ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FIRST CHAPTER.

A woman, 98. line.] Sabina Pompcia, whom she loved with much violence, yet killed her in his anger; Italian Commentar.

Marcus the grave, 99. line.] Marcus Au­relius, who so doted on his wife Faustina, that though hee had often notice shee abused his bed, yet he would not divorce from her. Italian Commentar.

Dionysius, 101. line.] Tyrant of Syracuse, Italian Commentar.

Alexander, 102. line.] Tyrant of Thessaly, he was above measure fearefull, and yet was kil­led by a wench whom he kept. The Story is not worth relating, Italian Commentar.

Creusa, 105. line.] Creusa was wife to Aene­as before he see Dido, if ever he did see her. Ita­lian Commentar.

Antandrus, 106. line.] Antandrus is a [Page 10] rock seated on the Aegean sea, where he used sports many dayes together in honour of her fu­neralls. Italian Commentar.

And wonne his Love, 107. line.] Aeneas kil­led Turnus in a combat, and so revenged the death of his friend Pallas, whom Turnus had killed before: and wonne his mistresse Lavinia, in whom Turnus clamed interest, Virgil.

Phedra could not move, 108. line.] Hypo­lito was sonne to Theseus by Hypolita the Ama­zon, Phedra wife to Theseus was in love with her sonne in law Hypolito, and being justly re­jected by him, accused him to his father, as ha­ving tempted her; on which he fled, and drow­ning in his flight, she killed her selfe for grief of his losse. Italian Commentar.

Forsaken Ariadne, 114. line.] Ariadne was left asleep in an Iland by Theseus: who loved this Phedra better then her, though shee had brought him out of the labyrinth, and left her father to goe with him: (a knowne History.)

Treachery, 117. line.] He had dealt treache­rously with Ariadne, for the love of her sister Phedra, and she required him with loving, and falsely accusing his son Hypolito.

Brave Heros, 119. line.] Theseus led be­twixt Phedra and Ariadne.

Death, 121. line.] He rejoyced, as Petrarch alledges, to see Phedra kill her selfe, because she had been false to him.

[Page 11] Misery, 122. line.] Ariadne might rejoyce both to see Phedra (for whom he had been false to her) abuse him, and to see his death before her owne, Italian Commentar.

The next, 124. line.] Hercules.

Was caused by love, 126. line.] He was killed by Paris in a treatie of marriage with his sister Polixena, whom Achilles loved.

Impatient Phillis, 127. line.] Demophon ha­ving occasion to goe to Athens, set a time for his returne, but staying a little beyond his day, by the crossenesse of his affairs, and the winds, Phil­lis jealous that he had forsaken her, very wisely, hanged her selfe, Ovid.

Cruell, 130. line.] When Medea fled from her father with Jason, shee tooke her brother with her, and cut him in pieces, which she scattered, that the pursuers might be stayed by gathering up his limbes, Ovid.

Grew furious, 131. line] Shee was revenged on his inconstancy and ingratitude after, by send­ing his new choice, Chreons daughter, a golden vestment, which was so inchanted or anoint­ed, that it stuck fast to her, till it burnt her up.

Hypsiphile, 132. line.] She entertaind Jason with too much kindnesse, as he passed by to Colchas.

Strangers love, 133. line.] Medea, whom Jason brought back with him being no Grecian, and therefore her disgrace was the greater, by [Page 12] the low esteeme her rivall was in.

Shepherd boy, 135. line.] Paris who was bred a shepherd by his mother, to avoid a prophesie, that hee would bee the cause Troy should bee burned.

Enone, 138. line.] A Nymph in Ida, whom Paris loved, when hee kept sheepe on that mountain.

His wife, 140. line.] Helene, whom Paris car­ried to Troy.

Hermione, 140. line.] Shee was daughter to Menelaus, and Helene being contracted to Ore­stes first, she was taken from him, and married against her will to Pirhus.

Orestes, 141. line.] He was sonne to Aga­memnon, beloved of Hermione.

Laodamia, 142. line.] She died for griefe on the corps of Protesilaus, when it came back from Troy. Italian Commentar.

Argia, 143. line.] Wife to Polenice a The­ban, she was killed by Creon, for going to mourn over her husbands grave.

Amphyaraos wife, 145. line.] Eryphile, who betrayed her husbands counsells, and was cause, that against his will, hee tooke that journey, in the which hee perished, Italian Commen­tary.

Proserpina apart, 152. line.] To expresse her anger, for Pluto had ravished her.

[Page 13] Young gods courage, 154. line.] Cupid.

His Trophies, 155. line.] The skinne of Py­thon a Monster, which hee had newly kil­led.

A blow, 156. line.] Strooke him in love with Daphne, to try whose arrowes were sharp­est, and teach him to brag.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE SECOND CHAPTER.

A Lovely pair, 5. line.] Massinissa and So­phonisba: The story runs thus, Massinis­sa King of a part of Numidia an associate of the Romanes, loving and much beloved of Sci­pio: Sophonisba was daughter to Asdrubale, son of Gisco, a Principal man in the Citie of Car­thage: her father married her to Syphax, a more considerable King of the same Countrey, then Massinissa, and an associate also of the Ro­manes, with intention to debauch him from the Romane friendship, which it did accordingly. It came to passe in the progresse of the warre, that Massinissa tooke Syphax prisoner, and entered Cirrha his principall City victor: Sophonisba presented her selfe before him at the gate of the Castle, and being beautifull and eloquent, to both which her affliction added lustre, she besought him to take her for his prisoner, and either pre­serve her from being led in triumph to Rome, or kill her. Massinissa was soon taken, and as sud­denly [Page 23] promised to performe her desire, which that hee might the more easily doe, hee married her presently. When he came to Scipio (after much commendation and honourable intertain­ment bestowed upon him in publick) hee drew him aside, and reproved him sharply for this rash act (being afraid that Sophonisba would make him for her Countrey, as she had done her other husband.) Massinissa retired to his Tent, and after a long inward debate, and many tears, at last he composed a cup full of poyson, and writes to her with it, That since he could not performe the first part of his promise, to make her free, (as by marrying her hee hoped to have done) hee would yet keep the last; desires her to remember whose daughter she was, and that she had been wife to two Kings. When shee read the letter, she said no more, but, If this be the best token my Husband hath to send me, I accept it willingly; but tell him, It would have grieved me lesse, if my marriage bed had not been so near my grave: and with such resolution as these times thought vertuous, shee drank up the poyson chearfully. Titus Livius.

That Lelius Love, 32. line.] Lelius was bo­some friend to Scipio, yet Massinissas Love equal­led that of Lelius.

The Romane Eagles, 37. line.] The Romane Ensinges, meaning Scipio, with the Romane ar­my, [Page 24] for they carried an Eagle in their colours.

Seleucus, 101. line.] The story is cleare e­nough here, That Seleucus King of Syria, ha­ving married Stratonica, a young and beautifull Ladie, Antiochus his sonne by a former wife, became desperately in love with her, and concealing it out of shame, or feare, or both, hee fell sick almost to death, which the Physician finding by his Art, told the father there was no safetie for his son, but by bestowing his mother in law on him: to which the father joyfully yeilded

With Rome, 103. line.] It was not this An­tiochus that had warre with the Romanes, but another long after him, which Petrarch knew well enough, but useth a figure of purpose to mention Antiochus the great.

In his army, 128. line.] Being as they say, 700000. men.

Perseus was one, 133. line] He was sonne of Jupiter and Danaë.

By Andromida, 134 line] Andromida was an Ethiopian. The history is known, he saw her tied naked to a rock, when he went to kill the sea Monster that should have devoured her.

Iphis was there, 141. line.] Iphis hanged himselfe because his mistris despised him.

Constant Loves, 147. line] Halcion, sonne of Aeolus, and Ceica daughter of Lucifer: He was drowned in his return from consulting with the [Page 25] Oracle, she having had an ominous dream, went to the shore, where shee found his dead body newly cast up, and as shee was about to cast her selfe into the Sea, they were both turned into lit­tle birds of his name, Halcion, it is the bird cal­led the Kings-fisher; they build on the shore, and the weather is calme all the while they are hatching their young.

Aesacus, 151. line.] Aesacus was sonne to Priamus. Epiria whom hee loved, flying from his pursuit, was bit with a Serpent and died of the wound, for griefe of which misfortune, hee went to the top of a Rock, & leapt into the Sea, where Thetis in compassion, transformed him into a bird, called a Dydaper or Diver.

His cruell daughter, 155. line.] Scilla, daugh­ter to Nisus King of Megara; when Minos war­red against her father, and could not overcome him, by reason of his purple hair in his head; she stole the haire and gave it to him, in hope to gain his affection: By this means Minos became victor, but in detestation of her unnaturall fact rejected her, who being banished and desolate, wandered till she became a Larke: Her father was turned into a Merling, and pursues her e­ver since.

Swift Atalanta, 156. line.] A knowne Hi­story, all her suiters must out-run her, or bee kil­led; and she being too swift to be matched with [Page 26] speed, Hyppomanes tooke three golden apples, and cast first one a good way off: then as shee ran aside to catch it, hee got ground of her, and when shee approched hee threw another, and a third, till he obtained the victory, by this cun­ning (not without her consent.)

Faire Galatea, 163. line.] Galatea was daughter to Neptune: her lover Atis and shee being together, his Giant rivall Poliphemus came thither, and killed him with a great stone as he fled.

Glaucus alone, 165. line.] Glaucus was a fisher, and seeing that the new haild fish by ta­sting a kinde of herb upon the banke, revived, and leapt againe into the Sea; He tried the con­clusion himselfe, and followed them, by which means he became a Sea-god: Hee loved Scilla, but Circe loving him, and seeing her selfe de­spised by him for the love he bare to Galatea; Circe transformed her rivall into a Rocke: so as Glaucus swims along without his Mistresse, and curseth the loving Witch that caused it.

Canens laments, 168 line.] Canens was wife to Picus, a King in Italy of old: Cir­ce transformed him also to a Magpie, because she could not obtain his love.

Aegeria while she wept, 173. line.] Aegeria was a Nymph, or Goddesse that converst with Numa Pompilius in his solitary retirements, [Page 27] whilest he composed the Romane lawes, being the first King of Rome after Romulus, So sayes Plutatch, and Titus Livius: yet Livius saith also she was his wife, by which it should seeme, that being as wise as her husband, she had a good hand in the businesse. The Poets fained her to weep her self into a Well after his death, because there was a Well in the middle of that Grove which he made for their consultations.

Scilla a horrid Rock, 174. line.] See above in the Annotations, 165.

Infamous the Cicilian strand, 175. line.] That is, hath made it dangerous for passengers.

Her trembling hand, 176. line.] Cannace, daughter to Eolus, having had a childe by her brother, her father caused cut the childe in pie­ces, and commanded her to kill her selfe, which she being compelled to resolve on, writ first to her brother, with the pen in the one hand, and a knife in the other, to give him notice of her end, that he might burie her childe and her.

His live Mistris, 178. line.] Pigmalions mistresse was a statue of his owne cutting, on which he grew enamoured, and prayed till it be­came a live woman.

Aganippe, and Castalia, 179. line.] Aga­nippe and Castalia are two Fountains in Par­nassus, sacred to the Muses.

Faire banks placed, 181.] Because the Poets [Page 28] doe all drinke of these two Wells: Petrarch will have the bankes to bee their ordinary resi­dence, alive and dead.

Cydippe by an apple foold, 182. line.] Her Lover writ an oath, That shee should marry him upon an apple, and dropt it in Apollos Tem­ple, which she finding and reading, he made her beleeve shee had sworne to make him her Hus­band.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE THIRD CHAPTER.

COrnelia followeth, 13. line] Cornelia was last wife to Pompey the great, and wept for the losse of his honour, being over­come at Pharsalia by Julius Caesar, and for his death, being killed in her armes by Ptolo­lomies command, without other cause, but to gaine favour of Caesar, who had got the better: therefore it is justly called by Petrarch, Ptolo­mies. unworthy causelesse hate in the next line.

Grecian Generall, 15. line.] Agamemnon Generall of the Grecians that went against Troy: He was in love with Cassandra, daugh­ter to Priamus, whom hee carried home cap­tive with him.

Aegisthus, 16. line.] In his absence Clitem­nestra his wife entertained another, with whom she conspired his death at his returne, [Page 39] in this sort; she gave him a shirt close at top, and as hee was searching for a place to put forth his head Aegisthus killed him.

Lyncus was saved, 19. line.] Lyncus was one of the sonnes of Danoe. The History runs thus, Aegisthus and Danoe being two brothers, Aegisthus had 50. daughters, and Danoe had 50. sonnes; Danoe offered his sonnes in mar­riage to Aegisthus his daughters, which Aegist­hus would by no means consent to, till the other compelled him by force of armes: Then hee gave a secret command to his daughters, every one to kill her husband in the night: They all obeyed, except Hypermnestra, who spared her husband Lyncus and did not kill him: A poore courtesie, but that the wicked­nesse of the rest made it seeme a great fa­vour.

Pyramus bereaved, 20. line.] It is a known Story, that Pyramus and Thisbe having made an appointment in a wood, she came thither first, where seeing a Lion approch, she let fall her mantle, and hid herselfe among the bush­es: Her Lover came within a little while af­ter, and see her mantle torne or trampled by the Lion; This made him imagine shee had beene devoured: so he killed himselfe on the place.

Thisbies like end, 22. line.] When shee [Page 40] came out of the bushes and found him dead, shee killed her selfe too with the same wea­pon.

Leander swimming often, 23. line.] The sto­ry is cleare of it selfe, that Leander having used to swimme the Hellespont, was drowned one time in a storme, which when Hero see, in a window, where she stood expecting his arrivall, for he perished neare the shoare, shee cast her selfe down from thence into the sea.

Courteous Ʋlysses, 25. line.] Hee stayed ten yeares from his wife at the siege of Troy, and tenne yeares more were spent in his journey home.

His chaste wife, 26. line.] Of all the Grecian wives, she was most faithfull, though most so­licited, Homer.

Circes amarous charmes, 27. line.] Circe was a famous witch, that kept him with her inchantments against his will.

Amilcars sonne, 29. line.] Hanniball, the great Carthagenian Generall: hee doted ex­treamely upon a poore mean wench in Puglia, Italian Commentar.

Hipsicrates, 31. line.] She was wife to Mi­thridates King of Pontus.

Portia, 34. line.] Portia was daughter to Cato, and wife to that Brutus who killed Ju­lius Caesar: a woman of a great and constant [Page 41] spirit, adorned with wisedome, temper, and love to her husband, of whose death being ad­vertised, shee put hot embers or coales in her mouth, and so died.

Julia, 35. line.] Julia was daughter to Juli­us Caesar, and wife to Pompey the great, whom she loved so extremely: that one day his Robes being stained with blood at a sacrifice, and sent home; shee tooke a sudden fright at the sight of the blood, fell in labour, and died: Yet as it of­ten happens, he loved her not so well, as he did his next wife Cornelia.

Fierce Herods state, line. 68.] Herod loved his wife Mariamne furiously, yet put her to death on a fals accusation, that she had conspired his end. Hee had the miserable and just punish­ment to believe her innocent, and love her bet­ter after her death, Josephus.

Three faire Dames, 71. line.] Pochris, Dei­damea, Artimesia; Pochris was wife to one Cefalous: who went every day abroad to hunt. One day her jealousie made her follow him, and hearing him call for the fresh arie, she rose from the place where she was concealed, to see what Nymph it was: He thinking it had beene some wilde beast, shot an arrow, and wound­ed her. When hee knew what shee was, hee was much afflicted, but shee being past reco­covery, desired of him, as her last suite, that the [Page 42] Nymph Aire might not succeed her in his love, by which hee found her mistake, and cleared it: So shee died very well plea­sed.

Deidamia bore Pirhus to Achilles, and would never marry another whilest hee was at Troy, nor after his death.

Artimesia was wife to Maussalus, King of Caria, after his death, shee dried his heart, beate it to powder, and mingled it with her drinke, saying, There was no o­ther Urne worthy to hold such precious ashes.

Biblis, Semiramis, and Mirrha, 75. line.] Biblis loved her brother: Semiramis loved her sonne, yet some Authours thinke it a calumnie: Mirrha loved her fa­ther.

Lancelot, Tristram, 78. line.] Knights of the Round table.

Jiniver, 79. line.] Jiniver or Guiniver, was wife to King Arthur, and Mistris to Lance­lot.

Isond, 80. line.] Belle Isond, wife to Marke, King of Cornewell, and Mistris to Tristram.

By one hand slaine, 82. line.] The wife of [Page 43] one Lancelot, killed by her husband; toge­ther with his owne brother, whom shee used too familiarly, Italian Commentary.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FOURTH CHAPTER.

EƲridice, 13. line.] Euridice was wife to Orpheus a famous Greeke Poet, who made a journey to Hell for her after her death, and having recovered her from Pluto, on con­dition hee should not looke backe, lost her by breaking his promise. Hee hated marriage ever after, for which, or for his unnaturall Love to boyes, hee was killed by women at a sacrifice, and they say, named his wife after his head was off.

Alceus, 15. line.] An excellent, but lascivi­ous Greeke Poet, Italian Commentar.

Anacreon, 16. line.] Another Greeke Poet. Italian Commentar.

Pindarus, 17. line.] An excellent Greeke Poet, Italian Commentar.

Virgil, 18. line.] The Prince of Latine Po­ets, who knowes him not? It seemes hee was also in Love, Italian Commentar.

[Page 53] Ovid, Catullus, Propertius and Tibullus, 21. 22. and 23. lines.] All Latine Poets, and all Lovers. Italian Commentar.

Greeke Poetesse, 24. line.] Sapho, she first in­vented those verses called Saphicks after her: a better Poetesse then a woman, Italian Com­mentar.

Dant, 29. line.] An Italian Poet, whose Mi­stresse name was Beatrix. Italian Commen­tary.

Pistoyan Cin, 30. line.] Cin of Pistoia, ano­ther Italian Poet, whose Mistresse was named Selvagia.

Guiton may, 30. line.] Guiton was the best Italian Poet of his time: and therefore Petrarch thinkes hee should have had the first place here. Italian Commentar.

Guidoes, 32. line.] They were two Italian Po­ets of one name. Italian Commentar.

Sicilians, 33. line.] They were the first in­venters of rimes, and those very rude ones. Ita­lian Commentar.

Francischin and Senvchio, 35. line.] Two Italian Poets, friends to Petrarch. Italian Com­mentar.

A squadron, 37. line.] Here followes a troup of obscure provinciall Poets. Italian Com­mentar.

Peters, 41. line.] Two unconstant riming [Page 54] Lovers, of whom there cannot bee much said to much purpose, onely they with Arnaldo Daniel, and the lesser Arnaldo were provinci­all, Italian Commentary.

Rimbaldoes, 43. line.] There were two Poets of that name: The first loved two or three Mistresses, and made verses, &c. The o­ther loved but one, named Beatrix, Coun­tesse of Mont-ferrat, Italian Commen­tary.

Alvernia's, old Piero, 46. line.] A good Poet that lived long: so there hath beene three Peters in all.

Girault, 46. line.] Another Provinciall Poet, but I know not why hee should bee here, since I cannot learne that hee had ei­ther Wife or Mistresse, Italian Commen­tarie.

Flocchetto, 47. line.] Hee was a Merch­ants sonne in Genua, but being of a good spi­rit, hee travelled, and changed his Countrey; from whence hee was called Marsilian: hee turned religious at last, for discontent in love: hee was also a Poet, Italian Com­mentarie.

Jeffray, 50. line] Jeffray Ruder, hee fell in love with the Countesse of Tripola, by re­port, and making a sea-voyage to see her, fell sicke by the way: after hee was landed, the [Page 55] Ladie came to visite him, hee not being a­ble to visite her, by which good fortune, well satisfied, he died presently after, Italian Com­mentary.

Guilliam, line, 51.] Guilliam Gabesten of Rosiglion, loving, and too much loved of a Ladie, named Sorismonda, wife to Raimond, Lord of a principall place in that Countrey: his fine verses discovered their Love to her Husband, who killing him, caused dresse his heart, and made her eat it, then told her what it was: shee gave him a bitter answer; with which, enraged, hee drew his sword upon her, who leaping over a Balcone to shunne his fury, died of the fall, Italian Commen­tarie.

Amareg, 53. line.] There were two Po­eticall Lovers of that name.

Bernard, 53. line.] An amarous Poet, who turned religious at last, Italian Com­mentarie.

Hugo, 53. line.] A pleasing Poet▪ much respected for his Art, but an ill Me­nager and died poore, Italian Commenta­rie.

Anselme, 53. line.] A worse Poet, and worse Menager then the other, Italian Com­mentary.

[Page 56] Thomasso, 59 line.] A Poet, and friend to Petrarch, who studied with him in Bolognia: it seems he died, and was buried in Messiana, Ita­lian Commentar.

Lelius and Socrates, 63. line.] They were two friends to Petrarch. Italian Commen­tary.

Many heights, 74. line.] That is, they found out many mysteries of Learning, in their com­mon studies, Italian Commentar.

My head with th' honoured branches, 80. line.] His Mistresse, her name being Lauretta, hee wore Lawrell Garlands (as Emblems of her) sooner then he thought, his Poesie deserved that honour.

For buskins, 87. line.] Because of the subject: Laurettas warre with Cupid, being both Tra­gicall, for she made him prisoner, and mage­sticke, in regard of the dignitie of the Victresse, and powerfulnesse of the enemy: the Tragedi­ans, understood here by buskins (a kinde of feet, or legge-ornament which they wore) using a more grave and weighty stile then the Comick, Italian Commentar,

Orpheus or Homer, 92. line.] Two of the best Greeke Poets.

Aegeus mourns, 99. line.] The Aegean Sea, called so from Aegeus father to Theseus, and King of Athens, who drowned himselfe there, [Page 57] thinking his sonne was dead.

Tarquin, 116. line.] Tarquin ravished Lucrece, which was the ruine of his fathers house, and made the Government bee changed: a knowne History.

Bane of Troy, 116. line] Paris, who caused the destruction of Troy, by carrying away Hel­len wife to Menelaus.

Progne, 126. line.] The Swallow, her taske is to build in the spring.

Her sweet sister, 127. line.] Philomel, or the Nightingale: her case is to sing, or mourne if you will.

Time and place, 129. line.] Good-friday in the Church, and at Masse as it should seem; but the Italian Commentary in the life of Petrarch, contests much to prove that it was in the fields, that he see her by hazard, as hee and shee were both going to visit the Church of Saint Varan, it was Good-friday however.

Vulcanus, 151. line.] Vulcanus or Vulcano, Lyparis, Strombolli, Mongibell, and Ischia, all burning Islands and Mountains in the Medi­terran Sea.

Side-wayes cast, 161. line.] The place seem­eth imperfect, but is not, for hee compareth himselfe in his last contemplation of the mise­rie of Lovers after his experience, (which hee had not much heeded before) to a man, who [Page 58] neglecteth a piece of rare work or picture, by haste or other thoughts; and when hee is past, considers it more seriously, either standing still▪ or going on with his eye fixed on it.

ANNOTATIONS Upon the Triumph of CHASTITIE.

PHoebus and Leander, 5. line.] Phoebus lo­ved Daphne, and Leander Hero.

Juno, 7. line.] Juno loved Jupiter so much, that shee was troublesomly jealous, if shee can be called jealous, that had so much wrong.

Carthage dame, 7. line.] Dido, shee burned her selfe in her husbands funerall pile, lest she should bee compelled to marry an importunate suiter, or bring warre on her Countrey.

Camilla, 57. line.] She was Queene of the Amazons: it is said, they cut off their right brests, that they might shoot with the more ease.

Caesar in Pharsalia, 59. line.] That famous battell, in which he overcame Pompey the great and made way to the Empire.

Religious vertues, 64. line.] Faith and Hope, Italian Commentarie.

[Page 68] The twinnes, 69. line.] Justice and Fortitude, Italian Commentarie.

The Romane youth, 81. line.] Scipio, who o­vercame Hannibal.

Typheus groans, 95. line.] Typheus was one of the Giants that warred with heaven: there was a mountaine throwne upon him, under which when hee groanes, it sends forth smoke, fire, and stones▪ with great noise.

Nor Aetna, 95. line.] Another mountaine, which was cast upon Enceladus another Giant: the smoke and fire of all these burning moun­tains, proceeds from the Giants that lie oppres­sed under them.

Slew Medusa, 100. line.] The shield of Perseus▪ which turned all that beheld it, to stones.

Jasp. 101. line.] Jasp hath a qualitie to make one chaste.

Lethe flood, 103. line] Forgetfulnesse, an ex­cellent cure for Love, and the tooth-ake.

Diamonds, &c. 104. line.] Diamonds is thought maketh the wearers constant: Topasses make chaste, for which two causes they were worn by Ladies of old; but I hope they are not needfull now.

Calliope, &c. 112. 113. line.] the nine Muses.

Lucrece, 114. line.] A knowne Story, shee [Page 69] killed her selfe after Tarquin had ravished her.

Penellope, 115. line] The chaste wife of Ʋlisses.

Virginia, 118. line.] Virginia being a beau­tifull young Maid▪ was adjudged a bondwoman by Appius Claudius, that hee might obtain his owne base ends: her father seeing no other way to preserve her liberty and chastity, killed her, which occasioned the alteration of that govern­ment, by which Appius had his power, and gave liberty to the people.

Judged it better die, 123. line.] Their hus­bands, fathers▪ brothers, &c. being killed and chased by Marius, they hanged themselves, I­talian Commentarie.

The Greeke, &c. 126. line.] Hippo a Greci­an maide▪ who being embarked against her will by one who intended to dishonour her, leapt in to the Sea, and drowned her self, Italian Com­mentarie.

The vestall Nunne, 130 line.] Called Tucia, who cleared her selfe from a false accusation, by carrying water in a sive.

Hirsilia, 132. line.] Wife to Romulus, shee with the other Romane wives, all Sabine wo­men, who had been stollen from their kindred, seeing their husbands ready to fight with their fathers, brothers, cousins, &c. ranne in betwixt them, and opposing themselves to the naked [Page 70] swords, staid the fury of the fight, brought them to a parley, and so to an agreement.

Dido I mean, 139. line.] Petrarch it seems was much troubled at the wrong done to Dido, by Virgil; who to honour his Aeneas, will needs have it, that she forfeit her honour to him, when in true History, it is knowne hee never see her: this he glanceth at in her defence three severall times, for which I thanke him.

Retired to Arnus, 141. line.] One Piccarda, who rendered her selfe a Nunne, but was taken out by her friends, and compelled to marry, Ita­lian Commentar.

Baian shore, 144. line.] Baiae, is a Citie in Campania, called so from the hot bathes that are in it: it lieth alongst the Coast of the Mediter­ran sea, south-east from the mouth of Tiber, and giveth name to the Bay neare it, where Lauret­ta landed.

Avernus, 145. line.] A great Lake nere Baiae.

Sybils cave, 146. line.] A cave not farre from Avernus, where Sybilla called Cumea, was wonted to give her answers.

Linternum, 147. line.] A little Village in Campania, honoured by the death and buriall of the elder Scipio.

By Sulpitia, 156. line.] Sulpitia was a ver­tuous and learned Lady of Rome, who lived [Page 71] and wrote in the time of Domitian: it seemeth she hath beene chosen to dedicate that Temple or Altar to Venus▪ which hath power to curbe unreasonable passions, for the chastest women did worship Venus for that end, belike as the In­dians worship the Devil.

Thuscan youth, 163. line.] A beautifull yong man▪ who pittying the miseries of those wo­men that doted on him, and wearied with their importunities, marred his owne face.

My guide, 164. line.] His old Thuscan friend, who described The Triumph of Love to him ere he was one of the traine▪ doth now de­scribe The Triumph of Chastitie.

Hippolito and Joseph, 169. line.] Hippolito rejected the unlawfull Love of his stepmother, and Joseph the solicitation of his masters wife.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH.

NOble fight, line, 13.] Her fight with Cupid: See above in the Triumph of Cha­stitie.

Choice Company, 14. line.] The Ladies that had been vertuous before her time, and now waited on her Triumph, Lucrece, Penelo­pe, &c.

They bore a white, 18. line.] Their ensigne, a white Ermine in a greene field, with a chaine of Topasses set in pure gold: the white Ermine was an Embleme of innocencie: The Topasses of Chastity: and the pure gold of tride Vertue.

On these 43. line.] Meaning the other La­dies that waited on her, because they were all dead long before.

[Page 84] There is one, 45. line.] Petrarch, whom she thought would be more hurt by her death then her selfe, in regard of his extreme affection.

Another Company, 95. line.] The former Company who were dead, could not bee sory for her death, because she would be nearer them, but another company of Ladies, her friends and neighbours, came to pray that death would let her stay longer amongst them.

One onely haire, 102. line.] Alluding to the purple haire on the head of Nisus, which his daughter stole, because he could not die whiles he wore it, as if Lauretta had had such another: or as if every body had one: See above in the Triumph of Love, 2. Chap. 155. line.

No adversary, 142. line.] No wicked spirit, meaning, that she was troubled with no appari­tions at her death.

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE SECOND CHAPTER OF THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH.

BEst sunne, 2. line.] Meaning Lauretta, who dyed in the middest of her age, being but 33. yeares old.

Titania, 4. line.] Aurora the morning, cal­led Titania from Titan, the Sunne, who lodgeth with her.

True dreames, 5. line.] The morning [Page 96] dreames are held true, because the fancie is then most free from vapours.

A Ladie, 6. line.] Lauretta crowned, be­cause she was now a Saint.

Other crownes did move, 7. line.] Other crowned Saints that came along with her, be­like hee thought they must dote on her, as hee did.

Doe you live, &c. 18. line.] The Italian Commentary makes a long and needlesse dis­course to defend the congruitie of this place, as if all did not know that those who dreame they see a dead person appeare, as if alive, doe ordinarily make such a doubt in their sleepe.

When I receiv'd, 129. line.] Hee had one time, as hee used, sent her some of his verses, and coming himselfe just as they were presented to her, shee received them in his presence, Italian Commentary.

My Love dares say no more, 130. line.] She sung a song, beginning thus, for an undirect ex­cuse of her reservation.

Flowrie seat, 145. line.] Florence.

Of any countrey, &c. 146. line.] The sense here seemed cleare to mee, that Lauretta being [Page 97] well descended, but borne in Cabriers, an ob­scure village, shee was onely displeased with that particular; yet the honour of his love was recompence enough for that misfortune, and any place good enough where shee had that ho­nour: and if shee had beene borne neare Flo­rence, where hee had his birth, shee might have beene unknowne to him who had left it, his parents being chased from thence by a con­trary faction; and if hee had not seen her, it is like hee might have loved another, so should shee have missed that honour, to which Petrarch answers, That where ever she had beene borne, hee must needs have loved her, by the influence of his Starres: but when I looke on the Italian Commentary, I finde hee takes the meaning quite other wayes, which I have expressed as neare his sence as I can, thus:

As if shee had said her greatest misfortune [Page 98] was feare or jealousie, that hee disliking the place in which shee lived (though she thought it sweete enough) might change his affection, and bee drawne to love some other▪ Let him that reads or compares, take the sence hee ap­proveth most.