The first part of the nature of a vvoman Fitly described in a Florentine historie. Composed by C.M.

The first part of the nature of a vvoman Fitly described in a Florentine historie. Composed by C.M.

Table of contents

Title page

To my very good friend Maister T. A. Gentleman of the middle Temple.

The life and death of the old Duke The first Chapter.

The mutual succession of his sonnes in his Dukedome. The second Chapter.

The mariage of the yong Princes, and the birth of their children, and the accidents that followed betwixt their wiues and children. The third Chapter.

The pretended murder of Adrianus by his Aunt and her seruants, and what happened thereof, with his life in the Lions denne by whom he was found. The fourth Chapter.

The pretended purpose of Liuia for the murthering of her brothers daughter, and the euent thereof. The fift Chapter.

Of the accidents that happened these Kings after the death of their children. The sixth Chapter.

The still lasting hate of the proud Queenes, the meanes rhey wrought to separate the loue of their husbands, and the euent thereof. The seuenth Chapter.

❧ How Emelia wife to Perseus wrought subtile means to set at ods the two brethren, and what insued thereof, with the flight of both the dukes, and the banishment of their wiues. The eight Chapter.

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The first part of the nature of a Woman. Fitly described in a Florentine Historie Composed by C. M.

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LONDON Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shop at the little North doore of Paules. 1596

To my very good friend Maister T. A. Gentleman of the middle Temple.

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SIR, the Authour of this Booke, willing to shrowde his vnperfect worke, vnder the couert of some suche well minded Gentleman, that might defend it from the greedy gripe of such bolde-faced bussards, as commonly vse to prey vpon the workes of yong wits: and of himselfe altogether vnprouided for that purpose, hath entreated mee to make some meanes for his helpe herein: at whose instant request, I haue presumed to commit [Page] to your selfe, this vnperfect worke: which, please it you but to accept, in part of payment, for that debt of duetie, wherein I stand bound vnto you: it shal incourage me when his idle houres shall better furnish some more substantiall subiect, to pleasure you with that: who now am bolde to presume vppon your patience with this. I cease: being, I am that I am, and while lliue, wil liue, to loue you.

Yours in all loue, C. K.

The life and death of the old Duke The first Chapter.

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BEfore the many spacious parts of the wide Romaine Empire, had subiected themselues to the gouernement of one principall head, there liued in those parts of Italy which nowe men call Florence, a Duke named Radulpho, one whom nature had beautified in euerie externall part of the bodie, and wisdome adorned with all internall gifts of the mind, who from the first spring of his happy birth, to the ripe yeares of his hopefull age, so effectually prospered, as that hee liued no lesse renowmed for his worthie atchieuements abroade, then admired for his wise gouernment at home, being generally for them both accounted the principall Péere that then that part of the world did affoord: So that as from the heart the beginning of life proceedeth vigore to euerie seuerall organ of the bodie: so from him as the fountaine of matchlesse honour, dayly issued such Christal streams of magnanimous behauiour towards his foes, and courteous humanitie to his friends, as made him the [Page] wonder of that worlde, being then but newly reduced from the barbarous behauiour of the sauage Satires, to the ciuil gouernement of obedient subiects. This blessed prince in the prime of his prosperous yeares, chose to wife a Ladie of his owne Countrie called Dorabella, a woman as vertuous as beauteous, and as plentiously replenished with commendable behauiour, as gloriously adorned with matchlesse feature, so that it might bée iudged howe gods and nature had in these two onely excéeded themselues, in affoording none, whose loue might counteruail the matchlesse liniaments of that more then earthly creature, he onely excepted, nor any beautie of such power as to conquer his maiden affections, if she to that purpose had not especially béene selected. Many sunshine dayes full of blessings ouer their heads, and euerie yeare séemed to excéed another, in heaping still renuing pleasures into their plentifull lappes, walling them rounde about with impregnable felicitie, that they might proudlie oppose themselues against the hardest brunts of Fortunes extremitie. Amongest all which fauours one especially, not the least, though almost the last, was this, that at one birth, this worthie dutches brought into the worlde two male twins, the right patrons of their royal parents, whose comming was not a little welcom to the secure inhabitants of that very wel gouerned Dukedome. In that heauens, and their happie starres had so effectually aunswered their longing hopes, in the issue of those louing princes. These ioyfull parents carefully foreseeing, that their forwarde children might answere their toward growth in commendable qualities, fitting such royall pesonages, thought it most conuenient, when the stealing houres of euer running time had made them able to conceiue the principals of learning and knowledge, to prouide [Page] for them such men of skill, as well in good letters, as arts and sciences, as also fit directers as might tutor their tender yeares, in the timely practise of such worthy exercises, as are best in estéeme with men of so high estate: which done, they spent the proces of their pleasant dayes, fauoured of gods, and beloued of men, blessing that golden age wherein they liued, for that no former dayes had felt so fauourale aspects of smiling heauens, to eternish their memorie through all succéeding posterities, vntill the date of their smiling dayes gan to growe out, and the forerunners of ensuing death, gins to admonish them of the spéedie ende of their so pleasant life, Whenas now the olde king, spending those pleasant hours in melancholy contemplation, as best fitting the humour of gray heades which he was wonted to ouerpasse in delightsom contentation, fitly agréeing with the vnripened thoughts of yong wits, calles to his drowping minde the fickle estate of this worldly felicity, of which men perswade themselues there is no certaintie, but this that is vncertaine, soone sprowting like a summers flower, after the spring dew of a pleasant morning, prowdly spreading the swéet leaues, to the warme beams of the comfortable Sunne, and when the heate of one day is ouerworne, faintly decayes, and blots the former shew as though it had neuer béene borne: alluding his former life to the pleasant trauaile of a waifaring man, that hauing ouerpassed a great deale of the day wandering in a pleasant dale, at last must worke vp his way to the hie top of a wearie hil, from whose height he may againe looke at the ouercome pleasures of his forenoones iourney. And thus sighing to himselfe often recites in his aged memorie, the pleasant daies of his youthful iolitie: the very thought whereof had bin sufficient to haue drowned himselfe in a gulfe of sorrow, [Page] had not his liuely picture perfectly pourtrayed in the youthful behauiour of his yong sonnes perswaded him, that part of his soule was diuided into their bodies. And thus feeding his olde conceit with the hope of his forward children, he so pleasantly spent the painful daies of his vnpleasant age in the verie remembrance of his succéeding heires, as though himselfe had shaken off the siluer cognisance of vnweldy age, and felt againe the warme springing bloud of aduenterous youth, til after the reuolution of many yéeres, as euery beginning of necessitie hath his end, euery day by course his night, and euery spring by kinde his fal of leafe, so attendant vppon his life was the all ending time of too timely death, whose approch prefigured by many infallible tokens, makes him wisely and warily prouide against his vncertaine comming, lest at vnawares he might be sodainely taken in his secure liuing.

And as the first and greatest care that troubled his wearie minde, he calles before him his two sonnes, the pillers that were after to support the heauie burden of the good gouernement of that common wealth, which yet lay vpon his own shoulders: who comming to the bed side where their father lay, performing such dutie as naturally belongeth to parents from the children: and sorrowful to beholde their old father labouring so earnestly with the wearie assaults of neuer tired death, swelling sorrowe plentifully flowes out at the christall condites of their starre like eies in pearlelike droppes of brinie salt teares. Which when their old sire beheld, giuing charge to some of his attendants there by to set him vp in his bed, for by this had the bloody conflicts of al deuoring death almost druncke vppe al the moisture of his sometimes wel moistned members, and vsing some perswasions to his gréeuing [Page] sonnes to desist from their wéeping, he thus beginnes to dispose of his earthly riches. Since (quoth he) the common course of continuall yéeres in the flourishing and fading fruits of our mother Earth daily decipher to our therfore gréeuing thoughts the vnconstant state of our here abode may sufficiently perswade and induce you to conceiue the occasion that hath brought me your old father to be a weake souldior as here you sée in the lists of death, who haue past the spring of my growth, the summer of my flourishing, the Autumne of my fading must nowe like a dried leafe fal in the comfortlesse bosome of colde killing winter, at whose end you must beginne, whose death must be your life, and whose fal the step wherein you must tread to arise: then take truce a while with the vnbrideled course of nature, and learne with patience to loose that which care can not kéepe, your many teares may occasion some hurt to you, but were they more then they are, they could not al help me, when this conquering captaine, vnder whose cruel hand lieth vanquished your sometimes vanquishing father, prowdly triumphed in the treble victorie of your woorthie grandsire, to whome my selfe was sole heire, he, though rich, yet left me poore, and though I succéeded in the possession of much wealth, yet was I then but slenderly stored with wisedome, so that what he had carefully got I at the first as carelesly spent, til the experience of some few yéeres, though it were somewhat long, yet was it not too late, enriched me with the one, as he had stored me with the other: both which I leaue more amply to you then I did plentifully receiue them of him. Then taking in hand his crowne, this heauen, quoth hée, which I like Atlas haue long supported, must I nowe lay vpon your shoulders, and on you two disloade this heauie burthen which hath so long béene onely borne [Page] by me. Breake it I may not in twaine, whose golden circle closeth so manie in one, containing the welfare of as many people within this ring, as the Atlantike sea compasses in her gréedie armes. Diuision brings foorth discord, discord confusion, confusion desolation which woful end to preuēt by a good beginning, I haue thus contriued: Twins you are both, and therfore in birth equal. Thou (quoth hee) Perseus to his eldest son art a scholler richly adorned with the great gift of godlike learning, and therefore mightest chalenge a prerogatiue aboue thy brother: but that Theseus speaking then to his yongest sonne, hath as farre excéeded thée in the practise of a souldiour, as thou him in the profession of a scholler: so that being ioyned togither, you would make one perfect man, but seuered, are two maimed members. It is reported of the Pelican, that with her owne blood she reuiued her dead yong, and so I though wanting blood to recall you from the dead pleasures of yoong secure delights, yet shal my latest breath counsel you to the careful desire of vertuous déedes. The Rauen so long as shée is able to prouide meate for her yong, wil neuer let them flie from her sight, and so fares it with me, willing stil to enioy your desired companies as long as I might: but sith I am now too weake to swim against so great a currant as is this sea of death, that drowneth in eternall obliuion whatsoeuer the worlde hath brought forth since her first creation, I must here vrged of necessitie leaue that which willingly I would prolong. And therefore in a word I bequeath to you this crown and kingdom, which your forefathers for many yéeres haue royally vpholden, be as one soule in two bodies, two men, but one minde, two hands gouerned by one head. Let thy wit direct his weapon, and his weapon defend thy wit. There is a roote in Libia that beareth [Page] two bulkes, which as long as they cleaue together prosperously flourish, but being seuered they soone fade. Great streames that forcibly breake forth of the bowels of mighty mountains, kéeping their course togither within compas of two banks, forcibly preuaile against al oppositions, but being separated, their force decreases, and themselues in the end decay. There are two friendly fishes alwayes kéeping companie together, opposing themselues against the mightiest monsters that the sea affoords, but when by any sinister occasion they are separated, then are they easily ouercome by smaller creatures then themselues. Be not proud least you be hated, nor too humble, for then will you be dispised: heare the complaints of the poore, and then shall you be beloued, and punish the misdéedes of the wicked, and so shall you be feared. Surfet not with drinking much wine, for that will bréed follie, nor accompanie with many women, for thence comes all iniquitie. Vse your sports in measure, and deferre not your weightie affaires for the loue of vaine pleasure. Do iustice with all sinceritie, and let not your punishment taste too much of seueritie. Take héede of the crie of Orphans, for that ascends to heauen, and procureth speedie vengeance: and incurre not the curse of widowes, for that weyes downe to hell, from whence there is no redemption. Well could I wish that my now decaying breath were not so sore vrged by impartiall death, to leaue this concaue castell of my panting breast, that I might more enrich you with that good, whereof you shall haue farre more néede then of much golde: but what heauen prouides, cannot by vs be preuented, and therefore must I leaue you to your fortunes, which proue as prosperously as your father wisheth it heartily. And so kissing both his sonnes, and making some signes still of more matter, when his [Page] weake tong had denied any more to performe his office, and shortly after turning his face to the wall, ended his dayes.

The mutual succession of his sonnes in his Dukedome. The second Chapter.

AFter whose death, his sonnes carefully prouides to order all things in the best order for the adorning of their fathers funeral. All which done, the funerall rites solemnised, and euerie thing fully brought to ende, all which after, they, according to the solemne custome of their ciuil country, sumptuously had performed, they took order for their coronation, which was also in euery part effectually discharged, as they had orderly deuised, so that now it rested for them ioyntly to goe forwarde in the peaceable gouernement of that quiet common wealth, which their deceased father had left vnto their carefull furtherance. Long time did they mutually agrée, and with brotherly loue increaseed, by their more and common accord, aswell the obedient dutie of their homeborne subiects, as the admirable loue of forraine straungers. Their liues were delightful obiects to euerie eie, and swéete subiects to the talke of euerie tongue, no Country, but imitated to liue by them, nor any people were they neuer so far distant, that longed not to see them. But as none are more subiect to great falles▪ then they which trauel vpon high hils, no trée so soone smitten with the thunderclap as Iupiters Oke, [Page] no, nor any Pine sooner moued, then they that growe on the mountaines: so is there no state likelier to bée trod down with the aduerse chaunce of cruel confusion, then that which standeth aboue all, if it be not the better supported with the strong props of prudent aduice.

The mariage of the yong Princes, and the birth of their children, and the accidents that followed betwixt their wiues and children. The third Chapter.

SOone after these two yong Princes were throughly seated in the stable throne of their dead father, matched themselues in mariage with wiues fitting their Maiesties, with whom also they long and very louingly liued, and in time their fortunes sorted to such effect, as that Perseus his wife, whose name was Emelia, brought forth a goodly sonne which they named Adrian. And not long after fortune blessed Theseus the other brother with the like good lucke, that Liuia (for so was his wife called) bore to him a faire daughter, naming hir Berea, of whose birth asmuch ioy was hoped, as by the blessed raigne of their fathers and forefathers, happinesse of that land had béene receyued. But as often it falles out in the fairest daies, that they are soonest foyled with the close vaile of many clustring clouds: the forwardest spring either burned with the extremitie of great heate, or drowned with the abundance of much wet: so fared it with the hie puffed vp glorie of these peerlesse princes. For they [Page] thus prodigally rifling in the treasure of earthly felicitie, were soone bankrouts of their so pleasant prosperitie. The enuious pride of these two Quéens (a thing as proper belonging to women as death to men) could not content themselues to diuide the euen glory of that equal kingdome, but either of them climbed for superioritie, sought to cut the golden thréed of their husbands vnitie, which when their weake womanish deuises coulde by no meanes effect, but that stil their ambitious attempts were politikely preuented. Liuia sorting a fit time when shee might take Theseus her husband at the best aduauntage, finding hin one time solitarilie walking in a pleasant garden vnder a high ouerspred vault of top-spreading vines, gins thus to vnfold the pestered rancour of her malicious swelling heart.

Husband (quoth she) séest thou not howe enuious fates, and our hard bending starres, hath vnluckily crossed the springing hopes of our aire-mounting thoughts in the succession of this kingdome, of which, for our ofspring is a female, and theirs a male, of necessitie they must succéed, and our name and lineal discent lie buried in the mistie forge of slauish obscuritie. Then since there is no hope of equalitie in our succession, lift vp thy Eagle-mounting thoughts, and chalenge some superiority in this present possession, equal thy brother in blessing, since ye are equal in birth, and inioy that thy selfe whilest thou liuest, that thy childe shal loose when thou art dead. Me thinkes it were but right to thée, & iust in the brother, to yéeld that nowe to thée, which he shal afterward inioy in another. Means hast thou many to effect this thing, time and thy state offer fit occasion, and reason may lead thée to consider the equitie of this cause by my former perswasion. Thee hath fortune richly blessed with the manlike [Page] like knowledge of martial affaires, and to thy custodie is committed the tuition of as manie men, as were able to ouerrun the wide face of the spacious world, if but thou wouldest but ioyne thy excéeding wil. Then being fenced with such a force, if induced thereunto with forceable arguments of perswading truth, hée would not consent, thou maist forceablie assaile his with conquering armes, which hee can no wayes preuent.

And thus breaking off her perswasiue oration, shée silently attendes to heare her husbands answere: when the good king not a little grieued to heare the bad disposition of his wife, thus painted forth by her enuious tongue, gins to perswade her from those trayterous thoughts (as then he called them) which stirred her vp to this inhumaine rebellion.

Ah (quoth he) Liuia, hatred is a thing hated of God aboue all sinne, a fault betwixt two enemies, a sinne betwixt two friends, but betwixt two brethren more then most wicked. Shal the branches of one bulke better prosper by beating downe each others fruit Can the legges of one bodie support their burthen by spurning each other? And can the one soule of two brother king, knit fast by the dying precept of one old father, prosper their wel ordered wealth by disordered war? Wish not our fal for euer, to satisfie thy aspiring mind for a while: for whilest we mutually accord, both of vs shal flourish: but when wee breake the golden corde wherewith our olde father knit his two sonnes, then shal our state soone fal. Leaue any further to vrge the thought of this thing, which to thinke is more sinne then many thousand other misdéeds. Neuer shal his heauy curse light on my head, that committed this care to my charge.

And thus abruptly▪ breaking off his disswasiue Oration, [Page] in great furie he leaues the Garden, and cloysters vp himselfe in his priuate studie, giuing straight charge that no man should bee so bolde as to interrupt his melancholie meditation, till such time as himselfe should command the contrarie, where for a while wée must leaue him, laboring to suppresse the still renuing sorrow that this bold attempt of his wicked wife had brought to his before quiet minde, and follow the neuer dying pride of this aspiring woman, who séeing her husband to reprooue her so bitterly for moouing a sute, wherein she hoped to haue him most sure, determined with her selfe, to vse other meanes for the performance of her intended purpose, though she had thus failed in her first attempt, which long she studied to bring to effect, fearing to vse any other counsel then her owne, least she should be bewraied, and leauing to vse any helpe more then her owne, least thereby shée might be betrayed.

The pretended murder of Adrianus by his Aunt and her seruants, and what happened thereof, with his life in the Lions denne by whom he was found. The fourth Chapter.

AFter many confused plots for her purpose, she called vnto her an old seruant of hers, in whom, for his age and long dutiful seruice, she reposed much trust: and after shée had adiured him by al the benefites and good turnes that hée [Page] had plentifully receiued at her liberall hands, that hée should secretly conceale and surely effect what she was now about to commit vnto his charge: which for that the slaue was as bloudilie affected to performe anie vilanie, as she boldly addicted to deuise this treacherie, he did not onelie sweare to conceale this her counsel, and effect her deuise, but also offered himselfe as most ready to spend limme and life in an [...] sort that might do her seruice. This pleasing answere so pleased the working humour of this wicked woman as that taking aside this readie prepared varlet for the execution of her bloudy deuise, begins thus to instruct him in hir intent. Many (quoth she) are like to be the calamities likely to ensue vpon our stocke and of-spring, which in time to preuent I haue thus timely inuented a meane to preuent their beginnings, and so quite remooue the feareful euent of so vnluckie an end as is likely to ensue thereof. Doest thou not (quoth she) obserue the vnequal hope of our future happinesse in the possession of this present kingdome, I meane in our heires? and thinkest thou not I haue reason with timely preuention, to resist their vntimely purpose, would it not gréeue thée, when the vncertaine houre of most certaine death, shal cut the golden thréed that holdeth the liues of these two kings, to sée thy masters, and my husbands daughter, who should equally inioy the succession of this crowne, disinherited from the possession therof by our brothers son. If this so inwardly touch a straunger, ah, would it not much more grieue me that am her mother. Our sorrowes are more then our wordes are any wise able to expresse: And therfore greater then the common helpe of ordinarie comfort can in any part redresse. Woes shewed in teares are washed away with the same sorrow, painted forth by the tongue vanishes to aire with the words: But the [Page] incarnate care of almost remedilesse euill cannot so liuely be in outward action expressed, as in the inward closure of a true sorrowful heart they are fully possessed: which care the vnhappie course of euer ruling heauen hath throwne heauilie vpon my head, whereof to discharge my selfe there is no remedie but one, and no one can effect it but thy selfe, vpon whose trust must I build as great [...] foundation, as containes the quiet & good end of al this nation. More perswasions and they more perswasiue too then these, could I vse to thée, that might induce thée with more alacrity, to do what I shal deuise: but relying vpon the readie endeuour in the execution of this secret busines, I wil thus acquaint thée with my purpose. Thou knowest how heauen hath blessed our brother Perseus with a goodly son, to whom I could wish much good, if it were not to mine owne harme. He, when the course of al outliuing time shal take away his father, and my husband, must of necessitie alone possesse that which they now ioyntly enioy, then shal the issue of our bodies liue in subiection to him, who else should performe as much dutie to them, which no wayes we can eschew. But, and there she suddenly stopt, as though her faltring tongue had denied to proclaime the hellish practise she had plotted. Which when her seruant perceyued, imagining somewhat should folow that interrupt period, boldly attempted to continue her almost repentant spéech. Nay (quoth he) let not your Maiestie be afraid to commit to my secresie any thing that shal tend to your acceptable seruice. For so fast hath the much meriting bond of your bounteous liberalitie, tied me to the dutiful obeysance of your Maiestie, that should you impose a greater labour to my performaunce then Iuno to her Hercules, lay a farre more heauie burthen on my necke, then the heauens to supporting Atlas, commit a greater [Page] charge to my watchful care, then Iupiter to his all eied Argus, I would spend al my dayes in trauailing with Alcides, my strength in bearing with Atlas, mine C. eyes in watching with Argos, but I would fullie effect whatsoeuer you should thus faithfully commit to my diligent endeuour. So great is the loue that I bear both to your selfe the plentiful patrone of my present estate, and your faire childe, of whom I expect as much succéeding happinesse, as I possesse present hope, that were it to rid both your brother, and his hateful son, I should not onely thinke my labour imployed to a good end, but also my toyle easie to be performed, and hope my soule should be euerlastingly rewarded, for my no more then dutiful seruice. At which wordes the Quéen now fully fleshed to aduenture vpon his so vilde an indeuour, begins now in plaine words to discouer what before vnder a Curten she had somewhat coloured, vnripping the hidden thoughts of her self-known heart, to the longing eares of her readie attendant, thus began to enforme him in her fore-plotted mischiefe.

Then (quoth she) since thou so willingly offerest what I did more then halfe feare to ashe, and hast so rightly met with mine owne meaning, I presume vpon thy trust to tel what is the secretest wish of my vnquiet wil. My brother (quoth she) hath a sonne, which I wish either he had not, or my selfe were not: and yet not hate to him, but loue to my selfe is it that vrgeth me to do that to him, which else his life would effect in me. His moyst blood is the liquour which onely must quench my dry thirst: and the end of his daies ad new date, to the decaying number of my yeares, which if thou wilt but effect, as I wil aduise, I wil clearlie acquit thée of his death, and richly reward thée for that déed. Remember to what I may preferre thée, from which his life doth defer [...]e thée: what profit thou maist [Page] gaine by the one, and what miserie thou art like to incurre by the other. For assure thy selfe, that it thou now denie the performance of my request, when I haue vncouered the effect of my drift, I wil not onely worke thy vtter disgrace, but hasten thy shamefull decay. At which words, the fellow standing as one in a traunce, loath (as it should séeme) so heynously to offend, though he had rashly made so readie an offer, would neither affirmatiuely at the first answer her demaund, nor negatiuely denie her desire, til she waking him out of his drowsie dumpe, asked him if hée would boldly goe forwarde with his fore-pretended purpose, which for that his promise afore past (as hée thought) though wickedly concluded, yet could not wel be recalled, made him againe (after she had rowsed his drowsie spirits with the golden sound of rich rewards) make a solemne vow to effect what busines soeuer she shuld appoint him. And she taking hir time to strike vpon an hote iron, thus followed her fore-purpose.

This night (quoth she) for longer we may not delay it, I haue deuised readie meanes howe the boy should be deliuered into thy hand, and yet thou neuer suspected as any way accessarie to this priuie massacre. A Gentlewoman here attendant vpon me, whom I also haue sworne to our purpose, shal when the sable mantle of the silent night couers the lightsome face of all séeing heauen, for that she is well acquainted, and most familiar with those to whose watchfull charge our carefull brother hath wholy referred the trustful tutorage of his childe, béeing in the gouernment of an easie nurse, resort downe to the nurserie, and being there, merilie addicted to spend the long hours of the winter euening, at her fittest time, when she hath busied both the eies and eares of those simple [Page] people, with some such pleasant conceite, as wel shée knoweth wil best fit their vaine humour, with the pleasing shew of some such vaine delight, as fitliest agréeth with the wanton disposition of a harmelesse childe, drawe him forth of the doores, where in a long darke entrie adioyning thereunto, shalt thou priuilie stand to attend his comming. And when she hath allured the childe from the sight of his attendants, she shal againe returne to her companie, and procéede in her former myrth, busying their idle heades with the vaine prattle of some obscure riddle, a thing with such people in great estéeme, whilest thou (like the gréedie puttocke) hastily seazing vpon that goodly prey, shalt forthwith make al possible spéede, to conuey him into the vast bosome of a solitarie desart, neare adioyning the Citie. Where when ehou hast brought him, without any remorse by some quicke meanes, make a hastie end of his betraied life, and disfiguring his body, leaue his dead carkas to be the hungrie prey of some emptie beast, whence thou maist safely returne without the blushing marke of iealous suspition. Feare not what may iusue the euent of this action, for that none can accuse thee so much as of suspition. The spéechlesse childe made breathlesse by this meanes, shal neuer liue to learne thy name: and for all other eies, the darke sable vale of stil silent night, wil either lull them into a secure slumber, or penne them vp in the strong inclosure of their quiet homes, through whose hard flintie walles, the féeble sight of their weake eies cannot worke.

And thus hauing intised the séely foole to consent to her folly, after they had fully agréed vpon the time, place, and other necessary circumstances, she with manie faire promises of rich rewards, sent him away, where the cruel caitife stil iterating in his minde the [Page] hope of rewarde, and neuer respecting the feare of such punishment, as by the iust iudgement of the highest heauen, hang heauie ouer the sinful heades of so great offenders, spent away al that day, til the wearie Sun hauing finished his stil running iourney, and that al things gan now leaue their dayly labour, and betake themselues to their nightly rest, he stil mindful of his vow, resorted accordingly to the place and time afore appointed, where he had not long attended, before the gentlemwoan appointed to play the prologue of this sudden murder came by, and hauing in al poynts duly obserued she strait charge of her subtil mistresse, in the secret intising forth of the weake limmed childe, she at length effected it. And deliuering him ouer into the bloodie hands of this butcherly beast, returnes againe her selfe, to consort her former companie: where after they had spent a great part of the night in such chat as loose tongued women commonly accustome at their idle méetings, at last, for that the night was somwhat spent, or for some other occasion, they broke off their talke.

When the betraied nurse looking for her charge, missed the childe, suddenly vsing meanes to enquire al about the house, wherein they spent so much time at home, that their harmelesse infant without al contradiction was easily conueyed abroad. Hard newes were these to those wofull parents, that in the middest of their Sommer sunne, were so suddenly counteruailed with a winters storme. Much search was made, many examinations were had, and al other meanes were vsed that might any wise tend to the finding out again of this so strangely lost Prince, that being safe in his fathers house, strongly garded with the sure diligence of faithful seruants, carefully kept by the dutiful seruice of diligent attendance, notwithstanding in the [Page] midst of al his fathers men, the surest place of his princely house, and in the bosome of his néerest nurse, should be so strangely conueyd: which what gréefe it was to those so louing parents, I leaue to their consideration that haue tasted the losse of so swéet children.

And now to returne againe to our more then deceitful Sinon, who by this time had quite passed the bounds of the Citie, and tracing vp and downe the obscured wayes of an vnpeopled forrest, could find no fit place to execute this detestable murther, til at the last the pale faced Quéene of the shadie night gins in her siluer coach to search the secret corners of the darkest dennes, obscure shadowes, when he tracing vp and downe to find out some fit place for his purpose, at the length happened vpon a thicke grone of brode Cypres trées, the fatal couert of whose enuious branches séemed vnto him as the fiftest place he could find for to execute his abhominable practise, There setting downe the prettie childe. who although his tender yeares had not yet affoorded him so much reason, as to ghesse at the euent of this forced iourney, yet did the vnacquainted maner of his carriage, the vnusual time of the night, and the vnpleasant temperature of the colde aire▪ vrge vehement the cries of the silly infant to yéelde such dreadful exclamations, from euerie resounding Eccho of these vnpeopled plaines, as would haue stirred the hatefull hearts of vnrelenting sauages to haue pitied his childish complaints, til this more then bloodie minded beast, stripping the poore infant from the most of his outward attire, as meaning not onely to depriue him of his life, but also to leaue his princely bodie so naked, that no man should by any outwarde appearance descerne what, or from whence he should be conueyed. Long it was or his vnaccustomed hands could finde the way to vnfurnish the poore infant of his outward [Page] attire, when in the middest of his troublesome businesse he suddenly heard, as it had béene the furious approch of some hastie beast. When he looking through thin branches of a yong leaued Lawrel, might by the light of the Moone, which by this had climed the highest point of the [...]wling sphere, perceiue a hastie Lionesse, secretly searching the hidden bottome of euery seueral bush. For as it should séeme the recouerie of some late losses, which by the sequele might bée iudged none otherwise, but that some watchful woodman taking the aduauntage of her absence, had cunningly conueyed away her yong whelpes, while shée was iourneying abroad to prouide some spéedie reliefe for their sustenance, who returning backe to her desolate denne, and finding herselfe depriued of her yong, was wofully searching what she had vnwillingly lost, with fearefull approch so affrighted the guiltie conscience of this murdering miscreant, as that leauing the yong child to the gréedy prey of this angry beast, made al spéedie haste to saue himselfe from her feareful fury, which he so spéedily performed, that in short time he rid himselfe from the feare of the forrest. But as euery sinne cannot escape his seueral punishment, so had the iust censure of all iudging heauen appointed a worthie reward for this his wicked worke. For euen at the furthest boundes of the broad plained forrest, a hungrie beare séeking sustenance, to relieue her insaciate desire of meate, suddenly encountered him so neare, that though his footmanship was more then ordinarie, yet it nothing preuayled to helpe him from this extremitie. For so neare the bold beast followed his stil flying steps, that ere he could get almost my way from their first méeting place, she had eagrely seazed on his nowe feare-falling bodie. And she now as farre from mercy, in peecemeale tearing him, as he from pitie in rigorously [Page] abusing the other, had in short time buried in her beastly bellie, his sinful members that had iustlie deserued such equal measure, remunerating him in this fashion, for the vengeance meriting transgressiō. By this the woful Lionesse for her vnexpected want, had by trauersing round about those spatious plaines searching euery shadow, & boldly ransacking ye couered bottom of euerie bush, egerly folowing her hot pursute, came at length to the place, where the yong forsaken infant lay pitifully complaining and weakely strugling to séeke that succour which that barren place did not affoord. Which whē the sauage beast had suddenly espied, leauing her further pursute, gan cōtrary to her kind, quietlie to view the forsaken estate of that forlorne infant, whose pittiful case did, as it should séeme, work more remorce in that reasonlesse creature, then it had done in his nearest kinne: for after she had with her féete in the easiest manner that shée could, turned it vp and downe sadlie ouerlooking this wofull losse, differing from her natural kinde, and forgetting both the sorrow and feare of her owne young, making shift as she could to lappe againe the childe in those clothes which the fugitiue murderer had for feare left behind, made such meanes, as that taking vp the child by those clothes, she in her téeth conueied him to a sorrowfull denne, meaning to supply her former losse, by this new found spoile, where we wil a while leaue Adrianus sonne to this the forenamed worthie Perseus in the vnkindly couert of a lions denne to the tutorage of a wilde beast, that was naturallie descended from the of-spring of ciuil men, and returne to sée their sorrowe at the court for this sodaine losse, which was no lesse gréeuous than the thing it selfe was great. Many posts were euery way dispatched to make enquirie, lest peraduenture by the slie deceit of some subtil enemie hée [Page] might haue béene stollen for a pledge: proclamations in euery place were made, and promises of rich reward for them that could bring any tidings of this lost childe, which being without helpe, perished without hope: wherein when they had spent much time to smal purpose, they surceased their search, hoping that one day the length of time would discouer the effect of this trueth.

In the meane while the subtile Quéene, by whose meanes this pretended murther was thus closely wrought, would be nothing behinde in the often resorting to her sorrowfull sister, vsing much perswasiue counsell, as well to decrease her griefe, as sheading many womanish teares, to séem as it were a great partaker of her sorrow, thinking by this meanes to remooue the blemish of suspition from her selfe. But that which troubled her most was, that many daies being ouerrunne since the déede was supposed to be done, she heard no word of the returne of her seruant, whom to this end she had appointed. But perswading herself by many circumstances, that the thing it selfe was effected, she grounded her conceit vpon this, the fellow wisely foreséeing howe the hardest thing hid is the easiest found, surest counsell sometime soonest disclosed, and faithfullest trust prooues manie times the foulest treacherie, had left this countrie, and betaken him selfe to liue else-where, where he might be frée from whatsoeuer calamitie might come vppon it. From whome she secretly desired to heare, though she were out of all hope to see him. And thus leauing no circumstance vnsought into, no deuise vndealt withal, no plot vnperformed, that might remooue from her the enuious eyes of iealous suspition: Shée spent many daies vntill such time as this vntimely losse was almost forgotten of them all. Thus hauing brought euery [Page] thing to the bent of her owne bow, and féeding herselfe with successiue hope of her daughter, who now was onely heire to that rich dowry, she determined no more to assay any other assault, for the quicke dispatch of her other brother, thereby the sooner to possesse solely to herselfe, wherin she was strongly counterchecked by an other. But as in the fading time of drooping Autumne, no winde seldome riseth without more foule weather, no cloud that bringeth not with him a present storme, and neither winde nor storme, but are stil renuing, til they haue quite disarmed trées of their leaues, fields of their flowers, and flowers of their fruits: So did the vnconstant course of their maleuolent aspects, powre dwne vppon them such winter stormes of continuing calamitie, as neuer left their vnhappie house, til it had quite nipped al their flowers, lopped their leaues, and almost rent vp the original rootes.

The pretended purpose of Liuia for the murthering of her brothers daughter, and the euent thereof. The fift Chapter.

NOwe the same malecontented minde that draue this sister to the deuelish deuising of so damnable an endeuour, gan also to work the like in the other. She now perceiuing all her rest quite bereft, her growing hope so soone turned to dying mishap, and her merrie thoughts to mournful sighes, thus spoyled of al her pleasure, gins [Page] deuise howe shee might get a partaker in her paine. Long wandred her wearie thought in the tedious laberinth of many, no lesse doubtfull then dangerous indeuours, sometimes studying on this thing, another time standing on that thing, like the vnacquainted trauailer, that méeting with the many windings of seuerall wayes, for want of some instruction is halfe doubtful where his way lies: so she, séeing with the eies of her affections many wayes, as good as herselfe can wish wantes, meanes to affect them according to her wil, yet as there is nothing so obscure, but with much labor may be learned: no worke so wearie, but toile wil ouerturne: no time so tedious, but it may be outworne: so she at length by ouercasting the count of her seueral cares, found a meanes (as shée thought) to quiet her conscience, which for that shée certainly perswaded herselfe of the firme grounded friendship of hir wel meaning husband to his best beloued brother, she durst not be so bold as to whisper a breath of mislike, or worde of wrong-dealing against him or his, yet notwithstanding, intending to act some far-fetched policie, to bring her brother and sister, now in the bosome of al earthes blessings, to become fellow mourners with her in these manie miseries, she thus wrought meanes to effect her long framing forme.

These two princes in the beginning of their peaceful raigne, had for their diuersity of delight, about some two or thrée mile from the Citie, planted a faire vineyard, where for their disport themselues in the pleasant time of al pleasing Summer, would oftentimes resort. There besides the pleasant shades of broade leaued Vines laden with the heauie burdens of cluster bending Grapes, the apish imitating workemen, chosen from the chiefest partes of al that countrey, had cunningly drawne in the many searching streames of [Page] neare adioyning riuers bounding each other in their crickling armes, whose gliding currants ful fraught with many sorts of siluer coloured fishes, and bankes bordered with al sortes of fruitful flourishing trées, plains peopled with the curious work of mutating art as the luckelesse loue of learned Apollo, compassing within the circle of his art framed armes the transformed substance of his déerest Daphne curiously out of a laurel bush. By that on the side of a pleasant hil, vnder the couert of an artificial rocke stands trembling Acteon viewing ye wel fashioned bodies of many naked nymphs, whose liuely portrature shadowed vnder the transparant substance of the siluer coloured streame, affright the wanton fishes at the sodaine sight. Manie curious conceits, as forrests of wilde beasts framed out of the big bushes timerous hares prosecuted with the spéedie course of wel fashioned greyhounds, cut out of the swéete plants of still springing rosemarie, that shaken with the cold breath of a swéet southerne blast beguile the dazeling eies of the stedfast beholder, as though the fast rooted trées liuelily folowed the artificiall frames with their resembling forces there, vpon Hebars swift streames swimmes Orpheus mourning harpe, whose siluer strings softly touched with the easie stroke of the cunning conueyed water with manie tragicke strokes bewailes the vnfortuuate acte of her masters end, manie curious arbours framed of the diuerse sorts of euer springing plants cuninglie ioyned and closely couered with their broad shady leaues, and fresh blown buds, whose ground richly spread with the faire wrought tapistrie of many swéete flowers might rauish ye vnacquainted senses of anie mortal beholder: besides the seuerall musickes of sundry birdes, seated vpon the tender sprayes that ouerspreades these heauenly houses in this earthly paradise, whose skill excéeding [Page] the artificiall forme of swéete tuned strings féedeth the louing desire, with continuall delight thither. This wilie woman, though enuying at anothers end, yet vnder colour of recreation and desire of fresh aire, perswaded her husband and his brother with all their trains to resort: who as glad to satisfie hir plesant séeming conceit which not long ago had sustained the hard brunt of fel misfortune, as also to driue away such melancholy matter as yet troubled all their moodie mindes, soone assented to her desire, where when they came, she had foreappointed many seuerall kindes of sundry delights to draw away the earnest affection of their more serious affaires: as at their first entrance stoode a sauage satyre trimmed vp in the broade leaues of an oake branch, whose fierce countenance artificially framed, as though he had meant to affright their sodaine approach, naturally counterfeited what their Art had coloured, and thus boldly beginnes to entertaine their first entrance:

Faire colored frames of fortunes better sort,

Whom Apish art hath deckt with others plumes,

Drawen with delight, dainties to resort

Vnto this sweete balmed aier with earths perfumes,

Where nature formed in fashion of these springs,

Braues colouring skill in richest courts of kings,

How may the hope of countries power content

Feede the selfe pleasing soules of clownish swaines,

When ciuill kings leaues citties meriments

To solace them vpon the pleasant plaines?

Where the greene beautie of the fading grasse

Presents their shades as through transparent glasse,

That when they looke, their inward soules may see,

Their bodies borne of earth as well as we.

And when the course of nature cuttes the threed

[Page] Of this times seruant soone decaying state:

Then kings and base borne beggar being dead,

Princes and pesants prized at one rate,

Where, by succeeding ages shal be found,

Al bodies buried in one selfe same ground:

Whose dust decayed bodies wanting breath,

Telles the sure sentence of impartiall death.

Thus as this discontented resembling sauage was about to extend the vaine of his satyricall verse: the company as it should séeme not affecting that melancholie methode departed. And iournying further into the pleasant walks of that flourishing field at the turning corner of a musicke murmuring spring were sodainely, encountered with a troupe of Trytons finely flourishing in their siluer sounding trumpets, till the master Neptune was behinde them, egerly inticing, & strongly strugling with faire Andromeda, vppon the sencelesse side of a ruthles rocke. From this they were conueyed into a spatious Arbour, scituate in the midst of many shady trées, whose sheltering boughes serued as a couering curtaine, to kéepe away the parching heate of the summers sunne, then at his highest meridionall zenith, where was a curious table richly spred and fully furnished with all manner of seuerall seruices, where after they were orderly placed, & had somewhat satisfied their hungrie appetites, sodainely they were presented with the natural shew of nine almost naked virgins, representing the nine Muses, who decently placed vpon the swéete side of a flowerie banke, gan tune their solemne instruments vnto the swéete straines of their angelicall voices, amongst whome a goodly faire creature, whose more than earthly semblance containing in her faire countenance, more carnation coloured beautie, than graced all the goddesses [Page] in the vale of Ida, when they prowdly apparelled, set foorth the richest formes of their inticing faces, whose golden tresses curled in cunning knottes, dangling downe her cherrie-stained chéekes, wauing abroade with the swéete blast of the mildely moouing aire, séeming cunningly to kisse her vermillian countenance, whose maiesticall moouing lookes forcibly drew all the idle eies of that present assembly, to wonder at that so welframed beauty, til she with hir fingers the delightful organs of al ruling fancie, swéetely ginnes strike the trembling strings of an iuorie lute, and ecchoing with her angelicall voice to the siluer sound of her wel tuned instrument, sung this following Ditie:

The soone inticed Graecian Dame,

Whose lustfull loue with Priams ioy,

Kindled the fire where grew the flame

That after burnt faire blooming Troy,

When brine-salt teares had burnt away

That pleasant baite of sweete delight,

Which made the youthfull prince assay

To steale her from her husbands sight:

Looking within a mirrours view

Vpon her withered wrinckling skinne,

Then all too late gins to renew

The sorrow for her former sinne,

And sending out as many showers

Of teares, that swiftly trickled downe,

As would haue quenched the flaming towers▪

Which lighted Pirrhus to the towne,

That night when Troy was ouerturned,

And Graecians swanne in Troians gore,

When Ilions buildings all were burned,

That neuer felt fiers force afore.

Then gins she praise a maidens life,

[Page] The golden time of all content

Cursing that day made her a wife,

That wrought her this disparagement:

For if (quoth she) I had traced the wood,

With sacred Dians maiden traine,

Then had my vestall life beene good,

Who now must pine away in paine,

But be my fall a meanes to moue

Those faire borne creatures of my kinde,

To shunne in time inticing loue,

That captiuates a free borne mind,

For if in time I had foreseene

The end my vnbrideled will,

This dismall day had neuer beene,

And all Troyes towers had then stoode still.

Thus as the heauenly harmonie of those earthly goddesses had drawne away the minds of the rauished beholders, a trecherous slaue tutored before, by hir vnhappie counsel, closely seazed vpon the other child her brothers daughter, and béeing cunningly conueyed from them at a backe gate, which led forth toward the high stéep rocks that seuers the neighbour lands from the fierce inuasion of the furious sea, hée in al hast hied him thitherward, which for that it was not farre distant, he soone attained, and for that the water was then somewhat low, and that flood had yet couered againe the naked bosome of the broad sands, séeking in the secret bottome of the vnsearchable sea, to burie the smal bodie of this prettie babe, he was forced to goe lower downe then willingly he would haue aduentured, but that of necessitie he must doe it, to acte that which before he had inuented. Neare adioyning to that place within the strong compasse of a nature walled caue, hewed out of the hard bosome of a flintie [Page] rocke, was the abode of manie exiled people, who for that the lawes of their countrey had denied them the benefit of peaceful liuing in their quiet country, by reason of some great offences by them committed, had there setled themselues, whereof some being then placed as Centinels vpon the highest promontorie of all the borderig shore, looking euerie way to espie some passengers, vpon whom they might make their prey, at the length espied this posting companion hasting to the execution of this harmelesse childe, and loath to let them escape their hands, some who were readier then the rest, in haste followed down towards him apace, who by this time was come to the water side, and being busied about the disfurnishing of the babe, and thinking himselfe secure from any approching companie, vntil at length turning his face suddenly about, whether to lay away some of the clothes, or reach some necessarie thing as he then wanted, hée espied this exiled companie hastily comming vppon him, whom for that himselfe was borne within the confines of that Countrey, he straightway knew: and being somewhat acquainted with their maners, that they were bloodie minded men, giuen ouer to the rigorous desire of vnrighteous liuing, and bound vnder the subiection of no law, [...] fearefully leauing the childe halfe naked, and halfe clothed, lying sprawling vppon the wet sandes, for such was the number of her tender yeares, that she could neither speake to implore relief, neither goe to ease herselfe of that vnaccustomed order wherein he had left her: but he swiftly taking the aduauntage of his nimble legs, made al possible spéede to escape their comming, who in his hastie flight, not regarding to take the right way that might readiest direct him out of the danger of those doubtful sands, was ere he were aware, insconsed within the trustlesse [Page] compasse of a soft hollow ground which we call quicksands, where he suddenly sinking downe, was by and by buried in the bottom of the salt flowing sea, a iust reward for his so deuilish desert.

Now were the other, who prosecuted this bad attempt of so shameful a sin, come vnto the place where the helpelesse child lay, pitiously betrayed in the sandie mire of that moist ground, whose hearts although they were closed vp in vnrelenting br [...]sts, and were men exercised in naught but murthers, and massacres, yet séeing so goodlie a forward childe, richly adorned with manie garments of much worth, they tooke more compassion ouer it then commonly they vsed in the like cases, and carefully carying it home to their caue, tooke such order as the childe was wel relieued againe, that with feare & cold was almost dead. Her must we leaue to accompanie them in their sauage Cel, and returne to the Princes, who now were swimming in all delight in the pleasure of their Garden.

Of the accidents that happened these Kings after the death of their children. The sixth Chapter.

THeir dinner being done, she musick withdrawing, and al their sport fully ended, for that the swift paced Chariot of the Sunne drawing through the Christall skies, with fierie breathing horses, had now wel nigh attained the ende of their wearie iourney, when these merrie disposed people gathering together, al their companie intended to leaue the country [Page] delights, and returne again to their pallace, where when al were gathered togither readie to depart, suddenly was missed the yong childe. Who first for that they imagined she had béene borne forth for delight, by some of their houshold seruants into the coole shadowe of those Summer groues, where with all spéede they duly searched, but in vaine, for none could find though almost al of them were busied in séeking of her, so that at length, hopelesse to find what they so vnluckily had lost, they were forced to returne home with as manie wéeping teares, as they came forth with smiling ioies. Heauie were the discomforted parents for their lost childe, sad the poore subiects for their Princes paine, and generally these vnexpected accidents, did driue all minds into a déepe muse, what strange fortune should so fowly foyle the setled estate of these princely péeres, two beautiful babes euen in their cradles so cunningly conueyed from the watchful eies of their wearie nurses, and no meanes of suspition apparant, that might induce any probable coniecture of their escape. Well, to be short, as the greatest burthens must with pacience be ouerborne, the hardest haps with humilitie be helped, and the saddest sorowes with some salues be seuered: so these royal personages, considering the chaungeable estate of vnstable chaunce, that like the fading flourish of an April day, soone laughing, and soon lowring againe, considering that the misfortune of ill chauncing change, often times in faire florishes presented, though they may be often foreséene, yet are they seldome preuented, made them patiently to relie vpon hope of al helping heauen, whose readie power would one day either restore them to their former hopes, or by the iust doome of all ending death, restraine them from al future mishaps.

Thus being both of them diuorsed from of cherishing [Page] children, whose pleasing presence might recreate the melancholie dispositiōs of their world wearied minds, they sadly spende the wearie remnant of their wofull dayes, abandoning all meanes that might moue their mirth, refusing all counsell of comfortable friends, and delighting in nothing but desperate despaire, vsing their tongues to tel no tale but tragidies, nothing entred into their eares but the harsh harmonie of pitiful paines, frequenting no pleasant places but the dismal shewes of blacke Cypresse shades, from whose concaue bulks bounds the harsh hellish noyse of the ill boading Owle, fasting the daies with sad sighes, and watching the night with sorrowful slumbers, representing by their liues the true image of liuelesse death.

The still lasting hate of the proud Queenes, the meanes rhey wrought to separate the loue of their husbands, and the euent thereof. The seuenth Chapter.

WE heard in the beginning of this hystorie, how Lydia wife to this worthie Theseus, had assayed with vrging arguments of some perswading force, to vntwine the wel-spun thréede of fast linking loue, betwixt these peaceful and princely brethren, blessed in all worldly wealth, except the vnfortunate choyse of two wicked wiues. Now as such are the rootes, such are the fruits: such as is the cause, such likewise is the effect: so fares it with the wil-working wits of these vnkindly creatures, both wicked, because both womē.

[Page] Emelia likewise boldly presuming vpon the patience of her vnpatient husband, sorting a time when for his melancholie recreation, he had seuered himself into a garden, whether he often resorted: where sitting him downe vnder the broad braunches of a bléeding Mulberie, and supposing himselfe to be safe from disturbing approch of misliking companie, he taking in his heauie handes a sad tuned instrument, vnto whose tracet straines he solemnly sung this sadde song.

Some Poets say there is a hill,

Where sittes the Ladies of delight,

Composed of Musicks sacred skill,

And teaches euerie man t'indight.

Thence doth my minde returne againe,

For she can find no solemne muse,

Whose discontented tracet straine,

Will fit the Antheme she must vse,

They sing of ioy, and she of woe,

They of delight, she of vnrest,

There let their merrie Muses goe.

Whom fairer dayes haue better blest,

A sad tuned hart's my instrument,

Whose strings all out of tune I straine,

Striking great dumps of discontent.

Till all be pluckt in two with paine,

My Musicke is a sorrowes song,

Where discords sound is smart delight,

My dittie, life that lastes too long,

To see desire crost with despite,

Vnpleasant harmonie God knowes,

When out of tune is euerie string,

Bad sounds that all of discord growes,

And sad the Muse that so must sing,

[Page] But some poore soules must merry make,

Whose else dead drooping cheare would die,

Least sorrow should asunder breake,

There groning soules with miserie.

Which dittie after he had solemnly sung, and that the trickle teares stopt vp the pleasant passage of his sorowful song, easily rising from melancholy seat, gins with sad sigh to reiterate to himselfe the hard mishaps of his malecontented life. When turning him backe, & séeing his wife hasting towards him, would fain haue shunned her comming, as loath to be disturbed in his discontent, but she intreating him staid his escape, and thus gins cunningly to insinuate with his sorow.

Husbande (quoth thee) wilt thou still suffer this canker of discontent to eate away in dispaire, the swéete Summer of thy chiefest dayes? Sorrowe excéeding cure, must also bee past care. Hurts that cannot be auoided, must by meanes be amended. Shal the patient let his sore fester, because he cannot abide the surgeon should search it? And wilt thou die in despaire, because thou suffrest none to disswade thée from this discontent? It is an olde saying, Nothing is néerer the trée then the barke: and shoulde there bee any thing more déere to a man than his wife? Therefore was she taken out of his breast, because she should be alwayes in his bosome. Suffer me to vnrip the sore, for I wil be a gentle surgeon, and being ransacked I wil minister soueraine salue to mitigate thy malady: why doest thou then this in discontent, turne from me as wearie of my company? who hath diuorced thy liking from my loue, or orawen thy desire from my delight? Whereat the wearied king faintly answering his dissembling wife gins thus mildely to answere: My woes (quoth he) more than the sandes vppon the [Page] shoares, wil hardly by counsel be qualified, though it were more then the droppes of water in the sea: the which dispaire of comfort driues mee from desiring counsel: but if thou canst bring any balme that wil expel this griefe, any salue that wil search this sore, or any thing els that wil worke mine ease, I wil (for thy sake) heare it, though peraduenture I shal not vse it. Let me (quoth she) sée thy disease, and then shalt thou heare my deuise. That (quoth he) can I in a worde, though it bee as much as a worlde, the discontented harme of an ouer charged heart, hauing al things, and yet enioying nothing, pleased of al except my selfe, and by my selfe displeasing al but my selfe. Thus haue I shortly (quoth hee) tolde thée my griefe, though I despaire, by thée to receiue any reléef: why quoth she haue so many yéeres runne ouer my wofull head, and thinkest thou I neuer tasted the sharpe dealing of discontent: yes, thy self canst witnes to my woe, with what griefe I haue ouergone the losse of our chiefest comfort, so strangely tane away which patience did cure in me: but greater helpes hast thou for remedy. Is not sowre meate disgested with swéete sawce? cold humours expelled with hote sweates? soft yron filed with harde stéele? and shal not discontentiue dispaire be dispersed with the swéet counsel of contented comfort? lets gesse (quoth she) at thy malladie, and then I wil giue thée a soueraine remedy: loosly hast thou let ouerslip the pleasures of many faire daies by thine owne neglect. Aire vnmooued straightwaies corrupteth: and water that standeth quickrly stinckes: kéene edges not vsed waxe dull: and good qualities not exercised waxe dead. Moathes eate the vnworne garment, and grasse confusedly ouergrowen the vntrodden pauement: better had we want wit, then not vse it. The souldiour that cowardly kéepes fast his weapon when hée shoulde vse [Page] it against his enemy, were farre better haue none at al. How I should compare thy state I know not, except to the miserable estate of a muddie miser, that hauing much, wil vse naught. Howe great giftes hath heauen and thy forward indeuour indued thée withal? and since then, how little hast thou employed them? Oh there is a branch sprung from thine owne root, that had he but a small quantitie of thy qualities, a modill of thy minde, would long ere this haue cured in himselfe that griefe whereon thou nowe gronest, and long since haue pleased himselfe by plaguing thee: but that the iust God considering thy quiet contented disposition, that rather desirest to suffer iniurie then to chalenge equitie. He is a souldier forsooth: what then? but thou a scholler, a thing far more in account among men. Did Aiax his big braues ouerbeare Vlysses his wise words? No. And shal thy brothers furious lookes ouerturne thy friendly dealing? Thy displeasing dispaire is his delightsome content, and thy passion his pleasure. Rowze then thy sléeping conceit, shake off the sad earthly melancholy wight from thy light ayrie spirit, and boldly braue him, that so basely ouerbeares thée. Happily thou thinkst these words procéed fro som enuious intent forethought by me, but God, and all good men can witnesse with me, howe I loued and honoured him and his. And therewithall sheading a few womanish teares, which as bountifully fall from their eies, as wordes plentifully flow from their mouthes, drew the moodie mind of this malecontented king into such a laborinth of wearie thoughts as had almost quite tyred his melancholy imagination, yet wisely repressing the furious rage of rigorous woes woulde not in bitter tearmes exclaime, but rather determined with himselfe to couer the fury of his choler with some shew of patience, til time and oportunitie shoulde minister [Page] some better occasion, to acquite his intended iniuries, as he then conceiued by this perswasion of his peruerse wife, and so shewing not withstanding some shew of discontent: which not a little pleased his wife, that she had yet some hope to separate their so sure ioyned affections. And thus hauing ended their parlée, they both departed from thence, and betooke themselues to their priuate chambers.

❧ How Emelia wife to Perseus wrought subtile means to set at ods the two brethren, and what insued thereof, with the flight of both the dukes, and the banishment of their wiues. The eight Chapter.

EMelia in the mean time, albeit in some part her bloodie thirst of warries was quenched, yet not so fully satisfied as she earnestly desired, shée oft times deuised with herself how she might fully effect her long looked for intent, in the end, priuily packing with a seruant of hers, whom to such an end she had long reserued, and bounteouslie rewarded. One morning séeing her brother Theseus taking the benefit of a priuate walke, whither he continually euery morning resorted, sent downe vnto him by her foresaid seruant, desiring him as he conceiued any good opinion of her, and fauoured the welfare of himselfs, that he would in al secret sort commit himself [Page] vnto the trust of that her seruant, to bée conueyed by him into her chamber, where she had verie secrete affaires to impart vnto him, such as neare touched his credite and estate. This credulous Prince attributing more affiaunce to his sister then prouident foresight would haue permitted, gently condiscends to her cunning contriued treason. The suspicion whereof was as farre from his wel-meaning minde, as the highest part of heauen from the lowest centre of the earth. But as with faire stales trustful birdes are easiest taken: with bright baites the séely fish is soone deceyued: so with the faire flatterie of a wicked disposed woman, this faire prince was fowlie betrayed, to the dishonour of him, to the discredite of her, and the vtter subuerting of that stedfast established common wealth for euer.

At last following the direction of a subtile slaue poynted for the nonce to betray this péerelesse Prince, he was innocently brought into a sudden snare. For comming into her chamber, he found his sister in laws in her bed, a thing, then which nothing was lesse looked for at his hands. Which when he saw, he aduentured to goe nearer her, supposing her to haue béene sicke, because the day being somewhat spent, she was not yet got from her nightly resting place. At whose comming she suddenly starting vp, exclaimes with so loude a voice, as that she was easily heard to the furthest places of the pallace. To whom incontinent flocks a number of diligent attendants, to vnderstand the cause of her so sudden crie, to whom she feines a forged tale, how her brother, and their king had boldly aduentured to approch the entrance of her Chamber, and violently assayed to haue rauished her in her bed, for which cause she was constrained to vse the meanes of her tongue, [Page] for that the weake force of her womanish hand, was scarce able to defend his fierce assault. To witnesse whereof she calles the false treacherous villain, whom before she had made a meane to draw him thither. He as subtill as the dissembling Gréekish slaue, that inticed the trustful Troians to their cruel end, thus tels a substantial discourse, how the king entring the chamber, offered such violence vnto his sister. And then with much counterfeit action, he beginnes to shew the maner of his behauiour.

By this time had the report of these vnwelcome newes come to his brothers eares, who hastening to the place where all this assembly were gathered together: where when he came, he found his wife with blubbered chéekes, and loose dishouelled haire reiterating her former feined tale, and her hyred slaue vilelie affirming the same with manie déepe oathes, the truth of this truthlesse trecherie, which so incensed his furious minde, as he looking vpon his innocent brother, gins thus bitterly breake the sure linked chain of true brotherly loue, which they both till that time had so mightily maintained.

Ah (quoth hée) hast thou so soone forgotten the good precepts of our dying father, whose straight charge might haue euen (as it were) chayned thée from this foule offence of sensuall finne, but the iust heauens séeing into the secrete corners of thy dissembling heart, wherein was nothing but deceitful double dealing, haue for thy more then sinful hypocrisie, rewarded thée with the iust punishment of double iniquitie, from whome I here before God, and all these our seruants and subiects, disioyne my selfe, vowing hereafter to bee so farre from gracing thée with the frendly name of brother, as that I meane to prosecute [Page] thée with the deadly hate of an enemie, and so I leaue thée, that neuer meaneth in courtesie againe to resalute thée.

When as Theseus, about for to replie in his owne defence, was interrupted by the confused noyse of the murmuring people, by whose whole assent hée was generally condemned, as the wicked worker of this villainous practise, who standing as it were in a swoone to sée this vnexpected exigent would haue spoken in his owne defence, but being interrupted by the meanes of some of his enemies confederates, he was forced in silence to depart, who comming downe to his wife, and declaring the whole truth of this trecherie, and taking the aduauntage of the time, least that delay might againe reconcile them, following on the angrie disposition of her husband, for to leuie spéedie armes, both for the better fortifying of himselfe agaynst his brothers furie, as also if in time he took the matter in hande, he should gather together the chiefest and best part of the countrey, whose counsel he with al spéede followed.

But his expedition in gathering forces togither, was not so great as his brothers was sudden, so that in fewe dayes, betwixt them they had equallie diuided both the men and munition, of that their now infortunate countrey. And forceably assailing one another, prodigally consumed the precious blood of their owne countreymen, who were not so blessed afore in their peaceful reigne, as they are cursed now in their vntimely rage. Which the graue Senatours of that almost dispeopled Countrey, diligently foreséeing, made of themselues such meanes to leuie men, and prouide munition, as the remnant of their alreadie gathered forces would affoord. Intending either to make some accorde betwixt them againe, or else to subuert them [Page] both, whose furies were so fierce, that there was almost no hope of any reconciliation left betwixt them. Which when they had done, before they would with open alarme proclaime the vnciuill sort of their comming, they sent to them many interchaungeable Heraulds, to certifie them of the vrging occasions of their gathered forces, which was in the dutiful defence of their Countrey, to saue as much as in them lay, all, or the most of that their natural blood, which was like in these ciuil tempests of home-bred stormes to be pitifully spilt. But such was the incensed furie of these two vnkindly foes, as that neither the loue of their Countrey, the threates of their foes, nor the intreates of their friends, could refraine them from their resolution of reuenge. So that the Countrey men who were there gathered together, thought it the best course, both for the safetie of themselues, and the after quiet of their Countrey, to ioyne battel with both at once, beeing more in number then both the kings battels, which determination they effectually followed. And al confusedly without forme rushing togither, ioyned their disordred battels, where some laboring for ye good of their Countrey, other for the hateful hope of bloody reuenge, til in the ende, the battels of the kings, by reason of their confusion and disorder, were so impouerished, that for feare of further daunger they were both forced to flie.

After the end of which bloodie battel, the Senatours gathering togither the bodies of their dead Countreymen, as was their dutie, afforded them honourable burial. And then hauing rid, as they wel hoped, their quiet Countrey of those ciuill dissentions, they againe betooke themselues to their former seueral businesses. Where we must now a while leaue them to their own gouernment til time and their happie stars shal again [Page] reduce into the ciuil forme of a peaceable kingdome.

Old Radulpho after his happie reigne in his quiet graue: Adrianus in the Lions den: Berea amongest the sauage Bandettes at the sea side: Perseus after the slaughter of his men fled for succour to the mountains: Theseus escaping toward the plaine forrest, as intending to depart his Countrey: and their wiues by the iust censure of the new iudging Senate, banished, to finde out the seueral husbands. Whom we must leaue to their better fortunes, til time and our idle houres shal againe bring them al to their former estate.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

The first part of the nature of a vvoman Fitly described in a Florentine historie. Composed by C.M.

C. M., fl. 1596.

Edition statement

1596

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Date

2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A06672

ID [STC]

STC 17126.5

ID [STC]

ESTC S101403

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99837218

ID [PROQUEST]

99837218

ID [VID]

1533

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A06672)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 1533)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 995:12)

Source

— The first part of the nature of a vvoman Fitly described in a Florentine historie. Composed by C.M., C. M., fl. 1596., Middleton, Christopher, 1560?-1628, attributed name..

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[24] leaves

Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shop at the little north doore of Paules,. London :: 1596.. (Attributed by STC to Christopher Middleton.) (Signatures: A² B-F⁴ G² .) (Printer's device (McKerrow 142) on title page.) (Bodleian Library copy only copy.) (Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library.)

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