ORNITHO-LOGIE OR, The Speech of BIRDS, ALSO, The Speech of FLOWERS Partly Moral, Partly Mystical.  
By T. Fuller Doctor in Divinity.  
London, Printed for John Stafford, and are to be sold at his House in George Yard, near Fleet-Bridge, 1662.   

To my much Honoured Friend, William Stafford Esquire, Merchant of Bristol.  
Worthy Sir,  
IN this plundering age, wherein the studies of so many have been ransacked, and many papers intended for private solace and content●nt have been exposed to public view, it ●s my fortune to light on the ensuing dis●rse: It seemed to me pity that it should ●rangled in obscurity, as conceiving might conduce something to the delight the Reade●▪ for surely no ingenuous ●rson can be so constantly serious, yea surly ●nd Critical, but to allow some intervalls' refreshment not only as lawful but ne●sarie.  
Let such morose, yea mischievous spirits pine themselves to walking Anatomies, who brand all refection of the mind by ludicrous intermissious to be unlawful, to spare an heavier censure (which may more resent of anger) the worst I wish them is always to eat their meat without sauce, and let them try ●hether their palate will be pleased with the gust thereof.  
In the following discourse there is nothing presented but sweet Flowers and herbs: I could wish it had been in the s●mmer time, when the heat of the Sun might have improved their fragrancy to the greatest advantage and rendered them more acceptable to the smell of the Reader: Being now sadly sensibl● that Autumn the Usher of winter will abate of their s●e, and present them much to their loss.  
Sure I am no bitter Coloquintida appeareth in this our Herbal; I mean no tart and toothed reflections on any. Dull are those wits which cannot make some smile, except they make others cry, having no way to work▪ a delight and complacency in the Reader, save only by gashing, wounding and abusing the credits of others.  
It is desired, that this discourse may but find as much candidness as it brings, and be entertained according to his own innocency. I have heard a story of an envious man, who had no other way to be revenged of his Neighbour, who abounded with store of Bee-hives, then by poisoning all the Flowers in his own Garden wherein his Neighbour's Bees took their constant repast, which infection caused a general mortality in all the winged cattle of his Neighbour.  
I hope none have so spleneticke a design against this my harmless Treatise, as to invenome my flowers with pestilent and unintended interpretations, as if any thing more than flowers were meant in the flowers, or as if they had so deep a root under ground, that men must mine t● understand some concealed and profou● mystery therein, surely this Mythology is 〈◊〉 Cabinet which needeth no key to unlock it, the lid or cover lieth open.  
Let me entreat you Sir to put your hana into this Cabinet, and after therein you find what may please or content you, the same will be as much contentment unto  
your True Friend, J. S.   

To the Worshipful, ROGER LE STRANGE Esquire.  
SIR,  
A Most learned Dutch writer hath maintained that Birds do speak and converse one with another: nor doth it follow, that they cannot speak, because we cannot hear, or that they want language, because we want understanding. Be this true or false, in Mythology Birds are allowed to speak, and and to teach Men too. We know that a man cannot read a wiser, nor a child a plainer Book than Aesop's Fables.  
These Birds now come to make their nest under the Bows and Branches of your Favour; Be you pleased Sir, to extend your shadow over them, and as they shall receive succour from you; you may be assured you shall receive no hurt from them: And thus Sir, I wish you all happiness, not only to converse with Birds in the lowest Region of the Air sometime styled Heaven, but that a better and higher place may be reserved for your entertainment.  
J. S.   

ORNITHO-LOGIE OR THE SPEECH OF BIRDS.  
THere was a Grove in Scicile, not far from Siracu●e, whrein the Greek and Latin Potes had made many Hyperbolical descriptions For the Wits in that Country, being placebound, and confined to a narrow Circle of ground, sought to improve the same by their active Wits; whereby they enlarged every Ditch into a River; every Pond into a Lake, every Grove into a Forest, every convenient Hill into a ●ountain. In this notion they magnified this Grove, otherwise not above twelve Acres of ground, though well wooded, save that the tyrannical Oaks with their constant dropping, hindered the underwoods' from prospering within the compass thereof.  
There was the whole Nation of Birds living under the shadow thereof. And the climate being indifferently moderate, and moderately middle; wherein the East, West, North, and South of the World, wherein some kinds compounded, Birds, of all Climates here, made their habitations. Now a Bill of complaint was subscribed (or rather signed) with the numberless Claws (instead of hands) of Birds; containing the many insupportable Grievances they had endured from the intolerable cruelty of the Eagle; who making his own lust his Law, had dominered over all the winged Nation. The Eagle appeared in answer hereunto; (it being a general meeting of all kinds of birds) and endeavoured to justify his proceedings, and clear himself in vain, from their accusations. The truth is, the Eagle was overgrown with Age, for he is generally reported the survivor of all Birds: So that if one would take a Lease of Land on a birds life, he could not put in a more advantageous name then an Eagle.  
But this Eagle had its bill with long age so reflexed back again into his mouth, that he was so far from preying on another, that he could not swallow any Flesh though proffered unto him. Soon will the spirits fail where the belly is not fed; in vain did his courage pretend to his wont valour, when there was nothing within to justify and make good the offers thereof. So that the poor Eagle conquered rather with its own Age then outward violence, yielded to that to which all must yield: and was forced patiently to digest all affronts offered unto him, and glad so to escape. For although some mention was made of killing him; yet by plurality of suffrages, that vote got the mastery which only confined him to a neighbouring wood, on condition that death without mercy should be his penalty if exceeding the Bounds thereof.  
This done, Proclamation was made three days after that the whole Species of Birds should appear for the election of a Principal to command them. Indeed there were many which were altogether against any Government, because they might the more freely rove and range in their Affections. These held that all were free by nature; and that it was an assault on the Liberty of man, and a rape offered to his natural freedom; that any should assume authority above another. These maintained (what certainly was not only a paradox, but a flat falsehood) that nature at the first Creation made all the world a flat level and Champion, and that it was by the violence of the Deluge or great Flood, which by the partial fall or running thereof, made the inequality, by sinking some places into humble Valleys, and swelling others into aspiring Mountains. Prosecuting which comparison, they maintained that all men were naturally equal; and that it was the inundation and influx of humane Tyranny which made this disparity between them. They also defended the argument, that as the world began, so it should with the Golden age; and that all aught to be restored to that primitive Liberty which men had lost, partly surrendering it by their own folly and easy nature; partly surprised into their own slavery by the cunning and craft of others that practised on their simplicity. But however that these made a great noise, the opposite party prevailed, as having most of strength and reason on their side.  
For where all rule, there no rule at all will be: where every man may command, in fine, none will obey, the dictates of his own reason, but be a very vassal to his passion. Society cannot be twisted together where there is not a subordination and subjection one to another; and where every one is absolute in himself, there is an impossibility of any orderly subsistence.  
Let the maintainers of the contrary, try with themselves to make a rope of sand; where each crumb therein being independent of itself, hath no tendency to a general agreement; but enjoys itself in its own entireness.  
It being now cast (by general suffrages) for a Commander over all, that at such a time they should meet: it was also proclaimed that all antipathy should cease between all Birds during their meeting; because being now in danger of general ruin, for want of a head all private animosity should be broken off and drowned in a public agreement.  
According to the Proclamation, they all met together; and birds of all feathers had a general convolancy. Then the Ostrich began, in a high commendation of himself, how he● was the biggest of all birds, and therefore the fittest to be their General, as of the greatest ability to support the weight of the Massy affairs o● State. The rest of the birds gave him the hearing, until 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wren thus returned th●●r.  
It may s● 〈◊〉 very unproportionable combat between the least and greatest of birds that I should once o●fer to enter the list with this Giant, who frights us all with his greatness. But sure this wise Senate never made the bulk of a body the standard whereby to measure the perfections of the mind: and therefore I may take to myself the confidence to examine the truth of what he hath spoken. His greatness is apparent to every eye; but as for any othereminency, it is so secret a quality, that none as yet hath discovered it; For mine own part I conceive him ra●her beast than bird, and therefore not properly of our ●ind. I appeal to his Latin●ame ●ame; Struthio-Camelus; wher●n the Camel bears away the last and best part thereof. And are we put to such a strait, that we must elect an Hermaphrodite, a rudiment, which is a measuring case between Beast and Fowl: Doth he not more trust, unto his Legs to Flee, then unto his Wings to fly, and what I pray is the remarkable virtue, which commends him to public notice; hath he any melodious voice whereby to charm the attentions of those that hear him: hath he any extraordinary wit, in which he appears above others of the same society. What if Foolish women, as light perhaps as the Feather they wear, be pleased to advance his Tail above their heads. What if vainglorious Captains more known by their Plumes then their performances, deck their crests with the spoil of his wings: all these amount not to argue any real worth in him. We live not in an age to be deluded with shows, or cheated with shadows. It is enough that our Ancestors have suffered for their ●olly herein, with their own credulity. Real worth must ●e the attractive of our love●nd ●nd respect: which being here wanting▪ I utterly disavow his Election for our Sovereign.  
The rest of the birds concurred with the resolution of the Wren, highly applauding it for the same; which durst speak that which others thought▪ They plainly saw that spirit united in a small bulk, acts most vigorously: and the contracted heat in so small a body prompted the Wren to such lively expressions which bigger birds durst not utter.  
Next stood forth the Parrot, insisting largely on its own● commendation, among the res● of his dexterous faculty, in imitating the speech of Man wherein he exceeded all other creatures in the world. And seeing man was the Sovereign o● all the Creation, he conceive● himself (which approached nex● unto him in his happy expressions) deservedly might claim the Regiment of all birds.  
The Daw generally condemned for its loquacity, took upon him to answer the Parrot. Indeed he began with great disadvantage, none expecting any thing of wi● or worth from him, because he was so common a Talker, therefore conceived his speech not worthy their attentions, when defeating their expectations, & deceiving them with a harmesse cheat, he thus proceeded.  
You have heard the Parrot●ake ●ake a large encomium of himself, all which must needs be ●rue, because you have heard his own credit to avouch it: otherwise me thinks one might justly take the liberty to examine the ground of what he hath spoken; I will not insist on the aliennesse of his extraction; we living here in Syracus● whilst this Parrot fetcheth hi● Original from the South o● afric, or East of Asia. Onel● consider with yourselves ho● unfit it is for our freeborn spi● rits to submit to a Foreigner assure yourselves, foreign Air will bring in foreign inclinations, he cannot but promote strangers as his favourites to a places, and preferments of pr● fit and honour, and can t● be digested by such as consul the true spirit of an ingenious Birth; For mine own part, I shall rather submit to the tyranny of our own Country, then to the insulting humours of strangers; as expecting that although one of our own Country may for a time domineer over us; yet the sympathy of blood to those of his own Land, will give a check, and at last gain a Conquest of his passion, that he will return to a favourable reflection, on those who by vicinity of birth and breeding are related unto him.  
Now whereas the Parrot boasteth that he doth so exactly imitate the speech of Man, it affecteth me no whit at all with admiration thereof. I have heard of a speech of Alexander, who being invited to hear a man that sung like the Nightingale, answered, I scorn to bear him, for I have heard the Nightingale itself: and who would admire at the Copy, when he hath the Original, I have often heard men themselves speak, and therefore am not a whit moved to hear a Parrot speak like a man; Let every thing appear in its own shape; Men speak the language of Men, Birds of Birds. Hypocrisy is that which hath betrayed the world, to a general de●usion, thence to destruction, when people counterfeit the Tongues and Tones of those from whose Hearts they descent: how many demure people hath this age brought forth, sadly and soberly dropping forth their words, with much affected deliberation (as if all the hearers were bound thereby to believe them as solid, reserved and discreet in Deeds as in their words, when they only Palliate and cloak a base and unworthy inside under the shadow and pretence of an outward fair representation. I therefore must throw my grains into the Negative scale, and conceive the Parrot utterly unfit for the sovereignty of birds.  
After many debates and disputes, pro and con, plurality of voices at last pitched on the Hawk, as whose extraction was known to be honourable, valour undoubted, providence or foresight admirable, as appeared in the quickness of his eyes; being a Prometheus indeed, foreseeing all dangers, and his own advantages of great distance. The Hawk returning his full and fair thanks unto them for their free favour, accepted of their proffer, and all their meeting for the present was diminished, only two birds commanded to stay behind, the Phoenix and the Turtle Do ye, whom the Hawk severally accosted, beginning with the former.  
Sir, or Mistress Phoenix, saith the Hawk; for I know not in what Gender to address my language unto you, in whom both Sexes are jumbled together. I desire to be informed of you, whether that be a truth, or a long lived common Error, of the manner of your original from the Ashes of your Ancestor, if it be a truth, I stand ready with admiration to embrace and entertain it: If an error, I am resolved Posterity shall no longer be deluded therewith We live in an Age of Knowledge, the Beams whereof have dispelled those mists of Error wherewith our Forefather were cheated into the belief of many impossibilities recommended unto them by Tradition, as if the grey Periwig of Old-age should command so much veneration from us, that we should consign up our judgement to the implicit belief of any thing which former Ages have related. Deal therefore openly with me, and inform me the truth, whether your Generation be thus by Continuation of a Miracle.  
I cannot resolve you herein, saith the Phoenix, of the particulars of my Extraction, which happened long before the register of my memory: Sure I am there are no other of my kind for me to couple with, which demonstrates the truth of that which is generally received: I confess men make use of me rather for a Moral and an Emblem to denote those things which are rare, and seldom come to pass. Thus, a Court Lord who will honestly pay all his Debts, is accounted a Phoenix: A Judge who will not suffer his Conscience to be robbed by a bribe secretly proffered unto him, is a Phoenix: A Great man who looks strait forward to the Public good, not bound on e● their side with his own interest is a Phoenix: However assur● yourself, that besides th● Morality that may be mad● thereof, I have, as you see, real Existence in Nature, an● if any will take the pains t● travel into Arabia to Mech● he shall find my Nest in a Tre● hanging there almost as Artificially as doth the Tomb o● Mahomet bribed by an invisibl● Loadstone into that miraculous posture thereof.  
But now, saith the Hawk suppose I should seize on yo● this night for my supper, whether do you think that th● loss of your life would be s● great a defect in Nature, that the whole Universe would far the worse for the same?  
Undoubtedly it would, saith the Phoenix, for this is received for an undoubted Maxim amongst Philosophers, that if one whole kind or species of Creatures be destroyed, the whole world would be ruined thereby: For every kind of Creatures are so Essential to the well being thereof, that if any one of them be utterly destroyed, all the rest out of sympathy will decay.  
I conceive not, saith the Hawk, that you are such a foundation stone in Nature's building, that the taking you away will hazard the whole Architecture thereof. However, I am resolved to put it to the trial, be it but to gain knowledge by the experiment▪ I know what Plato saith, That those are the happiest Kingdoms, wherein either their Kings are Philosophers, or their Philosophers their Kings. Seeing therefore the History of Nature is so necessary to an accomplished Governor, I who desire all perfections in that kind, will to satisfy my curiosity make proof thereof.  
The Phoenix pleaded for herself the benefit of a Proclamation of liberty to all for three days to come and go with safety; the Eagle smiling at her silly plea, informing her that such grants are to be kept no farther than they are consistent with the conveniency of those that grant them. Yet for the present the Phoenix was reprieved, because the Hawks stomach lately gorged, had not as yet recovered his appetite to his supper.  
Then the Hawk approached to the Turtledove, demanding of her whether it was true or no what passeth for a common truth, that the Turtle if once losing their Mate, never wed more, but pass the remainder of their doleful days in constant widowhood.  
Most true it is, saith the Turtle, which I may speak by my own sad experience; for some three vears since, the unhappy shot of a cruel Falk ouer deprived me of my dear Husband, since which time I have sequestered myself from all company, never appearing in public till now, forced thereunto by command from Authority.  
And surely, I conceive, all second Marriages little better than excusable lust, for when once the heat of youth hath been abated in one Match, none can pretend Necessity of Marrying again, except it be for quenching those heats which they themselves willingly and wilfully kindle. Besides, when one hath once really affected a Husband, or he a Wife, affections so engross the whole soul, that notwithstanding his, or her death, it can never admit another to the same degree of dea●nesse. Especially if their love were signed and sealed with Issue, as mine was, having three of both Sexes surviving (●end them better success than their unhappy Father ●ad) so that in them methinks I behold my Husband ●till alive. She therefore that ●ath not the modesty to d●e ●he Relict of one man, will charge through a whole Arm● of Husbands, if occasion wer● offered, before her love wil● meet with a full stop there of.  
You are too rigid and s● vere, saith the Hawk, to mak● your personal temper and pr● vate practice the rule to me● sure all other by, unacquainted with the Necessities of other in this kind. But to co● closer to the matter, I desi● satisfaction in another thing namely, whether you be wit● out a Gall as is commonly r● ported.  
I know there is a twofo● knowledge, one by the fru● and the effects which Schol● call à posteriore, and this is the more fallible & uncertain, the other à priore from the Causes, and this as more demonstrative may safely be relied on, I will embrace the latter course, and to assure myself whether you have a Gall or no, I mean to make you a living Anatomy, and instantly to insect you. Ocular inspection is the best direction, and I will presently pry into your entrails for my better information, to see with what curiosity Nature hath contrived the things therein, and how many ●ittle engines there are to move the wheel of life within you.  
Then began the Eagle to dispose himself, for Supper, intending the Turtledove for the first Course to begin with, and the Phoenix (as the finer flesh) to close his stomach therewith. In preparation whereunto he plumed the Dove of some of her upper Feathers.  
Just in the instant as he began his prey, who should come in, but he was little expected, and less welcome to the Hawk than the old Eagle, and we must a while dwell upon the cause and manner of his enlargement.  
This Eagle was, as aforesaid, confined to a Grove, where he was temperate against his will, as not able to feed on any Fowl. Nature had hung such a Lock upon his Bill, for the redundancy thereof was such, that he was capable of no food, save drink, which he plentifully poured in; thus for some month's drink was all the meat he took, which served to support his life, though not to ●ncrease his strength; yet could he not be a good fellow in his Cups, as being solitary by himself, having none to keep him company.  
At last he descried a sharp Rock, wherein one place white in colour, more prominent than the rest, had a shining hardness therein; to this the Eagle applies his Bill, and never left off rubbing, grating, and whetting his Beak thereon, until at last he quite whetted off the superfluous, yea hurtful Excrescency of his Bill, which now reduced to a moderate proportion, was as useful to all purposes as ever before. Thus enabled to get his prey in few weeks, he recruited his strength, so that what the Poets tell of Medea, that with her enchanted Baths made her Father-in-law young again, here truly came to pass: And now the New old Eagle hearing in what Quarters the Hawk kept his constant residence, thought on a sudden to have surprised him, had not the other discovered his approach, and made a seasonable escape, whereby both Turtle and Phoenix obtained their liberty, and securely returned unto their own Nests.  
The Hawk having made an escape, posted with all speed to the Lapwinge, which with some difficulty he found out, and privacy being obtained, thus kindly spoke unto him.  
Friend Lapwing, I have taken notice, that you are one of the most subtlest, and politic Bird in all our Commonwealth; you have the art so to cover your intentions, that they are not obvious to common eyes, when your Eggs or young ones be a mile at distance, you use to flutter with your wings, and fetch your rounds and circles a great way off, as if you intended to broo● that place with your wings, or as if that were the Chest wherein your Treasure was deposited; this makes many people to search there for your young ones, but are frustrated of their hopes; you have insecured them far off; this lawful Simulation, I conceive a commendable and necessary quality in every great person; it is as necessary as breathe to their well being: Should men play all above board, and expose their actions to all Spectators, Folly and Wisdom would be both of a rate. No, it is the hanging of such Curtains and Traverses before our Deeds which keep up our Reputation, and enable us for great performances. Now I request you help me a little in my extremity, the renewed Eagle is in pursuit of me, and my safety lieth much at your disposal. The Lapwing promised the utmost of his endeavours, and desired the Hawk to proceed.  
See you, saith the Hawk, yonder empty Cage of great receipt, so that it might serve for an Aviarie, for which it was first intended, though since disused, when the Eagle flying this way enquireth after me, persuade him I am flown into the Cage, and leave the rest to my performance.  
All was acted accordingly, the Eagle demanded what was become of the Hawk? the Lapwing returned, Here 'tis, here 'tis, and then hovered over the Cage, fetching so many compasses thereabouts, that one might have mistaken him for some injurer, making his many Circles with intent to raise up some spirit thereabouts: The Eagle violently flies into the Cage, whose doors stood open, triumphing in his own happiness, that now he should be revenged on his professed Enemy. Instantly the Hawk (who stood behind unseen in a place of advantage) clapps an Iron Padlock on the Cage, and thus insulteth over the Prisoner.  
Me thinks, Sir Eagle, you make me call to mind the condition of Bajazet the Great Turk, whom Tamberlan took captive, and carried him about the Country, that all people might feed their gazing eyes upon him; such a spectacle are you this day; I have now made an Owl of the Eagle, turned him into the ridiculous object of laughter and contempt: Tell me, do you not want a Prometheus, to feed upon his fruitful entrails as the Poets feign, which daily increased, and afforded the Poet's Eagle both Common and Festivals. Sir, your life shall not be vented out at once, but you shall die many deaths, with long linger torments: I will order it so that you shall feel yourself to die: There is no Music in an Enemy's death, which is not accompanied with torment; and though no outward torture shall be inflicted upon you, yet know, that thirst and hunger shall be your two Executioners. Now the Guiltless blood of so many Birds and innocent Lambs, and hurtless Hares shall be required of you; and so I leave you till to morrow, when I mean to make a new meal of you in scorn and contempt.  
The Eagle sadly, yet stoutly auswered, my courage shall not abate with my condition, whose spirit is planted above the battery of Fortune, I will never be less than myself, whatsoever befalls me. A Lion is no less a Lion, though in a grate; Mischance, may make me miserable, it shall not make me base, I will bear my troubles with as much cheerfulness as I may, I defy thy spleen in triumphing over me.  
After the Hawks departure, the Ostrich came in the place, whom the Eagle saw unseen, and wishly marked his postures and motions. The Ostrich fell into a strange passion, and would you know the reason thereof, it was as followeth.  
Some three days since, when he first repaired to the general meeting of the Birds, he left his Eggs in the sand, not covering them over, such his carelessness and incogitancy; it was in a Starlight night, wherein he took a mark for the finding of his Eggs by such a Star, under the direct position whereof he then hid them, and hoped to find them at his return. It happened that the Star being turned about with the circumgyration of the heavens, which continue in constant motion, the Ostrich lost the Star by which he thought to find his Eggs, and though very near the place wandering up and down, and could not light upon it, which made him break forth into this passionate complaints.  
I am the unfortunatest of all Fowls: How will all condemn me for an unnatural Parent, who have been thus careless of mine own Issue? Yet I took as good notice of the place as I could, all things in Earth are false, and fading, and flitting away: I had thought there had been more faithfulness in the Heavens, more assurance in the Skies. Let never the Indians worship Stars again, when they are guilty of so much deceit.  
How comes it to pass, that the Polestar is so perfect a guide and direction to the Mariner, that it may be termed the grand Pilot of all Ships, by the Elevation, or Depression whereof, they infallibly collect in the darkest nights whereabouts they steer. I say, how comes that Star to be so true to its trust, to be so true a Conductor of wandering Sailors, and this prove so false to me? And now will Posterity ●and me for unnaturalness, who have exposed my Eggs to such dange● though therein all caution was used by me to the height of my discretion. More would she have spoken when grief silenced her; for as those Rivers are shallow which make a noise, whilst the deepest streams are tongue-tied; s● those passions which ven● themselves in words, discover their bottom of no great depth.  
Mean time the Eagle looked through the species, or entervalls in the Cage, and so excellent the sight thereof he easily discerned where th● Eggs lay, the O●rich being so near, that he almost crushed them with his own feet, wherefore calling the Ostrich unto him, I am glad, saith he, that in my misery I have the occasion to oblige any; I can tel● you where the Treasure is tha● you seek for, and presently directed him to the same.  
The Ostrich was not so overjoyed with its own happiness; but that he bethought himself how to return proportionable thanks to the Eagle, in order whereunto he set his Bill against the Iron Padlock of the ●age, and according to the voraciousness of his stomach quite devoured the same.  
Let privy Councillors of Nature enter into this deep Discourse, how it is possible for such a solid, and substantial thing as Iron is, to become food to a Fowl, let them, I say, beat their brains about this Question harder than Iron, and if they find the true reason thereof, I shall prefer their Ingenuity as stronger than the stomach of an Ostrich; mean time we will be content to rest in the vulgar report, and are satisfied to admire what we cannot understand in such cases wherein surely there are some hidden, and occult qualities, too deep for men to dive into, and these betray a surly and base disposition, which will believe nothing (though Authentically attested by never so many witnesses) whereof they are unable to render the true reason, as if Nature could do● nothing but what she giv● them an account of how she doth it.  
The Eagle th●s restored to liberty, returned hea●y thanks to ●he Ostrich. You see, saith he, there is no living in this world without bartering and exchanging of C●tesies one to another; he that dareth to day may borrow to morrow, how happy would Mankind be, if the Wall of Envy were plucked down betwixt them, and their parts so laid in Common, that the wealth of one might supply the wants of another; Nature hath enriched me with a quick Sight thee with a strong Dige●n▪ I have restored thy Eggs to thee, you have restored me to myself, liberty being the life of life; and this I thought fit to testify unto thee, though hot in the pursuit of my Enemy; first to thank thee, then punish him: I will not be guilty of so preposterous a Soul, that my Revenge shall get the speed of my Gratitude.  
This done, the Eagle in full Quest of the Hawk, discovereth a company of Birds together, being a great party whom the Peacock had assembled, with hope to entice them to choose him their Chief; for the Hawk no where appearing, and the enlargement of the Eagle being unknown, he thus endeavoured by his Rhethoricall slourishes to make himself popular in their affections.  
I am not ignorant, that such men proclaim their own weakness, who are the Herald of their own praise; it argueth a great dearth of desert, and want of worth, when one is large in his own commendation, however sometimes necessity makes it lawful, especially when what is spoken is so generally known, that it commandeth the way to its own belief, and carrieth the credit about it, give me leave to present my person and merits to your consideration; my bulk not so great as the Ostrich like to be a burden to itself, yet not so little as any way to invite neglect: A good presence is requisite in a Commander, otherwise great parts crowded in a despicable person, no whit becomes one in Authority. I will give you but one argument, or demonstration rather of my Worth: When the Gods had the free choice of all the Birds which they would please to make their Attendants in ordinary, and when Jove made choice of the Eagle, as most Imperial, Juno, his Consort, was pleased to elect me, to be called by the name of her Bird in all passages of Poetry. Thus am I next to the best, and but one step removed from the Top, even by those infallible judgements.  
Look, I pray, upon my Train, how it is Circular, the most capable Form, and how it is distinguished with variety of Colours, which appeareth as so many earthly Rainbows in my Feathers. Ovid hath reported, that Argus his hundred eyes were turned into them. But know you, if you please to elect me to be your Chief, that all those eyes shall daily and hourly watch & ward for your good, I will have a constant oversight of your welfare.  
It was conceived, that the Peacock intended a longer Oration, which would have wearied the assembly with the Prolixity thereof, had he not casually, but happily cast down his eyes on his black legs, the ugly hue thereof so abated his Pride, that it put a period to his Harangue before his intent, and others expectation. Now as the Vulture was tuning his tongue to return an answer, in cometh the Eagle, and is generally received with all joyful acclamations.  
Now because Clemency is the badge of a generous nature, and those that have most courage have least cruelty, at the mediation of some potent Birds, the Eagle condescended, that the day of his Reinauguration should not be stained with blood, and therefore granted life to the Hawk, but on condition, not to exceed the Grove in which formerly himself was imprisoned.  
FINIS.   

ANTHEOLOGIA, OR The Speech of Flowers.  
THere was a place in Thessaly (and I am sorry to say there was a place in Thessaly, for though the place be there still, yet it is not itself. The bones thereof remain, not the Flesh and Colour. The standards of Hills and Rivers; not the Ornaments of Woods, Bowers, Groves and Banqueting-houses. These long since are defaced by the Turks, whose barbarous natures wage war with civility itself, and take a delight to make a Wilderness where before their conquest they found a Paradise.)  
This place is some five miles in length, and though the breadth be Corrival with the length to equalise the same, and may so seem at the first fight; yet it falleth short upon exact examimination, as extending but to four miles. This place was by the Poets called Tempe, as the Abridgement of Earthly happiness, showing that in short hand, which the whole world presented in a larger character, no earthly pleasure was elsewhere afforded, but here it mightis be found in the height thereof.  
Within this Circuit of ground, there is still extant, by the rare preservation of the owner, a small Scantlin of some three Acres, which I might call the Tempe of Tempe, and re-epitomized the delicacies of all the rest. It was divided into a Garden, in the upper Part whereof Flowers did grow, in the lower, Herbs, and those of all sorts and kinds. And now in Spring time earth did put on her new clothes, though had some cunning Herald beheld the same, he would have condemned her Coat to have been of no ancient bearing, it was so overcharged with variety of Colours.  
For there was yellow Marigolds, walflowers, Auriculusses, Gold knobs, and abundance of other nameless Flowers, which would pose a Nomenclator to call them by their distinct denominations. There was White, the Day's Eye, white roses, Lillyes, etc. Blue, Violet, Irisse, Red Roses, Pionies, etc. The whole field was vert or green, and all colours were present save sable, as too sad and doleful for so merry a meeting. All the Children of Flora being summone● there, to make their appearance at a great solemnity.  
Nor was the lower part of the ground less stored with herbs, and those so various, that if Gerard himself had been in the place, upon the beholding thereof, he must have been forced to a re-edition of his Herbal, to add the recruit of those Plants, which formerly were unseen by him, or unknown unto him.  
In this solemn Rendezvous of Flowers and Herbs, the Rose stood forth, and made an Oration to this effect.  
It is not unknown to you, how I have the precedency of all Flowers, confirmed unto me under the Patent of a double Sense, Sight, smell. What more curious Colours? how do all Dyer's blush when they behold my blushing, as conscious to themselves, that their Art cannot imitate that tincture, which Nature hath stamped upon me. Smell, it is not lusciously offensive, nor dangerously Faint, but comforteth with a delight, and delighteth with the comfort thereof: Yea, when Dead, I am more Sovereign than Living: What Cordials are made of my Syrups? how many corrupted Lungs (those Fans of Nature) sore wasted with consumption, that they seem utterly unable any longer to cool the heat of the Heart, with their ventilation, are with Conserves made of my stamped Leaves, restored to their former soundness again: More would I say in mine own cause, but that happily I may be taxed of pride, and self. flattery, who speak much in mine own behalf, & therefore I leave the rest to the judgement of such as hear me, and pass from this discourse to my just complaint.  
There is lately a Flower (shall I call it so? in courtesy I will term it so, though it deserve not the appellation) a Toolip, which hath engrafted the love and affections of most people unto it; and what is this Toolip? a well complexioned stink, an ill savour wrapped up in pleasant colours: As for the use thereof in Physic, no Physician hath honoured it yet with the mention, nor with a Greek, or Latin name, so inconsiderable hath it hitherto been accounted; and yet this is that which filleth all Gardens, hundred of pounds being given for the root thereof, whilst I the Rose, am neglected and contemned, and conceived beneath the honour of noble hands, and fit only to grow in the gardens of Yeomen. I trust the remainder to your apprehensions, to make out that, which grief for such undeserved injuries will not suffer me to express.  
Hereat the Rose wept, and the dropping of her white tears down her red cheeks, so well becomed her, that if ever sorrow was lovely, it than appeared so, which moved the beholders to much compassion, her Tears speaking more than her tongue, in her own behalf.  
The Tool p stood up insolently, as rather challenging then craving respect f●om the Commonwealth of Flower● there present, & thus vaunted itself.  
I am not solicitous what to return to the complaint of this Rose, whose own demerit hath justly outed itself of that respect, which the mistaken world formerly bestowed upon it, and which men's eyes, now opened, justly reassume, and confer on those who better deserve the same. To say that I am not more worthy than the Rose, what is it, but to condemn mankind, and to arraign the most Gentle and knowing among men of ignorance, for misplacing their affections: Surely Vegetables must not presame to mount above Rationable creatures, or to think that men are not the most competent judges of the worth and value of Flowers. I confess there is yet no known sovereign virtue in my leaves, but it is injurious to infer that I have none, because as yet not taken notice of. If we should examine all, by their intrinsic values, how many contemptible things in Nature would take the upperhand of those which are most valued; by this argument a Flintstone would be better than a Diamond, as containing that spark of fire therein, whence men with combustible matter may heat themselves in the coldest season: and clear it is, that the Loadstone, (that grand Pilot to the North, which findeth the way there in the darkest night) is to be preferred before the most orient Pearl in the world: But they will generally be condemned for unwise, who prise things according to this proportion.  
Seeing therefore in stones and minerals, that those things are not most valued, which have most virtue, but that men according to their eyes and fancies raise the reputation thereof, let it not be interpreted to my disadvantage, that I am not eminently known for any cordial operation; perchance the discovery hereof is reserved for the next age, to find out the latent virtue which lurketh in me: And this I am confident of, that Nature would never have hung out so gorgeous a sign, if some guest of quality had not been lodged therein; surely my leaves, had never been feathered with such variety of colours, (which hath proclaimed me the King of all Lilies) had not some strange virtue, whereof the world is yet ignorant, been treasured up therein.  
As for the Rose, let her thank herself, if she be sensible of any decay in esteem, I have not ambitiously affected superiority above her, nor have I fraudulently endeavoured to supplant her: only I should have been wanting to myself, had I refused those favours from Ladies, which their importunity hath pressed upon me: And may the Rose remember, how she out of causeless jealousy, maketh all hands to be her enemies that gather her; what need is there that she should garrison herself within her prickles? why must she set so many Thorns to lie constant perdue, that none must gather her, but such as suddenly surprise her; and do not all that crop her, run the hazard of hurting their fingers: This is that which hath weaned the world from her love, whilst my smooth stalk exposing Ladies to no such perils, hath made them by exchange to fix their removed affections upon me.  
At this stood up the Violet, and all prepared themselves with respectful attention, honouring the Violet for the Age thereof, for the Prim Rose alone excepted, it is Signior to all the Flowers in the year, and was highly regarded for the reputation of the experience thereof that durst encounter the cold, and had past many bitter blasts, whereby it had gained much wispome, and had procured a venerable respect, both to his ●erson and Counsel.  
The case (saith the Violet) is not of particular concernment, but extendeth itself to the life and liberty of all the society of Flowers; the complaint of the Rose we must all acknowledge to be just and true, and ever since I could remember, we have paid the Rose a just tribute of Fealty as our Prime and principal. As for this Toolip, it hath not been in being in our Garden above these sixty years: Our Fathers never knew that such a Flower would be, and perhaps our children may never know it ever was; what traveller brought it hither, I know not; they say it is of a Syrian extraction, but sure there it grew wild in the open fields, and is not beheld otherwise, than a gentler sort of weed: But we may observe that allforraign vices are made virtues in this country, foreign drunkenness is Grecian Mirth (thence the proverb, The merry Greek) foreign pride, Grecian good behaviour; foreign lust, Grecian love; foreign laziness, Grecian harmelessnesse; foreign weeds, Grecian Flowers. My judgement therefore is, that if we do not speedily eradicate this intruder (this Toolip) in process of time will out us all of our just possessions, seeing no Flower can pretend a clearer title than the Rose●ath ●ath; and let us every one make the case to be his own.  
The gravity of the Violet so prevailed with the Senate of Flowers, that all concurred with his judgement herein; and such who had not the faculty of the sluentnesse of their tongues to express themselves in large Orations, thought that the well managing of a yea, or nay, spoke them as well wishing to the general good, as the expressing themselves in large Harangues; and these soberly concluded, that the Toolip should be rooted out of the Garden, and cast on the dunghill, as one who had justly invaded a place not due thereunto, and this accordingly was performed.  
Whilst this was passing in the upper house of the Flowers, no less were the transactions in the lower house of the herbs; where there was a general acclamation against Wormwood, the generality condemning it, as fitter to grow in a ditch then in a Garden: Wormwood hardly ●eneived leave to make its own defence, pleading in this manner for its innocency.  
I would gladly know whom I have offended in this commonwealth of Herbs, that there should be so general a conspiracy against me? only two things can be charged on me, commonness and bitterness; if commonness pass for a fault, you may arraign Nature itself, and condemn the best Jewel● thereof, the light of the Sun, the benefit of the Air, the community of the Water, are not these staple commodities of mankind, without which no being or subsistence: if therefore it be my charity to stoop so low, as to tender myself to every place for the public service, shall that for which I deserve, if not praise, I need no pardon, be charged upon me as an offence.  
As for my bitterness, it is not a malicious & mischievous bitterness to do hurt, but a helpful & medicinal bitterness, whereby many cures are effected. How many have surteited on honey? how many have digged their graus in a Sugar-loaf? how many diseases have been caused by the dulcor of many luscious sweetmeats? then am I sent for Physician to these patients, and with my brother Cardus (whom you behold with a loving eye, I speak not this to endanger him, but to defend myself) restore them (if temperate in any degree, and persuaded by their friends to taste of us) unto their former health. I say no more, but were all my patients now my pleaders, were all those who have gained health by me, present to intercede for me, I doubt not but to be reinstated in your good opinions.  
True it is, I am condemned for overhot, and too passionate in my operation; but are not the best natures subject to this distemper? is it not observed that the most witty are the most choleric? a little overdoing is pardonable, I will not say necessary in this kind, nor let me be condemned as destructive to the fight, having such good opening, and abstergent qualities, that moderately taken, especially in a Vorning, I am both food and Physic for a forenoon.  
It is strange to see how passion and self-interest sway in many things, more than the justice and merit of a cause; it was verily expected that Wormwood should have been acquitted, and readmitted a member in the society of Herbs: But what will not a Faction carry; Worme-woods friends were cafually absent that very day, making merry at an entertainment; her enemies (let not that Sex be angry for making Wormwood feminine) appeared in a full body, and made so great a noise, as if some mouths had two tongues in them, and though some engaged very zealously in Wormwood's defence, yet overcharged with the Tyranny of Number, it was carried in the Negative, that Wormwood, alias absynthium, should be plucked up root and branch from the Garden, and thrown upon the Dunghill, which was done accordingly, where it had the woeful society of the Toolip, in this happy, that being equally miserable, they might be a comfort the one to the other, and spent many hours in mutual recounting their several calamities, thinking each to exceed the other in the relation thereof.  
Let us now amidst much sadness interweave something of more mirth and pleasantness in the Garden. There were two Roses growing upon one Bush, the one pale and wan with age, ready to drop off, as useful only for a Still: the other a young Bud, newly loosened from its green swaddling clothes, and peeping on the rising Sun, it seemed by its orient colour to be died by the reflection thereof.  
Of these, the aged Rose thus began.  
Sister Bud, learn wit by my woe, and cheaply enjoy the free and full benefit of that purchase which cost me dear and bitter experience: Once I was like yourself, young and pretty, straight laced in my green-Girdle, not swollen to that breadth and corpulency which now you behold in me, every hand which passed by me courted me, and persons of all sorts were ambitious to gather me: How many fair fingers of curious Ladies tendered themselves to remove me from the place of my abode; but in those days I was coy, & to tell you plainly foolish, I stood on mine own defence, summoned my lifeguard about me, commanded every pickle as so many Halberdiers, to stand to their Arms, de●ie those that durst touch me, protested myself a votary of constant virginity; frighted hereat, passengers desisted from their intentions to crop me, and left me to enjoy the sullen humour of my own reservedness.  
Afterwards the Sun beams wrought powerfully upon me, (especially about noontime) to this my present extent, the Orient colour which blushed so beautiful in me at the first, was much abated, with an overmixture of Wanness and palemesses therewith, so that the Green (or white sickness rather, the common penance for over-kept virginity began to infect me, and that fragrant sent of mine, began to remit and lessen the sweetness thereof, and I daily decayed in my natural perfume; thus seeing I daily lessened in the repute of all eyes and nostrils, I began too late to repent myself of my former frowardness, and sought that my diligence by an aftergame; should recover what my folly had lost; I pranked up myself to my best advantage, summoned all my sweetness to appear in the height thereof, recruited my decayed Colour, by blushing for my own folly, and wooed every hand that passed by me, to remove me.  
I confess in some sort it offers rape to a Maiden modesty, if forgetting their sex, they that should be all Ears, turn mouths, they that should expect, offer; when we women, who only should be the passive Counterparts of Love, and receive impression from others, boldly presume to stamp them on others, and by an inverted method of nature, turn pleaders unto men, and woo them for their affections. For all this there is but one excuse, and that is absolute necessity which as it breaks through stonewalls, so ●o wonder if in this case it altars and transposes the Sexes, making women to m●n it in case of extremity, when men are wanting to tender their affections unto them.  
All was but in vain, I was entertained with scorn and neglect, the hardened hands of daily Labourers, brawned with continual work, the bluck hands of Moors, which always carry Night in their 〈◊〉, slighted and contemned me; yea, now behold my last hope is but to deck and adom houses, and to be laid as a property in windows, till at last I die in the Hospital of ●ome still, where when useless for any thing else, we are generally admitted. And now my ●ery leaves begin to leave me, and I to be deserted and forsaken of my sel●.  
O how happy are those Roses, who are preferred in their youths; to be warm in the hands and breasts of fair Ladies, who are joined together with other flowers of several kinds in a Posy, wh●re the general result of sweetness from them all, ravisheth the Smell by an intermixture of various colours, all united by their stalks within the same 〈◊〉 that bindeth them together.  
Therefore Sister Bud grow wise by my folly, and know it is far greater happiness to lose thy Virginity in a good hand, then to wither on the stalk whereon thou growest: accept of thy first and best tender, lest afterwards in vain thou courtest the reversion of fragments of that feast of love, which first was freely tendered unto thee.  
Leave we them in their discourse, and proceed to the relation of the Toolip and Wormwood, now in a most pitiful condition, as they were lying on the Dunghill; behold a vast Giant Boar comes unto them; that which Hercules was said to kill, and which was accounted by some the foreman of the jury of his L●ours, was but a pygmy, or rather but a Pig, in comparison of this; and with his Tusks wherewith Nature had armed him to be his sword as his shoulders are his shield, he began to rend and tear the Toolip and Wormwood, who exclaimed unto him as followeth.  
SIR,  
Pity useth always to be an attendant of a generous mind, & valiant spirit, for which I have heard you much commended. Cruelty is commonly observed to keep company with Cowardliness, and base minds, to triumph in cruel actions, behold we are the objects rather of your pity, whose offerings may rather render us to the commiseration of any that justly consider our case. I the Too●ip by a faction of flowers, was outed of the Garden, where I have as good a right and title to abide as any other: and this Wormwood, notwithstanding her just and long plea, how useful and cordial she was, was by a conspiracy of Herbs excluded the Garden, and both of us ignominiously confined to this place, where we must without all hopes quickly expire: Our humble request unto you is not to ●orten those few minutes of our lives which are left unto us, seeing such prejudice was done to our Vitals (when our roots were mangled by that cruel eradication) that there is an impossibility of our long continuance: Let us therefore sairly breathe out our last breath, and antedate not our misery, but let us have the favour of a quiet close and conclusion.  
But if so be that you are affected with the destruction of flowers and herbs, know the pleasure and contentment therein must be far greater to root out those which are fairly flourishing in their prime, whereof platy are in this Garden afforded, and if it please you to follow our directions, we will make you Master of a Pass, which without any difficulty shall convey you into the Garden, for though the same on all sides almost is either walled or paled about, yet in one place it is fenced with a Hedge only, wherein, through the neglect of the Gardener, (whose care it ought to be to secure the same) there is a hole left in such capacity; as will yield you an easy entrance thereinto: There may you glut yourself, and satiate your soul with variety of Flowers and herb●, so that an Epicure might have cause to complain of the plenty thereof.  
The Boar apprehends the motion, is sensible it was advantageous for him, and following their directions, he makes himself Master of his own desire. O the spitefulness of some Natures! how do they wreck their their anger on all persons: It was revenge for the Toolip and Wormwood, unless they had spitefully wronged the whole Corporation of Flowers, out of which they were ejected as useless and dangerous Members: And now consider how these two pride themselves in their own vindicative thoughts? how do they in their forcrunning fancy antedate the death of all Herbs and Flowers. What is sweeter than revenge? how do they please themselves to see what are hot & cold in the first, second, third, and fourth degree, (which borders on poison) how all these different in their several Tempers, will be made friends in universal misery, and compounded in a general destruction.  
Little did either Flowers or Herbs think of the Boars approaching, who were solacing themselves with merry and pleasant discourse; and it will not be amiss to deceive time, by inserting the Courtship of Thrift a flower-Herb, unto the S, thus accosting her, just as the Boar entered into the Garden.  
Mistress, Of all Flowers that grow on Earth, give me leave to profess my fincerest affections to you: Compliments have so infected men's tongues (and grown an Epidemical fault, or as others esteem it, a fashionable accomplishment) that we know not when they speak truth, having made dissembling their language, by a constant usage thereof: But believe me Mistress my heart never entertained any other interpreter than my Tongue; and if there be a vein (which Anatomists have generally avouched, carrying intelligence from the heart to the lips) assure yourself that vein acts now in my discourse.  
I have taken signal notice of your accomplishments, and among many other rare qualities, particularly of this, your loyalty and faithfulness to the Sun, Sovereign to all Vegetables, to whose warming Beams, we owe our being and increase: such your love thereunto, that you attend his rising, and therewith open, and at his setting shut your windows: True it is, that Helitropium (to turner with the Sun) hath a long time been attributed to the Sun-flower, a voluminous Giant like Flower, of no virtue or worth as yet discovered therein, but we all know the many and Sovereign virtues in your leaves, the Herb general in all pottage: Nor do you as Herb John stand neuter, and as too many now adays in our Commonwealth do, neither good nor ill (expecting to be acted on by the impression of the prevailent party) and otherwise warily engage not themselves; but you really appear sovereign and operative in your wholesome effects: The consideration hereof, and no other by reflection, hath moved me to the tender of my affections, which if it be candidly resented, as it is sincerely offered, I doubt not but it may conduce to the mutual happiness of us both.  
Besides know (though I am the unproperest person to trumpet forth my own praise) my name is Thrift, and my nature answereth thereunto; I do not prodigally waste those Lands in a moment, which the industry and frugality of my Ancestors hath in a long time advanced; I am no gamester to shake away with a quaking hand, what a more fixed hand did gain and acquire: I am none of those who in variety of clothes, bury my quick e●ate as in a winding sheet; nor am I one of those who by cheats and deceits improve myself on the losses of others; no Widows have wept, no Orphans have cried for what I have offered unto them (this is not Thrift but rather Felony) nor owe I any thing to my own body; I fear not to be arrested upon the action of my own carcaffe, as if my creditors should cunningly compact therewith, and quit scores, resigning their Bill and Bond unto mine own body, whilst that in requital surrendereth all obligations for food and clothes thereunto: Nor do I undertake to buy out Bonds in controversies for almost nothing, that so running a small hazard, I may gain great advantage, if my bargain therein prove successful. No, I am plain and honest Thirst, which none ever did, or will speak against, save such prodigal spendthrifts, who in their reduced thoughts, will speak more against themselves.  
And now it is in your power to accept or refuse what I have offered, which is the privilege which nature hath allotted for your feminine sex, which we men perchance may grudge and repine at, but it being past our power to amend it, we must permit ourselves as well as we may to the constant custom prevailing herein.  
The Marigold demurely hung down her head, as not overfond of the motion, and kept silence so long as it might stand with the rule of manners, but atlast broke forth into the following return.  
I am tempted to have a good opinion of myself, to which all people are prone, and we women most of all, if we may believe your— of us, which herein I am afraid are too true: But Sir, I conceive myself too wise to be deceived by your commendations of me, especially in so large a way, and on so general an account, that other Flowers not only share with me, but exceed me therein: May not the Daies-eye not only be corrival with me; but superior to me in that quality, wherein so much you praise me; my vig●ancy starteth only from the Suns rising, hers bears date from the dawning of the morning, & outruns my speed by many degrees: my virtue in portage which you so highly commend, impute it not to my Modesty, but to my Guiltiness, if I cannot give it entertainment; for how many hundred Herbs which you have neglected exceed me therein.  
But the plain truth is, your love not me for myself, but for your advantage: It is Gold on the arrear of my name which maketh Thrift to be my Suitor: how often, and how unworthily have you tendered your affections, even to Pennyroyal, itself, had she not scorned to be courted by you.  
But I commend the Girl that she knew her own worth, though it was but a Penny, yet it is a Royal one, and therefore not a fit match for every base Suitor, but knew how to value herself, and give me leave to tell you, that Matches founded on Covetousness never succeed▪ Profit is the Loadstone of your affections, Wealth, the attractive of your Love, Money the mover of your desire; how many hundreds have engaged themselves on these principles, and afterwards have bemoaned themselves for the same? But oh the uncertainty of wealth? how unable is it to explete & satisfy the mind of man: Such as cast Anchor thereat, seldom find fast ground, but are tossed about with the Tempests of many disturbances; these Wive● for conveniency of profit and pleasure (when there hath been no further nor higher intent) have filled all the world with mischief and misery. Know then sir, I return you a flat denial, a denial that virtually contains many, yea as many as ever I shall be able to pronounce: My tongue knows no other language to you but No; score it upon women's dissimulation (whereof we are too guilty, and I at other times as faulty as any) but Sir, read my eyes, my face, and compound all together, and know these are the exp●essions dictated from my heart; I shall embrace a thousand deaths sooner, than your Marriagebed.  
Thus were they harmelessly discoursing, and feared no ill, when on a sudden they were surprised with the uncouth sight of the Boar, which had entered their Garden, following his prescribed directions, and armed with the Corslet of his Bristles, vaunted like a triumphant Conqueror round about the Garden, as one who would first make them suffer in their fear, before in their feeling; how did he please himself in the variety of the fears▪ of the flowers, to see how some pal● ones looked red, and some re● ones looked pale; leaving it to Philosophers to dispute and decide the different effects should proceed from the same causes; and among all Philosophers, commending the question to the Stoics, who because they pretend an Antipathy, that they themselves would never be angry, never be mounted above the model of a common usual Temper, are most competent Judges, impartially to give the reason of the causes of the anger of others.  
And now it is strange to see the several ways the Flowers embraced to provide for their own security; there is no such Teacher as extremity; necessity hath found out more Arts, than ever ingenuity invented: The Wall-Gilly flower ran up to the top of the Wall of the Garden, where it hath grown ever since, and will never descend till it hath good security for its own safety; and being mounted thereon, he entertained the Boar with the following discourse.  
Thou basest and unworthiest of fourfooted Beasts; thy Mother the Sow, passeth for the most contemptible name, that can be fixed on any She: Yea, Pliny reporteth, that a Sow grown old, useth to feed on her own young; and herein I believe that Pliny, who otherwise might be straitened for fellow-witnesses, might find such who will attest the truth of what he hath spoken. men's Excrements is thy element, and what more cleanly creatures do scorn and detest, makes a feast for thee; nothing comes amiss unto thy mouth, and we know the proverb what can make a pan-cake unto thee: Now you are gotten into the Garden (shame light on that negligent Gardner, whose care it was to fence the same, by whose negligence and oversight, you have gotten an entrance into this Academy of Flowers and Herbs) let me who am your enenie give you some Counsel, and neglect it not, because it comes from my Mouth. You see I am without the reach of your Anger, and all your power cannot hurt me, except you be pleased to borrow wings from some Bird, thereby to advantage yourself, to reach my habitation.  
My Counsel therefore to you is this, be not Proud because you are Prosperous; who would ever have thought, that you could have entered this place, which we conceived was impregnable against any of your kind: Now because you have had success as far above our expectations, as your deserts; show your own moderation in the usage thereof; to ●aster us is easy, to Master yourself is difficult. Attempt therefore that which as it is most hard to perform, so will it bring most honour to you when executed; and know, I speak not this in relation to myself (sufficiently privileged from your T●sks) but as acted with a public spirit, for the good of the Commonalty of Flowers; and if any thing hereafter betid you, other than you expect, you will remember that I am a prophet, and foretell that which too late you will credit and bel●eve.  
The Boar heard the words, and entertained them with a surly silence; as conceiving himself to be mounted above danger, sometimes he pitied the silliness of the Wall-flower, that pitied him, and sometimes he vowed revenge, concluding that the stones of the Wall would not afford it sufficient moisture, for its constant dwelling there, but that he should take it for an advantage, when it descended for more sustenance.  
It is hard to express the panic fear in the rest of the flowers, and especially the small Prim-ro●es, begged of their Mothers that they might retreat into the middle of them, which would only make them grow bigger and broader, and it would grieve a pitiful heart to hear the child plead, and the mother so often deny.  
The Child began; dear Mother, she is but half a Mother that doth breed and not preserve, only to bring forth, and then to expose us to worldly misery, less●ns your Love, and doubles our sufferings: See how this tyrannical Boar threatens our instant undoing; I desire only a Sanctuary in your bosom, a retreating place into your breast, and who fitter to come into you, than she that came out of you; whether should we return, then from whence we came, it will be but one happiness, or one misfortune, together we shall die, or together be preserved; only some content and comfort will be unto me, either to be happy or unhappy in your company.  
The broader Primrose harkened unto these words with a sad countenance, as ●ensible in her ●elfe, that had not the present necessity hardened her affections, she neither would nor could return a deaf ●are to ●o equal a motion. But now she rejoined.  
Dear Child, none can be more sensible than myself of Motherly affections, it troubles me more for me to deny thee, then for thee to be denied; I love thy safety where it is not necessarily included in my danger, the entertaining of thee will be my 〈◊〉 and destruction; how many Parents in this age have been undone merely for affording house and home to such Children, whose condition might be quarrelled with as exposed to exception.  
I am sure of mine own innocency, which never in the least degree have offended this Boar, and therefore hope he will not offend me; what wrong and injury you have done him is best known to yourself; stand therefore on your own bottom, maintain your own innocence; for my part I am resolved not to be drowned for others hanging on me, but I will try as long as I can the strength of my own arms and legs; excuse me good child, it is not hatred to you, but love to myself, which makes me to understand my own interest. The younger Primrose returned.  
Mother, I must again appeal to your affections, despairing to find any other Judge to Father my cause; remember I am part of your ●elfe, and have never by any undutifulness disobliged your affections; I profess also mine own integrity, that I never have offended this Boar, being more innocent therein then yourself, for alas my tender years entitles me not to any correspondency with him, this is the first minute (and may it be the last) that ever I beheld him; I reassume therefore my suit, supposing that your first denial proceeded only from a de●ire to try my importunity, and give me occasion to enforce my request with the greater earnestness: By your motherly bowels I conjure you (an exorcism which (I believe) comes not within the compass of superstition) that you tenderme in this my extremity, whose greatest ambition is to die in those arms from whence I first fetched my original. And then she left her tears singly to drop out the remainder, what her tongue could not express.  
The Affections of Parents may sometimes he smothered, but seldom quenched, and meeting with the ●last or bellows from the submissive mouths of their Children, it quickly blazeth into a flame. Mother and daughter are like Tallies, one exactly answereth the other: The Mother Primrose could no longer resist the violence of▪ her daughter's importunity, but opens her bosom for the present reception thereof, wherein ever since it hath grown doubled unto this day; and yet a double mischief did arise from this gemination of the Print-ro●e, or inserting of the little one into the Bowels thereof.  
First, those Prim-roses ever since grow very slowly, and lag the last among all the Flowers of that kind; single Prim-roses beat them out of distance, and are arrived at their M●rk a month before the other start out of their gr●en leaves: yet it will not be hard to assign a natural cause thereof, namely, a greater power of the Sun is acquired to the production of greater Flowers, small degrees of heat will suffice to give a being to single Flowers, whilst double ones groaning under the weight of their own greatness, require a greater force of the Sunbeams to quicken them, and to spur their laziness, to make them appear out of their roots.  
But the second Mischief most concerns us, which is this, all single Flowers are sweeter, than those that are double; and here we could wish that a Jury of Florists were impanelled, not to eat, until such time as they were agreed in their verdict, what is the true cause thereofSome will say that single leaves of Flowers, being more effectually wrought on by the Sunbeams, are rarified thereby, and so all their sweetness and perfume the more fully extracted; whereas double Flowers who lie as it were in a lump, and heap crowded together with its own leaves, the Sunbeams hath not that advantage singly to distil them, and to improve every particular leaf to the best advantage of sweetness: This sure I am, that the old Primrose sensible of the abatement of her sweetness, since she was clogged with the entertainment of her Daughter, half repenting that she had received her, returned this complaining discourse.  
Daughter, I am sensible that that the statutes of inmates, was founded on very good and solid grounds, that many should not be multiplied within the roof of one and the same house, finding the inconveniency thereof by lodging thee my own Daughter within my Bosom; I will not speak how much I have lost of my growth, the Clock whereof is set back a whole month by receiving of you; but that which most grieveth me, I perceive I am much abated in my sweetness (the essence of all Flowers) and which only distinguisheth them from w●ds, seeing otherwise in Colours, weeds may contest with us in brightness and variety.  
Peace Mother (replied the small Primrose) conceive not this to be your particular unhappiness, which is the general accident falling out daily in common experience, namely, that the bigger and thicker people grow in their estates, the worse and less virtuous they are in their Conversations, our age may produce millions of these instances; I knew some ten years since many honest men, whose converse was familiar and fair, how did they court and desire the company of their neighbours, and mutually, how was their company desired by them? how humble were they in their carriage, loving in their expressions, and friendly in their behaviour, drawing the love and affections of all that were acquainted with them? But since being grown wealthy, they have first learned not to know themselves, and afterwards none of their neighbours; the brightness of much Gold and Silver, hath with the shine and lustre thereof so perstringed and dazzled their eyes, that they have forgotten those with whom they had formerly so familiar conversation; how proudly do they walk? how superciliously do they look? how disdainfully do they speak? they will not know their own Brothers and kindred, as being a kin only to themselves.  
Indeed such who have long been gaining of wealth, and have slowly proceeded by degrees therein, whereby they have learned to manage their minds, are not so palpably proud as others; but those who in an instant have been surprised with a vast estate, flowing in upon them from a fountain far above their deserts, not being able to wield their own greatness, have been pressed under the weight of their own estates, and have manifested that their minds never knew how to be stewards of their wealth, by forgetting themselves in the disposing thereof.  
I believe the little Primrose would have be longer in her discourse, had not the approach of the Boar put an unexpected period thereunto, and made her break off her speech before the ending thereof.  
Now whilst all other flowers were struck into a panic silence, only two, the Violet, and the S continued their discourse, which was not attributed to their valour or hardiness above other Flowers, but that casually both of them grew together in the declivity of a depressed Valley, so that they saw not the Boar, nor were they sensible of their own misery, nor durst others remove their stations to bring them intelligence thereof.  
Sister Marigold (said the Violet) you and I have continued these many days in the contest which of our two colours are the most honourable and pleasing to the Eye, I know what you can plead for yourself, that your yellowness is the Livery of Gold, the Sovereign of most men's hearts, and esteemed the purest of all metals; I deny not the truth hereof: But know that as far as the Sky surpasseth that which is buried in the Bowels of the Earth, so far my blue colour exceedeth yours; what is oftener mentioned by the Poets than the azure Clouds? let Heralds be made the Umpire, and I appeal to Gerrard, whether the azure doth not carry it clear above all other colours herein; Sable or Black affrights the beholders with the hue thereof, and minds them of the Funeral of their last friends, whom they had interred Vert or Green I confess is a colour refreshing the sight, and wore commonly before the eyes of such who have had a casual mischance therein, however, it is but the Livery of novelty, a young upstart colour, as green heads, and green youth do pass in common experience. Red I confess is a noble colour, but it hath too much of bloodiness therein, and affrighteth beholders with the memory thereof: My Blue is exposed to no cavils and exceptions, wherein black and red are moderately compounded, so that I participate of the perfections of them both: the over▪ gaudiness of the red, which hath too much light and brightness therein, is reduced and tempered with such a mixture of black, that the red is made staved, but not sad therewith, and the black kept from overmuch melancholy, with a proportionable contemperation of red therein: This is the reason that in all ages the Violet or purple colour hath passed for the emblem of Magistracy, and the Robes of the ancient Roman judges always died therewith.  
The Violet scarce arrived at the middle of her discourse, when the approach of the Boar put it into a terrible fear, nor was their any Herb or Flower in the whole Garden left unsurprized with fear, save only Time and Sage, which casually grew in an ●sland surrounded with water from the rest, and secured with a lock-bridge from the Boars access. Sage beginning, accosted Time in this Nature.  
Most fragrant Sister, there needs no other argument to convince thy transcendent sweetness, save only the appealing to the Bees (the most competent judges in this kind) those little Chemists, who through their natural Alembick, distil the sweetest and usefullest of Liquors, did not the commonness and cheapness thereof make it less valued: Now these industrious Bees, the emblem of a commonwealth (or Monarchy rather, if the received traditions of a Master-Bee be true) make their constant diet upon the; for though no Flower comes amiss to their palates, yet are they observed to prefer thee above the rest. Now Sister Time, fain would I be satisfied of you several queries, which only Time is able to resolve. Whether or no do you think that the State of the Turks wherein we live, (whose cruelty hath destroyed fair Tempe to the small remnant of these few Acres) whether I say, do you think that their strength and greatness doth increase, stand still, or abate? I know Time that you are the Mother of truth, and the finder out of all truths mysteries; be open therefore and candid with me herein, and freely speak your mind of the case propounded.  
Time very gravely casting down the eyes thereof to the earth; Sister Sage (said she) had you propounded any question within the sphere or circuit of a Garden, of the heat or coolness, dryness or moisture, virtue or operation of flowers and Herbs, I should not have demurred to return you a speedy answer; but this is of that dangerous consequence, that my own safety locks up my lips, and commands my silence therein: I know your wisdom Sage, whence you have gotten your name and reputation, this is not an age to trust the nearest of our relations with such an important secrecy; what ever thoughts are concealed within the Cabinet of my own bosom, shall there be preserved in their secret property without imparting them to any; my confessor himself shall know my conscience, but not my judgement in affairs of State: Let us comply with the present necessity, and lie at a close posture, knowing there be fencers even now about us, who will set upon us if our guards lie open: general discourses are such to which I will confine myself: It is anciently said, that the subtle man lurks in general. But now give me leave, for honesty itself, if desiring to be safe, to take Sanctuary therein.  
Let us enjoy our own happiness, and be sensible of the favour indulged to us, that whereas all Tempe is defaced, this Garden still surviveth in some tolerable condition of prosperity, and we especially miled about, are fenced from foreign foes, better than the rest; let it satisfy your soul that we peaceably possess this happiness, and I am sorry that the lustre thereof is set forth with so true a foil, as the calamity of our neighbours.  
Sage returned; Were I a blab of my mouth, whose secrecy was ever suspected, then might you be cautious in communicating your mind unto me: But secrecy is that I can principally boast of, it being the quality for which the commonwealth of Flowers chose me their privy Councillor, what therefore is told me in this nature, is deposited as securely, as those treasures which formerly were laid up in the Temple of safety itself; and therefore with all modest importunity, I reassume my suit, and desire your judgement of the question, whether the Turkish Tyranny is likely to continue any longer? for Time I know alone can give an answer to this question.  
Being confident (said Time) of your fidelity, I shall express myself in that freeness unto you, which I never as yet expressed to any mortal: I am of that hopeful opinion, that the period of this barbarous nations greatness begins to approach, my first reason is drawn from the vicissitude and mutability which attends all earthly things; Bodies arrived at the vertical point of their strength, decay and decline. The Moon when in the fullness of its increasing, tendeth to a waning; it is a pitch too high for any sublunary thing to amount unto constantly, to proceed progressively in greatness; this maketh me to hope that this Giantlike Empire, comented with Tyranny, supported, not so much with their own policy, as with the servility of such who are under them, hath seen its best days and highest elevation.  
To this end, to come to more particulars, what was it which first made the Turks fortunate, in so short a time to overrun all Greece, but these two things; first, the dissensions, 2. the dissoluteness of your ancient Greeks: Their dissensions are too well known, the Emperor of Constantinople being grown almost but titular, such the pride and potency of many Peers under him. The Egean is not more stored with Islands (as I think scarce such a heap or huddle is to be found of them in all the world again) as Greece was with several factions, the Epirots hated the achaians, the Mesedans bandoned against the Thracians, the Dalmatians maintained deadly feud against the Wallachians: Thus was the conquest made easy for the Turks, beholding not so much to their own valour, as to the Grecian discord.  
Next to their dissensions, their dissoluteness did expedite their ruin; drunkenness was so common among them, that it was a sin to be sober, so that I may ●ay, all Greece reeled and staggered with its own intemperance when the Turk assaulted it: What wonder then was it if they so quickly overran that famous Empire, where vice and laziness had generally infected all conditions of people.  
But now you see the Turks themselves have divisions and dissensions among them, their great Bashaws and holy Muftees have their several factions and dissensions; and whereas the poor Greeks by the reason of their hard usage, begin now to be starved into unity and temperance, they may seem to have changed their vices with the Turks, who are now grown as factious and vicious as the other were before. Add to all this that they are universally hated, and the neighbouring Princes raither wait a time, then want a will to be revenged on them for their many insolences. Put all these together, and tell me if it put not a cheerful complexion on probability, that the Turkish tyranny having come to the mark of its own might, and utmost limits of its own greatness, will dwindle and wither away by degrees. And assure yourself, if once it come to be but standing water, it will quickly be a low ebb with them.  
Probably she had proceeded longer in her Oration, if not interrupted with the miserable moans and complaints of the Herbs and Flowers which the Boar was ready to devour, when presently the Sage spoke unto the Boar in this manner.  
Sir, Listen a little unto me, who shall make such a motion whereof yourself shall be the Judge (how much it tendeth to your advantage) and the deafest ears will listen to their own interest.) I have no design for myself (whose position here environed with with water, secureth me from your anger) but I confess I sympathise with the misery of my friends and acquaintance, which in the continent of the Garden are exposed to your cruelty; what good will it do you to destroy so many Flowers and Herbs, which have no gust or sweetness at all in them for your palate; follow my directions, and directly South-west as you stand, you shall find (going forward therein) a corner in the Garden, overgrown with Hog-weed, (through the Gardiner's negligence;) Oh what Lettuce will be for your lips; you will say that Via lactea (or the milky way) is truly there, so white, so sweet, so plentiful a liquor is to be distilled out of the leaves thereof, which hath gotten the name of Hog-weed, because it is the principal Bill of fare whereon creatures of your kind make their common repast. The Boar sensible that Sage spoke to the purpose, followed his directions, and found the same true, when feeding himself almost to surfeit on those delicious dainties, he swollen so great, that in his return out of the Garden, the holein the fence which gave him admittance, was too small to afford him egress out thereat; when the Gardener coming in with a Guard of Dogs, so persecuted this Tyrant, that killed on the place, he made satisfaction for the wrong he had done, and for the terror wherewith he had affrighted so many Innocents'. I wish the Reader well feasted with some of his Brawn well cooked, and so take our leave both of him and the Gardens.  
FINIS.