In Capadocia was a Lady who kept a ſumptuous Garden, in which was one of the vertuouſeſt Wells in the world, that whoſoever ſhould be bit with any venomous beaſt; waſh but in that water, they were immediately cured.

It happened on a day as the Lady was walking in her Garden a gathering of flowers, ſhe eſpied in a corner of the Garden in the ſide of a little Rock, a ſmall prill of water running fair and criſtal, abundant more clear then the vertuous wel was, which cauſed her to imagine, that if the Rock were carved, there would iſſue a water more excellent then the well-water, and ſaid unto the Gardiner, get me a workman that he may hew this Rock, whereby I may have a precious Fountain here; and I give you charge over it, and to ſee it done. The Gardiner anſwered, your will ſhall be fulfilled. But another time the Lady came into the Garden, and viewed the little Spring; but it appeared not ſo ſtrong in running as ſhe thought it would: and ſhe ſaid, wherefore runs it not bet • er? her man ſaid, the original ſpring was deep in the earth, and had two wayes, the one to the Weil, and the other to the Rock; but that to the Well is greater, and by its ſtrength draws more water to the well; and therefore its ſtream is ſo little. Then ſaid the Lady, deſtroy the well then, for queſtionleſs this ſpring will prove the better water; ſo the Gardener dam'd up the vertuous water, that there was no more ſeen. And another day the Lady came again into the Garden to ſée her yong Spring, and taſte the water, and it proved very ſad and bitter; and having its courſe through a tin mine, whatſoever ſick perſon did bathe in it, it would putrifie their ſore, and augment their pain; ſo that all people did curſe the Counſellours that did adviſe the Lady to deſtroy the vertuous well. Then ſaid Radamentus, underſtand you great Lady what I have ſaid? yes, right well ſaid the Empreſs, then ſaid he, I will ſhew you the meaning thereof.

In Syra lived a Quéen of great renown, and of ſuch excellent beauty, that a fairer woman was not in all the world, for which many Kings and Princes of Noble Blood came a ſuiting to her, each man confident ſhe ſhould be his: This Queen delighted much in ſeeing Iuſts and Turneys; therefore it was a day appointed, and they all aſſembled together to ſhew their valour before the Quéen; amongst whom was Craſſus a moſt valiant Prince, and of ſuch incomparable features and beauty, that his like was not among men. Vpon this Prince the Queen fixed her eye all that part of the day; in whoſe ſight he did ſuch worthy acts, that deſerved perpetual memory: and to be brief, he had the day of all the Kings, Princes, and Barons that were there; whereby he came off the Field with Trumpets ſouning, and victorious Trophies bore before him. On the morrow after the Queen ſent for him, and when be came he kneeled before her to have kiſt her hand, but ſhe refuſed, and in a comely deportment tendered her lips: The Prince being ſomewhat baſhful, the Queen gave him farther encouragement, ſo that by little and little they grew in a wonderful familiarity; and ſoon after the Queen took him for her Husband, and made him joynt King of Syra with her. He was a wiſe and gracious Prince, and beloved of all his Subjects, all people joyed at his preſence, the whole land ſorrowed in his abſence; never no Queen loved King better, nor never was Queen more beloved of a King: and it came to paſs afterwards, that the King of the Parthians lay very ſick, whoſe Son this King was, and he received a Letter from his Father to make haſte unto him, that after his death he ſh • uld take poſſeſſion of the Realm; and after a while he was gone, an evil Counſellour in his Court being in love with the Queen, intercepted all the Kings Letters that paſſed betwéen him and his Queen, and informed the Quéen he had married another Lady in his own Countrey; which raiſed ſuch jealouſis in the Quéen, that ſhe tore the ornaments of her head, wringing her hands, ſaying, O my dear Lord, what evil have I done, what word have I miſpla •• , wherein have I offended you, that another ſhould reap the Conſolation of your Love! The King in the mean time wondering be could never receive any Letter from the Queen, lamented, ſaying, O my Dear, wherein have I offended I can never hear how you do, nor how the affairs of our Kingdom ſtandeth! All this while the wicked Counſellor intercepted their Letters on both ſides to work the deſtruction of the King; and at laſt he indented a ſtrong Perſon, and carried the ſame to the Queen, and told her it was of ſuch a Vertue, that if the would cauſe a King to be made hollow, and put a little of this vertue in it, and ſond it to the King as a taken; and as oft as ever the King old lo •• upon it, • would cauſe him to forſake all other women and haſte home unto her: ſo the Quéen believed his wicked counſel, and was very glad, and without the advice of any other ſhe cauſed a King to be made as he had ſaid, and put therein this poiſon, and ſent it away to her Husband: When the meſſenger came before him, he did him reverence, and preſented the King to him; the harmleſs King joyfully put it on, ſaying, • was the ſwéeteſt preſent he ever received: ſoon after his finger began to ſwell, and he ſent for his Phyſicians, who ſaid his finger was venomed with the ſtrongeſt poyſon in the world, and ſaid he muſt cut it off, elſe 'twould venome his whole body: Then ſaid the King cut it off, which accordingly was done; then his arm began to ſwell, and in like manner that was cut off to preſerve his life: Then the good King groaned out this complaint, O thou vile woman, why haſt thou done this to him who thou wert as dear to as his own ſoul, thou haſt attempted that by poyſon which the ſtouteſt Champion durſt not do by arms; I that hath won thée the greateſt glory that ever came to Syra, haſt thou now deſtroyed with inferiour poyſon, for which thou wilt gain reproach of all Nations, and be reviled of all women, for returning me malicious poyſon for pure in flamed love; but all as I can ſay is, ingratitude is the grandeſt inſolency in the world, O woman why haſt thou done this? Thereupon he ſunk down in his Chair, and gave up the ghoſt. The meſſenger haſted home, and told the Queen what had happened by the King, and that all the Counſellor had fold her of the King was falſe: then the Quéen fell a wéeping and wringing her hands, ſaying, O what hade I done, what have I done? I have by the advice of an evil Counſellor ſlain my dear Husband the King! O curſed Traytor, would to God I had ne •• e receiv'd thy wicked counſel; but ſince I embraced thy helliſh advice, with this hand that firſt handled the curſed King I will be revenged on my ſelf, and ſo took a knife and thruſt it into her breaſt, and ſo ended her life. Then ſaid the Miſtris to the Empreſs, underſtand you what I have ſaid? Yes, right well ſaid the Empreſs, you have ſhew'd me a good example; without doubt this day my Daughter ſhall not dye: Then ſaid the Miſtris, if you do ſo, you will do wiſely, and I thank you for ſparing your Daughters life this day for my ſake.

IN Pirus reigned a vertuous Quéen, her Husband being dead, ſhe had one onely Daughter, whom ſhe tendered above her life; this Daughter grew apace crafty and cunning, and often converſed with Sorcerers, to whom ſhe complained there was but one Nobleman which hindered her from hading her will and liberty: ſaid the Sorcerer, Ile teach you a way to betray his life, and then you may do well enough with your mother. Pray ſhew me that way ſaid ſhe, that I will ſaid the Sorcerer, that is this: When he is walking in the Garden, go you to him, and if he ſit down, ſit you by him, 'twill be a provocation to move his ſpirit, and as he doth precéed, then give him incouragement; if he refuſe you, cry out, he has raviſht you: So this impudent wretch ſate by this Nobleman, and ſmiled upon him and ſmute him with the palm of her hand upon the chéek, and ſaid, come let us ſolace our ſelves in the boſom of love until the dark Evening: Then ſaid the Lord, Great Lady, excuſe me, for I am not furniſht with ſo much conſidence as to deflower the Pearls of our Land. At which words this Lady tore her locks down about her ſhoulders, and cryed out, alas, alas, what ſhall I do! The Quéen her Mother being in the Window heard the cry, and looking out, eſpied her Daughter in the Garden crying and wringing her hands; ſhe ſent down her Lords to know the matter; and ſhe ſaid, this man, meaning the harmleſs Lord, hath conſtrained me by force under yonder trée, and he hath deſt wr • d me of my Virginity: The Quéen hearing this ſaid, ſurely he ſhall dye: Then ſaid the Lords, it is good that you hear him before you put him to death: Nay, ſaid the Quéen, I have heard my daughter, what 〈…〉 an • further witneſs, I will believe her teſtimony above all the worlds; and thereupon commanded the Lord to be led away and put to death, which accordingly was done. This Lord was the uprighteſt man and greateſt Counſellor the Quéen had; from this time forth ſhe alwayes ſought the deſtruction of her mother: and thus ſhe began, Great Princeſs and Mother, through my obedience and diligent care I bear to you, I would wiſh you to ſpeak not unto every mean ſubject when they come for juſtice, but that I between you and them may deliver their meſſage, for too much familiarity will breed contempt; therefore the Queen repoſing ſo much confidence in her daughter, thought all for good whatſoever ſhe did do; and thereupon ſet forth a Proclamation, that all perſons whatſoever having buſineſs at the Court, ſhould addreſs themſelves to her Daughter; who alwayes ſitting in an outward Chamber, as people came to her, ſhe ſeemed very milde, amiable and courteous, ſo through her cunning and diſſimulation all people took affections to her, and ſhe would ſay to them, my mother is very raſh being ancient; but if you will take me for your Sovereign, Ile do you juſtice according to the due adminiſtration of the law: at which words they were all very joyful, and promiſed faithfully to perform it, but ſaid ſhe, raiſe your army, ſtand in your own defence, and plead your Subſidies and heavy burthens ate too weighty for you to bear; this do till you hear from me: ſo the rude multitude did as this Imp had advis'd them. Then away ſhe went to her mother, and acqu • inted her there was a factious people had rebell'd, and it were good to prevent them in time leaſt they ſhould grow too populous; ſo the Queen gave her the ſupream Authority, in granting Commiſſions to raiſe an Army; ſo when ſhe had got the Seal, ſhe told her mother ſhe muſt have a great quantity of Gold to pay them: Then the Queen delivered two hundred thouſand marks of Gold, and having got this money, ſhe haſted with it all away to her factious Crew; and there paid then: all with her mothers own Treaſure, and gave them Commiſſions under her own Seal, that all the reſt of the Subjects were in a maze; for ſeeing their Commiſſions under the Quéens Seal all lay ſtill, and not one moved for the Quéen, thinking it had béen no Rebellion: At laſt this new Army advanced towards the Court, and being come, this wicked Wretch the Quéens Daughter, haſted to her mother, and told her, that ſhe by her fair ſpéeches had aſſwaged the fury of the people, and brought them there to beg their pardon, which ſhe deſired the Quéen to grant them; which being alwayes betrayed through her ſubtle words, condeſcended; and as ſhe was going out to ſign their Pardons, and conducted by her daughter, ſhe paſſed over a boarded Alloy, where underneath was a Room and Cauldron of boyling Oyl, that this wicked Daughter had provided, with a board wheron her mother was to tread; tilting up, the Quéen ſell in, and thereby was deſtroy'd: And after was this wicked Wretch proclaimed Quéen, that through laſcivious living and cruel Tyranny all Nations ſpighted her, and her own ſubjects hated her, that as ſhe was coming through the City of Conbro, a Butchers man daſht out her brains with his Cleaver: The end of a Tyrant.

And Radamentus ſaid to the Empreſs, underſtand ye what I have ſaid? and the Empreſe ſaid right well, you have ſhew'd me a good Ex • mple; therefore to prevent theſe Evils that they ſhall not happen to me, this day my Daughter ſhall dye: And the ſecond time ſhe ſate in Indgement, and commanded bar Daughter to be led away to the place of Execution; and as ſhe was going, the ſecond Miſtries addreſſed her ſelf to the Empreſs, doing her reverence, and ſaid, O great Lady, if you will thus ſlay your daughter for the words of Radamentus, if ſhall happen worſe to you then it did to the Lady of Barbra and her Lyon. The Empreſs ſaid good Miſtris ſhew me that Example, O great Lady, I ſhall not do it, except you call your Daughter back again until it be told, and if it does not turn your minde, your will be fulfilled afterwards.

UPon a time there was a Lady and her Husband which deſigned a long Voyage by Sea, but the winde and weather proving contrary, they were driven to great diſtreſs, and conſtrained to lye a tedious while at ſea, inſomuch that all their proviſion was ſpent; then they continued a whole fortnight without any kinde of food, and when nature could not ſubſiſt no longer, they threw dice for their lives who ſhould be kill'd firſt, to make meat for his Fellows, ſo they eat one another in order as they began, until all were eat; ſo this poor Lady and her Husband with force of nature and pure love hindred from killing each other: Then they reſolv'd to dye together, and ſo ſowed themſelves in one Carpet, and laid them down upon the Deck, ſaying, the great God of heaven and earth holy them, and by that time they were full'd eſléep by the rocking of the waves, there chanced to come upon the Deck a great Griffin, that's hall an Eagle, and half a Lyon, ſo that 'tis neither bird nor beaſt, but a Creature as ſtrong as a Horſe, and took up the Carpet in her claws with the Lady and her Husband as a prey for her young ones, and carried them in to a ſtrange Iſland, inhabited with Lyons, Bears, Wolves, and ſuch like Beaſts: When the Griffin had brought them into his neſt, he and his young began to peck at the Carpet, with which they awaked the Lady and her Husband, who being a ſtout Hero opened the Carpet, and eſpied Land; and having his ſword with him, came out and fought a deſperate fight with the Griffin, and ſlaw him and all his young. How to get off this Iſland they did not know, but in wandering up and down the man dyed, and then the poor Lady was alone, and comforted by none but God above; ſo wandering about the Wilderneſs ſhe chanced to meet a mighty he Lyon, whoſe roaring ſéem'd to her like claps of thunder: then when ſhe ſaw him ſhe fell to the ground, ſaying, O greet Ichovah, who holdeth the power of all creatures in thy hands, have mercy upon me. So ſhe drew near unto him, and diſcovered that he halted, and the Lion groaned towards her, as thought to have ſome help: ſo ſhe ventered to him, and took up his foot, and therein was a great thorn; and the Lion patiently holding up his foot, ſhe drew it out; which having done, the Lion fawned upon her, and lickt her, and in his nature ſhewed as great love and kindneſs to her as ever humans nature could: inſomuch that he led her to his Den, where ſhe continued for a long ſeaſon, feeding upon nothing but what preys the Lion had brought her, and which may ſoever ſhe walked, the Lion would attend upon her, and preſerve her from all other ſavage Beaſts. At laſt as ſhe was mourning to her ſelf, deploring her condition in living in ſuch obſcurity in a forreign Countrey, whoſe daily companion was but a ſavage Beaſt, her minde yening after her own habitation, ſhe thus complained, O how hath fortune frowned on me, that I am driven out from among all humane knowledge, and am glad to take my living with the Beaſt of the Field. As ſhe thus complained to her ſelf, the Devil chanced to appear unto her, and demanded the cauſe of her complaint, who told him all as you have heard. Then ſaid be to her, What wilt thou give and Ile provide a Ship ſhall carry thee home to thy own Countrey? ſhe anſwered, half her Eſtate. Nay, ſaid the Devil, if thou wilt give me thy ſoul at the tearm of twelve years, I'le ſet thée in thy own Countrey, and then ſhalt live and flouriſh ſo long? God forbid, ſaid the Lady, I'le firſt end my wretched life in this ſolitary Iſland. Why then, ſaid the Devil, I'le make this bargain with ye, that if you can abſtain from ſleeping all the time of our Voyage, which ſhall be but three dayes, I'le have nothing to do with your ſoul, if you ſléep I'le hade it, as I have ſaid: and upon this bargain the Lady ventered, provided ſhe might have her Lion with her; ſo 'twas concluded, and a brave ſhip came and took in the Lady and her Lion: when ſhe lay down the Lion lay by her, and if ſhe ſlumbered, the Lion trould touch her with his paw; by which means he kept her awake all the Voyage, until ſhe landed in her own Countrey; and being come to her Fathers houſe, ſhe knocked at the Gate; then the Porter coming with all ſpéed, opened the Gate, and ſaw it was a Beggar, frowningly he ſhut it again, ſaying, Here's nothing for you: then ſhe bounced at the Gate again, and asked the Porter if ſuch a Knight lived there, meantng her Father, and he ſaid, yes; then ſaid ſhe, pray deliver this piece of King unto him. Now this King was it ſhe brake betwixt her Father and ſhe, at her departure out of the Land: then the Porter delivered the King to his Maſter, ſaying, The Begger woman at the Gate willed me to deliver this piece of King unto you. When the Knight ſaw the King he fell down in a ſwound, but when he was revived be ſaid, call her in, for ſhe is my onely Daughter, whom I thought was dead. Then ſaid the Porter, I dare not call her in, for there is a mighty he-Lion with her, though it be, ſaid the Knight, call her in, then ſaid the Porter, you are to come in; but leave your Lion out: no, ſaid the Lady, my Lion walketh where I go, and where he is not, there will I not be; and when ſhe came to her father, ſhe fell down on her knées and wept: her father took her up in his arms and kiſt her, weeping as faſt, and after he clothed her in Purple, and plac'd her by him in a chair, and demanded the relation of her Travels, who declared unto him all that happened, and how the Lion had ſaved her life, and was the greateſt comfort ſhe had in the Wilderneſs. It chanced afterwards that as the Knight was going into his Wood to view his young Horſes, he met with a wilde Boar, with whom he fell in combat with. The Lion loved the old Knight, and by accident walking under the pale ſide, he ſented the Boar, and as the Lion ran towards the place where the Boar was, the Steward eſpied him, and he ran into the Palace, and cryed out, the Lion is running after my Maſter to deſtroy him. Then the Lady ſent after him ten of her ſervants who met the Lion with his mouth all bloody, and they ran back and told the Lady the Lion had deſtroyad her aged Father. Then ſaid the Lady, O woe is me that ever I was born, that have brought a Lion from far to deſtroy my own Father; therefore ſhe commanded her ſervants to ſlay the Lion, which no ſooner was done but her Father come in, and ſaid, O I have met with a wilde Boar, with whom I ſought, and there came in the Lion to my aid, and ſlew the Boar, ſo ſaved my life, elſe I had dyed by the Boar. When the Lady heard this, O how ſhe wept and wrung her hands, ſaying, For the words of a wicked Steward, I have ſlain my good Lion, who have ſaved both my life and my Fathers, curſed be the time I was adviſed by him.

Then ſaid the Miſtriſs, underſtand you what I have ſaid? yes, right well, ſaid the Empreſs, you have ſhewed me a good example of a bad adviſe, which cauſed the Lady to ſlay ſo good a Lion, ſurely I'le beware ſuch bad advice, my Daughter ſhall not dye this day. The Miſtris ſaid, if you do ſo you will do well, therefore I commit you to God, and ſtand obliged to your grace for ſaving your-Daughter this day for my ſake.

WHen Radamentus perceived the young Princeſs was not dead, he kept his Chamber, and tore his hair, grieving very much, and ſaying, the State of the Empire lies groaning under the ſcandal of all Nations, and reputed as the very froth and ſcum of baſeneſs; and as he was thus complaining, his attendants hearing him, went and imparted it to the Empreſs, and ſhe went to him and asked the cauſe of his lamentation, who anſwered, O great Lady, how can I other wiſe chuſe, knowing ſo great a crime that lyes upon the Empire, through the deboiſt and laſcivious actions of your graceleſs Daughter, and yet cannot have Iuſtice executed upon her, whereby we may waſh away the ſtain that reſts upon your honour & my reputation, the world knowing I am your aſſiſtant in the Government; & ſeeing there is no more reſpect and obſerving of the Laws then there is, I have juſt cauſe to leave your Realm, and ſuffer you to plunge your ſelf in this deluge of ignorance, but that the love I bear to you, and your good Subjects, doth prohibit me from it; and you know great Lady, if I ſhould depart and leave you to your ſelf through your weakneſs in believing old fabulous ſtories, it would fend to your utter ruine and deſtruction. Then ſaid the Empreſs, Moſt grave Lord and Councellour, paſs by your ſorrow and lamentation at this time, and I ſhall never fail you of your requeſt hereafter, but be adviſed by you: Then ſaid Radamentus, pray God you may, elſe I fear it will happen to you as it did to the Lady and her Cat in the Kingdome of Utergo, who tendered her Cat as ſhe did her own life, till at laſt the Cat cut her Ladies throat. I pray 〈◊〉 , ſaid the Empreſs, ſhew me that Example, that I ſhall gladly do, ſaid Radamentus, for the furtherance of your knowledge, and it is this as followeth.

IN the Kingdome of Utergo there lived a Lady who had but one onely Daughter, whom ſhe loved above her own eyes, and hearing there was a very learned woman, and one of great repute, lived not far from her own Court, to whom ſhe put her Daughter to be brought up, and inſtructed in all Arts and learning, and it proved that this learned woman was very skilful indèed, for ſhe was the greateſt Magician in all that Land, though unknown to the Lady, ſo that inſtead of teaching the childe natural Philoſophy, ſhe taught her all the whole art of Necromancy, and at the end of ſeven years ſhe learnt her how to transform her ſelf into the likeneſs of a Cat; and upon a time the Lady ſent for this learned woman to come to her, and bring her Daughter with her, for to ſee how ſhe had improved her ſelf in learning; and being come, the Lady asked her Daughter, three queſtions: Firſt, what was moſt prone to nature when it was ſatizfied? ſhe anſwered, eaſe, for when the belly is full, the bones deſtreth reſt. Secondly, how far it was to the bottom of the Sea: ſhe anſwered, a ſtones throw. Thirdly, ſhe • sked her how long the Sun and Moon were going round the world? ſhe anſwered, ſower and twenty hours: then ſaid the Lady, you have anſwered me well, doubtleſs thou wilt prove a cunning woman: then ſhe walked in her Parlour, and ſhewed the Miſtriſs what a delicate and fine Cat ſhe had, and the Miſtriſs ſaid of a truth, it is a brave Cat; but after I return home I will preſent you with the fineſt Cat that ever was ſeen, for ſhe will wait at the Table, and can interpret Riddles, reſolving Anſwers and Queſtions, ſo that there is not the like of her in all the world, Then ſaid the Lady, pray ye let me have that Cat? that I ſhall not do, ſaid ſhe, except you ſuffer your Daughter to be with me one ſeven years more, then ſhall I preſent you with the Cat; the Lady very willingly gave conſent thereto, rendring great thanks: ſo the learned woman took leave, and away departed with her young Diſciple, and when ſhe came home, ſhe told her, that if ſhe would act her part, ſhe would teach her how ſhe might enjoy all the pleaſure the world did afford, and none was more ready to learn then ſhe was. Then ſaid the Magician, you muſt transform your ſelf to the likeneſs of a Cat, and I will preſent you to your Mother, to which they both accorded: then the Magician took her, and haſted away to the Lady, and preſented her the Cat, being of four diſtinct colours, black, red, green, and yellow: Then ſaid the Lady, this is the fineſt Cat that ever I ſaw, and took it into her lap, feeding it with white bread and milk, and would never ſit down to meat but her Cat muſt be at her elbow; ſo the Magician took her leave again, and the Lady gave her great thanks, ſo departed: ſoon after this, the Cat began to play her pranks, for there was a maid living in the houſe, whoſe carriage was civil, and converſation honeſt, and a faithful ſervant all dayes of her life: this Cat had power to open any lock, and ſhut it again, ſo ſhe would open the Ladies Cabinet, and take out money, and lay it in the way where the maid ſhould finde it, ſome time in the Garden, ſome time in the Stréet, and the Lady ſtill miſſing her money, and having no ſuſpicion on the Maid in the leaſt, wondered what ſhould become of it; at laſt ſhe loſt her Bracelet out of her Cloſet, which the Cat had took and laid a mile from the houſe where the Maid ſhould come along; ſo the Maid when ſhe found it, little thought of her Ladies Bracelet, which oftentimes had béen inquired for, ſhe put it up in her Trunck; and after upon a time, as the Maid was taking out clothes, her Lady ſtood by her, and it chanced that the Bracelet fell beſide the Trunck, and the Cat ſnapt it up in her paws, and leapt upon the Ladies lap: when the Lady ſaw it ſhe cryed out, O thou graceleſs creature, I bleſs the Lord I have found thée out, have I kept thee for ſo many years, and intruſted thee with all I had in the world, and never had the leaſt ſuſpicion of thee; God knows what thou haſt robb'd me of in thy time. O thou wicked wretch! now thou ſhalt dye the ſhamefulleſt death as may be thought on. Then ſaid the Maid, what have I done, I never offended you in thought, word, nor deed, neither ever wronged you in all my life hitherto? O villain, ſaid the Lady, is not this my Bracelet, I have loſt for above this half year, and hore I have found it in thy Trunk! God knows what thou haſt rob'd me of beſides, for I have loſt a great deal of money; then ſhe call'd more company in and ſearched her Trunk further, and found many péeces of money, which ſhe knew by the marks; and when they ſaw that, they apprehended her, and ſent her to priſon for all dayes of her life; ſo the Lady continued her love towards the Cat, and would never eat of any dainties at her Table before ſhe had cut her Cat the firſt bit, at laſt it happened that ſhe ſate at Dinner and forgot to carve firſt to her Cat, wherefore ſhe leapt to the Ladies face and catcht her by the throat, that had it not béen for the help of ſome at the Table, the Cat had kill'd her: Then ſaid the Lady, Ile kéep this Cat no longer; then it is good ſaid her friends to deſtroy her: No, ſaid ſhe, for the ſake of the learned Miſtris which gave her me; then ſhe returned her back from whence ſhe came, and deſtred to have her Daughter home; when her Daughter came ſhe took her in her arms and kiſſed her, and cauſed her to lye in bed with her every night, and in token of a motherly love to a child, ſhe gave her a King of her finger out of love to wear, which King ſhe had kept for many years; and it happened after that this Daughter procéeded in her wicked art of witchcraft ſtill and could not break from it: So there was a Mill of the Ladies not far from the houſe, and every night this Daughter when her mother was aſléep, would go with others of her rabble, and at dead time of the night ſet the Mill a going, ripping the bags, and throwing all the Corn about the flour; at which the Miller wondered greatly, and complained on the morrow to the Lady and many others, ſaying, his Mill was haunted by evill ſpirits, doing great miſchief, that he was like to be undone; and they counſelled him to watch up one night with a good ſword and a light to ſée what it was; and about midnight there came in at the window a great Cat to his thinking, by and by another and another, till they were half a dozen, ſpitting and wawling like devils, and their eyes ſhining like coles of fire; then the Miller ſtruck at them, and they ſlew at his face, and in ſhort time deſtroy'd him: On the morrow the Lady ſent to the Mill to ſée how the Miller fared, and they found him dead, with his face and throat tore all to pieces, the next night another watcht, and on the morrow they went to ſée how he ſped, and they found him in the ſame condition; then they all marvelled greatly, ſo that none would live in that Mill. At laſt there came a ſtout fellow, and he would undertake to lye in the Mill all night if the Lady would give him the Mill, ſhe conſented, and away goes the fellow, with a great Sword and Candle, and entered the Mill; ſo about the old hour he heard the Mill at work to the purpoſe; ſo he took his Sword and Candle in his hand, and went damn out of his Chamber to ſée what gueſts he had got, and when he came into the Mill he ſaw nothing, but the Mill ſtood ſtill, and as ſoon as he had entered his Chamber, the Mill was at it again as hard as 'twas before; then he ran back again with his ſword drawn, and there he beheld ſix great Cats and one little one, with ſuch ſparkling eyes glearing upon him, that he ne're ſaw the like before; whereupon he ſtruck at them, and they leapt at his face, and on every ſide of him, that he was fain to lay about him luſtily to defend himſelf; at laſt he worſted two, and they fled through the window, and the reſt fought ſo furiouſly, that they put him almoſt out of breath, but in the end they all fled through the window, and he following cloſe, ſmote the laſt and cut off her fore-foot; and ſo when day came, he went to look for the foot, and it proved to be a hand with a fair King upon the finger; when he ſaw that, then he knew they were Witches, ſo took on him little, and went home to the Lady, who asked him how it fared with him? He ſaid he was never ſo hard put to it in his life; how ſo ſaid the Lady? why ſaid he, there came ſeven Cats, and ſet the Mill to work as well as I could, and if I had not defended my ſelf ſtoutly, I had béen ſlain by them, but in the end I made them flye; and as the laſt went through the window, I cut off her fore-foot, look here it is: When the Lady ſaw that, ſhe knew the hand by the Ring, and ſhe remembred that night, when ſhe awak't ſhe felt her daughter come in the bed all in a ſweat, and very cold; with this thought ſhe was ſtricken with a fear, that the drops of ſweat trickled down her face; ſo ſhe went to the bedſide, and asked her daughter how ſhe did? who ſaid, I am not well, pray let me alone; her mother ſaid, let me féel your hand, how your pulſes beat, and ſhe gave her the right hand, kéeping the other arm in the bed, and her mother ſaid, give me the other hand, and ſhe would not; then her mother went to ſée by force, and there was no hand; then her mother knew what Cat ſhe had kept before, and ſaid thou ſhalt dye by 〈◊〉 •• ai • before thou deeſt any more miſchief. O graceleſs Villain, what ſhame h • ſt ſh •• brought upon me for having ſuch a wicked childe; ſo ſhe was ſentenced to be burnt at a ſtake, and as ſhe was led to execution, ſhe confeſt how ſhe had ſtole the money and bracelet, and laid it where the maid found it, ſo to be accus'd of theft and hang'd unjuſtly; but at laſt ſhe was burn'd to aſhes at a ſtake, and the innocent maid redéemed out of priſon.

Now ſaid Radamentus, underſtand you what I have ſaids yes right well ſaid the Empreſs; then ſaid Radamentus I will ſhew you the declaration thereof.

IT came to paſs upon a time, that as a Knight was travelling through a ſtrange Countrey, he chanced to loſe his way in a Wood, and could neither diſcover Churches nor Towns, the night being ſo dark, and he a ſtranger, knew not what to do, nor whither to go; and as he was complaining to himſelf, a Woodman iſſued through the thickets, hearing his complaint. and domanded the cauſe of it. O friend, ſaid the Knight, I am a ſtranger to the Countrey, and I have loſt my way, and know not whither to go for accommodations for me and my Horſe, which is almoſt loſt in the Brambles of this Wood. The man ſaid, Sir Knight, it is far to any Inne, and the wayes are bad; but if you pleaſe to go with me, I ſhall bring you to my Cottage, and give you the beſt accommodation it doth yield. The Knight courteouſly returned him thanks, and went along with him, and when he came home, ſhewed the Knight a Chamber, and provided for his Horſe: but the Knight through diſcontent of his Iourney did not go to bed but ſate up, and about midnight he heard a great cry in the houſe, he being in ſuch a lone houſe began to fear ſome danger might enſue, and ſo knocked for to know what that cry did mean; and the Maid anſwered, that her Miſtriſſe was in Travail, and the Midwife was with her. This Knight being skill'd in Aſtrology, went down to ſée how the Planets did ſerve, it being a bright Starlight night, and he ſaw a bad Planet going down, and a good one riſing; ſignifying, if

WHen Radamentus heard the young Princeſs was not dead, but rather pardoned, he waiked up and down the Garden like a man bereaved of his wits, and made great lamentation; the noiſe thereof came to the Empreſs our, and ſhe went in all haſte to him, and comforted him, ſaying, My gra • e, Lord and Counſellour, why 〈◊〉 it's you this m • an? if behoveth our a man, eſpecially ſuch as you are, ſo rarely well dig, dignified in wiſdom and diſc • etion, to gr ••• out ſuch ſad complaints? O Madam, ſaid Radamentus, why ſhould you tell me ſo, will •• n • t make a ſtone move, or a wall of braſs ſpeak, to ſee that your judgement is ſo much ſ • upified, as not to be adviſed by my grave Counſel, knowing no man ought to tell you more then my ſelf, that you ſuffer ſuch peſtilential f • av • rs to remain not qualified nor oppreſſed: O that I had dyed before I had been elected to come into theſe parts, for what honour or reputation I ever gained formerly, I ſhall now receive ten times as much ſhame and diſhonour; but I fear it will happen to you as it did unto a Lady in Theſaly with her Déer, which is mentioned in the Example. Then ſaid the Empreſs, I pray ſhew me that example for my learning, I may be the better inſtructed. If I ſhould, ſaid Radamentus, it would avail nothing, for I ſhewed you one yeſterday laſt, and it came to no effect; nevertheleſs I ſhall ſhew you this, which is as followeth.

SOmetime in Rome there lived a great Lady which had a famous Park of Déer, that a worthier was not in all the land; ſhe had alſo a very gallant Hound, which was preſented to her by the beſt Huntſman in the world: and this Lady delighting much in hunting, appointed a day for the tryal of this brave Dog; and when the day was come they rouzed a Buck, and followed the Chace, up the Hills, down the Dales, through the Thickets, Bracks, and Boggs, the like hunting ne'r • was known in that part of the world, for the Dog hunted upon hot ſent ſeven dayes together, till all the followers were tyred both foot and horſe, and left the whole Game to the Dog; yet ſtill the Buck maintained his ground, and the Dog his Chace, throughout the Kingdom of Theſaly three hundred mils an end; the Lady and her Noble Barons gave off all for loſt, ſome of them cryed, we ſhall never ſee the Buck again; ſaid the Lady, I ſhall never have my Dog again: and when they had yielded all as loſt, there came a Letter from the King of Egypt, he knowing her ſo delightful in Hunting, and the tenure of it was, that there came a Buck chaſed by a Dog, through ſome part of his Dominions, and that they were come into the Kingdom of Theſaly: The Lady hearing this, ſaid, Doubtleſs, this Dog and this Buck by all deſcription ſhould be mine, and as ſhe was thus muſing, the Keeper brought in word that the Buck and Dog was come; then the Lady rejoyced and ran into the Park to ſee the Buck and Dog, and there they found the Buck leapt juſt ever the wall, and fell down, and the dog ran to the wall, and he fell down, onely wearied, but not to death: then ſaid the Keeper, this Buck is the beſt runner in •• t Theſaly; and the Lady ſaid, this Dog is the beſt in all the world, and therefore all the Nobles and Barons that ever came there a hunting praiſed that Dog and loved him wonderfully. Now there was an obſervation on this Dog, for he loved the Park ever after, and the ſame buck he before chaſed above all others; ſo that he was obſerv'd to go every night about midnight, to defend the Déer from any ravenous beaſt which ſhould chance to come, as Wolves or ſuch like Creatures, and this did he conſtantly upon his own accord, ſo that ſuch a Dog was never heard of before. And it chanced after, that the ſame Huntſman which gave the Lady this brave Dog, preſented her with another wolf-dog, young and tender, and of a moſt curious ſh • pe and form, which alſo won the affections of the Lady marvellouſly, ſo that ſhe loved him as ſhe lov'd her life; and whoſoever ſhould tell her that this wolf-dog would prove the better Courſer, ſhe would rejoyce, and give them great rewards; ſo that her love to the Hound began to decline, for he was wont to quarrel with her young dog, being of two contrary natures, for which ſhe would kick him and much reject him; but the young dog grew apace well formed, fair and comely: Not far from her Court lived ſeven wiſe Miſtriſſes, whom ſhe ſent for to paſs their judgements upon this young Dog, what

SOme time there lived in the Kingdom of Thracia a famous Queen named Hicuba, who built a ſtrong City of defence, double wall'd, and moated round; ſhe was a peaceable Queen, and at variance with none, ſave onely the King of Lycia, being a quarrelſome Prince; and be came againſt her with an invincible Army, and beſſeged her round; wherefore ſhe call'd before her in Councel her two Counſellors named Anthinor and Eneus; and they aſſembled all the noble Citizens to adviſe how to preſerve their City, and give their enemies battel; and when they had fortified their walls, and planted their Guards, Anthinor iſſued out with ten thouſand men, and made a great ſlaughter among his enemies, and ſo returned back into the City; then their enemies recruited again, and fell on to ſcale the walls, but were driven back by the Citizens: then Eneus went out and ſought with great valour, but loſt many men, and ſo return'd into the Town. At laſt Anthinor addreſſed himſelf to the Queen, and told her it were good to conclude peace with the enemies, for they had loſt many noble perſons of honour, among whom were the Queens two Sons, for which they made great moan; and therefore he adviſed the Queen to conclude a peace, that the Enemies may depart without deſtroying the City, for they could not maintain it againſt ſuch an invincible power, though the City was well fortified, and ſtrength enough to have beaten twice as many; yet the Queen believed theſe two evil Counſellors, which proved arrand Traytors; than the harmleſs Queen asked them who they ſhould have to go treat for them? Then Eneus ſtood up and ſaid, if it ſeemeth good to the Queen and to all you Citizens, for the honour of the Queen, the ſafeguard of our City, and the preſervation of our lives, Anthinor and I being expert in all Laws and Cuſtoms upon ſo weighty a matter as this, will go forth. The Queen liked well of what he ſaid, repoſing more confidence in them then any

RAdamentus hearing the young Princeſs was not dead, forthwith retired into his Chamber, ſighing and ſobbing moſt bitterly, and cauſed all his apparel and neceſſaries to be made ready, and his Wagons and Horſes brought up, as though he was juſt going into his own Countrey: The ſervants perceiving their Lord was departing from the Court, acquainted the Empreſs that Radamentus their Lord was preparing for his own Countrey; when the Empreſs perceived that, ſhe baſted to his Chamber, and ſaid to him, O my grave Lord, I thought you had been more tender of my ſafety, and the Government of the Empire, then to go and leave me thus; to which he anſwered, 'Tis true, I tender your welfare as much as I do my life, and you know I have had a care of your reputation, and the ſafety of the Empire, but now I ſée you are going in the high way to ſhame me, and diſhonour your ſelf, and ruin • the whole Realm; the world knowing I am your aſſiſtant, and do think 'tis all my advice in what you do, ſupporting Bawdry, and other vices, and in the very Court it ſelf; had it béen Vertus, the world had ne're taken notice on't: but being Vice, the tongue of every inferiour fellow do noiſe it abroad like the breath of a Trumpet, or a Herald at arms, through all the parts of the world: therefore I go from you, for I had rather hear of your ruine then ſée it; you will be ruled by the words of the fooliſh Miſtriſſes, till at laſt it will happen to you as it did unto a Roman Lady and her Daughter, which Example is mentioned: and the Empreſs ſaid, pray ſhew me that Example for my better underſtanding: And he ſaid, though I ſhall ſhew you all the Examples in the world, and give you all the advice I may imagine, you though it tend to the preſervation of both Life and Kingdom, as indéed it doth; yet you would not be ruled by me, nor follow my counſel: nevertheleſs I will ſhew you this Example, provided henceforth, you do not delight nor hear the Miſtriſſes, whoſe id •• Fables doth ſubvert your wiſe judgement: the Example is as followeth.

SOmetimes in Rome there lived a famous Lady, whoſe worth and renown was ſpread far and near, being beloved of all people, for ſhe was vertuous in converſation, modeſt in behaviour, gracious to her people, and amiable to all; and in reference to the poor, ſhe was adorned with a frée and bountiful liberality, ſo that ſhe had the prayers of all: This Lady had two Daughters, both of them very beautiful and comely; the eldeſt ſhe kept at home with her, and the youngeſt ſhe put abroad to be taught and inſtructed, having a motherly car • , and in proceſs of time, this Lady ſent for her Daughter home, expecting ſhe had learnt much for her edification; but when ſhe came home, alas, ſhe was ne' • e the better, ſo ſhe grieved very much for her Daughter, in regard of the tender love ſhe • are her; and therefore ſhe would kéep her at home, being the youngeſt, and ſet the other abroad: which being done, this young Girle began to do nothing but play, having what liberty ſhe pleaſed; at laſt ſhe grew to maturity, and then ſhe would not go abroad without money; therefore her Mother gave her money from time to time: at laſt ſhe had wayes to ſpend more then her Mother allowed her if it had béen twice as much, for ſhe kept a private lover in the City which her mother knew not of, and many nights when her Mother was aſleep, ſhe would riſe and take the Keyes from under the Ladies head, and go out to her love, and towards break of day come in again, her mother never perceiving it, but towards morning ſhe wondered how her Daughter came ſo cold, and asked her what was the reaſon ſhe was ſo cold; ſhe ſaid, the Cramp had taken her in her leg, and being loath to wake her, ſhe roſe and walked about the Chamber to drive it away, ſo that excuſe paſt for currant. The next night ſhe awak't, and miſt her out of the houſe, and wondering how ſhe got out, put up her hand to feel for her Keyes, they were gone; ſo when her Daughter came in about break of day again, ſhe asked her, O Lord Daughter, where have you been now? Truly ſaid ſhe, I had a tooth did ake ſo grievouſly, that my • aw I thought would have broke, and you bring ſo ſound a ſleep, I was loath to diſturb ye; therefore I took the Keyes and went forth to the Chyrurgion to draw it, but I could not make him hear me: ſo this ſecond excuſe paſt as currant as the former, and her Mother ſaid no more of it. Vpon another time ſhe eſpied her Mothers Key of her Cabinet, and ſhe took it and preſt it in Clay that it made an impreſſion; and from this impreſſion ſhe got another Key made whereby ſhe could go to the Cabinet of money when ſhe pleaſed; and her Mother miſſing money ſo off, little thought of her own Daughter, but ſometime fathered the crime upon the Maid, ſometime upon the Man, that the Family was never but in ſtrife and variance: and upon a time ſhe went to her Mothers Cabinet for more money, and went away and left her Key behinde her in the Cabinet; her-Mother ſéeing a key in her Cabinet, and knew ſhe had her own in her Pocket, let it alone, and watcht behinds the Curtain to ſée who would fetch it out; by and by, in comes her Daughter, and ſnatcht the Key out, but her Mother catcht hold of her, and ſaid, O thou graceleſs wrecth, is it thée that haſt robb'd me theſe two years together, now I have found thee out, O wicked imp; I have béen often cold of thee, but I would never believe it till now I do ſée it, for which thou ſhalt dye a ſhameful death: but there was living not far off, an old woman, whom this young imp was wont to take advice of in all her wicked pranks; therefore in this time of neceſſity ſhe did ſend for her to come, and by her craft and cunning to ſave her life. When ſhe came ſhe ſaid, O vertuous Lady, let not your wrath be ſo • uriouſly bent againſt her, ſhe is your Daughter whom you have bore of your body, and gave her ſuck nine moneths from your breaſt, for we were all guilty of faults in our infancy; therefore let her not come to ſhame for the firſt time, the ſever • Law will give reprieve to the verieſt Felon for the firſt fault, much more a natural Mother ought to do for a Childe; and if ſhe ſhould thus dye, it will acrew great ſhame to her Family, and you will be branded with rebuke for tyranny: Vpon theſe words the good Mother was pacified, and pardoned her. It happened afterwards as the Lady was walking in the evening in her Garden, ſhe eſpied her Daughter l •• ng with a ſtrange man under a Buſh, then ſaid ſhe, and cryed out with a loud voice, O thou •• ſcivious creature, worſe then any beaſt, I have pardoned thée for Theft already, and now thou art fallen into Whoredom, if I ſuffer this, all people will curſe me, and the Paps that gave thee ſuck; therefore thou ſhalt dye, for I had rather ſee thée hanged then I ſhould be ſound guilty of thy crimes. Then the old woman came again, and ſaid, O good Lady, ſave her life, conſider ſhe is young, and what ſhe hath done, is through ignorance and fooliſhneſs; but remember the old Proverb, A naughty boy may make a good man, likewiſe ſhe may amend and become a good woman; and remember what the Scripture ſaith, He that is without fault, let him throw the firſt ſtone; therefore let her ſhame be hidden this time, and if ever ſhe commit the like again do your pleaſure upon her: ſo through theſe ſtrong deluſions and fooliſh perſwa • ions, the good Lady was again perſwaded, and pardoned her, but ſaid to the old woman, it is very ſeldom that any who are addicted to Theft and Whoredom, but commonly are guilty of Murder alſo, God grant that I never hear of no ſuch thing by her, though I fear it greatly: to prevent which, the godly Mother kept her within doors ſo ſtrict, that ſhe could not go abroad to her lover to féed him with money as ſhe was wont to do; therefore he would come ſo her and ſpeak to her through the window, where ſhe threw him many of her Mothers pieces of Plats and other things; then the Lady marvelled greatly • ow her things ſhould be loſt, and her Daughter never go out of doors, no farther then to the great window, where ſhe did obſerve, ſhe ſtood every night: and it came to paſs that one night the Lady her ſelf was ſtanding under that window late, bearing the pretty Nightingale c •• rping her ſeveral notes; and the Daughter ſuppoſing ſhe had béen her lover, threw out the great ſtiver Goblet; the Lady perceiving out of what window it came, took it up and came in with it, and askt for her Daughter, and the maid ſaid ſhe was in the middle window; call her to me, ſaid the Lady, when ſhe came, ſhe bid her go fetch her ſome wine in the Goblet, and ſhe ſaid, ſhe had béen looking for that and it could not be found: then the Lady 〈◊〉 the Goblet and ſhewed her, ſaying, W •• t thou never lea • e thy tricks, thou graceleſs villain, now ſhalt thou dye ſurely a ſhameful death, the juſt reward of thy deſe • t • . Then news came again to the old woman that the Ladies Daughter was to dye, and ſhe came in all haſte, crying to the Lady to ſave her li •• but once more, and ſhe would undertake to adviſe her, and bring her to goodneſs her ſelf: Vpon this the Lady pardoned her once more. Now this Daughter loved a man which was poor, and both a Thief and Murderer, whom her Mother would not ſuffer her to marry with him without her conſent; ſhe had nothing to maintain him with, neither had he of himſelf; therefore ſhe took counſel of the old woman what to do, who adviſed her to take a little of her poiſoned ball, and when her Mother called for Béer, to put in two drams, ſaying, that will diſpatch your Mother, then you may have all, and take your lover. The wicked • mp was glad of this advice, and did execute it; her mother having took it, called for ſome more drink, the poiſon wrought ſo hot in her guts: when ſhe •• lled the cup again, ſhe put in more, and the harmleſs Lady took it out of the hand of the bloody villain, as from a friend, ſo drank it up, and gave up the ghoſt, being aged ••• eſcors and ten: for which horrid fact the wicked wretch was hurned at a ſtake. Thus was a harmleſs Lady firſt robb • d of her goods, and after murdered by a wicked Daughter ſhe beſt loved. Then ſaid Radamentus, underſtand • e what I have ſaid, yes right well, ſaid the Empreſs, that was the wickedſt Daughter that ever I heard of; to prevent ſuch miſchief, my Daughter ſhall not live a day langer: therefore ſhe commanded her Officers to lead her away to be burnt, and as ſhe was leading through the ſtréets, the people ran out, and cryed, alas, alas, the Empreſs Daughter is leading again to be burnt; and as ſhe paſt by, the fifth Miſtris met her, and haſted away to the Empreſs, doing reverence as the others were went: then ſaid the Empreſs, you are come, but it ſhall be the price of your life: the Miſtris ſaid, O Lady, I have not deſerved to dys, for your Daughter hath not committed thoſe crimes which ye ſay ſhe hath done, as hereafter you ſhall finde; and that ſhe ſpeaketh not is of her wiſdom, and know ye ſhe will ſpeak when her time cometh: and as for the ſin of Fornication, believe it not, for a wiſe Virgin as ſhe is, would never attempt ſo ſhameful a deed, and if ye put her to death for the words of one man, it ſhall happen to 〈◊〉 worſe then it did the Quéen of China. Then ſaid the Empreſs, pray ſhew me that Example; that I ſhall not do, ſaid wiſe Debora, unleſs you call your Daughter back again alſe before I make an end your Daughter may be dead: then the Empreſſ commanded her Daughter to 〈◊〉 brought b • ck and put in priſon; thea Debora ſp • ke as followeth.

SOmetime in China lived a vertuous Quéen, reuo •• ned far and near; for whoſe wiſdom and good diſcretion ſhe was e • pouſed to a great Eaſtern King, who b • d a grave Counſellour, without whom be would do nothing: this vertuous Quéen being married to this great King, ſoon after there aroſe a great Rebellion in his Countrey from whence he came, whereby he was conſtrained to go to ſuppreſs the rude multitude, which ſoon he did, and to ſettle the uniformity, ſtaid there for the ſpace of half a year, by which time his Queen was grown big with childe: and •• is old Counſellour whom the King left at home as Guarding of her, wrote Letters to the King, that ſhe was very familiar with a Nobleman in 〈◊〉 , whoſe name wa • Palemed • s, and that 〈◊〉 thought what ſhe wont withall 〈…〉 Thus did he through wicked treachery, thinking to himſelf, the King was ancient, and would be the more filled with jealouſie, and if he could deſtroy the Quéen and that ſhe went withal, ſoon after the King would dye, then ſaid he. I ſhall rule the Land; and from that time forth he ſought th • ir deſtruction. Now when the King had received his Letter he haſted home, and rail'd at his Quéen, ſaying, ſhe was a Whore, and what ſhe went withal was a Baſtard, and would not ſuffer her to come into his company: then this old Traytour went to the Quéen, pretending friendſhip under a falſehood, and adviſed her to go in a merry way and preſent the King a Bowl of Wine; and ſhe alwayes thinking he had been a moſt faithful friend did as he adviſed her, and before ſhe brought it, he wrote a Libel and dr • pt it in the King • Chamber: This Libel expreſſed, that if the Quéen at ſuch a time did preſent him with a Bowl of Wine, he was a dead man, for it was poiſon; and as the Queen came in, with innocent love, preſented the King with the Bowl of Wine, he took his foot and kickt it all down, ſaying, Thou wicked wretch, now I do perceive the vile actions, thou haſt defiled my Bed, and defamed my Honour, and art thou now come to poiſon me, I ſwear thou ſhalt dye the cruelleſt death as may be thought on: ſo committed her to priſon, and as ſhe lay there ſhe breathed out theſe complaints,

WHen Radamentus perceiving by the muttering of the ſervants that the young Princeſs was repriev'd again, he grew ſo impatient, that all thought he would have run mad; therefore they ran and fold the Empreſs, that Radamentus was going beſt • e himſelf, for they never ſaw him before in ſuch a paſſion: Then the Empreſs went to him and ſaid, wherefore my good Lord are you ſo impatient? he anſwered, O Lady, how ſhall I hide my grief I the great love I bear to you doth prohibit me from leaving you, and if I tray, I ſee nothing but ruine and deſtruction doth attend you, in ſuffering ſuch baſe and laſcivious actions, committed by your graceleſs Daughter, and not ſuppreſſed according to Law, that I am aſhamed to go out in the ſight of the ſun; my Counſel which you ought to receive you ſlight, and rather believe the old wives fables, then my grave Counſel: Therefore I fear it will happen to you worſe then it did to the Lady, who tender'd her young Lion above all ſhe had, till at the laſt he fore her throat, as is mentioned in the Example. O my good Lord ſaid the Empreſs, ſhew me that Example; and ſaid gladly that would I do, but it availeth nothing, to morrow you will hear the Miſtriſſes again, nevertheleſs I'e ſhew you one Example more, and began as followeth.