Of the Wisdome and Learn­ing of some Women.

WIsdome is the guide of all other vertues; it gives goodnesse to good people, pard'neth the wick­ed, makes the poor rich, and the rich honorable; it's that wherin our soveraign good and the end of our life con­sisteth.

Learning, is the know­ledge and understanding of Arts and Sciences; without it Nature is blind.

Wisdome and Learning have made these following women famous to all po­sterity.

Nicaula Queen of Saba, did expose her self to a long and tedious journey from the farthest part of Ethiopia unto Hierusalem, there to dispute with Solomon, the wisest of all men; as it ap­peares by the Scriptures, which therefore give her an immortal praise.

Mirrhe Queen of the Ly­dians, was so little of body, as that she seemed to be a Dwarf; but so far excelling in wisdome, as that she was called a Gyant: she was a wise and prudent woman, when she was married; and honest, being a widow.

Pythagoras (the light of his time, and the first that [Page 15]was called a Philosopher) was a Scholar unto his own Sister Themistoclea, and he learn'd his Philosophy from her: the greatnesse of her wisdome appears by a Let­ter which he sent unto her from Rhodes, where he pub­likely read Philosophy, she being then in Samothracia. The said Letter, translated out of Greek, was as follow­eth:

Pythagoras your Brother and Disciple, (to you Themi­stoclea my dear Sister) wish­eth health and increase of wisdome.

I have read from the be­ginning to the very end, the Book which you have sent [Page 16]unto me, of Fortune and Mis­fortune: By it I do really see, that you are not lesse grave in writing, then gracious in teaching; the which doth not often befall us who are Men: for the Philosopher Aristip­pus was harsh in speaking, and profound in writing; Amenides was succinct in writing, and eloquent in speaking. But you (my deare sister) have so much applied your self to study & to write, as that in Sentences you seem to have read all the Philoso­phers; and by the antiquities which you expresse, it seems that you have seen all the time past; by which you doe make it appear, that being a woman [Page 17]you are more then a woman, because the nature of women is only to employ themselves to the present, and to forget that which is past.

I have been told that you do imploy your self in writing the wars of our Country: I do earnestly pray you, and by the immortal gods do conjure you to flatter no body.

For as you cannot deny, (dear Sister) but that I am the eldest of your three Bro­thers, so I cannot disavow that among all your Disciples I am the least: And as being your Disciple, I ought to obey you; so likewise being your eldest Brother, you ought to believe me.

Therefore I do advise you (deare Sister) to continue to do your utmost (as you have hither to done) to be under­stood, and wise in your words, discreet and grave in your life, and honest in your person; and above all, true in that which you write: For if the body of man be worth little without the soule, the mouth without truth is worth much lesse.

And this was the Letter which Pythagoras sent to his sister Themistoclea; by which his profound humility, and her great eloquence ap­peares.

Policrata daughter to the said Philosopher Pythagoras [Page 19]was not only wise, fair and rich, but esteemed and ho­noured for the integrity of her life, and more admired for her Eloquence then Py­thagoras himself.

Diotima did so excell in wisdome, that Socrates (who of all men was called the wise, the just, the Prince of Philosophers, and the Fa­ther of Philosophie) blush­ed not to imitate, and call her his Tutresse and Instru­ctresse.

Arreta had attained to that perfection of know­ledge in the Greek and La­tine tongues, as that the common report was, that the soul of Socrates was in­fused [Page 20]into her; and when she was heard to speak, it seemed that she had writ the doctrine of Socrates, ra­ther then learned it: she her self instructed her sonne in all the Liberal Arts, by whose industry he became a famous Professor; he was called Aristippus: she also taught and instructed ma­ny, and wrote several Vo­lumes, some whereof were these following.

• The Praises of Socrates.
• The manner how to edu­cate Children.
• The Battails of Athens.
• The unhappines of Women.
• The Husbandry of the An­cients.
• [Page 21]The Wonders of Mount O­lympia.
• The Vanities of Youth, and the Calamities of Age.

She read publikely the Na­tural & Moral Philosophie, in the Academies & Schools of Athens, five and twenty years: she composed forty Books: she had an hundred and ten Philosophers who were her disciples. She died being seventy seven years old; and the Athenians, for an immortal praise to all posterity, caused these fol­lowing words to be engra­ven on her sepulchre.

Leontium, a Grecian Da­mosel, did so excell in wis­dome, and in Philosophical contemplations, as that Ci­cero relates, in his book De natura Deorum, that she durst write a worthy Book a­gainst that famous Philo­sopher Theophrastus.

Alexander the Great re­fused the beautiful Daugh­ter of Darius, (with King­domes and infinite Trea­sures to boot) and made choice of Barsina, only for her great wisdom, although [Page 23]she was poor, and had no possessions.

Dominica, the wife of the Emperor Valenticus, whenas the Goths had threatned the utter subversion of Constan­tinople, she by her wisdome and discretion so mediated with the Enemy, as that she procured the safety both of the People and City.

Athenias the Daughter of a mean man, was for her wisdom & learning thought worthy by a Christian Em­peror to be his wife.

Priscilla instructed Apollo himselfe, that eloquent man.

Nicostrata, wife to King Evander, was so learned, [Page 24]that the Grecians reported, that if her Writings of the Trojan wars had not by en­vy been flung into the fire, the name of Homer (the Prince of Poets) would have been unknown. This famous Woman is by some called Carmentis, because of the eloquence which was found in her Verses; she helpd to make up the num­ber of the Greek Alphabet, and added to the Roman Letters; her Prophesies were preserved by the Ro­mans at the end of the Ca­pitol, with as much respect and care as they do the Sa­crament.

Hermodica wife to Midas [Page 25]King of Pbrygia, was not only celebrated for her rare features and beauty, but for her great wisdome.

The Divine Plato had a­mongst his Disciples these two famous women, to wit Laschenea, and Axiothia: the one had so profound a Memory, and the other so extraordinary an Under­standing, as that Plato be­ing in his Chaire, he often did say (when either of these two chanced to be ab­sent) that he would not be­gin to read; and being by the Philosophers his disci­ples desired thereunto, he answered, I will not read, because Laschenea the Un­derstanding, [Page 26]which ought to hear me, is not here; and for the absence of Axiothia he said, that the Memory which ought to preserve him was not yet come. The wisdome of these two wo­men is the more to be ad­mired, since Plato would not read but in their pre­sence; for he did esteem the memory of these two Wo­men alone more then the Philosophie of all the Phi­losophers besides.

Cornelia, wife unto Scipio Africanus, and mother to the Noble family of the Graechi, was so excellent in knowledge, that she was more famous and honored [Page 27]by the Sciences which she publikely read in Rome, then by the conquests which her Children made in Africk. She was generally praised by the most learned men, for her honesty, wisdome, and for her reading Philo­sophie publikely in Rome.

From her, as from a foun­tain, the eloquence of her children flowed. Therefore Quintilius thus saith of her: We are much bound to the mother Cornelia, for the elo­quence of the Gracchi, whose unparallel'd Learning in her exquisite Epistles she hath be­queathed to posterity. Cicero (the Father of Latine elo­quence, whose skill in join­ing [Page 28]Philosophie with the Art of Rhetorick was ex­cellent) doth more highly exalt this famous Cornelia, whenas he saith in his Rhe­torick, That if the name of a Woman had not dimini­shed Cornelia, she did de­serve to be the chiefest of all the Philosophers, be­cause hee never saw such grave Sentences proceed from any mortal creature, as were contained in her writings. A Statue was e­rected on her sepulcher, on which these words were engraven: ‘Here lyeth the most learned Cornelia, mother of the G [...]acchi: she was both [Page 29]happy and fortunate in her Disciples whom she instructed, though un­happy in her Children.’

Aspasia, a Miletian Dam­sel, excelled in all Philoso­phical contemplations; and so fluent a Rhetorician, as that Socrates himselfe imi­tated her, in his Facultas Politica.

Amalasuntha, Queen of the Ostrogothes, the daugh­ter of Theodoricus King of those Ostrogothes in Italy, was not only learned in the Greek and Latine tongues, but spake all the barbarous languages that were used in the Eastern Empires, ex­ceeding well.

Eustochium, a Romane Matron, was excellently practised in the Greek and Latine Dialect, as also in the Hebrew character: she was in her time called the New prodigie of the world: she with Reason overcame St. Hiero me, and made him con­fesse he was overcome by her, for that he could not answer the questions which she had propounded.

Amesia, a modest Roman Lady, being falsly accused of a great crime, and ready to incurre the Pretorial sentence; she with a manly, yet modest courage, stept up amongst the People, and with a loud voice and a be­coming [Page 31]gesture, and facun­dious suavity, she pleaded her own cause, so eloquent­ly, so effectually, and so strongly, as that by the publique suffrage she was freed and acquited from all aspersions whatsoever, and he who had accused her, was himselfe most justly punished.

Hypparchia, the sister of Magocles, and wife to Crates Cynicus, with one Sophisme did put Theodorus to silence.

Hortensia, the daughter of Quintus Hortensius, plea­ded her selfe before the Triumvirate (when a grie­vous Fine was imposed on the Romans, and when none [Page 32]of the Orators or Lawyers durst) so boldly and elo­quently, that she prevailed so far, as that the greatest part of the Fine which was imposed on them, was in­stantly remitted.

Sosipatra was a woman versed in many kindes of Disciplines; and so excelent in all her studies, that she was said to have been edu­cated by the Gods them­selves.

Corinna Thebana had such an excellent knowledge in Poesie, that in several Con­tentions she bore away the garland from Pindarus the Prince of the Lyrick poets.

Sapho's Verses excelled [Page 33] Anacreon's, though he was one of the most famous Poets in the world.

Telesilla was not onely wise, chaste, fair, and coura­gious, but she had attained to that perfection in poetry that she amongst all other women was held in admi­ration.

Cornificia, sister to the great Poet Cornificius, was very learned in the Greek and Latine tongues; and so expert in making of Verses, that she ex tempore did excel those which her Brother made at leasure, though he was the greatest Poet of his time in Rome.

Phanarite, Mother of [Page 34] Athenian Socrates, was the first that disputed of Mora­lity, and who taught the mystical phylosophie of the Stars and Planets, and how it may be made familiar, and have correspondence with our humane and ter­restrial actions.

Hyppatia, a Woman of Alexandria, did so excell in Learning, as that she was frequented by many worthy Scholars whil'st she kept a publike School: she wrote several Volumes; she calcu­lated her self an Ephemerides for many years; she also writ a large volume of Astronomy.

L'Amia & Aglius were not inferior in Musick to Arion or Orpheus.

Timarete, the Daughter of Micaon Irene, Anistarite, Lala Cizizena, Martia, and many more, have attained to as high a perfection in Painting, as Apelles, Zeucis, and Apollidorus themselves ever did.

What men were ever known to surpass the Muses or the Sybils in Learning?

The IX. Muses were these following:

Clio, Ʋterpe, Thalia, Mel­pomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhimnia, Vrania, Calliope.

The XII. Sybils were these,

• Sybilla Persica, called Sam­berta.
• Sybilla Lybica.
• Sybilla Delphica.
• [Page 36]Sybilla Cumaea, borne at Cimeria, at Campania in Italy.
• Sybilla Samia.
• Sybilla Erithraea, borne at Babylon.
• Sybilla Cumana: she wrote Nine books, for three of which Tarquinius superbus gave 300 pieces of gold, and caused them to be religiously kept in the Capitol at Rome.
• Sybilla Hellespontiaca, borne at Marmisea in the Terri­tory of Troy.
• Sybilla Albunea, sirnamed Tiburtina, because she was borne at Tiber, 15 miles from Rome.
• Sybilla Phrygia.
• [Page 37]Sybilla Epyrotiea.
• Sybilla Coliphonia Lampusia: she came out of Greece, from Coliphonia a City of Ionia.

The Books which these Sybils wrote, contained manifest Prophesies of the Kingdome of CHRIST, his Name, his Birth, and Death; The changes of Kingdomes; Foretold In­undations, Earthquakes, and Warres; They also manifested that the whole World would be burnt; and wished men to adore that God, while they lived here, who would punish them so severely hereafter for their contempt.

These Books were by the Arch-Traytor Silico burnt; yet nevertheless some of their Prophesies are yet ex­tant, having been extracted out of other writings.

But as both the Ecclesia­sticall and Secular, Ancient, and Modern Histories a­bound in examples, of di­vers excellent and famous Ladies; So likewise these latter times have not been barren in Learned women; who were not a jot inferior to those of former Ages.

Constantia, wife of Alex­ander Sforza, was so labori­ous in the best Disciples, that on the suddain, and without any premeditati­on, [Page 39]shee was able to dis­course upon any argument, either Theological or Phi­losophical, and for her tem­poral vain in verse, shee was much admired; in which shee was so elegant­ly ingenious, that shee at­tracted the ears of many judicious Schollers to bee her daily Auditors.

Olympia Fulvia Morata, a famous Italian woman, was the ornament and glory of our latter times; shee had an exquisite knowledge in the Greeke and Latine tongues, and shee writ ma­ny learned and elaborated works.

Jane Gray, an incompa­rable [Page 40]Princess, whom no Nation nor Age can paral­lel, was very learned in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues.

Christian de Pisa, a Gentle­woman of Italy, was en­dowed with such divine graces, and shee did so far excell in wisdome, that her works have made many learned men ashamed.

The Kingdoms of France, Spain, and Portugal, do a­bound with many exam­ples of famous Ladies and Gentlewomen, which have excelled most men of this Age in knowledge and hu­main Sciences.

Helisian of Crennes, a [Page 41]French Lady, did so excell in Learning, that shee was admired by the wisest men, and hath bequeathed unto posteritie several of her excellent works.

Duema Ligua, a Spanish Lady (one of the Maids of honour unto Lady Mary, sister unto the King of Por­tugal) was wonderfully verst in five sundry Lan­guages, viz. the Hebrew, Greek, Latine, Chaldean, and Arabian.

Isabella Rosera, a Spanish Lady, did so excell in Learning, that shee did not onely publickly read, but expounded the hard and difficult works of Lescost, [Page 42]and unto her Auditory, the Cardinals, and the wisest men of Rome were As­sistants.

Dona Margarita de No­ronha, a Lady of Portingal, was exceeding well verst in severall Languages, shee writ with great eloquence many excellent Discourses, and shee had attained to a great perfection in Paint­ing, and severall other Arts.

Queen Elizabeth of late memory, whose wonderful knowledge, and Learning, was admired by all the Christian Princes that flou­rished in her time; shee was so well verst in the Hebrew, [Page 43]Greek, Latin, Italian, Spa­nish, and French languages, that shee needed no Inter­preter, but gave her self an­swer to all such Ambassa­dors in their own Lan­guage, of which those learned Orations in the Latine tongue which shee delivered by her own mouth in the two famous Universities do bear a suf­ficient record in her be­half.

Margaret of Vallois, Queen of Navarre, was endowed with eminent knowledge and Heroical vertues.

The Princess Elizabeth (eldest daughter to the Queen of Bohemia who is [Page 44]justly stiled the Queen of Hearts, and the best of Queens, whom all degrees honour, and all Nations reverence) is a Saba for her Wisdome, an Harpalice for Magnanimity, an Amala­suntha for her Temperance, a Cleopatra for her Bounty, and a Zenobia for her learn­ing and skill in Languages.

Anna Maria Schurmans, living at Ʋtrech in Holland, is endowed with such a wonderfull knowledge and learning, that she is admi­red by all men.

There have been likewise many Ladies and Gentle­women of our Nation, whose learning and know­ledge [Page 45]may wel be parallel'd with the before-named.

Let me therefore trespass (Gentle and Courteous Reader) so much on thy patience, as that I may up­on so just, and good an oc­casion, insert in this place some of their names.

With what Praises and Statues ought we to digni­fie and celebrate the me­mory of these following excellent Ladies.

The Countess of Pem­brook, sister to the unmatch­able Sir Philip Sidney.

The four Daughters of Sir Anthonie Cook;

• The Lady Burleigh.
• The Lady Russel.
• [Page 46]The Lady Bacon.
• M^rs Killegrew.

And those other Ladies which at present are en­dowed with learning and generous education, whose abilities, as they are a proof to the present times, so will they remain as examples to posteritie. Wherefore if many women do not the like, it may bee inferred that it is not out of a defect of wit or judgment, but be­cause they will not apply their minds thereunto, or that they cannot by reason of other diversions.

Let it therefore suffice that those who have been called to so great a Functi­on [Page 47]by so speciall an instinct have eminently excell'd.

I shall not any longer in­sist on the wisdome and learning of this most wor­thy Sex, but proceed to their Constancie and Cou­rage.

Of Constant and Couragious Women.

COnstancie is the orna­ment, the end, and confirmation of all vertues.

Courage, contemneth all perils, despiseth calamities, and conquers death.

These following famous Women, being consident of the immortality of their soules, encountred dangers, offered up their lives on all occasions, and sacrificed themselves, as it were, on the altar of Glory: their life was unto them but an ap­prentiship to die well; and their Sepulcher was (as it [Page 49]were) their Cradle, imita­ting the Pelican that re­vives again out of her own blood.

If I should (Courteous Reader) relate unto you the constant resolution of all the women Martyrs; (a­mongst which there were those, who in the midst of the flames, and tortures, cryed out with a resolute voice, Tyrant, you lose your time, here wee are alwayes at our ease; where are those pains, where are those tor­ments, with the which you did threaten us? our Con­stancie will make you suffer more then wee do by your crueltie; make us complain, [Page 50]make us yeeld, if you can; encourage your Sergeants, your Executioners, for they are faint-hearted, edge them to all cruel and bloody courses against us, &c.) Whole volumes would not bee able to containe their names; therefore I shall onely relate unto you some of them.

Felicula was by the com­mand of Flaccus Comes, shut up in a Jakes, and when by no perswasions nor threats, promises, or torments, shee could bee forced to re­nounce the Christian faith, shee was there stifled to death.

Apollinia, a Virgin of [Page 51] Alexandria, for speaking boldly in the defence of her Faith, had her teeth plucked all out by the Tormentors, and after­wards threatning to burn her instantly, unless shee would renounce her Chri­stianity; she seeming to pawse a little, as if shee meant better to consider of the matter, (when they least suspected) leapt sud­denly into the fire, and was there consumed to ashes.

Julia Cathaginensis, be­cause she would not bow to Idols, and adore the false heathen gods, was nailed unto a Cross, and so ended [Page 52]her life, partly with the smoak which the Executi­oners made at the foot of the Gallows.

Flavia, Euphronia, Theo­dora, Sabina, Amonaria, and Dionisa, all Roman Virgins, have been more ready to receive death for to main­tain the glory and honor of God, then the Tyrants could minister the tor­ments to them.

Clara a Widow of three­score years of age, was in the year 1526. on the 9. of December burnt in Boke­mia, because she would not deny the faith of the Go­spel.

Martha Porzizia in the [Page 53]next year after, suffered the pains of the fire with an in­vincible constancie. Besides many others related in Fox his History of Martyrs. O rare & wonderful Patience, O sufferance worthy of everlast­ing remembrance! O constan­cie, the like whereof cannot be elsewhere found! their Crowns are glorie, and their prais [...] are not to bee expressed by the pen or tongue of man!

Let their names bee as sacred to us on Earth, as their souls live eternally en­joying a heavenly bliss!

As for their Courage:

Deborah, a Warlike wo­man, was a Prophetess, and judged Israel, by whose [Page 54]Counsel and Courage, they were not onely freed from the incursions of their neighbour Nations, but many times returned from the field with rich spoyls, and glorious conquests.

Judith smote off Holipher­nes's head, and brought it her self through the ene­mies Camp into her own City.

Jael, with an invincible Courage, took a nail of her Tent, and with a hammer struck it through Sisera's head, who was Captain of al the Canaanites.

Zenobia, Queen of the Palmerians, discomfited the Emperour Aurelian, and all his host.

Candaces Queen of Ethio­pia, during all her Wars, led her people in person to the field, whereby shee obtained so great a dignity and honor, that for many years after her decease, the succeeding Queens of Ethi­opia were called Candaces.

Tomyris, Queen of the Scythians, sent this chal­lenge to Cyrus, that great Emperour of Persia: Come, or I will come; Stay for mee, or I will stay for thee. This challenge could not well bee answered, but by an undanted Enemy, who with his sword in his hand, had replied, Here I am: her blood was all on fire, and [Page 56]it seems that the very words did displease her more, then the blows them­selves, Come, or I will come; Stay, or I will stay. Cyrus being taken in the Wars by her, she caus'd his head to be cut off, and in remembrance of his cruelty, it was cast into a vessell full of blood, whereon shee caused this inscription to be sixed, Now Cyrus drink thy fill of that with the which thou couldest never be satisfied.

Artimesia, Queen of Ca­ria, was admired through­out all Greece, for her man­ly Courage, and excellency of spirit: she not onely in a Navall expedition over­came [Page 57]came the invading Rhodi­ans, but pursued them even unto their own Coasts, and took possession of the I­land, amidst whose ruines, she caused her own glori­ous Statue to be erected.

Semyramis was a Queen renowned for her brave and magnanimous exploits and in all her attempts supereminent; with her invincible courage she not onely conquered all Ethio­pia, but invaded India, being the first that ever durst attempt it, and saving her there was none, but Alexander, who imitating her glorious footsteps, was the last. Berosus affirms, that [Page 58]no man was ever to bee com­pared with this Woman, such great things have been written of her; she was the fourth that reigned in Assy­ria; all her subjects in ad­miration of her heroick acts, wore the like garments as she did, which habit hath been in use amongst the Assyrians, Bactrians and Ba­bilonians, even to this day. Vitruvius relates, that one day as she attired her self in her royall Pallace, the one part of her hair being bound up, and the other half hanging loose upon her shoulders, suddenly news was brought unto her that the Citizens of Babilon [Page 59]were revolted, being in a high mutiny and uproar; she alone went into the City, commanding all her followers to stay back, and thus by her sole presence & perswasion she reconciled that innumerable number of people unto her obedi­ence; and attracted the hearts of that barbarous rude Nation unto her ad­miration and love, even as the Adamant draws Iron; for the which her Statue was erected in the City, re­presented half drest, and half undrest, in memory of that noble and magnani­mous adventure of hers. She built the aforesaid [Page 60]mighty City of Babilon, and the stately walls which have been reckoned a­mongst the seven wonders of the world, they were fity feet thick, two hundred feet high, and threescore miles in compass, adorned with many great Towers, and for the building of these walls three hundred thousand men were for a long space hired from di­vers Countries.

Plutarch, and others write, that she caused these words to be engraven upon her Tomb, Quicunque Rex pe­cuniis indiget, aperto monu­mento, quod voluerit accipiat; that is, what King soever [Page 61]hath need of coin, by open­ning of this Monument may take what he pleaseth. King Darius by chance reading these pleasing words, and thinking some Magazine of treasure had been there inclosed, caused the Tomb-stone to bee re­moved, where he found upon the other side these words ingraven, Nisi Rex avarus esses, & pecuniae insa­tiabilis, mortuorum monu­menta non violasses; Haddest thou not been a covetous King, & unsatiable of Coin, thou wouldest not have violated the grave of the dead.

Thus the excellent La­dy [Page 62]in her death, taunted the gripple avarice of the living.

The Amazons, warlike women in Scythia, defended their own Country, and waged War against their neighbours: but that the one might not seem more happy then the other, they slew all the men of their Country, and when they had gotten peace by force of Arms, they used the so­ciety of men, lest their whole Nation should pe­rish for want of procreati­on, and every female childs right breast (at seven years of age) was seared and burnt away, lest it should [Page 63]them in shooting; and hence they took the names of Amazons, w^ch is as much as to say, Ʋnaemammae, Crea­tures with one breast.

They subdued the great­est part of Europe, and many Cities in Asia; their Army was divided into two parts, the one part whereof was commanded by the Queen M' Arthesia, which main­tained the Empire of Asia, and the other was com­manded by the Queen Lampedo, who governed at home.

These famous warlike women, built Ephesus, with many other Cities in Asia, and they erected a Temple [Page 64](in the Country called Ionia) to the honor of Diana, the like whereof was not then in all the world; it was two hundred and twenty years a making, there were in it a hundred and seven and twenty pil­lars of Marble, which were seventy feet high; the length of the whole Temple was four hund­red fifty five feet, and the breadth two hundred and twenty; no Temple in the world could be compared unto it in wealth.

But finally the perfidious Erostratus, who doing great feats in War, & perceiving that he got no reward, nor [Page 65]renown thereby; for to leave a continuall remem­brance of his infamous action, did consume this famous Temple with fire.

Queen Tyrgatao Meotis, did in many battels oppose two potent Kings, shee righted her own injuries in person, met with them, braved them, and beat them in the field, and after many victorious de­feats vassalled their inso­lent pride, and subjected them to her own heroicall mercie.

What praise, what ad­miration and honor may not this magnanimous Queen claim?

Valasca Queen of the Bo­hemians, having instructed all the women of her King­dome in military exercises, leavied an Armie of her own sex, with the which she encountred all the men of her Kingdome, and overthrew them, by which means, the women attained unto the Soveraign princi­pality, and for many years together managed all pub­lick affairs, as well for of­fence, as defence, without the help or counsell of men.

Hasbites was a famous warlike Virago, and led Armies into the field.

When as the Lacedemo­nians [Page 67]had besieged the city of Messena in Sicily, and being resolved to storm it, the women suddenly issued out against their enemies, and put them to flight.

Lesbia, a Virgin, being besieged by the Turks, ha­zarded her self to discover their Works and Mines: by whose only valour and encouragement in present­ing herself upon the walls to the violence of their ar­rows and engines, the City was preserved.

The women of Bellovaca, being besieged by Charles the great Duke of Burgundy most resolutely defended the walls, tumbling the [Page 68]Assailants down headlong from their scaling-ladders; to the everlasting honour of their Sexe, and reproach of the Enemy.

Elphleda, sister to King Edward (before the Con­quest) sirnamed the fourth, was present in the Battaile which was fought against the Danes at Toten-Hall in Stafford-shire, and at the mighty overthrow at Wood­densfield, where two Kings were slain, two Earls; and many thousands of the Danes. She not only tamed the Welch-men, but chased the Danes.

This Epitaph hath been left as a memorial over her Tombe.

Queen Margaret, Henry the sixth's wife; whose cou­rage, resolution and magna­nimity deserves an immor­tal praise: she was perso­nally in all those Battails which were fought against the House of York; nor are the English Chronicles spa­ring in commending her more then womanish spirit, to everlasting memory.

In times past, the Romans honoured (even for private and common services) their ordinary Souldiers, some with Cirick Crowns or Gar­lands, others with Lances headed with Gold, Golden Chaines, Statues of Ivory; others, with Triumphs, [Page 71]Praises, Acclamations, Gra­tulations, &c. If these things were allowed to men only, with what Elogies, Encono­miums, Crowns, Garlands, Statues, Sepulchers, and Monuments shall we then celebrate the memory (if it were possible) beyond all posterity, of these ever to be admired Constant and Cou­ragious Women!

Of Faire Women.

BEauty is the Image of the Creator, and the Rhetorick of Heaven: it delights the eye, contents the mind; and the more it is seen, the more it is admired.

That of Venus was so ex­traordinary, as that Apelles, who was the best of Paint­ers, could not with all his art (though he had set be­fore him a hundred choice and selected Beauties, all naked, and had taken from one a charming Eye, another an amorous Lip, from a third a pleasing smile and a modest blush, from a fourth a grace­ful Nose, a fifth a fair Hand, and from each of them that [Page 73]special Lineament in which she most excelled) represent such an Angelical Face, such charming Eyes, such amorous coral Lips, such snaring Tresses, such captivating Hands, or such a pure Ala­baster Skin as Venus had. How should I then by my rude stile dare to expresse that, which Apelles could not represent with severall Colours? I know I am un­able to express the least part of that, which represents the wonderfull work of God: and though I were able, yet would I make a scruple to trace out miracles with ink. Nor shall I enlarge on the great influences, [Page 74]which the famous Beauties have had in former Ages over men.

Neither dare I presume to name those of these later times, who are admired and adored by all men (save such as are wilfully blind) lest I should by the alleadg­ing of their power run the same hazard as Antiochus did, who was seized with a Feaver, meerly by the re­hearsal of Stratonica's extra­ordinary Beauty; such di­vine gemmes did sparkle about her. Or as Tyrasius King of Thebes, who was struck blinde by his onely beholding of Diana, as she was bathing herself.

For my part, I am alrea­dy not onely amazed, but even transported (if not lost with wonder) by the bare rehearsall of the fore­mentioned famous wo­mens heroick acts.

And though I could aver how that their Beauty doth ravish beholders, that their complexion is clearer then the Skie; their Faces borders of Lillies, interwoven with Roses; how that the lustre of their Eyes surpasses the Diamond, their Lips the Coral in redness; that their Tresses are like the coloured Hyacinths of Arcadia; their Necks as white as Snow, their Breast as pure as Alla­baster, [Page 76]their Arms as ruddy as the Rose, and that all their parts are most rare, their whole bodies beautified with more then Terrene perfections; how that they have more strength then the moistened Torpedoes, which do not onely charm the hand, but the heart al­so; and that not onely the Lybian Lion loses his strength in beholding their beauty, but the Basilisk his senses; and though I should adde thereunto, that they represent the lively Image of the Creator, that they are the miracle of the world, and the marvel of marvels; after all this, what say I [Page 77]more then each man knows and is by all men con­fest?

Were not the very feet of Thetis as bright as silver, and the ankles of Hebe clearer then Chrystal?

Are they not admired and beloved even of un­reasonable creatures? was not a Virgin in Leucadia, so beloved of a Peacock, as that the enamoured Bird never left her whilst she lived, and accompanied her in death; for seeing the young Damsell dead, she never would receive food from any hand, but so pined a­way and dyed also.

Doth not Saxo Gramma­ticus [Page 78]in the tenth book of his Danish History report, how that certain young maids of a Village in Swit­zerland, playing and sport­ing together in the field upon a holy-day, suddenly an huge Hee-bear rushed out of the Forrest, and shatched up the fairest a­mongst them, and hurried her away to his Den, gently and without any harm; where he long gazed on her face, as if with a kind of admiration he grew so enamoured with her on the sudden, that instead of a Murtherer, he became a Lo­ver, imparting unto her all the prey he got abroad, &c. [Page 79]Did not an Fagle (which was taken in a Neast, and carefully brought up by a Virgn in the City of Sesto) being come to full growth take her slight every day abroad, and all the Fowle she could catch, brought it home and laid it in the lap of her Mistres: at length this Virgin dying, and her bo­dy being born unto the Funeral fire, the Eagle still attending, it was no sooner exposed unto the flames, but the Bird likewise by volun­tary flight, cast her self a­midst the kindled pyle, and gave her self as a most grateful sacrifice unto her Mistress Hearse.

Was not the Queen Sua­bilda so excelling rare in all the Lineaments of her bo­dy, as that being doomed unto a wretched and mi­serable death, and bound with thongs of Leather, to be trod upon by the hoofs of wild horses, her beauty struck such an impression even in those unreasonable creatures, that they could not bee forced with their rude feet to leave the least character of violence upon limbs so fair and exquisitely shaped.

Therefore I shall not in­sist any longer on the spe­cifying of womens Beauty, since as it appears they [Page 81]are beloved and admired even by unreasonable crea­tures: but proceed to their goodness.

The love of Women towards their Husbands; of Mothers towards their Children; of dutiful Daughters towards their Parents; and of Si­sters that have been kinde to their Brothers.

THe women of Wynedi in Germany, beare such an expressible love towards their husbands, that they repair to their sepulchers, and holding their lives te­dious without them, they offer up their bodies wil­ingly either to the sword or to the fire. The like is ob­served by the Women a­mongst the Geats, the Ca­theoreans, [Page 83]the Herulians (a people which inhabite be­yond the River of Danube) by those of Thrace and the Indies.

The wife of Pandorus, begged of her Husband, that before hee hazarded himself to the extremity of of danger, he would first take away her feares, by taking away her life with his sword: which he deny­ed, and so gave the signal of battel, in which he was vanquished and slain, his Wife surprised and com­mitted into the hands of one of the chief Captains, who pitying her teares and sorrow (to which her beauty [Page 84]gave no common lustre) made suit unto her to make her his wife: she put him off with all possible delays; but after perceiving, that what he could not compass with her good will, he would by force, she there­fore craved some few hours of deliberation, which he granted; and being retired, she first writ in a Note these words: Let none report that the Wife of Pandorus har­boured so little love, as to outlive him. Which Note leaving upon the Table, she took a sword hanging in the chamber, with which she slew herself.

Alceste, wife to Admetus [Page 85]King of Greece, gave herself up to a most willing death, for to redeem the health and life of her husband.

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt suffered her breasts to be poysoned with Asps, that she might die for the love of her Antony. Admirable was the love of her two Handmaids, Neaera, and Charmione, who would by no perswasion survive their Queen, but out of an un­matchable zeale to their Mistresse, both fell down by her, and breathed their last.

Phila, having heard that her Husband K. Demetrius had been defeated in a bat­tail, [Page 86]drank poison, and so dyed.

Camma was not onely famous throughout all Ga­lacia for her beauty, but for her vertue; she did so love her husband, and was so constant unto him, that she never went forth, nor would suffer any man to see her, whilst she was mar­ried.

Evadne at the solemni­zation of her husbands Fu­nerall, burnt her self to mingle her ashes with his.

The Queen Artimesia out of the great love she bore to her husband, and inflamed with unspeakable desire [Page 87]and affection towards him, took his bones and ashes, and drank the powder thereof, thinking no Se­pulchre so worthy as her own body; and for a per­petuall remembrance of her husband Mausolus, King of Caria, she caused a sumptuous Tomb of mar­vellous workmanship to be made of four hundred and eleven foot in circuit, and forty foot high, invironed about with thirty six Pil­lars, wonderfully well car­ved, it was held to be one of the seven wonders of the world.

Cecilia Barbadica Veneta, lived with so great a faith­fulness [Page 86] [...] [Page 87] [...] [Page 88]towards her hus­band Philippus Vedraminus, that shee had never any other object of all her passi­ons then her husband, his happiness made her joy­full, his fear her grief; and on her face, and in her acti­ons, appeared the good or bad fortune of her hus­band; after his death, she could not by any counsell, comfort, or perswasion, bee won to taste the least food whatsoever, or give answer to any word that was spo­ken to her, in which silence and consumption she (after some few daies of unspeak­able sorrow) breathed out her last.

The Princess Panthea having been acquainted that her husband Abradra­tus had been kill'd in Cyrus Camp, she resolved to go her self and finde him out, and having found him dead amongst a number of dead men, she washed her whole body and face with his blood, and striking her heart with a dagger she died embracing her husband.

The City of Wynber­gen, a free place in Germany, being besieg'd by Caesar, who grew so implacable, that he resolved to take bloo­dy revenge on the men for having defended their lives and honours so valiantly, [Page 90]and thereby almost over­thrown the greatest part of his Army: The Articles being drawn for the sur­render of the Town, it was onely lawfull for the Ma­trons, and Virgins (by the Emperors Edicts) to carry out as much as each one could carry of what they best liked. The Wives out of an unexpressible love carried on their backs their Husbands, and the Virgins and Damsels, their Fathers or Brothers. This strook such an impression in the heart of Caesar, that of a mortall enemy, he became their friend.

Artia Mater seeing her [Page 91]husband Poetus condemned and willing that hee should expire by his own hand, ra­ther then by that of the common Hang-man, per­swaded him to a Roman re­solution but finding him somewhat; daunted with the present sight of death, she snatcht up a sword with which she stab'd her her self, and plucking it from her bosome presented it unto her husband, onely with these few and last words, Paete non dolet, Poetus! It hath done me no harm! and so fell down and dyed. Martial in the first book of his Epigrams saith thus, in speaking of this couragious Woman, [Page 92]

Portia a famous and excel­lent Roman Lady having heard that her most dear and beloved husband was dead, her bowels burning [Page 93]with an unexpressable fire of love for her husband, and finding no knife to kill her self withall, nor cord to hang her self, nor Well to drown her selfe, she went to the fire, and with her own hands she cast down her throat burn­ing coals.

Triara wife to Lucius Vitellus seeing her husband in a dangerous battail, she presented her self in the midst of the slaughter, kil­ling on all sides till she had hem'd her self in with dead bodies slain by her own hand, so bold and magna­nimous a spirit had the conjugall love to her hus­band [Page 94]imprest in her.

Admirable was the love of Julia towards her hus­band the great Pompea, who seeing onely the gown of her husband (which was brought home) bespotted with blood, and conceiving thereby that some mis­chance had happened to her husband, she fell into a swound, and afterwards the trouble of her soul made such a great emotion in her body that she dyed thereof.

Paula Romana, after her husbands death, was so far from being perswaded to a second match, that she did never eat nor drink in [Page 95]company of any man.

Proba Valleria Falconia a Roman Matron (and wife to Adelphus Romanus the Proconsul) inscribed her self on her husbands Tomb this Epitaph,

Pompeia Paulina, the wife of Seneca, when she heard of the Tyrant Nero's sen­tence of death (that Mon­ster who ript up his own mother to see the place [Page 96]where he had lain) on her husband, she caused her own veins to be opened, being resolved not to sur­vive him whom she loved so dearly. This Epitaph might have been inscribed on her Tomb:

Rathean Herpin carried her husband Christopher Thaeon (strook by an Apoplexie in all his limbs and members) [Page 98]with an invincible con­stancie at severall journies the space of one thousand three hundred English miles to a Bath for his reco­verie. This was about the time that Marquis Spinola entred the Palatinate; Sir Henry Wotton being the when English Ambassador in those parts.

Dr. Hackets wife was a religious woman, and a loyal and loving wife to her husband, as this her Epitaph denotes.

In the time of the second Punick War, when the Ro­mans were overthrown, many that were reported to bee assuredly dead, re­turning home unexpected­ly to their mothers, such in­finite joy oppressed them at the very instant, that be­twixt the kisses and embra­ces they suddenly expired.

The wife of Aruntius the Roman slew her self, hear­ing that her sonne was drowned.

The rumor of the great slaughter at the lake of Thra­simenes being published, one woman beyond all hopes, [Page 101]meeting her son at the City gate, who was safely return­ed from that general defeat, cast her self into his arms, where in that extasie of joy she instantly expired.

Another, hearing that her sonne was slain in the battel, after much sorrow for his death, sitting in her house, and spying her sonne coming towards her (safe in health) she was overcome with a sudden joy, that not being able to rise and give him a meeting, she dyed as she sate in her chaire.

The Matrons of Carthage, when their sonnes were se­lected to be sent as Hostages into Sicilia, with weeping [Page 102]and lamentations followed them unto the Sea-side, and kept them so fast hugged in their close imbraces, as they suffered them not to goe aboard, untill they were forcibly plucked from them and sent unto the ships; yet then many of these lament­ing mothers, opprest with extremity of sorrow, cast themselves headlong into the sea, and there were drowned.

Agrippina, the mother of that cruel Domitius Nero, enquired of the Chaldeans and Astrologers, whether by their calculations it were possible to find out whether or no her son should be cre­ated [Page 103] Caesar. They returned her this answer; that by their Art they found for certain that he should be Emperour, but withall that he should be the death of his mother: to whom she answered, Interficiat, modo imperet; I care not though he kill me, so he may attain to the Empire.

Harpalice, the Daughter of Harpalicus, rescued her Father in battel, defeated the enemy and put him to flight.

Hypsipile the daughter of Thoas, gave life unto her Father, when he was utterly in despair of hope or com­fort.

Erigone the daughter of Iearus, hearing of the death of her father, strangled her selfe.

Agane, the Daughter of Cadmus, slew the King Ly­cotharsis in Illyria, and re­possest her Father of his be­fore usurped Diadem.

What a stock of piety lived in the breast of Tyro, the daughter of Salmoneus, may be easily conjectured, since she condescended to the losse of her onely and dearly-beloved children, for to save her Father.

Niconus (or as some will have it, Cimonus) being a straight prisoner, and there adjudged to be starved to [Page 105]death, his daugbter Xantippe fed him through the iron­grates with the milk of her own breasts. What will not love invent, or true zeale penetrate? What more un­heard or unexpected thing could be apprehended, then for a Father to be fed from the breasts of his Daughter? Who would not imagine this to be against Nature? but that we see by proof, true Natural pietie tran­scends all bounds and li­mits.

Hyas, a young man, being devoured of a Lyon, the Hyades (his sisters) deplored his death with such infinite sorrow, that they wept [Page 104] [...] [Page 105] [...] [Page 106]themselves to death.

The Prince Intaphernes, being condemned to die, with all the male-issue of his race, for having cut off the eares and nose of one of the Waiters, who rudely put him back from entring into the Chamber of Darius the Emperor of Persia, and the execution being hourly expected; the Wife of In­taphernes prevailed so far with her teares (accompa­nied with such passionate words, as were able to mol­lifie flint, or soften marble) That Darius commanded one only, whomsoever she would choose, to be ran­somed for the continuance [Page 107]of the memory of their name & family; after some meditation (contrary to the expectation of all men) she demanded the life of her Brother: The King some­what amazed at her choice, sent for her and demanded the reason why she had pre­ferred the life of a Brother before the safety of such a Noble Husband, or such hopeful Childrens To whom she answered: Beholdo King I am yet but young and in my best of years, and I may live to have another Husband, and consequently more Children; but my Father and Mother are both aged; and should I lose a Brother, I should for ever [Page 108]be deprived of that sacred name! At which words the King, exceedingly moved to see with what a fraternal zeal they were spoken, he not only released the Bro­ther, but likewise the eldest of her Sonnes. This history is more amply related by Sabe [...]licus.

A nother History doth here represent it self to my remembrance, which I have read in Marul. lib. 3. cap. 2. where he relates that two Virgins, the one whereof seeing her Bed-fellow lying upon her death-bed, fell upon her knees, & devoutly besought the Almighty, that she might not survive [Page 109]her; but as they had lived together as one soule divi­ded into two bodies, in all sanctity and sisterly love, so their chaste bodies might not be separated in death. God was pleased to grant her the effect of her prayer; for both dyed in one day, and they were both buried in one sepulcher, being fel­lows in one house, one bed, and one grave, and now (questionlesse) joyful and joint-inheritors of one e­verlasting Kingdome.

Their goodnesse doth bereave of a voice to pro­ceed any further: But as Aristotle being not able to comprehend the ebbe and [Page 110] flow of an Arm of the Sea, threw himself into it; so do I drown my self in such a multitude of wonders, not willing any longer to mea­sure their loves by the inch of my knowledge. I am transported in this great Labyrinth of wonders, and cannot at last but break forth and say, that those Satyrists, who assume to themselvs such an unbride­led liberty to inveigh with­out all limitation against this most worthy Sexe, are horrid Monsters, whose Understanding is a pit of darknesse, whose Reason is a shop of malice, whose will is a Hell, where thousands [Page 111]of passions outragiously in­fest them; their Tongue an instrument of cursing, lying and slandering, their Face a painted hypocrisie, their Body a sponge full of envy; and to conclude, they seem to have no Faith but infide­lity, no Lord but their pas­sions, no God but their bel­ly, who would (if they were able) in their gluttony ex­ceed the Prince Hugotio Fagiolanus, who at one dinner devoured the two rich Dukedomes of Luca and Pysa; nay, Smindrides, who for the furniture of one Table, entertained a thousand Cooks, a thousand Bird-catchers, and a thou­sand Fishermen. [Page 112]But as they consume their time in pleasures (which slide away like waters oc­casioned by a storm) so they will sind themselves desti­tute and ashamed: so many golden harvests which time presented to them are pas­sed away, and nothing is left but sorrow for having done ill, and impotence to do well: what then remains but to say with that mise­rable King, who gave away his Scepter for a glasse of wa­ter: Alas, must I for so short a pleasure lose so great a king­dome! And besides, there is a place ordained for the wicked, the great lake of Gods wrath, an eternal fire, [Page 113]a bottomlesse depth, where there is no evil but must be expected to be found, nor any good that can be hoped for.

Happy therefore all those who do attain to that ever­lasting blessed Kingdome, where there is no more po­verty, no sickness, no grief, no calumny, no persecution; where the blessed see God face to face in a body as im­passible as an Angel, as sub­tile as the beams of light, as swift as the wings of thun­der, as bright as the Sun; where they do enjoy a de­licious torrent of unspeak­able content; Voices and Musick, which time cannot [Page 114]ravish away, Odours which are never dissipated, a Feast which is never consumed; a blessing, which though E­ternity bestoweth, yet shall not Eternity ever see an end thereof.

Of chaste Women and Virgins.

TArquine the Proud, having been invited by Collatine (husband to the chaste Lucretia) to a supper, hee was fairly wel­commed by Lucretia, who apprehended no deceit; having supt, hee withdrew himself to his lodging, and when hee thought that all were fast asleep, he came with a naked dagger in his hand to the place where Lucretia lay; having re­course to the instruments of hatred for his assistance in love; and he who was [Page 116]wont by the sword to vent his angry passions, knows not how to lay it aside in tendrest affections; he laies his hand upon his breast, he threatens her, he speaks her fair; and seeing her rather to imbrace death, than him, ready rather to lose her life then honour, he threatens to kill some servant close by her, to make her be be­leeved a foul adultress. See how this wicked one threatens to bereave her of her honour, that he might bereave her of it.

Lucretia thus assaulted with the same weapons wherewith shee defended her chastity, yeelded to [Page 117] Tarquins prevailing lust.

Tarquin departs trium­phant, saddest Lucretia re­mains overwhelmed with grief, shee sends for her father and her husband, acquaints them with what is past, adding thereunto these her last words:

And what could unfortu­nate Lucretia do? if shee had dyed that shee might have lived chaste, you would have thought her slain for having been unchaste. O most cruel law of Honour, which savest not the innocent! a law never descended from Heaven, but come from the deepest abysse of Hell.

I, who would have mine [Page 118]honesty known to all, have more studied glory then cha­stity; and whilst I sought af­ter the name of chaste, I am with infamy becom unchaste: I thought death the worst of all evils, I thought it the cure of all mis-fortunes; I feared nothing, since I feared not to dye, yet now I was inforc't to chuse life, not to lose mine honour, and by living have lost it.

I am resolved to dye, if not for what hath already befaln mee, at least for what may hereafter happen unto mee. But what then? If I dye, I shall seem to acknow­ledge to have done amiss, they will say my guilty conscience [Page 119]kill'd mee. If I live, you will beleeve I have done amiss, you will say I consented out of too much desire of life. O, of all others most unfortu­nate Lucretia, whose inno­cencie neither life nor death can justifie!

This soul (O Collatine) whose delight was chastity, abhors now that body which is polluted, and as being wholly thine, cannot endure that that part of mee should have any longer being, which can no more be onely thine.

But what was it in mee that encouraged that wicked one to so great a mischief? perhaps my honesty, which hee thought greater then that [Page 120]of others. Most sacred ho­nesty, Art thou then become an inciter to lust? and instead of defending, offendest? Dost thou instead of bridling desires, edge on to fury and violence?

His heart where cruelty is harboured, which can kill none but the innocent, is like­wise a receptacle of lust, which can covet none but the chaste; to have what they desire, is not that the Tarquins do desire, they finde no pleasure, where they use no force, and like lightning, rend most where they finde most re­sistance.

And whether can unfor­tunate Lucretia go for re­venge? [Page 121]to the Kings family, who hath injured me? mine own friends, whom I have in­jured? You gods of hospita­lity, it is you I call upon; but to what purpose call I you, since you have permitted it? Revenge mee, you infernal powers! but why invoke I you, who were his assist­ants?

I my self will revenge my self, and will by death take greater revenge on this mine enemy, then by living.

I will dye, not to lessen my faults, but to aggravate his; not for that I have sinned, but to shew that shee did not sub­ject her self to sense, who vo­luntary deprives her self of sense.

I will dye, that I may not live in so wretched times which make life a shame, & to be born, a misfortune. My fall shall ease your thoughts, make my revenge happy; and I, who will not live an example of dishonour to women, will dye an example of fortitude to men.

This said, shee plunged a knife into her heart, and fell down dead thereon.

Theoxena being environ­ed at Sea by the Navie of Philip King of Macedon, seeing her husband thrown over-board, leapt after him, not onely to express her love to her husband, but to preserve her selfe [Page 123]from the tyrannie of the Conqueror.

Alexander the Great, wrote a letter to his mo­ther in this manner, Alex­ander the sonne of Jupiter Hamon, to his mother Olympia wisheth health:

To whom with great modesty she thus replyed:

Dear son, as you love mee, instead of doing mee honour, proclaim not my dishonour, neither accuse mee before Juno; besides, it is a great a­spersion you cast upon mee, to make mee a, Strumpet though to Jupiter himself. And thus this famous Queen would not for any swelling title, or vain ostentation, [Page 124]lose the honour to be called a loyal and chaste wife.

Cornelia the illustrious mother of the Gracchi, to preserve the honour of a chaste widow, denied to marry the King Ptolomeus, although he offered to im­part to her a Diadem and a Scepter.

Dyrrachina being taken prisoner, covenanted with her cruel Victor, that if hee would but reprieve her honour for the present, she would reveal unto him a secret by the which hee should preserve his body from being wounded. The Souldier having accepted of the condition, shee told [Page 125]him that it was the vertue of a certain herbe, with whose juice if he did anoint any part of his body, it should preserve it free from being wounded; and to shew him the effects there­of, shee from a neighbours garden plucked up the weed that next came to hand, with the sap or moi­sture thereof she anointed her own neck, and bidding him to draw out his sword and make triall of her whether shee kept not a faithfull Covenant with him, the Souldier giving credit to her words, in re­gard of her constancie and courage, with one strong [Page 126]blow struck off her head. A most resolute and noble Lady, to prefer death be­fore the losse of her ho­nour.

Annia Romana having buried her first husband in her youth, and being con­tinually perswaded by her friends to a second marri­age, she answered, it was a motion which she would by no means assent unto; for (said she) Should I happen upon a good man, such a one as my first husband was, I would not then live in that perpetual fear to lose him; but if otherwise, why should I hazard to put my self upon a bad one, that am so late [Page 127]punisht by the losse of so good a one.

Democion the Athenian Virgin, hearing that Le­osthenes, to whom shee was contracted, was slain in the wars, she killed her self; but before her death shee thus reasoned with her self: Al­though my body is un­toucht, yet, should I fall in­to the imbraces of another, I should but deceive the se­cond, since I am still marri­ed to the former in my heart.

Alice Countess of Salis­bury, being importuned continually by King Ed­ward the third, to yeeld un­to his inordinate desires, [Page 126] [...] [Page 127] [...] [Page 128]and having sent for her, thinking to compel her, and to use his royal Autho­rity, she cast her self down at the Kings feet, and with an ocean of tears, accom­pained with words able to mollifie Steel, or to soften Flints, she declared, That since her unhappy destiny had brought her thither before his presence as the innocent lamb committed to the sacrifice, she most humbly craved that his Majesty would be pleased to grant unto her one request: whereat the King replied with a solemn oath, that he would not refuse any thing unto her; shee then took a knife which shee had con­veyed [Page 129]under her Gown, saying, that the request which shee had craved, and the which his Majesty had been pleased with his royal Faith to grant her, was, That she did most humb­ly beseech him, that he would rather then take away her ho­nour, with his sword end her most unhappy life, or else that hee would be pleased to give her leave to kill her self with that knife, which she had pur­posely brought, that so her innocent bloud might bear witness before God of her un­defiled chastity.

The King being astonisht, and assured of the chastity and constancie of this ver­tuous [Page 130]Lady took her to be his lawful wife.

Baldraca, though she was of mean parentage, and of an inferior fortune, could neither by threats nor pro­mises of worldly honours or promotion, be tempted to prostitute her self to the Emperor Otho.

Isabella a Damsel of Ra­venna threw her self head­long into the river Medoa­cus, wherein shee was drowned, to shun the vio­lent lusts of some Venetian Souldiers.

Britonia a beautiful maid of Crete, to shun the im­portunities of King Minos, cast her self likewise into a [Page 131]River, where, shee was drowned.

Pithomena a Virgin of Alexandria (being a Citi­zens slave) was so fair, and so vertuous, that her Ma­ster became in love with her; but when he saw hee coald neither with promi­ses, nor threats gain her, he began to hate her more then ever he had loved her; and though he had accused her to be a Christian (as indeed she was) yet never­theless she remained con­stant in her deliberation, and resolved rather to suf­fer a cruell death (as shee did) being put into boy­ling pitch, then to lose her chastity.

With her therefore I close this relation of chaste Women and Vir­gins; and lest I should o­mit any thing that might tend to the grace and ho­nor of that Sex, I shall al­ledge somewhat of their abilities to govern.

Of Womens abilities to Govern.

CEres, Queen of Sicil, was the first that taught People to live according unto the Lawes; and there­fore she was by the Ancients called a Goddesse.

Mirrhe Queen of the Ly­dians, was by them reckon­ed amongst seven of their Kings, by which they boast to have been governed.

Semyramis manfully go­verned her Kingdome for the space of 24 years, per­forming many admirable things surpassing her Sexe.

Teuca, a Warlike woman, [Page 132] [...] [Page 133] [...] [Page 134]Queen of the Illyrians, wife unto Argon, took upon her selfe the soveraignty, and governed wisely; she op­posed the violence of the Romans, and obtained on them many noble victories.

Zenobia, Queen of the Palmirians, after the death of her husband Odenatus, took upon her the Imperial Regencie, and made the Kingdom of Syria tributary unto her.

Valasca, Queen of the Bohemians, governed her Kingdom, and managed all her affairs herself, without the help or Councel of any man.

Athalia Queen of the [Page 135] Hebrews, Saba of the Ethi­opians, Amalasuntha of the Goths, Hester of the Persians, Harpalice of the Amazons, do all of them deserve an immortal praise for their well-governing.

Queen Mercea, wife to Guinthelinus king of Britain governed wisely, and esta­blished many profitable Lawes, which were much esteemed by the Britains, and carefully observed; being called after her name, The Mercean lawes, many Ages ensuing.

It was a custome among the Celtans, a people of France (seated between the Rivers Graumna & Sequana) [Page 136]to admit their Women to Councel; and in the League which they made with A­nibal this Article was in­serted:

If so be the Celtans have any matter of complaint a­gainst the Carthaginians, the Carthaginian Commander in Spain shall judge of it: But if the Carthaginians have any thing to object against the Celtans, it shall be brought before the Celtan-Women.

Did not Hilkiah, Abikam, Achbor, Shapham and Asa­hiah (those prime States­men) consult concerning State-affairs with Huldah?

Deborah was so able for the publike management, [Page 137]that she judged Israel, and the people of Israel came up constantly unto her for judgment.

Mary Countesse of Flan­ders, wife to the Emperor Maximilian; and Louise, Dutchesse of Savoy, mother to the French King Francis the first; by their wisdome and prudence treated and concluded the peace at Cambray, a Town seated a­midst the seventeen Pro­vinces of the Netherlands.

Queen Elizabeth of hap­py memory, was admired by her very enemies, name­ly Pope Sixtus Quintus, though he plotted against her life, yet he was often [Page 138]heard to say, that Elizabeth of England, and Henry the IV. of France, were able to govern the whole world.

I need not insist any lon­ger on Womens abilities to govern; since it clearly ap­pears that they have there­in excelled most men: and therefore God never ap­peared to them in his wrath armed with thunders as a revenger of crimes, but with crowns in his hand, as a dealer of rewards: for this Sexe hath never been in­fected with such Monsters as Vitellius, Nero, Heliogabalus, Caligula, Domitian, Catiline, Silla, Achitophel, Herod, Ma­rius, Nimrod, Sardanapalus [Page 139]were, and a thousand such others, who as they lived most detestable and horrid lives, so they expired with most deserved deaths; some by hunger and thirst, others were eaten by horses, rats, and lice, others devoured by wolves and dogs, others consumed by flames and tor­tures; some were driven naked through the streets, saluted with Ʋrinals and Chamber-pots; others were tyed into bags, wherein a Cock, a Viper, and a Foxe were put, and thus were they cast into a river; some strangled, others poysoned themselves, and with such like horrid and detestable [Page 140]ends they met with their final destructions.

But to divert you from these sad objects of Gods wrath, I will proceed to such as are acceptable and pleasing, the reward where­of is everlasting happinesse; viz. Piety and Religion.

Of Pious and Religious Women.

MAry Magdalen, and Martha did preach the Gospel of Christ, and converted the Country of Illyria, which now is called Sclavonia, unto the Chri­stian belief.

The Sarahs were devout beleevers.

The Maries were humble and mortified persons.

The Elizabeths religi­ously observed all the com­mandents of God blame­lesse.

The Priscilla's were hea­venly, and rich in discourse.

The Bathsheba's, the Loises, and Funices were careful in the the instructing of their children in the knowledge of God.

Catherina Alexandria (un­der the tyranny of Maxen­tius) was illuminated with divine knowledge from a­bove, she constantly main­tained the faith of the Go­spel, notwithstanding all the Syllogistical and Sophi­stical Dilemma's of the cun­ning Sophisters of those dayes, who were forced to yeeld, and to submit unto the authority of a Virgins tongue.

Isota Navarula Veronensis, devoted her life to the con­templation [Page 143]of divine my­steries, to which she added the honour of a perpetual chastity.

Rosuida born in Germany, composed many excellent works, exhorting those of her sex to Chastity, Vertue, and the divine Worship; she writ the lives of holy men, and composed a di­vine work of the pious and chaste life of the blessed Virgin.

Fgilbert King of England by the means of his wife received the Christian Faith.

Hermegides King of the Goths, was drawn from Arius heresies unto the [Page 144]Christian Faith by Nigegond his wife.

Cleotilda Queen of France, and wife unto King Clovis, made her husband re­nounce the Paganisme, and become a Christian.

Dorothy Leigh not long since deceased, was a pious and religious Gentlewo­man, she hath left behinde her as a legacy to her chil­dren, a book of her own making, entituled, The mo­thers blessing: It is godly counsel, containing many good exhortations and ad­monitions.

The holy Writ it self (in a most divine stile) de­clares unto us mortals the [Page 145]wonders of that Sexe, in which God hath been pleased to make them so far excell, and to expresse how much hee was pleased with the good return of his mercifull gifts from them, as that it moved the Savi­our of all the world to publish the same, viz. O woman great is thy faith! and with this additional re­proch to his disciples, That they had not given him water for his feet, and that they had not saluted him with a kisse, when as that woman had anointed his feet, and washt them with her tears, had wiped them with her hairs, and had not [Page 146]ceased to kisse them.

And was not our Savi­our himself moved to com­passion by them? hee who was uncapable of any pas­sion, or weakness, yet hee did weep, when hee saw the tears rowl from Maries eyes for Lazarus sake; hee knew the value of that so great a treasure which had been infused into that Sex, even since the first moment of its creation in Paradise; and although the spirit of delusion did even there work the fall of man by such an easie instrument, yet his divine providence would preserve it to bruise that Serpents head with­all, [Page 147]and to confound that spirit of darknesse, by making it appear, that they should neither forsake nor deny him: and this hee ve­rified even at the Crosse, where he was to overcome death it self, when as hee uttered these words, Wo­man behold thy Son! So like­wise said hee unto his be­loved Disciple, speaking of the blessed Virgin, Be­hold thy mother.

The women were the first that returned to the Sepulcher, whither they went before day. Their faith did excel that of men when as they went with oyntments, not taking care [Page 148]who should remove the stone from off the Sepul­cher. So likewise did they run unto Simon Peter, and to the other Disciples, to witnesse the Lords Resur­rection; neither did they as the Disciples return unto their own homes, but re­mained at the Sepulcher weeping and inquiring af­ter the Lord, untill that he had appeared unto them; and therefore hee made them to be companions of Angels, who comforted them.

O divine conversation! ô heavenly meeting of an An­gelical Chore! when as the Angels askt, Woman why [Page 149]weepest thou? O what a transcendent love shee ex­prest in saying, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

But with what a blisse was this conversation crowned, when as Christ Jesus himself in person, would approve himself to be the chief in that heaven­ly conference and enquiry, by his saying, Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? and so might he wel say in­deed, since hee himself was there to bid them weep no more. Most blessed Sexe! though they were forbid­den to weep, yet may all [Page 150]men continue the same for the backwardness of such as follow not the example of these pious and religious women, but to the con­trary do employ all their faculties to perform onely that which the Epitaph of Heliogabalus denotes, Ede, bibe, lude, post mortem nulla voluptas: imagining that the life of man was only crea­ted but to eat, and drink, and sleep; and thus they are meer animals, nay not so prudent and moderate, for they do carefully provide those things which do be­long to the defending of their lives, which moved one to say thus: [Page 151]

Lucan reports that the Elephants having washed themselves, they fall down and adore, looking up­wards towards heaven, af­ter which they appear to be joyful.

The Storks, whereof there are many in Holland, [Page 152]do ere they give food to their young ones look up­wards towards heaven, as if they gave God thanks; and wheresoever they build their nest, as a token of their gratitude, they cast down one of their young ones to the owners of the house.

The Dove when she picks up her food, at every grain she lifts up her eye towards heaven. And thus these harmlesse creatures appeare to be not onely as so many teachers to the Rationals, of gratitude for the numberlesse mercies which they have received from the Almighty for ha­ving [Page 153]made them so, when he might have turn'd them into any other shape as the Potter doth his clay; but as so many judges against those who have made not onely Men their gods, but Brutes, Vegetables, and inanimated, viz.

The Phaenicians worship­ped a Serpent.

The Trogloditae a Tortise.

The Thessalians a Stork.

Those of Delphos a Wolf.

The men of Samos a Sheep.

The Islanders of Tenedos a Cow with Calf.

The Romans a Goose.

In Alba a Dragon.

The Egyptians, Garlick and Onyons.

In some parts, a rude and unbeautified Stone. And of such kinde of gods the Pagans had no lesse then thirty thousand.

If the aforesaid Elephants, Storks and Doves could speak, no doubt but they would (as Du-Bartas saith of the ascending Larks Alleluja) tell men that they do acknowledge but him who is the Creator of all the world, and thereby confound: Alas, but too many of those Monsters who not so much as the Pagans believe a God­head; goddesses they will, [Page 155]but not such as these godly women, who whilst they lived on earth, might on the Scriptures warrant have been said that they were Gods, and the Tem­ple of God; wherefore they enjoy Torrents of un­speakable contentments in an everlasting Kingdome, where all the elected soules of the Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Angels, Arch­angels, Thrones, Domini­ons, Powers, Vertues, Che­rubims and Seraphims perpetually sing hymns, and Alleluja; for after they had been on earth as An­gels in women shapes, they could not fail to be their [Page 156]fect equals in Heaven, from whence if a message should by them be sent unto some men of this age, what would it bear, but O yee monsters that say there is no God, who tread the paths (it's true) whereof Job speaks, where gold, silver, and moulten brasse is to be found, the Onyx and the Saphir, &c. but not those which these ever to be admired Women did, viz. the unknown paths which no Fowle knoweth, the Vultures eye hath not seen, the Lions whelp hath not troden, nor the fierce Lion passeth by; whence Wisdome com­meth, which is the fear of [Page 157]the Lord, and to depart from evil, which is understanding. And that these Christian Women sought, and that they found, after they had left behind them those ma­nifold Examples of their Vertues, which brought them thither, and for the which all Rationals ought to celebrate their praises with Garlands, Crowns, Co­lumns, Statues, and Monu­ments; and not to presume to bark at this most worthy Sexe: For who, if he be the production of a woman, can deride the vertues of his own Mother? Let those Zoilusses and Momusses, let them (I say) beware of in­curring [Page 158]their just curse, for having not only obscured as clouds the Sun that raised them, in stead of imitating the true looking-glass, which returns the lively image so soon as the face is presented unto it, without any dis­guisements at all: But for shewing themselves not only wilfully ignorant, and monstrous ingratefull, but void of all sense and shame. And though these monsters doe not acknowledge the unspeakable deserts of ver­tuous Women, yet neverthe­lesse Truth doth manifest to all the world what they are: and it may be justly said of them, as Socrates an­swered [Page 159]to Hermogenes, who reproving him for that he did not think at all of de­fending himself when he was accused, replied, that he had thought of that all his life time, by striving to live well. And the example of Demetrius Phalerius, a Prince of immortal renown teacheth us how little ac­count is to be made of the dealings of envious men: when as word was brought unto him that the Athenians moved with envy against him, had broken down the 300 Images which had been erected in the streets of Ari­opagus to his honour; He replied, The Athenians may [Page 160]well throw down my Ima­ges; but they (nor all the men of the world) are not able to abase my Vertues, for whose sake my Images were erected.

And there needs no other examples then these ever­to be admired Women, to encourage vertue, and to discourage vice; to per­swade both Sexes to that eternal blisse, which is to be attained by treading the unknown paths; which is not to be found in the land of the living, for that the living run that of the Lyon and the Lyons whelp, and depart not from evil, their aim is at gold & at the onix: [Page 161]And what is the end of all that path? You may remem­ber it, if you have read it: Were not all the riches of Craesus the Persians prey? Was not Cyrus the Conque­ror at last glad to crave for a cup of water? Did not the Parthians, when they had overthrown Crassus, with all his wealth, poure molten gold down his throat, to satisfie his greedy desire of mony? And was not the Treasure of Decebalus, though hidden in the bot­tome of the great River Sargesia, fisht out by the Romans? Is not the Assyrian Empire reduced into seven mountains? And of those [Page 162]great, and strong Cities: Niniveh, the walls whereof had fifteen hundred towers; Babylon, which was three­score miles in compass; the Pyramides at Amasia's Se­pulcher, in the building whereof thirty six thousand men were imployed above fourscore years; the great and famous Temple of Di­ana, which was scarce fini­shed by the inhabitants of all Asia, in two hundred years; and of all those great Emperors, Kings, & sumptuous Buildings, what doth there now remain but dust? Vertue which these matchless Wo­men sought only, remained, that never dyeth: therefore [Page 163] Seneca studied in his youth time the Art bene vivendi; and in his age, bene mori­endi.

And since Vertue was the mark at which these ever­to be admired women did aim, the price which they so ran for to obtain; they attained to its possession so absolutely, as that nothing was ever able to bereave them thereof.

The venemous speeches of those vile Detractors of this most worthy Sexe, will therefore prove but as the fools bolt shot upright, w^ch in the fall endangers their own heads. And it's no wonder (since Diamonds are cut and [Page 164]whilst despised Peebles lie safe in the sand; and the Cedars crushed with tempest, whenas low shrubs are scarce toucht with the wind) that malice strives to make ver­tuous Women suffer by sup­posed crimes. But as the Ruby, whatsoever Foile it hath, doth yet shew red; so they will flourish and triumph to all posterity, and their fame remain glo­rious, as having approved themselves such Gemmes, wherewith their Creator hath been well pleased. The Elogium of whose Vertues I cannot better close, then with these, Mr. Randal's Verses, in praise of this most worthy Sexe.