The worth of women

The worth of women

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, VERTVOVS AND TRVE RELIGIous Dame, the Ladie ANNE WENTWORTH.

To the curious Readers.

THE WORTH OF WOMEN.

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THE WORTH OF WOMEN.

1

MY infant Muse that slept in silence long,

Resolu'd no more her vntun'd notes to sing,

Asham'd to heare the ignominous wrong,

Detracting idle heads did daily bring

Vpon that noble sexe of women-kinde,

Prepar'd her selfe some Antidote to fince.

2

Within an humble valley where she lay,

That was with loftie hils inuiron'd round,

Through wch a pleasant christal brook did play

With pibble stones that roled on the ground,

Where chirping birds melodiously did sing,

To entertaine the sweet refreshing Spring.

3

There Philomela did bewaile the rape

Of wicked Terius that incestuous King:

And louely Laeda in her Swan-like shape,

Hid her blacke foote vnder her snowie wing.

The matelesse Turtle you might also see

Sit mourning by vpon a Willow tree.

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4

Vindictiue Progne by her selfe alone,

Vpon an old decayed Trunke did keepe,

Vnder the which Halcyone did moane

Vpon a bush, whose dolefull note was, Weepe;

And Pyres daughters in those pleasant vaies,

Would oft be chattering prety wanton tales.

5

From hence among the lowly Mirtle boughes,

Oretopt with Pines and loftie Cedars tall,

She pearcht her selfe and made a stately rouze,

Wherewith a quill she from her wing let fall,

Intending now to take a higher flight,

She bids me make a pen, sit downe & write.

6

Which I obeying, had no sooner done,

But all the carping-critick-squint-eyd rout,

Like dogs to carion did about me runne,

And fortie faults in twentie words found out:

Each seuerall humour must his censure giue,

And at their verdict I must die or liue.

7

Their great god Momus did no sooner spie

My books rich title, but in heart repining,

Began to draw his goodly mouth awrie,

As if his worship had on Plaice bin dining;

Reades some few lines, & in a furious snuffe

Casts it aside, and sweares 'tis simple stuffe.

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8

Which Zoilus straight snatcheth vp againe,

And viewing but a vertuous womans name,

Cries, fie vpon this poore mans silly vaine,

To reade his booke, it were a burning shame:

Whereat the rout of giddie headed geese,

Did all bestow at least a word a peece.

9

One cries, a woman is composde of feather;

Another sweares, their faith is like the winde;

A third, their zeale is made of frostie weather;

The fourth, a chaste one neuer yet could finde.

A fig for these, since better spirits know,

Saue ignorance, true knowledge hath no fo.

10

Emboldned thus my daring Muse goes on,

Attir'd with naked Truths vnspotted robe,

And Eagle-like beholds the dazeling Sunne,

Euen in the Apogean of his globe,

To teach these Criticks that haue err'd in this,

To know hereafter what a woman is.

11

Know then the woman, God did first create,

And with the man in Paradise did place,

Was for an helpe when he was desolate,

Coequall with him in the state of grace.

Out strait cries the multitude, 'twas she:

That pluckt the fruit frō the forbidden tree.

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12

Euen heere this rable haue deuis'd a lie,

The Serpent pluckt, she gaue the man to eate,

VVho had free will this weake attempt to flie,

Knowing the heauy vengeance God did threat

VVhat time soeuer hee this fruite did taste,

That he should die the death & be displac't.

13

Which surely followed, for when God did call

For Adam as he vsually had done,

He now perceiuing his most wretched fall,

From his all-seeing presence would haue run

But finding no escape, cry'd out, and said,

I heard thy voice O Lord and was afraid.

14

VVhy hast thou eate of the forbidden tree,

Which I cōmanded thee thou shouldst not stir,

He said the woman hath deceiued me;

She pleades the Serpent had beguilled her:

Whē God in iustice saw their fault was euen,

Both with a curse from Paradise were driuen.

15

Yet shortly after see how God did blesse,

Obedient Sarah, Abrahams faithfull wife,

And fruitfull made her aged barrennesse,

Euen in her latter dying daies of life:

A son she doth conceiue within her wom be,

From whom shall Kings, & realmes, & nations come.

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16

A blessed mother of a chosen sonne,

VVith whom the Lord hath promised he will

Establish his couenant now beguune,

VVhich Isack is ordained to fulsill

And as with him saith God I haue decreed.

Gen. 24 25.

So after him for euer with his seed.

17

This promise God inuiolate will hold,

Which to confirme he doth Rebeccha chuse,

A vertuous woman more esteem'd then gold,

Whom Isack for his wife doth not refuse:

From Esau she the blessing did obtaine,

To Iacob where the couenant doth remaine.

18

And as to Isack, so did God prouide

For Iacob faithfull women full of zeale,

Gen. 29. 30.

Rahell and Leah are to him affi'de,

With whom the Lord most graciously doth deale:

For being barren, by their prayers conceiue,

Childrē, which they vnto successe shal leaue.

19

Though wicked Pharoh strictly did command

Exo. 1.

The Mid wiues all men children to destroy,

This practise they would neuer take in hand,

But did his vild iniunction disobey:

And durst no child of his deare life depriue,

But fearing God, preseru'd them all aliue.

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20

Whereat the King with anger them pursues,

Saying, How durst you my cōmandmēt break?

Which matter they so wisely did excuse,

As that the King had not a word to speake.

Wherfore God prosper'd thē in all things wel.

And built thē houses wherin they might dwel.

21

Now see how God miraculously wrought,

Exod. 2.

By Pharohs daughter this poore child to saue,

Who vnto her by stratagem was brought,

Euen by the mercie of a senslesse waue:

She fearing nought her fathers sterne decree,

Gaue straight cōmand, it should preserued be.

22

And by the secret prouidence of God,

This infant to his mother doth commend;

The miracle effected by his rod,

His poore oppressed people to defend:

The Oceans parting testifieth most,

Wherein did perish Pharoh and his hoast.

23

Behold, the Lord a woman chuseth out,

In all the towne, his secret Spies to hide;

Ios. 2.

Who being straight examin'd thereabout,

With constant zeale she seruently denide,

And closely them into a roofe conuayd,

Who otherwise their liues had surely payd.

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24

And euen about the deadest time of night,

Out at a window she doth them conuay,

And to the woods aduisd them take their flight,

That so the spies might misse them on the way:

For wch good deed (as God had thē inspir'd)

They faithfully performe what she desir'd.

25

His care of women he doth here expresse,

Exo. 22.

With speciall charge the widowes to defend,

And not to hurt the children fatherlesse,

For I shall heare (saith he) their cries ascend;

Then with ye sword I wil your liues bereaue,

And children orphants with your widows leaue.

26

A most renowned woman next we find,

Iudg. 4. 45.

A famous Iudge and sacred Prophetesse;

She vnto euery Israelite assign'd

His equall portion, were it more or lesse:

Vnder a Palme in Ephraim she abode,

And iudg'd according to the will of God.

27

To field she doth the Prophet Barak call,

Against the King of Canans mightie band,

Foretelling him that Sisera should fall;

For God will surely giue him to thine hand.

And Barak answering, said, I will not go,

Except thou likewise go with me also.

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28

Then Deborah with Barak went along

Vnto mount Tabor where a while they stay,

Till Sisera with men and chariots strong,

Did call him downe where Deborah did say

To Barak, feare not, God for thee doth fight

And Sisera this day shall put to flight.

29

But to a woman he shall giue the fame,

For thy weake faith, which else thee was due

The wife of Heber, Iael was her name,

That with a naile this famous Captaine slue:

For which the Lord hath said, she shalbe blest

Aboue all women that in tents doe rest.

30

Thus God deliuered Canan to the hands

Of Israel, to Deborahs great fame,

Who while their townes depopulated stands,

An happy mother she to them became,

For many kings went forth with her to fight

And Israell grew happy in her sight.

31

A cheerful song she with the King doth strait,

Vnto her God with warbled notes record,

Iudg. 5.

Hearken ô Kings giue eare you Princes great,

The mountaines melted from before the Lord:

Yea euen Sinai at his voice did melt,

The heauens did drop, the earth his thunder felt.

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32

The wife of Monoah being barren long,

God by his Angells most diuinely blest,

With such a sonne as is not found among

The Nazarites with heauenly strength possest:

Where with he shal begin to break the bands

And Israell saue from the Philistians hands.

33

Now Monoah, (as the Angell did commaund)

Vnto the Alter with his offering came,

Where while it burnt, his wife & he did stand,

The Angell loe ascended in the flame:

And Monoah told his wife there standing by

We haue seene God and wee shal surely die.

34

The faithfull woman comforts him and saies,

And if the Lord intended vs to kill,

He would not then accept the thanks & praise

Wee offer here according to his will:

Now God did blesse this child to be a man,

And made him mighty in the host of Dan.

35

Of Naomy and Ruth what tongue can tell,

Ruth. 34.

The tender loue they each to other beare,

Together would they goe, together dwell,

Together they the Lord did serue and feare:

Together they would laugh, together cry,

Together liue, and eke together die.

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36

And Naomy with feruent zeale did pray

Vnto the Lord, that of his mercie great,

He would on Ruth his louing fauour lay:

Who heard her prayer from his tribunall seate,

And graciously his blessings he bestowes,

As she was gleaning in the field of Boez.

37

A mightie man with riches great possest,

VVhom God inspired with an ardent flame

Of faithfull loue, which could not be supprest,

Vntill an husband he to Ruth became:

Frō whō (by his decree, whose acts are wise)

A blessed generation doth arise.

38

A liuely patterne of rare faith indeed,

1. Sa. 1.

In barren Hannah we may here behold,

With teares which frō a contrite heart proceed,

Vnto the Lord she doth her griefe vnfold,

VVith feruent prayer she might a son obtain,

Vowing to giue him to the Lord againe.

39

God heard her praier, and granted her request,

She doth conceiue and eke bring forth a sonne,

Wch brought her discontēted thoughts to rest,

She magnifide the Lord for what was done:

And to the Altar where all knees do bow,

She brought the child, & there performd her vow.

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40

A true Idea of a vertuous wife,

In Abigail is worthily exprest,

1. Sam 25.

VVho by her wisedome sau'd her husbands life

From Dauids iust reuenge, and all the rest,

Whē he had vowd of Nabals house, there shal

Not one be left to pisse against the wall.

41

And shortly after, God did Nabal smite

VVith sicknesse, whereof presently he died:

Then Dauid said: Blest be the God of might,

That hath my hands to shed his blood denide,

By her aduice, whose loue he now pursues,

And for her vertue to his wife doth chuse.

42

Vnspotted Tamar in a brothers power,

2 Sam. 13.

On whō she thought she might her life depend,

Whilst he inhumanely did her defloure,

See how she mourns for what she cānot mend:

Her clothes the rent, & dust & ashes throws

Vpon her head, thus desolate she goes.

43

Bathsheba by the Prophet is inspir'd,

To moue the King that Salomon might raigne

1. Kin. 1.

Alone (no doubt) the highest heauens desir'd,

Ordaining her the subiect to obtaine:

VVhich well appear'd by his diuine successe,

God did with wisedom, riches, honor blesse.

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44

So rare that from the wild Arabian south,

The Queene of Sheha iournied many daie s,

Kin. 10.

To learne sage wisdom frō that sapie nt mouth

To her immortall euerlasting praise:

Wch whē she did with wonder great behold

She gaue him spices, precious stones & gold.

45

And blest, saith she, be God which doth delight

In thee O King, and of his mercy great,

That so his people may be iudg'd aright,

Hath thee inuested in the iudgment seate:

This womā shal (saith God) in iudgment rise

Luk. 11. 10. 31.

Against those people did their Lord despise.

46

How highly God of women doth esteeme,

The widow of Sarepta sheweth plaine,

1. Kin. 17.

Wch widow poore ye Lord doth worthy deeme

The holy man Eliah to fustaine:

When famine sore the country did oppresse,

By miracle he doth this woman blesse.

47

A little oyle she had within a cruse,

And meale likewise to make a cake withall,

VVhereby herselfe she iustly doth excuse,

Vnto the Prophet who for bread doth call:

Loe this is all is left my sonne and I,

VVhich I am dressing, we may eate and die.

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48

Eliah said, woman be not afraid,

Make first a cake and bring it vnto me,

The meale is in thy barrell God hath said,

Nor yet the oyle shall euer wasted be,

Vntil the time the Lord doth send forth raine

The earth with plenty to possesse againe.

49

And she vnto Eliah brought a cake,

Then for her selfe & sonne did likewise dresse,

And many daies did this prouision make,

And yet her meale and oyle was not the lesse:

And to confirm her faith stil more & more,

Her sonne deceast, he doth to life restore.

50

An other widow straight the Lord hath found

On whom he doth most plenteously bestow,

2. Kin. 4

A miracle for euer to be crown'd,

Her vessells all with oyle doth ouerflow:

And ceased not vntill the woman said,

My vessells all are full, and then it staid.

51

Then came she to the man of God, and told

The blessings which she had receiu'd that day,

Eliah said, straight let the oyle be sold,

Wherewith thou mai'st thy creditors go pay:

And as the Lord this day thy state hath blest

So keepe thy selfe & children with the rest.

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52

The faithfull Shunamite deserueth well,

To be recorded with this sacred crue,

Who did the holy man of God compell,

To eate with her at euery season due:

And seriously her husband doth inuite,

To build a roome, where he might lodge all night.

53

Wherefore Eliah prayed vnto the Lord,

She being barren, and her husband olde,

To make her fruitfull, and he doth accord,

The Prophet cald the Shunamite, and told:

For this good deed, wch thou to me hast done

Thou shalt conceiue, & eke bring forth a son.

54

And in due time this miracle was wrought,

By his great power, that rules the starrie skie,

A ioyfull sonne into the world she brought,

Which shortly after happened to die:

Hereby to show his loue doth neuer cease,

To life he doth this child from death release.

55

What title shall I giue this happy Queene,

Whose sacred worth, her state doth far exceed,

Hest. 14

No eare hath heard, nor wādring eye hath seen

An act more bloudy, then is here decreed:

Her people all should be destroyd and slain,

Whose prayer and fasting did their liues obtaine.

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56

Of Prouinces one hundred twenty seuen,

The Iews should die, the King had giuē & seald

Which was opposed by the powerfull heauen,

And at this gracious Queenes request repeal'd:

And to a shamefull end the man she brought

That should this bloudy massacre haue wrought.

57

Thus Hester by the Lords out stretched arme,

Who neuer failes them that in him doe trust,

Preseru'd her people from this wofull harme,

And brought their foes euen down in the dust:

For as they thought ye Iewes to deale withall,

The same reuenge vpon their heads did fall.

58

When Sarah whom her fathers maides dispise,

Tob. 3.

Was ouercome with hearts oppressing griefe,

Vnto the Lord for succour strait she flies,

Who heard her prayer, & granted her releife:

And husband of his grace, he doth ordaine,

Wch into mirth, her mourning turn'd again.

59

If wisdome, valor, worth, and zeale were lost,

Iudith. 13.

And this rare patterne onely did remaine,

The world can scarce, of such another boast,

Whereby it might redeeme them all againe:

Who by her prayer, obtain'd from Gods high hand,

To saue a Cittie, and preserue a Land.

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60

First dust and ashes on her head she throwes,

And all in sackcloth she doth fast and pray,

Then into Olofernes campe she goes,

Where she this famous Captaine doth betray:

With courage stout, & wisdom rare she vs'd,

His head she brought, wch al the land excus'd.

61

Then did she call the Elders of the Towne,

Saying behold what God for you hath done,

With stately wreathes, they did her straight way crowne,

And euery where with shoutes of ioy did run:

The riches great of Olofernes tent,

With one accord they doe to her present.

62

Thus while she was extold, and magnifi'd,

Whom euery eie with wonder did behold,

Vnto the Temple of the Lord she hi'd,

And off'ring all this wealth of plate and gold:

With humble zeale before the Alter bowes,

Vnto the Lord, & thus perform'd her vowes.

63

A mirrour of a chast religious wife,

Is faire Susanna, being fore distrest,

Who rather chose to loose her dearest life,

Then yeild vnto the Elders vild request:

Loe thus resolu'd, aloud for helpe did cry,

And false accus'd, she is condemned to die.

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64

But see how God did graciously prouide,

To saue this woman by a childes decree,

Who did the Elders seuerally deuide,

And found them both in seuerall tales to be:

For wch vnworthy deed, their liues they pay

To her great honor, who they did betray.

65

A woman more then wonderfull behold,

Whose resolutions so vndanted are,

As by no earthly power, can be control'd,

More permanent then any fixed starre

Within the Spheare, of that celistiall round,

To whom fames trumpet giues the loudest sound.

66

Seuen sons she had, who by the Kings cōmand,

Because they would not his behests obey,

To violate the custome of their land,

Were all adiudg'd their dearest liues to pay

By sundry tortures, which she seeing plaine,

Imboldned them, still constant to remaine.

67

When six of them, the Tirant had destroy'd,

He wild his mother, moue the seuenth to turne

That so he might this cruell death auoid,

In stead whereof, she bids him boldly burne:

And Martyr-like, the Tirants rage defie,

Thus with his brothers he doth brauely die.

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68

Like Hecuba for death of Pryam old,

The mother now all tearmes of life defi'd,

VVith courage greater then Sheuola bold,

And thus this euer honored Martir di'd:

Where we wil leaue thē to ye world to mourn,

And to our Grandame Eue, againe returne.

69

And there behold, the race poore man had run

VVhen God & Angells did him both forsake,

Fit for precipice thou wert vndone,

And could'st no way, a good attonment make:

Till this rare creature thou dispisest so,

VVas chosen out, to mittigate thy woe.

70

Assist me now ye sacred Sisters nine,

Luk. 1. 10. 27. 28. 29. 30.

That I with reuerence may her praises sing,

VVho was elected by the powers deuine,

A sanctifi'd and blessed birth to bring:

VVhen man to sin was subiect, & to thrall,

Became a sweet redemption for vs all.

71

For euer blessed be that glorious name,

Which God & Angells haue pronounced blest

Frō whose deare loins, our happy Sauiour came

That to the world brought loue, ioy, peace and rest:

And did not spare his precious bloud to spil

Condemned mans saluation to fulfill.

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72

All honor praise and glory due be done,

To her whose seed hath conquered death & hel

A happy mother of a royall sonne,

Before whose throne, she doth in glory dwell,

Where she with Angells, & Ark-angells sings

Sweet haleluiah to the King of Kings.

73

This blessed woman if I could not find,

An other subiect to defend their case,

Might well perswade men, if they were not blind,

With enuious malice, vold of humaine grace:

To striue as much, their honor to maintaine

As they pursue thē with such foule disdaine.

74

A second Mary doth this first succeed,

Mat. 28. Ioh. 20. Mar. 16.

Whose loue & zeale, throughout the world is spred

The teares would make a marble heart to bleed,

VVhich for her deare deceased Lord she shed:

Deep plung'd in woes, in sorows great opprest

Her minde amaz'd, her sences dispossest.

75

In this sad passion to the place she goes,

VVhereas she thought our blessed Sauiour lay

No pen so dolefull can expresse her woes,

VVhen she perceiu'd the body stolne away,

A fresh she wept, & down her head she hung

Like lapwings yt are robbed of their yong.

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76

The precious ointment yt with her she brought,

That glorious body to imb [...]lme and keepe,

She nought respects, since it was gon she sought

She sighes & sobs, & doth not cease to weepe:

Like Niobe this wofull womans feares,

As if she would dissolue herselfe in teares.

77

Then came the good Apostles to the graue,

Frō whēce they foūd his corpes cōuai'd away;

Feareing the Iewes, were glad thēselues to saue

And soone return'd, not daring long to stay:

Whē Mary stil stood weeping at the tombe

And would not stirre for deaths most cruell doome.

78

But down her head she bowed into the graue,

Scarce giuing credit to her wofull sight,

Where loe at either corner of the caue,

She saw an Angell cloathed all in white:

Whereat agast she would a side haue stept,

Had they not spake & askt her why she wept.

79

For him I wept, ful fraught with greife she said,

Whose like on earth, shal neuer more be foūd,

VVhom cursed Iewes most cruelly betray'd,

And now haue stoln him frō this blessed groūd

They comfort her, & say, thy teares refraine,

For he thou seek'st, is rais'd to life againe.

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80

But she continues still her wofull cheere,

And to her woes no comfort would allow,

Vntill our Sauiour did himselfe appeare,

And askt her, woman, wherefore weepest thou:

She taking him, the Gardner sure to be,

Said sir, if thou hast hid him, giue him me.

81

And Iesus answered, Mary, I am he

Thou seekest so, wherefore be not afraid,

Goe to my brethren, and report of me,

That thou hast seene, & heard what I haue said:

And will them into Galile to goe,

VVhere I will shortly meete with them also.

82

Twixt greife and ioy she stood amaz'd a while,

Then downe she falls, and worships at his feet,

And with a louing entermixing smile,

VVith teares of mirth she doth our Sauior greet

And to perform his wil with reuerence due,

She rose, she went, she ranne, she rather flue.

83

Vntill she came where the Apostles were,

Deep plung'd in sorow, & with griefe opprest,

To whom she did this ioyfull newes declare,

All she had heard and seene, she there exprest:

VVhich done, she strait returned back to find

The company that she had left behind.

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84

Another sacred Mary with her came,

And with them also many women more,

For saue the Apostles (to their lasting fame)

VVere none but women did his death deplore:

Earely they rose before the breake of day,

Meaning frō thence to take the corps away.

85

A fourth most sacred woman of this name,

Doth with the rest preceding well agree,

A woman filled with religious fame,

At Iesus preaching she would euer be:

In humble maner, seated at his feete,

To heare his wisdome, & his doctrine sweet.

86

Her sister Martha must not be forgot,

Ioh. 11. 15.

A most renowned woman full of faith,

Whose loue vnto our Sauiour ceased not,

And as the holy Scripture plainly saith:

Christ Iesus likewise loued them againe,

Whō men would seem so slightly to disdain.

87

One only brother these two sisters had,

Who accedentally fell sicke, and di'd,

But hearing Christ was cōming, they were glad

For on his power, these women much reli'd:

Which did alay, and mittigate their griefe,

Hoping by him, they might yet find releife.

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88

Martha went forth her louing Lord to meete,

And humbly prostrate at his feete she fell,

Saying ô Lord, and my redeemer sweet,

Hadst thou bin here my brother had bin well:

But this I know vndoubted truth to be,

What ere thou askest, God will giue it thee.

89

Then Iesus said, thy brother shall arise,

Yes at the resurrection Lord know,

I am the resurrection he repli'd,

Both of the liuing and the dead also:

Who this beleife shall stedrastly retaine,

Though he were dead, yet shal he liue again.

90

Beleiu'st thou this? Lord I beleeue it all,

And that thou art, that Sonne of God now sent

That should redeem poore sinful man frō thral

If he beleeue, becomming penitent:

O rare beleife, and faith of women kind,

Proceeding from a pure vnspotted minde.

91

Then backe she came and did her sister call,

Who hastely went forth her Lord to meete,

And with an heart opprest with griefe doth fal

With bitter teares before her Sauiours feete:

And with a mournful voice, O Lord she cri'd

Had'st thou bin here my brother had not di'd.

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92

Be present with me euery wofull wight,

Whō doleful griefe hath turn'd to dust & mold,

Euen in your saddest, & most mournfull plight,

Let me your gastly visages behold:

I may expresse the agonie he felt,

And marble hearts into compassion melt.

93

VVhen in the spirit he did grone with paine,

VVhich did his sad and heauy heart molest,

How with a troubled soule he gron'd againe,

Oh wherewith can his torments be exprest:

VVho could not be disburthned of his cares,

Vntill his passion burst it selfe in teares.

94

Oh ye mine eyes to conduit pipes would turne,

I might his teares perpetually deplore,

VVeepe sinfull man, & do not cease to mourne

Christs tears, although thou neuer weptst before

Shed now a teare from thy obdurate eye,

Or else hereafter be for euer dry.

95

In this sad plight vnto the tombe He went,

VVhereas deceased Lazarus was laid,

VVhere first he pray'd to God which had him sent,

Then Lazarus come forth, alow'd hee said,

who strait came forth, boūd hand & foote also

Christ willed them to loose and let him goe.

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96

Who can expresse the faithful thanks they giue

To magnifie this miracle he wrought,

Whereby they saw their dearest brother liue,

Which was a worke impossible they thought:

With ioyfull harts they doe not cease to sing

Continuall anthems to their heauenly King.

97

Now shortly after Iesus came againe

To Maries house as he had done before,

With heauenly ioy she doth him entertaine,

Who for her brother lou'd him more & more:

And as at meate with Lazarus he sat,

Vnder the table to his feete she gat.

98

Whereon she doth a costly oile bestow,

VVherwith she washt those euer hallowed feet.

Ioh. 12.

Too pure she thought on mortall groūd to go,

And kindly giues him many kisses sweet:

Not knowing how she shold her loue declare

This done she takes and wipt them with her haire.

99

But his Disciples murmuring, him told

This precious oile should be esteemed more,

VVhich for 3 hundred pence might haue bin sold,

And better far bin giuen to the poore:

But Iesus sharply them rebuking said,

Let her alone, why trouble you the maid.

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100

The good that she had done he doth vnfold,

Saying, the poore shall daily on you call,

But me you shortly shall no more behold,

She brought this balme to bury me withall:

Where ere mē preaching shal ye Gospel name,

This shalbe spoken to her lasting fame.

101

The faith of women all men may behold,

As in this following subiect well appeares,

Who had a bloudy issue long, and could

Receiue no helpe by phisicke many yeares:

Beleeued if she might lesus garment touch,

She should be whole, her faith & zeale was such,

102

With this strōg hope she thrust into the prease,

Mat. 15:

And touching but his very garments hemme,

Immediatly she felt the issue cease,

O famous faith, in estimable iemme:

He knowing what was done, lookt back to see,

And missing her, askt who hath touched me?

103

But she that knew, what miracle was wrought,

VVith feare and trembling at his feete did fall,

And for his mercies sake, she him besought,

To pardon her, and therewith told him all:

He said O woman, with a voice most free,

Great is thy faith, and it hath saued thee.

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104

Next see the woman that in Canan dwelt,

By faith beleeues his mercies to obtaine,

How earnestly she with our Sauiour dealt,

Haue mercy on me Lord, she cri'd amaine:

And heale my daughter being sore perplext,

VVho with a diuell cruelly is vext.

105

He heard her well, but did no answer make,

Till his Disciples said, send her away,

She followed still, and would not him forsake,

Though he to her with bitter words did say:

It is not lawfull woman I should giue,

To dogs the childrens bread whereby they liue.

106

True Lord she said, and yet the dogs doe eate,

The croms which from their masters tables fal,

And still for mercy she doth him intreate,

VVho wondred at her faith, and said withall:

O happy wight with heauenly faith inspir'd,

Be it vnto thee as thou hast desir'd.

107

And in yt houre her daughter was made whole,

Vnto her euerlasting ioyes increase,

VVith faith as stedfast as the fixed Pole,

According to his will she went in peace:

Oh faith most rare, ye like hath not bin found

Worthy in leaues of marble to be crown'd.

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108

The sinfull woman of the cittie Nain,

Doubts not by faith but she shal purchase grace

Luk. 7.

And weeping at his backe she doth remaine,

A little while in most perplexed case:

Then down she falls, and with a sea of teares

His feete she washt, and wipt them with her haires,

109

Anointed them, and gaue them many a kisse,

VVhere at the Pharise in himselfe did say,

VVhere he a Prophet, as men say he is,

Hee'd know this sinner, and not let her stay:

When Iesus knew his thought, Simon said he,

There is a question I must aske of thee.

110

A certaine lender, lent a little summe

To one; and to another lent a great,

But neither able when the time was come

To pay: forgaue them both their seueral debt:

Now which of these think'st thou, will loue him better?

He answered, I suppose the greater debter.

111

VVell hast thou said, our Sauiour then repli'd,

Seest thou this woman that by faith is led,

Yet since I came, thou neither didst prouide

To wash my feete, nor yet anoint my head:

She hath done both, no kisse of thee I got,

Thy faith is great, ô woman goe in peace.

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112

Wherefore this woman thou dost here behold

Whose firme beleife, and constant faith is such,

As by no mans expression can be told,

Hath much forgiuen her, for she loued much:

To her he said, from sin I thee release,

Thy faith is great, ô woman go in peace.

113

Elizabeth old Zacharias wife,

Luk. 1.

A rare example wherein men may see,

The blessing followeth a religious life,

A faithfull woman she is found to be:

Whom God the Father by his Angells blest,

In barren age, and with a sonne possest.

104

A child adopted of his speciall grace,

And sanctifi'd euen in his mothers wombe,

Elect to goe before his glorious face,

And prophesie that he should after come:

To strengthen those whose faith was weake and fraile,

The glory of his people Israel,

115

Old Anna then a sacred Prophetesse,

Who serued God with fasting night and day.

Came forth and did her blessed Lord confesse,

While yet within his mothers armes he lay:

Redemption preacht, to her immortal fame,

To all that did beleeue in Iesus name.

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116

VVhen as our blessed Sauiour did cast out,

The feind wher with ye dumb man was possest,

[...]k. 36.

Incompast with a misbeleeuing rout,

Whose wicked thoughts their euill minds molest:

To whom whilst he did wholesome doctrine preach,

Which to amend their sinfull life did touch.

117

A certaine woman lifted vp her voice,

And said the wombe had blest & happy lucke,

That broght thee forth, & let those paps reioyce

Which in thy infants daies did giue thee sucke:

This faithfull woman he doth well approue,

Among the rest with deere and tender loue,

118

VVhich loue he doth most manifestly show,

By miracles he wrought from day to day,

First vnto Peters mother he doth goe,

Mat. 8. 14. 15. 16.

Where of a feauer very sicke she lay:

And meerely of his grace it doth him please

To cure her of that dangerous disease.

119

The Ruler then most humbly him besought,

To heale his daughter in extreamest neede,

VVho now was at ye point of death he thought,

Mat. 9. 23. 24. 25.

And ere he came the maide was dead in deed:

But Iesus vnto Iairus spake and said,

Beleeue thou only and be not afraid,

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120

And forth with into Iairus house he goes,

VVhere did attend him many weeping eies,

The multitude first out of doores he throwes,

Then to the maide he went and said arise:

And she arose with feare and wonder great,

He strait commanded they should giue her meate.

121

The woman like wise that was eighteene yeares

Tormented with a most infernall spirit,

Bound altogether as most plaine appeares,

And could by no meanes lift herselfe vpright:

Our Sauiour seeing straight way did appease,

And freely freed her of that strong disease.

122

He had compassion of the widowes teares,

The which at Nain in Galile he did meete,

Luk 7. 10. 13. 14.

For her dead sonne exprest with many cares,

VVho now to death had pai'd his latest debt:

In such a measure he could not refraine,

To raise to life, and giue him her againe.

123

The Pharises and Scribes vnto him brought,

Iob. 3.

The woman in adultery was found,

T'intrap him said, by Moses law she ought,

For to be stoned dead vnto the ground:

But Iesus said, let him that hath no sinne,

To execute this vpright law begin.

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124

Whereat they all began to steale away,

Leauing her standing by her Lord alone,

VVho turn'd a out, and vnto her did say,

VVoman, where now are thy accusers gone:

No man is left she said, was here before,

And I accuse thee not, go sinne no more.

125

His loue to women neuer can be told,

See how he doth the widowes mite commend,

Aboue them all that offered pearle and gold,

Saying from superfluitie they spend:

When she poore wight from penury was glad,

To offer to the Lord euen all she had.

126

Ioanna with Susanna, and the rest,

For there were with them many women more

The which our blessed Sauiour dispossest?

Of wicked spirits, being vexed sore:

Wherefore most gratefully they him besought,

He would accept the substance they had brought.

127

Now last of all, as to the crosse he goes,

To finnish there his dearest virall breath,

A multitude of people saw his woes,

But none saue women did lament his death:

They weepe and waile, with shreekes and piteous cries,

Luk. 1. 3 27. 28.

As if they would pull vengeance frō ye skies.

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128

Vpon those cursed misbeleeuing Iewes,

Their blessed Lord and Sauiour did betray,

And for reuenge on those that thus abuse,

This holy Lambe, they neuer cease to pray:

Such gracious loue they did frō him obtain,

They know not how to show their loue againe.

129

And after his decease, the Apostles found

Most vertuous women still in euery place,

Priscilla was a woman much renown'd.

VVho taught Apolloes rare & heauenly grace:

For as this good Apostle plainly saith,

She tooke him home, & made him strong in faith.

130

Saint Peter also doth as much commend,

Tabitha for her charitable deeds,

Of almes that she vnto the Lord did lend,

Which frō her loue vnto good works proceeds

Who being dead, by prayer he doth obtaine

Act. 9.

She is restored vnto life againe.

131

Behold what wonders God by womē wroght,

Act. 16.

As holy Paul doth worthily declare,

To Macedon he is by vision brought,

VVhere those yt heard him only women were:

'Mongst whom with admiration he doth tell

Of Lydia, who there did purple sell.

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132

A saithfull woman, one that God ordain'd,

To saue a kingdome by her good desert,

VVho in the seruice of the Lord remain'd

For it is said God opened her heart:

And she beleeu'd our words & was baptiz'd

With all her houshold as we them aduis'd.

133

This done we were determined to goe,

Along the coasts to make some further tryall,

But she coniur'd vs not to leaue her so,

Her earnest suite would suffer no deniall:

And lo together as we went to pray,

A certaine virgin met vs on the way.

134

Possessed with a spirit of diuining,

By which her master much aduantage got,

To vs she was with feruent zeale inclining,

And for her masters proffitt cared not:

Act. 16. 16.

She follow'd vs and cride, these men are they

That to saluation teach the ready way.

135

And many daies continued in the same,

Till Paul was grieu'd for her, and turn'd about,

And to the Spirit said in Iesus name,

I charge thee from this woman get thee out:

And it obey'd that all commanding power,

Departing from her at that instant houre.

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136

An other woman he doth straight recite,

He did in Athens at his preaching find.

Rom. 1. 16.

Cald Damaris a most beleeuing wight.

VVith whom Triplena may be wel combin'd:

Triplena doth with Persiis well accord,

All faithfull women labouring in the Lord.

137

Amongst this crue he highly doth commend,

Phoebe a seruant of the Lord saith he,

For whom he doth vnto his brethren send,

That in the Lord we might receiued be:

And ayded by them in what ere she needs;

For she hath done most charitable deeds.

138

The blest Euangelist Saint Iohn doth write,

Vnto a Lady whom he calles elect,

A virtuous woman who doth much delight,

The lawes of her Redeemer to respect:

2. Ioh. 1.

And taught her children likewise to fulfill,

Our blessed Lord and Sauiours holy will.

139

For which saith he I doe not onely loue,

This most renowned woman of our dayes,

But all those Saints that loue the truth approue

Her zealous workes with euerlasting praise:

Which they in greater estimation hold,

Then Tagus wealth, or Ophirs purest gold.

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140

Thus in this sacred booke of bookes we see,

The blesings God on women did bestow,

VVhich worthyly they did deserue saith he,

From whom such faith, such loue, such zeale did flow:

Such courage braue, such resolutions rare,

As monuments of marble shall out weare.

141

The histories that doe their praise recite,

In euery age so plentifull appeares,

That if I had ability to write,

I should not finish, liuing Nestors yeares:

Such monumēts vnto their fame they build

A magasine might with the bookes be fil'd.

142

Yet to auoid the captious base report,

Of Puritant or Bible bearing poet,

As likewise to content the wiser sort.

On whom alone I freely doe bestow it:

I will insert of womens vertues rare,

A stanze, or two what histories declare.

143

For chastitie behold that Roman dame,

Iustin.

That proud Tarquinius basely did subdue,

Disdaining to out liue her forced shame,

Did in her dearest bloud her hands imbrew:

For wch she is throwout the world renownd

And by the pens of Lawreat Poets crown'd.

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144

Vnmatched Ouid doth as much commend,

Penelope Vlisses constant wife,

Ouid.

Whose widowed hands the hanging web doth rend,

Whilst he in Lacedemon leades his life:

Euen like the Turtle that hath lost his mate,

She doth bewaile her desolate estate.

145

Vnspotted Daphue would not be allur'd,

Ouid.

By powerfull loue, from whom amaine she flies

When fainting breath, her honors losse assur'd,

Alowd for chaste Dianaes helpe she cries:

Whose iust consent, vnto her earnest prayer

The lawrell doth perpetuall witnesse beare.

146

The daughter faire of Agamemnon King,

Thucidides.

Whose loue and beauty was desir'd of many,

Held chastitie so virtuous a thing,

That she would neuer condiscend to any:

But constantly their ardent suites deni'd,

And thus this spotlesse virgin liu'd and di'd.

147

The virgin Lucia doth all praise exceed,

Domitian.

With whom the tirant King was far in loue.

VVhen she perceiu'd it was so sure decreed,

What friendship could not force at last shoud proue:

Her star-like eyes she to the tirant sent,

That thus she might her honors losse preuēt.

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148

Thucidides.

Sage Fedons daughter doth amaze my minde,

VVhose father being at a banquent slaine,

By sauage men, who likewise had combin'd,

This vertuous virgins chastitie to staine:

She to auoid this Tyrants fury fell,

Did headlong cast herselfe into a well.

149

Saint Ambrose of Pelagia writes as much,

VVho with her famous sisters and her mother,

That no rude hād her honors worth might tuch

Themselues did likewise in the water smother:

Such deare respect to chastitie they owe,

Their precious liues they doe for it bestow.

150

The Lady Bona to her lasting honor,

Guice [...] din.

Whose husband to the holy warres was sent,

Disguis'd to follow him she tooke vpon her,

Both shield & speare, mou'd with a chast intent

Wher brauely she his faithles foes did threat

And rescued him from many dangers great.

151

Braue Francis Sforsas souldiers to him broght,

A virgin rare of birth, & beauty great,

Whom she with friendship prayer & words besoght,

Then tyrant like the silly maide did threat:

But finding nothing could her honor staine

With gifts & praise he sent her home againe.

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152

The women of Tutonicaes request,

When noble Marius had their husband slaine

VVas yt they might haue leaue to spend ye rest,

Of their vnhappy liues in Vestaes traine:

Where they like chastest turtles wold deplore

Their fatall losse, beholding men no more.

153

In Rome a woman being made aquainted,

Cor. Tac.

With treason was 'gainst Nero great conspir'd,

VVhereof she happened first to be attainted,

Of whom the Iudges all the rest inquired:

With cruell torments she her life did pay,

Yet neuer any party would betray.

154

Renowned Loena did in sunder bite

Her tongue, and spit it in the tyrants face,

Because she would no secret bring to light,

For which th' Athenians to her lasting grace:

Plime.

From whom such rare vnmatched virtue sprung,

A Lionesse set vp without a tong.

155

Rare Nicostrata mother to Euander,

Did first vnto the Latins shew their letters,

VVho till her time in ignorance did wander,

Yet afterwards acknowledge none their betters

In History, Philosophy, or Phraise,

Of eloquence deseruing worthy praise.

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156

Aretha was in learning so profound,

That she in Athens publike schoole did read

Philosophie with iudgment graue and sound,

VVherein she did the learnedst man exceed:

VVhose Auditors as Pollio doth declare,

Philosophers aboue a hundred were.

Pollio.

157

VVhen Lucius Scilla was condemn'd to die,

Who falsely had three thousand Romains slaine

That did vpon his word their liues relie,

His daughter Loelia did his life obtaine:

With one oration which she made in Rome

Whereat the Senate did reuoke their doom.

Cicero.

158

Senobia was in learning so repleate,

Both Greeke and Latin to her sons she taught,

And did a rare epitome repeate,

Pollio.

Of all ye warres wherwith the East was fraught:

Athenian Pericles, who soar'd so high

Did from Aspasia learne Philosophie.

159

Cornelia a famous Roman dame,

Cornelia the wife of Africanus & Mother to the Greechi.

Such eloquent Epistles vs'd to write,

That Cicero a man of rarest fame,

Cōmends her workes with wonderful delight:

With Pallaes help to end rare Lucan broght

The battaile Caesar and great Pompey fought.

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160

Alexandra, the wife of Alexander,

In Iury liu'd a Bishop many yeares,

Whose learned wisdom like a wise commander

Was reuerenc'd both of common-wealth and Peeres:

Eicsebius

Dona the daughter of Pithagoras,

In sciences a famous scholler was.

161

Two Gretian women deepely learn'd indeed,

Plato. Lasterna Axiothe.

The loue of Plato did so highly win,

That seated in his chaire about to read,

Before they came he seldome would begin:

In them saith he, sage wisdom doth remaine,

And memory graue maxims to maintaine.

162

In France a sect of women did remaine,

Cal'd Druides, to whom Aurelian came,

From Rome to France their counsells to obtaine

So much their wisdom was renownd by fame:

Mirrha Queene of Lydia men did call,

Strabo.

Agiant for her wit, in stature small.

163

In Rhodes a Roman and a Greeke fell out.

Eutropius.

Who both desir'd their cuntries worth to raise

The Greeke cōtest ye Romans were more stout

But vnto Greece for learning gaue the praise:

Wherin said he our women more doe know

Then you in armes, whereof you boast of so.

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164

Vpon which words a mortall warre insu'd,

'Twixt Rome & Carthage, til the Rodians came,

VVho earnestly intreate they would conclude,

To make them empires in this worke of fame:

To whose request whē they had both agreed

The noble Rhodians in this wise proceed.

165

Ten Greacian women they in Rhodes ordaine

VVith ten of Rome shall disputation hold,

Wch they with such rare learning did maintain,

In leaues of brasse deserues to be inrol'd:

For with the Rhodiās to their great renown,

with Lawrell wreathes these famous women crown'd.

166

For sollid sentences and learning graue,

Vnto the Grecians they the praise decreed,

True eloquence they to the Romans gaue,

Wherin they thought they did ye Greeks exceed

But from each side such vertue rare did flow

As mē could hardly who were victors know.

167

The worthy Rodians in perpetuall praise,

That after ages might their vertues see,

To each of them a monument did raise,

VVhereby their loue shall intermixed be:

Twenty huge Pillers of victorious fame,

Whereon was writ each seuerall womans name.

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168

Two famous Theban virgins being told,

The Oracle had said they should enioy,

A conquest from the Orchymenians bold,

If two chast virgins should thēselues destroy:

Their country with victorious praise to kill,

Coragiously their dearest bloud they spill.

169

Braue Celia, that King Porsenna tooke,

Salust.

VVith whom in hostage diuers virgins were,

With courage stout, by night his camp forsook,

Gat horse and swame a riuer, void of feare:

VVhereat the King amaz'd without delay.

Did raise his siege, and went with shame away.

170

Hermonia a Siracusan maid,

To saue her country did her life defie,

Plime.

The wife of Asdruball was lesse afraid,

VVhen Scipio conquered then himselfe to die:

Great Mithridates wife and sisters three,

Shew'd farre lesse feare of death then he.

171

Resolued Portia hearing this sad newes,

Her husband, and her father both were slaine,

Portia the wife of Brutus.

That tyrannizing sorrow should abuse,

Her noble spirit did so much disdaine.

The burning coales to eate she doth deuise,

Thus made herselfe a liuing sacrifice.

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172

The pride of Aegipt that most glorious Queen

Did so much scorn great Caesars campe to grace

With captine bands, wher she shold ly between

Dispaire and hope in a contemned case:

With poisoned Asps, whose touch to death doth hie,

Brauely resolu'd she rather chose to die.

173

Philip proclam'd at Scyo euery slaue,

Herodat.

That would come forth & with his army hold

With liberty their masters wiues should haue,

Which when the women heard, like lions bold

They sally out, and to their great renowne,

Beate Phillip and his army from the towne.

174

The Scyots by th'Egiptian sore opprest,

Vnarm'd to leaue the towne, with them agree,

Iustine.

Wch when the womē heard they could not rest

Vntill they made them change this base decree:

With sheild and speare vncloth'd they march away,

Telling their foes that this was their aray.

175

Among the Amasons two Queens they chose

The forraigne and domestique state to guide,

Abroad Marpesia did subdue their foes,

At home Lampeda all things did decide:

VVith equall iustice void of loue or hate,

VVhich made them florish in a happy state.

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176

Constantinople being round beset,

With furious Gothes that ment it to destroy,

Cassads.

The Empresse bold to the wall did get,

VVhere valiantly she did them so annoy:

That many by her noble hands did die,

The rest were forst to raise their siege & fly.

177

Simeramis deserues to be inrold,

Iustine.

In brasen leaues of euerlasting praise,

Who by her vallour like a Tygresse bold,

Her hardy foes inforst their campe to raise:

From Babilon they surely thought to take,

Which she with shame compeled them to forsake.

178

Senobia forst Aurelian to confesse;

With whom a famous war she long maintain'd

To conquer Xerxes was a taske far lesse,

Whose greatnesse with the name of feare was stain'd

Thē stout Senobia who with speare & sheild,

Came like the God of bataile to the field.

179

Penthiselia that couragious queene,

Encountered braue Achilles hand to hand,

Then which a brauer combat nere was seene,

Hippolita stout Theseus did withstand:

In single fight their honors to maintaine,

VVhereby they did immortallglory gaine.

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180

The Queene of Carryall, like the God of war,

Did chase ye Rhodians like a hare with hounds,

Against whose valor nothing was a barre,

She burnt the wals, sackt their cheifest townes,

Whereby she forst thē to her endlesse fame,

To build her image, and inscribe her name.

181

Immortall Tass [...] thou canst neuer die,

So worthily Clornidaes fame to write,

Who boldly durst that champion braue defie,

Renowned Tancred, euen at single fight:

And so perform'd yt men could hardly know

The conqueror suruiu'd his conquered foe.

182

Vndanted Hector hadst thou liued now,

Howmuch thy hardest soule wold blush to see

Iustine.

That earths great monarch should be made to bow,

And by a womans hand subuerted be:

Whose valiant head, she frō his body drew,

And did ye same in his owne blood imbrew.

183

Euen a [...] a Lyonesse doth range the coast,

When she perceiues her whelps are made a pray

So Thamaris doth breake through Cyrus host,

And brauely with her sword did make her way

And to her friēds his royal head she brought,

Like Pallas with the spoils of Gergon fraught.

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184

Amongst these Queenes oh let me not forget,

That Queen of Queenes, which in our age did raigne,

Who like a Comet in the skie was set,

Vnparalleld for euer to remaine:

To write her praise, I neuer shall aspire,

Whom euery eye with wonder did admire.

185

The worlds great Artist, nature did complaine,

Such beauty rare the earth did not enioy,

And that no other might the like obtaine,

She doth againe this heauenly stamp destroy:

Then all the powers supernall freely came,

And gaue perfection to this matchles dame.

186

Imperious Iuno at her feete did lay,

That all commanding Scopter which she bare,

Wherewith she did the pride of Spaine allay,

Supported France the Royall crowne to weare

And Belgia her peerelesse praise may sing,

Whose famous acts all Christendome doth ring.

187

Arete for her Temple chose her breast,

And with faire vertues did it freely fill,

Religious Vesta with chast thoughts her blest,

Minerua gaue her sacred wisedome still:

And royall Ceres who with a liberall hand,

With great aboundance did inrich her land.

[Page]

188

The faithlesse Pagan, misbeleeuing Turke,

Virginian heathen, with the Indian Moore,

In whō doth nought but secret mischeife lurk,

They all with reuerence did her state adore:

Great giftes they offer to her sacred shrine,

So was she blest, euen by the powers diuine.

189

An happy fight this blessed woman fought,

Whilst here she liu'd & wore the royall crown;

Her subiects all to peace and loue she brought,

The humble spar'd, & beat the haughty down,

Thus left her thron, wch time shal quit destroy

An euerlasting kingdome to enioy.

190

But now me thinkes I heare some whispering say,

This fellow sure is fearefully in loue,

Whilst other straight vnto my charge doe lay,

Some mercinary hire doth him moue:

No, no, my friends, it is a case more cōmon,

Wch you forget, my mother was a woman.

191

Whom nature taught me tenderly to loue,

And thinke it is a duty which I owe,

To her and women for her sake to proue,

The praise on them both God & men bestow:

No art so excellent hath euer bin,

But women haue bin famous actors in.

[Page]

192

Tis true say, they there was a time of olde,

When women sure were better far then now,

Through this opinion diuers men doe hold,

I doubt not but the wiser will allow:

This costome nature doth to all men giue,

To thinke yt age is worse wherein they liue.

193

Virgill and Ouid many yeares agoe,

Do testifie that then the world was nought,

In stately stile of verse from them did flow,

Their sober lessons publickly they taught:

Homer might come with musike to his whores

Yet wanting mony, get him out of dores.

194

Either these men haue spirits of diuining,

Or else the world stands now as then it did,

If worse, it is by enuious mens repining,

Which if they would conuert from ill to good,

Thousāds of womē this bad age might name

That want rare pens to eternize their fame.

195

Like Romes Colassae I might write a booke,

Or the Egiptian Piramid of old,

If I should strictly striue to ouerlooke,

The vertues rare that are of women told:

Which I referre to men of better skill,

Who can this taske more worthily fulfill.

[Page]

196

VVherein my pen already is growne dull,

VVanting that tinckture of heroicke straine,

VVith which braue spirits of our age are full,

Let this but animate their flowing vaine:

While my poore Muse shal wel contented be

Her humble valley once againe to see.

197

Where she with pleasure, did behold the Beare

The Wolfe, the Swan, ye Dragons head & taile,

The no meane Lion, and the fearefull Hare,

The dart which 'gainst the Griffen did preuaile:

The King of Egipt and his stately Queene,

Who for her beauty now in heauen is seene.

198

The crowne which Ariadne did obtaine,

From Venus, for becomming Bacchus loue,

The harpe of Orpheus, whose melodious straine

Made careles beasts, & senceles trees to moue:

The sonne of Danaae that Medusa slue,

The waggener that lustfull Phedra flue.

199

The son of Ioue whō Satan would haue slaine,

The serpent holder bright Appolloes sonne,

The fish that sau'd Orion in the maine,

Alcides after all his labor done:

The horse of Bacchus forst his masters loue,

The bird yt brought faire Ganymede to Ioue.

[Page]

200

The flying horse sprang from Medusaes bloud,

Bellepheron did vndertake to ride,

Who for his paines, was drenched in the floud,

The horse flew vp to heauē, wher he doth bide:

The triangle which Ceres did request,

The Gods to place in heauen amongst the rest.

201

The wife of Perseus, and the monstrous whale,

The crow which by the wel the serpent found,

Ixions wheele, with Venus daughter pale,

The riuer wherein Phaeton was drownd:

Chyron that taught Achilles great in Greece,

The ship that brought home Iasons golden fleece.

202

The Rambe with Phirxes and her sisters went,

Ore Hellespont: Europaes roring Bull,

The twinns of Loeda: Iunoes crabe she sent,

To Hercules, who did in peeces pull

The Lion: iustice slue from earth to Heauen,

Who by her ballance found mens acts vneuen.

203

The Scorpion slue Orion with his sting,

Euthemiaes Sonne that with the Muses slept,

Disguised Pan, the Boy Ioues bird did bring,

The fishes Venus from the Giant kept:

All these the Gods haue stellifi'de in heauen,

With Pleiades, whose number once was seuen.

[Page]

204

Vntil Electra seeing Troian fire,

Shrunke in her head, and neuer since was seen

Whose griefe doth make my pittying Muse [...]tir

Casting her eies vpon the louely greene:

Where she will mourne, among the shepheards swaine

Admires high hills, but loue she lowly plaine

FINIS.

§

§

[Page]

[Page] THE WORTH OF WOMEN.

LONDON, Printed by William Iones, dwelling in Red-crosse streete. 1622.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, VERTVOVS AND TRVE RELIGIous Dame, the Ladie ANNE WENTWORTH.

[Page]

[Page]

MAruell not Madam that I haue made choice

Of you amongst all other Princely Dames,

Whose secret vertue challengeth each voice,

And my poore zeale beyond all ethers flames.

The first oblation of my morning Muse,

Lo here I offer at your sacred Shrine:

Which if you please but graciously peruse,

And sanctifie with those pure starres diuine,

Whose radiant rayes and bright reflecting flame,

May purifie the most impolisht rhime:

And bearing but the Liuery of your name,

Shall liue, despight the cankred iawes of time,

And flourish like the euerliuing Bay,

When monuments of Marble shall decay.

Your Ladiships humble and deuoted seruaut, Richard Ferrers.

To the curious Readers.

[Page]

SVspend your iudgements, censure not in haste:

But ere you iudge the first, first see the last.

May 28. 1622.

Information about this book

Title statement

The worth of women

Ferrers, Richard.

Edition statement

1622

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A00699

ID [STC]

STC 10832

ID [STC]

ESTC S118347

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99853554

ID [PROQUEST]

99853554

ID [VID]

18941

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Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A00699)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 18941)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 885:12)

Source

— The worth of women, Ferrers, Richard..

Extent

[56] p.

Printed by William Iones, dwelling in Red-crosse streete,. London :: 1622.. (Dedication signed: Richard Ferrers.) (In verse.) (Signatures: A-C D⁴.) (Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.)

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