief, she could not any way better her estate, but that it still grew worse, the silly woman thus on all sides beset with sorrows, chose rather to prosecute the slightest hope, then to continue the certainty of her ill hap: Having thus resolved she went to seek him, and sue to him for succour; him whom she so much had injured: Lo here the issue of her dying father's execration; which by the way calling to mind, at thought thereof, she streamed down from her pined cheeks, showers of salt tears.  
Coming & finding him, (which grieved to see her in such a plight turned somewhat aside his troubled countenance) she thus bespoke him. Ah jockey deign yet to look on me, and in one view, take thy full revenge of all the wrongs that I have done thee: See her miserable, which was immodest: See her humbled at thy feet, acknowledging with tears her causeless fury oft inflicted on thy guiltless body: ah shun me not: I was thy mistress, nor scorn me that once gave thee bread, though now thou seest me base than the meanest servant, nor refuse I that degree if thou vouchsafe so to receive me. What greater triumph on such a foe canst thou desire, then to have her subject to thy checks, and within the compass of thy controls, which with unjust controls and checks (those the lightest injuries) hath oft wearied thy glowing ears? But sith heaven doth thus avenge on me thy cause, let that suffice thee: oh add not to my ruth thy rancour, Cut not my heart with dire reproaches, heart so already cut with deep cares, that almost nothing may be added to my woes. If time or troubles have not wrested from out thy memory Giraldos name, then for his sake deign thou to succour me, and by his example, whose kind affection my faults could never so extinguish, but that it lasted while he lived. Wretch as I am, how am I blinded thus to plead against myself? loving him, thou needs must loathe me, through whom he led a joyless life, and died sorrowing for my sin: Whereon then shall I rely, but on the mildness of thy nature? If this hope do likewise fail me, then whereto live I? why are my days prolonged to draw on my lives distress. In uttering these last words, she cast down her countenance, fixing her eyes steadfastly on the earth: but jockey unable to contain his tears, therein showing how deeply her plaints had pierced him with remorseful passion, did thus gently comfort her.  
Had mine ears received from the report of others, that which mine eyes do now assure me of, I should never have believed it. Good God, could such former wealth end in such present want? such plenty in such penury, such bravery in such baseness, such pleasure in such pinching woe? O Lord how righteous are thy judgements: Yet Mistress, (for so I'll still call and account you, nor shall your fortune, or former injuries cancel my duty) I could wish, (if I might wish it without impiety) that this example of God's justice had been showed on any other: But we must think that whatsoever he in his wisdom doth determine is doubtless for the best If you can make true use of his correction, you shallbe happy in your unhappiness and these your miseries be a step to your felicity.  
That I am fory to see you in this state, my words and countenance may witness, and my grieved heart doth feel: But sith it is so, I yet rejoice that I am able by relieving you, to show how dear to me the name and memory of my deceased master is: I accept you therefore as a welcome guest, assuring you of such entertainment as I can afford; and touching the wrongs that you have done me, I will strive so to forget them, as if I never had sustained them. This said he, nor said he more, than he performed, for immediately he took her into his house, where all the time of her abode with him (which was so long as herself would tarry) she had such relief as his poor estate could yield, afforded without grudging: nor did he ever grieve her, with the least upbraiding of former wrongs, nor suffer, (while he was present or knew of it,) that she should take the slightest pains, more than in her own affairs: But in his absence oft, to ease and please his wife, she would play the tapster, and voluntarily address herself to help her in all kind of drudgeries. While in this sort she lived, not altogether so hapless asbefore, Arthemio no longer able to continue his shifting, sith he had thereby endangered his life, made this his last shift, closely to shift himself away: sense when he was never seen about the city, nor almost heard of; Only some obscure reports have past, of his long scouring the western plains for purses, and that being afterward apprehended, he died miserably in a common Gaol before his public arraignment, so preventing the open scandal of an ignominious death. How so ever this be likely in regard of his former wicked life, yet not being thereof assured, I will suspend my censure, nor presumptuously descant of the unknown proceed of the almighty. But Valeria after long residence with jockey, at last, whether hoping on some better place, or loathe continually to trouble him, sith no way able to requite his kindness, fond left him and thereby replunged herself into her former miseries, falling in the end to little better than open beggary: from which so abject state of life, she near recovered till death gave truce to her distresses: death wherein only she was not hapless; But if to wretched people the preventing of any sorrow may be termed good hap, than so was hers, in notsecing her surviving children's miserable ends, such as their dissolute bringing up, did ever threaten, and their lewd courses justly merit: of these the elder flying for some offence beyond the seas, and there following arms in the civil tumults of distracted Belgia, but soon staining the most honourable profession of a soldier by playing the traitor, had his deserts paid with the halter, and therein leaping desperately from the ladder, he took his journey into the other world. The younger confirmed so in the love of headstrong liberty through his corrupt education, that he could not long brook any service: succoured by none, because disdaining subjection to all; died in the fields, and there lay a loathsome spectacle; for his stinking carcase had no other coverture than heavens vast circumference, and his unburied limbs were seized on by ravenous birds, who therewith glutted their carrion gorges. Somewhat before his last gasp with an oft interrupted voice, he faintly groaned out these bitter moans. O whither shall I turn me, whereon shall I hope, or what shall I desire? my bones ache, my bowels gnaw, my feet rot, each limb doth shiver, and my whole body is full of pain: life I loathe thee, life when st thou me? death why dalliest thou with these delays? why comest thou in such degrees of torments? thy messengers are more terrible than thyself: yet come not death, lest in exchange of these my present wees, thou plunge me in eternal woe.  
O sin, how sweet is thy beginning, how sour thy end? O father, but enough of thee, for thy name doth cut my soul anew. O mother, but too much of thee, cruel through immoderate kindness: O unhapie brother, but happy in respect of me: for though thy end were likewise shameful, yet was thy carcase covered with earth: but mine must lie still in this stinking place, to pollute the air, and feed the ravenous fowls: yet help me some good man who passing by may hear my moans: give me at least some shelter from this injury of the weather; unkind men, will none relieveme? yet not unkind, because God's justice hardens their hearts: oh that is it, whereon when I do think, I wish that I had been borne a beast, that with my life all my miseries might end: yet help me, O my God, sith men forsake me: though hell look for me, and I dare not look on heaven: though my offences be innumerable, yet is thy mercy infinitely greater: mercy sweet Lord, father of mercy, mercy itself: O that my mother had taught me to pray, when she taught me to revile my father: Alas, I know no form of prayer, save this only which my heart laden with anguish doth thus indite. Mercy sweet Lord, let my soul embrace thy mercy, let thy mercy embrace my soul. But ay me, my pains increase, life and death do combat in my breast: this their strife doubles my torments: ah, but hells torments are far greater. From them and these, sweet Lord deliver me, for in thee: Here as he feign would have proceeded, life failing, made these his last words unperfect, with whose death I end this dolorous discourse.  
THus (Gentlemen) have you heard briefly related the the Tragic issue of Giraldos wooing in age, and Valeria's wantonness in youth: Had I entitled this discourse, A looking Glass, the Metaphor had not been wholly immaterial: for herein may all sorts of readers note sundry points of weight: husbands, the danger of too much doting: wives in her fall, the end of lustful folly: parents, the mighty peril of soothing their children in check-free licentiousness: children, the fruit of disobedience and undutiful demeanour: rash proceeders, the great difference of good and bad counsel, of honest and dishonest company: with the danger of not embracing the one, and not shunning the other: and that the rather, sith the force of compante, hath in the effecting of either such exceeding force, according to the Italian proverb, Dimmi con chi tu vai, & saprò quel che fai. Ictus piscator sapit, but if we account him wise, which being once hurt, doth shun a second hazard: how much more justly may we commend their wisdom, who being not hurt at all, but learning heedfulness at others costs, govern warily themselves by noting the issue of their indiscretion: which foresight and good fortune I wish unto you all.  
FINIS.