ELOGIUM HEROINUM: OR, THE PRAISE OF WORTHY WOMEN.  
Written by C. G. Gent.  
LONDON, Printed by T.M. & A.C. and are sold by William Nott, near the Chequer Office, in Ivy-lane. 1651.   

TO THE MOST EXCELLENT, MOST ILLUSTRIOUS, AND HIGHBORN Princess, ELIZABETH OF BOHEMIA.  
Madam,  
YOur illustrious Name is traced on the Frontispiece of this Book, as that of Minerva in the Temple of Virtue; To render the names of these Famous Vestals, more recommendable by that of so great and illustrious a Princess as your Highness is: whose marvellous wisdom, and profound knowledge in Arts, Sciences, and Languages, is admired by all men; whose great judgement, and Goodness, are inexpressible symptoms of excelling Qualities.  
Let therefore your memory, most Sacred and Famous Princess, be as eternal, as your illustrious life happy and successful! May your future fortunes be answerable to your virtues! that as you have the daily earnest prayers of all good men, so you may have the success of their wishes; the which though many who never yet saw you desire, yet all those who have had the honour to be acquainted with you, know how worthily You deserve them: For that your virtues have raised you to such a high degree of perfection, as that you render not only those of your but even all Men unable to imitate Your Highness: They, as well as myself, are therefore solely obliged to admire You: which is the only intent of  
Madam, Your Highness' Most humble, most obedient, and most faithful Servant, CHARLES GERBIER.   

To the most Honourable, THE Countess Dowager OF CLAIRE, The Patroness of all Virtue and Learning.  
Madame,  
PSaphon having assembled several Birds, taught them to pronounce these words; Psaphon is a God and afterwards setting them at liberty, (by the rehearsal of their lesson) they did spread their master's glory throughout all the Universe.  
These ever to be admired Women (being revived) have learned your Honour's name; and as all the world did envy the glory of their fame, so will they now invite all men to admire your perfections, they will say that few Nations or Ages have yielded your equal, that to your knowing Judgement all learned men have recourse, and that your matchless wisdom will be an example of admiration to all posterity.  
May all men blazon your eminent deserts! may your most virtuous mind enjoy what it most desires or deserves! and may Heaven power down upon your Honour the dews of thousand Celestial blessings together with all true happiness, are the zealous wishes of him who is  
Madam, Your HONOURS most humble, devoted zealous servant, CHARLES GERBIER.   

TO THE Virtuous Accomplished LADY Anne Hudson.  
MADAM,  
I Do not offer unto you any thing of my own, for that it is already yours, or that you are worthy thereof, since your eyes have not so many charms, nor your attractions so much power to captivate hearts, as the lustre of your Virtues do express unto all men the admirable perfections both of Nature and Grace which are extant in your person.  
Your modesty, the mildness of your discourse, and that gracious humility with the which you entertain those who have the honour to be acquainted with you, are precious jewels which do achieve your renown.  
Give me leave then (Madam) to end this my thrice humble dedication, with that homage and with that bounden oblation which I own to your all attracting goodness, and let your favourable acceptance deign to receive it, since it's presented with all the submissiv'st respects imaginable by him who puts all his heart in his Pen (the better) to assure you, that amongst those who admire you, none can be more than himself,  
Madam, Your most humble and obedient servant, Charles Gerbier.   

To his worthy Friend, Mr. CHARLES GERBIER, Upon this his ELOGIUM HEROINUM.  

Were not this Treatise fully fraught  
with its intrinsic worth,  
It might (like Cloth that's finely wrought)  
Be to the Press put forth  
A lustre to receive, whereby  
Its sale might bettered be.  
But as its value doth rely  
On its reality,  
You have it thus undecked, without  
An influence of Verse,  
Or lofty Poems, which no doubt  
The Author could rehearse:  
But he intends not the least part  
Of Rhetoric to strain;  
His Theme is void of flattering Art,  
He shuns Ambages vain.  
For who'mongst mortals dare be bend  
T'oppose it with a No?  
And since the bruitest beasts assent  
Who then would not do so?  
With me let all men than confess  
That which I do disclose;  
The praise of Woman's ne'er the less,  
Though it be writ in Prose.   
B. S. Kt.   

To his much valued Friend, THE AUTHOR.  

The Grecian Beauties first Apelles saw,  
Before he dared fair Venus' Picture draw,  
That he out of their many graces, one  
Might make of all the only Paragon.  
So thou out of the best, the best haste writ;  
Hast culled the choicest, best therewith to fit  
This work of thine, that it in worth and store  
Might all surpass have written thee before,  
Or after shall. How much these Angels own  
To this thy worthy pains, themselves best know.   
E. B. Esq   

To his worthy friend Mr. Charles Gerbier, upon his Elogium Heroinum, or the Praise of worthy Women.  

I find myself by much to be too weak  
To add a grace where every line will speak  
Where female constancy, and beauty you  
Have open laid to censure, and to view;  
Which will in spite of envious time comprise  
Your worthy Women in our memories;  
And from respects engaged, I must make known  
Thy lines are unaffected, free, thy own  
Thy matter's rare, expressions genuine  
Style most emphatical, & wit divine;  
Then reap thy due, and let Apollo's bay●s,  
In spite of Autumn, grow to crown thy praises.   
J. H.   

To his loving Brother, ON HIS ELOGIUM HEROINUM, OR HIS Praise of worthy Women.  

Scarce dare I these rude lines prefix  
To this your worthy women's praise,  
Lest thereby I might chance t'eclipse  
The glory of their splendent rays:  
For by my stile in its ruff cast,  
I may their excellencies blast.  
Ne'er did I taste of those sweet streams  
Which charming Helicon doth yield  
Nor hath Apollo with his beams  
Me graced, so that into the field  
O' th' Muses I am loath t'appear  
Lest infamy me thence may bear.  
The very subject of your Book,  
Doth clearly unto us set forth  
It's excellence; nor need you look  
That I attempt t'enlarge its worth;  
This far surpasseth my small skill  
Nor can I reach it with my quill.,  
And though I know it's a hard task  
To please all palates, yet submit  
I must to censure, and unmask  
My ignorance, rather than it  
Be said that I just then withdrew  
My hand, this tribute being due.  
Express I cannot, what that Sex  
(Which you so worthily do blaze)  
Deserved hath; nor need we vex  
Ourselves, that they have born the bays  
Away from us, for they excel  
All those who on this orb do dwell.  
Their brave achievements do outvie  
What ere we undertook, and they  
Themselves to all eternity  
Have Trophies raised, so that we may  
Sat down, and them admire;  
Their eminencies it require.  
Nay, ought we not  
Turn pupils unto them, obey (shame) though to our  
Their profound precepts, & disclaim  
Those vices which us daily sway,  
Even those (as't were) us captive hold  
By fettered passions manifold  
Awake therefore ye sons of men,  
Rub up your drowsy souls, 'tis meet,  
We should take heart of grace again;  
Rouse up yourselves, stand on your feet;  
At least endeavour to regain  
Our honours, by these females slain.  
My Author doth to you recount  
The several faculties wherein  
These worthy Women us surmount  
As patterns, for us to begin  
Our n●w profession by; the same  
By which they gained eternal fame  
Wherefore with him let us adore  
Those deities, let's follow close  
Their virtuous footsteps & implore  
To be accounted even as those  
Whopast their lives in great renown  
And now entombed enjoy a Crown.   
Geo. Gerbier Esq.   

The Printer's Apology, For not having inserted on the Frontispiece of this Book, all the Verses which were sent unto him.  
Courteous Reader,  
WHen a sumptuous Scene is to be represented, or when a solemn Tilting is to be performed, and that an Amphytheater is prepared; then from all parts such multitudes of People resort thereunto, as that the main for which they came together, is by them almost hidden.  
Therefore that this Scene, this Race, and Amphytheater (whereunto most men of this World, if not all, would willingly resort, first with their Eyes, then with their Hands, & finally with all their Senses, striving and contesting which of them all should soon be admitted) might appear, and not be smothered up by the press of so many, whose Pens may pretend as much right as this Author, to show themselves; And lest he should suffer, that deserves so well, in the setting forth of this glorious Scene, I have omitted the inserting of several Verses; and do publish by that Trumpet of Fame, by that of Virtue, by that of Constancy, and by that of Honour, (which these Women do possess) to stand by, and to make use here only of your eyes: For Woman is the Mark, and Woman is the Trophy. And then will this Work appear in its best lustre.   

The Preface TO THE READER.  
AS the Breastplate of Judgement which the Highpriest wore, did bear these words, Vrim & Thummim, which signify Light and Perfection:  
So on the Frontispiece of this Book there appears so powerful a Charm, as that all those cannot choose but be void of wit and reason, who have not the curiosity to view that which it contains: for those things which it relates, possess all the requisite perfections, to strike an admiration into the minds of sensible Creatures.  
It is that powerful Charm, which made Achilles to forsake a Battle;  
It is that which Narcissus disdaining, pined away, for his own shadow;  
It is that, the loss whereof Alexander did lamentwith tears;  
It is that, by means whereof Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and all the rest of the Philosophers have attained unto such a famous reputation.  
It is that, without which all our humane life would have been but a manifest death;  
It is that, for which in former Ages men would rather lose their Seats, their Authority, their Office, then falsely to suspect it, or rashly to accuse it;  
It is that, the sight whereof struck Tyrasius King of Thebes blind.  
It is that, which did not only subdue Alexander (who had subdued all the Eastern Kingdoms, and who was Lord of all the World) but also Caesar and Hannibal; and which constrained Euristes' King of Athens, to seek unto Hercules and Theseus to be aiding unto him to withstand its power.  
It is that, at the beholding whereof the Lybian Lions lose their strength, and the Basilisk his senses.  
It is that, which hath been admired by the great Philosophers; by Solomon himself, the wisest of all men, who did acknowledge that it was more worth than precious pearls.  
It is that, the least part whereof ought to ravish us even with admiration.  
And it is that, which was made in Paradise, which represents the lively Image of the Creator; a Body framed by an admirable architecture; a Soul endowed with understanding, reason, wit, judgement, will, memory, imagination, and opinion; a Soul which in an instant flies from one Pole to the other, descends to the Centre, and ascends to the top of the world again. In a word, here you have it: It is Woman, the miracle of the world, and the marvel of marvels, which here is exposed unto your view, accompanied with Precedents of Virtue, and Statues of Honour, and whatsoever else can be included in goodness: which if you will deign to read it so, as to understand it well, and (which is best of all) to follow their examples, then will your memories outlive Posterity.  
As for the foregoing threefold Dedication of this Treatise, though it may happily not much concern the Reader, yet nevertheless rather then that any should wonder at it, I will give him a reason for it.  
It is the first of all numbers; and in natural Philosophy, there are three principles; three Theological virtues, and three Graces.  
But that which chief moved me thereunto, was the pleasing of myself thereby; since that is the spring from whence every virtue gins to flow, the Sea unto which they run, and where all of them end their course. It's the only thing which (next unto the fear of God) I chief aim at.  
Rhetoric, Logic, Philosophy, Music, all Arts and Sciences are referred unto this principle, to wit, that they might be profiable and pleasing unto us.  
Doth not an Orator rejoice when he seethe his Client delivered by his Plea?  
Doth not the Logician laugh when as he perceives that his enemy is driven to a dilemma?  
Doth not the Philosopher inwardly smile when he hath sifted out the secrets of hidden causes?  
Doth not the Musician's heart leap for joy, when as he beholds that men are ravished with his melody.  
And therefore, since that all Virtues, all Arts, and all the actions of this life do tend (next unto the fear of God) unto our particular pleasure, who can condemn me for having pleased myself?  
But as for the Treatise itself: I am taught by Sappho, that no Note of Music; and by Crassus, that no Vein of Rhetoric contenteth all men's ears who listen or apply their senses unto the sound of harmony; therefore if distasteful Critics shall misinterpret the innocency of my harmless meaning, I shall but reply as did Ben-Johnson. 
Their praise or dispraise is to me alike,  
Th' one doth not stroke me, nor the other strike.  And. for those prating Sycophants, those Zoylusses, and Momusses of all ages, those detractors and evil speakers, who esteem it it far better to be wicked, then virtuous, and who by their virulent tongues, abusing this most worthy Sex, have abused their own mothers, and consequently themselves; let them talk and prate at their pleasure they shall never be able (although they had the same authority which Plato heretofore had in Greece, or the eloquence of Cicero) to persuade rational men, that those excellent perfections, and graces which are extant in the souls and bodies of virtuous Women, ought not to be regarded; those Bodies, I say, on which if all the Angels should have spent a thousand years in altering or changing of its form, figure, or composition, nay the least part thereof, they would be at last forced to confess, that they are not able to diminish or add thereunto: yet the blind impiety of some, hath led them to that height of presumption, as to find fault with many parts of this curious Fabric. But such will at length find, that though the Divine Justice hath leaden feet, it hath iron hands; though it's slow in coming, yet it striketh those home, who do not regard those wonderful works of God which ought to transport us with an ineffable admiration.  
As for those well-disposed skulls, who are endued with a natural good disposition, who wrong not themselves by misdeeming of others; I wish unto them as to myself, that they may build their everlasting Tabernacles on that hill of Zion, whose Prince is verity, whose Laws are charity, and whose limits are eternity, etc.   

THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS.  

Of the Wisdom and Learning of some Women. Pag. 13  
Of Constant and Courageous Women. Pag. 48  
Of Fair Women. Pag. 72  
Of the Love of Women. Pag. 82  
Of chaste Women and Virgins. Pag. 115  
Of women's abilities to Govern. Pag. 133  
Of Pious and Religious Women. Pag. 141    

ELOGIUM HEROINUM: OR, The Praise of Worthy WOMEN.  
PHydias (a most famous Carver) after he had made Minerva's Shield, he engraved his own Pourtraicture so lively and deeply in the same, as that it could never be taken out, without defacing of the whole work.  
So GOD himself, who is an ineffable Power, and an infinite Virtue, an Understanding which can only be comprehended by itself, whose Throne is seated amidst the flaming fires, (a far more excellent Workman than Phydias) after he had made the Universal World, and adorned the Heavens with Legions of Seraphims, Cherubims, Thrones, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Dominions, Archangels and Angels; with the beauty of the Sun, the glory of the Moon, and the splendour of the Stars, which are of an incomprehensible brightness and of a wonderful greatness; having moreover ordained unto them several miraculous motions, and admirable effects on the four Elements, the Fire, the Air, the Water, and the Earth; the which being beautified with Mountains, Plains, Rivers, Woods, Rocks, Plants, Flowers, and all sorts of Beasts, and in the bowels thereof enclosed Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and of several other Metals and Minerals, with a number of admirable precious Stones; and having stored the Seas with all kind of Fishes, the Air with an infinite number of Birds: He then created Man, of the dust of the earth; and afterwards, in the terrestrial Paradise, he made a Woman; not of Man's head, lest she should presume to over-top him, nor of his foot, lest she should be vilified by him, but from a rib near unto his heart, that she might be ever dear and entire to him, which shows the alternate love that ought to be betwixt them; And the Almighty (by his inscrutable goodness) imprinted in them both his own Image and similitude, so lively, that no power whatsoever is able to deface it.  
This image and similitude of the Deity, is the Soul and the Understanding; the which he would never have infused into them, unless he had first made their Bodies of a substance fit to receive that impression, and worthy of so great an ornament as the Understanding is, by means whereof we unfold all things, and attain to the knowledge of the most difficult matters that the wit of man can produce. It hath a jurisdiction every where; and it keeps its eminency as well in the highest powers, as in the lesser and inferior parts of the Universe; to wit in the Heavens, Stars and Planets, by their motion, which it foresees and prevents; in the Empires, Monarchies and Kingdoms, it commands Occonomie; it establisheth the Laws, and makes them to be obeyed: In the lowest and inferior Regions, and amongst the common people, it keeps so good discipline, that all things remain constantly firm in their perfection. And it is seated as well in the woman, as in the man: for Nature hath given unto the one as well as the other a desire of knowledge; with an upright stature, that they might both lift up their eyes to the contemplation of Nature, and bring their minds raised and as it were inflamed with a divine love to such beautiful and glorious things, in which the majesty of the eternal Godhead so apparently shines forth. And the Woman is capable of as high improvements as the Man is; she hath the same prerogative of creation with man: For as he is endowed with a free, willing, immortal soul, so is she also; and as Man was put into a state of dominion and happiness, so likewise was Woman.  
The soul knows no difference of sex; the Woman hath the same desires and appetites as Man; she is as well an heir unto the grace of life as he is; And finally, whatsoever is estated upon Man, the Woman will also challenge, for that there is no preferring of one sex before the other, but all are one in Christ Jesus, as the Scripture clearly declares. Although the crazy and vain wits of these times speak much to the disparagement of the whole Sex, imitating the Philosopher Anaxagoras, who strove to maintain, that Snow was black: but as all men of understanding, who have eyes to see, find it to be white, so it clearly appears that he is an Impostor who endeavours to speak ill of Women; since it is manifest, that the Virtues, the Disciplines, the Muses, the Devisers and Patrons of all Arts, have been comprehended under the Feminine sex, by the names of Virgins, and Women; that not only the Ethnics and Moral men, but even Christians and Divines, in all their books and writings which they leave to posterity, still continue them under the same Gender.  
That Sophia, which signifies Wisdom, is the mother of the three Theological Virtues, Faith, Hope, Charity; which are represented as Women.  
That the Seven Liberal Arts are expressed in women's shapes.  
That the Nine Muses are the Daughters of Jupiter.  
That the Five Senses are expressed under the names of the five Daughters of Apollo.  
That Wisdom is called the Daughter of the Highest; as appears in the Book of Wisdom.  
And that the four parts of the World, and almost all whatsoever is good, is deciphered by the names, and in the persons of Women.  
All those who are inclined to virtue, will find, when they shall have perused this small Treatise (which relates some Women who have been rarely accomplished) that Women are capable of the highest improvements, unto which Man may attain: For if some of the Sex (as it appears by the following Heroical actions) have been so, it argues that the Sex is capable, and may still be so.  
But ere I proceed any further, I shall humbly crave from this most worthy Sex one only boon: That it may not be offended at this my young eagle's flight, towards such a source of perfect Rays, during the tenderness of my wings, which affords me that pen whereby I endeavour to trace the description of their most perfect lineaments and dimensions.  

Of the Wisdom and Learning of some Women.  
Wisdom is the guide of all other virtues; it gives goodness to good people, pard'neth the wicked, makes the poor rich, and the rich honourable; it's that wherein our sovereign good and the end of our life consisteth.  
Learning, is the knowledge and understanding of Arts and Sciences; without it Nature is blind.  
Wisdom and Learning have made these following women famous to all posterity.  
Nicaula Queen of Saba, did expose herself to a long and tedious journey from the farthest part of Ethiopia unto Jerusalem, there to dispute with Solomon, the wisest of all men; as it appears by the Scriptures, which therefore give her an immortal praise.  
Myrrh Queen of the Lydians, was so little of body, as that she seemed to be a Dwarf; but so far excelling in wisdom, as that she was called a Giant: she was a wise and prudent woman, when she was married; and honest, being a widow.  
Pythagoras (the light of his time, and the first that was called a Philosopher) was a Scholar unto his own Sister Themistoclea, and he learned his Philosophy from her: the greatness of her wisdom appears by a Letter which he sent unto her from Rhodes, where he publicly read Philosophy, she being then in Samothracia. The said Letter, translated out of Greek, was as followeth:  
Pythagoras your Brother and Disciple, (to you Themistoclea my dear Sister) wisheth health and increase of wisdom.  
I have read from the beginning to the very end, the Book which you have sent unto me, of Fortune and Misfortune: By it I do really see, that you are not less grave in writing, then gracious in teaching; the which doth not often befall us who are Men: for the Philosopher Aristippus was harsh in speaking, and profound in writing; Amenides was succinct in writing, and eloquent in speaking. But you (my dear sister) have so much applied yourself to study & to write, as that in Sentences you seem to have read all the Philosophers; and by the antiquities which you express, it seems that you have seen all the time past; by which you do make it appear, that being a woman you are more than a woman, because the nature of women is only to employ themselves to the present, and to forget that which is past.  
I have been told that you do employ yourself in writing the wars of our Country: I do earnestly pray you, and by the immortal gods do conjure you to flatter no body.  
For as you cannot deny, (dear Sister) but that I am the eldest of your three Brothers, so I cannot disavow that among all your Disciples I am the least: And as being your Disciple, I ought to obey you; so likewise being your eldest Brother, you ought to believe me.  
Therefore I do advise you (dear Sister) to continue to do your utmost (as you have hither to done) to be understood, and wise in your words, discreet and grave in your life, and honest in your person; and above all, true in that which you writ: For if the body of man be worth little without the soul, the mouth without truth is worth much less.  
And this was the Letter which Pythagoras sent to his sister Themistoclea; by which his profound humility, and her great eloquence appears.  
Policrata daughter to the said Philosopher Pythagoras was not only wise, fair and rich, but esteemed and honoured for the integrity of her life, and more admired for her Eloquence then Pythagoras himself.  
Diotima did so excel in wisdom, that Socrates (who of all men was called the wise, the just, the Prince of Philosophers, and the Father of Philosophy) blushed not to imitate, and call her his Tutoress and Instructress.  
Arreta had attained to that perfection of knowledge in the Greek and Latin tongues, as that the common report was, that the soul of Socrates was infused into her; and when she was heard to speak, it seemed that she had writ the doctrine of Socrates, rather than learned it: she herself instructed her son in all the Liberal Arts, by whose industry he became a famous Professor; he was called Aristippus: she also taught and instructed many, and wrote several Volumes, some whereof were these following. 

The Praises of Socrates.  
The manner how to educate Children.  
The Battles of Athens.  
The unhappiness of Women.  
The Husbandry of the Ancients.  
The Wonders of Mount Olympia.  
The Vanities of Youth, and the Calamities of Age.   She read publicly the Natural & Moral Philosophy, in the Academies & Schools of Athens, five and twenty years: she composed forty Books: she had an hundred and ten Philosophers who were her disciples. She died being seventy seven years old; and the Athenians, for an immortal praise to all posterity, caused these following words to be engraven on her sepulchre.  Here lies Arreta, the famous Grecian, who was the light of all Greece: She had Helen's Beauty, Thirma's Honesty, Aristippus Pen, Socrates Soul, and Homer's Tongue. 
Leontium, a Grecian Damosel, did so excel in wisdom, and in Philosophical contemplations, as that Cicero relates, in his book De natura Deorum, that she durst write a worthy Book against that famous Philosopher Theophrastus.  
Alexander the Great refused the beautiful Daughter of Darius, (with Kingdoms and infinite Treasures to boot) and made choice of Barsina, only for her great wisdom, although she was poor, and had no possessions.  
Dominica, the wife of the Emperor Valenticus, whenas the Goths had threatened the utter subversion of Constantinople, she by her wisdom and discretion so mediated with the Enemy, as that she procured the safety both of the People and City.  
Athenias' the Daughter of a mean man, was for her wisdom & learning thought worthy by a Christian Emperor to be his wife.  
Priscilla instructed Apollo himself, that eloquent man.  
Nicostrata, wife to King Evander, was so learned, that the Grecians reported, that if her Writings of the Trojan wars had not by envy been fling into the fire, the name of Homer (the Prince of Poets) would have been unknown. This famous Woman is by some called Carmentis, because of the eloquence which was found in her Verses; she helped to make up the number of the Greek Alphabet, and added to the Roman Letters; her Prophecies were preserved by the Romans at the end of the Capitol, with as much respect and care as they do the Sacrament.  
Hermodica wife to Midas King of Pbrygia, was not only celebrated for her rare features and beauty, but for her great wisdom.  
The Divine Plato had amongst his Disciples these two famous women, to wit Laschenea, and Axiothia: the one had so profound a Memory, and the other so extraordinary an Understanding, as that Plato being in his Chair, he often did say (when either of these two chanced to be absent) that he would not begin to read; and being by the Philosophers his disciples desired thereunto, he answered, I will not read, because Laschenea the Understanding, which ought to hear me, is not here; and for the absence of Axiothia he said, that the Memory which ought to preserve him was not yet come. The wisdom of these two women is the more to be admired, since Plato would not read but in their presence; for he did esteem the memory of these two Women alone more than the Philosophy of all the Philosophers besides.  
Cornelia, wife unto Scipio Africanus, and mother to the Noble family of the Graechi, was so excellent in knowledge, that she was more famous and honoured by the Sciences which she publicly read in Rome, then by the conquests which her Children made in afric. She was generally praised by the most learned men, for her honesty, wisdom, and for her reading Philosophy publicly in Rome.  
From her, as from a fountain, the eloquence of her children flowed. Therefore Quintilius thus saith of her: We are much bound to the mother Cornelia, for the eloquence of the Gracchis, whose unparallelled Learning in her exquisite Epistles she hath bequeathed to posterity. Cicero (the Father of Latin eloquence, whose skill in joining Philosophy with the Art of Rhetoric was excellent) doth more highly exalt this famous Cornelia, whenas he saith in his Rhetoric, That if the name of a Woman had not diminished Cornelia, she did deserve to be the chiefest of all the Philosophers, because he never saw such grave Sentences proceed from any mortal creature, as were contained in her writings. A Statue was erected on her sepulchre, on which these words were engraven: Here lieth the most learned Cornelia, mother of the G●acchi: she was both happy and fortunate in her Disciples whom she instructed, though unhappy in her Children.  
Aspasia, a Miletian Damsel, excelled in all Philosophical contemplations; and so fluent a Rhetorician, as that Socrates himself imitated her, in his Facultas Politica.  
Amalasuntha, Queen of the Ostrogothes, the daughter of Theodoricus King of those Ostrogothes in Italy, was not only learned in the Greek and Latin tongues, but spoke all the barbarous languages that were used in the Eastern Empires, exceeding well.  
Eustochium, a Roman Matron, was excellently practised in the Greek and Latin Dialect, as also in the Hebrew character: she was in her time called the New prodigy of the world: she with Reason overcame St. Hiero me, and made him confess he was overcome by her, for that he could not answer the questions which she had propounded.  
Amesia, a modest Roman Lady, being falsely accused of a great crime, and ready to incur the Pretorial sentence; she with a manly, yet modest courage, stepped up amongst the People, and with a loud voice and a becoming gesture, and facundious suavity, she pleaded her own cause, so eloquently, so effectually, and so strongly, as that by the public suffrage she was freed and acquitted from all aspersions whatsoever, and he who had accused her, was himself most justly punished.  
Hypparchia, the sister of Magocles, and wife to Crates Cynicus, with one Sophism did put Theodorus to silence.  
Hortensia, the daughter of Quintus Hortensius, pleaded herself before the Triumvirate (when a grievous Fine was imposed on the Romans, and when none of the Orators or Lawyers durst) so boldly and eloquently, that she prevailed so far, as that the greatest part of the Fine which was imposed on them, was instantly remitted.  
Sosipatra was a woman versed in many kinds of Disciplines; and so excellent in all her studies, that she was said to have been educated by the Gods themselves.  
Corinna Thebana had such an excellent knowledge in Poesy, that in several Contentions she bore away the garland from Pindarus the Prince of the Lyric poets.  
Sapho's Verses excelled Anacreon's, though he was one of the most famous Poets in the world.  
Telesilla was not only wise, chaste, fair, and courageous, but she had attained to that perfection in poetry that she amongst all other women was held in admiration.  
Cornificia, sister to the great Poet Cornificius, was very learned in the Greek and Latin tongues; and so expert in making of Verses, that she ex tempore did excel those which her Brother made at leisure, though he was the greatest Poet of his time in Rome.  
Phanarite, Mother of Athenian Socrates, was the first that disputed of Morality, and who taught the mystical philosophy of the Stars and Planets, and how it may be made familiar, and have correspondence with our humane and terrestrial actions.  
Hyppatia, a Woman of Alexandria, did so excel in Learning, as that she was frequented by many worthy Scholars whilst she kept a public School: she wrote several Volumes; she calculated herself an Ephemerideses for many years; she also writ a large volume of Astronomy.  
L'Amia & Aglius were not inferior in Music to Arion or Orpheus.  
Timarete, the Daughter of Micaon Irene, Anistarite, Lala Cizizena, Martia, and many more, have attained to as high a perfection in Painting, as Apelles, Zeucis, and Apollidorus themselves ever did.  
What men were ever known to surpass the Muses or the Sibyls in Learning?  
The IX. Muses were these following:  
Clio, Vterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhimnia, Urania, Calliope.  
The XII. Sibyls were these, 

Sibylla Persica, called Samberta.  
Sibylla Lybica.  
Sibylla Delphica.  
Sibylla Cumaea, borne at Cimeria, at Campania in Italy.  
Sibylla Samia.  
Sibylla Erithraea, borne at Babylon.  
Sibylla Cumana: she wrote Nine books, for three of which Tarqvinius superbus gave 300 pieces of gold, and caused them to be religiously kept in the Capitol at Rome.  
Sibylla Hellespontiaca, borne at Marmisea in the Territory of Troy.  
Sibylla Albunea, surnamed Tiburtina, because she was borne at Tiber, 15 miles from Rome.  
Sibylla Phrygia.  
Sibylla Epyrotiea.  
Sibylla Coliphonia Lampusia: she came out of Greece, from Coliphonia a City of jonia.    
The Books which these Sibyls wrote, contained manifest Prophecies of the Kingdom of CHRIST, his Name, his Birth, and Death; The changes of Kingdoms; Foretold Inundations, Earthquakes, and Wars; They also manifested that the whole World would be burnt; and wished men to adore that God, while they lived here, who would punish them so severely hereafter for their contempt.  
These Books were by the Arch-traitor Silico burned; yet nevertheless some of their Prophecies are yet extant, having been extracted out of other writings.  
But as both the Ecclesiastical and Secular, Ancient, and Modern Histories abound in examples, of divers excellent and famous Ladies; So likewise these latter times have not been barren in Learned women; who were not a jot inferior to those of former Ages.  
Constantia, wife of Alexander Sforza, was so laborious in the best Disciples, that on the sudden, and without any premeditation, she was able to discourse upon any argument, either Theological or Philosophical, and for her temporal vain in verse, she was much admired; in which she was so elegantly ingenious, that she attracted the ears of many judicious Scholars to be her daily Auditors.  
Olympia Fulvia Morata, a famous Italian woman, was the ornament and glory of our latter times; she had an exquisite knowledge in the Greek and Latin tongues, and she writ many learned and elaborated works.  
Jane Grace, an incomparable Princess, whom no Nation nor Age can parallel, was very learned in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues.  
Christian the Pisa, a Gentlewoman of Italy, was endowed with such divine graces, and she did so far excel in wisdom, that her works have made many learned men ashamed.  
The Kingdoms of France, Spain, and Portugal, do abound with many examples of famous Ladies and Gentlewomen, which have excelled most men of this Age in knowledge and human Sciences.  
Helisian of Crennes, a French Lady, did so excel in Learning, that she was admired by the wisest men, and hath bequeathed unto posterity several of her excellent works.  
Duema Ligua, a Spanish Lady (one of the Maids of honour unto Lady Mary, sister unto the King of Portugal) was wonderfully versed in five sundry Languages, viz. the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Chaldean, and Arabian.  
Isabel Rosera, a Spanish Lady, did so excel in Learning, that she did not only publicly read, but expounded the hard and difficult works of Lescost, and unto her Auditory, the Cardinals, and the wisest men of Rome were Assistants.  
Dona Margarita de Noronha, a Lady of Portugal, was exceeding well versed in several Languages, she writ with great eloquence many excellent Discourses, and she had attained to a great perfection in Painting, and several other Arts.  
Queen Elizabeth of late memory, whose wonderful knowledge, and Learning, was admired by all the Christian Princes that flourished in her time; she was so well versed in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, and French languages, that she needed no Interpreter, but gave herself answer to all such Ambassadors in their own Language, of which those learned Orations in the Latin tongue which she delivered by her own mouth in the two famous Universities do bear a sufficient record in her behalf.  
Margaret of Vallois, Queen of Navarre, was endowed with eminent knowledge and Heroical virtues.  
The Princess Elizabeth (eldest daughter to the Queen of Bohemia who is justly styled the Queen of Hearts, and the best of Queens, whom all degrees honour, and all Nation's reverence) is a Saba for her Wisdom, an Harpalice for Magnanimity, an Amalasuntha for her Temperance, a Cleopatra for her Bounty, and a Zenobia for her learning and skill in Languages.  
Anna Maria Schurmans, living at Vtrech in Holland, is endowed with such a wonderful knowledge and learning, that she is admired by all men.  
There have been likewise many Ladies and Gentlewomen of our Nation, whose learning and knowledge may well be paralleled with the beforenamed.  
Let me therefore trespass (Gentle and Courteous Reader) so much on thy patience, as that I may upon so just, and good an occasion, insert in this place some of their names.  
With what Praises and Statues ought we to dignify and celebrate the memory of these following excellent Ladies.  
The Countess of Pembroke, sister to the unmatchable Sir Philip Sidney.  
The four Daughters of Sir Anthony Cook; 

The Lady Burleigh.  
The Lady Russel.  
The Lady Bacon.  
Mrs Killigrew.   And those other Ladies which at present are endowed with learning and generous education, whose abilities, as they are a proof to the present times, so will they remain as examples to posterity. Wherefore if many women do not the like, it may be inferred that it is not out of a defect of wit or judgement, but because they will not apply their minds thereunto, or that they cannot by reason of other diversions.  
Let it therefore suffice that those who have been called to so great a Function by so special an instinct have eminently excelled.  
I shall not any longer insist on the wisdom and learning of this most worthy Sex, but proceed to their Constancy and Courage.   

Of Constant and Courageous Women.  
Constancy is the ornament, the end, and confirmation of all virtues.  
Courage, contemneth all perils, despiseth calamities, and conquers death.  
These following famous Women, being confident of the immortality of their souls, encountered dangers, offered up their lives on all occasions, and sacrificed themselves, as it were, on the altar of Glory: their life was unto them but an apprenticeship to die well; and their Sepulchre was (as it were) their Cradle, imitating the Pelican that revives again out of her own blood.  
If I should (Courteous Reader) relate unto you the constant resolution of all the women Martyrs; (amongst which there were those, who in the midst of the flames, and tortures, cried out with a resolute voice, Tyrant, you lose your time, here we are always at our ease; where are those pains, where are those torments, with the which you did threaten us? our Constancy will make you suffer more than we do by your cruelty; make us complain, make us yield, if you can; encourage your Sergeants, your Executioners, for they are faint-hearted, edge them to all cruel and bloody courses against us, etc.) Whole volumes would not be able to contain their names; therefore I shall only relate unto you some of them.  
Felicula was by the command of Flaccus Comes, shut up in a Jakes, and when by no persuasions nor threats, promises, or torments, she could be forced to renounce the Christian faith, she was there stifled to death.  
Apollinia, a Virgin of Alexandria, for speaking boldly in the defence of her Faith, had her teeth plucked all out by the Tormentors, and afterwards threatening to burn her instantly, unless she would renounce her Christianity; she seeming to pause a little, as if she meant better to consider of the matter, (when they least suspected) leapt suddenly into the fire, and was there consumed to ashes.  
Julia Cathaginensis, because she would not bow to Idols, and adore the false heathen gods, was nailed unto a Cross, and so ended her life, partly with the smoke which the Executioners made at the foot of the Gallows.  
Flavia, Euphronia, Theodora, Sabina, Amonaria, and Dionysia, all Roman Virgins, have been more ready to receive death for to maintain the glory and honour of God, than the Tyrants could minister the torments to them.  
Clara a Widow of threescore years of age, was in the year 1526. on the 9 of December burnt in Bokemia, because she would not deny the faith of the Gospel.  
Martha Porzizia in the next year after, suffered the pains of the fire with an invincible constancy. Besides many others related in Fox his History of Martyrs. O rare & wonderful Patience, O sufferance worthy of everlasting remembrance! O constancy, the like whereof cannot be elsewhere found! their Crowns are glory, and their prais●● are not to be expressed by the pen or tongue of man!  
Let their names be as sacred to us on Earth, as their souls live eternally enjoying a heavenly bliss!  
As for their Courage:  
Deborah, a Warlike woman, was a Prophetess, and judged Israel, by whose Counsel and Courage, they were not only freed from the incursions of their neighbour Nations, but many times returned from the field with rich spoils, and glorious conquests.  
Judith smote off Holiphernes' head, and brought it herself through the enemy's Camp into her own City.  
Jael, with an invincible Courage, took a nail of her Tent, and with a hammer struck it through Sisera's head, who was Captain of all the Canaanites.  
Zenobia, Queen of the Palmerians, discomfited the Emperor Aurelian, and all his host.  
Candaces' Queen of Ethiopia, during all her Wars, led her people in person to the field, whereby she obtained so great a dignity and honour, that for many years after her decease, the succeeding Queens of Ethiopia were called Candaces.  
Tomyris, Queen of the Scythians, sent this challenge to Cyrus, that great Emperor of Persia: Come, or I will come; Stay for me, or I will stay for thee. This challenge could not well be answered, but by an undaunted Enemy, who with his sword in his hand, had replied, Here I am: her blood was all on fire, and it seems that the very words did displease her more, than the blows themselves, Come, or I will come; Stay, or I will stay. Cyrus' being taken in the Wars by her, she caused his head to be cut off, and in remembrance of his cruelty, it was cast into a vessel full of blood, whereon she caused this inscription to be fised, Now Cyrus drink thy fill of that with the which thou couldst never be satisfied.  
Artimesia, Queen of Caria, was admired throughout all Greece, for her manly Courage, and excellency of spirit: she not only in a Naval expedition overcame came the invading Rhodians, but pursued them even unto their own Coasts, and took possession of the Island, amidst whose ruins, she caused her own glorious Statue to be erected.  
Semiramis was a Queen renowned for her brave and magnanimous exploits and in all her attempts supereminent; with her invincible courage she not only conquered all Ethiopia, but invaded India, being the first that ever durst attempt it, and saving her there was none, but Alexander, who imitating her glorious footsteps, was the last. Berosus affirms, that no man was ever to be compared with this Woman, such great things have been written of her; she was the fourth that reigned in Assyria; all her subjects in admiration of her heroic acts, wore the like garments as she did, which habit hath been in use amongst the Assyrians, Bactrians and Babylonians, even to this day. Vitruvius relates, that one day as she attired herself in her royal Palace, the one part of her hair being bound up, and the other half hanging lose upon her shoulders, suddenly news was brought unto her that the Citizens of Babylon were revolted, being in a high mutiny and uproar; she alone went into the City, commanding all her followers to stay back, and thus by her sole presence & persuasion she reconciled that innumerable number of people unto her obedience; and attracted the hearts of that barbarous rude Nation unto her admiration and love, even as the Adamant draws Iron; for the which her Statue was erected in the City, represented half dressed, and half undressed, in memory of that noble and magnanimous adventure of hers. She built the aforesaid mighty City of Babylon, and the stately walls which have been reckoned amongst the seven wonders of the world, they were fity feet thick, two hundred feet high, and threescore miles in compass, adorned with many great Towers, and for the building of these walls three hundred thousand men were for a long space hired from divers Countries.  
Plutarch, and others writ, that she caused these words to be engraven upon her Tomb, Quicunque Rex pecuniis indiget, aperto monumento, quod voluerit accipiat; that is, what King soever hath need of coin, by openning of this Monument may take what he pleaseth. King Darius by chance reading these pleasing words, and thinking some Magazine of treasure had been there enclosed, caused the Tombstone to be removed, where he found upon the other side these words engraven, Nisi Rex avarus esses, & pecuniae insatiabilis, mortuorum monumenta non violasses; Hadst thou not been a covetous King, & unsatiable of Coin, thou wouldst not have violated the grave of the dead.  
Thus the excellent Lady in her death, taunted the gripple avarice of the living.  
The Amazons, warlike women in Scythia, defended their own Country, and waged War against their neighbours: but that the one might not seem more happy than the other, they slew all the men of their Country, and when they had gotten peace by force of Arms, they used the society of men, lest their whole Nation should perish for want of procreation, and every female child's right breast (at seven years of age) was seared and burnt away, lest it should them in shooting; and hence they took the names of Amazons, which is as much as to say, Vnaemammae, Creatures with one breast.  
They subdued the greatest part of Europe, and many Cities in Asia; their Army was divided into two parts, the one part whereof was commanded by the Queen MY Arthesia, which maintained the Empire of Asia, and the other was commanded by the Queen Lampedo, who governed at home.  
These famous warlike women, built Ephesus, with many other Cities in Asia, and they erected a Temple (in the Country called jonia) to the honour of Diana, the like whereof was not then in all the world; it was two hundred and twenty years a making, there were in it a hundred and seven and twenty pillars of Marble, which were seventy feet high; the length of the whole Temple was four hundred fifty five feet, and the breadth two hundred and twenty; no Temple in the world could be compared unto it in wealth.  
But finally the perfidious Erostratus, who doing great feats in War, & perceiving that he got no reward, nor renown thereby; for to leave a continual remembrance of his infamous action, did consume this famous Temple with fire.  
Queen Tyrgatao Meotis, did in many battles oppose two potent Kings, she righted her own injuries in person, met with them, braved them, and beat them in the field, and after many victorious defeats vassalled their insolent pride, and subjected them to her own heroical mercy.  
What praise, what admiration and honour may not this magnanimous Queen claim?  
Valasca Queen of the Bohemians, having instructed all the women of her Kingdom in military exercises, levied an Army of her own sex, with the which she encountered all the men of her Kingdom, and overthrew them, by which means, the women attained unto the Sovereign principality, and for many years together managed all public affairs, as well for offence, as defence, without the help or counsel of men.  
Hasbites was a famous warlike Virago, and led Armies into the field.  
When as the Lacedæmonians had besieged the city of Messena in Sicily, and being resolved to storm it, the women suddenly issued out against their enemies, and put them to flight.  
Lesbian, a Virgin, being besieged by the Turks, hazarded herself to discover their Works and Mines: by whose only valour and encouragement in presenting herself upon the walls to the violence of their arrows and engines, the City was preserved.  
The women of Bellovaca, being besieged by Charles the great Duke of Burgundy most resolutely defended the walls, tumbling the Assailants down headlong from their scaling-ladders; to the everlasting honour of their Sex, and reproach of the Enemy.  
Elphleda, sister to King Edward (before the Conquest) surnamed the fourth, was present in the Battle which was fought against the Danes at Toten-Hall in Stafford-shire, and at the mighty overthrow at Wooddensfield, where two Kings were slain, two Earls; and many thousands of the Danes. She not only tamed the Welshmen, but chased the Danes.  
This Epitaph hath been left as a memorial over her Tomb.  

Oh Elphlede! mighty both in strength and mind;  
The dread of men, and Victress of thy kind.  
Nature hath done as much as nature can,  
To make thee maid; but goodness makes thee man.  
Yet pity thou shouldst change aught save thy name,  
Thou art so good a woman; and thy fame  
In that grows greater, and more worthy, when  
Thy feminine valour much outshineth men:  
Great Caesar's acts thy noble deeds excel.  
So sleep in peace; Virago-maid farewell.   
Queen Margaret, Henry the sixth's wife; whose courage, resolution and magnanimity deserves an immortal praise: she was personally in all those Battles which were fought against the House of York; nor are the English Chronicles sparing in commending her more than womanish spirit, to everlasting memory.  
In times past, the Romans honoured (even for private and common services) their ordinary Soldiers, some with Cirick Crowns or Garlands, others with Lances headed with Gold, Golden Chains, Statues of Ivory; others, with Triumphs, Praises, Acclamations, Gratulations, etc. If these things were allowed to men only, with what Eulogies, Enconomiums, Crowns, Garlands, Statues, Sepulchers, and Monuments shall we then celebrate the memory (if it were possible) beyond all posterity, of these ever to be admired Constant and Courageous Women!   

Of Fair Women.  
BEauty is the Image of the Creator, and the Rhetoric of Heaven: it delights the eye, contents the mind; and the more it is seen, the more it is admired.  
That of Venus was so extraordinary, as that Apelles, who was the best of Painters, could not with all his art (though he had set before him a hundred choice and selected Beauties, all naked, and had taken from one a charming Eye, another an amorous Lip, from a third a pleasing smile and a modest blush, from a fourth a graceful Nose, a fifth a fair Hand, and from each of them that special Lineament in which she most excelled) represent such an Angelical Face, such charming Eyes, such amorous coral Lips, such snaring Tresses, such captivating Hands, or such a pure Alabaster Skin as Venus had. How should I then by my rude stile dare to express that, which Apelles could not represent with several Colours? I know I am unable to express the least part of that, which represents the wonderful work of God: and though I were able, yet would I make a scruple to trace out miracles with ink. Nor shall I enlarge on the great influences, which the famous Beauties have had in former Ages over men.  
Neither dare I presume to name those of these later times, who are admired and adored by all men (save such as are wilfully blind) lest I should by the alleging of their power run the same hazard as Antiochus did, who was seized with a Fever, merely by the rehearsal of Stratonica's extraordinary Beauty; such divine gems did sparkle about her. Or as Tyrasius King of Thebes, who was struck blind by his only beholding of Diana, as she was bathing herself.  
For my part, I am already not only amazed, but even transported (if not lost with wonder) by the bare rehearsal of the forementioned famous women's heroic acts.  
And though I could aver how that their Beauty doth ravish beholders, that their complexion is clearer than the Sky; their Faces borders of Lilies, interwoven with Roses; how that the lustre of their Eyes surpasses the Diamond, their Lips the Coral in redness; that their Tresses are like the coloured Hyacinths of Arcadia; their Necks as white as Snow, their Breast as pure as alabaster, their Arms as ruddy as the Rose, and that all their parts are most rare, their whole bodies beautified with more than Terrene perfections; how that they have more strength than the moistened Torpedoes, which do not only charm the hand, but the heart also; and that not only the Lybian Lion loses his strength in beholding their beauty, but the Basilisk his senses; and though I should add thereunto, that they represent the lively Image of the Creator, that they are the miracle of the world, and the marvel of marvels; after all this, what say I more than each man knows and is by all men confessed?  
Were not the very feet of Thetis as bright as silver, and the ankles of Hebe clearer than Crystal?  
Are they not admired and beloved even of unreasonable creatures? was not a Virgin in Leucadia, so beloved of a Peacock, as that the enamoured Bird never left her whilst she lived, and accompanied her in death; for seeing the young Damsel dead, she never would receive food from any hand, but so pined away and died also.  
Doth not Saxo Grammaticus in the tenth book of his Danish History report, how that certain young maids of a Village in Switzerland, playing and sporting together in the field upon a holiday, suddenly an huge Hee-bear rushed out of the Forest, and shatched up the fairest amongst them, and hurried her away to his Den, gently and without any harm; where he long gazed on her face, as if with a kind of admiration he grew so enamoured with her on the sudden, that instead of a Murderer, he became a Lover, imparting unto her all the prey he got abroad, etc. Did not an Fagle (which was taken in a Nest, and carefully brought up by a Virgn in the City of Sesto) being come to full growth take her slight every day abroad, and all the Fowl she could catch, brought it home and laid it in the lap of her Mistress: at length this Virgin dying, and her body being born unto the Funeral fire, the Eagle still attending, it was no sooner exposed unto the flames, but the Bird likewise by voluntary flight, cast herself amidst the kindled pile, and gave herself as a most grateful sacrifice unto her Mistress Hearse.  
Was not the Queen Suabilda so excelling rare in all the Lineaments of her body, as that being doomed unto a wretched and miserable death, and bound with thongs of Leather, to be trod upon by the hoofs of wild horses, her beauty struck such an impression even in those unreasonable creatures, that they could not be forced with their rude feet to leave the least character of violence upon limbs so fair and tightly shaped.  
Therefore I shall not insist any longer on the specifying of women's Beauty, since as it appears they are beloved and admired even by unreasonable creatures: but proceed to their goodness.   

The love of Women towards their Husbands; of Mothers towards their Children; of dutiful Daughters towards their Parents; and of Sisters that have been kind to their Brothers.  
THe women of Wynedi in Germany, bear such an expressible love towards their husbands, that they repair to their sepulchres, and holding their lives tedious without them, they offer up their bodies wilingly either to the sword or to the fire. The like is observed by the Women amongst the Geats, the Catheoreans, the Herulians (a people which inhabit beyond the River of Danube) by those of Thrace and the Indies.  
The wife of Ponderous, begged of her Husband, that before he hazarded himself to the extremity of of danger, he would first take away her fears, by taking away her life with his sword: which he denied, and so gave the signal of battle, in which he was vanquished and slain, his Wife surprised and committed into the hands of one of the chief Captains, who pitying her tears and sorrow (to which her beauty gave no common lustre) made suit unto her to make her his wife: she put him off with all possible delays; but after perceiving, that what he could not compass with her good will, he would by force, she therefore craved some few hours of deliberation, which he granted; and being retired, she first writ in a Note these words: Let none report that the Wife of Ponderous harboured so little love, as to outlive him. Which Note leaving upon the Table, she took a sword hanging in the chamber, with which she slew herself.  
Alceste, wife to Admetus' King of Greece, gave herself up to a most willing death, for to redeem the health and life of her husband.  
Cleopatra Queen of Egypt suffered her breasts to be poisoned with Asps, that she might die for the love of her Antony. Admirable was the love of her two Handmaids, Neaera, and Charmione, who would by no persuasion survive their Queen, but out of an unmatchable zeal to their Mistress, both fell down by her, and breathed their last.  
Phila, having heard that her Husband K. Demetrius had been defeated in a battle, drank poison, and so died.  
Camma was not only famous throughout all Galacia for her beauty, but for her virtue; she did so love her husband, and was so constant unto him, that she never went forth, nor would suffer any man to see her, whilst she was married.  
Evadne at the solemnisation of her husband's Funeral, burned herself to mingle her ashes with his.  
The Queen Artimesia out of the great love she bore to her husband, and inflamed with unspeakable desire and affection towards him, took his bones and ashes, and drank the powder thereof, thinking no Sepulchre so worthy as her own body; and for a perpetual remembrance of her husband Mausolus, King of Caria, she caused a sumptuous Tomb of marvellous workmanship to be made of four hundred and eleven foot in circuit, and forty foot high, environed about with thirty six Pillars, wonderfully well carved, it was held to be one of the seven wonders of the world.  
Cecilia Barbadica Veneta, lived with so great a faithfulness towards her husband Philippus Vedraminus, that she had never any other object of all her passions then her husband, his happiness made her joyful, his fear her grief; and on her face, and in her actions, appeared the good or bad fortune of her husband; after his death, she could not by any counsel, comfort, or persuasion, be won to taste the least food whatsoever, or give answer to any word that was spoken to her, in which silence and consumption she (after some few days of unspeakable sorrow) breathed out her last.  
The Princess Panthea having been acquainted that her husband Abradratus had been killed in Cyrus' Camp, she resolved to go herself and find him out, and having found him dead amongst a number of dead men, she washed her whole body and face with his blood, and striking her heart with a dagger she died embracing her husband.  
The City of Wynbergen, a free place in Germany, being besieged by Caesar, who grew so implacable, that he resolved to take bloody revenge on the men for having defended their lives and honours so valiantly, and thereby almost overthrown the greatest part of his Army: The Articles being drawn for the surrender of the Town, it was only lawful for the Matrons, and Virgins (by the Emperor's Edicts) to carry out as much as each one could carry of what they best liked. The Wives out of an unexpressible love carried on their backs their Husbands, and the Virgins and Damsels, their Fathers or Brothers. This struck such an impression in the heart of Caesar, that of a mortal enemy, he became their friend.  
Artia Mater seeing her husband Poetus condemned and willing that he should expire by his own hand, rather than by that of the common Hangman, persuaded him to a Roman resolution but finding him somewhat; daunted with the present sight of death, she snatched up a sword with which she stabbed her herself, and plucking it from her bosom presented it unto her husband, only with these few and last words, Paete non dolet, Poetus! It hath done me no harm! and so fell down and died. Martial in the first book of his Epigrams saith thus, in speaking of this courageous Woman, 
Casta suo gladium cum traderet Aria Paeto,  
Quem dedit visceribus traxerat illa suis,  
Si qua fides, vulnus quod feci non dolet inquit,  
Sed quodtu facies, hoc mihi Paete, dolet.  
When Aria did to Paetus give that steel  
Which she before from her own breast had ta'en;  
Trust me (saith she) no smart at all I feel,  
My only wound's to think upon thy pain.  Portia a famous and excellent Roman Lady having heard that her most dear and beloved husband was dead, her bowels burning with an unexpressable fire of love for her husband, and finding no knife to kill herself withal, nor cord to hang herself, nor Well to drown herself, she went to the fire, and with her own hands she cast down her throat burning coals.  
Triara wife to Lucius Vitellus seeing her husband in a dangerous battle, she presented herself in the midst of the slaughter, killing on all sides till she had hemmed herself in with dead bodies slain by her own hand, so bold and magnanimous a spirit had the conjugal love to her husband impressed in her.  
Admirable was the love of Julia towards her husband the great Pompea, who seeing only the gown of her husband (which was brought home) bespotted with blood, and conceiving thereby that some mischance had happened to her husband, she fell into a swound, and afterwards the trouble of her soul made such a great emotion in her body that she died thereof.  
Paula Romana, after her husband's death, was so far from being persuaded to a second match, that she did never eat nor drink in company of any man.  
Proba Vallerias Falconia a Roman Matron (and wife to Adelphus Romanus the Proconsul) inscribed herself on her husband's Tomb this Epitaph, 
To God, to Prince, wife, kindred, friend, the poor,  
Religious, loyal, true, kind, steadfast, dear,  
In zeal, faith, love, blood, amity and store,  
He that so lived, and so deceased, yes here.  Pompeia Paulina, the wife of Seneca, when she heard of the Tyrant Nero's sentence of death (that Monster who ripped up his own mother to see the place where he had lain) on her husband, she caused her own veins to be opened, being resolved not to survive him whom she loved so dearly. This Epitaph might have been inscribed on her Tomb: 
To these, whom death again did wed,  
This Grave's the second marriage bed.  
For though the hand of Fate could force  
Twixt soul and body a divorce,  
It could not sever man and wife,  
Because they both lived but one life;  
Peace, good Reader do not weep,  
Peace, the Lovers are asleep:  
They (sweet Turtles) folded lie  
In the last knot that love could tie.  
Let them sleep, let them sleep on  
Till this stormy night be gone;  
And th' eternal morrow dawn,  
Then the Curtains will be drawn,  
And they waken with that light,  
Whose day shall never sleep in night.  Rathean Herpin carried her husband Christopher Thaeon (struck by an Apoplexy in all his limbs and members) with an invincible constancy at several journeys the space of one thousand three hundred English miles to a Bath for his recovery. This was about the time that Marquis Spinola entered the Palatinate; Sir Henry Wotton being the when English Ambassador in those parts.  
Dr. Hackets wife was a religious woman, and a loyal and loving wife to her husband, as this her Epitaph denotes. 
Drop mournful eyes your pearly trickling tears,  
Flow streams of sadness, drown the spangled spheres,  
Fall like the tumbling Cataracts of Nile,  
Make deaf the world with cries, let not a smile  
Appear, let not an eye be seen to sleep,  
Nor slumber, only let them serve to weep  
Her dear lamented death, who in her life,  
Was a religious, loyal loving wife,  
Of children tender, to an husband kind,  
Th'undoubted symptoms of a virtuous mind;  
Which makes her glorious, 'bove the highest pole,  
Where Angels sing sweet requiems to her soul;  
She lived a None-such, did a None-such dye,  
Ne'er none-such here her corpse interred lie.  In the time of the second Punic War, when the Romans were overthrown, many that were reported to be assuredly dead, returning home unexpectedly to their mothers, such infinite joy oppressed them at the very instant, that betwixt the kisses and embraces they suddenly expired.  
The wife of Aruntius the Roman slew herself, hearing that her son was drowned.  
The rumour of the great slaughter at the lake of Thrasimenes being published, one woman beyond all hopes, meeting her son at the City gate, who was safely returned from that general defeat, cast herself into his arms, where in that ecstasy of joy she instantly expired.  
Another, hearing that her son was slain in the battle, after much sorrow for his death, sitting in her house, and spying her son coming towards her (safe in health) she was overcome with a sudden joy, that not being able to rise and give him a meeting, she died as she sat in her chair.  
The Matrons of Carthage, when their sons were selected to be sent as Hostages into Sicilia, with weeping and lamentations followed them unto the Seaside, and kept them so fast hugged in their close embraces, as they suffered them not to go aboard, until they were forcibly plucked from them and sent unto the ships; yet than many of these lamenting mothers, oppressed with extremity of sorrow, cast themselves headlong into the sea, and there were drowned.  
Agrippina, the mother of that cruel Domitius Nero, enquired of the Chaldeans and Astrologers, whether by their calculations it were possible to find out whether or no her son should be created Caesar. They returned her this answer; that by their Art they found for certain that he should be Emperor, but withal that he should be the death of his mother: to whom she answered, Interficiat, modo imperet; I care not though he kill me, so he may attain to the Empire.  
Harpalice, the Daughter of Harpalicus, rescued her Father in battle, defeated the enemy and put him to flight.  
Hypsipile the daughter of Thoas, gave life unto her Father, when he was utterly in despair of hope or comfort.  
Erigone the daughter of jearus, hearing of the death of her father, strangled herself.  
Again, the Daughter of Cadmus, slew the King Lycotharsis in Illyria, and repossessed her Father of his before usurped Diadem.  
What a stock of piety lived in the breast of Tyro, the daughter of Salmoneus, may be easily conjectured, since she condescended to the loss of her only and dearly-beloved children, for to save her Father.  
Niconus (or as some will have it, Cimonus) being a strait prisoner, and there adjudged to be starved to death, his daugbter Xantippe fed him through the iron-grates with the milk of her own breasts. What will not love invent, or true zeal penetrate? What more unheard or unexpected thing could be apprehended, then for a Father to be fed from the breasts of his Daughter? Who would not imagine this to be against Nature? but that we see by proof, true Natural piety transcends all bounds and limits.  
Hyas, a young man, being devoured of a Lion, the Hyadeses (his sisters) deplored his death with such infinite sorrow, that they wept themselves to death.  
The Prince Intaphernes, being condemned to die, with all the male-issue of his race, for having cut off the ears and nose of one of the Waiters, who rudely put him back from entering into the Chamber of Darius the Emperor of Persia, and the execution being hourly expected; the Wife of Intaphernes prevailed so far with her tears (accompanied with such passionate words, as were able to mollify flint, or soften marble) That Darius commanded one only, whomsoever she would choose, to be ransomed for the continuance of the memory of their name & family; after some meditation (contrary to the expectation of all men) she demanded the life of her Brother: The King somewhat amazed at her choice, sent for her and demanded the reason why she had preferred the life of a Brother before the safety of such a Noble Husband, or such hopeful children's To whom she answered: Beholdo King I am yet but young and in my best of years, and I may live to have another Husband, and consequently more Children; but my Father and Mother are both aged; and should I lose a Brother, I should for ever be deprived of that sacred name! At which words the King, exceedingly moved to see with what a fraternal zeal they were spoken, he not only released the Brother, but likewise the eldest of her Sons. This history is more amply related by Sabe●licus.  
A nother History doth here represent itself to my remembrance, which I have read in Marul. lib. 3. cap. 2. where he relates that two Virgins, the one whereof seeing her Bed-fellow lying upon her deathbed, fell upon her knees, & devoutly besought the Almighty, that she might not survive her; but as they had lived together as one soul divided into two bodies, in all sanctity and sisterly love, so their chaste bodies might not be separated in death. God was pleased to grant her the effect of her prayer; for both died in one day, and they were both buried in one sepulchre, being fellows in one house, one bed, and one grave, and now (questionless) joyful and joint-inheritors of one everlasting Kingdom.  
Their goodness doth bereave of a voice to proceed any further: But as Aristotle being not able to comprehend the ebb and flow of an Arm of the Sea, threw himself into it; so do I drown myself in such a multitude of wonders, not willing any longer to measure their loves by the inch of my knowledge. I am transported in this great Labyrinth of wonders, and cannot at last but break forth and say, that those Satirists, who assume to themselves such an unbrideled liberty to inveigh without all limitation against this most worthy Sex, are horrid Monsters, whose Understanding is a pit of darkness, whose Reason is a shop of malice, whose will is a Hell, where thousands of passions outrageously infest them; their Tongue an instrument of cursing, lying and slandering, their Face a painted hypocrisy, their Body a sponge full of envy; and to conclude, they seem to have no Faith but infidelity, no Lord but their passions, no God but their belly, who would (if they were able) in their gluttony exceed the Prince Hugotio Fagiolanus, who at one dinner devoured the two rich Dukedoms of Luca and Pysa; nay, Smindrides, who for the furniture of one Table, entertained a thousand Cooks, a thousand Bird-catchers, and a thousand Fishermen. But as they consume their time in pleasures (which slide away like waters occasioned by a storm) so they will sinned themselves destitute and ashamed: so many golden harvests which time presented to them are passed away, and nothing is left but sorrow for having done ill, and impotence to do well: what then remains but to say with that miserable King, who gave away his Sceptre for a glass of water: Alas, must I for so short a pleasure lose so great a kingdom! And besides, there is a place ordained for the wicked, the great lake of God's wrath, an eternal fire, a bottomless depth, where there is no evil but must be expected to be found, nor any good that can be hoped for.  
Happy therefore all those who do attain to that everlasting blessed Kingdom, where there is no more poverty, no sickness, no grief, no calumny, no persecution; where the blessed see God face to face in a body as impassable as an Angel, as subtle as the beams of light, as swift as the wings of thunder, as bright as the Sun; where they do enjoy a delicious torrent of unspeakable content; Voices and Music, which time cannot ravish away, Odours which are never dissipated, a Feast which is never consumed; a blessing, which though Eternity bestoweth, yet shall not Eternity ever see an end thereof.   

Of chaste Women and Virgins.  
TArquine the Proud, having been invited by Collatine (husband to the chaste Lucretia) to a supper, he was fairly welcomed by Lucretia, who apprehended no deceit; having supped, he withdrew himself to his lodging, and when he thought that all were fast asleep, he came with a naked dagger in his hand to the place where Lucretia lay; having recourse to the instruments of hatred for his assistance in love; and he who was wont by the sword to vent his angry passions, knows not how to lay it aside in tenderest affections; he lays his hand upon his breast, he threatens her, he speaks her fair; and seeing her rather to embrace death, than him, ready rather to lose her life then honour, he threatens to kill some servant close by her, to make her be believed a foul adulteress. See how this wicked one threatens to bereave her of her honour, that he might bereave her of it.  
Lucretia thus assaulted with the same weapons wherewith she defended her chastity, yielded to Tarquin's prevailing lust.  
Tarquin departs triumphant, saddest Lucretia remains overwhelmed with grief, she sends for her father and her husband, acquaints them with what is past, adding thereunto these her last words:  
And what could unfortunate Lucretia do? if she had died that she might have lived chaste, you would have thought her slain for having been unchaste. O most cruel law of Honour, which savest not the innocent! a law never descended from Heaven, but come from the deepest abyss of Hell.  
I, who would have mine honesty known to all, have more studied glory then chastity; and whilst I sought after the name of chaste, I am with infamy become unchaste: I thought death the worst of all evils, I thought it the cure of all misfortunes; I feared nothing, since I feared not to die, yet now I was enforced to choose life, not to lose mine honour, and by living have lost it.  
I am resolved to die, if not for what hath already befallen me, at least for what may hereafter happen unto me. But what then? If I die, I shall seem to acknowledge to have done amiss, they will say my guilty conscience killed me. If I live, you will believe I have done amiss, you will say I consented out of too much desire of life. O, of all others most unfortunate Lucretia, whose innocence neither life nor death can justify!  
This soul (O Collatine) whose delight was chastity, abhors now that body which is polluted, and as being wholly thine, cannot endure that that part of me should have any longer being, which can no more be only thine.  
But what was it in me that encouraged that wicked one to so great a mischief? perhaps my honesty, which he thought greater than that of others. Most sacred honesty, Art thou then become an inciter to lust? and instead of defending, offendest? Dost thou instead of bridling desires, edge on to fury and violence?  
His heart where cruelty is harboured, which can kill none but the innocent, is likewise a receptacle of lust, which can covet none but the chaste; to have what they desire, is not that the Tarquins do desire, they find no pleasure, where they use no force, and like lightning, rend most where they find most resistance.  
And whether can unfortunate Lucretia go for revenge? to the King's family, who hath injured me? mine own friends, whom I have injured? You gods of hospitality, it is you I call upon; but to what purpose call I you, since you have permitted it? Revenge me, you infernal powers! but why invoke I you, who were his assistants?  
I myself will revenge myself, and will by death take greater revenge on this mine enemy, then by living.  
I will die, not to lessen my faults, but to aggravate his; not for that I have sinned, but to show that she did not subject herself to sense, who voluntary deprives herself of sense.  
I will die, that I may not live in so wretched times which make life a shame, & to be born, a misfortune. My fall shall ease your thoughts, make my revenge happy; and I, who will not live an example of dishonour to women, will die an example of fortitude to men.  
This said, she plunged a knife into her heart, and fell down dead thereon.  
Theoxena being environed at Sea by the Navy of Philip King of Macedon, seeing her husband thrown overboard, leapt after him, not only to express her love to her husband, but to preserve herself from the tyranny of the Conqueror.  
Alexander the Great, wrote a letter to his mother in this manner, Alexander the son of Jupiter Hamon, to his mother Olympia wisheth health:  
To whom with great modesty she thus replied:  
Dear son, as you love me, instead of doing me honour, proclaim not my dishonour, neither accuse me before Juno; besides, it is a great aspersion you cast upon me, to make me a, Strumpet though to Jupiter himself. And thus this famous Queen would not for any swelling title, or vain ostentation, lose the honour to be called a loyal and chaste wife.  
Cornelia the illustrious mother of the Gracchis, to preserve the honour of a chaste widow, denied to marry the King Ptolomeus, although he offered to impart to her a Diadem and a Sceptre.  
Dyrrachina being taken prisoner, covenanted with her cruel Victor, that if he would but reprieve her honour for the present, she would reveal unto him a secret by the which he should preserve his body from being wounded. The Soldier having accepted of the condition, she told him that it was the virtue of a certain herb, with whose juice if he did anoint any part of his body, it should preserve it free from being wounded; and to show him the effects thereof, she from a neighbour's garden plucked up the weed that next came to hand, with the sap or moisture thereof she anointed her own neck, and bidding him to draw out his sword and make trial of her whether she kept not a faithful Covenant with him, the Soldier giving credit to her words, in regard of her constancy and courage, with one strong blow struck off her head. A most resolute and noble Lady, to prefer death before the loss of her honour.  
Annia Romana having buried her first husband in her youth, and being continually persuaded by her friends to a second marriage, she answered, it was a motion which she would by no means assent unto; for (said she) Should I happen upon a good man, such a one as my first husband was, I would not then live in that perpetual fear to lose him; but if otherwise, why should I hazard to put myself upon a bad one, that am so late punished by the loss of so good a one.  
Demotion the Athenian Virgin, hearing that Leosthenes, to whom she was contracted, was slain in the wars, she killed herself; but before her death she thus reasoned with herself: Although my body is untouched, yet, should I fall into the embraces of another, I should but deceive the second, since I am still married to the former in my heart.  
Alice Countess of Salisbury, being importuned continually by King Edward the third, to yield unto his inordinate desires, and having sent for her, thinking to compel her, and to use his royal Authority, she cast herself down at the King's feet, and with an ocean of tears, accompanied with words able to mollify Steel, or to soften Flints, she declared, That since her unhappy destiny had brought her thither before his presence as the innocent lamb committed to the sacrifice, she most humbly craved that his Majesty would be pleased to grant unto her one request: whereat the King replied with a solemn oath, that he would not refuse any thing unto her; she than took a knife which she had conveyed under her Gown, saying, that the request which she had craved, and the which his Majesty had been pleased with his royal Faith to grant her, was, That she did most humbly beseech him, that he would rather than take away her honour, with his sword end her most unhappy life, or else that he would be pleased to give her leave to kill herself with that knife, which she had purposely brought, that so her innocent blood might bear witness before God of her undefiled chastity.  
The King being astonished, and assured of the chastity and constancy of this virtuous Lady took her to be his lawful wife.  
Baldraca, though she was of mean parentage, and of an inferior fortune, could neither by threats nor promises of worldly honours or promotion, be tempted to prostitute herself to the Emperor Otho.  
Isabella a Damsel of Ravenna threw herself headlong into the river Medoacus, wherein she was drowned, to shun the violent lusts of some Venetian Soldiers.  
Britonia a beautiful maid of Crete, to shun the importunities of King Minos, cast herself likewise into a River, where, she was drowned.  
Pithomena a Virgin of Alexandria (being a Citizen's slave) was so fair, and so virtuous, that her Master became in love with her; but when he saw he coald neither with promises, nor threats gain her, he began to hate her more than ever he had loved her; and though he had accused her to be a Christian (as indeed she was) yet nevertheless she remained constant in her deliberation, and resolved rather to suffer a cruel death (as she did) being put into boiling pitch, then to lose her chastity.  
With her therefore I close this relation of chaste Women and Virgins; and lest I should omit any thing that might tend to the grace and honour of that Sex, I shall allege somewhat of their abilities to govern.   

Of women's abilities to Govern.  
CEres, Queen of Sicil, was the first that taught People to live according unto the Laws; and therefore she was by the Ancients called a Goddess.  
Myrrh Queen of the Lydians, was by them reckoned amongst seven of their Kings, by which they boast to have been governed.  
Semiramis manfully governed her Kingdom for the space of 24 years, performing many admirable things surpassing her Sex.  
Teuca, a Warlike woman, Queen of the Illyrians, wife unto Argon, took upon herself the sovereignty, and governed wisely; she opposed the violence of the Romans, and obtained on them many noble victories.  
Zenobia, Queen of the Palmirians, after the death of her husband Odenatus, took upon her the Imperial Regency, and made the Kingdom of Syria tributary unto her.  
Valasca, Queen of the Bohemians, governed her Kingdom, and managed all her affairs herself, without the help or Council of any man.  
Athalia Queen of the Hebrews, Saba of the Ethiopians, Amalasuntha of the Goths, Hester of the Persians, Harpalice of the Amazons, do all of them deserve an immortal praise for their well-governing.  
Queen Mercea, wife to Guinthelinus' king of Britain governed wisely, and established many profitable Laws, which were much esteemed by the Britain's, and carefully observed; being called after her name, The Mercean laws, many Ages ensuing.  
It was a custom among the Celtans', a people of France (seated between the Rivers Graumna & Sequana) to admit their Women to Council; and in the League which they made with Anibal this Article was inserted:  
If so be the Celtans' have any matter of complaint against the Carthaginians, the Carthaginian Commander in Spain shall judge of it: But if the Carthaginians have any thing to object against the Celtans', it shall be brought before the Celtan- Women.  
Did not Hilkiah, Abikam, Achbor, Shapham and Asahiah (those prime Statesmen) consult concerning State-affairs with Huldah?  
Deborah was so able for the public management, that she judged Israel, and the people of Israel came up constantly unto her for judgement.  
Marry Countess of Flanders, wife to the Emperor Maximilian; and Lovise, Duchess of Savoy, mother to the French King Francis the first; by their wisdom and prudence treated and concluded the peace at Cambray, a Town seated amidst the seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands.  
Queen Elizabeth of happy memory, was admired by her very enemies, namely Pope Sixtus Quintus, though he plotted against her life, yet he was often heard to say, that Elizabeth of England, and Henry the iv of France, were able to govern the whole world.  
I need not insist any longer on women's abilities to govern; since it clearly appears that they have therein excelled most men: and therefore God never appeared to them in his wrath armed with thunders as a revenger of crimes, but with crowns in his hand, as a dealer of rewards: for this Sex hath never been infected with such Monsters as Vitellius, Nero, Heliogabalus, Caligula, Domitian, Catiline, Silla, Achitophel, Herod, Marius, Nimrod, Sardanapalus were, and a thousand such others, who as they lived most detestable and horrid lives, so they expired with most deserved deaths; some by hunger and thirst, others were eaten by horses, rats, and louse, others devoured by wolves and dogs, others consumed by flames and tortures; some were driven naked through the streets, saluted with Urinals and chamberpots; others were tied into bags, wherein a Cock, a Viper, and a Fox were put, and thus were they cast into a river; some strangled, others poisoned themselves, and with such like horrid and detestable ends they met with their final destructions.  
But to divert you from these sad objects of God's wrath, I will proceed to such as are acceptable and pleasing, the reward whereof is everlasting happiness; viz. Piety and Religion.   

Of Pious and Religious Women.  
Marry Magdalen, and Martha did preach the Gospel of Christ, and converted the Country of Illyria, which now is called Sclavonia, unto the Christian belief.  
The Sarahs' were devout believers.  
The Maries were humble and mortified persons.  
The Elizabeth's religiously observed all the commandents of God blameless.  
The Priscilla's were heavenly, and rich in discourse.  
The Bathsheba's, the Loises, and Funices' were careful in the the instructing of their children in the knowledge of God.  
Catherina Alexandria (under the tyranny of Maxentius) was illuminated with divine knowledge from above, she constantly maintained the faith of the Gospel, notwithstanding all the Syllogistical and Sophistical Dilemmas of the cunning Sophisters of those days, who were forced to yield, and to submit unto the authority of a Virgin's tongue.  
Isota Navarula Veronensis, devoted her life to the contemplation of divine mysteries, to which she added the honour of a perpetual chastity.  
Rosuida born in Germany, composed many excellent works, exhorting those of her sex to Chastity, Virtue, and the divine Worship; she writ the lives of holy men, and composed a divine work of the pious and chaste life of the blessed Virgin.  
Fgilbert King of England by the means of his wife received the Christian Faith.  
Hermegides' King of the Goths, was drawn from Arius heresies unto the Christian Faith by Nigegond his wife.  
Cleotilda Queen of France, and wife unto King Clovis, made her husband renounce the Paganism, and become a Christian.  
Dorothy Leigh not long since deceased, was a pious and religious Gentlewoman, she hath left behind her as a legacy to her children, a book of her own making, entitled, The mother's blessing: It is godly counsel, containing many good exhortations and admonitions.  
The holy Writ itself (in a most divine stile) declares unto us mortals the wonders of that Sex, in which God hath been pleased to make them so far excel, and to express how much he was pleased with the good return of his merciful gifts from them, as that it moved the Saviour of all the world to publish the same, viz. O woman great is thy faith! and with this additional reproach to his disciples, That they had not given him water for his feet, and that they had not saluted him with a kiss, when as that woman had anointed his feet, and washed them with her tears, had wiped them with her hairs, and had not ceased to kiss them.  
And was not our Saviour himself moved to compassion by them? he who was uncapable of any passion, or weakness, yet he did weep, when he saw the tears roll from Mary's eyes for Lazarus sake; he knew the value of that so great a treasure which had been infused into that Sex, even since the first moment of its creation in Paradise; and although the spirit of delusion did even there work the fall of man by such an easy instrument, yet his divine providence would preserve it to bruise that Serpent's head withal, and to confound that spirit of darkness, by making it appear, that they should neither forsake nor deny him: and this he verified even at the Cross, where he was to overcome death itself, when as he uttered these words, Woman behold thy Son! So likewise said he unto his beloved Disciple, speaking of the blessed Virgin, Behold thy mother.  
The women were the first that returned to the Sepulchre, whither they went before day. Their faith did excel that of men when as they went with ointments, not taking care who should remove the stone from off the Sepulchre. So likewise did they run unto Simon Peter, and to the other Disciples, to witness the Lords Resurrection; neither did they as the Disciples return unto their own homes, but remained at the Sepulchre weeping and enquiring after the Lord, until that he had appeared unto them; and therefore he made them to be companions of Angels, who comforted them.  
O divine conversation! o heavenly meeting of an Angelical Chore! when as the Angels asked, Woman why weepest thou? O what a transcendent love she expressed in saying, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.  
But with what a bliss was this conversation crowned, when as Christ Jesus himself in person, would approve himself to be the chief in that heavenly conference and enquiry, by his saying, Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? and so might he well say indeed, since he himself was there to bid them weep no more. Most blessed Sex! though they were forbidden to weep, yet may all men continue the same for the backwardness of such as follow not the example of these pious and religious women, but to the contrary do employ all their faculties to perform only that which the Epitaph of Heliogabalus denotes, Ede, bibe, lude, post mortem nulla voluptas: imagining that the life of man was only created but to eat, and drink, and sleep; and thus they are mere animals, nay not so prudent and moderate, for they do carefully provide those things which do belong to the defending of their lives, which moved one to say thus: 
Nor are these creatures to be thought to be  
Quite void of th' intellectual faculty;  
But that they can discern and understand  
The language spoken in their native land,  
And might discourse, if to so strange a wit,  
Nature had lent them but due organs fit.   
Lucan reports that the Elephants having washed themselves, they fall down and adore, looking upwards towards heaven, after which they appear to be joyful.  
The Storks, whereof there are many in Holland, do ere they give food to their young ones look upwards towards heaven, as if they gave God thanks; and wheresoever they build their nest, as a token of their gratitude, they cast down one of their young ones to the owners of the house.  
The Dove when she picks up her food, at every grain she lifts up her eye towards heaven. And thus these harmless creatures appear to be not only as so many teachers to the Rationals, of gratitude for the numberless mercies which they have received from the Almighty for having made them so, when he might have turned them into any other shape as the Potter doth his clay; but as so many judges against those who have made not only Men their gods, but Brutes, Vegetables, and inanimated, viz.  
The Phaenicians worshipped a Serpent.  
The Trogloditae a Tortise.  
The Thessalians a Stork.  
Those of Delphos a Wolf.  
The men of Samos a Sheep.  
The Islanders of Tenedos a Cow with Calf.  
The Romans a Goose.  
In Alba a Dragon.  
The Egyptians, Garlick and Onions.  
In some parts, a rude and unbeautified Stone. And of such kind of gods the Pagans had no less than thirty thousand.  
If the aforesaid Elephants, Storks and Doves could speak, no doubt but they would (as Dubartas saith of the ascending Larks Alleluja) tell men that they do acknowledge but him who is the Creator of all the world, and thereby confound: Alas, but too many of those Monsters who not so much as the Pagans believe a Godhead; goddesses they will, but not such as these godly women, who whilst they lived on earth, might on the Scriptures warrant have been said that they were Gods, and the Temple of God; wherefore they enjoy Torrents of unspeakable contentments in an everlasting Kingdom, where all the elected souls of the Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Cherubims and Seraphims perpetually sing hymns, and Alleluja; for after they had been on earth as Angels in women shapes, they could not fail to be their fect equals in Heaven, from whence if a message should by them be sent unto some men of this age, what would it bear, but O ye monsters that say there is no God, who tread the paths (it's true) whereof Job speaks, where gold, silver, and molten brass is to be found, the Onyx and the Saphir, etc. but not those which these ever to be admired Women did, viz. the unknown paths which no Fowl knoweth, the Vulture's eye hath not seen, the Lion's whelp hath not trodden, nor the fierce Lion passeth by; whence Wisdom cometh, which is the fear of the Lord, and to departed from evil, which is understanding. And that these Christian Women sought, and that they found, after they had left behind them those manifold Examples of their Virtues, which brought them thither, and for the which all Rationals ought to celebrate their praises with Garlands, Crowns, Columns, Statues, and Monuments; and not to presume to bark at this most worthy Sex: For who, if he be the production of a woman, can deride the virtues of his own Mother? Let those Zoilusses and Momusses, let them (I say) beware of incurring their just curse, for having not only obscured as clouds the Sun that raised them, in stead of imitating the true looking-glass, which returns the lively image so soon as the face is presented unto it, without any disguisements at all: But for showing themselves not only wilfully ignorant, and monstrous ingrateful, but void of all sense and shame. And though these monsters do not acknowledge the unspeakable deserts of virtuous Women, yet nevertheless Truth doth manifest to all the world what they are: and it may be justly said of them, as Socrates answered to Hermogenes, who reproving him for that he did not think at all of defending himself when he was accused, replied, that he had thought of that all his life time, by striving to live well. And the example of Demetrius Phalerius, a Prince of immortal renown teacheth us how little account is to be made of the deal of envious men: when as word was brought unto him that the Athenians moved with envy against him, had broken down the 300 Images which had been erected in the streets of Ariopagus to his honour; He replied, The Athenians may well throw down my Images; but they (nor all the men of the world) are not able to abase my Virtues, for whose sake my Images were erected.  
And there needs no other examples than these everto be admired Women, to encourage virtue, and to discourage vice; to persuade both Sexes to that eternal bliss, which is to be attained by treading the unknown paths; which is not to be found in the land of the living, for that the living run that of the Lion and the Lion's whelp, and depart not from evil, their aim is at gold & at the onyx: And what is the end of all that path? You may remember it, if you have read it: Were not all the riches of Croesus' the Persians prey? Was not Cyrus the Conqueror at last glad to crave for a cup of water? Did not the Parthians, when they had overthrown Crassus, with all his wealth, pour molten gold down his throat, to satisfy his greedy desire of money? And was not the Treasure of Decebalus, though hidden in the bottom of the great River Sargesia, fished out by the Romans? Is not the Assyrian Empire reduced into seven mountains? And of those great, and strong Cities: Niniveh, the walls whereof had fifteen hundred towers; Babylon, which was threescore miles in compass; the Pyramids at Amasia's Sepulchre, in the building whereof thirty six thousand men were employed above fourscore years; the great and famous Temple of Diana, which was scarce finished by the inhabitants of all Asia, in two hundred years; and of all those great Emperors, Kings, & sumptuous Buildings, what doth there now remain but dust? Virtue which these matchless Women sought only, remained, that never dyeth: therefore Seneca studied in his youth time the Art bene vivendi; and in his age, bene moriendi.  
And since Virtue was the mark at which these everto be admired women did aim, the price which they so ran for to obtain; they attained to its possession so absolutely, as that nothing was ever able to bereave them thereof.  
The venomous speeches of those vile Detractors of this most worthy Sex, will therefore prove but as the fools bolt shot upright, which in the fall endangers their own heads. And it's no wonder (since Diamonds are cut and whilst despised Pebbles lie safe in the sand; and the Cedars crushed with tempest, whenas low shrubs are scarce touched with the wind) that malice strives to make virtuous Women suffer by supposed crimes. But as the Ruby, whatsoever Foil it hath, doth yet show red; so they will flourish and triumph to all posterity, and their fame remain glorious, as having approved themselves such Gems, wherewith their Creator hath been well pleased. The Elogium of whose Virtues I cannot better close, then with these, Mr. Randal's Verses, in praise of this most worthy Sex.   


HE is a Parricide to his Mother's name,  
And with an impious hand murders her same,  
That wrongs the praise of women, that dare● writ●  
Libels on Saints, or with foul ink requite  
The milk they lent us. Better Sex! command  
To your defence my more religious hand,  
At sword or pen. Yours was the nobler birth  
For you of man were made; man but of earth▪  
The son of dust. And though your sin did bree●  
His fall; again you raised him in your seed.  
Adam in's sleep a gainful loss sustained,  
That for one Rib a better self regained;  
Who had he not your blessed creation seen,  
An Anchorite in paradise had been.  
Why in this work did the Creation rest,  
But that th' eternal Providence thought you best  
Of all his six day's labour? Beasts should do  
Homage to man; but man should wait on you,  
You are of comelier sight, of daintier touch;  
A tender flesh, a colour bright, and such  
As Parians see in marble; Skin more fair,  
More glorious head, & far more glorious hair;  
Eyes full of grace, and quickness; purer Roses  
Blush in your Cheeks; A milder white compose▪  
Your stately Fronts; your Breath more sweet than his,  
Breathes spice, and Nectar drops at every kiss,  
Your skins are smooth; bristles on theirs do grow  
Like quills of Porcupines, rough wool doth flow  
o'er all their faces; you approach more near  
The form of Angels, they like Beasts appear▪